Humble Pleadings. FOR T H E O R A Plain Reprefentat r on Of the Rife, Grounds and manner of feverarl Con- tendings of the Reverend Mr. John Hepburn ( Mi- jiifteroftheGofpel at Orr in Galloway) an4 his Adherents ( a confiderable Body of People in the South and Weft ) againft many Sins and Defecti- ons in the Eftabliihment and Proceeding? of the Church and State of Scotland^boxit and fince the . Revolution. INTWO PARTS, The firft containing ( after a fuccinft Declaration of their Principles ) an account of many cf their Grievances. The Second containing a true Relation of the manner and wav of their Contendings, with an hint of the Treatment they met with. CoHetted and Pitblijhed by the for ej aid People. **——»- — ' ' > i ... i . ■. Jer m 6, 16, Thus faith the Lord, ftand ye in the way, and fea and ask fair the old Paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye (hall find Reit for your «&>uls, 6v. Judt 3.*-— Ye Ihould earneftly Contend for the Faith, which was once delivered unco the Saints. Col .4. 17. And fay tOtArcbippw-,tikc heed to the Ministry whick rhou haft received in the Lord, that thou tulfill it. Hof, 2. 2. Plead with your Mother, &c. D Paretu in Locum pzg 484.. Eft Vtro ttzavt btc honoris fur s fareqtcs crrsntts *libt~ lis debit* revenntid moneri& revocarz in vitm. Deindt J*- btt ( Deis fci\. )ex fo&ulmre cum mat re nonprobri caufs^fed u$ refipifcat. Printed in the Year MDCCXIII r T O T H E READER Candid Reader, SVCHis the afpett of Affairs this day, that to thefe who have the Spirit of Mfceirning, it is manifed, the Churches of thrift through the ' Worlds are in a very low Condition, into whitff*" they are fallen, not fo much through Violence of Perfecution, as through the Subtile and Fawning Infinuarionsof the old Serpent tempting to Slum- ber, and Security : Pajfing places nitre Remote, l The Church efChrift in this Land is at this time a Pregnant inftance hereof, to fuch a degree, that al~ tho a Fire burneth round about hs we are not a- uAened '<, the Lord is breaking us, with Breach up- on Breach, and infliQing manifold ftro\es,as Cigns cfhis Difpleafure,both Invifiblyon the Spirits Af almoft every one, and alfo vifibly by aw full Di~ fpenfations as to things Hxternd,yct wefpeak and j4& as thofe that Dream^fome crying the Temple tf the Lord, and faying is he not among/t us? What evil can come upon m ? Others crying /# here isChri$, others lo there : Perfons at eafe are > generally faying concerning this Churchy 04 the DiJ* cipUs to Ckri/t concerning the Temple,' Mark 1 3* * 3 t*4 To the Reader * i. See what manner of Stones, and what Build* 4 *#&** -And verily it is to be fear' d his Anfwer now may be, there fhall not be left one Stone upon a- nother/ 'This Church indeed was once Beautiful as Tirt,ah, Comity as Jerufalem, terrible as an Army, with Bannerr;and was termed BeuUh and Hephzibah,yea we may fay, She was once great a* mong the Nations, and Princefs among the Provin- ces ; but Ah ! How is She already become Iribti* taryl Wx may fay of Her as the Prophet con- cerning the Church of the Jews, Lam. I. 5, 8. Her Adverlaries are the chief, Her Enemies Profper, i from the Daughter of Zion all Her Beauty is * departed, all that Honoured Her defpife Her, \ yea She figheth, and turneth backward \ The Rjedfon is given y She hath grievoufly Sinned, thus it is for the Multitude of Her TranfgreJJions. What the Lord bad againft the Church of Ephef us, Rev. 2. 4. the fame he hath againb this Church* Thou haft left Thy firft Love •, Is it not difcem-y ible to any who have Spiritual Senfes in Exercife, that which way fo ever, this Church and Land be J confidered, Defections, Decays, Divifiens, Delufi- on*) and Deflations are to be feen and obferved. Perfonal Holinefs is rare, very many declare their % Sinas Sodom, and hide it not, Glorying in their Shame, and in Open Profanity ; Others who have a Name to live, are neverthelefs for the mo (I part Dead. True it is, There may be Common influen- ces and operations of the Holy Spirit, but few are really convinced, Spiritualty extrcifed, and convert- \ edby the Omnipotent and Irrefiftiblc working, thereof: It is to be feared, there is much Counter- feit Grace and Religion-) common and Literal know- To the Reader knowledge and Light y Counterfeit Sorrow for Sin± Counterfeit Faith, Repentance, and Love, fey know the firft Refurrethton, or Faith of the Operation of , GOD ', that Faith which is the effect of the exceed- inggreatnefs of GOD's Power Epb: i. 19. Tea we fear few ever found h difficult to believe, or were ever convinced of that deadly Power of Unbelief ^ under which all by Nature arejhut up, Rom: 11. j 2. 'there arc many Stenie ground Profeffors whofe Religion hath Sprung up foon, but had notj neither bath Root, let the Reader fee Mat. 13. 2 Pet. 2, 20. &c.Heb:6. 4,5. Joh: 2.2324. Ifa.' 58. i,2.Ifa:i. 13, 14, 1%. &c. Mat.- 25. Mic: 3. 11. Ifa: 29. 13. Pfal.78. 34, 35,3.6.&c. Mat. 7. 13. to the end. An evidence of what is above hinted is f hat among Prof effort, there is UttleConfci- entious performance of thefe duties, wherein the Life of Religion moft lyeth ', fuch as Secret Prayer and Fajting^ Reading the Scriptures, Meditation thereon, Self Examination, thrift ian Converfe 9 &c. In which Duties Union and Communion with GOD through Chrijt is to be fought after and maintained, and the Graces of the Spirit^ viz* Saving knowledge, Faith in Chrijl, Love y Repen- tance, &c. Are to be Exercifed. Again if Families be confidered, how is the Worfhipof GOD neglected ? Injtrutlion of Children and Servants omitted ? How few obferve the directions contain- ed in Scripture, and thefe prefer ibed by the General A(f:.2LTino 1647. concerning fecret and Family W or (hip? Some feldom making any mint at Famfy Worjbip, others only once a day, and wher' the round of thefe External Duties are c^mpaffedj very many difcover gr$at Formality , indifferency and r To the Reader $nd Hypocrifte marry ways, efpecially by vnten* der and awftr eight practices. Jind we mufk fay, we fear Publick Ordinances in many places are this dayfo Difpt'fcd, as to jooth up not a few in this Deplorable condition, for alas ! Few Mini- fters do cry aloud and not f pate to tell People their Sins. Do not too many daub with Zfntempered Mortar , and foxo Villous under arm holes, crying Peace, Peace, and healing the Wound of poor Peo- ple flightly, not feparattng the Precious from the Vile, either Dettrinally or by Difcipline ? If it were known how much of this there hath been and is in Scotland, it needed not be taught ftrange that the Nation and Church are Uw and daily Sink* ing, efpeciatly if it be covfidered that Laodicea like, we are faying, we. are rich, tho the Lord knows we are poor, Miferable, Wretched, Blind, and Naked, doth not almoft every Perfon and par- ty plead Innocence, refuting to acknowledge Stn ? And yet all parties have Jo Sinned, that COH hath begun to tefiifie againft us, writing Wrath en aim oft every Difpenfation of his Providence, and if Sovereign Mercy prevent not, we have all ground to fear defolating and LandWajiing judgments and Calamities when the Lord comet h forth out of his place, topunifb the Inhabitants of this Land, for their Perfonal, Family, Congregate I enal, and National Sins : Great goodnefs it is, \ that inhisWrathhe hath hitherto remembredMer- I cy, and that Our Mother is not yet put away and I Divorced ', We defireto rejoice and be thankful, f! that in this fad time of failing away, the Lord hath yet aftvo Names i. e. true Chrijtians in Scotland, whp) tho Lamentably divided wt frm anothtr^ yet an T<* the Reader are united in Chrift their head, and Children of the fame Father , and will en]9y the fame Inheri- tance in the World to come. Tea we doubt not but Chrift hathyet in Scotland a Golden CandleQick and Stars or Avgds i. e. true Mifiifters of his e- verlaftingGofpel,wh$mhehflthfent forth as his jimbaffadors to treat with Sinners, and who, tho Joining with this Eftabliftcd Cliurch, yet are grieved ( we hope ) with her backjlidings ^ Only we-cannot conceal our grief that the precious arc not fepar ate from the Vile, and that thrift's Sent Servants are fo little active, Bold, and Faithful in ftanding up for him agaipft his Aaroerfaries of di- vers forts. For Our part we defire to rejoice in any good thing that remains wiflnng the ftrength- ning thereof. And it cannot be denyed but one great mean of Strengthening any remaining good that is to be found, ps, before the Lard to mourn overhand before Men to plead againjl Defe8ions and depar tings out of the way ', It is the undoubt- ed duty of all, both Mioifiers and others who wouid defire the Lord's Vrefencetobe continued in this Poor Church and Land, and who are for row- ing for his hiding hisFace from thefame,ai at i day, IVeJaytit is the undoubted duty of all fuch to /tir up themfelves to take hold on him, to hold him and not let him go, ^Jacob^Gert. 32.26. and , the Spoufe Cant. 3.4. and to give him no reft tii he makj^our Jerufalern apraije in the Earth, And likewise it is their duty m to mourn for, and turn from their own Sins of all forts fo to plead with their Mother that fie would put away her Where- doms, and to bear Teftimony and Proteft againft her unfaithfuhefs to Her Hushand^ See Hof. 2. 3*t To the Readcn Jer« 3. too title of this Work in any of the foremen- tioned refpeSts hath been, or is to be found among ft Ade to that Innovation) but likewife the whole Nation was in fome Ferment, imtill a General AfTembly was held at Glafgow in November 1638. The Godly Party having in the preceeding year renewed the National-Co-^- venant, did valiantly contend againtt Prelacy and all its Appendices, finding it a Weed that God had never planted, and to worthy of Era- dication : Which Reformation in our Church tho' rnpch con i tinned at firil," yet was Ratified^ by the Parliament 1641. How wonderfully* the Lord's Hand appeared in this Reformation, '; will be acknowledged by any, who fliaU with attention read the Hirtoricai Accounts thereof, efpeeially, that Latine Treatife printed at Dant- zick anno 164T, Entituled Rer'ttm nuper. in Scot, geftarum H.ftoria, and the Adtejof AfTembly from 1658 to 1649 Incluftvt, whereby it will appear what pleafant Succefs^ the Cove- nanted Work of Reformation had both in this Land and in.. England (after ihey Swore the So- lemn League anno 1643) Y ea * n Ireland, alfoin fonac mealure. The deplorable Alteration and marring of that bleffed Work from the Year 1650 or 1 65 1 (whep the Cpntroytrfy ancnt the The Introduction. the ' PMick Resolutions was tofled to the tenting of this Church to this very day) unto the late Revolution 1689, with the dreadfull Perfidie, Perjurie, Perfecution, Bloodfticd, Op- preflion, Tyranny, Defe&ion, and Apcftacy a- bounding in that fad Period ? is reprefented to us in the following printed Treatifes viz. Ctufes of Wrath printed anno 1653. Apologetical Rela- tion ,Napth ah , Jus poppili vindicatum,The trucNon-. Gonjormijl, Hiftory $f Indulgence, Banders Disbanded I Rettius Inftruendum, Informatory Vindication, ! Hind let loofe, Tejlimony againji the- Toleration, 1 Together with a final 1 Treat ife cntttutcd A Me- morial ef Grievances printed anno 1690. Be- fides feveral other Pamphlets, containing fome Account of that fad and difmal Time, to all which we refer the Reader, heartily wifhing he may perufe the fame diligently, for we are per- vaded, he would not lofe his pains in fo do- ing : Amongft many other thing?, he may thence fee the Accomplishment of the Promife, Pfal. 2. 8. lfa. 42. 4.. And. the great Mercy of ' the Lord exprefied to this Church, in making her at fome times as an Army with Banners, and even at her loweft Ebb, and when her Enemies have overtaken her between the Straits Lam. 1 .3. ,In fpiriting and afting forth fome to ftand up for him and his Caufe againft the Workers of Iniquity; and to refift unto Blood, ftriving a- gainft Sin : Some fuch the Lord hath had in this Land in the very worft times : And hence alfo the wonderfull and free Grace and Pati- ence of God in continuing the Gofpel in this Realm, notwithftanding the great Provocations given The IntroiuBion. given him by all Ranks firft and laft, may plainly appear. Suppo/ing our Reader to have by tte pe ufal of the foreiaid Treatifes acquired fome good Understanding of the Tcitinv>ny maintained by that witncffing and fuftering Remmnt (whofe Caufe is vmdicarcd in thefe Books) as it was ftated about the year 1 687. We fhalinotneedlefly repeat, only the Hind let toofe 3bovememioned, (hut? up its laft Period with fome Account of the R ; fe, Offer and Re- ception of that enfnaring Toleration, which the Late UfurpT J imes Dale of Tori iffued forth; in which Relaiv a we may finJ, that fome f£ w Minifters refufed and condemned it, thefe the contending Party, adhced to, withdraw- ing from fuch >s embraced it with a Gratulato- ry Addrefs. Famous .nd Faithfull Mr. James Renmckfothh faithfull and conftant oppofingof this and many other Iniquous courfes of the Time was fhortly put to Death, after his pre- fenting the abovenamed Teftimony againft the Toleration : How little Friendftiip or Brother-* ly Love he met with from the Tolerated Mini- fters during'Ws I mprifon mentis well known to thefe who were concerned obfervers : Not long after, it pl^fed the Lord, to break the Yoke ot Tyranny, by caufing a notable Revolution, through the means of $e Wuftrious Prince of Orange^ who taking to heart, the Diftreffed Condition of Britain and Ireland^ undertook an Expedition for their Delivery, whereunto he was encouraged and invited by a great part of thefe Lands. He Arriving in England Anno 1688, was there received with general fatisfa- &ioa 7 hi tutroda&ion &ion*i and m-a few Months, he with that excel- lent Princefs, his Confbrt were declared King and Queen of England*. The forefaid Popifh Prince difirufting the Equity of his Caufe, and the Affe&ion of thefe over whom he claimed Re- gal Authority withdrew into Frdnte, from ivhence he came into Ireland, where he labour- ed to regain what he had 16ft, till K. IViUiam by Vittotious Arms worfted hittt at theBayne, (6 that he nude his efcapfe thence intoFrance again; The Eftates of Scotland Ann* 1689, fent "Corit* mfiimers with an offer of the Crown of this Realm to K. William : Craving, that he would take the Government thereof upon him, which he did Swearing our Cororfation Oath, receiv- ing and promifing to obferve the Claim of Right, and Redrefs, Grievances: Thus he be- came King of5^r/Wlikewife,and theConven- tion of Ettatfcs were turned into a Parliament*, Which Revolution gave a*£onfiderable Dafo the Jacvbitifh & Prelatick Tribe, As on the ot! hand, thefe who profeffed themfelves of th£ Vresbyteriari Perfwa/ton were encouraged, Tb& 'Minifters (Many, yea, the balk of which had! Complyed with the abovementibned Sinful To- leration) had General Meetings at Edinburgh 5 And thereafter Ofttb: 16. i6po, fat dowrf at Edinburgh at the King and Queen's Comnfandl in a General Aflembly : Here then i$ the face c! Church and State Eflablifhed •, Which whert ! I the fuffering Remnant perceived to fail of what e theyexpefted (for expe&ing Judgment to re- f tarn to Righteoufnefs, they formerly had beer* ; attitfc,by what Military Affiftanec theyeowld ** * give The IntrpJiZlh?:. jve, to promote the Revolution IntereftJ they * iegan to think, that they had long enough con- curred with thefe who in the immediatly pre- ceding years were feeking the Ruin cf the Work and People of God •, and therefore feing the Conditions, whereupon they offered their j Serv r ce to the Eftates were not fulfilled, viz.. Thefe mentioned in aforecited Pamphlet, cali'Jj A Memorial of Grievances Printed 1690. Such as that their Majeftiesfhould be required toSub- ffribe our Sacred Covenants, and that the State and Army fhould be pureed from the horrid Corruptions, wherewith they were over- grown We fay, feing thefe things were not grant- ed, but on the contrary Matters becoming daily more hopelefs as to thefe and other things whereof they implored arv amendment, they entered into Confutations, whether or not it were their Duty to Join the Army as then a framing, .W3ereupo$i r (tho they were confide- rably unite in the Renovation of our Sacred Co- venants ditLefchmaloagi 4/100.1689. An account of which Aftion is extant in Print,) 'they were fid- \y fplit at leaft into three Opinions and Pra&i- Ces confirm thereto, Mr.'Thomas Linmng theic Minuter, JMr. Alexander [Shields and Mr. Wile Ham Boyd Preachers with fcveral private Per- jTons declared their Opinion, viz,, that tho things went not as they ; could have wjfhed, yet it was fit to concurr aftivfcly in the fame Caufe, and embark in the fame bottom with theChprch and State as then reftored, accordingly thefe oidpjraftife, feryingin the Regiment command- ed by the Earl of Angus^ with whteft Mr- Skidds 'ine- introaucvien. Shields went Abroad being ordained thcr Mi* lifter, the other two Mrs. Linning and Boyd ibiding at home joined with the Miniiters of. the preterit Chur ch from whom they had merly ftood aloft: How thefe three were brought off the way they formerly owned (hall hereafter be further declared \ Another fore were of a quite oppofire Judgement and Practice thinking that there was lo little difference betwixt the State of the Church and Nation, af- ter the Revolution and the State both were in, under the Duke of York's Toleration, that they could neither own K. W. and Q^ At as King and (Mqci\ of Scotland^ nor own the Minifters and Church Judicatories, and fo thought them- felves bound to decline Subjeftion to aJl Courts whether Civil or Ecclefuftick in the Nation. Let the Reader (if he pleafe ) fee the fecond Edition oi The Jnformatory Vindication from page 205 to 277 where their way is declared more fully with the Grounds thereof by them- fclves. A Third Sort Judged it mort like to Scripture Pit tern, to own what wa$ good in both Church and State, and to proteft and bear Witnefs a- gainft the Defe&ions of both, by. pleading in Face of Judicatories for Red re fc uf Grievances, but could not fee ground intirely to decline them , as incompetent or totally corrupt *, Somethings they faw changed to the better, which they Could but not praftically acknowledge, liich as, The Supremacy & Tyranny abolifhed out of the Magiftracy, and Government regulate by Laws made by the Suffrage cf a free Parliament, hents The IntroiuBion hence they fubjetted thejreto m things lawful: As to the Church they made Application to Sy- nodsand AfTeniblies for obtaining an Amend- ment of Things of Vvliith they faw ground to Complain, and by this Application they tefti- fied that they owned Her to be a true Church, tho* they judged any Alteration in the Miniftry from what it was under .York's Toleration, tho* iA feverll things to the better, yet not foconfi- derable, as that they could join with them, un- til they fhould make a full & due acknowledge- ment of their Defections 5 this due and requi- fite Confeflion being denyed , this People re- fufed to hear thefe Minifters who were charge- able, left they fhould condemn their former Pra&ice vindicated in the Informatory Vindicati- en and Hind lei loofe^ for they faw little diffe-. xence between the Minifters as Tolerated and thefe fame as now Eftablifhed,' fave only what arole from External Circumftances, W4. the Alteration that was ftiade by the Revolution fettlement, Tempora mutantur & nos mutamur abillis. In this Judgement and pra&ice, the People we now mean were daily more and morfc confirmed, Things ftill waxing worfe : This is a fumma.ry account of the Three Parties into which thi'Spfferers abovementioned were di- vided, tho* each of them profefleth to be Presby* terian,and to adhere to our c Confefiion ofFaith c Catechifms,Covenants,Direftory for Worfhip, c Propofitions concerning Church Government* and other pieces of the attained to Reformation. The two firft having Laborioufly fpoken for their own Defence by Printed Pamphlets, each of The Introduction. of themagainft the other, and both again$ -the third, which patiently and quietly hath borri all without Printed Replys, We be- ing Vouchers of this third way fhall for Reafons hinted irrtbe Epiftle to the Reader at length give the World to know foniewhat npre fully concerning the grounds thereof in this pre- fent EiTay. We for Reafons contained in the Grievances, to be mentioned below, wanting the benefite of publick Ordinances in the Congregations where we refpe&ively lived, were conftrained to take the moft fuitable means we could, for ftpengthening one anothers hands in the way of Duty, and for mutual Edification,^/*,, fpeaking often one to another according toMal.%. ij.ind As formerly We were wont) Meeting together in Societies_for Prayer and Chriftian Converfe^ Correfponding likeways amongft our felves by finding fome from every quarter, and fome- times conferring with Minifters who profefTed their difatisfa&ion with the Courfes of this pre- fent Chucch. At length, after many filent Sab- biths, we judging it an unfupportable want to lie deprived of the benefit^ oiChrift's Ordinan- ces difpenfed in his way, had feverai Conferen- ces with the Reverend Mr. John Hepburn Mi- nifterof the Gofpel at Orr in Galloway m order to joining with him,whom having found really grieved at; the Defe&ions and Backfiidings of this Church and Land, we (after crying to the -Lpti foe Light and Counfeljf came to be re- foived to hear him:, -\nd being ftill more and more fatisfod as to his Faithfulnefs to his Great Ma. The Introduction. Maft«r and the Souls of Sinners, we cordially^ fubmitted tohisMiniftry, and continue 1 cub- ing to this very day with great freedom, and (we hope) well 'grounded fcrisfa&ion, fearing nothing more than that we neither have walked,nor yet do walk worthy of fuchan high Privilege vouchfafed us by the Good and Gra- cious LORD of the Vineyard, and that by our Mifimprovment thereof God may be provoked jo punifh us with the removal of it. When he and wejoinedfhis and our Caule (which we hope was alfo Chrift's^ became one and common to both, which wemartnaged, as the Lord helped byWitnefiing againft what we Judged wrong both in the Magiftracy and Mt- niftry, he faithfully and freely difcovering fin Sermons and ©therways) thefe Evils and reprov- ing them according to i Tim. 5.20. E/?fc. 5. n. 13. &c. and we owning hearing and adhering to him in the Difcharge of that Duty, arid when he was called before Judicatories for it, we ac- companied and attended on him, willing to give what Affiftance we could, and fubferibed with him Proteftations or Papers of that nature when fceed was* Hum- ( I ) Humble Pleadings FOR THE Good Old Way, &cc. e i nn i« n m—mmm mi m a ' w— »»— wr*-'— — tTXfl* PART I. jAVING in the Introduai- on given a Brief Hiltori- cal Relation, of the feve- ral Remarkable Periods of this Chnrch; Wee now come to tell what Our Grievances have b?en, and are with Re- fprft to this prefent Church and Stat* as ERablilKed face the Revo*' A lution i * ) lution, and that becaufe flic gins we have mint- ed tqtcrafic againtt,are ty many either deny&l . I or fixtenuated: But before we fee dpi?n f Out Grievances, we (hall give a Summary Declarati- on ot our Principles, becaufe fome have branded us with the B *ck Afpcrfioiis .of Frror -and Shtfm, Theie Principles wbich-we are now about tti write do\vn 5 were for the moft part .read in al- moft the r faint words at the Committee held at ''Sqnqgh*ir } *nno 170*$, Appro ven and Enjoynedin th§ A6tsofthe General AiT. \ b!y thereof, held forth in the pireitory for Worfhjp, and we Condemn whatever 1 is not ac- cording tn the fame. ' III. We defire firmly to believe that; the Lord Chri(l,the only and atane Head and King of his .thurch, hath appointed a particular Form of C_ eminent, therein to continue to the end tf ihe < 3 ) jtbe \yor1d Unalterable, and we believe, Presby- terian .Government ( as it bath been Exercifed iff this Land inSeffions, Presbyteries, Synods and General Affemblies, byMiniftcrs and Rul- ing Elders in a parity of Per fons .^Subordination of judicatories, as to Jurisdiction and Church Government held forth in Adte of General Af- ftnibly" Books of Difcipline, and Faithful writ- ing: of our worthy Divine^ on that head, but principally in the Proportions concerning Church Government, received and Approver! by the Aflembly 1 64*5, Self 16. is this Form, and that any other fort cf Churcb-Govemn.ent, pre- tended unto arid pleaded for by whomioever, e- fpecially Prelacy lately ElkJbliined in Scotlani 7 ' and yet continuing in EngUii and IreUnd; ( tho Ab;ured ( ih cur Covenant ) \i not the forefaid Government appointed by Chrift Jelus, IV. Wcfc bclltve the Lord XDhritt his alone headfliipniand over his Church and Her In- uintick P wer, Purchaied by his Blood, where- by (lie is Impended rodo all. things for her ow:i Prefcrvation and Edificarion, according to Scripture : Rule, as freely in afl things and Re- iped«, as any Soe'ety or Kingdom in the World, and Independent upon rrtignCivil Pow- tr, whether Supreme or Cdbor.lmate. V. We defire to rejoice with all Our hearts at f he Reformation cf thfc Church from Pwry y and Prelacy, ai;d all the Appendices thereof, and at all the Glorious A&ings of Our wortlyAn- ccftoursin carrying on of the' fame, and doing things Relative thereto : Of all jfwhich we give .alio Our Conliant Approbation. VI. ( 4 ) VI. In the next place, in like manner, Wee Approve of, and addhere to the Sacred and bleff- ed Covenants, the National Covenant and So- lemn League, containing nothing in tbem,but what was by Gods Word, Binding Antecedent- ly to their making,- As alio we believe their • conftant Obligation on thefe Nations, which cannot be difF !ved by any Human Power whatfoever; We like wife declare Our hearty Adherence to te Publick Renovations of tl e (aid Covenants, together with the Solemn Ac- knowledgment of publick Sins againft the fame,, and engagment to. ajl duties therein crn^ained, emitted in the year 1648. And we adhere to thefprefuid Pub! ick acknowledgment of Sins and engagment to Duties, conformant to the Scriptures of Truth, In Urged "at the laft Renova- tion of the Covenants 1^89. And from Our very Hearts declare Our Abhorrence of all things done in prejudice of thefe Covenants, and fot making them to be forgotten, whether Oaths or Declarations againft and contrary to them, whether Dire6lly or Indke&ly, and ^\\ other Oiths Exrlufiveof or Derogating from them, and Indignities whatfoever , done thereunto, and farthery We declare, Our Adherence to the whole Heads and Articles of the Covenanted Work of Reformation, and all the worthyTefti- monies given thereunto, cither by writing or Suffering, As alfo we declare againft every thing contrary thereto, or Derogating therefrom, parti- cularly hearing of Curats, Indulgence of whatlo- ever fdition, Tefts and Sinful Bonds of what- soever Sort under the late Reigns, paying of Gels C T ) Ccfs for Suppreffmg the Gofpcl, all Blood flied for adhering to the forefaid Reformation in any of its parts, all Acceffion thereunto ' Dire#!y or Indire£lly,the ill-imited Toleration flowing from a Blafphemoufly Arrogate abfolute Supre- macy, the acceptance thereof, with the mod un- accountable Addreflmg therefore, and all Join- ing therewith. And all other things in that Evil time done againft the Work and Caute of GOD. Thefearetbe Principles we Avouch, and if any (hall Evince Our way to be Crofs to thele,or fhall Convincingly fhow that we have pleaded for, or owned any thing contrair to Scripture or the Principles of this Church in Purer timc^. We lhercby declare that we are willing (through GOD's Grace ) to acknowledge Ojr Error. Let the World then Judge, how little R afon there is for Accufmgu* of Error and Schijm, &c. We n^w come to narrate federal things in the Publick Ad mi nitrations of this Church and State fincc the Revolution which have been Our Grievances, ( O that the Lord may help us and others to be m re Grieved for them) we ftiall not, neither can we Reprefent all thele things which Juftly may be Gravaminous, much lefs fliall we take upon us to Dig Deeper into the Heart-Sins, the fecret Springs of Our de- parting from GOD, fomcthing to this purpofe is done in a little Paper Printed anno 1712- under the name of theCaufe* of GOD's Wrath with Scotland, &c. Yet very far ft^rt of what the true Sum doth amount unto. The follow- ing Grievances, raofily refpe^ the Failures of the* r 6 ) {he Church-Officers, . yet in iqch , a way as the many .Sinful Publick Adminiftrations of the State, are Jotef woven with, and wrapped up in the account of the former. For we muft declare, that this and the former Reign have Contracted deep Guilt on the Throne and Nation, by many Mai- Adminiftrations, as will appear afterwards; The Grievances are theft. Grjev. I. That neither at the Revolution nor fmce, hath there been any due Inquiry made into t:he Sinful Cpmplyanas ot the Office- bearers and Members of this National T Church in the former-times, viz,. Betwixt 1650 and 1689. nor any Cenfute Infli&ed, according to the De- ment of their Faults, but on the contrary, fome of thde Coniplyers, Mfctflers and others were Conivved at, yci Advanced without any Pub- lick Ptoleflion (in a judicial way ) of their Re^- penrance, for their Compliances and fad fteps of Defeftion. The matter of this Grievance canr^t be denyr cd with any Colour of Rqafon, by thefe who know the former Period, and the Proceedings of this Church fincethe Revolution, with Re- lation to it : Theie Cqiiipjiinces are Difcover- ed by theAiithorsof theTrc:\rifes mentioned pag. 5. It is well known^that fome Miniflers took the Contradictory Teft, who were yet continue^ in the Mintliry without any due acknowledg- ments profiled Reperttauce in a Judicial way. Matter George AziUrum, who formerly -had been a Curat, was fopfctuiies chofen Moderator in the General AlfemWV,^/^. -inn* 1698 and 1703. andalfowasadvaocedtob:Profcft>r of Theology in the Colledge olEdinhnrgh, and yet was never required to make Publick Profeflion of his Repentance for is former way ; Thi6 is one Inltance in lieu of manv, iuch as Tellers being made Ruling Eldtrs. &c. ' Griev. II* That there hath not been a Judicial condemning of the fad fteps of Defection of this Church and Land from the Covenanted Work of Reformation, fuch as the publick Refoluti- on, and AfTociation with Malignants following thereon, the Silence of many Miniftefs in noc teftifying againft the Blafphemous Supremacy arrogated by Charles 2d. and the perfidious fub- verfion of the forefaid Beautiful Reformation by thtA£t Refciffory and other wicked Laws to that effect, his Introduction of Abjured Prelacy, the Apoftacy of a great part of the then Miniftry, in pining with the forefaid Prelacy, the hearing and owning of fuch who thus Apoftatized, th« receiving of Indulgences of whatfoever Edition from the forefaid Charles, accepting of Tork'f Toleration^ together with all ether ftepS of Defection fummed up in the Hind-let- ho fc^ which to enumerate here would b$ too tedious \ Thefe were never formally and fully enumerate, and condemned by the General Affembly of thisprefent Church, for in that Aft for a Faft - 1690, very many of that times Defections are not fo much as named, for inftance Minifters their defifting from the Exercife of their Fun- ction at the King's Command, and continuing to ly by from the fame, forfaking their Flocks, yvhen there was molt need of their PafUral can* and & 8 ; and infpeftton, befides thefe abovementioned Sins, and many others related in the Writings, of that Iniquous time. There are, we grant, in that forefaid Aft, fome general and overly hints of the feveral kinds of the Lands Abominations, bpt there is no particular condeJcention as to the Individual Afts hie & nunc with their Ag- gravations: Let the Reader for his fatisfifti- on in this Matter, compare that Aft with the abovecited Writings. Griev. III. The not approving and juftifving by an Aft of Aflembly, the feveral faithful Wit- nellings Vyreft lings and Sufferings of the Lords Servants and People, in contending for our LORD CHRIST his Interefts, in oppofitton to all Encroachments made thereon by his and his Churches Enemies ^ yea there hath not been fuch an honourable mention nnde of thefe Wit- neffes and their Contendings as was rcquifite, But on the contrary an unparallelled difregard- ing, and (as would feem) an Induftrious target- ing of them fwee thislaft Establishment tcok pla^e-, fome Minifters likeways tacitdy con- demning many parts of their Teftimony, look- ing on thele Faithful Appearances with diflike and contempr,have thereby given great ground of Offence and Jealoufy to us and many others. The.Conduft of this Church (us reprefented in the three prececding Grievances) to the un- feyafTed cannot but appear to be difTonant to the laudable praftice of Chrift's Chyrch in the Old and NewTeftament in like Circuuiftances, #aoiely when She, after great Light received*, falling ( 9 ) filling under Perfecution, and into Defe&ion, hath been reftored to Liberty, as the Church in the Days of Hetekiah, 2 Cbrcrt. 29. jo ; 3 1. Chapters, and of Jofiab z Kings 12. 23. Chapters and in the time of £*ra and Nehemiah, fee //#. 1. 5,7. Ezjra,g. 10. Chapters throughout. iVe- iztjff. 8. 9. and i$.Chaptcrs,Where 1. Itsobferv- able that the Inftrumentsof the then Reforma- tion Inflifted Condign Cenfureand punilhment upon Delinquents, z That they unbofomed themfelves by a particular and freeConfeflion of the feveral fteps of their former Backflidings. 3. That they make honourable mention- of Jeremiah, and other true Prophets, who had been faithful to God in their day, Ezjra 1. U N*^ I. 7. and 9. 26. How neceflary thefe Duties are may further be Learned from Chrift*s Meflage to the feven Churches of Afia, Rev. 2, and 3, Chap, the Epiftle of Paul to the Galat tans , and alio his fecond to the Corinthians confirm the neceflity fhereof. The Church of Scotland about the year 1637 and downwards feduloufly laboured to ftioyel out of the way the Rubbifh of preceding Corruptions by Depofing and Excommunicat- ing Bifl)ops y Annulling fix pretended A$zmHie$ r Condemning Unlawful Oaths im poled on In- trants into the Miniftry extruding the Leturgi- eal Service- Book-) Book of Ordination, Abolifhing Prelacy, and the High Commiffion, Condemning Perth Articles , and the Civil places ^nd Power of Church-Men, &c. -- And then aifo they revived and approved A$5 And Records oi former Lawful AlTembh>s, ap- proving proving £nd Homologating iikeways the many Teftimonies, Supplications and Proteftations agairift the Sins of their Day : See our National Covenant renewed Anno 16.38 andx639, (wittt Application to that time) by an Aft of Afikm-. bly, and many fuch Things vfrhich are to be feeii in the Printed Afts. How fad is it that fuch not- able and Laudable precedents were not followed by his prefeat Ch&rch ! Griev. IV. That many Minifters (and pra- ftically this National Church ) hare affirmed that by the forefaid National Faft Anno 16904 the Scandal of all former publick Sins was fo removed, as it was not neceflary to call Perfons guilry tof any further open Acknow- ledgement. Tho' we might condefcend on fome jparticular Minifters affirming as before is faid, yet we need not, feing it would feem to be the Sentiment of the Plurality of this % JNationai Church, for neither after that Faft, nor before^ did the AfTembly make any Afts or Appoint- ments for caufing Perfons guilty of Scandalous* Defeftion, Complyances and Perjury in thePer-. fecuting Time to be brought to a Peffonal and publick acknowledgement thereof before the Jrefpeftive Congregations where they lived. • Griev:V. That ihchtyiirtdPrelatickCurats wer* received into Ministerial Communion, without requiring fo much in the Aft of Affumption, as an outward fluddow of Repentance for their Apoftacy and other wicked practices, mtach lefs fach fatisfaftory evidences of their being truly Cbrrowful for what they bad been and done as the, ( It ) the Word of God Commands, and the A&s of our Famous Affemblies enjoin in like Cafes, and as it mignt * ave been thougat the Zeal of Mi- nifters profeffingGodiinefs would have lefired, by which courfe thefe Curats and other Offenders werefadly hardened, God was Robbed of the Glory which ought to have been given him by due Confeffion , and many other fad Effefts followed. That by what is mentioned in both thefe Grievances, great Injury was done to the Church and People of God, and to the Souls of the guilty may feveral ways appear. i. That Confeffion Anno 1690, did notm- ftanee any of the particular Fa&swith the A- ftors thereof^ Hence in the Obfervation of the Faft in particular Congregations the Pre- cious were not feparated from the Vile, Gu lty and not guilty kept the dme alike, the former making no more publick and vifible profeffio 1 of Repentance for their fmful ways thin the Latter \ Neither had the Minifter any Injuncti- ons or Inftruftions from the A(T-mbly, to re- quire a Perfonal Acknowledgment, what any particular Minifter at that, or any otherSe^fon^ did in this Matter had no Authoritative War- rant from the General Afftmbly. Now this is manifeftly crofs to what the Scriptures require 1 Tim. %. 20. Ez,ek. 22. 26. 2. The Faithful Suffering Party had been deeply offended at the Apoftacy and perfi die of many, both great and fftiall, and in bearing Teftimony againft them in thefe Courfes, many excellent Ones of the Earth, had expended B their ( 12 j their Blood on Fields and Scaffolds 5 Was it not then an unfpeakable Injurie done to thefe Witneffes, both thefe who furvived the Perse- cution, and to the Blood of thefe who were put to Death in that Noble Caufe, when this Church ( tho' profefting that they have.the Exercife of Intrinfick Power ) did not fo mu ch for the Glory of God, the fatisfa&km of the, offended, and for the honour and vindication of the Martyrs as to call the Offenders taa parti- cular and Perfonal Acknowledgement in pub- lick?, fee Matth: 18. 6, &c. Mark 9, 42. 2* Cor. 6. 3. Ja. 5. 16. Luke 7. 3, 4. JoJ/j. 7. 19. 1 Tim. 5. 20. .3. Seingfuch a Confeffion fwhen right^) is a fign of Repentance and ofPerfons their being willing to take Shame and Confufion cf Face to themfelves, and the Churches requiring this, is a Mean appointed by God to bring Publick Offenders to Repentance 1 Cor. 5. Compared with 2 Cor. 2. and 7 Chapters, and to deterr, o- . thers 1 Tim. 5. 20. the above narrated negle£t i was therefore mod deHruftive, both to the. guilty who were thereby hardened j and aifo to ptbers as emboldening them fwhen the like Temptations occurrj to do as they did. 4. Seeing the Principles and Pra&ices.of the Ovats had been fo Difpleafing to GOD, and Offenfive to his People, and feeing the Godly in this Land for Tertifyingagainft them (as being 1 jurtly Abjured in ourCovenants,which oblige us to endeavour, to our Power," the Extirpation of Prelacy, in all it? parts ) had endured grievous Sufferings ; certainly this Church Her pafling ' the the moft part of them as they did, and Affuming others of them into Mmifierial Communion, without fatisfieing Tokens of fincere Repentance,' declared in a Judicial way, Was moft Sinful and hereby they bewrayed great Indifferency and v/ant ofZe.il for the glory of GOD, Lfttlfc Sym- pathiewith the Gcdly, whofe hearts were griev- ed that any Remnant of Prelacy or Prelatiffs fhould be left in this Land. And Finally their lukewarmhefs In Profecut- irtg the ends of our Sacred and Solemn Cove- nants, was in this difcovered, for it is acknow- ledged by all, that many Curats were* received imoMinitterial Communion by this prcfent Church, and what Conditions were required in the AdmifTrn, wfc may leafn from the AflTem- blys Lttur to the King AW. 13. 1690. where they lay, We have given Int-fru&ions about the ' late Conformilfc, that none of them b'eRemov- € ed from their places but fuch as ire Inefficient' " or Scandalous, or Erroriicus, or Supinly Neg- Cc li^ent, and in their Inttru&iohs to the Com- mffioncfrs for Vifitations on the South ahd North 1 df Tay. They fpeak to the fame purpofe, where it is to be obferved, that the Afiembly here In- finuatfth, that to believe that PreUcy hath Di- vine Warrand is no Error, and that thefe Per- jured Curats their pra&ices in creeping into the forks and Charges of Presbyterian Minitfers Violently thruft out, and their Perjuric &c. Was not Scandalous ; or if they fn caned others wife, it was a Diflimulatory Complement toAd- drefs the King with all, which if Confidered, yirculdbe as if they had faid,wehavegivenlnftru- B 2 tionJ ri 4 ) fttons about the late Conformifts ( who are all Scandalous and Erroneous ) that none of them be Removed from their places, but fuch as are either Infufficient, or Erroneous, or Scandalous &c. One of thefe Senfes muft be pi't on that Claufe of their Letter. The firft we conceive, is what they intended, becaufe that in the In- dex of the unprinted Acls anno 1 690. Mention is made of a Declaration by the Modexatovar, that that Afjembly would Depofe no Incumbent /imply for their Judgment anent the Government of the Churchy &c* What they meaned by [ Simply for their Judge- ment ] is Explained Pra&ically, for many Cur an who did notfubfi(t in a meer holding of Epijco- pal Principles in their Judgement, but likewife vented thefe Principles to the Detriment of this Church, were neverthelefs over-looked ; More- over even not a few of the Carats who had taken the Teft, were connived at by this Church, and never condignly Cenfured for their Scandalous Courfe. 2 r It is obfervable that the Aflembly was unfaithful to the King, in not difcovering to him the Myftery of Iniquity, that Operateth in Prelacy (Poperfs Mother ) 2. Thef: 2. 7. and * in not Reprefenting to him in a convincing way the Scriptural Foundations of PresbyfrUn Go* yernment ; This Neutrality, as it was Offenfive to GOD, fo alfo may and ought to be fo to his People ( who hence obferved with grief, that plentiful Seeds of that noxious Weed of Prelacy yrerelcft in the Land, for an after Growth ) for it feemeth to run crofe to Scripture precepts, and Laudable Examples, fee Ezra?. 13. ifrCtot. 2. \%.Mat y 18. 17. and that precedent. Tim. 1. 19, 20. C *5 ) 20. ( underftood aright, and applied to this cafe oy proportion ) Gal: %. 1 2. Eph 5 1 1, &c. thus it is clear the negle&ing to ceulurc them, and( which is a further ftep ) the receiving of them into Minifterial Communion, in mam cr above narrated, was highly finful.zTbat Error of Lordly Prelacy hath been the Bane of the Chri- ftian Church, by it, the man of Sin mounted the Antichriiiian Throne, and therefore Perfons who profefe themfelves of the Hierarchical Churcb, fbould have been Exaudtorat and De- poled from all Ecclefiattick Office, unlets Un<- feigned Repentance in them for their former way ( which was rarely to be feen in the cafe in hand ) had determined to a more favourable Treatment of tl:em. 5. Epifcopacy and its Abr betters hare been the Tools, whereby Satan hath frequently brought this Church down from bet Excellency, and made her Tributary Lam. 1. 1. Palladius the Romifb Emiffarie Ufnered it in firft about the year 452. and by this Engine,thc purity and Spiritual Bcautie of the then Church of Scotland, was fpeedily defaced, and the N:ici- on brought into Subjection to Antich*ift, as the head of the Churcb. Secondly, About the yeat 1572. The Tulchan Bifhops were obcruded, ta the great Difquiet of the Church, and it the Lord had not Spirited many Valiant S^ns of Za~ dock, to oppofe that project, it is hard to tell what Evil might have enfued. Thirdly , About the year 1 606. A New , Plan wa* ciiviled for the 4ame intent, viz,. The Conjtant Moderator -/hip, which gradually pre- vailing ( tho net without Vigorous oppofn ion from t6 ) from the Faithful of that time ) took fo far place at length that thirteen Bifhops were Created"; In what Condition this Church then was, the Hittorys of that time may Inform the World. Fourthly, What a deadly Sting it had in 'tis Tail, when Re-introduced ( oveFthe Belly of Previous Oaths to the comraiy, ) anno 1662 is not forgotten by many yet alive, which might have been a warning to enfuing Generations to beware of thele Men,and not-to be fo Imprudent as the Man in the Eabie, who pitying the Frozert Snake, and* Cherifhing it was Poy [one d thereby. ^ 4. If it be confidered how Zealous this Church v/as about the yean 638 and downward, in purging out the Leaven of Prelacy, Excommu- nicating (ome, and Depofirg others of that way, as is to be feen in the AUs of the Ajfembly. The Degeneracy of this Church will appear with .Relation tothisHead ; But feme likely will fay, The Epifcapalians Exclaim againft thisChurcii for Severity toward them, and therefore none fcath ground toUpbraid it wiih too great Lenity; We anfvyer, it will not follow ; no dfcubt Aga& Grudged at Sauls carrying him Captive, and thought it was too great Severity,and yet Samuel juftly Accpfed him, as guilty of horrid Dii'bbe- dience, bec^ufe he fp^red his Life, If what is hinted in the preceedingGtievan- ces, be duely Pondered, it wilt appear, howUn- jufi-dealingit w^sto pfeisthat partv vvi had ftifferpdTo i*uch on the forefeiti -accounts, to join in Church Communion, while thefe were hold- en as Church-Member?, yea Church- OiRcets,' yvhom Impartial and good Discipline would have' ( 17 ) hr/e purged out, and whom that party fi^d in the former Period feparated from, on good grounds. Griev. VI. It is a grc-at Grievance that the Perfons Inverted with the Regal Pcwer of this Nation, were not required to come under the formal' tye of Qur Grbtnanu^ according to good A6b for that effc&, particularly an Act of Par- liament Feb. 7. 1649. And according to the Affemblies Warning and Declaration that fame year, put in practice, at the Coronation of Charles 2. and We conceive the prefent Mini- Jlers Culpable, in not doing what was fuitable to their Station in the matter, viz,. Not Labour- ing with the Effates to have Our Sacred Cove- nants by them, put amongft the Conditions of Government, which were required of their Ala- jefties. This Qmi{]ion cannot be denyed, for there is no Veftige on Record, of any due Diligence^ adhibited by the Convention of Minifters, or by :hc AfTemWy thereafter tor this effedt. And that this is jjurf matter of Grievance agamfi both the Civil and Ecclefiattick Judicatories will ap- pear if it be conf;dered. 1. That thtk Covenants being obligatory on this Nation perpetually, the Ads Tor the Magi Urates ( who are of fuch Influence over the Land ) their coming under them, ought to have teen carefully puun Exe- cution by theie, in whofe Power it lay, where- unto the Miiiiiicty ftould have feduloufly tfirred tl^em up. 2. T,he National Covenant^ being at fir(i framed in and for the King's Hou/hold, and the Solemn £e ague being aggreed to by the Par- ( i-8 ) liaments of Scotland, and England, the Efiates and the Afwiftery ot Scotlanlhzd luflicient Ground to requhe the Supreme Magx^rate toSulfcribe to them. 3. Confidcring how Advantagious it might have been to thefe Land?, as a mean to Reduce them to what purity and Reformation they were fallen from. 4 Comparing the Pro- cedure and Conduit of this prelent State and Church, with appro ven Examples in former times. The Prophets in the Old-Tettament times were diligent to have the Mutual tyes tween Kii g and Subje6t firm and fure, and Intereft of Religion Promoted and Maintained • Samuel to this intent acquit himielf Faithfully at the Reception of Saul, and afterwards alfo : Jehoiada treated betwixt Joajh and the People 2. Kings 11. 