objections how he cleareth it from Act. 7 51. Hos. 2 1. Dan. 3. 6. Act. 4. 5. 6. Hos. 4. 15. Iud. v. 23. About this same time there is another minister banished indictâ causà for while he was going towards Irland upon some particular occasion he was brought back By the command of the committee of Estates committed to prisone untill the meeting of Parliament then receiveth summones of treason to which when he had desired some time to answere he is sent back to prisone when he expecteth to be called upon to give in his defences he was sentenced with banishment out of his Maj. dominions And which is more to be wondered at Neither these two ministers nor any other who were afterward banished as shall be showne could ever to this day get an extract of their sentence which no judicature in the world could ever have refuised in equity justice yea because the power of the Parliament Councell of Scotland could reach no furder then their own bounds so could banish none any further then out of Scotland they devise another way draw up a bonde where in the subscriber bindeth himself under the paine of death to remove out of all his Maj. dominions betwixt such a day not to returne without license under the paine of death this bond they caused the banished ministers subcribe before witnesses which they were all necessitated to do to save themselves from worse Judge reader if this was not both cruell unreasonable SECTION VII Concerning their sufferings who refuised to observe the Anniversary Day AMong other Acts of the first Session of Parliament there is one for a solemne anniversary thankesgiving wherein they statute ordaine That in all time coming the twenty ninth day of May which was the day of â—…his Maj. birth restauration to his government be set a pairt as a holy Day unto the Lord that in all the Churches of the Kingdome it be imployed in publick prayers preaching thankesgiving praises to God for so transcendent mercies that all trade merchandise work handy-labour other ordinary imployments be forborne the remaineing part of the day spent in such lawful divertishments as are suiteable to so solemne an occasion Unto which Act many of the ministry did give obedience out of fear But others could not in conscience yeeld thereunto not only because it is not in the power of any under heaven to appoint anniversary holy Dayes the Creator alone having reserved that power into his own hand to consecrate any portion of time he pleaseth make it holy So as holy duties must attend it as holy duties acts of worship attend the Sabboth-day the only holy Day which is now warranted by the Word of God It is true the Church may when God by his providence is calling to mourning to fasting or to thankesgiving set some time a pairt for these duties of praying or rejoiceing but then the time doth attend the dutyes called for the duties doe not attend the time as they do the Lord's Day But also because of the grounds reasons of the solemnizeing of that Day which are contained in the narrative of the act unto which no man who had not made shipewrak of faith of a good conscience could consent as every one may see who will but ponder the Act a part whereof to give but a taste of the whole followeth The â—…states of Parliament of the Kingdome of Scotland taking to their câ—…sideration the sad condition slaverie bondage this ancient Kingdome hath groaned under durcing these twenty three years troubles in which under the specious pretences of reformation a publick rebellion hath bâ—…en by the treachery of some mispersuasion of others violently carryed on against sacred authority to the ruine destruction so far as was possible of Religion the Kings Maj. his Royal Government the laâ—…es liberties property of the people all the publick private interests of the Kingdome So that Religion it self hath been prostitute for the warrand of all these treasonable invasions made upon the Royall Authority And disloyal limitations put upon the alleagiance of the subjects c. By which what followeth it may be obvious to all who read consider the said Act. That none could so much as preach on that day or give any countenance to such a work unlesse they would condemne all which had been done for twenty three yeers space in carrying on of the work of Reformation as being the height of treachery rebellion designedly purposely carryed on under the specious pretexts of Reformation And what faithfull Minister durst adventure on that to condemne King Parliaments Church State themselves too as treatours rebells unworthy to live any longer Can any expect that Ministers before they be convinced of a fault should be so rash unadvised as to goe to pulpites with ropes about their necks declare before all that they had been so long possibly all their dayes as to some young men living a life of rebellion against the lawfull Magistrat carrying on a course of â—…rebellion to the ruine of Religion King Kingdome And can it be expected in reason that such as refused to countenance that day should be condemned by any who shall but seriously consider what are the consequences of such a complyance Neither let any say that it was out of disrespect to his Maj. that any Minister did refuise to countenance the work of that day For all of them did willingly keep a day of solemne thankesgiving at his coming home And Presbyteries Synods did chearfully appoynt dayes for that effect That which the famous learned Voetius observeth concerning such dayes in his Polit. Pag. ult viz. That it may come to passe that the time when such an anniversary day should be keeped may be a time when