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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:41:35 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 04:41:35 -0700 |
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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/13200-0.txt b/13200-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..85d9790 --- /dev/null +++ b/13200-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9145 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13200 *** + +ACT, DECLARATION, + +AND + +TESTIMONY, + +FOR THE + +WHOLE OF OUR COVENANTED REFORMATION, AS ATTAINED +TO, AND ESTABLISHED IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND; +PARTICULARLY BETWIXT THE YEARS 1638 +AND 1649, INCLUSIVE. + +AS, ALSO, + +AGAINST ALL THE STEPS OF DEFECTION FROM SAID REFORMATION, WHETHER IN +FORMER OR LATER TIMES, SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF THAT +GLORIOUS WORK, DOWN TO THIS PRESENT DAY: + +BY THE REFORMED PRESBYTERY. + + * * * * * + +PSALM IX, 4.--Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee: that it +may be displayed because of the truth. + +ISAIAH VIII, 16.--Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my +disciples. + +JUDE, verse 3.--That ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was +once delivered to the saints. + +REVELATION III, 11.--Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou +hast, that no man take thy crown. + + * * * * * + +TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, + +A HISTORICAL AND DECLARATORY SUPPLEMENT. + +1850. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The Presbytery, soon after their erection, being convinced of the +expediency and necessity of emitting a judicial testimony, to discover +to the world the principles upon which, as a judicatory of the Lord +Jesus Christ, they stood, in opposition to the different, so called, +judicatories in the land; together with the agreeableness of these +principles to the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and +to the covenanted constitution of the church of Scotland in her purest +periods; did therefore, after a proposal for said effect, agree in +appointing one of their number to prepare a draft of this kind to be +laid before them, who, after sundry delays, to their grief of mind, at +once cut off their hopes of all assistance from him, in that or any +other particular, by laying himself obnoxious to the censures of the +church; which the presbytery, in duty both to him, to God, and to his +people, were obliged to put in execution against him, while he, in +contempt of that ordinance, and other means used for his conviction and +recovery, obstinately persists in his impenitency and defection. And +although the presbytery, few in number, were thus diminished, yet, being +still resolved to prosecute their former design, they renewed their +appointment upon another brother, who, in consequence of his +undertaking, was allowed a cessation from his other public work, in +order to expedite the proposed draft: and now, when nothing was expected +that should retard the finishing of such a necessary work, the +lamentable fire of division, that had long been smothered, unhappily +broke forth into a violent flame, whereby the presbytery was rent +asunder, and that brother, on whom the appointment was formerly laid, +happening to be of the separating party, a second stop was not only put +to the publication of this testimony, but the presbytery, from the +absence of a brother removed to a distant part of the world, together +with the paucity of their number, were almost wholly discouraged from +attempting again what they had been oftener than once disappointed in. + +But notwithstanding of the above, with many other difficulties which we +shall not at present take notice of, the presbytery, still considering, +that, even in their present circumstances, when their number is few and +despicable, their adversaries many, and such as are in repute in the +world, whereby the opposition made to them, and the conspiracy formed +against the covenanted testimony of the church of Scotland maintained by +them, must needs be strong; there is yet a gracious door of opportunity +left open for them to attempt, in their judicative capacity, the +prosecution and accomplishment of the necessary work formerly proposed; +and which they could not but judge the Lord still called them unto, +while after all the above-mentioned breaches made upon them, he still +continued to give them a nail in his holy place, and a wall in Judah and +Jerusalem, _Ezra_ ix, 8, 9, they therefore again laid their appointments +upon some others to prepare a draft of _An Act, Declaration, and +Testimony_, &c., and which, under the favor of Divine Providence, has at +length been finished and laid before the presbytery. We only need to +observe further with reference to this, that the long delay of what is +now agreed upon did not proceed from any design in the presbytery, of +depriving either the people of their particular inspection, or the +generation, of any benefit that might be obtained by a work of this +nature, but partly from the fewness of their number, and great extent of +their charge, and partly from the great distance of members' residence +from each other, whereby they can seldom have access to meet all +together, for expediting this or any other work of public concern they +have in hand. + +It is, therefore, with an eye to the Wonderful Counselor (when Zion's +faithful counselors are so few) for light and direction in the +management of this great and important work, that the presbytery have +resolved upon the publication hereof at this time, for the reasons which +follow: + +1. Because this duty of bearing witness for truth, and declaring against +all error, and defection from it, and transmitting the same uncorrupted +to posterity, is expressly enjoined on the church by the Spirit of God +in the Scriptures of truth. _Psal._ lxxviii, 5: "For he hath established +a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded +our fathers that they should make them known to their children." +_Isaiah_ xliii, 10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." _Matth._ x, +32: "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I also +confess before my Father who is in heaven." _John_ xv. 27: "Ye also +shall bear witness." _Acts_ i, 8: "And ye shall be witnesses unto me." + +2. Because, in agreeableness to the above scripture warrant, it has been +the constant practice of the church in all ages, when in such capacity, +judicially to assert, and declare their approbation of the truths of the +everlasting gospel, and attainments of the church, joined with the +condemnation of all contrary error, as appears from their harmonious +confessions: and particularly, this has been the honorable practice of +the once famous church of Scotland, witness her excellent confessions, +covenants, &c., whose posterity we are, and, therefore, in duty bound to +homologate, and approve her scriptural form and order, by a judicial +asserting of her attainments, as saith the apostle, _Philip._ iii, 16: +"Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the +same rule, let us mind the same thing." _Rev._ iii, 3: "Remember, +therefore, how thou has received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent." + +3. That, notwithstanding many, both ministers and private Christians, +have been honored faithfully to publish their testimonies and +declarations, and to seal them with their blood, in opposition to the +growing defections in the land, being through the tyranny of the times +prevented from acting in any other capacity: yet never, since the +national overthrow of the glorious structure of reformation, has any +church judicatory; constituted purely on the footing of our covenanted +establishment, appeared in a judicial vindication of our Redeemer's +interest and injured rights. + +4. The unspeakable loss sustained by the present generation, through the +want of a full and faithful declaration of the covenanted principles of +the church of Scotland, which they in the loins of their ancestors were +so solemnly engaged to maintain; whereby, as ignorance must be +increased, so prejudices are also gradually begotten in their winds +against the truth in the purity thereof. And this, through the many +mistaken notions at present prevailing among the different contending +parties of professors in these nations, concerning the distinct +ordinances of divine institution, viz., the ministry and magistracy, or +ecclesiastical and civil government; and, more especially, the +presbytery reckon themselves, and all professing their allegiance unto +Christ and his cause, obliged to maintain the testimony of our ancestors +for the divine institution and right constitution of civil government, +according to the law of God, as what they found to be, and still is, +indispensably necessary for the outward defense and preservation of +righteousness and true religion; and because the very foundation and +ends of this ordinance have been doctrinally subverted, and the +generation taught the most licentious principles concerning it, by a +body of professed witnesses among ourselves: and this they design to do, +without (as they are slanderously reported of by some) laying aside +themselves, or withdrawing others, from the study of internal and +habitual or practical holiness. + +5. To wipe off the reproach of that odium cast upon the presbytery and +community belonging thereto, by some who invidiously call them a +headless mob, whose principles cannot be known, anti-government men, men +of bloody principles, &c., than which nothing can be more unjust: +seeing, as a body distinct from all others, they have still stood upon +the footing of the covenanted establishment, as has been frequently +declared to the world, and as the constitution of the presbytery bears; +so that they can no more be said ever to have wanted a proper testimony +exhibiting their principles to the world, than the reformed church of +Scotland, whereof they are a part. + +6. The present broken and divided situation of the members of CHRIST'S +mystical body, together with the abounding of error, seems necessarily +to require it as a proper mean, under the divine blessing, for gathering +again the scattered flock of Christ, the chief shepherd, to the one +sheepfold, and putting a stop to the current of prevailing apostasy and +defection. + +For these reasons (with more that might be adduced) the presbytery find +themselves in duty bound, to God, the present and succeeding +generations, to throw in their small mite of a testimony, against the +manifold avowed backslidings and defections of all degrees of men, both +in the former and present times, from the precious truths of Christ, and +purity of his ordinances; unto the maintenance whereof, not only they, +but all in these lands, are solemnly bound by covenant engagements. + +And, to conclude, let none mistake the presbytery's aim and intention, +in the whole or any part of the following testimony, as if they minded +nothing else but magistracy, &c., and that to have civil government, and +governors established, according to the rule of God's word, was all the +religion they intended, without regarding or opposing any other of the +prevailing evils and iniquities of the present time. So some are pleased +to allege, as has been hinted above; but such might do well to consider, +that, as the sovereign and distinguishing goodness of God is clearly +evidenced in giving his statutes and judgments unto his Israel, in all +ages, while he has not dealt so with the other nations of the world, +wherein his will is manifestly revealed, determining his people's duty +in all their regulations; so his glory is equally concerned, that they +receive, observe, keep pure and entire, all the ordinances he hath +appointed in his word. The sinful prostitution of any of these, or +breaking over the boundaries which Jehovah hath set is an evident +contempt of his sovereign authority, and violation of the moral law. God +requires of his people an universal respect to all his ordinances and +commandments. Hence what is designed by them in this undertaking, is +equally to testify their adherence unto, and approbation of the +doctrine, worship, discipline and government of the house of God; and to +signify their opposition to, and dissatisfaction with, all the +apostatizing, backsliding courses in principle and practice, from that +reformation purity, both in church and state (which, as the attainment +of the nations of Britain and Ireland, was by them accounted their chief +ornament and glory), that have taken place, especially in this kingdom, +since our woful decline commenced: whereby the witnesses for Scotland's +covenanted reformation, have been deprived of any legal benefit, as +well, since as before the late revolution; in which the reformation, +neither in civil nor ecclesiastical constitutions, was adopted. The +intent, therefore, of this work is of very great importance; no less +being proposed, than the right stating of the testimony for the +covenanted interest of Christ in these lands, and judicial vindication +of all the heads thereof, after such a long and universal apostasy +therefrom: a work that must needs be attended with great difficulties, +and labor under manifold disadvantages, as in other respects, so +particularly from the consideration of the temper of this age, wherein +nothing almost is pleasing, but what is adapted to the taste, not of the +best, but of the greatest: and naked truth without the varnish of +flattery, and painting of carnal policy, is generally treated with +contempt, and exposed to ridicule. And therefore, to remove as much as +possible the prejudice of a critical age, who are ready to reject every +thing as new, which is in some respects singular, and not suited to +their favorite sentiments; the presbytery have endeavored, in this work, +to conform, as much as possible, to the faithful contendings of former +honest contenders for the truths and testimony of JESUS, and that, both +as to matter and manner: and as the grounds of this testimony are not +any needless scrupulosities, or strange novelties, but precious and +weighty truths, of the greatest value and importance, and of nearest +affinity unto the continued series and succession of the testimonies of +the church of Scotland, in former and more ancient periods; so it is the +presbytery's ambition, that nothing, as to the subject matter of what is +here contained, be looked upon as theirs, but may be regarded as an +ancient plea, wherein is nothing but what has been maintained and +confirmed by authors of the greatest fame and reputation in the church; +has been asserted by the greatest confessors, and sealed by the best +blood of the honored and faithful martyrs of Jesus: so that it may +appear, the cause and truths here judicially stated and vindicated, are +not of yesterday's date, but the same old paths and good way, that we +are commanded to ask for, and walk in, though paths that are not now +much trodden, a way that is not much paved by the multitude of +professors walking therein. + + + + +ACT, DECLARATION, AND TESTIMONY. + +PART I. + +Containing a brief historical narration of the several periods of the +Testimony of the Church of Scotland, and of the faithful contendings of +the witnesses for Christ, particularly from the commencement of the +Reformation in these lands, down to the late Revolution; with the +Presbytery's approbation thereof. + + +PLOUGHLANDHEAD, JUNE 6, 1761. + +The which day and place, the Reformed Presbytery being met, and taking +into their most serious consideration, the deplorable situation of the +interest of Christ and religion at present, in these sinning lands +wherein so few are asking for the old path, saying, Where is the good +way, that we may walk therein? but, on the contrary, an avowed apostasy +and backsliding from the right ways of the Lord, is by the generality +carried on, with a secret undermining of reformation interests, by some, +under more specious pretenses; and, further, considering the general +deluge of error and heresy, that has overrun these lands, and the swarm +of erroneous heretics that has overspread the same, making very impious +attacks upon the most part of revealed religion, who, notwithstanding, +have found such shelter under the wings of a Laodicean church, and +almost boundless state toleration, that they walk on without fear in the +foresaid broad way of sin and error. And, moreover, all kinds of sin and +wickedness so universally abound and pass, without any suitable check, +that he who departs from iniquity maketh himself a prey; together with +the woful insensibility, and deep security of all, under our spiritual +plagues and impending temporal strokes. And yet, while the land so +evidently groans under its inhabitants, very few either acknowledge +themselves guilty, or turn from the evil of their ways, saying, What +have we done? Also, considering the horrid breach and contempt of sacred +vows unto the Most High, the great effusion of the saints' blood, shed +in our late persecution under prelacy (which is yet to be found in our +skirts), and the faithful testimony they therewith sealed, remains +buried under the gravestones, both of ecclesiastical and civil deeds of +constitution, unto this day. So that we may rather admire, that the Lord +hath not made such inquisition for blood, as to make our land an +aceldama, than that we are yet under a dispensation of divine +forbearance. All which is followed with a deep oblivion of most or all +of the memorable instances of the Lord's goodness, mercy and power, +manifested unto his church, in these lands; the remembrance whereof +ought still to be retained, and the same acknowledged with thankfulness, +by all the children of Zion, unto the latest ages. + +Wherefore the presbytery, amidst their many difficulties, partly noticed +in the introduction, as a court of the true Presbyterian Covenanted +Church of CHRIST in Scotland, constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone KING and HEAD of his church, judicially to +commemorate: Likeas, they did, and hereby do acknowledge, with the +utmost gratitude, the great goodness and tender mercy of our God unto +our church and land; who, in consequence of that early new covenant +grant, made by JEHOVAH to his eternal SON, to give him the heathen for +his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, +caused the day spring from on high to visit us. Our glorious Redeemer, +that bright and morning Star, having, by his almighty power, shaken oft +the fetters of death, wherewith it was impossible that he could be held, +and, as a victorious conqueror, leading captivity captive, ascended into +the highest heavens, and there sat down on the right hand of God, did +very soon discover his cordial acceptance of, and superlative delight +in, possessing his Father's extensive grant, by stretching forth the +lines of his large and great dominion unto the distant nations of the +world, involved in the thickest darkness of stupidity and idolatry; and, +in a particular manner, did, as the glorious sun of righteousness, +graciously illuminate this remote and barbarous isle, causing the +refulgent beams of gospel light to dissipate the gross darkness that, +covered the people, which prevailed so far (according to very authentic +historical accounts), that, about the beginning of the third century, +those of the highest dignity in the nation, voluntarily enlisted +themselves under the displayed banner of CHRIST, the captain of +salvation, and became nursing fathers and nursing mothers to his church, +employing their power to root out Pagan idolatry, and bring their +subjects under the peaceful scepter of the SON of GOD. This plant of +Christianity having once taken root, did, under all the vicissitudes of +divine providence, grow up unto a spreading vine, which filled the land, +and continued to flourish, without being pressed down with the +intolerable burden of prelatical or popish superstition: the truths and +institutions of the gospel being faithfully propagated and maintained in +their native purity and simplicity by the Culdees some hundreds of years +before ever that man of sin and son of perdition, by the door of +prelacy, stepped into the temple of God in Scotland. Those early +witnesses for CHRIST, having no other ambition but that of advancing +piety and the doctrines which were according to godliness, were +therefore called _Culdees_, that is, _Cultores Dei_, or worshipers of +God. The doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the house of +GOD being thus established, continued for many years, taught and +exorcised, according to divine institution. But, in process of time, the +Church of CHRIST in this land came to be assaulted with the corruptions +of the see of Rome, by means of Palladius, the Pope's missionary to the +Britons, who made the first attempt to bring our fathers' necks under +the anti-christian yoke, which gradually increasing by little and +little, clouded the sunshine of prosperity the church then enjoyed, till +about the eleventh century, when the Romish fraternity fully established +themselves, by usurping a diocesan supremacy over the house of God; +after which a midnight darkness of popish error and idolatry overwhelmed +the nation, for near the space of five hundred years. Yet, even in this +very dark period, the LORD left not himself altogether without some to +bear witness for him, whose steadfastness in defense of the truth, even +unto death, vanquished the inhuman cruelty of their savage enemies. The +honor of the church's exalted Head being still engaged to maintain the +right of conquest he had obtained over this remote isle, and raise up +his work out of the ruins, under which it had lain so long buried; he, +about the beginning of the 15th century, animated some valiant champions +(Messrs. Hamilton, Wishart, and others) with a spirit of truth and +heroic courage, to contend against the abominations of the Babylonish +whore, whose labors, by the blessing of Heaven, were rendered +successful, to open the eyes of some to see, and engage many others to +inquire after, and espouse the truth as it is in JESUS. These, not +regarding the fear of man, nor the cruelty of their enemies, but as good +soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, enduring hardness, chose, rather than desert +their Master's cause, to offer their bodies to be devoured by the +tormenting flames, no more merciless than their hellish persecutors; +while in that fiery chariot, through the serial regions, their souls +ascended to the celestial country. And herein, also, did GOD frustrate +the expectation of that monster of iniquity, Cardinal Beaton (whose +memory let it for ever perish), and his wicked accomplices, and turned +their counsel into foolishness, who, by the death of a few zealous +contenders for the faith, intended the total suppression of CHRIST'S +truth for ever; but GOD having purposed the contrary, made the effusion +of their blood the occasion of rousing many from the deep sleep of gross +ignorance, by putting them to search into the truth of those doctrines, +which these martyrs sealed with their blood; so that JESUS CHRIST, the +only true light in the orb of the gospel, began again to shine forth +within this realm. + +Upon this begun revival of reformation, the glory of the LORD went +remarkably before his people, and the GOD of Israel was their reward, +uniting the hearts, and strengthening the hands, both of noble and +ignoble, to a vigorous and active espousing of his gospel, and concerns +of his glory, in opposition to the tyranny of the lordly bishops, +persecuting rage, and masked treachery of the two bloody Marys, the +mother and daughter, who then successively governed, or rather +tyrannized, in Scotland. Their number, as well as their zealous spirit, +still increasing, they, for the more effectual management of this noble +enterprise, entered into covenants to advance that begun work of +reformation, and to defend the same and one another in the maintenance +thereof, against all opposition whatsoever. Several such covenants our +early reformers solemnly entered into at Edinburgh, Perth and Leith, in +the years 1557, '59, '60 and '62. In 1560, _the Confession of the Faith, +and doctrine believed and professed by the Protestants within, the realm +of Scotland_, was compiled and civilly ratified, or allowed of, in free +and open parliament, afterward sworn to in the National Covenant _annis_ +1580, 1581 and 1590. At the same time, some other acts were passed, in +favor of reformation; one against the mass and abuse of the sacraments; +another, abolishing the Pope's jurisdiction and authority with this +realm, &c. In the above mentioned year 1560, the first book of policy +and discipline, containing the form and order of presbyterial church +government, was composed, approven and subscribed by the ministry, and a +great part of the nobility. Thus, by the wisdom and power of GOD, who +takes the wise in their own craftiness, by means, especially, of the +indefatigable labors of the renowned Mr. KNOX (whose memory is still +savory in the churches), was this surprising work of reformation +advanced, until it obtained the authority of a law; whereby, was not +only the presbyterian protestant interest ratified, but anti-christian +supremacy and superstition abolished. + +The church, gradually increasing in beauty and perfection, did, with +much painfulness and faithful diligence, labor after a more full +establishment of the house of GOD, in all its privileges, until, by +perfecting the second book of discipline, they completed the exact model +of presbytery, which, though they had enjoyed national assemblies for a +considerable time, yet was not brought to such an entire conformity to +the divine pattern, nor so generally acquiesced in until now, that it +was unanimously approven by the assembly 1590, and particularly enjoined +to be subscribed by all who did bear office in the church; and, at last, +they prevailed to get it publicly voted and approven in parliament, +June, 1592; and also at the same time, obtained by act of parliament, +the ratification of all the privileges and liberties of the church, in +her assemblies, synods, presbyteries, &c. + +And here we may observe, that while this church and nation contended for +the obtaining of a legal establishment of the ecclesiastical polity, +they were no less concerned to have that other distinct ordinance of +GOD, civil magistracy, unalterably settled, in agreeableness to the rule +of GOD'S word. This appears, not only by their earnest contendings +against the abuse of that ordinance among them; but also, by the public +acts of parliament, obliging prince and people to be of one perfect +religion, and wholly incapacitating all persons, for bearing any office, +supreme or subordinate, who refused, by their solemn oath, to approve +of, and, to the utmost of their power, engage to defend the true +religion, as contained in the word of GOD, and confession of faith +founded thereon, then believed, and publicly professed within the realm, +ratified and generally sworn to in the National Covenant, during the +whole course of their lives, in all their civil administrations. See +_Acts Parl. 1st_, James VI, 1567. + +Thus the hand of GOD was remarkably seen, and his powerful arm evidently +revealed, in delivering this nation both from Pagan darkness and Popish +idolatry, the memory whereof ought not to be lost, but thankfully +acknowledged, to the honor of GOD'S great name, by all such as favor the +dust of Zion, for her sake, and long to see her breaches, now wide as +the sea, repaired. + +But to proceed: The church's grand foe envying her growing prosperity, +did soon disturb her peace, by insinuating himself upon those of +superior dignity, who were intrusted with the administration of civil +affairs, both supreme and subordinate, blowing up into a flame that +inbred and rooted enmity, which they still retained, at the simplicity, +strictness and scriptural purity of the reformation in Scotland. The +then supreme civil ruler, king James VI, formed a scheme for ruining the +church of Scotland, and stripping her of those comely and beautiful +ornaments of reformation purity, in doctrine, worship, discipline and +government, which she had now put on, by introducing episcopacy, and +establishing bishops. "This he did for no other reason (says one), but +because he believed them to be useful and pliable instruments for +turning a limited monarchy into absolute dominion, and subjects into +slaves; that which of all other things he affected most:" and for this +purpose (after several subtle and cunningly devised steps, previously +taken, with design to do by degrees what could not be done at once) he +makes an open attack upon the general assembly, robbing them of their +power and liberty to meet, judge and determine, in all ecclesiastical +concerns (well knowing, that so long as assemblies might convene in +freedom, he would never get the estate of bishops established in +Scotland), and imprisoning and banishing many faithful ministers, +members of the general assembly, who opposed him, testified and +protested against his wicked invasion, and sacrilegious robbery of the +church's rights and privileges. And, having at last obtained the +supremacy and headship over the church, which was granted him by an +impious act of a pretended parliament, of his own stamp, called by him +for that purpose, proceeded with his design, until he had again +established Prelacy, and razed Presbytery almost to the very +foundations, notwithstanding all the opposition made to it by the +faithful in the land, both ministers and people. + +Thus, after several former attempts to this effect, was Episcopacy again +established, and prelates lording over GOD'S heritage advanced, imposing +their popish ceremonies, which in that pretended assembly convened at +Perth, anno 1618, were enacted, and afterward ratified in a subsequent +parliament in the year 1621. And as the father had thus violated his +solemn professions, declarations and engagements, to maintain the +covenanted interest; so likewise, upon the accession of the son to the +throne, there was no amendment nor redress had: but he followed the same +iniquitous course, walking in the way of his father, and in the sin +wherewith he made Israel to sin. And further, obtruded upon the church a +service book, a book of popish and prelatical canons, which was followed +with a violent prosecution of the faithful contenders for the former +laudable constitutions of the church, carried on by that monstrous +Erastian high-commission court, patched up of statesmen and clergymen: +and hereby was the church again brought under the yoke of anti-christian +prelacy, and tyrannical supremacy; which lese-majesty to Zion's King was +also ratified with the sanction of civil authority. To this yoke, +oppressing CHRIST'S loyal subjects, many of his professed servants +submitted their necks, and, Issachar-like, became servants to tribute +for a considerable time. + +But when the LORD'S set time to favor Zion came, he made the long +despised dust thereof again to be more pleasant and precious than ever +unto his servants and people, and the long night season and thick clouds +of adversity under which his church labored, amid some day-sky, and +sun-blinks of prosperity, she at times enjoyed, to issue in the dawning +of a day of clearer light wherein the glorious SUN of Righteousness +shone in his meridian splendor, with greater brightness both in this and +the neighboring nations, than at his first arising therein, in a gospel +dispensation; whose benign influences caused the small grain of good +seed, sown by the skill of the Great Husbandman, to grow up to a +fruitful plant, the tender twig to spread itself into a noble vine, and +the little cloud, like a man's hand, to cover the whole hemisphere of +the visible church of Scotland, which long ago, as a church and nation, +had enlisted themselves under the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as their Royal +Prince; whose peaceful and righteous scepter being now also extended to +England and Ireland, they soon submitted themselves thereto, in a +religious association and union with Scotland in covenant engagements, +for reformation from prelacy, as well as Popery, which they had never +hitherto yielded to. + +Upon this gracious return of divine favor, and discovery of Almighty +power manifested against the mighty agents for prelatical superstition, +both in church and state, when, from the paucity of those who appeared +in favor of truth, in the year 1637, small opposition unto its enemies +could be expected; yet their magnanimity in witness-bearing was so +followed by manifestations of the divine countenance and favor, that +both their number and courage daily increased. The National Covenant was +again, after mature deliberation, anent both the lawfulness, expediency +and seasonableness thereof, with great solemnity renewed in _March_, +1638, with the general concurrence of the ministry, noblemen, gentlemen, +and others, humbling themselves before the LORD for their former +defections and breach of covenant; though, at the same time, the court +faction, and many temporising ministers, continued in their opposition, +but which was indeed too weak to make resistance unto the cause of GOD, +and force of truth carried home with suitable conviction upon the +conscience. + +The covenant being first renewed at Edinburgh, they provided next, that +it should also be renewed through the kingdom; and for this purpose, +copies thereof were sent with all convenient speed to the several +presbyteries, together with suitable exhortations, and instructions for +renewing of the same in every parish of their bounds; and by this means +it came to pass, through the good hand of their GOD upon them, that in a +little time almost every parish through Scotland did, with much +solemnity, cheerfulness and alacrity, renew the same, and publicly with +uplifted hand avouch the LORD to be their GOD. And as this solemn action +was everywhere accompanied with remarkable evidences of divine power and +presence in a plentiful effusion of a spirit of grace and supplication; +so the joy of the LORD herein became their strength, and greatly +increased the faith and hopes of all the church's real friends, that as +the LORD had begun, so he would also make an end, and carry on his work +to perfection, amid the terrible threatenings both of king and court; +his majesty being highly displeased that his authority was contemned, +and no concurrence of his royal pleasure sought in the renovation of the +Covenant: but their righteousness in this particular was brought forth +as the light, when the legality of this and their other proceedings was +afterward attested to the king by the ablest lawyers in the kingdom. + +The zealous contenders for the church's liberties, by supplications, +reasonings, and proposed articles, for enjoying what they much longed +for, at last obtained, before the foresaid year 1638 expired, a lawful +and free General Assembly (constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone King and Head of his church), consisting of able +members, both ministers and elders, who would not suffer an infringement +upon their regular manner of procedure, or right to act as unlimited +members of a free court of CHRIST, notwithstanding the constant attacks +made upon their freedom by the king's commissioner, and protestations by +him taken against their regular procedure, which issued in his Erastian +declaration of the king's prerogative, as supreme judge in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, and renewing all his former +protestations in his royal master's name; further protesting in his own +name, and in the name of the lords of the clergy, that no act passed by +them should imply his consent, or be accounted lawful, or of force to +bind any of the subjects; and, then in his majesty's name dissolving the +assembly, discharging their proceeding any further, and so went off. But +the assembly judging it better to obey GOD than man; and to incur the +displeasure of an earthly king, to be of far less consequence than to +offend the Prince of the kings of the earth, entered a protestation +against the lord commissioner's departure without any just cause, and in +behalf of the intrinsic power and liberty of the church; also assigning +the reasons why they could not dissolve the assembly until such time as +they had gone through that work depending upon them. This was given in +to the clerk by Lord Rothes, and part of it read before his grace left +the house, and instruments taken thereupon. Then, after several moving +and pathetic speeches delivered on that occasion, for the encouragement +of the brethren to abide by their duty, by the moderator, Mr. Alexander +Henderson, and others, ministers and elders, exhorting them to show +themselves as zealous for CHRIST their LORD and Master, in his +interests, as he had shewed himself zealous for his master; they +unanimously agreed that they should continue and abide by their work +until they had concluded all things needful, and that on all hazards. +And so they proceeded to the examination of that complaint against the +bishops, who, on account of their, tyranny, superstition, and teaching +of Popish, Arminian, and Pelagian errors, were all laid under the +sentence of deposition; and many of them, for their personal +profaneness, wickedness and debauchery proven against them, together +with their contumacy, were also excommunicated with the greater +excommunication, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might +be saved in the day of the LORD JESUS. They gave their approbation of +the National Covenant; and Prelacy, with the five articles of Perth, +were found and declared to be abjured by it, together with the civil +places and power of kirkmen, their sitting on the bench as justices of +the peace, sitting in council, and voting in parliament. Subscription of +the Confession of faith, or covenant, was also enjoined, presbyterian +church government justified and approven, and an act made for holding +yearly General Assemblies; with many other acts and constitutions +tending to the advancement of that begun reformation, and purging the +church of CHRIST of those sinful innovations, crept into it, which may +be seen more at large in the printed acts of that assembly. The lawful +and just freedom which the church now claimed and stood upon, so highly +incensed the court, because their Erastian encroachments were not +yielded to, that all warlike preparations were speedily made for having +them again reduced, by force of arms, to their former slavery. Yet, what +evil seemed intended against the church by the king, with his popish and +prelatical accomplices, was by her exalted King and Head happily +prevented, and they obliged, at least, to feign subjection, and yield to +a pacification. In which it was concluded, that an assembly be holden at +Edinburgh, _August 6th_, 1639, and the parliament the 20th of the same +month, that same year, for healing the wide breaches, and redressing the +grievances both of church and state; that what was determined by the +assembly, might be ratified by the parliament. In this assembly, the +covenant was ratified and subscribed by the commissioner, and an +injunction laid upon the body of the kingdom for subscribing the same, +with an explication, wherein the five articles of Perth, government of +bishops, the civil places and power of kirkmen were expressly condemned. +Hereby the hopes of the Prelates again being in a great measure lost, +and they receiving fresh assistance from the king (who seemed to have +little conscience in making laws, and found small difficulty in breaking +them), recruited themselves the year following, and took the field, but +with no better success than formerly, which obliged them to yield to +another pacification, wherein both religious and civil liberties were +ratified; and in 1641, these were further confirmed by the oaths, +promises, laws, and subscriptions of both king and parliament, whereat +the king was personally present, and gave the royal assent to all acts +made for the security of the same; while at the same time he was +concurring in the bloody tragedy acted upon the Protestants in the +kingdom of Ireland. + +The gracious countenance and abundant evidence of divine approbation +wherewith the LORD vouchsafed to bless his contending, reforming and +covenanting church in Scotland, in a plentiful effusion of his Holy +Spirit on the judicatories and worshiping assemblies of his people, +proved a happy means to excite and provoke their neighbors in England +and Ireland, to go and do likewise. For in the year 1643, when the +beginning of a bloody war between the king and parliament of England +threatened the nation with a series of calamity and trouble; the +parliament having convocated an assembly of divines to sit at +Westminster for consulting about a reformation of religion in that +kingdom, sent commissioners, consisting of members of both houses and +assembly, to treat with the assembly of the church of Scotland, and +convention of estates about these things. In the month of _August_, they +presented their proposals to the convention of estates and assembly, +desiring, that because the popish prelatical faction is still pursuing +their design of corrupting and altering the religion through the whole +island, the two nations might be strictly united for their mutual +defense against them and their adherents, and not to lay down arms until +those, their implacable enemies, were disarmed, &c. Commissioners were +deputed from the estates, and assembly, to convene with those from +England, in order to consider their proposals. And, at the first +conferences, it was agreed that the best and speediest means for +accomplishing the union and assistance desired, was for both nations to +enter into a mutual league and covenant for reformation and defense of +religion and liberty against its enemies. Which being drawn up, and +affectionately embraced, was unanimously approved by the general +assembly and sent up to England by the hands of the ministers and +elders, sent commissioners from the church of Scotland to the synod at +Westminster, where (being proposed by the parliament to the +consideration of the synod), after the interpolation of an explanatory +note in the second article, it was approven, and with public +humiliation, and all other religious and answerable solemnity, taken and +subscribed by them (the synod), and by both honorable houses of +parliament and by their authority taken and subscribed by all ranks in +England and Ireland that same year, ratified by act of the parliament of +Scotland, _anno_ 1644, and afterward renewed in Scotland, with an +acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties by all ranks in the +year 1648, and by the parliament, 1649. + +Thus, to the rejoicing of all true lovers of the prosperity and beauty +of the church, who longed for CHRIST the salvation of Israel, his coming +forth out of Zion, these three churches and nations combined and +embarked together in the same honorable and glorious cause of +reformation, and solemnly bound themselves by the oath of GOD, to +maintain and defend the same against all its enemies and opposers +whatever; thereby publicly professing their subjection to Christ, and +their preferring of pure and undefiled religion, the advancement of the +interest, kingdom and glory of JESUS CHRIST, to their nearest and +dearest interests in this world. And the Lord was with us while we were +with him, and steadfast in his covenant; but when we forsook him, and +broke his covenant, he also forsook us, and delivered his strength into +captivity, and his glory into the enemies' hand. + +In the next place, the assembly at Westminster, with the assistance of +commissioners from the general assembly of the church of Scotland, +proceeded to conclude on what was needful for furthering and completing +this intended and covenanted uniformity in religion, that the Lord might +be one, and his name one in the three lands. And for this purpose, a +confession of faith was composed, and agreed upon by that venerable +assembly, together with catechisms larger and shorter, propositions +concerning church government, ordination of ministers, and directory for +worship; all which were received and approved by the General Assembly, +and convention of estates in Scotland. + +The Lord thus prospering his work in the hands of his servants employed +in ecclesiastical affairs, gave no less countenance unto the parliament +of England, with the assistance they received from Scotland, in +defeating all the wicked attempts of the popish, prelatical and +malignant party in England, overthrowing their tyranny, and reducing the +supporters thereof. A like victory was at length obtained over Montrose +in Scotland, who commanded the royalist, or malignant party there, and +had for some time carried all before him. And so the King being worsted +at all hands, and despairing of overtaking his designs, his army having +been almost all cut to pieces, and himself obliged to fly, resigned +himself over to the Scots army at Newark, in the year 1646, and marched +along with them to Newcastle; and they, upon the frequent solicitations +of the English parliament, and their engaging for the King's honorable +treatment, delivered him over to them. Afterward, he falling into the +hands of Cromwell and