to the Confession of Faith to be the true and Holy Kirk of Christ Jesus within this Realm and decerns and declares all and sundry who either gainsayes the Word of the Evangel received and approved as the heads of the Confession of Faith professed in Parliament in the Yeare of God 1560. specified also in the first Parliament of King Iames 6. and ratified in this present Parliament more particularly do specify or that refuses the administration of the Holy Sacraments as they were then ministrated to be to members of the said Kirk within this Realme and true Religion presently professed so long as they keep themselves so divided from the society of Christs body And the subsequent Act. 69. Parl. 6. of K. Iames 6. declares That there is none other Face of Kirk nor other Face of Religion then was presently at that time by the Favour of GOD established within this Realme which therefore is ever stiled Gods true Religion Christs true Religion the true and Christian Religion and a perfect Religion Which by manifold acts of Parliament all within this realme are bound to subscribe the articles thereof the Confession of Faith to recant all doctrine errours repugnant to any of the said Articles Act. 4. 9. Parl. 1. Act. 45.46.47 Parl. 3. Act 71. Parl. 6. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. Act 123. Parl. 12. Act 194. and 197. Parl. 14. of K. Iames 6. And all Magistrats Sherifs c. on the one parte are ordained to search apprehend and punish all contraveeners For instance Act 5. Parl. 1. Act 104. Parl. 7. Act 25. Par. 11. K. Iames 6. And that notwithstanding of the Kings Majesty's licences on the contrary which are discharged declared to be of no force in so farre as they tend in any wayes to the prejudice hinder of the execution of the Acts of Parliament against Papists adversaries of true Religion Act. 106. Parl. 7. K. Iames 6. On the other part in the 47. Act. Parl. 3. K. Iames 6. It is declared and ordained seeing the cause of Gods true Religion and his highnes Authority are so joyned as the hurt of the one is common to both and that none shal be reputed as loyall and faithfull subjects to our Soveraigne Lord or his Authority but be punishable as rebellers and gainstanders of the same who shall not give their Confession and make their profession of the said true Religion and that they who after defection shall give the Confession of their Faith of new they shall promise to continue therein in time comming to maintaine our Souveraigne Lords Authority and at the uttermost of their power to fortify assist and maintaine the true Preachers and Professors of Christs Evangel against whatsoever enemies and gainestanders of the same and namely against all such of whatsoever nation estate or degree they be of that have joyned and bound themselves or have assisted or assists to set forward and execute the cruell decrees of Trent contrary to the Preachers and true Professors of the Word of God which is repeated word by word in the Article of Pacification at Perth the 23 of Februar 1572. approved by Parliament the last of Aprile 1573. Ratified in Parliament 1587. and related Act 123. Parl. 12. of K. Iames 6. with this addition that they are bound to resist all treasonable uproars and hostilities raised against the true Religion the Kings Majesty and the true Professors Like as all Liedges are bound to maintaine the King Majesty's Royal Person and Authority the Authority of Parliaments without the which neither any lawes or lawful judicatories can be established Act 130. Act. 131. Parl. 8. K. Iames 6. and the subjects Liberties who ought onely to live and be governed by the Kings lawes the common lawes of this Realme allanerly Act 48. Parl. 3. K. Iames the first Act. 79. Parl 6. K. Iames the 4. repeated in the Act 13 1. Parl. 8. K. Iames 6. Which if they be innovated or prejudged the commission anent the union of the two Kingdoms of Scotland and England which is the sole Act of the 17. Parl. of K. Iames 6. declares such confusion would ensue as this Realme could be no more a free Monarchy because by the fundamentall lawes ancient priviledges offices and liberties of this Kingdome not onely the Princely Authority of his Majesty's Royal discent hath been these many ages maintained but also the peoples security of their Lands livings rights offices liberties and dignities preserved and therefore for the preservatien of the said true Religion Lawes and Liberties of this Kingdome it is statute by the 8. Act Parl. 1. repeated in the 99. Act Parl. 7. Ratified in the 23. Act Parl. 11. and 114. Act Parl. 12. of K. Iames 6. and 4. Act of K. Charles That all Kings and Princes at their Coronation and reception of their Princely Authority shall make their faithfull promise by their solemne oath in the presence of the Eternal God that enduring the whole time of their lives they shall serve the same Eternal God to the uttermost of their power according as he hath required in his most Holy Word contained in the old and new Testament And according to the same Word shall maintain the true Religion of Christ Jesus the preaching of his Holy Word the due and right ministration of the Sacraments now receaved and preached within this Realme according to the Confession of Faith immediately preceeding and shall abolish and gainstand all false Religion contrary to the same and shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of God revealed in his foresaid Word and according to the laudable Lawes and Constitutions received in this Realme no wayes repugnant to the said will of the Eternall God and shall procure to the uttermost of their power to the Kirk of God and whole Christian people true and perfite peace in all time coming and that they shall be careful to root out of their Empire all Hereticks and enemies to the true worship of God who shall be convicted by the true Kirk of God of the foresaid crimes which was also observed by his Majesty at his Coronation in Edinburgh 1633. as maybe seene in the order of the Coronation In obedience to the Commandment of GOD conforme to the practice of the godly in former times and according to the laudable example of our Worthy and Religious Progenitors of many yet living amongst us which was warranted also by act of Councill commanding a general band to be made and subscribed by his Majesty's subjects of all ranks for two causes One was For defending the true Religion as it was then reformed and is expressed in the Confession of Faith abovewritten and a former large Confession established by sundry acts of lawful generall assemblies of Parliament unto which it hath relation set down in publick Catechismes and which had been for many years with a blessing from Heaven preached and professed in this Kirk