God calleth for fasting mourning then such may look for that woe Isa. 22 12 13. As rojoyce when they should mourne is considerable whether it was a fit season then to rejoyce or not let the Reader judge when he considereth that upon the Monday before that anniversary day the famous Marquis of Argile was executed upon the Saterday thereafter Faithfull Mr Guthry was put to death And that also which he sayeth against Ministers keeping a sinfull fast Pag. 993. Holdeth good here for Ministers were clear that this was against the common cause of God And therefore many who could not satisfy themselves with some fine distinctions evasions to reconcile themselves unto the publick lawes resolved with the primitive Christians to hazard their reputation of loyalty as Stillingslcet sheweth in his Origines Sacra Pag. 321. rather then to countenance such impiety SECTION VIII The grounds why Ministers did resuise to goe to the Prelats Courts cleared A Little after his Maj. returne he was pleased to write unto the Presbytery of
Earle of Glencarne Hugh Campbel sheriff of Aire were sent unto the Queen regent in name of the congregation to deprecat her anger that was going out against them among other things they requeested her to minde her promises But she answered That princes should performe their promises no further then they see it for their own advantage Unto which they replyed that if so They would passe from their alleagiance obedience acknowledge her no more for Queen It was such a thing as this which did animate the congregation to with stand the Queen regent the fenches because as sayeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they had to fight with an â—…iable cruel adversary which made light of all equity right law promises faith oaths so that upon every small gale of hope of advantage they annull both their words their deeds therefore there is no agreement to be made with them nor no peace till one of the parties be quite destroyed overthrown or else all the strangers be put out of the land So that they must resolve either to overcome or to die And hence it was that a little thereafter when there was a treaty there could be no peace concluded because the reformed congregation being so often deceived could not beleeve their promises any more The CONCLUSION THus reader thou hast a clear view of the present state condition of the Church of Scotland the true grounds upon which she is now suffering Thou seest how the wayes of Zion do mourn how the Lord hath covered her with a cloud in his anger how he hath violently taken away his tabernacle as if it were of a garden he hath destroyed his places of the assembly caused the solemne feasts sabbaths to be forgotton in Zion how he hath cast off his altar abhorred his sanctuary given up into the hand of her enemyes the walls of her palaces so that she is now made to cry out is it nothing to you'all yee that passe by behold see if there be any sorrow like unto my sorrow which is done unto me wherewith the Lord hath afflicted me in the day of his fierce anger All who passe by clap their hands at her they hisse wag their head saying is this the city that men call the perfection of beauty the joy of the whole earth all her enemies have opened their mouth against her they hisse gnash their teeth they say we have swallowed her up certanely this is the day that we looked for we have found we have seen it And therefore they are consulting to cut her off that she may no more be a nation But which is worse The anger of God is gone out against her he hideth his face testifieth his displeasure against her her câ—…s And in so doing just righteous is he for she hath rebelled against him It is the Lord who hath given her to the spoile to the robbers even he against whom she hath sinned for she would not walk in his wayes neither be obedient unto his law therefore hath he poured upon her the fury of his anger the strength of battell it hath set her on fire round about yet she knew it not it burned her yet she laid it not to heart Therefore let no man think whatever apologie any make in her behalf that she or they do intend to quarrell with the most high for any of his dispensations towards her Nay he is just righteous in all his wayes yea though he should punish her yet Seven times more it would become her to put her mouth in the dust to be silent to bear the indignation of the Lord because she hath sinned against him And as yet she must say that whatever wrongs her enemies are doing to her how ever unjustly she be suffering at their hands yet the righteous God is doing her no wrong but punishing her lesse then her iniquities do deserve so that as to his dealing with her she hath no cause to complaine for it is of the Lord's mercy that she is not consumed because his compassions faile not And yet it cannot but be expected that such as have tasted of the cup of affliction themselves have resisted unto blood striveing against sin c have known by experience what refreshing hath been in the known sympathy of neighbour Churches in the day of their tryall temptation will minde make conscience of this Christian duty of sympathy towards the poor Church of Scotland now when her enemies are the chief prosper have spread out their hands upon all her pleasant things when her gates are desolat her priests sighe It cannot be thought that such Churches as owne Christ for their head husband can look upon a poor bleeding sister Church which was once decked with ornaments when her head and King took pleasure in her habitations but now is striped naked exposed to shame to the scorne