A SOLEMN WARNING To all the Members of this Kirk FROM The Commission of the Generall Assemblie WITH An Act for censuring such as act or comply with the Sectarian Armie Now infesting this Kingdom ABERDENE Imprinted by James Brown ANNO 1651. PERTH 7. Januar. 1651. THE COMMISSION of the GENERALL ASSEMBLIE Seriously considering the present Distress and Danger of the LORDS PEOPLE in this KIRK and KINGDOM through the Unjust Violence and Oppression and the Pernicious Errours of the Sectarian Armie of ENGLAND continuing now a long tyme in this LAND Haue found it necessarie to emit this SOLEMN WARNING for Information of all the Members of this KIRK and stirring them up to their duetie at this tyme AND Do Ordayn the same To bee Publictlie read in all the CONGREGATIONS of this KIRK Whereof PRESBYTERIES are to take especiall care And to make report A. Ker. Perth 7. Januar. 1651. A Solemn Warning to all the Members of this Kirk From the Commission of the General Assembly AS it hath pleased the LORD who is wonderfull in counsell and excellent in working in the carrying on of His Work since the tyme of the firâ—t receaving of our Nationall Covenant for the Mayntenance of that Work in this Kirk and Kingdom and entring into the Solemn League and Covenant with our neygâ—bour Kingdoms of England and Ireland for propagating and advancing the same amongst them to exercise His people with many tryalls So it hath been His great Mercie not only to pâ—â—serue the publick judicatories of this Kirk faythfull and steadfaâ—t with him in his Covenant and Cause But also to furnish them with Wisdom and Cowrage to discern and giue seasonable Warnings agaynst diverse Tentations and Snares of the tymes and to hold foorth to the people of GOD their dueties in every tryall whereby it hath come to pass through the LORDS Blessing vpon their labours that such as feared GOD have been much helped to stand fast in the Cause of GOD in the saddest hours and greatest Tentations vntill the LORD did make a way to escâ—pe And now the LORD in His Wyse and Most Holy Dispensation having brought His People of this Land unto as sad a tryall as any that ever wee haue been in since the beginning of the Work by the Invasion Prevalencie and Oppression of the Sectarian Partie of England Although at the tyme of their first Invading of this Kingdom the Injustice and Perfidiousness of their Cause was aboundantly discovered by the Committee of Estates and the Generall Assemblie and Seasonable Warning was given agaynst complyance with them which wee hope all who truely loue GOD Religion and Governement have not yet forgotten and casten behind their back But will make conscience to follow Yet considering that the LORD for our tryall hath suffered the Tentation to grow and perceaving that some alreadie perfidiouslie and unnaturallie haue gone in to them Wee desâ—ring to bee faythfull to GOD in our Station fynd it a duetie iâ—cumbent to vs to renew the Word of Exhortation to all the people of GOD in this Land hoping that the LORD according to His wonted way of Blessing the Word of His Servants wâ—â—l not let it be ineffectuall upon the heartes of such as feare HIM In the first place therefore Wee exhort and as the Servants and Messengers of IESUS CHRIST Do in His Name charge the People of GOD in this Kirk and Kingdom To avoyd all sors of Complying with these foresayd Enemies Whether by speaking favourablie of them and their wayes or speaking disrespectfullie of the publick just and necessarie Resolutions and Proceedings of Kirk and State for opposing their wicked Designs agaynst this Kingdom and delyvering the Land from their Unjust and Cruell Oppression or reproaching such in Kirk and state as have been constant in the COVENANT and CAUSE of GOD and adhered to our first Principles with Imputations and Aspersions of Malignancie and Back-slyding because of their Zeale against that Enemie and care to haue the Liberties Government of this Kingdom mayntayned agaynst their Violence or by Conversing with them familiarlie or by Contributing any thing in an actiue way for their mayntenance and help But especiallie by keeping correspondence with them mediatelie or immediatelie to giue them intelligence of the Counsells Resolutions and Proceedings of Kirk or State by going in vnto or joyning with them in Counsell or Armes or anie other way of acting for their Cause or seducing others to anie of these And to the effect that all may bee the more stirred vp to guard themselves agaynst their fayr and entysing words and agaynst the suggestions and insinuations of anie that are Agents for them Wee desyre and warn all People of the Land to take notice of and consider besyde such things as haue been represented in former Papers First That as they did most Unjustly and Perfidiously Invade this KINGDOM contrary to Covenant and Treaties as was cleared before the world by the Papers emitted both by Kirk and State at their first