the English army, a number in this nation violated +the oath of GOD, which they had lately come under, by engaging in an +unlawful war with England, commonly called the Duke's engagement, in +order to rescue the King from his captivity (notwithstanding that he +still persisted in his opposition to the just claims, both of the church +and nation, and after all that was come upon him, could not be +reconciled to the covenants and work of reformation); where they were in +_July_ 1648, totally routed by Oliver Cromwell; and Duke Hamilton, their +general, being made prisoner, was incarcerated, and afterward beheaded. +This engagement was remonstrated against, and judicially condemned by +the General Assembly of the church of Scotland; and the sinfulness of it +was publicly acknowledged as a breach of the covenant-union between the +two nations, by all ranks in Scotland that same year, at the renovation +of the Solemn League and Covenant therein. At last the king being seized +upon by Cromwell and his sectarian army, was, notwithstanding all the +remonstrances both of church and state, removed by a violent death. Upon +which the parliament of Scotland, on the _5th_ of _February_, 1649, +caused proclaim his son Charles II, king of Great Britain, France, and +Ireland (which title he had assumed himself at the Hague, as soon as the +report of his father's death came to his ears), promising their fidelity +and defence of his person and authority, according to the National +Covenant, and the Solemn League and Covenant. And at the same time +declaring, that before he be admitted to the exercise of the royal +power, he shall give security for the preservation and maintenance of +the true reformed religion, and unity of the kingdoms, now established, +by laws both civil and ecclesiastical, according to the covenants: which +security for religion and liberty, at the first proposed treaty at the +Hague, he deferred to grant, and afterward postponed the signing of the +treaty at Breda, when everything was agreed upon, from the great hopes +he entertained of accomplishing his design, without acquiescing with +their demand from Montrose's expedition, whom he had sent into Scotland +with an army, in order to prepare his way into that kingdom, by +devastation with fire and sword. But this intrigue not succeeding, he +found himself obliged to comply with all their proposals, and signed the +treaty. This treaty the king did in effect break, before he left Breda, +by communicating after the episcopal manner, contrary to the express +warning and remonstrance of the commissioners from the church of +Scotland, who went to him, and showed him his sin in so doing, and how +inconsistent it was with his own concessions in the present treaty; and +an evidence that he had no intention to perform what he had agreed to, +but dissembled with GOD and man; and he, on the other hand, put them off +with sham excuses and professions; and so, from their too much credulity +to his fraudulent professions and promises all along, they brought him +over to Scotland, and before his landing in this kingdom, he takes the +covenant at Spey, on the _23rd_ of _June_, 1649, by his oath subjoined +in allowance and approbation of the Covenants National, and Solemn +League, obliging himself faithfully to prosecute the ends thereof in his +station and calling; and for himself and successors, he shall agree to +all acts of parliament enjoining the same, and establishing presbyterial +church government the directory for worship, confession of faith and +catechisms, in the kingdom of Scotland, as approven by the General +Assemblies of this kirk, and parliament of this kingdom. And for their +further satisfaction, according to the act of the West Kirk, Edinburgh, +_August 13th_, 1650, approven the same day by the committee of estates, +he emitted a declaration at Dunfermline, by profession, fully and +heartily acquiescing with all their demands, all which afterward served +for nothing but as a lasting monument of his horrid perjury, wicked +dissimulation, and mockery of God and man. And even then, when this +declaration was published, he had formed a design for bringing in the +enemies of the covenant, and work of reformation, both into the army and +judicatories, and for dividing the Presbyterians among themselves. And +this he effectually managed for both foresaid ends, by the public +resolutions, on the _14th_ of _December_, that same year 1650. This +woful and prime step of defection, so contrary to the word, and +injurious to the work of God, was faithfully testified against by many, +both ministers, and whole presbyteries, who were sensible of the present +sinfulness and evil of it, and foresaw the bitter and dismal +consequences that followed upon it. + +In the meantime, notwithstanding this, and other shrewd evidences, the +king gave of his double dealing and hypocrisy, he was crowned at Scoon, +on the first of _January_, 1651, and had the Covenants National and +Solemn League again administered unto him, by the reverend Mr. Douglas, +after a sermon from 2 _Kings_ xi, 12, 17, which he, in a most solemn +manner renewed, before the three estates of parliament, the +commissioners of the General Assembly, and a numerous congregation, in +the words of his former oath at Spey; with the coronation oath, as +contained in the 8th _Act, Parl._ 1st, James VI, to all which he engaged +before his coronation; and on these terms, and no other, were the oaths +of fidelity to him, as the lawful supreme magistrate, taken, at his +receipt of the royal authority. And consequently, these covenant +engagements became fundamental constitutions, both in church and state, +and the door of access into office-bearing in either, and formal ground +of the people's subjection. Then was the church's appearance "Beautiful +as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners." + +From what is noticed above, the presbytery cannot but declare their +hearty approbation of the zeal, courage, and faithfulness of our honored +ancestors, in their valiant contendings for the valuable liberties and +privileges of the spiritual kingdom of the MESSIAH, until they got the +same established, and the nations brought under the most solemn, sacred, +and inviolable engagements, to maintain every branch of this glorious +reformation; a reformation, not only from the more gross errors, and +idolatries of Popery, but from the more refined superstition of Prelacy, +and all that Antichristian and Erastian supremacy, that in former times +had been exercised on the heritage of the LORD; a reformation of both +the divine ordinances of ministry and magistracy, from all the abuses +and corruptions thereof, by the inventions of men, joined with the above +mentioned establishment of them, in some measure of agreeableness unto +their scriptural institution. + +Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto foresaid reformation, in all the different parts and +branches thereof, attained from 1638 to 1650 inclusive, and sworn to in +the National and Solemn League and Covenant, not exclusive of such parts +of reformation as were attained unto prior to this, but as a further +advance on this foundation, and as being much more pure and agreeable to +the infallible standard of scripture, than any formerly arrived at in +these nations. + +The daughter of Zion, thus going forth in the perfection of her beauty, +when all ranks and degrees voluntarily subjected themselves unto the +royal scepter of the SON of GOD, was most comely in the eyes of her +Beloved; But oh! how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold +changed; the stones of the sanctuary are poured out on the top of every +street, so that the house that was called of all people the house of +prayer, is now become a den of thieves, being no less infamously +despicable for deformation, than formerly, for purity of reformation, +highly admired. This, at first, began with the public resolutions of the +commission of the General Assembly 1650, above noticed, for taking into +places of power and trust, in judicatories and armies, such persons as +were known malignants, and in heart disaffected to the work, and people +of GOD, putting it in their power to destroy and pull down the LORD'S +work at their pleasure; a practice manifestly inconsistent with their +covenant engagements, and the word of GOD, _Deut._ xxiii, 9, 2 _Chron._ +xix, 2. Those that were then called protestors (from their opposing and +protesting against these resolutions), continued steadfastly to witness +against the same, as the first remarkable step, to make way for that +bloody catastrophe, that afterward befell the church. The Lord, then, in +his righteous displeasure and controversy with the nation, for betraying +of his cause and interest into the hands of his enemies, sold them into +the hand of that conquering usurper, Oliver Cromwell, who, having stript +them of their civil liberties, as the most effectual method to rob the +church of her spiritual privileges, and nullify the forcible obligation +of the sacred covenants (which, when preserved, serve as a strong +barrier against all such usurpations), framed a hellish and almost +unbounded toleration in Scotland, of heretical and sectarian errors, for +gratification of the abettors thereof, which was followed with a deluge +of irreligion and impiety, drowning the nation in a still deeper +apostasy. + +In this hour of temptation, the witnesses for CHRIST, endeavoring to +keep the word of his patience, testified against these evils, as +contrary to the word and oath of God, and destructive of the church's +former glory. And Charles II, who had lately, by all the confirmations +of word, writ, and solemn oath, obliged himself for the maintenance and +defense of religion and liberty, having cast off the thing that was +good, the enemy did pursue him so, that he, instead of being able to +stand as a head of defense to the nations, narrowly escaped with life +from the enemies' hands, being obliged to abscond and fly before the +sectaries into France; where, and in other parts, he remained an exile +for the space of ten years, and there discovered, he had no regard to +the principles he had lately professed and sworn to maintain: but +breaking his professed wedlock with CHRIST, is said, at that juncture, +to have joined hands with the Romish whore, laying aside his cloak of +professed godliness, and again taking up with the mystery of iniquity. + +During the ten years' usurpation of Cromwell, those who endeavored +faithfulness, had a fight of affliction to keep their ground; yet, after +this came to a period, they had a far more fierce encounter, and of +longer duration, to engage in, in the cruel and bloody tragedy acted +upon them, for the space of 28 years. + +As, by the public resolutions, and foresaid unbounded toleration, the +bounds fixed by JEHOVAH, and homologated and sworn to, in our national +attainments and constitution, were greatly altered, so the parliament of +England prepared the tools, whereby the carved work of the sanctuary (as +far as human craft and cruelty could invent), was broken down, in +restoring Charles II, without any conditions required, or express +limitations set. And Sharp being sent from the church of Scotland, to +stand up for her rights and privileges, fraudulently sold her into the +hands of her enemies; upon which, many of the professed disciples of +CHRIST, who followed him in the sunshine of prosperity and reformation, +forsook him, and fled into the enemies' camp. Thus our decline began; +but, oh! to what a dreadful height Erastianism, tyranny, and bloodshed +arrived, before the Lord, in his providence, put a stop to it. + +Although the Presbytery cannot be supposed, in a consistency with their +present design, to reckon up all, yet they would endeavor to take notice +of some of the most remarkable instances of backsliding, treachery and +oppression, bloodshed, &c, acted in those nations during the late +persecuting period, together with the faithful contendings, and patient +sufferings unto death of the saints and servants of CHRIST, in this hot +furnace of affliction into which they were cast. As, 1, The unhappy +restoration of Charles II, in manner before mentioned commencing. The +faithful declarations and testimonies given in favor of the covenanted +reformation and uniformity, were all on a sudden given up with; the +viper received into our bosom, and again advanced unto the regal +dignity, who soon discovered himself to be of the serpentine seed, and +by his wicked agency imped the dragon his master, by casting out of his +mouth a flood of persecution after the church, that he might cause her +to be destroyed therewith. To this effect the anti-christian yoke of +abjured Prelacy, with all its tyrannical laws, and canonical train of +observances, service book, ceremonies, &c., was speedily wreathed about +England's neck, and Scotland soon felt part of its weight. For, in the +month of _August_, 1660, when some of her most zealous and faithful +ministers met upon this emergency, in order to send an address to the +king, reminding him of his duty, and solemn obligations to perform the +same; the committee appointed by the parliament, _anno_ 1651, for +exercise of government, until another parliament should meet, who then +showed themselves zealous for the reformation, yet now acted a +counter-part, by incarcerating the foresaid ministers, and emitting a +proclamation, prohibiting all such meetings without the king's +authority, and all petitions and remonstrances, under pretense that they +were seditious. This was the first beginning of those sorrows and +calamities that ensued in the many sanguinary laws afterward made and +executed upon the true friends of Zion. + +2. When the ministry, by means of the foresaid prohibitions, were much +dispirited from their duty, dreading such usage as they had lately met +with, the parliament which met in Scotland in _December_, 1661, falls +upon breaking down the carved work of the sanctuary effectually, and +robbing our church of that depositum committed unto her by her glorious +Head. Thus did they wickedly combine and gather themselves together to +plot against the Lord, and against his Anointed, that they might break +his bands, and cast his cords from them. For which intent, after +besmearing the consciences of most of the members with the guilt of that +abominable and wicked oath of allegiance and supremacy, that they might +be secured to the court and king's interest, and ready to swallow down +whatever might be afterward proposed, they passed an act rescissory, +declaring all the parliaments, and acts of parliament made in favor of +reformation, from the year 1640 to 1651, null and void. The king's +supremacy over all persons, and in all causes, is asserted. All +meetings, assemblies, leagues, and covenants, without the king's +authority, are declared unlawful and unwarrantable. The renewing of the +solemn league and covenant, or any other covenants or public oaths, +without the king's special warrant and approbation, is discharged. +Besides these, another heinous act was framed by the same parliament, +for observing every 29th of _May_ as an anniversary thanksgiving, in +commemoration of the unhappy restoration of this ruiner of religion and +reformation. + +3. In the second session of the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1662 +diocesan Erastian Prelacy is established, and the king solemnly invested +with the church's headship, by act of parliament; wherein it is +blasphemously declared, "That the ordering and disposal of the external +government and policy of the church, doth properly belong unto his +majesty as an inherent right of the crown, by virtue of his royal +prerogative and supremacy in all causes ecclesiastical." All such acts +of parliament or council are rescinded, which might be interpreted (as +their acts bear) to give any church power, jurisdiction, or government, +to the office-bearers of the church, other than that which acknowledges +a dependence upon, and subordination to, the sovereign power of the king +as supreme. And although the lordly prelates were hereby promoted to all +the privileges and dignities they possessed before the year 1638, yet +must they be all accountable to the king, in all their administrations, +and in subordination to him, as universal bishop of all England, +Scotland, and Ireland. By which the fountain of church power and +authority is lodged in the king's person, and CHRIST is exauctorated and +dethroned as King and Head in Zion. And further, by the second act of +that perfidious parliament, the covenanted reformation, and all that was +done in favor thereof, from 1638 to 1650, was declared treasonable, and +rebellious. Alike treasonable it was reckoned for subjects, on pretense +of reformation, or any other pretense whatsoever, to enter into any +federal association, or take up arms against the king. They also +declared, that the National Covenant, as sworn in the year 1638, and the +Solemn League and Covenant, were, and are in themselves unlawful oaths, +and that they were imposed upon, and taken by the subjects of this +kingdom, contrary to the fundamental laws and liberties thereof. And to +complete all, they repealed all acts, ecclesiastical and civil, +approving the covenants, particularly the acts of the venerable assembly +at Glasgow 1638, declaring it an unlawful and seditious meeting. And +thereafter, by a wicked act of the council of Glasgow, more than three +hundred ministers were illegally thrust from their charges, for their +non-conformity, in discountenancing a diocesan meeting, or synod, +appointed by the archbishop of Glasgow, and not observing the +anniversary thanksgiving, _May_ 29th, enjoined by the parliament. The +rest were violently ejected from the lawful exercise of their ministry +in their several parishes, and were afterward commanded by act of +parliament to remove themselves and their families twenty miles distant +from their respective flocks, and not to reside within six miles of any +of their (so called) Cathedrals, or three miles of a Burgh. By these +means, many of those poor persecuted ministers, with their families, +were brought into great hardships and wants, being so far removed from +their beloved and affectionate flocks, that they were deprived of that +help from them, that doubtless they would cheerfully have ministered, +for relieving them in their necessities and straits. All this was done +at the instigation of the prelates, who could not endure to have a godly +presbyterian minister near them, and were resolved to make them as +miserable as possible. + +As the observation of that anniversary holy day, _May_ 29th, was again +enjoined by this parliament 1662, with certification, the non-observance +of which was one main cause of the sufferings of the ministers above +noticed, we cannot pass over without mentioning that most abhorred and +heaven-daring ignominy and contempt put upon our solemn and sacred +covenants, and upon GOD the great Party in them, at Linlithgow on that +day, by a theatrical exposing, and presumptuous committing them to the +flames, together with _The causes of GOD'S wrath, Lex Rex_, acts of +parliament, acts of committees of estates, and acts of assemblies made, +during what they called the twenty-two years' rebellion, that is, from +1638 to 1660, done by the authority of the pretended magistrates there; +one of which, and the minister Ramsay, were formerly zealous and active +covenanters, and consequently now publicly avowed and proclaimed their +perjury in the face of the sun, and left an indelible stain upon their +memory. + +Hitherto, although many, both ministers, gentlemen and others, had +endured unexpressible hardships and severities, yet few or none suffered +to the death, save that noble peer, the Marquis of _Argyle_, who was +condemned by the parliament 1661, and beheaded _May_ 27th; and the +Reverend Mr. _James Guthrie_, who suffered five days thereafter. These +two were singled out--the one in the state, the other in the church--to +fall a victim to the resentment and fury of the enemies of that +covenanted work of reformation, which they had both, in an eminent +manner, been honored of GOD to support and advance; and also as a +specimen of what was afterward to be the fate of all that should adhere +to the same glorious cause, and stand up for God against these workers +of iniquity. And, as the foundation of that anti-christian and wicked +hierarchy in the church, and of arbitrary power and absolute tyranny in +the state, was laid in the blood of these two proto-martyrs for the +covenant and cause of GOD, so they now (_July_, 1663,) proceeded to +build it up with the blood of another noble and worthy patriot, the +eminently religious and learned Lord _Warriston_. He having before, in +1660, when _Argyle_ was apprehended, been ordered, together with several +others, to be secured and committed to prison, fled beyond sea, to +escape the fury of his enemies, and even there did their crafty malice +reach him; for, having sent out one of their blood-thirsty emissaries in +quest of him, he was apprehended by him at Roan, in France, brought over +to London, and sent thence to Edinburgh, where he was executed on a +former unjust sentence of forfeiture and death, passed upon him in his +absence. Thus they built up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with +iniquity. But all this was nothing to the cruelty that followed, and the +righteous blood afterward shed in that quarrel. + +4. Although the faithful servants of CHRIST gave too silent submission +for a time to these encroachments made upon their sacred functions, yet, +as they received not their mission from men, so they resolved not to +become the servants of men, but to hazard the loss of every thing that +was dear to them in this world, that they might show themselves faithful +unto their Lord and Master, and valiant for his truth upon the earth, in +going forth without the camp, bearing his reproach. When they could no +longer, with a safe conscience, enjoy their benefices and churches, and +the Lord so expressly called for their service, in feeding the starving +souls of his people, they betook themselves to the open fields, setting +their faces to all the storms to which they were exposed by that high +commission court that was erected; wherein the bishops were chief +agents, being made therein necessary members for putting the former, +with what subsequent wicked laws were made against the servants of +CHRIST, in execution. And, by this time, that deceiving, cruel, +perjured, apostate bishop, _Sharp_, had obtained the presidency in this +and all other public courts in the kingdom. The proceedings of this +court were very unjust, cruel and arbitrary, similar to its preposterous +and illegal constitution. Persons were, without any accusation, +information, witness or accuser, arraigned before them, to answer _super +inquirendis_ to whatever interrogatories they were pleased to propose, +without license to make any lawful defense, or, upon their offering so +to do, were required to take the oath of supremacy, their refusal of +which was accounted cause sufficient for proceeding against them. And +although taking order with papists was first in their commission, yet +last, or rather not at all, in execution; while their infernal rage was +principally set on Presbyterians, in fining, confining and imprisoning +them, for the non-conformity of ministers, and their disregarding their +pretended sentences of deposition, and the people's refusing to +countenance the authority and ministry of these prelatic wolves, who +came in to scatter and tear the flock of CHRIST, but endeavoring to +cleave to their lawful pastors, have equal friends and foes with them, +and hear CHRIST'S law of kindness from their mouth. The idol of jealousy +was thus set up in the house of GOD, and our LORD JESUS CHRIST +sacreligiously robbed of his incommunicable supremacy and headship over +his church by the state; whereby the Pope's supremacy was well nigh +claimed, and Spanish inquisition cruelty almost acted, by this +abominable court; and all at the instigation and for the gratification +of these monsters of iniquity, the prelates, who still agitated the +court to exercise more cruelty than even of themselves they were +inclined to. + +5. Upon the decline of this rigorous court, new measures were again +fallen upon for the oppression, suppression and extirpation, of the true +reformed religion, and the professors of it. The council being very +diligent and careful to deprive the LORD'S people of every thing which +might contribute to their establishment and confirmation in the +righteousness and equity of the cause and covenant of God for which they +suffered, and which tended to expose their tyranny and treason against +GOD, ordered the famous Mr. Brown's _Apologetical Relation_ to be burnt +in the high street of Edinburgh, on February 14th, 1666, by the hand of +the common hangman; and all persons who had copies of said book were +required to give them up, and such as concealed them to be fined 2000 £. +_Scots_, if discovered. Such was their hellish enmity and spite against +our covenanted reformation, and every thing written in defense thereof, +and in vindication of those that suffered for their adherence to it. +About the same time, _Sharp_, for the more effectual accomplishment of +his wicked designs (the high commission being now dissolved, and his +guilty conscience, it seems, suggesting fears of an insurrection of the +oppressed, to relieve themselves from their cruel oppressors), obtains +an order from the king for raising an additional number of forces, for +the security and establishment of himself and his associates in their +thrones of iniquity, by destroying all the faithful in the land, +oppressing and wearing out the saints of the Most High, and burning up +and dispersing all the synagogues of GOD in the nation. In consequence +of this, about three thousand foot, and eight troops of dragoons were +got together, and the command of them given to _Dalziel_ of _Binns_, a +wicked, fierce, cruel man. These were the instruments of that +unprecedented barbarity, cruelty and oppression, committed in the West, +after the defeat of Colonel Wallace and his little army of covenanters, +at Pentland Hills, _November_ 28th, 1666. The occasion and cause of +which rising was, in short, this: Sir _James Turner_ had been sent the +year before into the south-west shires of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, in +order to suppress conventicles (so they called the assemblies of God's +people for public worship and other religious exercises), levy the fines +appointed by the parliament, and oblige the people to conform and submit +to the bishops and curates by force of arms. Turner, in pursuance of +these cruel orders, committed great severities, dreadfully oppressed, +robbed and spoiled the country. In the parish of Dalry, in Galloway, +three or four of his blackguard crew, seizing upon a poor countryman, +carried him to his own house, and were going to torture him in a cruel +manner, by setting him naked on a red-hot gridiron; which four of the +persecuted party hearing of, they repaired to the house, disarmed the +soldiers (upon their refusing to be entreated in behalf of the poor +man), and delivered their fellow sufferer. And lest the rest of the +soldiers quartered in the parish (to force people to keep their parish +church), should fall upon them, being joined with seven or eight more of +their friends, they attacked them early next morning, being about twelve +in number, and disarmed them, killing one that made resistance. +Whereupon, the country being alarmed, and being apprehensive, from sad +experience, of the revenge Sir James would take upon the whole country +for this affront, without distinction of age or sex, they determined to +stand in their own defense. And, getting together a good number of horse +and foot, they march to Dumfries, surprise Turner himself, take him +prisoner, and disarm his soldiers, without any further violence. Being +thus by Providence engaged, without any hope of retreat, and being +joined by many more of their brethren in the same condition with +themselves, some ministers, and Colonel Wallace (afterward chosen +general), they come to Lanerk, where they renew the covenant, _November_ +26th, 1666, and thence to Pentland Hills, where, being attacked by +Dalziel and his blood-hounds, they were, notwithstanding their bravery +in repulsing the enemy twice, at last totally routed, many killed and +taken prisoners, most of the prisoners treacherously executed +(notwithstanding they were taken upon solemn promise to have their lives +spared), of whom the Lord was graciously pleased, not only to accept of +a testimony, by sufferings, but also countenanced them, even to +admiration, in sealing the same with their blood. After this, there were +severe edicts issued out against all who had any hand in this appearance +for GOD'S cause and covenant (called by them rebellion, a horrible +conspiracy, and what not); all the subjects were strictly charged not to +harbor, reset, supply, or in any manner of way correspond with any that +were concerned in this engagement, but that they pursue and deliver them +up to justice, or otherwise be esteemed and punished as favorers of it. +This appearance for religion and liberty became, for a time, the +principal crime of which those were indicted who were prosecuted by this +wicked council, and other merciless enemies, to whom they committed the +management of their affairs. + +6. Although the cruelty of the court had hitherto been very great, yet +they had not wholly effectuated their wicked design of exterminating and +destroying true religion, and the professors thereof, both ministers and +people; but, like Israel under Pharaoh's yoke, the more they oppressed +them, and suppressed their meetings, the more numerous and frequent they +grew, so that their enemies were obliged to alter their course a little +from cruelty into craft. This appeared in the first indulgence, granted +_anno_ 1669, with design to divide Presbyterians among themselves, that +they might the more easily destroy them. Hereby a pretended liberty was +given to several ministers ejected by the act of Glasgow, 1662 +(especially public resolutioners, who had formerly served the court +interest in that matter), under certain restrictions, destructive of +their ministerial freedom and faithfulness, to preach and exercise the +other functions of the ministry in vacant churches. In this fraudulent +snare many were taken; and even such of them as did accept of the +indulgence, but did not keep by the instructions given them by the +council, and observe the wicked anniversary, &c, were afterward +prosecuted, fined, and some turned out. And those who refused compliance +therewith, and testified against it, as flowing from that blasphemous +supremacy and absolute power, which the king had assumed, were most +severely handled, and their assemblies for public worship interdicted +under the highest pains. A second indulgence was framed in the year +1672, in which net they expected to inclose such as the first had not +caught. By this, liberty was granted to a number of non-conformed +ministers, named by the council, not yet indulged, to exercise their +ministry in such places as the council thought fit to ordain and appoint +them, conforming themselves to the rules given by the council to those +that were formerly indulged, besides other restrictions, wherewith this +new liberty was clogged. And, as one special design of the court, in +granting both the first and this second indulgence, was to put an +effectual stop to the meetings of the LORD'S people, ludicrously called +by them field conventicles, so they took occasion, on account of their +contempt of this their indulgence and liberty, to prosecute all such as +kept, or attended on, these meetings, in a more merciless and furious +manner. This indulgence was accepted by many ministers; and part +thereof, by others, represented as a grievance, and redress required. +But although nothing of this kind was obtained, yet it was fallen in +with and accepted by most of those who subscribed the remonstrance +against it; and those few who rejected it, and continued faithfully to +discharge their official trust in the open fields, without coming under +any of these sinful restrictions, became, more especially, the butt of +their enemies' malice and tyranny, were more vigorously prosecuted, and +such as were suspected or convicted of attending on their field +meetings, were fined in an exorbitant manner, and ministers imprisoned, +when they could be apprehended. And because these field meetings, the +great eye-sore of the prelates, still increased, they prevailed with the +council 1674, to take more special notice of the preachers at said +meetings, who appointed a committee for that effect, and ordered their +chancelor to send out parties to apprehend certain of them, according to +their direction. And the same year, a bond was imposed, binding and +obliging tenants, that if they, their wives, or any of their children, +cottars or servants, should keep or be present at any conventicles, +either in houses or fields, that every tenant laboring land be fined for +each house conventicle in 25£. _Scots_; each cottar in 12_£. Scots_; +each servant man in a fourth part of his year's fee, and husbands the +half of these fines for such of their wives and children as shall be at +house conventicles; and the double of these respective fines for each of +the said persons who shall be at any field conventicles, &c. And upon +refusal of said bond, they were to be put to the horn, and their escheat +or forfeiture given to their masters. They likewise, at the same time, +issued forth another proclamation, for apprehending the holders of, and +repairers to, field meetings, by them designed rebels, and whoever +should seize such should have the fines, so unjustly imposed, for their +reward; with a particular sum offered for apprehending any of the +conventicle preachers, and this sum doubled for some that were more +eminent among them, and diligent in working the work of him that sent +them, against whom their malice was more especially turned. These +rigorous measures they continued to prosecute; and in the year 1675, +letters of intercommuning were given out against several ministers and +private Christians, by name, both denouncing them rebels, and secluding +them from all society in the kingdom of Scotland; further requiring, +that no accommodation should be given, or communication any manner of +way held with them, under the pain of being (according to them) +accounted _socii criminis_, and pursued as guilty, with them, of the +same crimes. These inhuman and unprecedented methods reduced the +sufferers to many wanderings and great hardships. It is impossible to +recite the miseries these faithful confessors underwent--wandering about +in deserts, in mountains, in dens, and in caves of the earth, destitute, +afflicted, tormented; besides the other severe impositions upon the +country in general, the bonds imposed, and rage of the _Highland_ host +then raised, which, together with the soldiers, greatly spoiled and +robbed the west country especially, by which means, poor people were +brought to very low circumstances. + +7. Notwithstanding of all the tyranny and treachery hitherto exercised, +the word of GOD grew, and converts unto CHRIST, and the obedience of the +gospel, were daily multiplied; ministers being forward and willing to +preach, and the people willing to hear and receive the law from their +mouth, on all hazards. And the LORD JESUS, following his word and +ordinances with his blessing, showed himself as mighty and powerful in +the open fields, whither they were driven, as ever he had done in their +churches, from whence they were driven, and which were now shut against +them, and filled with time-servers, and antichrist's vassals. But +against CHRIST'S standard and banner thus displayed, the tyrant Charles +II erected his opposite standard for the utter destruction of CHRIST'S +true servants and subjects. And having declared their lawful meetings +for the worship of GOD, according to his word, execrable rendezvouses of +rebellion; a convention of estates, _anno_ 1678, was called and met, by +which a large cess was imposed to maintain an additional army, for the +suppression of the true religion and liberty, and securing tyranny and +arbitrary government. On account of the imposition of this cess, and the +rigorous exaction of it, together with the cruelties and ravages of this +new army maintained by it (the soldiers having commission to dismiss and +disperse their meetings, disarm, imprison and kill preachers and people, +in case of resistance; and a price being put upon the heads of several +faithful ministers if brought to the council dead or alive), both +ministers and people were laid under the necessity of carrying arms for +their own defense when dispensing and attending upon gospel ordinances. +And it was no wonder that, finding themselves thus appointed as sheep +for the slaughter, they looked upon this as their duty, and accordingly +provided themselves with arms for their necessary defense against the +wicked violence of those who thirsted after their blood, and (which was +to them much more dear and precious) the ruin and destruction of the +cause, interest, and gospel of CHRIST in the land. Unto these severe and +hellish measures fallen upon at this time, for the more effectual +suppression and extirpation of the gospel of CHRIST, and professors of +it, the managers were principally instigated by that arch-apostate +_Sharp_; though a bad preparative for his exit out of this world, which +soon came to pass, _anno_ 1679, in the dispensation of adorable +providence and righteous judgment of God, executed upon such a notorious +traitor, who, having first betrayed the church, and all along deeply +imbrued his hands in the blood of GOD'S saints and servants; had blood +given him to drink because he was worthy. + +8. That the land might be more deeply soaked with blood, and made more +heavily to groan under the inhabitants thereof, "Who had transgressed +the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant;" +that the scene of cruel suffering might be more widely opened, and the +bloody tragedy more effectually acted; the primate's death must now be +added to the other pretended crimes of the sufferers. Many were terribly +harrassed on that account, who were no ways concerned in the action; and +some were cruelly tortured and butchered by them for the same cause, +though innocent thereof (for none of the actors did ever fall into their +hands). These enemies were hereby rendered more rude, barbarous and +hard-hearted to all the sufferers who afterward fell into their hands, +and breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the whole body of +the persecuted Presbyterians through the nation. All this, however, did +not dispirit these zealous witnesses, or discourage them from attending +to their work and duty; for we find them on the 29th of _May_, 1679, +publishing their testimony at _Rutherglen_, against the wicked +anniversary, on the same day appointed by the court for its celebration, +and against all that had been done publicly by these enemies of CHRIST +for the overthrow of his work and interest in the lands. They likewise +committed their acts rescissory, supremacy, act restoring abjured +Prelacy, act of _Glasgow_, 1662, the presumptuous act for appointing +_May_ 29th for an unholy anniversary, indulgences, &c., all to the +flames, their just desert, in retaliation of the impious treatment given +unto our solemn and sacred covenants, and other good and laudable acts +and laws for reformation, by their sacrilegious enemies in sundry cities +of these covenanted kingdoms. And so, after extinguishing the bonfires, +a part of the unholy solemnity of the enemies' anniversary day, and +concluding what they had done with prayer and praise, as they had begun +(Mr. _Douglas_, one of their ministers being along with them), they +withdrew. This Christian valor was followed with the LORD'S appearance +for them, in a remarkable manner, on the following _Sabbath_ at +_Drumclog_ near _Lowdonhill_, where being attacked by _Claverhouse_, +when attending on public worship, they completely routed him and his +troops, rescued Mr. _John King_, and a number of other prisoners, whom +_Claverhouse_ had seized that morning, from their hands. Afterward they +declared the grounds and causes of their present defensive posture, in +that short manifesto, or declaration, published at _Glasgow, June 6th_, +1679. But when their numbers multiplied, their divisions increased, and +lawful means for honestly defending the cause were by the majority +refused. Mr. _Welsh_ and that Erastian party with him, being by this +time come up, did in their declaration at _Hamilton_, take in the +tyrant's interest; against which, those who were honest and faithful to +the interest of Zion's king contended, and protested, that in conscience +they could not take in the interest of one into the state of the quarrel +who had manifestly stated himself in opposition to the interest of +CHRIST; that it was inconsistent with the covenant, which could not bind +them to espouse the interest of its destroyers, and the destroyers of +all that adhered to it; and also contrary to their testimony and +declaration for the covenants and work of reformation at _Rutherglen, +Glasgow, &c._, and against all defection from the same. + +Thus, when the most part in a great measure forsook the LORD, he was +justly provoked to forsake them, and their great divisions landing them +in such confusion, they became an easy prey to the enemy, by whom they +were totally routed at _Bothwell, June. 22d_, 1679, where they felt the +dismal fruits and consequences of joining at all with that Erastian +faction, after they had openly declared and discovered what they were. +This was so far from proving any defense to them, notwithstanding the +numbers of that party, that it proved their destruction. And those whose +hearts were upright and honest in the cause of GOD, by their means, in +holy sovereignty, were made to fall a sacrifice to their enemies' wrath. +The slain on that day were many, and the after-cruelty to prisoners +great; they being carried into and kept for a long time in the +_Gray-friars_ church yard of _Edinburgh_, exposed, defenseless, night +and day, to tempests of all kinds. By this inhuman usage (with design to +wear out the saints of the Most High), together with the insinuations +and persuasions of some of the indulgence favorers, their faith failing +them in this hour of temptation, and fear prevailing, a number of these +prisoners were persuaded to take the insnaring bond of peace, whereby +they were engaged to own their rising at _Bothwell_ to be rebellion, and +to oblige themselves never to rise in arms against the king, and to live +peaceably, &c., while others of them were tortured, not accepting +deliverance. + +9. Although this defeat and dispersion of the espousers of the truth and +cause of CHRIST, in opposition both to its avowed enemies and secret +betrayers, brought the remnant that were left into very melancholy +circumstances, their enemies having in a great measure extinguished the +light of the gospel, by apprehending and shedding the blood of their +faithful pastors, who used to hold forth the word of life unto them, as +a light whereby they might discern between sin and duty; and others who +had formerly been helpful unto them, in strengthening their hands, and +encouraging their hearts, in the way of their duty, were overtaken and +overborne with fainting and discouragement; so that, in respect of +public guides, they wore at this time as sheep without a shepherd. Yet, +in this disconsolate and scattered state and condition, CHRIST, the +chief shepherd, had compassion on them, and raised up those two faithful +ministers and zealous contenders for the faith once delivered to the +saints, Messrs. _Richard Cameron_ and _Donald Cargill_, to come forth +for the help of the LORD against the mighty, and to jeopard their lives +along with his people in the high places of the field, in bearing +faithful testimony for his noble truths and cause, and against all the +sins and defections of the time. The first of these, soon after he had +showed his activity and zeal in that banner displayed against the +church's enemies, in the declaration published at _Sanquhar, June 22d_, +1080, did honorably and bravely finish his course, among many others of +Zion's true friends, in the defeat they again sustained at _Airsmoss_, +where, in imitation of his princely Master, he valiantly fought his way +to the incorruptible crown. The latter afterward narrowly escaped his +enemies' hands (by means of Mr. _Henry Hall_, of _Haughhead_, that +honest sufferer for truth, who, to save his minister's life, lost his +own; on whom the _Queensferry_ paper, a draft of a covenant engagement +unto certain duties, was found), and was, by the power and providence of +GOD, preserved, until he accomplished that signal piece of generation +work in drawing forth the sword of excommunication against the tyrant +_Charles_ II, and some others of the chief actors in that bloody +tragedy. And that, because of their bloodshed, perjury, heaven-daring +profaneness, debauchery, inhuman and savage cruelty acted upon the +people of GOD. The which sentence stuck fast in the hearts of these +enemies of Zion's king unto the day of their