Selected quad for the lemma: religion_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
religion_n	deplorable_a	exercise_v	time_n	78	3	2.0930	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A61639	Naphtali, or, The wrestlings of the Church of Scotland for the kingdom of Christ contained in a true and short deduction thereof, from the beginning of the reformation of religion, until the year 1667 : together with the last speeches and testimonies of some who have died for the truth since the year 1660 : whereunto are also subjoyned, a relation of the sufferings and death of Mr. Hew McKail ...	Stewart, James, Sir, 1635-1713.; Stirling, James, 1631-1672?	1667 (1667)	Wing S5683; ESTC R3435	226,444	388

of Scotland England and Ireland by the providence of GOD living under one King and being of one reformed Religion Having before our eyes the glory of GOD and the advancement of the Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the Honour and Happinesse of the Kings Majesty and his Posterity and the true publick Liberty Safety and Peace of the Kingdoms wherein every ones private condition is included And calling to minde the treacherous and bloody Plots Conspiracies Attempts and Practices of the Enemies of GOD against the true Religion and Professours thereof in all places especially in these three Kingdoms ever since the Reformation of Religion and how much their rage power and presumption are of late and at this time increased and exercised whereof the deplorable estate of the Church and Kingdom of Ireland the distressed estate of the Church Kingdom of England and the dangerous estate of the Church and Kingdom of Scotland are present and publick testimonies We have now at last after other means of Supplication Remonstrance Protestation and Suffering for the preservation of our selves and our Religion from utter ruine and destruction according to the commendable practice of these Kingdoms in former times and the example of GODS People in other Nations after mature deliberation resolved and determined to enter into a mutuall and solemn League and Covenant Wherein we all subscribe and each one of us for himself with our hands lifted up to the most high GOD do Swear 1. That we shall sincerely really and constantly through the grace of GOD endeavour in our several places and callings the preservation of the Reformed Religion in the Chuch of Scotland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government against our common Enemies The Reformation of Religion in the Kingdoms of England and Ireland in Doctrine Worship Discipline and Government according to the Word of GOD and the example of the best Reformed Churches And shall endeavour to bring the Churches of GOD in the three Kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and Uniformity in Religion Confession of Faith Form of Church-government Directory for Worship and Catechizing That we and our Posterity after us may as Brethren live in Faith and Love and the Lord may delight to dwell in the midst of us 2. That we shall in like manner without respect of persons endeavour the Extirpation of Popery Prelacy that is Church-government by Arch-bishops Bishops their Chancellours and Commissaries Deans Deans and Chapters Arch-deacons and all other Ecclesiasticall Officers depending on that Hierarchy Superstition Heresy Schism Prophanesse and whatsoever shall be found to be contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godliness Lest we partake in other mens sins and thereby be in danger to receive of their plagues And that the Lord may be one and his Name one in the three Kingdoms 3. We shall with the same sincerity reality and constancy in our severall vocations endeavour with our estates and lives mutually to preserve the Rights and Priviledges of the Parliaments and the Liberties of the Kingdoms And to preserve and defend the Kings Majesty's Person and Authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms That the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts or intentions to diminish his Majesty's just power and greatnesse 4. We shall also with all faithfulnesse endeavour the discovery of all such as have been or shall be Incendiaries Malignants or evil instruments by hindering the Reformation of Religion dividing the King from his people or one of the Kingdoms from another or making any faction or parties amongst the people contrary to this League and Covenant That they may be broughr to publick triall and receive condigne punishment as the degree of their offences shall require or deserve or the supream Judicatories of both Kingdomes respectively or others having power from them for that effect shall judge convenient 5. And whereas the happinesse of a blessed Peace between these Kingdoms denyed in former times to our Progenitors is by the good Providence of GOD granted unto us and hath been lately concluded and settled by both Parliaments We shall each one of us according to our place and interest endeavour that they may remain conjoyned in a firme Peace and Union to all Posterity And that Justice may be done upon the willfull Opposers thereof in manner expressed in the precedent Article 6. We shall also according to our places and callings in this Common cause of Religion Liberty and Peace of the Kingdoms assist and defend all those that enter into this League and Covenant in the maintaining and pursuing thereof And shall not suffer our selves directly or indirectly by whatsoever combination perswasion or terrour to be divided and withdrawn from this blessed Union and conjunction whither to make defection to the contrary part or to