K w •-m: V* It "4. . S»,»aV*v-S< «» -^A i i^^^.! ii-s^ 7)5^m-:<.- S'^j 'i!^. Vi . ,^^'^'>>> n"- IK. S ~i %<■ % ACT, DECLARATION, TESTIMONY, FOR THE t WHOLE OF OUR COVENANTED REFORMATION, AS ATTAINED TO, AND ESTABLISHED IN, BRITAIN AND IRELAND; PARTICULARLY BETWIXT THE YEARS 1638 AND 1649, INCLUSIVE. AS, ALSO, AGAINST ALL THE STEPS OF DEFECTION FROM SAID REFORMATION, WHETHER IN FORMER OR LATER TIMES, SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF THAT GLORIOUS WORK, DOWN TO THIS PRESENT DAY: BY THE REFORMED PRESBYTERY. Psalm Ix, 4.— Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee : that it may be dis played because of the truth, Isaiah viii, 16.— Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my disciples. JuDE, verse 3. — That ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints. Revelation iii, 11.— Behold, I come quickly : hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED A HISTORICAL AND DECLARATORY SUPPLEMENT. PHILADELPHIA: EUE & JONES, PRINTERS, 106 & lOS SOUTH THIRD STREET. 1876. Philadelphia. We hereby certify that this is a true edition of the Orig- inal Judicial Testimony, emitted by the Reformed Presby- tery at Ploughlandhead, Scotland, 1761 ; together with the Supplements adopted by the Reformed Presbytery at this date, June 2d, 1876. David Steele, James Campbell, Robert Clyde, I Committee. Robert Alexander,] C O N T E IS" T S. PAGE. Introduction 3-7 PART I. ThQ Culdees, (cultores dei) 8-10 National Covenant ratified by civil authority 11 Prelacy introduced by Jiimes VI 12 National Govenaut renewed 1688: Alexander Henderson 14-16 Westminster Assembly — Solemn League of the three kingdoms, 1643 17-18 Cromwell, Duke, Hamilton — Charles I. beheaded, his son crowned 19 Second Keformation overthrown — Covenants, Lex Rex, etc., burned 22-26 Marquis of Argyle and James Guthrie beheaded, 1661 Ibid. Archbishop Sharp's cruelt,y to his covenanted brethren 27 Apologetical Relation, by John Brown, of Wamphrey, burned, 1661 28 V.vmqMxg^ o^ Dalziel of Biiins, Col. Wallace, &c.. Highland Host.. 29-32 Rutherglen Declation, battle of Bothwell bridge 33-34 Richard Cameroii, Donald Gargill, Sanquar Declaration, 1680 35 Lanerk Declation and others burned by order of council 37 James Renwick ordained in Holland — Apologetic Declaration 38-39 Death of Charles II., James VII. succeeds — his Indulgences 39-42 Informatory Vindication — Hind let loose: Indulged ministers 43-45 Renwick executed, Jan. 17th, 1688 — Shields, Linning and Boyd's defection 46-48 Mr. John McMallan's accession to the " Society People," 1706 49 Reformed Presbytery's review of Part I 50-53 PART II. Prince of Orange — Erastian settlement — testimony against 55-62 Act recissory left in full force against the Covenants 63-65 Instances of Erastianism — the king calling assemblies, &c., oaths, tolerations, &c 66-89 Intolerance by the church — Hepburn, McMillan, Eiskines, &c 91-92 Partiality in discipline, countenancing error — Professor Simpson, &c. 93-97 Association with malignants by church and state — Irish Presby- terians 98-101 PART III. Reluctant testimony against Scceders on magistracy 102-111 Reception and providential will of God must be distinguished 112-113 This distinction proved and largely illustrated, our Covenants, etc. 114-132 Perversion of Scripture, as Rev. xxvi, 21; Eccl. x, 4; Luke xx, 25; Rom. xiii, 1-8, &c 132-141 (.'orruption in worship, prayer, causes of fasting 142-145 Treachery in covenant, leaving out material parts 146-150 Unfaithfulness in testimcmy-bearing 151-153 Sinful terms of communion 154-155 Prostitution of discipline, Leslie, Nairn, Marshall, &c 156- SUPPLEMENT TO PART III. Historical sketch from 1761 till 1876 161-168 '• Secession Controversy" with tin; Reformed Presbytery 169 Union of A. R. Presbyterian and Secession ministers — U. 1'. C. . 170 Reformed Dissenting 'Presbytery— iMcCoy and Warwick Ibid. Disruption of Generiil Synod in 1833, East Synod of Ireland 171 Defections of Old Lights, Pittsburgh Bond Ibid. Misrepresentations corrected, "schisms, " etc ^ 1 75 Historical testimony a condition of ecclesiastical fellowship Supplement to Part IV Formula of Forms of Communion (Queries put to candidates for office IXTEODU CTI 0]Sr The Presbytery, soon after their erection, being convinced of the expediency and necessity of emitting a judicial testi- mony, to discover to the world the principles upon which, as a judicatory of the Lord Jesus Christ, they stood, in oppo- sition to the different, so called, judicatories in the land ; together with the agreeableness of these principles to the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and to the covenanted constitution of the church of Scotland in her purest periods ; did therefore, after a proposal for said effect, agree in appointing one of their number to prepare a draft of this kind to be laid before them, who, after sundry delays, to their grief of mind, at once cut off their hopes of all assist- ance from him, in that or any other particular, by laying himself obnoxious to the censures of the church ; which the presbytery, in duty both to him, to God, and to his people, were obliged to put in execution against him, while he, in contempt of that ordinance, and other means used for his conviction and recovery, obstinately persists in his impeni- tency and defection. And although the presbytery, few in number, were thus diminished, yet, being still resolved to prosecute their former design, they renewed their appoint- ment upon another brother, who, in consequence of his un- dertaking, was allowed a cessation from his other public work, in order to expedite the proposed draft. And now, when nothing was expected that should retard the finishing of such a necessary work, the lamentable fire of division, that had long been smothered, unhappily broke forth into a violent flame, whereby the presbytery was rent asunder, and that brother, on whom the appointment was formerly laid, happening to be of the separating party, a second stop was not only put to the publication of this testimony, but the presbytery, from the absence of a brother removed to a distant part of the world, together with the paucity of their number, were almost wholly discouraged from attempting again what they had been oftener than once disappointed in. But notwithstanding of the above, with many other diffi- culties which we shall not at present take notice of, the pres- bytery, still considering, that, even in their present circum- stances, when their number is few and despicable, their adversaries many, and such as are in repute in the world, whereby the opposition made to them, and the conspiracy formed against the covenanted testimony of the church of [iii] [iv] Scotland maintained hy them, must needs be strong; there is yet a gracious door of opportunity left open for them to attempt, in their judicative capacity, the prosecution and accomplishment of the necessary work formerly proposed ; and which they could not but judge the Lord still called them unto, while after all the above-mentioned breaches made upon them, he still continued to give them a nail in his holy place, and a wall in Judah and Jerusalem, Ezra ix, 8, 9, they therefore again laid their appointments upon some others to prepare a draft of An Act, Declaration and Testimony, &c., and which, under the favor of Divine Providence, has at length been finished and laid before the presbytery. We only need to observe further with reference to this, that the long delay of what is now agreed upon did not proceed from 2iYiy design in the presbytery of depriving either the people of their particular inspection, or the generation, of any benefit that might be obtained by a work of this nature, but partly from the fewness of their number, and great extent of their charge, and partly from the great distance of members' resi- dence from each other, Avhereby they can seldom have access to meet altogether for expediting this or any other work of j)ublic concern they have in hand. It is, therefore, with an eye to the Wonderful Counselor (when Zion's faithful counselors are so few) for light and direction in the management of this great and imjDortant work, that the presbytery have resolved upon the publication hereof at this time, for the reasons which follow : — 1. Because this duty of bearing witness for truth and de- claring against all error, and defection from it, and transmit- ting the same uncorrupted to posterity, is expressly enjoined on the church by the Spirit of God in the Scriptures of truth. Psal. Ixxviii, 5 : " For he hath established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers that they should make them known to their children." Isaiah xliii, 10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." Maith.x,^2: "Whosoever, therefore, shall con- fess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven." John xv, 27 : " Ye also shall bear wit- ness." Acts i, 8 : " And ye shall be witnesses unto me." 2. Because, in agreeableness to the above scripture war- rant, it has been the constant practice of the church in all ages, when in such capacity, judicially to assert and declare their approbation of tlie truths of the everlasting gospel, and attainments of the church, joined with the condemnation of all contrary error, as appears from their harmonious confes- sions: and i)articularly this has been the honorable practice of the once famous church of Scotland, witness her excellent rv] confessions, covenants, &c., whose posterity we are; and,, therefore, in duty bound to homologate, and approve her scriptural form and order, by a judicial asserting of her at- tainments, as saith the apostle Philip, iii, 16 : " ^Nevertheless- whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the same- rule, let us mind the same thing." Rev. iii, 3: " Remember^ therefore, how thou has received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent." 3. That, notwithstanding many , both ministers and private christians, have been honored faithfully to publish their testimonies and declarations, and to seal them with their blood, in opposition to the growing defections in the land, being through the tyranny of the times prevented from acting in any other capacity : yet never, since the national overthrow of the glorious structure of reformation, has any church judicatory, constituted purely on the footing of our covenanted establishment, appeared in a judicial vindication of our Redeemer's interest and injured rights. 4. The unspeakable loss sustained by the present genera- tion, through the want of a full and faithful declaration of the covenanted principles of the church of Scotland, which they in the loins of their ancestors were so solemnly engaged to maintain ; whereby, as ignorance must be increased, so prejudices are also gradually iDCgotten in their minds against the truth in the purity thereof. And this, through the many mistaken notions at present prevailing among the different contending parties of professors in these nations, concerning the distinct ordinances of divine institution, viz., the min- istry and magistracy, or ecclesiastical and civil government ; and, more especially, the presbytery reckon themselves, and all professing their allegiance unto Christ and his cause, ob- liged to maintain the testimony of our ancestors for the divine institution and right constitution of civil government, according to the law of God, as what they found to be, and still is, indispensably necessary for the outward defense and preservation of righteousness and true religion ; and because the very foundation and ends of this ordinance have been doctrinally subverted, and the generation taught the most licentious principles concerning it, by a body of professed witnesses among ourselves : and this they design to do, with- out (as they are slanderously reported of by some) laying aside themselves, or withdrawing others, from the study of internal and habitual or practical holiness. 5. To wipe off the reproach of that odium cast upon the presbytery and community belonging thereto, by some who invidiously call them a headless mob, whose principles can- not be known, anti-government men, men of bloody prin- [vi] ciples, &c., than which nothing can be more unjust: seeing, as a body distinct from all others, they have still stood upon the footing of the covenanted establishment, as has been frequently declared to the world, and as the constitution of the presbytery bears; so that they can no more be said ever to have wanted a proper testimony exhibiting their principles to the world, than the reformed church of Scotland, whereof they are a part. 6. The present broken and divided situation of the mem- bers of Christ's mystical body, together with the abounding of error, seems necessarily to require it as a proper mean, under the divine blessing, for gathering again the scattered flock of Christ, the chief shepherd, to tlie one sheepfold, and putting a stop to the current of prevailing apostasy and de- fection. For these reasons (with more that might be adduced) the presbytery find themselves in duty bound, to God, the pres- ent and succeeding generations, to throw in their small mite of a testimony, against the manifold avowed backslidings and defections of all degrees of men, both in the former and present times, from the precious truths of Christ, and purity of his ordinances; unto the maintenance whereof, not only they, but all in these lands, are solemnly bound by covenant engagements. And, to conclude, let none mistake the presbytery's aim and intention,, in the whole or any part of the following tes- timony, as if they minded nothing else but magistracy, &c., and that to have civil government, and governors estab- lished, according to the rule of God's word, was all the religion they intended, without regarding or opposing any other of the prevailing evils and iniquities of the present time. So some are pleased to allege, as has been hinted above ; but such might do well to consider, that, as the sover- eign and distinguisliing goodness of God is clearly evidenced, in giving his statutes and judgments unto his Israel, in all ages, while he has not dealt so with the other nations of the world, wherein his will is manifestly revealed, determining his people's duty in all their regulations; so his glory fs equally concerned, that they recive, observe, keep pure and entire, all the ordinances he hath appointed in his word. The sinful prostitution of any of these, or breaking over the boundaries which Jehovah hath set, is an evident contempt of his sovereign authority, and violation of the moral law. God requires of his people an universal respect to all his or- dinances and commandments. Hence what is designed by them in this undertaking, is equally to testify their adher- ence unto, and approbation of the doctrine, Avorship, discipline [vii] and government of the house of God ; and to signify their opposition to, and dissatisfaction with, all the apostatizing, backsliding courses in principle and practice, from that re- formation purity, both^ in church and state (which, as the attainment of the nations of Britain and Ireland, was by them accounted their chief ornament and glory), that have taken place, especially in this kingdom, since our woful de- cline commenced : whereby the witnesses of Scotland's cov- enanted reformation, have been deprived of any legal benefit, as well^ since as before the late revolution ; in which the re- formation, neither in civil nor ecclesiastical constitutions was adopted. The intent, therefore, of this work is of very great importance ; no less being proposed, than the right stating of the testimony for the covenanted interest of Christ in thes^ lands, and judicial vindication of all the heads thereof, after such a long and universal apostacy therefrom : a work that must needs be attended with great difficulties, and labor under manifold disadvantap^es, as in other respects, so parti- cularly from the consideration of the temper of this age, wherein nothing almost is pleasing, but what is adapted to the taste, not of the best, but of the greatest : and naked truth, without the varnish of flattery, and painting of carnal policy, is generally treated with contempt, and ex- posed to ridicule. And therefore, to remove as much as pos- sible the prejudice of a critical age, who are ready to reject every thing as new, which is in some respects singular, and not suited to their favorite sentiments ; the presbytery have endeavored, in this work, to conform, as much as possible, to the faithful contendings of former honest contenders for the truths and testimony of Jesus, and that both, as to matter and manner: and as the grounds of this testimony are not any needless scrupulosities, or strange novelties, but precious and weighty truths, of the greatest value and importance, and of nearest affinity unto the continued series and succes- sion of the testimonies of the church of Scotland, in former and more ancient periods ; so it is the presbytery's ambition, that nothing, as to the subject matter of what is here con- tained, be looked upon as theirs, but may be regarded as an ancient plea, wherein is nothing but what has been main- tained and confirmed by authors of the greatest fame and reputation in the church ; has been asserted by the greatest confessors, and sealed by the best blood of the honored and faithful martyrs of Jesus : so that it may appear, the cause and truths here judicially stated and vindicated, are not of yesterday's date, but the same old jDaths and good way, that we are commanded to ask for, and w^alk in, though paths that are not now much trodden, a w^ay that is not much paved by the multitude of professors walking therein. ACT, DECLAEATION AND TESTIMONY. PART I. Containing a brief historical narration of the several periods of the Testi- mony of the Church of Scotland, and of the faithful contendings of the witnesses for Christ, particularly from the commencement of the Re- formation in these lands, down to the late Revolution; with the Presby- terys' approbation thereof- Ploughlandhead, June 6, 1761. The which day and place, the Reformed Presbytery being met, and taking into their most serious consideration, the deplorable situation of the interest of Christ and religion at present, in these sinning lands wherein so few are asking for the old path, saying. Where is the good way, that we may walk therein ? but, on the contrary, an avowed apostasy and backsliding from the right Avays of the Lord, is by the generality carried on, with a secret undermining of reforma- tion interests, by some, under more specious pretenses ; and, further, considering the general deluge of error and heresy, that has overrun these lands, and the swarm of erroneous heretics that has overspread the same, making very impious attacks upon the most part of revealed religion, who, not- withstanding, have found such shelter under the wings of a Laodicean church, and almost boundless state toleration, that they walk on without fear in the foresaid broad way of sin and error. And, moreover, all kinds of sin and wickedness so universally abound and pass, without any suitable check, that he who departs from iniquity maketh himself a prey ; together with the woful insensibility, and deep security of all, under our spiritual plagues and impending temporal strokes. And yet, while the land so evidently groans under its inhabitants, very few either acknowledge themselves guilty, or turn from the evil of their ways, "say ing. What have we done ? Also, considering the horrid breach and contempt of sacred vows unto the Most High, the great effusion of the saints' blood, shed in our late persecution under prelacy (which is yet to be found in our skirts), and the faithful testimony they therewith sealed, remains buried under the gravestones, both of ecclesiastical and civil deeds of constitution, unto this day. So that we may rather admire, that the Lord hath not made such inquisition for blood, as to make our land an aceldama, than that we are yet [8] [9] under a dispensation of divine forbearance. All which is followed with a deep oblivion of most or all of the memorable instances of the Lord's goodness, mercy and power, mani- fested unto his church, in these lands; the remembrance whereof ought still to be retained, and the same acknow- ledged with thanfulness, by all the children of Zion, unto the latest ages. Wherefore the presbytery, amidst their many difficulties, partly noticed in the introduction, as a court of the true Presbyterian Covenanted Church of Christ in Scotland, con- stituted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the alone King and Head of his church, judicially to commemorate: Likeas, they did, and hereby do acknowledge, with the utmost gratitude, the great goodness and tender mercy of our God unto our church and land ; who, in consequence of that early new covenant grant, made by Jehovah to his eternal Son, to give him the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, caused the day spring from on high to visit us. Our glorious Redeemer, that bright and morning Star, having, by his almighty power, shaken off the fetters of death, wherewith it was im- possible that he could be held, and as a victorious conqueror, leading captivity captive, ascended into the highest heavens, and there sat down on the right hand of God, did very soon discover his cordial acceptance of, and superlative delight in, possessing his Father's extensive grant, by stretching forth the lines of his large and great dominion unto the distant nations of the world, involved in the thickest darkness of stupidity and idolatry ; and, in a particular manner, did, as the glorious sun of righteousness, graciously illuminate this remote and barbarous isle, causing* the refulgent beams of gospel light to dissipate the gross darkness that covered the people, which prevailed so far (according to the very authen- tic historical accounts), that, about the beginning of the third century, those of the highest dignity in the nation, voluntarily enlisted themselves under the displayed banner of Christ, the captain of salvation, and became nursing fathers and nursing mothers to his church, employing their power to root out Pagan idolatry, and bring their subjects under the peaceful scepter of the Son of God. This plant of Christianity having once taken root, did, under all the vicissitudes of divine providence, grow up unto a spreading vine, which filled the land, and continued to flourish, without being pressed down with the intolerable burden of prelatical or popish superstition: the truths and institutions of the gospel being faithfully propagated and maintained in their [10] native purity and simplicity by the Culdees some hundreds of years before ever that man of sin and son of perdition, by the door of prelacy, stepped into the temple of God in Scot- land. Those early witnesses for Christ, having no other ambitition but that of advancing piety and the doctrines which were according to godliness, were therefore called Cul- dees^ that is, Cultores Dei^ or worshipers of God. The doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the house of God being thus established, continued for many years, taught and exer- cised, according to divine institution. But, in process of time, the Church of Christ in this land came to be assaulted with the corruptions of the see of Rome, by means of Palla- dius, the Pope's missionary to the Britons, who made the first attempt to bring our fathers' necks under the anti- christian yoke, which gradually increasing by little and little, clouded the sunshine of prosperity the church then enjoyed, till about the eleventh century, when the Romish fraternity fully established themselves, by usurping a diocesan su- premacy over the house of God ; after which a midnight darkness of popish error and idolatry overwhelmed the nation, for near the space of ^yq hundred years. Yet, even in this very dark period, the Lord left not himself altogether without some to bear witness for him, whose steadfastness in defense of the truth, even unto death, vanquished the inhuman cruelty of their savage enemies. The honor of the church's exalted Head being still engaged to maintain the right of conquest he had obtained over this remote isle, and raise up his work out of the ruins, under which it had lain so long buried ; he, about the beginning of the 15th century, animated some valiant champions (Messrs. Hamilton, Wis- hart and others) with a spirit of truth and heroic courage, to contend against the abominations of the Babylonish wdiore, whose labors, by the blessing of Heaven, were rendered successful, to open the eyes of some to see, and engage many others to inquire after, and espouse the truth as it is in Jesus. These, not regarding the fear of man, nor the cruelty of their enemies, but as good soldiers of Jesus Christ, enduring hard- ness, chose, rather than desert their Master's cause, to ofler their bodies to be devoured by the tormenting flames, no more merciless than their hellish persecutors ; while in that fiery chariot, through the serial regions, their souls ascended to the celestial country. And herein, also, did God frustrate the expectation of that monster of iniquity. Cardinal Beaton (whose memory let it forever perish), and his wicked accom- plices, and turned their counsel into foolishness, who, by the death of a few zealous contenders for the faith, intended the [11] total suppression of Christ's truth for ever ; but God having purposed the contrary, made the effusion of their blood the occasion of rousing many from the deep sleep of gross igno- rance, by putting them to search into the truth of those doctrines, which these martyrs sealed with their blood ; so that Jesus Christ, the only true light in the orb of the gospel, began again to shine forth in this realm. Upon this begun revival of reformation, the glory of the Lord went remarkably before his people, and the God of Israel was their reward, uniting the hearts, and strength- •ening the hands, both of noble and ignoble, to a vigorous and active espousing of his gospel, and concerns of his glory, in opposition to the tyranny of the lordly bishops, perse- cuting rage, and masked treachery of the two bloody Marys, the mother and daughter, who then successively governed, or rather tyrannized, in Scotland. Their number, as well as their zealous spirit, still increasing, they, for the more effectual management of this noble enterprise, entered into covenants to advance that begun work of reformation, and to defend the same and one another in the maintenance thereof, against all opposition whatsoever. Several such covenants our early reformers solemnly entered into at Edin- burgh, Perth and Leith, in the years 1557, '59, '60 and '62. In 1560, the Confession of the Faith^ and doctrine believed and professed by the Protestants within the realm of Scotland^ was compiled and civilly ratified, or allowed of, in free and open parliament, afterward sworn to in the National Covenant ayinis 1580, 1581 and 1590. At the same time, some other acts were passed, in favor of reformation ; one against the mass and abuse of the sacraments ; another, abolishing the Pope's jurisdiction and authority with this realm, &c. In the above mentioned year 1560, the first book of policy and discipline, containing the form and order of presbyterial church government, was composed, approve n and subscribed by the ministry, and a great part of the nobility. Thus, by the wisdom and power of God, who takes the wise in their own craftiness, by means, especially, of the indefatigable labors of the renowned Mr. Knox (whose memory is still savory in the churches), was this surprising work of refor- mation advanced, until it obtained the authority of a law ; whereby, was not only the presby terian protestant inter- est ratified, but anti-christian supremacy and superstition abolished. The church, gradually increasing in beauty and perfection, did, with much painfulness and faithful diligence, labor after a more full establishment of the house of God, in all its privi- leges, until, by perfecting the second book of discipline, [12] they completed the exact model of presbytery, which, though they had enjoyed national assemblies for a considerable time^ yet was not brought to such an entire conformity to the divine pattern, nor so generally acc^uiesced in until now, that it was unanimously approven by the assembly 1590, and particu- larly enjoined to be subscribed by all who did bear office- in the church ; and, at last, they prevailed to get it publicly voted and approven in parliament, June, 1592 ; and also at the same time, obtained by act of parliament, the ratification of all the privileges and liberties of the church, in her assemblies, synods, presbyteries, &c. And here we may observe, that while this church and na- tion contended for the obtaining of a legal establishment of the ecclesiastical polity, they were no less concerned to have that other distinct ordinance of God, civil magistracy, unal terably settled, in agreeableness to the rule of God's word. This appears, not only by their earnest contendings against the abuse of that ordinance among them ; but also, by the public acts of parliament, obliging prince and people to be of one perfect religion, and wholly incapacitating all persons, for bearing any office, supreme or subordinate, who refused, by their solemn oath, to approve of, and, to the utmost of their power, engage to defend the true religion, as contained in the word of God, and confession of faith founded thereon, then believed, and publicly professed within the realm, rati- fied and generally sworn to in the ]^ational Covenant, during the whole course of their lives, in all their civil administrations. See Acts Pari. Ist^ James VI, 1567. Thus the hand of God was remarkably seen, and his power- ful arm evidently revealed, in delivering this nation both from Pagan darkness, and Popish idolatry, the memory whereof ought not to be lost, but thankfully acknowledged, to the honor of God's great name, by all such as favor the dust of Zion, for her sake, and long to see her breaches, now wide as the sea, repaired. But to proceed : The church's grand foe envying her growing prosperity, did soon disturb her peace, by insinuat- ing himself upon those of superior dignity, who were in- trui-ted with the administration of civil aftairs,both supreme and subordinate, blowing up into a flame that inbred and rooted enmity, winch they still retained, at the simplicity, strictness and scriptural purity of the reformation in Scot- land. The then supreme civil ruler. King James VI, formed a scheme for ruining the church of Scotland, and stripping her of those comely and beautiful ornaments of reformation purity, in doctrine, worship, discipline and government. i^ [13] Avhich she had now put on, by introducing episcopacy, and establishing bishops. ^' This he did for no other reason, *' (says one), but because he believed them to be useful and ""pliable instruments for turning a limited monarchy into *' absolute dominion, and subjects into slaves; that which, *' of all other things, he affected most : " And for this pur- pose, (after several subtle and cunningly devised steps, pre- viously taken, with design to do, by degrees, what could not be done at once,) he makes an open attack upon the general assembly, robbing them of their power and liberty to meet, judge and determine, in all ecclesiastical concerns, (well knowing, that so long as assemblies might convene in freedom, he would never get the estate of bishops established in Scotland), and imprisoning and banishing many faithful ministers, members of the general assembly, who opposed him, testified and protested against his wicked invasion, and sacreligious robbery of the church's rights and privileges. And, fiaving at last obtained the supremacy and headship ■over the church, which was granted him by an impious act of a pretended parliament, of his own stamp, called by him for that purpose, proceeded with his design, until he had again established prelacy, and razed presbytery almost ^ to the very foundations, notwithstanding all the opposition made to it by the faithful in the land, both ministers and people. Thus, after several former attempts to this effect, was ■episcopacy again established, and prelates lording over God's heritage advanced, imposing their Popish ceremonies, which in that pretended assembly convened at Perth, anno 1618, i\^ere enacted, and afterwards ratified in a subsequent parlia- ment, in the year 1621. And as the father had thus violated his solemn professions, declarations and engagements, to maintain the covenanted interest ; so likewise, upon the ac- •cession of the son to the throne, there was no amendment nor redress had : but he followed the same iniquitous course, walking in the way of his father, and in the sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. And further, obtruded upon the church a service book, a book of popish and prelatical canons, which was followed with a violent prosecution of the faithful contenders for the former laudable constitution of the church, carried on by that monstrous Erastian high-commission court, patched up of statesmen and clergymen: and hereby was the church again brought under the yoke of anti-christian prelacy, and tyrannical supremacy ; which lese-majesty to Zion's King was also ratified with the sanction of civil author- ity. To this yoke, oppressing Christ's loyal subjects, many [14] of his professed servants submitted their necks, and, Issachar- like, became servants to tribute for a considerable time. But when the Lord's set time to favor Zion came, he made the long despised dust thereof again to be more pleasant and precious than ever unto his servants and people, and the long, night season and thick clouds of adversity, under which his church labored, amidst some day-sky, and sun-blinks of prosperity, she at times enjoyed, to issue in the dawning of a day of clearer light, wherein the Glorious Sun of Righteousness shone in his meridian splendor, with greater brightness, both in this and the neighboring nations, than at its first arising therein, in a gospel dispensation ; whose benign influences caused the small grain of good seed, sown by the skill of the Great Husbandman, to grow up to a fruitful plant, the ten- der twig to spread itself into a noble vine, and the little cloud, like a man's hand, to cover the whole hemisphere of the visible church of Scotland, which long ago, as a church and nation, had enlisted themselves under the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Royal Prince; whose peaceful and righteous scepter being now also extended to England and Ireland, they soon submitted themselves thereto, in a religious association and union with Scotland in covenant engagements, for re- formation from prelacy, as well as popery, which they have never hitherto yielded to. Upon this gracious return of divine favor, and discovery of almighty power manifested against the mighty agents for prelatical superstition, both in church and state, when, from the paucity of those who appeared in favor of truth ^ in the year 1(537, small opposition unto its enemies could be expected ; yet their magnanimity in witness-bearing was so followed by manifestations of the divine countenance and favor, that both their number and courage daily increased. The national covenant was again, after mature deliberation,, anent both the lawfulness, expediency, and seasonableness thereof, with great solemnity renewed in 3Iarch^ 1638, with the general concurrence of the ministry, noblemen, gentlemen and others, humbling themselves before the Lord for their former defections and breach of covenant ; though, at the same time, the court faction, and many temporising ministers, continued in their opposition, but which was indeed too weak to make resistance unto the cause of God, and force of truth carried home with suitable conviction upon the con- science. The covenant being first renewed at Edinburgh, they pro- vided next, that it should also be renewed through the king- dom ; and for this purpose, copies thereof were sent with all [15] convenient speed to the several presbyteries, together with suitable exhortations, and instructions for renewing of the same in every parish of their bounds ; and by this means it came to pass, through the good hand of their God upon them, that in a little time, almost every parish through Scotland, did, with much solemnity, cheerfulness and alacrity, renew the same, and publicly with uplifted hand avouch the Lord to be their God. And as this solemn action was everywhere accompanied with remarkable evidences of divine power and presence in a plentiful effusion of a spirit of grace and sup- plication ; so the joy of the Lord herein became their strength, and greatly increased the faith and hopes of all the church's real friends, that as the Lord had begun, so he would also make an end, and carry on his work to perfection, amid the terrible threatenings both of king and court ; his majesty being highly displeased that his authority was contemned, and no concurrence of his royal pleasure sought in the renova- tion of the covenant : but their righteousness in this partic- ular was brought forth as the light, when the legality of this and their other proceedings was afterward attested to the king by the ablest lawyers in the kingdom. The zealous contenders for the church's liberties, by sup- plications, reasonings, and proposed articles, for enjoying what they much longed for, at last obtained, before the fore- said year 1638 expired, a lawful and free general assembly, (constituted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the alone King and Head of his church) consisting of able members, both ministers and elders, who would not suffer an infringe- ment upon their regular manner of procedure, or right to act as unlimited members of a free court of Christ, nothwith- standing the constant attacks made upon their freedom by the king's commissioner, and protestations by him taken against their regular procedure, which issued in his Erastian declaration of the king's prerogative, as supreme judge in all causes, ecclesiastical as well as civil, and renewing all his former protestations in his royal master's name ; further pro- testing in his own name, and in the name of the lords of the clergy, that no act passed by them should imply his consent, or be accounted lawful, or of force to bind any of the sub- jects ; and, then in his majesty's name dissolving the assem- bly, discharging their proceeding any further, and so went oft*. But the assembly, judging it better to obey God than man ; and to incur the displeasure of an earthly king, to be of far less consequence than to oftend the Prince of the kings of the earth, entered a protestation against the lord commis- sioner's departure without any just cause, and in behalf of the [16] intrinsic power and liberty of the church ; also assigning the reasons why they coujd not dissolve the assembly till such time as they had gone through that work depending upon them. This was given in to the clerk by Lord Rothes, and part of it read before liis grace left the house, and instruments taken thereupon. Then, after several moving and pathetic speeches delivered on that occasion, for the encouragement of the brethren to abide by their duty, by the moderator, Mr. Alexander Henderson, and others, ministers and elders, exhorting them to shew themselves as zealous for Christ their Lord and Master, in liis interests, as he had shewed himself zealous for his master; they unanimously agreed that they should continue and abide by their work until they had concluded all things needful, and that on all haz- zards. And so they proceeded to the examination of that complaint against the bishops, who, on account of their tyranny, superstition, and teaching of Popish, Arminian, and Pelagian errors, were all laid under the sentence of deposi- tion ; and many of them, for their personal profaneness, wickedness and debauchery proven against them, together with their contumacy, were also excommunicated with the greater excommunication, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. They gave their approbation of the national covenant ; and prelacy, with the five articles of Perth, were found and de- clared to be abjured by it, together with the civil places and power of kirkmen, there sitting on the bench as justices of the peace, sitting in council, and voting in parliament. Sub- scription of the confession of faith, or covenant, was also en- joined, presbyterian church government justified and ap- proven, and an act made for holding yearly general assem- blies ; with many other acts and constitutions tending to the advancement of that begun reformation, and purging the church of Christ of those sinful innovations, crept into it, which may be seen more at large in the printed acts of that assembly. The lawful and just freedrd of June^ 1649, by his oath subjoined in allowance and appro- bation of the Covenants National, and Solemn League, obliging himself faithfully to prosecute the ends thereof in his station and calling ; and for himself and successors, he shall agree to all acts of parliament enjoining the same, and establishing presbyterial church government, the directory for worship, confession of faith and catechisms, in the kingdom of Scotland, as approven by the General Assemblies of this kirk, and parliament of this kingdom. And for their further satisfaction, according to the act of the West Kirk, Edinburgh, August 13^A, 1650, approven the same day by the committee of estates, he emitted a declaration at Dunferm- line, by profession, fully and heartily acquiescing with all their demands ; all which afterward served for nothing but as a lasting monument of his horrid perjury, wicked dissimu- lation, and mockery of God and man. And even then, when this declaration was published, he had formed a design for bringing in the enemies of the covenant, and work of reformation, both into the army and judicatories, and for [21] dividing the Presbyterians among themselves. And this he effectually managed for both foresaid ends, by the public resolutions, on the 14:th of December, that same year, 1650. This woful and prime step of defection, so contrary to the word, and injurious to the work of God, was faithfully testified against by many, both ministers, and whole presby- teries, who were sensible of the present sinfulness and evil of it, and foresaw the bitter and dismal consequences that followed upon it. In the meantime, notwithstanding this, and other shrewd evidences, the king gave of his double dealing and hypocrisy, he was crowned at Scoon,on the first of January, 1651, and had the Covenants National and Solemn League again admin- istered unto him, by the reverend Mr. Douglas, after a sermon from 2 Kings xi, 12, 17, which he, in a most solemn manner renewed, before the three estates of parliament, the commis- sioners of the General Assembly, and a numerous congrega- tion, in the words of his former oath at Spey ; with the coronation oath, as contained in the 8th Act Pari. 1st, James YI, to all which he engaged before his coronation ; and on these terms, and no other, were the oaths of fidelity to him, as the lawful supreme magistrate, taken, at his receipt of the royal authority. And consequently, these covenant engage- ments became fundamental constitutions, both in church and state, and the door of access into office-bearing in either, and formal ground of the people's subjection. Then was the church's appearance " Beautiful as Tirzah, comely as Jeru- salem, and terrible as an army with banners." From what is noticed above, the presbytery cannot but declare their hearty approbation of the zeal, courage, and faithfulness of our honored ancestors, in their valiant con- tendings for the valuable liberties and privileges of the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah, until they got the same established, and the nations brought under the most solemn, sacred, and inviolable engagements, to maintain every branch of this glorious reformation; a reformation, not only from the more gross errors, and idolatries of popery, but from the more refined superstition of prelacy, and all that Anti- christian and Erastian supremacy, that in former times had been exercised on the heritage of the Lord ; a reformation of both the divine ordinances of ministry and magistracy, from all the abuses and corruptions thereof, by the inventions of men, joined with the above mentioned establishment of them, in some measure of agreeableness unto their scriptural institution. Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare their ap- [22] probation of, and adherence unto foresaid reformation, in all the different parts and branches thereof, attained from 1638 to 1650 inclusive, and sworn to in the National and Solemn League and Covenant, not exclusive of such parts of re- formation as were attained unto prior to this, but as a further advance on this foundation, and as being much more pure and agreeable to the infallible standard of scrijtture, than any formerly arrived at in these nations. The daughter of Zion, thus going forth in the perfection of her beauty, when all ranks and degrees voluntarily sub- jected themselves unto the Royal iScepter of the Son of God, was most comely in the eyes of her Beloved: but oh! how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold changed ; the stones of the sanctuary are poured out on the top of every street, so that the house that was called of all people the house of prayer, is now become a den of thieves, being no less infamously despicable for deformation, than formerly for purity of reformation highl}^ admired. This, at first, began with the public resolutions of the commission of the General Assembly, 1650, above noticed, I'or taking into places of power and trust, in judicatories and armies, such persons as were known malignants, and in heart disafiected to the work, and people of God, putting it in their power to destroy and pull down the Lord's work at their pleasure ; a practice manifestly inconsistent with their covenant engagements, and the word of God, iJeut. xxiii, 9, 2 Chron. xix, 2. Those that were then called protestors (from their opposing and protesting against these resolutions), continued steadfastly to witness against the same, as the first remarkable step, to make way for that bloody catastrophe, that afterwards befel the church. The Lord, then, in his righteous dis[)leasure and controversy with the nation, for betraying of his cause and interest into the hands of his enemies, sold them into the hand of that conquering usurper, Oliver Cromwell, who, having stripped them of their civil liberties, as the most effectual method to rob the church of her spiritual privileges, and nullify the forcible obligation of the sacred covenants (which, when preserved, serve as a strong barrier against all such usurpations), framed a hellish and almost unbounded toleration in Scotland, of heretical and sectarian errors, for gratification of the abettors thereof, which was followed with a deluge of irreligion and impiety, drowning the nation in a still deeper apostacy. In this hour of temptation, the witnesses for Christ, en- deavoring to keep the word of his patience, testified against these evils, as contrary to the word and oath of God, and [23] destructive of the church's former glorj-. And Charles II, who had lately, by all the confirmations of word, writ, and solemn oath, obliged himself for the maintenance and defence of religion and liberty, having cast off the thing that was good, the enemy did pursue him so, that he, instead of being able to stand as a head of defence to the nations, narrowly escaped with life from the enemies' hands, being obliged to abscond and fly before the sectaries into France ; where, and in other parts, he remained an exile for the space of ten years, and there discovered, he had no regard to the principles he had lately professed and sworn to maintain : but breaking his professed wedlock with Christ, is said, at that juncture, to have joined hands with the Romish whore, laying aside his cloak of professed godliness, and again taking up with the mystery of iniquity. During the ten years' usurpation of Cromwell, those who endeavored faithfulness, had a fight of afiliction to keep their ground ; yet. after this came to a period, they had a far more fierce encounter, and of longer duration, to engage in, in the cruel and bloody tragedy acted upon them for the space of twenty -eight years. As, by the public resolutions, and foresaid unbounded toleration, the bounds fixed by Jehovah, and homologated and sworn to, in our national attainments and constitution, were greatly altered ; so the parliament of England prepared the tools, whereby the carved work of the sanctuary (as far as human craft and cruelty could invent) was broken down, in restoring Charles II, without any conditions required, or ex- press limitations set. And Sharp being sent from the church of Scotland, to stand up for her rights and privileges, fraud- ulently sold her into the hands of lier enemies ; upon which, many of the professed disciples of Christ, who followed him in the sunshine of prosperity and reformation, forsook him, and fled into the enemies' camp. Thus our decline began ; but, oh 1 to what a dreadful height Erastianism, tyranny, and bloodshed arrived, before the Lord, in his providence, put a stop to it. Although the presbytery cannot be supposed, in a consisten- cy with their present design, to reckon up all, yet they would endeavor to take notice of some of the most remarkable in- stances of backsliding, treachery and oppression, bloodshed, etc., acted in these nations during the late persecuting period, together with the faithful contendings and patient sufferings unto death of the saints and servants of Christ, in this hot furnace of afiliction into which they were cast. As 1, The unhappy restoration of Charles II, in manner before men- [■24] tioned commencing. The faithful declarations and testimonies given in favors of the covenanted reformation and uniformity, were all on a sudden given up with ; the viper received into our bosom, and again advanced unto the regal dignity, who soon discovered himself to be of the ser})entine seed, and by his wicked agency imped the dragon his master, by casting out of his mouth a flood of persecution after the church, that he might cause her to be destroyed therewith. To this effect the anti-christian yoke of abjured prelacy-, with all its tyran- nical laws, and canonical train of observances, service book, ceremonies, etc., was speedily wreathed about England's neck, and Scotland soon felt part of its weight. For in tlie month of August, 1660, when some of her most zealous and faithful ministers met upon this emergency, in order to send an ad- dress to the king, reminding him of his duty, and solemn obli2:ations to perform the same ; the committee appointed by the parliament, anno 1651, for exercise of government, until another parliament should meet, who then shewed themselves zealous for the reformation, yet now acted a counter-part, by incarcerating the foresaid ministers, and emitting a proclamation, prohibiting all such meetings with- out the king's authority, and all petitions and remonstrances, under pretence that they were seditious. This was the first beginning of those sorrows and calamities that ensued in the many sanguinary laws afterwards made and executed upon the true friends of Zion. 2. When the ministry, by means of the foresaid prohi- bitions, were much dispirited from their duty, dreading such usage as they had lately met with, the parliament which met in Scotland in December, 1661, falls upon breaking down the carved work of the sanctuary effectually, and rob- bing our church of that depositum committed unto her by her glorious Head. Thus did they wickedly combine and gather themselves together to plot against the Lord, and against his Anointed, that they might break his bands, and cast his cords from them. For which intent, after besmear- ing the consciences of most of the members with tlie guilt of that abominable and wicked oath of allegiance and suprem- acy, that they might be secured to the court and king's in- terest, and ready to swallow down whatever might be afterwards proposed, they passed an act recissory, declaring^ all the parliaments, and acts of parliament made in favor of reformation, from the year 1610 to 1651, null and void. ^ The king's supremacy over all persons, and in all causes, is as- serted. All meetings, assemblies, leagues and covenants, without the king's authority, are declared unlawful and un- [25] warrantable. The renewing of the solemn league and cove- nant, or any other covenants or public oaths, without the king's special warrant and approbation, is discharged. Beside these, another heinous act was framed by the' same parlia- ment, for observing every 29th of May as an anniversary thanksgiving, in commemoration of the unhappy restoration of this miner of religion and reformation. 3. In the second session of the pretended parliament, anno 1662, diocesan Erastian prelacy is established, and the king solemnly invested with the church's headship, by act of parliament ; wherein it is blasphemously declared, " That '' the ordering and disposal of the external government and " policy of the church, doth properly belong unto his majesty " as an inherent right of the crown, by virtue of his royal "prerogative and supremacy in all causes ecclesiastical." All such acts of parliament or council are rescinded, which might be interpreted (as their acts bear) to give any church power, jurisdiction, or government, to the office-bearers of the church, other than that, which acknowledges a depend- ence upon, and subordination to the sovereign power of the king as supreme. And although the lordly prelates were hereby promoted to all the privileges and dignities they pos- sessed before the year 1638, yet must they be all accountable to the king, in all their administrations, and in subordina- tion to him, as universal bishop of all England, Scotland and Ireland. By which the fountain of church power and author- ity is lodged in the king's person, and Christ is exauctorated and dethroned as King and Head in Zion. And further, by the second act of that perfidious parliament, the covenanted reformation, and all that was done in favor thereof, from 1638 to 1650, was declared treasonable, and rebellious. Alike treasonable it was reckoned for subjects, on pretence of reformation, or any other pretence whatsoever, tq enter into any federal association, or take up arms against the king. They also declared, that the national covenant, as sworn in the year 1638, and the solemn league and covenant, were, and are in themselves unlawful oaths, and that they were imposed upon, and taken by the subjects of this king- dom, contrary to the fundamental laws and liberties thereof. And to complete all, they repealed all acts, ecclesiastical and civil, approving the covenants, particularly the acts of the venerable assembly at Glasgow, 1638, declaring it an unlaw- ful and seditious meeting. And thereafter, by a wicked act of the council of Glasgow, more than three hundred min- isters were illegaly thrust from their charges, for their non- conformity, in discountenancing a diocesan meeting, or synod, [26] appointed by the archbishop of Glasgow, and not observing the annivereary thanksgiving, May 29th, enjoined by the parliament. The rest were violently ejected from the lawful exercise of their ministry in their several parishes, and were afterwards commanded by act of parliament to remove them- selves and their families twenty miles distant from their re- spective flocks, and not to reside within six miles of any of their (so-called) cathedrals, or three miles of a burgh. By these means, many of those poor persecuted ministers, with their families, were brought into great hardships and wants, being so far removed from their beloved and affectionate flocks, that they were deprived of that help from them, that doubt- less they would cheerfully have ministered, for relieving them in their necessities and straits. All this was done at the in- stigation of the prelates, who could not endure to have a godly presbyterian minister near them, and were resolved to make them as miserable as possible. As the observation of that anniversary holy day. May 29th, was again enjoined by this parliament, 1662, with cer- tification, the non-observance of which was one main cause of the sufferings of the ministers above noticed, we cannot pass over without mentioning that most abhorred and heav- en-daring ignominy and contempt put upon our solemn and sacred covenants, and upon Grod the great Party in them, at Linlithgow on that day, by a theatrical exposing, and pre- sumptuous committing them to the flames, together with The causes of God's wrath^ Lex Bex, acts of parliament, acts of committees of estates, and acts of assemblies made, during what they called the twenty-two years rebellion, that is, from 1638 to 1660, done b}^ the authority of the pretended magistrates there ; one of which, and the minister Ramsay, were formerly zealous and active covenanters, and conse- quently now publicly avowed and proclaimed their perjury in the face of the sun, and left an indelible stain upon their memory. Hitherto, although many, both ministers, gentlemen and others, had endured unexpressible hardships and severities, yet few or none suffered to the death, save that noble peer, the Marquis of Argyle, who was condemned by the parlia- ment, 1661, and beheaded May 27th ; and the reverend Mr. James Guthrie, who suffered Ave days thereafter. These two were singled out — the one in the state, the other in the church — to fall a victim to the resentment and fury of the enemies of that covenanted work of reformation, which the}' had both in an eminent manner been honored of God to support and advaiice ; and also a specimen of what was afterwards. to be [27] the fate of all that should adhere to the same glorious cause, and stand up for God against these workers of iniquity. And, as the foundation of that anti-christian and Avicked hierarchy in the church, and of arbitrary power and absolute tyranny in the state, was laid in the blood of these two proto-martyrs for the covenant and cause of God, so they now {July^ 1663), proceeded to build it up with the blood of another noble and worthy patriot, the eminently religiously and learned Lord Warriston. He having before, in 1660, when Argyle was apprehended, been ordered, together with several others, to be secured and committed to prison, fled beyond sea, to escape the fury of his enemies, and even there did their crafty malice reach him ; for, having sent out one of their blood-thirsty emissaries in quest of him, he was ap- prehended by him at Roan, in France, brought over to Lon- don, and sent thence to Edinburgh, where he was executed on a former unjust sentence of forfeiture and death, passed upon him in his absence. Thus they built up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. But all this was nothing to the cruelty that followed, and the righteous blood after- ward shed in that quarrel. 4. Although the faithful servants of Christ gave too silent submission for a time to these encroachments made upon their sacred functions, yet, as they received not their mis- sion from men, so they resolved not to become the servants of men, but to hazard the loss of every thing that was dear to them in this world, that they might shew themselves faithful unto their Lord and Master, and valiant for his truth upon the earth, in going forth without the camp, bearing his reproach. When they could no longer, with a safe con- science, enjoy their benefices and churches, and the Lord so expressly called for their service, in feeding the starving souls of his people, they betook themselves to the open fields, setting their faces to all the storms to which they were ex- posed by that high commission court that was erected ; wherein the bishops were chief agents, being made therein necessary members for putting the former, with what subse- quent wicked laws were made against the servants of Christ, in execution. And, by this time, that deceiving, cruel, per- jured apostate bishop. Sharp ^ had obtained the presidency in this and all other public courts in the kingdom. The pro- ceedings of this court were very unjust, cruel and arbitrary, similar to its preposterous and illegal constitution. Persons were, without any accusation, information, witness or accuser, arraigned before them, to answer super inquirendis to w^hat- ever interrogatories they were pleased to propose, without [28] license to make any lawful defence, or, upon their offering so to do, were required to take the oath of supremacy, their re- fusal of which was accounted cause sufficient for proceeding against them. And although taking ord«r with papists was first in their commission, yet last, or rather not at all, in execution ; while their infernal rage was principally set on Presbyterians, in fining, confining and imprisoning them, for the non-conformity of ministers, and their disregarding their pretended sentences of deposition, and the people's re- fusing to countenance the authority and ministry of these prelatic wolves, who came in to scatter and tear the flock of Christ, but endeavoring to cleave to their lawful pastors, have equal friends and foes with them, and hear Christ's law of kindness from their mouth. The idol of jealousy was thus set up in the house of God, and our Lord Jesus Christ sacrilegiously robbed of his incommunicable suprem- acy and headship over his church by the state ; whereby the Pope's supremacy was well nigh claimed, and Spanish in- quisition cruelty almoet acted by this abominable court ; and all at the instigation and for the gratification of these monsters of iniquity, the prelates, who still agitated the court to exercise more cruelty, than even of themselves tliey were inclined to. 5. Upon the decline of this rigorous court, new measures were again fallen upon for the oppression, suppression and extirpation of the true reformed religion, and the professors of it. The council being very diligent and careful to deprive the Lord's people of every thing which might contribute to their establishment and confirmation in the righteousness and equity of the cause and covenant of God for which they suffered, and which tended to expose their tyranny and trea- son against God, ordered the famous Mr. Brown's Apologetieal Relation to be burnt in the high street of Edinburgh, on February 14th, 166G, by the hand of the common hangman ; and all persons who had copies of said book were required to give them up, and such as concealed them to be fined 2000^. Scots^ if discovered. Such w^as their hellish enmity and spite against our covenanted reformation, and every thing written in defence thereof, and in vindication of those that suffered for their adherence to it. About the same time, Sharp, for the more effectual accomplishment of his wicked designs (the high commission being now dissolved, and his guilty conscience, it seems, suggesting fears of an insurrection of the oppressed, to relieve themselves from their cruel op- pressors), obtains an order from the king for raising an additional number of forces, for the security and establish- [29] ment of himself and his associates in their thi-ones of iniquity, by destroying all the faithful in the land, oppressing and wearing out the saints of the Most High, and burning up and dispersing all the synagogues of God in the nation. In consequence of this, about three thousand foot, and eight troops of dragoons were got together, and the command of them given to Dalziel of Binns^ a wicked, lierce, cruel man. These were the instruments of that unprecedented barbarity, cruelty and oppression, committed in the West, after the defeat of Colonel Wallace and his little army of covenanters, at Pentland Hills, November 28th, 1666. The occasion and cause of which rising was, in short, this : Sir James Turner had been sent the year before into the south-west shires of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, in order to suppress conventi- cles (so they called the assemblies of God's people for public worship and other religious exercises), levy the fines ap- pointed by the parliament, and oblige the people to conform and submit to the bishops and curates by force of arms. Turner, in pursuance of these cruel orders, committed great severities, dreadfully oppressed, robbed and spoiled the country. In the parish of Dairy, in Galloway, three or four of his blackguard crew, seizing upon a poor countryman, carried him to his own house, and were going to torture him in a cruel manner, by setting him naked on a red-hot gridiron ; which four of the persecuted party hearing of, they repaired to the house, disarmed the soldiers (upon their refusing to be entreated in behalf of the poor man), and delivered their fellow sufferer. And lest the rest of the soldiers quartered in the parish (to force people to keep their parish church), should fall upon them, being joined with seven or eight more of their friends, they attacked them early next morning, being about twelve in number, and disarmed them, killing one that made resistance. Whereupon, the country being alarmed, and being apprehensive, from sad experience, of the revenge Sir James would take upon the whole country for this affront, without distinction of age or sex, they deter- mined to stand in their own defense. And, getting together a good number of horse and foot, they march to Dumfries, surprise Turner himself, take him prisoner, and disarm his soldiers, without any further violence. Being thus by Provi- dence engaged, without any hope of retreat, and being joined by many more of their brethren in the same condition with themselves, some ministers, and Colonel Wallace (afterward chosen general), they come to Lanerk, where they renew the covenant, November 26th, 1666, and thence to Pentland Hills, where, being attacked by Dalziel and his blood-hounds, [30] they were, notwithstanding their bravery in repulsing the enemy twice, at last totally routed, man}- killed and taken prisoners, most of the prisoners treacherous! 3^ executed (not- withstanding they were taken upon solemn promise to have their lives spared), of whom the Lord was graciously pleased, not only to accept of a testimony, by sufferings, but also countenanced them, even to admiration, in sealing the same with their blood. After this, there were severe edicts issued out against all who had any hand in this appearance for God's cause and covenant (called by them rebellion, a horri- ble conspiracy, and what not) ; all the subjects were strictly charged not to harbor, reset, supply, or in any manner of way correspond with any that were concerned in this engage- ment, but that they pursue and deliver them up to justice, or otherwise be esteemed and punished as favorers of it. This appearance for religion and liberty became, for a time, the principal crime of which those were indicted who were prose- cuted by this wicked council, and other merciless enemies, to whom they committed the management of their aflairs. 6. Although the cruelty of the court had hitherto been very great, yet they had not wholly effectuated their wicked design of exterminating and destroying true religion, and the professors thereof, both ministers and people; but, like Israel under Pharaoh's yoke, the more they oppressed them, and suppressed their meetings, the more numerous and fre- quent they grew, so that their enemies were obliged to alter their course a little from cruelty into craft. This appeared in the first indulgence, granted anno 1669, with design to divide Presbyterians among themselves, that they might the more easily destroy them. Hereb}^ a pretended liberty was given to several ministers ejected by the act of Glasgow, 1662 (especially public resolutioners, who had formerly served the court interest in that matter), under certain restrictions, destructive of their ministerial freedom and faithfulness, to preach and exercise the other functions of the ministry in vacant churches. In this fraudulent snare many were taken ; and even such of them as did accept of the indulgence, but did not keep by the instructions given them by the council, and observe the wicked anniversary, &c., were afterward prosecuted, fined, and some turned out. And those who refused compliance therewith, and testified against it, as flowing from that blasphemous supremacy and absolute powder, which the king had assumed, were most severely handled, and their assemblies for public worship interdicted under the highest pains. A second indulgence was framed in the year 1672, in which net they expected to inclose such [81] as the first had not caught. 3y this, liberty was granted to a number of non-conformed ministers, named by the council, not yet indulged, to exercise their ministry in such places as the council thought fit to ordain and appoint them, con- forming themselves to the rules given by the council to those that were formerly indulged, besides other restrictions, wherewith this new liberty was clogged. And, as one spe- cial design of the court, in granting both the first and this second indulgence, was to put an effectual stop to the meet- ings of the Lord's people, ludicrously called by them field conventicles, so they took occasion, on account of their con- tempt of this their indulgence and liberty, to prosecute all such as kept, or attended on, these meetings, in a more merci- less and furious manner. This indulgence was accepted by many ministers ; and part thereof, by others represented as a grievance, and redress required. But although nothing of this kind was obtained, yet it was fallen in with and ac- cepted by most of those who subscribed the remonstrance against it ; and those few who rejected it, and continued faithfully to discharge their ofl3.cial trust in the open fields, without coming under any of these sinful restrictions, be- came, more especially, the butt of their enemies' malice and tyranny, were more vigorously prosecuted, and such as were suspected or convicted of attending on their field meetings, were fined in an exorbitant manner, and ministers imprisoned, when they could be apprehended. And because these field meetings, the great eye-sore of the prelates, still increased, they prevailed with the council 1674, to take more special notice of the preachers at said meetings, who appointed a committee for that effect, and ordered their chancelor to send out parties to apprehend certain of them, according to their direction. And the same year, a bond was imposed, binding and obliging tenants, that if they, their wives, or any of their children, cottars or servants, should keep or be pre- sent at any conventicles, either in houses or fields, that every tenant laboring land be fined for each house con- venticle in 25^. Scots ; each cottar in 121. Scots ; each servant man in a fourth part of his year's fee, and hus- bands the half of these fines for such of their wives and children as shall be at the house conventicles; and the double of these respective fines for each of the said persons who shall be at any field conventicles, &c. And upon refusal of said bond, they were to be put to the horn, and their escheat or forfeiture given to their masters. They likewise, at the same time, issued forth another proclamation, for apprehending the holders of, and repairers to, field meet- [32] iiigs, by them designed rebels, and whoever should seize such should have the fines, so unjustly imposed for tli^sir reward ; with a particular sum offered for apprehending any of the conventicle preachers, and this sum doubled for some that were more eminent among them, and diligent in working the work of him that sent them, against whom their malice was more especially turned. These rigorous measures they continued to prosecute ; and in the year 1675, letters of inter- communing were given out against several ministers and private christians, by name, both denouncing them rebels, and secluding them from all society in the kingdom of Scotland ; further requiring, that no accommodation should be given, or communication any manner of way held with them, under the pain of being (according to them) accounted socii criminis, and pursued as guilty, with them, of the same crimes. These inhuman and unprecedented methods reduced the sufferers to many wanderings and great hardships. It is impossible to recite the miserfes these faithful confessors underwent — wan- dering about in deserts, in mountains, in dens, and in caves of the earth, destitute, afilicted, tormented ; besides the other severe impositions, upon the country in general, the bonds imposed, and rage of the Highland host then raised, which, together with the soldiers,] greatly spoiled and robbed the west country especially, by which means poor people were brought to very low circumstances. 7. JS'otwithstanding of all the tyranny and treachery hitherto exercised, the word of God grew, and converts unto Christ, and the obedience of the gospel, were daily multi- plied; ministers being forward and willing to preach, and the people willing to hear and receive the law from their mouth, on all hazards. And the Lord Jesus, following his word and ordinances with his blessing, she w^ed himself as mighty and pow^erful in the open fields, whither they were driven, as ever he had done in their churches, from whence they w^ere driven, and which were now shut against them, filled with time-servers and anti-christ's vassals. But against Christ's standard and banner thus displayed, the tyrant Charles II erected his opposite standard, for the utter de- struction of Christ's true servants and subjects. And having declared their lawful meetings for the worship of God, ac- cording to his w^ork, execrable rendezvouses of rebellion ; a convention of estates, anno 1678, was called and met, by which a large cess was imposed to maintain an additional army for the suppression of the true religion and liberty, and securing tyranny and arbitrary government. On account of the imposition of this cess, and the rigorous exaction of it, [83] together with the cruelties and ravages of this new army maintained by it the soldiers having commission to dismiss and disperse their meetings, disarm, imprison and kill preach- ers and people, in case of resistance ; and a price being put upon the heads of several faithful ministers, if brought to the council dead or alive, both ministers and people were laid under the necessity of carrying arms for their own de- fence when dispensing and attending upon gospel ordinances. And it was no wonder that, finding themselves thus ap- pointed as sheep for the slaughter, they looked upon this as their duty, and accordingly provided themselves with arms for their necessary defense against the wicked violence of those who thirsted after their blood, and (which was to them much more dear and precious) the ruin and destruction of the cause, interest, and gospel of Christ in the land. Unto these severe and hellish measures fallen upon, at this time, for the more effectual suppression and extirpation of the gospel of Christ, and professors of it, the managers were principally in- stigated by that arch-apostate Sharp; though a bad prepar- ative for his exit out of this world, which soon came to pass, anno 1679, in the dispensation of adorable providence and righteous judgment of God, executed upon such a notorious traitor, who, having first betrayed the church, and all along deeply imbrued his hands in the blood of God's saints and servants; had blood given him to drink because he was worthy. 8. That the land might be more deeply soaked with blood, and made more heavily to groan under the inhabitants there- of, " Who had transgressed the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant ;'^ that the scene of cruel suflfering might be more widely opened, and the bloody tragedy more effectually acted ; the primate's death must now be added to the other pretended crimes of the sufferers. Many were terribly harrassed on that account, who were no ways concerned in the action ; and some were cruelly tortured and butchered by them for the same cause, though innocent thereof (for none of the actors did ever fall into their hands). These enemies were hereby rendered more rude, barbarous and hard-hearted to all the sufferers who afterwards fell into their hands, and breathed out threat nings and slaughter against the whole body of the persecuted presbyterians through the nation. All this, however, did not dispirit these zealous witnesses, or discourage them from attending to their work and duty ; for we find them on the 29th of May^ 1679, publishing their testimony at Rutherglen against the wicked anniversary, on the same day appginted by the [34] court for its celebration, and against all that had been done publicly by these enemies of Christ for the overthrow of his work and interest in the lands. They likewise committed their acts recissory, supremacy, act restoring abjured prelacy, act of Glasgow^ 1662, the presumptuous act for appointing May 29th for an unholy anniversary, indulgences, etc., all to the flames, their just desert, in retaliation of the impious treatment given unto our solemn and sacred covenants, and other good and laudable acts and laws for reformation, by their sacrilegious enemies in sundry cities of these covenanted kingdoms. And so, after extinguishing the bonfires, a part of the unholy solemnity of the enemies' anniversary day, and concluding what they had done with prayer and praise, as they had begun (Mr. Douglas^ one of their ministers being along with them) they withdrew. This christian valor was followed with the Lord's appearance for them, in a remark- able manner, on the following Sabbath at Drumclogy near Lowdonhill, where being attacked by Glaverhouse^ when at- tending on public worship, they completely routed him and his troops, rescued Mr. John King^ and a number of other prisoners, whom Claverhouse had seized that morning from their hands. Afterward they declared the grounds and causes of their present defensive posture, in that short man- ifesto, or declaration, published at Glasgow^ June 6th, 1679. But when their numbers multiplied, their divisions increased, and lawful means for honestly defending the cause were by the majority refused. Mr. Welsh and that Erastian party with him, being by this time come up, did in their declara- tion at Hamilton^ take in the tyrant's interest ; against which those who were honest and faithful to the interest of Zion's king contended and protested, that in conscience they could not take in the interest of one into the state of the quarrel who had manifestly stated himself in opposition to the in- terest of Christ ; that it was inconsistent with the covenant, which could not bind them to espouse the interest of its de- stroyers, and the destroyers of all that adhered to it ; and also contrary to their testimony and declaration for the covenants and work of reformation at Riitherglen, Glasgow, etc., and against all defection from the same. Thus, when the most part in a great measure forsook the Lord, he was justly provoked to forsake them, and their great divisions landing them in such confusion, they became an easy prey to the enemy, by whom they were totally routed at Bothwell, June 22d, 1679, where they felt the dismal fruits and consequences of joining at all with that Erastian faction after they had openly declared and discovered what they [35] were. This was so far from proving any defence to them, notwithstanding the numbers of that party, that it proved their destruction. And those whose hearts were upright and honest in the cause of God, by their means, in holy sov- ereignty, were made to fall a sacrifice to their enemies^ wrath. The slain on that day were many, and the after- cruelty to prisoners great ; they being carried into and kept for a long time in the Gray-friars church yard of Edinburgh^ exposed, defenseless, night and day to tempests of all kinds. By this inhuman usage (with design to wear out the saints of the Most High), together with the insinuations and per- suasions of some of the indulgence-favorers, their faith failing them in this hour of temptation, and fear prevailing, a num- ber of these prisoners were persuaded to take the insnaring bond of peace, whereby they were engaged to own their ris- ing at Bothwell to be rebellion, and to oblige themselves never to rise in arms against the king, and to live peaceably, etc., while others of them were tortured, not accepting deliver- ance. 9. Although this defeat and dispersion of the espousers of the truth and cause of Christ, in opposition both to his avowed enemies and secret betrayers, brought the remnant that were left into very melancholy circumstances, their enemies having in a great measure extinguished the light of the gospel, by apprehending and shedding the blood of their faithful pastors, who used to hold forth the word of life unto them, as a light whereby they might discern between sin and duty ; and others who had formerly been helpful unto them, in strengthening their hands, and encouraging their hearts, in the way of their duty, were overtaken and over- born with fainting and discouragement ; so that, in respect of public guides, they were at this time as sheep without a shepherd ; yet, in this disconsolate and scattered state and condition, Christ, the chief shepherd, had compassion on them, and raised up those two faithful ministers and zealous contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints, Messrs. Richard Cameron and Donald Cargill, to come forth for the help of the Lord against the mighty, and to jeopard their lives along with his people in the high places of the field, in bearing faithful testimony for his noble truths and cause, and against all the sins and defections of the time. The first of these, soon after he had shewed his activity and zeal in that banner displayed against the church's enemies, in the decla- ration published at Sanquhar^ June 22d, 1680, did honorably and bravely finish his course, among many others of Zion's true friends, in the defeat they again sustained at Airsraoss, [36] where, in imitation of his princely Master, he valiantly fought his way to the incorruptible crown. The latter after- ward narrowly escaped his enemies' hands (by means of Mr. Henry Hall, of Haughhead, that honest sufferer for truth, who, to save his minister's life, lost his own ; on whom the Queensferry paper, a draft of a covenant engagement unto certain duties was found), and was, by the power and provi- dence of God, preserved, until he accomplished that signal piece of generation work in drawing forth the sword of ex- communication against the tyrant Charles II, and some others of the chief actors in that bloody tragedy. And that, because of their blood-shed, perjury, heaven-daring profane- ness, debauchery, inhuman and savage cruelty acted upon the people of God. The which sentence stuck fast in the hearts of these enemies of Zion's king unto the day of their death, and, by some of their own acknowledgments, would through eternity. Shortly after this, that faithful minister crowned his work with martyrdom, and entered into his Master's joy. This murdering period spared neither pastor nor people, age nor sex ; while gross transgressors, and deluded enthu- siasts, as Gib and his faction, were screened from condign punishment, though some of them had arrived at that pro- digious length in wickedness as to commit the holy scrip- tures and confession of faith to the flames. 10. So many of these once living and lively witnesses for Christ being now slain, and what was yet surviving of the scattered flock deprived of their painful shepherds, and not being able to drink of the sanctuary waters, so muddied by their former pastors, who had defiled the same by sinful compliance with the time's defections, they resolved, under divine direction, to gather themselves together into a gen- eral meeting, for advising and informing one another anent their duty, in such critical times of common danger, that so whatever concerned the whole, might be done with due deliberation and common consent. The which general meet- ings afterward aftbrded them both good comfort amidst their discouragements, and also good counsel amidst their perplexities and doubts, and proved an excellent expedient for preserving the remnant from the destruction and con- tagion of the times, propagation of the testimony, and keep- ing alive the public spirit of zeal and concern for the cause and interest of Christ ; and for these ends they have been kept up ever since. In the meantime, that evil instrument, James, duke of York, receiving commission from his perjured brother to [37] preside in the whole administration of Scots' affairs, upon his arrival for this effect, held a parliament, which began July 28th, 1681 ; wherein, besides other of his wicked acts, that detestable, blasphemous, and self-contradictory test was framed, which, in the first part thereof, contains the swear- er's solemn declaration, by oath, of his sincere profession of the true Protestant religion, contained in the first confession of faith, ratified by Pari. Isi, James VI, 1567 (which con- fession asserts, in the strongest terms, Christ's alone head- ship and supremacy as law-giver and King in his church, without co-partner or competitor), and that he shall adhere thereunto all the days of his life, and renounce all doctrines, principles or practices contrary thereto, and inconsistent therewith ; while in manifest contradiction thereto, the blasphemous supremacy, in the utmost extent thereof, is as- serted, the covenants national and solemn league, the chief barriers against popery, Erastianism, and arbitrary power, are renounced, and unlimited allegiance unto the occupant is en- joined and sworn to, and the prelatical government of the church confirmed. This oath was at first administered to those in public trust only, and thereby all were turned out of their places who had any principles of common honesty remaining in them ; but afterward it was imposed on all persons of all ranks. Against which sinful encroachments on religion and liberty, the witnessing persecuted remnant accounted themselves bound in duty to emit their testimony, which they published at Lanerk., January 12th, 1682, adhering to, and confirming their former at Sanquhar^ and giving reasons at length for their disowning the unlawful authority of Charles II, Upon intelligence hereof, this declaration, with those at Rather glen and Sanquhar^ were by order of the council, with great so- lemnity, burnt at the cross of Edinburgh^ by the magistrates in their robes, together with the Solemn League and Cove- nant, which had been burnt formerly : but now they would give new demonstrations of their rage against it, in conjunc- tion with these declarations, which they saw and acknow- ledged were evidently conformed to, and founded upon it. After the publication of this testimony, the sufferings of that poor people that owned it were sadder and sharper than ever before, by hunting, pursuing, apprehending, imprison- ment, banishment, death, and torture; this increasing rage, oppression, cruelty, and bloodshed, being no more than what they might look for, agreeable to the spirit and principles of that popish incendiary, to whom such trust was committed. 11. The poor wrestling remnant, besides their other grievous [88] calamities and sufferings, beins; now obnoxious to much cen- sure, in their appearances for truth reproached, and invidi- ously misrepresented, both at home and abroad, by those that were at ease in Zion, as having forsaken the right way, and run into wild, extravagant, and unhappy courses ; and, withal, being at this time destitute and deprived of their public standard bearers ; their series of witnesses (since the death of Messrs. Cameron and Cargill) maintaining the testi- mony against the public national defections being in all appearance interrupted, except by martyrdom and sufferings ; they were obliged to exert themselves, both for their vindi- cation from those calumnies and slanders, wherewith they were loaded by their enemies, to foreign Protestant churches especially, and for obtaining a supply of gospel ministers. Wherefore, sending some of their number abroad, to repre- sent the righteousness of their cause to the churches there, and crave their sympath}^, in helping them to a supply of gospel ministers ; the Lord was graciously pleased to coun- tenance and bless their endeavors so, that they obtained access for the instruction and ordination of young men for the ministry, at a university in the United Provinces ; and, in process of time, gave them a great reviving in their bon- dage, by sending forth his faithful embassador, Mr. James Menwick^ who, while he stood on Zion's watch-tower, ceased not night and day to give faithful warning of the danger approaching the city of G-od, evidently discovering his being clothed with his Master's commission, in bearing faithful testimony and witness, both against the avowed enemies of truth and backsliders from it. And notwithstanding all the malicious rage of deadly foes, ranging and keenly pursuing him, through open or more secret places, the reproach of tongues and cruel mockings he endured, by the divine blessing, on his painful labors, amidst his many hardships, the number of Zion's friends were greatly increased, by the incoming and joining of many to the fellowship of their settled societies, who resolutely chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin, which are but for a season. Upon this further attack upon Satan's interest, his emissaries issue forth fresh orders, and give com- mission to soldiers, foot and dragoons, to hunt, search, and seek them out of all their most secret dens, caves, and lurking places, where they might hide themselves, in the most remote and w^ildest glens and recesses in the mountains and deserts, allowing them to kill, slay, destroy, and any way to make an end of them, wherever they might be found; commanding the whole country, at their peril, to assist them, and raise the [39] hue and cry after the poor wanderers, and not to reset, harbor, succor, or correspond with them any manner of way, under the highest pains, but to do their utmost in informing against them. Thus, without regard to any of their unlawful forms of legal procedure, they defiled and besmeared the high places of the field with innocent blood. These un- precedented methods and measures obliged the sufferers, for their own preservation, stopping the deluge of blood, and to deter the insolence of intelligencers and informers, to publish the apologetic declaration, which they affixed on several market crosses, and parish church doors, upon the 28th ot October, 1684 ; wherein they declare their firm resolution of constant adherence to their covenanted engagements ; and to the declaration disowning the authority of Charles Stuart, warning all bloody Doegs and flattering Ziphites, to expect to be dealt with as they deal with them ; ' to be regarded as enemies to God, and the covenanted reformation, and ac- cording to their power, and the degree of their offense, punished as such, &c. After this declaration, these enemies were still more enraged, and their fury flamed more than ever formerly. They framed an oath, commonly called an oath of abjuration, renouncing and abjuring the same, and by a venomous, bloody proclamation, enjoined this oath to be taken by all universally, from sixteen years and upward, women as well as men, under pain of death ; and many prisoners who having the oath tendered them, refused or de- clined it, were sentenced and executed all in one day, according to the tenor of their proclamation. And, more- over, they, on this occasion, renewed their orders and commission to the soldiers, for pursuing and chasing after the rebels (as they designed them) more vigorously and vio- lently, and to shoot, or otherwise put them to death wherever they did light upon them. In the midst of this confusion of slaughter and bloodshed, God cut oft' by death, February 6th, 1685, that vile person, the author and authorizer of all this mischief, Charles II, who, Antiochiis like, came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flattery {Dan. xi), reigned treacherously and bloodily, and like that wicked king, Jehoram (2 Chron. xxi), died without being desired or la- mented, poisoned, as was thought, by his unnatural popish brother. And, notwithstanding of all his bastards, begotten in adultery and fornication, at home and abroad, he died without any to succeed him, save him that was said to have murdered him. God pursued him with the curse of Hiel the Bethelite, for his rebuilding of that cursed Jericho, prelacy ; and of that impious and wicked tyrant, Coniah {Jer. xxii), for [40] his treachery and cruelty ; " Thus saith the Lord, Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting any more upon the throne of Israel.'' 