contempt of her enemies not have their eyes affecting their heart Shall it be thought that there are any of the reformed Churches who Esau-like can look on the day of their sister in the day that she is become a stranger that can rejoyce over her in the day of her destruction or speak proudly in the day of her distresse or look on her affliction in the day of her calamity or lay hands on her substance in the day of her calamity or stand in the crosse way to cut off these of hers that escape or deliver up those of hers that did remaine in the day of distresse Nay it is hoped that as the elect of God holy beloved they have put on bowells of mercies kindenesse have learned to have compassion to love as brethren to be pitifull so cannot forget the afflictions of his people in those Islands but do bear them on their heart when they have accesse unto the throne of grace say spare thy people o Lord give not thine heritage to reproach that the heathen should rule over them wherefore should they say among the people where is their God Seing it is the desire of that poor afflicted Church that all would cry unto their God her God that he would turne from his hote wrath displeasure turne to her with healing under his wings That he would heale her backslideings and love her freely and that untill he be pleased to turne from the fiercenesse of his anger his people may be blessed with Christian patience submission under the mighty hand of God helped to hear the voice of the rode who hath appoynted it to turne unto him who smiteth that he may binde up heale that which he hath brokenâ—… That the iniquity of Iacob may be purged the finite of all this may be to take away sin at length his heart may turne within him his repentings may be kindled together that
who sometime could not only have beene a member but a president of any judicatory in Europe have spoken for the cause interest of Christ before Kings to the stopping of the mouths of gainsayers He was triumphed over particularly by the Archprelat Sharp who then with the black crue of his false brotherhood did sit in Parliament as constituting the third Estate And was condemned to die in the manner abovementioned So that that Parliament which was consecrated with the blood of two Noble witnesses in the entry was shut up and closed with the blood death of this worthy witnesse But which is to be remembered with admiration behold this half dead man when the day of his death came had a wonderfull reviving was beyond the expectation of all graciously visited mightyly assisted of God hearing the many prayers of his people put up in his behalf So as hee gave a noble testimony to that honourable cause worke In carrying on of which he had been honoured of God to be a worthy instrument from the beginning And Christ triumphed in him over all his enemies that watched for his halting as the reader may see by his speech carriage on the scaffold set down in Print But he may have hereafter more full satisfaction both concerning him the Noble Marquis of Argile famous Mr Guthry when the world shall see their Processes their defences in Print or when these following sheets shall be reprinted if that shall be thought expedient necessary not only for these now mentioned particulars but also for further explaineing confirming vindicating of any or all of the rest of the purposes here spoken to after fuller information had in those particulars Till then let the reader rest satisfied with the hints that are given here in the following sheets of the case carriage of those worthies pardone what is spoken short unsuitable to their worth As to those who have appeared before the High commission court induced thereto by the evil counsell of some others or the not thorow narrow examination of the complex-case as circumstantiated or being otherwayes circumvented And are now suffering upon some other account wherein they found more clearness satisfaction And as to others also who have not fully seen the evill of some things which in the following debate are clearly demonstrated to be sinfull yet as to other particulars are endeavouring to keep their former integrity to guaird against complyance Let none of those think that any thing here is said intentionally to put them to shame or to proclame before the world their weakness defection or to make glad the heart of the wicked for if there had been any other way for vindicating such as doe suffer upon the account of these particulars and for preventing the fall of others into the same snare this way had never been made choise of therefore seeing nothing is said upon any sinfull or sinister designe these brethren Christians will take this smiting as a Kindness these reproofs as an excellent oyle that will not break the head They will not take in evil part the discovery here made They are of another spiâ—…it then to be embittered at such free full â—…iping up of the evils of the course which many in this houâ—…e of darkness do follow Yea it cannot but be hoped certainly expected that such as truely feare the Lord will blesse his name with all their heart for such things made known to them that in time they may repent of the same see cause of wondering at his goodness mercy in not leaving them to themselves in other particulars of tryall notwithstanding of their sailing of duty in that their begun tryall And who knoweth but serious mourning and repenting before the Lord for fainting so far would open a doore for a great in-come of joy and consolation to the sweetning of the bitterness of suffering to the strengthning and bearing up of their soules under