incomming the intentions of this kingdom as then so now being no other but the mayntenance of Religion their own just Rights Liberties and Government not owning any Malignant interest nor owning any interest what-so-ever of mans But according to the COVENANT in subordination to Religion and the saferie of these Kingdoms So that as their Invasion was most Unjust and Perfidious So is their guiltiness now exceeding much increassed and heightned by much innocent Blood-shed of the People Saincts of GOD in this LAND the more than Barbarous usage of our Prisoners by sterving many hundreths of them with Hunger and Cold and sending away many others as Slaves vnto remote parts of the world by laying many Congregations of the Land waste chasing Ministers from their Charges Spoyling Plundering and Oppressing the People of GOD in the Land Now For any of this Kirk and Kingdom to comply and joyn with this Enemie and to act any wayes for them were it not besydes the unnaturall Treacherie of it agaynst their Native Countrey a Villanie which hath been abhominable and execrable even amongst all Heathen Nations much more amongst Christian People Were it not a most manifest personall and formall Violating of our Solemn Covenant where in wee are bound to mayntayn Religion the Liberties and Governement of the Kingdom the Kings Majesties Person and Government in the defence of Religion and everie one another in this Common Cause And also To bee accessorie vnto and bring vpon themselves the guiltiness of all these mens opposition to the Work of GOD usurpation persecution of faythfull and stedfast COVENANTERS in the other two Kingdoms and of their Unjust Invading of this Kingdom all the Blood-shed Despyte agaynst the Ordinances of GOD Violence Oppression and Villanies which they have done since they came into it And would it not not only render vs vyle and reproachfull to all Nations round about vs But also draw on the Wrath of GOD Who is a Severe Avenger of the breach of
delyverance of the bodie from destruction provyding it may be without the undoing of a greater good than is the preservation of the bodie as it is in the present case and publict resolution which if they refuse or neglect to doe they runne them selves into the same guiltinesse and betray their trust Thirdlie The Word of GOD doeth hold out to us sufficient cleare warrand for this practise We may fynd in the book of Iudges That when upon defection from the puritie of Religion and the Covenant of GOD that ancient Kirk was brought under the oppression of forraigne enemies yet so soone as the LORD of His good pleasure raised up Governours for their defence and delyverance the whole people were raised and gathered together for that end and called out promiscuouslie not-with-standing a great part of them no question had been in the defection and it cannot be sayd without groundlesse rashnesse that all such had given convincing evidences of their repentance nor do we fynd that any godly refused to concurre with their fellow subjects or that any of their Governours are reproved for not excluding from rysing in armes for the necessarie defence and delyverance of the Land such as had been in the defection But on the contrarie we synd such sadlie reproved and terrible curses pronounced against them who came not foorth to joyne in the worke See Iud 5. vers 15.16.17 and 23.2 The lyke may be seen in the Historie of the Kings and Chronicles where after defection from Religion and the Covenant of GOD gracious reforming kings arose and had to doe against forraigne invasion 3. We doe fynd in 1. Sam. 11. a cleare exemple of this practise approven of GOD and followed with His Blessing making it succesfull where Saul in the case of Iabesh Gilead besieged by a forraigne enemie commandeth all Israel to come foorth for the desence and delyverie of their brethren vnder the paine of severe civill censure and accordinglie all being moved by the feare of GOD falling vpon them as it is sayd They did come foorth as one man yet as we may perceive Cap. 10. vers ultim manie of them as is apparent a great faction were sonnes of Beliall wicked and turbulent persons who as they had before turbulentlie rejected Samuels governement and requyred a king so then had they opposed the Word and cleare revealed will of GOD in calling Saul to the government of his people Neither is there any thing can be brought in Scripture which speaketh against this resolution in our present case to wit Of just and necessarie defence against forraigne invasion whereby the whole Kingdome Lyves Liberties and estates of the people thereof are in danger of utter ruine As for any scruple or doubt which may be in the mynds of honest and godlie people agaynst the publict resolution there may be cleare and sufficient satisfaction unto such as are not wilfullie resolved unto the contrarie For as to former declarations and publict resolutions and our solemne acknowledgement and