Glory and the Kings service that can be imagined as the Letter it self set down at large in the Apologetick Narration doth testify And though this duty and employment was no other then what the meanest subject in the most private capacity might and all were indispensibly obliged to have done yet those Ministers and one Gentleman with them are therefore instantly without hearing committed Prisoners 3. This Committee proceeding to prepare for the succeeding Parliament which was all it's work and design the Parliament siteth down the 1 day of January Where having taken the Oath of Supremacy without respect to it's due limitation contained in the 114. Act. Ia. 6. Parl. 12. 1592. then standing unrepealed and exalting the Kings prerogative upon the alleaged Warrand of the VVord of God and Laws of the Land but in effect directly contrary to both above all Offices Parliaments Laws Leagues Conventions Peace and War and likwise upon meer assertions alleageances in place of declaring upon known and certain grounds which is all that any Parliament can lawfully do directly Innovating the Fundamental Law Constitution of the Kingdom thereby making the Kings Throne the foundation of all the succeeding Perjury and Apostacy They spoil and divest first the Solemn League and Covenant and then the National Covenant Presbyterial Government the whole Work of God of all legal warrand and Authority Declaring all Acts and Practises made and standing in favours thereof to be void and null And by the same great Act rescissory they revive and reinforce all the corruptions and Superstitions of Crossing Kneeling and the like introduced by any Parliament since the Reformation As the Acts of the first Session of the last Parliament do clearly testify Although that these Acts have been and are both in themselves in their effects just cause of great astonishment and mourning to all the Faithful in the Land yet when we remember that height of Wickedness and Profanity that then abounded and the false flattering perjurious Sermons practises by which the Parliament was thereunto instigated but most of all that Act that then passed for an Anniversary Thanksgiving wherein as if we had been delivered to commit all this great Wickedness the Spirit and Work of the Lord are heinously blasphemed and calumniated as the only Author and Cause of all the Blood Bondage Usurpation Rebellion Rapine Violence and other Evils that either the malice and wickedness of men had caused or God in his Righteous Judgement had therefore permitted or inflicted and the Ranversing of our Blessed Reformation Holy Covenants and the Righteous Laws whereby they were established accounted the Restitution of Religion Righteousness and Liberties And the 29 of May as most Auspicious appointed for the yearly solemn commemoration thereof A day the profane Institution whereof cannot be better demonstrated then by it 's more profane observance and celebration ever since practised These things we say being considered do justly adde horror to our astonishment trembling unto our mourning But that their practise might be also consonant to their Acts and Statutes and by cutting off or laying aside it 's most eminent Opposers the return of Prelacy might be more effectually promoted in the same Session of Parliament not only was that Innocent and Faithful one Mr Cutâ—ry singled out and signally honoured by God to bear testimony to the Kingdom of His Son Jesus Christ His Cause and Covenant for no other fault then his faithfulness therein and his Declining the King's usurped Authority in prejudice of the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus and the priviledges of His Church clearly warranded by 114 Act Parl. 12. la. 6. then standing unrepeal'd and by a great cloud of faithful Witnesses who in like manner did testify against this Usurpation cruelly slain and put to death But also under the colour of certain Epidemick crimes wherein the Soveraignity of Divine Providence more then any man's malice had involved the whole Land others who had been eminent in the Work of God particularly the Marquess of Argyle were condemned to death and forfeited and several other Faithful Ministers besides these who were at first imprisoned by the Committee of Estates were without any cause signifyed imprisoned confined or otherwise vexed and incapacitated 4. The rise and re-establishment of this Antichristian Prelacy being thus prepared in the interval after this first Session of Parliament the King nominateth and presenteth Bishops and four of them being called to Court are there Re-ordained and Consecrated and that in such a manner as doth clearly infer their disowning and renouncing their former Minstery and their Warrand Mission thereunto In consequence whereof all the Ordinary meetings of Presbyteries and Synods are discharged until they should of new be licenced Authorized thereto by the Bishops now nominated and appointed and to the effect that matters might the better succeed several of our Faithful Ministers upon groundless suspitions and for refusing of the Oath of Supremacy arbitrarly and rigorously imposed without so much as admitting such qualifications as no Christian ought or can deny are some of them Banished and others confined 5. The second Session of this last Parliament sitting in May 1662. by their first Act they restore and re-establish Prelacy in all it 's pretended Rights Dignities and Priviledges but in effect in it's real Usurpations and Corruptions And for the better setling thereof and evident declaring to the World how Erastian and Antichristian this Woful Government is both in it's Rise Designs and Effects as by this Act the Restitution thereof is expresly founded upon the King's Supremacy as being an inherent Right in the Crown for the disposal of the external Government of the Church So it is also declared that whatever the King shall determine with advice of the Bishops and such of the Clergy as he shall nominate in the externall Government of the Church shall be valid and effectual without any other Proviso then that the same be consistent with the Laws of the Realm But the Absolute Complement of all Wickedness and the Hight of Usurpation above all that ever the Papacy it self aspired unto is that which followeth whereby the King and Parliament for clearing all scruples which may occurre from former Acts and Practices do rescind all former Acts by which the sole and only power of Jurisdiction within this Church doth stand in the Church and in the Meetings and Assemblies thereof and all Acts of Parliament and Council which may be interpreted to have given any Church-power Jurisdiction or Government to the Office-bearers of the Church their respective meetings other then that which acknowledgeth a dependence upon and subordination to the Soveraign Power of the King as supream and is to be regulated and authorized in the exercise thereof by the Bishops who are to put order to Ecclesiastick matters and to be accountable to the King for their Administration And the foresaid 114 Act Parl. 12. la. 6. whereby the Priviledges Power
ordained Neither can this inference appear unwarranted or hard unto any who will impartially consider that though the same qualification doth in the like maner affect and define all duties whatsoever which we owe either to God or our Countrey yet it were most absurd thence to infer that if these more eminently intrusted should either turn directly Apostates and enemies to the Christian Faith or adversaries and destroyers of the Common-wealth the people of an inferior degree might not step forward to occupy the places and assert the Interests which these wicked men had so traiterously forfaulted and deserted All which must necessarily be granted if it be but rightly considered that as Order and the Observance thereof is only a mean subordinate to and intended for the Glory of God and the good of the people so must all the Regulation and Determination thereof be only admitted in so far as it is Conducible and no wayes to render it Destructive or Repugnant to these great Ends of its appointment From all which we clearly conclude that thir words in the Covenant of Places and Callings are no more Restrictive in the cases above mentioned then a General 's command to his souldiours entering in battel being thus qualifyed doth impede the necessity of Succession in case of the vacancy of any charge either through death or desertion requisit for the obtaining of the proposed end of Victory but that they are in effect specially the antecedent and subjoined words sincerely really and constantly all the dayes of our life being considered rather Exegetick and Ampliative 8. That whatsoever Laws Covenants and Engagements were standing and binding unto us before this late fearful Apostacy and Defection they are still in the sight of God