their mighty pressures So then the designe both Operantis Operis being good let no tender Christian be displeased with the way of the prosâ—…cution of these particulars or think that there is too much sharpness used that the consequences are drawn too strait For if in the Particulars themselves truth be maintained as may be supposed will be granted the arguments made use of can give no just offence especially such as are drawn from the Covenants which now are trampled upon by this sinfull backslyding Generation upon which many otherwise not ill minded think not much especially now when it is reckoned a crime once to name them as standing in force obligeing the lands And when the Spirit of these who carry on with violence this woefull course of defection are so enraged at the same that they cannot endure to heare a Covenant so much as named though it were even the Covenant of grace This however incredibleiâ—… may seeme to be will hardly be received by a Christian eare is a well known truth Now at such a time to put people in minde of their ingagements unto God to discover how such such practises are contrary to their Covenant obligations vowes cannot justly be condemned but approved of all who desire to stand fast in this houre of temptation It is beyond all question the Particulars here asserted shall meet with much contradiction from men of corrupt mindes whose principles will lead them to oppose what here is spoken in vindication of truth of the honest sufferers of Christ And upon that account it may be expected that the same honour shall be done to this which hath been done to other more worthy pieces viz. that it shall be committed to the fire there to receive a quick dispatch answer which will be so far from lessening the credit of the booke that it will render it much more desireable confirme the weake concerning the truth of the Particulars here spoken to of the unanswerableness of the arguments here made use of so the authors expectations shall be fully answered But if they shall doe it the justice to commit it to examiners one or moâ—… who with sobriety moderation shall publish their exceptions to the contrary shall examine these papers by the word of God right reason the fundamentall municipall lawes of Scotland the particulars here spoken to shall be revindicated The Lord granting life strength liberty from all their exceptions Only let not such as undertake this taske improve the advantage of authority now on their side so far as to doe nothing but raile at randome stuff their reply with unbeseeming to say no worse And Unchristian expressions outcries of treason treason for in that case it will be thought expedient not to answer such in their folly A good cause is a mighty second to a weak man And so being perswaded that the cause is
he may not execute the fiercenesse of his anger nor returne to destroy Ephraim seing he is God not man For he is a God who is gracious long suffering slow to anger of great kindenesse repenteth him of the evil who knoweth if he will returne repent leave a blessing behinde him That poor Church will be very far disappoynted of â—…et expectation if in stead of Christian sympathy pity compassion she shall meet with unbrotherly unchristian dealing at the hands of any if there shall be any such as will be ready to condemne her as suffering upon very slender inconsiderable grounds as it will be no small matter of grief sorrow unto the already sorrowfull mourning Church yea an addition unto her affliction so it will yeeld these little comfort in the day when the cup shall passe over unto them to reflect upon their unchristian thoughts sharpe censures of a poor member of Christ's body while lying under the feet of oppressours such as said to her soul bow down that we may goeover It is true the infinitly wise God hath thought fit to try that Church with more searching tryalls then he did England Irland it was the policy of her adversaries to beginne with such small things to the end they might get such as they desired drawne into their net then they weresure piece piece to get them brought alongs to countenance them in all their courses as sad experience hath proved For some who at the first resolved to goe some length for peace cause having no purpose to move one foot further to whom if it had been then said that ere all were done they would go such a length as now they have gone with Hazael they would have replyed are we dogs to do such things are now going all the length desired scrupleing at nothing which is a warning to all to beware of the beginnings of a defection And indeed for as great as the defection apostasie in that Church is at present for as great a conspiracy as is found among her prophets If the tryall had been nothing more searching then that wherewith the Neigh bour Churches were tryed there would not have been so many that would have depairted from their former principles as there are this day And therefore it was a mercy unto many in these Neighbour Churches that their sieve was not more narrow searching it is no small mercy unto particular persons when they see their enemies in their owne colours the baite is not able to cover the hook wherewith their adversaries think to catch them And it is likewise a mercy will be so found acknowledged in end unto the Church of Scotl that God hath followed such a way with her as shall prove most discovering consequently most purging by making her drosse to appear bringing to light in a short time more corruption â—…aughtinesse then in all probability would have been found out many a yeer if God had not