engagement made after the unlawfull engagement against England whereby manie are debarred from places of power and trust in counsells and armies It would be considered that these things were done in relation to acting in a way of prosecution of the cause but were no wayes intended to the prejudice of just and necessarie defence of the kingdome against forraigne invasion for which we are allowed and bound by the law of nature which no humane lawes or resolutions can infringe or prejudge to make use of all subjects in the kingdome if the making use of them be not sinfull in it selfe And to the end it may appeare unto all who are scrupled from the solemn engagement concerning the present publict resolution for acting against the enemie That the intention and end of that engagement was no other then what hath been presently sayd we doe desyre it may be remembred that at the tyme when that solemne acknowledgement and engagement was a forming and drawing up it was represented by some then present that it might be a thing prejudiciall to the kingdomes safetie incase of forraigne invasion if so many were absolutely debarred from taking armes And it was then answered publicklie that in such a case all subjects within the kingdome might and ought to ryse for the just defence thereof And therefore in the obligatorie part of the acknowledgement and engagement in the 6. article thereof pag. 12. which concernerh complying with malignants nothing is expressed which importeth the bynding up of the hands of the kingdom from imploying any that are acknowledged subjects for the necessarie defence thereof nor is there so much as any mention of ARMIES made therein at all These things are well knowne and cannot be forgotten by such as were upon the Commission at that tyme. As for anie thing that is sayd in latter declarations concerning this matter even in relation to defence against our invaders as it stretcheth further then the known intentions of our first resolutions So it is to be considered that it was in a tyme when the whole kingdome was inteere and their might be choyse made of instruments to act we confesse that in such a case choyse should be made of the best instruments But the case is altered and yet neither at this tyme is it resolved that any shall be imployed that are profane or continuing in enmitie to the Covenant or cause of GOD. As to what is alleadged from the eminent danger apprehended to follow upon and accompanie the way resolved vpon because thereby manie being to be imployed who have formerlie been in opposition and courses prejudiciall to the cause It may be feared that these having gotten power in their hands cannot but imploy the same according to their owne principles and for establishing their owne ends destructive to the Work of GOD In answer to this We desyre it be considered 1. Suppose there were some danger in this kynd yet it is not certaine and inevitable And on the other hand if necessary help in it selfe not sinfull be not employed there is certaine ruine from the wickednesse and crueltie of our enemies both to kingdom and cause without an extraordinarie divine work which we have no warrand to look for neglecting ordinarie meanes 2. Many of these who have been debarred hitherto have been formerlie active and forward for the Covenant and Cause of GOD have now ackowledged the sinfulnesse of their fal from their steadfastnesse have bound them selves to steadfastnesse faythfulnesse in tyme coming by all the bonds that can be imposed upon men 3. The reason why many of these did oppose the Cause of GOD was their sinfull preference of the Kings interest which was then in opposition to the Cause But now that being removed and the Kings interest and the Cause of GOD being joyned there is not such danger that way We acknowledge that it is all one with GOD to save with many or with few and that as it is a great
provocation to put trust and confidence in multitudes or in the strength of meanes so also it is a great sinne to be misbelieving when GOD in His Providence redacteth us to scarcetie of secundarie meanes yet this is no ground for us to neglect the use of lawfull necessarie and competent meanes when GOD doeth afford them such as He hath left blessed be His Name to us in this Land yet in some measure But how a competent meanes can be had no man of understanding can see without such a calling foorth of the people in these parts of the Land that are yet free from the oppression of the enemie as is held foorth in the publick resolution which course being not sinfull in it selfe and being necessarie in the present case and condition of the kingdome if anie shall stumble thereat the scandal is not GIVEN but taken And if they doe refuse to concurre therein according to the duetie whereunto they are bound by the law of nature and the Covenant they cannot but highlie sinne agaynst GOD Yea suppose the civill Magistrate should imploy some