and in the Consciences of all that fear His Name and mind his Glory the rather more strong and obligeing then in the least infringed or dissolved It being impossible that such Sacred Oaths so solemnly sworn unto the most High and such Righteous Laws by vertue thereof statuted and enacted for the carrying on and establishment of the Work of God thereby intended should be Ambulatory and Mutable at the pleasure of men specially of such who without regard of God Conscience Honor or Honesty have in the very pride and power of Wickedness not only broken the Lords bands casten away His cords and violently under the pretext of abused Authority overturned his whole Work but done despite against the same both by ignominious Burning and Blaspheming of the Lords holy Covenant And this Position Rescissory we oppose unto their great Act Rescissory and to all Acts and practices of the like nature antecedent thereto or dependent thereupon Being fully perswaded that though now they appear unequally ballanced yet the Lord shall declare from heaven His Righteousness and laugh at His enemies Acts and Devises and have them all in derision 9. That though we do heartily approve their 〈◊〉 veneration and just esteem of lawfull Authority the great and excellent Ordinance of God who to prevent all prejudice that it may incur and inconvenience that may ensue thereon do so far transmit this respect to the person therewith vested as to hold for a Maxime but indeed equally against Religion Reason and Experience that the King doeth no wrong And though we are perswaded that the true rise and cause of the sin and calamity under which we lye is from the malice perjury flattery and violence of that Antichristian spirit ruling in the apostat Prelates and therefore would willingly cloath our selves even in the sight of man with that ample Allowance and full Authority whereby the King did once approve the holy Covenant and countenance the Lords Work as if the same did yet stand as it ought not retracted or repeal'd Yet seing our late Parliament by their second Act Session second have reprobated and discharged all pretences of Authority in this kind notwithstanding that the same hath been and may be most necessary in many cases for the preserving of the Kingdom salving of State-inconveniences we do therefore rather subsist on the former grounds and turn our complaint and prayer unto God who is the great King over all looking for His appearance and waiting for His salvation 10. That the Glory of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ the Defence and Maintenance of the blessed Gospel and it 's precious Ministry and Ordinances are Duties Concernments infinitly more important then the defence and preservation of our Lives Liberties and the Common-wealth against the most barbarous and horrid violences and injuries that can be imagined Like-as the violation and destruction of all these is so evidently designed and wickedly practised by this late and present Apostacy that a clearer ground and cause of Self-defence and Reformation cannot possibly be supposed so that to condescend to answer the peevish clamours of these Neutral and careless men who say what needeth all this noise for the extrinsick and arbitrary forms of Government and modes of VVorship both with and without which Religion and Righteousness have equally flourished and prospered where to shut our eyes from beholding the Glory and Grace of God that in this Land hath so visibly appeared in and been advanced by this great Ordinance of PRESBYTERY by Himself for that end appointed and also from the observing of these deludges of Profanity Wickedness Superstition and Violence which the Devill by his great engine of PRELACY hath alwayes and in all Churches caused and procured 11. That as such was the State Condition and Engagements of this Church and Kingdom at the time of the King's return and before the re-erecting of this Prelacy that all and every one of the Nation were most strictly obliged sincerely really and constantly to have resisted and opposed this wicked Defection to the last drop of their blood so the sinfull complyance of many and wofull fainting and withdrawing of others might indeed incapacitat such as remain faithful from the best but neither could nor can dis-engage them from their utmost endeavours From these grounds and what hath been formerly represented the argument of the Indictment of Treason above-mentioned viz. That all Convocations and Risings in Arms or Subjects entering in Leagues without or against the Kings Authority are treasonable But such was the late Rising and renewing of the Covenant Therefore c. May be easily and clearly answered that all such Risings and entering into Leagues as are not warranded and commanded by the Superior Law and Authority of God who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords which by our own express Acts and Statutes are acknowledged and are not founded upon the Fundamental Right and necessarily intended for the preservation of Religion and Righteousness the great and principal End of all Laws and Governments according whereunto our Laws have also by posterior Statutes been expresly interpreted are indeed treasonable But such the late Rising was not but on the contrary was more clearly approven by these grounds then
them over-ruled in the Year 1640. the King and Prelats vigorously arm again and prepare for a new war But this intended War is composed by a new Pacification and in the mean time the Parliament formerly adjourned until Iune 1640 doth conveen at the time appointed and by their fourth fifth and sixth Acts fully establish Presbyterial Government ratify the Covenant with the Addition and Explanation of the Assembly and all Acts made thereanent abrogat the Estate of Bishops and all Acts whatsoever made in their favours Thereafter in the Treaty ensuing the Pacification it is agreed that the Acts past in the last Parliament with these to be made in the next Session thereof shall be published in the King's Name and have the strength of Laws in all time coming Which Treaty being closed and the last Session of the above-mentioned Parliament sitting in the Moneth of Iune 1641. the King in person being present among them and the Oath of Parliament for maintenance of Religion in purity as then established and of the King's Authority and the Peoples Liberties according to the Covenant and for endeavouring by all just and humble meanes of Union and Peace betwixt the three Kingdomes appointed to be taken by that all succeeding Parliaments being taken by the second Act thereof superscribed by the King and subscribed by the President the foresaid Treaty is amply and perpetually confirmed and the whole Articles thereof are ratifyed and recorded Thus by all the Security that either Sacred Oaths or Acts of Lawful Authorized Assemblies Ordinances of King and Council doubled and re-iterated Pacifications and Treaties Acts of Parliament Enacted Re-enacted the Kings Authority and Consent being often and solemnly interposed both by promise and hand-writ And all that either Religion Truth Faith Honour or Honesty could devise or grant these Wicked Prelats are cast out of this Church and Kingdom Presbyterial Government fully established the pure Worship of God with His pure and powerful Ordinances and Ministry restored and in the maintenance and pursuance of all these great Blessings the whole Land by many Oaths most Solemn tyes engaged unto the Lord for ever By all which Blessings and the restoring of the Lord 's own Ordinances amongst us as the Work of the Gospel and the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus in the Conversion of many thousands were greatly advanced and the Glory of God in the abounding of true Piety and flourishing of Righteousness