death, and, by some of +their own acknowledgments, would through eternity. Shortly after this, +that faithful minister crowned his work with martyrdom, and entered into +his Master's joy. + +This murdering period spared neither pastor nor people, age nor sex; +while gross transgressors, and deluded enthusiasts, as _Gib_ and his +faction, were screened from condign punishment, though some of them had +arrived at that prodigious length in wickedness as to commit the Holy +Scriptures and Confession of Faith to the flames. + +10. So many of these once living and lively witnesses for CHRIST being, +now slain, and what was yet surviving of the scattered flock deprived of +their painful shepherds, and not being able to drink of the sanctuary +waters, so muddied by their former pastors, who had defiled the same by +sinful compliance with the time's defections, they resolved, under +divine direction, to gather themselves together into a general meeting, +for advising and informing one another anent their duty, in such +critical times of common danger, that so whatever concerned the whole, +might be done with due deliberation and common consent. The which +general meetings afterward afforded them both good comfort amidst their +discouragements, and also good counsel amidst their perplexities and +doubts, and proved an excellent expedient for preserving the remnant +from the destruction and contagion of the times, propagation of the +testimony, and keeping alive the public spirit of zeal and concern for +the cause and interest of CHRIST; and for these ends they have been kept +up ever since. + +In the meantime, that evil instrument, _James_, duke of _York_, +receiving commission from his perjured brother to preside in the whole +administration of _Scots'_ affairs, upon his arrival for this effect, +held a parliament, which began _July_ 28th, 1681; wherein, besides other +of his wicked acts, that detestable, blasphemous, and self-contradictory +test was framed, which, in the first part thereof, contains the +swearer's solemn declaration, by oath, of his sincere profession of the +true Protestant religion, contained in the first confession of faith, +ratified by _Parl. 1st, James VI_, 1567 (which confession asserts, in +the strongest terms, CHRIST'S alone headship and supremacy as lawgiver +and king in his church, without copartner or competitor), and that he +shall adhere thereunto all the days of his life, and renounce all +doctrines, principles, or practices contrary thereto, and inconsistent +therewith; while, in manifest contradiction thereto, the blasphemous +supremacy, in the utmost extent thereof, is asserted--the Covenants +National and Solemn League, the chief barriers against Popery, +Erastianism, and arbitrary power, are renounced, and unlimited +allegiance unto the occupant is enjoined and sworn to, and the +prelatical government of the church confirmed. + +This oath was at first administered to those in public trust only, and +thereby all were turned out of their places who had any principles of +common honesty remaining in them; but afterward it was imposed on all +persons of all ranks. Against which sinful encroachments on religion and +liberty, the witnessing persecuted remnant accounted themselves bound in +duty to emit their testimony, which they published at _Lanerk, January_ +12th, 1682, adhering to, and confirming their former at _Sanquhar_, and +giving reasons at length for their disowning the unlawful authority of +_Charles II_. Upon intelligence hereof, this declaration, with those at +_Rutherglen_ and _Sanquhar_, were, by order of the council, with great +solemnity, burnt at the cross of _Edinburgh_, by the magistrates in +their robes, together with the Solemn League and Covenant, which had +been burnt formerly: but now they would give new demonstrations of their +rage against it, in conjunction with these declarations, which they saw +and acknowledged were evidently conformed to, and founded upon it. After +the publication of this testimony, the sufferings of that poor people +that owned it were sadder and sharper than ever before, by hunting, +pursuing, apprehending, imprisonment, banishment, death, and torture; +this increasing rage, oppression, cruelty, and bloodshed, being no more +than what they might look for, agreeable to the spirit and principles of +that popish incendiary, to whom such trust was committed. + +11. The poor wrestling remnant, besides their other grievous calamities +and sufferings, being now obnoxious to much censure, in their +appearances for truth reproached, and invidiously misrepresented, both +at home and abroad, by those that were at ease in Zion, as having +forsaken the right way, and run into wild, extravagant, and unhappy +courses; and, withal, being at this time destitute and deprived of their +public standard bearers; their series of witnesses (since the death of +Messrs. _Cameron_ and _Cargill_) maintaining the testimony against the +public national defections being in all appearance interrupted, except +by martyrdom and sufferings; they were obliged to exert themselves, both +for their vindication from those calumnies and slanders, wherewith they +were loaded by their enemies, to foreign Protestant churches especially, +and for obtaining a supply of gospel ministers. Wherefore, sending some +of their number abroad, to represent the righteousness of their cause to +the churches there, and crave their sympathy, in helping them to a +supply of gospel ministers; the LORD was graciously pleased to +countenance and bless their endeavors so, that they obtained access for +the instruction and ordination of young men for the ministry, at a +university in the _United Provinces_; and, in process of time, gave them +a great reviving in their bondage, by sending forth his faithful +embassador, Mr. _James Renwick_, who, while he stood on Zion's +watch-tower, ceased not night and day to give faithful warning of the +danger approaching the city of GOD, evidently discovering his being +clothed with his Master's commission, in bearing faithful testimony and +witness, both against the avowed enemies of truth and backsliders from +it. And notwithstanding all the malicious rage of deadly foes, ranging +and keenly pursuing him, through open or more secret places, the +reproach of tongues and cruel mockings he endured, by the divine +blessing, on his painful labors, amidst his many hardships, the number +of Zion's friends were greatly increased, by the incoming and joining of +many to the fellowship of their settled societies, who resolutely chose +rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the +pleasures of sin, which are but for a season. Upon this further attack +upon Satan's interest, his emissaries issue forth fresh orders, and give +commission to soldiers, foot and dragoons, to hunt, search, and seek +them out of all their most secret dens, caves, and lurking places, where +they might hide themselves, in the most remote and wildest glens and +recesses in the mountains and deserts, allowing them to kill, slay, +destroy, and any way to make an end of them, wherever they might be +found; commanding the whole country, at their peril, to assist them, and +raise the hue and cry after the poor wanderers, and not to reset, +harbor, succor, or correspond with them any manner of way, under the +highest pains, but to do their utmost in informing against them. Thus, +without regard to any of their unlawful forms of legal procedure, they +defiled and besmeared the high places of the field with innocent blood. +These unprecedented methods and measures obliged the sufferers, for +their own preservation, stopping the deluge of blood, and to deter the +insolence of intelligencers and informers, to publish the apologetic +declaration, which they affixed on several market crosses, and parish +church doors, upon the 28th of _October_, 1684; wherein they declare +their firm resolution of constant adherence to their covenanted +engagements; and to the declaration disowning the authority of _Charles +Stuart_, warning all bloody Doegs and flattering Ziphites, to expect to +be dealt with as they deal with them; to be regarded as enemies to GOD, +and the covenanted reformation, and according to their power, and the +degree of their offense, punished as such, &c. After this declaration, +these enemies were still more enraged, and their fury flamed more than +ever formerly. They framed an oath, commonly called the oath of +abjuration, renouncing and abjuring the same, and by a venomous bloody +proclamation, enjoined this oath to be taken by all universally, from +sixteen years and upward, women as well as men, under pain of death; and +many prisoners who having the oath tendered them, refused or declined +it, were sentenced, and executed all in one day, according to the tenor +of their proclamation. And, moreover, they, on this occasion, renewed +their orders and commission to the soldiers, for pursuing and chasing +after the rebels (as they designed them) more vigorously and violently, +and to shoot, or otherwise put them to death wherever they did light +upon them. In the midst of this confusion of slaughter and bloodshed, +GOD cut off by death, _February_ 6th, 1685, that vile person, the author +and authorizer of all this mischief, _Charles II_, who, _Antiochus_ +like, came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flattery (_Dan._ +xi), reigned treacherously and bloodily, and like that wicked king, +_Jehoram_ (2 _Chron._ xxi), died without being desired or lamented, +poisoned, as was thought, by his unnatural popish brother. And, +notwithstanding of all his bastards, begotten in adultery and +fornication, at home and abroad, he died without any to succeed him, +save him that was said to have murdered him. GOD pursued him with the +curse of _Hiel_ the _Bethelite_, for his rebuilding of that cursed +_Jericho_, prelacy; and of that impious and wicked tyrant, _Coniah_ +(_Jer._ xxii), for his treachery and cruelty; "Thus saith the LORD, +Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, +for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting any more upon the throne +of _Israel_." + +12. Notwithstanding the abundant proof that the duke of _York_ had +given, in many instances, and in both kingdoms, of his being a vassal of +antichrist, and notwithstanding of his open and public profession of +papistry, upon his brother's death, fairly warning all what they might +expect, yet were not those, who sat at the helm of affairs, deterred +from committing the reins of government into his hands; but contrary to +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the lands, this professed and +excommunicate papist _James_, duke of _York_, was, _anno_ 1685, +proclaimed king of these once covenanted, but now treacherous and +apostate lands, whereby they appointed themselves a captain to return +into their anti-christian bondage. To this grievous yoke our infamous, +perjured, and apostate state and council in _Scotland_, heartily and +voluntarily subjected themselves and the nation, while others did it +with reluctancy, caressing and embracing with their dearest and best +affections, this enemy to GOD, and CHRIST, and his church, swearing +implicit and unlimited obedience unto him, and asserting his absolute +power and supremacy, indefeasible and hereditary right, without ever so +much as requiring him to take the coronation oath, or give the least +security for, any thing civil or religious (a depth of degeneracy, +parallel to that eminency in reformation purity, from which they were +fallen!) but laid the reins on his own neck, that he might have full +freedom for the satisfying of his lusts, and fulfilling his wicked +designs. This laid religion, liberty, and all, at the mercy of absolute +power and popish tyranny; and still more and more cut off the people of +God from having any hopes of mercy from their bloody enemies; on the +contrary, the duke of _York_, in his letter to his first parliament, +recommends and requires them to leave no means unattempted, for the +extirpation of the poor wandering sufferers, whom he brands with the +odious names of murderers and assassins, wild and inhuman traitors, &c. +And these his ready servants and bloody executioners, came nothing short +of his orders in the execution of them; so that there were more murdered +in cold blood in the open fields, without all shadow of law, trial or +sentence, more banished and sold as slaves, condemned and executed, &c., +in the time of this usurper, than in all the time of the former tyrant. + +As the honest sufferers, consistent with their testimony for truth, in +opposition both to the secret and open subvertors of the cause and state +of Zion's quarrel with her enemies, could not concur in _Argyle's_ +declaration (although there were many things in it materially good, and +commend-worthy), nor join in a military association with him, on account +(among other things) of the too promiscuous admission of persons to +trust in that party, who were then, and afterward discovered themselves +to be, enemies to the cause. Yet, against this usurpation of a bloody +papist, advancing himself to the throne in such a manner, they published +another declaration at _Sanquhar, May_ 28, 1685; wherein, approving of, +and adhering to all their former, and considering that _James_, duke of +_York_, a professed and excommunicated papist, was proclaimed: they +protest against said proclamation, with reasons subjoined at length for +their so doing--against all kinds of popery, general and particular +heads, as abjured by the national covenant--against its entry again +into this land, and every thing that doth, or may directly or +indirectly, make way for the same, &c. After this, Mr. _Renwick_ and his +followers were exposed to the greater fury of their adversaries; more +cruel edicts were given forth against them, approving and ratifying of +former acts, for raising the hue and cry, &c., whereby their calamities +were very much increased, besides the slanders of professed friends, on +account of their not associating and joining with them in their +compliances, although, to the conviction of all unbiassed minds, they +fully vindicated themselves from all their injurious reflections. + +The extirpation of the Presbyterian interest--nay, the suppression of +the Protestant religion in general, the reintroduction of popery, and +plunging the nations in anti-christian darkness and tyranny, being the +long concerted design of this popish bigot now got into the throne; he +resolves to lose no time, and leave no stone unturned, for the +prosecution and accomplishment thereof. And having made tolerable +progress in the execution of this his favorite scheme (although not +without opposition), in _England_, he turns himself to _Scotland_, +expecting an entire acquiescence in his pleasure there, having found the +first parliament, which began, 23d _May_, 1685, so much according to his +own heart, in their hearty and sincere offer of their lives and +fortunes, to assist, defend, and maintain him in his rights, +prerogatives, sacred, supreme, and absolute power and authority, &c. + +Wherefore, the parliament being to meet again _April_ 29, 1686, in his +letter to them, "he heartily recommends to their care his innocent Roman +Catholic subjects, to the end, that as they have given good experience +of their true loyalty and peaceable behavior, they may have the +protection of his laws, without lying under obligations their religion +could not admit of; that all penal laws made against them might be +repealed, &c." But though many were for obliging their king in this +particular, yet it could not be carried without debates and strong +objections; so that, dissolving the parliament, what he could not obtain +there, with any show or face of law, he effectuates, by virtue of the +prerogative royal and absolute power, in a letter to his privy council, +and proclamation inclosed, bearing date _February_ 12, 1687, granting a +royal toleration to moderate Presbyterians, clogged with a number of +grievous Erastian conditions and restrictions, as usual. Secondly, to +Quakers and other enthusiasts. Thirdly, to Papists, abrogating all penal +statutes made against them, and making them in all respects free. And so +devoted were the privy council to his interests, that without demur they +published the proclamation, and wrote back to the king, "that his orders +were punctually obeyed, thanking him for this further proof of his +favors to all his subjects." Thus, this champion for Satan and +antichrist proceeded with his wicked design, and so far succeeded; all +kinds of papistry were publicly practiced, and many churches converted +to mass chapels. For, before this, by the king's letter to his privy +council, of _August_ 21st, 1686, Papists were allowed the free exercise +of their religion, the council required to support and maintain them +therein, and the royal chapel at _Holyrood-House_ ordered to be repaired +for popish service. By which means a door was opened for that swarm of +Jesuits and priests, ascending as locusts out of the bottomless pit, +which quickly overspread the lands. But notwithstanding of all this +indulgence and royal toleration granted to these three forementioned +parties, yet there is no favor nor mercy for the honest and faithful +sufferers, and honorable contenders for the interests and prerogatives +royal of JESUS CHRIST, against his sacrilegious and blasphemous +usurpation of the same. But while he thinks fit to give ease (as himself +says) by this means, to tender consciences, he at the same time +signifies his highest indignation against those enemies of Christianity +(he means Popery) as well as government, and human society, the +field-conventiclers, whom he recommends to the council to root out, with +all the severity of the laws, and the most rigorous persecution of the +forces, it being equally his, and his people's concern to get rid of +them. In consequence of this, all their artillery is directed against +the Rev. Mr. _James Renwick_ only, and that poor, afflicted, and +persecuted people that adhered to him (all others being comprehended in +the pretended liberty granted), so that they were prosecuted with fire +and sword, and according to the utmost severity of their wicked laws +made against them, and a reward of a hundred pounds _sterling_ offered +by the bloody council to any that should bring in Mr. _Renwick_ to them, +either dead or alive. But he having his generation work allotted and cut +out for him by GOD, was preserved and kept from falling into their +hands, until that he had finished the work his Master had given him to +do, notwithstanding all this hellish and anti-christian rage and fury +wherewith they did pursue him. About the beginning of the year 1686, he, +in conjunction with Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who had lately joined him, +wrote the Informatory Vindication, by way of reply to various +accusations in letters, informations and conferences, given forth +against them and their people, wherein they vindicate, clear and justify +themselves from the heavy and false charges, slanders and reproaches, +cast upon them by their enemies, as may be seen in said book. About this +time, also, Mr. _Shields_ set about writing his _Hind let loose_ (which +was published next year), or, A Historical Representation of the +Testimonies of the Church of _Scotland_ for the interest of CHRIST, with +the true state thereof in all its periods; wherein he also solidly, +soundly, and judiciously vindicates the present testimony, in all the +principles thereof, as stated, against the popish, prelatical, and +malignant enemies of that church, for the prerogatives of CHRIST, +privileges of the church and liberties of mankind, and sealed by the +sufferings of a reproached remnant of Presbyterians there, witnessing +against the corruptions of the time. + +Whilst these two loving and faithful fellow-laborers were thus +industriously exerting themselves for the propagation and vindication of +the persecuted gospel, and cause of CHRIST; that fiery Jesuit, popish +tyrant, and enemy to GOD and man, the duke of _York_, and his popish +party, were equally industrious on the other hand, to promote their +grand design of utterly extinguishing the light of the gospel, and +bringing in Antichrist, with all his poisonous and hellish vermin, and +abominable idolatries; and that, with all the murdering violence, +diabolical subtilty and malignant rage that hell and _Rome_ could invent +and exert. He had formerly published a proclamation (as is noticed +above), granting a lawless liberty to several sorts of persons therein +specified, called his first indulgence; but breathing nothing but +threatenings and slaughter against the people of GOD, who stood firm to +his cause. But withal, this proclamation, enjoined an oath in the room +of all oaths formerly imposed, to be taken by all that minded to share +in his royal favor; wherein they swore, not only absolute subjection and +passive obedience, never to resist him, not only on any pretense, but +for any cause, let him do, or command to be done what he would; but +also, absolute, active obedience, without reserve: "That they shall, to +the utmost of their power, assist, defend, and maintain him, his heirs +and successors, in the exercise of their absolute power and authority, +against all deadly." This was so palpably gross and odious, that it was +disdained and abhorred by all that had common sense. Wherefore, finding +that this proposal did not take, nor answer his design, in a letter to +the council, bearing date about a month after the former, he endeavors +to mend the matter, and set it out in another dress, pretending that +they had mistaken his meaning in the former, and so lets them know, that +it is his pleasure now, that if the Presbyterian preachers do scruple to +take the oath (contained in the proclamation), or any other oath +whatsoever, they, notwithstanding, have the benefit of his indulgence +(without being obliged to take the oath), provided they observe the +conditions on which it was granted. But this not having the desired +effect neither, it is followed with the third indulgence or toleration, +emitted by proclamation, dated 28th _June_, 1687, excellently well +calculated for obtaining his end; wherein, after a solemn declaration of +his intention to maintain his archbishops and bishops, he does, by his +sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, suspend, +stop and disable, all penal and sanguinary laws, made against any for +non-conformity to the religion established by law--granting liberty to +all the subjects to meet and serve GOD, after their own way, in private +houses or chapels, or places purposely hired or built for that use, with +an injunction to take care that nothing be preached or taught, that +might any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from him and his +government: but, notwithstanding the premises, strictly prohibiting all +field meetings, against all which all his laws and acts of parliament +are left in full force and vigor; and all his judges, magistrates and +officers of forces, commanded to prosecute such as shall be guilty of +said field conventicles, with the utmost rigor; and all this under +pretense, that now, after this his royal grace and favor, there is not +the least shadow of excuse left for these meetings. Wherefore, he is +confident, that none will, after these liberties and freedoms given to +all, to serve God in their own way, further presume to meet in these +assemblies, except such as make a pretense of religion, to cover their +treasonable designs against his royal person, and peace of his +government. + +The most of the Presbyterian ministers in _Scotland_ took the benefit of +this wicked and boundless toleration, chiefly designed in favor of +Papists. And a large number of them, being met at _Edinburgh_, agreed +upon, and, in name of all the rest, sent an address of thanks to the +tyrant for his toleration, stuffed with the most loathsome and +blasphemous flatteries, to the dishonor of GOD, the reproach of his +cause, and betraying of his church. For, in this address, dated _July_ +21st, 1687, designating themselves the loyal subjects of this true +religion and liberty destroyer, they offer him their most humble and +hearty thanks for his favor bestowed, and bless the great GOD who put it +into his heart to grant them this liberty, which they term a great and +surprising favor, professing a fixed resolution still to maintain an +entire loyalty, both in their doctrine and practice (consonant to their +known, principles, which, according to the holy Scriptures, are +contained in the _Confession of Faith_); and they humbly beseech, that +any who promote disloyal principles and practices (as they disown them) +may not be looked upon as any of theirs, whatever name they may assume +to themselves; and that, as their address comes from the plainness and +sincerity of loyal and thankful hearts, so they were much engaged by his +royal favor, to continue their fervent prayer to the King of kings, for +divine illumination and conduct, and all other blessings, both spiritual +and temporal, ever to attend his person and government. Thus these men +made themselves naked to their shame, and declared to the world, that +they did only presumptuously arrogate to themselves the name of +Presbyterians; whereas, in reality, they were quite another kind of +creatures, acting diametrically opposite to Presbyterian principles, in +congratulating, extolling and justifying a tyrant, for assuming to +himself a blasphemous, absolute power, whereby he suspends and disables +all penal laws against idolators, and gives a toleration for all errors. + +But while these pretended Presbyterians, who all along loved peace +better than truth, and preferred their own ease before the concerns of +their Master's glory, were thus sheltering themselves under this refuge +of lies; true Presbyterians, who kept by presbyterian principles, and +acted a faithful part for CHRIST, refusing to bow down to the idol of +supremacy, which the tyrant had set up, or pay any regard to his +blasphemous toleration, were pursued, persecuted, and slain, without +pity or compassion, all the engines of the court being leveled against +them for their destruction, because they would still reserve to +themselves the liberty wherewith CHRIST had made his people free, and +not exchange it for one from Antichrist, restricted with his reserves +and limitations; so that (as Mr. _Shields_ tells us in his account of +Mr. _James Renwick's_ life), in less than five months after the +toleration, there were fifteen most desperate searches particularly for +him, both of foot and horse: and, that all encouragement might be given +to any who would apprehend him, a proclamation was issued, dated +_October_ 18th, "Authorizing all officers, civil and military, to +apprehend and secure in firmance his person, with some others; and for +encouragement, insuring the sum of _100£ sterling_ for taking him, or +them, dead or alive." In the midst of all these hazards, this unwearied +and faithful laborer did notwithstanding continue at his work, in +preaching, catechising, &c., and the Lord still preserved him from +falling into the enemy's hand, until he had finished that piece of +generation work, in drawing up a full and faithful testimony against +_York's_ toleration, and for the covenants and work of reformation, &c., +which he gave in to a meeting of Presbyterian ministers at _Edinburgh_, +on the 17th _January_, 1688; and going thence to _Fife_, whither he was +called to preach, in his return, was apprehended at _Edinburgh_, and +called to seal his above testimony, with all his other contendings +against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and all defection from the land's +attainments in reformation, with his blood, which he did in the _Grass +market_ of _Edinburgh_, 17th of _February_, 1688, with a remarkable and +extraordinary measure of the Lord's gracious presence and spirit, not +only in this part of his sufferings, but all the time of his +imprisonment. The Lord hereby bearing witness, both to the truth of that +cause for which he suffered, and also testifying his gracious acceptance +of his sufferings, and of the free-will-offering of his life, which he +laid down for his sake. And as neither the violence nor flattery of +enemies could prevail with this faithful confessor and martyr himself, +to quit with one hair or hoof of what belonged to Christ, so he +recommended to the poor scattered remnant which he left, as part of his +dying counsel, to keep their ground, and not to quit nor forego one of +these despised truths, which he was assured the Lord, when he returned +to bind up the breach of his people, and heal them of their wound, would +make glorious in the earth. Thus that worthy minister, and now glorified +martyr of Jesus, through a chain of sufferings, and train of enemies, +fought his way unto an incorruptible and immortal crown of endless +glory. He was the last that sealed the testimony for religion and +liberty, and the covenanted work of reformation, against Popery, +Prelacy, Erastianism, and tyranny, in a public manner, on the scaffold, +with his blood. After the death of this renowned martyr, he was +succeeded by the eminent Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who carried on, and +maintained, the testimony, as it was stated, in all the heads and +clauses thereof, continuing to preach in the fields. On which account, +he, and the people who attended his ministry, were exposed for some time +longer to the fury and resentment of their enemies. But their power, +which they had so long perverted and abused, quickly came to a period. +For in a few months, God, in his righteous judgment and adorable +providence, overturned that throne of iniquity on which they depended, +and expelled that inhuman, cruel monster, from his tyrannical and +usurped power, upon the prince of Orange's coming over into _England_, +in the beginning of _November_ that same year. But, although the Lord at +this juncture, and by this means, rescued and delivered our natural and +civil rights and privileges in a national way from under the oppression +and bondage of anti-christian tyranny, arbitrary and absolute power, yet +the Revolution, at this time, brought no real deliverance to the church +of God. But Christ's rights,[1] formerly acquired for him by his +faithful servants, lay still buried under the rubbish of that +anti-christian building of Prelacy, erected on the ruins of his work in +this land; and the spiritual liberties and privileges of his house +remained, and do still remain under the bondage of Erastianism, +supremacy, toleration, &c. For it is well known, that although this man, +Jehu-like, "destroyed _Baal_ out of _Israel_, yet he departed not from +the sins of _Jeroboam_, wherewith he made _Israel_ to sin." + +About this time, the united societies (having no actual minister since +Mr. _Renwick's_ death, Mr. _Shields_ being only preacher) sent over some +commissioners from their general meeting to _Embden_, one of the United +Provinces, to bring over Mr. _Thomas Linning_, a young man whom they had +sent thither some years before in Mr. _Renwick's_ time, to the +university there, and for ordination. In consequence hereof, the said +Mr. _Linning_ came home, with testimonials of his ordination to the +ministry by the classes at _Embden_; and in conjunction with Mr. +_Shields_ and Mr. _William Boyd_ (another of their ministers, who had +also come from Holland about this time), renewed the Covenants National +and Solemn League, and dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's supper near +Lesmahago, in Clydesdale, and continued to preach to the people for +about four months, until the first General Assembly (so called) met at +Edinburgh 1689-90. At which time, he, with his two brethren, in their +own name, and the name of their people, presented a paper to that +Assembly, bearing on what terms they and their people would join in +communion with them; only craving that they might all join in humbling +themselves before the Lord, and acknowledge and bewail their fathers', +their own, and the land's many and heinous iniquities, and breaches of +Covenant, before they proceeded to any other business, and so have their +public sins and scandalous compliances washed away by repentance, and +calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus. That they would purge out from +among them, all ignorant, insufficient, heterodox, and notoriously +scandalous ministers, such as, by information, accusation, or otherways, +were guilty of the blood of the saints, &c. But these proposals were +reckoned unseasonable and impracticable, tending rather to kindle +contention, than compose division, and so were thrown over their bar. +The generality of these men were so plunged and puddled in the ditch of +defection and apostasy, that they could not think of the drudgery of +cleansing themselves in God's way, by a particular and public confession +of, and humiliation for their own and the land's public sins, but chose +rather to sit down filthy and polluted as they were, and presume, in the +midst of their abominations unrepented of, to approach God's holy +things, which, how provoking to heaven, let God in his word be judge, +_Isa._ lii, 11; _Hag._ ii, 13, 14; 2 _Chr._ xxx, 3; _Ezek._ xliv, 10. +Nay, it is but too, too evident, that for this cause, God then laid them +under that awful sentence, _Rev._ xxii, 11: "Him that is filthy, let him +be filthy still;" or that, _Isa._ xxii, 14. For as their hearts were +then hardened against God's call by his word and providence to that +important and most necessary duty; so, ever since, they, have been so +much the more so, and have gone on from evil to worse. + +But to return to our purpose: the two brethren, Messrs. _Linning_ and +_Boyd_, upon the rejection of the above said paper of proposals, +intending to unite with them at any rate, gave in another, importing +their submission to the assembly; which paper, Mr. _Shields_ also, +through their influences, insinuations, and persuasions, was drawn in to +subscribe and adhere to; which he had never done, had he not fallen by +the means of these false brethren, and which, it is said, he sadly +repented afterward. Thus, the poor people were again left destitute of +ministers, and public gospel ordinances, until the Rev. Mr. _John, +McMillan_ acceded to them, from the public judicatories of the +revolution church, in the year 1706. And their kind friend, Mr. +_Linning_, to make amends for all his misdemeanors, and in return for +the charges the societies were at about his education, at home and +abroad, did them that good office, to write, and load them with +calumnies and slanders, to the universities in the _Netherlands_, +whither they had recourse formerly in like cases; so that all access for +having their loss retrieved from that quarter, was blocked up. + +What is thus briefly hinted above, may suffice to afford some cursory +view of the rise and progress of religion and reformation in these +lands, especially in _Scotland_; until, as a church and nation, our +kingdom became the Lord's, by the strictest and most intimate federal +alliance, and the name almost of every city, was, _the Lord is there_: +together with the general state and condition of the church and land, +from the fatal juncture of our woful decline, unto the end of the above +mentioned bloody period; the faithfulness of some, in this time of trial +and temptation: the defection and backsliding course of others; and the +great and avowed wickedness of the rest, extended unto an exhorbitant +hight of savage inhumanity, irreligion and impiety. Upon all which, the +presbytery, in duty to God, the present and succeeding generations find +themselves obliged to testify: + +1, Their hearty approbation of the faithfulness of such ministers and +others, who opposed, and faithfully testified against the public +resolutions of church and state, framed in the year 1651, for receiving +into places of power and trust, malignant enemies to the work of +reformation, contrary to the word of God, _Exod._ xviii, 21; _Deut._ i, +13; _2 Chron._ xix, 2; and to all acts of assembly and parliament in the +reforming period; the assembly disclaiming the resolutions, as appears +from their act, _June 17th_, 1646, session 14th, entitled, _Act for +censuring the compilers with the public enemies of this church and +kingdom_: and their seasonable and necessary warning _June 27th_, 1640, +session 27th; where "they judge it a great and scandalous provocation, +and grievous defection from the public cause, to comply with, these +malignants, &c." As also, _Act 11th_, Triennial Parliament of, Charles +I, entitled, _Act for purging the army of disaffected persons to the +Covenant and work of Reformation_. And the faithful warnings, given by +general assemblies and parliament, even against the admission of Charles +II to the regal dignity, when so evidently discovering his disingenuity, +until once he should give more satisfying proof of hid sincerity; see +act of the commission at the _West Kirk, August_ 13th, 1650, where the +commission of the general assembly, considering, that there may be just +ground of stumbling, from the king's majesty's refusing to emit the +declaration offered him by the committee of estates, and the commission +of the General Assembly, concerning his former carriage, and resolution +for the future, in reference to the cause of God, and enemies and +friends thereof; doth therefore declare "That this kirk and kingdom do +not espouse any malignant party, quarrel, or interest, but that they +fight merely upon their former grounds and principles, and in the +defense of the cause of GOD, and of the kingdom, as they have done these +twelve years past: and therefore as they disclaim all the sin and guilt +of the king and of his house, so they will not own him nor his interest, +otherwise than with a subordination to GOD, and so far as he owns and +prosecutes the cause of GOD, and disclaims his, and his father's +opposition to the work of GOD and to the covenant," &c. The which +declaration being seen and considered by the committee of estates, was +the same day approven by them. Thus, both church and state exerted +themselves in the discharge of their duty, in order to obtain a +settlement, according to the word of God, and the covenants, which were +now become the _magna charta_ of the privileges and liberties of the +nations, both civil and religious; and therefore, were sworn to and +subscribed by Charles II, as was also the coronation oath, for the +security and preservation of the true religion, at his receipt of the +royal power. + +2. The presbytery testify and declare their approbation of the conduct +of the faithful, before the restoration, who, adhering to the aforesaid +fundamental constitutions of the nations, both refused subjection unto, +and testified against, the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_ and his +accomplices, his invading the land, his anti-christian toleration of all +sectarian errors and heresies, threatening the ruin and destruction of +the true religion, as well as liberty. This was particularly testified +against by the synod of _Fife_, and others in conjunction with them, as +wicked and intolerable; as opposite unto, and condemned by, the +Scriptures of truth, _Job_ xxxiv, 17; _Deut._ xiii, 1-12; _Zech._ xiii, +3; contrary to acts of assembly and parliament, made against malignants, +their being received into places of power and trust, with whom these +sectarians were compliers, such as _Act_ 16th, of _Assemb._ 1646, +_Sess._ 13th; _Act_ 26th, _Sess._ 2d, parliament _Charles_ I, &c. + +3. The presbytery do hereby heartily approve and homologate the +testimony borne unto the truths and royal prerogatives of Christ, as +King of Zion, by the witnesses and martyrs for the same, from the +restoration, _anno_ 1660, to the late revolution, by protestations, +declarations, confiscation of goods, bonds, imprisonment, banishment, +all kinds of cruelty and suffering, even unto the death (as noticed +above), by the impious revolters from the righteous laws of God, and +overturners of the just and equitable laws of men, both sacred and +civil; to the maintenance whereof, the greatest part of these +transgressors had bound themselves by the most sacred and inviolable +obligations, which made their wickedness the more daring and aggravated, +and the testimony of the saints against such as had made themselves so +vile in the sight of God and all good men, the more justifiable. _Psalm_ +cxix, 139: "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have +forgotten thy words." And as the doers of the law have the promise of +justification by the great Legislator, _Rom._ ii, 13, so they ought to +have the approbation of his people for doing his will. + +And as the Spirit discovers the church's duty not to consist only in +bearing witness unto the truth, and justifying Christ's confessors and +martyrs, in their faithful adherence unto it, but also in testifying +against sin, and condemning the wicked for their wickedness; for which, +also, we have the precedent of the reformed and covenanted church of +_Scotland_, both before and during the defection and wickedness of the +forementioned period. Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare +and testify particularly: + +1. Against that prime and leading step of defection, the public +resolutions, a scheme projected by that arch hypocrite and traitor to +God, Charles II, for the reintroduction of men of the same wicked and +malignant spirit with himself, into places of public trust in the +nation--men, the most of whom had been formerly excommunicated by the +church, and excluded from all office-bearing in the commonwealth, by the +states, in their act of classes, as being avowed and obstinate enemies +to God and to their country. Which scheme, approven of and put in +execution, with the consent of a corrupt part of the ministry of the +church, called afterward resolutioners, made way for that sad and bloody +catastrophe, which after befel the poor church of Christ in this land. + +2. They declare and testify against the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_, +with those who subjected themselves unto, and owned, his authority; +against his treacherous invasion of this land, contrary to the public +oaths and vows, and covenant union of the nations; together with his +sectarian principles, and wicked toleration, then obtruded upon them. + +3. They declare and testify against the restoration of _Charles_ II, +1660, unto the government of these covenanted lands, after he had so +plainly discovered his spirit and designs, in the matter of the public +resolutions. On account of which treacherous and double dealing with God +and man, he was, in the Lord's holy and adorable providence, justly +secluded from the government, and lived an exile for the space of ten +years; but, by means of his malignant public resolution friends, he was +again, by might, though not of right, restored, without so much as his +adherence sought to those oaths, which he had formerly so solemnly +sworn. Add to this the church's sinful silence, through the influence of +the backslidden resolution party therein, so that, at the convention of +the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1661, consisting mostly of persons of +known disaffection to the true religion, elected of purpose to serve the +king's traitorous designs, there was not so much as a protestation for +civil or religious liberties and privileges offered thereunto; but the +vile person (as be afterward fully declared himself) was peaceably, +though illegally, exalted. + +4. As the presbytery find themselves in duty bound to testify against +this most unhappy restoration of _Charles_ II, so, of necessary and just +consequence, they declare against the whole of his usurped and +tyrannical administration--particularly against his blasphemous and +heaven-daring ecclesiastical supremacy; against the act rescissory, +declaring null and void the covenants, presbyterian church government, +and all the laws made in favor of the true religion since the year 1638; +the wicked anniversary thanksgiving day, in memory of the restoration; +the re-establishment of diocesan and Erastian Prelacy; his publicly and +ignominiously burning of our solemn covenants, after pretending to +nullify their obligation; with all his cruelty, tyranny, oppression and +bloodshed, under color, and without form, of law, exercised upon the +Lord's people, during the whole of his reign. + +5. They again testify against the treachery of these covenanted lands, +in their advancing (contrary to our solemn covenants and all law and +reason) _James_, duke of _York_, a professed Papist, and avowed +malignant to the throne of these realms. As also, they testify against +his Christ-dethroning supremacy, and anti-christian indulgences and +toleration, flowing from that wicked fountain; his horrid and cruel +massacreing and murdering of the saints and servants of the Most High; +with all his other wickedness briefly specified in the foregoing +narrative. + +Upon the whole, the presbytery declare and testify against all the +affronts done unto the Son of God, and open attacks made upon his crown +and kingdom; all the different steps of apostasy from a work of +reformation, and all the hellish rage and cruelty exercised against the +people of God during the foresaid period of persecution, carried on by +these two impious brothers. + + + + +PART II. + +Containing the grounds of the Presbytery's testimony against the +constitutions both civil and ecclesiastical at the late Revolution, anno +1689: as also, against the gross Erastianism and tyranny that has +attended the administration both of church and state, since that +memorable period: with various instances thereof, &c. + + +After the Lord, for the forementioned space of twenty-eight years, had, +because of their manifold sins, sorely plagued this church and nation +with the grievous yoke of prelatical tyranny, bloodshed, oppression and +fiery persecution, and thereby had covered the daughter of Zion with a +cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty +of Israel, and had thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the +daughter of Judah, yea, brought them down even to the ground; he was +pleased, in his holy sovereignty, to put a stop to that barbarous +cruelty that was exercised upon his people, at the last national +Revolution, by the instrumentality of the prince and princess of +_Orange_; which is the more remarkable, in that those whom the Lord +employed as the rod of his anger, to strike off that monstrous tyrant +_James_ duke of _York_ from the _British_ throne, were natural branches +sprung up from the same stock: and this at a juncture when not only the +church of Christ was in the greatest danger of being totally extirpated, +but the whole land in hazard of being again overwhelmed with popish +darkness and idolatry. But although a very fit opportunity was then +offered the nations for reviving the long buried work of a covenanted +reformation both in church and state, and re-establishing all the +ordinances of God in purity, according to their scriptural institution: +yet, alas! how deeply is it to be lamented, that, instead thereof, the +multitude of his tender mercies being forgotten, there was a returning, +but not to the Most High; yea, a turning aside like a deceitful bow; so +that, in many respects, our national guilt is now increased above what +it was in former times: wherefore, as the presbytery desire with the +utmost gratitude to acknowledge the divine goodness, in giving a respite +from the hot furnace of persecution; so they likewise find themselves, +in duty to their princely Master and his people, obliged to testify and +declare against foresaid revolution settlement, in a variety of +particulars, with the many defections and backslidings flowing +therefrom. Likeas they hereby do testify against the constitutions, both +civil and ecclesiastic, at the Revolution, _anno_ 1689, in those +respects, and for these reasons: + +1. Because that in the civil constitution, these nations once united +together in a scriptural and covenanted uniformity, unmindful of their +former establishment upon a divine footing, wherein king and people were +to be of one perfect religion, and the supreme magistrate obliged by +solemn oath to maintain and preserve the same inviolable, did call and +invite _William_ and _Mary_, prince and princess of _Orange_, unto the +possession of the royal power in these lands, in a way contrary to the +word of God, as _Deut._ xvii, 15: "Thou shalt in any wise set him king +over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy +brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger +over thee, which is not thy brother." _2 Sam._ xxiii, 3: "The God of +Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men, +must be just, ruling in the fear of God." + +In opposition to these clear precepts, the nations did choose the +foresaid persons to sway the civil scepter over them, who were neither +brethren by birth, nor religious profession, being educated in a church +where Erastianism prevails, as appears from their ascribing such an +extensive power to the civil magistrate, as is inconsistent with the +intrinsic power of the church. Accordingly, by these principles, said +prince of _Orange_ did regulate his conduct, in the assumption of his +regal authority, consenting to swear two distinct oaths, whereby he +obliged himself to preserve and maintain the two distinct and contrary +religions (or modes of religions worship), Presbytery and Prelacy, and +so betrayed both to God and man his politic, worldly views, and +proclaimed himself destitute of that truth and religious fear, which is +the essential character of every person who may warrantably be invested +with supreme authority over the Israel of God. And as they wanted +scriptural, so likewise covenant qualifications, namely, known +integrity, approven fidelity, constant affection, and zeal to the cause +and true church of God; and therefore could not in a consistency with +the covenanted constitution, and fundamental laws of the crown, be set +up as king and queen of these covenanted lands. + +Again, as during the persecuting period the nations generally were +involved in the guilt of perjury and deep apostasy, by the many sinful +contradictory tests, oaths and bonds then imposed; so, in a particular +manner, those who, by virtue of their birth and dignity, ought to have +been the defenders of the nation's privileges, both sacred and civil, on +the contrary, as privy councilors to the two impious brothers in their +rage against the Lord and his Anointed, and as members of their +iniquitous parliaments (where perverting equity and justice, they framed +the most heaven-daring and abominable mischiefs into a law, and then +with the utmost cruelty prosecuted the same), had many of them brought +themselves under the fearful guilt of these atrocious crimes of murder, +perjury, tyranny and oppression, and thereby, according to the law both +of God and man, not only forfeited their lives, had the same been duly +executed; but also divested themselves of all just right and title to +act the part of the nations' representatives, in choosing and installing +any in the office of supreme civil governor, until at least they had +given suitable evidence of their repentance. Yet such were the +constituent members of that committee of estates, and first parliament, +employed in the Revolution settlement, without so much as making any +suitable public acknowledgment of their wickedness in the active hand +the generality of them had in the former bloody persecution, as appears +from a comparative view of the lists of the members of parliament, and +particularly the duke of _York's_ last parliament, with act second of +the acts and orders of the meeting of estates, _anno_ 1689. Yea, by +viewing the lists of _James_ VII, his privy council, annexed by _Wodrow_ +to the second volume of his history, it is evident, that a great number +of the nobility alone, members of that bloody council, were also members +of foresaid convention of estates, the members of which convention +(seven bishops excepted) were exactly the same with the members of the +first parliament at the Revolution. For this, compare second act of the +meeting of estates, with act first, parliament first, of _William_ and +_Mary_. By all which it is evident, that from princes who had thus +removed the bound, and discovered no just remorse for their sins, there +was little ground left to expect a happy establishment of religion, in +restoring the flock of Christ to the full possession of those valuable +privileges and liberties wherewith he had made them free. + +The character of the constituent members being considered, the +constitution itself, and wherein it is inconsistent with our covenanted +establishment, and is therefore hereby testified against, comes next to +be considered. Although the declaration of the meeting of estates in +this kingdom, containing their claim of right, comprehended much more of +their civil liberties, and formal rights of government, than was enjoyed +under the former monstrous tyranny, yet by no means sufficiently +provided for the legal establishment of our former happy reformed +constitution, which necessarily obliged the civil rulers to employ their +power to maintain and defend, not only the doctrine, but also the +Presbyterian worship, discipline and government, as the only and +unalterable form instituted by Christ in his house. Whereas this craves +the abolition of prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the +church above presbyters in _Scotland_, simply as it hath been a great +and insupportable grievance and trouble to this nation, and contrary to +the inclinations of the generality of the people ever since the +reformation from Popery, without regarding the divine right of +Presbytery, and the contrariety of Prelacy to scripture revelation. In +agreeableness to which demand, when the first parliament met in +_Scotland_ immediately after the Revolution, which began the ____ day of +_April_, 1689, in _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, entitled _Act abolishing +Prelacy_, they abolished Prelacy for the foresaid reason, and further +declare, that they will settle by law that church government in this +kingdom, which is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people. +Accordingly, in the second session of the same parliament, _Act_ 5th, +_June_ 7th, 1690, the parliament establishing the Presbyterian church +government and discipline, as it had been ratified and established by +the 14th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592, reviving, renewing +and confirming the foresaid act of parliament, in the whole heads +thereof, except that part of it relating to patronages, afterward to be +considered of. Likewise, in the above mentioned act at the Revolution, +the thirty-three chapters of the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith +(exclusive of the catechisms, directory for worship, and form of church +government formerly publicly authorized, and Covenants National and +Solemn League) were ratified and established by the parliament. And the +said Confession being read in their presence, was voted and approven by +them, as the public and avowed Confession of this church, without taking +any notice of its scriptural authority. And further, in the same session +of parliament, by the royal power allenarly, the first meeting of the +general assembly of this church, as above established, was appointed to +be held at _Edinburgh_, the third _Thursday_ of _October_ following, the +same year, 1690. And by the same civil authority and foresaid act, many +of the churches in _Scotland_ were declared vacant. + +2. The presbytery testify against the ecclesiastical constitution at the +Revolution; particularly, in regard, 1st--That the members composing the +same were no less, if not much more exceptionable, than those of whom +the state consisted; the whole of them one way or other being justly +chargeable with unfaithfulness to CHRIST, and his covenanted cause, by +sinful and scandalous compliance with the public defections of the +former times, or actively countenancing the malignant apostasy of the +lands, which will appear evident, by considering, that the Revolution +Church consisted of such office-bearers, as had, in contradiction to +their most solemn covenant engagements, fallen in with, and approven of +the public resolutions. And these public resolutioners, who had betrayed +the LORD'S cause, which they had in the most solemn manner sworn to +maintain, were, without any public acknowledgement demanded or offered, +or adequate censure inflicted (even, after that the LORD had remarkably +testified his displeasure against that leading step of defection, by +suffering these vipers, which we thus took into our bosom, to sting us +almost to death) for this their scandalous defection and perjury, +admitted and sustained members of the Revolution Church. Again, the +Revolution assembly consisted of such ministers as had shamefully +changed their holding of CHRIST, and sinfully submitted, in the exercise +of their ministry, to an exotic head, _Charles_ II, who had, by virtue +of his blasphemous supremacy, and absolute power, taken the power of the +keys from Christ's ministers, and afterward returning only one of them +(viz.: the key of doctrine) to such as accepted his anti-christian, +church-destroying, and Christ-dethroning indulgences, attended with such +sinful limitations and restrictions, as were utterly inconsistent with +ministerial freedom and faithfulness, declaring the acceptors to be +men-pleasers, and so not the servants of Christ (of which above). Of +this stamp were the most of them, who, without any public acknowledgment +of that horrid affront they had put upon the church's true Head, dared +to constitute and act as the supreme judicatory of the church of Christ, +_anno_ 1690. Again, the foresaid assembly was almost wholly formed of +such as had petitioned for, accepted of, and pretended to return a +God-mocking letter of thanks for that blasphemous unbounded toleration, +which that popish tyrant, the duke of _York_ (as is noticed formerly), +granted, with a special view to reintroduce abjured popery; and +therefore while it extended its protection to every heresy, did exclude +the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields; which toleration +(according to _Wodrow_) was joyfully embraced by all the Presbyterian +ministers in Scotland, the honored Mr. Renwick only excepted, who +faithfully protested against the same. + +But further, the Revolution assembly did partly consist of such members +as, contrary to our solemn covenants, had their consciences dreadfully +polluted, by consenting unto, subscribing, and swearing some one or +other of the sinful wicked oaths, tests and bonds, tyrannically imposed +in the persecuting period, or by persuading others to take them, and +declining to give warning of the danger of them, or by approving the +warrantableness of giving security to the bloody council, not to +exercise their ministry, but according to their pleasure. Moreover, they +were all, generally, manifestly guilty of the sin of carrying on and +maintaining schism and defection from the covenanted church of CHRIST in +_Scotland_. As also (which from the history of these times is evident), +the ruling elders in that assembly, being generally noblemen, gentlemen, +and burgesses, were mostly such as had an active hand in the tyranny and +persecution that preceded, and in one respect or other, were stained +with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Thus, that assembly was packed +up, chiefly, of such blacked compilers, as, one way or other, were +deeply involved in the apostasy, bloodshed and cruelty of the preceding +period, yet had not broke off their iniquities, by a public confession +of these crying sins, before that meeting; nor can it be found, that any +adequate censure was inflicted on any of them for the same. Therefore, +the presbytery testify against the Revolution church, as consisting +mostly of such scandalous schismatical members, as could not, in a +consistency with the scriptural rule, and laudable acts of this reformed +church, have been admitted to church privileges, far less to bear office +in the house of God; until, at least, they had been duly purged from +their aggravated scandals, and given evident signs of a real repentance, +according to the Word of God, 2 _Chron._ xxx, 3: "For they could not +keep the passover at that time, because the priests had not sanctified +themselves sufficiently." And _Ezek._ xliv, 10: "And the Levites that +are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray +away from me after their idols, they shall even bear their iniquity;" v. +13: "And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest +unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy +place; but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which +they have committed." + +Next, the presbytery declare and testify against the Revolution church, +because plainly Erastian, and utterly inconsistent with the covenanted +constitution of the reformed church of _Scotland, anno_ 1648: the truth +of which charge will appear obvious, from considering the act of +parliament, on which the civil power settled the constitution of the +Revolution church, viz., _Act_ 114, _James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th; where, +_inter alia_, it is expressly declared, "That it shall be lawful to the +kirk ministers, every year at least, and oftener, _pro re nata_, as +occasion and necessity sall require, to hald and keepe general +assemblies, providing that the king's majesty, or his commissioner with +them, to be appointed be his highness to be present at ilk general +assembly, before the dissolving thereof, nominate and appoynt time and +place, quhen and quhair the next general assemblie sall be halden: and +in case neither his majesty nor his said commissioner beis present for +the time, in that town, quhair the said general assemblie beis halden, +then, and in that case, it shall be lesum for the said general assembly +be themselves, to nominate and appoint time and place, quhair the next +general assembly of the kirk sall be keeped and halden, as they have +been in use to do these times by-past." Here, in this act, a manifest +invasion and traitorous attack is made upon the headship and supremacy +of Christ, as a Son in, and over his own house. He who is God's +annotated King in Zion, and sits on the throne of his holiness, is +hereby robbed of his crown rights; the intrinsic power, the spiritual +liberty and freedom, granted by Christ to his church, is encroached +upon. It is a received opinion among all true Presbyterians, that the +church hath an intrinsic power to meet in the courts of Christ's house, +from the lowest to the highest, by virtue of the power committed to her +by the Lord Jesus Christ, without dependence on the civil power. This is +agreeable to scripture, _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, 18, 19, where the +apostles receive the keys immediately from the hands of Christ their +Lord and Master. And as one principal part of that trust Christ has +committed to his church, this has been the constant plea of the +reforming and reformed Presbyterian church of _Scotland_. Let us hear +what that renowned and faithful minister, and venerable confessor for +Christ, the Rev. Mr. John Welsh, says to this particular, in his letter +to the Countess of _Wigton_ from _Blackness_, 1606, when a prisoner for +this same truth. Having asserted the independence of the church, the +spiritual kingdom of Christ, upon any earthly monarch, and her freedom +to meet and judge of all her affairs; he adds, "These two points, 1st, +that Christ is Head of his church; 2d, that she is free in her +government from all other jurisdictions, except Christ's. These two +points, I say, are the special causes of our imprisonment, being now +convicted as traitors for maintaining thereof. We have been ever waiting +with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation +thereof, if it should please our God to be so favorable as to honor us +with that dignity. Yea, I do affirm, that these two points above +written, and all other things that do belong to Christ's crown, scepter +and kingdom, are not subject, nor cannot be, to any other authority, but +to his own altogether: so that I would be glad to be offered up as a +sacrifice for so glorious a truth." So far he. But now this assembly of +_treacherous_ men, by settling themselves upon such a constitution have +openly given up this scriptural truth and Presbyterian principle handed +down to us, sealed with the sufferings and dearest blood of the faithful +Confessors and Martyrs of Christ, and have consented that it is unlawful +for the office-bearers in the Lord's house to exert their proper power +in calling and appointing general assemblies, however loudly the +necessity of the church may call for them, unless the king authorize +their diet of meeting, which he may, or may not do, according to his +pleasure. + +Again, it is evident, that the revolution church is constituted in the +same Erastian manner with the late Prelacy in _Scotland_. For proof of +which, observe, that as Prelacy was never ecclesiastically asserted to +be of divine authority, neither has Presbytery, by any explicit and +formal act of Assembly, at or since the revolution. As the prelates' +high ecclesiastical court was called, adjourned and dissolved, in the +king's name, so likewise are the assemblies of the Revolution Church. As +the Episcopalians owned the king, in the exercise of his Erastian +supremacy over them, so the Revolution Church, instead of opposing, did +take up her standing under the covert of that anti-christian supremacy, +and has never since declined the exercise thereof. And, as the civil +power prescribed limits unto, and at pleasure altered, the prelatic +church, so this church has accepted of a formula, prescribed by the +civil power, requiring that all the ordinances within the same be +performed by the ministers thereof, as they were then allowed them, or +should thereafter be declared by their authority, as _Act_ 23d, _Sess._ +4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, expressly bears. By what is said above, it may +appear, that this church is Erastian in her constitution. But it is +further to be observed, that the present constitution is no less +inconsistent with the scriptural and covenanted constitution of the +church of _Scotland_, in regard that the retrograde constitution, to +which the church fled back, and on which she was settled at the +revolution, was but an infant state of the church, lately after her +first reformation from Popery, far inferior to her advanced state +betwixt 1638 and 1649 inclusive. It was before the church had shaken off +the intolerable yokes of Erastian supremacy and patronages; before she +had ecclesiastically asserted, and practically maintained, her spiritual +and scriptural claim of right, namely, the divine right of presbytery, +and intrinsic power of the church, the two special gems of Christ's +crown, as King on his holy hill of Zion; before the explanation of the +national covenant, as condemning episcopacy, the five articles of +_Perth_, the civil power of churchmen; before the Solemn League and +Covenant was entered into; before the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith, +the Catechisms, larger and shorter, the Directory for worship, Form of +Presbyterian church government and ordination of ministers, were +composed; and before the acts of church and state, for purging +judicatories, ecclesiastical and civil, and armies from persons +disaffected to the cause and work of God, were made; and all these +valuable pieces of reformation ratified with the full and ample sanction +of the supreme civil authority, by the king's majesty and honorable +estates of parliament, as parts of the covenanted uniformity in +religion, betwixt the churches of Christ in _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. And therefore, this revolution constitution amounts to a +shameful disregarding--yea, disclaiming and burying--much (if not all) +of the reformation attained to in that memorable period, and is a +virtual homologation and allowance of the iniquitous laws at the +restoration, _anno_ 1661, condemning our glorious reformation and sacred +covenants as rebellion; and is such an aggravated step of defection and +apostasy, as too clearly discovers this church to be fixed upon a +different footing, and to be called by another name, than the genuine +offspring of the true covenanted church of Christ in _Scotland_. + +Besides what has been already noticed, respecting the sinfulness both of +the members constituent, and the constitutions at the revolution, it is +to be further observed, as just matter of lamentation, that, at this +period, when such a noble opportunity was offered, no suitable endeavors +were made for reviving the covenanted cause and interest of our +REDEEMER; no care taken that the city of the Lord should be built upon +her own heap, and the palace remain after the manner thereof; but, on +the contrary, a religion was then established, not only exceedingly far +short of, but in many particulars very inconsistent with, and +destructive of, that blessed uniformity in religion, once the glory of +these now degenerate isles. The presbytery, therefore, in the next +place, do testify against the settlement of religion made at the +revolution, and that in these particulars following: + +1. Instead of abolishing Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, as it had +been abjured in the Solemn League and Covenant, and stands condemned by +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, conform to the +divine law, it was then, with all its popish ceremonies, anew secured, +confirmed and established, in both these kingdoms, as the true religion, +according to the word of God, to be publicly professed by all the +people; and the supreme civil magistrate solemnly sworn, at his +inauguration, both that he himself shall be of the Episcopal communion, +and that he shall maintain inviolably the settlement of the church of +_England_, in the kingdoms of _England_ and _Ireland_, and territories +thereunto belonging. Thus the revolution has ratified the impious +overthrow, and ignominious burial, of the covenanted reformation in +these two kingdoms, that was made in the persecuting period, and has +fixed a legal bar in the way of their reformation, in agreeableness to +the sacred oath the three nations brought themselves under to God +Almighty. + +2. As to the settlement of religion in _Scotland_, the presbytery +testify against it: because it was a settlement, which, instead of +homologating and reviving the covenanted reformation between 1638 and +1650, in profession and principle, left the same buried under the +infamous act rescissory, which did, at one blow, rescind and annul the +whole of the reformation, and authority establishing the same, by making +a retrograde motion, as far back as 1592, without ever coming one step +forward since that time, and herein acted most contrary to the practice +of our honored reformers, who always used to begin where former +reformations stopped, and after having removed what obstructed the work +of reformation, went forward in building and beautifying the house of +the Lord. + +That this backward settlement at the revolution, was a glaring +relinquishment of many of our valuable and happy attainments, in the +second and most advanced reformation (as said is), and consequently, an +open apostasy and revolt from the covenanted constitution of the church +of _Scotland_, is sufficiently evident, from the foresaid act of +settlement 1690; where (after having allowed of the _Westminster_ +confession) they further add, "That they do establish, ratify and +confirm, the Presbyterian church government and discipline, ratified and +established by the 114th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592." So +that this settlement includes nothing more of the covenanted uniformity +in these lands, than only the thirty-three articles of the Confession of +Faith, wanting the scripture proofs. Again, that the Revolution +settlement of religion did not abolish the act rescissory, nor ratify +and revive any act, between 1638 and 1650, authorizing and establishing +the work of reformation, is clear from the same act: wherein, after +abolishing some acts anent the late prelacy in _Scotland_, they declare: +"that these acts are abolished, so far allenarly, as the said acts, and +others, generally and particularly above mentioned, are contrary or +prejudicial to, inconsistent with, or derogatory from, the Protestant +religion, or Presbyterian church government, now established." Where +observe, that this general clause is restricted to acts and laws, in so +far only, as they were contrary to the religion settled in this act; and +therefore, as this act includes no part of the covenanted reformation +between 1638 and 1649, so this rescissory clause abolishes laws, not as +against foresaid reformation, but only in so far as they strike against +the revolution settlement, which the act rescissory could not do. Again, +in another clause of the same act, it is added: "Therefore, their +majesties do hereby revive and ratify, and perpetually confirm, all +laws, statutes and acts of parliament, made against Popery and Papists." +The only reason that can be given for the revival of laws, not against +Prelacy, but Popery, when abolishing Prelacy, is, that the parliament, +excluding the covenanted reformation from this settlement of religion, +resolved to let the whole of it lie buried under the act rescissory. For +as, in reality, there were no laws made expressly against Prelacy before +1592, but against Popery and Papists; so, had they said, laws against +prelacy and prelates, they thereby would have revived some of the laws +made by the reforming parliaments, between 1640 and 1650; wherein +bishops and all other prelates, the civil places and power of kirkmen, +&c., are expressly condemned. Again, in the foresaid act, they confirm +all the article of the 114th _Act_, 1592, except the part of it anent +patronages, which is to be afterward considered. Now, had the revolution +parliament regarded the reforming laws to have been revived, and so the +act rescissory to be rescinded, by their _Act_ 5th, 1690, they would not +have left this particular to be again considered of, seeing patronages +were entirely abolished by an act of parliament 1649; but, having the +ball at their foot, they now acted as would best suit with their +political and worldly views. Once more observe, that when the revolution +parliament ratified the act 1592, they take no notice of its having been +done before, by a preceding parliament in 1649. All which plainly says, +that the reforming laws and authority of the parliaments by which they +were made, are not regarded as now in force. To conclude this +particular, if the settlement of religion, made in 1690, had revived and +ratified the authority of our reforming parliaments, and laws made by +them; then, as these obliged the king to swear the covenants before his +coronation, and all ranks to swear them, and obliged to root out +malignancy, sectarianism, &c., and to promote uniformity in doctrine, +worship, discipline and government, in the three nations, so the +revolution settlement would have obliged all to the practice of the same +duties, and that, before ever king, or any under him, could have been +admitted to any trust; while all that would not comply therewith, would +have been held as enemies, not only to religion, but to their king and +country also, as was the case when reformation flourished. But, as the +very reverse of this was authorized and practised at the revolution, it +convincingly discovers, that the settlement of religion, made in 1690, +left the whole of the reformation attained to, ratified and established +by solemn oaths and civil laws between 1640 and 1649, buried under that +scandalous and wicked act rescissory, framed by that tyrant, _Charles_ +II, after his restoration. Nor is there to be found, in all the acts, +petitions, supplications and addresses, made by the assemblies at or +since the revolution, any thing importing a desire to have that +blasphemous act rescinded, which stands in full force, to the perpetual +infamy and disgrace of the revolution settlement of religion, so much +gloried in, by the greatest part, as happily established. + +2. The presbytery testify against the Revolution settlement of religion, +not only as including avowed apostasy from the covenanted constitution +of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and a traitorous giving up of the +interests and rights of Christ, our Lord and REDEEMER, in these, and +especially in this land; but also, as it is an Erastian settlement, +which will appear, by considering 1_st_. The scriptural method then +taken, in establishing religion: instead of setting the church foremost +in the work of the Lord, and the state coming after, and ratifying by +their civil sanction what the church had done; the Revolution parliament +inverted this beautiful order, both in abolishing Prelacy, settling +Presbytery, and ratifying the Confession of Faith, as the standard of +doctrine to this church; 2_d_, In abolishing Prelacy, as it was not at +the desire of the church, but of the estates of _Scotland_, so the +parliament did it in an Erastian manner, without consulting the church, +or regarding that it had been abolished by the church, _anno_ 1638, and +by the state, 1640, in confirmation of what the church had done. Thus, +_Act_ 3d, 1689, 'tis said, "The king and queen's majesties with the +estates of parliament, do hereby abolish Prelacy." Again, when +establishing presbytery, _Act_ 5th, 1690, they act in the same Erastian +manner, whereby the order of the house of God was inverted in the matter +of government; in regard that the settlement of the government of the +church in the first instance, properly belongs to an ecclesiastical +judicatory, met and constituted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; +and it is afterward the duty of the state to give the sanction of their +authority to the same. This Erastianism further appears in the +parliament's conduct with respect unto the Confession of Faith: see +_Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1st, wherein thus they express +themselves: "Likeas they, by these presents, ratify and establish the +Confession of Faith, now read in their presence, and voted and approven +by them, as the public and avowed confession of this church." Hence it +is obvious, that the parliament, by sustaining themselves proper judges +of doctrine, encroached upon the intrinsic power of the church: they +read, voted, and approved the Confession of Faith, without ever +referring to, or regarding the act of the general assembly 1647, or any +other act of reforming assemblies, whereby that confession was formerly +made ours, or even so much as calling an assembly to vote and approve +that confession of new. That the above conduct of the state, without +regarding the church in her assemblies, either past or future, is gross +Erastianism, and what does not belong, at first instance, to the civil +magistrate, but to the church representative, to whom the Lord has +committed the management of the affairs of his spiritual kingdom, may +appear from these few sacred texts, besides many others, namely, _Numb._ +i, 50, 51: "But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of +testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all the things +that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels +thereof, and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about +the tabernacle; and when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites +shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the +Levites shall set it up, and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put +to death." See also chapters iii, and iv, throughout; also _Deut._ +xxxiii, 8, 10; 1 _Chron._ xv, 2; 2 _Chron._ xix, 11; _Ezra_ x, 4. So +_David_, when he had felt the anger of the Lord, for not observing his +commandments in this particular, says, 1 _Chron._ xv, 12, 13, to the +_Levites_, "Sanctify yourselves that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord +God of Israel. For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God +made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." +Likewise Hezekiah, a reforming king, did not himself, at first instance, +set about reforming and purging the house of God; but having called +together the priests and Levites, says to them, 2 _Chron._ xxix, 5: +"Sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your +fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place;" compared +with _ver._ 11; _Mal._ ii, 7; _Matth._ xvi, 19. "I will give unto thee +the keys of the kingdom of heaven." And xxviii, 18, 19, 20: "All power +is given unto me, go ye therefore and teach all nations, teaching them +to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." From all which +it may safely be inferred, that as the Lord Jesus Christ, the King and +Lawgiver of his church, has committed all the power of church matters, +whether respecting the doctrine or government thereof, to church +officers, as the first, proper receptacles thereof; so, for civil +rulers, at first instance, by their own authority, to make alterations +in the government of the church, and to settle and emit a standard of +doctrine to the church, is a manifest usurpation of ecclesiastical +authority, and tyrannical encroachment upon the ministerial office. It +needs only to be added, that this Revolution conduct stands condemned by +the Confession of Faith itself, in express terms (as well as in the holy +scriptures), _chap._ xxiii, _sect._ 3, "The civil magistrate may not +assume to himself the administration of the word or the keys." And also, +by the beautiful practice of our reformers, betwixt 1638 and 1649, who +observed the scriptural order, the church always going foremost, in all +the several pieces of reformation attained to, and then the state coming +after, by exerting their authority, in ratification and defense of the +church's acts and deeds, in behalf of reformation. + +3. The Erastianism of this settlement of religion, appears plain from +the act of parliament 1592, noticed above, upon which the Revolution +parliament did found it, as in _Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2, 1690, by which the +forementioned act 1592, is ratified, revived, renewed and confirmed, in +all the heads thereof, patronage excepted. Now, in regard that act 1592 +contains an invasion upon the headship of Christ, and intrinsic power of +the church, and ascribes an Erastian power to the civil magistrate over +the church, making it unlawful for the church to convocate her superior +judicatories, but in dependence upon the king for his licence and +authority; and in regard the Revolution parliament did revive and renew +this clause in foresaid act 1592, as well as other heads thereof, it +must needs follow, that this settlement of religion cannot be freed of +the charge of Erastianism. Nor is it very strange that statesmen, who +had been educated in the principles of Erastianism, should be fond of +reviving an act that robbed Christ of his crown rights, and the church +of her spiritual liberty; but most surprising, that professed +Presbyterian ministers should so greedily embrace and approve of +Erastianism, as a valuable and glorious deliverance to the church of +Christ! In agreeableness to this Erastian article of the above act the +parliament, in their act 1690, indicted and appointed the first general +assembly, as a specimen of their Erastian power over their newly +constituted church; and it has ever since been the practice of the +sovereign, to call, dissolve and adjourn her assemblies at his pleasure, +and sometimes to an indefinite time. It is further observable, that the +king's commission to his representative in assembly, runs in a style +that evidently discovers, that he looks upon the assembly's power and +right of constitution as subordinate to him. Thus it begins, "_Seeing by +our decree that an assembly is to meet_," &c. Yet notwithstanding of +this, the assembly 1690 (nor any after them, so far as was ever known to +the world) did not by any one formal act and statue expressly condemn +Erastianism, and explicitly assert the alone headship of Christ, and the +intrinsic, independent power of the church, in opposition to these +encroachments made thereupon, and therefore may be justly construed +consenters thereto. To conclude this particular, of the Erastianism of +the present settlement of religion, it may be observed that although the +Revolution parliament, from political views, did by _Act_ 1st, _Sess._ +2d, rescind the first act of the second parliament of Charles II. +entitled _Act asserting his majesty's supremacy over all persons and in +all causes ecclesiastical_; yet, from what is above hinted, it may be +inferred, that the Revolution state has still preserved the very soul +and substance of that blasphemous supremacy (though possibly they may +have transferred it from the person of the king, abstractly considered, +and lodged it in the hand of the king and parliament conjunctly, as the +more proper subject thereof): for, in the words of Mr. John Burnet, in +his testimony against the indulgence, quoted by Mr. Brown in his history +of the indulgence, "To settle, enact and emit constitutions, acts and +orders, concerning matters, meetings and persons ecclesiastical, +according to royal pleasure (and parliamentary is much the same), is the +very substance and definition of his majesty's supremacy, as it is +explained by his estates of parliament." But the Revolution act of +parliament settling religion, is just to settle, enact and emit such +constitutions, acts and orders concerning matters, meetings and persons +ecclesiastical, according to parliamentary, instead of mere royal +pleasure: and therefore the act authorizing the Revolution settlement of +religion, is the very substance and definition of a royal parliamentary +supremacy. The truth of this will further appear by the sequel. + +4. The presbytery testify against the Revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as it is not a religious, but a mere civil and +political one; "not built upon the foundation of the apostles and +prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" but upon +the fluctuating inclinations of the people, as the formal foundation +thereof. For proof of which, consider the acts of parliament relative to +the abolition of Prelacy, and the establishment of presbytery. In +consequence of an article of the claim of right made by the estates of +Scotland, the _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, _Parl._ 1689, declares, "That +whereas the estates of this kingdom, in their claim of right, declared +that Prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the church above +presbyters, is and hath been a great and insupportable grievance to this +nation, and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the people +ever since the reformation, they having been reformed from Popery by +presbyters, and therefore to be abolished: our sovereign lord and lady, +with advice and consent of the estates of parliament, do hereby abolish +Prelacy, and all superiority of any office in the church in this kingdom +above presbyters; and do declare, that they, with advice aforesaid, will +settle by law that church government in this kingdom, which is most +agreeable to the inclinations of the people." Agreeable to this, one of +king William's instructions to the parliament 1690, is, "You are to pass +an act establishing that church government which is most agreeable to +the inclinations of the people." Accordingly we have the _Act_ 5th, +_Sess._ 2d, 1690, settling Presbyterian church-government in the same +form, and on the same footing. And so much king William, who, doubtless, +was perfectly acquainted with the true intent and meaning of that act, +declares in his letter to the assembly indicted by him that same year. +From all which (without noticing the Erastian form of these acts, &c.) +it may be observed, that there is somewhat done that is materially good; +but then there is nothing importing the contrariety of Prelacy to the +scriptures of truth, nor the divine right of Presbyterian church +government, so that the whole of this settlement is purely political, +done for the pleasure of the good subjects of Scotland: for, 1st, the +only reason why Prelacy is complained of and abolished, is, because it +was grievous and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the +people. It is not so much as declared contrary to law, though well known +that it was condemned by many of the reforming laws; far less is it +declared contrary to the word of God, and reformation principles founded +thereupon. Neither is it said to be a grievance to the nations, though +it is manifest, by the nations entering into a solemn covenant to +extirpate it, that it was an insupportable burden to all the three. And +the great reason assigned for the people's dissatisfaction to Prelacy, +is _antiquity_, "they having been reformed from Popery by presbyters," +as if our reformers had only contended for a church government merely +human; whereas they strenuously maintained the divine right of +presbytery, and condemned Prelacy as contrary to the word of God. This +reason would be equally strong against presbytery, on supposition that +prelates had got the start of presbyters in the reformation from Popery. +Again, 2d, upon the same, and no better ground, was Presbytery +established, namely, because it was more agreeable to the inclinations +of the people, and as it was of a more ancient standing in Scotland than +Prelacy. Further, that the divine right of presbytery is not +acknowledged in this settlement, appears from the express words of the +act itself, wherein it is designated, "the only government of Christ's +church in the nation;" not the only government of Christ's church laid +down in the word of God, received and sworn to by all the three nations, +ratified by both civil and ecclesiastical authority. A clear evidence, +that church government was regarded as ambulatory only, and what might +be altered at pleasure. Hence, while the king was settling presbytery in +Scotland, he was also maintaining, as bound by oath, Prelacy in England, +&c. And so Presbytery, for peace's sake, as most agreeable to the +inclinations of the people, was settled in Scotland as the government of +Christ's church there. Thus, there is a settlement of religion, and yet +not one line of scripture authority, or reformation principles legible +therein: and, as