instruments for defence of the Land whom they ought not to employ which we hope they will not doe and if they should we would not fayle to testifie agaynst them yet this will be no just ground nor give warrand to any godly in the Land to desert or lye back from performance of that necessarie duetie which they owe to their native countrey in a just cause but their part were to goe about this with all diligence mourning for the sinne of the Magistrate Therefore we doe againe in the Name of the LORD informe and exhort all the people of GOD in this Kirk and kingdome that in obedience to the lawfull command of Civill Authoritie they shall readilie honestlie and chearfullie goe about all the dueties that relate to our owne just defence That none in such an exigent either through base mynding their owne ease and personall safetie more than the publick safetie of the Land and Cause of GOD lye aback or by the suggestions or whisperings of any slandering the publick resolution of Kirk and State obstruct or retarde the present necessarie Levies for the Defence of the kingdome and Cause or suffer them selves to be hindered from their duetie But that everie one in his station lay out him selfe to the outmost and neither spare his person nor paines nor meanes for the acquyting of him selfe and encowraging of others Our cause is righteous what-so-ever it hath pleased the LORD in His Holie Iust and Wyse Providence to bring upon us for our sinnes agaynst His MAJESTIE especiallie our great misprysing and contempt of the glorious Gospell and of His Sonne IESUS CHRIST We stand for the Defence of our Religion Lyves Liberties Families Estates Countrey Governement our lawfull King and his just Authority in the Defence of Religion and everie thing that is or can be deare vnto anie people all which are in hazard to be destroyed and ruined by our wicked and perfidious enemies if so be we shall not in the LORDS Strength activelie bestirre our selves for our just Defence And now also the sadd and desolate condition of the Citie of our solemnities and the oppressions of all our deare Brethren under the feete of the enemie cry alowd to us who are bound by nature and Covenant to account the injuries done to them as if they were done to our selves who knoweth but the LORD who heretofore hath not gone out with our Armies agaynst this enemie will now returne and haue mercie on His people and show foorth His displeasure agaynst these who are helping forward the affliction Certaynlie the measure of their iniquitie is filling up and their feete shall slyde in due tyme for the day of vengeance is in the LORDS heart and the yeare of recompense for Zions contraversie He will not alwayes contend nor be angrie for ever with His people nor suffer the rod of the wicked to rest upon their lot lest they put foorth their hands to wickednesse Let us aryse and doe our duetie trusting IN HIS NAME and believing the words of His Prophets And that our sinnes may not stand up to separate betwixt us and our GOD let all of us King Nobles Pastours and people of all rankes labour more seriouslie and sincerelie to search out our provocations agaynst GOD and to be more deeplie humbled for the same to apply the LORD IESUS by fayth for our peace and reconciliation with GOD and to powre out our soules before Him that He may haue mercie vpon us through IESUS CHRIST and save us for His owne Names sake AMEN Perth 14 December 1650. Act for censuring such as act or comply with the Sectarian Armie now infesting this Kingdome THE Commission of the Generall Assemblie considering how greevous sinne agaynst GOD and scandall to Religion it were for anie of this Kirk and kingdome to joyne or comply with the Sectarian enemie who having most injustlie and perfidiouslie invaded this kingdome have shed so much of the blood of GODS people are destroying the Land and are so wicked enemies to the Trueth of GOD and work of Reformation And having heard that some alreadie have fallen into these sinnes Therefore the Commission for removing so greevous scandall Ordayne that all such as have or shall joyne in Armes or counsell with the foresayd enemie upon the cleare notice and evidence thereof shall be excommunicate and all such as shall be found to have procured protections from the sayd enemie execute anie orders from them or given them intelligence or have spoken favourablie of them and to the advantage of their cause And all such as shall be found in anie other way to comply with them shall be censured according to the degrees of their compliance as others have been censured who have complyed with other enemies of the Covenant and Cause of GOD and the Peace of this Kirk and kingdome And to the effect all persones may be warned to guard and keepe themselves from being misled or carried away by anie inducement or tentation into such course It is appoynted that this Act be read publicklie in all the Congregations of this Kirk A. Ker.