did eminently shine amongst us as the memory of these times in all such as fear God and love our Lord Jesus Christ doth sweetly testify so all these great things were transacted to the perpetual shame and confusion of all our calumnious Adversaries without any diminution of his Majesty's just Authority and Greatness As the Power and Glory of the Lord was great in this Land so the splendor and fame thereof reaching unto other Nations it pleased the Lord thereby to provoke His People in England at that time grievously groaning under the Tyrannous yoke of Prelacy and justly alarmed by the imminent fears of prevailing Popery to set about and intend the like blessed Reformation It doth not concern us to reflect on the Causes and beginnings of that War betwixt the King and Parliament there nor what were the transactions betwixt the two Kingdoms in order to that Aid and Assistance given by Scotland and how the same was mannaged But this is certain that upon the Representation of the most just and important grounds of the maintenance of Religion and Liberty against the prevailing power of Popery Prelacy and Tyranny in that Kingdom of England and their most instant and earnest desires for our help and Assistance and rhe most rational clear motives of our own Security the hazard and loss whereof had undoubtedly been the consequence of the Prelats Victory there this Kingdom was induced in the Year 1643. to enter into that Sacred Bond of the Solemne League and Covenant never to be forgotten containing no other Articles then every one's Sincere and constant endeavours in their several places callings for the preservation of the Reformed Religion in this Church in Doctrine VVorship Discipline and Government the Reformation of the same in England and Ireland according to the VVord of God and the example of the best Reformed Churches and the nearest Conjunction and Vniformity of all the three in Truth Faith and Love the extirpation of Popery Prelacy Error and Profanity the preservation of the rights and Liberties of the People and of the Kings person and Authority in defence of the true Religion and the Kingdom 's Liberties the Discovery and the punishment of Incendiaries the retaining of the Peace and Vnion of the Kingdomes the mutual assistance and defence of all entering into this League and the performing of all duties we owe to God in the amendment of our lives and in walking exemplarly one before another And all these in order to no other end then the Glory of God the advancement of the Kingdom of Iesus Christ the Honor and Happiness of the King and his Posterity and the true Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdom This is that Covenant which in all the controversies it hath occasioned did never receave a greater confirmation then from the malice and opposition of it's adversaries who in the same Spirit with the same Spite have alwayes persecuted and reproached it with the same Calumnies of Rebellion Sedition and Blood which from the beginning the Devill hath ever been most active to raise and stir up against the Lord Jesus his Gospel Kingdom and Followers But seing such only as are blessed do evite the offence of Truth and all who truely seek Gods Glory or Love the Lord Jesus did and still do heartily approve and embrace this Covenant though it had brought the Sword not only into Britain but with the Truth into all the Earth though it were reproached as unfriend not only to our King but with our Lord Jesus to Caesar and all the Kings of the Earth though it had divided and disturbed not only Realms and States but with the Gospel families and nearest relations and had with Paul moved Sedition throughout the whole World we ought not thereby to be either shaken or offended We know also that all the subtilty and malice of Hell have been set on work and spared no calumny or cavillation by which either it's Words Matter or Manner might be impugned But these are so often and fully answered and without the assistance of any man's Patrociny by the obvious plainness of it's Phrase the Holiness Importance of it's Purpose and the Justice and Necessity of it's way and Manner so clearly confuted that nothing can be added Only seing the Constancy of Truth ought not to cede to the Confidence of prevailing Powers as we have asserted and do hold the subject matter of this League and Covenant to be in it self Holy Just and True so we cannot but disprove
the uttermost for the advancement of his own Kingdom doth quickly take advantage of for setting on work and promoving of that Mystery of iniquity Which springing up in that bitter root of Pride and working in the Spiritual power and subtilty thereof as it began to work very early in the Christian Church even amongst the Disciples themselves in presence of their and our Lord as appeareth by their contention who should be greatest And notwithstanding all the Grace Power and Presence of the Lord which appeared in the times that followed all the long violent persecution wherewith the Church of God was then exercised yet continuing it's motion did still advance until attaining it's maturity in the revelation of the Man of Sin it filled and overwhelmed the Christian World with these strong delusions of Superstition Idolatry and all darkness that so long prevailed therein So it is the main and only Engine whereby Sathan as in all other Churches so in this of Our's hath so actively bestired himself and attempted the overthrow of their later Reformations These are the causes why notwithstanding of that great and glorious Light which the Lord made to shine amongst us the true Government and Discipline of the Church of Christ though his own great Ordinance instituted both for Fencing and securing of Truth in Purity and for promoving of the same in Power and though by the Light of that same Truth clearly discovered and Manifested through long opposition and many difficulties did scarce in these dayes attain it's establishment Yet the Lord who of his own free Mercy and Grace did visit us with the day-spring of his blessed Gospel from on high did also by his own Power and Presence in and with his faithful Servants at length also compleat his work and establish his Kingdome over us and his Government amongst us And so the Kingdome became the Lord's even the first fruits of the Kingdomes of the Earth unto our Lord Jesus Christ The Progress and Period of this work was from the Year 1560. unto the Year 1592. dureing which space these things are very observable 1. So soon as this Church attained to freedome from persecution and contrary violence they Assembled in their first National Synod in the Year 1560. by vertue of that Intrinsick Power and Priviledg granted by our Lord unto his Church and exercised by his Apostles and their followers and that without any question or control Nor did they so much as petition for the licence of the then Authority though the same might have been more easily obtained then the warrant at that time impetrated for conveening of the Parliament 2. As they first Assembled and by vertue of the same warrant did set on foot and continue a constant series of their Courts and meetings except in so far as by plain force and violence they were restrained so they held the same in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ only and in his sole Authority by Direction of his Word and Spirit concluded all their Counsels Votes and Acts. It 's true that they much and long wished for and thereafter heartily accepted the countenance and concurrence of the Powers for the time and that not only for Decency but also as the gracious performance of that promise Isa 49. ver 23. of the favour and assistance of Kings and Queens to the Church in the later dayes But as they were persuaded that the Lord Jesus perfect in all his house when invested at his exaltation with all Power in Heaven and in Earth did make a full grant and Commission of all Gifts and Offices requisit in his Church 1 Cor. 12. ver 28. Ephes 4. v. 8. 