taken this course But now let none blame those who have desired to keep their garments clean to adhere zealously constantly unto their former principles therefore have refused complyance in the least would not willingly quite with a hoof or sell a bit of the precious truth of God There is a time when such things are very momentous considerable which at other times seem not to be of much concernment Armies may yeeld more unto their enemies at another time place then when they are keeping a considerable passe the loseing of which would prove of great disadvantage unto themselves an in-let unto all the enemies forces There is a time when such things must be stood at which if abstracted from that time place would signifie little or nothing whether done or not done The giving of a book or of a piece of paper out of the hands of the martyres was at that time as so circumstantiated a maine businesse when they were upon the poynt of avouching truth for God A little matter when it becometh Casus confessionis is of great moment Mordecay's beck is no small matter Daniel's closeing of his windowes is a great businesse as it was then circumstantiated And doolfull experience in all ages hath made it appear what mischief hath followed upon yeelding unto the adversaries in small-like matters in the begining of a defection what through inadvertancy what otherwayes by little little the pope came to his throne not in one day by little little came prelats formerly to their height in that Church therefore as before so now the honest party thought themselves called of God to withstand beginnings not to cede in the smallest-like matters when they saw that the opening of never so smal a passage would be enough to occasion the drowning of all as according to the proverb the brunt child doth scar the fire so that Church cannot be blamed for keeping such a distance from that plague of prelacy which formerly had brunt up consumed all the vitals of religion the whole power of Godlinesse had made that Church to look like an harlot not like the spouse of Christ Especially after God had wrought such wonderfull deliverances unto her had graciously delivered her from that yron furnace with his out-stretched arme had brought downe all her enemies Should they againe break his commandements joyn in affinity with the people of those abhominations would not God be angry with them till he had consumed them so that there should be no remnant nor escapeing And it is very remarkable that there are none who have hitherto rued their suffering upon that account but rather they are all blessing the name of the Lord for that he hath keeped them from yeelding in the least And though their adversaries the prelats be useing barbarous inhumane let be unchristian wayes to afflict them still more more by procureing acts to be made dischargeing any Charity to be extended to them or their families who are now suffering for the cause of God Yet they have no cause to compleane God for whose sake they are suffering is provideing for them with all is comforting them with the consolations of the Holy ghost supporting their spirits keeping them from fainting encourageing them so that they resolve through his grace never to comply with these workers of iniquity lest they partake of their judgments Yea they are perswaded that if any members of the Christian Churches abroad who had the root of the matter within them were in their souls stead they would no more comply with this present course of defection then they have done or desire to do So that what ever can be looked for from men of corrupt mindes such as are enemies to the truth to the power of godlinesse Yet they are sure that such as know what it is to walk with
were sworne to maintaine according to their place power their lives lands possessions liberties as scottish men as Christians into the hands of their implacable enemies Were these valient worthies now living who are gone off the stage with honour credite heating seeing what they might now heare see how would they stand astonished at this degenerated generation that so easily quite with that which they did lose their blood lives to purchase obtaine Yea to see or heare the self same persons who but twelue or Sixteen years ago were jeoparding their lives with them for the same cause either condemning that practice or carrying themselves so indifferently now as if these matters appeared but tâ—…islles not worth the contending for Whosoever they be who now seem to be ashamed of that cause of themselves in contributeing their help for the promoveing of the same It may be thought that it was not conscience that moved them thereunto but some other ends otherwayes their judgements would not so soon alter seing there is no other argument now seen but the winde changed from south to North which dispensation useth not to worke much upon consciences what ever it may do upon other principles If the former generations had been of such a cowardish disposition how had Scotland been delivered If they had walked upon no other principles but such as would have changed when the storme did beginne to blow upon their faces where had the land been ere now And if there be no other spirits in Scotland this day where may it be imagined shall that Church be found ere long 7. Thou mayest hereby be more enabled to disput against prelacy then possibly thou was having now seen how what way it was brought in into the Church formerly how it is ushered in to day And when it is established by force over the Churches belly how it proveth the bane of all Church order piety edification