give ourselves to a detestable indifferency or neutrality in this cause which so much concerneth the Glory of GOD the good of the Kingdoms and honour of the King But shall all the dayes of our lives zealously and constantly continue therein against all opposition and promote the same according to our power against all Lets and Impediments whatsoever And what we are not able our selves to suppresse or overcome we shall reveale and make known that it may be timely prevented or removed All which we shall do as in the sight of GOD. And because these Kingdoms are guilty of many sins and provocations against GOD and his Son Jesus Christ as is too manifest by our present distresses and dangers the fruits thereof We professe and declare before GOD and the world unfained desire to be humbled for our own sins and for the sins of these Kingdoms especially that we have not as we ought valued the inesteemable benefit of the Gospel that we have not laboured for the purity and power thereof and that we have not endeavoured to receive Christ in our hearts nor to walk worthy of him in our lives wich are the causes of other sins and transgressions so much abounding amongst us And our true and unfained purpose desire and endeavour for ourselves and all others under our power and charge both in publick and in private in all dutyes we owe to GOD and man to amend our lives and each one to go before another in the example of a real Reformation That the Lord may turn away his wrath and heavy indignation and establish these Churches and Kingdoms in truth and Peace And this Covenant we make in the presence of Almighty GOD the Searcher of all hearts with a true intention to peform the same As we shall answer at that great Day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed Most humbly beseeching the Lord to strengthen us by his Holy Spirit for this end and to blesse our desires and proceedings with such successe as may be deliverance and safety to his people and encouragement to other Christian Churches

anointing conjuring hallowing of GODS good creatures with the superstitious opinion joyned therewith his Worldly Monarchy and wicked Hierarchy his three solemne vowes with all his shavelings of sundry sorts his erronious and bloudy decrees made at Trent with all the subscribers and approvers of that cruell and bloudy Band conjured against the Kirk of GOD and finally wee detest all his vaine Allegories Rites Signes and Traditions brought in the Kirk without or against the Word of GOD and Doctrine of this true reformed Kirk to the which we joyne ourselves willingly in Doctrine Faith Religion Discipline and use of the Holy Sacraments as lively members of the same in Christ our Head promising and swearing by the Great Name of the Lord our GOD that we shall continue in the obedience of the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk and shall defend the same according to our vocation and Power all the dayes of our lives under the pains contained in the Law and danger both of Body and Soul in the day of GODS fearful Judgment And seeing that many are stirred up by Sathan and that Roman Antichrist to promise sweare subscribe and for a time use the Holy Sacraments in the Kirk deceitfully against their own Consciences minding thereby first under the external cloak of Religion to corrupt and subvert secretly GODS true Religion within the Kirk and afterward when time may serve to become open enemies and persecutors of the same under vain hope of the Popes dispensation devised against the Word of GOD to his greater confusion and their double condemnation in the day of the LORD JESUS Wee therefore willing to take away all suspicion of hypocrisy and of such double dealing with GOD and his Kirk Protest and call The Searcher of all hearts for witnesse that Our mindes and hearts do fully agree with this our Confession Promise Oath and Subscription so that Wee are not moved for any wordly respect but are persuaded onely in our Consciences through the knowledge and love of Gods true Religion printed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit as we shall answer to him in the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed And because we perceave that the quietness and stability of our Religion and Kirk doth depend upon the safety good behaviour of the Kings Majesty as upon a comfortable Instrument of Gods mercy granted to this Countrey for the maintaining of this Kirk and ministration of Justice amongst us we protest and promise with our hearts under the same Oath Hand-writ and Pains that we shall defend his Person and Authority with our goods bodies and lives in the defence of Christ his Evangel Liberties of our Country ministration of Justice and punishment of iniquity against all enemies within this Realm or without as we desire our GOD to be a strong and merciful defender to us in the day of our death and coming of our Lord Iesus Christ To whom with the Father and the Holy Spirit be all Honour and Glory Eternally Like as many Acts of Parliament not onely in general do abrogate annull and rescind all Lawes Statutes Acts Constitutions Canons civil or municipall with all other Ordinances and practique penalties whatsoever made in prejudice of the true Religion and Professours thereof Or of the true Kirk-discipline jurisdiction and freedome thereof Or in favours of Idolatry and Superstition Or of the Papisticall Kirk As Act. 3. Act. 13. Parl. 1. Act. 23. Parl. 11. Act. 114. Parl. 12. of King Iames the sixt That Papistry and Superstition may be utterly suppressed according to the intention of the Acts of Parliament repeated in the 5. Act. Parl. 20. K Iames 6. And to that end they ordaine all Papists and Priests to be punished by manifold Civill and Ecclesiastical pains as adversaries to Gods true Religion preached and by Law established within this Realme Act. 24. Parl. 11. K. Iames 6. as common enemies to all Christian government Act. 18. Parl. 16. K. Iames 6. as rebellers and gainstanders of our Soveraigne Lords Authority Act. 47. Parl. 3. K. Iames 6. and as Idolaters Act. 104. Parl. 7. K. Iames 6. but also in particular by and atcour the Confession of Faith do abolish and condemne the Popes Authority and Jurisdiction out of this Land and ordaine the maintainers thereof to be punished Act 2. Parl. 1. Act 51. Part. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 114. Parl. 12. K. Iames 6. do condemne the Popes erronious doctrine or any other erronious doctrine repugnant to any of the Articles of the true and Christian religion publickly preached and by law established in this Realme And ordaines the spreaders and makers of Books or Libels or Letters or writs of that nature to be punished Act 46. Parl. 3. Act 106. Parl. 7. Act 24. Parl. 11. K. Iames 6. do condemne all Baptisme conforme to the Popes Kirk and the Idolarry of the Masse and ordaines all sayers willfull hearers and concealers of the Masse the maintainers and resetters of the Priests Jesuites traffiquing Papists to be punished without any exception or restriction Act 5. Parl. 1. Act. 120. Parl. 12. Act. 164. Parl. 13. Act. 193. Parl. 14. Act. 1. Parl. 19. Act. 5. Parl. 20. K. Iames 6. do condemne all erroneous bookes and writtes containing erroneous doctrine against the Religion presently professed or containing superstitious Rites and Ceremonies Papisticall whereby the people are greatly abused and ordaines the home-bringers of them to be punished Act 25. Parl. 11. K. Iames 6. do condemne the monuments and dregs of by-gone Idolatry as going to the Crosses observing the Feastivall dayes of Saints and such other superstitious and Papisticall Rites to the dishonour of GOD contempt of true Religion and fostering of great errour among the people and ordaines the users of them to be punished for the second fault as Idolaters Act 104. Parl. 7. K. Iames 6. Like as many Acts of Parliament are conceaved for maintenance of GODS true and Christian Religion and the purity thereof in Doctrine and Sacraments of the true Church of God the liberty freedom thereof in her National Synodal Assemblies Presbyteries Sessions Policy Discipline and Jurisdiction thereof as that purity of Religion and liberty of the Church was used professed exercised preached and confessed according to the reformation of Religion in this Realm As for instance The 99. Act. Parl. 7. Act. 23. Parl. 11. Act. 114. Parl. 12. Act. 160. Parl. 13. of King Iames 6. Ratified by the 4. Act. of King Charles So that the 6. Act. Parl. 1. and 68. Act. Parl. 6. of King Iames 6. in the Yeare of God 1579. declares the Ministers of the blessed Evangel whom GOD of his mercy had raised up or hereafter should raise agreeing with them that then lived in Doctrin and Administration of the Sacraments and the People that professed Christ as he was then offered in the Evangel and doth communicate with the Holy Sacraments as in the reformed Kirk's of this Realm they were publickly administrat according

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

due administration of Sacraments and all things depending upon the said VVord that we shall each one with another all of us effectually concurre joine in one take hold one plain part for the and recovery of our ancient freedome Liberties that we way be ruled by the Lawes and Custome of the Countrey Again that we shall tender the common Cause as if it were the Cause of every one of us in particular And that the Causes of every one of us now joyned together being lawfull and honest shall be all our Cause in Generall And that he that is enemy to the Cause foresaid shall be Enemy to us all in so far Wee have superadded these instances as wee might have done two or three more to the first proposed because of their great resemblance since there can be nothing more manifest then that the same Provocations the same Spirit the same Principles and the same Design did most uniformly influence all these Transactions Now seeing that both the Occasion Actors Aime and End of the first Action and especially the observable Providence of God that without all contrivance of man did over-rule it do clearly purge it of any intended Rebellion or other wickedness Certainly to affirm that all these things were nevertheless acted in by a Rebellious Spirit must be a sinn at least next unto that of high despit and Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost and Spirit of grace by whose power alone this blessed work was effectuated Neither durst the Arch-Prelat himself though our Arch-Adversary in this our present cause and though he knew that the same doth infallibly either stand or fall upon the same principles and grounds with these cases now under consideration proceed any further in his censure of these courses and practices then to disprove them as Violent and Disorderly There is one thing further which is also before touched that the instances above adduced especially the first both for the Meanness of it's Actors the unpremeditated plainness of its Manner and the singlness and purity of its End doth most evidently make out viz that as these men of God by their small and improbable appearance did as much witness their unfained love of the Truth and zeal of his Glory in the manifest contempt and hazard of their lives