9,17. and 12. 2. othe^ Inftances might be 2. v( u; but tfi cnne to Our o\vn Land, ue find our worthy Reformers Framed the Co- ronati« n Oath to Secure the Church, and in- d^d fi.fficiently Adapted to that time, when Prelacy was not (o great a testation to this Land a* af ei wards : It is known likewiie, how K ng Charles 2 was obliged to fwear, not only that Coronation Oath forefaid, but likewife the Covenants. But iome will perhaps lav, that what was done with Relation to King Charles 2. had a bad Iffue, io that they Repented of it. Weanfwer, many indeed conftfled their Over- fight in (landing fofor him, after fo many Evi- dences of his Difaflfe&ion to the Caufe of GOD, yet their taking fo ftti& Engagments of him, can never be Condemned. The Failure lay in jvfaat proceeded the Coronation, not in the man- mer ient be- I the .manner ofit ; the fame Ob;\6Uon may be as well brought aepinli what Jehoiada, did at the Inftalment of Jt«jh f for he turned afide after the Piietts Death ; Dudes are not to be meafured by what may haply follow. If any fay, that it would have been a vain at- tempt to prefs Their Majejties to take our Co- tenants fting they were previoufly Sworn (con- trary to them) to maintain Prelacy in England ; We Anf#er,feing Presbyterian Church Govern- ment, is the only Government in Chrift's Houfe,havinghisInftitution, it was neither un- lawful nor in vain, to require the Magi 'ft rates Oath for Maintaining it,not Unlawful, tor thefe contrary Oaths beingvincvla iniquitans^Unhvf- ful Oaths ought not to be kept, ieing by keeping them exprefly, commanded Duties are omitted and Sin is committed, neither would it pfo- bably have been in vain, for K.W. and Q*M. in their Treaties with the EJiates of Scotland give fufficier.t Proofs of all reafonable cohdefcen- fion to what was propoled to them, and there- fore it is now ys improbable, that if the Mini- ftry and the Elates had laboured duly to inform them anent the lawfulnefs, and expediency of taking the Covenants, they might have gone in- to it. But 'tis well known that there was an unaccountable Negligence, and Neutrality in our Reprefentatives with Reference to this, fo that we cannot but look on them as bearing the whole blame of whatever Evils accompanied or followed this defeft. Yea where is there any Re- ( 20 ) Record ofMinifters their Diligence, in dealing* with thefc in Authority, to peffwade them of the Sin, Evils and Ranger of Prelacy, and of the Scriptural Grounds whereon Presbytry is built, in order to have the one e^tirpat, and the other Eftabli&ed -through the three Nations I Doth hot the Solemn League oblige to ufe all lawful Endeavours for this ejfeft/ And what Endeavours could be more appofire, and lefs ly- able to MifconftrufHon than what we mention £ And is it not a nianifeft Violation of that pW- nant to leave Jfuch Endeavours unefTayed, even for theReformation oiEngland and/rf/s Educat in the Nether- I'andsjNhtxt Pretvyterian Government is moft. universally pfofeffed ? ' The ^earned Calvin for convincing his Prinze the King of i^tfc^dedi- catedto him hisElaborat Book of Inftitutions, \n which Dedicatory EpiftleJ\e pointedly plead- \ e Caufe of. the Reformed Religion again (I Popifh Adverfaries. Great Mr. Wefjt) (one of the firlt three in the Work of Reformation in this Land) / 0ediVated his excellent Dijpute agairft Mr. Gilbert Brown a JVgi/& Priert, to K. Jame^ VI. for (lirringhim i up to a through Reformat i- on. Famous Mr. Alexander Henderson had ma- ny Conferences with K. Obit.' I. ( a Tenacious Defender cf Epifcdpacy) for his Con virion *, As itfo the Venerable A§cmhlies<>\ that Time, djd often Addrefshim by Letters in order to g i ftim: But ah ! vye may now fay Our Father J Xpkere are they ? Grew, yil, The not teflifying in a fui able a ay ( 21 ) >vay again ft Magiftrates their allowing many Curais to ferve Cares and to pofTefs benefices without dependence on this National 'Churchy they only fubferibing the Oxta* ui Allegiance and "jijf'irance / This being touched before on Grijv. 5. we ftiall only fty, that whatever Indulgency the Civil Magiftrate Exercifed toward trie Carats? much of the blame rhay juftly be charged on thig Church, which declared that none of them fhould be depofed or removed from their places fimpd^ for their Judgement anent Church Go* vernrnent : Whether or not this was conform to the Solemn League md Covenant^ let the un- prejudiced Reader judge ? To our apprehenfion, there were at leaft twoSins in vyhat is mentio- ned in theGnevance^one^their unaccountableLe- riity towardsthe Enemies of the Covenanted Work of Reformation, another, their unfiith- fulneteiri not inciting and preffing (according to their Station) the Magiftrates to purge the Church of that Crew. 6V/Vi>, VIII. That wicked and ungodly Men who were Enemies toChrift and His Caufe,and Evil Counfellours in the time of Cka. 2. and James 7,' and who had been the Inftfamerits of the then Tyranny, and the Contrivers, Ena- fters, and Executors of the Bloody Laws again ft the Lord's People, were not removed from places ot Truft r at, nor (met the RevclutiBn. And we look upon both the Church and State as Righly guilty herein : That the State was mof: guilty, none can much doubt who confider the Scriptures with any awful regard , fuch as Pfa\ 9 ( 22 ) iot. Pfal.7^. 2, &c. Rom.i^i),^ Num. ${• 33. Prov. 20 26, and 25 4. and 28. 1 5,^6, 17. £*W. 18. 21,25- We grant with thankrulnefs that Papifis were by an Aft debarred from all places of Truft, but for others, however Malign nant % and however they had been Bloody Initru- ments of the late Perfecution, no Aft was made for removing them from bearingOffice in State or Army : Again we cannot but look on it as great Unfaithfulnefs in the Miniftry of this Church, that they have not laboured in their Sphere for obtaining a Purgation of State and Army, nor born any Faithful Teftimony againft this deplorable Corruption in the Land. Where is there any thins; of this Nature done fey the Aflkmblies of this Church i When we confider. 1. the Relation of the Affembly to the Nation,and to the MagiftratesSupreme and Sub- ordinate, as Ruling the Nation, namely that they (hpuldbe the mouth of the Lord to Rulers and x\x\cdjvatchmen walking on tJu Walls, who ftouid cry aloud and not fpare y ihould tell the People their Tranfgreffion^ &c. If a. 58. I. We mult fay their filence in that Judicatory (which furely is a Watch Tower) proclaims them to be fadly fallen a fleep,or #He wilfully unfaithful, when due Diligence is not, nor hath not been formerly ufed to move the Supreme Magiftrate to purge places of Truft,of Corrupt Officers. 2. To confider how thefe Men, deftribed in the Grievance, deferve Church Cenfure on many accounts, yeafomeofthem the higheft Sentence thereof, according to Scripture Rules, and good Aftsofoarown Church-, And yet how that few ( 2? ) few or next to none arc condignly cenfured, may be afflifting to any that are tendered de- firous to have the vile fevered from the precious. We find that after the Jews returned from Cap- tivity ifi the days of Ezra and Nehemiah^ there was a purging ©f the Land, of fuch as (hould not have been joined with the Inhabitants of the Land, Calderwood's Hiftory informs us, how the Church travelled, to have both the State Offices and the Kings Court kept clean of fuch wild Beafts, and from the Printed A&s of Af- fembly and Records of that time betwixt 1638 and 1649, or 1650, we may obferve unwearied pains ufed about keeping State and Army pure until thele Church rending Publick Resolutions were fet on foot, and took place to fuch a De- gree, that in a fhorttime, the State was almoft wholly infefted with that fpreading Gangren of Malignancy^ the overturning of the beauti- ful Fabrick of Reformation once ere£led : Thefe Publick Refolutions (as the Trojan HorfeJ had in their Belly, things which brought on all that malorum iliada, which the former period was tryfted with, and we may fay further, brought in that Corruption into the State and Church wherewith they yet wofufully are tainted ^ And verily our Ca(e in this regard, may be thought more Deplorable than that of our Fathers, tor, then the Lord was pleaied to keep fome ftill witneffing and wreftling agnnft that Corrup- tion by Word, Writ, A&ings and Sufferings, But now, tho' the fame or little lefs Caufe re- maineth, how doth this Church fit at eafe, fuf- fering things to fill to the fide they fway to- wards ? C *4 } tt v ard«?Ah ! a Degenerat Church! (ting then that the "Min'iftry tonniveth fhamefully at this Cor- ruption/ and many .others contrary to Ho- ly Scripture, and good Aftsof our Famous j4f- femblies particularly an jifl of J4jjemblf 1648. A»g. 3. Ordaining Mivifiers to be Qn- fured for their fdence, and not [peaking to the Cor- ruptions oftketimi^ we fee not how Perfons can be juftly condemned for Witneffing againft this omiffionin Minifters. Grifv. IX. That in the Claim of Right Pres- vytry is not aflferted to be according to Holy Scriptures, nor Prelacy faid to be contrary to them, but the Eftates when they feek the abo- lishing of rhis,dtfnot rliention the true andScrip- . turai Reafon, whyitfhotfld be aboliibed, nor yet upon {>lid Grounds fnay fcarceiy at alij do»they fefck the re-eftablifhing of Presbyterian Government,their words AvcPresbyteyy aud the Superiority of any Office in the Church above Pres- byters is and hath been a great and unfuppor table Grievance and Trouble to this Nation, and con* trary to the Inclinations of the generality of the People ever fince the Rtfbrmmion {thty having Re- formed from Popery by Presbyters) and therefore ought to be abolifbed, Moreover the fupply of this defect not being duly laboured for by the Mini* ftry, they, in our apprehenfion become gnilty of the fame, together with theEftates: That ♦this is juft Matter of Grievance will be clear to any who (hall confider. 1. That in thefe words Dfvine Right is no more afcribed to Presbytery than to Prelacy f their expreffed Reafons againft this laft being only, fuch as in feme feafe, may cOa- ( 25 ) confix with things Divinely Infhtuted 5 ccmfider- ing mansnatural Corruption which inclines him to caft off, or be uneafy under ail Divine Laws* for iniiance, the Ceremonial Law under the old Difpenfation, which is faid to have been a Yoke which the Jews were no: able to bear, jifts 15. 10. and yet they might not abo!iihit y until the Antitype's coming, made the lipestcs evanifh. Col. 2. 17. So by the words of the Claim ofRight 1 the World fhall not know a diffe- rence between the two Governments as to pi- vinelnftitution, Jbme External Political Rea- sons only are infilled upon, for fupport of this part of their Claim, as if otherways it were all a Matter, which of them were^ Eretted. But feing Prelacy was contrary to* the Inclinations of the generality of the People, the EJlatcs re- prefented, that it wasadvifable they fhould be fo tar gratified as to have their Eye-fore remov- ed, in order to make them more plyable and . Loyal, and have that fubftitue which they had a Love unto, and the Claim feems to give this as the.only Reafon of their Love, viz.. they hav- ing Reformed. by Presbyters, as Davd choofed GW/Vz//.f Sword,not from any Command he had tcr take that,and not another, but meerly from the refpecl he had to it as a Trophee^ and the peculiarAptitude of it tohis prefent exigence. 2. if it beconfidered,how well founded ihzlvClaim might have been,namely by adduceingtheScrip- tural Grounds thereof, fuch as are condefcehded uppn by our Famous and Renouned Divides , when they afTert the Divine Right of Prcsbytryy We may from Love to their Memory mention ( 26 ) a few Lights of the Reformed Churches plead- ing this Noble Caufe. Calvin Jnftit. Lib. Cap. Partus Explicat. Cattch pag. 455. & fcq. Bucanilnjlit. p. ^17. &c. RuthtrjorcCs Plea /•r Prcsbytry, his due Right of Prejbytry, and Di- 'vineRight of Church Government ,and otherBooks, GtlUfpjes Aarcns Rod Bloflomivg and other ot his "Writings. ThePropofitionsconcernirg Church Go~ vernment compofea by theVenerabuSynod ofDi- vines at Weftminfter, 1 he Synod of London j Vin* dicUJCoetit Poleteu EcclefiaJUca^Jjenii Compend. Theofc Riifenii fumma Theol: Turret ini Syftema Contrav. Marku Compend. To which we might add the true Hiftories of our own Church, from the Reformation wherein their is an account of the W refilings of our Reformers fox this Caufe*. 3. Cpnfidering what need there was at that time of a full and ample Aflfertion of the Di- vine Inftitution of Presbytry, and alfo on the other hand, of a faithful difcovery of the E- vilsof Epifco&aey 7 Conf ffion of Truths, is ne- ce(Tdry,as well as believing them, Rim. 10. 10. efpecially fometisies, and Divines give it as a Criterion of the feafbn, wherein a Confeffion is required, viz* when the Truth is denyed or contraverted, this Truth now under confederati- on had been for many years born down,contra- dift^d and counteracted by many of all Ranks rn Complyance withthefe Iniquous^fc?/ framed in Oppofition to it, and therefore when the Nition was feekinga Reformation , all Reafon in the World would hy, that the Scriptural Grounds thereof fhould have been Adduced, f r we may fuppofe their M^efties might rationally enquire < 2 ? ) quire, whv they fought a Chance, to which 1 jppoled Qucftion, the Eftates of Scotland fhoul* have nude Anfwer, that it was bccaule Prelacy was contrary to and condemned in the Word of God & becaufe t contra Presbytery was conform to Scripture Pa tcn»;But behold their Anfwercomes Unaccountably (h^rt hereof, as is evident from what is already laid 4.Confidering how the fo* prefentativts of the Nation hereby iwerved, irom aiany Noble and Notable £xamples of then u4nceftors y who in former times 1 1 nuoufly con- I tended for the true and Right Church-d ver»i- 1 snent, as is c f ear from even Our Sacred Covenant^ Yr r erein Nobl mm, Barroni, Kn/ihu, CtniUmtn^ Burgeffes^ Minifieri of the GojpeT, and Cortmom of Jul jprts, Swore that they would endcav ut thcpreievvatunofthe Dextrine Worfiiip, Da- c p*ine, and G vernment ofthe Church, ace rd- ingto the Word ot GOD-, and on the other band, that rhey would endeavour without re- Ibcit of Perlbn?, the Extirpation of Popery iud Prelacy, as being contrary to found D &rine f &c, The Reader may f r his further i rsfadti- on, have Recourfeto the Records of both O inch and State in Purer times, iuch as in the begin* uing of King James 6 Reign, when the Natio- nal Covenant was entered into, and thereby Pre- law Abjured, and Presbjury Eftabliftied, as the Ajfcmbly i6;8 Decetnbir $. declareth ; and ac the Reformaion in that forefaid year, and thereby he will perceive, that the cafe of Prelacy and Prcsbyte ry was t hep handled, not meerly undei; a Political Confederation, but aifo Theologically^ but eiheiwifc sow. Moreover 5/7. We verily c *m ( ~8 ) think the Miniflry mod guilty, as to that* which • , is Complained of in the^ Grievance, for we do li not find on Record any Account of fuch: Dili* [| gence ufed by them, as the faithful Servants of Chrilt in former times were wont to uie, either j jm wrijing Jointly or feparately in favours of the true Government of QirilVs Chincfi, nor yet appearing Coram, to plead its Caufe in face d \ JiSdicatorys, and before Magistrates in order to ; have it Eltablifhed,. purely upon the formal Rea- \ Jon of its being prelcribed. in the holy. Scrip- j tures; if the Minillers of this prefcnt Church ! had been as Afliduous in Labouring for the due i Eftabliftipieht ofChurch-Government.according io GOD's Wfrd, as tbxir,Office obliged, them to be, who knows wJiat effect fuch Diligence _might have hadcnths Generous and "Noble .Minds of fuch a Prince and Prince fs, through the Blefllng of GOD, which ought with all to have been Implored ? Yea, we muft acknowledge that the A6i of King Williams Parliament *nna 1690, Ratifying the Qnfej/ion cf Faiib^ ai)d_Efta- blifning Presbyterian Government, Exprefletb this Matter in more unexceptionable Terms, than Our Claim of Kight, or any thing proceed- ing from the Ministry, (".for what we know ) did at that time require; .when we likewife confidcrtheVigilancyand unwearied Diligence of the 'Ehglifli Bifbops fetting up for their Pom- pous Hierarchy ^^A pleading its Caule as pro aris dr foci; Infinuating. themfelves into the-favour of Potentates fat the Advancment of their Accurfed Diana, we fav, when we. o)bTe*ve their Dili- gence, in the behalf of tbaf which bath no War- ------ ~ tarid ( 29 ) rand from the Scriptures, but on the centrair'; is therein Condemned, we cannot but regrate and bemoaii the Negligence of the ' Miniftry o( this prefent Church, who we fear have nevec , A&edfo Valiantly for that Government, which is Stamped with the Signature of Divine Inftitii- tron* ■ Griev. % that the Parliament in that AH i6go pitched on an A6t of Parliament 1592, according to which this laft Eftablifhment of the Church was to be Squared, and that the Mi- riittenjof this Church didnotOppofe the fame, oor Supplicat the Parliament for Settling it on the good attainments in Reformation in 1648, and 1 64P, feeing it is proveable that the Church thereby is Confiderably prejudged as to Her* Power of Convocating andDifiblving Ajpmhiys, abd further that thereby many dcfireable pieces of Reformation are dipt over, and- Difregarded. Some deny, that there was any evil in this RetjfpgrefRpn upon fome frivolous Reafons, fuch as that in the time of Charles Lthere was not ( fay they ) fuch an Ample A& as that in the yeac 1592. Again ( they fav ) the Supreme Magi~ K (irate Authorized that Old Atl y whereas it was otherwife in.the Reign of Charles I. who ftill had an Antipathy at Preslytcrian Government,' ethers fay, becaufe the King was beheaded in the year 1649, and fo that year, and years there- about might riot be mentioned to King William* Anf: 1. Tho that was a full Aft, why fhould not the other A4# 1690 There is no mention of our Covenants, neither the National Covenant nor the Solemn League, which in their nature are, as it were,a Bond to ftrengthen the Work of Reformation in Doftrine, Worfhip, Difciplineand Government, neither is the Di- rectory for Worlhip Ratified in that Aft, the excellent Afts of Parliaments and Ajfemblies many of them are now caft over the hedge, fuch as Cha. 1. Par. 2. Aft. 5. Anent the Ratification of the Covenant^ and of the Affemblies Supplica- tion, Aft of 'Gunncity and Aft of Affembly con- cerning the Covenant^ June n, 164O. Cha. 1. Pari i, Aft 5. October 12. 1643. anent the So- lemn League. Cha. 2. Pari 2. Aft 15. Feb. 7. 1649. anent f curing of the Covenant^ Religion and Peace of the Kingdom. Cha. 2. Pari. 2. Seff z. Aft r p ) Z4&16. Tth. 17. 1649: for keeping the Judicata* jries and.places of Truft free of Corruption. Cha. z. JParL 2. Sejf.%. A&. \\. June 21. 1649. fer purging the Army, Cha. 2. Pari. 2. SejJ. 2. J?# S. Jan. 2X. 1649. OfClajfes for purging the Ju- dicatories and other places of Putyick Trujt. The Aits of AJfetnblies we well known, and need not here be repeated , yet in the Aft of Eftablifh- n?ent, 1690. there was a Retreat to an Aft jiiade near an ico years before, whereby many judge that the higher degrees <4 Reformatio* our Qiurch attained to in that period, are paf- fed from, or at lead that the Zealous labours of our Anceftors are (lighted and difregarded too jnuch. Objection, Whyihould theCWffcbe blamed with that which is the fault of the State?. W* Anfvyer, Seing the Minifiers fliould incite il£ The Magijtrate to D*ty, and fopplicate and re- inonftrate,, when need is, they fliould be the mouth of the Lord ta him, 1 Sam. 10. 8, 2$. and 1} 1 j. and i<>.i6. verfe to the end. zSam.ii. 5,8,9, ICMI, &c. 2 Chron. 2$. 17, i8,i9.H )vy can the Church plead Innocence altogether, when fhe was fo negligent in this Matter, as i$ ( Represented in the Grievance. 2. When we confider the Rife of the aboverepeated good Acts^ namely that they flowed from the Fairh- fulnefs, and Zeal of theMiniftry, who by Ad- tnonition/y Warnings^ Supplications, Declarati- ons, Remonftrances, and Pro: eft at ions, ceafedno{ to incplcat Duty on the Efiates, contending a- gain (^whatever was ami-Is, and finfril in their procgqjdingVj we fay, yhzu we Con$d^r thiswq «.r * ' . can- cannot but Lament haw far the Crown is fallen from our head. . Griev. XI. That at the fitting down of the, fri'Rjtfwbly y the Headfhip of CHRIST alone, in and over his Church, with the Intrinfick PowSi fj ; lame, wa$ not fully and faithfully afleued,*yda tho a .Pr'iught for that effeft was frame'4-aad read in gpen Ajembly, yet it was. - rejected, nojwithftanding the fealonahlenefe and e-spedier.cy of thekme, and thejmportunj- ty oj feverai Members for its palling, nor to. this day hath there ever been any 'thing for- mally done to this purpofe, albeit many Mini-, fters have again and again defired ,it,exceptinga~ Sentence or two not long ago infertin the JFWra cfProcjfs^ in the .Introduction anno ^707, which,' was the fifteenth jfjfertfrly after the Revolution.- As to that part ot the Grievance aa^ut the rejection of an Overture, icmaybe proven by' thefe who. were Eye witness. The <9neftioa th^nis, Whether 'fuch,aa Aft aflertlii&Chrift^ Headihip, and the lmrir>fick Power cf the Church was expedient to have been framed ia ^he firft an A fubfequent hjfemblles or not ? The Ajjembly practicably, if [\ot exprcQy denyed r and doubtleis, the World wiU thjpk the .Y g Qf the .plurality of an Ajfmbfy fhould not be gain faid.by afew more abfeure. Petfons, yet fcing there is a dii>in& decretive Judgement which every Man, -nil! hp, will he, ^maVpafs," in comparing Actions a,nd Qui with^ the Ruje 5 and. that J^g^ent . rq te by> &eafons ftrpnger >.; , .., ,vr,p;Ui , -; fel«cjro ^Affirmants (tilfrurth r1 -. ,j re- ceived ( 34 J reived) for fomeReafons. i.Becaufe thatPrinci* p'C fCnrift's being the only head of hisChu *cfi, sna t mHisChurch hath aPower in her derived r m her Head, and that thisPoweri* free and altogether independent on any Supsriour Pw-r, c^cepc that of Chrift her King, Eph. f; 2. Matt. 1 8. unAMatt. 18. (& % - n> Principle, we fay, hath in a peculiar wn Efpoufed and contended t ir by this Chutch, fMmth- beginning of.the Reformati- on is Maveafilybeob.ervcri from the Hifto- ne*of&M* v Caldervwi4 y &c. The Preface to C z!4erWJod's Hiftory of the Chcrch of Scotland h«ththefe words, It mty humbly , to thtcommen- d u inn of God's gracious cond fcenfion be affirmed \ that amongfi all the Reformed Cheches, none hdve found mtrefivour in his fight, U he kept almofc coifiantlyand continually contending for the Pre- rogatives ofjefus Chrifi, as King and fole Head of his Churchy forth* Privileges grtcioujly heft owed upon the Church, audfor the particular form of Government Jettled by the unalterable Lm and Confiitutionofheronly Founder and Supreme Go* vernour, again ft the Powers of the Earth, and perfi- dious hpoftatizsng Church-men, and that from the very beginning, than the Church of Scotland. Tftpsfarhe. The General AQembly 1638 Sejf. z6. in tnnrA& conc*rmt\gy?2Li\yGcneralA(}embUes f\y t 1 us, Ihe Affembyfind it neceffary to declare, and hereby declares, that by DIV iNE,EccleJlafticral and Civil rVarrands,this NationalKirk hathPower and Liberty to Ajjemble and conveen in her yearly General Afemblys and oftner pro re nata y lee the Aait feUf Ttorefrre we humbly conceive that ^ icing feing that Principle ana Truth is as it were, t Sacred Dcp'fuum lodged in the hands of this Church, in a peculiar way, and hath been ten- derly lookt to by the Worthies in former times* it JhouM hare been declared in an explicits manner in the Aftmbly after the Revolution ; Paul Writes to Timothy, z Epif a : 4 Chap. 1 *u*4 Conveen, Clio 9 in Man's Apprehension, out of Scafon. Rc*f. %. Beeaufc that in the immediatlv for* gom? Period, the Civil Powers had Blafpie* moufly oppofei that Truth, by the Arr ogition of a Supremacy to them'evesover all Perfonsani Caufes, as well fLccltftaJiical as Civil, and few or none of the Mmiiry, who fat in the firft hflembiy, had duely tellificd a£ainft it, and fo if they Would notly in the DitCfl, when fallen* they ought to baveaflkrted that Truth, which had been fo depreflsd and depreciated. Reap. 3. It is ufual at the futing down of high- er or lower Civil Courts, that the Authority, by Warrant whereof, they meet and pu> pofe to Aft, is recogn zed and explicitly declarea ; Therefore feing tne LordChrift AuthoriZeth his Am 'ttfladours to keep Councils, and Aft there- aninhisNime, theyoqghc to avouch publick- ly, and with all facred Solemnity declare, th t by virtue and in the name and Authority of their King CHRIST (whofe Perfon they are to * fUprcfent, 2 Or. 5. 17. Luke io t 16. 1 Thcfi, 4-SJ ( 36 ) 4.. 8.) they conveen and Aft. What Unfaith : tulnefs is it therefore in thefe who profefs to be the Ambaffadoutsfcf th? Fringe of the Kihfa efthe Earth, -who is higher than the hirheft, to de-. cline an open ample Declaratlpn ; o~f theft Ma- fters ; Prerogatives, and of their own. Com- nuffioVv and Authority derived figni Hini atone)? Rraf: 4/ This fhc5tild h-av6 been declared, be-- caufe it tt-ndeth fo much to the Glory of GOp^ £a$ fhall further be &own) and becaujfe the Au- thority of Chri ft, martifefted and declared, anc£ Hisjnfluemial Power as King and Head^, is the Beauty, Strength, and Glory of all Gofpel Or- dinances, John 15. 5. Vfal. 48. 1. 2. and* 46. 4. j. hth 15. 2S. Tjal 68.35. ancl 7 6 - t* *M 8o. : 15. and 84. 4. and 132. 17, \£. Ob)?ftion, Some fay this Truth was not deny- ed by the Civil Magiftate after the Revolution, \#e Anfwer, 1. Tho this were true, the for-, iwer Reafons hold. 2. It is known that in the' Netherlands, where K. WiHiam^ had been Edu- cate, the Eftates Encroach on the Church there (without ajny great eppofnion made by the Mi-, nifyry generally) more than this Church ia her pureft times' \veuldal!ow,and feveral iriftance, of Encro*chmerr it on the Church by thei£ Mtfjeftits fince the Revolution, might beconde- fcended on, to (how tha* they contravened, in. fome manner, this great"? rutfr, this i i finarilyj the fweet Mgrfel which Kin^s (tho' otherways excellent} hiv.e an H'auk's Eye to.- Pow-er and Autnoritv is fodeft'rahle* that M . 1 r ' ou!<| have "it'aM&getHer in their own' hand?, Ctfdr can* { 11 \ . Cannot be fatisfied with what is his nhqueftion^ able due, bur alfo catcheth at what is Goas^ni io Minifters into whofe hands chat Prerogative. ofChrift is committed to be preferved (we mean as to the External Declaration and Vindi- cation thereof, in the World^ ought to contend for, and avow ir, & Turpius ejicitur quam nan ad~ tnittiturhofpes, it had been better to have warn- ed the Civil Powers by auTer ring i cat fir ft, than to have that to d®, when the Civil Magistrate hath broke in, ' ' Olrjett. 2. Some may fay it was Prudence to omit the afferting thereof, left by declaring it, the Magiftrate might be offended, and fo take! from the Church that Countenance and Prote- ftion, he had vouchafed them ^ ForAafwer i. We are bold to fay, one great Caufe of the low Eftate of this Church is, that in this de- V dining time, under the nameof Chriftian Pru- dence, Carnal Prudence, and confuting with flefh and blood have taken place, and hence Du- ". tiesfthe necejfity and expediency whereof,eveTi p in the like circumftances, our Fathers vrould not have queftionedj are omitted, under a pre- tence of Prudence. 2. Famous and Learned Mr. J)urh#m, on the Revel. Chap. 3. verfe 10. £bferveth (page 198) that Jled/afinefs in hamfiy . ^nd faithful adherence to Chnft and his Truth, do never of themselves involve a People in Try als and- {Kffiiciions, but in God's g^od: providence, da often. prevent ihefa&t-And ibid: pag. ^28. (expounding, Kev. 12./I1.J the ward of their T'eftiwny (Taita lie) is the *r jiedf/ift adherence to their profeffion y end. t^eir cerftjjiep of tl?at : Truth (Chap; ? U itctlied (Rom. to.) Confeffion unto Rigbteoufnefs\\ with t hi mouthy which Tejiimorty (fays he) indt-\ fpght of torments, exceedi gly defeat eth the JDe*> \ vd y a dc&r and full Tefiim They have no real Dignity and Precioufnefs but whatfiovpeth from it. This is the Glory of them, wanting this, they are weak and Defpicable, yea, ( as Paul fpcaks of Preaching ) they arc ioolifhnefs. All therefore who have any Spiri- tual Senfes muft fay, that there was not only an Expediency, but in fome fort a necefiJty of de- claring that Truth, which is as it were the Axle Tree to the Wheels of all Judicial and Ecclefiaf- tick Procedures ; And doth it cot concern the Mini* Mintflrrc Wbave that keept FrefK in ' Memor?: both- by themfelves, apd by all with whom they Have to-do, which is their only Glory andDigni- ty ;->hd feeing the Minds ofMert^ are rnOli pro- peuie to iltp from under theJmprcffion, of that I Awful and Divine Authority, by virtue there- of Synods ( when Right ) do hold and Aft,-", toe frequent and full' Declaration of that Prero- v gativeefChnft, and Production of their owri vomjniffion, Granted by him to beget reverence and Regard in all, and to dtfpofc their own Jlearts toafuitahledemeanure, is beyond all Jit te?^ 1 ' Mat. i .8, 20. [ Gathered together INMYNAME]Proveth, what we pfeal for together with PJd.^. viffe laft, and 1*4 throughout, and 13^. 1.2,3: Butalas .' Little is J° • n b . s feen ' in tn « Records of this Church, Efta- i Wiihingand Maintaining this Truth in any Authoritative way, as if the Affemblies -of this pdent Church were either afhamed of, or at lealtdurft not avow this Truth Openly before.. Men. Memorable and excellent are the words' & GrntMr. JobnWtlfbin his Letter to the ■Lady Flceming, written from his Prifon at RUcknefs January \6\6, fays he, '■ Who ami that *he( w *. The Lord Jcfus) fhould fir ft have ( called mej and then Conftitutedme a Miniftec ( of glad things, of the Gofpel of Salvation tbefe c Fifteen years already, and now iaft of all, to be t a Sufferer for his Giufe and Kingdom, to wit- t nefs that good Confefllon thatJeiusChrift is the t King ofSaints,and that his Church isamoft free Kingdom, yea, as free as any Kingdom under I Heaven, not »nly toConvocate, Holdj aad keep Her C 4* ) c Htr Meetings, Convention?, and AflembliesJ : alio to judge of all Her Affairs inali He* 4 Meetings and Conventions among his Members * and-Subjeds L Thefe two Poin.Sj that Cbriftia \ the head of his Church. Secondly, That ihzii 4 free in Her Government, from all other JuriP- c di£tion except Chrift's; Thefe two Points arc 'the fpecial Caufe of Our Imprifonment, being * nowConvict asTraitors for maintaining thereof * We have been waiting with Joyfulnefs, to give 1 the lafi Teitimony of our BLod, in Confirma- l tion thereof if it would pleafe our GOD to be * io favourable as tcHcncur us with thatDignity% Obj. 4. But it will belaid, this is now a- mended, h^th not the form of Proqefs ( appro-, ven anno 1707 )an»ample- Declaration of this *Truth. We Aniwer, although we are glad to find even fo much done in this matter, as is there to befeen,albcit it is brought in only fitter and notfo Directly as were defireable, yet. we jpuft lay, where tbisTruth is 'in words owned, it is greatly to be feared fuitable Church a6iing3 do not attend the fame, whereas the profefliugj Verbally, what is pra&ically Contradi&ed, is but a mocking of him who will net be mocked. Griev. Xll/That there have not been effectual .eodeavours for renewing thcC$venants,buz on the contrary, aCru&ing of mints that way ; neither liathdue refpeft beenfhown to thefe Covenants by many of theprefent Miniftry, as duty q- bliged;lomeiudire6Uy denying their binding Force, ottfers not Preaching up the fame, a third .fort not nuking honourable mehtica of the ) 4* ) feme, at fiich times and occaftons as furniftied tbtm Opportunity lo to do. Firit, that endeavours, if any have been, have feitherto been ineflfedual, none will deny, for the Covenants have not been Renewed by this National Church, neither at nor fince the Revo- Iu ion, to this day, 2. Whether this flow from the l/nfai hfulnefs cf the Minjtry^ and fo, gireth juft Ground of exception againtt them,' cr if they be blainelefsin the Non-renuvation of ©nr QvervtntSi muft be a little enquired into • We for the following Reaions, Affirm the fir It tod deny the Latter, Retfin 1 Thefe Covenants being the Oaths •fthe Naionxo GOD, which in the formei Period w.re horridly Violated by all ranks, and fcurnt at the Command of him, who had mod IblemiUy Sworn them, the Church nr w having obtained a Calm after the Storm, Ihould have forthwith, iearched cut the Breaches of thefc Covenants in at Ranks, and preffed the Renova- tion of them, that by iuund Repentance, the Nations Perjury might have teen acknow!cd? ed and Reformed; and rtiould have after a fullCon- feflton dire&ed the guilty to the way of getting pardon, and Grace to amend ; Cm any fay but t>ii«Wistheduy of thefe who protels to be Watchmen, and to ly between the Porch and the Attar, JmI z. Ice If*. ^%.Ez.eh^. 17 &c. And 22. 30. Thi? wou'd have been like to the pradt ce ef the Jewijb Church, after their return from Captivity, IttAch. 9. and 10. Chapters, m the 9. there was a fear chine; out ot'Sins, and Breach- «U Covenant, wnh ConfeCion of, and Mourn- iu' C 43 ) ing over them; in thelaft verie of the 9 cha^ ier y and throughout tbe tenth there was a new Ingagment, , or a renewing of the © both Prince and People(N. B. Now followeth the Confeftion ) jet we have dealt Treacher on fly mth the Lord \an& been unftedfaft in his Covenant ] here is all from whence we may, in the firft place, Remark that at the molt they have refpeft only to the Nation ml Covenant, for by it was the Land Devoted to GOD, after our firft Reformation, Prince and People, and that they utterly Difregard, and take not the leaft notice of the Solemn League and Covenant, again in acknowledging the Breaches of that National Covenant^ they only, D con ( 44 ) confefs tlicy have broken it $ but what particu- lar Breaches thereof is the Land guilty of? What ways did the Magijlrates Supreme and Subordinate Violate it? By what ways did the Miniftry Tranfgrefs it ? "By what particular O- miflions and Commiflions did the People break it? To thefe Queliions no dire& Anfwer is Rendered, they were not willing to dip into particulars, judging it fitteft to hover in Gene- rals : Was not this to heal the Wounds of this Bleeding Nation (lightly ? Seeing the former Perfccuters Broke and Burnt thefe Covenants, f and the greatelt part of the Nation either Com- plyed and Confpired with them, or did not Teftify againft the fame : If this prcfent Church, Judge thefe 1 Covenants perpetually binding on this Land, fas they certainly are ) it was great Unfaithfulnefs in the Miniftry ( and is fo yet ) to do fo little, for the Reviving of them, or making People fenfible, of the Sin of breaking them. Reafon 2. If the Vigilance of the Church of Scotland, in former times, about the Covenants to have the Nation engaged in them, kept Sedfaft in Obfervance of them, and Reclaimed by Re- pentance, when it Tranfgrefled the fame, was Laudable Faithfulnefs, and worthy of limitati- on : Then it follows, that this prefent Church, is chargeable with greatUnfaithfulnefs, and Re miinefsin this Matter. Let any with Obierva- tien furvey Calderwood's Hittory, thtdtts of tk General ^jfemhliesy the Tefiimonys of the Mini- fkteof the Shires o£ Perth and Fife, the Canfes oj Wrath, ©V, And they will fee what Cvn^ciepcc the C 45 ) the Church, in thefe times made of the Oath of GOD, prompting the Stare frequency to a Re- novation thereof andtoOpp^fethe Adveifaiks and Refufers thereof ; Let them next view tie Records of this prefent Church, what a vait Diffimilitude may they dilccrn ? Sure we are in all Acls of General A ffemblies fincethe Revo- lution, there is scarcely any thing directly Cor- roborating the C0??#4#tt,Vindicating|£ftem from Indignities formerly ojrof lace cali up on them, Teffifying their Adherence to tl em, or putting high and low in mind of their Engagments, So that if Matters continue, as for thele mny years they have done, Poiierity ( .ho under the Obligation of tf em ) willfcarcely kn w that there were fuch Vows entered into by Our An- ceftors, in their own N.ime and the Name of their Pofterity ; and doubtlefsthe prefent M i- liers will be found UiexcufabLy Faulty, in imo- ihering the Memory and Glory of thefc Qn e- nants : And what a dreadful thing is it thus to dally with Solemn Oaths Sworn to the molt High GOD, as a perpetual Covenant never to be forgotten : Red/on, 3. As it is an Unqueftionable duty for Nations to fwear luch lawful Oaths as our Cove- nants are, and to renew them Nationally, mour- ning for the Breaches thereof, Imploring Re- xniftion through the Mediators Ii.tercefliorcwhea the,Nation haih generally backfl.dden, (0 noae can Reafonably deny that there have Deen cir- curafiances and Sealbns fmce the Revolution, wil- ing for fuch a Renovation of our Federal tyes % « D 2 Since < 4* I Since the time they were firft Framed, there was never fo long an Interval between the Re- novations thereof as now, excepting times of De- clining, fuch as, in the latter end of Kins; James 6. his Reien,and the beginning of the Reign of King Charles ifi. and the time of the late Perfe- ction • And yet in all thefe times, there were fomeboth Minitters and People, publickly Tef- tifying their Adherenc? to them, but this pre- feni Church, ( tho boaliing of a good Eriablilh- ment ) have neither at their firft Ajfemhlie nor For thefe 21 years by part, renewed them, Will pretending that the *?eafon is not come • like thefe in Hag: 1.2. It were needlefs to repeat what Reafons they advance for this delay b for we may fay of them all in general, they are Ibch Cobwebs, as Men Spirited as our worthy Anceftours were, would have at once fweept down : Tis true indeed, when one precious and proper Seafon is let pafs, The Lord in Jurtice may deny the like again, fo that the apprehend- ed unfeafonablnefs may ftill grow more and more Reafonable like, but that makes not the duty to become no duty, but rather the Duty fliould be, Eflayed, with fo much the more un- daunted Refolution, Mourning with all that through former Negligence difficulties have in- creafed. Grieve XIII. That in the Caufes of National Tafls, there hath not been fo full an Enumeration of the Lands Sins, as was both neceflary ancl pleaded for by many of the Minifters them- lelves, many Sinful Adminiftrations of the Church < 47 ) Cbqrcli and State, not being io exprefly menti- oned as they (hould have been. The Truth of this will appeajrto any unbyaf- fed Perfon, who {hall view the A#s for Fatts, ia this Period and compare them with this time, wherein Sin hath abounded in all Ranks, for many kinds of pyblick Sins and Defections both in Church and State, ( fome of which are comprehended in thefe our Grievances ) are not io n uch as named ; what ibiie Miniltcrs, more faithful than othets have done, cannot be reck- oned the Deed of the National Church. 2. Thai this is a great Sin and Matter of Grie- vance, may thus appear. I. Seeing in Fafts appointed to be kept Nationally, all the feveraj iorts otM.nion.USin?, cfpecially fuch as are ob- vious, and iuch as are, as to their Nature, bai- *icu% fhou}d particularly be confefled, iurely a icruifingthem ever in a general way, cannot but be Sinful. 2. Seeing ( as they lay ) preces & lachrywjfuqi arma Ecclcfa, many things wMch the Church otherwife cannot get amend- ed, fhould at fuch times, be Lamented over, and a Redrcfs fought from GOD, for exampte, when the Magifirate invadeth the Churches ]ujt Privi- ledges, and molelteth Her, not allowing the free Exercife of Religion in all its parts, ' or urging un'awfbl Impositions upon Her, luch Caies and' Circum!hnces (hould be fpread out' beiore the Ln r d, on fuch days as' H*z,ekiah did \^ith Senach- eribs letter /fa. 37. 1415." and which if fincere- Jvdone, would both b; a convincing rrprehen- fion to Uibrpers, nnd a probable mean of Deli- verance; B:it when this National Church neither in thefe foreiaii Acts did, nur in Aces K 48 ) t* this very time, dorh mate a plain Relation of" their iadcircumftances, for fear of Irritation, or out of fome pretended Prudential confiderati- on, it muft be accounted Gqful, as being an O- miflion o> a ()u*y neceflary both necejfitatepracep- ti & medii, Pfal. 50. 15. Thee have been fere- fal National Sins in tihis Land fi ice the Revo-^ lurion complained of by the Godly, yea by the generality cf the Nation, the not mentioning whereof amongtt the Cau.es of Fa(i§, is not on- ly Sinful, but mo(l Stumbling, fuch as the par- ticular ways how our Covenants are broken, e- ve » in thi time, by Magistrates and Subiefts, Jldinilters, and People, as by :he Union conclu- ded anno ijd6. and other things al'£ady hinted, and yet further to be mentioned in thefe our Grievances : Thefe, we fay, not being put in among!! he Caufe* -for Filling, is both Sinful •and Offajfn r e, continuing the Guilt of them Upon the N ion, ?.t lea ft the Church hath not done what wab Incumbent on Her, for freeing the Land thereof. Seeing the Aflemblie 1648. Seflion 26. Ordained Ministers to be Ceniured ftriftly, who are (paring, general and Ambigu- ous in (peaking againft the Corruptions of the time, as Men guilty of the Blood of Soul 2 , much more is this prelent Church blameable, for not being particular in their Fafts. Gritv. XIV. The good Atts of 'former Affern^ hties anent Licenfing and Ordaining of Intrants into the Miniftry , in tnoft places have not been obfervedin a due manner, there being many in jhefe later times admitted to the Miniftry who are ( 49 ) are not qualified according to the word of Gad and the fore fa id AH s. The Truth of what is complained of in this Grievance, we know, (hould be proven by con- defcending on particular Inftances, time and place, but we need not, feing it is notour al- moft every where, that Intrants are not tryed, and admitted according as Holy i Scripture and good Acts require, In Pauls Epiftles to Timo- thy and Titus and elfewhere, there are Qualifi- cations required which are little regarded by many Presbytries of this prefent Church in their Admiffion and Ordination of Minijtcrs, an Aft of AJfemblyi^g6 9 Ratified by Ajfembly 1638 hath this Direction and Rule.- 4 The Intrant, 4 (hall be pofed upon his Confcience before the 4 great GOD,f (and that in inoft grave manner) 4 what moveth him to accept the Office and 4 Charge of the Miniftry upon him. Andaf- 4 wards ordaineth That the Tryal of the Tryal 4 of Perfons to the Miniftry confift not only in 4 their Learning and Ability to Preach, but al- * fo in Confcience, and Feefing, and Spiritual 4 Wifdom, and namely in the knowledge of the 4 bounds of their calling in Do&rine Difcipline, 4 and Wifdom to behave themfelves, &c. and 4 an Ml anno 1643. Aug. 8. Ordains that Pr«- 4 byteries have Copies of the Covenant to be fub- 4 fcribed, by every Minifter at their Admiffion t m\}\zPropi)fitions concerning the Ordination 4 of Mmifters compofed by the Ajfembly of JD/- 4 vines at Wefiminfter, and received by this 4 Church, are thefe words (he that is to be Or=- * dained Minifter muft be duely qualified, both for r 10 x c for life and Minifternl Abilities according to \ * the Rules of the Apofilcsj i Urn. %. 2, 3, 4, 5, c 6 to Titus i. 6,7 j 8, 9. he is to be Examined * and Approved by thofe by whom he is to be c Ordained, 1 Tim. 3. 7, jo. i Tim. 5. 22. No 1 Man is to be Ordained a Minifter for a par- c ticalar Congregation, if they of that Congre- * gatioh can {how jufl caufe of Exception again!* c him, 1 Tim. 3. 2. Tit. 1.7 See AQsmbly 164$ c Sc[f. 10. Remedies j. and 2. How litrie thefe good Rules are obferved, fince the Revolution, I ir too wdllcnown, and if this Church plead innocence herein, we may Anfwer what Samu- el laid to Saul^ -what meaneth then the bleating of J/eep and lotting of GxenJ 1 Sam* 15. What mean the many Difcoveries to the con- trary? But we hope this Church will not deny their Omiffion, and uuer negleft of what is required in that forfeited AS 1643, con- cerning Subscription of the Covenant at hd- tftiffidns^ which maiifefteth their little Affe- ctum to theft Vows as was remarked, on Criev. 12- Gncv. XV. It is alfo grieving, that true Pie- ty and Holinefs are no?; encouraged by many Minifters, but Carnal, "yea, and openly pro- fane Pcifons countenanced by them, and the truely Godly reproached and difregarded. It may be proven, that this is no hlfeAccufati- on feveral ways, we foal) not infill upon what Obfervations might" be made from the proce- dures of the Judicatories of this Churotuwhere- in we may humbly averr, there is little for in- citing to true Piety and Gucuuragdug all Ini- quity, U ( 5* ) quity, in Comparison of what was done by the AjfemblieSy Comm jjions and Synoasoi this Church in former times, we little doubt but diiin- tereffed Judges w»Il up:;n comparing them fay as much, and it is well known that, upon the contrary, when fome of the Godly Minifters and others teftified againft what they judged wrong in the Church, they met with that En- tertainment of being declared to the World, ^Erroneous, Schifmatical, and Diforderly, and tranfported with indicreet and blind Zeal, fete the Co/nmiffiorfs fc-jfonobU Admonition, emitted Knno\6roving this courfe to be egregibuflv finful, it being contrary to the Rules and Pra&ices recorded and commend- ed in Scripture tor imitation, Pfal. 16. 3. lotht Saints that Are in the Earth, and to the excellent + in whom is all my delight. Pfal. 1.5.4. In whofc eyes a vile perfon is contemned, but he honour eth them that fear the Lord, Ez.tfri$. Jer.2i.PfaL 119. See alio the A&sof AflTembly, fuch as that fbrecited htt 1596, and an Aft 1646, fpecify- ingJLnormitiesin the Mmiflry, among which this under confideration is one: What can be more (tumbling and offenfive to ferious Perfons, than ro fee Minifters (who fhould be as Fathers to the Godly ,4 Gal 4. 19-, 1 Cor. 15) (length- ening the hands of the wicked, and puling with the Jhoulder the weak of the flock, we defire our Reader to fee at lageof the more ferious through all the Corners of the Land, that fome Miniitersare light and frothy, mmy Carnally Minded and thirfting after filthy Lu- cre, others lazy and eafy, we know thefe will becryed out.agamft as falfe afperfi >ns, but we are not afraid to fay it were eafy to prove them to be true,beiore Judicatories impartial &: unpre- judiced, and whicn would not ftate themielves Parties •, but wt cannot think (all things confi- dered) that the Legal profecurion is practicable by us. 1. Becaufe of the univerfality of the Faults charged. 2. Becaufe it is to be feared the Judges (as juit now hinted) in m my places would be Parties defendents. 