12. Notwithstanding the abundant proof that the duke of York had given, in many instances, and in both kino;dom8, of his being a vassal of antichrist, and notwithstanding of his open and public profession of papistry, upon his brother's death, fairly warning all w^hat they might expect, yet were not those, who sat at the helm of affairs, deterred from com- mitting the reins of government into his hands; but, contrary to the word of God, and fundamental laws of the lands, this professed and excommunicated papist James, duke of York, was, ajmo 1685, proclaimed king of these once covenanted, but now treacherous and apostate lands, whereby they appointed themselves a captain to return into their anti- christian bondage. To this grievous yoke, our infamous, perjured, and apostate state and council in Scotland, heartily and voluntarily subjected themselves and the nation, while others did it with reluctancy, caressing and embracing wdth their dearest and best affections, this enemy to God, and Christ, and his church, swearing implicit and unlimited obedience unto him, and asserting his absolute power and supremacy, indefeasible and hereditary rigiit, without ever so much as requiring him to take the coronation oath, or give the least security for, any thing civil or religious (a depth of degeneracy, parallel to that eminency in reformation purity, from which they were fallen I) but laid the reins on his own neck, that he might have full freedom for the satisfying of his lusts, and fulfilling his wicked designs. This laid reli- gion, liberty, and all, at the mercy of absolute power and popish tyranny ; and still more and more cut off' the people of God from having any hopes of mercy from their bloody enemies ; on the contrary, the duke of York, in his letter to his first parliament, recommends and requires them to leave no means unattempted, for the extirpation of ^ the poor wandering sufferers, whom he brands with the odious names of murderers and assassins, wild and inhuman traitors, &c. And these his ready servants and bloody executioners, came nothing short of his orders in the execution of them ; so that that there were more murdered in cold blood in the open fields, without all shadow of law, trial or sentence, more banished and sold as slaves, condemned and executed, &c.^ in the time of this usurper, than in all the time of the former tyrant. As the honest sufferers, consistent with their testimony [41] for truth, in opposition both to the secret and open sub- verters of the cause and state of Zion's quarrel with her enemies, could not concur in Argyle's declaration (although there were many things in it materially good, and commend- worthy), nor join in a military association with him, on account (among other things) of the too promiscuous admis- sion of persons to trust in that party, ^v\\o were then, and afterward discovered themselves to be, enemies to the cause. Yet, against this usurpation of a bloody papist, advancing himself to the throne in such a manner, they published another declaration at Sanquhar^ May 28, 1685 ; wherein, approving of, and adhering to all their former, and considering that James, duke of York, a pro- fessed and excommunicated papist, was proclaimed : they protest against said proclamation, with reasons subjoined at length for their so doing — against all kinds of popery^ general and particular heads, as abjured by the national covenant — against its entry again into this land, and every thing that doth, or may directly or indirectly, make way for the same, &c. After this, Mr. Renwick and his followers were exposed to the greater fury of their adversaries ; more cruel edicts were given forth against them, approving and ratifying of former acts, for raising the hue and cry, &c., whereby their calamities were very much increased, besides the slanders of professed friends, on account of their not associating and joining with them in their compliances,, although, to the conviction of all unbiassed minds, they fully vindicated themselves from all their injurious reflections. The extirpation of the Presbyterian interest — nay, the suppression of the Protestant religion in general, the re- introduction of popery, and plunging the nations in anti- christian darkness and tyranny, being the long concerted design of this popish bigot now got into the throne; he resolves to lose no time, and leave no stone unturned, for the prosecution and accomplishment thereof. And having made tolerable progress in the execution of this his favorite scheme (although not without opposition), in England, he turns himself to Scotland, expecting an entire acquiescence in his pleasure there, having found the first parliament, which began, 23d May, 1685, so much according to his own heart,, in their hearty and sincere offer of their lives and fortunes, to assist, defend, and maintain him in his rights, prerogatives,, sacred, supreme, and absolute power and authority, &c. Wherefore, the parliament being to meet again A]pril 29,. 1686, in his letter to them, "he heartily recommends to their care his innocent Roman Catholic subjects, to the end, that [42] as they have given good experience of their true loyalty and peaceable behavior, they may have the protection of his laws, without lying under obligations their religion could not admit of; that all penal laws made against them might be repealed, &c." But though many were for obliging their king in this particular, yet it could not be carried without debates and strong objections ; so that, dissolving the parlia- ment, what he could not obtain there, with any show or face of law, he effectuates, by virtue of the prerogative royal and absolute power, in a letter to his privy council, and proclamation inclosed, bearing date February 12, 1687, granting a royal toleration to moderate Presbyterians, clogged with a number of grievous Erastian conditions and restric- tions, as usual. Secondly, to Quakers and other enthusiasts. Thirdly, to Papists, abrogating all penal statutes made against them, and making them in all respects free. And so devoted were the privy council to his interests, that without demur they published the proclamation, and wrote back to the king, " that his orders were punctually obeyed, thanking him for this further proof of his favors to all his subjects." Thus, this champion for Satan and antichrist proceeded with his wicked design, and so far succeeded ; all kinds of papistry were publicly practiced, and many churches converted to mass chapels. For, before this, by the king's letter to his privy council, of August 21st, 1686, papists were allowed the free exercise of their religion, the council required to support and maintain them therein, and the royal chapel at Holyrood- House ordered to be repaired for popish service. By which means a door was opened for that swarm of Jesuits and priests, ascending as locusts out of the bottomless pit, which quickly overspread the lands. But notwithstanding of all this indulgence and royal toleration granted to these three forementioned parties, yet there is no favor nor mercy for the honest and faithful sufferers, and honorable contenders for the interests and prerogatives royal of Jesus Christ, against his sacrilegious and blasphemous usurpation of the same. But while he thinks fit to give ease (as himself says) by this means, to tender consciences, he at the same time signifies his highest indignation against those enemies of Christianity (he means popery) as well as government, and human society, the field-conventiclers, whom he recommends to the council to root out, with all the severity of the laws, and the most rigorous prosecution of the forces, it being equally his, and his people's concern to get rid of them. In consequence of this, all their artillery is directed against the Kev. Mr. Jaraes Renwick only, and that poor, afllicted, and persecuted [43] people that adhered to him (all others being comprehended in the pretended liberty granted), so that they were prose- cuted with fire and sword, and according to the utmost severity of their wicked laws made against them, and a reward of a hundred pounds sterling offered by the bloody council to any that should bring in Mr. Renwick to them, either dead or alive. But he having his generation work allotted and cut out for him by God, was preserved and kept from falling into their hands, until that he had finished the work his Master had given him to do, notwithstanding all this hellish and antichristian rage and fury wherewith they did pursue him. About the beginning of the year 1686, he, in conjunction with Mr. Alexander Shields, who had lately joined him, wrote the Informatory Vindication, by way of reply to various accusations in letters, informations and con- ferences, given forth against them and their people, wherein they vindicate, clear and justify themselves from the heavy and false charges, slanders and reproaches, cast upon them by their enemies, as may be seen in said book. About this time, also, Mr. Shields set about writing his Hind let loose (which was published next year), or, A Histor'cal Representa- tion of the Testimonies of the Church of Scotland for the interest of Christ, with the true state thereof in all its periods ; wherein he also solidly, soundly, and judiciously vindicates the present testimony, in all the principles thereof, as stated, against the popish, prelatical, and malignant enemies of that, church, for the prerogatives of Christ, privileges of the church and liberties of mankind, and sealed by the sufi:erings of a reproached remnant of Presbyte- rians there, witnessing against the corruptions of the time. Whilst these two loving and faithful fellow-laborers were thus industriously exerting themselves for the propagation and vindication of the persecuted gospel, and cause of Christ ; that fiery Jesuit, popish tyrant, and enemy to God and man, the duke of York, and his popish party, were equally indus- trious, on the other hand, to promote their grand design of utterly extinguishing the light of the gospel, and bringing in antichrist, with all his poisonous and hellish vermin, and abominable idolatries ; and that, with all the murdering vio- lence, diabolical subtilty and malignant rage that hell and Borne could invent and exert. He had formerly published a proclamation (as is noticed above), granting a lawless liberty to several sorts of persons therein specified, called his first indulgence ; but breathing nothing but threatenings and slaughter against the people of God, who stood firm to his cause. But withal, this proclamation, enjoined an oath in [44] the room of all oaths formerly imposed, to be taken by all that minded to share in his royal favor; wherein they swore, not only absolute subjection and passive obedience, never to resist him, not only on any pretense, but for any cause, let him do, or command to be done what he would ; but also, absolute, active obedience, without reserve: "That they shall, to the utmost of their power, assist, defend, and main- tain him, his heirs and successors, in the exercise of their absolute power and authority, against all deadly." This was so palpably gross and odious, that it was disdained and ab- horred by all that had common sense. Wherefore, finding that this proposal did not take, nor answer his design, in a letter to the council, bearing date about a month after the former, he endeavors to mend the matter, and set it out in another dress, pretending that they had mistaken his meaning in the former, and so lets them know, that it is his pleasure now, that if the Presbyterian preachers do scruple to take the oath (contained in the proclamation), or any other oath whatsoever, they, notwithstanding, have the benefit of his indulgence (without being obliged to take the oath), pro- vided they observe the conditions on which it was granted. But this not having the desired effect neither, it is followed with the third indulgence or toleration, emitted by procla- mation, dated 28th June^ 1687, excellently well calculated for obtaining his end; wherein, after a solemn declaration of his intention to maintain his archbishops and bishops, he does, by his sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, suspend, stop and disable, all penal and sanguinary laws, made against any for non-conformity to the religion established by law — granting liberty to all the subjects to meet and serve God, after their own way, in private houses or chapels, or places purposely hired or built for that use, with an injunction to take care that nothing be preached or taught, that might any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from him and his government : but, notwithstand- ing the premises, strictly prohibiting all field meetings, against all which all his laws and acts of parliament are left in full force and vigor; and all his judges, magistrates and officers of forces, commanded to prosecute such as shall be guilty of said field conventicles, with the utmost rigor; and all this under pretense, that now, after this his royal grace and favor, there is not the least shadow of excuse letl for these meetings. Wherefore, he is confident, that none will, alter these liberties and freedoms given to all, to serve God in their own way, further presume to meet in these assemblies, except such as make a pretense of religion, to [45] cover their treasonable designs against his royal person, and peace of his government. _ -0.1^^1 The most of the Presbyterian mmisters in Scotland took the benefit of this wicked and boundless toleration, chiefly desio-ned in favors of papists. And a large number of them bein% met at Edinburgh, agreed upon, and, in name ot ail the ?est, sent an address of thanks to the tyrant for his toleration, stuffed with the most loathsome and blasphemous flatteries, to the dishonor of God, the reproach of his cause, and betraying of his church ; for, in this address, dated Ju/.y 21st 1687, designating themselves the loyal subjects of this true'reli^ion and liberty-destroyer, they otter him their most humble and hearty thanks for his favor bestowed, and bless the crreat God who put it into his heart to grant them this liberty, which they term a great and surprising favor, professino- a fixed resolution still to maintain an entire loyalty, both in their doctrine and practice (consonant to their known principles, which, according to the holy scrip- tures, are contained in the Confession of Faith)) and they humbly beseech, that any who promote disloyal principles and practices (as they disown them), may not be looked upon as any of theirs, whatever name they may assume to themselves; and that, as their address comes from the plainness and sincerity of loyal and thankful hearts, so they were much engaged, by his royal favor, to continue their fervent prayers to^the King of kings, for divine illumination and conduct, and all other blessings, both spiritual and tem- poral, ever to attend his person and government, etc. Ihus these men made themselves naked to their shame, and de- clared to the world that they did not only presumptuously arroo-ate to themselves the name of presbyterians ; whereas, in reality, they were quite another kind of creatures, acting diametrically opposite to presbyterian principles, in congra- tulating, extolling and justifying a tyrant, for assuming to himselt^a blasphemous absolute power, whereby he suspends and disables all penal laws against idolators, and gives a toleration for all errors. , 1 n 1 But whilst these pretended presbyterians, who all along loved peace better than truth, and preferred their own ease before the concerns of their Master's glory, were thus shelt- ering themselves under this refuge of lies, true presbyterians who kept by presbvterian principles, and acted a taithtui part for Christ, refusing to bow down to the idol of suprem- acy, which the tyrant had set up, or pay any regard to his blasphemous toleration, were pursued, persecuted, and slain, without pity or compassion, all the engines of the [46] court being levelled against them for their destruction, be- cause they would still reserve to themselves the liberty wherewith Christ had made his people free, and not exchange it for one from anti-christ, restricted with his reserves and limitations ; so that (as Mr. Shields tells us in his account of Mr. James Renwick's life), in less than five months after the toleration, there were fifteen most desperate searches parti- cularly for him, both of foot and horse ; and that all encour- agement might be given to any who would apprehend him, a proclamation was issued, dated October 18th, " Authorizing " all officers, civil and military, to apprehend and secure in " firmance his person, with some others ; and for encourage- " ment, ensuring the sum of 100/. sterling for taking him, "or them, dead'or alive." In the midst of all these hazards, this unwearied and faithful laborer did notwithstanding continue at his work, in preaching, catechising, etc., and the Lord still preserved him from falling into the enemy's hand, until he had finished that piece of generation work, in draw- ing up a full and faithful testimony against For A:'5 toleration, and for the covenants and w^ork of reformation, etc., which he gave in to a meeting of presbyterian ministers at Edin- burgh^ on the 17th of January^ 1688 ; and going thence to Fife^ whither he was called to preach, in his return, was ap- prehended at Edinburgh^ and called to seal his above testi- mony, with all his other contendings against popery, prelacy, Erastianism, and all defection from the land's attainments in reformation, with his blood, which he did in the Grass- market oi Edinburgh, 17th oi February, 1688, with a remark- able and extraordinary measure of the Lord's gracious pre- sence and spirit, not only in this part of his sufierings, but all the time of his imprisonment. The Lord hereby bearing witness, both to the truth of that cause for which he suftered, and also testifying his gracious acceptance of his suti:erings, and of the free-will-ofi:ering of his life, which he laid down for his sake. And as neither the violence nor flattery of enemies could prevail with this faithful confessor and martyr himself, to quit with one hair or hoof of what belonged to Christ ; so he recommended to the poor scattered remnant which he left, as part of his dying counsel, to keep their ground, and not to quit nor forego one of these, despised truths, which he was assured the Lord, when he returned to bind up the breach of his people, and heal them of their wound, would make glorious in the earth. Thus that worthy minister, and now glorified martyr of Jesus, through a chain of sufierings, and train of enemies, fought his way unto an incorruptible and immortal crown of endless glory. He was [47] the last that sealed the testimony for religion and liberty, and the covenanted work of reformation, against popery, prelacy, Erastianism, and tyranny, in a public manner, on the scaffold, with his blood. After the death of this re- nowned martyr, he was succeeded by the eminent Mr. Alex- ander Shields, who carried on, and maintained the testimony, as it was stated, in all the heads and clauses thereof, contin- uing to preach in the fields. On which account, he, and the people who attended his ministry, were exposed for some time longer to the fury and resentment of their enemies. But their power, which they had so long perverted and abused, quickly came to a period ; for in a few months, G-od, in his righteous judgment and adorable providence, over- turned that throne of iniquity on which they depended, and expelled that inhuman, cruel monster, from his tyrannical and usurped power, upon the Prince of Orange's coming over into England, in the beginning of November that same year. But, although the Lord at this juncture, and by this means, rescued and delivered our natural and civil rights and priv- ileges in a national way, from under the ©ppression and bondage of anti-christian tyranny, arbitrary and absolute power ; yet the revolution, at this time, brought no real de- liverance to the church of God ; but Christ's rights,"^ form- erly acquired for him by his faithful servants, lay still buried under the rubbish of that anti-christian building of prelacy, erected on the ruins of his work in this land; and the spirit- ual liberties and privileges of his house remained, and do still remain under the bondage of Erastianism, supremacy, toleration, etc. For it is well known, that although this man, JeAu-like, " destroyed Baal out of Israel, yet he depart- " ed not from the sins of Jeroboam, wherewith he made Israel " to sin." About this time, the united societies (having no actual minister since Mr. Renwick's death, Mr. Shields being only preacher) sent over some commissioners from their general meeting to Embden, one of the united provinces, to bring over Mr. Thomas Linning, a young man whom they had sent thither some years before in Mr. Renwick's time, to the university there, and for ordination. In consequence hereof, the said Mr. Linning came home, with testimonials of his ordination to the ministry by the classes of Embden; and in conjunction with Mr. Shields and Mr. William Boyd (another * Christ's rights, etc. By these are not meant the rights of Christ per- sonal. It is not in the power of mortals, or any creature, to acquire and secure these to him ; but the rights of Christ mystical, that is, of the church, or, of his truth, true worship, and religion, and professors of it as such. [48] of their ministers, who had also come from Holland about this time) renewed the covenants national and solemn league, and dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's supper near Les- mahago in Clydesdale^ and continued to preach to the people for about four months, till the first general assembly (so-called) met at Edinburgh^ 1689-90. At which time, he, with his two brethren, in their own name, and the name of their people, presented a paper to that assembly, bearing on what terms they and their people would join in communion with them ; only craving, that they might all join in humbling themselves before the Lord, and acknowledge and bewail their fathers', their own, and the land's many and heinous iniquities, and breaches of covenant before they proceeded to any other business, and so have their public sins, and scan- dalous compliances washed away by repentance, and calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus. That they would purge out from among them all ignorant, insufficient, heter- odox, and notoriously scandalous ministers, such as by information, accusation, or otherwise, were guilty of the blood of the saints, etc. But these proposals w^ere reckoned unseasonable and impracticable, tending rather to kindle contention, than compose division, and so were thrown over their bar. The generality of these men were so plunged and puddled in the ditch of defection and apostacy, that they could not think of the drudgery of cleansing themselves in God's way, by a particular and public confession of, and humiliation for their own and the land's public sins, but chose rather to sit down filthy and polluted as they were, and presume, in the midst of their abominations unrepented of, to approach God's holy things, which, how provoking to heaven, let God in his word be judge, Isa. lii. 11. Hag. ii, 13, 14. 2 Chr. xxx. 4. EzeL xliv. 10. N'ay, it is but too, too evident, that for this cause, God then laid them under that awful sentence. Rev. xxii. 11 : " Him that is filthy, let '' him be filthy still ; " or that, Isa. xxii. 14. For as their hearts were then hardened against God's call by his word and providence to that important and most necessary duty ; so, ever since, they have been so much the more so, and have gone on from evil to worse. But to return to our purpose: The two brethren, Messrs. Linning and Boyd^ upon the rejection of the above said paper of proposals, intending to unite with them at any rate, gave in another, importing their submission to the assembly ; which paper, Mr. Sheilds also, through their influence, in- sinuations and persuasions, was drawn to subscribe and ad- here to ; which he had never done, had he not fallen, by the [49] means of these false brethren, and which, it is said, he sadly repented afterward. Thus, the poor people were again left destituteof ministers, and public gospel ordinances, until the Rev. Mr. John MacMlUan acceded to them, from the public judicatories of the revolution church, in the year 1706. And their kind friend, Mr. Linning^ to make amends for all his misdemeanors, and in return for the charges the societies were at about his education, at home and abroad, did them that good office, to write and load them with calumnies and slanders, to the universities in the Netherlands^ whither they had recourse formerly in like cases; so that all access for having their loss retrieved from that quarter, was blocked up. What is thus briefly hinted above, may suffice to afford some cursory view of the rise and progress of religion and reformation in these lands, especially in Scotland;- until as a church and nation, our kingdom became the Lord's, by the strictest and most intimate federal alliance, and the name almost of every city, was, the Lord is there : together with the general state and condition of the church and land, from the fatal juncture of our woful decline, unto the end of the above mentioned bloody period ; the faithfulness of some, in this time of trial and temptation ; the defection and back- sliding course of others ; and the great and avowed wicked- ness of the rest, extended unto an exorbitant height of savage inhumanity, irreligion and impiety. Upon atl which the presbytery, in duty to God, the present and succeeding gen- erations, find themselves obliged to testify : — 1. Their hearty approbation of the faithfulness of such- ministers and others, who opposed and faithfully testified against the public resolutions of church and state, framed in the year 1651, for receiving into places of power and trust, malignant enemies to the work of reformation, contrary to the word of God, Exod. xviii, 21 ; Dent, i, 13; 2 Chron. xix, 2 ; and to all acts of assembly and parliament in the reform- ing period ; the assembly disclaiming the resolutions, as appears from their act, Jt^ne 17th, 1646, session 14th, entitled. Act for censuring the compilers with the jndAic enemies of this church and kingdom : and their seasonable and necessary warning, June 27th, 1649, session 27th ; where " they judge " it a great and scandalous provocation, and grievous defect- " ion from the public cause, to comply with these malignants, " &c." As also, Act 11th, Triennial Parliament of Charles I, entitled, Act for purging the army of disaffected persons to the covenant and work of reformation. And the faithful warnings, given by general assemblies and parliament, even against tlie admission of Charles II to the regal dignity, when so evi- [50] dently discovering his disingeiiuity, until once he should give more satisfying proof of his sincerity ; see act of the commission at the West Kirk, August 13th, 1650, where the commission of the general assembly, considering, that there may be just ground of stumbling, from the king's majesty's refusing to emit the declaration oliered him by the commit- tee of estates, and the commission of the general assembly, concerning his former carriage, and resolution for the future, in reference to the cause of God, and enemies and friends thereof ; doth therefore declare, '' That this kirk and king- dom do not espouse any malignant party, quarrel, or in- terest, but that they fight merely upon their former grounds and principles, and in the defense of the cause of God, and of the kingdom, as they have done these twelve years past ; and therefore, as they disclaim all the sin and guilt of the king and of his house, so they will not own him nor his in- terest, otherwise than with a subordination to God, and so far as he owns and prosecutes the cause of God, and disclaims his, and his father's opposition to the work of God, and to the covenant," &c. The which declaration being seen and considered by the committee of estates, was the same day approven by them. Thus, both church and state exerted themselves in the discharge of their duty, in order to obtain a settlement, according to the word of God, and the covenants, which were now become the magna charta of the privileges and liberties of the nations, both civil and religious ; and therefore, were sworn to and subscribed by Charles II, as was also the coronation oath, for the security and preservation of the true religion, at his receipt of the royal power. 2. The presbytery testify and declare their approbation of the conduct of the faithful, before the restoration, who, ad- hering to the foresaid fundamental constitutions of the nations, both refused subjection unto, and testified against the usurpation of Oliver Cromwell and his accomplices, his invading the land, his anti-christian toleration of all sectar- ian errors and heresies, threatening the ruin and destruction of the true religion, as well as liberty. This was particularly testified against by the synod of Fife, and others, in con- junction with them, as wicked and intolerable; as opposite unto, and condemned by, the scriptures of truth, Job. xxxiv, 17; Dent, xiii, 1-12; Zech. xiii, 3; contrary to acts of as- sembly and parliament, made against malignants, their being received into places of power and trust, with whom these sectarians were compliers, such as Act 16th of Assemb. 1646, Sess. 13th, Act 26th, Sess. 2d. parliament, Charles I, &c. [51] 3. The presbyter}^ do hereby heartily approve and homolo- gate the testimony borne unto the truths and royal preroga- tives of Christ, as King of Zion, by the witnesses and martyrs for the same, from the restoration, anno 1660, to the late revolution, by protestations, declarations, confiscation of goods, bonds, imprisonment, banishment, all kinds of cruelty and suifering, even unto the death (as noticed above), by the impious revolters from the righteous laws of God, and over- turners of the just and equitable laws of men, both sacred and civil ; to the maintenance whereof, the greatest part of these transgressors had bound themselves by the most sacred and inviolable obligations, which made their wickedness the more daring and aggravated, and the testimony of the saints against such as had made themselves so vile in the sight of God and all good men, the more justifiable. Psalm cxix, 139: "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words." And as the doers of the law have the promise of justification by the great Legislator, Royn. ii, 13, so they ought to have the approbation of his people for doing his will. And as the Spirit discovers the church's duty not to con- sist only in bearing witness unto the truth, and justifying Christ's confessors and martyrs, in their faithful adherence unto it, but also in testifying against sin, and condemning the wicked for their wickedness ; for which, also, we have the precedent of the reformed and covenanted church of Scotland^ both before and during the defection and wickedness of the forementioned period. Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby to declare and testify particularly : — 1. Against that prime and leading step of defection, the public resolutions, a scheme projected by that arch hypo- crite and traitor to God, Charles II, for the reintroduction of men of the same wicked and malignant spirit with him- self, into places of public trust in the nation — men, the most of whom had been formerly excommunicated by the church, and excluded from all ofiice-bearing in the commonwealth, by the states, in their act of classes, as being avowed and obstinate enemies to God and to their country. Which scheme, approven of and put in execution, with the consent of a corrupt part of the ministry of the church, called afterward resolutioners, made way for that sad and bloody catastrophe, which after befel the poor church of Christ in this land. 2. They declare and testify against the usurpation of Oliver Cromwell^ with those who subjected themselves unto, and owned, his authority ; against his treacherous invasion [52] of this land, contrary to the public oaths and vows, and cove- nant union of the nations ; together with his sectarian principles, and wicked toleration, then obtruded upon them. 3. They declare and testify against the restoration of Charles II, 1660, under the government of these covenanted lands, after he had so plainly discovered his spirit and de- signs, in the matter of the public resolutions. On account of which treacherous and double dealing with God and man, he was, in the Lord's holy and adorable providence, justly secluded from the government, and lived an exile for the space often years ; but, by means of his malignant public resolution- friends, he was again, by might, though not of right, restored, without so much as his adherence sought to those oaths, which he had formerly so solemnly sworn. Add to this the church's sinful silence, through the influence of the back- slidden resolution party therein, so that, at the convention of the pretended parliament, anno 1661, consisting mostly of persons of known disaifection to the true religion, elected of purpose to serve the king's traitorous designs, there was not so much as a protestation for civil or religious liberties and privileges offered thereunto ; but the vile person (as he after- ward fully declared himself) was peaceably, though illegally, exalted. 4. As the presbytery find themselves in duty bound to testify against this most unhappy restoration of Charlies II, so, of necessary and just consequence, they declare against the whole of his usurped and tyrannical administration — particularly against his blasphemous and heaven-daring eccle- siastical supremacy ; against the act recissory, declaring null and void the covenants, presbyterian church government, and all the laws made in favor of the true religion since the year 1638; the wicked anniversary thanksgiving day, in memory of the restoration ; the re-establishment of diocesan and Erastian prelacy ; his publicly and ignominiously burning of our solemn covenants, after pretending to nullify their obligation ; with all his cruelty, tyranny, oppression and bloodshed, under color, and without form, of law, exercised upon the Lord's people, during the whole of his reign. 5. They again testify against the treachery of these cove- nanted lands, in their advancing (contrary to our solemn covenants and all law and reason) James, duke of York, sl professed papist, and avowed malicrnant to the throne of these realms. As also, they testify against his Christ- dethroning supremacy, and antichristian indulgences aiid toleration, flowing from that wicked fountain ; his horrid [53] and cruel massacreing and murdering of the saints and ser- vants of the Most High; with all his other wickedness briefly specified in the foregoing narrative. Upon the whole, the presbytery declare and testify against all the affronts done unto the Son of God, and open attacks made upon his crown and kingdom ; all the diiferent steps of apostasy from a work of reformation, and all the hellish rage and cruelty exercised against the people of God during the foresaid period of persecution, carried on by these two impious brothers. PART 11. Containing tlie grounds of the presbytery's testimony against tlie constitu- tions, both civil and ecclesiastical, at the late Revolution, anno 1G89 ; as also against the gross Erastianism and tyranny that has attended the administration both of church and state, since that memorable period ; with various instances thereof, etc. After the Lord, for the forementioned space of twenty- eight years, had, because of their manifold sins, sorely plagued this church and nation with the grievous yoke of prelatical tyranny, bloodshed, oppression and fiery persecution, and thereby had covered the daughter of Zion with a cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty of Israel, and had thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the daughter Judah, yea, brought them down even to the ground ; he was pleased in his holy sov- ereignty, to put a stop to that barbarous cruelty that was exercised upon his people, at the last national Revolution, by the instrumentality of the prince and princess of Orange; which is the more remarkable, in that those whom the Lord employed as the rod of his anger, to strike off that monstrous tyrant Jaraes^ duke of York^ from the British throne, were natural branches sprung up from the same stock: and this at a juncture, when not only the church of Christ was in the greatest danger of being totally extirjmted, but the whole land in hazard of being again overwhelmed with popish darkness and idolatry. But although a very fit op- portunity was then offered the nations for reviving the long buried work of a covenanted reformation both in church and state, and re-establishing all the ordinances of God in purity,, according to their scriptural institution ; yet, alas ! how deeply is it to be lamented, that, instead thereof, the multi- tude of his tender mercies being forgotten, there was a re- turning, but not to the Most High ; yea, a turning aside like a deceitful bow ; so that, in many respects, our national guilt is now increased above what it was in former times : where- fore, as the presbytery desire with the utmost gratitude to acknowledge the divine goodness, in giving a respite from the hot furnace of persecution ; so they likewise find them- selves, in duty to their princely Master and his people, obliged to testify and declare against foresaid revolution settlement, in a variety of particulars, with the many de- fections and backslidings flowing therefrom. Likeas they [55] hereby do testify against the constitution, both civil and ecclesiastic, at the Revolution, anno 1689, in these respects, and for these reasons : — 1. Because that in the civil constitution, these nations once united together in a scriptural and covenanted uniform- ity, unmindful of their former establishment upon a divine footing, wherein king and people were to be of one perfect religion, and the supreme magistrate obliged by solemn oath to maintain and preserve the same inviolable, did call and invite William, and Mary^ prince and princess of Orange^ unto the possession of the royal power in these lands, in a way contrary to the word of God, as Deut. xvii, 15 : " Thou " shalt in any wise set him king over thee whom the Lord "thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt " thou set king over thee : thou mayest not set a stranger "over thee, which is not thy brother." 2 Sam. xxiii, 3: " The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He "that ruleth over men, must be just, ruling in the fear of "God." In opposition to these clear precepts, the nations did choose the foresaid persons to swaj^ the civil sceptre over them, who were neither brethren by birth, nor religious profession, being educated in a church where Erastianism prevails, as appears from their ascribing such an extensive power to the civil magistrate, as is inconsistent with the intrinsic power of the church. Accordingly, by these principles, said prince of Orange did regulate his conduct, in the assumption of his regal authority, consenting to sw^ear two distinct oaths, whereby he obliged himself to preserve and maintain the two distinct and contrary religions (or modes of religious worship), presbytery and prelacy, and so betrayed both to God and man his politic, worldly views, and proclaimed him- self destitute of that truth and religious fear, which is the essential character of every person who may warrantably be invested with supreme authority over the Israel ' of God. And as they wanted scriptural, so likewise covenant qualifi- cations, namely, known integrity, appro ven fidelity, constant aftection, and zeal to the cause and true church of God ; and therefore could not in a consistency with the covenanted constitution, and fundamental laws of the crown, be set up as king and queen of these covenanted lands. Again, as during the persecuting period, the nations gen- erally were involved in theguilt of perjury and deep apostasy, by the many sinful contradictory tests, oaths and bonds then imposed ; so, in a particular manner, those who, by virtue of their birth and dignity, ought to have been the defenders of the [56] nation's privileges, botli sacred and civil, on the contrary, as privy counsellors to the two impious brothers in their rage against the Lord and his Anointed, and as members of their iniquitous parliaments (where, perverting equity and justice, they framed the most heaven-daring and abominable mis- chiefs into a law, and then with the utmost cruelty prosecuted the same), had many of them brought themselves under the fearful guilt of these atrocious crimes of murder, perjury, tyranny and oppression ; and thereby, according to the law both of God and man, not only forfeited their lives, had the same been duly executed ; but also divested themselves of all just right and title to act the part of the nation's representa- tives, in choosing and installing any in the office of supreme civil governor, until at least they had given suitable evidence of their repentance. Yet such were the constituent members of that committee of estates, and first parliament, employed in the Revolution settlement, without so much as making any suitable public acknowledgment of their wickedness in the active hand the generality of them had in the former bloody persecution, as appears from a comparative view of the lists of the members of parliament, and particularly the duke of York's last parliament, with act second of the acts and orders of the meeting of estates, anno 1689. Yea, by viewing the lists of James YII, his privy council, annexed by Wodrow to the second volume of his history, it is evident that a great number of the nobility alone, members of that bloody council, were also members of foresaid convention of estates, the members of which convention (seven bishops ex- cepted) were exactly the same with the members of the lirst parliament at the Revolution. For this, compare second act of the meeting of estates, with act first, parliament first of William and Mary. By all which it is evident, that from princes who had thus removed the bound, and discovered no just remorse for their sins, there was little ground left to ex- pect a happy establishment of religion, in restoring the flock of Christ to the full possession of those valuable privileges and liberties wherewith he had made them free. The character of the constituent members being considered, the constitution itself, and wherein it is inconsistent with our covenanted establishment, and is therefore hereby testi- fied against, comes next to be considered. Although the declaration of the meeting of estates in this kingdom, con- taining their claim of right, comprehended much more of their civil liberties, and formal rights of government, than was enjoyed under the former monstrous tyranny, yet b}^ no means sufficiently i)rovided for the legal establishment of our [57] former happy reformed constitution, which necessarily obliged the civil rulers to employ their power to maintain and defend, not only the doctrine, but also the presbyterian worship, discipline and government, as the only and unalter- able form instituted by Christ in his house. Whereas this craves the abolition of prelacy, and the superiority of an of- fice in the church above presbyters in Scotland^ simply as it has been a great and insupportable grievance and trouble to this nation, and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the people ever since the reformation from popery, without regarding the divine right of presbytery, and the contrariety of prelacy to scripture revelation. In agreeableness to which tural qualifica- tions are essential to the usefulness of the magistrate's office, they nmst also be necessary to the being thereof, otherwise it is in itself quite useless. And if in itself useless, [109J with respect to the great ends thereof, without the due measure of scriptural qualifications, it cannot then be the ordinance of God, in regard it must not be supposed, that a God of infinite wisdom and goodness, who does nothing in vain, has instituted an ordinance for the good of his people, in subserviency to his glory, which yet, in itself (as to its being and essence), is useless, and of no profit nor advantage to them. And as for their comparison of the magistrate's office to other common and ordinary places and delations among men, the parallel will not hold, no not for illustration, far less for a proof of their doctrine, ^or is there any com- parison, unless they can prove, that God in his word has as plainly and positively required men to be so and so qualified, before it is lawful for them to enter into, or for others to put them in such places and relations, as he has done, with regard to magistracy. This is indeed the scope and end of their whole scheme, to derogate from, degrade and lessen the dignity of this great ordinance of magistracy, allowing it no more than what is common to men in general, in other inferior states and ordinary business of life, alleging, " That these qualifica- tions (which they grant God has prescribed in his word) are only advantageous to them that have them ;" and that at the hazard of evidently opposing and contradicting the intention of the Spirit of God, in the above texts of scripture, which imply a specialty, and particular appropriation to kings and rulers in their office. Again, this principle either, as above said, denies magis- tracy to be God's ordinance instituted in his word ; or then says, that he hath instituted ordinances in his revealed will, without prescribing any qualifications as essential to their being, but entirely left the constitution of them to the will of man. But how absurd is this, and derogatory to the glory of God, in all his perfections, who is a God of order, once to imagine, that he hath set any of his ordinances, either as to matter or manner, upon the precarious footing of the pure will of wicked and ungodly men ? The smallest acquaintance with divine revelation will readily convince, that he hath not. It may as well, and with the same parity of reason, be refused, that there are any qualifications requis- ite, as essential to the being and validity of the office of the ministry, but only necessary to its well-being and usefulness ; and therefore, is as lawful (in its exercise) in the want of these qualifications, as the ordinance of magistracy is ac- counted to be. But how contrary is this to scripture. Tit. i, 7, 8 ; 1 Tim. iii, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, &c. Kow, comparing these with the above-cited texts, respecting the qualifications of [110 J magistrates, it appears, tliat the qualifications of the magis- trate are required in the same express and as strong terms (if not also somewhat more clearly) as the qualiticatious of the minister; and seeing a holy God hath made no ditference, a& to the essentiality of the qualifications pertaining to these distinct ordinances, it is too much presumption for any creature to attempt doing it. Both magistrate and minister are, in their different and distinct s})heres, clothed with an equal authority from the law of God, — have subjection and obedience equall}^ under the same pains, required to them respectively, (as Deut. xvii. 9 to 13 ; 2 Chron, xix, 5 to 11 ; Heb. xiii, 17, &c.) — and the qualifications of both, as above, stated and determined with equal peremptoriness, making them no less essential to the being and validity of the one than the other. And this being the case, it is not easy to understand how Seceders will reconcile their principles anent civil government, with their principle and practice, in sepa- rating from an established church or ministry, whose consti- tution they acknowledge to be good ; and who being pres- byterially ordained, are also still countenanced by the bodj^ of the people. Sure, had they dealt fairly, honestly and. impar- tially in the matters of God, they would have acted in this case agreeably to their declared principle, page 79th of their pamphlet, viz: "The passages holding forth these qualifica- tions and duties of magistrates, do not by the remotest hint impl}^ that, if in any wise they be deficient in, or make defection from the same, their authority and commands, even in matters lawful, must not be subjected unto and obeyed," &c. Certainly, according to this, all the deficiencies, defections, and mal-administrations in the church, could never have been a warrantable ground (which yet they make the only ground) of their separation from her. " But on the con- trary," they should still have continued in communion wdth her, and subjection to her in matters lawful, in a way of testifying " against the same, and essaying their refor- mation, by all means that were habile for them." Seceders must either grant, that such was their duty, and so of them- selves condenni their separation as unwarrantable; or else deny, that the qualifications of the magistrate and minister are required in the same express terms in scrii)ture; that both are clothed with an equal (though distinct) authority ;, and that subjection and obedience are under the same pains enjoined to both, and consequently say, that it is less- dangerous to cast off, contemn and disregard the authority of a church, than that of the state; while yet (according to their scheme) civil authority is entirely resolved into, and [Ill] depends purely upon the changeable will of civil society. But, it is presumed, they will allow, that ecclesiastical authority is derived, and Hows from, and depends entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone, the glorious Judge, Law- giver, and King of liis church; so that (according to them) this being of a far more noble extract and original, it must be of far more dangerous consequence, to contemn and cast olf it, than the other. Again, as this doctrine gives unto men a negative over the Holy One of Israel, it ah o opens a wide door for introducing ^and enforcing the cause of deism, already too prevalent: for, if all who are set up by civil society, however wicked, and void of the qualifications God has required, while they are acknowledged and submitted to by their constituents, must be equally regarded as GckI's ordinance, with those who have those qualilications ; then it will follow, that the corrupt will of wicked men legitimates the magistrate's ottice and au- thority, not only without, but in contradiction to the pre- ceptive will of God ; and' what is this {absit blasphemia), but to exalt man above God, in giving unto the universal Sove- reign ajid Sapreme Lawgiver, only a consultative power in the constitution of magistracy, while it abscribes unto man an absolute and detinitive power, whereby they have power to receive or reject the law of God (at least respecting magistracy) at pleasure, and their deed of constitution be equally valid, when opposite, as when agreeable unto, and founded upon his righteous law. And sure, by the same reason, that man may take a liberty to dispense w^ith the authority of God, in one point of his commanding will; he may also in another, until at last every part of it is rejected. It is but a contempt of the same authority, and he that offends in one point, is guilty of all. Such are the absurdi- ties that this their scheme leads to, though it is hoped the authors do not intend so. It may here only be necessary further to observe, that among the other desperate shifts Seceders are di'iven to in defense of their favorite notion, they say, that scri[)tural qualifications cannot be essential to God's ordinance of magistracy, or necessarily required as a condition of it sine qua nan; for then it would be the same thing with magistracy : nor can these qualifications be the condition (sine qua non^ or)^ without which one could not be a magistrate; tor then it would be necessary, that every one were possessed of them faultlessl3^ before he could be owned as a lawful magistrate: either of which they allege would be grossly absurd. But this plausible and fair-set argument of theirs, if it prove any thing, will prove more [112] than it is supposed they themselves will grant, and conse- quently proves nothing at all. For the same gross absurdity may, with equal reason, be inferred from a maintaining, that a due measure and performance of scripture qualifications and duties are essential to any other of God's ordinances, and so that these are the ordinance itself. For instance, they might as well reason (as some have justly observed already), that scriptural qualifications are not essential to a lawful gospel minister, for then it would be the same thing with the ministry, itself: nor can it be, a condition, without which one is not really a minister, unless he were so fautlessly. And thus they have at once stripped, not only all of the race of Adam, that ever exercised that office, but themselves also, of any real mission, as ministers, unless they have assumed the pope's infallibility, and are advanced to the 3Ioravian perfection. So, although the scripture declares it essential to the true church, that she hold the head, yet by their childish reasoning, this would infer a conclusion big with absurdities, even that this quali- fication of a true church, is the church itself. And, in like manner, it can no longer be admitted, that faith in* Christ, and holiness, are essential to the being of a true Christian ; for that would be to make faith the same thing with a Christian, and would infer, that as in heaven only holiness is in perfection, so there alone Christians are to be found. Upon the whole, as the Lord has given an indispensable law, respecting the constitution of kings, showing what condi- tions and qualifications are required of them ; it undeniably follows, as an established truth, that christianized nations must invest none with that office, but in a way agreeable to that law, and those alone according to scripture, are magistrates of God's institution, who are in some measure possessed of these qualifications. It is therefore an anti- scriptural tenet, that nothing is requisite to constitute a lawful magistrate, but the inclinations and choice of the civil society. 