one said (though a strenuous defender of the +settlement), "The glory of that church is at a low pass, which hangs +upon the nail of legal securities by kings and parliaments, instead of +the nail which God has fastened in a sure place;" which, alas! is the +case with the church of Scotland at this day. It is true, that the +parliament call their settlement, "Agreeable to God's word;" but it is +as true, that, from their conduct toward both (abolishing Prelacy, and +establishing Presbytery, from these political motives above mentioned), +it is abundantly plain, that they believed neither of them to be +formally and specifically agreeable to, and founded upon the word of +God; but that they regarded all forms of church government as +indifferent, and thought themselves at liberty to pick and choose such a +particular form as best suited the humors and inclinations of the +people, and their own worldly advantage. Accordingly, we find the +parliament 1689, appointing a committee to receive all the forms of +government that should be brought before them, to examine them for this +purpose, and then report their opinions of them to the house. + +That the parliament at this time, or the king and parliament conjunctly, +acted from the above latitudinarian principle, is further evident, from +their establishing and consenting to the establishment of these two +different and opposite forms of church government, Presbytery in +_Scotland_, and Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, and both of them +considered as agreeable to the word of God, and the only government of +Christ's church in the several kingdoms, where they were espoused; +which, as it is self-contradictory and absurd, so it is impossible they +could ever have done this, if they had believed the divine right of +either of them. And finally, by this conduct of theirs, the state +declared their approbation thereof, and resolution to copy after the +16th _Act, Sess._ 2d _Parl._ 1st of _Charles_ II (yet in force), which +ascribes an Erastian power to the king, of settling church government as +he shall think proper. By all which it appears quite inconsistent with +the Revolution settlement, to consider church power in any other light, +than as subordinate to the power of the state. And yet with this +political and Erastian settlement of religion, the Revolution Church +have declared themselves satisfied; they have not condemned Episcopacy, +as contrary to the word of God, nor positively asserted the divine right +of Presbytery, and disclaimed the claim of right and act of settlement, +as their right of constitution; but, on the contrary, approved of both, +as appears from the commission's act, 1709, and their address to the +parliament, 1711, both homologated by the succeeding assemblies. Whereby +they declare, that they have dropped a most material part of the +testimony of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and are not faithful to +the Lord Jesus Christ, in maintaining the rights of his crown and +kingdom. From the whole, it may too justly be concluded concerning the +Revolution settlement of religion, what the prophet _Hosea_ declares of +the calf of _Samaria, Hos._ viii, 6: "For from Israel was it also, the +workman made it, therefore it is not God; the calf of _Samaria_ shall be +broken in pieces." It is not a divine institution founded upon the word +of God, and regulated by his revealed law; but a human invention, owing +its original in both kingdoms to the inclinations of the people, and +governed by laws opposite to the laws of Christ in the word. + +Hence we have the idolatrous institutions of Prelacy, established in the +one nation, and Erastianism, under the specious pretext of Presbytery, +in the other; and both under an exotic head of ecclesiastical +government. + +From what is said above, respecting the Revolution constitutions, and +settlement of religion in the nations, it will appear, that the same are +opposite to the word of God, and covenanted constitutions of both church +and state, and to the reforming laws, between 1638 and 1650, ratifying +and securing the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the +church, and all divine ordinances, sacred and civil, according to +scripture revelation; and therefore cannot be acknowledged as lawful, by +any that make the law of God their rule, and desire to go out by the +footsteps of the flock of Christ. + +The Presbytery proceed now to consider the administration since the late +Revolution, as standing in immediate connection with the forementioned +constitutions and settlement: only, in the entry, it may be observed, +that as the mal-administrations, civil and ecclesiastical, are increased +to almost an innumerable multitude, so that it would be next to an +impossibility to reckon them all; the Presbytery propose only to observe +so many of the most remarkable instances, as shall be sufficient to +justify a condemnation of the present course of the nations, although +the constitutions could not, be excepted against as sinful. And, + +1. The Presbytery declare and testify against the gross Erastianism that +has attended the administrations of both church and state, since the +Revolution. As the constitutions of both (above noticed) were Erastian +and anti-scriptural, so their conduct ever since has been agreeable +thereto, tending evidently to discover that, while the state is robbing +out Redeemer of his crown, and his church of her liberties, this church, +instead of testifying against, gives consent to these impieties. + +Particularly, 1, as at the forementioned period, so ever since, the king +has continued, by his own authority, to call, dissolve, and adjourn the +national assemblies of this church. The first Revolution Assembly was +held, by virtue of an Erastian indictment, and by the same power +dissolved. The nest was, by royal authority, appointed to be at +_Edinburgh_ 1691, but by the same power, adjourned to 1692, and then +dissolved, without passing any act; and though again indicted to meet +1693, yet was not allowed to sit until _March_ 1694, near a year after +the parliament had made an humble address to the sovereign for granting +that privilege. But it would be endless to attempt an enumeration of all +the instances of the exercise of Erastianism in this particular, which +is annually renewed. How often, alas! have the assemblies been +prorogued, raised, and dissolved, by magistratical authority, and +sometimes without nomination of another diet? How frequently also, have +they been restricted in their proceedings, and prelimited as to members, +and matters to be treated of, and discussed therein; depriving some +members of their liberty to sit and act as members, though regularly +chosen, merely, because such had not taken the oaths appointed by law? +All which exercise of Erastian supremacy natively results from the +parliamentary settlement 1690. And when no adequate testimony was ever +given by the church against such Erastian usurpations, but they are +still crouched under and complied with, it may justly be constructed a +tame subjection and woful consent to this supremacy. That this is no +forced inference from the continued practice of this church, appears +from this (besides other evidences that might be adduced), viz., That as +the Revolution parliament, when ratifying the Confession of Faith, +entirely left out the act of Assembly 1647, approving and partly +explaining the same (wherein these remarkable words are, "It is further +declared, that the Assembly understands some parts of the second article +of the 31st chapter, only of kirks not settled or constituted in point +of government") as being inconsistent with the Erastian impositions of +the magistrate. So this church, when they cause intrants into the +ministry subscribe the Confession, do not oblige them to subscribe it +with this explanatory act (which does by no means admit of a privative +power in the magistrate, destructive of the church's intrinsic power), +but they only do it as the parliament ratified it. + +2. Another instance of Erastianism practiced by both church and state, +is, that when the king and parliament did bind down episcopal curates +upon congregations, forbidding church judicatories the exercise of +discipline upon the impenitent, and enjoining the Assembly to admit +such, without any evidence of grief or sorrow for their former apostasy, +upon their swearing the oath of allegiance, and subscribing a _formula_, +homologating the Revolution settlement, substituted in the room of the +covenants; the church approved of this settlement, and protection +granted by the civil powers to such curates all their lifetime in their +churches and benefices, who yet were not brought under any obligation to +subject themselves to the government and discipline of the church. The +truth of this is manifest, from sundry of king _William's_ letters to +the Assemblies, together with after acts of parliament, relative +thereto. In his letter, dated _February_ 13th, 1690, to the commission +of the Assembly, he says, "Whereas there has been humble application +made to us by several ministers, for themselves and others, who lately +served under episcopacy; we have thought good to signify our pleasure to +you, that you make no distinction of men, otherwise well qualified for +the ministry, though they have formerly conformed to the law, +introducing Episcopacy, and that ye give them no disturbance or vexation +for that cause, or for that head: and it is our pleasure, that, until we +give our further directions, you proceed to no more process, or any +other business." In another letter, dated _June_ 15th, 1691, he says, +"We are well pleased with what you write, to unite with such of the +clergy, who have served under Episcopacy; and that you are sufficiently +instructed by the General Assembly to receive them; from all which, we +do expect a speedy and happy success, that there shall be so great a +progress made in this union betwixt you, before our return to _Britain_, +that we shall then find no cause to continue that stop, which at present +we see necessary; and that neither you, nor any commission or church +meeting, do meddle in any process or business, that may concern the +purging out of the episcopal ministers." And in a letter to the +episcopal clergy, he says, "We doubt not of your applying to, and +concurring with, your brethren the Presbyterian ministers, in the terms +which we have been of pains to adjust for you; the _formula_ will be +communicated to you by our commissioners," &c. See also the 27th _Act, +Parl._ 1695, where it is declared, "That all such as shall duly come in +and qualify themselves, shall have and enjoy his majesty's protection, +as to their respective kirks and benefices, they always containing +themselves within the limits of their pastoral charge, within their said +parishes, without offering to exercise any part of government, unless +they be first duly assumed by a competent church judicatory; providing, +nevertheless, that as the said ministers are left free to apply, or not, +to the foresaid church judicatories," &c. To which agree, _Act_ 2d, +_Parl._ 1700; _Act_ 3d, _Parl._ 1702; _Act_ 2d, _Parl._ 1703, &c. Behold +here the civil magistrate, exercising the supremacy in matters +ecclesiastical, in that he both establishes the old _Scots_ curates in +their respective parishes, upon their former footing, limits them in the +exorcise of their function, discharging them from exercising any part of +ecclesiastical polity, but upon their uniting with the Presbyterians, on +the terms he had adjusted for them. And further, by his authority stops +the exercise of church discipline against these curates (though the most +of them were notoriously scandalous); nay, even discharges the Assembly +from proceeding to any other business, until they received other +directions from the throne. Which palpable instance of Erastianism in +the state, was not only peaceably submitted to, but heartily acquiesced +in by the church: for as they had declared they would censure no +prelatical incumbent for his principles anent church government, however +much disaffected to a covenanted reformation, and had given frequent +discoveries of their readiness to receive into communion the episcopal +curates, according to the terms prescribed by the parliament (as appears +from the Assembly records); so the Assembly 1694, _Act_ 11th, having +framed a sham _formula_, for receiving in the curates, containing no +such thing as any renunciation of abjured prelacy, the abominable test, +and other sinful oaths these creatures had taken, but only an +acknowledgment of the Revolution settlement of religion, as established +by law, by the foresaid act, appointed their commission to receive all +the episcopal clergy who applied, and being qualified according to law, +would also subscribe their _formula_, and that without requiring the +least show of repentance for their scandalous public sins, and their +deep guilt of the effusion of the blood of God's faithful saints and +witnesses during the tyranny of the two brothers. These instructions to +the commission and other judicatories (as appears by their acts), were +successively renewed by the Assembly upward of twenty times, from 1694 +to 1716, and were indeed attended with good success, as is evident from +their address to the queen, recorded _Act_ 10th, 1712; where they +declare, as an instance of their moderation, "That since the Revolution, +there had been taken in, and continued, hundreds of the episcopal +curates upon the easiest terms," viz., such as were by the royal +prerogative adjusted to them. Which practice, as it declares this church +homologators of Erastianism, so is directly opposite to Presbyterian +principles, the discipline and practice of our reformed church of +_Scotland_, and to the laws of Christ, the supreme lawgiver, _Ezek._ +xliv, 10-15; _2 Cor._ vi, 17, 18, &c. + +3. A _third_ instance of the Erastianism practiced since the revolution, +is, that the king and parliament have taken upon them to prescribe and +lay down, by magistratical authority, conditions and qualifications, +_sine qua non_, of ministers and preachers. For proof of which, see +_Act_ 6th, _Sess._ 4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, where it is enacted, "That +the said oath of allegiance be sworn the same with the foresaid +assurance, be subscribed by all preachers and ministers of the gospel +whatever--certifying such of the foresaid persons as are, or shall be, +in any public office, and shall own and exercise the same without taking +the said oath and assurance in manner foresaid,--ministers provided to +kirks shall be deprived of their benefices or stipends, and preachers +shall be punished with banishment, or otherwise, as the council shall +think fit." Also, _Act_ 23d, 1693, it is ordained, "That no person be +admitted or continued to be a minister, or preach within this church, +unless that he have first taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance, +and subscribed the oath of assurance in manner appointed. And further +statute and ordain, that uniformity of worship be observed by all the +said ministers and preachers, as the same are at present performed and +allowed therein, or shall hereafter be declared by the authority of the +same: and that no minister or preacher be continued and admitted +hereafter, unless that he subscribe to observe, and do actually observe, +the foresaid uniformity." The Erastianism in these acts seems screwed up +yet a little higher, by _Act_ 7th, _Sess._ 5th, _Parl._ 1st, 1695; +where, after appointing a new day to such ministers as had not formerly +obeyed, it is ordained: "With certification that such of the said +ministers as shall not come in between and said day, are hereby, and by +the force of this present act, _ipso facto_, deprived of their +respective kirks and stipends, and the same declared vacant, without any +further sentence." The Erastianism in these acts is so manifest at first +sight, that it is needless to illustrate the same; only it may be +remarked, that, by these acts, the civil magistrate prescribes new +ministerial qualifications, viz., the oaths of allegiance and assurance; +and these imposed instead of an oath of allegiance to Zion's King, viz., +the oaths of the covenants. As also, that ministers are hereby +restricted from advancing reformation, being bound down to observe that +uniformity at present allowed, or that shall hereafter be declared by +authority of parliament. And further, Erastianism is here advanced to +the degree of wresting the keys of government out of the hands of the +church altogether--taking to themselves the power of deposing all such +ministers as shall not submit to their anti-christian impositions, and +of declaring and ascertaining, by their own authority, what mode of +worship or government shall take place in the church hereafter. This +Erastian appointment of ministerial qualifications, &c., is evidently +injurious, both to the headship of Christ in his church, and to the +church's intrinsic power. It pertains to the royal prerogative of +Christ, to appoint all the qualifications of his officers, which he has +done in the Word. And it pertains to the church representative, by +applying the laws of Christ in his Word, to declare who are qualified +for the ministry, and who are not. But here the civil power, without any +regard to church judicatories, by a magisterial authority, judges and +determines, the qualifications that gospel ministers must have, +otherwise they cannot be acknowledged ministers of this church. At the +same time, it must be regretted, that the church, instead of faithfully +discovering the sinfulness of foresaid conduct, and testifying against +it, as an anti-christian usurpation, have declared their approbation +thereof, by taking the above named illimited oaths, according to the +parliament's order; and also by the assembly's enjoining their +commission to act conform to the parliament's directions respecting +ministerial qualifications, in their admission of those that had +formerly conformed to Episcopacy, and refusing to admit any into their +communion without having these new ministerial qualifications. + +4. A fourth piece of Erastianism exercised since the commencement of the +revolution settlement, against which the presbytery testify, is, the +civil magistrate, by himself and his own authority, without consulting +the church, or any but his parliament, privy council, and diocesan +bishops, his appointing diets and causes of public fasting and +thanksgiving. A number of instances might here be condescended on. So an +act of the states, _anno_ 1689, for public thanksgiving. An act of +parliament 1693, appointing a monthly fast, declares, "That their +majesties, with advice and consent of the said estates of parliament, do +hereby command and appoint, that a day of solemn fasting and humiliation +be religiously and strictly observed, by all persons within this +kingdom, both in church and meeting-houses, upon the third _Thursday_ of +the month of _May_, and, the third _Thursday_ of every month thereafter, +until intimation of forbearance be made by the lords of their majesties' +privy council; and ordains all ministers to read these presents a +_Sunday_ before each of these fast days, nominated, by authority; and +ordains all disobeyers to be fined in a sum not exceeding 100£., and +every minister who shall not obey, to be processed before the lords of +their majesties' privy council; and requiring sheriffs to make report of +the ministers who shall fail of their duty herein, to the privy +council." But it is to no purpose to multiply instances of this kind, +seeing it has been the common practice of every sovereign since the +revolution, to appoint and authorize national diets of fasting, with +civil pains annexed. And as the state has made these encroachments upon +the royalties of Christ, so this church, instead of bearing faithful +testimony against the same, have finally submitted thereto. In +agreeableness to the royal appointment, they observed the monthly fast +for the success of the war against _Lewis_ XIV (of which above), and in +favor of the Pope, which king _William_ was bound to prosecute by virtue +of a covenant made with the allies at the _Hague, February_, 1691, to be +seen in the declaration of war then made against _France_, wherein it is +expressly said, "That no peace is to be made with _Lewis_ XIV, till he +has made reparation to the Holy See for whatsoever he has acted against +it, and till he make void all these infamous proceedings (viz., of the +parliament of _Paris_) against the holy father, _Innocent_ XI." Behold +here the acknowledgment of the Pope's supremacy, and his power and +dignity, both as a secular and ecclesiastical prince; and in the +observation of these fasts, the church did mediately (_tell it not in +Gath_--) pray for success to the _man of sin_--a practice utterly +repugnant to Protestant, much more to Presbyterian, principles, and +which will be a lasting stain upon both church and state. As this church +did then submit, so since she has made a resignation and surrender of +that part of the church's intrinsic right to the civil power, see _Act_ +7th, _Assem._ 1710: "All ministers and members are appointed religiously +to observe all fasts and thanksgivings whatever, appointed by the church +or supreme magistrate; and the respective judicatories are appointed to +take particular notice of the due observation of this, and _Act_ 4th, +1722, _Act_ 5th, 1725." From which acts it is manifest, that the +Revolution Church has not only declared the power and right of +authoritative indicting public fasts and thanksgivings for ordinary, +even in a constituted settled national church, to belong, at least +equally, to the civil magistrate, as to the church; but, by their +constant practice, have undeniably given up the power of the same to the +civil power altogether--it being fact, that she never, by her own power, +appoints a national diet of fasting, but still applies to the king for +the nomination thereof. And further, as a confirmation of this +surrender, it appears from their public records, that when some members +have protested against the observation of such diets, the assembly would +neither receive nor record such protest. Now, the sinfulness of this +Erastian practice still persisted in, is evident from the Scriptures of +truth, where the glorious king of Zion assigns the power of appointing +fasts, not to the civil magistrate, but to the spiritual office-bearers +in his house. _Jer._ xiii, 18: "Say unto the king and queen, Humble +yourselves." Here it is the office of the prophets of the Lord, to +enjoin humiliation work upon those that are in civil authority, contrary +to the present practice, when kings and queens, usurping the sacred +office, by their authority, say to ministers, "Humble yourselves." See +also, _Joel_ i, 13, 14, and ii, 15, 16, compared with _Numb._ x, 8-10. +Here whatever pertains to these solemnities, is entrusted to, and +required of, the ministers of the Lord, without the intervention of +civil authority. The same is imported in _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, +18; _John_ xx, 23--it being manifestly contained in the power of the +keys committed, by the church's head, to ecclesiastical officers. +Moreover, this Erastianism, flowing from a spiritual supremacy exercised +over the church, is peculiarly aggravated by these particulars: + +1. That commonly these fasts have been appointed on account of wars, in +which the nations were engaged, in conjunction with gross anti-christian +idolaters, who have been most active in their endeavors to root out +Protestantism. Now, it cannot but be most provoking to the Majesty of +Heaven for professed Presbyterians to observe fasts, the professed +design of which, includes success to the interest of the avowed enemies +of our glorious REDEEMER. Again, the above practice is aggravated, from +this consideration, that these diets of fasting, with civil pains +annexed to them, are sent by public proclamation, directed to their +sheriffs and other subordinate civil officers, who are authorized to +dispatch them to the ministers, and inspect their observation thereof. +And while professed ministers of Christ tamely comply with all this, it +amounts to no less, than a base subjection of the worship of God, in the +solemnity of fasting in a national way, to the arbitrament of the civil +powers, when whatever time and causes they appoint, must be observed. + +From all which, in the words of the ministers of _Perth_ and _Fife_, in +their testimony to the truth, &c., 1758, the presbytery testify against +the above Erastian conduct, as being, in its own nature, introductory to +greater encroachments, and putting into the hands of the civil powers, +the modeling of the worship of God, and things most properly +ecclesiastical. + +5. Another piece of Erastianism, respecting the present administration, +which the Presbytery testify against, is the king and parliament their +arbitrarily imposing several of their acts and statutes upon ministers +and preachers, under ecclesiastical pains and censures; while this +Revolution Church, by their silent submission and compliance therewith, +have, at least, interpretatively given their consent thereto. Thus, as +the oaths of allegiance and assurance were enjoined upon all in +ecclesiastical office, under the pain of church censure (of which +above), so likewise, _Act_ 6th, 1706, ordains, "That no professors and +principals, bearing office in any university, be capable, or be admitted +to continue in the exercise of their said functions, but such as shall +own the civil government, in manner prescribed, or to be prescribed by +acts of parliament." In consequence of which, there is an _Act_ 1707, an +act in the first year of king _George_ I, and another in the fifth year +of his reign; by all which statutes, ecclesiastical persons are enjoined +to take the oath of abjuration, with the other oaths, under pain of +having ecclesiastical censures inflicted upon them. And they ordain, +"That no person be admitted to trials, or licensed to preach, until they +have taken the public oaths, on pain of being disabled." The foresaid +act, in the fifth year of _George_ I, ordains, "all ministers and +preachers to pray in express words for his majesty and the royal family, +as in former acts." The king and parliament at their own hand prescribe +a set form of prayer for the Church of _Scotland_, and that under +Erastian penalties, upon the disobeyers. Again, by an act of 1737, +framed for the more effectual bringing to justice the murderers of +Captain _Porteous_, it is enacted, "That this act shall be read in every +parish church throughout _Scotland_, on the first Lord's day of every +month, for one whole year, from the first day of _August_, 1737, by the +minister of the parish, in the morning, immediately before the sermon; +and, in case such ministers shall neglect to read this act, as is here +directed, he shall, for the first offense, be declared incapable of +sitting or voting in any church judicatory; and for the second offense, +be declared incapable of taking, holding or enjoying any ecclesiastical +benefice in that part of _Great Britain_ called _Scotland_." The +Erastianism of this act is very plain, the penalties thereof are +ecclesiastical, and infer a kind of deposition; seeing the disobeyers +are hereby disabled from exercising and enjoying what is essential to +their office. Moreover, the wickedness of this act appears, in that it +was appointed to be read on the Sabbath day, and in time of divine +service; whereby ministers being constituted the magistrates' heralds to +proclaim this act, were obliged to profane the Lord's day, and corrupt +his worship, by immixing human inventions therewith, which was directly +a framing mischief into a law. Yet, with all these impositions above +noticed, this church has generally complied; and thereby declared that +they are more studious of pleasing and obeying men, than God, seeing +their practice therein infers no less, than a taking instructions in the +ministerial function, and matters of divine worship, from another head +than Christ. + +6. The last piece of Erastian administration in church and state, the +presbytery take notice of, and testify against, is that of patronages. +When the parliament 1690, had changed the form of patronages, by taking +the power of presentations from patrons, and lodging it in the hands of +such heritors and elders as were qualified by law, excluding the people +from a vote in calling their ministers, this Erastian act, spoiling the +people of their just privilege, was immediately embraced by the church, +as is evident from their overtures for church discipline, 1696, where +they declare that only heritors and elders have a proper right to vote +in the nomination of a minister. Also their overtures, 1705 and 1719, do +lodge the sole power of nomination of ministers in the hands of the +majority of heritors, by giving them a negative over the eldership and +congregation. But, as if this had not been a sufficient usurpation of +the people's right, purchased to them by the blood of Christ, by an act +of parliament, 1712, the above act, 1690, is repealed, and patrons fully +restored to all their former anti-christian powers over the heritage of +the Lord; which yoke still continues to oppress the people of God. While +again, this church, as if more careful to please the court, and court +parasites, than Christ and his people, have not only peaceably fallen in +with this change, daily practicing it in planting vacant congregations, +but, as fond of this child of _Rome_, have further established and +confirmed the power of patrons, by the sanction of their authority, as +appears from several acts of assembly, thereby declaring their +resolutions to have this epidemic evil continued, though it should +terminate in the utter ruin of the church. Patronage was always by the +Church of _Scotland_ since the reformation, accounted an intolerable +yoke; and therefore she never ceased contending against it until it was +at last utterly abolished by acts both of reforming assemblies and +parliaments; and that as one of the inventions of the whore of _Rome_. + +As this anti-christian practice was unknown to the church in her +primitive and purest times, until gradually introduced with other popish +corruptions, so it has not the least vestige of any warrant in the word +of truth: nay, is directly opposite thereto, and to the apostolical +practice: Acts i, 15-24; chap. vi, 2-7: as also, xiv, 23, and xvi, 9, +with other passages therein;--a book, intended to give us the +apostolical practice and pattern, in the settlement of the Christian +church: and 2 Cor. iii, 19, &c. Wherefore the presbytery testify against +this Erastian usurpation, as most sinful in itself, most injurious to +the church of Christ, and inconsistent with the great ends of the +ministry; and against this church, for not only submitting unto, but +even promoting this wickedness; which is evident, from her deposing some +of her members, for no other reason but because they could not approve +of this pernicious scheme. Witness Mr. _Gallespie_, minister at Carnock, +who was deposed May, 1752: and against all violent intruders, who, not +entering by the door, can be regarded only as thieves and robbers; John +x, 1. + +These are a few of the many instances of the Erastian usurpations of the +headship of Christ, as a Son, in and over his own house, and of the +church's intrinsic power assumed by the state, and consented to by this +church since the Revolution.[2] And without condescending upon any more, +the presbytery concludes this part, with observing upon the whole, that +when Henry VIII of England did cast off the authority of the see of +Rome, and refused to give that subjection to the pope formerly paid by +him and his predecessors; he did, at the same time, assume to himself +all that power in his dominions, which the pope formerly claimed; and +soon afterward procured to have himself acknowledged and declared, by +act of parliament, to be head of the church--head over all persons, and +in all causes, civil and ecclesiastical. And which anti-christian +supremacy has, ever since, continued an essential part of the English +constitution, and inherent right of the crown; so that all the crowned +heads there, have ever since been as little popes over that realm: and +that all such still appropriate unto themselves that blasphemous +anti-christian title of the head of the church, and supreme judge in all +causes, is undeniably evident from the known laws and canons of England: +and further appears from a declaration made by King George I, June 13th, +1715, where he styles himself _Defender of the faith, and supreme +Governor of the church in his dominions_; declaring, that before the +clergy can order or settle any differences about the external policy of +the church, they must first obtain leave under his broad seal so to do. +Which title or authority for man, or angel, to assume, is a downright +dethroning and exauctorating of Christ, the only and alone Head and +Supreme Governor of his church. From this spiritual anti-christian +supremacy, granted by English laws to the king of England, confirmed and +established, by virtue of the incorporating union, in British kings, by +acts of British parliament, do flow all the forementioned acts imposed +upon the Revolution Church of Scotland. And as these acts and laws +declare, that the British monarch confines not his spiritual supremacy +to the church of England, but it extends it also over the church of +Scotland: so this Revolution Church, having never either judicially or +practically lifted up the standard of a public, free and faithful +testimony, against these sinful usurpations, flowing from the fountain +of said supremacy, and clothed with the authority of an anti-christian +parliament, where abjured bishops sit constituent members, but, on the +contrary, has submitted to every one of them; therefore, this church may +justly be constructed, as approvers and maintainers of Erastian +supremacy. And hereby, indeed, the revolt of these degenerate lands from +their sworn subjection and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as +supreme in his own house, is completed, when they have these many years +substituted another in his place, and framed supremacy into a standing +law, to be the rule, according to which their kings must lord it over +the house and heritage of the Living God. Again: + +The presbytery testify against the manifold, and almost uninterrupted +opposition to the ancient glorious uniformity in religion between the +nations, that has appeared in the administrations of both church and +state, since the last Revolution. The revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as has been already observed, laid our solemn +covenants and work of reformation, sworn to therein, in a grave, and +many stones have since been brought and cast upon them: many ways and +measures have both church and state taken to make sure the revolution +sepulcher of a covenanted work of reformation, and prevent, if possible, +its future resurrection: against all which, the presbytery judge +themselves bound to lift up their testimony. Particularly, + +1. The presbytery testify against the incorporating union of this nation +with _England_; and as being an union founded upon an open violation of +all the articles of the Solemn League and Covenant, still binding upon +the nations; and consequently, destructive of that uniformity in +religion, once happily attained to by them: which will at first view +appear, by comparing the articles of the union with those of the Solemn +League. All associations and confederacies with the enemies of true +religion and godliness, are expressly condemned in scripture, and +represented as dangerous to the true _Israel_ of God: _Isa._ viii, 12; +_Jer._ ii, 28; _Psal._ cvi, 35; _Hos._ v, 13, and vii, 8, 11; 2 _Cor._ +vi, 14, 15. And if simple confederacies with malignants and enemies to +the cause of Christ are condemned, much more is an incorporation with +them, which is an embodying of two into one, and, therefore, a straiter +conjunction. And taking the definition of malignants, given by the +declaration of both kingdoms joined in arms, _anno_ 1643, to be just, +which says, "such as would not take the covenant, were declared to be +public enemies to their religion and country, and that they are to be +censured and punished, as professed adversaries and malignants;" it +cannot be refused, but that the prelatical party in _England_, now +joined with, are such. Further, by this incorporating union, this nation +is obliged to support the idolatrous Church of _England_; agreeable +whereto, the _Scottish_ parliament, in their act of security, relative +to the treaty of union, declares, "that the parliament of _England_ may +provide for the security of the Church of _England_, as they think +expedient." Accordingly, the _English_ parliament, before entering upon +the treaty of union with _Scotland_, framed an act for securing the +Church of _England's_ hierarchy and worship, as by law established. +Which act, they declare, "Shall be inserted, in express terms, in any +act of parliament which shall be made for settling and ratifying any +treaty of union, and shall be declared to be an essential fundamental +part thereof." Hence, the act of the _English_ parliament for the union +of the two kingdoms, contains the above act for securing the Church of +_England_. Which act being sent down to _Scotland_, stands recorded +among the acts of the last _Scottish_ parliament. Moreover, the last +article of said union contains, that all laws and statutes in either +kingdom, so far as they are contrary to, or inconsistent with the terms +of these articles, or any of them, shall, from and after the union, +cease and become void; which, as in the act of exemplification, was +declared to be, by the parliaments of both kingdoms. Thus, this nation, +by engrossing the _English_ act, establishing Prelacy, and all the +superstitious ceremonies, in the act of the union parliament, and by +annulling all acts contrary to the united settlement, have sealed, as +far as men can do, the gravestones formerly laid upon the covenanted +uniformity of the nations. To all which the revolution church, by +consenting, and practically approving this unhallowed union, have said +Amen; though, at first, some of the members opposed and preached against +it, yet afterward changed, and (if some historians may be credited) by +the influence of gold, were swayed to an approbation. This church's +consent to the union is evident, from their accepting of the act of +security, enacted by the _Scots_ parliament, as the legal establishment +and security of the Church of _Scotland_; and from the assembly 1715, +utterly rejecting a proposal to make a representation to the king, that +the incorporating union was a grievance to the Church of _Scotland_; +though it ought still to be regarded as such, by all the lovers of +reformation principles, because it is a disclaiming of our sworn duty, +to endeavor the reformation of _England_ and _Ireland_. It is a +consenting to the legal and unalterable establishment of abjured Prelacy +in them, obliges the sovereigns of _Great Britain_ to swear to the +preservation of the prelatical constitution, and idolatrous ceremonies +of the episcopal church, and join in communion therewith; and, +therefore, for ever secludes all true Presbyterians from the supreme +rule. This union establishes the civil, lordly power of bishops, +obliging the Church of _Scotland_ to acknowledge them as their lawful +magistrates and ministers, to pray for a blessing upon them in the +exercise of their civil power, and is therefore a solemn ratification of +anti-christian Erastianism. It has formally rescinded, and for ever made +void any act or acts, in favor of a covenanted uniformity in religion, +that might be supposed to be in force before this union: and therefore, +while it stands, it is impossible there can be a revival of that blessed +work, which was once the glory of the nations of _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. + +2. The presbytery testify against the sinful practice of imposing oaths +upon the subjects, contradictory to presbyterian principles in general, +and the oath of the covenants in particular, as the allegiance, and +particularly the abjuration; all which oaths, imposed by a _British_ +parliament, exclude our covenanted uniformity, and homologate the united +constitution. But, to prevent mistakes, let it be here observed, that +the presbytery do not testify against any of these oaths, out of the +remotest regard to the spurious pretended right of a popish pretender to +the throne and crown of these kingdoms; for they judge and declare, +that, by the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, he can +have no right, title or claim, to be king of these covenanted +kingdoms--seeing, by our covenants and laws, establishing the covenanted +reformation, which are well founded on the divine law, all Papists, as +well as Prelatists, are forever excluded from the throne of these, and +especially of this land. So that it is utterly inconsistent with the +principles maintained by this presbytery, constituted upon the footing +of the covenanted church of _Scotland_, and the oath of God they, with +the nations, are under, ever to acknowledge and own the popish +pretender, or any of that cursed race, as their king; but they testify +against these oaths, because they bind to the acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of a prelatic Erastian constitution of civil government, and +homologate the incorporating union, in one article whereof, it is +declared, that these words, "This realm, and the crown of this realm, +&c," mentioned in the oaths, shall be understood of the crown and realm +of _Great Britain_, &c.; and that in that sense the said oaths shall be +taken and subscribed, and particularly the oath of abjuration, which +whosoever takes, swears to maintain Erastian supremacy, Prelacy, and +_English_ popish ceremonies; and so, at least, by native and necessary +consequence, the swearing thereof is an abjuring of our sacred +covenants. But that which puts it beyond all dispute, that the oath of +abjuration, in the literal sense thereof, obliges to maintain the +prelatic constitution of _England_, both in church and state, as by law +established, and secured by the union act, is the express words of that +act of parliament, by which this oath was imposed, and to which it +expressly refers, viz., the act of further limitation, where it is said: +"On which said acts (viz., of limitation, and further limitation), the +preservation of your majesty's royal person and government, and the +maintaining of the church of _England_, as by law established, do, under +God, entirely depend. To the intent therefore, that these acts may be +forever inviolably preserved, it is hereby enacted, that magistrates and +ministers shall take the following oath," namely, of abjuration. The +above act, then, declaring that said oath was directly intended for the +support and establishment of the prelatic church of _England_, it +follows, that this oath is a solemn abjuration of the covenanted +reformation, as it is also expressly repugnant to Presbyterian +principles. But though the above oath is so manifestly sinful, yet the +ministers of this church did neither faithfully warn others of the sin +and danger thereof, nor faithfully oppose it when imposed on themselves; +but, agreeing that every one should act therein as he thought proper, +they who refused it may be reputed _socii criminis_ with the generality, +who, contrary to their professed principles, did take and subscribe the +same, and that (as says the oath) heartily and willingly; whereby they +not only engaged to maintain a prelatic government, Prelacy, with all +its popish ceremonies, but to maintain _only_ a prelatic government, and +to oppose all others, even though Presbyterian, in their accession to +the throne; and this by virtue of the sinful limitations and conditions, +wherewith the oath is clogged. And hereby, these nominal Presbyterians +discover that they are not possessed of a zeal for the advancement of +the true Presbyterian cause and principles, proportionable to that which +the _English_ discover for their will worship and superstition. + +3. The presbytery testify against a sinful and almost boundless +toleration, granted _anno_ 1712, a woful fruit of the union; by which +toleration act, not only those of the Episcopal communion in _Scotland_ +have the protection of authority, but a wide door is cast open, and +ample pass given to all sects and heretics (popish recusants and +antitrinitarians some way excepted, who yet are numerous in the nation), +to make whatever attacks they please upon the kingdom and interest of +our glorious Redeemer, in order to the advancement of their own and the +devil's, and all with impunity. The foresaid act warrants the Episcopal +clergy publicly to administer all ordinances, and perform their worship +after their own manner, with all the popish canons and ceremonies +thereof, and obliges all magistrates to protect and assist them, while +it destroys the hedge of church discipline against the scandalous and +profane, and is, therefore, a settling and establishing of Prelacy in +_Scotland_, giving it a security, little, if anything, inferior to that +which the established church has. Again, by a clause