which will be found the idol of jealousy, and that not only by the indulged, but those who are gaping so much after the new indulgence. We are confident, his people's appearing at Bothwell bridge, and our sufferings and blood now, shall be found as a witness against them, and a protestation for, and an indication of the Lord's returning and staying in the land, for the glory of his great name, and the good of the posterity to come; and that he shall deliver his poor remnant, that he may let enemies see, it hath been in vain, and impossible for them always to resist him, and also let ministers and professors see their sin and folly to distrust him, by making peace with them; for truly it is to be feared, that sad things are to come on this generation, that not only do iniquity, but defend it, and hate and censure all that stand fast in the faith, and withstand the defections of the time, as if we were more to fear some men, and please others, than to fear and please the living God; branding us with singularity, and as unstable fools, tending to error and schism, as if it were more to study unity with, and follow ministers, and the bulk of professors, than to study unity in Christ our Lord and Head, and so unity in his truth, and to follow truth, which only can make us free. Let such as so reproach us consider Luke xvi. 15. And as to the rest of the bond, which is, that we shall not lift arms against the king and his authority, without any qualification or condition, this is more than we or our fathers were obliged to by the obligatory oath, sworn by the people at his coronation, which we find was in these words, By the eternal and Almighty God, who liveth and reigneth for ever, we become your liegemen, and truth and faith shall bear unto you, and live and die with you against all manner of folks whatsoever, in your service, according to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant.' By which we see an express condition and qualification ;-so, that seeing we be sworn only to be for him according to the covenant, which must be understood in defence of, and prosecuting the ends of the covenant, then surely we cannot be thought to be obliged to be for him, while he is positively, plainly and declaredly against these covenants, and the ends thereof, and suppressing and persecuting all those that adhere thereunto. Now this we observe from that which is the people's oath to him as their king. But also in his coronation oath he is sworn to maintain the true religion of Christ Jesus, the preaching of his holy word, and due and right administration of the sacraments then received within this kingdom, which was neither popery, prelacy, nor this erastian government;-but by his oath or taking the covenant, before ever he was received king, or the coronation oath tendered, how doth he in the presence of Almighty God, the Searcher of hearts, allow and approve, and faithfully oblige himself to maintain the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant, and to prosecute the ends thereof; and that he for himself and his successors shall consent and agree to all the acts of parliament enjoining these covenants, and fully establishing presbyterian government; and that he shall observe these in his own practice and family; and that he shall never make opposition to any of these acts, or endeavour any change thereof. And further, we see that after these oaths solemnly

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sworn in the presence of God and all the people, it is upon these conditions foresaid, that he was set upon the throne; for at his coronation we see and understand, when the sword was given him by the Lyon at arms, the Lyon's words were these, Sir, receive this kingly sword for the defence of the faith of Christ, and the protection of this kirk, and the true religion, as it is presently professed within this kingdom, according to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant, and for executing equity and justice, and for the punishment of all iniquity and injustice.' Now, in this flattering, blind, and juggling age, let God arise (by whom kings reign, and for whom kings should reign) and judge between him and us, and see who have transgressed most, and forfeited their right before God and men; for which read 1 Kings xviii. 18. where Elijah's answer to Ahab was, I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.' Also, Psal. xciv. 20-23. Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law? They gather themselves together against the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood; but the Lord is my defence, and my God is the rock of my refuge: and he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness, yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.' Read also, Psal. ii. 1-4. Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? the kings of the earth set themselves, and the princes take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast their cords from us. He that sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision: then shall he speak to them in wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Amos viii. 4-8. Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat? making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat? The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely, I will never forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood; and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.' Now, hath not our king, and many of all ranks, not only broken these oaths of the covenants lying upon them, but risen up against all that own and adhere, or contend against them? and the blood of his people is about the throne, and upon their skirts, and an ugly crew of hell-hounds hired and hunted out against his people, and paid by the cess, and all authority extended and bended mainly against such as will not bow unto, that idol of jealousy; for ye see, how all that have said a confederacy with them, (which we cannot do,) get fair quarters for a time; but popery is coming fast on. But take heed, lest these who have fled from suffering to save life, may not lose it then, when they shall not be honoured to give a testimony. Wherefore read Isa. viii. from ver. 6.

Forasmuch as this people refuse the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in Rezin and Remaliah's son. Now therefore, behold the Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory; and he shall come up over all his channels, and go over all his banks. And he shall pass through Judah, he shall overflow, and go over, he shall reach even to the neck, and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces; and give ear, O ye of far countries, gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought; speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me, that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not, a confederacy' to all them to whom this people shall say a confederacy;' neither fear ye them, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence, to both the houses of Israel; for a gin, and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Bind up the testimony, and seal up the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, who hideth himself from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs and for wonders in Israel, from the Lord of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion. And when they shall say unto thee, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? the living to the dead? To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry; and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward And they shall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish, and they shall be driven to darkness.' Now, considering all these things, and their circumstances, and what we may see to be the design of the enemies of our Lord on foot, and after God's contending with us at Bothwell-bridge, and rubbing shame on our faces, in causing us to flee after such a manner, for our unfaithfulness in our declaration, and in not plain acknowledging and mourning for the sins, which are the causes of God's wrath upon the land. Therefore read Mic. vii. 8-10. Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her, which said unto me, Where is the Lord thy God? mine eye shall behold her; now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. Should we then yet add iniquity unto our transgressions by taking this woful bond? nay, God forbid we do such a great evil, and sin more against God; for although Peter,