and fortuns As when under the dispensation and call of another providence they did patiently and cheerfully upon the same motives lay down their lives and suffer the loss of all things So the end of their undertaking was not only their own just and necessary Defence which in such an apparent danger might rather seem to be abandoned then intended but above all things the Maintainance Defence of that blessed Evangel which was dearer to them then all other interests whatsoever Wee know our great adversaries who for the gain and pleasours of this life what then would they not do for the preservation of life it self have often renounced and would again renounce all Conscience Alleagance and Truth and who by their detestable Flatterv in denying the lawfulness of Self-defence although in effect Self be their only Idol pretending a fained affection illimited submission without reserve do only court the Powers for the advanceing of these interests which they seem to relinquish as the revolutions of the World have frequently declared their practises in prejudice of both Religion and Royalty and have often resolved both their practises and principles into that one Devilish position the first yea only fixed rule of their Religion Skin for skin yea all that a man hath will be give for his life These we say are not curious to enquire in this distinction Yet seeing they leave nothing unessayed whereby to promote their design and therefore do often cavil from such advantages as the work of God afterwards obtained and particularly the Concurrence of the Peers and Primores Regni and from the defect thereof in the first appearances would infer the unlawfulness of rhe same especially in order to the design of Reformation Therefore wee further add with these noble worthies that as it cannot be denied 1. That the right Priviledge of Self-defence is not only founded in but is the very first instinct of pure Nature and spring of all motion and action 2. That it was competent to and exercised by every individual before that either Society or Government were known 3. That it was so far from being surrendred or suppressed by the erecting of these that it was is the great End motive for which all voluntary Societies and Policies were introduced and are continued 4. That it is a principal rule of Righteousness whereunto that great command of love to our neightbour by the Law of God by our Lord himself is resolved whereby it is interpreted so it doth infallibly follow that the same right and Priviledge is yet competent to all men whither Separatly or Jointly and needeth no other prerequisit but that of intollerable and inevitable injury which for a man to suffer under pretext of the good of the Common-wealth would be for the delusion of an emptie name only for the lust of others really to deprive himself of his whole share and interest therein and is compleated for exercise by such a Probable Capacity as may encourage the Asse●ters thereof to undertake it And as for that other and more noble design of the Maintainance and Reformation of Religion waving the question and Debate Whether the same can or ought to be by force maintained Which may appear sufficiently determined to rationall men by the very contrary Practises of it's adversaries who not only by force do fight aginst it but most irreligiously usurpe and detort it 's own weapons viz the precepts of our Lord for patience and meeknes under a dispensation of suffering to the persuasion of a stupid submission and casting away the opportunity of Desence and Acting that without controll they may work it's overthrow And supposing with all men that force is not a proper argument of persuasion and that Religion neither can nor ought to be thereby propagated Yet are we in conscience persuaded that the grounds follouwing evidently held out in the records of these times are beyond contradiction 1. That Religion the highest concernment of Gods glory and of mans happiness both temporall and eternall is the most important dear and precious of all interests 2. That to be violented in this which cannot be without an unjust force either or mens Persons or Goods is the most wicked and insupportable of all injuries 3. That the propelling by force of such injuries was the justest cause and quarrell that men in their Primaeve Liberty could be engaged in 4. That as for the security of this Interest and no wayes to make an absolut surrender thereof to the arbitriment of any men were mostly induced to the appointing of Governours so the glory of God which is the end of all things but herein is most especially concerned was

and Prelacy and all that was done or ensued in the sincere and upright prosecution thereof was and is the Work of God which though Men fight against yet shall they never be able to prevail And as this is our Faith so it is our Hope to all that wait for the Salvation of God that Our God will surely appear for his own Glory and vindicate his Cause and persecuted People and render vengeance to his Adversaries even the vengeance of his Holy Temple and broken Covenent O be not then moved with our Sufferings with are but Light and Momentany for they Work for us a far more execeding and Eternal weight of Glory and for you also a strong Confirmation and abounding Consolation against the like trial that possibly may befal you O then save your selves from this Wicked and Apostat Generation and be ye stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the Work and Cause of the Lord Waiting for the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ which in his Times he shall shew who only hath Immortality dwelling in the Light which no man can approach whom no man hath seen or can see to whom be honour and Power everlasting AMEN The Testimony of CAPT. ANDREW ARNOT one of the former ten who died Decem. 