11. Wherein neither King nor Prince is mentioned and that there was no Authority wanting to these first Decrees made at Ierusalem though emitted upon that simple warrant Ast. 15. ver 28. It seemed good unto the Holy Ghost and unto us wherein neither King nor Prince was included so did they account it a gross usurpation for the Kings on Earth in place of their promised Patrociny to which they are oblidged to claim and invade an Over-ruling Arbitriment in the matters of God and his Church beleev that He who established the distinction and confirmed their Right by separating Caesar's things from the things of God doth also exact the same on their part 3. The Brethren conveening in these Assemblies did meet in perfect Parity and Equality against which the Extraordinary employments and Commissions delegated to some upon the account of the particular exigence of these times did grant no Priviledge or Preheminence From these three observations without mentioning the first Book of Discipline containing the true grounds and frame of Presbyterial Government which was compiled in the Year 8560. and then approved by the whole Church and subscribed to by a great many Lords and Counsellors it is evident that Presbyterial Government was from the beginning of the Reformation constantly intended and it's foundation really laid We need not mention that the Pope's Authority and all Jurisdiction flowing therefrom was by Law in the same Year 1560 expresly abrogated and discharged nor that in these first Assemblies greater Benefices were craved to be dissolved and Prelacy reputed to be only an Humane Device nor is it necessary for us to clear how that Extraordinary employment of Superintendency used for a few Years in the beginning was both only designed for an Interim and in it self wholly different from Prelacy and was at length rejected as burthensome All these things are sufficiently cleared by the late Large Apology 4. It is observable that as the Avarice and Power of some who possessed and grasped after the Churches Revenues did by the procurement of a few packed Commissioners in the Year 1671 introduce these Mock-Bishops called Tulchan for the better securing of their own gain which in the Assemblies immediatly succeeding were first protested against then quarrelled and lastly restrained and subjected thereunto So the Lord used the same as a warning to awaken and animat his Servants to a more vigorous prosecution of the establishment of His House in it's due Government In pursuance whereof the Assemblies with the King's concurrence from the Year 1575 until the Year 1581. did with much Prayer Fasting and Painfulness intend the work until by perfecting of the Second Book of Discipline and reducing of the Bishops to a simple Dimission and condemning their Office as unwarrantable they câ—mpleated their work in the exact model of Presbyterial Government in all it's Courts and Officers 5. During this space in March 1581. as we now reckon and after the Assembly had condemned the Office of Bishops as unwarrantable the King his Court and Council did swear and subscribe to the National Covenant By which both the Pope's usurped Authority over the Church in one Article and his wicked Hierarchy in another are abjured And the swearers did join themselves unto this true Reformed Church in Doctrine Faith Religion and
after Worcester fight and from beyond Sea he did confirm by private letters to persons of unquestionable credit that he was and through the Grace of God would continue the same man that he had declared Himself to be in Scotland nor that it was the conscience of that clause of the Covenant relating to the maintenance of His Person and Authority which during the times of Usurpation did retain the sence and love of his Interest so fresh and deeply rooted in mens hearts Nor that the publick owning publishing and reprinting thereof by the then Parliament in England in March 1660. was the first Public Act that durst or did appear in his favours Nor lastly need we remember that Letter written and directed by the King after his return to the Presbytery of Edinburgh and this whole Church wherein he declares Himself resolued by the Grace of God to protect and preserve the Government of the Church of Scotland as it is setled by Law without violation Seing that though according to it 's then State and posture such a Solemn and Publick Assurance might have been reputed a perpetual Security yet the whole strain of the Letter is such as tendeth only to divide the whole Ministery and to abuse the greater part of them And particularly the altering and suppressing of that most fixed and certain ground of his Engagement even the Word of God and the Holy Covenant for that of Law which is but frail and moveable did even then discover to many that latent Dissimulation and Instability whereby others were either weakly or willingly deluded The thing we observe is that both King and Peoples Obligations were not then greater then the oportunity appeared to be most happy for the accomplishing of the Lord's Work the making of his Name Great One in all these Nations the Nations happy high above all Nations in Name in Praise the establishing of the King and his posterity upon the Throne in Glory prosperity that the owning of adhering unto the Solemn League and Covenant our Magna Charta of Religion and Righteousness had both in the perswasion of all sober men and even in the conviction of the greatest part of our Adversaries infallibly produced and effectuated all these blessings But Oh! how suddenly and strangely was this blessed appearance overclouded the expectation of all the Godly disappointed the joy and peace of all corrupted and marred and this Land reduced unto this present so woful desolation and sore distress which though the groans tears and the Blood of the Persecuted the cry of Violence and Oppression the Desolation and Profanation of Gods Sanctuary the reigning power of Darkness the Pride Rage and Blasphemy of Perjury and all Profanity which hath filled the Land and the dreadful Wrath of the most Holy and Great God which both burneth round about and hangeth over it do sufficiently make manifest yet for our greater upstirring to consider and lay to heart that all these evils are come upon us because our God is not amongst us and what the heat of this great Anger meaneth also for the clearing of the Innocency Testimony of the Lords sufferers we do shortly exhibite the violent course of this precipitant Defection The King being returned and re-established in May 1660. the Antichristian Spirit of Prelacy ever enemy to the Gospel and Kingdom of our Lord Jesus and the Holy Covenant whereby the same are promoted taking occasion from these many troubles and confusions which the opposition and false-heartedness of many in the same Covenant did principally provoke the Lord to inflict upon thir Lands and advantage from the proneness of mens Power to decline unto Tyranny and their corruptions to all licentiousness did first most falsely and atrociously slander the Covenant as the Bond of all Iniquity Rebellion and Confusion which prejudice being enforced which many apparent advantages that then did attend it did so suddenly and strongly spread and root it self in the hearts of our Nobles Rulers and the generality of the Land that without so much as seriously reflecting upon their former so Solemn Engagements Sacred Oaths Publick Professions Vigorous Actings and Appearances for the Cause and Covenant of the Lord with any consideration of Conscience Honesty or Honor which so great and sudden