after denying his Master, got repentance, yet we dare not but confess and avouch him to be our liege Lord and Lawgiver, Head and King in Zion; Isa. ix. 6. For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulders,' &c. And Psal. ii. 6, 7. But I have set my King upon my holy hill of Zion,' &c. That he may confess and own us before the Father, when he shall sit and judge, and before whom, and by whom our so unjust sentence, and all such, shall be revised and canvassed again: and then all kings and rulers shall be made to tremble and shake before him; yea, and to cast their crowns under his feet, and to curse them that now flatter them most, whether statesmen or churchmen, whether prelates or papists, or these timeserving, self-seeking, new conformed clergy, that confirm the wicked by their indifferency, unfaithfulness, blunt and ambiguous ways of speaking, and also sadden and break the spirits of the small remnant, that groan to see the neutrality of some, and the joint conspiracy of others against our Lord, and in his matters; for the prelates and curates drive our king and rulers on all their cruel and wicked courses: and the indulged and others that testify not against them, do either concur, comply with, or wink at, the wicked in their wicked rebellions against God, and all for love of peace, unity, quiet and ease! Therefore read Ezek. xiii. 4, 5. O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the desarts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord,' &c. And ver. 19. And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live.' For which, we fear their hands will not be found altogether free of blood, although they would, and do justify them that take this bond. Let none hereafter cry out upon us as erroneous and schismatic, or separatists or dividers, except they can prove that we are to follow ministers whether they follow Christ and his truth fully, or not, which is contrary to Paul's exhortation, Follow me no further than I follow Christ. And we are well advised by Jeremiah, Lam. ii. 14. Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity, but have seen for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment.' We therefore, however we be mistaken of men, declare ourselves presbyterians, both in principles, and in this our present suffering, and sealing a testimony against all such, as have been too faint and ashamed of our sworn-to principles, in yielding to Erastianism. As we testify against those who establish it with a high hand; so we own and adhere to the former work of reformation in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, agreed to, summed up, and held forth in the Confession of Faith, Shorter and Larger Catechisms, Directions for Church Government, all according to the word of God, and sworn to in the covenants. We own and adhere to the acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, then also sworn to, and also the Causes of God's Wrath, and all the former testimonies of our worthies; and in particular do acknowledge and bless God for the faithful warnings and testimonies we have had for the truth from the

banished in Holland, in their faithful adhering to the work for which we now suffer, to the honour of their Master, and comfort of his sufferers.*

And we again declare against all the former and present proceedings of the stated enemies of the Lord, both in their acts and laws made against that which they are solemnly sworn to in the covenants, to defend with us, in the defence of this cause for which they now shed our blood, and persecute all such as will not render up their bodies and souls to the blind obedience of their unreasonable and wicked wills and also we declare against all the private practices, underhand dealings, and more public appearances of ministers and professors, either for the enemies of our Lord, or compliance with them, or wherein they have not more faithfully appeared with the poor remnant to help the Lord against the mighty. Therefore, in the presence of Almighty God the Searcher of all hearts, we desire as we can, in our own name, and in the names of all those that adhere unto us, and in name, and for account of the posterity to come, and for the glory of God, to take instruments in the sight of angels and men and hereby protest against all such causes of indifferency and neutrality in the matters of God, as well as a bowing unto, and formal underhand compliance with this idol of jealousy, which, amongst many other sins, these have, and are like to provoke the Lord, yet more to leave the land and instead of turning unto the Lord, and being confounded and ashamed of former ways, we are still more and more going backward, wherefore read Jer. v. 1. Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, and seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it.' Ver. 2. Although they say, The Lord liveth, surely they swear falsely.' Ver. 3. O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a flint, they refuse to return.' Ver. 4. Therefore I said, Surely these are poor, they are foolish; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God.' Ver. 5. I will get me to the great men,

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• Whilst there were some among the ministers, who were otherwise the adherents and supporters of the presbyterian government, that advised the acceptance of the proffered bond-this was by no means their sentiment universally, or even generally. Nor is it to be supposed that those of the prisoners who refused, any more than those who complied with it, were destitute of counsel from men of the most respectable character and attainments. On the contrary, their views and conduct were countenanced and defended by the very ablest divines and casuists then alive. Among others-the ministers who had taken refuge in Holland, particularly Messrs. Brown and M Ward, (than whom, there were none more respectable as authorities on such a subject,) gave their most decided support to the conduct and views of what were reckoned the stricter party among the sufferers. Many of their letters, both in reference to the proffered bond and other points of difference amongst them, are yet extant, both in print and manuscript; and the reader who may wish to peruse their sentiments for himself, is referred to M'Ward's Earnest Contendings-a work which was published from his papers about a century ago.