3. The presbytery testify against this sj^stem of principles because it has a direct tendency to destroy the just and necessary distinction that ought to be maintained between the perceptive and providential will of God, and necessarily jumbles and confounds these together, in such a manner, as a man is left at an utter uncertainty to know when he is accepted and approven of God in his conduct, and when not. That this is the scope of their principles, is confessed, p. 87, of their book of principles : "Nothing needs be added [say they] for the clearing of this, but the overthrow of a dis- [113] tinction that has been made of those who are acknowledged as magistrates bj civil society, into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such are so by his providential will only ; which distinction is altogether groundless and absurd. It will not be refused, that all such preceptive mag- istrates are also providential. But, moreover, all such prov- idential magistrates are also preceptive. The office and authority ofthem all, in itself considered,>-does equally arise from, and agrees to the preceptive will of God." A doctrine most shocking in itself I How strange ! that Christians, from any consideration, will obstinately maintain a favorite opin- ion, which is confessedly built upon, and cannot be estab- lished but at the expense of blending and confounding the preceptive and providential will of God, while the distinction thereof is clearly and inviolably established in the word of God 1 Although divine providence, which is an unsearchable depth, does many times, and in many cases, serve as a com- mentary to open up the hidden mysteries of scripture revel- ation ; yet, where the law of God in the scriptures of truth is silent, there providence regulates not, is neither institutive, nor declarative of God's will to be done by us ; and where the said divine law doth ordain or deliver a rule to us in any case, there providence gives no relaxation, allowance or countermand to the contrary. (See Gee on magistracy, in his excellent discourse on providence.) That an overthrow of this necessary distinction, for the sake of the above dan- gerous scheme, cannot be admitted of, in a consistency with a due regard to the authority of revealed religion, and that therefore the right and lawfulness of magistracy is not founded upon the providential will of God, though they are countenanced and supported by the majority of a nation, will partly appear from the following considerations : — 1. If there is no distinction to be made between the pre- ceptive and providential will of God, then is providence equally in all respects the rule of duty, as much as the pre- cept is, and so man should be left at an utter uncertainty, what is duty, in regard of the opposition that is many times between providential dispensations and the precept. I^ay, then it is impossible that man can be guilty of sin, in trans- gressing the divine will, because God infallibly brings to pass, by his holy and over-ruling providence, whatever he has decreed by his eternal purpose. Rom. ix, 17. And thus the Jews, in murdering the Son of God, should be acquitted from the charge of guilt, and could not be said to transgress the divine will. 2. If no distinction is to be made between the preceptive [114] and providential will of God, but providence is declarative of the precept, then is providence a complete rule without the written word. And this at once supersedes the necessity of divine revelation, and derogates from the sufficiency and perfection of the scriptures of truth. The written word is affirmed to be -perfect. Psal. xix, 7. Sinners are reproved for doing that which the word gave no command for, Jer. vii, 81 and xix, 5; and challenged for following these promising appearances. Isa. xxx, 1, 2, 3, 11. It is therefore daring pre- sum})tion to set up providence for a rule in opposition to the written law of God. Hence it must be concluded, eitlier that the preceptive will of God in the scriptures is imper- fect, or the laws therein repealable by providence ; or then that providence cannot be the rule of human actions. 3. If the distinction between the preceptive and provi- dential will of God is to be overthrown, then providence must be expressive of God's approbative ordination, equally as his revealed will is. For, without th.\'^(viz: the divine approbation) there can be no lawful title to what is possessed. But this is what providence of itself cannot do ; it cannot without the precept discover either God's allowance or dis- allowance. If then this distinction is denied, and the prov- idential will of God asserted to be declarative of his pre- ceptive, and so of his approbative will ; it remains to be manifested, where and how it hath been appointed of God for such an end, an end that is by the spirit of God denied unto it. Eccl. ix, 1, 2. 4. If this distinction is to be over- thrown, then either the providential will of God, without any regard to the precept, in every case, and in every sort of tenure, gives a just and lawful right and title ; or God hath declared in his word that it shall be so in the manner of civil government only, viz: that whosoever gains the as- cendancy in the inclinations of the people, by whatever sinful methods this is obtained, it matters not, and so is by the hands of providence raised up above all his rivals to the regal dignity, he is the lawful magistrate, God's ordinance according to his precept. The first cannot be said; it were impious to suppose it ; for that would justify all robberies and violences, and ligitimate every fraud ; not the latter, for where is it to be found in all the book of divine revelation, that God hath made such a law touching magistracy ? But how big with absurdities, to say, that a holy God has given to man a plain and positive law to be his governing rule in every particular that concerns him, this of magistracy only excepted. In this great ordinance he hath wholly left him to be guided, or rather misled and bewildered by his own [115] corrupt inclinations : but the contrary of this has been in part discovered, and may further. 5. If, in order to estab- lish their anti-government scheme, tlie foresaid distinction is to be destroyed, and all such as are providential powers, and acknowledged by man, are also preceptive, and therefore to be submitted to for conscience sake, then are the king- doms of men necessarily obliged to own and submit unto the dominion of the devil The devil not only claims to hin}self the possession of the power of all the kingdoms of this world, but it is certain that of the most of them he still retains an actual predominancy, hence stiled the God of this world. Kow, it cannot be refused, but that the power he exercises is providential (or a power of permission) ; and it is most certain, that it is with the consent and good will of all the children of men, while in a natural state. But are men therefore obliged to acknowledge his authority, or sub- mit to that providential power he maintains over them ? If every providential power is also preceptive, the answer must be given in the affirmative. The like may be said of the Pope of Rome^ the devil's captain-general, to display his hellish banner against the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with respect to those nations where he is acknowledged in his diabolical pretensions. It can be to no purpose for Se- ceders to allege that the Pope claims a power unlaw^ful in itself, and therefore cannot be owned, in regard the person whom they make a pretended acknowledgment of, as their lawful sovereign, is by the act of his constitution invested with a similar power, a power both civil and ecclesiastical, and declared to be head of the church, as well as the state. Nothing, therefore, remains for them, but either to acknowledge this clear distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, or then profess the lawfulness of both the. above mentioned powers. 6. If the foresaid dis- tinction is too big with absurdities to be received, and if the authority of all providential magistrates does equally arise from, and agree unto the precept, then it would be no sin to resist the powers ordained of God, provided that providence proves auspicious and favorable to the rebel, and advances him to the throne, with the good will of his fellow rebellious subjects, by expelling the lawful sovereign; at least such resistance could not be determined to be" sinful, until once the event declared, whether providence would countenance the treasonable attempt or not. Thus what the apostle de- clares a damnable sin, Rom. xiii, 2, must be justified and made the foundation of subsequent duty, if patronized by a multitude. This they evidently maintain, as appears from [116] their declaration of principles, page 82, where, pretending to obviate some difficulties anent their principles, arising from the people of God's disowning arjti-scriptural magistrates: "The whole nature of any simple revolt (say they) lies in breaking off immediately from the civil body, by withdraw- ing from, or withdrawing part of their territories ; and then it necessarily follows at the same time, that these revolters break off from the head of the civil body, without ever denying his authority over the members who still cleave unto the same." This, in connection with their grand foun- dation principle, and the scope of their discourse at the above citation, discovers that they grant, that if the whole civil society should reject the authority they had set up (however agreeable it should have been to the preceptive will of God, and should again set up another, though never so opposite thereto), their doing so would be lawful ; but it is not lawful for a few to disown any authority (however wicked and antiscriptural), unless they can at the same time withdraw from, or withdraw part of his territories. Nothing can be more absurd than to say, that a people are bound by the laws of God to give subjection for conscience sake, and yet at the same time are at liberty to cast off and reject the same authority at pleasure. If the magistrate be lawful, it is utterly unlawful to reject him ; an attempt to divest him of his office, power and authority, though carried on by the primores regni, is rebellion against God. It is most ridicu- lous to allege, that a people considered as a body politic, are not under the same obligation to their rightful sovereign, as when they are considered as individuals, but may lawfully reject him, and set up another, if they please; so that he who one day is God's minister, next day hath no title to that office, but if he claim it, must be treated as a traitor, whereb}^ all security that can possibly be given to the most lawful magistrate, is at once destroyed. Thus, if the Cheva- lier had succeeded in his late attempt, had gained the favor of the primores regni, and thereby mounted the British throne; Seceders must then, of necessity, either have quit their present principles, or then have subjected to his yoke for conscience sake, under the pain of eternal damnation. His being a professed papist, and enslaved vassal of Borne, could not have warranted them to leave their place of sub- jection to him while owned by the civil society, and so they must have treated the present powers as usurpers and ene- mies to government, though they now flatter them with the pretensions of an ill-grounded loyalty. Again, how absurd and pelf-contradictory to grant, that a minor part may not only [117] revolt, but also withdraw part of a prince's territories ; and yet that the same party may not, when residing in the nation, refuse to acknowledge the lawfulness of an antiscrip- tural power. This is to say, that people are no longer obliged to submit to authority, than they are in capacity to withdraw from, or withdraw part of their prince's territories from him, and so to justify their rebellion, by that which can only be a terrible aggravation of their sin. These, with a number of other absurdities, natively flow from a denial of the distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, making the title of the lawful magistrate depend solely upon the will of the people. Nothing is more evident than this, that if the inclinations of the people, exclusive of all other qualifications, constitute a lawful magistrate, then (though he rules ever so agreeable to God's preceptive will), so soon as this body (though in a most unjust and tyrannical manner) casts him oil:', he that moment for ever loses all title and claim to the office, and can no longer be regarded as a lawful magistrate. A principle that in its nature and ten- dency is introductive of all anarchy and confusion, and with the greatest propriety deserves the encomium of the anti- government scheme. 7. This anarchical system of principles, which destroys the above just and necessary d stinction, is directly in opposition to the laudable and almost universal practice of all nations, in ordaining and enacting certain fundamental laws, consti- tutions and provisos, whereby the throne is fenced, the way to it limited, and the property thereof predisposed. The Scripture sufficiently discovers those restrictions and rules, which God iiimself has prescribed and laid down, for directing and determining of his people's procedure about the erection of magistrates. And profane history abounds in discovering certain fundamental laws and conditions to take place, almost in every nation, without conforming to which, none can be admitted to that dignity over them. But to what purpose are any such laws and constitutions, if this vague principle is once admitted, which cancels and disan- nuls all such provisos and acts? Why should J/o5fS have been so solicitous about his successor in the government of Israel., Numb, xxvii, 15-17, if God had ordained the inclina- tions of the people alone should determine ? Or to what purpose did Israel^ after the death of Joshua^ ask of God, who should be their leader, if their own inclinations alone were sufiicient to determine it? If God has declared, that the corrupt will of the people is the alone basis of civil power, then, not only are all state constitutions and funda- [118] mental laws useless, because, on every vacancy of the throne, they not only must all give place to the superior obligation, the incontrollable law, of the uncertain inclinations of the body politic, but they are in their nature milawful; their proper use in every nation being to prevent all invasion upon the government by unqualified persons, and to illegitimate it, if at any time done. So, that if the consent of civil society is the only essential condition of government which God has authorized, not only are all scriptural conditions and quali- fications useless aid unlawful, but also all human securities, either from intruders or for lawful governors, are unlawful, in regard the very design of them all is to oppose this grand foundation principle, the jure-divinity of which Seceders have found out, and do confidently maintain. And thus, by the seceding scheme, is condemned, not only the practice of almost all other nations, determining by law, some indispensable qualifications that their rulers mast have ; but particularly the practice of these once reformed lands, when reformation had the sanction, not only of ecclesiastic, but also of civil, authority, is hereby condemned. Scripture and covenant qualifications were then made essential to the being of a lawful magistrate, by the fundamental laws and constitutions of the nations; so that however the inclina- tions of the people might run (as it soon appeared they were turned in opposition to these), yet, by these laws, and in a consistency with that constitution, none could be admitted to the place or places of civil authority, but such as professed, and outwardly practiced^ according to reformation princi- ples. See act Ibih^sess. 2d, pari. 1649. And how happy we had been, if we had constantly acted in conformity to these agreeable laws, experience, both former and latter, will bear witness. How much better had it been for us to have walked in God's statutes, and executed his judgments, than by our abhorrence of them, and apostasy from them, to provoke him to give us statutes that are not good, and judgments whereby we cannot \iye{Ezck. xx, 25), or have any comfortable enjoy- ment and possession of the blessings and privileges of his everlasting gospel, as it is with us at this day. And yet, this is what Seceders woukl have us caressing, embracing and (with them) blessing God for, under the notion of a present good ; and so bless God for permitting his enemies (in anger against an ungrateful and guilty people) to over- turn his work and interest, and establish themselves upon the ruins thereof; to bless him for making our own iniqui- ties to correct us, and our backslidings to reprove us, until we know what an evil and bitter thing it is to depart from [119 J the Lord God of our fathers ; to bless him (for what is matter of lamentation) that the adversaries of Zion are the chief, and her enemies prosper, Lam. i, 5 : and all this abstractly, under the notion of good, which comes very near the borders of blasphemy. But, moreover, the civil settlement at the revolution is also condemned by this principle of theirs ; not because of its opposition to a covenanted reformation, bat in regard it includes some essential qualitications required in the su- preme civil ruler. The nations are, by that deed of consti- tution, bound up in their election of a magistrate; and all papists, such as marry with papists, or do not publicly pro- fess the Protestant religion, are declared incapable of the throne. So that we see the present law makes some other qualitications, besides the consent of the body politic, essen- tial to the constitution of a lawful sovereign in Britain. From all which it is plain, that this principle of Seceders is neither a reformation nor a revolution principle ; let then the impartial world judge whence it came. Seceders^ in consequence of their contradictory and self- in.consistent system of principles, declare they cannot swear allegiance to a lawful government. They maintain the present to be lawful, jQt (in Dec. of their principles, page 55th) they say, " The question is not whether it be lawful for us to swear the present allegiance to the civil government, which the presbytery acknowledge they cannot do, seeing there are no oaths to the government in being, but what ex- clude the oath of our covenants, and homologate the united constitution." But seeing they acknowledge that every con- stitution of government, that comprehends the will and con- sent of civil society, were it as wicked and diabolical as can be imagined, is lawful — yea, as lawful as any that is most consonant to the preceptive will of God, having all the essen- tials of his ordinance ; and seeing, because of the will and con- sent of the people, they own the present to be lawful, it is most surprising why they cannot swearallegiance to it ; their reasons cannot, in a consistency with their principle, be sustained as valid. That the present oaths of allegiance and the oath of the covenants are inconsistent, is readily granted ; but seeing the oaths of allegiance bind to nothing more than what they confess they are bound to for conscience sake, namely, to own the lawfulness of the government, and to maintain it according to the constitution thereof (which is a duty owed by subjects to every lawful sovereign) ; and seeing that whatever is in the oaths of allegiance contrary to the covenants, does not flow from them, abstractly considered, [120J but from the constitution to which they bind (which con- stitution is sanctified by the people's acknowledgment of it). If, therefore, the covenants forbid a duty, to which they are bound for conscience sake, their authority in that ought not to be regarded. But certainly Seceders^ who have found it duty to alter and model the covenants, according to the circumstances of the times they live in, might have found it easy work ta reconcile the oath of the covenants with allegiance to a lawful government. The other part of their reason is no less ridiculous and self-contradictory, viz: "They cannot swear allegiance to the present government, because it ho- mologates the united constitution." But is not this consti- tution according to the will, and by consent of, the body politic ? and is it not ordained by the providential will of God ? therefore, according to them, has all the essentials of a lawful constitution, which claims their protection, under the pain of damnation. How great the paradox 1 they cannot swear allegiance, because they would bind them to acknowledge a'lid defend a lawful constitution. Is not active obedience, is not professed subjection for conscience sake, an homologation of the constitution ? Certainly they are, and that not in word only, but in deed and in truth. And what is the allegiance, but a promise to persevere in what they do daily, and what they hold as their indispensable duty to do ? To grant the one, then, and refuse the other, is, in effect, to homologate or acknowledge the constitution, and not to acknowledge it, at the same time, which is a glaring absurdity. But here, they would have people attend to their chimeri- cal distinction between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority. They have made a successless attempt (in order to establish their anti-government scheme) for the overthrow of a distinction, which Heaven has irreversibly fixed, be- tween the preceptive and providential will of God ; and, for the same purpose, they will impose this distinction on the generation — a mere shift and artifice, which has no founda- tion nor subsistence any where else, but in their imagination,, and serves for no purpose but to cheat their own and others' consciences, and betray the cause of God. It is plain, that as a power, both civil and ecclesiastical, belongs to the essence and constitution of an English diocesan bishop,, so the same is declared to belong now to the essence and constitution of an English king, who is the head and chief prelate among them all; and it is their manner to call themselves his bishops (not Christ's), as having their [121 J power, both ecclesiastical and civil, immediately from him^ as the fountain of all power within his dominions. So that there is no room for this distinction of Seceders here, unless they are such expert logicians, as to distinguish a thing from that which is essential to it, and so from itself; but this is a destruction, not a distinction. Seceders indeed presume and depend very much upon their abilities of this kind; for they can distinguish between the magistrate's office and its essen- tial qualifications, which God has inseparably joined together in his word. They can distinctly pray for the head, author, authorizer and prime supporter, of abjured prelacy and pre- lates, that God would bless him in his government, and yet not pray for the prelates themselves. They can pray very fervently and distinctly for the British and Irish parlia- ments, and yet not at all pray for the bishops, necessary and essential members there. And what is all this but to pray for a nonentity, a mere creature of their own mind ? They have neither king nor parliament in their abstracted and imaginary sense, but do clearly distinguish themselves out of both. We might refer them to that famous and faithful embassador, and renowned martyr for the cause and testimony of Jesus, Mr. Donald, Cargill^ in his last speech and tes- timony, and let him determine the controversy (in this par- ticular) between us. They will not be so bold as to say, that this honorable witness died with a lie in his right hand. His words are these : '' As to the cause of my suffering, the main is, not acknoAvledging the present authority as it is now established. This is the magistracy I have rejected, that was invested with Christ's power; and seeing that power taken from Christ, which is his glory, and made the essential of the crown, I thought it was as if I had seen one wearing my husband's clothes, after he had killed him. And seeing it is made the essential of the crown, there is no distinction we' can make, that can free the con- science of the acknowledger from being a partaker of this sacrilegious robbing of God. And it is but to cheat our conscience, to acknowledge the civil power, for it is not the civil power only, that is made the essential of the crown. And seeing they are so express, we must be plain ; for otherwise, it is to deny our testimony, and consent to his- robbery." From these words it is evident, firsts that Mr. Cargill was no Secedet\ or of their mind, in this particular ;. and second^ that, at the time, there were some who did cheat and impose upon their own consciences, by distinguishing (where there was no room for distinction) between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority — which distinction was con- [122] demned and testified against by all who were truly faithful to Christ and their own consciences, and tender of his honor and glory, by their unanimous rejection of that antichristian and unlawful power; and that when they had much more reason and temptation to fly to such a subterfuge for their safety, than Seceders now have. And, thirds from these words it is also clear, that Mr. Cargili and that poor, dis- tressed and persecuted people that adhered to him, rejected and disclaimed the then authority, not so much be- cause of their tyranny and maladministrations, as on account of the unlawfulness and wickedness of the constitution itself (which was the i>rime original and spring of all the wicked- ness in the administration), namely, because the king arro- gantly and sacrilegiously assumed to himself that power, which was the sole and glorious prerogative of Jesus Christ. And as to the difference that Seceders make between that and the present time (since the revolution), it is certain, that whatever greater degree of absolute supremacy was then assumed by Charles II, it does not vary the kind of that claimed, or rather conferred on and exercised, by the supreme powers, since the revolution (for rnajus et minus non variant speciem)^ nor acquit them of the guilt of robbing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, of his incommunicable prerogative and suprema(?y in and over his church, as the only khig and head thereof, ^or will the difference of times, while the consti- tution remains the same, while God remains the same, and truth and duty remain the same, nor yet any distinction that can be made, tree the conscience of the acknowledger, more now than then, from being a partaker (art and part) with the civil power, in this sacrilegious robber}^ Fsal. 1, 18 : '■'- When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him," &c. But passing this: seeing the above mentioned reasons, which Seceders allege why they*cannot swear allegiance to the present government, which they assert is lawful and scriptural, cannot be sustained, some others must be sought for them: and they may be either, because they judge alle- giance itself unlawful ; or rather, because then they would be bound by oath to continue faithful to this government in all changes that can happen. Whereas now, they are free, and equally ready, in a full consistency with their princi- ples, to profess their subjection to another, were it even a popish pretender. For according, to then-i, an infidel or pai)ist may have a just and lawful authority over us, not- withstanding all, both the reformation and revolution laws, to the contrary. If, therefore, the legislature would, in the [123] oaths of allegiance, insert this limitation, viz : so long as the body politic is pleased to acknowledge the supreme magis- trate, they would lind it easier to come over their other pretended and inconsistent ditiiculties. For the truth is, they cannot, in a consistency with their antigovernment scheme, and with safe consciences, swear to any government, but with such limitation, in regard they cannot be sure, but he that is now owned by civil society may be rejected, and another set up, who must be acknowledged. So they would be brought into an inextricable dilemma ; either they must own them both to be God's ordinance, which is absurd; or then be perjured, by rejecting him to whohi they had sworn ; or then incur damnation, by refusing obedience to him, who is set up by the body politic. Such is the labyrinth of confu- sion and contradiction this anarchical system leads into ; a system that cancels all constitutions by God and men anent civil government. 8. This antigovernment Seceding principle, destructive of said distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, is both contrary to, and confuted by many approven scriptural examples ; in which the Spirit of God testifies, that the actual possession of the throne, under the favor of providence, and by the consent of a majority of a nation, may be in one, while the moral power and right of govern- ment is in another. The word of God acknowledges David the rightful sovereign over all Israel^ for the space of forty years (1 Kings, ii, 11 ; 1 Chron. xxix, 26, 27); seven of these he is said to have reigned in Hebron^ and thirty-three in Jerusalem. During the lirst seven years of his reign at Hebron^ there is a positive confinement of his actual rule to the tribe of Judah only ; 2 Sam. v, 5. And at the same time, Ishbosheth is said to be made king over all Israel^ and to have reigned two years. In agreeableness to Seceding principles, there is no reconciling these different texts. According to their scheme, David can with no propriety be said to have reigned forty years over all Israel., seeing seven of the years were elapsed before he was actually acknowledged by all Israel., before providence put him in the actual possession of all that extensive power. There is another known example, applicable to the present purpose, in the instance of David,., during the rebellion of his unnatural son Absalom. Accord- ing to the sacred story, 2 Sam. chap, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, it appears, that he was wholly ejected, both out of the hearts and territories of Israel^ and not only the throne, but the will and consent of the people given up to Absalom. But was David therefore divested of his riofht and title ? Thouo;h [124] it is most contrary to scripture to suppose it ; yet, according to Seceders^ seeing Absalom, was king, by possession of the throne, and had not only the power providentially put into his hand, but had it also by the consent of the people ; it necessarily follows that Absalom^ being a providential magis- trate, his office and authority did equally arise from, and agree to the preceptive will of God, and subjection and obe- dience, for conscience sake, was equally due to him, as to David, by the Israelitish tribes. And so it was a damnable sin in David to light against him, as it could be no less than a resisting the ordinance of God. The same may be said with respect to that other revolt, b}^ the instigation, and under the conduct of Sheba ; 2 Sam. chap. xx. But although, accord- ing to Seceders, he must also have been their lawful magis- trate, the Spirit of God discovers the reverse, still acknow- ledging the right of government in all these changes to be in David. Another example is in the case of Solomon, who was ordained or designed by God expressly for the kingdom of Is- rael. Adonijah had obtained the ascendauc}^, both in respect of actual possession, and the inclinations and consent of the majority of the nation ; the consent was general; 1 Kings, i, 5, 7, 9, 11, 18, 25, and ii, 15. He had all to plead for him- self, which Seceders make essential to the constitution of a lawful king. He had got to the throne by providence, and had full admission and possession, by the inclinations of the people. If then there is no distinction to be made of those who are acknowledged by civil society, into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as are so by his providential will only — then Solomon had no right nor title to the crown; and the enterprise of David and Nathan, &c., of setting him on the throne, was utterly unlawful. Both they and Solomon ought to have acquiesced in the duty of subjection to Adonijah, as being the ordinance of God. But this would have been opposite to the express direction of the Lord, appointing the kingdom to Solomon, " It was his from the Lord," as Adonijah himself confessed. To the same pur- pose might be adduced, the instance of Joash, the son of Ahaziah, who was king de jure, even when Athaliah had not only the countenance of providence, but the consent of the people, in the possession of the kingdom ; 2 Chron. xxii, 10, 12. Again, the practice of nations, in owning those for their lawful sovereigns, who, by providence, were put from the actual exercise of their rule and authority, contributes to confute this absurd notion. Thus, the people of Israel, who had risen up for Absalom, do even, when David was out of the land, own him for their king. So, during the [125] Babylonish captivity, there are several persons noted as princes of Judah^ whom the people owned, as having the right of government over them. With a variety of other instances, all discovering, in opposition to their anarchical system, that it is not by the dispensations of providence, that the right and title of the lawful magistrate is to be deter- mined. Moreover, as the Associate Presbytery have so barefacedly belied the scriptures of truth, as to assert that there cannot be so much as an instance found in all the history of the Old Testament, of any civil members refusing, either by word or deed, an acknowledgment of, or subjection unto the authority of anj^ magistrate actually in office, by the will of the civil body : besides what have been already adduced, take these few following examples of many. After that Saul^ by his disobedience to the commandment of the Lord, had forfeited his title to the kingdom, he was no more honored as king, by Samuel^ the prophet ; but, on the con- trary, he openly testified to his face, that the Lord had re- jected him from being king ; 1 Sam. xv, 26-35. Though he mourned over him as one rejected, yet he no more acknow- ledged him as clothed with the authority as a lawful king ; nay, the Lord having rejected him, reproves his prophet for mourning for him, 1 Sam. xvi, 1. From which, and the command he received to anoint Davidm his stead, and that even while the civil society did acknowledge, and w^as sub- ject unto Said^ it appears, that the throne of Israel was then regarded, both by the Lord and his prophet, as vacant, until David was anointed ; from which time, in the eye of the divine law, he w^as the rightful king, and ought in conse- quence of the public intimation made by the prophet oi SauVs rejection, to have been acknowledged as the Lord's Anointed by the whole kingdom of Israel. In agreeableness whereto, the scripture informs, that not only David in expectation of the Lord's promise, resisted Saul as an unjust usurper, but many among the tribes of Israel^ whom the Spirit of God honorably mentions, rejected the government of Said., and joined themselves to him that was really anointed of the Lord; 1 Chron. xii, 1-23. iSTow, if the Lord did command, under pain of damnation, to give hwal obedience to all in the place of supreme authority, however wicked, while acknow- leged by the body politic, he would not reject such, nor com- mand to set up others in their room, nor approve of those who disowned and resivSted them. But all this is done in this instance, which of itself, is sufficient to overthrow their scheme. Another instance is in 2 Chron. xi, 13, 16, where the authority of Jeroboam is rejected and cast off, even when [126 J acknowledged and submitted to by the nation of Israel^ by the priests and Levites^ and after them, by all such as did set their hearts to seek the Lord God of /^rae/, through all the ten tribes; and this, because of his abominable wickedness. Whereby it appears a commendable duty to refuse the law- fulness of the authority of wicked occupants, though acknowledged by the majority of a nation. A similar ex- ample there is in the reign of Baaslia, who could not by all his vigilance prevent many from casting off his government ; 2 Chron. xv, 9. Again, there is an express example of Elisha's disowning the king of Israel^ even when the civil society owned him; 2 Kings, iii, 14, 15. He did not regu- late his conduct by providence, and the will of the people, but, in opposition to both, refused him that honor that is due to all that are really kings. To these may be added that notable example of Libnah, a city of the priests, who could not but have knowledge by the law of their God what was their duty ; 2 Chron. xxi, 10. Here is an instance of a people's casting oft* allegiance to a king, properly because of his apostasy and intolerable wickedness, whereby they bore testimony against him, and discovered what was the duty of the whole nation, on account of his apostasy from the Lord. Their so doing was a most positive, actual and ex- press condemnation, both of Jehoram for his wickedness, and of the people for concurring, joining with him, and strength- ening his hands in it (even as Noah by his faith and obe- dience is said to have condemned the antediluvian world ; Heb. xi, 7.) And this their conduct and testimony the Spirit of God justifies, and records to their honor. These few of man}^ that might be adduced, declare the impudence, as well as fallacy and imposture of Seceders in this matter, and also justify the principles which they maliciously nick- name the anti-government scheme ; and that for no other reason, but because it establishes the ordinance of magis- tracy among a people favored by God with divine revelation, upon his preceptive will, in opposition to their anarchical notions of setting it wholly upon the tottering basis of the corru})t will of man. And, to conclude this particular, how ridiculously absurd is it in them to insinuate, that, in the ex- amples above, or others to be found in sacred history, those persons did, notwithstanding their own practice in rejecting the authority of wicked rulers, still view it as the duty of the rest of the nation, to acknowledge them? This is pure jargon and nonsense, contrary both to reason and religion. By what law could the opposite practices of those that dis- owned, and those that still continued to own the authority [127 J of unlawful rulers, be justified? It could not by the divine law, which never condemns that as sin in one, which it ap- proves as duty in others in the same circumstances. Seeino- therefore these, in the instances above, are justified, the practice of those who continued to acknowledge the lawfulness of these wicked rulers, must be regarded as condemned, both by the divine law, and also by the practices of the above persons, which do all jointly concur in witnessincr, that they viewed it the duty of all the rest of the nation, to have done as they did. And from the wdiole, it appears a com- mendable duty for the Lord's people to disown the rio-ht and lawfulness of rulers set up in contradiction to the divine law. 9. The iniquity of attempting to destroy the necessary distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God in the matter of magistracy, appears from God's express disallowance of some whom providence had actually exalted to the supreme command over a people ; Ezek, xxi, 27 : "I will overturn, &c." Although this may have an ultimate respect to Christ, yet it has also a reference to the rio-htful governors of Judah^ when dispossessed of their right by the providential will of God. And here the Lord threatens the execution of his judgments upon the unjust possessor. See also Amos vi, 13: Hab. ii, 5, 6; Nah. iii, 4, 5; and Matth. xxvi, 52. By all which it appears, that the supreme law- giver states a real difterence between those who are only exalted by the providential will of God, and not authorized by his preceptive will ; and therefore it is impossible that the ofifice and authority of them both can equally arise from, and agree to the precept. Again, in ^05. viii,4, "They have set up kings, but not by me ; they have made princes, and I knew it not," is this distinction showed, as with the brightness of a sun-beam, so that he that runs may read it. The Lord by his prophet here charges this people with horrid apostasy, in changing both the ordinances of the magistracy and ministry, particularly, although the Lord commanded, if they would set up kings, they should set up none but whom he chose ; Deut. xvii, 15. Yet they had no regard to his law. This charge seems to have respect to the civil consti- tution among the ten tribes after their revolt from the house of David ; not simply charging their revolt on them, but that after their secession, they did not consult God, nor act according to his precept, in their setting up of kings. As nothing can happen in the world, but by the course of provi- dence ; and as all things are known unto God, in respect of his omniscience, the text cannot respect either of these. The true import of the charge then is, they have set up kings, [128] but not according to the law and preceptive will of God ; and therefore he neither did nor would approve either them or their kings. Hence the prophet charges this as one cause of their national destruction. Here then it is undeniably evident that God himself establishes that distinction pleaded for ; and it is therefore most wicked to assert, as Seceders do, that it is altogether groundless and absurd. Again, this text discovers, that all kings that are set up and acknowledged by civil society, are not agreeable to the preceptive will of God, or, as such, approven by him, as they have falsely asserted: for here the Lord declares, that Israel had set up kings that were not agreeable to his precept: and the charge respects their authority, the very deed of constitu- tion. To say then, that all providential magistrates are also preceptive, is directly to give the God of truth the lie. More- over, this plainly intimates, that all such providential magis- trates as are not set up in agreeableness to the precept, are dis- allowed and condemned by God, and therefore God commands to put away the carcasses of such kings, as, because of the blind consent of civil society, were little better than adored by the people, Ezek. xliii, 9, ''that he might dwell in the midst of them forever ;" and therefore he declares it the sin, and so the cause of the people's ruin, as in the above text : and also in Hos. v, 11, " jEphraim is oppressed ;" because he willingly walked after the commandment, deliberately and implicitly followed every wicked ruler set up by civil society. It is but a perverting and abusing the above text, to plead that it is only a condemnation of Israel, for not consulting the Lord in making choice of their kings, but no condemna- tion of them for setting them up, and acknowledging them, in contradiction to the Lord's choice, as plainly laid before them in his preceptive will. And it is very contradictor^^, to acknowledge it a sin, not to consult God, and yet to assert that it is a matter of inditfereiice as to the validity of their office, whether his counsel be followed or not, which it must be, if, as their principle bears, the being of the magistrate's office and authority is equally good and valid, when con- trary, as when agreeable to the commanding will of God. But if, as is granted, it be a sin not to consult God in the choice of magistrates, it must needs be a great aggravation thereof, after consulting him, to reject and contemn his counsel, and openly contradict his positive command, by constituting kings in opposition to his declared will, which is evidently the sin charged upon Israel, and the reason why he disclaims all such ; and therefore, according to that known and apx)roven rule, that wherever any sin is forbidden and [129 J condemned in scripture, there the contrary duty is com- manded and commended ; it follows, that the setting up of rulers, in opposition to the express command of God, being here condemned, the contrary duty is commended, namely, a disowning of all such rulers ; for, if it be a sin to set up rulers, and not by God, it must also be a sin to acknowledge them when so set up, in regard it is a continuing in, and ap- proving of the sin of that wicked erection ; although such an acknowledgment may indeed be agreeable to their principle, which gives to the creature a prerogative above the Creator. From the whole it may already appear, what reason the presbytery have for testifying against Seceders, for maintain- ing such a corrupt doctrine ; a doctrine, which they very justly acknowledge (p. 87) cannot be established, but by the overthrow of this distinction between the providential and preceptive w^ill of God ; a distinction, that as they shall never be able to overturn by all their impotent and impious attacks : so it will to all ages stand as a strong bulwark, inviolably de- fending the truth here contended for by the presbytery. 