in the toleration +bill, the security given by former laws to Presbyterian church +government and discipline, is undermined and taken away, at least +rendered ineffectual, and made the subject of ridicule to the openly +profane, by the civil magistrate's withdrawing his concurrence, in as +much as it declares the civil pain of excommunication to be taken away, +and that none are to be compelled to appear before church judicatories. +There is nothing in religion of an indifferent nature; "For whosoever +[saith Christ] shall break one of the least of these commandments, and +shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven." It +must, then, be the most daring wickedness, and an affronting of the +Majesty of Heaven in the highest manner, for an earthly monarch to +pretend to enact a toleration of religions, and thereby give a liberty +where the divine law has laid a restraint; it implies an exalting of +himself, not only to an equality with, but to a state of superiority +above, the God of glory. Whatever principles are of divine authority +require no toleration from man; it is wickedness to pretend to do it, +seeing whatever comes under the necessity of a toleration, properly so +called, falls, at the same time, under the notion of a crime. And no +less wicked is it for a magistrate to protect, by a promiscuous +toleration, all heretics, heresies and errors; yea, it is a manifest +breach of trust, and plain perverting the end of his office, seeing he +is appointed to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_, intrusted with +the concerns of God's glory, as well as the interests of men. Experience +has, in every age, taught, that a toleration of all religions is the +cut-throat and ruin of all true religion. It is the most effectual +method that ever the policy of hell hatched, to banish all true +godliness out of the world. But however manifold the evils be that +toleration is big with, this church, instead of opposing, seems to have +complied therewith, and to be of toleration principles; which is +evident, not only from their receiving into communion the _Scots_ +curates, of which above; but from their joining in communion with Mr. +_Whitefield (an English_ curate and member of that church, and +ring-leader of the Methodists there), when he is in _Scotland_. Again, +it is known, that when the _Scots_ gentlemen are sent to attend the +_British_ parliament, or at any time in _England_, they do, many of +them, join in communion with the prelatic church--nay, are guilty of +taking the sacramental test (that is, taking the sacrament after their +superstitious manner, to qualify them for any public post); yet this +church receives them into the closest communion, without requiring any +satisfaction for these evils; whereby they act contrary to Christ's +example, in purging and keeping his house pure, and contrary to the +Scripture; _Rev._ ii, 14, 15, 20. + +4. In like manner, the presbytery testify against the tyranny that has +frequently appeared in the administration since the revolution, both in +church and state. The civil powers have discovered not a little of +tyrannical and arbitrary power, in imposing their laws, statutes and +injunctions, upon the church, as in the instances of the particulars +formerly noticed. But further, it has appeared in their fining and +imprisoning persons, because (though endeavoring to live peaceably, as +far as possible, with all men) they could not, in conscience, and in a +due regard to the covenanted cause, own the lawfulness of their +authority, by swearing fidelity to the present constitution. Again, in +their dispensing with, and counteracting, the law of God in a variety of +instances. Thus, while, without any divine warrant, the crime of theft +is capitally punished, yet the grossest adulterers, who are capitally +punishable by the divine law, pass with impunity. And frequently +reprieves, and sometimes pardons (as in the case of _Porteous_), have +been granted to murderers, expressly contrary to the law of God, which +declares that "Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be +shed." Another astonishing and full evidence of the above charge, is in +the act repealing the penal statutes against witches, &c., 1735, where +it is enacted, "That no prosecution, suit or proceeding, shall be +carried on against any person or persons, for witchcraft, sorcery, +enchantment or conjuration," &c. This act, in plain terms, flatly +contradicts and opposes the law of God, in the very letter thereof. See +_Levit._ xx, 6, 27; _Deut._ xviii, 10-12; _Exod._ xxii, 18. Not only has +the state, in these and other instances (as the imposing almost +intolerable taxations upon the impoverished subjects, for supporting the +grandeur of useless and wicked pensioners, and for carrying on wars, +often not only sinful in respect of their rise and causes, but in their +nature and tendency unprofitable to the nations), been guilty of this +evil, but also the Revolution Church has exercised a most tyrannical +government. As many of the constituent members of the Revolution Church +had shown a persecuting, tyrannizing spirit, against the faithful +contenders for the truth, in the matter of the public resolutions, so +the same spirit has still continued since the revolution, and frequently +exerted itself in a most arbitrary manner, against all who have made any +appearance for a covenanted work of reformation. Accordingly, soon after +the revolution, this church raised some processes against Mr. _John +Hepburn_, minister at _Orr_, under pretense of some irregularities, but +in reality, for his making some appearance against their abounding +defection, and for a covenanted work of reformation, and continued their +prosecution to suspension and deposition; and further, applied to the +civil magistrate, to apprehend said Mr. _Hepburn_, who accordingly was +imprisoned in _Edinburgh_, and then, because of his preaching to the +people out of a window, was carried to _Stirling_ castle, and kept close +prisoner there for a considerable time, as a book, entitled _Humble +Pleadings_, fully discovers. They likewise exercised their tyranny +against Messrs. _Gilchrist_ in _Dunscore_, and _Taylor_ in _Wamphray_, +whom they prosecuted, not only to deposition, but even excommunication, +for no reason but their bearing testimony against that ensnaring oath of +abjuration, and a number of other defections. Again, this church, still +fond of suppressing the good old cause and owners thereof, framed and +prosecuted a libel, most unjustly (some even of themselves being +judges), against Mr. _John McMillan_, minister in _Balmaghie_, for +presenting, in a regular manner, a paper of real and acknowledged +grievances; and, because he would not resile from it, but continued to +plead for a redress, was at last deposed. As also Mr. _John McNeil_, +preacher, for the same reason, had his license taken from him; and, by +the authority of the assembly, both of them were prosecuted and +censured, not for scandal, insufficiency or negligence, error in +doctrine, &c., but only on account of their pleading for the covenanted +reformation of the Church of _Scotland_, and maintaining a necessary +testimony against the prevailing corruptions and defections of former +and present times, as appears from their paper of grievances and joint +declinature, printed 1708. Nay, such was their mad zeal against +reformation principles, that, by the _Act_ 15th of _Assem._ 1715, the +commission was not only empowered to censure all the forementioned +persons, but also enjoined to apply to the civil magistrate for +suppressing and punishing them; and accordingly sundry of them were +proclaimed rebels over public market crosses, only for their continued +adherence to reformation. And besides other instances, their magisterial +and lordly power exercised over the flock of Christ, in the violent +intrusion of ministers into vacant churches over the belly of the +people, and then excommunicating from sealing ordinances such as cannot +in conscience submit to the ministry of these intruders, is a most +glaring one; while at the same time, severe censures are inflicted upon +such ministers as have the honesty to oppose these anti-christian +measures. Loud complaints have likewise been made against their +arbitrary and tyrannical conduct, with reference to Mr. _Ebenezer +Erskine_, and others with him, designated by the name of the _Associate +Presbytery_, because of their remonstrating against, and endeavoring to +rectify, some of the forementioned evils in the church; the justness of +which grievances and complaints may be instructed from their own +writings on that head. + +It must not be here omitted to remark, that as this church is justly +charged with tyranny in government, so she is equally guilty of +partiality in discipline. Though all that discover any measure of +faithfulness in the concerns of Christ's glory, are sure to meet with +most severe treatment, yet the loose, profane and erroneous, have seldom +any church censures put in execution against them. This church never +made any suitable inquiry into the sinful compliances, and sad +defections of her members and office-bearers, during the persecuting +period: and that unfaithfulness in the exercise of church discipline is +still copied after. How few, guilty of the most gross scandals, are +censured, such as notorious drunkenness, blasphemy, cursing, swearing, +sabbath-breaking, uncleanness, especially among the rich, who are +capable to give pecuniary mulcts to free them from church censure? +(Thus, in conformity to the prelatical and anti-christian example, +setting to sale the censures of the church, and dispensing with the laws +of Christ for money.) Nay, not only are such overlooked, but many guilty +of these gross sins, together with oppression, neglecters of family +worship, and the grossly ignorant, are without any public +acknowledgement of these sins, admitted to the highest and most solemn +ordinances, viz., both sacraments. And this may be thought the less +strange, when persons chargeable with most of these sins, are admitted, +and continued to be office-bearers in the house of God. Persons, and +even teachers maintaining most dreadful blasphemous errors connived at, +patronized, or but slightly censured, and still kept in communion, +without any open renunciation of these heresies. Play-houses, the +seminaries of vice and impiety, erected in the principal cities of the +nation, and stage players, commonly among the most abandoned of mankind, +escape with impunity. Yea, this pagan entertainment of the stage is +countenanced by the members and office-bearers of this church, and that +to such a degree, that one of the ministers thereof has commenced author +of a most profane play, called _The Tragedy of Douglas_, wherein +immorality is promoted, and what is sacred exposed to ridicule. Oh! how +astonishing! that a minister in the once famous church of Scotland +should be guilty of such abominations, and yet not immediately sentenced +to bear the highest of all church censure! + +5. The Presbytery testify against this established church, for +unfaithfulness of doctrine; which will appear by a few instances: +although before the Revolution, the Lord Jesus was openly, as far as +human laws could do, divested of his headship and sovereignty in and +over his church; although the divine right of presbytery had been +publicly and nationally exploded, derided and denied, yet this church +has never by any formal act, declared that our Lord Jesus Christ is sole +king, the alone supreme head of his church--nor in the same manner +declared that the presbyterian form of church government is of divine +right, and condemned all other forms as contrary to the word. Such a +testimony was the more necessary, when the civil powers have arrogated +Christ's power to themselves, and continue to exercise it over his +church; and the want of it is an evidence of the church's unsoundness in +the doctrine of government, and of Christ's kingly office. This church's +error in doctrine further appears from their condemnation of a book +entitled _The marrow of modern divinity_, as containing gross antinomian +errors; whereby they condemned many great gospel truths as errors, +particularly, that believers are altogether set free from the law, as a +covenant of works, both from its commanding and condemning power, +together with others; whereby they have made way for, and encouraged +that legal, moral way of harranguing, exclusive of Christ and his most +perfect righteousness (which is so common and frequent in all parts of +the land), and opened a door for introducing _Baxterian_ principles, +which, in consequence hereof, have since very much prevailed. Another +evidence of this church's unsoundness and unfaithfulness in doctrine, is +their excessive, sinful lenity toward the most gross heretics. +Notwithstanding _Arminian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, and _Arian_ +blasphemies, have been publicly taught; and although true godliness, and +the effectual working of the Spirit on the souls of men have been +publicly exposed as enthusiasm, and many other damnable heresies vented, +yet this church has never lifted up the faithful standard of a judicial +testimony, in condemnation of these heresies, and in vindication of the +precious truths of Christ thereby impugned. And when the ministers and +members of this church have been processed before her assemblies, and +convicted of maintaining many gross errors, no adequate censure has been +inflicted. This particularly appears in the case of Mr. Simpson, +professor of divinity in the college of Glasgow, when processed before +the judicatories of this church, in the years 1715 and 1716, for several +gross errors; such as, "That regard to our own happiness, in the +enjoyment of God, ought to be our chief motive in serving him, and that +our glorifying of God is subordinate to it: that Adam was not our +federal head;" and other _Arminian, Socinian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, +all to be found in his answers to Mr. Webster's libel given in against +him, and clearly proven: yet was he dismissed with a very gentle +admonition. Which sinful lenity encouraged him, not only to persist in +the same errors, but also to the venting of _Arian_ heresies among his +students. + +Accordingly, he was again arraigned before the assembly's bar in the +years 1727-28-29, when it was found clearly proven that he had denied +the necessary existence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the numerical +Oneness of the Three Persons of the Trinity in substance and essence, +with other damnable tenets. Yet when these articles, whereby he had +attempted to depose the Son of God from his supreme deity, were proven, +and when (as one of the members of this church, in his protest against +the assembly's sentence, said) the Son of God was, as it were, appearing +at the bar of that assembly, craving justice against one who had +derogated from his essential glory, and blasphemed his name, at which +every knee should bow. Yet such was the corruption and unfaithfulness of +this church, that the blasphemer was dismissed without any adequate +censure passed upon him, and still continued in the character of a +minister and member of this church. + +Again, when Mr. Campbell, professor of church history at St. Andrews, +was processed before the judicatories of this church, for maintaining a +scheme of dangerous and most pernicious principles, which he published +to the world, having a manifest tendency to subvert revealed religion, +and expose the exercise of serious godliness, under the notion of +enthusiasm; to advance self-love, as the leading, principle and motive +in all human actions whatever, and to destroy the self-sufficiency of +God, making him a debtor to his creatures: yet though these, with a +number of God-dishonoring, creature-exalting, and soul-ruining errors, +were notorious from his books, and were defended by him; the heretic, +instead of being duly censured, was countenanced and carressed: whereby +this church has given a most deep wound to some of the most important +truths of the Christian religion, and becomes chargeable with the guilt +of all the errors maintained by that erroneous professor. + +A third instance of this church's unfaithfulness, appears in the case of +Mr. Glas, and others, who openly vented, by preaching and printing, +independent schemes of church government, with some new improvements; +attacked our Confession of faith and Covenants, unhinging all order and +government in the church, pulled up the hedge of discipline, to +introduce all errors in doctrine, and corruption in worship; and, at +last, openly renounced presbytery, name and thing (denying that there is +any warrant for national churches under the New Testament), and +asserted, that our martyrs, who suffered for adhering to the covenanted +reformation, were so far in a delusion, with many other sectarian +tenets: for which, the church at first suspended, and then deposed some +of them. But afterward, as if this church repented of doing so much in +favor of presbytery, they were reponed, to the great danger of the +church: for having discovered no remorse for their errors, they +immediately employed all their parts to shake presbytery, by setting up +independent churches and ordaining several mechanics to be their +ministers; and nothing done by the church for putting a stop to these +errors, and for reviving and vindicating the precious truths they had +impugned. + +Likewise, when Mr. Wishart was staged for error vented by him in some of +his sermons, with respect to the influence of arguments taken from the +awe of future rewards and punishments, and other erroneous notions; he +was dismissed without any renunciation of his heterodox principles, and +assoilzied by the judicatories of this church: and, as easy absolutions +encourage error, so no sooner was he assoilzied, but he had the +assurance to recommend erroneous books, such as Doctor Whitchcot's +sermons, to his students. It is indeed no small evidence of the +unsoundness of this church, when the heads of colleges are suffered, +_impune_, to recommend such books for students and probationers to form +upon. + +Again, when professor Leechman was quarreled with for his deistical +sermon on prayer, by the presbytery of _Glasgow_, and afterward carried +before the assembly; yet although in all his sermons, he presents God as +the object of prayer, merely as our Creator, without any relation to +Christ, as Mediator; but recommends to his hearers, as the only +acceptable disposition of mind, an assured confidence in the goodness +and mercy of their Creator: not only has that Christless sermon been +very much extolled, but the author dismissed from the assembly's bar in +such a manner, as if thereby he had merited their applause. From all +which it sufficiently appears, that this church is unsound and +unfaithful, in point of doctrine; especially, if it is considered, that +she has been frequently addressed by representations, declaring the +necessity of an assertory net, affirming and ascertaining the precious +truths injured and impuned, and that publicly, by the above mentioned +errors; and that a solemn warning should be emitted, discovering the +evil and danger of them: yet that necessary duty has still been +contemned and disregarded. + +The great truths of God, have, for many years, lain wounded and bleeding +in our streets, trampled upon by their open and daring enemies; while +this church has entirely forgotten and slighted the divine command, to +contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. And though +the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith continues to be subscribed by +intrants into the ministry (the covenants owned by the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, as a part of her confession, being abstracted from the +confession of this present church), yet how little of that system and +order of doctrine is now taught? the generality having just as much of +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross, in most of their discourses, as +is to be found in the writings of _Plato, Epictetus_ and _Seneca_, and +the rest of the Pagan moralists. So that this church appears orthodox, +in little (or no) other sense than the church of _England_ is so, viz., +by subscribing the thirty-nine articles, which are _Calvinistical_ in +the doctrinal parts; while yet the _Arminian_ system of doctrine is +generally received and taught by her clergy. Add to what is above, that +this church maintains no suitable testimony against sins of all sorts, +in persons of all stations; neither emits faithful warnings anent the +snares and dangers of the nation, nor full and free declarations of +present duty, as church judicatories, like faithful watchmen did in +former times. But such faithfulness in God's matters is not now, alas! +to be expected; seeing this church has made a formal concert, or mutual +paction, binding up one another from preaching against, and applying +their doctrines to the sins, corruptions and scandals of the times: see +_Acts of Assem._ 16th, 17th, _anno_ 1712; _Act_ 6th, 1713; _Act_ 8th, +1714; _Act_ 6th, 1715. The Presbytery cannot also here omit observing, +and that with deep regret, that although the most damnable principles, +which have a direct tendency to deny the being of God, and so to +propagate opinionative atheism, to subvert all religion, to extol the +power of corrupt nature, and exalt Popery, as the best form of religion, +to deny the subjection of the world to the providence of God, to destroy +all distinction between virtue and vice, and consequently affirm, that +there is no moral evil in the world, and to ridicule Christianity, as +destitute of divine authority, have been lately vented by _David Hume_, +Esq.; and another designated by the name of _Sopho_: yet this church has +passed no suitable censure upon the authors of these impious and +blasphemous principles, though they justly deserve the very highest: nor +have they done anything to testify their dislike, or put an effectual +stop to the spreading of these abominable tenets. The presbytery +therefore, as they declare their abhorrence of these, and the other +errors formerly mentioned, so testify against the church's notorious +unfaithfulness, in suffering these wretches to pass with impunity; and +as being, on all these accounts noticed, unsound and corrupt, in the +matter of doctrine, &c. It may also be here remarked, as an undoubted +evidence of the corruptness of the state, that, although there are civil +laws presently in being, which declare the maintaining of +antitrinitarian, atheistical principles, to be not only criminal, but +capital; yet the civil powers in the nation have not so much regard to +God, and the Son of God, as to punish treason openly acted against them. + +6. The presbytery testify against both church and state, for their +sinful associations with malignants: as declared enemies to the +covenanted interest have engrossed the civil power wholly to their +hands, since the public resolutions, that a door was opened for their +admission; so such is the nature of the laws presently extant and in +force, that one cannot be admitted to any office, civil or military, but +by swearing away all friendship to a covenanted reformation. And, +moreover, all along since the late Revolution, the nations have been the +most earnest pursuing after friendship with the grossest idolators; and, +in express contradiction to the word of God, have confederated in the +closest alliance with God's declared enemies abroad; nay, have exhausted +their strength and substance, in maintaining the quarrel of such as have +been remarkable for their hatred at, and persecution of the protestant +interest. The Revolution Church has also said a confederacy with such as +have, on all occasions, shewed a rooted enmity and hatred at reformation +principles: which appears from their admitting such (noticed above) to +be office-bearers in the church: from their observing fasts, and praying +for success to the allied armies, though almost wholly composed of such, +and many of them oftentimes gross Popish idolaters: from their going in +with, and approving of the sinful incorporating union with _England_: +from their acknowledging the civil power of church men as lawful: from +their joining in religious communion with Mr. _Whitefield_; and in many +other instances. Not to insist further in enumerating particulars, the +Presbytery finally testify against church and state, for their +negligence to suppress impiety, vice, and superstitious observance of +holy days, &c. The civil powers herein acting directly contrary to the +nature and perverting the very ends of the magistrate's office, which is +to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_; the minister of God, a +revenger, to execute wrath on him that doeth evil. Transgressors of the +first table of the law may now sin openly with impunity; and, while the +religious observation of the sabbath is not regarded, the superstitious +observation of holy-days, even in _Scotland_, is so much authorized, +that on some of them the most considerable courts of justice are +discharged to sit. Stage-plays, masquerades, balls, assemblies, and +promiscuous dancings, the very nurseries of impiety and wickedness, are +not only tolerated, but even countenanced by law. And as these, with +other evils, are permitted by the civil powers; so this church seems to +have lost all zeal against sin. No suitable endeavors are used to +prevent the growth of atheism, idolatry and superstition: and though +Prelacy, as well as Popery, is growing apace in the lands, and organs +publicly used in that superstitious worship; yet no testimony is given +against them, but new modes introduced into the worship of God, for +carnal ends, as a gradual advance toward that superstition. Yea, so +unconcerned about suppressing vice and extravagant vanity, &c, that not +only are the forementioned nurseries of sin frequented by ministers' +children, but ministers themselves have countenanced them by their +presence, to the great scandal of their office, and manifest +encouragement of these seminaries of immorality. And notwithstanding +that by the late proclamation, the penal laws against vice and profanity +seem to be revived (which is in itself so far good), yet this cannot +supersede or remove the ground of the Presbytery's testimony against +church and state complexly, on the above account, or even against the +thing itself, in the manner that it is gone about. For besides that, +notwithstanding of all former endeavors of this kind, since the +overthrow of our scriptural and covenanted reformation, immorality and +wickedness have still increased and overflowed all these banks; partly, +because, after all their pretenses, the laws were not vigorously put in +execution (and as good, no law nor penalty, as no execution), and +partly, because these law-makers, being also themselves the +law-breakers, have entrusted the execution to such as are generally +ringleaders in a variety of gross immoralities; it is not likely, that +ever God will countenance and bless such attempts, whereby (contrary to +scripture and all good order) the ecclesiastical power is subjected to +the civil, and ministers made the bare inspectors of men's manners, and +informers to inferior judges, without having it in their power to oblige +such transgressors (if obstinate) to compear before church judicatories, +and conform and submit to the laws of Christ's house. Nay, so far will +God be from approving such Erastian methods of reformation, that he will +certainly visit for this, among all our other iniquities, and in his own +due time make a breach upon us, because we sought him not in the due +order. Wherefore, and for all these grounds, the Presbytery testify +against both church and state, as in their constitutions Erastian and +anti-scriptural, including the substitution and acknowledgement of +another head and governor over the church than Christ, as may be +sufficiently evident from proofs above adduced. And particularly, +because the British united constitution is such as involves the whole +land, and all ranks therein, in the dreadful guilt of idolatry, +communicating with idolators, apostasy, perjury, &c.[3] They declare +they can have no communion therewith; but that it is such an association +as that God's call to his people, concerning it, is, "Come out from +among them. Be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will +receive you, saith the Lord." + + * * * * * + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART SECOND. + +For as much as a good number of people in the north of _Ireland_ have +acceded, and submitted themselves to the Presbytery, and one of their +number is fixed among them as their proper pastor; the Presbytery +intended to have subjoined something by way of appendix to the above +Testimony, with relation to the state of religion in that kingdom, +especially with regard to the settlement of the presbyterian religion +there. But as diocesan Episcopacy is the religion there established by +law, against which the Presbytery has declared and testified (as above) +as an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted and merely a human and political +settlement (whether considered abstractly or complexly with that in the +kingdom of _Scotland_), there needs nothing be further said anent it. +And as those called Presbyterians in _Ireland_, are equally enemies to +the true covenanted Presbyterian cause with those of the Revolution +Church of _Scotland_; so the above testimony equally strikes against +them with the other. There seems, however, to be this considerable +difference betwixt the Presbyterians in _Scotland_ and _Ireland, viz._, +That although the settlements the same as to the matter of it, yet so it +is not as to the form or manner of it, the Presbyterians in _Ireland_ +neither having, nor claiming any other security or foundation for their +different mode of religious worship than the royal indulgence, or +toleration Act. And therefore, as the Presbytery did and do testify +against toleration, and toleration principles, disclaiming such an +anti-scriptural shelter; they therein, of consequence, bear witness and +testimony against all such as do in these lands (where God has given his +people a claim of another kind) professedly dwell under such a shadow. +But besides, the Presbytery view them (complexly considered) as unworthy +of their regard or notice in these papers, as to engaging in any +particular or explicit testimony against them, in as much as they have +denuded themselves of almost any pretense to the Presbyterian name, by +not only disclaiming and opposing the true Presbyterian cause, but +having also fallen from the belief and profession of the most important +and fundamental truths of Christianity; thereby plainly discovering +themselves to be creatures of quite another species and spirit, than the +ministers of Jesus Christ, and friends to the blessed spiritual +Bridegroom; deserving rather to be termed a synagogue of _Libertines_, a +club of _Socinians, Arians, Pelagians_ &c., banded together against +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross than a synod of the ministers of +the gospel. Therefore, as the presbytery testify and remonstrate against +them, their toleration, or indulgence footing, on which they professedly +stand, together with their poisonous jumble and medley of errors, +commonly called _Newlight_, adopted, and with the greatest warmth and +diligence, spread and propagated by most of them, and connived at and +tolerated by the rest and all their books or prints written by them, or +others of the like spirit with them in defense of these dangerous and +damnable tenets so they do hereby judicially warn and exhort all the +people under their inspection there, to beware of such men, and such +books, however they may varnish over the doctrines they bring, with fine +words fair speeches and pretenses, in order to deceive the hearts of the +simple; and this, as they would not incur the displeasure of a holy and +jealous God, and have their souls defiled and destroyed by these +error's. On the contrary to endeavor to have their minds and +understandings enlightened with the knowledge of the truths of Christ, +and mysteries of his gospel, and their hearts warmed with the love of +them; so that being through grace established in the belief of the +truth, they may not "be as children tossed to and fro, and carried about +with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning +craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" _Eph._ iv, 14, 15. +"But speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him, +which is the Head even Christ;" and striving to refrain and keep +themselves from every wicked, offensive and backsliding course, and to +live soberly, righteously and godly, blameless and harmless as the sons +of God, without rebuke, adorning the gospel of Christ with a +conversation becoming the same; so shall they thereby glorify God, and +transmit a faithful testimony for the despised truths of Christ to +posterity, that so there may be a seed to do service unto him in these +lands, and make his name to be remembered through all generations. + + + + + +PART III. + +The principles of some parties, who have made the most specious +appearances for the Reformation, considered.--Particular grounds of +testimony against that body of ministers and people known by the name of +the Secession, wherein their partiality and unfaithfulness in their +profession of the covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland is +discovered in various instances,--their loose and immoral doctrine about +civil society and government--their corruption in worship, sinful terms +of communion, &c., &c. + + +The Presbytery having in the preceding pages exhibited their testimony +against both church and state, as now established in these isles of the +sea, and therein discovered the reasons, why they are obliged to +disapprove of both, proceed, next, to take notice of some of the parties +that have made the most specious appearances for reformation in this +land since the Revolution, of which that party commonly known by the +name of the _Secession_, are not the least remarkable. It is vast pity, +and it is with grief and lamentation, that the Presbytery find +themselves, in point of duty, obliged to lift up a testimony against the +forementioned party; considering, that they have made a professed +appearance under a judicial banner displayed for truth, and a covenanted +work of reformation, and have, in reality, showed much zeal in opposing +a variety of errors in doctrine, corruption in discipline and +government, most prevalent in the national Church of _Scotland_; have +contributed to vindicate some of the most important truths and doctrines +of the Christian faith, that have been openly impugned in this day of +blasphemy, and may have been instrumental in turning many to +righteousness, and reviving the exercise of practical godliness among +not a few. But as _Paul_ withstood _Peter_ to the face, and testified +against his dissimulation, though both of them apostles of our common +Lord and Savior; so it still remains duty to testify against the most +godly, and such as may have been very useful to the church in many +respects, in so far as they have not showed themselves _earnest +contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints_, but have dealt +treacherously with God in the concerns of his glory. It is therefore +with just regret they proceed to observe, that they are obliged, to +testify against this party designated, first, by the title of _The +Associate Presbytery_ (and then that of _The Associate Synod_)--and that +particularly, for their error in doctrine, treachery in covenant, +partiality and tyranny in discipline and government. It may at first +seem strange, to see a charge of error advanced against those who made +the countenancing of error in the judicatories of the established +church, one principal ground of their secession therefrom. But by taking +a narrower view of the principles and doctrines which they have roundly +and plainly asserted, and endeavored to justify in their printed +pamphlets anent civil government, the reception and belief of which they +zealously inculcate upon their followers, it will appear, that their +scheme is so far from tending to promote the declarative glory of God, +and the real good of human and religious society, or the church of God, +which are the very ends of the divine ordinance of magistracy, that it +is not only unscriptural, but anti-scriptural, contrary to the common +sentiments of mankind, and introductive of anarchy and confusion in +every nation, should it be thoroughly adopted, and therefore ought to be +testified against. The sum of their principles anent civil magistracy, +may be collected from these few passages, to be found in a print +entitled, _Answers by the Associate Presbytery to reasons of dissent, +&c.--Page_ 70. "This divine law, not only endows men in their present +state with a natural inclination to civil society and government, but it +presents unto them an indispensable necessity of erecting the same into +some form, as a moral duty, the obligation and benefit whereof no +wickedness in them can lose or forfeit.--_Page_ 74. Whatever magistrates +any civil state acknowledged, were to be subjected to throughout the +same.--_Page_ 50. Such a measure of these qualifications (viz., +scriptural) and duties cannot be required for the being of the lawful +magistrate's office, either as essential to it, or a condition of it +_sine qua non_: I. It cannot be required as essential thereunto; for +then it would be the same thing with magistracy, which is grossly +absurd, and big with absurdities. In the _next_ place, it cannot be a +condition of it _sine qua non_, or, without which one is not really a +magistrate, however far sustained as such by civil society; for then no +person could be a magistrate, unless he were so faultlessly. The due +measure and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties belong +not to the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the +well-being and usefulness thereof.--_P._ 87. The precepts, already +explained, are a rule of duty toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society. Nothing needs be added +for the clearing of this, but the overthrow of a distinction that has +been made of those that are acknowledged as magistrates by the civil +society, into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as +are so by his providential will only; which distinction is altogether +groundless and absurd: All providential magistrates are also preceptive, +and that equally in the above respect (viz., as to the origin of their +office) the office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does +equally arise from, and agree unto the preceptive will of God.--_P._ +88. The precepts already explained (_Prov._ xxiv, 21; _Eccl._ x, 4; +_Luke_ xx, 25; _Rom._ xiii, 1-8; _Tit._ iii, 1; _1 Pet._ ii, 13-18), are +a rule of duty equally toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society; they are, and continue +to be a rule of duty in this matter, particularly, to all the Lord's +people, in all periods, places, and cases." These few passages, +containing the substance of Seceders' principles on the head of civil +government, may be reduced to the following particulars: 1. They +maintain the people to be the ultimate fountain of magistracy, and that +as they have a right to choose whomsoever they please to the exercise of +civil government over them; so their inclinations, whether good or bad, +constitute a lawful magistrate, without regard had to the divine law. 2. +That the law of God in the scriptures of truth, has no concern with the +institution of civil government, but only adds its precept in forcing +obedience upon the conscience of every individual, under the pain of +eternal damnation, to whomsoever the body politic shall invest with the +civil dignity; and that, without any regard to the qualifications of +person or office. 3. Whomsoever the _primores regni_, or representatives +of a nation, do set up, are lawful magistrates, and that not only +according to the providential, but according to the preceptive will of +God also, in regard that God, the supreme governor, has prescribed no +qualifications in his word, as essential to the being of a lawful +magistrate, nor told what sort of men they must be, that are invested +with that office over his professing people, though it is confessed +there are many that are necessary to the well-being and usefulness of +that office: and therefore, 4. That no act, or even habitual series of +the greatest wickedness and mal-administration can forfeit the person's +right to the people's subjection, for conscience sake, considered as +individuals, while the majority of a nation continue to recognize and +own his authority. The absurdity of this scheme of principles may +obviously appear at first view to every unbiassed mind that is blessed +with any competent measure of common sense and discretion, and tolerable +knowledge of divine revelation. That magistracy is a divine ordinance, +flowing originally from Jehovah, the supreme and universal Sovereign of +Heaven and earth, as the ultimate fountain thereof, cannot be denied. +Neither is it to be doubted, but that the Lord has lodged a power and +right in the people, of choosing and setting up those persons that shall +exercise civil government over them, and to whom they will submit +themselves. But then, while God has lodged this power in the people, of +conveying the right of civil authority to their magistrates, he has at +the same time given them positive and unalterable laws, according to +which they are to proceed, in setting up their magistrates; and, by the +sovereign authority of the Great Lawgiver, are they expressly bound to +act in agreeableness to these rules, without any variation, and that, +under the pain of rebellion against him, who is King of kings, and Lord +of lords. The Presbytery, therefore, testify against this scheme of +Seceding principles, calculated, in order to inculcate a stupid +subjection and obedience to every possessor of regal dignity, at the +expense of trampling upon all the laws of God, respecting the +institution, constitution, and administration of the divine ordinance of +magistracy. Particularly, this opinion is, + +1. Contrary to the very nature of magistracy, as described in the +scriptures of truth, where we are taught, that all authority to be +acknowledged of men, must be of God, and ordained of God. The divine +ordination of magistracy is the alone formal reason of subjection +thereto, and that which makes it a damnable sin to resist. So the +apostle teacheth, _Rom._ xiii, 1, &c.: "There is no power but of God; +the powers that be, are ordained of God." Not only is it the current +sentiment of orthodox divines upon the place, but the text and context +make it undeniably evident, that by _power_ here, is understood, not a +natural, but a moral power, consisting not only in an ability, but in a +right to command. Which power is said to be ordained of God, as +importing, not merely the proceeding of the thing from God +providentially, but such a being from God, as carries in it his +instituting or appointing thereof, by the warrant of his word, law, or +precept. So that that power which is to be owned as of God, includes +these two particulars, without which, no authority can be acknowledged +as God's ordinance, viz., institution and constitution, so as to possess +him, who is God's minister, with a moral power. In the divine +institution of magistracy is contained, not only the appointment of it, +but the defining the office in its qualifications and form, in a moral +sense, prescribing what shall be the end, and what the measure of its +authority, and how the supreme power shall rule and be obeyed. Again, +the constitution of the power, or the determination of the form, and +investiture of the particular person with the government, is of God: +hence our Savior, _John_ x, 35, in his application of these words in the +_Psalms_, "I said, ye are gods," to magistrates, shows how they were +gods, "because unto them the word of God came;" that is, by his word and +warrant he authorized them; his constitution is passed upon them, who +are advanced by men, according to his law in his word. When therefore a +nation acts according to divine rule, in the molding of government, and +advancing of persons to the exercise of it; there the government and +governors may be said to be ordained of God. But that government that is +not consonant to the divine institution, and those governors, that are +not advanced to the place of supreme rule, in a Christian land, by the +people, regulating themselves by the divine law, cannot be said to be +the powers ordained of God. It is not merely the conveying the imperial +dignity by men unto any particular person, that constitutes the power to +be of God; but because, and in so far as this is done by virtue of a +warrant from God and in agreeableness to his law that the action has the +authority of God upon it. + +Hence, if in this matter there is a substantial difference from, or +contrariety to the divine rule, then there is nothing but a +contradiction to God's ordinance: this must needs be granted, unless it +is maintained that God has wholly left the determination of this +ordinance to men, absolutely and unlimitedly, giving them an unbounded +liberty to act therein, according to their own pleasure, which is most +absurd. From the whole, it follows, that more is requisite than the +inclinations of any people, to constitute a lawful magistrate, such as +can be acknowledged God's ordinance. That power which in its institution +and constitution is of God, by his law, can alone challenge subjection, +not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. + +2. The Presbytery testify against this scheme of principles, as being +anti-scriptural, and what, in its tendency, is destructive to the +authority of the sacred oracles. _Seceders_ maintain, that the people, +without regard to scriptural qualifications, have an essential right to +choose whom they please to the exercise of civil government, and that +whomsoever they choose are lawful magistrates; and thus make the great +ordinance of magistracy dependent on the uncertain and corrupt will of +man. But that this annarchical system is not of divine authority, but +owes its origin to their own invention, appears from the following texts +of holy writ, besides others, _Exod._ xviii. 