3. Becaufe of the paucity, Weaknefs, and inefficiency of the Complainers,which(as Matters now go) proba- bly would be a let& hinderance of anySentence, as might be fhown by inftanceing fome EfTays of this nature without fuccefs, in the Bounds we live in # ,fo that litle eUe is left us fave to complain. It ( 54 ) it is utterly needlefs to confume time in prov- ing thofe Things to he Corruptions in thi< Church, for all who have any competent know-1 f - ledge of what the Scriptures reqifcre in Mini-1 \ Hers aodEtders wiil acknowlege the fame,we on-l \ ]y add that there is a mamfeft acc6j*iplifbment! , of whatis, in the Lord's Name, denounced byf the ProphetyJiW^y Chap. 2. yerfcs 8,9. But ye are departed out of the vpay y ye have caufed many\ ftumble at the Law, ye have corrupted the Covc\ nant of Levi, faith the Lord of Hofls, there] ore} h*ve I made you contemptible^and bafe before all the People according as ye have not kept my ways, but, leave been partial in my Law, Griev. XVIL We conceive this Church very faulty with reipeft to her Members, account- ing the worft of Perfons tobi fuch, contrair to our Principles thereanent, which are, thatnonq. ought to be looked upon as a Church Member, who is not ot a competent Knowledge of the Myfteries of the .O'ofpdj and hath not a Converfation anfweraBle thereto, ' That this is our Principle awent Church Members is clear from our Confeffion of Faith Chap. 25. § 2. With the adduced Scripture Proofs, and the Larger Catechifm in the Quefti- on, wito 'whom is Bap if m to be Adminiftredl. But next, We prove that this Church praftifeth ether- ways by giving fome Inftances. 1. Perfonsmoft ignorant and very vitious enjoy the Privilege of Baptifm to their Children. 2. Some fuch are alio admitted to that diftinguifhing Ordinance of the Lords Supper. 3. Tome fucn are to be found ( << 1 found cloathed with the Office of the Eider- fliip. Again, that this is a great "Corruption in the Church imift be acknowledged for thefe Rea* Jons. I. Tho* the Independent Way of admit- ting Members into the their Churches doth deviat from the Scripture, when they rejeft fuch as cannot give a fatisfying account of their Converfion, yet the Scripture clearly hoick forth that a Watchful infpe&ion is requifite in Minifters, that neither any born out of the vi- fible Church, and not fouhdiy profelyted may enjoy any of the Seals of the Covenant, or be re- ceived as Church-Members , nor that any who, thoborn in the fame, yet maintain Er- rors or live obflinately vitious or ignorant, may enjoy the forefaid Priviledges,as Members of the vifible Church, after due Diligence previoufly ufed about them, Matt. 18. and therefore when fuch ignorant and Scandalous Sinners are not only allowed to be Partakers of the Ordina- ry Benefits of Church-Communion, but are like- ways placed in the Sacred Offices of the Church, the Church cannot but be reckoned corrupt . in fo far. 2. To hold that all whatfoever in the Land are Church- Members, if they at times, at- tend Publick Ordinances, tho' openly wicked or Ignorant, is to fay that the Temple of God, is aDfn ofThitves andRobbers,md that the vifible Church confifteth not of Perfons called out of the World, we mean as to, at lead, profefiion and practice Externally } and that Church wherein thefe are moft numerous & reckoned Members, ; <^have thereupouChurchPriYileges^conferred on r theiu c 56 ; them, is it not like the Ethiopians to God Amu 9.7. 3. Seing the Members of the VifibU Church ftiould be only fuch as are vifible Saints, to repute all thefe Members, who are a People of no knowledge, declare their Sin like So- dom, and hide it not, Jfai. 3. 9. and to beftow on them the Externally diftinguifhing TefTcra's of Church Memberfhip, what is it, but to cajl\ Pearls before Swine, and to give that which is holy] unto dogs, wh\ch is (iriftly tQrbi(idQn,Matthy.6. Griev. XV11I. The finful Affociations this Land hath been guiky of, and is to this day > which are fo feverely Condemned in GOD's Word> and witnefTed faithfully againfl by both Learned and Godly Minifters, and others of the Lords People, and Puniftied by the Lord Re- markably, yet fadly joined in by the prefent State and Church, whatever particular Perfons have done in Oppofition thereto. It is known throughout Europe, that King William and Queen Ann have had fiedus cemmili- ^r^with the Emperor of Germany and other Po- pjh Princes againft the Tyrant of France, and Mimfters cannot deny, that they approved of the fame, unlefs they evade by Diffimulation, which is moft uncomely and unfuitable, in Per- fons Vetted with fuch a Sacred Office ; for in that A&fora Fait 1690, November. 12 they prefcrbe matter of Petition thus [ That the Lord ixokU bUfsandProfper his MajejliesCounfels, and Ferces by Sea, and by Land, and thefe ej the Princes And States, his Allies for GOD, ^nd his Truth ] And the Afjemblies fince that time hi- iherto, have in the lame manner frequently tefti«r fied c 57 y fied their Approbation of this Confederacy, where it is to be noticed, that cither the hffembly Judged that Affociatien and intendment to be for GOD and his Truth, which Senfe is not very confonant to Reformed Principles ( as will fur- ther appear ) feeing it cannot be thought that his Imperial Majeftie, and the other Popifh AUies ( who are the main fpoke in that wheel ) had any intention to further Prottftantifm, or elfe they conceived the Affociation to be Sinful, and if fo to Supplicate for a blefling on the fame, appears to be a Petition wanting Warrand in the Scrip- ture, Pfal: 129. Prov. 17. 15: 2. Joh. 10. We need not infill in proving this Af$ciation t<* be unlawful, ( which indeed many Miniflers deny) feeing this is already done by the Fa- mous Gillefpie and Binning, in handling this cafe, as alio in a Manuscript, written after the year 1650, which ( for what we know ) hath not yet been Publifhed, wherein the Learned Author State? the Q.Kftion thus, Whether Co- venants or Military Affociation in Arms, may be lawfully made, by the Reprefcntatives of the C party ( to rvit, by thefe in Magifiracy or Mini- ftry)v>ith Idolaters, Hereticks, or any other known Enemies of Truth and Godlinefs, remaining in their Ungodlinefs ? Saith he fome Divines are for the Affirmative fwjiply, without any condition^ Limitation or RefiriBion at all; It is a wonder ( fays the Author ) tofee any ProtejlmtfiVivinc more Abfard in this matter, than any Popifh nrher we have feen : For the Negative, without any Limitation or Reftri6tion, heciteth a great many Orthodox Divmcs as, Martyr in hc.com. Oafs. 4+ Cap, ( 58-.) . Cap. \& % 20/*fli Syntag. Lib; 10. cap. ii./V rw mfifmr 14- *3- Mr. QiHefpie his MifcelJany Qaeftti ns, Grotirn de jure btlli Lib. 2. G«p. 15. 1 and others. The Author iiimfeh determines 11 /, the Quettton Kega;tvely y and giveth a great ma- 1 < »y Arguments, whereof we fhall mention onlyj , a few, not^ knowing but the Treatiie it felf iaaj hereafter lee the Light. 4 Ont* Argument % becaufe there are Scrip 4 ture Rules, for Regujating the Arms of * the People of IJOD, Dm. 23. 9, 30, 11, 12, 4 13, 14. from which he deduceth thefie concte- * funs, 1 If the People of GOD fhouid keep 4 themlelves from every wicked thidg, then * the Godly when they go forth againft thdifc 1 Fneiries, iheuld keep thefnfelves from all 4 ..wickednefs. 2. The duty of Commanders, is 4 prncpaliy urged in the Text, tor which bs 4 ftfoeth ieveral Reafon?. 3. If they fliould I 4 keep hemleives from every wicked thing, | 4 then furdy from every wicked Per Ion, becauie tey mainly turn away the Heart* Another 4 Argument he, t&cih from Scrip ures, which 4 tor bid Affociations in the Jfraelites withldo- 4 lateis Exod. 23.32.33. and 34. i2»We have 4 here ( laith he J both the Precept and the Mo- 4 ral|Rcafonof it, 15, 16. verfesDeut. 7.2. the . * Mora) Reafon is. Jofb. 23. 11. 2, 13. Juices 4 22. E^ra 9. 1,2, 3,11, 12. hxiothei Argument 4 he taketh from A Jfeciatiom condemned in Scrip- 4 ture fuch as 1 JCtogj 15. 19. 2, Chr. 16. 3. 8.9. J. 9, ? l Kings 20. 54, 55. 1 Kings 22. 4. 2. C»ro,XO; 3. and 19. 2, and 25. 5. and 2 £i#gj 16, 7. 2 Or* 28, 16. and 21. 22. Tjfi. 8- 12, 13. flb/. 5..13 7/4.30. i,. 2,5. and 31. 1. Compared with Jr. 1. 18. fly, 7. 8, 11. and 12, 1. £^e£. 16, 2o, 28, 2p. and 7. 15. and 23.7, 8. 9. and 17. 22. 23. .Another Argnment he propofeth thus, fuch Covenants as proceed from Sinful Principles, ( as want of Confidence in GOD, An evil Heart of Unbelief ) and have, follow- ing them, necefljry confequences of Sin and Judgment, are not lawful, but Aflbciations with Wicked Men are iuch, which he provetb from 2. Cor. 16. 7. 8,9.7/4. 8. 12. 13. and 3.2, 3. and 31. i. Hof. 7. 11. See Calvin on Ez,e£. 16. 26. Another Argument is thus, If a Fami^ liar Converfing, voluntary and Ele&ive with the wicked, be unlawful, much more is Afib-[ ciation with them unlawful, but the foft ,id true, therefore the Iaft, the Major 'is fure, be-] caufe Covenants with the Wicked, neceffaily, bring on Familiar converfing with them, yea,* Ftdtis eft fpecies amcitU; the Minor is cleat from Scripture, Pfal. 6. 8. and 26. 4, ^Nature andCaufes of Gods Judgments (jing on the Nation ) That this C 64 ) this is fo tbc proper work of Zcclpfafthl Power; f when the Church is fettled ) viz,. To indict Authoritatively National Fafts with then Cauies and diets that it is unlawful for the Magiftrat to Cake this upon him, for it is an Entrenching on the Minitferia! Province, which Magiftrates arc ftri&Iy prohibited to do, Num. 18. 7. and i6 # 40.2 Ckron. 26. 18. 19. * Jod' 2* 1*5- llow'tke trumpet in Zion fanBifie a Ttft'S &c 9 Compared with Num.- ro. 8. "the Sons of Aaron the Frieft fhallblorv, &c. Argument 2. In Fafts xht Seafon is material, for they are not ordinary, but extraordinary duties not called for from a Nation at all timep* or for ordinary, but when Difpenfatioris of Div vine Providence, clear it to be the Nation's duty; Then who are the proper Judges arid Decer-r iners of that Clamant x Seafon, we mean by Chrift'g Inftitutiorf ? Whether thefe ' whofV Office is t The King or Civii \Aagijtrat, as well as others, {hould by them be determined as to theSeafbn of fuchjduties,as we may gather from If a. 21. ir, 12, Watchman yhat of the Night ? Surely then if we regard Scripture, we mutt fay the Defoliation of the Seafon and Diets of Facing belongs properly and peculiarly to the Church when co<ititfe, and cot to the Civil Magiftrat. Arg. 3. When Ministers exercife their Mini- sterial Office ( as they do in the Fafts intended in the Qiieflign ) upon no account fhould they do it, as Servants of Men, or in obedience to the Command of any civil Afagiflrat ( as being in that refped and regard, not lubjed to Civil Power and Authority ) but in Obedience to the Command of their alorje head and King Chriffc, from whom they have their Office with the Exerciie thereof in all its parts, and as Minijlers they fhouldnot take Commands, Infiruttions or Virettions, in any part of their MiniHenal Work, either as to the Seafon when, or the Caufes 1 wherefore ± from any Earthly Monarch: And if they do, they Difhoneur their Matter, and rub an affront on him, as if he either were not ca- pable ( if we may with reference thus fpeak )or die were negledive and unwilling to incite his Servants by his Word and Spirit, either more immediately or more mediately by the Ads and appointments of his Ecclefiattical Courts and Judicatories, tor he Exercife of their M;mHenal \(Vork, or to direct them as. to. the Sealon, pam- cular ( 66 ) ieuJar Caufes ?ind Subject matter thereof, fa Gal. I. dtap. 2 Cor: i. and z. cbapterft 4 ifatfer- " furd in the place above cited pag 748. ww di " cimus, &d. ] i. e 9 we fay that in the external u Government of the Church, the power is given " immediately to the Ghurcb only, not to the " People, but to a Collegiat Societie of Church* u elders, who alone have power of binding ancj I C6 loofmg immediately from Chrift, as thefel u Scriptures prove, Mat. 18. 16, 17, 1$, Job. ft 20.21, 22~ > 2i,Attsi. 24,25^26. and 15.-2^. €t 23. 24. and confequently have- the ' Power u in the ex. ernal Government, the Scripture no €i where hath allowed fuch power to the 'Magi* " fir at, neither is it granted.to the King to make *' Canons for good order, and dedency ip thq „ Church, but only to the Church is this ?■* granted elfe nherebeftyetb, pag 740 0mm$ f* pote&as &c. ] all created pewer is fub;e£ u to Chrifl's Kingly power in the Word and ?' the Aft of "Ecclefia/HcV Difcipline which is u ChrilVs Royal A& Pfal. 2} 1 2. and 72. 10, flpt be appointed by the Civil Authority^ norob? ferred by Miniftcrs Minifterially when fo apr pointed. Waving other Arguments at the tinae ? let us hear fytcan Infiitut. TheoL pag 542. ^/«- nim publicum, &c,~\ i.e. A publick " F*/? if fuch, as is indicted by the Authority of thefe * who are fet over the Church, and is celebrat- 4 ed by the Church for fome neceflity falling out ( Joel 1. 14. and 2. 15. ?6, ij.Aciiy 2, and 1 4.23. the Mini fieri in the Shirks of Perth zndFife 9 in their Tefiimony 16^9. fpeak thus pag 20 " we * do profefs our diffatista&ion that the Cfei/ #< Powers flrould take upon them, 'by them- " f lve«, ordinarily to prefcribe Publick tfymi- " liation and Thanksgivings with the Caufes and H Diets thereof, to all "xhtMinificrs and Mem- :he Civil Pojver- 4. Ic is granted byfopnd©;* lines, that the Magifirates Power circa facra, hould be only Cumulative not Privative, fee Rutherford's Ex amen, Armin. pag75l, Yea the vhole^ueftion, being the 4th of that Chapter, Mr. John Brown in his Latine Book againft, and '^elthufius Lex Rete, Gillefpies Aaron s Rod, &c. 3ut this Command of the King was Privative % Hz* Hindering the Afsembly to fit at the time he preceeding Afsembly had determined it to -be leceflary. that it fhould fit, and therefore Mi- ters fhould not have obeyed it. 5. If it be found 3odrine that the Church tnftatu confiituta lath Power of her felf to Call and Diflblve A/- emblies, and that the Magijlrate ftiould not r at iich a time, do either fas the Afsembly i6$j. >nd particular found Divines teach) then Com- )lyance with the Command of the Magiftate in his Matter, in this time when Mimjiers de- :lare the Church to be in a coftftituteState,muft >e unlawful. 6. Seing Chnft hath gracioufly >een pleafed to ereft a Vifible Kingdom in this ^andin a more Confpicuous, Diftinft and Or- ganized Form (in profecutionof that Privilege granted by his Father to him, Pfal. 2. 6, 7, 8* ind Pfal. 72. 8) than almoft in any Nation ire he World, it is unaccountable Ingratitude, )efidethe fin of unfaithfulnefs, in Mimfters to :ontend fo little for the Privileges andlmmuni- ies thereof, and to go in with any thing whicb jiveth the leaft dafti to that Glorious Kingdom , :he Beauty and Glory of this Land. See Ails of hfsembly 1638. &/}, 26. concerning yearly Ge- urd Ajsembhcs. Ob- C 74 ) Vhj. il f Magistrates, according to thejudge irtent of Orthodox Churches, and Writers may Call arnd DifFoive Afsembliesj and have fo done in many Reformed Church^ & in this. To which it isAnfwered,by diftinguifhing betwixt a fetlect Oganized Church , and an unfettled Church. 2. Betwixt a Church which, through the good hand of God, hatfi arrived at a farther de- gree of Reformation in that point concerning (Church Government than others, and thefe other Churches which, tho* Reformed, yet * are but wreftling about Reformation in Do&rine and Worflnp, and by conftant oppofition made by. Adverlaries againft thefe, have b^en kept off from fuch a Solicitous and Labori )us fcrutiny concerning the Government and Immunities of Chrift's vifible Kingdom. k Bez*a and many Forreign Divines, Corpus Con* ffeflionum fidet, &c. have *g ranted, that the Church of Scotland hath arrived at a greater de- gree of purity herein than any other Church al- moft fince the ApofHes time, Bright man and Cartroright have abundantly teftified the fame .* WeAnfwerthen i. That in an unfettled ftatef of the Church fuch as this Church was in about the year 1637, and the Engltfh Church about 3641) the Magiftrate if Tins & Chriftianus (as they fay) may call a Synod of Minifters in order to conftitute themfelves t and to do what other things are neceflary and incumbent on them *, bat in a conftitute State of the Church (as this profefleth her felf to be fince the year 2650) we deny that the Magiftrate ought ei* the* t ?5 y ^her to Call or Diffolve ^Jfemblies Man. i& iy j8, 19, to. Atts 15. zChron. 19. i*. and 2$ 17, 18. This was the Judgement of the fore- cited Affembly 1647. 2. We Anfwer, altho"; in fuch Churches as are not arrived at a dueRe«j formation in the Matter of Church Govern^ ment, the Magiftrate taketh on him to indift Synods, ytt in Churches better Reformed, ,and that have found out {the Lord giving clear light from the Scriptures) the free Privileges of jtjfaxbUes, and that have long enjoyed, and! practically improved the fame (which was the cafe of this, Church in purer times) we deny; that the Authoritative Indittion apd DiflTolqti* on of A ] flemblics, - which are the Courts ofChri/t Mediator, the King of his Church, belonged* any way to the Civil Magiflrate in Ordi-! nary Cafes, but only in fo far as lie bearing the Sword may prove aififtant by his CivilAuthori- tyinterpofed to Caufe Efcclefiaftick Appoint- ments be obferved and take place. tibj. 2. It is injurious to blame the Church! fpr the CommiflionersD'iffolving theAffimbly anno 2692, feing it was protefted againft. We An-} fwer, what are verbal Protcftations when Afti-; ons do not correfpond thereto ? If this Church' did by her after demeanour ftrengthem what the Civil Mdgiflrdte by his Commiffiontr then dicij and build again that which they once profefiej todeftroy, we may fay of her (isPauI of him-; felf, upon fuppofitio'n he (hould do fo) fhemak-J eth her fclf a Tranfgreffbr, and that; fihe did fq may appear from what is already faid ? 7* ): ' Ohy. £ font. 13. Let every Soul bejubjeii t* ffcf fc/gk*r Towers. Anf. We gx^utMinifters^ as they are Men and Stibjefts, fhould obey ^d fubmit to Magijlratisybuv as they are Afrw#- /hrj and Officers in the Charch a&ing direftly and immediatly under their Mafter and King Chrift 7 they ought to acknowledge no Earthly Superior Power, Jer. 1. 10. PfaL 2. 12. and 72. jo, 11. ^w. 17. 14. /Wdr£ 16. 15. Eph. 4. it, 12. 1 Or. 4^1,2, 21. 2 Cbr. 10,2,11.2 C#r. 10. 8. and 5. 20. Gal. 1. throughout Vrov.%. 15. il^tt. 18. ^» 20. 21,22,23. ASts 1, 24,25* 26. ^#\r 1 5. 22, 23 , 24* 2. Ministers fhould obey Magiftrates moving in their own Sphere and commanding lawful things lawfully, but not when they forbid Duties to be done in their ■Proper Seafon, nor yet when they ftep beyond }uft Limits, and take on them to do what is the proper Office of Chrift by his word and Spirit, *nd his Mtnifters, forinftante, to call and DiP- folve Synods ofChrift's Ambafladours (when the "Church is conftitutej who are not a&ing then ji-as Mediator, £ead*and ( 77 ) King of his Church, bat from him confidered as God one with the Father and Spirit, as our worthy Divir.esjzfyzai\\y Rutherfoord, GUUfpie y Brown, hate proved fufficiently, and feingitis faid Md. 2. 7. The Priefis lips fiould hep know- ledge, and they ffjouldfeek the Law at his mouthy fir he is the Afejfenger of the Lord of Hojls. , ' Objtttion. 4. Prudence required that the Command of DifTolution 1692 ftiould be obeyed^ and that the Proclamation prorogating it twice ftiouldbe conaplyed with, altho' contrary to the forefaid Affemblies Appointment, for if it had been othefrwife the King would, it is likely, have difchzrged all Affemblies in time coming* .and 'withdrawn his Countenance from the Church, arid become an Enemy thereto, an£ this would have been toorfe than all the detri- itient this Church fuftained through the want of one Affembly. We Anfwer, Is not this to do Evil that good may come, Rom.$. The Pro~ , phets and Ajpoftles and faithful Servants ciChrift fince, ufed no fuch Prudence, nor pleaded Jit* fee AUs 4. Exod. 10. 26. Gal. 1. 10. If this kind of Prudence take place, then farewel fineere ♦ Chriftian Obedience, oiir worthy Reformer* , detefted fuch ways, they according to Scripture Warrand endeavoured to be at Duty, leaving: Events to Over-ruling Providence, which theic, Faithfulnefs wasfo far from marring the Succefij of the Work of Reforniation^ that the Lor<$ made it theif ftrengtb, We may inftanceirt one particular, the Affembly 1638, refuted to Rife, tho* the Corrimffiofitr by continual Solicitation, and cafting in Obftruftion** :, ( 78 ; cndeavQufed to raife them and Proteftei again ft alraoft every thing they did, yet it , is well known what good that Afjembly did by conti- nuing to fit till their bufinefs was brought to an mppy iffue for that time, this laid a good and liable foundation for what was attained in fuc- ceeding years, and if that Afftmbly bad gone into thefe prudential Meafures now cryed up, how great lofs would the Church have ftiftained/ In all probabiliry a Bar might have been dra wa againft the progrefs of that never to be forgot- ten Reformation. 2. To whom doth this Ghurch look, and on whom doth (he depend fcrProtcftion and continuance? Whether to the favour of the Powers of the Earth f or to the watchful and omnipotent Providence of him who dwelt in the bujh, who hath faid, upon me fione /hall be [even eyes^Zech. 3. 9. Ifa. 54. 14, 37- If ihe look to the former, and be only care- ful jjfr/4/^ff w/^i^ to curry favour with the fecular Powers, then we may fee the Lord's mindanent her from Jer, 17. $,6. Curfedbe the Man that trufieth in Man, &c*hejhallbd like the heath in the defart, &c. which threat- nirig is fadly fulfilled in this our day, if Minifieri fay that they look only to, and truft in the Lord, then we ask, if it be any evidence of right truftingintheLord, or yet if it be a propel nieah appointed by God, for prefervation to bbey the Commands of Men rather than the Commands of God? To pleafe Men by dif- pleafing God ? To gratify Men by dtfregarding God's Glory ? Great Mr. Robert Bruce, for cou- *cfcenciij>fc^ ik% King's defire to forbearPreach* ( 19 ) Ing for about ten days, was To diftreffed in his Confidence, that his Body was caft into a Fe- I ver, whereupon he refolved never to comply I To jar again that way, be the danger what it would, Mr. Robert Toungfon in K. Ja. ?//rfhr are Subjefts of more Eminent Gifts than others, and fo more capable to wrong the Civil Ei » blilhnv .. * 8' ) blifhmefit: We Reply, if the Eniineocjr of their Gifts had been the Re^Fou, other Subje&s of able Gifts, fuch as Gentlemen of Parts and Learning, Students* &c. would have been re- quired to Swear, but if theyinGft and objedt that Minifters their Work maketh them oF greater influence on the Nation, and therefore were obliged to be foqualified,we Anfvver,theii that work wherein they are of greater influ- ence* than others is the Work of the Mimfery. and therefore the Office is that whereunto the Magiftrate hath had refpeft in the Aft, and it is but a vain Evafion fonie make by faying in Swearing the Oaths they had nothing to do with the Aft, king their doing it in Obe- dience to the Aft, without any Proteffation of the General Ajjembly againft what was Evil ia ' it, maketh them Approvers of all ia it. 2. Bfcaufe no Oaths are to be taken without neceilitv otherwile they are a fupervacaneous Impofition, which neceffity by not only the credit of their facred Office, but by their Syno- Meal Letters full of exprefled profound Loyal- ty, is plainly removed ; And if any objeft that \t was needful, becaufe the King knew that ma- ny of the prefent Mtwfttrs had complyed with Charles 2. and Jtmts'j. and in their Addrefs to the (aid James had Ihawn to the full, as great .Loyalty as in their Letters to himfelf, as alfo that fonje of them had in the former period been Gurats, and by Oaths and Bond^ ftrittly obliged in a ihvilh manner, to fupport and de- fend that Tyrant, and therefore 1C William faw \t necciury tQ require of the whole Church this ( Zi I this Oath I "Anfwer, Tho* there may befome Reafdn in this indeed, *yet ftch as this Church may jiaftly blufii to hear tifed for their Defence in the Matter of the Oath, viz.. that they em- braced fach for Members as had fcandalcaifly complyed with^Corruptionsbothof Church and Stare, withoutfufficient and latisfyirig Evidence es of trtie Repentance declared as publickiy as the complyancc was known, yet it rio ways in- validate* the firft Reafon againft the path, not what is to follow. 3, ' Minifters their Swearing this Oath or Oaths was anew and unufual praftice fh tins Churth, and wanting a Laudable Precedent iri cither Scripture or in the pra&ice of this Church in purer times *, tho* the feafonthlc Ad* monition aljegeth two inftances to the contrary,, for their Scriptural inftance -doth n&t prove flat the Vriefts Swore Allegiance to Joafi, i the/ only obliged themfelves ir* Common with thfc whole Congregation at his firft^ppearanc^ and Inftalment, to proteft and fupport his ' Throne^ and Crown, and fo the cafe differs, for this was done at his Reception in a joint way by the whole Congregation* tfonfidered as Subjefts, Whereas this Oath ! C we nov * fp e *k °f>) was tt&* dered fome' ydars after K. William's fettlement on the Throne^ and not toalH theSubjefts,' but to Perfons in Office as before was ^rotedr AncJ as to their fcther inftance 1 from the Aft of Parli in the time of K. Ja. 6. *We *muft fay^ we won- der that this^wr^'taketh a Precedent *out of a period which was both corrupt; and alia which was near the dawning ofouiRtforwation; when ( s? ; when this Church was but coming out of Dark- ne'fs as to many things which in Procefs of time tame to be abandoned, for *n the year 1572. Which the Seafonable Admontioji condefcendeth on there were great Corruptions, fuch as inau- guration of Bifhofs^ allowing of Churchmen to at* *ccept Qvil places of Trufi : But however Colder* wed hath no account fas we can find) whether there was any fuch A£b or not, arid if there was, whether the Godly Mmifters of that time obeyed it or not." the Seafonable Admonition it felf giverh us ground 'to conceive that the Cafes widely differ, for as we gather from it,the Minifters were to declare K. James 6. ro be JCing of this Realm in oppofition to to the^ifro Dowager, and that out of the Pulpit, which far differeth from this Cafe,for the prefent Mini'* fters judicially fitted before Civil Judges formal- ly Swore phefc Oaths we fpeak of, the former inay be rather called an Atteftation or Declara- tion of their adherence to Ja. 6, than an Oath of Allegiance to him. ' ~ v 4. This Oath wanted neceflary Limitation*, fuch as are exprefled incur Covenants, which contain an Oath of Allegiance; fomelay that the word Faithful ] R eftrideth the ; fame ; it is fcniwered; that is a general word and (as they fay J in'gemralibHs Utet Joins,* 'GuWe is often hid in generals, the word Faithful is Ambiguous, and may be Improven one way by the Hohbifts ( who ftand fcr Unlimited Obedience to M*gi- ftrMes) and another way by others, To that ftridi- Jy fpcaking, it cannot be accounted any Limita- tion. l - - c . ,. . < 8 4 ) . 5. Seeing the covenants contain an Oath of 'Allegiance, and ieeing ( as was before made ap- pear ) theie Covenants lhould have been renew- ed and adhered firmly to^ by Perfons of all ranks, but efpe^ially by Minifters ; their Em- bracing another Oath of Allegiance, different from that which is included in the Covenants is jufily reckoned a ceding from them, and joining with the Magijtrat in fhufling them out of Me- xnory and pradice, efpecially confidering, that I in the AEls relative hereto, there is a Claufe or I Claufes infinuatingas much, namely, that this j Oath of Allegiance is to come in room and place of all other Oaths whatfomever that Lhould be ! required to be Sworn to the King. 6. This Oath was gone into by Minified, and : yet it was never Ratified and Apprcven previ- ously by the AJptxbly y (or any thing we know, and this is contrary to an A£l of AJfembly} 1648. Seff. 18. July 28, againft all new Oaths or Bonds in the Common Caufe, impoled with- out confent of the Church. Several other Reafons 'we might add, but fhall not at prefent : l We only fay further on this head, that tho we look on' this as a great Sin in the Minivers of this Church, yet we can- not but judge favourably of feme who we hopq did not committ the fame wickedly, i. e. know-: ing it to be what we really think it is, but out of Simplicity, and being iome way or other led into this mirtake; arid we hopeYome if the like- were again required, would not embrace it as formerly, being now better informed/ and who knows but others in procefs of time may Ic made ( -*5 ) . rnade in Mercy to fee the evil of it? Bat that *ve be not miltaken, we declare that we accord- ing to Scripture, own that every Soul ( as {well 'Minifters as others ) fhculd be Subject to the bigher Powers, and fliould AS SUBJECTS give what AfTurance of their Subjection thefc lyyful Powers can juiily require. 4 Griev. XXIII. There is a fad L^xaefs in ma- ny places in Adroittng to the Solemn Ordinance bF the Lord* s Supper, Perfons grofely Scandalous fuch as hrnniardSy Sabbath- breakers, aad many others, utterly unworthy, are allowed to partake of the lame ; and tbat which heightens this Grievance is, that as thiscourfeis contrary to Scripture, and the profeffed Principles of this Church, {ait hath been much witnefled againnV by many Gcdiy, both Minifters and ProfefTors, and known to be very offeniite to tender Con- sciences. This is fo Univcrfally complained of by the Godly in this Land, that it fcarcely needeth any Probation froin us, and if it were convenient here to do it, we could mention a great many Perfons utterly unworthy, as was (aid in the Grievance) admitted to thatDirtinguifhing and 4 Sealing Ordinance, and when Minifters deny this Charge ( as indeed too many do) they Evi- dence one of three, either that thev are moil TJnacquaint with their refpedVive Flocks, and fiave no Discriminating knowledge thereof, or that they, herein Contraveen the Prmciples and TclHmoriies of this Church in purer times, or tlfe lahMy, that tney are fuch as refute to ac- knowledge any fault, how fo ever palpable it be ( S6 ) be; for, in better times than theprefent *rej the Church acknowledged their Laxncfc in Ad- jniffion to this Sacrament, to be one of the Nati- ons Shis and a caufe of GODs Wratb,fee the ac- knowledgment of Sins made at the Renovation of the Covenants annoi6$. and the paper called the Caufe s of Wrath, emitted by the Commijfton of tht^JJembly l£$jji We need not l'pepd time, to prove this Lix? nefs to be a grofs corruption, for none will deny it, who duely confider the nature of the ordi- nance, which is inftituted for the Sealing, Con- firming and nourishing of thefe who are true* Believers in Chri ft, it is not primarily defigned. or inftituted for Converting, but for pon^rming thefe who are already Converted, to* others the partaking hereof is mott defltu&ive, and renr ders them Egregioufly gpilty, as the Scripture giveth us to knoWjWhen it {a.ys.they eat and drinl Judgment^ or ( as fome Tranfla'e the Word ) Damnation to fhemfelves, and that they are guilt j cf the Body and Blood of the Lord 1 (Jor. 1 1 ^ 27, 2o. What an hcrrid perverfiOn, therefore, is \i of the Nature, ueanddefignepf this Ordinance when Minifiers, who fhould be Stewards of the, Myfleries^ofCObj t. Cor 4. t. Tit. 1.7/ to give every one their due Portion in due Seafon', (Jo give the Childrens Bread to Dogs ? And do give that which belongeth only to the Heirs of Eternai Sthation, unto thefe who are manifeftly Heirs and Children of Wrath, i. e. who are manifeftly in a fttate of Unregeneracy I But we need not farther infift on this, feeing many great an4 Learned Men in this, and JForrcign Churches have lvrit- ( s 7 > : ^written fo pertinently and fully concerning if; the Reader mr.y perufe what is written by Fa- mous Mr, Gillefpie in his Aarons Rod blojf gating; as alfo fome little Tra&ates on this Subject done not long ago by the Reverend Mr. James Hog pre lent'Minifter at Carnock in the Shire of Fife, Bho the Authors Name be not infert. There is yet another thing, which canriot but be moli Offenfive and grieving to any that arc tender, viz,. In fome places the Ruling Elders get Tokens to diftribute to whom they think meet 5 which Courie is plainly everfive'of that narrow fearch into and Examination of Commu- nicants, which fliould be made by the Difpen- fers before Admiffion : and we thinle this eburfe is an unallowable Innovation, not be- ing ever in pra&ice in this Church, in Her purer times. Griev. XXIV. There are many 'things very Grievous with refpeit to the Exercife of Difci* pline, in this Church, as firft feveral t Grofs Scan* dais not Cenfured, fuch as Dmnkenncfs, Cur[w ) In corners ) we fhall fay littfe becaufc we do not hear of any SocUtie confiding of iuch openly Profeffipg the fame, Albeit ,the greateff part of the Carats, together with others of their Per* fwafibn are generally tainted with this Error z As for that abominable Error of BourigxioHifm, tho we could wifh that it were more Accurately fearcbed out,& its abetters [more ftri&lyCeniur- ed, yet we are glad to find, that the Aftcmbly 1 70 1. by an jti£\ hath Condemned thefe7e»erj Sejfc 15. and ibid pronunced* Sentence of Dep§~ fitioh againftDr.Grorge Garden as btmgErrDneoHs, arid Jed avtay by the Lnpiotis Tenentso/ M. Anto- tiia Bourignion : This Church through jthe^Vt- gilancy of the Watchmen, and the Lord's keep- ing the City, Pfxl: 127. I, 2. was noted tot its being fo free from Here fits and Errors ; as the Preface to Knox and Calderwood their Histo- ries manifeft; but now it is otherwife as above is hinted, and if we may in feairching out the Caufes thereof, take any help from what K. J*. 6. faidtoan Engli/h Divine enquiring, with Admiration, why our Church was never troubled' with Merely, his words are, ( as they are Re-* *. preated in the peface to Calderwoods Htftory ) * if it fpring up in a Partich there is an Elderjbip * to take notice of it, and Supprefs it, if it be * toortroagfor them the Presbytery \s ready to < Crufh it ; if the Presbytery -cannot provide ' againft the Obftinate, in the Synod he fhall ^iind more Witty heads, if he cannot be con- f vinced there, the General 'Ajfembly will not € fpare him. thus he^ Whence it is dear, where we m?y lay the bla4e, and it is fcdly obfem ~ ^ able ( *1 ) _ able that through the defect of the Stt\& Exerc/7e |> of Church Dilcipline, there are not only Seeds, but a confiderableGrouth offeveral Herefosand Errors intfiis Land fince the Revolution with* out any great Oppoficion from the Church, thefe good Ads again!* Proph^nenefs ( fuch as. A& Affembly \6g^Stf: 14, and Affembly 16?$ Scjf. 1 5. and Affembly \ 699 Seff. 9. and Affembly. 1706 Seff. 1 2. Art. 1 5. ) and againtt Papirts, &d Are not obferved, io that we may adventure to call them only a laying and not doing : Brave A&s at times, but how are they Executed? And what a cheat is this put ugon theWorid and Po- sterity? When fome of the good ASts. of this time arefeen in the enfutng Generation, will it hot be thought, the Framers of thefe Atts have been Zealous for Extirpating Popery, &c ? But if the flick handedneis in Executing them be difcovered, will not Judicious Pofterity think that we have been endeavouring to put a Blind, upon thefe who fliould come afcer us ? Sure it is the Church is Solemnly bound to root out 'Hsrefies and Errerj f the Mtnifters fhould be Watchmen and have the Keys, not only of DoSrrir but of Difciplint, for extruding iuch Peitilentious Perfons out of the Lid's Inheri- tance :as the Priefts, under the Law,, had it in their Office and Initrudtions, to try and difcem theYiagiie of Leprofie, and to declare thefe, who had iuch ?nd fuch Signs, to be unclearri in order to have t>e«n put apart from others, who were clean • But ah / how many Lepers ( we mran Heretich and Erroneous Pcrions ) are converfant among the Inhabitants of this Land, while in G the the mean time, they who arc in the Mtmftcriai Office do little againft them. And' as for the. Prddticl Cnrats thefe Diforderly Walkers, and tmdyScbifmAtical, are too far Tolerat, to the greatgricfof the truely Godly; having their Meetinc; houfes in Citys and Country, whereun* fo oonfiderable Perfbnager with their Families ^nd Dependents, (deferring tb£ Eftablifbed Pub- lick Ordinances ) do retort : This weed was Indulged at the Revolution, the Minifters per- haps hoping it would afterwards be more eafily cradicat, but now is grown fo ftrong, as that thereby the Rights of Presbytery are like to be Utterly Choakcd and extinguifhedjwhereby, tho too late this Land may read their Sin written on Cheir Judgment, as the Israelites were made to fee their Sin, in (paring the Candanites when they fcecame Pricks and Thorns in their Sides ; But i)f this fomewhat was hinted before. 5. Many Scandalous practices of Presbyterian &inillersin fome places, tho flagrant & notour, little beaded, and wheg complained of, Scraiff- cdorer with private Accomodations, the Scan- dal remaining neverthekfs; whereby ferious People, are made to think, that Minifters favour One another in Courfo ot Sin : This being to be proven byinftances of Pcrfons, timean4 place, ( which, if afterwards legally called for, $nay more fitly be condefcended on ) we not* pafsit. 6. That fome Miniftcrs accufed of feve- lal fad Scandals, fome of them in the Judgment offcreralunbyafledPcrfops, fuffici?ntty proveqi and deferring Depofitioq, yet only Qnfured ftithanA& q(Trd>ffp9rfMnj 1 or the laying down ( P3 2 down of tlic/r pretent Charge, and removed fq other places, where they arc permitted toPfeach tq the great Prejudice of poor Souls and iliarac of this Church. As to the Probation of this, we fay, as concerning the Former, 7. Many Minljiirs very remifs and Negligent in their Mi- mfterial Work, feldom Catechifing andVifit- in^ their Flocks, and when done, little to .Edi- fication, which we are able to Prove ; as alio in fome places Presbytcrial t vifitations ... no; waj?s Confcientioufly performed: and that .many Preach in a Legal Strain, a'rift hovi exceeding dangerous that is, may be! gathered ftora fome. Treatifes written by the Reverend Mr. James flog Mim(iitat£arjiock in Fifcfind even in their Sermons, how flatteringly do many Mini/fcrc deal with their Hearers, as if they ally or the* iricft part of them, were Converted? Few-, Treat dittin&ly upon that great Subjc& of -Reg*- nerdttin, with any clofs Application ; Whcthir this defeft proceedeth frpjn many JMfoiftcrs,\\K\t not kpoWing this abfoiutely neceflary Work themfclves Experimentally, or from fomie oilier evil Spring, we fhali not determine : And then howeafity are many Minifters fatisficd with their People, if they profeis Religion, and per-! form fome External duties in Secret and rutrt lick? Upon all which fire may fay, that tW tfria Church profcfieth,,to hold and maintain found Doftrlne, pure Wor/bif, impartial Difcipline, and freeGa^riww^andthoit hatb Framed fome f)odAAs f yet when we confider, hoMT the „ «mplc aboyads with Bnytri and $clkrt $ Mo*- G% 9iU ■ I'll ■■"■. f tf« anc! Ammonites, bchdcs Corrupt, tho Natu- \A Branches, Rom. u. 24- iMto. 21. 12. wc c ■nnoc ice how we can be Condemned for conv- pl lining of, and Teltifying againlt theie who fhouldand donnt endeavour in a due manner to lepara e the vile from the Precious. But wich all we (till own there is a beuer part among the Minifbcrs, and without Diiparagment of other w rthy Men, we defire to m ke honourable mention o f that Reverend Committee at San- qvhair in the year X705. Who we muft fay, ipired neither Time" mr. pains for removing Differences, tho the Lord faw it not meet to bl'.is the lame with the defired Iffue : At the . faid Committee the forefaid Grievances (materially we mean ) were conferred upland Reafons ad- vanced on both fides, tho the Parties were vaftfy .unequal, and amongft other things wherein wc clearfully acknowledge, light was offered to us, • we grant tf^at there were fome offtakes about ; the Commijfions ot the Kirk, anent which we - were better Informed by the Members of that Committee, yet there arc fome things which we cannot but account Unjuftifiablein thefe Commif- . ./ions, which we fhall briefly Reprefent. in Grievance XXV. Thefe Commljjjons feem to us, to be altered, notalittle from their firfi Iqtend- . r menr i ^or it is. knowo that .they w.ere appointed .for Ripening Milters for the Ajfjmbly,but how it Hiaybe (aid in fomcrefp.°&, they are in their : fiead^ for wc ; ghty and greit Affairs are Inrtrutted^ t hem, and fcnv times, Finally Decide^ fry! < them, and their Wc rk is often greater tharf that of the A/fmbly it felf ; Which hath often ; * " had ( J>5 ) had bad eflfj&s, for inftauce the PuWick Refold . mm long a*, and of late the Repofition oi the Curat ot Dumfermline , a known Arminian in his. Principles, aher the Synod of fi/* had Depofed him, which hath been complained of, and we heartily wifli, that things formerly Offenfive may be provided againlt in time coming. Griev. XXVI. Whenwe confider tlje times of Old, we cannot but fee matter of }u& Gritv- dnce'm this, that there hath not been a coniiant Tettimony kept up by this prefent Church a- gainiiSin of all .forts, in Perfons of high and low Stations, and In Perfons verted wrh Offi- ces EccUfiajiick and Civil in their ieveral Relati- ons, and under all Confiderations, neither have there been faithful Warnings anent Sin, Snares and dangers which the poor Nation was in haz- ard of, nekher have there been Ample Declara- tions of the Nation? prelent duty, as the Venera- ble ^fwtiif/ in former times Iffued forth, as Watchmen, from their Watch Tower 5 any ob- serving Perfon wiil fee a Grange Difparny be- twixt that time and this, and what can the Rea- fon be? Is the Devil and his Infirumcnts be- come jemji'?.tfath this Church arrived at iuch a 4 perfect Refrma r ion, and at fuch a Settlement therein, that Dangers need not be feared? Ah 1 none of thele are the true Realon , it is " far othevwiic, but a Spirit of Slumber and deep fleep hath Seized on this Generation, T e Vs fmm *£\n$ Foolifbani Wife Slumber ; little Zeal for the .Glory of GOD, the P/ophet and Edification f , fouls, or the well fare of our 2\on, hath a «. < jeai^l in the Wnifirj of this prefent Chur c h. ( 9* ) vrtia* a deteftablc Indiffercncy and Neutrality (Callio & Gamaliel like) have they ^ Indulged thcnifelves in ? la' fbrmct ' times the MMJiers Conjun&ly and feverally ^rerfc ( in £oint'6f In- strument ) the Primum mobile, fo ' to } fpeak, of the excellent, a&ings and ap^arancfs.for GGfl} and his Caufe, letting Jftagift rates and the ' Qm~ monality agoing, ftrdngthning their hands ^heri at Ddty, ^ fharply ' and Faithfully Reproving when ffeppihg ' afide, arid bekring l * Wiuiefe boldly againft every Defedion V But no*r the fzee ot Affairs ts quite altered !• Peoplefifludi^ cious)fadfy coin plaining of the l^eghgence, un - faithfiilne6 r and' ^accountable -JndHlerency and carelefnefiofthcprefeht fyinifiers ind'are crying to them for iiScieridmeritV*' So that they ivho once were the Head ire now v become thfe 7ail//4. 9.14. T^. Mai, 2.7,* p. Jer. 2J:Ez,eL \ 3; and 22.it will hot b^ f unpleaforit to any *vho ialepleafiirt in the Stones and Vu/l : of '2,hn, to Jjefufe atfd Survey 7 'the Records of the; Famous jdJffmUys(tom-i6^ to 1&49. 'fyclufive wefhalj reprefent fome flofcul'y with the '-titles tifibtac! of the Teftimoniei , &cl of that <&i\ there 1? an ð§emhly\%\9\$t$.%\ hug a A ij> fconfainlng the Caufe s and Retrftdier ofth? hvgone Bvils of this Kirk, and anhbi642. The' '' r Affbn'ily ^giviettt in excellent Anfvfer tb the Dcclartithn of thi Farlianiini'of£rjgland^ where they fay 'Parage 2. — ^This Kir'Jc ahd Nation ■ X vrz^ot 'Scotland) * when the Lord gave them ^the caliing/ ! c6nT * fidSred not their own deadneft, but'jgaveGl'o- *ry toGOD: %od who Jmowefh '(toe {peak it * in Humility and Love, and from* no oth$r ix0ti then froril a defircpl the Bleffinig o\ God 4 upon ( 97 ) t upon oar King* and that Kingdom) bat Our * Lord hath now fome con troverfy wixhErtgland, « which will not be removed, till fir ft and be- lt fore all theWorflhipof his Name, and thp * Glory of his Houfe be fettled according to hi* * own Will? Again Parag. 4— The A/- ffembly alfo — are heartned to renew the Propo- •fitionsmade by the CGmmiJfioners of ihiiKing- c xiom for beginning the Work of Reformation * at the Uniformity of Church Government^ 4 for what hope can there be of Unity r in Reli- 4 gion, of one Conftflion of Faith, one Form of % Worfapy and one Catechifm, till there be firfl: c one Form of Ecclejiafpcal Government ? . Yea what hope can the Kingdom and Kirk of '^wf**^ have of a firm and durable Peaee till '.(N. JB.) Prelacy, which hath been therein : Caufe/tf their Miferies and Troubles firft anxi laft, be plucked up root and Branch as a Pla*$, * rvinch God hath not planted, and from whica * no better Fruits can be expe&ed, than fuch * fower Grapes as this day fet on edge the King>- * domof England. We fhall tranferibe no more *of this worthy Anfwer, Se[f. \i. of that famp AJfembly ia their Act Akg. 5. are thefe words, 1 The fijfembly being moft defirous to nfe aU, * and to omitt no lawful mean or occafion Ux ^ teftify their 2>al by dealing witfiGad and- ean for furtherance of their defires of Unity ' in Religon and Uniformity of Kirk Govern* * ment, and confidering the great neceffity that ! jthe Kirk and State^contnbute jointly their bsft * Endeavours to this happy end, therefore en- f Jpiastfce Moderator, Cfo Ttoereis leeways ( 9* ) t notable Anfwer given % by the AtfemMy itj&i to the Declaration of the honourable Hovfes oj tkc Parliament of Enghnd y which the Readei'mlay profitably pcrule, asalfoan Aft of Ajfembly ] \6ty Sefj 6. Concerning a Declaration juoftribed fy the Scotijh Lords at Oxford, in this A# they * amply couemn that Declaration as Contrary to the: Covenant, and ordain the Frame :rs and A*- tnors thereof to be Excomrpunicated, iF they make not humble confeffion of their offence pu- bl'cklv in tuch manner, and fuch places, as the Comm'ffi$n{\\z\\ prefcribe, See alfo the hffem- hies Petition to the Parliament anno } 645. w.'iich year likeways Feb. \ 8. Sef 1 3/ the A/- ftmblyO dained their folemn and feafonable warn* ing to all ranks concerning prefent Dargers, and the Remedies to be forthwith Printed and Pu- blifhed, andfentta*H the Presbyteries in thit Kingdom, and to rtiefe with the Armies, that it might be read in every Congregation on the Lord's Day after the Forenoons Sermon. We wifh what % that Warning fpeaks were now ' regarded, thefe who read it, may difcera* Taithfulnefs and Zealous Concern for the In- tereft of Chrift all alongft, for fay they, 4 Thefe c Dangers, both from without and from with» *in, together with the Remedies thereof have ; c been from time to time reprefented and held * forth in the MANY Publick Supplications of c this Kirk and Kingdom to the King, and in 4 their many Declarations ^ Remonftrances, Let* € ters, Atts, and other Publick Intimations* 1 &c. concerning one of which they jay, it had f JbytteBleffing of God, very good and com; ( 09 ) ! 