4. The presbytery testify against this anti-government principle of the Secession, as being contradictory to, and in- consistent with the reformation principles, and covenanted obligations, whereby these nations, in agreeableness to the law of God, bound themselves to maintain all the ordinances of God in their purity, according to their original institution in the scriptures of truth. The Seceding scheme (as has been- noticed formerly) is, that whomsoever the bulk of the nation, or body politic, set up, and providence proves auspicious and favorable to, is the lawful magistrate, to be owned and sub- mitted to for conscience sake. The inconsistency of which tenet with reformation principles, may appear from viewing and comparing therewith the coronation oath, James VI, pari. 1, cap. 8, where it is ordained as a condition sine qua non, that all kings, princes, and magistrates, shall at their installment solemnly swear to maintain the true religion. So also James VI, pari. 1, cap. 9th, which ordains, that no person may be a judge or a member of any court that pro- fesses not the true religion. Also Charles /, pari. 2, sess. 2d, act 14, it is ordained, that before the king be admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall give satisfaction to the kingdom anent the security of religion ; and so the same parliament, act 15th, 1649, express themselves (referring to the coronation oath above mentioned) : " The estates of par- liament judging it necessary, that the prince and people be of one perfect religion, appoint, that all kings and princes, who shall reign or bear rule within this realm, shall at the [130] receipt of their princely authority, solemnl}^ swear to observe in their own persons, and to preserve the religion, as it is presently et^tablished and professed. And they ordain, that before the king's majesty who now is, or any of his successors, shall be admitted to the exercise of his royal yiower, he shall, by and attour the foresaid oath, declare by his solemn oath, under his hand and seal, his allowance of the National Cov- enant, and of the Solemn League and Covenant, and obliga- tion to prosecute the ends thereof in his station and calling ; and that he shall consent, and agree to acts of parliament, en- joining the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully establish- ing Presbyterian government, the Directory for worship, Confession of Faith, and Catechisms approved by the General Assembly of this kirk, and parliament of this kingdom — and that he shall observe these in his own practice and family, — and shall never make opposition to any of these, or endeavor any change thereof. Likeas, the estates of parliament dis- charge all the lieges and subjects of this kingdom to procure or receive from his majesty any commissions or gifts what- soever, until his majesty shall give satisfaction, as said is, under the pain of being censured in their persons and estates, as the parliament shall judge fitting. And if any such com- missions or gifts be procured or received by any of the sub- jects before such satisfaction, the parliament declares and or- dains all such and all that shall follow thereupon, to be void and null." And the same session, act 26th, it is in short or- dained, that none shall bear any place of public trust in the nation, but such as have the qualifications God requires in his word. Thus, in the prefatory part of the act, they say, " The estates of parliament taking into consideration, that the Lord our God requires that such as bear charge among his people, should be able men, fearing God, hating covet- ousness, and dealing truly : and that many of the evils of sin and punishment, under which the land groans, have come to pass, l)ecause hitherto they have not been sufiiciently provided and cared for," &c. (And afterward in the statutory part), " Do therefore ordain, that all such as shall be employed in any place of power and trust in this kingdom, shall not only be able men, but men of known alfection unto, and of ap- proved fidelity and integrity in the cause of God, and of a blameless christian conversation," &c. To the same purpose, ae^ 11th, jKirl. 2d, sess. 3d, entitled act for purging the army. See also the coronation oath of Scotland^ as subscribed by Charles 11^ at Scoon. 1650. All which, and many other fundamental laws of the like nature, made in time of reform- ation, show the principles of our reformers to have been [131] quite ditterent from tlioseof*&fc/fr5 a nent civil government: and that to constitute lawful magistrates, they must of neces- sity have scriptural and covenant qualifications, besides the consent of the people. With wliat face then can they pre- tend to have adopted a testimony for reformation principles, and to be of the same princi[)les with our late reformers ? The vanity of this pretense will further appear, by comparing their principles with the Solemn League and Covenant, with every article of which they are inconsistent. They profess the moral obligation of the covenants, and yet at the same time maintain the lawfulness of every providential govern- ment, wdiether popish or prelatic, if set up by tiie body pol- itic. But how opposite this to thajirst article, obliging con- stantly to endeavor the preservation of the reformed religion ? Can it be consistent therewith, to commit the government of the nations to a sworn enemy to the reformation ? or, with that sincerity w^hich becomes the professors of Christ, to plead the lawfulness of an authority raised upon the over- throw of the reformed religion? No less opposite is it to the second article, which obliges, and that without respect of persons, to endeavor the extirpation of popery, prelacy — to maintain and plead for the lawfulness of that which estab- lishes or supports prelacy or poperj^ in the nations. This ap- pears rather like a sincere endeavor in them to promote whatever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of true godliness ; and that, because an apostate people approves thereof, contrary to Uxod. xxiii, 2: '' Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil." Again, the third article binds to preserve the rights of parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms, and the king's authority in the preservation and defense of the true religion. But how inconsistent is it there- with, to own and defend an authority that in its constitution and habitual series of administration, is destructive of all these precious and valuable interests? It is full of contra- diction, and a mocking both of God and the world, to pre- tend to own and defend the destroyers of the true religion, in the defense of religion, as Seceders do in the r mock ac- knowledgment of such as are sworn to maintain prelacy, in opposition to the reformed religion. The contradictoriness of this principle of theirs to the fourth article, needs no illustration. Again, the owning of an authority, which is reared up and stands upon the footing of the destruction of the covenanted union, and uniformity of the nations in religion can never be consistent with the Jifth article, which binds, to an endeavoring, that these kingdoms may remain conjoined in that firm covenanted union to all posterity. In [132] like manner, as the sixth article obliges to a defending of all that enter into that League and Covenant, and never to suiter ourselves to be divided, and make defection to the contrary part ; it must be a manifest contradiction thereto, not only to defend such as are enemies to that covenant, but even in their opposition thereto. And it is a making de- fection to the contrary part, and from that cause and coven- ant with a witness, to plead the lawfulness of the national constitution, which is established upon the ruins of a coven- anted work of reformation, as Seceders do ; whose principle and practice, in opposition to w^hat is professed in the con- clusion of the covenant, as well as what was the very design of entering into it, is, instead of going before others, in the example of a real reformation, a corrupting of the nations more and more, and going before them in the example of a real apostasy and defection from the reformation, so solemnly sworn to be maintained in this covenant ; and a teaching of them to appoint themselves a captain, to return to their antichristian bondage. Upon the whole, as the Presbytery ought to testify against this new scheme of principles, respecting the ordinance of magistracy ; they therefore, upon all the grounds formerly laid dowMi, did and hereby do declare, testify against, and condemn the same, as what is, Indeed, a new and dangerous principle, truly anti-government, introductory of anarchy and confusion, of apostasy and defection from the covenanted work of reformation, the principles by which it was carried on and maintained, and acts and laws, by wdiich it was fenced and established ; and what is flatly opposite to, and condemned by the word of divine revelation, in many express and pos- itive precepts, and approven examples, agreeable thereto, as well as by our solemn national covenants, founded upon, and agreeable to the said w^ord of divine revelation. And iinally, let this be further observed, that as it was a beautiful branch of our glorious reformation, that the civil government of this nation was modeled agreeable to the word of God ; and that the right of regal government was constituted, bounded and fixed by an unalterable law, consonant to the word of God, and sworn to be inviolably preserved both by king and people: so the Associate Brethren^ by their doctrine on this head, which is inconsistent with our uncontrovertcd estab- lishment, and fundamental laws, excluding from the throne all papists and prelatists, have counteracted a most import- ant point of the covenanted reformation, and opened a wide door to Jacobitism. For, if every one is bound to acknow- ledge implicitly any government, in fact, that prevails : then. [133] if a party in these nations should rise up, and set a popish pretender on the throne, according to their doctrine, all should he ohliged to suhject to him ; and it would be sinful to impugn the lawfulness of his authority, although that, by being popish, he is destitute of the essential qualifications required of a king, not only by the word of God, but by the national constitution and laws, in order to make him a law- ful sovereign to these nations. 2. The presbytery testify against the Associate Presbytery, now called Synod, for their wronging, perverting and misap- plying the blessed scriptures of truth in many texts, in order to (support their erroneous tenet : namely, that the word of God requires no qualilications as essential to the being of a lawful christian magistrate : but that whosoever are set up, and while they continue to be acknow^ledged by civil society, are lawful magistrates, though destitute of scripture qualili- cations, and acting in a manifest opposition to the revealed will and law of God. The texts of scripture used by them, do prove this gen- eral proposition, viz : That it is the duty of the people of God to obey and submit to lawful rulers in their lawful commands : and that it is utterly unlawful and sinful to op- pose such lawful authority. But none of these texts quoted by them, prove, that it is the duty of the people of God, blessed with the knowledge of his revealed will, to submit to, and obey, for conscience sake, an authority that is sinful, and opposite to the revealed will of God, both in its consti- tution and general course of administration. N"or do they prove, that a prelatical, Erastian or popish government, is a lawful government, either expressly, or by right of necessary consequence, over a people, wdio either do, collectively consid- ered as a church and nation, or are bound to profess all the parts of the true religion, and to maintain all the divine ordinances in their purity : nor do they prove, that any can be lawful rulers over these christian and covenanted nations, who want the essential qualifications required by the word of God, the covenants, and fundamental laws of the king- doms : or that it is sinful in the people of God, to say so much, in testifying against the joint and national apostasy from God and the purity of religion. Particularly, The first text they adduce is, Prov. xxiv, 21 : '' My son, fear thou the Lord and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change." It ts granted, that this scripture enjoins all those duties that, in a consistency with the fear of the Lord, a people owe to their rightful kings. But nothing can be more absurd, than to extend the command to all that [134] bear the name of kings, who are acknowledged bj a nation as kings, and while they do so own them, though their con- stitution should be most antichristian.and they justly charge- able with un]!aralleled evils not only in their private char- acter, but in their }>ublic conduct: be they idolaters, adult- erers, blasphemers, sabbath-breakers, murderers, invadei-s, and avowed usuriiers of the throne, crown and scej)ter, and incommunicable prerogatives of Christ, the glorious King of Zion, setting themselves in the temple of God, and exalting themselves above all that is called God, by dispensing with his laws, and, in place thereof, substituting their own wicked laws, whereby they establish iniquity, and enjoin, under severe penalties, the profanation of the name, day and ordinances of tlie Lord. This command must certainly be understood in a consistency with the duty and character of one that is resolved to be an inhabitant of the Lord's holy hill, Fsal. XV, 4, "In whose eyes a vile person is contemned." It must be consistent with the fear of the Lord, which can stand very well with a fearing and honoring all who are really kings; but a flat contradiction thereto, to fear every vile person, because it is the will of civil society to set him up in the character of king. Till therefore Seceders prove, either that kings are under no obligation to obey the law of God themselves, and so not liable to its sanction and penalty, in case of disobedience ; or then, that the favor and appro- bation of civil society can justify a dispensing with the law of God, they will never be able to prove from this or any other text, that such as are guilty of any crime declared cap- ital in the word of truth have a right and title to that fear, honor and obedience, that is due to lawful kings, even though they are acknowledged by civil society. And so this text makes nothing for, but against their darling tenet ; and their explication thereof is evidently a wresting of scripture, mak- ing it speak in their favor, contrary to the sco})e and mean- ing of the Holy Sj)irit therein. And their invidious insin- uation, that all who differ from their 0])inion, do likewise depart from the fear of the Lord, is but a further evidence of their abuse of scripture, while it is at the same time utterly false. See Mr. Knox's history, p. 422, 1st Book of Discipline^ cap, 10, 11. A second text abused, for supporting their forementioned principle, is Eccles, x, 4: "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place, for yielding paciiieth great offenses." As formerly, so liere they assert, that this text refers to any rulers presently acknowledged by the civil so- ciety, and that the rising of the ruler's spirit must be under- [135] stood as groundless, and so sinful, and necessarily compre- hends any wrath or wrong that a subject may meet with unjustly at the ruler's hand, upon personal or religious accounts. That yet, notwithstanding, the subject (in the use of lawful endeavors for his own vindication) must continue in subjection and obedience to the ruler, in lawful commands, while the civil state continues to acknowledge him ; and this, as the only habile mean of convincing the ruler of his error, and preventing further evils. But, as the reason which they there allege, does not neces- sarily conclude and prove this rising of spirit in the ruler to be sinful; so the whole of their application and gloss built upon it, is invalidated ; and, moreover, is a condemnation of the principles and practice of our reformers, and sufferers for the cause and truths of Christ, in the late times, when they left their place of subjection, and took up arms in defense of their religion, liberties and lives. Their explication is also self-inconsistent ; for, if this rising of spirit necessarily comprehends any wrath or wrong, on personal or religious accounts, then there must be a yielding, or keeping the"^ place of subjection, not only in lawful com- mands, but in all matters, whether lawful or not ; otherwise, this yielding cannot be supposed to answer the end designed. For though a subject should yield in all other particulars, yet, unless he also yield in that particular, on which the rising of the ruler's spirit is grounded, his yielding cannot pacify the- ruler's wrath. So all the subjection, they contend, the sufferers gave, particularly in the beginning of the late persecution, to the then rulers, did not, nor could, pacify their wrath, because they would not give up w^ith their con- science and all religion, which was the very foundation of the rising of his spirit against them ; though, according to their explication of the text, this w^as what they should have done, and so have pacified the ruler's wrath. It is but a mere shift to tell the world, that it is only in lawful matters they are to yield ; the yielding must surely correspond to the ris- ing of the spirit spoken of. But with such deceitful shifts are they forced to cover over a doctrine, which, if presented in its native dress, would not meet with such ready recept- ion. But in opposition to their strained interpretation of the text, the ruler must be understood a lawful ruler, who is the minister of God for good — one who has not only moral abilities for government, but also a right to govern. And as a subject may be keeping his place of subjection to a right- eous ruler, and yet be guilty, in his private or public char- acter, of what gives just offense, and occasions the ruler's [186] Spirit justly, and so not sinfully, to rise against him — thus^ one may be guilty of many criminal mismanagements in the dscharge of his public trust, guilty of profaning the name of God or his day, or of a riot, excessive drinking, &c., without having any thought of casting oif the authority of his ruler — so, when a person has hereby provoked the spirit of his ruler, this divine precept teaches the party offending not to aggravate his offense, by attempting (though able) to make good his part, or rebel against his sovereign, but to yields acknowledge his guilt and trespass, and submit to such pun- ishments as the lawful ruler shall justly inflict, according to the degree and quality of the offense ; whereby only, the ruler will be satisfied. Agreeable to this, is that parallel text, JEccles. viii, 2, 3 : "I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God: Be not hasty to go out of his sight ; stand not in an evil thing.'' On the whole, it must be a great abuse of Scripture, to wrest a divine precept, which directs subjects to submit to such punishments as their lawful ruler shall justly lay them under for their offenses, to the support of this antiscriptural notion, viz: that every wicked person, whom the majority of a nation advances to the supreme rule, is the minister of God, to whom obedience is due, under pain of eternal damnation,, as is done w^ith this text. A ihvrd scripture, perverted to support the above principle, is Luke xx, 25 : " Render therefore to Ccesar the things which be Clod- ing them as a blending of matters civil and religious together, [150] as Seceders have done. Again, as the covenants require no other than a lawful magistrate; and seeing Seceders acknow- ledge the present as lawful, and that it is their duty to be subject to, and support them as such, it is impossible to con- ceive any reason, why they have not honored the present rulers with a place in their new^ and artificial bond : unless perhaps this, that they were aware that would have been so glaring a contradiction to these covenants they were pretend- ing to renew, as w^ould doubtless have startled and driven away from them a good many honest people, whom they have allured and led aside by their good words and fair-set speeches ; and yet it is pretty obvious they have included the present rulers in their bond, and taken them in an oblique and clandestine way, by swearing to the relative duties contained in the fifth commandment, seeing they ac- knowledge them as their civil parents. Again, as their bond ' is supposed to reduplicate upon the national covenants, and so to bind to every article in them, by native consequence, they swear to a prelatical government : for seeing they have made no exception in their bond, it must be applied to no other, but the government, which presently exists ; and this, in flat contradiction to the covenants, by wdiich such a gov- ernment is abjured. So that their new bond is no less oppo- site to the national covenants, and is much more deceitful, than if they had ]>lainl3^ and explicitly sworn allegiance to the present government therein ; only the generality of their implicit followers do not so readily observe it. Upon the whole, how strange is it, that they should have the assur- ance to father their deceitful apostasy, and wretched burying of the covenants upon our reformers, so injuriously to their character, and at the hazard of imposing a heinous and base cheat upon the w^orld, while, notwithstanding all their vain pretensions, it is undeniably evident to those who will im- partially, and without prejudice, examine the method and order whereby our ancestors renewed our covenants, that in this they have been so far from following their example, that they have directly contradicted the same, and, in reality, buried much of the covenants and work of reformation sworn to in them. For though a people may very lawfully, by a new bond, enlarge and add to their former obligations that they brought themselves under; yet they can never, without involving themselves in the guilt of perjury, relax or cancel former obligations by any future bond. Accordingly, our worthy ancestors, by all the new bonds they annexed to former obligations, were so far from attempting to loose themselves from any covenanted duty that either they or [151] their fathers were priorly bound unto, that they thereby still brought themselves under straighter bonds to perform all their former and new obligations of duty to God. But, as has been discovered, Seceders, by their artificial bond, bave cast out the very substance and spirit of the covenants, by their rumping and hewing them at pleasure, to reduce them to the sinful circumstances of the time : and this, in opposi- tion to their own public profession, that these covenants are moral in their nature and obligatory upon these nations to tbe latest posterity. How surprising it is then, that after such a profession, they dare cast out of their bond the greatest parts of the covenants 1 This is not only to break these obli- gations, but it is to make a public declaration, that different times and circumstances do free men from their obligation to keep their most solemn vows to the Most High. To this, as very applicable, may be subjoined the words of Mr. Case, in a sermon relative to the covenants: "Others have taken _ it (viz : the covenant) with their own evasions, limitations and reservations : such a Jesuitical spirit has got in among us, by which means it comes to pass, tbat by the time that men have pared off and left out, and put what interpretation they frame to themselves, there is little left worth the name of a covenant." And, indeed, so many are the self-inconsistencies and gross contradictions attending this new bond, that it would have been much more for the honor both of the cov- enants, and of Seceders themselves, rather never to have at- tempted such a work, than to have done it in a way of tear- ing to pieces our solemn national vows. Wherefore the presbytery cannot but, in testi tying against them for their unfaithfulness, obtest all the lovers of truth, to beware of joining in this course of treachery, and apostasy from God and his covenanted cause. 5. The presbytery testify against foresaid party, for their unfaithfulness and partiality in point of testimony-bearing to a covenanted work of reformation ; while yet they not only profess to be witnesses, but the only true and faithful contenders for the said work and cause. The justness of this charge manifestly appears from the scope of their Act and Testimony, which seems to be principiUy leveled against the corruptions of the present church judicatories, and not equally against the corruptions of both church and state, in agreeableness to the faithful testimonies of the Lord's peo- ple in former times, and in a consistency with the reforma- tion that was jointly carried on in both church and state, and solemnly sworn and engaged to in the covenants. They appear never to have fully adopted the testimony of th^ [152] Church of Scotland in her purest times, when the profession of the true religion was by law made a necessary qualiiica- tion of every one that should be admitted to })laces of civil trust and power in the nation. Kor are the faithful testi- monies of the valiant sufferers and contenders, even unto death, for the precious truths of God in the late persecuting period, as stated against both church and state, lully stated, and judicially ap})roven by them ; much less have they fully adopted the testimony, as stated against the revolution con- stitution, both civil and ecclesiastical, which they did not in their testimony condemn as sinful ; but on the contrary, acknowledged the civil constitution lawful, notwithstanding of their complaining of some defects and omissions therein. Of wdiich error in the foundation, it may be said, in respect of all the mal-administrations since, it wa^fons et origo mail. And seeing, in and by the revolution constitution, the na- tion was involved in the guilt of apostasy and treachery, in subvertino; and overturnino- the o-ood and laudable laws for true religion and right liberty, a faint declaring against some oniissions cannot be accounted sufficient ; especially when what is thus partly complained of, is at the same time coniplexlj^ extolled, as a great and glorious deliverance to the church and nation. Their testimony further appears to be partial and unfaitliful, considering that their secession w^as not from the constitution of the Revolution Church, but in a partial and limited way, from a prevailing corrupt party in the judicatories of the church : upon wdiich foot- ing it was, that some of the greatest note among them made their accession after their iirst secession, expressly declaring so much; whereby they have injured the true state of the testimony wdiich the Lord honored his covenanted Church of *S'co^/(^7i<:Z to bear ; wdiicli is stated against all lukewarm and Laodicean professors, as well as open enemies, and against all Erastinn usur[>ation, and sectarian invasion on the cause of Christ. Moreover, their unfaithfuhiess in point of testimony, convincingly appears from their bitter contentions, and almost endless dis[>utes among themselves, after their breach, upon the religious clause of some burgess oaths, anent the true state of their own testimony, whether lifted up against the revolution constitution of the church, and settlement of religion, or not. Had necessary and real faithfulness been studied, in stating their testimony clearly and plainly, against all the defection, and apostasy of the day from a covenanted reformation, there had been no occa- sion for sucli a dispute among them. And now, when the one party have more openly avowed their unfaithfulness, in [153] receding from almost everytliing that had the least appear- ance of faithfulness to the cause and covenant of God, in their former testimony, and professedl}^ adopted the revolu- tion settlement, as theirs, acknowledging the constitutions, both civil and ecclesiastical, as lawful, in an open contra- diction to any testimony for reformation work: the other party, to wlt^ Antlbar(jkers^ have now indeed professedly cast off the revolution constitution of the church (at the same time continuing to make their partial Act and Testi- mony the basis of their distinguished profession); but yet, in an inconsistency therewith, and in contradiction to the covenanted testimony of the church of Scotland^ continue to adopt the constitution of the iState, as being, however de- fective, yet agreeable to the precept, and so lawful. Hence, they are still most partial in their testimony, of which they have given a fresh and notable proof, in forementioned warn- ing ])ublished by them : wherein though there are a variety of evils condescended upon, as just grounds of the Lord's controversy with the nations, yet there is not that faithful- ness used therein, in a particular charging home of the sev- eral sins mentioned, upon every one in their different ranks, as, in agreeableness to the word of God, is requisite to work a conviction in every one, that they may turn from their sins, and as might correspond to the title given that per- formance. Thus, passing other instances that might also have been observed, they justly remark, page 31st, " The glorious sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the alone King and Head of his church, is sadly encroached upon and opposed by the royal supremacy, in causes ecclesiastical. The king is acknowledged as supreme head, or governor on earth, of the cliurches of England and Ireland. The civil sovereign is thus declared to be the head or fountain of church power, from whence all authority and ministrations in these churches do spring, is vested with all powers of government and discipline, and constituted the sole judge of controversies within the same. The established Church of Scotland have also, by some particular managements, sub- jected and subordinated their ecclesiastical meetings to the civil power." But while they acknowledge this to be the sin of the church, and an high provocation against the Lord ; yet, as to the particular sin of the civil power, in assuming and usurping this Erastian supremacy unto itself, they are quite silent. They have not the faithfulness to say, in their warning, to the robber of Christ, in this matter, as once the prophet of the Lord said to the king of Israel^ in another case, Thou art the man. On the contrary [154] (which cannot but have a tendency to ward off any conviction of his sin that this warning, should it come into his hands, might be expected to work), they are guilty of the basest flattery, used by court parasites, styling him, " the best of kings, of the mildest administration," as in fage 13th ; and acknowledge it, as a particular effect of the Lord's goodness, that we are privileged with such an one. But is he indeed deserving of such a character ? better than which could not be given to tlie most faithful ruler, devot- ing all his power, as in duty bound, to the support and advancement of the kingdom and interest of Jesus Christ, that ever reigned. Does he really merit such an encomium, who sacrilegiously usurps and wears the crown, that alone can flourish on the heacl of Zioris king ? And is this such a blessing to the church, that an enemy to her Lord and Head rules over her ? Oh I may not the Lord say ? " I hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright." 6. The presbytery testify against said Seceding party, be- cause of the sinfulness of their terms of ministerial and christian communion, as being partly destructive of that liberty wherewith Christ has made his people free. By which they have both imposed upon themselves, and shut the door of access unto the privileges of the church, upon all such, as, in a consistency with their adherence to truth and duty, cannot accept of their unwarrantable restrictions. Of this, they gave early discoveries, as appears from the known instance of that notable backslider, Mr. Andrew Clarkson, whom they obliged, before license, to make a public and solemn renunciation of his former principles and profession, respecting the covenanted reformation. "^ As also, their re- jecting all accessions from his Laodicean brethren, wherein was contained an exi)licit adherence to the same, until they did drop their former testimony. This blind zeal in SecederSy against a testimony for truth in its purity, did gradually increase, until it hurried them on to a more particuhir and forrr.al stating of their terms of communion, whereby were totally excluded all the free and faithful of the land from * Mr. Andrew Clarkso)ior\^y]nn\]y bolono-ed to the community of Old Dis- senters under the pjistonil inspection of tlie Her. Mr. Johji McMillan, ^vmnr-^ was educuted and lived in co!iimuni(m with them, till upwards of theai^e of thirty years; during which time he wrote and pul)lished aboolv, entitled, Plain Reasom, &c., settini^ forth the,i!;rounds why Presbyterian Dissenters refused to hold communion with the revolution, church and state; but, having no prospect of obtaining license and ordination among them, in regard they had then no ordained minister belonging to tliem but old Mr. McMillan alone, it appeared that, from a passionate desire after these privileges, he left his old friends, and made his application to the Associate Presbytery, who treated him as above narrated. [155] their comrnunion, who could not approve of, nor swear the bond, wherebj they pretended to renew the covenants : as in their act at Edinburgh^ 11 ^-i; wherein they did resolve and determine, " That the renovation of the National Cove- nant of Scotland, and the Solemn League and Covenant of the three nations, in the manner now agreed upon, and proposed by the presbytery, shall be the terms of ministerial communion with this presbytery, and likewise of christian communion, in admission of people to sealing ordinances ; secluding therefrom all opposers, contemners, and slighters of the said renovation of our solemn covenants." By this act, Seceders have obliged their adherents to consent to their infamous burial of our national covenants with the Lord^ and reformation therein sworn to, particularly as they were renewed, both 1638 and 1648. And that they might further evince their resolution to bear down the foresaid work, they afterward proceeded to subjoin unto their /ormw^a of ques- tions to be put to candidates before license, and to proba- tioners before ordination, the following questions, viz: " Are you satisfied with, and do you propose to adhere unto, and maintain the principles about the present civil government^ which are declared and maintained in the Associate Presby- tery's answers to Mr. Nairn, with their defense thereunto subjoined?" Whereby, in opposition to the professed endeavors for the revival of a covenanted reformation in the lands, they expressly bind down all their intrants into the office of the ministry, to an explicit acknowledgment of their anti-government scheme of principles anent the ordi- nance of magistracy ; and thereby to an acknowledging of the lawfulness of a government, which themselves confess has not only departed from, and neglected their duty of espousing and supporting the covenanted principles of this church, but also opposed, contradicted and overthrown the glorious reformation once established in these nations. A government, under which, as they profess, the nations cannot be enriched by the blessings of the gospel ; and that, because it does not, in all the appurtenances of its constitution and administration, run in agreeableness to the word of God. By all which it appears that although they refuse for- mally to swear any oaths of allegiance to the powers in being ; yet they do materially, and with great solemnity, engage themselves to be true and faithful to a government, under which, and while it stands, they are certain, if their conces- sions hold true, that they shall never see the nations flourish^ either in their temporal or spiritual interests. It is only needful further to observe, that Seceders in the terms of their [156] communion, by debarring from the table of the Lord, all who ini})iign the lawfulness of a prelatic, Erastian govern- ment (as is notourly known they do), make subjection and loyalty to such an authority, a necessary, and, to them, commendatory qualilication of worthy receivers of the Lord's supper, although none of those qualilications — re- quired by (jrod in his word. While (as has been already observed) they, with the most violent passion, refuse to admit the professing and practicing the true religion, a necessary qualification of lawful civ.l rulers over a people possessed of and professing the true religion, which is in etfect to deny the necessity of religion altogether as to civil rulers, than which nothing can be more absurd. Lastly^ not to multiply more particulars, the presbytery testify against the scandalous abuse, and sinful prostitution of church discipline, and tyranny in government, whereby the forementioned party have remarkably signalized them- selves ; and which, in a most precipitant and arbitrary manner, they have pretended to execute against such as have discovered the smallest degree of faithfulness, in endeavoring to maintain the principles of our reformation, in agreeable- ness to the true state of the covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland; which has not only a})peared in the case of David Leslie^ and some others, on account of a paper of grievances given in to said Associates; against whom they proceeded to the sentence of excommunication, without using those formalities and means of conviction required and warranted by the church's Head, even in the case of just offenses done by any of the professed members of his mystical body ; or so much as allowing that common justice to the sentenced party, that might be expected from any judicatory, bearing the name of Presbyterian. (Though the presbytery are not hereby to be understood as a[)i>roving every expression contained in foresaid paper). But particu- larly, they have given notable proof of their fixed resohi- tion, to bear down all just appearances in favor of Zioii's King and cause, in the case of Mr. Nairn^ once of their nundjer, because of his espousing the principles of this presbytery, especially, respecting God's ordinance of magistracy, against whom they proceeded to the highest censures of the church, upon the footing of a pretended libel ; in which libel, they did not so much as pretend any immorality in ]>ractice, or yet error in principle, as tlie ground of their arbitrary |)rocedure, further than his espous- ing the received })rinci}»les of this church in her best times, and what stood in necessary connection with such a pro- [157] fession : although, in adorable providence, he has since been left to fall into the practice of such immorality, as has justly rendered him the object of church censure by this i)res- bytery. As also in the case of Messrs. Alexander Marshall^ and John Cufhbertson, with some others, elders and private christians, against whom they proceeded in a most unac- countable, antiscriptural, and unprecedented manner, and upon no better foundation, than that noticed in the case above, pretended to de[)Ose and cast such out of the com- munion of their church, as never had subjected to their authority, nor fonnerly stood in any established connection with them. And further, besides these instances condescended upon, they habitually aggravate their abuse of the ordinances of Christ's house, in pretending to debar and excommunicate from tlie holy sacrament of the supper, many of the friends and followers of the Lamb, only because they cannot con- scientiously, and in a consistency with their lidelity to their Head and Savior, acknowledge the authority of the usurpers of his crown as lawful. From all which, and every other instance of their continued prostitution of the disci[>line in- stituted by Christ in his church, and of that authority, which he, as a Son over his own house, has given unto faithful gospel ministers, to the contempt and scorn of an ungodly generation ; the presbytery cannot but testify against them, as guilty of exercising a tyrannical power over the heritage of the Lord; and to whom may too justly be ap- plied, the word of the Lord, spoken by his prophet, Isa. Ixvi, 5 : "Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified : but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.'* Wherefore, and for all the foresaid grounds, the jn-esbytery find and declare, that the pretended Associate Presbytery, now called Synod^ whetlier before or since, in their separate capacity, claiming a parity of power, neither were, nor are lawful and rightly constituted courts of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to his word, and to the testimony of the true Presbyterian Covenanted Church of Christ in Scotland: and therefore ought not, nay cannot, in a consistency with bearing a faithful testimony for the covenanted truths, and cause of our glorious Redeemer, be countenanced or submitted to in their authority by his peo[)le. Again, the presbytery find themselves in duty obliged to testify against these brethren w^ho some time ago have broken o.f from their communion, for their unwarrantable separation, aud continued opposition to the truth and testi- [158] mony, in the hands of this presbytery, even to the extent of presuniino;, in a judicial capacity, to threaten church censure aiz:ainst tlie presbytery, without alleging so much as any other reason for this strange procedure, than their refusing to approve as truth, a point of doctrine, that stands con- demned by the standards of the Keformed Church of Scot- land, founded on the authority of divine revelation. But, as the presbytery have formerly published a vindication of the truth maintained by them, and of their conduct, respect- ino- the subject matter of difference with their quondam brethren, they refer to said vindication, for a more particular discovery of the error of their principle, and extravagance of their conduct in this matter. And particularly, they testify against the more avowed apostasy of some of these brethren," who are not ashamed to declare their backslidings in the streets, and publish them upon the house tops ; as especially appears from a sermon entitled. Bigotry Dis- claimed — together with the vindication of said sermon ; wherein is vented such a loose and latitudinarian scheme of principles, on the point of church communion, as had a na- tive tendency to destroy the scriptural boundaries thereof, adopted by this church in her most advanced purity; and which is also inconsistent with the ordination vows, whereby the author was solemnly engaged. This, with other differ- ences, best known to themselves, occasioned a rupture in that pretended presbytery, which for some years subsisted : but tliis breach being some considerable time ago again ce- mented, they constituted themselves in their former capac- ity, upon terms (as appears from a printed account of their agreement and constitution, w^iich they have never yet dis- ctaimed as unjust) not very honorable nor consistent with their former ])rinciples and professed zeal for maintaining the same. AVhich agreement was made up, without any evidence of the above author's retracting his lax principles, contained in the foresaid sermon. Whatever was the cause, whether from the influence of others (as was said by the publisher of their agreement), or from a consciousness of dro[)ping part of formerly received principles, is not certain ; but one of these brethren, for a time, gave up with further l)ractical communion with the other, namely, Mr. Hugh lanes, late of the Gallon, Glasgow; while 3^et it was observed, that both used a freedom, not formerly common to them, anent the present authority, in their public immediate ad- dresses to the object of worship ; which together with their a[)parent resiling from part of their former testimony occa- sioned stumbling to some of their people, and terminated in [159] the separation of others. Foresaid latitudinarianism and falling away, is also sadly veritied, in the conduct of another principal meniher of their pretended presbj'tery, who has professedly deserted all testimony bearing for the reforma- tion. principles of the Covenanted Church of Scotland.