a mutation from their former wayes though they had been as wicked as in effect they are true and righteous did certainly call for in sober and earnest Repentance they with the concurrence of such vile Sycophants and treacherous persons in the Church and Ministry as the worldly wealth and Power of Prelacy had wickedly debauched set themselves in a most determined and resolute Fury whereinto all their former zeal for God is by the malice of Satan suddenly corrupted by the plain force of Power and colour of Authority whereunto they had now attained to deface and overturn the whole Work of God raze it's fundations annul His Covenants repeal all Acts made in their favors incapacitate and persecute all opposers and lastly to efface and dissolve all sense and bond of Conscience by which this fearful course of Apostacy might be in the least checked or controlled We shall not here premise any thing for clearing of the Unlawfulness of the succeeding Acts and Deeds whereby this Apostacy was carried on and for the loosing and freeing of us from all obligation of Obedience thereto or Complyance therewith Any who can but suppose that not only a whole Parliament but also all men are and have often been found liars and compare impartially the things present with the things that are past must necessarily conclude that all these Acts and Deeds of Defection were and are Gross Perjury and Wickedness and that so long as that maxim shal hold that we ought rather to obey God then Man they can never be binding either in Conscience or Reason Seing therefore that the only Rule of these Counter-actings and overturnings was to destroy that which the Lord had so gloriously planted and to loose that whereunto we were and are indissolubly obliged referring our selves to what is already said for vindicating the Lords Work and our Holy Covenants we proceed to lay forth the Sinfulness and Wofulness of this Defection as follows 1. In July 1660. by immediate clandestine warrants without any cause signifyed or citation given the Lord Marquess of Argile and some other Gentlemen who were conceaved to have been instrumental in the former Work of God and that they might be of influence for obstructing of the then designed overthrow thereof were attached and committed close Prisoners 2. In August 1660. the Committee of Estates appointed by the Parliament 1651. being again set down the very first day of their meeting do violently seise upon several faithful Ministers peaceably and quietly assembled together and imployed in the drawing up of a monitory Letter to the King in the most rational and dutiful manner and for the most important and necessary Ends of Gods
rest refuge which even in former times when the proud were called happy such as wrought wickedness were set up yea they that tempted God were delivered the Lord did provide and reserve for his Own wherein they that feared him and thought upon his Name spoke often one to another and the Lord hearkened and heard it they under the pretence lest the People should thereby be alienat from their Lawful Pastors as they call them who in effect are Wolves and Thieves discharge all Private Meetings in houses for Religious Exercises which might tend to the prejudice of the publick Worship in Churches Under which qualification all Christian Fellowship and Society amongst such who cannot overcome their just aversion from these Churches and publick Meetings which these Apostat Prelats have prophaned and polluted and whereunto they have wickedly intruded are prohibited and reproached 9. By a Proclamation emitted this second Session of Parliament they again enjoin the observance of that Anniversary Holy Day the 29 of May even the Moneth and Day which they had devised of their own heart for a feast unto the People And to the effect they might the more infallibly attain their purpose of Outing all faithfull Ministers they subjoin the certification of Deprivation of Benefice or Stipend against all such who should not because in conscience could not observe it like as de facto severalls who could not in conscience satisfy themselves either as to the Authority or Reason of the appointment are therefore without Citation or hearing Outed of their Benefices and Stipends for that Year and the same either immediatly ingathered by the common Collector or gifted to some other 10. In the same Session of Parliament pretending that the whole Land a few only excepted were notourly and heinously involved in the crimes of Treason and Lese-Majesty through no other cause nor occasion then our most Necessary Righteous and Lawful entering into the Solemn League Covenant and prosecuting the holy ends theirof once so signally owned and countenanced by the Lord and so fully Authorized by all the Law Security that can be imagined for as for the English Usurpation few were guilty of Complyance therewith who were not also most forward in this Apostacy and the very vilest and worst of such had been declared an honest man by an express and particular Act of the same Parliament they appoint a packed close Committee wherein the generality of the faithfull to the number of about 800 not adding a hundred more who by private resentment or upon some other prejudice were listed in this roll without citation or any cause signifyed or any manner of tryal taken were most arbitrarily Fined and for the most part in such pecuniary mulcts and summs as it pleased the malicious suggestions of the delators to impose and in many particulars so absurdly the sometimes the same person was found twice fined under divers stiles in diverse Shires and others were left blanck either in the Name or Surname who might be filled up either for one person or another as the best conjecture should determine and others were fined who were dead long before or were Infants and Minors under age and others who to this day could never be found If this be the righteous judgement which the Lord doth require let the world declare Surely this Act is such as hath no precedent nor fellow except that other Act of Billeting whereof as the Power and Interest of some persons against whom it was intended have by an after Act sufficiently discovered it's Irregularity and absurdity so until the like discovery as to other Acts may be obtained it may evidently enough declare what manner of Power and Reason did over-rule this Parliament But these two Acts being past the Parliament proceed to declare by their Act of Indemnity the Kings special Grace and Goodness in pardoning such whom only the Parliaments own Apostacy and unparalelled Rebellion against the God or Heaven made criminal excepting for the most part only such who were most Innocent 11. This Session of Parliament being ended the Council go about the execution of the Acts therein concluded especially against the Ministers not obtaining Presentations and by their Act and Proclamation at â—lasgow emitted the 1. day of October 1662. they command all such Ministers to remove themselves forth of their respective Parishes betwixt and the day of November then nixt ensueing discharging them thereafter to exercise any part of their Ministerial Function within the same what and how great the iniquity and rigor of this Act is we will not stand to declare Certainly he who commanded his Apostles to pray that their flight might not be in the Winter did regard and doth remember the great distress which many poor families then sustained who being deprived of livelyhood turned out of doors indigent and very numerous might according to the cruelty of their adversaries have starved and perished We need not here insist upon the particular steps whereby the restless jealousies of these wicked Prelats did urge forward and advance this Presecution by their impetrating of reiterate Acts and