And this is a strong argument to prevaile with such as have the root of the matter in them enough to make them question such a way as no way of Christ's To say that the abuse of the power by such as are in possession of it will not plead much against the power it self will be of â—…o fore in this case where the jus of the power cannot pretend heigher then to be humanum And if its admirers should alledge that it is founded upon a jus divinum These necessary consequences as so many propria quarto medo will sufficiently ground an improbation Scotland never saw prelates without such a long traine of hellish consequences discovering to any judicious eye their rise to be from below And if the prelats now in place had thought it of their concernment they might have cut off that long taile but it seemeth if they had done so they would have lost somewhat that they thought essentiall to themselves therefore as if they had thought all the abuse whereof their predecessours were guilty was their too much lenity forbearing to persecute the godly banish piety They have made the poor Church feel that their little finger is heavier then the loynes of their forefathers And so the argument of the vulgar is confirmed with a witnesse become more unanswerable then ever 8. Thou mayest likewise have arguments put into thy mouth whereby to defend thine own practices in standing to thy former principles stope the mouth of thine adversaries before thou was willing to suffer for Christ his interest though thou could not disput much for him his truth that was a great evidence of love And now thou mayest get some help in disputing for the truth by the arguments set down in the following sheets And the few arguments which thou will finde there may bring others to thy minde thus thou mayest be helped to meet thine adversary without fear 9. But if these adversaries be of such a disposition as to take advantage of thy speaking or argueing for truth to bring thee into trouble therefore in prudence thou will think it best to keep silence Thou mavest here by be confirmed in thine own minde of the unlawfulnesse of such courses as the current of the times would draw thee unto as it doth others how unjustly thou art persecuted for refuseing to comply with such sinfull wayes And further because it is like the malice of Satan his instruments will not rest here but they will still be deviseing new wayes to lay snares for the consciences of such as walk uprightly by what is said to the particulars handled in the following sheets thou mayest be helped to judge of new emergent questions which thou mayest be exercised with afterward so to know how thou oughtest to carry thy self in reference to these new tryals 10. Thou mayest have some ground of hope That the Lord's end in suffering this sudden sad Change to continue so long is but to juâ—…ge more fully his Church from the much drosse corruption which otherwayes in all probability had never been purged away It is possible that these by-past yeers of prosperity her most afflicted condition being a prosperous state when compared with her present condition have done the Church of Scoâ—…l more harm by reason of corruption within then many yeers of sad adversity shall do The former prelats had a time before they came to their height all those many yeers wherein hâ—…y were on the riseing hand after they came to the possession of their full power the Lord was trying purging his Church And at length when his time came who waiteth that he may be gracious loseth not a fit opportunity of doing good to his Church people he brought the Church of Scotland out of the furnace laid her stones with faire colours her foundations with Saphites So that the yeers 1638 1639 were as glorious years as any which she hath seen since And these prelats though they have made great haste in their rise yet must have some time to do that work in which the Lord is imploying them as his lixes one day discovereth more now then a yeer formerly could have done One prelat blessed be the Lord who is master of work doth more then many purging committees could do Why then should we weary We know not what the Lord is about to do but when we consider what were his dispensations in former times unto that Church we may now hope that he will bring the Church of Scotland out of the furnace as faire beautifull as ever if not more So that these who saw the foundation of the old temple laid An. 1638. c. Shall not have cause to weep when they see her foundations laid of new the Lord reviveing the stones out of the rubbish which are burnt If his people were humbled did not stand in the way of their own mercies who can tell what
the Lord would do how shoon he would appeare for his oppressed people interest declare that he hath chosen Ziou hath desired it for his habitation then clothe her priests with salvation cause her saints to shout aloud for joy The popish prelaticall malignant faction have been losers when they thought themselves gainers all their victoryes have proven hurtfull to their owne cause And who can tell but this day which they think they have gained and the victory whereof they think themselves so firmly and certanely possessed as that they shall never lose it againe may prove the most fatal day that ever they saw a victory tending to the everlasting ruine of their cause interest 11. Thou mayest see these Covenants against which in this degenerate age reproach cannot sufficiently be poured forth vindicated And the lands obliged Covenanted lands before the Lord what ever course hath been taken by higher powers to loose the