^ At last, after their declared interviews for that purpose, these brethren have patched up a mank agreement, which the}^ have published, in a paper entitled Abstract of the cove- nanted 'principles of the Church of Scotland,^ ^c, with a pre- fixed advertisement in some copies, asserting the removal of their differences, which arose from a sermon on Psal. cxxii, 3, published at Glasgow^ — by a disapprobation of what is impled in some expressions hereof, viz : " That all the mem- bers of Christ's mystical body may, and ought to unite in visible church communion." Here is, indeed, a smooth closing of the wound that should have been more thoroughly searched, that, by prob- ing into the practical application of said sermon, the corrupt matter of communion with the Revolution Church, in the gospel and sealing ordinance thereof, might have been found out ; but not one word of this in all that abstract, which contains their grounds of union, and terms of communion. Nothing of the above author's recanting his former latitud- inarian practices of hearing, and thereby practically en- couraging, that vagrant Episcopalian, Whitefield; his com- municating, which natively implies union, with the Revolu- tion Church, in one of the seals of the covenant ; nor his public praying for an Erastian government, in a way, and for a reason, tTiat must needs be understood as an homologa- tion of their authority. On which accounts, the presbytery testify against said union, as being inconsistent with faith- fulness in the cause of Christ ; and against said abstract, as, however containing a variety of particulars very just and good, yet bearing no positive adherence to, nor particular mention of, faithful wrestlings and testimonies of the mar- tyrs and witijesses for Scotland's covenanted cause. As also, they testify against the notorious disingenuity of their pro- bationer, who, after a professed dissatisfaction on sundry occasions, with the declining steps of said brethren, particu- larly with the disclaimer against bigotry, has overloolvcd more weighty matters, and embraced a probability of enjoy- ing the long grasped for privilege of ordination, thougli it should be observed, at a greater expense than that of disap- pointing the expectation of a few dissatisfied persons, who ■* Mr. JoJiii Cameron, then a probationer and clerk to their presbytery. [160] depended upon his honesty, after they had broken up com- munion witli those he continues still to pro fes.s li is subjection unto. And furtlier, the presbytery testify against the adherents of foresaid brethren, in strengthening their hands in their course of separation from the presbytery, rejecting both their judicial and ministerial authority, and the ordinances of the gospel dispensed by them. And more especially, the presbytery condemn the conduct of such of them as, pro- fesseclly dissatisiied with the above said left-hand extremes, and other defections of foresaid brethren, have therefore broken off from tbeir communion ; yet, instead of return- ing to their duty in a way of subjecting themselves to the courts of Christ, and ordinances instituted by him in his church, have turned back again to their own right-hand ex- tremes of error, which once they professedly gave up, but now persist in an obstinate impugning the validity of their minis- terial authority and potestative mission, undervalue the pure ordinances of the gospel dispensed by them, and live as if there were no church of Christ in the land, where they might receive the seals of the covenant, either to themselves or their children ; and therefore, in tlie righteous judgment of God, have been left to adopt such a dangerous and erroneous system of principles, as is a disgrace to the pro- fession of the covenanted cause. ''^ * These people, referred to above, very nnjustly designate themselves such who adhere to the testimony for the kingly prerogative of ChrM. They did at first, before their agreement with the presbytery, and ever since their elopement, do still profess to appear for \vliat they call An Active Tesiimonp, conform to the rude diaft of a paper cmmonly known l)y the name oi' the (ttueetisfeny Paper or Covenant (see Cloud of WitJiesses, Ap- pendix, page 270). After their activity had carrietl them the h-ngth of avouching the most inconsistent anti-predestinarian, Arminian schemes of univers:il redemption, and not only to a total separation from ihe presby- tery, and rejection of their judicial authority, but even to an open denial of the potestative mission ot tlie ministers therein, and of all others ; the most part of them were, in God's holy and righieous justice, left to receive and submit to the pretended authority and ministrations of Willidm Dun- net^ a deceiver, destitute of all mission and authority, whom they were afterward obliged to al)an(lon. In 1771, they published a pamphlet en- titled, A short Abstract of their Principles and Designs. In this they cunningly evade the acknowledgment of our Confi-ssion of Faith and (Jatechisms, decline to own the diictrine of the holy Trinity in unity, and do professedly adopt and avow the hyptjthesis of the famous modern So- cinian, Dr. Taylor, of Norwich, anent the person of Christ. According to which he is no more than " a glorious being, truly created by God be- fore the world." This pre-existent creatuie they call a superangelic spirit ; wliich spirit, coming in time to be united to a human 1)0(1\', makes, according to them, the person of Christ. A person neither tru y God nor truly man, but a sort of being different from botli. The al)surdity and blasphemy of this hypothesis needs no elucidation. Thus they idola- trously worship another god than the Scripture reveals, and blasphemously [161] SUPPLEMENT TO PART III. Intended to show the applicution of our Covenanted Testimony to the existing condition of society in the United States of North America. Our covenanted progenitors, who survived the prelatic per- secution in Scotland, being bereft of a gospel ministry, by the martyrdom of the pious and faithful James Renwick (1688), continued and transm tted the testimony of Jesus Christ, by meeting for social worship in private fellowships. They are hence known in history as — " The Society People." For this kind of communion they found sufficient divine warrant. Mai. iii, 16 ; Acts xvi, 13. Having witnessed faithfully in their trying circumstances against the apostasy of the churches and kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland, from the Covenanted Reformation for a period of about sixteen years, they gladly welcomed the ministry of John M'Millan, thouo^h suspended and deposed by the Revolution Church of Scot- land. This "little reviving in their bondage" the Lord vouchsafed in 1706. During about thirty years, Mr. M'Mil- lan alone bore aloft the banner inscribed with all reform- ation attainments ; until he was joined by Mr. Thomas Nairn, in 1743, when the Reformed Presbytery was iirst organized, after the Revolution Settlement in Scotland. In the year 1732, some ministers separated from the Revo- lution church of Scotland, but still maintained allegiance to the British throne. They took the name of "Associate Pres- bytery." Some time after their secession from the Established Revolution Church, they issued a Judicial Testimony ostens- substitute and trust in another savior than the gospel offers unto sinners. In the same pamphlet lliey declare and publish their resolution to take some of tlieir number under formal trials, whom, upon being approved, they miglit a])point and send forth to preach the gospel and administer the ordinrinces of it. And all which they have accordingly done, to the great dishonor of God, reproach of religion, and the profession of it. And now, from the above principles and practices, the reader may justly conclude how unworthily these christians (if they may be called such) pro- fess to stand up for the royal i)rerogatives of Christ. What an arrogant and presumptuous invasion upon, and usurpation of, the powers and pre- rogatives of this glori(ms King, for any mortal to assume "to appoint and call men," noiio Vcm work (which yet is all that the Church of Christ, according to the will of God, and her privileges from Christ her head, ev^er claimed), but to the very power and office of the holy ministry, "aiui to instdll them in it.'' Besides, that their doctrine as to Christ's person, which denies his divine nature and sonship, saps the very foundat.ons of that •^il\^\ Q.\\ his other offices. We would, therefore, yet beseecli them, by the mercies of God, ''to repent them of all their wickedness, and to pray God, if perhaps the thoughts of their heart may be forgiven them." [162] ibly for the whole of the Covenanted Reformation, in which testimony were .contained severe strictures on the Eefornied Presbytery's princi[)les on magistracy. These strictures furnished occasion for what is known in history as " The Se- cession Controversy." Besides wliat is contained in the fore- going Ad^ DcclaratioiR, and Tfstiinoyiy^ first emitted at IMough- landhead, Scotland, in 1761, the reader is referred to some replies made to said strictures, presenting arguments in de- fence of the Reformed Presbytery's position on civil govern- ment, logical, scriptural, and hitherto unanswered."^ Prior to the Revolut on, by which the British colonies in America became the United States, a ])resbytery had been constituted in this country by three ministers, Messrs. John Cuthbertson, William Linn, and Alexander Dobbin, with ruling elders, in 1774. The Revolutionary war carried away many Covenanters from their distinctive principles ; and in consequence the presbytery was dissolved. Those three min- isters, joining with some of the Seceders, formed a new body, which assumed the name '' Associate Reformed Church." This union was efiected in 1782, after tive years' negotiation. Founded in comjiromise of distinctive principle on both sides, and minorities refusing to concur, the boasted union made three churches out of two! As a basis of union, the new body |)rofessed to receive the Westminter tbrmular es. At the time of uniting, certain sections of the Confession were reservai for future d scussion ; which in jirocess of time were rejected, as they had previously heen hy the General Assem- bly and other denominations. This attack upon the Confes- sion was zealously oi)posed by two ministers in the body, Messrs. M'Coy and Warwick, who se})arated from that com- munion, forming a new organization, styled " Reformed Dissenting Presbytery." In 1808, this party issued what they called a '"• Narrative and Testimony ;" in which docu- ment. Psalmody and Toleration were treated with commen- dable tidel ty, if with limited erudition. TJje Reformed Presbytery, which had been dissolved by the defection of Messrs. Cuthbertson, Linn, and Dobbin, was * The Divine Institution and Riirlit of the Civil Afaiiistrate Vindicated, 1773, by JohnTliorbiirn: Answers to Twelve Queries, etc., by Wu). Stevin, 17i)4: An Hunilde Attempt, in Defence of Kelbnimtion Principbs on the Head of the Civil Maiiisiiate, A:c., by John Fairly: Truth no Enemy to Peace: or, Animadversions on Flet( hia^ion Prin- ciples Exhibited. At the first meeting, however, after the disruption, a perverse spirit was manifest among members of the Synod, 1831. The altercation and bitterness with which the rival claims of the Colonization and Abolition societies w^ere discussed, evidenced to those who were free from the in- fection of these and other associations — the exfoliations of Anti-Christ — that some of those present viewed these pop- ular movements as transcending in importance the covenanted testimony of the church ; and hence, as the j)ractice of occa- sional hearing was on the increase. Synod, when memorial- ized on the subject, refused to declare '' the law of the house." The spirit of conformity to the world became more mani- [165] fest at the next meeting, when Synod was importuned from East and West, by petition, memorial, protest, and appeal, growing out of the increasing practice of ministers and people incorporating with the voluntary associations of the age. Tlie response to those pajDers given by Synod, was as ambi- guous as on any former occasion. A minority, however, re- sisted the factious course of the majority, and some dissents were recorded, wdiile others were refused merely on technical ground. Hope was cherished that this check, so publicly given, together with the visibly demoralizing effects of mcM'al amalgamation, so contrary to the divine law and the foot- steps' of the tlock, would induce even reckless innovators to pause. This hope, however rational and sanguine, was to- tally dissipated in 1838, when Synod's table was literally crowded with the letters, petitions, remonstrances, memorials, protests, and appeals of a reclaiming people. The grievances of the children of witnessing and martyred ancestors, w^ere treated with the utmost contempt — ■'' laid on the table — re- turned," with the cry — " let them be kicked under the table," &c. And when some attempted to urge their right to be heard, they were called to order, treated with personal insult, or subjected to open violence. While the elements of a pop- ular mob were visible all over the assembly — mingled cries of ''Order, Moderator ! — put them out 1 — bring the constable I" were heard; and two members, Messrs. Sharpe and Bartley, were forcibly pushed along two aisles of the house of wor- ship, until the coat of the latter was torn on his back 1 Amidst the uproar which prevailed, the question spontan- eously arose in some hearts, " Is the Lord among us, or not?" When Synod met in 1840, the same measures which had been carried by mob violence at the previous meeting, were pressed as before, but with less v.olence and tunmlt, leaders having learned caution from some consequences resulting from their former outrageous conduct. Matters had now come to a crisis, when a reclaiming min- ority were reduced to the dilemma — either quietly to ac- quiesce in the practical subversion of the Covenanted Con- stitution of the church; or, by a separate organization, attempt to make up the breach, made by an irreclaimable majority. Which alternative was duty, may be ascertained both from the nature of the case, and from the well-detined footsteps of the Hock. Reformation in the church has ever been effected by the protestation and separation of a virtu- ous minority. At this juncture, a paper was publicly read in court by one of the members, as a final test of the Synod's purpose, and as exhausting all legal means of arresting de- fection. Of said paper a true copy is here given : — [166] " PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. u 'Whereas^ It is tlie province and indispensable duty of this Synod, wlien society is in a state of agitation as at j^resent, to know tlie signs of tlie times, and what Israel ougbt to do ; and whereas, it is also the duty of this Synod, to testify in behalf of truth ; to condemn sin and testify against those who commit it ; to acquaint our jieople with their danger, and search into the causes of God's controversy with them and with us ; and whereas, it is the duty of Synod further, to point out to the ] eople of God the course to be pursued, that divine judgments may be averted or removed — therefore, Resolved^ "1. That uniting with, or inducing to fellowship, by the members of the Heformed I^rcsbyterian Church, in the vol- untary and irresjionsible associations of the day — composed of persons of all religious professions and of no profession — be condemned, as unwarranted by the word of God, the sub- ordinate standards of the church, and the practice of our covenanted fathers. "2. Ihat an inquiry be instituted, in order to ascertain the grounds of the Lord's controversy with us, in the sins of omission and commission wherewith we are chargeable in our ecclesiastical relations.* "3. That the sins thus ascertained be confessed, mourned over, and forsaken, and our engagement to the contrary du- ties renewed ; that the Lord may return, be entreated of his people, and leave a blessing behind him."t Ihis paj er was, on motion, instantly "laid on the table;" and when at a subsequent sitting of the court, it was regu- larly called up for action, it was again and finally "laid on the table." Ever since, that paper has been diligently mis- rejircsented, as consisting of the frst resolution only, con- tiary to the evidence on its own face ; and many similar misrc})re?entations have been long circulated by the back- sliding majority. Those members of Synod wlio had opposed innovations * It was well-known to Synod, tliat New Light ministers from America — some oClhem under siisju'rision — hiul occiij^ied the pidjtits of Old Liglits, in Irel:ind— tlijit ot Uev. Dr. Bt:ively in iiarticular. When chidleniied by a number of Ills Session for suth disorder, the Dr. re])lied in snbslanee, "I did it fr( m self-resi>ect." — "But not out of respect for Christ," re- joined the elder. f This document is thus inserted entire, in peiyetuam rei memoriam, and !is a summary of the numerous ]iapcrs from ministers, elders, and meml ers, which had been presented to the several judicatories during the preceding seven years ! [167] and defections, resided so far apart (hundreds of miles), that they had no opportunities for consultation or concerted action, except at tlie meeting of Synod. A few of them, however, after the final adjournment, came together from their lodgings in the adjacent cit es of Pittsburgh and Alle- gheny. When met, it ap]>eared that, without pre-concert, they were unanimous in judgment, that, all legal means having failed to reclaim their backsliding brethren, their present duty was to assume a position independent of exist- ing organizations, that they might, untrammeled, carry out practically their covenanted testimony. Accordingly, two ministers and three ruling elders did proceed to constitute the Reformed Presbytery, in the city of Allegheny, Juue 24th, 1840, as the foilowing document bears : — DEED OF CONSTITUTION. We, the undersisned, ministers and elders of the Reformed Presbyterian Chur(h in North America, familiar with, and havini^ long witnessed de- clension in ihe aforesaid ehiirch, and employed all other scriptural means to stay its progress without effect: Also recognizing the claims of the Lord Jesus Chiist, and of all such as desire to be faithful; compassionating the condition of those who, b}' unholy confederacies, are still "enlanuled in the wilderness:" considering the necessities of others, who, to maintain a good conscience, have been constrained to unite in the ".safety League," ■which covers the whole ground of our covenanted system: — Do now, trusting to the faithfulness of the God of our fathers, and relying on the strength of promised grace; afler the examj)le of tlie venerable Rev. Wil- liam Gibson, who "kept the faith," — enter and record our solemn protes- Uition against the aforesaid church, because she has corrupted the doctrines and worship, and prostituted the government and discipline of the house of God; and we do hereby decline the authority of all her judicatories. We acknowledge the supreme auihority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only King and Head of his church; tlie binding ohligation of the solemn deeds of our covenanted forefathers — resting upcm our souls, by our own, voluntary engagements, viz: besides the word of God, the Westnunster Confession of F.dth, Catechisms, larger and shoiter, the Director}' for Worshij), as they were received by the Church of Scotland in her purest times, i. e. between tlie years 1688 and 4'J inclusive, the Covenants, Na- tional and Solemn League, Reformation Principles Exhibited, in agree- ableness to the aforesaid Standards; together with the faithful contendings of our covenanted fathers: in a word — all the documents contemplated, regarded, and as engaged unto in the Terms of Ecclesiastical Communion in the Reformed Piesljyteriau Church. In virtue of, and in accordance; with, the aforesaid principles and decla- rations, we unite and agree to continue a Presbytery. Done in Allegheny Town^ \ David Steele, June 27th, 1840. ) Robert Ldsk, Wm. M'Kinley, Wm. Wylie, Nathan Johnston. The declining party continued in their course of defection, pursuing those who had relinquished their schismatic fel [168] lowship, as is usual in such cases, with slanderous imputa- tions and pretended censure. During the last quarter of a century, their ])rogressive conformity to surrounding com- munities has been "accelerated, so that their practical traits are contradictory to their pretensions, as will afterwards more fully appear. The Reformed Tresbyterian Synod of Scotland, as early as 1815, began to give evidence of declension. In 1822, the Auchensaugh Deed was expunged from tlieir Terms of Com- munion. This unfaithful act was the formal ground of sep- aration by the oldest m nister, the aforementioned Mr. James Reid, who continued ''faithful unto death," declaring at his latter end, that " he could not have laid his head upon a dying ]»illow in peace if he had not acted as he did in that matter." Deaf to the remonstrances of this aged minister and tried witness for Christ's injured cause, both in America and his native land, the majority pursued the course of defection, until in 1837 they remodeled their Testimony ; and now (1876) they abandon it altogether, taking refuge in the Gen- eral Assembly of the Free church. From this same Re- formed Presbyterian Synod of Scotland, Dr. John Cunning- ham, missionary to the Jews in London, separated in 1859^ on similar ground as Mr. Reid, and like him, kept the faith till his death. A few other ministers withdrew from the majority in 1863, on valid grounds indeed, but failed to reach the elevation of our noble martyrs, fully occupied by Mr. Reid and Dr. Cunningham. This minority claimed^ and it continues to claim, the sy nodical powers of the orig- inal body ; and it has been recognized as such by the so- called Old Light Synods of America and Ireland ; both of which Synods declined to recognize Mr. Reid or Dr. Cun- ningham, preferring fellowship with the Scottish Synod when it was confessedly '' rotten to the core." Had not^ then, the members of the Relormed Rresbytery, while in Synod, just cause for asking in tlieir 2d resolution already- recited, an " inquiry into our ecclesiastical relations ?" This brief historical sketch may serve to show the out- lines of the courses pursued resjiectively by the several par- ties in the British Isles and America, who have made the most plausible professions of attachment to that work in the kingdom of Scotland especially, which has been called the Second Reformation. Other parties, however, have appeared in this country, wiio have long claimed to share the honor of the term Reformed. Negotiations were conmienced for organic union by four of these, viz : The Associate Synody [169] Associate Reformed Synod, General Synod of Reformed Presbyterians (New Lights), and Reformed Dissenting Pres- bytery. After some conventional meetings, the last two named withdrew from any further negotiations, but the first two effected what they called a union; while spectators viewed the matter rather as an absor})tion of the Associate by the Associate Reformed body. This was effected in 1858, and shortly before this coalescense, the Reformed Dis- senting Presbytery had become extinct. But fidelity to Zion's King, as well as charity to these backsliding parties, and the informing of the present and future generations, require us to notice more formally some of the prominent measures of these ecclesiastical bodies, and thus manifest more fully their relations respectively to the Covenanted Reformation. It is not to be expected by the reader, however, that all the erroneous principles or steps of defection, supplied by the history of these communities, can be noticed in fhis Appendix. To direct the honest inquiries of those who love divine truth, and to assist them in that process of reasoning by which facts are compared with acknowledged Standards, supreme and subordinate, that their morat character may be tested, is all that is proposed in the following sections : — Section I. Those who separated from the Revolution Church of Scotland, in the former part of the eighteenth century, and disregarded the unrighteous censures inflicted by their brethren in the church, still held allegiance to the civil powers, which controlled and corrupted the church. This practical inconsistency on the part of the first Seceders, necessitated an attempt at argumentative defense. Assuming as axiomatic, that the popular will, or consent of a majority, legitimates any and every magistracy, logical reasoning drove them to erroneous conclusions; as. That Christ as Mediator does not rule the nations: that believers do not owe to him temporal blessings. Gen. xiii, 17 ; Rom. iv, 13. They, moreover, professed adherence to the whole of the covenanted reformation, and even to renew the Covenants, National and Solemn League, while professing allegiance to the British throne, which overthrew the reformation ! Their brethren in America assisted the Colonies in their successful resistance to British oppression; to resist which on the other side of the Atlantic, was a damnable sin 1 They have^ indeed, in this land consistently renounced the civil part of the covenants, declaring that " with this part they neither have, nor ever had any thing to do," thereby insinuating that the oblisration of the "second table of the moral law [170 J changes, or may be abrogated, by change in the local habita- tion of Christians. By the acknowledged piety and learning of iSeeeders, both in the British Isles and America, their advocacy of these fundamental errors for more than a century, has given them more currency and credit, than they ever received perhaps from any other denomination. In charity to these brethren, we are constrained to continue the testimony heretofore borne ao:ainst them ; for doctrinally and practi- cally corrupting the divine ordinance of civil government. ISec. II. A large majority of the Associate and Associate Keformed churches, having formed a union in 1858, as above stated, by which an additional sect was created, the parties contracting came together upon a '' Basis of Union," which some of the leaders described as a '' bridge over which the jtarties might come together, and to be demolished as soon as the union was consummated." However, as the Associate fragment insisted upon having a judicial testimony, the majority gratified them so far as to designate the basis of union by the im[)Osing name — ''Testimony of the United Presbyterian Church." This so-called testimony differs in its integral parts, and as a whole, from any preceding docu- ments of that name. In the range of doctrinal declarations it is very limited; and it professes to allow any member of the body to oppose any of the Standards, only provided he does not " determinedly oppose." It also explicitly excludes argument, and the proofs from Scripture by which the doctrines are supported, from the conditions of fellowship in the body. Consequently their testimony is, in practice, no better than a rope of sand. This has become manifest in the case of Freemasonry, &c. On Toleration, Church Fellow- ship, Psalmody, Covenanting, Family Worship, Ecclesiasti- cal Government and Discipline, this body is further degenerated than either of the parties of which it was composed. We therefore testify against these 'brethren, not only because of defection from a Scriptural reformation, but also because they notoriously violate with impunitj' their own acknowledged terms of fellowship. Sec. III. The Reformed Dissenting Presbytery embraced more of the distinctive principles of the covenanted reforma- tion than either of the |)arties above noticed. On the doc- trines of magistracy and toleration, abstractly considered, they manifested, commendable fidelit3^ By separating in law the re[)resentative from his constituency in civil relations^ thev claimed it as their right to choose their civil rulers, while they maintained that to fill the office themselves would be sinful ! Thus, *' having no root, they withered away." [171] Sec. IY. Those who, in 1833, openly avowed themselves in favor of the Constitution and Government of the United States, in conlbmiity to their interpretation of Beformation l^rinri-pUs Exhibited, and who separated from the majority, erected sejtarate judicatories, and claimed the identity and name of the original body! As their incor[)oration with the civil institutions of the land leaves them without any distinctive princi[>los from some surrounding denominations, their claims are preposterous. Their plighted allegiance, however, to the government of the United States is a palpable violation of the Solemn League, which limits allegiance to civil sovereignty, in the "preservation and defence of the true religion." As in most other churches, discipline is greatly relaxed. Sec. V. With those mentioned in the preceding section, may be classed the Eastern Synod of Ireland, and the Ma- jority Synod of Scotland,^ which parties, since the adoption of their new Terms and Testinjony, in 1822 and 1837, have been incorporated with the immoral and anti-christian gov- ernment of Great Britain, co-operating with that horn of the beast, still guilty and red with the precious blood of our martyred fathers. Length of time does not expiate the guilt contracted by shedding the innocent blood of Christ's faithful witnesses. Matt, xxili, 25 ; Ileb. xii, 24. On both sides of the Atlantic, therefore, these three parties are to be classified — for they have avowedly classitied themselves — with that ''world who wonder after the beast," Rev. xiii, 3, against wh(se blasi)hemous claims Christ's witnesses are called to testify during 1260 years, ch. xi, 3. Sec. VI. Against that party in the three nations, Scot- land, Ireland, and America, commonly but improperly called Old Lights, we are obliged to testify more pointedly, than against any other party claiming to be Reformed Pres- byterians. First, Because we believe there are still among them real Covenanters in their private faith, as there were among the ten tribes of Israel ; and in proportion, a greater number than in any other fellowship. Second, Because their leaders make the fairest show in the flesh, and calculating upon spiritual sloth and the force of confirmed habit, still ho[)e to lead honest people insensibly into Egypt. Such honest ones, who are "wandering from mountain to hill, forgetting their resting [)lace," we would aim to unde- ceive, if the Lord will ; for we earnestly desire renewed fellowship with all such on original ground. *This body is now extinct. [172] I. In Reformation Pinnciples Exhibited^ the formal nature of a judicial testimony was changed. History and argu- ment were excluded from the Terms of Oonimunion: but these are the essential elements of a faitliful Testimony. The Eeformed Presbytery did therefore, in 1840, declare adherence to so much of J{. F. Exhibited as is comprised in the '^ Historical View" from 1761 till 1840. This is the import of the words used at the latter date — '' in agreeable- ness to the aforesaid Standards." The exclusion of history and argument has opened a floodgate for error, alienation and se[»aration among professed Covenanters for the past seventy years. ^ II. The policy of the Old Light Synod, in 1833, was very similar to that of the Revolution Assembly o ^Scotland, in 1689. As the indulged and curates were admitted to seats in court; so some were received as members of Synod 1833, who, on giving in their certificates of delegation, expressly claimed a right "to withdraw them, if they should see cause " — yea, one of these was placed in the Moderator's chair I At that meeting, it was urged that the Argumentative part of "Reformation Principles Exhibited " should be hastened to completion, but without effect. III. At the next meeting, 1834, when another edition of that book was ordered to be published, with a continuation of the Historical part, together with Terms of Communion, it was urged that the defect in the first Term be supplied by inserting the words— "and the alone infallible rule of faith and manners." In the new edition, 1835, these all-important words were omitted as before 1 Even at that date, some of the ministers seemed to be influenced more by popular o[)inion than by the infallible rule. Not until the year 1849 was the second member of the first Term inserted ; and even then, by a clause more obnoxious and dangerous than the previous omission — "the only rule of faith a'nd practice," thus virtu- ally exclud'mir Subordiriate Standards [dtogether. IV. In 1836, some members petitioned for relief, who had been suspended for refusing to receive the sacramental symbols from the hands of pastors who were confederated with all sorts of persons for moral reform. The perpetrators of this tyranny called out in Synod, that "such papers were not fit to be read," &c. "Revolters are ])rof()und to make slaughter." We testify against the outrage otfered at that time to members of court, in refusing to allow^ their dissents to be entered on the minutes; and" especially against the gross injustice done to aggi'ieved members, by "returning their papers as "abusive, insulting," &c., as if petitioning for [173] redress of wrongs, and enforcing prayers by dispassionate and solid arguments from the Bible and approved authors, were an insult! V. The Synod was asked, in 1838, most respectfully, for- mally, and explicitly, to review and rectify some cases of hio^h-handed tyranny, chiefly through the intiuence of that pa^'ty who caused the lamentable breach in 1833 ; as some of the subjects of that tyranny were yet writhing under a sense of accumulated wrongs. '' That the term testimony be restored to its former ecclesiastical use," was also matter of respectful petition at the same time. Whether through apathy, ignorance, or other cause, Synod turned a deaf ear to her most faithful children, and refused either redress or reformation. For the first time in two hundred years, the innovation of continuous singing in the public worship of God, found advocates at that meeting of Synod ; and because the two most zealous pleaders in favor of this innovation were natives of Scotland, and the only two ministerial members of court of that nationality, their names are here recorded, viz: Messrs. James Milligan and David Scott. They received merited reproof in a seasonable and powerful speech, by the late Dr. James R. Wilson. If the apostle Paul, in view of the law of charity, would condescend to the means of edifying " one that believed not, or one unlearned, coming into the assem- bly " of Christians, 1 Cor. xiv, 24 ; much more ought the Psalm to be read, " line by line, w^hile many in the congrega- tion could not read." Against this violation of the moral law, still prevalent, we continue to testify ; for unbelievers and the unlearned do still " come into the assembly." 1 Cor. X, 32. Alas 1 many w^ho can read in our day, seem to con- tinue ignorant of that law equally with the gospel ! VI. In 1840, the Synod was what is technically called a packed court, some new elders having been hastily ordained for the purpose of voting in presbytery in favor of delegates to Synod, who could aid in voting for corrupt measures. One Moderator gave the casting vote for his own son; and these were the same who afterwards pretended to suspend the constituent members of the Reformed Presbytery ! This Synod abolished the two subordinate Synods, after they were legally dead, as declared by Rev. Hugh Walkinshaw on the floor of the court. Kext, by formal vote, it abrogated its own delegation form, and thus terminated its legal existence. Since that date, this body has had no legal eccle- siastical court of higher grade than presbyteries; and even one of these, the Lakes Presbytery, had an illegitimate [174] origin. Against these violations of Presbyterial Church Governnienr, by which schism has been rendered chronic, we enter our solemn protest. • Ai!:ain, these brethren declared their sin as Sodom, when, in the late civil war, the President called for volunteers '' to enforce the Constitution and execute the laws," many of their peo[)le entered the army, and one of their ministers commanded a company ! That individual, and many others, are still held in good standing. \\\ ISliS they framed an oath to be '' faithful to the United States," assuring their people that it was not an ''oath of allegiance!" Now, we believe, with the late Rev. William Anderson, of Scot- land, that no ingenuity or sophistry can justify their tightino:for a government or constitution which they them- selves "(leclared to be immoral; nor can any arguments prove the consistency of testifying against a constitution as immoral, and at tiie same time otfering their lives in its defence. This we pronounce a more |)alpable and dishonorable surrender of the testimony, than that of 1833. ''The back- slidino: Israel hath iustitied herself more than treacherous Judah." The practice of confederating with all sorts of people ostensibly to promote moral reformation in society, has been on the increase among these brethren for many years; so that now they freely amalgamate both in civil and eccle- siastical relations. Fl/'st, They formally abolished the Pro- clamation of Banns, which the reformers had established to preserve the purity of Christian families. Second^ They have practically set aside the Rule on Occasional Hearing, by transferring the Rule from the Declaratory to the Historical part of Refonned Principles Exhibited. Third., They hold fellowship with denominations against which they testify, by appointing and receiving delegates reciprocally in their resi)ective judicatories — a self-inconsistent and unfaithful practice, which had been once and again successfully resisted in the last generation ; and some of them have been com- missioned to a proposed convention to effect a sort of Ecu- menical Presbyterial Confederation! Fourth^ Co-operating in " National Reform," they m ngle wnth prelates and others On popular platforms, against whom they pretend to bear testimony. And, Fifths Having by these manifold steps of defection, in conforming to this world, considerably in- creased in numbers, and still more in financial resources; distrusting the Head of the church and eacii other, they have sought and obtained a civil charter for the greater se- curity of their entire ecclesiastical property. We know not [175] in history a dehasins: act analoo;ons to this, except the letter of the Tndulofed to James II, in which they " thanked his nifijesty for liis snr])risiiig royal favour." The Indiilijed, however, had been forcibly deprived of the exercise of their ministry — not so our brethren ; they did, like Issachar, bow tlieir necks to the yoke in the most spontaneous and abject manner, receiving the desired boon, with all its anti-scr ])t- ural conditions and ofHces, subject to the " Constitutions of the Unite posed pious man, speaking his experience, in the place of God, speaking his sovereign will in the Bible. This is the height of im[tiety. Fidelity to Christ and our solenm cove- nant engagements, as also charity to all parties, require that we both speak and act as witnesses. The presbytery would now advert to some of the many false statements and slanderous imputations, with which its constituent members were assailed at the time of separation from tlieir irreclaimable brethren, thirty-live [176] years ago ; and which some of the senior ministry have sedulously }troi»agated among the younger ones till the pres- ent time. AVith grief we might, though w^e will not, with application, say wdth Jacoh of his own sons, ^' Cursed he their anger, for it was tierce ; and their wrath, for it was cruel." The senior memher of the Reformed Preshytery had been long an object of slander, and malice pursued him to the grave. The junior member has been sj>ared in mercy, to outlive, expose, and refute similar imputations and ground- less insinuations. Sonie of those charges are the following — for even a Heathen " permitted Paul to speak for himself." Acts xxvi, 1. The first cry against the presbytery and its members was — "schism — schismatics!" This charge was promptly and publicly met and refuted, by showing from the Scriptures, that schism is — " in the body," 1 Cor. xii, 26 ; and from the approved writings of our reformed covenanting fathers, that " sometimes, to avoid schism, we must separate.^^ Our worthy ancestors knew better than to adopt the vocabulary of papal Rome. Besides, " the majority making defection are the real separatists." (Samuel Rutherford). But, the separation was made in a " disorderly manner," said our accusers. Did a declining majority ever credit a minority with separating in an orderly manner ? No, never. But it is further urged, wh}^ did the minority not protest and decline the authority of Synod, assigning their reasons? Simply because there was no Synod in legal being, before which to table such instruments, as has been already shown. iN'either the laws nor usages of Presbyterianism required the minority thus to stultify themselves. Moreover, the Re- formed Presbytery, so soon as organized, of right, claimed and possessed judicial powders, at least co-ordinate with any court in the party from which they had been constrained to separate. Again, a member of presbytery w^as charged in print with "prowling about among the congregations" of the minority. To prowl is the well-known propensity of the literal wolf to devour prey. In Scripture, the wolf is a symbol of cunning and cruelty; Acts xx, 29. To this we only say, we envy not the disposition of any man, who could make such a grat- uitous and malignant ap[)lication of a sacred symbol. And we are sure that no minister of the Reformed Presbytery has obtruded himself ujton any of the former brethren, without a cordial invitation first received from them. The last charge we notice is — The Reformed Presbytery [177] is " opposed to all progress." To this it is answered, — by no means — every way the contrary, in accordance with the alone infallible rule; for ''Christ's scholars never learn above their 13ible." This presbytery believes firmly, that the testimony of Christ's witnesses is necessarily pro- gressive, and that it will assuredly advance in the face of all opposition till it be '' finished." Rev. xi, 7. There is no such anomalous document recognized among the faithful witnesses as a ''Standing Testimony." All such measures of compromise they must repudiate. The church of God is one, Song vi, 9; Eph. iv, 4-6 ; the only true historical so- ciety on earth ; Ps. Ixxxix, 29 ; cv, 10 ; Rom. iv, 13 ; the only indestructible and immortal corporation. Is. liv, 17 ; Mart, xvi, 18. Iler earnest contendings against the devil, the world, and the flesh, are to be put on record, but not to be confounded with confession of her faith, though both be inseparable. .Thus it is that when the spouse is in perplexity, as to present duty, her glorious Husband directs, to '' go her way forth by the footsteps of the flock ;" Song i, 8 ; to " take for an example of suffering affliction and of patience, the prophets who have spoken in the name of the Lord." Jas. V, 10. Christ himself hath left us an example that we should "• follow his steps" as well as receive his doctrines. In total disregard of such plain and reiterated declarations of the Holy Spirit, all the so-called judicial testimonies, .which have been emitted since the overthrow of the Second Reformation, have excluded history and argument — the very essence of a testimony, save that faithful and Scriptural one adopted in 1761, re-published in 1850, with a progressive supplement. Thus different parties claiming to be the fol- lowers of Christ's w^itnesses, have palmed upon a credulous world a confession^ instead of a testimony. The Reformed Presbytery would earnestly desire to disabuse the Christian mind of this gross deception and great imposition, by which many sincere and devout disciples are befogged and dis- tracted. 1. The Bible, both Old and Kew Testament, is largely his- torical — the books of Genesis and Matthew beginning with narrative, the wonderful works of God. It is thus adapted to the rational nature of man, and equally to the spiritual nature of the new man. 2. The church cannot ascertain the fulfilment of prophecy — the cumulating external evidence of her divine original: nor can Christ's witnesses otherwise than by history identify her confederated enemies — the man of sin and son of perdi- tion, his paramour — the w^ell favored harlot, and her harlot [178] dau2:bters — the oftspring of her fornication with the kings of the earth. 3. The present cannot in faith confess the sins, or express thanks to God for the mercies, of a former generation, ex- cept on the credibility of human history. 4. 