Proclamations until they obtained that last Act and Proclamation concluding and adjudging all these Ministers unto such a nice and impossible Confinement which not only the necessity of humane frailty and it's dependance upon many indispensible conveniences do render more rigid intollerable then the most strict imprisonment and the most barbarous banishment but also the most curious skill of the most exact Geographer can scarce make practicable It is enough for us to note that having by a posterior Proclamation extended the same pains unto all Ministers outed upon whatsoever ground of non conformity to this present course of Apostacy in which condition all the faithfull Ministers in Scotland a very few excepted are included there were never so many Innocent and Faithful Ministers in any Christian Church at once and for such a cause reduced to such hardships fears and uncertainties and that by such persons who not only are as deeply solemnly sworn and engaged as they are in the same Cause and Covenant for which they suffer but by such who once some of them at least appeared to have had the zeal of God so that if it had been possible they would have pluckt out their own eyes and have given them to such whose Enemies they now are only because they tell them the truth Such is the fearful snare prevailing Power of Apostacy but God seeth telleth their wanderings and putteth all their tears into his bottle Having because of the necessary connection of these things thus represented them together we return to the third Session of the same Parliament and its Acts Where 12. By the first Act thereof they ratify the former Act anent Ministers who entered in and since the year 1649 and such who keep not the Diocesian meetings and do recommend to the privy Council the effectual execution theirof and to call all such
certain Faithfull Ministers persuaded and brought out in the full assurance of most certain Victory and that their Cause was such that upon the Event they could venture their salvation yet the contrary is most certainly known that they came out for the most part most voluntarly and of their own accord thinking it their duty as one of them in his Testimony doth declare to appear for and help the Lord against the mighty And that though they had and still retain a most firm persuasion of the justice of the Lord's Cause and Covenant and a very confident assurance that the Lord will arise and own it to the utter confusion of His adversaries Yet knowing that Times and Seasons are in the Lord's hand and that the time hath already been when such who had indignation and whose heart was against the holy Covenant did prosper and by Arms pollute the Sanctuary of strength and place the Abomination that maketh desolate wherein though the people that did know their God were strong and did exploits yet did they fall by the sword and by flame and by captivity and by spoil many dayes These men did neither limit the Holy One nor ballance their resolution upon the assurance of future Events Yea the fear and apprehension of these many visible signs attending this Action whereby the Lord 's standing controversie and continuing displeasure against the Land for fearfull breach of Covenant and the many horrible sins that have ensued which then more then ever were discovered both in the actuall opposition of many and faint withdrawing of others of whom better things were looked for did justly make them conceave that as the Lord who hath ever glorified His own Name would also now glorify it both in their active and passive Testimony a seal which His Work and Cause hath not hitherto so visibly had And that they were rather thereto called then to be the Lands Deliverers for which all that fear the Lord may think with trembling greater judgments are yet ordained 5. That amongst the many observable providences of God whereby he brought this Action to it's period their turning from Lanerk towards Edinburgh and leaving the West specially these parts where many faithful men were preparing for a Conjunction doth bear the very eminent characters of the Lord's Work and Purpose which he hath since made manifest and was the occasion of the proscribing of several both Ministers and Gentlemen as we shall hereafter mention 6. That as the Louthian-men were very active in appearing against this faithfull company so after the Conflict they were very vigilant and inhumane to take and spoil all such flyers as they rencountred A sin which no doubt by reason of it's greater aggravations the Lord will require with greater severity then that of Edom Obad. 12. c. who rejoyced over the children of Iudah in the day of their destruction and laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity who stood in the cross way to cut off such as did escape and delivered up these that did remain in the day of distress and therefore he is threatened by the Lord that for his violence against his brother shame should cover him and he should be cut off for ever Thus we have seen the indignation of the Lord in the most dreadful and astonishing of all judgements even his suffering and causing the righteous to fall before the wicked in delivering the soul of his turtle dove unto the multitude of the wicked His Name unto reproach and blasphemy His Strength into captivity and His Glory into the enemies hands A providence that may justly move our astonishment to a greater height then that of Iosuah chap 7. v. 9. Oh Lord what wilt thou do unto thy great Name And how terrible are the charge and succeeding Judgements which these things do denounce But the Lord who in wrath remembers mercy maketh both judgement and mercy his peoples song and it is to his enemies alone that a cup without mixture is poured out as the things which follow will declare The Arcbishop of St. Andrews having caused celebrat the report of this Victory with almost as many Guns from the Castle as there were men slain in the fields and as if the 40 had been 40000 Infidels the prisoners are brought in and secured We cannot but here mention the ready and charitable relief which many good people in Edinburgh did then extend to them certainly it is gone up for a Memorial before God and shall have a return But who can express the malice of that Antichristian spirit raging both in the Arch-Prelate and his dependents which misery it self doth not satiate and therefore they do so exclaim against this poor expression of humanity as preposterous and savouring of disaffection that even some of their own Complices did condemn them for it The Councill falling immediately to the examination of the Prisoners they remitt first 10 thereafter 14 to the Iustices to be arraigned or rather condemned as Traitors they having first determined and prescribed the very maner of their execution and about the same time the Commissioner going West with some others impowered for that effect do likewise at Air and Glasgow condemn other sixteen These things we join together because both their Indictments maner of Tryall Doom and Execution were the same except in so far as shall be noted The Indictment and Charge of Treason exhibited against all consisted of two heads and crimes deduced from old and late Acts of Parliament and aggravated by many circumstances viz. rising and gathering in Arms and renewing the Covenant without and against the Kings Authority and consent Every one 's particular accession was libelled from and proven by his own confession before the Council This place might require a large digression for answering the crimes objected and clearing the innocency of the Lord's Witnesses but seing the preceeding Narration doth not only furnish all arguments thereto requisite but warranteth them by Precedents beyond contradiction it shall suffice now to observe 1. That God the Fountain of all Power and Author of all Right as wherever he hath granted to any creature a Being he hath also armed it with a love and power of Self-preservation sutable to it's capacity so much more where unto a Being He hath superadded a Right as in all rationall creatures which cannot be violated but both by Force and Injury hath He granted both the Power and Right of Self-defence which is really one and the same thing with it and in effect nothing else but that divine Impress and rational Instinct whereby the very course of Nature is upholden so inseparable from the Being and Right of the creature that it never ceaseth except where by the Soveraign Will and Law of God the Right is first annulled and the Being may be destroyed Which position being the clear and true foundation of all Rule and Righteousness and even of the Being of all things it may justly be wondered