21: "Moreover, thou shalt +provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, +hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers." This +counsel of Jethro, was God's counsel and command to Moses, in the choice +of magistrates, supreme and subordinate; and discovers, that people are +not left to their own will in this matter. It is God's direction, that +the person advanced to rule, must be _a man in whom is the spirit; +Numb._ xxvii, 18; which _Deut._ xxxiv, 9, interprets to be _the spirit +of wisdom_, (i.e.) the spirit of government, fitting and capacitating a +man to discharge the duties of the magistratical office, to the glory of +God and the good of his people; without this, he ought not to be chosen. +_Deut._ i, 13: "Take ye wise men and understanding, and known among your +tribes, and I will make them rulers over you." Here is a precept, +directing the people in their choice: they must not be children nor +fools; if so, they are plagues and punishments, instead of scriptural +magistrates, who are always a blessing. And they must be men of known +integrity and affection to the real welfare of _Israel_, not such as are +known to be haters of, and disaffected to the _Israel_ of God. Again, +the express law of the king, is, that he must be one of the Lord's +chosing; _Deut._ xvii. 14, 15: "When thou art come unto the land which +the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell +therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the +nations about me: thou shalt in anywise set him king over thee, whom the +Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set +king over thee, thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy +brother." Here, though Christians have a right to set a king over them, +yet, it is evident, they are not left at liberty to choose whom they +please, but are, in the most express and positive terms, limited and +circumscribed in their choice to him, whom the Lord their God shall +choose: and this divine choice must certainly be understood (in a large +sense) of a person of such a character, temper of mind, and +qualifications, as God pointed out to them in his law, particularly in +the text before cited (for whatever God's word approves of and chooses, +that God himself chooses). And in the text before, as the person is +further described, both negatively and positively, he must be a brother; +which relation is not to be confined to that of kindred or nation, but +especially respects religion. He must not be a stranger and enemy to the +true religion, but a brother, in respect of a cordial embracing, and +sincere profession (so far as men can judge) of the same cause of +religion, and so one, of whom it may be expected that he will employ his +power and interest to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ. This precept +respects the office, and points at the very deed of constitution, and in +the most positive manner, restricts not only the people of the _Jews_, +but every nation blessed with the light of divine revelation, in their +setting up of civil rulers, pointing forth on whom they may, and on whom +they may not confer this honorable office. The same truth is confirmed +by 2 _Sam._ xxiii, 2, 3, 4: "The spirit of the Lord spake by me--the God +of _Israel_ said,--he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the +fear of God."--So _Job_ xxxiv, 17, 18: "Shall even he that hateth right +govern?--Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye +are ungodly?" In which words, while _Elihu_ is charging _Job_ with +blasphemy, in accusing God of injustice, declaring that if he made God a +hater of right and impeached him of injustice, he did, in effect, +blasphemously deny his government, universal dominion and sovereignty in +the world. It is not only supposed, but strongly asserted and affirmed, +that he that hateth right should not govern. Again, 1 _Cor._ vi, 1, 4, +5: "If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set +them to judge--Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not +one that is able to judge between his brethren?" All these texts, which +are plain, positive, moral precepts, whereby God hath set boundaries +about his own ordinance; that it be not corrupted by men, as they +demonstrate what magistrates ought to be, and prove that they cannot be +of God's ordaining who have not these qualifications: so they evince, +that scriptural qualifications are nothing less necessary and essential +to the being of a lawful scriptural magistrate, than the consent of the +people; and consequently, do sufficiently overturn this anti-scriptural +scheme. _Seceders_ indeed grant, that God hath declared his will, +concerning the choice of magistrates in the above, and such like +precepts; but, from their granting these scriptural qualifications to be +only advantageous to those that have them, and necessary to the +well-being and usefulness of lawful magistrates, and at the same time +denying them to be necessary to the being thereof; it necessarily +follows, as the consequence of their sentiments, that they allow civil +society a negative over the supreme Lawgiver in this matter; and in so +doing, exalt the will and inclination of the creature above the will of +the Creator, which is the very definition of sin. Say they in the +fore-quoted pamphlet, page 80th, "It is manifest, that the due measure +and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties, belong not to +the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the well-being +and usefulness thereof." How easy is it here to turn their own artillery +against themselves, and split their argument with a wedge of its own +timber? For if, as is granted, scriptural qualifications are essential +to the usefulness of the magistrate's office, they must also be +necessary to the being thereof, otherwise it is in itself quite useless. +And if in itself useless, with respect to the great ends thereof, +without the due measure of scriptural qualifications, it cannot then be +the ordinance of God, in regard it must not be supposed, that a God of +infinite wisdom and goodness, who does nothing in vain, has instituted +an ordinance for the good of his people, in subserviency to his glory, +which yet, in itself (as to its being and essence), is useless, and of +no profit nor advantage to them. And as for their comparison of the +magistrate's office to other common and ordinary places and relations +among men, the parallel will not hold, no not for illustration, far less +for a proof of their doctrine. Nor is there any comparison, unless they +can prove, that God in his word has as plainly and positively required +men to be so and so qualified, before it is lawful for them to enter +into, or for others to put them in such places and relations, as he has +done, with regard to magistracy. This is indeed the scope and end of +their whole scheme, to derogate from, degrade and lessen the dignity of +this great ordinance of magistracy, allowing it no more than what is +common to men in general, in other inferior states and ordinary business +of life, alleging, "That these qualifications (which they grant God has +prescribed in his word) are only advantageous to them that have them;" +and that at the hazard of evidently opposing and contradicting the +intention of the Spirit of God, in the above texts of scripture, which +imply a specialty, and particular appropriation to kings and rulers in +their office. + +Again, this principle either, as above said, denies magistracy to be +God's ordinance instituted in his word; or then says, that he hath +instituted ordinances in his revealed will, without prescribing any +qualifications as essential to their being, but entirely left the +constitution of them to the will of man. But how absurd is this, and +derogatory to the glory of God, in all his perfections, who is a God of +order, once to imagine, that he hath set any of his ordinances, either +as to matter or manner, upon the precarious footing of the pure will of +wicked and ungodly men? The smallest acquaintance with divine revelation +will readily convince, that he hath not. It may as well, and with the +same parity of reason, be refused, that there are any qualifications +requisite, as essential to the being and validity of the office of the +ministry, but only necessary to its well-being and usefulness; and +therefore, is as lawful (in its exercise) in the want of these +qualifications, as the ordinance of magistracy is accounted to be. But +how contrary is this to scripture, _Tit._ i, 7, 8; 1 _Tim._ iii, 2, 3, +4, 5, 6, 7, &c. Now, comparing these with the above-cited texts, +respecting the qualifications of magistrates, it appears, that the +qualifications of the magistrate are required in the same express and as +strong terms (if not also somewhat more clearly,) as the qualifications +of the minister; and seeing a holy God hath made no difference, as to +the essentiality of the qualifications pertaining to these distinct +ordinances, it is too much presumption for any creature to attempt doing +it. Both magistrate and minister are, in their different and distinct +spheres, clothed with an equal authority from the law of God,--have +subjection and obedience equally, under the same pains, required to them +respectively, (as _Deut_. xvii. 9 to 13; 2 _Chron_. xix, 5 to 11; _Heb_. +xiii, 17, &c.)--and the qualifications of both, as above, stated and +determined with equal peremptoriness, making them no less essential to +the being and validity of the one than the other. And this being the +case, it is not easy to understand how _Seceders_ will reconcile their +principles anent civil government, with their principle and practice, in +separating from an established church or ministry, whose constitution +they acknowledge to be good; and who being presbyterially ordained, are +also still countenanced by the body of the people. Sure, had they dealt +fairly, honestly and impartially in the matters of God, they would have +acted in this case agreeably to their declared principle, page 79th of +their pamphlet, viz.: "The passages holding forth these qualifications +and duties of magistrates, do not by the remotest hint imply, that, if +in any wise they be deficient in, or make defection from the same, their +authority and commands, even in matters lawful, must not be subjected +unto and obeyed," &c. Certainly, according to this, all the +deficiencies, defections, and mal-administrations in the church, could +never have been a warrantable ground (which yet they make the only +ground) of their separation from her. "But on the contrary," they should +still have continued in communion with her, and subjection to her in +matters lawful, in a way of testifying "against the same, and essaying +their reformation, by all means that were habile for them." _Seceders_ +must either grant, that such was their duty, and so of themselves +condemn their separation as unwarrantable; or else deny, that the +qualifications of the magistrate and minister are required in the same +express terms in scripture; that both are clothed with an equal (though +distinct) authority; and that subjection and obedience are under the +same pains enjoined to both, and consequently say, that it is less +dangerous to cast off, contemn and disregard the authority of a church, +than that of the state; while yet (according to their scheme) civil +authority is entirely resolved into, and depends purely upon the +changeable will of civil society. But, it is presumed, they will allow, +that ecclesiastical authority is derived, and flows from, and depends +entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone, the glorious Judge, Lawgiver, +and King of his church; so that (according to them) this being of a far +more noble extract and original, it must be of far more dangerous +consequence, to contemn and cast off it, than the other. + +Again, as this doctrine gives unto men a negative over the Holy One of +Israel, it also opens a wide door for introducing and enforcing the +cause of deism, already too prevalent: for, if all who are set up by +civil society, however wicked, and void of the qualifications God has +required, while they are acknowledged and submitted to by their +constituents, must be equally regarded as God's ordinance, with those +who have those qualifications; then it will follow, that the corrupt +will of wicked men legitimates the magistrate's office and authority, +not only without, but in contradiction to the preceptive will of God; +and what is this (_absit blasphemia_), but to exalt man above God, in +giving unto the universal Sovereign and Supreme Lawgiver, only a +consultative power in the constitution of magistracy, while it ascribes +unto man an absolute and definitive power, whereby they have power to +receive or reject the law of God (at least respecting magistracy) at +pleasure, and their deed of constitution be equally valid, when +opposite, as when agreeable unto, and founded upon his righteous law. +And sure, by the same reason, that man may take a liberty to dispense +with the authority of God, in one point of his commanding will; he may +also in another, until at last every part of it is rejected. It is but a +contempt of the same authority, and he that offends in one point, is +guilty of all. Such are the absurdities that this their scheme leads to, +though it is hoped the authors do not intend so. It may here be only +necessary further to observe, that among the other desperate shifts +_Seceders_ are driven to in defense of their favorite notion, they say, +that scriptural qualifications cannot be essential to God's ordinance of +magistracy, or necessarily required as a condition of it _sine qua non_; +for then it would be the same thing with magistracy; nor can these +qualifications be the condition (_sine qua non_, or), without which one +could not be a magistrate; for then it would be necessary, that every +one were possessed of them faultlessly, before he could be owned as a +lawful magistrate; either of which they allege would be grossly absurd. +But this plausible and fair-set argument of theirs, if it prove any +thing, will prove more than it is supposed they themselves will grant, +and consequently proves nothing at all. For the same gross absurdity +may, with equal reason, be inferred from a maintaining, that a due +measure and performance of scripture qualifications and duties are +essential to any other of God's ordinances, and so that these are the +ordinance itself. For instance, they might as well reason (as some have +justly observed already), that scriptural qualifications are not +essential to a lawful gospel minister, for then it would be the same +thing with the ministry, itself; nor can it be a condition, without +which one is not really a minister, unless he were so faultlessly. And +thus they have at once stripped, not only all of the race of _Adam_, +that ever exercised that office, but themselves also, of any real +mission, as ministers, unless they have assumed the Pope's +infallibility, and are advanced to the _Moravian_ perfection. So, +although the scripture declares it essential to the true church, that +she hold the head, yet by their childish reasoning, this would infer a +conclusion big with absurdities, even that this qualification of a true +church, is the church itself. And, in like manner, it can no longer be +admitted, that faith in Christ, and holiness, are essential to the being +of a true Christian; for that would be to make faith the same thing with +a Christian, and would infer, that as in heaven only holiness is in +perfection, so there alone Christians are to be found. Upon the whole, +as the Lord has given an indispensable law, respecting the constitution +of kings, showing what conditions and qualifications are required of +them; it undeniably follows, as an established truth, that Christianized +nations must invest none with that office, but in a way agreeable to +that law, and those alone according to scripture, are magistrates of +God's institution, who are in some measure possessed of these +qualifications. It is therefore an anti-scriptural tenet, that nothing +is requisite to constitute a lawful magistrate, but the inclinations and +choice of the civil society. + +3. The Presbytery testify against this system of principles, because it +has a direct tendency to destroy the just and necessary distinction that +ought to be maintained between the perceptive and providential will of +God, and necessarily jumbles and confounds these together, in such a +manner, as a man is left at an utter uncertainty to know when he is +accepted and approven of God in his conduct, and when not. That this is +the scope of their principles, is confessed, p. 87, of their book of +principles: "Nothing needs be added [say they] for the clearing of this, +but the overthrow of a distinction that has been made of those who are +acknowledged as magistrates by civil society, into such as are so by the +preceptive will of God, and such are so by his providential will only; +which distinction is altogether groundless and absurd. It will not be +refused, that all such preceptive magistrates are also providential. +But, moreover, all such providential magistrates are also preceptive. +The office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does equally +arise from, and agrees to the preceptive will of God." A doctrine most +shocking in itself! How strange! that Christians, from any +consideration, will obstinately maintain a favorite opinion, which is +confessedly built upon, and cannot be established but at the expense of +blending and confounding the preceptive and providential will of God, +while the distinction thereof is clearly and inviolably established in +the word of God! Although divine providence, which is an unsearchable +depth, does many times, and, in many cases, serve as a commentary to +open up the hidden mysteries of scripture revelation; yet, where the law +of God in the scriptures of truth is silent, there providence regulates +not, is neither institutive, nor declarative of God's will to be done by +us; and where the said divine law does ordain or deliver a rule to us in +any case, there providence gives no relaxation, allowance or countermand +to the contrary. (See _Gee_ on magistracy, in his excellent discourse on +providence.) That an overthrow of this necessary distinction, for the +sake of the above dangerous scheme, cannot be admitted of, in a +consistency with a due regard to the authority of revealed religion, and +that therefore the right and lawfulness of magistracy is not founded +upon the providential will of God, though they are countenanced and +supported by the majority of a nation, will partly appear from the +following considerations: + +1. If there is no distinction to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, then is providence equally in all respects the +rule of duty, as much as the precept is, and so man should be left at an +utter uncertainty, what is duty, in regard of the opposition that is +many times between providential dispensations and the precept. Nay, then +it is impossible that man can be guilty of sin, in transgressing the +divine will, because God infallibly brings to pass, by his holy and +over-ruling providence, whatever he has decreed by his eternal purpose. +_Rom._ ix, 17. And thus the Jews, in murdering the Son of God, should be +acquitted from the charge of guilt, and could not be said to transgress +the divine will. + +2. If no distinction is to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, but providence is declarative of the precept, +then is providence a complete rule without the written word. And this at +once supersedes the necessity of divine revelation, and derogates from +the sufficiency and perfection of the scriptures of truth. The written +word is affirmed to be _perfect_: _Psal._ xix, 7. Sinners are reproved +for doing that which the word gave no command for, _Jer._ vii, 31, and +xix, 5; and challenged for following the promising appearances: _Isa._ +xxx. 1, 2, 3, 11. It is therefore daring presumption to set up +providence for a rule in opposition to the written law of God. Hence it +must be concluded, either that the preceptive will of God in the +scriptures is imperfect, or the laws therein repealable by providence; +or then that providence cannot be the rule of human actions. + +3. If the distinction between the preceptive and providential will of +God is to be overthrown, then providence must be expressive of God's +approbative ordination, equally as his revealed will is. For, without +this (viz. the divine approbation), there can be no lawful title to what +is possessed. But this is what providence of itself cannot do; it cannot +without the precept discover either God's allowance or disallowance. If +then this distinction is denied, and the providential will of God +asserted to be declarative of his preceptive, and so of his approbative +will; it remains to be manifested, where and how it has been appointed +of God for such an end, an end that is by the Spirit of God denied unto +it: _Eccl._ ix, 1, 2, 4. If this distinction is to be overthrown, then +either the providential will of God, without any regard to the precept, +in every case, and in every sort of tenure, gives a just and lawful +right and title; or God has declared in his word that it shall be so in +the matter of civil government only, viz. that whosoever gains the +ascendancy in the inclinations of the people, by whatever sinful methods +this is obtained, it matters not, and so is by the hand of providence +raised up above all his rivals to the regal dignity, he is the lawful +magistrate, God's ordinance according to his precept. The first cannot +be said; it were impious to suppose it; for that would justify all +robberies and violences, and legitimate every fraud; not the latter, for +where is it to be found in all the book of divine revelation, that God +hath made such a law touching magistracy? But how big with absurdities, +to say, that a holy God has given to man a plain and positive law to be +his governing rule in every particular that concerns him, this of +magistracy only excepted. In this great ordinance he hath wholly left +him to be guided, or rather misled and bewildered by his own corrupt +inclinations: but the contrary of this has been in part discovered, and +may further. 5. If, in order to establish their anti-government scheme, +the foresaid distinction is to be destroyed, and all such as are +providential powers, and acknowledged by man, are also preceptive, and +therefore to be submitted to for conscience sake, then are the kingdoms +of men necessarily obliged to own and submit unto the dominion of the +devil. The devil not only claims to himself the possession of the power +of all the kingdoms of this world, but it is certain that of the most of +them he still retains an actual predominancy, hence styled the god of +this world. Now, it cannot be refused, but that the power he exercises +is providential (or a power of permission); and it is most certain, that +it is with the consent and good will of all the children of men, while +in a natural state. But are men therefore obliged to acknowledge his +authority, or submit to that providential power he maintains over them? +If every providential power is also preceptive, the answer must be given +in the affirmative. The like may be said of the Pope of _Rome_, the +devil's captain-general, to display his hellish banner against the King +of kings, and Lord of lords, with respect to those nations where he is +acknowledged in his diabolical pretensions. It can be to no purpose for +_Seceders_ to allege that the Pope claims a power unlawful in itself, +and therefore cannot be owned, in regard the person whom they make a +pretended acknowledgment of, as their lawful sovereign, is by the act of +his constitution invested with a similar power, a power both civil and +ecclesiastical, and declared to be head of the church, as well as the +state. Nothing, therefore, remains for them, but either to acknowledge +this clear distinction between the providential and preceptive will of +God, or then profess the lawfulness of both the above mentioned powers. +6. If the foresaid distinction is too big with absurdities to be +received, and if the authority of all providential magistrates does +equally arise from, and agree unto the precept, then it would be no sin +to resist the powers ordained of God, provided that providence proves +auspicious and favorable to the rebel, and advances him to the throne, +with the good will of his fellow rebellious subjects, by expelling the +lawful sovereign; at least such resistance could not be determined to be +sinful, until once the event declared, whether providence would +countenance the treasonable attempt or not. Thus what the apostle +declares a damnable sin, _Rom._ xiii, 2, must be justified and made the +foundation of subsequent duty, if patronized by a multitude. This they +evidently maintain, as appears from their declaration of principles, +page 82, where, pretending to obviate some difficulties anent their +principles, arising from the people of God's disowning anti-scriptural +magistrates: "The whole nature of any simple revolt [say they] lies in +breaking off immediately from the civil body, by withdrawing from, or +withdrawing part of their territories; and then it necessarily follows +at the same time, that these revolters break off from the head of the +civil body, without ever denying his authority over the members who +still cleave unto the same." This, in connection with their grand +foundation principle, and the scope of their discourse at the above +citation, discovers that they grant, that if the whole civil society +should reject the authority they had set up (however agreeable it should +have been to the preceptive will of God, and should again set up +another, though never so opposite thereto), their doing so would be +lawful; but it is not lawful for a few to disown any authority (however +wicked and anti-scriptural), unless they can at the same time withdraw +from, or withdraw part of his territories. Nothing can be more absurd +than to say, that a people are bound by the laws of God to give +subjection for conscience sake, and yet at the same time are at liberty +to cast off and reject the same authority at pleasure. If the magistrate +be lawful, it is utterly unlawful to reject him; an attempt to divest +him of his office, power and authority, though carried on by the +_primores regni_, is rebellion against God. It is most ridiculous to +allege, that a people considered as a body politic, are not under the +same obligation to their rightful sovereign, as when they are considered +as individuals, but may lawfully reject him, and set up another, if they +please; so that he who one day is God's minister, next day hath no title +to that office, but if he claim it, must be treated as a traitor, +whereby all security that can possibly be given to the most lawful +magistrate, is at once destroyed. Thus, if the Chevalier had succeeded +in his late attempt, had gained the favor of the _primores regni_, and +thereby mounted the _British_ throne; _Seceders_ must then, of +necessity, either have quit their present principles, or then have +subjected to his yoke for conscience sake, under the pain of eternal +damnation. His being a professed Papist, and enslaved vassal of _Rome_, +could not have warranted them to leave their place of subjection to him +while owned by the civil society, and so they must have treated the +present powers as usurpers and enemies to government, though they now +flatter them with the pretensions of an ill-grounded loyalty. Again, how +absurd and self contradictory to grant, that a minor part may not only +revolt, but also withdraw part of a prince's territories; and yet that +the same party may not, when residing in the nation, refuse to +acknowledge the lawfulness of an anti-scriptural power. This is to say, +that people are no longer obliged to submit to authority, than they are +in capacity to withdraw from, or withdraw part of their prince's +territories from him, and so to justify their rebellion, by that which +can only be a terrible aggravation of their sin. These, with a number of +other absurdities, natively flow from a denial of the distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God, making the title of +the lawful magistrate depend solely upon the will of the people. Nothing +is more evident than this, that if the inclinations of the people, +exclusive of all other qualifications, constitute a lawful magistrate, +then (though he rules ever so agreeable to God's preceptive will), so +soon as this body (though in a most unjust and tyrannical manner) casts +him off, he that moment for ever loses all title and claim to the +office, and can no longer be regarded as a lawful magistrate. A +principle that in its nature and tendency is introductive of all anarchy +and confusion, and with the greatest propriety deserves the encomium of +the _anti-government scheme_. + +7. This anarchical system of principles, which destroys the above just +and necessary distinction, is directly in opposition to the laudable and +almost universal practice of all nations, in ordaining and enacting +certain fundamental laws, constitutions and provisos, whereby the throne +is fenced, the way to it limited, and the property thereof predisposed. +The Scripture sufficiently discovers those restrictions and rules, which +God himself has prescribed and laid down, for directing and determining +of his people's procedure about the erection of magistrates. And profane +history abounds in discovering certain fundamental laws and conditions +to take place, almost in every nation, without conforming to which, none +can be admitted to that dignity over them. But to what purpose are any +such laws and constitutions, if this vague principle is once admitted, +which cancels and disannuls all such provisos and acts? Why should +_Moses_ have been so solicitous about his successor in the government of +_Israel, Numb._ xxvii, 15-17, if God had ordained the inclinations of +the people alone should determine? Or to what purpose did _Israel_, +after the death of _Joshua_, ask of God, who should be their leader, if +their own inclinations alone were sufficient to determine it? If God has +declared, that the corrupt will of the people is the alone basis of +civil power, then, not only are all state constitutions and fundamental +laws useless, because, on every vacancy of the throne, they not only +must all give place to the superior obligation, the incontrollable law, +of the uncertain inclinations of the body politic, but they are in their +nature unlawful; their proper use in every nation being to prevent all +invasion upon the government by unqualified persons, and to illegitimate +it, if at any time done. So that, if the consent of civil society is the +only essential condition of government which God has authorized, not +only are all scriptural conditions and qualifications useless and +unlawful, but also all human securities, either from intruders or for +lawful governors, are unlawful, in regard the very design of them all is +to oppose this grand foundation principle, the jure-divinity of which +_Seceders_ have found out, and do confidently maintain. And thus, by the +seceding scheme, is condemned, not only the practice of almost all other +nations, determining by law, some indispensable qualifications that +their rulers must have; but particularly the practice of these once +reformed lands, when reformation had the sanction, not only of +ecclesiastic, but also of civil, authority, is hereby condemned. +Scripture and covenant qualifications were then made essential to the +being of a lawful magistrate, by the fundamental laws and constitutions +of the nations; so that however the inclinations of the people might run +(as it soon appeared they were turned in opposition to these), yet, by +these laws, and in a consistency with that constitution, none could be +admitted to the place or places of civil authority, but such as +professed, and outwardly practiced, according to reformation principles. +See _Act_ 15th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1649. And how happy we had been, if +we had constantly acted in conformity to these agreeable laws, +experience, both former and latter, will bear witness. How much better +had it been for us to have walked in God's statutes, and executed his +judgments, than by our abhorrence of them, and apostasy from them, to +provoke him to give us statutes that are not good, and judgments whereby +we cannot live (_Ezek._ xx, 25), or have any comfortable enjoyment and +possession of the blessings and privileges of his everlasting gospel, as +it is with us at this day. And yet, this is what _Seceders_ would have +us caressing, embracing and (with them) blessing God for, under the +notion of a present good; and so bless God for permitting his enemies +(in anger against an ungrateful and guilty people) to overturn his work +and interest, and establish themselves upon the ruins thereof; to bless +him for making our own iniquities to correct us, and our backslidings to +reprove us, until we know what an evil and bitter thing it is to depart +from the LORD GOD of our fathers; to bless him (for what is matter of +lamentation) that the adversaries of _Zion_ are the chief, and her +enemies prosper, _Lam._ i, 5: and all this abstractly, under the notion, +of good, which comes very near the borders of blasphemy. + +But, moreover, the civil settlement at the revolution is also condemned +by this principle of theirs; not because of its opposition to a +covenanted reformation, but in regard it includes some essential +qualifications required in the supreme civil ruler. The nations are, by +that deed of constitution, bound up in their election of a magistrate; +and all Papists, such as marry with Papists, or do not publicly profess +the Protestant religion, are declared incapable of the throne. So that +we see the present law makes some other qualifications, besides the +consent of the body politic, essential to the constitution of a lawful +sovereign in _Britain_. From all which it is plain, that this principle +of _Seceders_ is neither a reformation nor a revolution principle; let +then the impartial world judge whence it came. + +_Seceders_, in consequence of their contradictory and self-inconsistent +system of principles, declare they cannot swear allegiance to a lawful +government. They maintain the present to be lawful, yet (in Dec. of +their principles, _page_ 55th) they say, "The question is not whether it +be lawful for us to swear the present allegiance to the civil +government, which the Presbytery acknowledge they cannot do, seeing +there are no oaths to the government in being, but what exclude the oath +of our covenants, and homologate the united constitution." But seeing +they acknowledge that every constitution of government, that comprehends +the will and consent of civil society, were it as wicked and diabolical +as can be imagined, is lawful--yea, as lawful as any that is most +consonant to the preceptive will of God, having all the essentials of +his ordinance; and seeing, because of the will and consent of the +people, they own the present to be lawful, it is most surprising why +they cannot swear allegiance to it; their reasons cannot, in a +consistency with their principle, be sustained as valid. That the +present oaths of allegiance and the oath of the covenants are +inconsistent, is readily granted; but seeing the oaths of allegiance +bind to nothing more than what they confess they are bound to for +conscience sake, namely, to own the lawfulness of the government, and to +maintain it according to the constitution thereof (which is a duty owed +by subjects to every lawful sovereign); and seeing that whatever is in +the oaths of allegiance contrary to the covenants, does not flow from +them, abstractly considered, but from the constitution to which they +bind (which constitution is sanctified by the people's acknowledgement +of it). If, therefore, the covenants forbid a duty, to which they are +bound for conscience sake, their authority in that ought not to be +regarded. + +But certainly _Seceders_, who have found it duty to alter and model the +covenants, according to the circumstances of the times they live in, +might have found it easy work to reconcile the oath of the covenants +with allegiance to a lawful government. The other part of their reason +is no less ridiculous and self-contradictory, viz., "They cannot swear +allegiance to the present government, because it homologates the united +constitution." But is not this constitution according to the will, and +by consent of, the body politic? and is it not ordained by the +providential will of God? therefore, according to them, has all the +essentials of a lawful constitution, which claims their protection, +under pain of damnation. How great the paradox! they cannot swear +allegiance, because they would bind them to acknowledge and defend a +lawful constitution. Is not active obedience, is not professed +subjection for conscience sake, an homologation of the constitution? +Certainly they are, and that not in word only, but in deed and in truth. +And what is the allegiance, but a promise to persevere in what they do +daily, and what they hold as their indispensable duty to do? To grant +the one, then, and refuse the other, is, in effect, to homologate or +acknowledge the constitution, and not to acknowledge it, at the same +time, which is a glaring absurdity. + +But here, they would have people attend to their chimerical distinction +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority. They have made a +successless attempt (in order to establish their antigovernment scheme) +for the overthrow of a distinction, which Heaven has irreversibly fixed, +between the preceptive and providential will of God; and, for the same +purpose, they will impose this distinction on the generation--a mere +shift and artifice, which has no foundation nor subsistence any where +else, but in their imagination, and serves for no purpose but to cheat +their own and others' consciences, and betray the cause of God. It is +plain, that as a power, both civil and ecclesiastical, belongs to the +essence and constitution of an English diocesan bishop, so the same is +declared to belong now to the essence and constitution of an English +king, who is the head and chief prelate among them all; and it is their +manner to call themselves his bishops (not Christ's), as having their +power, both ecclesiastical and civil, immediately from him, as the +fountain of all power within his dominions So that there is no room for +this distinction of _Seceders_ here, unless they are such expert +logicians, as to distinguish a thing from that which is essential to it, +and so from itself; but this is a destruction, not a distinction. +_Seceders_ indeed presume and depend very much upon their abilities of +this kind; for they can distinguish between the magistrate's office and +its essential qualifications, which God has inseparably joined together +in his word. They can distinctly pray for the head, author, authorizer +and prime supporter, of abjured Prelacy and Prelates, that God would +bless him in his government, and yet not pray for the Prelates +themselves. They can pray very fervently and distinctly for the British +and Irish parliaments, and yet not at all pray for the bishops, +necessary and essential members there. And what is all this but to pray +for a nonentity, a mere creature of their own mind? They have neither +king nor parliament in their abstracted and imaginary sense, but do +clearly distinguish themselves out of both. We might refer them to that +famous and faithful embassador, and renowned martyr for the cause and +testimony of Jesus, Mr. _Donald Cargill_, in his last speech and +testimony, and let him determine the controversy (in this particular) +between us. They will not be so bold as to say, that this honorable +witness died with a lie in his right hand. His words are these: "As to +the cause of my suffering, the main is, not acknowledging the present +authority as it is now established. This is the magistracy I have +rejected, that was invested with Christ's power; and seeing that power +taken from Christ, which is his glory, and made the essential of the +crown, I thought it was as if I had seen one wearing my husband's +clothes, after he had killed him. And seeing it is made the essential of +the crown, there is no distinction we can make, that can free the +conscience of the acknowledger from being a partaker of this +sacrilegious robbing of God. And it is but to cheat our conscience, to +acknowledge the civil power, for it is not the civil power only, that is +made the essential of the crown. And seeing they are so express, we must +be plain; for otherwise, it is to deny our testimony, and consent to his +robbery." From these words it is evident, _first_, that Mr. Cargill was +no _Seceder_, or of their mind, in this particular; and _second_, that, +at the time, there were some who did cheat and impose upon their own +consciences, by distinguishing (where there was no room for distinction) +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority--which distinction +was condemned and testified against by all who were truly faithful to +Christ and their own consciences, and tender of his honor and glory, by +their unanimous rejection of that anti-christian and unlawful power; and +that when they had much more reason and temptation to fly to such a +subterfuge for their safety, than _Seceders_ now have. And, _third_, +from these words it is also clear, that Mr. _Cargill_ and that poor, +distressed and persecuted people that adhered to him, rejected and +disclaimed the then authority, not so much because of their tyranny and +mal-administrations, as on account of the unlawfulness and wickedness of +the constitution itself (which was the prime original and spring of all +the wickedness in the administration), namely, because the king +arrogantly and sacrilegiously assumed to himself that power, which was +the sole and glorious prerogative of Jesus Christ. And as to the +difference that _Seceders_ make between that and the present time (since +the revolution), it is certain, that whatever greater degree of absolute +supremacy was then assumed by _Charles_ II, it does not vary the kind of +that claimed, or rather conferred on and exercised, by the supreme +powers, since the revolution (for _majus et minus non variant speciem_), +nor acquit them of the guilt of robbing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, of +his incommunicable prerogative and supremacy in and over his church, as +the only king and head thereof. Nor will the difference of times, while +the constitution remains the same, while God remains the same, and truth +and duty remain the same, nor yet any distinction that can be made, free +the conscience of the acknowledger, more now than then, from being a +partaker (art and part) with the civil power, in this sacrilegious +robbery. _Psal._ l, 18: "When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst +with him," &c. + +But passing this: seeing the above mentioned reasons, which _Seceders_ +allege why they cannot swear allegiance to the present government, which +they assert is lawful and scriptural, cannot be sustained, some others +must be sought for them: and they may be either, because they judge +allegiance itself unlawful; or rather, because then they would be bound +by oath to continue faithful to this government in all changes that can +happen. Whereas now, they are free, and equally ready, in a full +consistency with their principles, to profess their subjection to +another, were it even a popish pretender. For according, to them, an +infidel or papist may have a just and lawful authority over us, +notwithstanding all, both the reformation and revolution laws, to the +contrary. If, therefore, the legislature would, in the oaths of +allegiance, insert this limitation, viz. so long as the body politic is +pleased to acknowledge the supreme magistrate, they would find it easier +to come over their other pretended and inconsistent difficulties. For +the truth is, they cannot, in a consistency with their anti-government +scheme, and with safe consciences, swear to any government, but with +such limitation, in regard they cannot be sure, but he that is now owned +by civil society may be rejected, and another set up, who