'Nor otherwise can a Christian know the time or place of his birth, or the persons whom God commands him to honor as his father and mother, than by uninspired testi- mony ; and the same is true of his covenant obligation, if baptized in infancy. Against all who ignorantly or reck- lessly reject or oppose history as a bond of fellowship, in the family, in the state, but especially in the church, we thus enter our solemn and uncompromising protest. And tinally, we testify against all who, under pretext of superior charity or liberality, fiercely clamor for union of churches by a sacrifice of divine truth, and in violation of order ; or, who advocate intercommunion among bodies or- ganically separate; or who furnish tesiimonials of Christian character to oflicers or members, who avow their intention to break covenant; thus inculcating hypocrisy, by precept and ■example, and reducing the awful sin of perjury to system. By such sinful and debasing practices ; by the haughty bearing of idle shepherds of mercenary spirit — ''greedy dogs which can never have enough" — the ])Oor sheep of Christ, whose souls starve under a fruitless ministry, are tempted to "heap to themselves teachers" — unauthorized revivalists — who ''un- derstand neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm ;" and are thus prepared to become the vassals of anti-christ ; to be led blindfold down to the chambers of eternal perdition. And, notwithstanding the judgments of God inflicted on this nation by the recent internecine war, it still refuses to sub- mit to the authority of the Lord and his Anointed. It authoritatively tolerates all religions, necromancy and poli- gamy ; and profanes the Lord's day by post-office and railway traffic, for profit or pleasure. " Arise, O God, judge the earth: for thou shall inherit all nations." PART lY. A brief declaration or summary of the principles maintained by the pres- bytery, as to doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, in agree- ablenessto the word of God, our Confession of Faith and Catechisms, and whole covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland. — The contrary doctrines condemned. Unto what has been more generally laid down in the pre- ceding pages, with respect to the principles and practice of this church and nation, both in former and present times; the presbytery proceed to subjoin a positive and explicit declaration of their principles anent the truths of our holy religion, whether by the generality agreed unto, or by some controverted. I. Of God. — The presbytery did, and hereby do acknowl- edge and declare, that there is one inlinite, eternal, self-exist- ent, and independent Being ; and that this only true and living God, absolutely all-sufficient, having all being, per- fection, glory, and blessedness, in and of himself, subsists in three distinct, divine persons, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (in one and the same undivided essence and godhead), all equally the same in substance, power, and glory, although distinguished by their personal properties; according to Deut. vi, 4; 1 Cor. viii, 6; 1 Tim. i, 17; Acts xvii, 24, 25; 1 John V, 7 ; Matth. xxviii, 19 ; Confession of Faith, chap. 2 ; larger catechism, quest. 7-11 ; shorter catechism, quest. 4-6. II. Of the Holy Scriptures. — Again, they confess and declare, that although the light of nature discovers unto us that there is a God, yet of itself it is absolutely insufficient to teach us the saving knowledge of the invisible Being and his will ; and therefore God of his infinite condescension has given us a most perfect revelation of himself and of his will in the scriptures of truth, contained in the sacred books of the Old and New Testament ; which scriptures the pres- bytery assert to be of divine authority, and not to be be- lieved and received because of any other testimony, than that of God their author, who is truth itself. Which word of God is the alone perfect and complete rule, both of faith and practice, containing a full and ample revelation of the whole counsel of God, both respecting his own glory and the salvation of men ; by which all spirits are to be tried, and to which all doctrines and controversies in reliscion are [180] to be brought, as to the supreme judge, in whose sentence alone we are to acquiesce ; according to Rom. i, 19, 20 ; 1 Cor. ii, 13, 14; Heb. i, 1 ; 2 Tim. iii, 16 ; 2 Pet. i, 19, 21 ; 2 Tim. iii, 15; Gal. i, 8, 9; Eph. ii, 20, and our standards, Confess chap. 1 ; larger Cat. quest. 2-5 ; shorter Cat. quest. 2, 3. III. Of the Decrees of God. — Again, they assert and maintain, that Jehovah, according to his own most wise counsel, and for his own glory, has, by one immanent act of his will from eternity, purposed and decreed all events in time; and particularly, that by his absolute sovereignty, he has unchangeably determined the final state of all intelligent beings, visible and invisible. That God of his mere good pleasure, abstracting from all other causes whatever, for the praise of his glorious grace to be r'^anifested in time, has Irom all eternity predestinated a certain detinite number of mankind sinners, in and through Jesus Christ, to eternal life, together with all the means leading thereunto. And also, by the same sovereign will, has passed by, and left others in their sins, foreordaining them to bear the just punishment of their own iniquities ; as is evident from Rom. ix, 11, 13, 15, 16, 18 ; Eph. i, 4, 6, 9, 11 ; Jude verse 4 ; and according to Confess, chap. 3 ; larger Cat. quest. 12, 13 ; shorter Catechism quest. 7. IV. Of Creation. — In like manner they acknowledge and declare, that as God, from the intinity of his being and goodness, has communicated a iinite created existence to all other beings, framing them with natures wisely suited and adapted to the different ends of their creation; so by the same all-powerful word whereby they were at first creuted, he preserves and upholds all his creatures in their beings, and by the incessant care and invariable conduct of his divine providence, does constantly direct and overrule them and all their actions unto his own glory ; according to divine revelation; Gen. i, throughout; Col. i, 16 ; Rom. xi, 36 ; Psal. cxlv, 17, and xxxiii, 9 ; and cxix, 91 ; Ileb. i, 2, 3 ; Confess, chap. 4, 5 ; larger Cat. quest. 1 i ; short Cat. quest. 8. Likewise they profess and declare, that God, as the last and finishing part of his workmanship in this lower world, created man an intelligent being, endued with a living, reas- onable and immortal soul, whose greatest glory consisted in his having the gracious image of his God and Creator drawn upon his soul, chiefly consisting in that knowledge, right- eousness and inherent holiness wherewith he was created. And further, that God, in his favor and condescension to man, was pleased to enter into a covenant with him, as the public head and representative of all his posterity, where. n [181] God promised unto him eternal life and blessedness with himself in glor}-, upon condition of personal, perfect and perpetual obedience ; to the performance whereof, he furnished him with full power and ability, and threatened death upon the violation of his law and covenant, as is evident from the sacred text ; Gen. i, '26, 27; Eccl. vii, 29 ; Gen. ii, 17 ; Rom. X, 5, and according to our Confess, chap. 4, § 2 ; chap. 7, § 1, 2; chap. 19, § 1; larger Cat. quest. 20; short. Cat. quest. 10, 12. V. Of the Fall of Man. — They again assert and main- tain, that the first and common parents of mankind, being seduced by the subtility of Satan, transgressed the covenant of innocency, in eating the forbidden fruit ; whereby they lost the original rectitude of their nature, were cut off from all gracious intercourse with God, and became both legally and spiritually dead; and therefore they being the natural root of all mankind, and the covenant being made with Adam^ not as a private, but a public person, all his descend- ants by ordinary generation, are born under the guilt of that first sin, destitute of original righteousness, and having their nature wholly depraved and corrupted ; so that they are by nature children of wrath, subjected unto all the penal evils contained in the curse of a broken law, both in this life, and in that which is to come ; Gen. iii, 6, 13 ; Eccl. vii, 29 ; Rom. V, from 12 to 20 ; Rom. iii, 10-19 ; Eph. ii, 3 ; Confess. ture is completed, and no new revelation to be expected to the end of time, continues by his word and spirit to instruct sinners in the knowledge of all things necessary for their sanctification and salvation ; according to Acts x, 38, and iii, 22; Luke iv, 18, 21 ; John i, 18 ; 1 Pet. i, 10-12 ; Ileb. i, 1, 2 ; Eph. iv, 11-13 ; Confess. chap. 8, § 1 ; larg. Cat. quest. 43 ; short. Cat. quest. 24. In like manner, they profess and declare, that the Lord [184] Jesus Christ, being called of him that said unto him, " Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee," unto the honora- ble office of High Priest over the house of God, and con- firmed therein by all the solemnities of the oath of God, he did most willingly undertake this work, saying, Z/o, I come to do thy icill^ God! And that he might iinish and fulfill the same, in agreeableness to his eternal engagements to the Father, to the Old Testament types and sacrifices, promises and prophecies, wherein he was foresigned and revealed to be the seed of the woman, that should bruise the serpent's head, did, in the fullness of time, humble himself to be made of a woman, made under the law, in the form of a bond servant to Jehovah. In wh ch character, he not only fulfilled the preceptive part of the law, but also, with the most unparalleled meekness, patience and resignation, sub- mitted to the most grievous and dreadful sufferings, both in body and soul, even all that divine wrath, indignation and punishment, wrapped up in the terrible curse of a broken covenant of works. By which obedience of his unto the death, through the eternal Spirit offering himself without spot unto God, a proper, real and expiatory sacrifice for sin, he has fully satisfied divine justice, made reconciliation for the iniquities of his peo[)le, and purchased an eternal inheri- tance for them in the kingdom of glory. The saving benefits of which redemption, b}^ the Si)irit's eftectual application thereof, he does, by his intercession at the Father's right hand, as an arisen, living, and now glorified Savior, con- stantly^ and certainly communicate unto all those whom the Father has given him. Further, the presbyter}^ declare, that however they acknow- ledge the standing of the world, as a theater to display the riches of divine grace, the preaching of the gospel indefin- itely to mankind sinners, and all the common tavors of life indifierently enjoyed by them, do all result, as native, neces- sary and determined consequences, from the interposition of Christ in behalf of his spiritual seed, and have their ultimate foundation in the infinite sufficiency, fullness and perfection, of the blood and sacrifice of Christ, God-man: yet they af- firm, that, as a certain elect and select number were given unto Christ, to be redeemed from among men, so, for their snkes alone, he engaged his heart to appn^ach unto God. For their sakes, he sanctified himself; in their name, i. e., in their law-room and stead, and for their good, as the surety of the better covenant, he became obedient unto death, and endured the whole of that punishment threatened by the law, and incurred by the transgression of it. He subjected [185] himself to that very curse, bore that wrath and died that death, which they themselves should have undergone. And hereby, by his doiuij; and dying, he made a proper, real, full and ex[)iatory satisfaction to the justice of God for their sins. Wherefore it is impossible but that to all those for whom Christ has purchased this com|)lete redemption, and for whose sins he has given this full satisfaction accepted of God, he will certainly and effectually apply and communicate the same in the saving benefits thereof; seeing that it is his will who has merited it, that all those who are the Father's choice by election, and his purchase by redemi>tion, should be ever with him lohere he is^ that they may behold his glory; and since, as he is thus willing, he is also able, to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him. So that all for whom Christ died, all that are redeemed by his blood, are, in consequence hereof, etfectually called, justified, sanctified and 2:lorified ; according to Psal. xl, 7, 8 ; lleb. x, 5-11 ; Phil.^ii, 8 ; Gal. iv, 4, 5 ; lleb. ix, 14, 28 ; Dan. ix, 24 ; Psal. Ixxv, 3 ; Isa. xlix, 8 ; John vi, 37, 39, cliap. x, 15, 16 ; Eph. i, 7 ; Rom. vi i, 34, and ver. 29, 30 ; John xvii throughout ; John xi, 52 ; Confess, chap, vii, § 4, 5, 8 ; larg. Cat. quest. 44 ; sh. Cat. quest 25. They also acknowledge, assert and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ is, by the appointment of God the Father, set as Kino; upon his holy hill of Zion ; over which, as his special kingdom, he is invested with an absolute power and suprem- acy, as the sole and only head thereof, to appoint offices, officers, laws and ordinances. And that accordingly, by virtue of this solemn investiture, the same Lord Jesus Christ has, in all ages, called out of the world, and maintained therein, a church unto himself, which he visibly governs by a comi)lete system of laws, officers and censures, instituted in his word, and has not left the affairs of his church, in which (as a Son over his own house) he peculiarly presides, to be regulated and modeled by the carnal policy and invention of men. Also, that, as King in Zion, he powerfully and irre- sistibly, in a day of efficacious grace, subdues the perverse hearts and wills of sinners unto his obedience, persuading and enabling as many as were appointed to obtain salvation through him, to believe in his name, in order thereunto. All whom he either preserves from, or supports under, the var- ious temptations, trials and affl ctions, they are liable to in this mortal life ; till at last, completing a work of grace in their souls, he advances them to a state of perfection and glory. Further, the presbytery declare and maintain, that, in [186] subserviency to this, his special mediatory kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ has a supreme and sovereign power given unto him, in heaven and in earth, and over the internal powers of darkness — angels, authorities and powers being put in sub- jection to him ; that he has the management of all the wheels of providence put into his hand, w^hereby he restrains, dis- appoints, and at last totally destroys, all the enemies of his interest and glory ; and by which he orders and overrules all the events that fall out in time, for the accomplishment of the great and glorious ends of his incarnation, and lasting good of those that love him ; according to Psal. ii, 6 ; Isa. ix, 6, 7 ; Isa. xxxiii, 22 ; Matth. xxi, 5 ; Isa. Iv, 4, 5 ; Gen. xlix, 10 ; Ileb. iii, 6 ; Psal. ex, 1, 2 ; Matth. xxviii, 18 ; John vii, 2; 1 Pet. iii, 22 ; Phil, ii, 9-11 ; Confess, chap, viii § 3; larg. Cat. quest. 45 ; sh. Cat. quest. 26. They again declare and assert, that as the light of nature is absolutely insufficient to give a just discovery, either of the grievous malady of sin, or the blessed remedy provided for sinners, so none, however diligent they may be to frame their lives according to the dictates of nature's light, can possibly attain to salvation, wdiile they remain without any objective revelation of Jesus Christ, as the great propitiation and peace-maker, who has abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light, by the gospel. And further, that there is no other name, doctrine and religion, whereby any can be saved, but in the name, doctrine or religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, of wh ch he is the great author and insti- tutor ; in the profession and faith whereof, he leads his people through this world into the possession of endless felicity and glory in the world to come. yill. Of the Gospel Offer. — They further declare, that, as God the Father, out of his unbounded love, has, on the footing of the infinite sufficiency of the death and sacrifice of Christ, made a free and unhampered gift and grant of him, as an all-sufficient Savior, unto sinners of mankind lost, aa such, in the word : so the ministers and embassadors of Christ (according as they are expressly authorized and commanded by him) are to publish this gospel, these glad-tidings of great joy to all the world, wherever they may be called or cast, in the providence of God, and make a full, free and unhampered otter of Christ and his whole salvation to sinners, without distinction, assuring them of God's mercy and grace, through Christ, in whom he proclaims himself well pleased ; of Christ's onmipotent power and ability to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him ; and that there are no impediments, bars or hinderances, ab extra^ between Jesus Christ, as held [187] forth in the otter of the gospel, unto sinners lost, why they, even every one of them, may not receive and appropriate him, as the Lord their righteousness. And the above said frank and unhampered gift of Christ, and him crucified, by God the Father, as a full and all-sufficient Savior unto lost and ruined sinners, the presbytery view as the great and prime foundation, both of the ministerial offer, and of faith in the Lord Jesus, for life and salvation ; as is clear from Rom. X, 14 ; 1 Cor. i, 21-25 ; Isa. Iv, 1 ; Mark xvi, 15 ; John iii, 16 ; Confess, chap, vii, § 3; larg. Cat. ques. 67; sh. Cat. ques. 31, &c. IX. Of Justification. — Again, they profess and declare,, that the active and passive obedience, or the complete med- iatory righteousness, of the Lord Jesus Christ, is the only meritorious cause of a sinner's justification, pardon of sin, and acceptance of his person and services with a holy God *,. and that true and saving faith, which is also the gift of God, is the alone instrumental cause of the sinner's justifi- cation in his sight ; or that evangelical condition, or in- ternal mean, in and by which the soul is interested in Christ, and the whole of his righteousness and salvation. Which righteousness, received and rested on by faith, is the only foundation of a sinner's title to eternal life and glory ; as appears evident from Kom iii, 22-29 ; Rom. v, 17-20 ; Jer. xxiii, 6 ; Gal. ii, 16 ; Acts x, 43 ; Col. i, 27 ; Acts viii, 37 ; Rom. X, 9 ; Mark v, 36 ; Eph. ii, 8 ; Confess, chap. 11, 14 \ larg. Cat. ques, 70, 73 ; sh. Cat. ques. 3. They likewise profess and maintain, that believers, by the righteousness of Christ being just, tied from all things,, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses, are by Jesus Christ perfectly delivered from the law, as a covenant of works, both as commanding and condemning ; so as that thereby they are neither justified nor condemned, it being dead to them, and they to it, by the body of Christ, to whom they are married. However, notwithstanding of this freedom, they are still servants unto God ; still under the moral law, as a rule of life in the hand of their glorious Mediator and new covenant Head, directing them how they are to walk, so as to please God ; the obli2;ation whereof, as such, remains perpetual and ind ssoluble ; and that this privilege is peculiar to believers only, all others being still under the old covenant obligation, both as to the debt of obedience and punishment ; according to Rom. vi, 14, and vii, 4, 6; Gal. iv, 4, 5, and ii, 16 ; Rom. viii, 1 ; Gal. iii, 10 ; Confess, chap, xix, § 5, 6 ; larg. Cat. ques. 97 ; sh. Cat. ques. 43, 44. [188] X. Of Good Works. — Again, they assert and declare, that as no works are truly and spiritually good, but those that are ])ertbrnied hy a })eison united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and under the influence of his Holy Spirit; and consequently, that none of the actions of the unregenerate, however in themselves materially agreeable unto the letter of the law, are either pleasing or accei)table to God ; nor <3an they dispose or prepare their souls for receiving his grace, though their omission and neglect of these is still more dis- pleasing unto God, and destructive unto themselves. So likewise they declare, that even the best works of obedience performed by the regenerate, can neither merit the pardon of any one sin, nor procure them the smallest measure or God's grace or favor, because of the manifold sins and imper- fections they are still attended with, and because of the in- finite distance between God and them, with respect to whom, when they have done all that they can, they are but un- protitable servants. [N'either is their ability to do them at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit dwelling in them. And further, that the spring and principle motive of true love to God, and acceptable obedience to him, is not self-interest or love to our own felicity, nor yet a slavish fear of punishment ; but the glorious perfections and transcend- ent excellencies of the Diety, manifested in the face of Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory, and ex- press image of his person, are the prime and chief motives both of love, fear and obedience unto God ; all who really love God loving him principally for himself. As also, that all acceptable service to God, performed by believers, is princijtally influenced by the authority of a God of grace, stam|>ed upon his word, springs from faith in Jesus Christ, as an animating and active principle in their souls, and is ultimately directed to the glory of God in Christ, as the great end thereof. Hence, therefore, although God has graciously connected his own glory and his people's felicity inseparably together, that yet no actions, however good in themselves or beneficial to others, which arise only from a jirinciple of self-interest, love to one's own bliss, or fear of hell, are evidential of saving grace in the soul, or any more than what one in a state of nature may perform ; according to Gen. iv, 5 ; lleb. xi, 4, 6 ; Matth. vi, 2, 5, 16 ; Hag. ii, 14 ; Amos V, 21, 22; Tit. i, 15, and iii, 5; Rom. iii, 20, and iv, 2, 4, 6; Job. xxii, 2, 8 ; E})h. i, 6 ; 1 Pet. ii, 5 ; Exod xxviii, 38 ; Confess, chap. 16 throughout ; larg. Cat. ques. 73, 101 ; fih. Cat. ques. 44. XI. Of Assurance of Grace. — In like manner they de- [189] clare and assert, that although there may be much darkness, and manifold doubts and fears, seated in the same soul where true and saving faith is: and although true believers may wait long before they know themselves to be believers, and be assured that they are really in a state of grace ; and even, after they have arrived at a subjective assurance of their salvation, may have it much shaken, clouded and intermit- ted ; that yet there is no doubting, no darkness, in the sav- ing acts of a true and lively faith: but in all the appropriat- ing acts of saving faith, there is an objective assurance, an assured confidence and trust in Jesus Christ, and the prom- ise of life in which he is revealed to the soul; according to Isa. 1, 10 ; Mark ix, 24 ; 1 John v, 13 ; Psal. Ixxvii, 1 to'll ; Psal. Ixxxviii, throughout; Gal. ii, 20; Mark xi, 24; Con- fess, chap. 18 throughout ; larg. Cat. ques. 72, 80, 81 ; short. Cat. ques. 86. XII. Of the Perseverance of the Saints. — They further assert and declare, that whosoever, of any of the children of men, in all aa'cs, have attained salvation, did believe in, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah, and only Savior from sin, to whom all the prophets bear witness, in whom all the promises and lines of salvation do center ; and particularly, that however much the faith of the dis- ciples and apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in him, as their only Redeemer, might be at any time overclouded, yet it was never totally subverted ; and that the noble grace of faith in the souls of believers cannot be totally lost ; but that such is the immutability of God's decrees, and his un- changeable love ; such the efficacy of their Redeemer's merit, and constant abiding of the spirit of holiness in them ; and such the nature of the new covenant, that, notwith- standing of various temptations and afflictions, the prevail- ing of remaining corruption in them, they must all and every one of them, certainly and infallibly persevere in a state of grace unto the end, and be at last saved with an everlast- ing salvation ; as appears from Heb. xi, 13 ; John iv, 42 ; Phil, i, 6 ; John x, 28, 29 ; 1 Pet. ii, 9 ; Jer. xxxiv, 4 ; Con- fess, chap. 8, § 1, chap. 14, § 2, and chap. 17 throughout. XIII. Of Liberty of Conscience. — They further assert and declare, that the noble faculty of conscience, God's dep- uty in the soul of man, over which alone he is absolute Lord and Sovereign, is not subjected unto the authority of man ; neither are any human commands further binding upon the consciences of men, than they are agreeable unto, and founded upon the revealed will of God, whether in matters of faith or practice. And although the Lord Jesus Christ [190] has purchased a glorious liberty unto believers from sin, and all the bitter fruits thereof, and of access to a throne of grace with boldness; and has procured unto his church freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, with a more abundant communication of gospel influences : yet, inasmuch as con- science is the rule ruled, not the rule ruling, none can, with- out manifest sin, upon pretense of conscience or christian liberty, cherish any forbidden lust in their souls, nor are left at freedom to reject any of the divine ordinances instituted in the word, to change or corrupt their scriptural institution, by immixing human inventions therewith, or in the least deviating from the purity thereof. And that therefore, all who vent or maintain tenets or opinions, contrary to the established principles of Christianity, whether in the matter of doctrine, divine worship, or practice in lite, which are contrary to, and inconsistent with the analogy of faith, and power of true godliness, or destructive to that pure peace and good order established by Christ in his church, are accountable unto the church ; and upon conviction, ought to be proceeded against, by inflicting ecclesiastical censures or civil pains, in a way agreeable unto the divine determina- tion in the word concerning such offenses. And further, they declare, that it is most wicked, and what manifestly strikes against the sovereign authority of God, for any power on earth to pretend to tolerate, and, by sanc- tion of civil law, to give license to men to publish and pro- pagate with impunity, whatever errors, heresies, and damn- able doctrines, Satan, and their own corrupt and blinded un- derstandings, nvciy prompt them to believe and embrace ; toleration being destructive of all true religion, and of that liberty wherewith Clirist has made his people free ; and the great end thereof, which is, " That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we may serve tlie Lord — in holi- ness and righteousness, all the days of our lives." Agreeable to James iv, 12; Rom, xiv, 4; Acts iv, 19, and v. 29 ; 1 Cor. vii, 23 ; Matth. xxVii, 9 ; 2 John 10, 11 ; 2 Cor. i, 24 ; Matth. XV, 9 ; Col. ii, 20, 22, 23 ; Gal. ii, 4, 5, and v. 1, 13 ; Isa. viii, 20 ; Acts xvii, 11 ; Hosea v. 11 ; 1 Cor. v. 1, 5, 11, 13; Tit. 1,10,11,13, and iii, 20; Matth. xviii, 15-17 ; Deut. xiii, 6-12 ; Ezek. vii, 23, 25, 26 ; Zech. xiii, 2, 3 ; Rev. ii, 2, 14, 15, 20; Confess, chap. 20; larg. Cat. quest. 100, 103; sh. Cat. quest. 49, 50. XIV. Of Testimony-Bearing. — Again, they declare and assert, that all true believers, members of the church invis- ible, are by the indissoluble bond of the Spirit, and true faith in Christ, their Head, savinglj^ united unto, and have com- [191] munion with him in grace and in glory, in this life and the life to come. In all their afflictions, he is afflicted, and shares with them in their suH'erings and trials, is with them in and through death, exalteth them at last over all their enemies, receiving them into glory and blessedness with himself, that they may behold and share in his glory with him throuo-h eternity : and that all of them being knit and joined together in holy love and affection, do participate mutually of each, others gifts and graces ; and are indis])ensably bound to ex- ercise themselves in the practice of all commanded duties, for preserving the love of Grod, and life of grace, in their own, and one another's souls. And further, they declare that the visible church, and the members thereof, are externally in covenant with Christ their Head, have one and the same Lord, profess the same faith in doctrine and worship, receive the same seals of God's covenant, baptism, and the Lord's Supper : and are thereby bound to hold fast the Head, to be subject to his authority, keep the faith they have received, and maintain an holy communion and fellowship in the worship of God; closely abiding by the standard of Christ, their captain and leader, and lifting up the banner of divine truth, in opposition unto, and holy contempt of all their enemies of every kind. And further, they affirm, that as the visible church in general, is bound to be faithful to Christ, their Head and Lord, and to preserve, inviolate, the whole of that sacred depositum of truth wherewith she is intrusted by him, not quitting with, nor willfully apostatizing from the same, in profession or practice: so no particular subject of this spiritual kingdom of Christ can recede from any part of divine truth, which they have received, and whereof they have made profession, without lese-majesty unto the Son of God, and violation of their obligations they have come under, at receiving the seals of the covenant, with whatever other lawful vows they have made unto the Most High ; according to 1 John i, 2, 3 ; Eph. iii, 16-19 ; John i, 16 ; Heb. x, 24, 25 ; Acts ii, 42, 46 ; Eph. iv, 4-6 ; Phil, iii, 16 ; Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 3 ; Confess, chap. 2, 6 ; larg. Cat. quest. 63 ; short Cat. quest. 50. XV. Of Church Government. — They likewise affirm and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ, our exalted Immanuel, the sole and supreme Head, Lawgiver and King of his church, which is his spiritual and absolutely free and independent kingdom, has herein warranted, instituted and ai)pointed certain office bearers (who derive their mission and authority from him alone) to regulate, administer, judge and determine in all the affairs of his house, to whom alone the keys of the [192] kingdom of heaven are by him committed. Particularly, they are intrusted with the key of doctrine, to discover the mind of God, and preach Christ crucified unto sinners; the key of government for preserving that beauty of order, purity and power in the house of God, which he has enjoined should take place therein ; the key of discipline, to intlict ecclesiastical censures upon such as turn aside after their crooked ways^ or continue obstinate in their offenses ; the key of ordination and mediate mission, inordinary circumstances of the church, solemnly to set apart and send forth church officers unto that sacred function and official trust in tlie house of God, on the regular trial of the suitableness of their gifts and qualiiications for that spiritual service and min- istration ; according to 1 Cor. xii, 28 ; Eph. iv, 11 ; Matth. xviii, 19 ; John xx, 23 ; Matth. xviii, 18 ; Acts xv, through- out, and xvi, 4; Matth. xxviii, 19, 20; Mark xvi, 15 ; Acts vi, 6; 1 Tim. iv, 14, and iii, 10 ; Confess, chap. 30, § 2, 3 and 31 ; § 3. Form of church government, books of discii>line, and the several laudable acts and constitutions of this church ; particularly, Act of Assati. at Ediyibargh, August 4th 1649, Sess. 4, entitled, Directory for electing of ministers. They likewise assert and maintain, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the church's glorious Head, lialh appointed a certain form of government therein, distinct from civil goverLment, and not at all subordinate to civil rulers. And that the only ecclesiastical government warranted by Christ in his word, and to continue in his church unalterable, is presbyterial church ox)vernment, exclusive of all superior dignity above a teach- ing presbyter, and consisting in her judicative capacity of kirk sessions, in subordination to presbyteries ; of presbyteries in subordination to provincial synods ; of provincianal synods, in subordination to national ; and national to oecumenical assemblies, or general councils. And further, they assert, that the office-bearers of the Lord's house, are, according to the command, and in the name and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ, the only Lawgiver and King of his church, and by virtue of the church's intrinsic power derived from Christ, to assemble, constitute and ad- journ these several courts of his house, nominate the fixed or occasional times of their subsequent meetings, as the church's condition or exigencies require ; although they grant that the christian magistrate may, in extraordinary cases, or otherwise, call tOi-ether a synod of ministers, and other fit persons, for consultation and advice in religious matters : but in which they have no power to judge or determine in mat- ters of faith ; but only discretively to examine, whether the [198 J synod's determinations and decisions be consonant and agree- able to scripture, and accordingly to acquiesce tberein : Isa. ix, 6, 7 ; Ezek. xliii, 10, 11 ; Acts xv, 2, 4, 6 ; 1 Tim. v. 17 ; lleb. xiii, 17; 2 Chron. xix, 8-11; Acts xvii, 11 ; Confess, chap. 30, § 1 and chap. 31, § 1, 2, and conform to act of as- sendjly, anno 16-17 ; § 2, 3 ; 2d book of discipline, and pro- positions for church government. They likewise assert and maintain, that the office-bearers in the church of Christ, according to their different places and stations therein, must give evidence of their being pos- sessed in some suitable measure of the qualitications which God in his word requires to be in any that are to be placed in such stations or othces, particularly that of devotedness to the cause and honor of Christ. And they further assert, that ministers of the gospel, and other church officers, must enter into the exercise of their office, at the door of Christ's appoint- ment, by the call and choice of the christian people, wdio are capable with judgment to give their consent; 1 Tim. iii,from verse 2 to 12 ; Tit. i, 5, 6, 7 ; Acts vi, 2 to 6 ; Chap, xiv, 23 ; John X, 4, 5, and agreeable to the laudable acts and ordinances of this church and state, in favor of reformation principles, books of discipline, &c. XVI. Of Civil Government. — In like manner they assert and maintain, that God Almighty, the Sovereign Lord of all things, and special protector and preserver of his professed subjects in this lower world, hath for his own glory and the public good, authorized and instituted in his word the office and ordinance of civil government and governors, for the preservation of external peace and concord, administration of justice, defense and encouragement of such as are, and do good, and punishment of evil doers, who transgress either table of the law. For all which ends, subordinate unto that of his own glory, God, the alone supreme fountain of all power, has instituted and appointed this ordinance. And further they maintain, that a due measure of those qualifica- tions wdiich God, the great lawgiver requires in his word, together with what other stipulations, according to the same unerring rule, a christian people, who are blessed w^ith the light of divine revelation, have made the fundamental conditions of civil government among them, are essentially necessary to the constitution and investiture of lawful au- thority over such peojile. Ko other but such a constitution or investiture, can either be approven of by God, or answer the ends, ultimate or subordinate, of this ordinance, unto the honor of tlie great institutor, as appears from I'rov. vui, 15, 16; Psa. cxlvii, 19, 20, and cxlix, 6, 7, 8, 9 ; Isa. xlix, 23; [194] Rom. xiii, 1, 2, 3, 4 ; Deut. xvii, 14, 15 ; 2 Sam. xxiii, 2, 3, 4 ; Exod. xviii, 21. Confess, chap. 23, § 1. Seasonable warn- ing by the general assembly, July 27, 1649. Act 15, Sess. 2, Pari. 1, 1640. They further assert and maintain, that the constituting of the relation betwixt rulers and ruled, is voluntary and mu- tual ; and that the lawful constitution of civil magistrates, is, by the mutual election of the people (in whom is the radical right, or intermediate voice of God, of choosing and appointing such as are to sway the scepter of government over them) and consent of those who are elected and chosen for the exercise of that office, with certain stipulations according to scripture and right reason, obliging each other unto the duty of their different stations and relations. And further they affirm that when magistrates are so constituted, christians are bound by the law of God to pray for the divine blessing upon their persons and government, reverence and highly esteem them, yield a conscientious subjection and obedience to their lawful commands, defend and support them in the due exercise of their p^ower ; which power magistrates are especially to exert for the outward defense of the church of God, against all her external enemies, restraining or otherwise punishing, as the case may require, all open blas- phemers, idolaters, talse-worshipers, heretics, with all avowed contemners of the worship and discipline of the house of God ; and by his civil sanction to corroborate all the laws and ordinances of Christ's house, providing and enjoining that every thing in the house of the God of heaven, be done according to the law of the God of heaven ; Deut. xvii, 14 ; 2 Kings xi, 17 ; 1 Sam. xi, 15 ; 1 Tim. ii, 1, 2 ; 1 Peter ii, 17 ; Pom. xiii, 2 to 8 ; 2 Kings xviii, 4, and xxiii, 1 to 26 ; 2 Chron. xxix, and xxx, chapters throughout ; Ezra vii, 23. Confess, chap. 23, § 3, coronation oath of Scotland^ sworn and sub- scribed by Charles II. at Scone, January 1st, 1651, and oath of fidelity by the people. XVII. Of Corruptions in the two Preceding Ordinances. But, with respect to these two great ordinances of divine institution, the magistracy and ministry, with the qualifica- tions of the persons and duty of the people, as before asserted, the presbytery reject, like as they did, and hereby do reject and condemn the following contrary errors, tenets and opinions, whether of older or later date, vented either by open enemies or professed friends to the reformation cause. And, 1. They reject and condemn that loose latitudinarian tenet and opinion of opening the door of communion with [195] the church in her judicative capacity, or sealing ordinances, unto the grossly ignorant, loose, careless, profane and scanda- lous : and to the antichristian deist, blasphemous heretic, or any who maintain doctrines, principles and opinions con- trary to, and eversive of the cardinal and fundamental doc- trines of Christianity, or such principles and practices as oppose, obscure or darken the church's beauty and purity, and spoil her of her power, and particularly that of the church of Scotland^ in her attainments in reformation ; this being evidently destructive and ruinous to truth and holiness, the only foundation and basis of external union and concord in the church, and consequently of all durable, harmonious and comfortable communion among the ministers and members of Christ's mystical body : See Eph. v, 11 ; Isa. viii, 20 ; Amos iii, 3 ; 1 Cor. vi, 10 ; Ileb. xii, 14 ; Rev. xxii, 14, 15 ; 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18 ; and conform to the acts and practice of this church, in her best and purest times, in excluding from her communion, and refusing to unite with any chargeable as above. Again, they hereby reject that false and ungodly principle and opinion. That a God of infinite wisdom has left his professing people destitute of any declaration of his will (which they are absolutely bound to regard) concerning both the institution, administration and qualifications of such persons as should administer these two distinct ordinances, government, civil and ecclesiastical ; or that these two different species of government have not their foundation and institution, as the ordinances of God, in his revealed will ; but that either (with the corrupt revolution church) he hath left the government of his house a matter of indiffer- ence, and the pattern thereof to be moulded by the discre- tion of the wise men of this world, and according to the corrupt will and fluctuating inclination of the people; or, with their public resolution-brethren, the Seceders, ex- changing the clear scriptural and covenant basis of civil gov- ernment, with the obscure foundation of the law and light of nature, or the more dissolute basis of mere election and acknowledgment of whomsoever the primores regni^ though never so wicked and licentious, choose and set up as magis- trates. Which notion contains an injurious and impious impeachment of divine revelation, as a rule imperfect and insufficient to guide christians into the knowledge of the will of God, and their duty, as the peculiar and professed subjects of the King of kings, and supreme lawgiver, con- cerning all his ordinances; and is contrary to 2 Tim. iii, 16 ; Rom. ii, 14 ; Ezek. xliii, 11 ; and xliv, 5 ; Lev. xviii, 2, 3, 4, 5 ; Matt, xxviii, 20. Confess, chap. 23, § 3. [196] They in like manner reject and condemn the ecclesiastical headship of the church, blasphemously arrogated by that man of sin, and son of perdition the Pope of Rome; with all that superiority of dig'n.ity and office in the house of God,, claimed by antichristian prelates, together with the whole of their hierarchical order, and the civil places and power of churchmen, by both usurped ; which is a most wicked attempt to overturn God the Father's deed, constituting his Son Christ, sole King and Head of his church, an exauctorating of Jesus Christ from his throne, and headship in his church, an elevation of his ministers, contrary to his will, and the nature and ends of their office ; and an antiscriptural and confused blending together of diiferent and distinct ordi- nances. Psa. ii,6; Isa. ix, 6, and xxii, 24; Col. i, 18; Mark X, 42,43 ; Luke xxii, 25, 26 ; 1 Pet. v,B ; 2 Chron. xix, 12 ; 1 Cor. vii, 2. Confess, chap. 25, § 6, and contrary to our solemn covenants, and many acts and ordinances of both church and state, in times of reformation. They likewise reject and condemn that gross Erast'an principle, That the civil magistrate is supreme head over all persons, and in all causes, ecclesiastical as well as civil, whether in more ancient and later times of tyranny and })ersecution, openly and blasphemously usurped, or at and since the Revolution, more craftily yet too manifestly claimed ; as appears from the 37th article of the church of England^ and king's declaration prefixed to the said articles : and is further evident from the many encroachments made upon the royal dignity and headship of Christ, by the usurpers of his throne, practically vesting themselves with power and authority to convene and adjourn at their pleasure, and give laws and ordinances to the church, which is a daring attack on the prerogative, sovereignty, wisdom and power of her absolute King and Lord, on whom, as a nail fastened in a sure place, his Father has hung all the glory of his house, and vested him with the sole sui>remacy over the same, being filled abundantly with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, with the spirit of counsel and of might, to direct and preside in the management of all her concerns, and to preserve from and overcome all her enemies ; Isa. xxii, 24, and xi, 2, 3, and ix, 6 ; Col. i, 18 ; Eph. i, 22; 2 Chr. xxvi, 18; lleb. v, 4; Confess, chap. 25, §6. They also reject and condemn that Erastian tenet and opinion, that the whole or any part of the power, mission, qualifications, or administration of ecclesiastical officers, or ministers of the church of Chr.st, depends upon the authority [197] tind dicfation of the civil magistrate, because it is manifestly destructive of the church's power and authority, under Christ her Head, and derived from him, and likewise of the ministerial freedom and faithfulness of Christ's embassadors : and particularly they reject and condenni, as gross Eras- tianism (whether practiced before or since the Revolution, and especially since the incorporating union with England^ on terms diametrically op[)Osite to our covenant union), the civil magistrate's limiting the mission of office-bearers in the church, according to his will ; prescribing certain qualifica- tions, and restricting to certain limitations ; such as the test, indulgences, allegiance, assurance, and abjuration oaths, act restoring patronages, and the act anent Porteous^ together with the threatened deprivation of office and benefice, upon non-compliance; 1 Cor. xii, 28; Matt, xviii, 17,18; John XX, 23. They further reject and condemn that Erastian opinion, that the external government of Christ's house is left unto the precarious determination of sinful men, or hath either its immediate or mediate dependence upon the will and pleasure of the civil magistrate, according to the import of the claim of right, the antiscriptural basis of the revolution settlement. Th s being evidently an impious reflection on the perfect wisdom of the church's Head, subversive of the beauty of his house, and fertile of disorder therein, laying the kingdom of Christ obnoxious to spiritual tyranny and oppression, when strangers, enemies, or such as have no call or warrant to build the house of the Lord, put to their hand to model the form of her government as best suits their per- verse inclinations and secular views, in express contradiction to the will and law of the God of heaven, Exod. xxv, 40, and xxvi, 30 ; Ezek. xliii, 11 ; 1 Chron. xv, 12, 13 ; i*^eh. ii, 20, with many other texts above cited. Again they reject and condemn the latitudinarian tenet, That the Lord Jesus Christ, the alone Head of the church, hath left his house void of any particular form of govern- ment, of divine institution exclusive of all other, under the New Testament dispensation: which is a manifest reflection upon his fidelity to him who appointed him, and most absurd to suppose of him who is true and faithful, as a Son over his ow^n house, and contrary to Isa. ix, 6, 7 ; 1 Tim. v, 17 ; Heb. iii, 2, 3, 5 ; 1 Cor. xii, 28 ; Rom. xii, 6, 7, 8; Acts XX, 17, 28 ; Matt, xxviii, 20. Confess, chap. 30, § 1, and to the propos tions for church government. They further reject and condemn that sectarian princ"ple ^nd tenet, whether in former or latter times maintained. [198] that a kirk session, or particular congregational eldership, i& vested with equal ecclesiastical power and authority, with any superior judicatory, and is neither subordinate nor ac- countable to them (in the Lord) in their determinations. They likewise reject as sectarian. That the community of the faithful or professing christians, in a private station hath any scriptural warrant for public teaching, or judicative de- termination in the church ; both which opinions are not only expressly contrary to scripture, Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4 ; 1 Cor. v, 4 ; 1 Tim. v. 17 ; Ileb. v, 4, and xiii, 17, &c.,. but also have been found hitherto most hurtful and danger- ous to the church of God, depriving her ministers and mem- bers of just and necessary recourse to superior judgment and decision in matters difficult, discrediting and prostituting- the sacred office of the ministry, and tending to overthrow a standing ministry in the church of Christ, and subvert that comely and beautiful order he hath prescribed therein. In like manner they reject and condemn that gross inva- sion and encroachment upon the church's liberties, by the intrusion of popish patronages, whether imposed as a law by civil, or executed by ecclesiastical powers. Of the latter of these, the ministers and judicatories of the now corrupt, harlot Church of Scotland^ cannot but be more egregiously guilty. The nature of their sacred function and trust obliges them to preserve inviolate the church's freedom and liberties: but in place of this, their hands are chief in the trespass^ in an authoritative and active enforcement of this wicked act — an act evidently destructive of the very nature and essence of that mutual relation between pastor and peo- ple, and which has the native and necessary tendency to- schism in the church, spiritual leanness, and starving of the flock, by thrusting in idle, idol shepherds upon them, such as serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies ; feed themselves, but not the flock ; and seek not them, but theirs, contrary to John x, 2, 9 ; Heb. v, 4 ; 1 Tim. iii, 3 ; 1 Cor. xii, 14; with many more ; and to acts of both church and state, in times of reformation in these covenanted lands. But, on the other hand, that the presbytery, when thus condescending on particulars, pass not over in sinful silence, w^hat stands opposite to the word of God and their declared principles, as above concernng civil authority, the adminis- trators thereof, and subjection of the jieople thereto: they reject, likeas they hereby reject and condemn that antiscript- ural principle and opinion, that the divine scriptural ordin- ance of magistracy has not its foundation in the moral pre- ceptive law of God (wherein alone his will is revealed and [199] declared unto his people, concerning the nature, use, and ends of all his ordinances), bat in the subjective light of nature (even as corrupted), so confused and dark in its dis- coveries, so gross and seliish in its principles, motives and ends, that neither the true nature of this, nor any other of the ordinances of Jehovah, as revealed in his word, can hereby be known, or the true use and ends thereof sufficiently discovered or obtained. They likewise testify against, and reject that equally ab- surd opinion, as a stream flowing from the foresaid corrupt fountain, that the office, authority, and constitution of law- ful magistrates, does not solely belong to professing christ- ians, in a christian reformed land, but that the election and choice of any one whosoever, made by the civil body (whether Pagan, Papist, Atheist, Deist, or other enemy to God, to man, and to true religion), makes up tlie whole of what is essential to the constitution of a lawful magistrate accord- ing to God's ordinance. A tenet contrary to the light and dictates both of reason and scripture. And they hereby also disclaim that corrupt notion, that all providential magistrates, who are, and while they are acknowledged by any civil society, especial l}^ in an apostate backsliding land and people from the scriptural standard (in respect to the origin of their office), are also preceptive ; and that the office and authority of all so constituted and ac- knowledged, in itself considered, does equally arise from, and agree unto the preceptive will of God, contrary to script- ural precepts, Deut. xvii, 18 ; what falls under scri[)tural re- proof, Hos. viii, 4 ; and what greatly depreciates the valiant contendings of our honored ancestors for civil reformation, and tends to invalidate their deeds of constitutiun there- anent. Again the presbytery testifies against, and condemns that principle, that the christian people of God ought to give explicit acknowledgment of, implicit subjection and obedi- ence to, whatever civil authority (though most wicked and unlawful) the Lord in his holy providence, may, for the trial and punishment of his church, permit a backsliding people to constitute and set up, without regard to the precept of his word. And they hereby reject whatever in opposition to the covenanted principles of the Church of Scotland, does justly, and in its own nature imply a voluntary and real acknowledgment of the lawfulness of the title and authority of an antiscr.ptural, anticovenanted, and Erastian govern- ment, constituted ui)on the ruins of our scriptural covenant- ed reformation. Particularly, they testify against praying [200] for success and prosperity to sucl), in their stated opposition to the Lord and his Anointed, or in any form implying a homologation of their title as lawful, swearing oaths of lidelity and allegiance to such, accepting any office from such, and execattng these in their name and authority under them, military associations with such, by a voluntary enlist- ing under their banner, and lighting for their su[)port and establishment. And that in regard these are actions, as they express a proper and explicit owning of the lawfulness of that authority, which they immediately respect, so they are such as cannot be obtained without the actual consent of the party performing, and must therefore imply a deliberate ap- probation of foresaid iniquitous authority. Further, they testify against a direct and active, free and voluntary paying of tribute and other dues, unto such, and that for conscience sake, as unto the ordinance of God, ac- cording to his precept ; and particularly, when these dues are required as a tessera of loyalty to such ; or when re- quired, as an evidence of a person's active contributing to the accomplishment of some wicked action, expressly de- clared to be the immediate end of the imposition. Thus the case was in the time of persecution, when tlie declared end of the additional cess, was the immediate suppression of the pure ])reaching of the gospel in the fields. As also, not only against professed witnesses for reformation princi- ples, their prosecuting of their witnessing brethren at law before the courts of antiscriptural, unqualilied judges ; but generally, against all law processes, in a way of direct count- eracting any part of reformation attainments, or exja-ess ho- mologating the authority of an unlawful judge. And, in fine, "against all voluntary subjection for conscience sake, unto such powers as are not the ordinance of God, according to his revealed preceptive will, as contrary to scripture ; 2 Sam. ii, IC ; 2 Kings xi, 4, 17; 2 Chron. xix, 2 ; Isa. viii, 12 and Ixv, 11 ; Rom. xiii, 1 to 8 ; 1 Cor. vi, 1 to 8, contrary to the acts of this church a])proving, and ordinances of the state, establishing the civil autho\-ity upon its scriptural foundation, and thereby discovering the proper object of a christian peo|)le's voluntary and conscientious subjection ; and particularly, to the act of classes. AVliile in the mean- time, it must be acknowledged, that the state and condition of Presbyterian Covenanters in these lands, continuing, as a community, to witness and contend for reformation of both church and state, that obtained, and was established, be- tween 1638 and 1650, cannot be regarded as that of a free people enjoying their ancient privileges and liberties, but as [201] that of an oppressed people, brought under the power of a conqueror, and no better than captives in their own land. As this was evidently the state of the suffering remnant under the persecuting [)eriod, when, by the force of the sword, they were robbed of their former liberties, and re- duced to the most deplorable condition: so, however the Revolution did alter some circumstances in the condition of Covenanters; yet, in regard it was established upon, and did homologate the overthrow of the reformation, to which that people do still adhere, it could make no substantial €hange in their condition, from what it formerly was. ^ And moreover, as it is necessarily requisite to the constituting of the relation between magistrate and people, that there be a mutual and voluntary consent; and as the community of Presbyterian Covenanters did never, at or since the Revolu- tion, give such consent ; but, on the contrary, have, in the most public manner, protested against the constitution and installment of rulers in agreeableness thereto, as being con- trary to the word of God, covenanted constitution, and fundamental laws of the nations ; as is evident from their printed testimonies and declarations. It follows, that their state is that of an oppressed people, in passive subjection to a conquering power, whose duty is, to wait with patience upon Israel's God for his return to revive his work, and re- call the bondage of his Zion. And wliile they are to take care to do nothing that justly implies their consent to the continued opposition made unto the covenanted reformation, yet they ought to observe a proper difference between such actions and things as are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful, by a moral obligation, and those that are not so. As also, between that which cannot be had, nor the value or equivalent of it, unless the person actually give it ; and that which may be obtained, whether he acutually contrib- ute to it or not.^ Most applicable to this our present con- * It has been complained b}^ some, that the sense of l)Oth the members of this parliciilar para<;raph is obscure, and not so intelli,iz;ib1e as it should be to many readers; but this complaint seems rather to arise from the want of proper attention and consideration, than from any other cause. As to the first branch of the sentence, Among — '-Such acticms and things as are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful by a moral obligation" — may be reckoned the payment of county tolls on highways and l)ridges, for the benefit of an easy and commodious passage — kceiiing watch in cities which have no settled or regular guard, to prevent public damage by fire or other- wise. In like manner the payment of custom in public markets or fairs, or of town dues, all of which, being intended for the benefit of pul)lic corpor- atiress a i)roper and exi)licil acknowledgment of the lawfulness of that authority which they immediately respect. [203] By all which it appears, from what is above asserted and declared concerniiio^ these two divine distinct ordinances, the ministry and magistracy, that the principles maintained thereanent by the presbytery, are nothing else than an en- deavor, as a judicatory of the Lord Jesus Christ, constituted in his name, to hold fast the church oi Scotland'' s testimony^ agreeable to the scriptures of truth, her confession and covenants, fundamental acts and constitutions both of church and state; and this, according to the command of the church's sole King and Head ; Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 11. And what is testified against, is, in the nature of it, an homolo- gation of the church's faithful opposition to backsliders, in their course of defection, from the national attainments in religion and reformation, resisting even unto blood, striving against sin. XVIII. Of Oaths and Vows.— The presbytery further assert and declare, that oaths and vows are a part of religious worship, warranted in the word of God, and under the Xew Testament dispensation, and may be lawfully taken and en- tered into by the Lord's people. That such oaths and vows only are warrantable, as are lawful both for the matter and the manner of them ; and those that are so, w^hen once engaged in, must not be violated on any consideration, and that, because of the authority of the awful name of God interposed in them. And further, they declare, that the right of administering oaths is competent only to those vested with such authority as is agreeable to the vyord of truth. As also, that it is the incunibent duty of christians, by solemn oath to bind themselves to maintain and defend the persons of righteous rulers, in the lawful exercise of their authority ; and to such only, it is lawful to swear oaths of allegiance and fidelity. And hereby, they disapprove the principle of refusing allegiance to lawful authority. At the same time, the presbytery testify against, as above, all the oaths of allegiance in being, to an Erastian prelatical gov- ernment. And further, they reject and detest that sinful,, idolatrous and superstitious form of swearing, in laj'ing the hand upon, and kissing the gospels, practiced by the pre- latical churches of England and Ireland^ and even intro- duced into Scotland, as a gross profanation of that holy ord- inance, and contrary to the scripture examples thereof. Hereby they also testify against all sinful swearing, whereby the name of God, his titles, perfections, or graces of his Holy Spirit, are profaned in ordinary discourse. As also, the un- necessary oaths of customhouse, trade, &c., as a reiterated and fearful profanation of the name of God. And more- [204] over, they testify against, and condemn that ungodly and superstitious oath, practiced hy that unhallowed cluh, called Free Masons: according to ]-)eut. x, 20; Exod. xx, 7; Xeh. xiii, 21 ; Ezra x, 5 ; Deut. vi, 13 ; Matth. iv, 35, 36; Ezek. xvii, 16, 17, 18, 19 ; Rev. x, 5, 6 ; Jer. iv, 2, and v, 2 ; Con- fess, chap. 22. Again, tliey testify and declare, that the work of solemn covenanting with a God in Christ, is a duty warranted in the script ui-es of the Old and New Testament, and by the exami)les of the godly, agreeable thereto; and that not only to individuals in particular, but to churches and nations in general. Which covenants once entered into, and being for the niatter of them lawful, are most sacred, and therefore inviolably binding; and what cannot be broken or trans- gressed, without manifest guilt, and incurring the dreadful resentment of a holy and jealous God, Avho has severely threatened to punish covenant-breakers. And hence they assert, that the National Covenant of Scotland, ancj the Solemn League and Covenant entered into by the three nations, for reformation and defense of religion, and for the maintenance and preservation of the truths and ordinances of God in purity, and sworn by our honored ancestors, not only for themselves, but including also their posterity^ are of divine authority, as having their foundation upon the word of God ; therefore moral, and so perpetually binding upon the nations, and every individual of them, to the latest posterity. Wherefore, the presbytery testify against the princii)le of refusing tlie lawfulness of national coVenanting, particularly, under the New Testament dispensation, and all principles and practices that strike against the moral obliga- tion of these covenants ; see Deut. vi, 13 ; Isa. ix, 18, and xliv, 5 ; Jer. 1, 5 ; Deut. xxix, 12 to 16, 24, 25 ; Lev. xxvi, 25, 26 ; Josh, ix, 14, 15, 18, 19; 2 Sam. xxi, 1 ; Ezek. xvi, 59, and xvii, 15, 16, 18, 19 ; Dos. x, 4 ; Gal iii, 15 ; 2 Cor. viii, 5. See also acts and ordinances both of church and state in times of reformation, respecting the taking, and binding obligation, of the covenants. Again, the presbytery hereby testify and declare their approbation of, and adherence unto, all the ditfe rent steps of reformation, that ever, in any period, were attained unto in this church and laud : particularly, besides what has been mentioned above, they declare their adherence to the West- minster Confession of Faith, as it was ai)proven by act of the General Assend)ly of the Church of Scotland, anno 1647 ; Catechisms, larger and shorter ; Form of church government, Directory for worship, and Books of Disci[>line, as agreea- ble to, and extracted from the sacred oracles. [205] And with respect ^to the fourth article of the 23d chapter of our Confession, the presbytery hereby declare, that they reject that corru[)t sense and gloss which has been imposed upon it, whether by 0|)en enemies, or false friends to our covenanted reformation in former or latter times, viz: That a reformed christian people, having generally received, and publicly professing the true religion ; and more es- specially, having expressly and solemnly bound themselves by public national vows to the Most High, for the preserva- tion of it, may warrantably set over them an infidel, or one of a religion differing from the true religion, and thereupon acknowledge and submit themselves unto him, as their law-, ful civil ruler for conscience sake. And moreover, they de- clare that they understand said article, as principally re- lating to the condition of a people emerging out of the darkness and superstition of Paganism or Poj)ery, &c., before that religion has obtained the sanction of civil authority ; when, although the major part or bulk of a people should embrace the true religion, yet that does not dissolve or loose the relation subsisting between them and their civil rulers, prior to their conversion, agreeble to, and founded upon the just and reasonable laws of the realm. In this case only, it is granted, that an infidel, or one of a different religion, may have authority just and legal over a people partly con- verted to the knowledge and gosj)el of Christ. Thus it was with the primitive christians, and thus it was particularly with our ancestors in Scotland^ at the beginning of the refor- mation ; and this perfectly well agrees to the apostolic pre- cept and determination in a case similar to the above ; 1 Cor. vii, 12, 13 and 39, and 2 Cor. vi, 14. As also, they further declare their approbation of, and adherence to all the faithful testimonies, declarations and protestations, emitted by the witnesses for the work of reformation, whether before or under the late times of tyranny and persecution, in prisons, scaffolds, or in the fields, by land or sea ; or by such, as since that time have succeeded them in the self same testimony, as they are founded upon, and agreeable to the word of truth, and as a just and })ro[)er vindication of foresaid covenanted cause. And particularly with the above proviso and limitation, they declare their adherence to the liiitherglen^ Scwquhar and Lanerk declarations, avnis 1679, 1680, 1682 ; as also to the declarations published at Sanquhar, 1683, 1684, 1692, and 1695, 1703, 1707 ; to the informatory vindication, and cloud of witnesses; to the covenants national and solemn league, sworn at Auchensaugh, near Douglas, in the year 1712, at Crawfard- [206] John 1745 ; with the additional acknowledgments of sins, and engao;ement8 to duties at these times ; to the declara- tions pubfislied at Sanquhar^ 1718, and at Moniherrick^ 1740, 1741. And in like manner, they testify their adherence to the Ad formerly emitted by this presbytery, in condemna- tion of the universal scheme. And they do hereby testify against, and disapprove all partiality and unfaithfulness, whether in respect of right or left hand extremes, in any tes- timonies, published in a way of professed adherence to re- formation principles ; particularly, they reject the testimony published by those designated the Associate Presbytery^ as no adequate testimony for truth, because of the partiality and unfaithfulness, both to God and the generation, discovered therein ; being, instead of a faithful vindication, no better than a burial of some of the most important attainments in reformation of this church and land. And they likewise reject, detest and abhor that spurious brat, stuffed with gross error, blasphemy and nonsense, most falsely and unjustly designated, "A testimony for the w^ord of Christ's patience," by tliat sacrilegious usurper of the ministry, William Dunnet, who, being once plunged into the depths of enthusiasm, such is his madness, that under pretense of an immediate mission from heaven, he not only daringly usurps the whole of the ministerial function, but also wickedly claims an Erastian exercise of the office of the civil magistrate, in a stupid un- accountable declaration of war, offensive and defensive, against all mankind, himself, and his blind-folded con- federates only excepted ; having pro])ably had these anti- scriptural notions instilled into him b}^ the industry of some unstable heads, who, after they had made a professed subjec- tion to this presbytery, in the Lord, did, with some others of the same stamp, in a most unwarrantable and schismatical manner, break off' from their communion, without so much as discovering any shadow of reason, in justification of their rash, ungrounded and precipitate separation. Upon the whole, the presbytery, protesting that they have been influenced to this necessary w^ork of displaying a ju- dicial banner for the covenanted cause and interest of our exalted Redeemer, purely out of a regard to the glory of God, a desire that Christ's kingdom may be advanced, and his buried truths revived, as also a concern for the welfare and hajipiness of the present and succeeding generatioi\s, do earnestly, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, beseech and obtest all and every one, into whose hands this testi- mony may come, that, without considering the insignificancy of the instruments, and laying aside prejudice and carnal [ 207 ] selfish considerations, they receive the truth as it is in Jesus, not only in the notion, hut in the love and power of it ; that they take with the many just and highly-aggravated grounds of the Lord's controversy, and causes of his wrath against us, not only on account of private and personal wickedness come to a very great height, hut particularly on account of the general opposition to the public concerns of his glory, in \vhat respects the doctrine, worship, government and disci- pline of his house. Alas ! our public abominations are both obstinately persisted in and publicly justified. That they lay to heart the great and terrible wickedness of the day and generation, with deep humiliation before the Lord, while he waits to be gracious, and is calling all ranks to humble themselves, and saying, " Rend your heart and not \^our garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful ;" Joel ii, 13. That, in the way of flying under the covert of the atoning blood of the Son ot God,'by faith in his name, for the remission of sins, and endeavoring after personal reformation, as to all the impiety and irreligion, all the detestable inditferency, lukewarmness and hypocrisy, in the matters of God, which universally prevail ; they also study and set about public reformation, every one in their several stations, according to our solemn national engagements, concurring to restore the Lord's ruined and buried work, and rebuild his house, which is now lying as a desolate heap, covered over with the rubbish of manifold errors, corruptions and human inventions. If we still hold fast our abominations, and will not, by repentance and reformation, return and give glory to the Lord our God before he cause darkness, then, when he returns for the salva- tion of Zion, " lie will come treading down the people in his anger, and making them drunk in his fury, and bringing down their strength to the earth ;" Isa. Ixiii, 6. "But is there no hope in Israel concerning this thing ? Is there no balm in Gilead F Is there pot a physician there ?" Is there not virtue in Christ's blood for the most desperate cases, that churches, as well as particular persons, can be in? Is there not ground to hope, that the Lord will not altogether forsake these sinful lands, which were given to him of old for an inheritance, and wherein he has so long maintained his pos- session, but that he will yet build up our Zion, ^uc\ appear in his glory therein, will plead his own cause, revive his own work, a covenanted work of reformation, and remove all the contempt and ignominy which it presently lies under? Sure the continuance of his gracious calls and invitations to return to him, gives ground to hope, that our " Israel hath [208] not been forsaken, nor Jadah of his God, of the Lord of Hosts, though their land was filled with sin against the holy One of Israel;'' Jer. li, 5. And though, while so much of error, prejudice and carnal interest, lie as impassable moun- tains in the way, there is little ap[)earance of the nations taking this course ; yet the Lord seems still to bes[)eak us in that endearing language, Jer. iii, 12, " Go and proclaim these words towards the no"rth, and say, Heturn thou backsliding Israel^ saith the Lord, and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you ; for I am merciful, saith the Lord, and I will not keep anger forever." Though we have naticnially torn our marriage contract with heaven, and taken awav our names, yet the Lord has not. Turn^ backsliding children., saith the Lord., for I am married unto you. Let all, then, repent^ and turn themselves from all their transgressions, so ini- quity shall not he their ruin; but if not, then let all the imi)enitent despisers of the repeated calls of mercy know, that abused patience will at length turn into fury, and the Lord Jehovah, who has already furbished his sword, and prepared the instruments of death, will speedily give that dreadful commission to the executioners of his wrath : '' Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe ; come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for their wickedness is great :" Joel iii, 13. ^' But because God will do this to Israel, let us prepare to meet our God." Further, the presbytery invite and entreat all who tender the glory of God, the removal of the causes of his wrath and indignation, and who desire the continuance of his tabernacle and gracious pres- ence among us, to come and join in a harmonious, zealous and faithful testimony for the precious truths and interest of Zion's glorious King, and against every course that has a tendency to heighten, and at last to lay on the copestone of our defections. Consider it is the Lord's call and command to every one, even in their most private station. Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints: It is the burden he, at this day, lays on his church and people: Hold fast tvhat thou hast till I come., that no man take thy crown; hold fast by our former attainments in reformation. And finally, the- presbytery exhort all with whom they are more particularly connected, To stand fast in one spirit., with one mind., striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified by your adversaries. Let the fiame of fervent and true love to God,, his truths, and to one another, prevent and extinguish the wild fire of unnecessary and hurtful mutual animosities; and endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, study oneness in promoting the Lord's opposed work^ [209] and in walking in the good old way, without turning aside to the right hand or to the left, hecause of the lion that is therein, and without laying other foundations than what were laid. Let none of Christ's true and faithful witnesses suffer their hearts to sink into despondency ; the cause is the Lord's, and assuredly he will thoroughly plead that cause which is his own. It will outlive all its enemies, and yet have a glorious resurrection ; and this will be the crown and comfort of all such as continue, amidst all trials and suffer- ings, contending for him, in the blessed expectation of the conqueror's everlasting reward. Therefore, lift up the hands that hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees; greater afflic- tions have been accomplished in those that are gone before, and are now inheriting the promises, than any wherewith the Lord is presently trying his church. And as the God of all grace, after they had suffered awhile, made them perfect, and put them in possession of that eternal glory to which they were called by Jesus Christ, so shall he establish, strengthen and keep his people still from falling, and, after all their sorrows and sufferings, present them faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy. " Return, we beseech thee, God of Ilosts; look down from heaven, and behold and visit this vine; and the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself, it is burnt with lire, it is cut down, they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon th« man of thy right hand, upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself, so will not we go back from thee ; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name ; turn us again, Lord of Hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved : Let God arise, let Zion's immortal and omnipo- tent King Jesus reign, and let all his enemies be scattered ; but let them that love him be as the sun, when he goeth forth in his might." Extracted by JO. TIIORBURl!^, Pr. Clk. [210] ADDENDA. In addition to what is said (in pages preceding, respecting the establishment of Popery in Canada), the presbytery deeply lament, that, in the present edition of their Testimony, they are furnished with fresh matter to animadvert upon the con- tinued tendency of the British administration in favor of the religion of Antichrist. Not long after the civil establishment of Popery in Can- ada, new privileges, civil and religious, were bestowed upon the professors of that religion at home, both in England and Ireland, by which Catholics have received toleration, under the sanction of law, openly to profess and practice their idolatry, to open seminaries of learning, for the public in- struction of youth in their own religion, and to purchase and transfer estates to their Popish relations, in direct oppo- sition to the established laws of the land, framed by our Protestant ancestors, under the sense of felt necessity, whereby Catholics were laid under disabilities, as to the en- joyment of those privileges, which they saw to be inconsist- ent with the peace of the state and safety of the Protestant religion on account of the barbarous massacres committed by Catholics upon Protestants, and the numerous hostile attempts made to overturn, by violence, the Protestant re- ligion witliin these lands, as proceeding from the sanguinary spirit of Popery. The modern plea set up in favor of those privileges being conferred upon Popery, that the Catholics of this day have candidly renounced the whole of their old principles which they held, as inimical to a Protestant country, never can be adniitted, while they still retain the most dangerous of all their principles, viz : implicit faith in the doctrines of supreme councils, and the dispensing author- ity of the Pope. Against this sinful indulgence granted to Popery, the presbytery testified at the time, in a separate piece, entitled, A Testimony and Warning against the Blas- phemies and Idolatries of Popery, &c., to which they still refer the reader. An attempt also was made to extend a similar indulgence to Catholics in Scotland, but which was happily frustrated through the zealous exertions of the peo- ple, who, })leading the established laws of the land, boldl}^ reclaimed against the measure, which produced the desired eifect of compelling the government to desist. But alas ! no sooner was the popular zeal cooled, than government 30wed tares by enlarging the privileges of Catholics with [211] regard to civil property. The deplorable fact now is, that Popery, basking in the sunshine of legislative power, ad- vanced to the legal possession of new privileges, and shielded by a formal toleration in the neighboring kingdoms, may be considered as enjoying the actual protection of government in Scotland. Iii Ireland, privileges of a still more exalted nature are bestowed upon Popery, while the Catholic is so far enfranchised, that, in conjunction with the Protestant, he may give his voice for members to serve in the legisla- ture of his country. What greatly adds to the evil is, the lamentable alteration of public opinion, so lately displayed against the measures of government in former^ indulgences bestowed upon the Catholic interest ; but which has now changed into an entire approbation thereof, both by the great body of the people and the minority in the two houses of Parliament ; and the only complaint against government on that score is, that, stopping short of meeting just claims of Catholics, they have not ingrafted them into all the priv- ileges ot* British subjects, and forever done away the odious distinction between Protestant and Catholic, as to privilege. When we open our eyes to the measures of the present day, we behold still more abominations. The government so faf from remembering whence they are fallen, repenting and doing their first works, have started again in the cause of Antichrist, by leaguing themselves in a military expedition with a group of Popish despots on the continent, who have long given their power to the beast ; of this expedition one object evidently appears to be the re-establishment and sup- port of Popery in France, where under the administration of the omnipotent, and avenging holy providence of God, in the pouring out of the vials of his wrath upon the beast, that false religion has received a sore and bleeding wound, and where the people, long crushed under the tyranny ot* a des- potic throne, and usurpation of an imposing priesthood, have risen to extricate themselves from the accumulated oppress- ion, and by their astonishing efforts have shaken off the Papal yoke, by renouncing their accustomed allegiance^ to the head of the Antichristian states at Rome, have with- drawn their wonted supplies from his treasures, and com- pletely overthrown the temporal power of his religion in their own country, which had for many ages kept them in fetters. If any doubt should be entertained with regard to the support afforded to the sinking cause of Popery in France by this expedition, the declaration published by the brother of the late King of France, stiling himself Louis XYIII, at the head of the emigrants in arms, exhibits the [212] fact in the clearest point of view, while he plainly and un- equivocally says, in that declaration, that their designs are the erection of the throne and altar, by which are meant the civil government and the Catholic religion, as they existed in France prior to the revolution. Britain, not satistied with sending forth numerous hosts to the lield abroad and lavish- ing her treasures to sup})ly the exhausted finances of the coalesced powers, has opened her arms at home to receive Hying emigrants, caressed by her, as if they had been sutfer- ers in the cause of genuine Christianity. By the voice of Episcopal dignitaries the Popish clergy have been extolled, as men of the most eminent piety, while places have been furnished by government, to accommodate them in their mass service ; and a branch of the bloody house of Bourbon, whom divine vengeance has reduced to the abject state of a w^andering exile, is admitted among us, with all marks of honor, and, with his train, provided for, as if he were a zealous supporter of the Protestant cause, seeking an asylum from the rage of Papal persecution in this reformed land. It cannot escape the notice of the attentive observer, how closely the crown of Britain has become allied to this false religion, in consequence of the conquest of the island of Corsica, and the accession of the crown of that island to the crown of Britain. According to the new constitution of Corsica, the King of Great i3ritain, as represented by his viceroy, makes an essential branch of the parliament, all the acts whereof must be assented to by him, in order to give them the force of law. Now, it is to be remarked, that in this constitution Popery is expressly declared to be the only established religion in the island ; it is therefore agreed to be divided into districts, to be filled up with ministers of the Catholic religion, endowed with legal maintenance. So the king of Britain, as wearing the Corsican crown, engages to unite this constitutional establishment of tiie Catholic re- ligion, the king of Great Britain, as the king of Corsica, gives his firm assent. Moveover, to provide for the more extensive propagation of Popery in Corsica, the legislature stipulate to consult with the 8ee of Rome ; here, also, he engages to join the wisdom of his counsels to those of the Pope, for the express purpose of giving a wider spread to popery. If the prophet Jehu accused Jehoshaphat, though a good prince, when he was returning from a military exhibition with Ahab, king of Israel, in such cutting language; 2 Chron. xix, 2, Shouldbt thou help the ungodly^ and love them that hate the Lord, f there- fore is wrath upon thee from the Lord: in what words shall we pronounce upon this conduct of Britain, in mixing with [218] her politics and wars, active measures to raise ascain the falling Dagon of popery from the threshhold, and to help forward the interests of a religion which the Lord has solemnly declared he will destroy with the judgments of his hand and the brightness of his coming. Besides the iniquity of the thing itself, in giving direct aid to this religion, our guilt derives great aggravations from a view of the present dispensations of Providence in visibly sending down terrible judgments (no matter through what rough hands) upon that antichristian power, that has long sat upon many waters ; and the loud voice of Jehovah is uttering, on the awful crisis of its downfall, to all the fearers of his name to escape a share in its judgments, by flying away from all communion Avith its evils ; liev. xviii, 4, Come out of her., my 'people^ thai ye he not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her 'plagues. But, blind to his avenging hand, and deaf to this summons, Great Britain, once without, is now again returning into a most unlawful communion to support this adjudged power, by which she constitutes herself a partner in its s.ns, and thereby exposes herself to a portion of its plagues. In vain will it be urged as a plea of justification, that the authors of the revolution in France, having over- turned the constitution of their own country, and spread desolation through the wide extent of it, menaced other nations, and us also ; and that, therefore, Britain, acting on the first principle of nature's law, self-preservation, joined the allied powers for her own defense. Though the presby- tery are by no means to be understood as giving their sutfrage for the lawfulness and justice of the war on our side; yet, for the sake of argument, allowing the plea — what then ? Will this sanctify the measures adopted by Britain, in recover- ing, supporting and propagating the cause of popery, that the conquest of the enemy, and her own safety are the ends ultimately to be gained by them? The Christiaii maxim, that evil is not to be done that good may come, binds as strongly nations as individuals. Popery is not a local evil ; it is still the mystery of iniquity, as much in France, and in Corsica, as it is in Great Britain ; it is everywhere the forbid- den fruit, not to be touched. If the security of a Protestant country is to be sought for, in dependence upon, or in any state of connection with the co-existence and maintenance of antichrist, we have indeed a feeble pillar to rest upon; for, as sure as God himself has spoken it, the papal kingdoms are the Babylon to fall and to rise no more again at all. Per- haps, our allies would not be pleased with another mode of conduct ; and shall we run the hazard of displeasing the God [214] of* all our salvation, to gratify, in sin, the friends of the man of sin ? If the crown of Corsica cannot be worn, but upon the condition of supporting poper^^, and joining in councils with the Church of Rome, to advance her interest there, we are afraid the weight of it, like a millstone, wdll sink us deep in the gulf of God's wrath. But popery w^as the former religion of that island, and the people wished no change. If the wretched inhabitants, loving darkness rather thanthe light, refused to be reclaimed, leave them to them- selves, but why should we have fellowship with them in their unfruitful works of darkness. The presbytery would not wish to be understood as if they meant that Protestants ought to raise a crusade, in order to exterminate Catholics in foi-eign lands, as Catholics have attempted to do against Protestants, for the weapons of our Avarfare in propagating religiou are not carnal. But it certainly is the incumbent duty of all Protestant nations to abstain from anything, that has a tendency to uphold and propagate their religion ; and as no positive countenance should be given to it, so it is hi2:hly proper that Catholics should be kept in such a state of ^restraint, as they may not again have it in their power to repeat those bloody scenes, which popery had acted upon us. With a view to deliver themselves from the guilt of partici- pating in the evil, the piresbytery do lift up a judicial testi- mony against thepiresent antichristian courses of administra- tion ; as, also, against those state fasts, proceeding from an Erastian supremacy, which have been appointed to be ob- served by all persons, in order to engage by prayer the Almighty to crown their measures with success. Likewise, the presbytery do testify against the national church, particu- larly her ministers, who from their station ought to act as spiritual watchmen, and give pointed warning of sin and danger on the present occasion ; but, who, instead of faith- fully discharging this duty, sanction all these measures of government, which cannot fail to produce a hardening effect upon the generation. N. B. Since writing the above, by a reverse in the war, Britain has lost possession of Corsica, but while this does not acquit her of the guilt of her antichristian administra- tion there, neither will it supersede the necessity of our tes- timony against it. [215 J SUPPLEMENT TO PART IV. 1. Man is a free agent, unconscious of restraint in his vol- itions by the immutable decree of God ; and it is impossible for him, in any instance, to avoid fulfilling that decree ; yet the law of God — not his decree — is the rule of human con- duct, and the standard of final judgment. Gen. xx, 6 ; 1, 20; Acts xxi, 14. 2. It is a Christian's duty to pray for the church of Christ — to inquire diligently into her scriptural character, and seek covenant blessings in her communion. Ps. cxxii, 6-9 ; Col. i, 9 ; Heb. xiii, 18, 20, 21. 3. When a majority violate the scriptural terms upon which church members were united, it is lawful for the min- ority to se[»arate, testify against the defection, and walk by their former attainments. Acts ixx, 9 ; Rev. xviii, 4. 4. The '' Book of Psalms" is to be used as the matter of praise to God, in the metrical version adopted by the Church of Scotland, to the exclusion of all substitutes or imitations. 5. No Christian can bear true alleo:iance to Zion's Kino^ and Governor among the nations, and at the same time take an oath of allegiance or fidelity to the government of the United States, or any other immoral government ; hold civil or military oflice under them ; enlist to wage war in their de- fence ; exercise the elective franchise ; or act as a juror, thereby incorporating witii the national societies in their persistent rebellion against God ; or use language appropriating any of their institutions ; nor can a Covenanter practice what is commonly called " occasional hearing," or join in union prayer meetings, without contradicting his own testimony. 6. Xor can a Christian lawfully join any secret oath-bound society with persons of diverse religious professions. [216] OF MINISTERIAL AND CimiSTIAN COMMUNION TN THE ' REFORMED I'RESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God, and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice. 2. That the whole doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Catechisms, Larger and Shorter, are agree- able unto, and founded upon, the Scriptures. 3. That Presbyterial Church Government and manner of worship are alone of divine right and unalterable ; and that the most perfect model of these as yet attained, is exhibited in the Form of Government and Directory for Worship, adopted by the Church of Scotland in the Second Reform- ation. 4. That public, social covenanting., is an ordinance of God, obligatory on churches and nations under the New Test- ament ; that the National Covenant and the Solemn League are an exempliticaf.on of this divine institution ; and that these Deeds are of continued obligation upon the moral per- son ; and in consistency with this — that the Renovation of these Covenants at Auchensaugh, 1712, was agreeable to the word of God. 5. An approbation of the faithful contendings of the mar- tyrs of Jesus, especially in Scotland, against Paganism, Ropery, Prelacy, Malignancy and Sectarianism ; immoral civil governments ; Erastian tolerations and persecutions which Sow from them ; and of the Judicial Testimony emitted by the Reformed Presbytery in North Britain, 1761, and adopted by this church, with supplements ; as containing a noble ex- ample to be followed, in contending for all divine truth, and in testifying against all corruptions embodied in the consti- tutions of either churches or states. 6. IVactically adorning the doctrine of God our Savior, by walking in all his commandments and ordinances blame- lessly. [217] Queries to be put to Candidates for Ordination. 1. Do you believe the Scriptures of the Old and I^ew Testament to be the Word of God, and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice? 2. Do you own the whole doctrine of the Westminster Confession of Faith, and the Catechisms, Larger and Shorter, as these were received by the Church of Scotland? 3. Do you believe that the Lord Jesus has instituted one unalterable form of government in his church, distinct from, and independent of, civil government ; and that it is exclus- ively Presbyterial ? 4. Do you own the perpetual obligation of our Covenants, National and Solemn League ? 5. Do you approve the faithful contendings of the confes- sors and martyrs of Jesus, especially against Popery and Prelacy ; and do you own the Judicial Testimony of this church, as an abstract of said contendings ? 6. Is it the glory of God and the edification of the church, and not any selfish object, that move you to undertake this sacred office? 7. Do you promise, in the strength of divine grace, to rule well your own house — to live a holy life — to watch faithfully over the members of this church — 'to exhort with meekness and long-suffering — 'to visit the sick and the afflicted ; and to attend punctually the meetings of the church courts, when regularly called thereunto, judging faithfully in the house of God ? 8. Do you promise subjection, in the Lord, to the judica- tories of this church — to adhere to the doctrine and order which this church has solcmly adopted ; and finally, will you receive with meekness all fraternal counsel and admon- ition tendered by your fellow members ? 'iaH^-Uu. OYlJU^^t'-'i (- f^^ i^' /z. OH -It u J.