'fortableE&fts. — -JSelom they fay, knowing 1 * that we cannot be anfwerabie to God, nor / 4 ©ur ownConfciencesi nor the expefta'tion of ' * others, if from this Chief Watch Tower, we *• 4 ftould gweho feafohahle Warning to the City ^^of God: hnd below— We leave every Congre- 4 guion in the Land,everyFamily in everyCon-^ . c SK e g a tion, and every Perfon in every Family 4 tQeXimine their own Hearts and Ways, and 4 to Mourn for Congregational, .Domestical,* 4 and Perfon al Sins (and that under a terrible 4 certification craving the attention of all) Curled * (hall they lie who have added fewei to the * fire, and now bring no water to extinguish 4 it, who had a gre^t hand in the provocation, 4 and bear no part in the Humiliation: In which Warning they admonifh of prefent Sin« an! Duty, with refpeft toalJ Ranks.' In {heir Remonftran^ to the King, Feb. 13. that fame year, they lay downwards c when we call to 4 mind that God accepteth not the Perfonsof 4 Men, and that the greateft are not to bo 4 winked at in their fins, We allure ourfelves 4 that the belt and moft real Teftimony which 4 we can give at thisprefent of the tenderneft 'and uprighmefsof our Affeftion to your Ma- 4 jeiit is. true Happinefc is this our Humble and 4 and Faithful Reprefentation of your Afaje- 4 /tie's great and growing Dangers, and Cauies 4 thereof, of which, if we ftiould beliient,our 4 Consciences would condemn. us, and the ftones 4 themfelves would immediatly cry out; And \below they fay — unlefs tve prove unfaithful J both to God £ and your. Majefty, we cannot 4 con- ( ioo ) **onrtal another Danger whieh i* lrifinitijr * greater than that of your People's Bifpleafure 4 Theerfore ( N. B) We the Servants of the 4 moft high God, and yourM*j*JH&'tool\ toy- c alSobjefts in the Humility and Grief of our * Hearts tall down before yonr Thtone, and ia **the name of our Lord and Matter Jefus Chrijtj 4 who fbtll judge the World in Right eopfnefs froth c gre^tand (mall, and m the name of this whole 4 National Kirk, which we Reprefent : We * make bold to warn your Majefiy freely, that c: theGuHt which deaveth Fart to Your Mtyfky^ c and to your Throne, is fitch as (whatfoever 4i flaiteringPreachers ot unfaithfullCppnfellout&j fniiay fiy'to thecontrary)if not timely terpen ted 4 of cannot but involve your felf aVid yourPofte- 4j rity under the Wrath of the Everiivjnjzj God : * (But they do not bold in this general by* inftance « in many particular x of his guilt (fay they} lot c your Wing often guilty ofthe' finding of ths f Blood of tftany Thoufand$ of yopr Afajffii^ 4 b£ft Subyeits, and fo they go on, E^hqrtin^ 4 ftitn to Repent and make his Peace with God^ 4 through -Chrifty and to be no longer unWil- * ling (ftyeththe humbly), that the Son of Go£ * reign over you and your Kingdoms * n his. * pure Ordinances of Church Government an^ ♦WorfWp, &a And below---' c Bat if you? 4 Mttffiy refute to hearken to this wholefome 4 (>unfel (which the Lord forbid) we hav^ /difcharged our own Conftiences, we takfc 4 God and Men to Witnefs, that we are blam?-, 4 left erf the- fad Confequences which may foK 4 lov^ *nd WteflaU^waSi upon' the iord, ^vhb, 4 whea ( ipl ) f ^fhcn hemaketh inquifition for Blood, will foot forget the cry of the humble, &c. See the hffembly (1646 June 18J their Letter to the Parliament ot England '\ As alfo, another to the Lord Mayor, Aldermen and common Council of the City of London, and another tci the Reverend hffemblic of Divines at Wifimin- jfcr, atthitfame timfc, in ^which, about the Itaiddle, they have thefe words worthy of our ftioft careful Obfervation ' the fmalleft of ' Chrift's Truths) if it be lawful to call any of * them (mall) is of greater moment than all the * other BufinefTes that ever hcive been debated f-fince the beginning of the World to thij Day, X but the higheft ot Honours and heat ieft of * Burdens is put upan you, "to declare .out of * thefacred Records of Divine Truth, what is \ the Prerogative of the Crown and extent of * the Scepter of Jefus Chrift, what bounds are * to be fet between him Ruling in his Houfe s <& Powers 'Eftablifhed by God on Earth, * how and by whom his Houfe istobeGo- c verried, and by what ways & Reftraint is to * Be pur on thefe ? who would pervert his Truth * ahdfubvert the Faith of many, hndimU^— * both you and we are engaged to interpole out * felves between God and thefe Kingdoms, be- i tween the two Nation?, between the King *and the People," for averting of deferved 4 Wrath, &c. Their Declaration and Brother- ly Exhort At ion ( hug, ! 20*1 64 7 Sefs. 1%. ) to their Brethren ot England htth many -things iii it worthy to be remerhbred to the ' World^ J end, but feing; it-defer veth -wholly tb-bfc tran- fcribed ( 102 ) fcribed, rather than to fevere one Sentence from another,we recommend theferious head- ing of it to ihefe who are Lovers of Trutfi* See alfo the Afse mbly 1647. September 1 S'fs. ult.< their Letter to their Countrymen in pland, Sweedland 9 Denmark and Hungiry: As alfo their faithful and fre? A.nfwer 1648. July 25 Sefs. 14. to the Paper fent from the Committee of Eftates, in which they fay near the end,. WV leave it to their Lordfhips to think of what Rt me\ dies may be provided for Redteffug Grievances, iohich flow from fuch hits and Ordinances. » This We are fur e of y the Publick defires of the Ki rk will abundantly witnefs for us, that fuch things as were necefsary for the fecurity of Religion^ were in due feafonreprefented* &c. In their Aft zpd Declaration (Jfuly 28. 1648/ againft the Aft of Parliament and Committee of EJiates June 10. and 12. they fay downwards, Which Subfcripti- tion (this hath a near refemblance to the late Oatk of Objuration of which we fijalt fpeak below ^as will appear to any who fh all read the Printed Account* of both that and this) 4 which Subfcription the 4 hfsembly cannot others look upon, then as a * fnare for the People of God, to involve 4 them in guiltinefs, and to draw them 4 from their former Principles and Vow? in the 4 Solemn League and Coyenant : Which they clear by nuny Reafons which we fhall not tranferibe : They come below to Declare thus 4 Therefore the General hfsembly profeffing all 4 tender refpeft to the High, and Honourable 4 Court of Parliament and Committee of States^ 4 bat finaing a iiiaiter tye of Cod lying upon 4 their *m ( m ) c their Confidences that they be not found 1 unfaithful Watchmen, and betrayers of the 1 Souls of thete eon nit ted to their Charge, c do unanimoufly declare the forefaid Subfcrip- c tion to be unlawful and finful, and do warn * and in name of the Lord charge all the Mem- c bers of this Kirk to forbear the Subfcribing of c the faid Aft and Declaration, much more the > * orging the Subfcription thereof,as they would c not incur the Wrath of God, and the Cen- 'furesofthe Kirk-— And below, they like- , c wys enjoin all the Members or this Kirk to c forbear the Swearing, Subfcribing or preifing 1 any new Oaths or Bands in thisCaufe, wirh- c out the advice and concurrence of the Kirk, &c. See alfo the Declaration of the General Af- fembly 1648. Seff.21. concerning the prefent Dangers of Religion, and efpecially the unlawful kngigement in War againfk the Kingdom of Eng- land, together with many other Exhortations and Directions to all the Members of the Kirk ' ofScothnd. And Aug. 1. 1648. Seff. 22. Tne General Ajfemblys Aniwer to the " Paper pre- fented from the Honourable Committee of Eftates of the date July 28. and Seff. 23. eodem die, A Declaration and Exhortation of the Ge- neral Aft-mbly of the Church o/Scotland t9 their Bretherenin' England, and Aug. 2. 1648. 'the Affemblies An fwer to the Letter of the Reverend Ajjembly of Divines in England, and eodem die, Their Humble fupplication to the Committee of Eftates. And Aug. 10. 1648. Overtures allowed by the Ajjembly for the Remedies of the grievous and common Sins of the Land in * this . 1 prefene time '( *> tfce ftrongeft Arguments againft it, might feave I been dr^wn, for iniiance miQvenants,&c. Yet iuch as it was J the enfueing Ajjembly did not particularly approve it- a-pd after it was Con- cluded the Mimfiers generally ceafed from their former Teflimony. Input Addrefs to the Parliament November, 1706, Wc discovered* as we could, what evils We then faw in it, which Addrefs ihall be in- fcrt afterwards in due place : at preftnt wc on- ly addi that this Union appears to us like the TTt&janiiorb pregnant with Sins and Calamities, and,, if GOP prevent not, may pro?e in end, the Ruine of this Nation : Some yea many bad Confequents of Sin and Miferies flowing frcrm it,nhe Nation hath had Tryal of, and S Mfrcydo not Interpofe for oqr Relief, Floods of moe do follow, ar^d how Minifiers can be excus- ed for tjbeir Silence about that time, but especial- ly fince , We cannot underltand, for feeing ( as they generally in Private profefs )they thought it Sinful, they ought not to Defitt from Teftify ing againft it, becaufe it was Framed into a Law (as the Pfalmift fpeaks Pfalm 94. 20. )for that no ways reproved the Sinfulnefs thereof, but rathci Aggravated it, and therefore unlefe Minifiers be content to be looked on as Dumb Dogs ( as it , is faid Ifa. tfi. 10. HkWatahmen art Blind, they are all Ignorant, they are all Quito Dogs they cannot Bark, Sleeping lying down loving to Slumber. ) they ought to cry aloud and cot fpare, in declaring the Guilt and Hazard the Nation Incurred thereby, as the Prophets did with relation ta theB^cKflidiogsgt^r/ and jfmUh^Da*,.?. 6* .' ( 106 ) i«>. Neb. 9. Jer. t. and as the Worthies in for- mer times id this Land were wont to do, as may in part appear from what is faid m the prccecding Grievance: We fhaH not further infitt feeing much hath been Reprefcnted a- giinli it in Addreffes from every cornrr in Scot- land, fo that it wasmanifeltly a Rape Violently committed on this poor Land, without the leaft , confent of the People ; Wherein wejtlink the State and Church are both hainoufly Guilty be- fore GOD, and moft Injurious to trc Inhabi- tants of this Ancient Free and Independent Na- tion, asall from the higheft to iht meaneft, are beginning from what they Perionally feel* to acknowledge : For our own parts, as we Pro- tected againit it before it was Conclu Jed, fo we have always abttained from every thing* which can jurtly be thought approfcauve thereof, and refolvefoto do ( God Aflifting J in all time, comine. Griev. XXVIII. The!*te/*# of the Brhi/h Parliament, allowing a Toleration to all Sects and forts of Perfons ( iome few excepted, viz,. Antitrinitarians and Papi/ts) is a rabft bit;er ^nd envennomed Fruit of the forefoii Union, and cannot but be a weighty Grievance, oniucha* have Spiritual feeling, or Senie? fcxercited about the Glory- and CaufeofGorf, and doubtjefs malc- cth them cry to Heaven a^aintt fuc'i an "in;qu- Dus Courfe;' it is lik.w^le tid, ttet - w! eo that Deteftatye BUI w^s depending, before th£ Houfes, the lAimjhrs of this Chllrch- pleaded not againftitfoSvrenuoufly, not t«n fuchlrrelra- gabk Grounds, uor*. with iuch a deep concern?, as r 107 j .as the Importance of the cbing, and their Station .undenyably called for. That this wicked Aft of Toleration, was made by the Britifb Parliament more than a year ago, is to well known ; moreover, the Anfwers given by this Church or rather for it, are to be feen in Print; they call it avaft and almoft boundl^fe Toleration, but we cannot fee that Condemning * ©f it from Scripture and our known Principles thereon founded, which, we think this Church fhduld haveinfiiied moft upon ; Whereas Po- litical Reafdns, and fuch as are drawn from Ci- vil AEls, are moftly if not only improved by thefe who took on them to plead the Caufe o£ the Church of .SVw/W, it was otherwife in the days of our Fore-Fathers, when the fam^Hellifh Contrivance ( tho not fully fo bad ) was on foct. viz,. In Cromweh time, Tolerating many Herefies andErrors, bur there were then, moe ex- ceptions than now; For it was Extended only to fuch Se#s as acknowledged the holy Scrip- tures of the Old and New-Teftament, to be the Revealed^will and Word of God, providing this Liberty were not abufed, to the Injury of others in their Civil Interefts, or the Difturbancc of ^ the Publick Peace, and providing it were not , ' Extended to Popery, or Prelacy, or to the Coun* tenanting fuch, who Publifh horrible Blafphe- mies, or pra&ife or hflldfforth Licentioufnete & Prophanenefs, under the Profeffion otChrift : yet the Church of Scotlan £ at that time Valiantly contended againft it when it was only in the bud, for iht Cmmijjioners otthe General Ajfemblf 164^. witnefied plainly and fully againft it; As alfo, the Venerable Affmhh of Divines at 1 }mmft& in theXaigg: Catechifm, an&CSMfeffiori cf Faith ( both approven by -the Kirk of Scotland) Reckoned the Toleration of falfe Religions a Sin, forbidden in . the. fecond Commandment •, and afTerted it to.be the duty pf the Mdgifirtt to • a take Order that the Truth k 2, 5, 4. i'S*«. 3. 11. 12, 13, h- ?j& I0 - *• 1 "tim. 2.3,12. Jfi&. 10. ri.T/r. 3. 10, u.&ev. i?6, 14, 15, 16, 20, Dea*. 13. 6, II. &c. 'ifpjh: 22. 1 1. 1 Kings 18. 40. 2 Gr^. 15. 16' 17. . 1 Kings 12. 26. 2 Kings xy. 18, £^i . 33. 4^. '49. .^0; 5. t^. Zach. 13, 3, £*4 4?- 7 f 8. i&*». 13.2 J^. 10 yi?r£ 2 Ti^f 3. 13. Tit. 3. 30. J&iw. 16. ly^Rev.. 11. 15. and 17 16. and up- fyi maay weighty Reafons, drawn from the Solemn League and Covenant, and alfo from tha . many fad and Sinful effects it had produced^ fuch as the fpreadingof all Error, Herefie and Prophanity, gmd was like to produce fuch., as Deformation, vain Jwglings, hitter Heart ixrtiings ani Jcahtifies, Sckfifm and Diinfio» 9 - Con- t ( 1:9 ) -_ ^Mention and S:rije Anarchy and Corfu/ton yea, ( lay they ) what die can be the Fruits * that iuch an Evil Tree can bring fofth, cc u the Streams that can Iffuc from fo bitter and f* Impure a Fountain, but that at laft our Gan- " dleftick fliould be Removed, and our Sun fet u in a darkNight ofOblcure Darknefs, adding The Rowan Antichrifts hopes ofBritains re- ling to Popery , are by this Toleratioti ;.tned,more theh by any thing, which Ihde Mmjiers lay , many wife Men are made td fear, may fq fail out, that theie Nations fhali tiigain at laft, be 5wallowed in Popfh Superftiii- r nd Idolatry. We referr our Reader to that thy Teftimony it felf, for further Satisfaction in this and other things relative to the Wicked Ccurfes of the prefent time : We only add that Ail ofToleration, being a Liberty granted td Sin in an avowed manner, what can be expected but that the Lord in Juftice, may proclaim li- berty to the Sword, Famine and Peftilence to Waftethefe Nations ^cr 9 34. 17. and feeing an allowance is granted to every Man, to Walk */- ter the imagihatiokof his Evil Heart, as it isJer-2 16. 12. We may gather from the infallible Oracles of GOD, what awful Judgments thofe Lands aire Ly able unto, Is hot the Lord faying to ti% as to J erufalem ioftg ago. Jer. 6.8 P Be jnftrxfled j left my Soul depart from thee% ' I male thee De folate A Land * not Inhabited. We doubt nothing but many of the Mini- 'fieri deflgned, if pofliblc to ftop that Pernicious Ail ( the Evils whereof cannot be enumerat ) y«twe muft fay, we think their Addrefs no H 2 ways *A*si ; C no ) Ways fuitcd the. Chara&er of Ctmmflioners ol the Gene? 4 Affembly, of the Church of Scotland ; for in bctt*r times XhzMiniftery, when contend- r ; ing againft Corruptions, took their Weapons (tyhichwrerenotCarnal 2 Car. 10. 4.as tbefe of the thui late Qtnmijfwners feem to. have been ) out of the Armory furniflhed by theSpirit ofGod Eph. 6. ay. They made not much ufe ( in cafes Paral' " to this ) of Human Laws, as now is much vogue, knowing; that AEli of Parliaments a the like, are moft Variable, and like the Moon, ly able to Changes, and eonfequently that what was built thereon,'and Supported and Defendi thereby, could not long ftand, having a San< Foundation, whereas the word of God, as it furer than Heaven and Earth, Mat- %' 18. it is pertinent and Anfwereth all cafes, and .with' this Sword, the Servants of God under the Ban- ner of the Lamb ( Rev. 17. 14. ) have fought and overcome Rev. 12. II. The Foandation of the Pro- phets and Apoftlcs is ftable Eph. 2. 20. Griev. XXIX. It is a great Grievance, that when the Civil Magifiral required Perfons of PublickTruft^fome years ago. viz,, about 1706, to Swear the Oath of Abjuration, the Minifiers •lifed fome Diligence, to have themfefres at that time -exeemed, but did not, as SheepKerds en- deavour to deliver theif Flocks from this Snare, but rather, fome at leaft, gave way to their tak- ing the fame,, till that the moft pan of thePufyy|| lick Perfons were Intrapped. 1 1 2. When it came to be Impofed on them- felve?, after that, at the Afjtmbly 17 12. there had been long Reafonjng about it,and at length, this feemed to be the Iffue of thefe Debates that every ( in ): \ « jfrery one ftould in this matter, wa1k 4 according ' to his Light, and that none mould ^copdemn another, tho of a different practice ; by '^which loofe and uncertain Conclufion, it came 'to pafs 'jthat, notwithfianding much had been to good [jpurpofe written in the interim to deteft the many Hbngerous Snares couched in it, the one half and jfcre about the end of Otteber 171 2, did Swear it before the Jttjlicesot the Peace : This to be true as to matter of Fa6t,is not dc- yed by any, as to the Lawfalnefs or Unlaw- fs of that Oath, and of Mlnihrs their ring it, we fhall not at prefent, enlarge, eing fo. to do, would make this Eflay fwell be- tyond Juft bounds, confidering likewife that Pamphlets fo many and large about the Oath, ibme prs, fome c$n, arc thronging into the Stag^, it were to us Frurtraneous to load this Paper, with that which is h ofren, and fo well dif-. courfed and delivered by others, fuch as the Authors of thefe Papers Publiftied again!* the .Vath, the Titles of fome of which are, the Oath of Abjuration Enquired inte. The Oath o/Abjuration ConfideretL The Oath $f Abjuration Di [played. A Vindication ofthe non-Jurants, in two parts, Printed 171 5. H^sln Eff*y oh the de/jgn, Reference, Penalty, ani W^nfcquents of the Oaw. Other Papers upon the • fame Subje&, are I come to light, and moe probably will follow : in thefe we find, ( waving 'long harangues ) jthatfufficiently Confined and Proven, which wei.nour R^prefentatim%\J^: Ajfembly I7i2(tha they < m ) tney would not near it fave in Committees ) de- clared to be Comprehended in this Oath. viz,. Things very Dark, and Intricate and therefore can- not be Smrn in Judgment ; And things contrair to our Principles, particularly that the Sncce(for ti ear Crown is to be of the Communion of the Church of JEngland, and' a maintainer of Prelacy, which ret hyour Covenants are Bound t$ Extirpat : But er£- We go further, its fit wc Anticipate the oid and common Objection caft in our Teeth, and in thd Teeth of the molt Confcientious non-Jurams^ viz. That our Scruples and DhTatisfa&iori, with this Oath*; arife from aflfe&ion to the Prc4< tender and his Claim. But we declare this Charge is falfe, Unjurt and" rnoft Calumnious^ we can^ruly fay, we a*e as oppofite to the Pre-" tender, as any Abjuror, in Br.ittain; he being to our beft Information, an Impottor, A. Papift as all know, and being Educat for, and diipofed toward the French Intereft, and therefore we l | have nothing to do with him, let him profefs! what he will ; ; The Lord. Cod of Gods Inorvethl and Ifraelfkall \nm\ we are fincerely refolved with all 6ur Power, to Oppofe the pretentions of that Tool of France and Rome ; and we can- (hot but complain before the whole World, that ^ve are Unjuiily ufed in this matter, and par- ticularly, by fome in their Prints : And fined we are forced, to it, for our own Vindication,' we are bold to fay, that thefe who accuie us of Jacobitifm, or being fond of that Spurious, and yopith Pretender, are Malicious Traducer?,. and 10 I ipealrin the Language of a General A frmbtyl *hey are Grois Liars, and Calumniatory kd by • " > ibd ( w ) ' tlie Spirit of the Accufer ot the Bretheren : But 1 it is the lefs ftrange, that we are thus treated by ' fome Abjurors when they charge the nan-Jwants with Jacobitijm tho they hare Sworn the Alls- I glance, and Sublcribed the Ajfxranct, bctth to King Wdliafo and Queen Ann. But patting this, we return to the purpofe in hand : The Dubiqus apd dark words and Phrafes ( fuch as- Realmj Dignity ^Treafons, kevmnce, Believe in} my Conference, any Right and Title whatfomever, and" the like) are confidered in the lore cited Pamph^ lets ; a Sum of what we conceive to -be contrair to our Principles in that 0:,th 9 we fhall Repre- sent in thefe Six head?, i. That Minifteft qua JMniFiers^SeebcfrreGrievil^fnare it;nhicb is i& our view Sinful. 2. Dnneccifery Swearing Allegi- ance to' the Queen, feeing the Minifiers abdtit the year 1703. Swore Allegiance already : yeC they have Sworn it in this prclent Oaih^l k three times, either Materially or formally • once in the fitft full Sentence of the Oath. Again in thele words [ 1 do Swear that lmll bear Fahh\ O'c. ] a third time, in the firft of the Afts refer- red to : Which frequency and Repetition of Oaths, as it everts the Nature of them, fo it diP pofesMento flight thoughts of this Attful piece of 6Ws IVorfbip. 3. Minifiers by Swearing it, have Homolo- gat the Union : for by [ this Realm, and all other Her Majeliies L opinions, &c. ] can be -iln- derflood no other thinfcb&t Great Britain, con- fidered as fincc the l)nim, fo by this Oach Jurors own Scotland and EngUpd to be now one N-iiion! and C H4 ) and many otter ways may this be evinced ; And how Sinful is this ? 4. Miniflers have hereby in the moft Formal manner, owned and Subjected themfelves to the Britifh Parliament , confiding partly ot Prelats >> and this is down Right contrary to our Princi- ples which condemn the Civil places & Power of Church-Men, and contrair to our Covenants which Abjure them. How is the Crown fallen from this Land's Head* when the Minivers of the Church of Scotland, fubmit themfelves to the Commands of 26, Englifb Bijhops, fitting in Par- liament as Members, owning their Abjured ci- vil Authority over this Nation i Oh 1 is not this Church, at preient, like a Begenemt Plarit of * ftrange V*me. Jer. 2.. 21 . 5. Jurants have in Ibme fort confented to the late wicked Toleration, as the Authors of the Oath Confidered and the Oath Difplayed, do clear, and as it were by a Symbolical Teft % the Jurants a- mong the Minifiers; and the Jurants among the CnratSy are fome way brought into a Conjuncti- on, and joined, which would never have been (no more than the Incorporation of Iron and Clay ) if Miniflers had firmly held and fiuck by JPresbyterian Principles, while the other conti- nued as formerly. But pafllng many things *rhich might be faid on this and the other par- ticulars, we come to that which is Palpable,^. 6. Jurants are Sworn to the Succeffion as fettlsd by an-/4#of ^Parliament requiring the Succeffor to join in Communion with the Church of England as by Law Eftablifhed, and to fupport the Hierarchy and Orcmonies y 1% ( us J as the Coronation Oath bears, which by that x forefaid Aft he. is required to Swear, which is flatly contrary to ourPrinciples and Covenants founded on the word of God, and thus the Ju* rors (\tt them think or fay what they lift) have Sworn an Oath in favours of, and for the fup- port of that accurfed Jericho, the Pompous and Superftitious Church of England \ and hence * have tipon the Mitter condemned our Wor- thy Reformers and al! truly Zealous Presbyte- nans tor what they did and futfered in order to have Ep'fcopxcy and the Englijh Popijh Ceremo- nies rootei ou. : The Bntijfj Parliament hath of late years made great Inroads on this poor Church to its unfpeakable prejudice, and to the encouragement of the Enemies thereof, the Curats: but lefs matter, if the Minijiers of this Church had not fided with the Parliament (whofe proceedings might juftly havemadeMi- nifters mod cautious in giving A&ive Obedi- ence to them in Matters of this Nature^ and if they had not in a manner deferted their own Caufe,and lifted themfelves by an Oath amongft the Epifcopal Party to fupport Prelacy : Sad it is when Enemies invade and over-run a Land, bur it is worfe when thefe who fhoulci to the laft breath, withitand the Enemies and defend the Land agaiuft them, do Swear to Maintain thefe Encnries in fo doing: Hovr ft range is it then to fee thefe Men pleading In- nocence, and faying ^s Saul i Sam. 15. 13* / have performed the Commandment of the Lordy when as Samuel asked Saul, what msaneth then the bleating $f fheep, and lowing of oxen ? We may fay, what mean tbefc clear Evidences that that theA&s are takea into the Oath,\yhich ar^- difcourfed by the Author of the Oath Dif played, 3.1s it not ftrange thatProfeflbrs,and even many JSfon-jurants do lo far countenance the JurantSj as to join as cordially with them, notwith- ftanding what they have done, as formerly?: Is not this the way to' clap their heads and flat- ter them in their Sin, and to harden them and obftrutt their Repentance I O but fay fome, the Jurants faw no evil in the Oath, they were' convinced that it was not for the fupport of JPrelacy : Wc Anfwcr i.Thty fay they were fo" convinced, but are we' obliged to believe it upon their meer A3ertion,the Matter being of fuch moment? Some who had been Presbyte- rian Minijlers in the time of Cha: 2. and there- after became Curats .did neverthelefs ftill pleac$ that they were of the fame Principles as for- merly. But 2. Suppofe we fhould grant that they faw not the Oath to be Corroborative o£ Prelacy dire&ly arid clearly, can any of them deny|that it was an appearance of evil, and we are commanded, 1 Thej.^. 22. to abftain from all that can jufty be reputed fuch ? 3. Are not thefe A&s f whereof one directly Eitablifhetk Prelacy with all its Appendices^) referred 10 in 1 the Olth by repeating their full Titles ?, And did not the Jurors in the ACt of Swearing pro- mife in exprefs words that they would Support JVlaintain and Defend the Succefiion as the fame by an Aft Entituled, (Att for the better^ ) is and (lands fettled and entailed, &c ? Now we-fay dare any Man of Conkience deny that at leaft (everi ad howimm) there was aa ap* ( if* ) appearance of Evil 7 and a coming tea near tor the door of the Whore's Hon fe, for bidden Provl 5. 8, tho* to our view it is more. Bu: 3 . Our bufinefs is not vvitn the Jurors their inward thoughts, Intention, Perfwafion," Conviction, or call it what they will, (for none but God and therrown Ccnfciences can be privy there- to) but we are to confider their Action, viz.. Swearing an Oath, of the nature abovedefcrib- ed, and therefore thefe who are in their Con- sciences convinced that the Oath is contrary to Presbyterian Principles and to our Covenants,, &id is corroborative of Prelacy, are to pra&ifej according to th n Conviction with relation to the Jurors, that is they ought to look on them as Sworn to Support Prelacy, and never fuffer it to be extirpator brought down fo far as poP fibly they can contribute for it's ftanding, (however the Jurors deny it, for which we have only their own words) andconfequentl/ to look on them as worthy of Depofitton for be- traying the Covenanted Caufe oi Presbytery ,and fo worthy to be difcountenanced and defcrted, until they Repent of what they have done, and evidence the fame in a fatisfying way, but fe- ing the Paper- War about this Oath and things thereto relative, is fo vigoroufly mannag'd at prefent, wechoofe*to break off here, and pafs to Griev. XXX. That the Pailiament (whereof Bifhops, as before was faid, are conftitucnt Members^hath enjoined, and this Church ge- nerally complyed with a certain Set Form oi words to be expref&d in publick Pravers : Which r us ; Which is judged a fad Encroachment on the Minifterial Freedom, Minijlers having their Commiffion and Inftruftions from their only • Head Chriji. 1. Concerning Forms of Prayer Authori- tatively impofed our Eminent Divines have written very pertinently, proving them to be intolerable ImpofuionsandLimitsfet to the holy one of Ifrael and to the Spirit, who blojvcth where he lifteth. See Didoclavii alt are Dajnafc. pag 6iy, See QutfUo ventilata^ &c. A Letter to a Friend, Marhi Comp'. IheoL cap. 26. $• 8. 2. As to the Matter of this Impofed Pray- er, we would be informed, why onellluftrious ProtefUnt ( tfao* Lutheran) Family is required to be Prayed for, and not others, fuch as that of Sweden &n& the Cahimji Family of Frvjfia ? if it be faid ? becaufe the Illuftrious Family of Hannover is EnadHd Succejfor to the Crown of Britain^ we would yet ask. f. Is qot Praying r€fpedaHy in ; b that the Lord would be mnree to thztSuccejfioB to beconftru&ed. an 4 .:*on of it in all its circumftances as fettled by the Englift Parliament. 1 When the Pa ion Praying excepts againil nothing in t ; Settleuie? c f £How can Minifitrs approve of tkt$HC€ejf:$n (oeftabk'fhed and keep themfelves free of approving the Lutheran and Hi&rarchi* ing the Illuftrious Family of Hmume\ the Lutheran Perfwafion, and by chs Aft of Entailment is obliged to be of the Communion, of, and to Maintain thaSuperfti- tioas En&llfc Church? untefc ere honeftljr loofed, we fhould he as forward as any in Scot- lat?d y \n fupporting (toour Power) that Prince- ly Famihe's Claim to our Cro^/n, being only detiroirs to Aft in this Affiu* offo great Con- fequence; according as Hcly Scripture enjoin- & oar Soierpn Covenants oblige us to : and a$ thh Church did. Aft when, the Lord's Candle finned on her rlead, and His Vev? laycH her Brarichti. wehepe none but Malicious and Wicked Energies will fay that what we' have faid on this Head favours of Jaidhitijm ? how Oppofite weare thereto, the Ke'urt-fearthiug God and cur Confciences do &how.And we hope the World, yea our Acoifers' frail lee and ac- knowledge, but having faid enough upon this already, we go oh. 3. That Parliaments or Afagi fir ate s ought hot toprefcribe and didate to Mimfters the Matter and Manner of their Miniflerial-Worfc in a Defpotick, Archirectonick Way, and that Minlfters of Chrifl Ihbuld not imbrace fuch Impcfnions is a Truth taught by all Ami- Eraftian Divhies^ for zsGHUfpie lays we muft riiftinguifh between a Directive and Coercive ^ower, thefirft bel'ongeth to the vtf/>H/?rjJ on- ly and the other to Magiflr/ttes, and it is clear Dire&icQS about what te» Pray for, and how to ( 121 ) 1 to Pray belongeth to that Directive Power % See more relative to thisapon Griev. 19. Griev. XXXI. The AH^ reftonng Patrol vages is a great Griev ance^ and not duly w refil- led, and witneiTed againft by the prefent Church. This jiSt was framed in the JBritifij Parltd* tntntjmno 1712. and we fee nothing of mo- ment done by this Church againft ir, and if they made any oppofition, it was very faint being founded mainly on fo'me Attsot Parlia~ went and the like, which as we obferved be r fore, are no folid and ftable foundation for % Teftimony againft Corrcptions : Patronages were aiwifcinoft gravaminous to this Church, and were reckoned amongft the things that needed Reformation, and accordingly were abolifhed about the year 1649. For which the Af- fembly 1649, Seff. 23. July 24. thanked tfee Parliament thus r c We have feen and confidered ■* the Act of Parliament, Aboli filing Patronages', 1 and do highly commend the Piety and Zeal of Sthe EJlates of Parliament in promoving (b SjoecelU'ry a Point of Reformation. But when C&*c2. his time the carved Work of Refor- maticnv was demolifhed with Axes mdHamwerjf this Corruption of Patronages was again efta- blifhed, and obtained until in the Reign of iC. William, it was abolifhed again 1690, ancl hath had no countenance tiil of late that the Powers ftudying Deformation have feftored this Corruption as an inlet to moe. Many Learned and Judicious Writers fcave difcovered the Evils oi Patronzgw fee F* on ( 111 ) on Patronages, and the Author of Reftius in* ftruendum and others* We fhall only lay, •That. i. They are Unfcriptural, that is not war- ranted by Scripture, and therefore not to be admitted or pra&ifedin the Church, in which all things fhould be done, and ordered, ac- cording to the Pattern (hewn in the word, ff: 8.20. as the Tabernacle was of old according .1 to the Pattern fhown in the Mount, Exod. 25. 40. Repeated, Heb. 8.5. 2. It is not only void of Scripture Warrant, but likewife contrary thereto, for that which by Patronages \s put in the hands of the Patron ts allenarly to refide in the hands of the Presby** try and the Peopte, Atts 1, 16, 2. 22, 23, 24. &c. 1 lim. 4. 4. and 5. 22. Heb. 6. 1, 2. Mat. 18. 18. A&.6.6. and 14. 23. feealfo zCkron. 19. 11. 3. It is contrary to found Reafon, for it is not reafonable that thefe who are called P'atrons fhould have a Power to eleft and prefent Men, of whofe Piety, Learning and Abilities they are not capable to Judge, not having made; 3%eology\n its feveral parts their ftudy, and it is a Maxim TraBent fabriliafabri, yea tho 5 the Patron fhonld pretend to be capable, he is fc>u| one, whereas the Suffrage of a plurality^ is re- quifite and neceflary, when Matthias was EJe&ed into the place of Judas y Peter (AUs j. 15) ftofdup in the midfi of the Difciples(bei7igin number about 120) and laid out the neceffity of ones being ordained aj it is verle 22. and iti6 faidverfe2S. Troy appoint 'cdtwo y i.c. not a Pa-. ( 12? ) 2 iron as now is pleaded, bat the 'Difciples. 9 ^ A t g\in at the choofng of the Deacons, ABts 6 \ t isfaidverie 3. Wherefore , Bretbtren, lock ye ou among you [even Men-- whom we may appn»P &c. verte 5. And the faying pleafed the whole muh litnde, and they cbofe Stephen, &c. verfe o.whom they fee h< ore the Apoftles, and when they hit prayed they laid their hands on them. More- over it is highly reafonable, that thefe Ei ct and prefent, who are to be Subject to the Or- dinances, now the Patron often refidetb not in the Paroch onto which he prefenteth. And further the Patron too oft fat leaft in our times) are Men of Lax Principles, and difloiute Lives, and thereforewill readily pre- Tent Men fui ting their Inclinations dmiles s~ mant L*brs laclucas^ like Loves like ; and how deftruftive this may prove to thefe Con- gregations, yea to the whole Church, we can- not exprels. But tho* thus it be, it is to be feared, this Church will obfequioufly comply with this as with former Impofitions, yea wc hear when Application was made from Kir kcaldie Presbytry to the Affembly or Ccmmtjfion (we remember not which of them ) for Aavice in this Affair, a direft Advice was denyed, and the Matter re* ferred to be confidered in a more private way. So JJfachar like are the prefent Mini Hers be- come^couchingdown under all Burthens. Griev. XXXII. That the Parliament hath repealed the Aft againft the obfervation of the Days oiTule or Cbriftmafs y and fo allowed and caaQed thefe Days to be kept as they were I wont C ^24. ) wont in the mod Corrupt Times,. and this not dueiy Witncflcd igainft by this Church. We hefcd not Labour in proving the finful- neftof Obferving Fcftiyah'ot Anniverfary Hofy Jp4jlSj b^fides the Lords Day, others hkve abun- dantly done it, fee * Didod&vii Ali&rt Damafcc* tium fiOiti l /?^642,t0 7o6.they are voidofinfti- tution orWarrant fromScripture,and therefore are Will- Worftip and Superftittons Condemn^ ed, Col. 2. the Chufch'cannot make Hdy-Dayi 1 Cqt.^. i, 2, 3. and 6. 12. ThzG'encralAffcmbly 3645.' Sc(J- ult. made an Aft for cenjWitfg the Ob* fovtrsofTuleDay arid other Super ftHtiovs Dayt. This with other Things mentioned in the pre- ceding Grievances, manifefteth that there is at this Day in Britain a Grange wandering after the Btjjij and feveral deplorable ft'eps al- ready made in a Revolt unto Prelacy, that fo .there may be^an eafy Tranfition to Ropery, What Reafons can be given for reftoring this deteftabie piece of Sup$rjtitioji ? is not it (as , one fays well J A jubilee for Epicures? Are not theSeats ofjudgement thereby interrupted? And is it not a ready way to foift into Mens Winds Corrupt &Supefftiti6usThoughts,whicb feeing onceimplanted, are fcarcely ever eradicat . ag&inf Is not this the framing of Iniquity into a Law : As alfo thefe in the former Grievan- . ces were? Our worthy Ancefioursfpared, nei- ther Tmfure nor Blood to purchafe andtranf- 1 jfaittoPofteritya GMious Reformation, arel not thefe Nations then trampling on their j Blood, when rhey are 1 breaking down piep: ; fey piec^that Work of Reformation ? 7r ' '" * Griivl Criev. XXXIII. That this Church defend-" ns*. ofwhicu the Reader may gather fome from the preceding Grievance, for to us thatA^- monitt n sppeareth only a patching up, and fcruiffipg over things complained of: More- over it is Mitter of juft Grievance that Perfons, wnether Minifiers or Privat Christians, who minted £howfoever weakly) at pleading with this Church in order to have Wrongs righted, have been evil treated and looked upon as. un- friends and Enemies, as Paul infinuateth he was by the GalatianS) when he lays, (Gal. 4. 16) Am I therefore become your Enemy ^ btcaufe J tell you the Truth ? This might be fully made appear by this Churches way and deportment towards Dif- fenters fluce the Revolution : But we fhall ad- duce one undeny*ble inftance at the opening ofrh'ir rft hftembly, which is this. At the hfiembly 1691. Ottob. 1%. Setf 9. Wix^Vinmn^ Shields^ and Boyd (who formerly had owned the Honeft Caufe, when it wabforfiken by the raoft part of the Mintfiers) were AfiTailed, ) (hardly treated, yeafadly wronged*, For firft, J when thefe Three offered to the hjfembly two t Paters^ the oae largej cooiaiaing Grievances and ( U8 ) -and other things for the Exoneration of their Conferences, the other afhort taper, contain- ing their Repetition and offer ofSubmiffion* upon condition that the ; Affembly would at !eaft receive and hear the larger 'Paper read publickly amongft them. But lo,'upon the Report of the Committee (appointed, to confer toith them) the Larger Paper was hot allowed an hearing *, But on the contrary, the Commit- t^fjReport anent it Recorded, condemning it as containing fever at peremptory and grofs Miftahsy Unfeajonaole and impracticable Propofals, and uncharitable, and injurious Reflexions, &c.Thus thc;j4jfembly pa<]ed a Condemnatory Sentence oaitunfeen, for tho! the Jlffembly heard not the Paper read, yet their Records leave this Stigma upon it, whether defervedly, or not let , the. Judicious and Godly Judge, for it is extanf inPrint. Again they improved' "the forefaid ihort P^peragainft them by urging theirpro- hnfeiherein exprefied, which' Was Gnly Cond- itional, viz,, providing the larger Paper had en received and heard in open Affemily, this promife then ceafedtobe a promife,' feing the Condition was refuted, and yet they ftuck to ft asifithad been abfotute, and fo forced thefrVj toenter in amongft themfelves, whofe Gon- fciences had generally been poliutedwith Back- (lidings and Complyances : behold here is un- ftreight dealing with a Witnefs! How were Confciences difregarded here ? And further the Con tendings of thefe Three Men againft former Defe&ions, were alfo Recorded, as feeing Cjurfes contrary to the order of this Church, al! ( 129 ) aO this is to Be Teen in their Recorded ASts y an$ foglad vtzs'the Jlffembly at the catching ofthi$, prey, that the tidings thereof were fen t to the King i,B their Letter dated the 13 of Noy. \ 6go. More Inftances of the like, or worfe nature may upon little fearch be foundjn years that ehfued, arwill appear inthefecqnd garj. of thi? E/Tay. We might add m^ny other things ia Jbqth Church and State, which have been and continue to be our Grievances, as having a Tendency to Involve lUc Naiion in morp Guilt, and to 'Cor- rupt 1 wftj^'ail kinds of Herefve y Error and Stiperjlwr!, ( Popery it iel£ not excepted > and (p to prove ac :he Lord to removfc the Glorious Candle/lick o£ his . G fpel Inftitutions from a- jnongfi ub ; We fhull touch at two late. Occur- rences, 1. The Obfervation of an Anniverfary qay, for I£jng CharlesU. his Birth and Rettauration, is now again revived, which hath not been in ule fince the Revolution till now, .whereby fome are made to think, that the State defignfe ■* &A to follow the Footfieps of the Powers in th^tP* Tyrannical Courfes againlt the Godly, from the year 1660 to i6S8,and that this, thp Adapted 1 to the inclinations of Jacobites, is not cpndem- lied, nor gainfaid b^^zAiimiiry. ;>Jf is weH known the 29 of May ^was this y^x obferved by Firing of Great Guns in the Garrifons, and prher Solemnities, in Complyance with an AB of Parliament made in King Charles 2 his time, now^ revived, which we.l.Qpk oa.a^a -fad O- mn) " And yet the Watchmen who fhould dif- cem < ( I*© > cemthe S'gn* of the time, do not g\re Faithful Warning if what probably and in all ltkely- houd will follow fuch be^innin^?. Sure * We ar? f Presbyteridns have all Rcafon to dread what ever hath any appearance of Reducing the State of Affiirsto that ThralJotn they /were in under the above mentioned Kings Reign. And is it not a Shrewd Evidence that iuch Curfed defi^ns are on Foot, when a day is ob-' ferved for the Birth ol one who died ab.ut 2& years ago, which hath not been in ufe for more than twenty Years till this year. 2. The Peace with France^ to us appeareth a very Sin'ul Trank&ion, carried on by a con* t nt ed Tr&& vfjacobitifh Devices, and Uider- !• me Contrivances/ as is made appear byo- V ers ) and now Ratified and Proclaimed to the G'iefof Her M*jefih*s beft and mbft (incere Subj d% becaule it is not a Peace tending to the /dvanceroent of the Protectant Religion, but ra- ti. er iuch a Peace, as taketh the Mi zz!e * ff the J ws M that Bloody and Cruel Beaft of Prey the French K ng, that he may Rage at pleaiure ar faint* and Perlecute the Harmlefs N Hngomtts or alvivifts in his Dominions and elle where, a. Peace with as great a Tyrant, as Outragiousan Enemv to the JuftRighis tf Princes, to the hap* jpineis^&fety and Liberties of Europe, yea to the deareit concerns of all Mankind, as we fhall fead of in almott any Age of the World ; who f if hi* Power were Commenfurate to his will and defire, w tild we doubt not, make the whole Habitable World Groan under bis Tyrannical Scejrtgj; ; Now fot Brum to Conclude a Peace with C i?t ) with fucb a- Motifter, ^ipecially when there Wat lio neceffity, they with their Allies bem%equal t yea paramount to him in Power ; and (eeiug all things conGdered, feem to lay the Lord was calling Proteftant Princes to make war upon hiin till he were brought down, appears to many to be fuch a Sin as jult'y may provoke the Lord to caufc the cup which that Tyrant should have been forced to drink, to pafa over unto us, ac- cording to thar paffagef £ Kings 20 JiMnzAbab 's making a Covenant ot Peace with Bcnh*d*d f vcrl ■ 34. the Prophet tells Abab verie 42 Thai Jaitb tie [jQrd,becaufetbtiH bait let go om of toy b*n\a Man whom I appointed to utter D ftrnllion % therefore thy Life /h4l go for his Life, and thy Pt fie for his People. What a iiorrid thing is u 10 iuakr Peace with that Popifti Tyrant, who by his Mother the Romiih Church, is Trained up^ allowed and Encouraged to make his Domini- ons a Shambles for Protefianu* And yet for footh he mutt be termed in our Proclamations the mofi Chrifthtn King,wh\ch (however Owners m keno Reckoning of their Titles, judging them only Complementary and indifferent ) . Sounds very ill m Proteftant Mouths; for furc it isexpreflTiveoffuneihing, aud what can it Exprefelefs, than that the Kmg of France is a tery good Chrittian, yea, fame would rtrctch it higher, by Explaining the Superlative note £ molt ] as giving to Lewis the 14 the Preemi- nence in point of Chriltianity above allQuilti* a 1 Kings in the World, tho we are bold to fay the Title of MoR Anticbriftian King is truely 4u€tohica, Moreover how Difhoaourable and Dif- C *32 ) Difedvairtageous the Terms of -thitf Peace are; fame of gdod Judgement have given the 1 World to know, and time will farther convince us per- ha^toourCoft, But then how amazing is it, toft gain, when ever we could- have the opportunity without Sin; So of late we gave a demonflra* tion thereof, in applying to the General Ajfembly by offering to them a Paper, cc ntaining our Complaints, which we earnestly defired might be Heared and Redreffed, that fo our Union after fo long an interruption, might be the more comfortable. A brief account of the Manage- ment of which Paper followetb. When it was known, that there would be an jijfembly 9 '\t was judged reqtlifite, we (liould lay hold upon that opportunity to remonftrate and rcprefent to them out Complaints and Grievances ( under which we had been groaning ) and feek Redrcis of the fame, and that thefe Defe<5tion» and Corruptions might be condemned, which had offended us, and caufed our withdrawing in the broken Cafe forefaid, that fo our Union might be with the greater comfort. Upon which a Paper being drawn up, it was brought to one of our General Meetings, where it was agreed, lo the End all our Friends concerned therein might be throughly informed of the faid Paper, that Coppies ihould be written & frown to our ( *4° Societies, who might confider thereof; and fend two or three, or moe of the r number unto Edin- burgh, to Tubfcribe it in their Name. Accord- ing to which cpnclufion, tome Perfons, from ieveral pjaces of the Country, came . to Edi ■- hxrgh, w!;ere the Paper wasfubferbed by funury Hand?, in name of many, others. The Teno* tvhereof fclloweth. jo the MODERATOR, and Remanent Members of this Reverend GENERAL ASSEMBLY- The COMPLAINTS and . Humble PETITION, of many Tresbyte* rian People, Living in feveral Shyres of Scotland. g^.EING the Lord in the riches ©f His infirite _ Mercy, wherein He hath abrunded toward*; this Generation in the late Revolution of Pro- vidence, far beyond all peffible acknowledge-, ments, hath been pleafed to grant at Jepgth .this long wanting, Jong wifhed and prayed for Prl* viledge,of feeing a free General Affembly of Prcs-* byterian MiniRers, gathered and fenced in the Name of our Lord JESUS ; We cannot, dare mor, and inuft not omitt this. Opportunity of Applying our felves thereunto for a Redrefs of thefe many long lafting Complaints and Grievan- ces, tinder which we have Groaned thefe many years; The chiefefl, bittereft, and xnoft burden* feme of which ( tho we have not wanted oat ihare of other Burdens and Affii&ions very teayy ) hath been, and yet remains to be, even ia ( H* ) yi this Plenty, our fcarcity and Famine of Gof~ pel Ordinances wherein *re have languiflied of a long time, fighing over Our filent Sabbaths, as Sheep fcattered without a Shepherd fainting fbt hunger; at the head of e7ery Street, and panting after the green Paftures 2nd pleafant Water- brocks of the Preached GofpeJ j ; And yet.fcarrei and made to Hand aloof from it, by the lium- blings, Testations, Defe&ions and Divisions of tbefe unhappy times part ; Which as it hath been our greateft forrow, fo no comfort on this! fide Heaven, could be fo rfefireaMe, as to re-en- joy and recover again accels ; with clearnefs to* pure and powerful Go/pel Ordinances, without which we (hall never have a pleafant day in the greateft abundance of all our outward peace. Ic was truely, Right Reverend, d Reproach upon us inoft heavy to bcar,that we were C3lIedDefpifers of the Gafpe!, and of the Minitfry thereof which yet fo far as we had clearneis and accels, we fought ?fter and followed, even upon the hazard 6f our Lives, fo earneftly that no terror of Per-; fecutors could drive us from the purfuite 6f it: And nothing moved us to withdraw from thefe Minitters, Who reckoned themfelves rejected by us ( whom neverthelefs we loved and refpecSed, $nd do highly love and reverence J but their fact Invofvmcnts in the Defections of the late defyl- ing and unhappy times -, feeing no other way left us in that broken (tate, of keeping up a Tc- fiimony againft the fame, and freeing our felve£ from partaking in the Sii\thereof, but that ab- ttradlton in thefe circumftances, which we nevetf looked upon as a Separation frofri the Reformed K 2 and yf C 142 ) and Covenanted Church of Scotland^ as is mor% fully Aiewen in *our Informatory find.cation which we herehbmologa'e ) but only from the Defections and Sins of which many of her Mem- ber? were gu It y; and rot that we fhould never Unite m ^re up on any G ndttmns: For Schilm is, and ever was equally hateful to w as finTtrt Union ; and we are now, and alwiie weie, moll defire^us to joynagdnjn terms nioftpie fi g to the LORD, edifying to the CI u r , am. faus- fyingto our Confci;noes. We arc not for im^ pofing Terms, giving