then singly used as in the sight of God to the utmost of my knowledge May it therefore please Your Lordships graciously to consider the Premises specially my utter inability to make my appearance and to surcease any legall procedor against me in this so weak and extream condition and to discharge me of the foresaid Citation and Appearance And your Lo answer This Petition and the following are therefore sett down verbatim that both the utmost of his condescendence may appear and the fainting that he so much regrates in his last Speach be the better understood And with the same subscribed by him there was given in an Attestation under the hands of seven Chirurgeons declaring his weak and sickly condition Hereupon the Council did order two Physicians and two Chirurgeons viz. Sir Robert Cuningham Doctor Hay Iames â—oâ—tâ—wick and Thomas Kinkead to visit him and to return their Attestation upon soul and conscience betwixt and the morrow at ten of the Clock to the Iustices Upon Wedensday Decemb. 12. the Iustices being set the Attestation of the two Doctors and Chirurgeons above mentioned is produced for Mr Hew M c Kail and other three of the Prisoners indicted and their excuse proponed thereupon But the Iustice finding that the Attestation not bearing soul and conscience did not agree to the Warrand and Order given by the Councill and that the Physicians being called did refuse upon point of Priviledge to rectify it in these terms although they declared that the truth thereof was such as they might safely confirm it by Oath they do only supersede their procedor against M. Hew and other two contained in the Attestation untill to morrow and ordain Iohn Nilson of Corsack though also contained in the Attestation in respect the same as to his part was not relevant and the other four to be brought to the Bar who accordingly being brought were that day sentenced to be hanged on Fryday thereafter Thursday December 13. the Iustice-Court being set adjourns untill Tuesday thereafter and ordains M. Hew and the other two to be peremptorily sisted that day before the down-sitting of the Court This afternoon having obtain'd his Reprivall in the thoughts of his dubious condition he composed the lines following Vitae ergò innumeris curarum erroribus actae Clausula consimilis perbreve finit iter Distrahor ambigui dubio discrimine fati Aeger enim jaceo sin revalesco cado Saturnday Dec. 8. his Brother M. Matthew goes from Edinburgh to Glasgow with a Letter from the Lady Marquess of Dowglass and another from the Duchess of Hamilton to the Lord Commissioner in his favors but both proved ineffectual Like-as his Cusing M. Matthew M c Kail carried another Letter from the Lady Marquess of Dowglass to the Archbishop of St Andrewes for the same purpose but with no better success Dec. 18. Sitting in Judgement the Lord Penton Iustice Clerk and Mr William Murray Advocate Iustice Depute M. Hew being indifferently recovered he was brought before the Iustice with other 3 that were arraigned with him And first the general Indictment is read founded both on old and late Acts of Parliaments made against Rising and Assembling in Arms and entering into Leagues and Covenants and renewing the Solemn League and Covenant without or against the Kings Authority declaring the same to be Rebellion and Treason and thereafter amply subsuming upon all the Acts Deeds and Passages of the late Insurrection with many aggravations particularly upon their taking and renewing the Solemn League and Covenant at Lanerk And therefore charging them with and concluding that they ought to be punished for the same as Traitors After which Mr Hew his special Indictment is read bearing that he had risen and joyned with the Rebels and was with them at Air Vchilery and Lanerk and several other places on horsback and had kept and was at several of their Rendevouz's with a Sword Whereunto Mr Hew being permitted to answer began his discourse very constantly and composedly declaring that he looked upon himself both from the conclusion of his Indictment and what had happened to others as a man appointed by men and determined in himself to die whereupon he thought himself obliged to use the greater ingenuity and then affirmed that he was not ashamed to avow that he was one of that afflicted and persecuted party and perswasion called Presbyterian Thereafter he proceeded to speak of the Ties and Engagements that were upon the Land to God in order thereto and having commended the Institution Dignity and Blessing of Presbyterial Government he said that the last words of the National Covenant had alwayes great weight upon his spirit Whereupon the King's Advocate interrupting him desired him to forbear that discourse telling him that he was not there called in question for his perswasion but for the crime of Rebellion in rising in Arms against his Ma Authority to which he desired him to answer whereunto he answered that the thing which moved him to declare himself as he had and would have done was that weighty and important saying of our Lord Jesus Whosoever shall confess me before men him shall the Son of Man also confess before the Angels of God but he that denieth me and my words before men shall he denyed before the Angels of God As for the Rebellion he was charged with he said his Accession was only simple presence with a Sword and that occasional as his confession before the Council did bear The Advocate answers that not only presence such as he was charged with was treasonable but all intercommuning or keeping company with Rebells though for the space only of half an hour and however he said he was guilty of a far deeper accession and of many other things besides these contained in his own confession whereupon the Advocate caused read his Confession and also the depositions of severall others that were examined in so far as they concerned him M. Hew answered that all the depositions read contained no more then was in his own Confession nor could they make out any more against him and so in effect it was The Advocate after the sustaining of the Indictment having made use of and caused read the confessions of M. Hew and the other persons accused before the Assize in place of Probation referred the matter to their Cognition The Assize being enclosed gave their Verdict una voce and by the mouth of Sir William Murray of Newtown their Chancellor report him to be guilty of being with the Rebells at severall times and places and at their Rendevouz with a Sword according to his subscribed confession However it was thereafter understood that four or five of the Assize did with reluctancy pronounce this Verdictâ— thinking death too great a punishment for so slender a Guilt and that the major part of the Assize had cleansed him if the fear of an Assize of Error had not prevailed with them The Verdict being reported Doom was pronounced decerning and adjudging him and the rest to