obligation This Gordian Knot will not be gotten so easily loosed as some would imagine People may think to close their eyes then reason themselves out of the obligation ofa Covenant oath taken before the Lord so cast themselves at liberty But that will only wreeth the heavy yoke ofGods curse straiter about their neck It is no small matter of admiration to hear how basely many men do speak of these holy bonds sacred Covenants But let men who take pleasure in venting the venome that is within say what they will Scotland hath no cause to be ashamed of these Covenants It was a sweet day when the nationall Covenant which had been long buried in oblivion was raised out of the dust renewed And it may be Scotland shall have as sweet a day when both that Covenant the solemne league Covenant which now lyeth buried under a heep of the ashes of contempt reproach shall be raised up renewed with great acclamation of joy It is true this seemeth not to be very probable now but Scotlands covenanted God liveth his arme is not shortened There was not very great probability of renewing the nationall Covenant some few years before when the prelats were tyrannizing at pleasure no man durst so much as complaine of any injury they did It is easie with God to put Spirit courage in people make them stand upon their feet become an exceeding great army who were before but dry bones yea very dry bones howbeit now that league Cov. be looked upon as a device contrived purposely to overturne the throne Yet as it hath already proven so againe it may prove as sure a pillar for the throne as any as effectuall a meane to preserve the same from being overturned as any other But Christian reader by what thou will see in the following sheets thou Mayest easily perceive that it is both a sinfull dangerous thing to break Covenant a sin which heathens have scarred at And therefore remember thy Covenants and vowes made unto the most high let not the speaches nor carriage of others who think they cannot exceed in casting out the venome of their heart against these Covenants lessen thine estimation of them but rather increase the same And the more thou hear others cry down these Covenants as null keep thy self under their tye so much the more carefully Make conscience of studying these Covenants the duties unto which thou standest bound before the Lord by vertue thereof It is true thou art noâ—… now in a capacity to Act for the carrying on of the endâ—… of those Covenants as some time thou hast been yet keep thy Spirit still under the impression of their obligeing force when thou cannot by acting promove the ends of the Covenant thou mayest do it by constancie in patient suffering for adhereing to that cause Covenant See what thou art obliged unto by vertue of these Covenants let never these duties be forgotten but as the Lord offereth occasion let it appear that thou art under the impression of the oath of God thus shalâ—… thou have peace joy when shame shall cover the faces of all Covenant breakers 12. Thou mayest see how this yoke of prelacy wreethed in former times about the necks of the inhabitants of Scotland did prove so intolerably grievous that they were made to groan under it and how they became restlesse untill they shook it off And experience this day doth prove how necessaryly it is attended with grievous oppression soul affliction It hath been found is seen this day how prelats have trampled do trample upon the nobility gentâ—…ie burgesses of the Land The land formerly hath found to day doth finde what the weight of a Saint Andrew's crosse of the prelate's râ—…het is And that their little finger is heavier then the loyns of Ministers whatever grudge out-cry there was against the discipline of the Church It is true they proclame liberty give way to all vice iniquity are leaders into these wicked wayes themselves are paterns patrons unto the people whom they encourage by their evil example to follow them in their trade of wickednesse it is like this is the only thing which maketh that Goyernment desirable unto many who love not to be curbed in their licentious wicked courses but desire to have the bridle laid upon their necks liberty to follow the swinge of their own corruptions beastly lusts Yet it may be that many are ere now wearying of them Yea who knoweth but before this time many of the nobles others of the land who did earnestly pant after a change of Church Government wishing the day wherein prelats might be re-established in their power faithfull Ministers oppressed put to the door that so they might enjoy full free liberty to commit sin with greadinesse do beginne to be think themselves to be sensible of their folly when they see how Prelats trade upon their necks not careing what disrespect they put upon them or how basely they use them when they see that they have acted below themselves below men when they made shipwrack of their consciences sold their souls to promove their ambitious designes to help them to ascend unto the tope of their intended grandour no doubt many are thinking with themselves that they have run too fast when they see that all the thanks that they are like to have from those who excell in ingratitude is to be trode upon as mire of the streets It is a bad reward but the just righteous hand of God may be seen in it to inslave the persons bodies of such who have voluntarily iâ—…slaved their souls to set them on high O that the nobles gentry of the land would at length resent this indignity observe the hand of God punishing them with a whipe of their own making when they see how undervalueingly these