Direction?, or preiaibng Rules toMinitfers, more than we are 10 e im- pofed up n, and implicitely led by it'tthj; yet feeing People are all wed oft e LORD, iome- times in fobriety, to fey to Atchipptis, T'aie heed to the Min.ftry^ which thou haft rtceved in the LORD, and j '4 fill it; Ad when Offences are eiven by Mmitters, it is Peopks prtv ledge to plead for the removing cf them, in a Chriffi- an way, to the iitisfatiion of the offended Party. We humbly conceive, in order to the removal of the many Offences given and taken, in this our day, in order to our comfortable Reconcili- ation together, and that we may be reconciled to the LORD, and His Wrath turned away, that Confcfling, R>rlaking and condemning the Courfe? that have been fooffenfive, is very ne- ceflary. And feeing in merciful Prcvidence, tbere is a Door opened, whereby ye have accefs and canacity to fall about Building the Temple of the Lord, and cleanfingit fronuhefe fikhinef- fcs, wherewith in times of Defection bygone, it hath been defiled; and removing theie Scum- bling ( 143^ ) , bling blocks which have offended the Confcien* cesor many tender and ierious People : There- fore in ah humility and reverence, we mufi take the freedom to rtp'efent to this Reverend Ajfem- Wy, in a few particulars, w at things chiefly have Humbled us, and occasioned our with- drawing for fo long a time, from many Mini- sters or this Churc'', which we cannot omit to complain of aid Proccji againfl : Dtfigning hereby uol to innate ot i ffend, nor to lay the Faults (if any open unto the World, not to plead « u own Innocence, but defiring to ac- knowledge our d.ep acceifion alfo to the Sins % Which x iv^e provoked the LORD to all this an- ger igairijt this Church and K ngdom ; That w ith Imbdwvu * r < rn us, the mentioning of thef-thi at the remembring of them, iuvhc' f en the fight and fcnle of thefe S .1 an ngii oi lt^, th it we may be found m u ma2,ror fchern, and keeping up a Tettimo- ny a a'niif ih m ; And to ihew our earnetfde- freo hiving Peace an i T.u:n, U uon and Or- der, anion? ail the Lovers and Well wilier s of Zon, let; led upon Laling and Solid Foundati- ons and Co;nK>rtable Communion, in Ordi- nances rellored to us who have been long driven awav, from that Ben:fi c, hy thefe Off:nces. A* it was not a little affli&ing to behold, (b it is now no pleafure to remember, that whea Prelacy, condemned in the Word of GOD, and abjured by our Covenants^vaseftablifhed, many Minifters did hear and join wi:h thefe perjured Hyrelings and Intruders the Prclats and their Curats^ Yea and perfvvadei others to the ( 144 ) e like * Pra&ice : Whereby their hands yvetQ ftrengthened, and the Hearts of many ojp the Godly were {adned, and their Confidences' ftumbled : We defire to be thankful that Pre- lacy is condemned by A& of ParKament,never- thelefs we are grieved that foch Joining and Complying therewith is not yet condemned, nor the Praihfeofthefe that withdrew approve ed- As it was no (mall grief of heart to fee the Supremacy, which ielongeth only to the Lord JESUS as fCingand Head of His Church, given away to ^miferable Mortal,' and fettled upon him by Law ^ fo it was an Augmentation to our Sorrow, ho fee an Indulgence Howibg there- from, clogged with Reftriftons, very preju- dicial to the honour and freedom of Ghrift's Ambaffodours, embraced by feveral Minifters, and juftified by ; others, which did much llrengthen t'hefe wicfted Ufurpations ori' our Lords Crown Rights, and his Churches Liber- ties, and gave occafion of great {tumbling an4 Offence to, and was aBon6 ofCbntention among 'the Lords People in this Land. But yet tho"; both theaccurfed Fountain, and impure Stream fce removed and cut off,' for which we defire Blefs the Lord , the Sin thereof neveirthek - not confciied ' and Condemned j' the ' doing whereof we are perfwaded, would be very con- tributive to the turning away of the Lords an* ger, and fatisfying all offended. It was very Stumbling and Offenfive to us, when many Snares and Tentations were aboun- ding and going through the Land, that then- many ( H5 ) f pmny Minifterswho fhould have Preached ia Scafon, and out otSeafon, and whom no Dif- penfation could difcharge from that great and neceflary Dmjfc did not kt the Trumpet to their Mouth, to give faithful Warning in time of fuch danger, as became Watchmen -, but tho* often called to Preach in the Country, did either faintly leave the Land, or lurked and lay by in the Land, and others when they Preach- ed, either did not apply their Doftrine to the ■ times, foas we might take it up, or were am- biguous in their Application of their Do&rine to the dangers of the Times, whereby many were left to peri fh in their Iniquity, and the hands of theie who endeavoured to keep <:leai| Garments, were not ftrengthened : Yea, it was very offenfive to behold the pra&ice and carriage of fome Miniiters, whoinfteadof ftrengthening their hands, who were at that time molt forwardly ancl zealoufly appear- I ing and contending for the Caufe and Intereft pi CHRIST, acid joining with counte- nanceing or encouraging the Minifters y who were Valiant for the Truth, and Jeopard- ed their Lives, in the high places of the fields, for the Teftimony of CHLRIST, did condemri their laudable endeavours and reproached them ? and their Aftings and Sufferings, both at home, and abroad. More efpecially it was fad and ftumbling to us, when manv M*fchiefs were framed iiito I_aws,by aThrone of Iniquity,when many wick- edOaf/w and 5^^,enfnaringConfciences 5 con- trary to the Word of GOD, and<>ur National . Cove- ( 146 ) Covenants were impofed, and whea we were required upon pain of Death, to own the Au- thority of, and acknowledge Allegiance to Ty- rants and Vfurpers^ as our Lawful Magiftrats whom GOD had fet over us, as HisMinifters of Juftice, that then many Minifters did com- fly with thefe wicked Laws, and taught the 'eople to obey them, and feme did take and fubferibe thefe Oaths and Bonds themfelves, and p rfwaded People to take them, and not only owned and acknowledged Allegiance to .thefe Tyrants and Vfurpers, prayed for them and their Government, and pleaded tor the Law- fulnefs of their Authority ; Yea, fome prayed for the pretended Prince of Wales : But inftead of Sympathizing with the fufferings of thefe that could not in Confcience own that Autho- rity, condemned and inveighed againft them , as fools, and dying in an errour. We have reafon to be thankful for this reviving in our ' Bondage, and that the yoke ©f Oppreffion and Perfection is taken from off our N^cks ; yet wewifh that untender carriage towards Cor • fci en tious Sufferings were refented, arid the Heads and Caufes were approven and juftified, upon which the(e reproached Martyrs and Con- feflbrs fuffered. It was very burdenf >me to our Confidences, tfiataPopifti Toleration defigned to introduce Ttptry into this Land again, granted by K. James from his Abfolute Power, which he blaf- F phemoufly arrogated to himfelf, and whereby | he prelumed to ftop the Penal Laws againft Pa- fijts, and clogged with many Limitations, was em- ( 147 I) ,. embraced by many Presbyterian Mmifters, and AddrefTed for to that Popifh Uiurper in the Name of -^LL : Which many of the Godly of the Land looked upon with weeping eyes, as a fed ftep of Defe&ionfiom the wonted Zeal of the Minifters of Scotland *, The Sin and Scan- dal of this courfe is eviden in a Teftirnony given in againft the fame, by fome Minifters, which we here own : Yet now, notwithstanding that it be removed, and the wicked power ic flowed from, we cannot think the Sin and Scandal of it is,faken away, fo long as the fame isnotconfeflea, mourned over and condemn- ed. The condemning of aD tl e(e Courfes of Com* plyancedsid Defections, would not only be as a Beacon fet up to hinder the following Genera- tion from ipliting on fuch dangerous Rocks, but alfo will make ouiUnitingand Joining with thefe,from whom we ftand at a diihtnce(which v-e long tor, and pray forj cordial and com- fortable. We are alfo difTatisfit?d and offended at feve- ral things at pref-nf, It might have been ex- pc&ed, that the Mercies we have met with of late, fhould h.ve filled our Hearts with kind- ly forrcrvv for our former Sins and Backflidings, & inflamed theSouls of all the Lovers of Chrift, with more Zeal, for advanceing and promoting Reformation in this Land, according to the capacity and opportunity the Lord hathputin their hands; But alas! unfuitaWe have been our Returns of Fruitfulnefs and Thankfulnefs \ And as all of us have come far fhort of improv- ing 18 ( h8 ) ing theft Opportunities, to the pra&ice of thefe jvlinifters continues to f>e very offenfive and flumbling, who inftcac} of Confefiing and Con- demning the above wri ten Defeftions and mind-' ing the People of their former Backflidings,and discovering the Sins of the late times,tbat were rnanyand Jninous, to the end, they rnay be induced to mourn over them, and to turn unto the Lord, do yet continue to defend and hide their own guilt, and thereby to harden others inlmpenitency ", So that the wrongs done to Chriit, are Aike to be forgotten and buried, and few are like to be brought off from the eyil of their ways. We are alfo much difcouraged and diflatisfi- ed, that the National and Solemn League and Covenant sjcuvz not only not been renewed, but not contended for by many, the affronts done to them, and their binding force not declared, but like to be buried in oblivion. And mofQ eipecially it was wound/ng to us to hear, that when opportunity was given 2nd accefs to Ad- drefsthe King and Parliament, the mentioning ofthefe holy Covenants was omitted. And. fmce the King and Oueen were advanced to the Throne, we fear that that faithfulnels and free- dom hath not been ufed as was wont to be in former time, to warn admonifh their Maje- fties, of the Sins and Snares of the Throne, to bewar of evil Counfellors, and of the guilt anc| danger of tampering with, and Patronizing Prelacy in England and Ireland^ nor to difcovet aed to declare to them, and theParliament,the bia and danger of bringing into, and keeping ( 149 ^ in places of Power and Truft, in Jadicatoriei and Armies. Perfons who are known Malig- nant Enemies to Trurii and Godlinefs, an'4 feo the prelent Intereft now to be maintained* as faithful Minifters in former times ufed to withefs againft iuch finful Afiociations , andaf- ter ail that is come upon us for our evil dqeds ? and having got fuch a dqjiverapce as tnis, if a- gain His Commandments be broken, by join- ing in affinity with the People of thefe abomi- nations, it wil) fee more than ever dangerous jjoth to the King and Kingdom. Likewife albeit v\e dire •not defpife the day of final! things, and defires to blefs the Lord for what we have feen 5, yet we cannot conceal burforrow,^ that the great and glorious At* tainmems between the year 1638 and 1649, be- ing years of the right Hand of the*' moft Highw |n which we were brought under the renewe4 Bond of the Solemn Covenants^ are not revived, ^or any honourable mention made of them, in any of the Afts, eftablifhing the Privileges of ^the Church, which we think a lofmg of the ground which our Fathers gained. We do not fay, that it was in the power of Minifters to redrefs this before or after, it was done *, yet as we conceive the pleading for the full ot this \i\ X.\\z\x Addreffes, was not above their reach,, hr)d that they fhould have fignified their difliker it the want thereof, and taken what they got by thefe A&s, with a Proteftation, that it fhouid be without prejudice of their feeking and getting more :, fo in our poor Judgement, thick io all Eftablifhmcnts of Religion %nelacy y Perjury and htrufion, and iome JMinilteisare al(b pleading for keeping them in y upon Carnal and Politick grounds, who wc fear may afterwards do more Hurt and Mif- chief, than the Good now pretended can coun- ter ail i AAd that if this occafion be loft of purging the Church of inefficient, corrupt aid fcandalous Oncers of all forts, efpccially of Prelatick Curats, and of planting it witn God- ly, faithful, and able Ministers, we may all re- pent ©fit too late. More efpecially, It is very ftumbling and offenfive to us, that albeit there be art oppor- tunity without fear and danger to exercife Dif- cipline impartially and faithfully } yet fome who have formerly taken the abominable Tcfi y and are guilty of other grofs Scandals, are ad- mitted to beOfficers of the Church,fome to be M«nifters,and f me to*beElders,and many guil- ty of very grofs degrees of Complyances, arc admitted to the Sacramertts, witnoiit any pu- blick Acknowledgement of their Offices, Sphere- ( i?i ; hereby they and others axe hardened and many of the Godly (tumbled, to the great dif- advantage of the Church.- < To conclude Right Reverend, weexpett and entreat, that ye will notoft-nd at our free- dom, in what we here Reprefent,bwt our mean- ing and end to have differences (atisfyingly. re- moved, will move you, to put a favourable conftiuttion upon that, which a Critical Dif- pofnion, might be ready to cenfure for rafh- nefs and ignorance, and meddling in matters wherein we are not concerned .• Bit tho we Ihould be condemned and cenfured with the greateft feverity, and be counted yet mor« vile, wemuft feek, we muft cry, for the re- moving of thefe Stumbling Bloch, arid con- demning thefc Courfes, which have done our Lord JESUS fo much wrong, and His Chil- dren fo much hurt, in the {landing in the way of their comfortable and edifying Com- munion with the Chu r ch •, Let the famiflling and ftarving cafe of our Souls, through wane of the BlefTed Gofpel and our hungering to hear it preached by you, prevail with you to con^ [Her our Complaints, and let the Wounds of a'ur bleeding Mother, panting to be healed by the Hand of the fender hearted Pbyfician, have weight with you, not to flight or dafpifeour Vefires : But if ye fhall (hut your eyes and ears it them, then we know at the time, no Re- medy left us, but to Complain and Proteft unto Judicatories, and cry, figh and groan to the father of Merries, who is tender of all His little Mies, and is the Hearer of Pray er 7 that he may fee ( y fions,folicited the Minifters abovementioned, and forne others, that the Papers might be read in ihzAffembly, and to hare lomewhat to return t > their Friends: But the Anfwei they received, was a Letter fubferibed by three Miuiikrs, di- rect to them ; Which followeth. Loving Friends , ' HTHE Papers yon gave in to the Affembly, were fir $ given in to the Committee of Over.ures, and we Were by them appointed to confer with yon ; and after fome conference with you, we moved in the Committee, that the Aflembly would order the Pa- pers to be given in to thefe, who were to draw up the Monitorv Letter, and caufes of the Fait, that they vstoht make their own nfe thereof, in drawing up the fume : Wh'ch at the firft next ScflSon of the AfTemMy, on Saturday U y?, the firft of Novem- ber, was accord r/gly done in open AfTembJy, ani we by the AffciriWy allowed to report the fame to you ; which now accordingly we do ■; And we hope this will fat is fie you y and others who did commiflio- nateyott\ and that the Lord, will encline your . Hearts to Pete?, and to guard again (tony further rem in the Church of GOD j and in this hope wefub* fcribe our J elves, Edinburgh, November 2. i6pcx Your Friends and Servants kl the LORD 17 Rom which Letter, we fliall only take notice * of this, that as we have never yet feen the Memory fatter mentioned ihaeia, whereby wc da c *ir ) ; do not know what ufe is iflade in it of our Pd- per ; fo albeit we have got a fight of the Caufes ofthe Fafi, from which it was faid ( levefal times ) that we ftiould receive Satisfaction to our Scruples, yet we are fo far from getting of the feme, that we mutt complain, not only of the ambiguity of fome Expreflions in it, but alfo of its Lamenefs, feveral things being omitted, which are fteps of Defections and Caufes of Wrath; And that the abiminable Tefl, Declara- tion, Prelatkal Jntru/ions, being once in were put cut again. We hope, as well as Serioufly defire, that out defign in Publifhing what is above, may not be miflaken, but rightly Conftru6ted, feeing it is not to irritate or offend any Perfon ; but to make manifelt what have been our endeavours, in order to get a Comfortable union, with thefe Ministers, from whom we are yet ftanding at a diftance : As alfo to let them know, how un- expected, yea aflonifhing it was to us when we heard that our Paper ot Complaints was io little regarded, as not once to be read, either in the Committee, or open jijfemblj: It contained what really was and is ground of offence and matter of Complaint to us ; And whatever was pre- tended for not reading thereof, yet the Confe- rences have been fad, having created Jealoufie?, Scruples and Difcontents, and have been the cc- cailon of a further rent, for it could not be ratio- nally expected, that to deny that Priviledge to them, which was granted to others, was the way to heal the Breach, which was wide, and re- L move ( .10 ) move the Scruples (that were many) of theft, whoareConfcieniious;This was rather the way to foment new debates and Jaris, then to cement, or remove *he old ; And in like manner that tve may have opportunity and occafion hereby again to defireof, and cry unto Minifters, n*t only for removing of our former Scruples, and Redreflirig of our old Complaints and Grievances, butalfb to Reprzfcnty feme New ones, which are not only burdeniom, grievous and cftlnfive to us, but to many of the Godly in the Land • ear- tieftly intreating, and fervently defiring, ' that Minifters, may do. what is incumbent' on them , and in -their Power, for removing of the fame ; One is, The Admijfim of fbme of the Prelatical Curati, not only to thecxercife of the Miniftry, but to a fhare of the Government of this Church, oi which, we crave leave to fignifie our diftike and diffatisfadiion, and to teHifie againft the . Peftering and polluting the Church with them \ In regard it is the receiving in of fuch Men whom the Scripiures declare fhould be avoided, and withdrawn from, becaufe they have caufed Divifions andOflfcnces, contrary to the Dciftriw which this Church learned, and walked no onlydiforderly themfeives, but many of then: compelled others to do fo, and perfecuted thelc who defircd to keep their Garments clean ; In- regard it is unreaionable, and^ not confiflen; vtf ith Policy ; to put Weapons in the Hands o Enemies, left they may turn them againft us if not openly, yet in a way as dangerous \ Ye; it is not long fince all of them were Reckonec Snck 3 ( f>7 ) Suck : And whatever fome of them pretend to iiow, yet the time of thisChange makeththefin* tentyof their Repentance ftrongly fufpicicusi neither does it feem reafonable or fafe to adfnic fuch Men to a fliare of the Government, who oppoied the fame, while Power was ib .their Hands, or to commit to them the care of Souls, tvho formerly have Poifoned and done graft hurt to many of them ; In regard they are inca- pable to give fecurity, for their being Faithful and true to the Government, as is required in the InftrucVions given by the jijfemhly ^bcingMca •pot only guilty oflntrufion, dreadful Apoitacy, advancing the Kingdom, of Satan,periecution 5 ( fome one way, fome another ) of the Godly^ and not a few of them, Qf profanity and error 3 but alfo of grofs perjury, by taking wicked and contra^iftoiy Oaths, as that abominable Teft 3 &c, And teaching others to do fo, all repug- nant to our Solemn Cevcmnts, whereby they have forefaulted theHonour of anyTrr/y? among!? Honeft Men, much more in fach great and weighty matters, as are the having a {hare of the Government of CHRISTS Houfe, and the cafe ^of and over-fight, of Souls ; Inregard the taking in of thefe Men, will tend tb the prefent hurt of the Church, feeing it will occafion' a great Breach and Divifion in the fame, which will do much more hurt, than all the good thefe Men will do, can countervail , In regard is Willi tend to the prejudice of Pofterity/ whofe advantage fhould be fought, by aiidea- vouring trftranfmit pure Ordinances to ihtm? #hieh we think cannot well bs done, and h 2 ( ^3 ) Preferred entire, if chefe Men be intruded with the difpenfing of them ; For as t! ey are known formerly to be of corrupt Principles and pra&ices themfe Ives, and the ibundneis of the Change, that they make, confidering the time thereof ( befidc other things) being greatly 10 be feared, io they will endeavour by decrees «> bring in others of the fame Stamp, whereby at length ( others dying ) a little Leaven may leaven the whole Lump, and lo the Ordna rces be in great danger of being corrupted, if not Changed, which will tend to the U'lfpeakable difadvamag? of P ^fterry : And. in regard it will tend to the hurt of thefe Men themfelve% feing to admit them to fuch a great Truft, fo eafi- ly and hattily may harden them in their former evil ways; whereas a tmre ftr & and (harp deal- ing, according as the Ruks of Discipline pre- fcribeto take wi h luch lcandalous Perfont, might by the Bleffins of the LORD bring them: to a fight and con virion of the fame. Thefe and many other Rcafons th it might be adduced f have Weight with u«: and we are hopeful will, fo far prevail with M'mtters as to withttand and oppofe f now when they have power and op* portunity J the polluting and peftering the Church ; And ariy mixing with the Men q| thele Abominations, uotwithtianding "ot what Authority may enjoyn : But if it (hall be other* wife, as it will prefage fad things to this pooi Church, and Kingdom, io it will give ground of Stumbling at others. In like manner, as it is of&nfive and fturob ling to us, that fome Minifters and Elders havdfe bece f ( ISP ) been admitted to be confthuent Members of the AJfimbly, who are fo haiuoufly guilty and were lo deeply involved in vhe defect ons of the late detyling time?, as by the Word of GOD, and Condi' utions of this Church, would debar them; So it cannot bu: be more Humbling and is mauer of Complaint, that aloeit there were manyiUvertnd and Worthy Divines in the Af- fmbljaud Comnfijjhn t-c e f yet oft times, pvhen they have had pu, lick matters to man* mage and fome things to put in Piint, fucft (hould have been appointed I r thai end, who are laxeft, and deeply involved in the late de- fc6t:ons:The lad effects and Confluences wher£- of appear already, and ceramh will be more evident afterward?, particularly bv that Book intituled, A fecond frndicrion of the Chxrck of Scotland, &*c. Wherein the Author (who was employei tor dravv ; hg up thereof, and does ic in i ame of the whole) net oniy gives ignomini- ous Characters and Lpiihtts unto Honett and ConicientiousSv ff.rers, but alfo condemns and diiowns their laudable actings in eafing the Church and themtelves,in the interregnum, of thele Perjured hirelings and intruders, the C«- yts : Wherein we are concerned in it, we are lo far from being afhamed thereof, that we ftand not to let it be known, that we arc chiefly lorry, we were not more active ; and we may adventure with ftme Confidence to lay the like in behalf of others: And in fbme finglenefs of Heart may add, that what we did therein, was from a Principle of Conicience, and as a Duty j lying ( i6o ) lying bound on us,' and not ( mccrly ) becaufe they were our Perftcuters. Another thing offenfive to us ancj many or- ders, is the feldom mentioning of our National 4nd Solemn Covenants, not only in Preaching, but at Baptizing of Children, at jwhich time former- ly it was uiual to mention them, but now by feme only darkly hinted at, and by ethers alto- gether laid afide ; And it cannot but be grie- . yoqs and wounding unto us, that the Author of the forefaid Book, fhould infinuate fo much as it is concluded, fo b^done. We ?re not for giving dire&ions unto Jtfihifters; Nevertheleis, vve humbly conceive, we may fafely conpla/n of the filence of many of them, in this, efpeciall y, $rben it is like to produce fuel} lad and lai: £able effe&s, as the wearing outf among many) pf thefenfe and Itppredion of the Obligation and binding Force of thefe Covenants, and that pot a few are like to forget, that the lame have been broken and burnt in this Land. What e- ver difficulties are alledged, hindering the So- lemn Renovations of them at this time, yet Mi- lliners m*y even at this feafon, Tncw People that per;urie and breach of Covenant, are among the Jinsofthe Land, and what way all ranks are' guilty of the fame, ^s alfo that thefe Covenants are ftill binding, and the obligation of them remains inviolable, notwithftanding ofany ini- I €juous Law made againft them in the late unhap- | f py times. Likea?, it is cucnfive to us, and many others, lhat Kini Hers have betnfo fifent at the En- I croAcbmcnts zkczdy made upon the pnviledgesj ofl mm of this Church, in putting a (top in a "great Meafure to the purging out of the Epijctpd Qcrgj; by which Reformation is hindred, and negligent, erroneous, iniufficient and i'candalous Men are ftill kept in : As alfo their filence at the adjournment of the Genertl Ajjcmhly by pro- clamation, whereby that -Eccltfialhcal Court is made like one of the Civil judicatories of the Nation : Thefe Encroachments and Uiurpa- tions ( againtt which we, for our part?, cannot but Witnefs and Frotsft ) make us afraid of the plague oiEraftianifm (of which we heartily wifh we" may be diiappointed ) the beginnings whereof, and the very a{5piafdnoe of a Suprema- - cy over the Church of CHRIST, arrogate by King or Council, or any wh ■miotver, Mini- vers efpeciaily, ought to wiihttand,and not be hndred from averting the Priviledges of his Houfe, eitherfbr the terrour, pleafureor perfwa- fjon of any Mortal high or low, greater fmall. T.-> conclude, That it may be manifefi for what end we mention thefe things ( which* is "not from plealure toipeak of them, or to m anoile about them!, but frc m a fervent dtflre to to have themredrefled and removed ) and thaft all concerned, may know how defiteous we are oiUnion in the Lord, and what longing we have forthe benefiteof the Golpel in putity and power: Again and again we earneftly intreat and feripufly befeech that thefe cur Complaints and Grievances alcove, may be laid to heart, and that iome effectual way may be fallen upon to remove and take them away, which we long for, that ( 16* ) that foour Union may be more comfortable, and we may expe& the Blefling of theLord thereupon. Anno 169$. Jan. 18. There were Inftrutti-. ons given by us the People to Mr. JFJepb. and another Man to go to London, in order to pre- fent fome Grievances, to K. William, Mr. M when there, could not obtain accels to his Ma- jtfty, and therefore delivered the Paper to the Secretary, upon his Promife to (how it to the King, which he faid he fulfilled. The Copy of it runs thus. A Memorial to the King's Majefly from a con- siderable body of his heft affected Snb\etls in the Weft and South a/Scotland humbly Represent- ing their Grievances under the pre fent Admini- firttion being moved therenmo, for the Exonc- neration of their Confciences, and true rtfptH to Tour Ma jeftie's P erf on and Government, and to thtmlfart of the Church and Nation. I, TTHAT tho' Your Majefly hath been pleaf- •*• ed with Advice and Confent of P or liar *w*fff,,_jtQabolifh the Supremacy, ufurped over the Church in the late Reigns, and in lo far to • reftore Zions King to his Throne, yet the fame hath been reafTumed in putting a flop to the Proceedings of the Commijfion of the Kirk by your M % s. Letter from Flanders, Adjourning and Raifingthe General Ajf. once and again, and the laft time fine die; by whofe influence we know not, but furely neither by CHRIST'S Bor Your Majefiie'sttixe¥tfcnds> it being both con- C 163 ) contrary to the A& of this current' Pari. E(U- ' blifbing the Church Government, and a real N Encroachment on the Churches Intrinfick Pow- • er derived from her foleHead Cbriftjrfus,by vir- tue whereof She may meet in Her Affembhes for ordering Matters purely Ecclefiafticai, and fo did before there was any Chriftian Magi- firatt. _ 2. That tho* Prelacy be Abrogated, yet the Nation is peftered with a great number of the Epifcopal Gergy, who notwithstanding their uncapablenefs both by LawsDivine andHuman, and that many of them are known to be dif- affedted to Your M. pcffds both Churches and Benefices to the prejudice of the Government both of Church and State, to the Grief of ma- ny ° f the Godly, and hinderance of the Peoples Edification, all which we are able to juftify when called to it. 3. That many of the Perfons intrutted by Your M. in the chief Places of the Govern- ment are Dilaffcfted to the Eitablifhment of the Church and State, divers of them being the ±vx\ Counlellours mentioned in your M's. Declaration for Scotland, the Ii.ftruments of the Tyranny in the late Reigns, the contri- vers, Enafters,and Executioners of the Bloody La wsagamft the Lord's People, own'd by your M. ana the Pari, tobelmpous, whereby our Lives , Laws, Liberties, Religion, and youc M s Government in Seated are endanger- ; 1 4 '., T , hat , as ,*> effe & °f the farmer, general- ly all omer Inferioor Haws, both Civil and ( i*4 ) Military, f are filled with Tuch, who, tho* they may diflemble for fear of theLaws,and cut of Love to their prefent Advantage) are rea Enemies to Religion, your M's perfon and Government, and Friends in their heart to the late King James, the Truth of which we are aff raid it)ay appear too foon. 5. That moil 'of our Souldiers by reafon of their profaning the Sabbath, Swearing, Diun- Icennefs, Uncleannefs, &c. are more like to draw down Judgements upon the NatioR, than contribute to it's Defence, many of them alfo being fuch as were imployed in theBarbari- ties committed on the Weft in the late Reigns, and n9t only void of all Religion themfelves,but haters of it in others, in fo much as to moclf and difturb the \yorfhipofGod in thefe Fa- milies where they are *, which, together with their free Quarters, and other grievous Op- preffions ("too numerous to be here in(ertcd) nave rende-red theni odious and intolerable tq the People, ani fo much the more, becaufe of tire fhreud appearances that they would rather prove Foes ti^an Friends, in cafe of an Invafion or Rebellion. 6. That the Lords of the Council and Treat fury difpofeof Vacant Benefices, at their plea- fure, to fome that were Scandalous, toothers who are Enemies to the Government, and to a third fort, who havenoneed of them, contrary to the Aft of Pari which appoints them for Pious Ufes, and againft the Inclinations of the People, who are ju'ily unwilling to contribute towards the Maintainance of thofe who w r ere the ( *«5 ) the Anthors of their former Oppreffions .• It can alio be made appear, that the Lords of the Treajnry have o£ late (to the great trouble and prejpdiceof the Ministers and Paroch) gifted three years Maintainance to a late Incumbent, c and half a year more to that Infamous Man Mr. He < .imfelfa Presbyterian Mi- nunicated by the Synod of Glafgow of Immoralities^ and .yet ovy i. = b ^ut Court. 7. Tha f & doth notcopcurr th the G of, Vice wherewith thre Land f abou«ds. 8. That Idolatrv, A -lulrerv, Witchcraft, and other crying Sins are nor pauifhed accord : ingtoLaw, but more efpecully that Murders, which greatly defile a Land, and chiefly thofe of tfte Ptople'bf Gbd, (put to Peath without any colour of La vf) are (o fir from being in- quired into, that, tho' feveral of thefe Mur- therers have been delivered into the hands of JuftiCe, they have been difmifled by thofe in Authori p. That tho v thefe be an Aft of P irL for jredreffing of the Grievances^\s\\\ch we laboured' under in the late Reigns, yer molt of them re- main unredreffed, and thofe aggrieved,, (b c - couraged, what by theexoibuant Charges of the fairs (occafioned partly by the Cc lyeft of MercenaryM^n belonging to the Courts) v of Sent vit by the Po of their Enemies in Judicatories^ that they a:e . :cd ftiil to groan under their Opprefu- ons, 10. ( l66 ) io. That tho* your M's Government, and all that is dear to us, be in hazard from a For- reign Invafion, and inteftine Enemies, yet no effectual Provifion is madeagainft either. 1 i. That your M's meaiures as to Scotland are fo much influenced by a certain Party in England, whoever were, and are dill haters of our Church Government, whereas your M's proper Councilors in Scots Affairs, are our Parliament for the State, and General jijfAot the Church \ and whereas the fame Party en- deavours to creat a prejudice in your M. againft us, in faying, that we think our felves obliged by the Covenant to force our Sentiments as to Church Government on our fellow Nation and Subje&s, and by reprefenting us as Enemies to Kingly Government. To the which we An- swer, that we dare not but own the obliging (brce of that Covenant upon our felves and the Nations, and that the breach of it (as long as unrepented of) is one of the main Caufes why God doth and will contend with thefe King- doms, and it is no fmall caufe of Grief to us that our Pari did not eftablifh' the Church Go- vernment as it was in 1648, taking in our Co* venants, yet for Anfwer to our Enemies we dare refer to the Covenant it felf. As to the fecond, We Appeal to all Imparti- al Hiftory for an account of our Behaviour »to fuch Kings as kept within the Bounds of their Commiffion from God, and as fo* our Zeal and AfFe&ion to your AfsPevfon and Government, We call yourownRoyalBreaft toWitnefsagainft our Accufers, and we are ftill ready to Sacrifice our ( i«7 ) our Lives and Fortunes in defence of your Ma* jefiies Perfon and G jvs rnment, only deliver us from our Grievances, for we cannot buc think that it proceeied from want of due Informati- on, that we have groaned under them fo long, and feing they are now reprefented* we can- not but hope for a fpeedy Redrefs, which we are fure will be pleafng to Goi, mightily con* duce to your Majejlie's Intereft and the welfare of the Nation : Expe&ing a Gracious Anfwer, We pray the God and Father of- our Lord Je* fus Chrifi to blefs You and Your Royal Confort, give You to know, and put it in your Hearts to do what is moft for his Glory, your own Temporal and Eternal Prefervation, and the good of your Subjetts. After a confiierable times waiting at London Mr. Hepburn returned home, and in his Ser- mons faithfully witneffed againft the Sins of the Land, without refpeft of Parfons, as the Lord hath to this day continually helped him to do, particularly at that time he Preached publickly againft Minijiers their Swearing the Oath of Allegiance and fubfcrlbing the AJurwce, for Reafons fhown on Gricv. 22. before,and qthers, Whereupoa fome Minijiers of the Synod of Clafgovo took occafion to inform againft hira f and thereafter the Presbytery of Dumfries being highly incenfed againft him, for publiihingthe Evils hedifcerned to be in thefe Oaths % and for being a .means fas they alledgedj of making the Jurors to be deferted by many of their Hearers, did not reft until alter many Com- pearances before them, before the Synod, the AJJ; ( » which in my Judgment is Loaded with a great many evils, which I {hall not here mention at prefent : All which I have Subfcribedwith my Hand, before thtSymidt Dnrnfriesy Ottober 1 1 . 1 6pj. Sic Sub. Jo. Ifeph*rtt m To all which, he defired to be added, i e that hereby he doth not plead Innoeence to himfelf. 2. That he means not to Charge all thefe things upon all the Minifters. 3 That this pre- fent withdrawing is not to be Conftru&ed to be either a Total or a flratcd Separation, but only becaufe of his prefent Diflatisfa&ion with the Aiiniftry, as in the Paper above, and defires to wait what GOD in bis Providence will do. This Paper Mj, H. gave in to the Synod, who Tran Cmitted it to the AJfembly^ but mean while the Synod laid fome Rettri&ions on him, which he refolved not to obferve, becaufe they would have keept him from what was duty; and be likewife fearing that the Synod would proceed to fome Sentence againft him, gave in the Apr peal following. M 2 7m THE Appeal of Mr. John Hepburn, Miuiffer of the. Gejpel^from the Synod of Dumfries ( in cafe they proceed td any Sentence ^.gainjl him ) . um1> the next free Lawfully Qwvocat and Rightly p&)?$ftti4fc General Affembly of this Church i ? hen and where it flxtll happen to be held : As ■ follow, 1 Mr. John Hepbtirn, Minifter of the Qofpel A Appeals to the next free LawfullyCoiivecat, j Rigluly Confiitute General Affembly, cf this Church (when and where u fliall happen to be held ) (rom this Synod of Dumfries, and Pro:eHs. agair.if'att Ceftfurft W Sentences that are pail or ma v pais agiinii me't'o the prejudice of my. Mi* wjry, and decides thefame to .tve void and Null, and cf no cftt#, fa thefe Reafons fblloflrj ing i; i. I hefitate whether this be a free Conrt cfCKritt.and that i. Beoufe many of the Con- ftituenr M,-mi ^ers- ef thk Synod having taken the late" Oath of -AtUgUnce snd- AJfarxim, in my jtidgmenr > h.ive- Sworn to a Forreign Prince, I riseany as they are MhiijterSi and io have chang- ed their Free-holding which they had of Chriii ]efus,and come tinder theSuperiority of the fore- ftx&Princexo wfiom they have Swornjfo that the Intrinikk power? cf the Church, by virtue' whertofall her Courts are kept, under her alone Head Chrift Jefu?, is parted with by Minivers ( as far as in them lyes ) and all the power ye m • l)ave andexet,ciie,is.but Precarious and I / I fruition fronftli^Civil A fefrj, which is a fuli grcund at my hefitaUng about the freedcrii •f ' & J 75 ) . of this Court, 2. i e are prel united m your pap fiiig of Cehfures againft mc or any in my Ctr-r cumliances ; The Parliament already having Statute and ordained, that none who have not, nor will not tike, the Oab, and the Ajfvranee, fhall be Miniflers in this Church ; fo that this Court cannot Cognbfee whetterl deferve Cen- fure or not, Sentence being pali already, and ye only the Executioners ot the Higher GamYDe- cree. ?d- Reafon of my Prote/lation and Appeal, is founded on the Ezcep' ions I have agairitf ie- reral Members of this Judicatory, as who^ by Reafon ot my Opposition to them, in the matter of the piefent Oath of Allegiance, O'c, are a party , , and fo their Judgment id what concerned me, cannotbe tdceived as Juft$ ^ndthen not only the Perfonal faults of tome, but alio the cedings in the Lord's Matters tar Pubiick under SubfcribenL thir things \verea6led and done at £he faid Av#- Chxrch ot Edinburgh's Dote betwixt two and three hours in the Afcernooq, day, Mjuth ami Year refpeSirely forefaid, in pretence of Mr. Thornai Eraser , Stu lent of Divinity \ and George L*ke Goldfmith \i\Glafgow, Witnefles fpecially Oiled and required co tbe Premifles. ( T 7 S ) Sh Subfc. S. f}- Not, Jab. T. Frazer witnefs- G, L. Wicnefs. Thereafter about tlje beginning of September 1694. Mr, Hepburn being Pievioufly Summoned Compeared before the Com'mijpron at Edinburgh where befi Jes the People who went with him as his Adherents, the Rev. Mr Geo: Mair then at Airth, joined with him in a confeued Papex % frhicli they callfd their Detnuir, which is thus. 3* rjp #. JM/. ffo Minifters *jwf Elders Commiffioners of the late Afiembly. WHereas we Mrs. John Hepburn and George Mur have been fummoned to com- pear before the Commijfion, to Anfwer to Prq- eeiles {aid to be depending before fome Presby- fer/Vxand Synods again ft us, and by them re- ferred to t\\t late Af. and thence io the faid Comrniffiotiy we have judged it our Di^ty, at our firft compearance before we return any par- ticular Anfwer to, what may be propoied to us \ rpr the Exoneration of our Consciences, with aU due refp.i£t to the Reverend and Honour- able Members, both of the fud Ajf and €nmm: to dechre our Judgement tfeereahent, which we do not only incur own name, but alto in the nime of all kich as may adhere to us here- in *, Wherefore wecrave leave hereby humbly toreprefentthat, aswedo not pofitively dif- own, fo we d.emurr anent the lawfulnefc, free- 'dom,and Authority of the Aff. fbrejaid, wher*. pf this i§ a ComimiffLorii therefore cannot be clearly C 179 ) rfearly Satisfied Jn our Confidences, . anent its being cur 'duty 'fully to own this Commi$;>n x fo as. would inferr the like owning the oilier, and that becaufe 1. The- manner of the Indi&ion fte'ms to in- ferr fopi^thin^ contrary to, and diir.initent of the well warranted PiivJledgcsof this Cnurch, which hiving he en compiyed with, ; fee'nps to - fay much again ft that wedemurr, while the fame was Indicted only by the Civil MagijfcratCy which is a Power declared noway to b: long to him > with re i "peel to the ordinary A^nMies ol this Church, when the fame is feitled and constituted in point of Government, by the Aft of Jiff: 1647. Ratifying the Gonf. of Faith Seff. 23. but moreef(5ecn!ly while, idly The Indiftion thereof confidered with relpett ro Circumftances attending the fame, (cents fl* inferr a Power in the Magijt rate privative ot the Spiritual Office-bearers of the Church their juit 8c uncon trover ted Privilege of Meeting indue manner and appointing the Dyers of their Meet- ing, both yearly and oftner pro re not a, as oc- casion and neceifity Dial! require, to w/iicii thefy are declared to have Divine, Ecclefia- ftical and Civil Warrands bv Ay 1658. Seff: z6* Concerning yearly Gen. A\[. Wnich appeal s from this, th.it the AfJ. i6;>2, having accord- ing to the f.iid IntrirUick Power undoubtedly belonging to them, appointed the next. A~j m to fit in Jt4u7ufi 1693. yetasit is generally re- ported, l\\t thefe had wont to be Commiffioners before^ and that all the AfimfiersJfrenorth Spey were nominat to be on the Commiffion^ except one ♦ who wanted the faid(forn*erly unheard ©Qua- lification." But 2. More efpeciaUy and evidently it teems to have b:e:i prelimited with refpeft to • Matters to be handled therein, while the Term* whereupon thePrelatick Carats are to be Exami- ned, and received into Minifterial Communion (a. thing properly belonging to the Church immediatly in the firft initance to determine} are fet down, and thefe without any alteration are clofed with by the Aff*.' &nd tha^ norwith-. (landing their unfatisfaclorinefs to the Confci- ences of the mod Godly in theLand,and of their not coming to what the Lords word requires, and was ever judged necefTary for the Church in former times of Reformation, yea & by thz /4J[. 1690, as is clear from the In/fruitions given to theirCommiJfioncrs. And 2. While^s was.declar- * edby (omeMembers of the hteA[/\ the Commit fioner threatned according to his Commiffion, •to Raifethe jiff, in cafe the fole Headship of. Chrift over the Church, together with the Pri- ■ ■ ( "i82 ; Privileges thereof, fhould have been afferted, which inferrs A $d Ground of our Demurr anent what \% forefaid, viz,. The want of freedom as what appears in propounding and voiceing in Mat- ters properly belonging to a Gem A§: and neceffary to be done therein,, it being well Jcnown that fome who had it cxprefly in their Commijfion and Inftruttions to endeavour that the Prerogatives of Chrift and Privileges of his Kingdom mould be afferted, did upon the fore- said ground wave%efame, whereby it appears that they were overawed,and had not thePower and Liberty proper and fuitable for the Mem- bers of the Gen. \A§. we do the rather demurr upon this and rhe other ground preceding, that we find the fame ofener than once brought in amongft the Reafons for annulling fome preren- ded AjJ. before the year 1633. at tire hjj'cmbly 1638. A Ath Thing that maketfi us demurr, as aforefaid is the Judgement of many found and eminent Divines, that an hfs. proceeding wrong upon the Matter is null*, Now, there ars many both Godly and Judicious, who judge that this hfs. hath done (o in regard of thde A£?j which fcemed to have been the chief fcopeand defij/n of the fame, and ore-moft ef- fectually profe'euted by the Commiffion thereof by virtue of their Injlridbions for" that e'fftft. As 1. The Aft anent Probationers, bearing that they fhouid engage not to follow any Di- ' yifivecourfe, or to an orderly carriage as it is there alfo expreffcd and explained, tho' in it fell ( i8? ) felfgood, yetasconfidered withrefpeft to the. intent and defign thereof (which is made plain; by many other clear A&tngs and fpeeches of theyi/^/7?rj/at the time) doth import a fnarc to the Conlcienc.es of fuch, and a binding thttrl to a finfulfilence and participation of fins be- coming univerfal, and foto what the Scripture Terms, aConfpiracy inftead of Unity. 2. It iVthe fad Complaint and mod grievous La- mentation oi the generality of the Godly up and down the Land, as it is ours in particular, that Terms arc fallen upon by the (aid Afs. for receiving into Miniiterial Communion, fuch of the Prelatick Curats^ who fhili Addrels for that end, which feems to import fbefides what hath been Paid already on that Head) I. A Condemning of the Teftimonies and Suffer- ings of the Godly in the 4ate Times upon the head ofnot owning or joinng with thefe as Afiniftcrj of Chrift. z. A receding from the Ruleof God's Word, enjoining up™ Moral and necefTary Grounds an Impartial Executing of Difcipline againft Offenders within the Church according to the degree and nature of the Offence, and more efp'tcially agiinft Cor- rupt Teachers, as we can make appear. 3. A receding from the known Prinples, and laud* able Priftices of this Church in former times which alfo can be made evident. 4. It Imports llfo (bmething contrary to the Judgements of Sober,Emirient,~andApprovenI)m>^/,who look upon Repentance as a neeffcary Minifterial Qj^JilkiPon of fuch as have made Defection in fuch ji manner as they have done, while it ( 184 ) is net fo here, as appears by the Afting* of the faid hfs. and Comm. which do explain the faid A#. And $, A rendering void the Authority and Difcipline of the Church with refpeft to Offences, when maintained or controverted and univerfal, befide many other things which we might here mention. A third thing moft Grievous to the Confciences of the Godly with relation to the Scope of the moft material AEts of this hfs. is that when of a long time it was expe&ed that, how foon the Church was con- ftitute in its Government and AfsemblicSyVfhzt- foever wrong ftepMini/terj had gone in the late Times to the offence of many of the Lord's People, and to the Renting of the Church fliould have been by a Gen. A/>. 