7. DEar Friends and Spectators I am brought by the good providence of God to this publick place of execution which is no dishonour for points of Treason as is alleadged but God knoweth who knoweth the secrets of hearts whether in Rebellion or not I cam forth He is my witness wil be my Judge And whoever they be that any way have been instrumentall or incensed against me to procure this Sentence against me God forgive them I forgive them I am not now purposed to disput the matter of my being in company with these worthy Christians who are now defeat and broken their blood shed and they despitfully mocked by many I acknowledge and declare that I was with them As to the cause of my being with them whither in Rebellion or not God knoweth and all Israel shall know And for me I say the Cause is the Lords who made the Heaven and the Earth though now it be hated And I desire to bear witness with the rest of the worthy witnesses who are gone before and are now staged to that glorious Work of Reformation in Britain and Ireland and to Gospel-Ordinances in their Purity as they have been taught and administrated these 30 Years last by past And I adhere to the Presbyterial way of Doctrin Worship Discipline and Government by General Assemblies Synods Presbyteries and Sessions according to the Patern of the holy Scriptures Jesus Christ himself being the head Corner-stone the Confession of faith Cathechismes Shorter and Larger Directory for Worship National Covenant Solemne League Covenant every Paper tending to the good of the true Religion And this I think fit to Testify Declare under my hand not knowing if I shall have any Liberty to speak intend God willing to Seal with my Blood shortly I confess that unexpectedly I am come to this place though some times I have had some small thoughts of it And I do account my self highly honoured to be reckoned amongst the witnesses of Jesus Christ to suffer for his Name Truth and Cause and this day I esteem it my Glory Garland Crown royall dignity to fill up a part of His sufferings And now I take my leave of you all my dear and worthy Friends and acquaintances The Blessings of the Eternall God be multiplied upon yow and your seed and upon all the suffering Friends of Christ this day upon my dear and loving Wife who hath been a faithful sympathizer with me and upon my dear Children The work of God is now at under but Christ shall carry the Day Blessed is he that believeth and seeth not for there shall be a performance Now the Eternall God who brought again the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead the great sheepherd of the flock strengthen and establish you and all the Lord's people So pray ye and so prayeth your Friend ANDREW ARNOT The Testimony of JOHN SHIELDS Yeoman one of the former ten who died at Edinburgh the 7 day of Decemb. 1666. I Am a man unlearned and not accustomed to speak in publick yet being now called to witness and suffer for the Lord in publick I cannot be altogether silent of that which Religion and Reason hath taught me anent the cause of my suffering I bless the Lord I suffer not as an evil doer especially not for any Rebellion against his Majesties lawful Authority I attest him who is the searcher of hearts that was never my intention in the least and it is as litle the nature and intention of what I have done But for renewing of the Covenant with the Lord and following the ends thereof as to the suppressing of abjured Prelats and Intruders upon the Lords flock and the restoring of the Government of the House of God by Presbyteries as He himself hath appointed in his Word with a faithful Godly Called and Sent Ministery And together with pure Ordinances the Power of Godliness For this I am condemned and to suffer this day This I acknowledged freely before our Judges This I still acknowledg and am persuaded that herein I witness a faithful Confession This Cause and Covenant I commend to all the Lord's People It is not free for you to forsake if You are inviolably ingaged in it It is not safe to desert it because of the Curse of the perjurer and false swearer There is unspeakable blessedness in the pursuance of it whereof I can bear witness to the Lord by my rich Experience since we began to Do and Suffer at this time for him Whereupon I cheerfully lay doun my Life for this his Cause He it is who Justifieth it what man or Authority under heaven can condemn it Arise O Lord let not man prevaill against Thee plead and Iudg this Cause which is thine own for thine own names sake The Testimony of another of the former ten Persons left subscribed with a Friend I designed no Rebellion against lawful Authority but the suppressing of Prelacy and of Profanity and advancing of Holiness in Gods World In a Word I adhere to all the Articles of the good Covenant and did intend the restoring of our good and Soul-refreshing Ministers and the casting out of the dumb greedy Dogs that cannot bark In this Cause I was a free Voluntier pressed by none thinking it my duty to appear for helping the Lord against the Mighty This I testify under my hand from the Tolbooth of Edinburgh the 6 of December 1666. The Testimony of M R ALEXANDER ROBERTSON Preacher of the Gospel and Probationer for the Ministry who died at Edinburgh Decemb. 14. 1666. FEaring that after the example of others I should not be permitted to speak openly to the People I thought fit beside my adherence to what my brethren who have