'Acknowleged and Condemned to the healing of 2?reaches,and fatisfaftion of tended Confciences, and tho' fome endeavours have been ufed for that effeft, and feverai Complaints of Grievances not groundlefs fas we judgej have been given in to iundry Judicatories, both with refpeft to for- mer and latter Offences, anent which fome fatisfaftion hath been long looked and waited for, yet by the Jnftrutticns given to this Com- miffion by the iovtin&Aff. A&T.8.A1I hope there- of feems to becutoft,while thefc in general are £2i\\tMMiftakes and Afperjions,' that the contrary thereof is evident, that the Minifiers of this Church have evidenced the fame by the whole courfe if their Miniftry) Whereupon the Commiffion is required to take all due pains upon fuch Per- fons, who, yet beirig juftly grieved, looked lor fome other k\t\4 gt Relief and R«drefs. Id ( i8« J In the $th. Place, Our Confidences da much , fland at the pofitive owning of that as a Gen. Afs, lawfully conveened and atting in the Name of Chrift as the only Head of the Church wherein his fole Headfhip over the fame could not be got expreffed and aflerted, notwith- ftanding the many preffing defires of feme Revererfd Minifters of this Church •, and the tmnifeft expediency and i)ecefiity of (he thing for the Honour and Glory of the Lord \ . the crulhing and preventing of Erafiiamfmj the Vindication and clearing of the Church and Miniftery therof^ the comfort and fathfa&ion of the Lord's People, the healing of breaches, and keeping of our ground when in hazard of lofingthefome". * 6. It is alfo fome ground of Demurr to us anent what is forefaid when we confider the Fruits of the faid A/}, and of the Terms thersin concluded, whereupon the PreUtick Cur at s may be received into Minifterial Communion, feing we are privy to feveral manifeftWicked- neffes and Errors, befidt^ others more Natio- nal and known to all, in fome of thefeboth South and North y who are upon the (aid Terms i received, wherein they have been for a long time rooted, and which if due time of tryal had been taken, as was agreed upon by the A/r. 1690. might have been feafonably* difco- vered to the preventing of their Reception, and the bad tendency and Effetts thereof. ' This our Demurr, with the grounds thereof, N we have thought fit thus briefly and humbly to reprcfent, as being what we are coaftrained • unto; ( i86 ) Unto.' being extremly loath to do any thing m this way further than neceffity obligeth us, and therefore as we h^ve great confidence, that we will not be mifconftru&ed herein, foafe werxloft defirous, nor to give any the leaft oc- calion thereto: And. therefore without any prejudice to what is forefaid, we are ready to grve the Rev. and Hon. Members of this Com* $niffioK r ail poJiible fatisfaftioreas to whatever nicty be libelled t a^ainft us, due time being granted for that efuft. We only crave leave to add this further that we sre writing and defirecus, that this Papef Xi&y be Recorded in t\ e Commiffions Books, and we may have an • ExtraU thereof under the Clerks hand, TSubicubed at Edinburgh Sept. 6. la^.by Sic Stihfcr. Jo. Hepburn, Geo: Maif .' ThifPaperM^.f/^r^being called fep?rarly ) flefired robe Read, but wftfth'ct h get an Hear-* Jngafterward or not, and whether or not it was Recorded '.n tb? Cbm&{ffion-Book< is they d^drtd wecarmot trueW tell, bur in ail Mr. H. his after AddrefT she Hil! adhered ton. Trie Cenuir (li- on appointed ' a Committee to Gcmferr with them,* which after. 4 or 5 'Conferences, '.made flilsGycmirc concerning Mr. Hfylrxrh. it: At titlthentxt Quarterly 'Meeting of the Cfih :v ijion he ExerafeJis Miniftn t: the Kirk ojOxi vh re once he had fers of the Council infinuated* to him after- wards: In complyance wherewith he repaired to Edinburgh, and after -Conference with fe- deral Statefmen formed Arfwtrs t« the Libel which we ftiall tranferihe. Anfwers J&r Mr. John H e Pburn Miniver afth$ Gofpely to the Libel r at fed before the Priv/ Council, at the inftance of his Afajefiys Adr ; vocat. Whereas he is accufed of exercifing his Mi- piftry, and Intruding himfelf into Churches particularly of Orr and Kirkgunz.ean y within th? Stewar try of Kirkcudbright > and of Durrif de*r ( m ) -deer in the Sheriffdom of Nithfdale, and that without taking the Oath of Allegiance and fub- fcribing the Affurance : He Anfwers. imo. That he humbly conceive th his Loyalty to K. William (whofe Right he nothing doubts,more' than his pofleffionj is fo generally known, and hath been fo many ways manifefted, as that he hopes it is not doubted by any to whom himfelf \% known, unle(s they either be greatly prejudge ed, or fadly mifinformed,hebeingat all times, and in all dutiful ways, mod willing to de- clare and evidence the fame, zdo. As to th$ Exercife of his Miniftry at Orr and Kirigunz,$- an y he entered unto the Exercife of his Mini- ftery in thefe Parcfches by the Peoples call be- fore the Att of Pari. ^AzXAxfamg Presbytery \ And as this fixeth a relation betwixt a Minifter and People, fo as he with a good Confcience may exercife his Miniftery among them, fo like wife by the forefaid Aft of Pari, a Presby- terian Minifter's entering by the call of the People is Authorized as a fufficient Legal Right^ for the Exercife of the Miniftery, and enjoy- ment of the Benefice and Stipend *, and accor- dingly the Defender's call was fuftained by the Lords of the Sejfion, as a Legal Title to the Paroch of Orr. So that his Preaching in Qrr or Kirkg.unz.ean cannot be called an Intrufion, he having both Divine, and Legal Right fo todo, the People of both Parodies concurring in Ms call at fir ft, and no other Minifier freing efta- blifhed in any of the forefaid Paroches at yet*' 3/##. As to the Defenders Preaching mDur- rifdecr 2 it is Anfwered, the faid Paroch is alfQ Yfci ( 104 ) VacaAt} and it is but now and then, he Prcacheth there, and for the mod part occa- fionally in his going to and returning from Edinburgh , and that upon the maft earneft Call, and Invitation of tne People, who are in a very deftirute Condition for want of Preach-' ing, being but rarely fupplyed by the Presby- tery of the Bounds, and it's hard for iMinificr (called of God to Preach the GofpelJ to refufe. to hearken to the caH of a neceffitous People. 4. Whereas the Defender is charged for not Swearing the Oath of Allegiance^ and notSub- fcribing ihzAffurance; It'sAnfwered, he doth moft Ingenuou fly declare, it's not from any difrafpeft to His M. and his Authority, but becaufe of fome relative Circumftances where- with the fame is cloathed, and chiefly that the faid Oaths taking and fubferihing is made fuch a neceflary Qualification of a Minifier 7 that he who hath not freedom to take them, is declar- ed (in the Aft of Pari, for fettlewg the quiet of the Church) to be no Minifter of this Church, which, as he conceives, tendeth to bring the Kingdom of Chriji Jefus under a moft fad Bon- dage, in granting to the Civil Magiftrate a Power to Inflift Ecclefiaftick Cenlures, aqd to tnjoin Qualifications of the Miniftry, which the Lord Jefus (the Churches alone Head and law-giver) doth not require; for this and many other weighty Reafons (which if their X^ordfhips require, he is ready to adduce) the taid Defends eaanot in confeience take the fors- fud Qathu A* ( *95 ) , As to what is Ly belled, that the Defender ftandsSufpended, by a Sentence of the Church, It is Anfwered, he is really lorry that Matters ihould be at fucli a pals betwixt the Miniiiry of this Church and him, and is not willing before this Court to adduce his Exceptions againft the (aid Sentence, nor his Grounds why he cannot fubmit to it; Only their Lord fbips would be in- formed that theSentence meerly was in abfence,& Chat it could not be reputed Contumacie, in as far as he had attended the Commiffion of the Kirk once and again, as aiio, two oLher Diets when the A ffembly ihould have met, and knew not buq he might have met with the like Dilappoint- jnenr, at the time the Afembly did Sit; withal had the Affembly continued fitting as long as former Ajjemblys had ufually done, he came to Edinburgh in iuch time as he could have attendc4 them-but they wcreup which he did not exped:. As to what is Libelled aucnt his not keeping Fqhy and Tbunhfgiving days, and his Inveigh- ing again!* them ; and his prelum ing to keep Fafis and Thankfgiving Dtysof his own deviling, It is Anfwered as to the firft, there are no par- ticulars mentioned ; neither doth he know that any to whom the noticing the non obfervants of theiediysis recommended, have brought any Accufation again ft him on that head : And feeing he hath fufficiently Vindicat himlelf from all Imputation of Difloyalty, it's hoped their Lord/hips will not fuitain the Lybel in that part. As to his appointing days of his own devifing- It is Anfwered he doth it no where but in Orr and KirlgutiMMy where he ordinarly Preach* Ctfa; C 196 ) cth; which is what Chrifi's Faithful Servants always have done, and at this day by fome of the prefcnt Miniitry upon very good Grounds is pra&i led, having the call of Gods Word, and tbeDhpenfationsof the day for their Warrand, As to the unlawful Convocations of the K's Lieges, Scandalous Tumults and Riots Libelled ; he utterly denys the fame, except Peoples Peace- able Meeting to hear the Lord's word be fo In- terpreted, which he is confident their Lo: will not do, as for the particular inftanceofthat Dif- turbance Mr. Reiimtt with at the Church of Orr, the Defender is moft wrongoufly Charged therewith, being at that time fome Scores, of Miles diftant from the place, as alio it will be found, on feareh, that the Matter of Fa6t is Mifreprefented, and that the Perfons mentioned in the Lybetaxc much injured by thefe who in- formed the Government againft them, they be- ing all Peaceable Men and well affected %o his Lastly v As to the Charge of cafling offthefear of GOD, and regard to the Laws of the Land ; It's Anlwered, it is truely to be regrated that God is not feared at this day, by the Generality of all ranks, and as-for the Defender, he acknow- ledged, he is indeed before the Lord Chargeable thai: he feareth him lo little, yet can declare that he defireth and endeavoureth through Grace, in the whole of his Converfation and Miniitry, to Pemean himlelf fo, as to fhew forth the Lord's fear, and due regard to Authority, and is bold to fay, there are few in his Station, who have en- deavoured to pay more Refpe6l to the King and Gch L p— ( *97 ) Qove&nrnent,. confident with that Obedience he owes to the King of Kings, and that neither for Temporal Rewatd,nor tear of Punifhmcnt, but purely for Confcieace fake, than the Defender z la C&nfideration of the Prewiffes, he crtves of . their Lordfliips that he may be Difcharged jrom this Lybel. . The K's Advocat privately defired to fee thefc his Anfaers before they were prelented to the Council, and having feen them, keeped 'hem up, till Mr, H: was Silted before tie Council; and the ; e the Advocate enquired at Mr. H. if he would have his An fivers read? Adding; that there was Treafon in them ; to which Mr. //. Anfwered they might do as they thought fit ; bein^ again asked if he had taken the Oaths, he Anfrwcred n^, betaufe he locked not on them i^sany Minifteral Qji.i'Iificatir.n : Upon which he wa- prcfently haJ out ; and the Lords oflna AtajeftiesYrivy CohbcH palt a Sentence confining 4 him to the Town ofBrechen and two Miles a* < bout the fame, oidaming him infiantly to ' find Caution aded in the Books of Privy *. Council, that he fhould repair iiraight to the I c place of his Confinement betwixt and Tuef- c day the fourth of A-iguj} next to come, and 1 fhould keep within rhe fame, and not go. J without the bounds thereof, under the Penal- c tyof 3000 Mcrh Scots, in cafe he fhould Tranfgrefs in any part of the Premises ; and in \ caiehc ihould not iuftantlyfjnd fuflicenc Caifc * Caution in manner forefaid, they ordained * him robe carried Pri loner to the Tolbmh of c Edinburgh, until he fhould find Caution as * faid is. . This Sentence, was matter of afflict- ing forrow to his hearers, among whom the i Lord was immediately before doing great;! things ( as we touched above ) by the means or his Miniltry, but tho he was hardly handled, for near the fpace of three years in Profecution pf that Sentence, yet he fluently declared that he found the LORD fo Supporting, Refreshing, and Comforting his Soul, during that foreiaid' time, that the chief, if not the only, thing which weighted him, was the Peoples dettitute Condition, who had the food of their Souls vio- lently plucked from them ; and he often faid, thatfcr the whole World*he would not have wanted thefe Manifeftations of his Gloricus Mailer ( for whole Cauie he W3S Suffering )and of his Love to his Soul, that were Vouchiafed him while under that Sentence aforefaid : While ; hewasPriioncr in Edinburgh Tolbootk, ( which was for tome more than twenty days, viz,. ; from July 28 to about the 20 of Auguft 1696.) that he might do what he could for his Matter's Glory, and the Solvation of Immortal Souls he preached every Lords day, moHlyonthat Text of Scripture, Pfal. 149. 4. For the LORD tat-' etbfipleafure in his People, he mil Beautify the meek •pith Salvation-, But iome of the Magiflrats 1 Challenged the Keeper of the Prifon for admit- ting Perfons to hear him, forbidding the like to be done again, which troubled Mr. H. much 3&1 the People Ukewifc ; but it would feem the ( ip6 ) Magillrates were advifed thereto by foitie of the Mini(hrs y for the Keeper told Mr. H y that two Minifies were prefent with the Pmw/? when he gave him that Injun&ion. Yet all that could not marr his Preaching, or their Hearing, for knowing that many were waiting without over againft the Prifon, defirous to hear, he opened the windows and fpoke forth to them ; whereby bis Auditory inftead of being Dimimfhed, was Increafed ; mean while the Afagiftrates (o far vented their illwill, that they Commanded the other Prifoners ( who once or twice before had been allowed to hear him ) to be locked in clofs, that they might not have the Benefite thereof; • About this time likewife, fome of the People of Galloway, his hearers, were Summoned in to Edinburgh whom thejudges after allTryal found to be moft innocent of the things they, were Lybelled for, which occafipned the K*s Advocat ineffe&to Challenge himfelf, for giving the People fo milch trouble without ground, and to fay he fhould know better for why ere he did Che like in time coming. About the 22 of An- gafl Mr. H. was -removed from Edinburgh Tol* booth to the Caftle of Srirline, Guarded by a Party of Squldier?, by the way they flayed at .Linlithgow two Nights Saturday andSabbath, & on theSabbath he Preached out of thePrilbn: So he wasDeliveredtotheCaptain of theCaftle,upon the 24 o(Atign(t, in this place he had better A ccomo* dation and Liberty as to his Prifon-houfe, but his liberty to Preach was greatly Impaired, fo that fome timesfew or next to none were Ad* tnittcd, which was very Grievous to him, and ren* ( 200 ) rendered me time f his Imprifonment there (which was fnott t ^an a Quarter of an year, ) wuriiome. but he Lord made it fweet by vifi- ting hjr Si ui end confirming Mm more and more that it was the Guilt of Chrift for whit! he was Stiftering, as he bath often to4d hts Frieilds. WhenOrdets came for his Liberation out of j Priion, he had confi lerable Freedom tho Hill ! UnderConfinemei Retraining him from return- ing tO'GW/Waj, While 1; e wis thus kcept at difiance from his Flock for near three years time feveral Minirtersyfuch as that worthy Serrate i»f GOD Mr! Ja: Prater late Minifter ar CnlrofsA and the Rev. Mr. Geo: Mai? now Minifter there, and we rh^ People who adhere to him, kept fre* quent Conefpondence with him by Letters and otherWife vdcfinng to Sympathize with him e- rery w.ay wherein we were capable* and to afford hitii what Encouragynent we could; be- ing perfwaded he was iuffering for the CauieOf Chrift, Which we liktwife defrred to adhere un- to; We alfo abftained from hearing or Counte- manceing aay of thefe who had betn Promoter* andMaintainefsof that timesDefe&ior^and were accefTory toMr/ffVTroub]es:ahhoughAttempt$ were made on usby many Minifters, to draw us from adherence to the forefaid good Cairfe, and to him 5 one inttance we cannot forbear to mention, relating to the Presbytery of Dumfries: the Minifters thereof had caufed .Summoned one W:. R.( a Gormtry Man in the Pardch o(C*?hve- rock? who adhered to Mr.//.) to be a Wunefs agiunli him ;-the Man for federal Reafons dt fired they .mighec not ttoubfe him iii that. ftftffi j ^rhieh r 2ot ) trhich they Condefcend.ed to upon this Previii- on, that he would Subicribe a bond to them the Tenor and Form whereof they Exhibited to funij he received, but utterly refufeing to Subfcribe it, did fhow it to Mr. H: and that the Temper of thefe Minijlers may be underftood, we flhall infert it. < "pOR AS MEIKLE AS, I W. R: in L, In the c Paroch of Carlaverock am delated for a fol- 4 lower of Mr. John Hepburn, now Sufpended * Minifter, in his divifive Principles and pri* * Ctices,' therefore, for the glory of GOD and fa* ' tisfieingall Perfons concerned, I hereby de- 1 clare my abhorrence of his ways in oppofition * to the Mmijiers of this Church • and dohere- c by bind and oblige me, toy Heirs, Executors, 1 iCceffors, or Affigneys,Intromitters with my; 4 Grois and Gear whatfomever, that 1 ihdlt^ * never fpeak, write nor Aft any thing contrait '.to the prefent Government in State and c Church, of this Nation, but (hall Live regu- * larly as becomes a Faithful and Loyal Subjeft^ 1 and found and fober Profeffor of the Gofpel, * andlikewife that I fhall be ready When called c to Swear th£ Oath of Allegiance to K. Wil\im\ ' a«d Subfcribe xhzAjfurance, all which Premif- € fes I oblige me to fulfill under the • pain and '- Penaltieof 500 Merks Current Mmey of $tot- * /aWincafeqfFailziej &c. Written by Mr, c Peter Rae Clerk to the Synod and Presbytery of * Dnmfries, &c* Be- ( 202 ) Befides this the fame Presbytery endeavoured feteral times to have the Church of Orr pro- claimed Vacant in Mr. H'% abfence (tho he was not Depoled, but only Sufpended ) in order to have another thru ft in oh the Paroch,but were always oppoied by the Pariftiiners, whofe hearts were firmly knit to M^.H. as their Paftor whom ( tho long detained from them ) they constantly and moft dearly lovedj and deeply reverenced; arid no wonder, a*l things confider- cd : -A/everthelefs many Sinitirous and Jugg- ling Shifts the Minillers fnot all butfomc) of that Presbytery ufed for the £ffe& forefaid ; fuch as that Fa/f ( We may fay Mod-Ftp ) they- appointed tp be kept at the Church of Orr> at which fome of them pretending to keep an Hu* miliationday ( tho not in abftinence from Meat as is credibly informed J near the clofe of their Work difcovered the Intrigue, in fuch a wav as the People prefent perceived that their Faft was only an Engine whereby they intend- ed to wheedle over the Paroch into a Compli- ance with their Purpofe, and therefore one of the Heritors Proterted in Face of the Congrega- tion againtt it, but Maugre this Protection they proceeded. Other In fiances we could name if needful of the like Nature while Mr. H. was under reftraint. Yea we dare adventure to fay the Minifters may juttly be Reputed the Caufes of his Confinement in many refpe&s, as may appear by this, together with other things, that tho from the year 169$ he had been as ly- able to the Council's punirtiment as after in 1 696, Yet the Council did nothing- Judicially a- gainti C 203 ) fjainft him, until the AJfembly Sufpended hini^ ?e i not then cither, until ( as would feem ) omzTMinlfiers had incenfed and prompted the Privy Council againft him ; and likewife that thtCounHVs Sentence proved no trouble to him, after the -Affemhly took off their SufpcnCon; another Injurie Mr. H met with ( where the blame of it lyes, we fhall not determine ) was that daring his Confinement, the Stipends of Orr %vere alienat from him, whofe due they were, and erogat for other ufes, thohe was notDc^ pokd, whereby ( if the Lord had not provided far him otherwise ) he would have been re- daftei to great Hardiliips, Yea, what wag tione wculd not fatisfie many Minifters, but they werefo Imaged that they plyed all Oare to have had him Depofed in the year 1698, a- gaintt which he Subscribed a Protection found- ed on ieveral Reafons, whether it was given in or not we carinot now tell. Amo. 1699, Fefc 3. thefaid Sentence of Stifptnfion was taken off by the General AJfembly as is to be feen in their AA thereanent which mentionerh fome Engag- ments Mr. H. is faid to have then come under ; viz,. That if at any time he Removed frm Orr h fbMi be without Prejudice to the Peace and quiet of \ the Chureh, and that in the meantime he rejolves to - entertain Corrcfpondence with the Minifters of the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright, and $thers & oc- tafion fcrves. for not obferving thefe two things, ' - as amply and in the fame manner a* the r^quir- ers did understand them, Mr. //. hath by j them been often fince Charged. with grofs E(pm .: particularly in ik£ Libel raifed N ( »4 ) Jnno 1704, but when we come that length, w«]| will find what he hath anfwered for himfelf, in oppofition to that Mifreprefentation. The Sufpenfion being taken off he returned to Orr: and there and dfe where ( as he faw him- felf clearly called ) Difpenfed Gofpel Ordinan- ces, as he was wont to do ; and that to the great Comfort of Poor Souls, who had long been deprived of the Publick Ordinances, About the year 1703, when Minifters were required to ' Swear Allegiance to Q. Ann Vrhich the generality of them did ; Mr. H. was Dot only zrecufant and non- Juror but likewiffe, jas in the proceeding Reign, io in this, discover- ed in his Sermons and otherwise the Sintulnefs of Minifters their Swearing it in the manner they did; which occafioned new Complaints a- gainft him from the Synods of Wigtonn and Bum- fries; whereupon a Libel and Snntmonds ( full two ells long, ) were railed againlt him at the inftance of Mr. John Blair Agent for the Church, in the year 1704. Containing 8 charg- ed inftances of Irregularity which the Reader will find Summarly enumerat, and anfwered below. Which Summcnds through Impediments falling in, he could not obtemper, and therefon wrote a Letter of Excufe to the Moderator of the Commijfion, ( before which he was required tc Compear) containing ttfe Reafons of his non- Compearance; notwithftan;1ing this, the faid Commiffion ( June 8. 1704 ) patt another Sen tence of Sufpenfion on him in his abfence, bind ing him up from the exercife of the holy Minifiry and all the parts thereof, until he t fliouldCom peai .' ( 205 ) pear before tbe faid CommiJJion^ as the AEt there* anent at more length bears ,• in which AEl the Xltmrn: appoints him to be of new cjted to Compear before them upon the n of July next,* and then th$y f upon his Compearance ) Cited liim again apud acta ( July 20 ) to compear * before them on the firft Wednesday of September. Albeit his Anfwers to the forciaid Libel might have given Satisfaction to them, and might have •prevailed with! i&ny'who were not Litigious and Prejudiced to del ilV from Mokfting of him in the manner the Judicatories of this Church have done ^11 alongli. His Anfwers were as follows. oAnfwers for Mr. John Hepburn Mini* fier of the Go/pel at Onto the Libel raifed agdinft him , at the inftance . of Mr. John Blair oAgent for the Kjrk. A Ltho I fiill demurr anent the Freedom of the ■"* General Ajfembly of thhChutch,chk&ybecm{c of their ieeningto me,tobe overawed and Preli- mited, in refpett of matters therein handled, while even I humbly fup^ofe, that many of the Ministry themtelves are fenfible they cannot get done fome of the proper Work of Aj}emblieszx\& tho I do yet more hefitate and fcruplca pofitive owning of the Right Conliitution of theCom- iniffions of the fame, much becaufe of their be- ing delegated by Delegates, and many of them O 2 .no .( 206 ) jnot of their own Members, yea foretimes fo as they are Supernumerary to the Ajfcmltycs them- felves, and c loathed with too large a power and with feveral other Reafons, yet am fo fir fatisfied to ftlew all Juftand due refpecUo this National Church, and the Rev. Miniftry thereof, as to give them all the fatisfyftipn I can, in refe- rence to whatsoever appeals , oftqifive.' to ; them in my way, and do humbly ^er to the ferious Confideration of this Commiflipn my following ^Anfwers to the Lyl& forefaid, \ Wherein what- ever I may be. convict flf from" Scripture and'' Reafon as wrong it 13 my fincere defire and Dq- fign to ftudy amendment, as the Lord lifey be pleafed to enable* for which caufe I purpofe herein to ufe all plainnefs, Candor and Ingenu- ity whether in* acknowledging what I have done, or in expreffing what hath moved me thereto, In the firft place then, As to what! am charged with in point of Doftrine, Althol be abundantly fatisfied that there are feVeral Ex- preflions alledged in the Libel, to have been Uttered by me, which were not, and others miferably wrefted by eitherDIminifhfng adding or altering, yet I do own it that I have reckoned my felf under a- manifold Obligation as a Mi- goifter oijefns Chrlfe to teitify again ft the Evils Errours, and Corruptions of the time, arnd that in whomibever, the Ministry themielves not excepted, in fo far as I law thefe very Offenfivtf to the Confidences of many of the Lord's People Uithe Land, and Judged the feme provoking 2nd: ( 207 ) ^ and dishonouring to the Lord himfelfand ten™ ing to bring Wrath upon the Land ; for which I might eafily multiplie places of Scripture, but that I doubt not it's being granted in theft by thefe before whom I anfwer, feeing the Current of Scripture makes for it, fo that all the Controver- iy will be anentthe matters themfelves, againft which I have reftified: Anent which, not tq trouble this Rev. Judicatory with too prolix a •Paper, I mall only at prefent defire a hearing gre I be condemned, with a competent time tQ ^nfwer what may be obktted or alleged. la * tfie fecond place, as to what is Lybelkd of Dis- orderly pra&ices, contrary to Engagments, iuch as Baptizing, and Marrying,Preachin& without- an orderly call, altho fome of the inftances alleged be falfe, yet I acknowledge many of tbem,for which I humbly offerthe following-4*- fwers, imo. It'sNotcuir,that a great many feriou? and Zealous People have from the beginning fince the late happy Revohtion f nnd€T K. Willi- am, yea and for fome years before kept at a di- fiance from the Mini (try of this Church, except- ing only fuch as Were keeping up open Teftimo- ny againft the Corruption and DefeSbns of the time, as well in the MtniMry as in others, zh That I did Concurr with fome others in eodea- Fours for getting this Breach made up and Dif- ferences removed. %:h. That in order to this, there yvere Grievances drawn up and given into fome fevejral AJJemblies who were in cafe and capacity to Redrefe the fame , and fo to bring down that partition Wall. 4^. That I continued ( during tue time of fome fuch in4eavours ) in Com- munie ( 208 ) Hunionwith the judicatories of thi? Gburd)^ and in the ufe of iome means for getting the j People fatisfied and brought into neaweis and Conjun&ion with the Miniftrj, until that. through the not admitting ot our Papers to be read in open Afjembly ( among Which there I was one Subfcribed with the hands oi abi ut i l30oPerions) Matters were almoft rendered i defperat, and all hopes began to fail the Peoples who were waiting for" Redrefs of the r Grievan-1 ces. yo.. This notwithftanding I continued in my former attendance of Judicatories] until fuch time as %e Oath of Allegiance to K. William ( of happy Memory ) with the AfTurance tendered to Afinijlers. , AS ! SUCH, and under the Penaltie of lofing of Office and Benefice in cafe of not Complying therewith, which appeared to me, as an high Att of Efaflianifm and beyond former Incroach- ments and Compliances fince the Revolution^ was clofed with, and taken Uy^ almoft the. whole Minijlry ot the Church, and then jn-> deed I confefe, when feeing Grievances greatly Increafed inftead of being Redrefled,I thought it proper and needful for me, at leaft fo far to fatisfie the Offended People, as to preach among them in Vacant places, and not to refufe unto them the Benefite of Marriage and Baptifm,. when having fatisfying Testimonies from Men of known honefty and Integrity ( even tho their Scruples were fuch as they did not always re- quire Teftificates from their refpeftive Seffions, yea and to Concurf with them fome way in keep ( ^p ) keeping up a Teftintohfe againft fuch things as we could not get Remedied, tto It h:th been the Judgment of many Serous, Sober, and judicious Perfons, who joined with xhzMinijlry, yea, and of fever a! Mihifers themfelves, that it is much Preferable thefe Poor People fhould en- joy the Ordinances when they might have them, in purity and to their fatisfa&ion, without be- ting prejudged againft the Difpenfers thereof, even tho thefe were not their own Paroch Mini- Jfers rather than that they fhould be deprived thereof altogether, and that their Children fhould be left to live for many years, and to die without Baptijw, and they themfelves expofed to much hurt and hazard of Sins and Snares, by being denyed the benefi:e ol Marriage, and as many moe were fome years agon, fo even to this day fome are right defireous, that fuch as will neither own them nor me, fhould receive the Ordinances as Ddpenfed by me, yea eventhoit. were within their own Congregations, I fhall not fay how raviny (uch, by the methods I have takeff, have been brought to attend on Gofpel * Ordinances. Howbeit jmo. I remain ftill inclinable to- whatever Union or Communion can be juftly dcfired, upon feeing of fome fuitable Indeavours ufrd for Redrefs of the moft material of our Grievances, and I doubt not, but the moft part of the People may be brought to the like, which - if refufed, and Severe Meafures taken, without Studying to fatisfy the Confidences of the offend- 4 ed, I fear Breaches may be much widened . Ottav&i G&dVfo As to my Preaching in planted Gon- 'gregatiojjis of late, fince both the People and I conceived Grievances to be heightened by the Mihifters their not regarding all the offence & ftiimbling o{ the People upon the taking of the former Odtb of Allegiance (the contrary where- of Was expefred) butinftead of that, going on to do the like again, when occafion offered, yet as this was but very feldom, To I cm ad- duce fuch Defences with refpeft to the Circum- stances attending every* fuch Aftion I amor can be charged with, as ihall, if not juftify, yet at leaft extenuat the'lame, even in the Eyes of all unbyafled Perfons. And \mo. As to Annand) it is an utt«r miftake, as it is alfo that when I did Preach there, it was without any Invitation from the Magiftrates y the ton- trary whereof can be made appear, zdo. As to Salinaghie \ wholly difown the taking violent pofieflion of that Church, It's true I Preached there at the defire of fome in that Paroch, with which I did the rather comply, that it Mras my humble Opinion they were much lefed by the precipitant and rafh Sentence of Depo- lUionagainft their Minifter, which in my own Conference, I could not homologat, and there- fore conceived my felf bound to teftify againft the fame, both by Word and Deed, though not in fuch way as is alleged in the Lybel. $tio. As to Galfkouny it was on the earneft defire of the People on a Week-Day, when there was ho Sermon at the Church, and juft on my way homeward from Clafgowj as alfo Where there; is- a multitude of People that do not hear their mtm ■f 211 J Jyfiaift^rs. 4/0. As to WhitehiSAa F^nUhyit fc a place remote from chit and all other Ghurc/*e$ tying coaveiiient for the People in rhat Country, whodifTent from their Miniftej-s^ At which place I only Preach'd once, fince char Paroch was planted, though fbme ieverai times before, and particularly at that una.' when the .-Lord's Supper was Admmiared at Ncxi^??iilm j: which was to have been the Sabbath before ac< cording to the Minifrers publick Intimation, fo I was not to be blamed tor having a Meeting lb near them, as if I ha3 done, it defignedly. nfequencesof not tak- ing courfe with me, and forbearing to exercii^ Ghurch-Cenfures againft me, I ftial] only fay, that I fee them not, and do leave it to the Cornmiffions confideration, and more efpecially, to judge whether or nor the Judgement of thefe BrGtheren upon any their being for Leni- ty hi the Cafe, be not too harfh, rafh, and prepofterous (I wifh the lame may not flow from a worfe Principle than I will expref?)and whether or not, aftfer this, thefe can be fu- ftained as Judges and not as Parties : And laftly, the moll of the Confequences thefe Brttktren fuggeft as like' to follow upon the ufe of Lenity, I am confident are much more like- ly toerifue upon fuch Meafuresas'they violent- ly prefs. To conclude, as I am heartily forry for the oceafion of this Apology, fo I ' intreat this Rev. Commifr, may conftrue favourably thereof, and pfoteft for the vindication of Truth,and ray own clearing before this Church and the World in all time copiing, "that thir Prefects be Regiftrate and kept in retentis. Sub- fcribed at Edinburgh July 19. 1704. Jo. Hep- burn. Notwithftanding this, the Commlfr. refolv- ed to proceed to confider the Lybel : And he be- ing called, his aboyewritten Anfwers were read, and the Comrnij]: defired he might adej tvhat further he had to fay for explication of his Avfwersfiz of what he had in the forefald Com- niiuecexptelTsd; Whereupon, he declared hI5 ( 2H r > his qyrhing the former Anfwtrs^d gave in the following Paper. For explaining my mind in what J delivered to ?fo Committee, in anfwtr to their Queries on * the Lybel, / crave leave to add as by way */Poft- fcript jo my written Defences ordAnfwers. i. That 1 positively dijown what's faid in the Lybel mint my calling them guilty of their unworthy Communicating, who fit at the Lord's Table with* Terfons unfan£tifud y efpeciatly, if Scandalous in any degrees. Whatever -Testimony J might have born dgainfi thee too lax Admijfion (by fome) of Communicants. 2. For the Reafons of my not admtnifiring the Ordinance of the Lor as Supper thefe 16 years bygone y they are in part obvious % viz. That till the firfi Sentence of Suipenfion wo* taken off me y I had no cleamefsto own my \ (elf as the fixed Paftor of that Congregation of Orr, and thereafter there were fuch differences between she Minifters and the People, and likeways betwixt the Minidcts and me , and other fuch unfufferable difficulties as rendered it impracticable if not im- pofjible^.^s to my faying that thisChurch had gone off the foundational trufi^I am not fo much asfufpe- Ued to have faid this fimply, but with fome Expli- cation and Application thereof al/enarly to the Go- vernment , whichbeing. in thir later Times founded on the Inclinations of the People ^ and in my Opi- nion no fuitable Teftimony born by the Church 4gainjt this, but rather this complyed with, and the Government only afferted as agreeable to the koor&ofQod, which even thefe ytfoo are for an Ambulator inef s oj Government will r acknowledge it appeared to me af a going off the right founda- tion ( 22? J tionin this refpett. 4. As to what I actvm- ledged, that perhaps I might have fdid % that the Cunts -buried the Covenants, W/0W Presfey te- rian-Minifters/W as it were put the /tone upon them\ the thing 1 have mean' d thereby (if I fo fpoke y and it is like have exprefjed) is y that fome fuch do bury the fame in Oblivion, making no . honourable mention thereof as occafion offers, but rather do fpeak again ft their binding force, and do rather hinder than further the revival, aud rc\ ntwing of the fame. Sic fubferibitur, Jo. Hepburn ^ Moreover the abovementioned Committee ap- pointed to compare Mr. H.'s Anfwers ( a- bove infert ) with the Charges in the Lybd y fcaufed read over the fever al heads cf the * Lyb. Article by Article, Interrogating him about what they thought not diftinctty Anfwered in his written Defences : And fo being Interro- gat as to the firft Article of the fir(t head of the Lyb. wherein he was accufed of faying in Pub- lick Prayer [Lord,fend forth Labourers into thy Church in this Land, what can one- Man do ? ] he declared he did not remember that ever he had fuch an Expreffion, and faid, that if hq had, he had been in the wrong. A$ to the 2d. Art* Charging him with having that Aflertion in his Sermon, Namely, [that thefe who fit at the Lord's Table with Ferfons.Unfan£tified,efpecial~ ly if Scandalous in any degree, are guilty of their Unworthy Communicating] he I)ifown- " pd that part ot the Aflmion, [ Scandalous in any ( 226 ) any aegree, or Perfons Unfan&ified. 3 the ^i. Art. accufing hirrt of faying that [the Mmificrs of Scotland, are now come to a poor pals that cannot dtfeern betwixt a painted Hypocrite and 3 Bruifed reed ] he anfwered, he did not re- member that he ufed thefeExpreffions in term- nis. To the 4. Art. wherein he is Lybelled as Fiaving faid thtt [ there are few Minifters in Scot, that he durft adventure to join with, as his fellow Communicants, if he were to Cornniunicat] he declared it was 3, miftake as to the Word [ Few ] the «J Art. about his not partaking of inor giving the holy Sacrament of the Supper for more than 1 6 years before that time; he ac- knowledged, and faid he would give R^afons for \t y if it were the proper time. As to the firft and fe coral Articles of the ft- - cond Branch anent his preaching at Annand and Balwaghie, the Committee found them,touched in the written Anjwers. Being interrogat anent the Expreffions he is faid in the Lybel to have hid at the place latt mentioned, he difowued all fuch Exnreffions, except that anent the Churches going off the Foundation, and faid he T could ex- plain himfelf. As to the 4. viz,. His citing Mat. 24. 48, &c\ He doth riot pofitively deny it, but how he is faid to haye applyed it, he re- ferrs to Probation, as to that part of the' Lybrf^ charging him with faying that ( if he faw the Xady Balmagthie he would difcharge her to |et the Minijhrs in at the Door, who were feint by the Presbytery to Supply there, ) he denys that ever hz [poke fo in Publick. The £. Art. -lleg- ( 227 ) . alleging that he faid [ the night wherein thp Presbytery Depofed Mr. Mmillan they were run- * ning the Devil's errand ] he referred to Probati- . on. The Committee found the 7. 8. 9. 10. Ar- ric/a of that Branch Anlv/ered in his written Defences. As to the 1. Art. of the ^.'Branch, ' accufihg him of faying that [ Minijlers.cU^td ' iPeopIes heads, and propbaned thcSacrament of * the Lord's Sppper, by giving it to Drunkards ' if ad Swearer?, and if they got not another Reli- 4 fcfoh, they and their Religion would goto the bottom lefs. Pit] he did not difown theSubftance of theie Expreflions, but alleged that the Lybcl as to that Art. is too general, being extended very far beyond his meaning/ The 2. Art. of \ this Branch, allegeth that at the BaptiGng of fome Children at Calder [ heregrated it as, an ■'evidence of the great Degeneracy of this Church, tq fee honelt People's Children of ib great an Age ere they could get the Benefite of Bap ilm. ] Mr. H. owned, that fomethjngrc- * ferring to that might have been faid, but his !Memory didnot feivehim, fo as to remember every particular. As to the 3. Art. viz.. His % laying in his Sermon on Zeph. 2. 3. that all the * f^'kept by Minifters iince the RevoUtwi, did nothing but add Fewel tothe Flames of GODfs Wrath, and did noways appeafe the fame ) he jrefem it ' to Probation. As to" tie- 5. Art. wherein he is accufed of calling, the Oath of * Allegiance to Q. A. The Black Oath, the Black Covenant) he acknowledged he might have call- ed the Oath of Allegiance Impofed on Minifters, AS SUCH, a Black Oath, but denyed that ever C 225 ) he called it a Covenant. The 5. 'Art. Charging! him with faying in Publick, that; [ the MtniA fiers held formerly of CHRIST, but hadchang-* 2 cd their holding, and now hold of the Qneen^ and hajj put CHRlSTs Crown oh her head, ) be referred to Probation. As to the 6, V ^* M His faying, that the Stipend was their Motive^ or Temptation: to wrong their own Consciences, 1 fl 'and that, if the People were worth their Eats,^ they would give thefe Minifters no Stipend ) " he faid he did not reunember, that ever he ufed that Expreflion ( worth their Ears ) The 7. Art. anenfr his faying, ( they are neither Jurats nor " Presbyterians but Lukewarm Laodiceans, that V GOD would fpue out of his Mouth ) he difoivn-T 8 cd. As to the laft part of the 8 Art. whcreiq Ij tie is Charged with faying in his preaching that I the Black Grats (as he termed them ) killed |i Chrift Jefue, and the Presbyterian Mimliers and ProfefTors of this Nation, had laid the Stone on his Head he faid he did not remember that ever he ufed thefe Expreflions with relation to CHRIST, but faid it was like he might h?.ve faid fb with refped to the Gvenant : The Committee found the 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Branches of the Lyhl an- {weredin his written Defences, and finding he lad acknowledged the.moft Material Heads thereof, thought it not needful to Examine any Witneflcs. Thereafter thtCom. put it to aVote, whether or . not- the Lyhl as Confelled , was Relevant to infer* aCenfur,and it carried in the Affirmative; And lb the Witneffes were difmifTed without ever being examined. He being called gave in write an Anfwer to a Queiiion they had prepofed to fcirn. Thus, *m* ( 229 ) V I Mr.]dhn Hepburn refolve and purpoje, t* hfiay and Exercife my Mint firy at Orr fi//Scptem- i ber next, and not to exercife any part of my 1 Afiniftry, without the faid Parifh, vithdut an t Orderly Cdl according to the QnfHtutions of this ? Church. Vvhich Anfwer he did Sabfcribe' in defence of the Qmmiffion, who hereupon voted d de- fy of the Procef still the firli Wednefday of Sep- tember next. And Rebuking him for bypaffs iri+ joined him to walk more Orderly m time con^ingy and cited him npud a6ta to attend tfo Cok^ijjion[ 7 at the time for ef aid ; which Citation he got 'not obey- ed through his Families lndifvofuion ; and Jo the Commiffion m$de an AEl anent him bearing in the end thereof a new Citation, requiring bis Compear* ance before them on the fir ft Wednefday of Decem- ber next to come : And being then called and Com- pearing -he gave in a Paper de firing that the Com* ptijfion muld appoint a Committee of Iv^inifters and Elders, to come into the bounds of Nithfilal.e or Galloway^ to conferr with the People anent. the Grounds of their -withdraw nig ; as aifo fome of us the People his adherents, being ivith him at Edinburgh, gave in another Paper to the fame pirpofe, unto -hhich the Commiflion had J3 much regard, that they appointed a Committee confining of About ten MimjferSf and about three Ruling Elders: with fome others Re fommended to meet /tfSanqubair, on the firfl Wednefday of February ; No twith [landing the Oppofhion made therettnto by lbs Commiffioners of the Synods of Dumfries and Galloway, who Sw~ % fcribed a Protection {which they craved might he Recorded ) againji the delay of the Sentence, and a? gainfi the Lenity Exercife d toward x\irx H. Ac- cord? [I ( n° ) fordingly that Committee met at .Sariqufrait/d/M 1 and there we Exhibited a Paper containing 28 Gne- n varices <# r^ Chief Grounds of our thn (landing at a Affiance from the Miniflry upon which that Rev. Com- inii tec & we Amicably & pleafantly cpnjtrred a fall week ; in which Conference we chearfully acknowledge i we received miich Light and SatisfaElion as tQ many things lycerein we were dark before ; And it u not to be pafjed over in Silence, that thefe things which ye, tQ that Committee, represented as our principles were by them publicity 4_nd expjefiy - approve and declaredly adhered unto, and they E#j>Ucitely thank-, ed GODythat there &ju fucb an Agreement in Prin- ciples- After the whole Paper of Grievances was gone ov£f y the (Joinmifiee made C 232 ) 2. That the A(f. wouldjratify tfcefe AUs a- nent the Magijtrats their being obliged to take I; cur Covenants before their Inflalment in their " Refpe&ive Offices and places; and would from i : : GiVJ k; B:: ! 1 I as ft 1 k C t futtably Tcftifie their Refentment of Omiffions in this point as to what ispaft. 3. That the Aft would approve ;i!l the faithful Witncflinga" and Con tendings of the LORD s People in our late timfcs in adhering to the Covenanted iWdrk af Refornjati on, from Mr. James Guthrie to Mr. Barnes Renvpick inclufi?K. ^ 4, Tiatthe Aft. would by an A&. aflert the Divine Right of Preshytcrjt with our Lord Jefus CHRISTs alone headlhip in and over the Church, and the Churches in- trinfick Power flowing therefrom, containing in it a Teft wony againft what Ufufpation hatb formerly been made, either on the one or l\\€ other. 5. That all pbflible means be u fed by . thin Church, for Purging her of Corrupt Officers and Members, by Inflicting Cenfures lmparti- jj ally, according to So ip:ure, and former Pra- ftiocrof the Church, especially on Abjured Cu- rates., allowed by Authority. 6. That the bind- ing Force of our Covenants 9 be after ted by an A61 ofAjf.zrid fame Methods laid down for their Renotffcion,fo as may be molt for GODs glory, 4 His Churches good, and the fatisfaciion of hi? People. 7. ThatChrittian Methods be fallen on by the Aft: for removing Offence given by Jldtmjiers Swearing the Allegiance and Aflu- ranee'. 8. That the Aft judicially and practi- cally approve, and Do&rinally confirm ( with relation to our prefent Circumftaftccs ) what i$ written by Mrs. Gillefpie and Binning, againft Sin- c 2?? ; iSinful Affoqiations, 9. That the Af take care, 'ito have all good A&s for Difciplinc put in pra- ! ( 5iice, efpecially in xhtSgnth and Weft ef Scotland* 10. That the Commijfien, Be Regular , fo as there may be a jluft proportion ot Members from Presbyteries and fo limited in their lnftrti3i~ ons as they may not be capable to Prejudge the Church, and that the mott Pious and Serious be put upon it, &c, n. That the Aff: would Ratifieallthe Laudable A#jofthis Church, be- twixt 1638, and 1649, inclufive. This Paper of ' Propofals theCommittce after read ing of it among themfelves refufed to receive, as'wanting In(tru6tions fo to do : And Jo the Conference broke up j this being the Refylt of the whole, that we the People were in ma- ny things better informed, and received the forefaid Overture oft their hands, promifing to Communicate the fame to our Refpe&iveSocie- , ties and ifpoflible to Report our Anfwer ( as the United Voice of us all ) to the next Qomm\(fion i withal we (till infifted upon our Propofals as which we could not pafs from, being what would fatisfie us as to joining with the prefent Ministry : and thus we parted,in a Friendly and Loving manner, after the Moirx had Prayed, Sung the 135 Pfal. from the 7 verfe to the end , and pronounced the Bleflrng. This Committees A6lingswcre approven by the Ccmmiffion, and they received thanks. Mr. H. being cited and called, did Compear at the faid Gommiffion, and upon the favourable ac- count theMeuibers of that Committee had given of him ; his Sentence was delayed an$ the the whole Affair was referred to the* Af. which (Apr. but only hi* free & faithful difpenfmg oiClniji's Ordinances moftly at Qrr,and fornetimesin other places elfewhere •where ha was called by honeft People, who through \ *59 J throu gh this Churches refuting to hear and re* drefs their weighty Grievances, could not com- fortably join in pubiicfc Ordinances in the places where they refpeftively lived, and fo were in a very necertitous Condition for wan{ of the Adminiftration of the Gofpel amongll tkm, and it is clear the Miniliers themfelves judged that nothing proven was a fuflkient ground for any Sentence, much lefs for fuch aa one, except his not joining with the Presby- tery, and hisfupplying the necertitous condi* tion of theforefui People, when they earnest- ly invited hmi, for if Mr* H, would have de- fifted froai thele two, they offered to lettheic Procefs fall •, fo fcing thefe two were all the real gronnds the A$* ftuc];by in depofinghim, and ieing Mr. H. had fo valid Reafons for the faid two things, and thefe Reafons Co often laid out before the Afj. and Commij). all impartial and unbyafled. Perfons cannot but fee how groundless and unwarrantable their Sentence was, after the parting of it, Mr.//, and we ;he People proteflcd thus. :w "Hereas I have been ProcefFedofoldand and of late before feveral Judi eateries uf c this Church for things by them alledged Cen- 1 furable, as is at further length contained in f the Lybcli tho' I humbly think fome way 1 (atufyirigly anfwered in the Replys given tQ 4 the fame, and whereas notwithftanding the ( faid hnfwers^ this hff. infifts upon the Troctfs \ to the parting of this Sentence of Dc^ofition^ t 340 ; c therefore I muft crave in all humility, the 4 freedom to declare and proteft againft the * fame as un>uft, upon the grounds following. 4 1. There is nothing contained in. the Lybtt 4 appearing tome fo valid or material, as to * warrand the fame, conform to the grounds * upon which this Church ufually found (uch a 4 Sentence according to Scripture-, but things 4 either falfe or irrelevant for fuch a weighty * Sentence, or things which I judge my felf 'bound in Confcience before the Lord to ad- 4 here unto, as the Reply s at more length (yet 4 unanfwered) do (how, And their unanimous 4 Propofal to acquit mc from the whole Procefi 4 and Lybel upon Condition of prefent fubmiffi- 4 on, and orderly joining in Communion with 4 this Church in time coming, as alfo it ap- * pears from the refufal of many ol the moft * Pious and Judicious in this A(f. to concurr in c parting the Sentence. 2. Notwithftanding 4 that I ha,ve again & again with concurrence of c of the People reprefented many Grievances, as 4 the Caufes of our withdrawing, yet never fa- 4 tisfyinganfwered, and now when a Committee 4 was defired by us, and granted by the late *-CbmmiJJim for a Conference in order to 4 Peace, and feme hopeful beginnings of fuch a 4 great Mercy following thereupon, thus to 4 to proceed without any regard to the fame, 4 is very grievous, and furely will hinder the 4 advancement of that Peace and Union fo -much 4 longed and prayed for, and endeavoured af- 4 ter by the Godly on all hands : I therefore i muft declare my having no acceffion to the 4 ob- C 34* ) ^obftru&ion of fuch a great Marcy, and hope* 4 1 fhill be free whatever conTequMCes. pr^juai- 4 cialtothis Caurch may enfue upoa the laid 4 Sentence; Therefore, I prateft againft the 4 fame : And in the laft place I declare my Ad- 4 herence (as formerly) to this Churches Re- * formation in all it's parts, and Proteftsagainii * whatever is in the fame offenfive to a jealous 1 God, and juftly ftumbiing to the Godly •, 4 conform to feveral Papers produced to the 4 worthy Committee it Sanchwair, craving leave 4 to extend this my Protejiatior* in ample form 'afterwards, and in the mean time upon the 4 whole, I hereby take Initruments for my felf 4 and in name of fuch Perfons as are here Sub- 4 fcribers in rwrae of the People by whom they 4 are Commiflionat, and require this to be Re- 4 corded ddfuturam rei memoriam in the hfl\ * Books. Sic fubferib . % H. Commiffioners from the People. G M. J. M- J. M\ R. M c m. J. G. J. L. G. G. T. M. J. H. W. L. J. T. Thereafter April 13. 1705. The Parochiaers cAOrr declared their firm and faithful Adhe- rence to him as thwtr Mimfter (notwithftand- ing the forefati Sentence) in a Paper bearing, that they offered him a Call annv i6$<\ (Sub- fcribed by the plurality uf the People) toPreach the Oofpel occafionally amongft them, as his con* r 242 ) convenience and fafety c< uld allow ? And that thereafter anno 1086, thdy gave hi ra another Call more generally Subfcribed} And after- ward anno 1689, legaHy and unanimoully prefented to him a Call to fettle and abide with them, promifing Subjsftion and Obedience in the L6rd,unto him in the Exercifeot hisMini- ftery, and that before there was any formal Presbytery of Miniftcrs at Dumfries ; which Three feveral Galls he accepted, taking pop- fefion of and Preaching in the Kirk of Orr "at thedefireof the whole^Paroch : And that, dur- ing the whole Time ht bad Laboured among them, they had nothing 5 meriting Depofition to objeft againfl him, bqt that they cheerfully and cordially own him, &c. This Adherence (which we need not infert at lull length, be- caufe their Protection underwritten compre- jiendsitj was fubferibed by ay aft number of hands. Upon the firft of May, they Protefted againft the faid Sentence, thus ? Deposition paf 4 /frMr. John Hephxrn, upon the 9 of April y 1 in this currenr Year 1705. by the Ajf. of 1 thisN.uional Church, do, for the Glory of f GQD, the Exoneration of our Co r iiciences, . 'and for a Tettimorr/ to Jmth judge it our ne? * cciTary Duty and moft Incumbent on g*, ia the T ( *43 ) * the prefent Juncture, to enter our Protejlathn 4 againft the iame ( being fo unju-t in it ielf^ c and moli injurious to us ) for the Rcafam fot- * lowing, i. There being fuch a near and dear c Relation of Pajhr and People betwixt him and 4 us, *nd that for iuch a confidcrable timetrf 16 4 years Specified in hisZ/yM,(which time we own 4 and that we gave him one or two Calls before i the late Revulsion to be our Minifter ) in our 4 Judgment we ought to havre iuch a Sentence had pad againli 4 tiim, which was not done. 2. Bv any thing 1 we cm iearnftom either Lybel ( which was * not Judicially proven ) or Additional Repre- 4 fentarions fitted wilh falle Alperfions, brought 4 in againft him by the Presbyttry o( Dumfries 4 and Kirkcxdb. or by any other whatioever c f altho there have net been wanting the out- 4 mofl Stretches of eager indeavours to fearch f out his faults, and many thing* laid to his f Charge he knew not) there is nothing offered « to GiM'miffion or A(f. io Material and Valid; J As to Warrand fuch a Senter.ce, conform to f the Grounds upon which this Church ufuaHy f founds the iame, according to holy Scripture, f. as I^normce^ Supine- negligence y Error dud Scan- i daious praEHces\d\\ we hear was pretended by ! the Mod -rat or of the A[f. and contained in the « JtS of Dcpo fit ion read by the Clerk, were • 4 iome Irregularity* (as they were plea.Gd to. EK-prds tlicfe things which he reckoned his ■ duty C 244 ) duty, and which were occafioned by theit walking contrary to the Rule of GODs Word, and Afts of former j4jfcmblies, confo- ! nant thereunto ) Co which he gave Replys in our Judgment, faiisfying, or at leaft fuch as nvght have fomeway alayed that heat and fervor of Spirit ftirred up in (o many,fo as not to have hurried them to this Violent Courfe, they have taken; if the Irregularities alleged be fach as can warrand fo heavy a Sentence, anddeferve fo high a Cenfure as this of Uepo~ fiihn, how could the^j^ all the feveral times of his Compearance before them, .offer to pafs him upon his prefent Subje&ion and joining with this Church t And how unaccountable is is it that many Carats, guilty of far more Irre- gularis, yea of leveral Fundamental Errors in Do&rine, and Scandalous pra&ices, areTp- lerat, at leaft Connived at, in the City of £- dinbargh, and \u many other places of this Kingdom, to the cr^at Grief of the Hearts of both Godly Mmifttri and Profcffors through the Action? Nay, it can be proven, that' fome Presbyterian Minifters guilty of fad No- tour Scandals are waved, or puffed with a private Rebuke, or at furthelt upon their De- moting their prefent Charge, while they con- tinue preaching elie where, what partial deal- ing is this, that our Minittcr fojfaid mult be thusS?verefy dealt with, when others guilty of Grievous Enormities, wicked and Ungodly, Men, and Enemies to ail Presbyterian Govern- ment, and fome who call themieives Presbjh urians, yet moft Corrupt are let alone or lightly C 2 45 ) 1 lightly parted by ; by which it evidently 1 appears, that prejudice ruled in faffing this 1 Sentence rather than Confcience, 3. The 1 Commiflkmers from the Synods of Dnmfr. and 1 Wigtoun, who evidenced themie Ives to be par- * ties, were permitted to fit in Aff. when this * Affair was Agitat and not only influenced all ' the Membtrs they could to carry on their > Draught butalfo introduced Mr. Andrew Came- ron (tho' no Member, as he btmfelf declared, * and had no Commiffion from the Presb) who ap- i peared tnoft vigoroufly and virulently againft *our Minitler by a long winded DilcottTe, i while Mr. Hepburn was permitted but once to c come coram that day the Sentence pail, to lpeak 4 for himfelf, and fo furiou was the motion that ' fcarce any Member (how Rfverend md Judi* 1 cious foever) could be allowed with patience * to utter one word in his behalf. 4. The bet- ter part in the AJJ. were *gainH the forefaid * Sentence, whofe calmer M nds give them lei- * fure toconfider the bad and Tad efte&s it would ' have; And as for thole who voted the iame, *fom$ofthem are guilty of fuch Defections in c the late Times as deferved DeDofnion accordipg, * to the jtfis. of former Ajfimblies, which ex- 4 prefly condemn MiniHers for their reserving *and not declaring themielves againft the pu- * blick and prevalent fins of the times 4 wherein they Hv'd : Yea heretofore, fi- * lence or ambiguous fpeaking in the publ'ck * Caufe was judged Cenfurable ; As alfoindiffc- 1 rency or neutrality therein was reckoned a de- J frauding, and a becoming highly guilty of the . ' Blood C 246 ) 'Blood of Sdu Is, in nor giving them faithful * and free warning of the duty and danger of the 1 day ; others being ymn^ Men were too much •influenced by luch who vifib'y appear to be ' poffeffed with prejudice againlt our Miniflerj ' and but little acquainted with the valiant c wre(iline;s, and couragious contendings of ' ChriH's chearful and chofen ChamDions in for- 'mer Times of the Churches Sufferings, and 'feme particular Perfons belonging to the Twq 1 Synods forelaid, who acted molt briskly in this 'bufmeis, are under no good report. And 5. 1 Air this was d ne when Mr. Hepburn was un- 1 der Terms of Peace and accomodation, having 'met with a Committee of Minifters at $*nqHh*ir . appointed by the Conwijfin for that end ; Thus * to proceed without any regard to the lame, c is very grievous, and fhrely will hinder the * advancement of that Peace and Union fo c much longed for, Prayed for, and endeavour- ' ed after by many of the Godly on all hands : 6 And if this be the way toredreis Grievances zxA * heal the breaches of the Lord's People, let io- 6 ber and ferious Men juige; If this ccujfe c prove the beft expedient to remove Humbling c blocks out of the way of thoie who are already* * fo mtich offended, the event nrw in fliort time f difcover, tell it not in Gath, pxblifb it not in the k precis o/Afokelon left Malignants and Papijis. 1 rejoice that Presbyterians have^Depofrd him who ^was fuch an Huemy to their accm fed ways, iancl deftroyed fo m.iny Monuments of UcUiry, c We upon theie and i^eral other Confide- hauons, do hereby Proieii againil ihefoieiaid Sen- C 2+7 >. . 1 Sentence of ' Depofoion part againlt cur Minifter y 1 and Protelt againit the Presbytery of Dumfr. 1 their coming to our Church of Oat, in fuch a € precipitant and unbecoming manner to inti- . ' mate the iime, an 1 their producing a Paper for 1 that eftect, tho' rent by aMan not of theParoch, € but occafiooally prefent, that it could "not be 4 read, for which realon together withoth^r?, 1 which makes the thing altogether*! 5 legal, being * not on a Sabbath-4 a y betwixt Scioions as it 1 fhoiikl have been when publickly intimate to 1 the Congregation, befiJes the confiderations c which in foro dhjno make the forefiid Sentence 1 null, we do not acknowledge our Church Va- 1 cant .• As alio, we hereby Proteli againfl this 'Synod, becaufe of its urgent inrtiea T ion to and € chief concurrence id the laid Sentence by the c Commiffioners of the feveral Fresbyteries therein; c And in the la(t pi ice we declare our firm A J- * berence to this Churches Reformation in all his 'pans ; and Proteft again!! all the Defections 1 thereof, fummarly contained in the Paper 1 of 1 Grievances prefentcd 'to the Qwmttse ai San- 1 qvihair^ and Ordain this our Protection (crav- * mg leave to extend the fame afterwards in * ample form) given at the Kirk of Orr M*y r. 1 1705. to be delivered to the Synod of Dum- ' fries fitting in the K irk thereof, upon the 8 of 4 this Month by our Comm'jfnwrs Ncminat for ' that end, viz,. A. Mm. J. My J. % Moreover fome of us read Protections in au- dience of tbeCongregations where we refpe&ve- ly refided ; and after reading affiled them to the Churcir _ ( 248 J Church-doors ; as a Teftimony againft- Mini- fies their Reading the Att anent Mr. Hepburn's Deposition before their People: Yea not only we bis former Adherents were highly offended, but mmy others alfo, both Mintfters and pri- Vat Chriftians, many Godly and Judicious Mi- nifters votfdagainfi it, and levcal did not (as they were m joined) read the Ail in their Con- gregations : Ye3 it was vifible to all ,• that the Matter was done in fuch a fermenr and rage, as was moft unluitable to any judicatory, at any tune, but efpecially to an Afj. and in fiich a weightyMatter, which occafioned one ohhzMcnt- hrs gravely to challenge iome of his Brethren whom he faw tranfported witi? paffion beyond due bounds. Moreover, hdw fad was it, that when before he wasDepoled, not only was there any appearance of an hopeful Spring-time a? to Religion among his Hearers in that bounds, but 1 ike wife Popery in that Corner was on the decay- ing hand, through the meafures he with the Sejfion was deeded to fall upon againft the pro- . fefl'ors thereof ; Whereby in all probability the place ere now Would have been freed from them? We fay how fad was it, that this ChuKch be- came inrtrtimental in Hopping and crufhingbotb thefe defirable Works, fo that from that to this time Mitters have not had fo promifing an ap- pearance ? for Inrjbefe Sentences ofChurth and State, and the manifold diflurbantes, he wa$ thereby expofed unto, Papifis were encouraged and emboldened, vice foftered, and beginnings of good in others were extinguimed and dif- couraged : Yet this Sentence no ways retrained Mr. **— ( 2 49 ) fc«r. H. from the Exerciie of the Miniflf y, but upon his return to Orr, he preached and per- formed the other parts of hisMinifierialWork as freely, faithfully an J afluiuoufly as bcfore;where- at the Adiniflers Were more and more offended* as they teftified by their Invidious Complaints upon him to the Qmmiffion in Mtrch^ and there- after to the A([. in April 1706. whic^, by their j4tt,April. We Incorporat with a Nation deeply Guilty -of many NaiionaJ Abominations, who have openly Brcke and Burnt their Covenant with GOD, and League with Us, entered into in the Y-ar 164.3. Are Sworn to the M,amtain- ance of Abjured Prelacy, have their Publick and Eltabfifbed Worfiiip horridly corrupted with Superfiition and Idolatry; Ana their Do&rioe dread fir Uy Leavened with Socinianifa and Ar- rini4fitfcn x Befides tbe moll Grofs and Deeply amcnuble ProkueneJTs _ that abounds among t them* id). C 251 ) ido. We would thereby bind up our Hancf* from Profecuting the Ends of our League and Covenant , while Incorporating with them ttpon Terms quite Prejudicial thereunto, And fuch as whereby we could not but dishonour # our GOD, and bring His Wrath upon us, on this Account -, And hence for our parts, the Fear of GOD makes us abhore any thoughts of thus Tmbodying with them, or of any Union whatfoever of that fort, without making this our joint Covenant the Primary and Funda- mental Article thereof. Itio. We can never for our Parts Own ot Connive at the Civil Places of Church-Men, and that Bifhops ftrould have a Legislative Pow- er, and Authority over us : Yea, We reckon the Title of Spiritual Lords, given to them as Blalphemous, The Lord CHRIST being the One enly LORD in His Own Houfe. qto. It is an Extream Grievance to us, to think, That not 1 only the lntereft of the Church of England ihould be fecured by an Oath of Abjuration, while that ot ours is left to the Will and Dif- t ret ion of the EngUJh in a Britijb Parliament* But withal, for any thing we fee or hear of as yet; Many in this Nation will be obliged to take the faid Oath : Which confidering the 2d. Aft of Parliament, To which it refers, can- not be done, without both Inferring Guilt on our Part, Endangering our Church,and inevit- ably taufing many Jcaloufies, Heart-burnings, and raott grievous Ruptures amongft us. 5*0. When we think how the Great GOD, 7*ho fixes the Bounds of Peoples Habitations, R has ( 252 ) pas granted to us this Land •, And by a very pe- culiar Providence has Preferved us as a FREB NATION, thefe 2000 Tears, when many o- ther Nations, Greater and Mightier than We have been Difperfed, and their Memory ex- tin^ y How unaccountable does it appear to us, that we ifhould Deftroy our Selves, and make a Voluntar furrender of our Liberties, So- verjigmty, and Independency^ And that when our GOD has fo often interpofedjjya MarveU loas Providence for our Deliverance and De- fence, from the Encroachment* and Invafions of Forreigners, and Injurious Neighbours ! Wefhould now diftruft our PROTECTOR, and chufe JEngland for the ground of pur Con- fidence, our Shield and Stay, Which as we 'Jock upon as contrary to GOD's Word, So levifc co our SACRED COVENANTS, Whereby, according thereto, we are bound to maintain the Privilegesof oar Parliaments, and e 'Liberties of the Subjects. 6to. We cannot fee what Security *ve can liave for whftt ever is dear to us, that we need to have feeured in cafe of an Incorporating Vni- on w,ith England, lave only their bare Promife, ,who have broken the mod- Solemn Tyes of Sa- cred Engagements, and all Bonds of friend- ship, Confederacy and Neighbour hQod, thefe t*ufl$red Yaars bygone^o the estream hurt, & . hazard both of our Church and State, aad have even ftill^ fmce ever we came under one Head with th^m,, been in appearance {ee^ifl& our Euin£# 7#wy ( 2*3 > . ' ym9. For any thing we can fee, if this Uni? on (houldgq on, either we behooved to Ruin deubt bcf pleaded,that the Diflenters in both Parts of the Nation {faould be equally dealt with \ And yet for us we cannot without Horror think of the Sin,- and ftnfuf Confequences of a* Toleration* Here. ; 8 v6. Our Hearts do Tremble to think what bitter Fuiits of Fa&ion, Parties, and incurable' Breaches' the going into 1 this Union may pro-) duce, and haw eifie ari Accefs thro' this and the great Ferment of the' Nation it may make for the pretended fCingjfo/aw the Eight to cqme to the Throne y Atleaft we cannot underfiani * how this Union can pat a Bar thereupon, but rather have ftrong and; not groundlefs Fears of its tending to the contrary- And as to the matter* of Rents, and Irritation among thefe in our Bounds, We are very fare that they who have hitherto complained of the continuance, fcy Aft of Parliament, offo many Prelatiftsin Churches, pf "the Connivance at others in Meetinghoufes, of InCtoachments made oft Aff^mbUes in their Adjournments and Diifo- lution v and otherwife alfo in the mattery, of Faffs and Oaths •, And of the not duly Execut* ingof good laws a&ainft Papifts, Quakers, and V ^54 ) ether Heretical and Profanely Scandalous Per- fons, will then have their Grievances greatly /ncreafed, and who knows what may be the iflus thereof. gno. We cannot fee how it can confift with this Union, to endeavour to bring ;to condign Punilhment Malignants , or Enemies to Reformation, which is plain Duty in it felf, and to which we.ftand Solemnly engaged by our Covenants-, Yea, fuch being readied to take the Sacramental Teft ot England, are near- eft to advancement, and no Scots man can be Advanced in England without it f whereas any Englifhman may be in place ofTruft inScotUnd, bo w oppofit foever to our Government. Vpon all which and many mot fuch Weighty Jleafons, we could offer, and are offered by others f whofeek the welfare of the Church , and Kingdom, Tho wefolemnly Protefi and Profefs, that we are not again/tan Vnion in the LORD, with England, And fuch as may be confident with the Liberty of cur Nation^ and with our j acred Covenants, and fecurity of our Church ", Tet we cannot but alfo Protefi , Likeas hereby we do Protefi, againft this Vnion as Moulded in the Printed Articles; Neither do we judge our felves bound thereby, tho* a prevailing Party in Parliament (hould conclude the fame *, But wilt fi and by fuch Noble Patriots, with Life and Fortune, as are for the Maintainanct ana De- fence of the Nations Independency and. Freedom, and this Churches juft Power, and proper Privi- lege, conform to our attained Reformation from 1638 to 164?. This ( 2 5S ) This in Name, of many Chriftian Societies Vnited into a confiderablt Body of People y in the South and Weftern Shires of this Kingdom , is Subjcribed this ntkdayof November, 1706 £ T W. Woodburn, J. Hepburn^ J. Thomfon, G. Mitchel, W. Lorimer, IV. Harris, J. Mulican. % Millar. Moreover a great many People in the South Were (o oppofite to the Union, that they con- veened in Martial Order upon the 20 Day of November 170$, and burned the Printed Ar- ticles, &c. at the Crofs of Dumfries, and cau- fed Print an account of the fame in a Paper, cal- ed, The burning oj the Articles of the Vnion t &c. which the Parliament caufed be burnt ', fo deaf were they to all the Cries given by the In- habitants in their AddreiTes, which flowed not fromdifloyalty, but from fad Apprchenfions that their ALL was at ftafce. But now to return, the Commiff: on the lafl Wednefdayoi September having called Mr. H. in the Forenoon, he compeared not, neither any of the Witneffes fave one \ Hereupon the Affair being delayed till the Afternoon, Mr. //. was then again called, and compearing (af- ter reading the Lykel withthe Execution there- of) was interrrogat, if he acknowledged what wasLybelled, or if he was ready to give in An- fwers thereto. To which he Replyed, thae be ( 256 ) lie had never feen the Lybel, and therefore qray- td i Copy thereof, and that he might be allow- ed a competent time to AnfwerJ Jhe Commiff. f v ranted him to Ottob. id. and having charged im to obey the Sentence of J)epofition^ did Ctitje Jiim to compear before them on the fore- faid Day. 11 He being called on the faid Tenth olOftoh. and not compearing, becaufe of Bodily Indif- pofition (fignified iiv his Litter to the Jhtoder.) which wasfuftained as an Excufe pre hac vice By the fommtffion, was injoined a$ formerly, iand per^mptoriy required to cOttapekr before them on the penult Wednefday of Marth i 707. The whicli Day he being called and riot com' Searing, the Matter was delayed till the next &y, and being then called', hefeompeared,arid heard the Commiffions Minutes anent him read^ but when required to Anfwer to the Lyb. h^ jt6lcj them he was only ^ome to Town that pajs and fo defired tome more tithe 5 The fomtmff. therefore referred his Affair to the jiff, which was foon thereafter toik : And the jiff, referred it back again to the Commiffion^ who {June 18.) takinf his Cafe toGonfidera- tto'n, called Mr. i$. and asked if he had his An- s fivers to the Lyb. in readinefs-, he Anfwefed ifiathe knew nothing of the Commiffions Meet- ing (having come upon other bufineft) flntil ht came to Town, and fo had neither the Lyb. for c fpe&ion of that People f as his peculiar Charge \ * that He fhall to his Power endeavour to heal c the Breaches and Divifions of this Church, c and to convince People of the Evil and Dan- ■ c ger thereof, according to the Scriptures, and *our Solemn Covenarhs y and that in his vifits * to any of God's People of his Acquaintance in I other places, he fhall endeavour what in him C 259 ) c lyes, to maintain and preferve the Peace and 4 Unity of this Charch according to Presbyte- c *ian Principles, and for this purpofe defires 4 and expetts that Grievances, hitherto occafi- *x>ning diftance and difference amongft the * Lord's People, may be duely confidered, and 4 Methods laid down for their Removal, that 4 all fuitabie ways may be taken to bring us 4 back to our firft Husband by Covenant. Thi? Ptftr being read and confidered by the Commi/fion, and they having alfo under their view the prefent Jundlure of Affairs in this Church, after much Reafoning put it to Vote whether thev ftiould inftantly proceed to con- fider the Affair, or delay it to November, and it carried, Proceed : And fo the Sentence of De- portion being read, Tl e Moder. Interrogat Mr. H. if he owned the Paper given in by the Com* mittee, and would Engage and ftand to what is therein Expreit or not ? Mr. H. openly and Judicially declared, inprefence of the Gmwijfian, that he did own the faid Paper, and will Hand to what is therein Expreft, and that he was plain and ingenuous and no ways Ambiguous in what he therein ExprefTetb, and wifhed there tnay be no Mifunderftanding of him in this Matter. After his being removed a litile, he was called in to pin in Prayer for direction, and again removed, till the Votes were given $ but feeing the pros sndCens run equal, fo that the Determination depended on the Moderator's cafting Vote, who was not willing to give it ia ibch a weightyBufinefs, It was left Undetermin- ed till the next Diet. Tuefd. ( 260 ) Tucfd. Aug. 12. 1707. Mr. fls Cafe being Relumed, the Petition of the Parishioners of Qrr ( begging that Mtv//. might beReponed to the Exerctfe of his Miniiiry amongli them ) wa* Bead, and the PeopJt of that rarifli attending .at the Door, being called were Interrogate if they had any thing further to add?TheyAnfwerr ed that they had no more than what 13 in their Petition: They being removed, the Commijfm ' having resfoned on the Affair, refolved^ to put it to an end ; and fo after Prayer (wherein Mr. H. was called in to join) and after Mr. /£• had before his going out, repeated bis Refoluti- '• on to ind favour to Promote the Unity and Peace oftheCburch of Scotland to the outmott of bis power, it was put to a Vote, thus ; Ex- pedient in this JtinBure ( upon what is offered ) p9 take off the Sentence of Depofmon prefcntlf, finding again/} Mr. John Hepburn, and to Rer pone him to his Mini (try at Orr, Or not f The Roils being called, and Votes marked, it car- ried Expedient^ by a great plurality of Voices • and therefore the Commiffton actually did take effthe laid Sentence, and Repone him as afore- faid ; Mr. H. being called in, this was Inti- mate to him, and the Modcr. by Order of the Qmmijfion fignified tcf him, that feeing the Commiffm had fhown fo much Jenderneis to- ward him, vyith an eye to the Glory of GOD, and Peace of this Church, it was expe&ed that be will benceforth walk Orderly, and will have a Tender $tgw& to the Peace and Unity of the Church; and then did give him the Right feandofFelloVhip; Upon 3II which John Thdmfon ( *J5 ) I SThomfon ( one of the Parifhincrs of Ort ) -asked I and took Inttrumcnts'..ip 'the Clerks hand for I himfelfandin nameof the Parilh of Orr his I ,Coriftituents ; ' And did give the Commijfion tHeir hearty thanks for the Favour and kindneis fhown by them to their Minilhr and them. Concerning the whole Procedure on both fides, we (hail briefly fpeaka few thing?.. 1. That which moved Mr. H. to fee* the ta- Jung off the Dcpofition ( which he, Judging it to want fufticicnt Ground?, did not Obey) was his Friends both Mimihrs and other* (whom he had a (ingle regard unto, tho differing foinc what. from him in Opinion and way ) their ear- ricft defire that he might be Reponcd, and their frequent dealing with him for that efle& ; And likewife the caieof theParocb, which could not, with faffty andwithput Confiderable lofs, own him as their Minifter, or pay the Teinds to him, while under the faid Sentence; Together with this, that an Evil Sentence Oiould rather b§ fought tobe abrogated, than iuffered to Hand to the Sin and Shame of a Church. — . 2, What Mr. H. by word or write conde- scended to, in order to prevent .their paflmg the Sentence of Depofition, or in order to get the fame taken eff, is no way inconfirtent with what Ije h^th owned and doth own a9 his \ Judgment and profc fled md avowed pradt ice; vi&. That this Church is to be regarded and Reverenced as a Church, and joined with, whereinioever it- can "be done without Sin, and that becaufe, 2. Thefeis in it abetter and a worfe parr, to wit, Theft who are aj^ive, and forward \n making ' £St"th°En thC 4 uf ^ Cbri <*> ^d in com- anda^L n 7° aC ^ ments mad eonthe fame, J£f?£S3X fc ****** alfo ' he reckons ll * dSSS'fc^ ^"^ 5 and tb & who cn- VVorknfR / U ' ,y t0adberct0 tbe Covenanted iwtSrr? l mat i 0n » beinoa t»ng andlament- S?»iS?E?7 Bac{ f * bitdut y t0 8™ the Unon P ^hi thcfatIsfa byfeeking . Xte/J « •Ti e , r ' a ? d b y Attaining from lltionlpHr 3 ^"% fend them, and With Re- SS A< e ( gardtotbefe be ™ft be under. U°i ° te 3k ? a J' bis Condefcending offers of dZtoDtL And Vvhereas he Wehends it his thatrhic, ,fortb . eir "nfa«bfu!ne(s • Judging o the ' e n p WayS { t V ^ iVe of > but conductvf hi ^t rue PeaS" 'j}?™*. rf the Cburcb > aild from nf ¥*£ ^ mon m a Ch ^ch flovvs,as uZuj£T*T Qth lr P re "^frZ the vile , S tbeS y r W ff '° ,ned with and e ^ ^ weak- ( *«3 J weakness have accompanied him in : &e practice of what he profetfeth to be his duty, i^ich can- not be much wondered at by thele jjnrhoduely confider the T;uricacy and difficulties * thereof in fuch a day of Darkneis. 3. By this Sentence Reponing him, tbeSentence of Depofuion is materially condemned, feeing he made no acknowledgement of the Sinfulness of the£e things for which chiefly the -^Depofed him ; nor yet promifed any other thing than what he had done to the Aff. that time they De- pofedhirti, andleeing enfueing Affewblys have not difapproved that Repofuitn nor led any Pro- cefs againft him from that to this time, albeit he hath pra&ifed the fame way he was wont to do before his Depofcion : And it is our humble opi- nion that their Reponing him and ceafing from that Vigorous Severity wherewith they formerly didProiecute him, is and will .be unfpeakably more to the Advantage and Honour of this Church, than their perfifting and proceeding in it would have been. During all that time, ( viz,, about thefpacc of near 14. years ) wherein he was under Pro- cefles before one or other of the Judicatories of thisChurfcb, he always exercifed his Miniftery except when under Civil or Phyfical Reftraint, endeavouring to fellow the Lord fully according to his Light, and info doing, we defired always to adhere to and own him, defiring thereby and by other ways fuitablc, to keep up a Teftimony againft the Sins of the Time,- particularly when this Enfnaring, Confufed O^ri&of Abj*r*tim began to be talked of, as vthv& Mlnijter; would be be f equir^I to fwear, Mr. H. (having preached much ag^ftft it before and of late > went to Edinb. vvfei fonie lent from our General Meet- ing, anfl v 2Mfc offered a Reprefentatioh to the AJf. ( in Mdfiyi 2 ) of feme few things for the Ex-" onerationof our Confidences, concerning the ih'idOatki and many other things. tlnsReprcfenta- tkn or Addrefs was froiri the Committee, of Bills' conveyed {into the Committee of Overtures; and by them remitted to the Committee of "Bills again; where inftead of Redrefsor regard, RefU&ions 'iverereceived ,* and the faid Paper not admitted for an hearing into open AJf. Onfy a Sub Com- mittee vftas'appointed to conferr with Mr. H. and u$, which, after fome Realbnmg anent the Ad- drcfs and Grievances) left Matters as they found them ; the Paper forefaid is as follows; and. let the feriojjs Reader judge, if it was of fuch a Dan- gerous Nature, as that it mighl? not have been at Ieatt he?rd in the 'AJf. . .. ■ Zfnto the Rev. Moderator and Remanent Members of the General Aff. of the Church, of Scotland # met at Edinburgh May 1. 1712. The hurnbU Reprefentation and Petition of Mr. John Hep- burn Mmijle rofi he Gofpel in the Paroch #/ Orr^ aiid ofiheVmted Societies in r/v5outb and Weft who- adhere unto hint. £*v. and Hon. C \&T Hcn wecaafider the prefenufpe#<>f Af- * ™ fyir^ we are not without Apprehend- fofflrrfhrtitfh Vftl ilhgstatf to' our Whole Ctf- f veriantedj c venanted Work of Reformation in Doctrine^ c Wtrfljip) Difciplinc, and Government, by rea- c ion of a Toleration now pafied in both Houfes , of Pari, which natively tends to the reVivjng • Epifcopacy, arid introducing of the Englifo Li- 1 turgy (tho' it's abundantly notour thefe never i got peaceable pofleffion in this Kingdom, fines c the Reformation from Popery) and to the open* c ing a door to all Errors and Profanity, and c that by the reftlefs endeavours of. Popifb £• c rnifTarie* dindjacobites Under a French influ- * ence,not only to fubvert the Ellabli foment of c Church and State, but to involve us in Popery 1 '"' SuperJtitiondLtiddvfttyy from which albeit we 1 have been wonderfully delivered, yet we r have it ftill to regrate that our mod excellent 4 Laws r againft the fame, have not been duly r execute, whence this Church hath extremely € fuffered feveral times, by the Illegal Intrufi- , c ons, A (Faults^ and Diforders, of many of the € Epifcopdl Clergy, who are fofar from being * brought unto a right temper by all the ex* c "ceffive Lenity that hath been x ufed towards c them^ that on the Contrary,' they -are embol- dened to attempt the very unhinging of the c prrefentfettlernent. 4 Wherefore* we crave liberty to reprefent *" to- this venerable Afs. that we judge it very c neceflafy (according, to the renouned pra- c fit ice of thjs Church in like Cafes of danger) * that a more faithful Inquiry be made info the 4 Cauftsofthe Lord's Wath ( many ways ap- 4 pearing agiinft this Church and Nation) ani J that a more Full Enumeration be made of GaaP*' ( 266) 4 es ef Farting than hath hitherto been \ and 4 for this end, that this j4js. would appoint a c National Fdfi^ Nominating the Day, and not 4 leaving it indefinite, in refpeft that the Ma- 1 gijtratcs Appointing Fafts and Thanfgivings, 4 without the confent and concurrence of the 4 Church, bdng in a fettled State, is an oftence c unto us, and to many of the Godly in the 1 Land, and teems to have received too much * 4 countenance from the j4ft. of the jifs. 1710 4 thereanent. zde. That the feveral juft Griev- 4 ances of the Lord's People be more clofly con- 4 fidered, in order to a more fatisfying Redrefs 4 thereof-, particularly thefe presented -to the * Committee at Sanquhair anno 11 705. herewith to 4 be produced to teftify our hearty willingnefs c towards an harmony in the Lord among all 4 his Servants and People, notwithftanding the *diftance hitherto kept up, and the difcourag- % 4 ments we have formerly met with } and that 4 for thefe Ends an amicable conference be ap- 4 pointed. 3. c That the finful nature of the late In- 4 corporating Vnion^ and its difmal confequents, 4 be more fully difcovered in order to it's be- 4 ing mourned over, and teftified againft, and 4 what appearances were made againft it,by the 4 Commijfion be more folemnly approven by this * National Church. . 4. 4 That a faithful Tefiiniony be given by this 4 AJf. to the Britijh Pari, againft the "Toleration 4 (now palT^d) as being contrary to the word of 4 GOD, our Covenant /, National and Solemn League C 267 ; * League, A&s of Aff and Pari, Claim tf Right* * and approven Writings of famous Divtnts. 5. 4 That the Oath of Abyuration being now * to be impofedon ihzMinijtersof thisCnurcH, *This Aff. would interpofe their Advice and 1 Authority againft their taking it, in refffeft f that the faid Oath is very dark and intricat, *and therefore cannot befworn in. Judgement, 1 and contrair toourPrinciples,p3rticuIarly that 1 the Succeflors to our Crown are to be of the * Communion of the Church of England and 1 Maintainers of Prelacy, which we by our * Covenants are bound toextirpat,and thatupoii * this account many Mimfters and Elders in the 1 Ajf. 17 10. urged for an Addrefs to the Queeri c againil the forefaid Oath, with a view to pre- c vent the fad Rents and Confuftons, which c they forefaw would enfue upon their taking it.* * yet notwithftaiidingourdiflatisfaftion wittt 4 * the faid Qath> we hereby declare, that ouc 'fcruples againft it proceed not from any Af- i feftion to a Popijh Pretender, aor from any 4 difregard of the Civil Government, as efta- 4 bliihed fince the Revolution, as our known •Principles fufficiently evince. 6. * That the People be timeoufly aod faith- * fully warned by their refpeftive Minifters * throughout the Nation anent the Evils of thi$ * Toleration, and it's pernicious confequences, * fuch as Contufions, Penuries, Blood fhed,In- ? teftine Commotions, &c. and that they ba * carefully diffwaded from complying in any 1 manner of way with the Superftition, and t Will-Worfhip of the Englijk Liturgy, s ; 7I r 268 ) * f. * Being Informed that the Si/l for refto?: c ing PatrdHJtges in this Nation is pafied, and 1 that the A& againft the obfervation of TuUis 'Repelled fall which, it's palpably nianifcft, * have a tendency to the reftoring of Frttacy in c this Land) therefore many Friends to the 1 work of Reformation being of the Mind, that c now aftir opportunity is given to endeavour i the renewing of our Covenmis^ earnelily de- * fire this Vener. Aff. may foil upon proper Me- * thods for preparing the Nation for this fo So- £ lenin a Work andNecefla'ry Duty too long de- * layed ) and that they would do their outmofl * for exciting and influencing others in England c and Ireland to do the like, as they were for- 'merly bouad with us, that it may appear to * all, that we are for maintaining, and defend- c ing of our once attained Reformation, for 1 which we hare the laudable and instable ex- ample of out worthy Anceftours in the year 1 163:8. whom the Lord io GgnaHy counts-* *nanced, that the like Innovations had not the c intended effeft^ and to which noaterfion can * now be ffcown (in a confiftency with them- 4 felvesjby theie Synods of this National Church 4 who fubferibed their adherence to the Cove- * nan ted Work of Refomution, 1702. 4 Laftly, We earnettiy crate, that all proper c Meafures may be ufed for preventing what we U 4 have fo great ground to fear, and that accord- L < ing to the grea tnefs of the Truft repofcd in Ji *you, asfrithfal Watch-men, ye would takelfe 4 care to ward off approaching Ruint, and pre-j|i r c fcrve the Glory and Liberty ot oer Choreh Jji } , ( 26 9 ) *fo milch ton tended for, and fealed by the * Death and Sufferings qf ?o many faithful Fot- c lowers and Servants of Chrift in this Land in c former times : The eyes of not only Friends, 1 butalfo of Foes, are upon the Judicatories of * this Church, to obferve the Conduct and Zeal « thereof, at iuch a Jun&ure. Therefore yc * ought to be the more a&ive in contending c for the faith and freedom once delivered to c the Saints and for tranfmitting to Pofterity c this Reformation which. was once a Pattern to c other Churches. 4 All which, we humbly entreat, may be c duly regarded, and not buried iniObli\rioa,as 4 ieveral other Papers of the like nature j elfe c we muft judge our felves obliged for the Glo* « ry of God, Exoneration of our Confciences, * and Difcharge of our Duty in our Stations to * the prrfent and fo!lovringGenerations,to make 4 this and others more publick. Subfcribed * in name of thefe whom we reprefeitt, by us, Sic jubfcribit ur^ A.M. W.U J.W. J. H. G. A£ Near the end of Otiober 171 2. The one half* And more of the Minifkcrs Swore the Oath of Abjuration^ which Mr. H. oq all fit occafions declared to be their great Sin* and fuch a De- fection as that all Confcientious Peribns, who rdticerned the fejrful Scares therein wrapped^ mi^htjuftly, yea ihouid difcounienancre the S 2 $&£££ ( 270 ) Jurors in order to make them confider tBef Evil they had done and Repent, and that they ltiight in their ftation keep up a conftawt Te- ftimony ag tinft that egregious ftep of Defetti- or > and not be Partakers of other Men's Sins, &c This faithful warning incenfed theMinifters againfthim,fo thatnot being content with what they had done or faid againft him ajl alongft, they began in a more imbittercd manner to rail! 6n him from Pulpits*, pointing at him by Name and Sir-name ) others watched him at his Ser- monsj in order to catch fomething at which they might carp, and of which they might take advantage, particularly when Preaching on a Week- Day in Tinwald Paroch (being earneft- \y invited and called by Honeft People, who becaufeof the forefaid Backflidings, refiifedto join in the Publick Ordinances difpenfed by him, who at prslent Adminiftreth them there) he was waited on and watched .by Three Ju- rant Afinifiers, Mrs. Robifon^ M^mwrdoj and Somervelj who betwixt the Sermon and Pray- er, flood up and challenged him for fpeaking againft the Jurors, and 'lot faying they were de- parted from Cbrift and had betrayed him f mean- ing his Caufej with a Kifs (by which he meant their Declaration) of this they re- quired proof} to which he Replyed that they had not yet anfwered what was already written againft the Oath ) And he again averred in their Faces what he had faid in his Sermon be- fore, tho'he told them it wa$ not then a fit time to debate .- They feeing the Hearers ri- fing, and fearing what might follow, went away ( 271 ) j a way, and ere they parted, wrote a Letter to him, which all the Three Subfcnbed, re- quiring a Conference for debating the Matter, which Letter came not to his hand until near a ^lonth after the date thereof, and when re- ceived was found only to contain fome general things in their own Defence, and a great many Refle&ions on Mr. H. which he upon ieveral Reafons, laid afide thinking it fcarcely worthy of a particular Anfwer, feing the Contents thereof were but the fumm of what i9 largely difcourfedpra and con in confiderably big Pam- phlets, whereupon fome other having had oc- cafion to fee the Letter, gave the^ following Anfwer direfted to Mr, Robifon by him to bo ihown to the reft. SIR, Having feen a Letter Subfcribed by yon, and your two JtirantBvcthren, Mr. M'murdo & Mr* Somervet.dattl at Tinwald Nov. I I. 171 2. direct to the Rev. Mr. JobnHepburn Minitfer oftheGof- pel at Or, in which ye lay to his door, a Chall- enge for Debate, upon an Expreflion, ye fay, be upbraided you with to vour Faces Publickly, viz,, departing from CHRIST, and betraying the, Son of GOD with a Kifs ; I preiuine to Inform you, that your Letter was n^>t Received by the Rev. Mr. John Hepburn, till near a Month after ( as would feem ) it was written namely upon the 8 ot Decemb. which day he wrote Exprefs to Baillie Gilchrijl defiring him as one who had frequent opportunitys of your Converfe, to fie- ( 272 ) tune to you in his Name, that your Letter wai received, and that he would in due time, confi- Ger what might be expedient in the cafe. How- ever there being a Report that, upon the delay of his Anfwer, yc take Advantage publickly to Baffle him, his adherents, and the Common Caufe, I reckoning my felf, with Hundreds moe, Interefted, thought it duty, after perufing your Lettr, to give you the following Remarks, thereon. Hind the main thing in ycur Letter is that ye defend your Swearing the Oath of Ab- juration, as being duty, whereas yeiay , he Up- oraided you for it, as departing from Chrift, ^ &c. wherefore if it be found that he had (ufiicient Grounds fupporting him in this Charge, your Letter is of imall Moment ; But if otberways I grant it deferveth a tender regard ; ye will per- haps expeft that I am about to handle the Qttefti*n,as Controverted between himajld you, py way of Difpute, which I am not refolved to do. i. Becaufe it would fweli this Miffwe be- yond Juft Bounds. 2. Becaufe the QHtJliott is Common on both fides ; and both party* have Pro&ors inde wed with greater Abilltes than ye, I fuppofe, or ( I am fure) than I can pretend tQ. 3. Becauie I find the Cafe well Difcourfed in ftveral prints, and I have not fuch an Itch to writing as Aftum agere ; if your Me- mory fcrve you* ye may remember the kev. Mr. Hepbnrn willed you to perufe and Anfwef thefeif ye could, and altho I doubt not but ye know them^ yet Khali give you the Titles of fome; there are two by way of Letters, one call- ed the Oath of Abjurttic* confidercd, dated March 20. - ( 273 ,) ; o. 171 2. the other named the Oath of Abjurati- on inquired into; of the date April 29. 17 12. to which ye may add what is laid in the Preface of a Print intituled, a Survey of the Friendly Can* jerence> fince the date of your Letter > th$re*sa fourth which fell into my hands, called, the, Oath of Abjuration Dif played, dated November \y. 1712. feveral others, iome Mai.ulcrjpt, fome Primed, may be feen by thofe who are defirousv I conceive it had beenficter for you to have An- fwered what is there \ than t$ have challenged Mr. H, whofe words you know, could noc reach fo far as Papers Published to the view of the World ; I find id thefe ye are particularly and Ris;ht clearly Charged with many things inconfiftent with our Sacred Covenants, and Sub- verfive of the Reformation attained to in thi$ Land ; I /hall mention fome of thefe many • ye are faid, by vour taking the Oath, to have ft* Homologated the Union. 2dly. Owned and vir- tually approved the Civil Power of Church- Men, and other Biemifhcs in the. Parliament as prefently eonftitute. $dly. Confcnted, at leaft indire&ly, to the Att of Toleration. 4. Stooped and Submitted to the Magiftwes Erattian Commands. 5. Confenred to iiand on the fame Level, and be in fome fort Imbodyed with the Epifcopal Clergy. 6. Jp the words of the Oath many things are foun and Sentences, did fo weak- en his hand ? that he could never reach them as he was in a fair way to have done formerly. I can- not then underltand, what thefe Methods, ye mean, tore, or how any methods he taketb do advance the interett of Papifis and Jacobites i I think let you (tretch your wits to the outmoft, ye /hall not inftruft any methods, tafcenby him, which in themfelves do jfo, whatever may fall out per accidens cannot be his fault, if he be at re- quired duty ; The beft of A&ions have been the occafion of Evil accidentally; CHRIST* preaching was the Sinlefs Occafion of many profefled Difciples their leaving him, Job. 6. 6<$* 66. So that this, I am Confident, is a mod Injurious Calqmnie, the guilt whereof lyeth at your door; Innocency and a good Conicience may be to him a Coat of Fence, and as the Ptct fpeaks, mnrns aheneus, a Wall of Brafs againft this thruft, and many worfe, which ye with your Brethren Indeavour to^give him behind his back ; for it is reported that ye, Sir, have called him as bad, if not worfe than a Curat ; and your Brother Mr. Dunlop, is fud to have called him the Jacobites Trumpeter, and the much Famed Mr. Will. Veitch ( as is certainly rc^ ported ) out of the Pulpit lately unbofomed himfelf anent Mr. H. and his Miniftery in fuch a way as might caufe any tender Chriftian fihivet to hear: Declaming (torn Job. io. 2, %.*&c. he (as is conftantly noifed in Burgh and Land- ward ) laid upon the Mattpr, that Mr. H. was not a Minifter of CHRIST, with a Number o£ ( 2*3 ) ftaillingand Paflionat Reflections; whereby it would appear^ that this Old Man, through Dot* tageorfomething worfe, hath Condemned not only the^v. Mr. H. bur the Aff. of tbic Churchy who, except when he was under their Att of Depofuion looked always on him as a MinijUr z and the Commifflon, who Reponed him, ana even the Presbytery of Dumfries, whereof for 3 time he was a Conftituent Member ; Yea h* feath Condemned himfelf, for he offered to Mn I H. that, if he would accept, he would receive / him to be hi? Colleague in Dumfries. I heat r likeways that he hath faid, that he nc?er kneur that Mr. H. was made a mean of converting any Soul to CHRIST, adding that he had indeed a . way of Cetiping Folk, meaning thefe Perfons whof under Mr. H's Mmittery, were io afte6ted with the Word, through the powerful Operation of the Spirit of GOD, tfmt fome of them were made to cry out, as thefe In Affs 2. yf\ And o* thers {truck into a Swoon* by all which it would feem, the Man hath caft off the dread tf the MajefiyofGOD, when he is fo bold and daring, as to Blalj:heme 1 the workings of tha Sternal Spirit on the Souls of Sinners; whether I? was a faving or common work, I fhall jiot de- termine, yet no doubt the holy Spirit was the wrkcr; and however, fomc I fear have failed afleep, and quenched the Spirit, or -feme per- haps rtrith F //*, after trembling, have warded by tht light, and fhifted it eft" till a *noce. pre* tendedly .convenient time, yet in rire^udgment ofCbarity^ many then got the Immortal feed fowji ia their Sods, and were TranfUtcd from the ( 28l ) the Power of Darknefs into the Kingdom of 'CHRIST, fome departed out of this Life, other* yet alive : What height this Maris Sin in iuch t/nchriftian Etpreflions amcunteth to, I am noe Capable to tell. In fuch a time when the Devil is come d >wn with Power and great Wrath, drawing Stars with his 'tail after him, and m ik- ing them yeild their Tongues to be his Took; What can the Righteous either Minifiers or o- thers do, but look to Godiri his hoi) Temple, com- mitting bis own and their Caufe to him, that he snay plead it, crying with Davii Pf*l. 31. 18. Let the lying lips be put to filencc, &c. and by Faith flying to, and confiding in him, who hath promifed, ibid, verfe 20. To hide them that are his in the fecret of his pre fence from the pridt tf Men, and to keep them fecretly in a pavilion from the fir if e of Tongues j referring all to the great judge of quick and dead, who will make all reckon for their hard Speeches, Jude verfe 15* As for Mr. H. I believe he defires to follow Scripture Direftions and Precepts, whereby Mre are commanded toblefs them that curfe us, t& pray for them that defpite fully ufe us : It's an olef and good faying preces & lachrym* funi arma Ecclefi£, other protection Godly Mini(icrs and Profeflbrs have often been denuded of, and it would feem ye and your fratres fraterrimi think ye have got the advantage of the Hill above the the Won-jurants this way, and fe refolve to improve it, by throwing upon them tot a plau- fra whole Cart-loads of Reproaches in the firft place, and who knows what next ? For your new QpaUfrcation Entitles you to a PrU r&ege ( 2*1 ) Vitege (whether ill cr well acquired will ere long appear,) which the New jurants^ not being fo qualified) muft fuftain tne want of, viz.. benefiteol law. As to your renewed offer of debating with Mr. H. I leave it to his free- dom, whether he will embrace it or not, and fo muft yoa •, butl think it is neither rjeceffdry nor altogether fafe for him to obtemper your defire in this Matter / Not neecfTary, becaufe ye have not Anfwared the forefaid Papers, and further he can hardly conceive that ye have made this offer out of a fingle defire of finding light (leing ye have adventured to Swear the * Oath over the Belly of all previous debating) '. but rather for litigation, and ifpoflible, en- trapping others, neither in my opinion, is it fafe for any honeft Nonjurant to frequent your Company, or enter the Lifts of Debate with yoa, becaufe as was hinted, h e is deprived of the benefit of Law and lyable to fevere punifh* mentsand mul&s by the AH of Pari, fo thit if, in reafoning,hc fhallexprefsany thing ungrate- , ful to your ears ye have no more to do but prefs the Inferiour Judges to execute the Law on him: and further ye are Solemnly Sworn to difclofe all Ireafons, &c. to the Q^ and Her Succeffors, and Mr. H. cannot be thought to know everv thing, the Law maketh Treafpn fo well as yott, who are obliged to make it your pufmefs' to acquaint your felves herein, that ye may be in capacity to perform what ye have promifed on Oath \ therefore it is very unfafe for him to debate with you w^wor Write at a diftance, left haply he Lhould, with- ( 28? ) without any intention, fail into the nuteber of thefe whom ye have Sworn to delate -, efpe- ciajly confidering how the -Presbytery of Dum- fries treated him about the year 1696, when he had far lefs ground to fear any fuch thing than now he hath .• Thefe are forae of the Reafons why he may reject your offer, and yet not be juflly charged with an Anti-Scriptural^ and unchriftian practice as ye feem toinferr upon his refufal, and al(6 upon thefe Rea- fons, I fuppofe he hath not, nor perhaps will write an Anfwer to your} Letter, to which I may add the unplealantnefs of the Theme, hopeldsnefs of Succefs and his Affidui- ty in his Matter's Work, from which I prefume he is moft unwilling to be diverted by Matters of this fort, efpecially feing many Learned Writers have laid much of what he by Word or Writ would have Communicat to you : This is all the fatisfaftion I can give yo& (which I think may ferve)'anent his filence. Ye fay : Mr. H. took the Oath of Supremacy in England^ . which is falfe, for it was the Oath of Allegiance \ and this he told to feveral of the Presbytery of Dumfries, fothat ye either are not, or need not be ignorant thereof^ and feing, as the Au- thors forecited evince, your Oath is both am Qath of Allegiance and Supremacy \ I could hear- tily wifh ye might be made to fee the evil thereof, and declare your forrow therefore in asfatisfying a way to the offended, as the Lord helped Mr. H. to do on Faft-Days, and other publick occafions. ye accufe him of Anti* i fcriptural and unchriflian PraSlices, whereof,' ye fay, be hath of a long time been guilty ' 7 it is T An ( 284 ) Anfwered, if there be only iuch as are contain^ ed in Libels led againft him before the Gen. Jiff. no pra&ices of fdch a nature were ever proven before thafjudicatory, witnefs the Aft of the Commijfion Reponing him anno 1707, not re- fcinded by enfuing Affernblies, neither hath the Church from that to this time procefTed him for any Antifcriptural and unchriftian Pra- ctices : As for thefe two ye condefcend on,- viz,, his Intruding into other Mens Congregations, j and neither taking, nor giving the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper i> It is Anfwered the plain r£a- fon of the firft is, many People in fundry Shiresr being juftly offended at the Defeftions of their p\zcedMinifterS)&c ftanding at a diftance,or hav- ing withdrawn from them, and fo wanting the benefiteof Chrift's Ordinances in that way they can with a clear Cbnkience partake of them, did earneftly invite him, as they yet continue to do, to break the Bread of Life a* mongftthem, and fcMinifter to their necefti- tf\ which their Invitation, I fee not how he Can juftly reje£fcf feing their Greivances were never removed by the Church, and feing the Lord's Servants are bound to ferve his People in whatever part of his Vineyard they be, wbenr their Need is fo great and their Calf fo earneft. And until ye prove this to be an Antifcrip* tttral and Unchriftian PraiHce, ye mtrft al- low me to fay ye accufe him falfely, for as I take it, all Church Order is for the edifying of thebodyof Orrij} : Moreover I referr it to the >udicious and Godly, whether his way wirh ibfcfcreupk (vvittidrawingfrom their placed ( 285 5 Zfrnipets for weighty Reafc ns) be Antifcriptn* rail and Unchriftian or not,' in his Sermons he deals moft freely and faithfully with them, tel- ling then? that feing they profefsto be offend^, ed at the Defeftichs of the Church, thejij ihould be of another Spirit \ and prattice than thefe they ftandatadiftance from, and orders them to have Weekly Meetings amongft them-, felves for Prayer and ChriftianConvcrfe,and to beexercifed in Fafting and Prayer alone anc| together .-accordingly for-ordinary a Fafl>Daj£ through their Meetings every quart^F of Year is obferved byltfiem -, and as Toon as any of them are certainly known to beihgitious, they are difcountenanced 3 and if obftinate are whoS» ly withdrawn from. The Rfeafons of the fe- qond are,in fo far ^s I have accefs to know. > i. His not being fully joined with any of the Mi- i>iftry of this Church, for Reafons given in to' the Judicatories thereof, maketh , his cafe foli- tary, and Circuhiflances lingular. 2. The lamentable, and too general Profanation of that Holy Ordinance by too pfomifcubus Ad- B^ilfion, maketh him fear, left he being alone &ould mirmanhage it alfo : Hence conficler- 5ng what might be moft for the Glory of Godf and Edification of Souls, and conceiving that the Celebration of it by him in his fofitary, Cafe might not conduce to thefe great Ends, he choofed to delay from time to time, waiting to fee what Relief the Lord in His Providence would offer, rather than be guilty cf wrong- ing God's Glory, and marring the Edification* of SoaU; which he knew would fall ou ty if he T2 ' ( &6 ) fliould admit an^ whan he ought not to admit, or feclude any whom he ought not to have fe- cluded,for furely thisOrdinance is Poyfon to all unregenerate Perfons •, feveral other Reafons, I doubt not, he can give, if called to it. Ye call this an Antifcriptural and Vnchrifti- an Practice ( ye fhould have termed it an O- tnifiion rather than a Practice) but as in the* other, fo in this I defiderat your proof-, ye would have had fome ground for fo faying,if ye could prove that he maintains any Error con- cerning this Sacrament, repugnant to Scripture and Chriftianity, but feing he is of the fame Judgement, with what is in our Confejfion of faith and Catechifms anent it,ye have no ground thus to Charge him ', I have heard him fay, it would be the rejoiceing of his Soul to fee and have that Ordinance Celebrated in the Lord's way, and that it might be, the Lord would pity him fome way, fo as to grant him his defire before he leave this World # , but if not, the Lord knoweth his forbearing to Admini- fter it, flowed not from any difregard to that Heavenly Ordinance : I know the Apoftle fays as often\asye Eat y &c. but leaveth it undeter- mined how often : And giveth a Rule, let aU things be done to edifying^ and tells us that aU things which are lawful edify not^ i Cor. 10. 23. The Directory for Worflnp hath thefe words T The Supper of the Lord is frequently to be cele- brated^ but how often may be confidered by the Minifter and Church Governours of each Congre- gation as they JfjaH find mofi convenient for the Com- fort and Edification of the People committed to their c ( 287 J their Charge"] The Learned Mr. Tho. Blake on the S^r: ^g. 299. hath a Rule anent the ne- ceffity of the Sacraments, which is as follows* As thePaflbver mlfrael^both in theWildernefs c and the Land ofCanaan^wis fometimes difcon- * tinued,and not in the time prefcribed obferv- c ed,by reafon (N. B.) of the Churches difor- c der, and prefentunpreparednefs of the People, c fo likewife it may haply fometimes fall out, € on like occafion, to be thought needful for a c time to delay the Lord's Supper .- And as c he obferves pag. 301. We- read of no more 4 PaflTovers than one that was kept by JoJIma ^ c Jofiah begari to reform Judah in the 12 year c of his Reign, but it was the 18 ere he could * reach a Paflbver, fo (fayeth he) may alfo the . * ^//»#/r;ofChrift fee like occafions of delay c of Adminiftration of the Lord's Supper, and 4 (fayeth he further) there is advantage on their c pirt (viz.. of the Minifters) feing there was a 1 prefcript time in the Law for the Obferva- c tion of the one, but no limited time in the ' Gofpel for the Adminiftration of the other. Thus he, A Godly Miniflerin the North of Scotland fas I am credibly informed) had Adminiftred this Sacrament once only during his Miniftry, and at his Death, it was the only thing that troub- led him -, By all which neither Mr. H. nor I plead. againft that Lovely and Glorious Ordi- nance, nor the frequent Celebration thereof,if right otherwife. Ye fay [ this is not to be pa- rallelled in the Chriftian Church, Ancient or Mo- dern ] I Anfwer all the Hiftory ye are Matters of, ( 288 ) <2jJ f wiU not enable you to make this good. The tieap of Setts, which here ye roll together to jfaut up your Letter' withal, Popijfj, Proteftantj Xpifcopalj Presbyterian, ' Independent, Ariabap* iift^Arminian,Lutheran feemeth to be the pro* duttbf prejudiced and difordered Minds', la- bouring to exaggerat Matters, fo as to render Mr.//, odious, and will appear to unbyaffed Perforis to be only done in observance of, and comlplyance with the Matchiavcliian Maxim Calumniare fcrtiter aliyuid adharebit. * Thus, 5/>, ye fee I have gone through the molt material Things J could obfervein yoyr Letter : if Mr. fif. write not, I hope ye will fu- ftain the abovementioned Reafbns for an Apo- logy, and I humbly conceive, if ye have been fingle in defiring a Conference with him for knowing his Arguments, and not for catching advantage againft himfelf, the prefent Anfwer may {upply together with the Pamphlets there- in recommended. ; I have faid nothing to my knowledge that can be juftly irritating • if ye ftiall think other- Vvife, I defire ye mayconfider Prw. 27. 6. and 28. 23. \ wilh yoii to confider what ye have done} Fig-leaves of Arguments and words may cover {bmeS pa'rt of nakednefs,* for a time, from the Eyes of flefli, but cannot hide from him that fearchetb the heart ' and try eth the Reins, to give every man according tohiswdys, and accord- ing to the fruit of of his •- doings. Jer. 17. 10. and . when he comes to di (cover, it wiU be hard to cover , ye may read Jer. 2. through- out, efpecially the laft five vertesj I am ready to ( 28? ) . to think Mr. //. will not divert hinflfelf fro^i the Duties of his fun&ion, by anfwering your Letters, if ye (hall take a purpofe of writing anymore, but intends patiently tQ bear, ana wait the Iffue. Sir, Show this Anfwer to your Bretheren who pined with you in fubfcribing the Letter} I have directed it Jir(i to your hand, because ye< were the chief Speaker that day ye mention in the begin- ning of your Letter, andbecaufeye have Subfcrib- ed before the other two. J add no more at prez fentjbut that I am Philalethes* Jan. 10. 171 3. Upon Receipt of this Anfwer, one of the faid Thre£ Jar ants ( Mr. M i mtird$ i as is £redibiy informed ) in a Poftcript of a mott bitter and Railing Pamphletfwritttn as an Anfwer to the Qath of Abjuration Difplajed, breaks forth in a Bedlam-like manner upon the above inferted Anfvver to their Letter, alledging that the Au- thor of it, tho pretending to be of Mr. H's party yet may be a Jefuit Prieji for any thing he knows, only (jays he ) he wants wit, and that ; the Letter it ielf is fluffed with Forgeries, Imper- tinences, andnonfenfe. Nowwha* can we or any make of ihip? Who can hinder this Man or any of his Temper'; to Brawl and Scold * It is obfervable, that fince the Ministers took this Oath, many of them, a? if fome Spirit had enter- ed ihem :heie with, fpuk writ, and Acs with ( 19° ) an Impudent Acrimonjeand unparallelledConfi- dence, they never bewrayed before, thinking, it's like, thus to Brag, and Banter People out of their Duty, and with big fwelling words to co- ver& hide theEvils they have done as one fayetb tndacium mendacio tegendvm eft ne perpluat } onc lie muft be cloaked with another* to keep out Rain • But we are well nigh perfwaded, the more they labour to Cover and Cloak what Evil they have done in this way,the more will theLord difcover them to be what indeed they are, by plucking e>ff vi*. ards from their Faces, He that Covereth his Sim (hall not profper Prov. 28. 13. But feeing he advances nothing to prove the Letter and the Author thereof to be fuch as he alledges, we need fay no more but deny what he fays, till he Demonftrat theTrtub of it; and we fub- xnitt the Letter it felf to the judicious Reader's candid Cenfure. Some two or three things in the faid Poftcript we (hall heFe Obviat, which with fome, but we hope with few, may have that Influence as to jnake them miftakeMr. H*s Conduct in Oppofition to the Oath. He fays that Mr.//, readme Oath Difplayed from the Pulpit to his Hearers, which is falfe for that which gave the rife unto what he here writes, was long before the Oath Difplayed came to Mr. Hs hand ; He indeed caufed that Paper againft the Oath, which is Intituled, the Oath of Objuration Confidered, be read not wholly, but fome pertinent and Convincing Paflages thereof, upon a week day when he had defired the Pari- fhiners to wait alittle after Sermon, having fome publick Affairs relating to the Paroch to conferr yritb them about ; So that this Pamphlettcr Re- pre<* ( 291 ) prefents the Matter Falfely, and Difingenu- oufly, whereof I grant Sycophantick Talebearers have perhaps been the occafion through their wrong Information. As to that account he gives of Mr. iTs Treat- ment, of the Pap:r called the Oath of objuration no Ground of Separation : where he fays that Mr. H. hath not from Scripture or Reafon difproved any one particular in it : We can make the con- trary appearand canteftify that we have heard him folidly refuting feveral particulars in it both in his own Congregation, and elfe where ; par- ticularly when Preaching at Lochruiton, and can appeal to the Confciences of unprejudiced Ju- dicious Hearers, whether the matter was as this Author or we Reprefent. As for that Story of the Treatment, he gave a Piou?, Sober, and Ju- dicious Young-Man ( Thefe Epithets are given him by this Author, whoieCommendatory At- testations no Man need lay much Strefi upon ) who fas our Author tells) went to require Proof of what Mr. H. aflerted in his Sermon; We only fay thefe things, i. That young Man gave little proof of his Piety, Sobriety, and good Judgment, Wh'en he being but a privat Perfon ( for what we know ) ruflied through the Multitude to fall upon Mr. H. immediately after he came forth of the Tent: it had been more convenient and decent to have gone to him afterwards when alone, and Reafoned the Mat- ter there, when his leifure, Difpofition of Body and Minde, and Difintanglement from outward Incumberances might have made their Converfation and Reafoning £ more Sedate, and Pleafant than it could have been ( 292 ) been, amidft a Croud of People, and when Mr, H. had immediately before been Labouring in his Matters Publick Work. 2. Mr. H. not thinking on any Challenge of this Nature, and being Conlcious to him- felf that he had been preaching the Truths of . GOD, was furprifed at this Man's Rafh and fudden onfet, and therefore gave him a Repri- mand, as one who had come thither not for Edification, but on fome bad defigu ; what Mr. H$ words toliim were, we do not difltinft- ly mind ; fome alledge he faid the Devil hadjent him on fome Evil defign^ but tho he had fo laid, lie had too good Ground for it. 3. That Man had no great Caufe to complain, feeing another young Man offered to him to Reaion upon the foint, and actually fo did, whofe defences of - v uMr. H. hadfaidin his Sermon, the other 1 notencrvat. 4. It would appear that the yoxxg Man was not fo much feeking ^7 as intending to put an affront on >efore thePeople 1 , for he came net to him is as he readily would, if he had fingly ^ingfatisfa&ion about what Mr. B. i± .xein his Sermon. Another thing the Author of the Pofifcript charges Mr. H with, is that he owned the tak- ing of tl \tOaih to be no ground of feparation and snow denies that ever he didfo : And the Author iieverthtlefs rffers to prove it on Mr. H. by Thrpe witneffes of as much integrity and Senie isMvl/.himfelf. All we (hall fay to this js, 1. None who knew Mr. R's judgment and way for near thefe 20 Years ( and that avowed be- fore ( 29? ) fore Judicatories of both Church an:J.Sfoet c WilUafily belieare this S.ory. 2. Mr H. de the Truth of it * and lays, he remembers no iuch thing. 3. Mr. Cameron ( with whom M. rf. was converfing when they alledge he ; iKterei thefe word*, and who is to be as much credited as this Author , or krty, yea all of hi > Withcflb} clown right denies that Mr. H- owned thac i Oath was no ground of Separation; Mr. Gtnfe^ r'on indeed acknowledges that he EiT'yed to con^ vince him that the taking Of the Oath was not fufficient ground of feparating, but deny? that Mr. H. affented to it. So let this Author and his Witnefies look tha£ they have not fpread a- broadaLie on Mr. H. if they have been ,ni- (taken, ( as indeed wrong hearing makes wrong Repeating ) it were their belt to pafs from it * but if they have done it Malicioufiy and wick- edly, and refolve to continue afierting (uch aa untruth, To their own Peril be it. As for his other Reflexions on, and Railing againftMr.H. iuch as the Terming him an In* ceniiary^ an lm, Unreafon.tble and Unpe actable Marty anient who Promotes Fat [boo hand Confufton^ &c. We pafs them as unworthy of any Ani'wer, fromfuch as are unwilling to give Railing for Railing; we with the Lord may grant Repen- tance for, and Remiflfion of hard' and Ungodly Speeches. BefiJes thefe Difficulties which Mr. H. and we had to wreitle with, there were fevera!, who profeffing to be grieved at the things Wje Com- plained of, did either join with jhim and usfor a time ( 294 ) a time, or had Conferences wnh us in ordejr thereto; particularly one Mr. Mhendrie^ for fome little time, preached amongft us in Mr. Hh abfence about i698,but upon fome frivolous Grounds &chieflyfwe are apt to think)out of fear of wanting fufficient outward futtenance, went oft' and returned not again. Thereafter one Mr. James Farqahair, once Minifler at Tyrie, preacb- tdfome few* days amongii us and fometimes with Mr. H, in whom Mr. H. and we had fome Complacency, until we found that he had al- tered his Principles about the Government, Ex- ternal Form and Privileges of the vifible Church, by making defedtien to the Independent w r ay, which when Mr. H. and We knew, We defert- ed him, and gave him no more Encouragment, and fo he betook himfelf to another Shore : this was about the year 1707. We were lbme what difcouraged at his turning afide, but were com- forted with this, that the Godly in almoft every Age of the Church have had Tryal of the like Difappointtnents. We hadallbConferencesfrequently with the other party mentioned in the Introduction, viz,. Thefe who now adhere to and join with Mr. Mmillan ftndMr./W : /w7,but could not Accord with them, becaufe of their dilbwning totally, both the pre- sent Church and State, as Conftitute fmce the Revolution, which Mr. Jf 9 and we his Adhe- rents could not find freedom to do, and becaufe we could not, Mr. M'm. and his Adherents refufedto Unite with us, as is evident many ways, butefpecialiy by their Declaration emit- ted ted at Sanquhair 1692. in Align]}, which is novf printed in the fecond Edition of the lnformatory Vindication : But although near the end of the forefaid Declaration they had vented themfelves moft bitterly, and we rauft fay, falfly againft Mr. H. and thefe who joined with him ( for they will not, we think, deny that they mcaned him and them when they fay. And finally we de/irc all Per Jons of wbatfoever new party ', theybe Ministers or other, &c.)Yct knowing that we had fufficient Reafons for our way, in Oppofition to that of the otherParty as did appear at everyConference, we patiently bare thefe Extravagant Expreffions C as which weaken and not Strengthen any Caufe^ anddefilted not from purfuing Peace in the Lord's way, as with the prefent Church on the on hand, fo with this People on the 0- ther j thinking always that in this Difperilon there were Godly on all hands, & among each of the three parties, and feeing each of thefe partys prefefleth an adherence to the ancient Stand- ards of this Church's Reformation, viz,. The Confejfwn of Faith, the Catechifms, Covenants^ &c. We thought there was no Ground to Defift from feeking Union and Peace in the Lord's way, this being a duty much prefled in Scripture, Pfal: 34. 14. Heb. 12. 14. &c. And we fup- pofe Mr. M'm. and that party will confefs that we have not been wanting altogether in the performance thereof, and how much we have fought Peace with thia prefent Church, in a way Confident with the Traths and Caufe of Chrift will appear by what is contained in this prefent Eflay. There ( 2 P (5 ) There were alfo many Conferences betwixt tis and feveral Minifitrs in G Move Ay and 2V*?A£ #/#,, ife;Mrs. J. R. J: M. W.T. in the Presbytery o\ Kirkcudbright who gave in Grievan- ces to, and for a time withdrew from the faid Presbytery, and Mrs. J. if. and J. M» in Nithf- dale in the iSj/z^ of Dumfries; as alfo fome in more Remote parts of the Land, fiichasMrs. jf. H G.M. all which profclTed to be offended with itiany Courfes , taken by this prefent Church ; There were Propofals for, afad about Uniting, but it failed of the defifed Ifiue, and Conferences ceafed, through thefe Minivers their turning back where they were, till of late that fome of thefe above named, with a few o- thers fuel) as,Mr. J: G. Mr. 71 H. Mr. /.being Gravelled ftith feveral late A dings of the Brt- tip? Parliament againtt our Religion and Liber- fie?, and eipccially being greatly offended at Mifiificrs their Swearing the Oath of Abjuration ; have, for fome time, kept Correfpcndent'mcet- ings with My. H^:and us in a niore clofs man- ner than formerly ; Hence it appears hovY willing He arid We are to join with any of the Mini'flry who fee forth to difplay a Banner Faithfully for Truth, As is further manifcjft by out Letter from San- qnhair, fent 'with two of cur Number to the Meeting of Non-Jurants r £OnvG£xit& at Edinburgh^ a Copy whereof we flhall infert, that all, both Minifitrs and others, may fee how; gtedly we wouVd entertain any of the prefent Mmiflery Whom the LorcHhall llir up to Witneis Vali- ajitjy for him, and to Notifie the Terms where whereupon we offer Agreement and Uni- on with^ the honeft non-Jnrant Minifters ; and hereby we heartily and humbly invite them to confider, whether or not the Terms be not e- qual and Juft, and likewife earneftly beicecti fuch of them, as the Lord hath made reiblure; to Re fijt unto Blood ( through divine Affiftance ) in [hiving againft the Sins o( our time,' we fay, we befcech iuch to come forth* and fupply the meceffity of us, and other poor People Starving for Lack of the Faithful and Free Difpenfarion of the Ordinances of CHRIST JESUS; and if they io do, we refolve through Grace to embrace them in Love and Reverence ; The Letter is as follows. ^DireB on the *Back, To the Reverend non-Jurant Minifters conveened fvt\ Conference at Edinburgh-. Right Reverend, We a certain Number of thefe who, at pre^ &nt, withdraw and have for feveral years by paft withdrawn from the Publick Ordinances Adminiftred in the Paroches where werefpe6tf~ yely refide, being met together in a general Correspondence according to our Cuftom7 and hearing that ye ( the Minifters who have refuf- ed this lately Impofed Oath) are to. meet at; this time, thought it our duty to Addrete out ; t^lvestoyou; and this we do with more free-' r offended People ) may through the Lord's grace beat length amicably com pofed, and in thefe hopes we may be a little farther Supported by confidering that your meeting is free from the J wants, whom we always found our greateft Adverfaries, at leaft generally, when we prefTed for the Redrefsof our Grievances. But becaufe Peace, Union, and Communion with Men of whatfoever Station is only Comely and dcfireable in fo far as the Glory and Truths of GOD are hereby Advanced, fought after, and maintained: We .defire Peace and Union with you only in that way, and therefore crave Liberty to lay before your Wifdoms, a few things as our Sentiments, which we conceive, if rightly Pondered may have a tendency to heal our Breaches, which now are wide like the Sea: This we do not to impofe upon you, or to take more ( 2pp ) more upon us dian is meet, but only to Repre- feht tome things without the due confideratiort of, and regard unto which we expert no heal- ing of our Rents in an honeft way • and further upon no other Terms can we feek after, or offer Union according to our prefent Light, yet wil- ling to be Rectified by you,' wherein ye fhall convince us of Mitfakes by the Unerring Bal-> lance of the Sanctuary, the holy Scriptures. I. It is our Judgement that the Miniftry of this prefent Church is guilty in that they have fomuch difr^arded the Grievances of poor Humbled ^nd oifended People, both us and o- thers # , and therefore, we think, if ye defign to appear faithfully for Chrift his Caufe, and the good of His People, ye fhould endeavour to hear and regard the Complaints made by them, feing it is moft conducive to the Succefs of the Gofpcl, and the Edification of the Souls of Hearers, that their Complaints^efpecially when lb well grounded, be heard with fy mpathy,and an Amendment feduloufly endeavoured", for tho' a Church had never fo firm an EftabKfh- ment by Civil Authority, and herowairitrin* . Jick Power, yet if the People be difritisfied, Experience may teach, that the Succefs of the tjofpel Ordinances is undenyably Marred. II. We judge that the Sources of what Evils this Church is under at prefent, are the former Dde&iohs, and therefore, if ye aim at a Retri* val, we humbly think it is your duty to fearch out thefe narrowly, that no Achan may efcape, nor any leek remain, which may endanger this wafted Church : And that we may L be affi- U ftan* ( 30o ) ftant in this Work, to our Power, we have fentf a brief Index (as it werej of what we (who are but (hort fighted, we ingenuouflv corifefs) have reckoned, and do reckon publick Defe&ions in this Church : many more and thefe perhaps as weighty and more dangerous, we little doubt ' may be enumerat, by difcerning Chriftians, efpecially Spiritually dxfctrmngMinifters ", The Bearers hereof Mr. ■ and- will fhow you the foreraid Index, which (tho* by > former Repulfes we might have been difcourag- ed) we judged meet to prefent to you,dcfiring that, it your time may ^Uow, ye would hear the fame read, and as before the Lord confider, if thefe be not a few of the many things he hath againji this Churchy for which he is threatning to give her a BUI of Divorce^ unlefe fhe Re- pent, Rev. 2.4,3. and how dreadful will it be, if we provoke the Lord to take fareweM of tMs Land by our pleading Innocence, and refufing to take with guilt when he accufeth ? Wo to us if he depart from us y and what a curfed Ge- neration will we be, ifwe(fo to fpeak) banifh the Lord out of the Land •, firft by finning and then by denying that we have finned. III. We look on this lately Impoied OatbL asajftep of Defection, many Degrees beyond what was formerly.- our Reafons we need not repeat to you, who have refufed rt> for no doubt ye haye feen that Evil in it, that ye judged the taking of it more hazardous in * Spiritual refpt-ft than the refufing it in a Tem- JraU Nsvertheleft concerning tjjis Critical iandture; we would humbly oihr oiyi thoughts O ( got ) 2*^ • W$ think the Recufants fliould not only Proteft, butalfat discountenance the Jurant$ f s^nd feparate from thertr, ; that they may be a-* j^med* and be made to confidet; the Evil of, their Ways* and that the , Nonjurdnts may thereby keep up aeon ftant Teftimony againft them, and may not in any manner be Partaken of their Sin* $,: .We conceive it were the duty* of the Non-jurants tojoia in one body as the Mini- ftery of this.Ghurch^ and ta look oiy the relt as Men who have betrayed the Covenanted tn- itereft upon the Matter, ( tho' perhaps not de- . fignedly) and not as lawful: and fed thful Mini-.. iferj of thrs Church, until they duly evidence their unfeigned Repentance for what they have done. J 4: We are of the Opinion that the JShn : f jurants lhould jointly write tbeir Arguments agaircit the -Oath*, king wb*t is. pubiilhed that way,js cto.ne.by particular Anonymous Authors only, and not by ehe whole Body of the Kecu- U % fants r ( ^2 ) fants: Moreover if it be your Judgement to feparat, as above is mentioned, it were advif- able that the warrantablenefs of that pra&ice were eviriced, and that ALL this be Publifhed, that the World may fee on what grounds ye walk. IV. But if ye do none of thefe things, but continue holding the Jur ants *s CoPresbyters 9 and joining with them as formerly, either without or with iProteftation -, We muft, ac- cording to our light tell you, that we will be obliged to keep at as great a diftance from you as formerly, cpmtfof us what will •, yea not on- ly we, (who have not been much regarded thefe many years by this Church) but likewife many judiciousHearers in the bounds where we are beft acquainted will withdraw fas they fay them felves) not only from the Jurants, but alfo fromfuchof the Recufants as join with them. And who knows, but if ye witnefs not againft them duly, the Countrey and com- mon People may difcover their Indignation at them, either in fome rough way, or by a total 4 relinquifliing of the Ordinances difpenfed by them, which may at length prove to be on the matter, equivalent to the Cenfure they de- ferve. Right Reverend, Ye fee we have expreffed our Thoughts unto you^ what ye will judge thereof we knownof, your Learning and Wii- dom may foon fpy Chinks, yet we fhall not An- ticipat what Objeftiom ye may make againft what we have faid, efpecially feeing the Bear- ers ( ?°3 >. f ers will converfe with you on the Heads, if ye allow and require. We (hall conclude this, rude draught with oar moft ardent wifhes, that the Lord would help you to coufider the Eftate of this Church and Knigdoui, which is low Spiritually and Temporally* ^and to fearch out the Cauies of the Lord's wrath againit us, which threatens a final ftroke to us, if MeVcy prevent not-, and to deliberate on the Remedies,and what the Lord is calling for at our hands : O/that this Ghurch and Nation might be made to confider how our Sacred Covenants have, formerly and of late, been broken, nay flouted at and mock- ed by many y Yet God threatens to avenge the quarrel thereof} fliall we break theCoyenant and efcapet. Happy thefe Minifters or others whom the Lord will be pleafed to make Inft rumen ts in his hand of Reviving the. Covenanted Work of Reformation \ Ic were Blefled Ambition for everyfone to ftrive to be more aftive than ano- ther in feeking the Revival of Religion, which is almott expiring in this Land. O that God may prevent what we have too good grounds •to fear. Pardon our Prolixity. This is Sub-: ft ribed in o&r Name by VS. 1. J.M. -D, Z£ At Sdnquhair^ J)ecenu 1. 171 z. One ( 304 ) One of the Rev. Members of that forefaI4 Meeting, returned a Letter to Mr. H. whefeii) he informed him that, at London, 1 Ferfaille^ and Hannover, 'He and his j4dheremsVftte'R& prefented as Jacobites ', which was moft fur- pfifing to us, for we funpofed always that none who ktiiw us, would nave had the leaft fufpi- cion that way, feeing none in Scotland have evi- denced f more Indignation at that 'Malignant Jacobitijb FaQion, 'and the fopifo and French Crew than we in our Station .• and we refolve through Grace, to continue fo ^oing. Mr. H. lent an * Anfwer to the forefaid Letter, which, before it was tranfnutted, he communicated to us, conveened in a general Cprrefpondencej and we with his allowance, Subscribed our ad* herence to what was contained in his Anfwej: which was as follows* JReverend and dear Brother^ c Yours I received, wherein ye teU me thaj *Iand the People, adhereing to ' me are re- * prefented at London,' is Jacobites, this was ~a * little furprifing to me at nrft,' but I foon per- * ceived that 'Envy had ( been : the Mid-wife * of this altogether 'grbundlefs Calumny : I * know I need not write to you any ApoJogy; % feing I am perfwaded ye have no Jealoufy that *way, & Ihopenone elfe,with whom \ am fa- 1 miliar \y acquainted wilt doubt of my averfion * from the Jacobitfjh faction ' 7 fare I am none Leonid 6 could ever elpy ia me or my way any 4 juft ground to make fucii a Reprefentation *, * as for tbefe Practices wherein I differed from * other Minifiers of this prefent Church, they * were, if my Heart deceive nie not, only Eit- 4 deavours to abflain from all appearance of Evil j 4 and to follow the Lord fully according to the 4 meafureof Light and Grace given me by him- * felf, and an fciTdy ed conlo: mity to the Holy •Scriptures, our Principles, (acred Covenants^ > 4 and the footfkps of the Cloud of V/hnejjes^ 'tho'I willingly acknovviedge,innumerable In- < 4 firmities, and fhortcomings have attended **llthefe Mints 7 accordingly I heartily re- 'joicedat the Abdication of .hejats Ufurpefc 4 James Duke of T^, and at the happy Revo- 4 lution, whereto I think* the hand of God Mer? 4 cifully and Wonderfully appeared : my 4 Confcience bears me Witnets, that I never 4 had the lead inclination* toward the forefaid 4 James, or the now Pretendy^ who would be * thought his Son *, And I declare I am firmly 4 refolved to withftand him, lo far as my tta- 4 tionand influence can reach ; yea moreover, 4 tho* he ftiould pretend to be Prottfiant, yea 4 Presbyterian, and fhould offer aU Aflurances * for confervation of our Civil and Sacred Inte- 4 refts, I fee no ground to truft him, for ye 4 know the Ratnifo Church can grant Difpenfa- , 4 tions when the defign is to advance the Popijh • 4 Intereft, and fhe can loofe the Bonds of ail € Oaths in favours of Protejiams, whom they 4 call Hereticks, and profefs that Faith is not to 4 be kept to them i-Jfawy part I have full fa- 4 tiffaftioa ( 3C6 ; c tfsfe&fon in our good laws *gim1k?apifts- % c And I d efi re conftantly to adhere to our facred ' Covenants-, wherein we are foleiqnly bound * not to receive any Pap/fis to the Throne, 'and am refolved to declare for fuch only as * are qualified according to the forefaid Cpvrf *venants^ and good Laws, particularly, that •A& 15. Pari. 2. K. Cha. Feb. xy. 1649. : Anent\ ^fecuring the Covenant ', Religion and Peace of the " * Kingdom. What other ways, in the courie of c Divine Providence, may occurr, will be my ( Burthen and matter of Grief, not my choift 1 . '.This is my fincereand real intention through c the Afliftancs of Divine Grace •, Hence it is ^manifeft that I am addicted to no T»a&1on/ c but only am defirous to cleave clofs toourPrln- c ciples founded on the Holy Scriptures, as all c true Presbyterians in Scotland are bound to do, * as well as I. I need not think ftrange that Ca- c lumnious Reprefentations are made of me by 'Sycophants, wh# thereby wrong their own' c Souls more than me .- ^Repgcaches have beea c part of thefe Sufferings j whereof the Godly c in all ages have had Tfyal< and from which c they will at length be fully delivered. I am not unwilling that this Letter fee the light, teeing, on this foitable occafion, I have iincerely unbofomed my felf in fuch a way as u imy be fatisfying to thefe who are mifin- 'formed \ As for others, who are wilfully pre- judicat,! know nothing will ftop their Mouths^ till the Lord reprove them in Mercy or Judge- ment. Wiih-i (307 ) Wiftiing you Divine Conduft in this cferfc &nd confafed time, and a Bleffing on your labours, I remain, Reverend and dear Brother, Tour trueiyAffettitnat Brother in the Lord* J. H. • Reverend Sir, We heard your Letter to the Reverend JMH$ John Hepburn, Read wherein ye tell him, that he and the People adhering to him are Reprefented #f London, Hannover, and Verfailles^j Jaco-. bites', having likewife heard the An fiver he pur - pofethtofendyou y and judging our felves greatly, concerned in' the Contents of your Letter, we r for our own Vindication^ declare that n$e unanimoufly. agree with what is [aid in his Anfwer to yours 3 and crave that we may be reckoned Conjunct there- in with him, taking alongjl the Diflinition be^ twixt him as. a Minifiervfthe Gtifpel and us, as private ChriftiSuisv This Adherence we thought Jit to fubjoin, Adding only our hearty lVi/bes r that ye may be guided and ajftjled by the Spirit of the LORD ]ESUS, in what VVorkht calls you to. - Subfcribed in name of the General Corref- pondence from South and Weft, at Feb. 2. 3 Anno 1711. by J ft M,> A. M. J. M. W. L, Sec. WheA C 308 > When we are; mentioning that moft ground- lefs. imputation of Jacobitifm, we cannot well pafione of the moft invidious and Injurious Refle&ions ever we have heard, and it is that Mr. VeitcW (of whom joeforej not only fpeaks agajnft. our withdrawing (Tor many others havefo donej but likewife denies that Mr. H~ had valid Ordination; in which Cavil and Ca- lumny, he isjiis alone, for yvhat nve know : And we mutt declare to the World that Mr. feitcb is a grofs Calumniator, and Profit tha£ he may ly under this Charge, until he make inanifeft what he hath fpoken in this Mat* ter. But to fatisfy others, who perhaps have fuffered themlelves to be poffefTed withfuchafufpiciori through this Man's Impudent inculcating of it, we fcali inform them that Mr. H. owns firmly, that he was ordained at London, tho* not in io open andpublick a manner ("through the Ini- quity of that timeofPerfecution) as Men are now ordained, and can give the Names (if needful J of the Minifters by whom it was done, fome of which are yet 'alive •, and it is known that,bcfore a yaft Auditory not far from Dumfries, hetold that he could evidence his Ordination by Twenty Documents : And we cannot butadriiire,' how this Man had the con-' fidence to fpeak fuch a Wifehood, when the Jif- Jctnblies and Connvlffions of this Church have al- ways acknowledged 'hint' as having valid Qrdi* nation^ as is to be fee n in their AEis, And Li- bels anenthim ; The Libel raifed againfLbim Anm 1704 clearly owns that he was Ordain- ed ( 309 ) ed, making mention of the Engagement? he then came under: ' And how came ictopafs that Mr. Feitch concealed v thistili now, feing, when all things were fcraped ,ap ' and put into Jris Lybcl in^the forefaicf year, this, if crue^ would have over-ballanced all the reft : Ani this wopld have been the compendious way tQ have got him laid by and rendered oaious,which was the'main thing iu the Eye of Mr. V^eitch and his Affociates? 'But ^neither the long Xy- bd fore faid, nor the Lybtl Anno 1706. Nor yet the' Synod of jpvmfries (of which Mr. fetich \vas, and is "» 'MemberJ their ^Reprefehtatioh Ann* 1704. (in which they trace him through England and Scotland to obferv^ every trip) hath the leaft'fy liable concerning this. .Where was Mr.^/r^jhen? Why did he not fpeak what he of late h^th donef Either he had forgot, and iifo, his Memory feems to be now regaining Ability, when his Judge- ment would appear to be fadly tailed i or if he at the forefaid time did remem- ber it, he was the moft unfaithful of any Rearing the Character of a Mimjlcr, in that he did not undeceive this Church and Land, and jhe People who fubmitted to Mr. //.as a Mini- fter of theGofpel,by telling them (but indeed it needed proof,tho' it be iNcgativejLS well as tel- lingj) that the Man had ruft urifent; -how Mr. f^/Wfewill cxtricat himfelf out of thefeThickets, jet him fee to it, and untill he (hall fatisfyfngly doit, we leave him under the: abovewriuen Charge of a grofs Calumniator. "But if any fcruple at Mr. H's not being Co epenlyand formally ordained by a Conftitute Prcs- < 3io ) Prtsfytery, as Aftnijhrs ate now ordained ; Their fcruple is fo unreasonable, that we ncedfcarccly feek its Removal : Neither can we think that any except real Enemies willinfift on it, for it is granted by all Divines, and particularly by the Ven. Synod at Weflminfter in their Proportions about Ordination, (who after they have fet down the General Dotirine thereof, condefcend on fome Rules for that extraordinary time, requi- fire to be pradtifed then through want of Presby- terys ) that inunfettled times of the ( Church, when there are no Judicatories to be fbuhd in any • Or^anick Form, Mimjlers may pra&ice what in a Couftitute State of the Church, would be Dif- crd crly ; This is fo known, that we need not infift to give Authors ; Only fuch as are ac- quainted with Calderypood's Hittory, will find* how that Eminent and great Man of GOD Mr- Hhbert Bruce, when, after being long in the Exer- cifeof the Ministry, he was by fome, who had an evil eye towards him, required to receive Impcfition of hands (which, it feems, through fome Impediment from- without, he wanted at his Ordination ) utterly refufed it, fave only as a Confirmation of his entrie to a particular Flock but would upon no account receive it as a Ceremony of Ordination; The Reader may fee the whole Story, for it is worthy of Obfervati- on, and may give fatisfa&ion to any who Icru- ple about Mr. Hs Ordination not being fo Pub- Jick and Formal as that of Others ; See Calder* woods Hijt: pag. 423. 424. 425. A* ( 3U J As for other Reproaches caft on him and us, feeing to follow them out were endlefs, we (hall forbear to repeat any more of them at this time, defiring to committ our Caufe to GOD, that he may plead it • which we are hopeful he will at length do, feeing we defire (if our hearts de* ceive us not ) to ftick by no Caufe, but what the Lord owns an intereftin. We only add that feeing this Oath hath, we fear r fhut the door as to our prefenting Grievances to Judic*- toriesj where the Jurors fit, We defire what we have Publifhed in this Effay to the Worlds view, may be reckoned a Teflimony againft the things Complained of therein, to (land *rf/i*- turtm rci memriam. AP- APPENDIX TT will not, we think, be denyed that we are •** at prefent in a low Condition every way, and many of the Lords People have apprehenfions ( and thefe not Groundlels }o{ terrible Judg- ments approaching, which are not the lefs neat that they have been long delayed, after the time Great Men of GOD have fpoke of, and Dentin-* ced them; tho indeed Scoffers,like thefe mention- by Peter (iPet. 33. 4. )fromthis and our prefent Peace have concluded that the Nation ism, no danger, contrary toFauls Mind, who f iThef: 5. 3. ) lay's, when they foall Jay Peace and Safety, then fndden Deftrnttion cometh upon them, as Travel upon a Woman with Child, and they /ball not e- fcape; and contrary to ChrifFs Commentary on the Flood, in Noahs time, and on the over- throw of Sodom and Gomorrah Luke 17, near the end. And it is to be minded, tint the Prophets,' of old, forewarned of Judgments fome 40. fome 100 Years before they were infli&cd ; fo that tho the judgments denunCed againft thefe Lands, have been long delayed, they they are not the lefs certain, but are itill nearer and will be the more Terrible and heavy when thfcjr ( 2 ) they come; Matters being thus for our Sins 3 It is high time to awake, that we be not iurprifed With a Midnight Cry, nor overtaken with fudden De(iru6tion Healing on us as a •Thief in the Night ; O That GOD would avfraken Magiflrates, Mim/rers, and all others, high and low Great and fnull, Kich and poet to confider our Dangerous Circumfhnces ! for Whither W£ think it or not* the Lord hath forfaken us, in a great meafure, and threatens to j Jeave us utterly, and remove his Candleftick fjgom among!-! us, and turn us into Popi/h, yea, Heathenifb Darknef^as he hath done with many famous Churches elfe where, who haply thought thcmfelves as fafe from any fuch thing, as we n n W cK It is therefore GOD's Call and our llfequeftionable duty, and only fafety, to repent and turn again to the Lord, from whom we havefo Grievoufly departed ; But fome may BUMffibly fay ( as thefe in Malachy 3. 7 J wherein ^Rjpf return ? To which Quettion (wherein a conceit of Innocency is clearly Imported ) we Reply, who or where are they who have not Sinned ? What Rank or Degree ? What Party f What Perfcn in what ever Station hath noj Sinned ? Doth not Sin abound, and Rcli-> giim decay > Are not many both great and ^Bfl high ahd low Openly Vitious and Flagi- Bpus ? O the horrid. Prophanity that overflows the Land / Drunkennefs, Tipling, Whoring, * Uncleannefs, Oblcene Speeches and Songs, ^heating, Lying. Fighting, 'j Sabbath-breaking, [ling, Ranting, and all manner of Wick- i all the Corners of this Land : And tLfcfe, what I i±*t* H