must be +acknowledged. So they would be brought into an inextricable dilemma; +either they must own them both to be God's ordinance, which is absurd; +or then be perjured, by rejecting him to whom they had sworn; or then +incur damnation, by refusing obedience to him, who is set up by the body +politic. Such is the labyrinth of confusion and contradiction this +anarchical system leads into; a system that cancels all constitutions by +God and men anent civil government. + +8. This anti-government Seceding principle, destructive of said +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, is both +contrary to, and confuted by many approven scriptural examples; in which +the Spirit of God testifies, that the actual possession of the throne, +under the favor of providence, and by the consent of a majority of a +nation, may be in one, while the moral power and right of government is +in another. The word of God acknowledges _David_ the rightful sovereign +over all _Israel_, for the space of forty years (1 Kings, ii, 11; 1 +Chron. xxix, 26, 27); seven of these he is said to have reigned in +_Hebron_, and thirty-three in _Jerusalem_. During the first seven years +of his reign at _Hebron_, there is a positive confinement of his actual +rule to the tribe of _Judah_ only; 2 Sam. v, 5. And at the same time, +_Ishbosheth_ is said to be made king over all _Israel_, and to have +reigned two years. In agreeableness to Seceding principles, there is no +reconciling these different texts. According to their scheme _David_ can +with no propriety be said to have reigned forty years over all _Israel_, +seeing seven of the years were elapsed before he was actually +acknowledged by all _Israel_, before providence put him in the actual +possession of all that extensive power. There is another known example, +applicable to the present purpose, in the instance of _David_, during +the rebellion of his unnatural son _Absalom_. According to the sacred +story, 2 Sam. chap, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, it appears, that he was +wholly ejected, both out of the hearts and territories of _Israel_, and +not only the throne, but the will and consent of the people given up to +_Absalom_. But was _David_ therefore divested of his right and title? +Though it is most contrary to scripture to suppose it; yet, according to +_Seceders_, seeing _Absalom_ was king, by possession of the throne, and +had not only the power providentially put into his hand, but had it also +by the consent of the people; it necessarily follows that _Absalom_, +being a providential magistrate, his office and authority did equally +arise from, and agree to the preceptive will of God, and subjection and +obedience, for conscience sake, was equally due to him, as to _David_, +by the _Israelitish_ tribes. And so it was a damnable sin in _David_ to +fight against him, as it could be no less than a resisting the ordinance +of God. The same may be said with respect to that other revolt, by the +instigation, and under the conduct of _Sheba_; 2 Sam. chap. xx. But +although, according to _Seceders_, he must also have been their lawful +magistrate, the Spirit of God discovers the reverse, still acknowledging +the right of government in all these changes to be in _David_. Another +example is in the case of _Solomon_, who was ordained or designed by God +expressly for the kingdom of _Israel_. _Adonijah_ had obtained the +ascendancy, both in respect of actual possession, and the inclinations +and consent of the majority of the nation; the consent was general; 1 +Kings, i, 5, 7, 9, 11, 18, 25, and ii, 15. He had all to plead for +himself, which _Seceders_ make essential to the constitution of a lawful +king. He had got to the throne by providence, and had full admission and +possession, by the inclinations of the people. If then there is no +distinction to be made of those who are acknowledged by civil society, +into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as are so by +his providential will only--then _Solomon_ had no right nor title to the +crown; and the enterprise of _David_ and _Nathan_, &c., of setting him +on the throne, was utterly unlawful. Both they and _Solomon_ ought to +have acquiesced in the duty of subjection to _Adonijah_, as being the +ordinance of God. But this would have been opposite to the express +direction of the Lord, appointing the kingdom to _Solomon_, "It was his +from the Lord," as _Adonijah_ himself confessed. To the same purpose +might be adduced, the instance of _Joash_, the son of _Akaziah_, who was +king _de jure_, even when _Athaliah_ had not only the countenance of +providence, but the consent of the people, in the possession of the +kingdom; 2 Chron. xxii, 10, 12. Again, the practice of nations, in +owning those for their lawful sovereigns, who, by providence, were put +from the actual exercise of their rule and authority, contributes to +confute this absurd notion. Thus, the people of _Israel_, who had risen +up for _Absalom_, do even, when _David_ was out of the land, own him for +their king. So, during the _Babylonish_ captivity, there are several +persons noted as princes of _Judah_, whom the people owned, as having +the right of government over them. With a variety of other instances, +all discovering, in opposition to their anarchical system, that it is +not by the dispensations of providence, that the right and title of the +lawful magistrate is to be determined. Moreover, as the Associate +Presbytery have so barefacedly belied the scriptures of truth, as to +assert that there cannot be so much as an instance found in all the +history of the Old Testament, of any civil members refusing, either by +word or deed, an acknowledgment of, or subjection unto the authority of +any magistrate actually in office, by the will of the civil body: +besides what have been already adduced, take these few following +examples of many. After that _Saul_, by his disobedience to the +commandment of the Lord, had forfeited his title to the kingdom, he was +no more honored as king, by _Samuel_, the prophet; but, on the contrary, +he openly testified to his face, that the Lord had rejected him from +being king; 1 Sam. xv, 26-35. Though he mourned over him as one +rejected, yet he no more acknowledged him as clothed with the authority +as a lawful king; nay, the Lord having rejected him, reproves his +prophet for mourning for him, 1 Sam. xvi, 1. From which, and the command +he received to anoint _David_ in his stead, and that even while the +civil society did acknowledge, and was subject unto _Saul_, it appears, +that the throne of _Israel_ was then regarded, both by the Lord and his +prophet, as vacant, until _David_ was annointed; from which time, in the +eye of the divine law, he was the rightful king, and ought, in +consequence of the public intimation made by the prophet of _Saul's_ +rejection, to have been acknowledged as the Lord's Anointed by the whole +kingdom of _Israel_. In agreeableness whereto, the scripture informs, +that not only _David_ in expectation of the Lord's promise, resisted +_Saul_ as an unjust usurper, but many among the tribes of _Israel_, whom +the Spirit of God honorably mentions, rejected the government of _Saul_, +and joined themselves to him that was really anointed of the Lord; 1 +Chron. xii, 1-23. Now, if the Lord did command, under pain of damnation, +to give loyal obedience to all in the place of supreme authority, +however wicked, while acknowledged by the body politic, he would not +reject such, nor command to set up others in their room, nor approve of +those who disowned and resisted them. But all this is done in this +instance, which of itself, is sufficient to overthrow their scheme. +Another instance is in 2 Chron. xi, 13, 16, where the authority of +_Jeroboam_ is rejected and cast off, even when acknowledged and +submitted to by the nation of _Israel_, by the priests and _Levites_, +and after them, by all such as did set their hearts to seek the Lord God +of _Israel_, through all the ten tribes; and this, because of his +abominable wickedness. Whereby it appears a commendable duty to refuse +the lawfulness of the authority of wicked occupants, though acknowledged +by the majority of a nation. A similar example there is in the reign of +_Baasha_, who could not by all his vigilance prevent many from casting +off his government; 2 Chron. xv, 9. Again, there is an express example +of _Elisha's_ disowning the king of _Israel_, even when the civil +society owned him; 2 Kings, iii, 14, 15. He did not regulate his conduct +by providence, and the will of the people, but, in opposition to both, +refused him that honor that is due to all that are really kings. To +these may be added that notable example of _Libnah_, a city of the +priests, who could not but have knowledge by the law of their God what +was their duty; 2 Chron. xxi, 10. Here is an instance of a people's +casting off allegiance to a king, properly because of his apostasy and +intolerable wickedness, whereby they bore testimony against him, and +discovered what was the duty of the whole nation, on account of his +apostasy from the Lord. Their so doing was a most positive, actual and +express condemnation, both of _Jehoram_ for his wickedness, and of the +people for concurring, joining with him, and strengthening his hands in +it (even as _Noah_ by his faith and obedience is said to have condemned +the antediluvian world; Heb. ix, 7.) And this their conduct and +testimony the Spirit of God justifies, and records to their honor. These +few of many that might be adduced, declare the impudence, as well as +fallacy and imposture of _Seceders_ in this matter, and also justify the +principles which they maliciously nick-name the anti-government scheme; +and that for no other reason, but because it establishes the ordinance +of magistracy among a people favored by God with divine revelation, upon +his preceptive will, in opposition to their anarchical notions of +setting it wholly upon the tottering basis of the corrupt will of man. +And, to conclude this particular, how ridiculously absurd is it in them +to insinuate, that, in the examples above, or others to be found in +sacred history, those persons did, notwithstanding their own practice in +rejecting the authority of wicked rulers, still view it as the duty of +the rest of the nation, to acknowledge them? This is pure jargon and +nonsense, contrary both to reason and religion. By what law could the +opposite practices of those that disowned, and those that still +continued to own the authority of unlawful rulers, be justified? It +could not by the divine law, which never condemns that as sin in one, +which it approves as duty in others in the same circumstances. Seeing +therefore these, in the instances above, are justified, the practice of +those who continued to acknowledge the lawfulness of these wicked +rulers, must be regarded as condemned, both by the divine law, and also +by the practices of the above persons, which do all jointly concur in +witnessing, that they viewed it the duty of all the rest of the nation, +to have done as they did. And from the whole, it appears a commendable +duty for the Lord's people to disown the right and lawfulness of rulers +set up in contradiction to the divine law. + +9. The iniquity of attempting to destroy the necessary distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God in the matter of +magistracy, appears from God's express disallowance of some whom +providence had actually exalted to the supreme command over a people; +_Ezek._ xxi, 27: "I will overturn, &c." Although this may have an +ultimate respect to Christ, yet it has also a reference to the rightful +governors of _Judah_, when disposessed of their right by the +providential will of God. And here the Lord threatens the execution of +his judgments upon the unjust possessor. See also _Amos_ vi, 13; _Hab._ +ii, 5, 6; _Nah._ iii, 4, 5; and _Matth._ xxvi, 52. By all which it +appears, that the supreme lawgiver states a real difference between +those who are only exalted by the providential will of GOD, and not +authorized by his preceptive will; and therefore it is impossible that +the office and authority of them both can equally arise from, and agree +to the precept. Again, in _Hos._ viii, 4, "They have set up kings, but +not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not," is this +distinction showed, as with the brightness of a sun-beam, so that he +that runs may read it. The LORD by his prophet here charges this people +with horrid apostasy, in changing both the ordinances of the magistracy +and the ministry, particularly, although the LORD commanded, if they +would set up kings, they should set up none but whom he chose; _Deut._ +xvii, 15. Yet they had no regard to his law. This charge seems to have +respect to the civil constitution among the ten tribes after their +revolt from the house of David; not simply charging their revolt on +them, but that after their secession, they did not consult GOD, nor act +according to his precept, in their setting up of kings. As nothing can +happen in the world, but by the course of providence; and as all things +are known unto GOD, in respect of his omniscience, the text cannot +respect either of these. The true import of the charge then is, they +have set up kings, but not according to the law and preceptive will of +GOD; and therefore he neither did nor would approve either them or their +kings. Hence the prophet charges this as one cause of their national +destruction. Here then it is undeniably evident that GOD himself +establishes that distinction pleaded for; and it is therefore most +wicked to assert, as _Seceders_ do, that it is altogether groundless and +absurd. Again, this text discovers, that all kings that are set up and +acknowledged by civil society, are not agreeable to the preceptive will +of GOD, or, as such, approven by him, as they have falsely asserted: for +here the LORD declares, that _Israel_ had set up kings that were not +agreeable to his precept: and the charge respects their authority, the +very deed of constitution. To say then, that all providential +magistrates are also preceptive, is directly to give the GOD of truth +the lie. Moreover, this plainly intimates, that all such providential +magistrates as are not set up in agreeableness to the precept; are +disallowed and condemned by GOD, and therefore GOD commands to put away +the carcasses of such kings, as, because of the blind consent of civil +society, were little better than adored by the people, _Ezek_. xliii, 9, +"that he might dwell in the midst of them forever;" and therefore he +declares it the sin, and so the cause of the people's ruin, as in the +above text: and also in _Hos._ v, 11, "_Ephraim_ is oppressed;" because +he willingly walked after the commandment, deliberately and implicitly +followed every wicked ruler set up by civil society. It is but a +perverting and abusing the above text, to plead that it is only a +condemnation of _Israel_, for not consulting the LORD in making choice +of their kings, but no condemnation of them for setting them up, and +acknowledging them, in contradiction to the LORD'S choice, as plainly +laid before them in his preceptive will. And it is very contradictory, +to acknowledge it a sin, not to consult God, and yet to assert that it +is a matter of indifference as to the validity of their office, whether +his counsel be followed or not, which it must be, if, as their principle +bears, the being of the magistrate's office and authority is equally +good and valid, when contrary, as when agreeable to the commanding will +of God. But if, as is granted, it be a sin not to consult God in the +choice of magistrates, it must needs be a great aggravation thereof, +after consulting him, to reject and contemn his counsel, and openly +contradict his positive command, by constituting kings in opposition to +his declared will, which is evidently the sin charged upon _Israel_, and +the reason why he disclaims all such; and therefore, according to that +known and approven rule, that wherever any sin is forbidden and +condemned in scripture, there the contrary duty is commanded and +commended; it follows, that the setting up of rulers, in opposition to +the express command of God, being here condemned, the contrary duty is +commended, namely, a disowning of all such rulers; for, if it be a sin +to set up rulers, and not by God, it must also be a sin to acknowledge +them when so set up, in regard it is a continuing in, and approving of +the sin of that wicked erection; although such an acknowledgment may +indeed be agreeable to their principle, which gives to the creature a +prerogative above the Creator. From the whole it may already appear, +what reason the Presbytery have for testifying against _Seceders_, for +maintaining such a corrupt doctrine; a doctrine, which they very justly +acknowledge (p. 87) cannot be established, but by the overthrow of this +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God; a +distinction, that as they shall never be able to overturn by all their +impotent and impious attacks: so it will to all ages stand as a strong +bulwark, inviolably defending the truth here contended for by the +Presbytery. + +4. The Presbytery testify against this anti-government principle of the +_Secession_, as being contradictory to, and inconsistent with the +reformation principles, and covenanted obligations, whereby these +nations, in agreeableness to the law of God, bound themselves to +maintain all the ordinances of God in their purity, according to their +original institution in the scriptures of truth. The Seceding scheme (as +has been noticed formerly) is, that whomsoever the bulk of the nation, +or body politic, set up, and providence proves auspicious and favorable +to, is the lawful magistrate, to be owned and submitted to for +conscience sake. The inconsistency of which tenet with reformation +principles, may appear from viewing and comparing therewith the +coronation oath, _James VI, Parl._ 1, _cap._ 8, where it is ordained as +a condition _sine qua non_, that all kings, princes, and magistrates, +shall at their installment solemnly swear to maintain the true religion +of Jesus Christ, and oppose all false religions. So also _James VI, +Parl. 1, cap._ 9th, which ordains, that no person may be a judge or +member of any court that professes not the true religion. Also _Charles +I_, _Parl._ 2, _sess_ 2d, _Act._ 14, it is ordained, that before the +king be admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall give +satisfaction to the kingdom anent the security of religion: and so the +same parliament, _Act_ 15th, 1649, express themselves (referring to the +coronation oath above mentioned): "The estates of parliament judging it +necessary, that the prince and people be of one perfect religion, +appoint, that all kings and princes, who shall reign or bear rule within +this realm, shall at the receipt of their princely authority, solemnly +swear to observe in their own persons, and to preserve the religion, as +it is presently established and professed. And they ordain, that before +the king's majesty who now is, or any of his successors, shall be +admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall, by and attour the +foresaid oath, declare by his solemn oath, under his hand and seal, his +allowance of the National Covenant, and of the Solemn League and +Covenant, and obligation to prosecute the ends thereof in his station +and calling; and that he shall consent, and agree to acts of parliament, +enjoining the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully establishing +Presbyterian government, the Directory for worship, Confession of Faith, +and Catechisms approved by the General Assembly of this kirk, and +parliament of this kingdom--and that he shall observe these in his own +practice and family,--and shall never make opposition to any of these, +or endeavor any change thereof. Likeas, the estates of parliament +discharge all the lieges and subjects of this kingdom to procure or +receive from his majesty any commissions or gifts whatsoever, until his +majesty shall give satisfaction, as said is, under the pain of being +censured in their persons and estates, as the parliament shall judge +fitting. And if any such commissions or gifts be procured or received by +any of the subjects before such satisfaction, the parliament declares +and ordains all such and all that shall follow thereupon, to be void and +null." And the same session, _Act_ 26th, it is in short ordained, that +none shall bear any place of public trust in the nation, but such as +have the qualifications God requires in his word. Thus, in the prefatory +part of the act, they say, "The estates of parliament taking into +consideration, that the Lord our God requires that such as bear charge +among his people, should be able men, fearing God, hating covetousness, +and dealing truly: and that many of the evils of sin and punishment, +under which the land groans, have come to pass, because hitherto they +have not been sufficiently provided and cared for," &c. (And afterward +in the statutory part), "Do therefore ordain, that all such as shall be +employed in any place of power and trust in this kingdom, shall not only +be able men, but men of known affection unto, and of approved fidelity +and integrity in the cause of God, and of a blameless Christian +conversation," &c. To the same purpose, _Act_ 11th, _Parl._ 2d, _Sess._ +3d, entitled _act for purging the army_. See also the coronation oath, +of _Scotland_, as subscribed by _Charles II_, at _Scoon_, 1650. All +which, and many other fundamental laws of the like nature, made in time +of reformation, show the principles of our reformers to have been quite +different from those of _Seceders_ anent civil government: and that to +constitute lawful magistrates, they must of necessity have scriptural +and covenant qualifications, besides the consent of the people. With +what face then can they pretend to have adopted a testimony for +reformation principles, and to be of the same principles with our late +reformers? The vanity of this pretense will further appear, by comparing +their principles with the Solemn League and Covenant, with every article +of which they are inconsistent. They profess the moral obligation of the +covenants, and yet at the same time maintain the lawfulness of every +providential government, whether popish or prelatic, if set up by the +body politic. But how opposite this to the _first_ article, obliging +constantly to endeavor the preservation of the reformed religion? Can it +be consistent therewith, to commit the government of the nations to a +sworn enemy to the reformation? or, with that sincerity which becomes +the professors of Christ, to plead the lawfulness of an authority raised +upon the overthrow of the reformed religion? No less opposite is it to +the _second_ article, which obliges, and that without respect of +persons, to endeavor the extirpation of popery, prelacy--to maintain and +plead for the lawfulness of that which establishes or supports prelacy +or popery in the nations. This appears rather like a sincere endeavor in +them to promote whatever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of +true godliness; and that, because an apostate people approves thereof, +contrary to _Exod._ xxiii, 2: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do +evil." Again, the _third_ article binds to preserve the rights of +parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms, and the king's authority +in the preservation and defense of the true religion. But how +inconsistent is it therewith, to own and defend an authority that in its +constitution and habitual series of administration, is destructive of +all these precious and valuable interests? It is full of contradiction, +and a mocking both of God and the world, to pretend to own and defend +the destroyers of the true religion, in the defense of religion, as +_Seceders_ do in their mock acknowledgment of such as are sworn to +maintain Prelacy, in opposition to the reformed religion. The +contradictoriness of this principle of theirs to the _fourth_ article, +needs no illustration. Again, the owning of an authority, which is +reared up and stands upon the footing of the destruction of the +covenanted union, and uniformity of the nations in religion can never be +consistent with the _fifth_, article, which binds, to an endeavoring, +that these kingdoms may remain conjoined in that firm covenanted union +to all posterity. In like manner, as the _sixth_ article obliges to a +defending of all that enter into that League and Covenant, and never to +suffer ourselves to be divided, and make defection to the contrary part; +it must be a manifest contradiction thereto, not only to defend such as +are enemies to that covenant, but even in their opposition thereto. And +it is a making defection to the contrary part, and from that cause and +covenant with a witness, to plead the lawfulness of the national +constitution, which is established upon the ruins of a covenanted work +of reformation, as _Seceders_ do; whose principle and practice, in +opposition to what is professed in the conclusion of the covenant, as +well as what was the very design of entering into it, is, instead of a +going before others, in the example of a real reformation, a corrupting +of the nations more and more, and going before them in the example of a +real apostasy and defection from the reformation, so solemnly sworn to +be maintained in this covenant; and a teaching of them to appoint +themselves a captain, to return to their anti-christian bondage. + +Upon the whole, as the Presbytery ought to testify against this new +scheme of principles, respecting the ordinance of magistracy; they +therefore, upon all the grounds formerly laid down, did, and hereby do +declare, testify against, and condemn the same, as what is, indeed, a +new and dangerous principle, truly anti-government, introductory of +anarchy and confusion, of apostasy and defection from the covenanted +work of reformation, the principles by which it was carried on and +maintained, and acts and laws, by which it was fenced and established; +and what is flatly opposite to, and condemned by the word of divine +revelation, in many express and positive precepts, and approven +examples, agreeable thereto, as well as by our solemn national +covenants, founded upon, and agreeable to the said word of divine +revelation. And finally, let this be further observed, that as it was a +beautiful branch of our glorious reformation, that the civil government +of this nation was modeled agreeable to the word of God; and that the +right of regal government was constituted, bounded and fixed by an +unalterable law, consonant to the word of God, and sworn to be +inviolably preserved both by king and people: so the _Associate +Brethren_, by their doctrine on this head, which is inconsistent with +our uncontroverted establishment, and fundamental laws, excluding from +the throne all papists and prelatists, have counteracted a most +important point of the covenanted reformation, and opened a wide door to +_Jacobitism_. For, if every one is bound to acknowledge implicitly any +government, in fact, that prevails: then, if a party in these nations +should rise up, and set a _popish_ pretender on the throne, according to +their doctrine, all should be obliged to subject to him; and it would be +sinful to impugn the lawfulness of his authority, although that, by +being popish, he is destitute of the essential qualifications required +of a king, not only by the word of God, but by the national constitution +and laws, in order to make him a lawful sovereign to these nations. + +2. The Presbytery testify against the Associate Presbytery, now called +Synod, for their wronging, perverting and misapplying the blessed +scriptures of truth in many texts, in order to support their erroneous +tenet: namely, that the word of God requires no qualifications as +essential to the being of a lawful Christian magistrate: but that +whosoever are set up, and while they continue to be acknowledged by +civil society, are lawful magistrates, though destitute of scripture +qualifications, and acting in a manifest opposition to the revealed will +and law of God. + +The texts of scripture used by them, do prove this general proposition, +viz., That it is the duty of the people of God to obey and submit to +lawful rulers in their lawful commands: and that it is utterly unlawful +and sinful to oppose such lawful authority. But none of these texts +quoted by them, prove, that it is the duty of the people of God, blessed +with the knowledge of his revealed will, to submit to, and obey, for +conscience sake, an authority that is sinful, and opposite to the +revealed will of God, both in its constitution and general course of +administration. Nor do they prove, that a prelatical, Erastian or popish +government, is a lawful government, either expressly, or by right of +necessary consequence, over a people, who either do, collectively +considered as a church and nation, or are bound to profess all the parts +of the true religion, and to maintain all the divine ordinances in their +purity: nor do they prove, that any can be lawful rulers over these +Christian and covenanted nations, who want the essential qualifications +required by the word of God, the covenants, and fundamental laws of the +kingdoms: or that it is sinful in the people of God, to say so much, in +testifying against the joint and national apostasy from God and the +purity of religion. Particularly, + +The first text they adduce is, _Prov._ xxvi, 21: "My son, fear, thou the +Lord and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change." +It is granted, that this scripture enjoins all those duties that, in a +consistency with the fear of the Lord, a people owe to their rightful +kings. But nothing can be more absurd, than to extend the command to all +that bear the name of kings, who are acknowledged by a nation as kings, +and while they do so own them, though their constitution should be most +anti-christian, and they justly chargeable with unparalleled evils not +only in their private character, but in their public conduct: be they +idolaters, adulterers, blasphemers, sabbath-breakers, murderers, +invaders, and avowed usurpers of the throne, crown and scepter, and +incommunicable prerogatives of Christ, the glorious King of Zion, +setting themselves in the temple of God, and exalting themselves above +all that is called God, by dispensing with his laws, and, in place +thereof, substituting their own wicked laws, whereby they establish +iniquity, and enjoin, under severe penalties, the profanation of the +name, day and ordinances of the Lord. This command must certainly be +understood in a consistency with the duty and character of one that is +resolved to be an inhabitant of the Lord's holy hill, _Psal._ xv, "In +whose eyes a vile person is contemned." It must be consistent with the +fear of the Lord, which can stand very well with a fearing and honoring +all who are really kings; but a flat contradiction thereto, to fear +every vile person, because it is the will of civil society to set him up +in the character of king. Till therefore Seceders prove, either that +kings are under no obligation to obey the law of God themselves, and so +not liable to its sanction and penalty, in case of disobedience; or +then, that the favor and approbation of civil society can justify a +dispensing with the law of God, they will never be able to prove from +this, nor any other text, that such as are guilty of any crime declared +capital in the word of truth have a right and title to that fear, honor +and obedience, that is due to lawful kings, even though they are +acknowledged by civil society. And so this text makes nothing for, but +against their darling tenet; and their explication thereof is evidently +a wresting of scripture, making it speak in their favor, contrary to the +scope and meaning of the Holy Spirit therein. And their inviduous +insinuation, that all who differ from their opinion, do likewise depart +from the fear of the Lord, is but a further evidence of their abuse of +scripture, while it is at the same time utterly false. See Mr. Knox's +history, p. 422, 1st _Book of Discipline, cap._ 10, 11. + +A _second_ text abused, for supporting their forementioned principle, is +_Eccles._ x, 4: "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave +not thy place, for yielding pacifieth great offenses." As formerly, so +here they assert, that this text refers to any rulers presently +acknowledged by the civil society, and that the rising of the ruler's +spirit must be understood as groundless, and so sinful, and necessarily +comprehends any wrath or wrong that a subject may meet with unjustly at +the ruler's hand, upon personal or religious accounts. That yet, +notwithstanding, the subject (in the use of lawful endeavors for his own +vindication) must continue in subjection and obedience to the ruler, in +lawful commands, while the civil state continues to acknowledge him; and +this, as the only habile mean of convincing the ruler of his error, and +preventing further evils. + +But, as the reason which they there allege, does not necessarily +conclude and prove this rising of spirit in the ruler to be sinful; so +the whole of their application and gloss built upon it, is invalidated; +and, moreover, is a condemnation of the principles and practice of our +reformers, and sufferers for the cause and truths of Christ, in the late +times, when they left their place of subjection, and took up arms in +defense of their religion, liberties and lives. + +Their explication is also self inconsistent; for, if this rising of +spirit necessarily comprehends any wrath or wrong, on personal or +religious accounts, then there must be a yielding, or keeping the place +of subjection, not only in lawful commands, but in all matters, whether +lawful or not; otherwise, this yielding cannot be supposed to answer the +end designed. For though a subject should yield in all other +particulars, yet, unless he also yield in that particular, on which the +rising of the ruler's spirit is grounded, his yielding cannot pacify the +ruler's wrath. So all the subjection, they contend, the sufferers gave, +particularly in the beginning of the late persecution, to the then +rulers, did not, nor could, pacify their wrath, because they would not +give up with their conscience and all religion, which was the very +foundation of the rising of his spirit against them; though, according +to their explication of the text, this was what they should have done, +and so have pacified the ruler's wrath. It is but a mere shift to tell +the world, that it is only in lawful matters they are to yield; the +yielding must surely correspond to the rising of the spirit spoken of. +But with such deceitful shifts are they forced to cover over a doctrine, +which, if presented in its native dress, would not meet with such ready +reception. But in opposition to their strained interpretation of the +text, the ruler must be understood a lawful ruler, who is the minister +of God for good--one who has not only moral abilities for government, +but also a right to govern. And as a subject may be keeping his place of +subjection to a righteous ruler, and yet be guilty, in his private or +public character, of what gives just offense, and occasions the ruler's +spirit justly, and so not sinfully, to rise against him--thus, one may +be guilty of many criminal mismanagements in the discharge of his public +trust, guilty of profaning the name of God or his day, or of riot, +excessive drinking, &c, without having any thought of casting off the +authority of his ruler--so, when a person has hereby provoked the spirit +of his ruler, this divine precept teaches the party offending not to +aggravate his offense, by attempting (though able) to make good his +part, or rebel against his sovereign, but to yield, acknowledge his +guilt and trespass, and submit to such punishments as the lawful ruler +shall justly inflict, according to the degree and quality of the +offense; whereby only, the ruler will be satisfied. Agreeable to this, +is that parallel text, _Eccles._ viii, 2, 3: "I counsel thee to keep the +king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God: Be not hasty +to go out of his sight; stand not in an evil thing." On the whole, it +must be a great abuse of Scripture, to wrest a divine precept, which +directs subjects to submit to such punishments as their lawful ruler +shall justly lay them under for their offenses, to the support of this +anti-scriptural notion, viz., that every wicked person, whom the +majority of a nation advances to the supreme rule, is the minister of +God, to whom obedience is due, under pain of eternal damnation, as is +done with this text. + +A _third_ scripture, perverted to support the above principle, is _Luke_ +xx, 25: "Render therefore to _Caesar_ the things which be _Caesar's_, +and unto God the things which be God's." From this, _Seceders_ imagine +strongly to fortify their cause. But, from a just view of the text, it +will appear, that the answer given by Christ contains no acknowledgment +of _Caesar's_ title to tribute, or of his authority as lawful. It is +beyond doubt, that the question was captious, and that the design of the +Scribes and Pharisees, in proposing it to Christ, was to have him +ensnared in his words. This they thought themselves sure of, whether he +should answer positively or negatively. For if positively, and so +recognize and acknowledge _Caesar's_ title, then they would have +occasion to accuse him to the people, as an enemy to the laws, liberty +and honor, of the _Jewish_ nation. This is evident from ver. 26: "And +they could not take hold of his words before the people." And then, if +he should deny that it was lawful, they would have an opportunity or +pretense of delating and delivering him to the _Roman_ governor, as an +enemy to _Caesar_. They seem, however, to have been confident, that he +who taught the way of God in truth, without regard to any, would never +inculcate it as a duty for them to give tribute to _Caesar_, subjection +to whom, as their lawful governor, for conscience sake, was so contrary +to the divine law given to the _Jews_, respecting their magistrates; and +if so, they would not miss of sufficient accusation against him. But +here infinite wisdom shone forth, in giving such an answer as declared +their wisdom to be but folly, and at once disappointed all their +malicious hopes; an answer which left _Caesar's_ claim unresolved, as to +any positive determination whether it belonged to him or not. The +question is in direct terms. Our Lord does not directly answer to the +question, in the terms proposed by the wicked spies. He neither +expressly says it is lawful or unlawful to pay it, but gave his answer +in such terms as they could not from it form an accusation against him, +either to the people or to the governor. He, in general, teaches to give +_Caesar_ all things that, by the law of God, were due to him; at the +same time enjoining them that, under pretense of giving to men their +demands, they rob not God of what was his due, namely, a conscientious +regard to all the laws he had given them, and universal obedience to all +his commands, without regard to persons of any station. And it is +certain, that _Caesar_ was a proud, aspiring, idolatrous and bloody +usurper (like the king of _Babylon_, Hab. ii, 5, for which causes the +Lord denounces fearful wrath and judgments against him, Hab. ii, 7-14), +having no other right to the most part of his dominions, than the Lord's +providential disposal, which sometimes makes "the tabernacles of robbers +prosper; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly;" Job xii, 6. "And for +their sins gives _Jacob_ to the spoil, and _Israel_ to the robbers;" +Isa. xiii, 24. "And giveth power to the beast, to continue forty and two +months, and to have power over all nations;" Rev. xiii, 5, 7. So that, +by looking into the divine law, which determines every one's due, +according to their just character, and of which they could not be +ignorant, they might see that he had a just title to all that was due to +an usurper, idolater and murderer. That the _Jewish_ coin did bear +_Caesar's_ image, could be no evidence of his being their lawful +sovereign, seeing it is most common for the greatest usurpers and +tyrants to stamp their image upon the coin of the nations they tyrannize +over. And though it be granted that the _Jews_ had, by this time, +consented to _Caesar's_ usurpation, yet that could not legitimate his +title, nor warrant their subjection to him for conscience sake, seeing +they could not consent to his authority, but in express contradiction to +the many plain and positive scripture precepts, given by God unto them, +as has been seen above. It is, therefore, violence done to the text (as +also opposite to the sentiments of some eminent divines on the place), +to say that it contains a command to pay tribute to _Caesar_; and it +would appear from Luke xxiii, 2, that the _Jews_ themselves did not +understand it so. It may be further observed, that this is not the only +instance where our Lord, in infinite wisdom, declined to give direct +answers to the ensnaring questions of his malicious enemies. See John +viii, 3-12; Matth. xxi, 23-28; John xviii, 19-21, where are questions of +a similar nature, proposed with the same hellish intention, and all +answered by him in like manner. In each of which, _Seceders_ might, on +as good ground as in the answer to the question anent tribute, say that +Christ did shift and dissemble the truth. But the least insinuation of +such a charge cannot be made from any of these answers, without the +greatest blasphemy. + +A _fourth_ text used by them for maintaining their erroneous scheme, is +Rom. xiii, 1-8. Without animadverting upon every part of their +explication of this place of holy writ, it is sufficient to observe: 1. +That the power here spoken of by the apostle, is not a _physical_, but a +_moral_ power; a power that is lawful and warranted, in regard of +matter, person, title or investiture. A legitimacy in each of these must +go to the making of a moral power; and an illegitimacy in any of these +is an illegitimacy in the very being and constitution, and so a nullity +to the power as moral, a making it of no authority. As the text speaks +only of this moral power, so it excludes every unlawful power (see Mr. +_Gee_ on magistracy, on this text). 2. That the _being_ of God, or the +ordination God here spoke of, is not a being of God _providentially_ +only, but such a _being of_ God as contains in it his institution and +appointment, by the warrant of his law and precept; so that the +magistrates to whom the apostle enjoins obedience, are such as are set +up according to the preceptive ordination and will of God, as is evinced +not only by the author referred to above, and other divines, but what +sufficiently appears from the context, where the subjection enjoined, +and resistance forbidden, with their respective reasons, are what can +only be spoken with respect to powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God. Again, by considering the office and duty of the powers, and the +end of their ordination, as described, ver. 3, 4, which by no means +agree to any but those moral powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God, it appears a manifest abuse of this text, to apply it to every one +advanced by providence to the place of supreme rule, not only without +any regard, but in direct opposition to the preceptive will of God. It +is most absurd and self-contradictory in professed testimony bearers for +a covenanted reformation, to apply this text in a way of pleading the +lawfulness of an Erastian, anti-christian constitution, that is +destitute of all those qualifications already mentioned (and always +included in the scriptural definition of a lawful magistrate), as +necessary to constitute a moral power, viz., in regard of matter, +person, title or investiture, &c. But of the power which they so +zealously plead for, the matter is unlawful, being Erastian, partly +civil, partly ecclesiastical, by the united constitution. The person +invested with this supreme power, is one who is declared incapable, by +the fundamental laws and covenanted constitution of the nations; the +manner of investiture, and terms on which the crown is held, sinful--the +constitution being in an immediate opposition to the unalterable +constitution of the kingdom of the _Messias_, and founded on the +destruction of the covenanted reformation. And it may be added, that it +is unlawful, as to the exercise and application of it, which has been +all along in opposition to all _true_ religion, and a grievous +oppression of the church, the kingdom of Christ, in the liberties +thereof. And it must be so; for the tree must be made good, before the +fruit can be such. By all which it appears, there is a nullity in the +power as moral, being so very opposite to the revealed will of God. And +from what is said, it is obvious that this scripture gives no +countenance to their corrupt scheme, but furnishes with strong arguments +against it. + +A _fifth_ scripture adduced is, Titus iii, 1: "Put them in mind to be +subject to principalities and powers," &c. As _Seceders_ apply this text +to the same purpose, and explain it in the same manner, as they have +done those others above mentioned, so what is already said is sufficient +to discover the deceit of their use and explication thereof. The powers +and magistrates the apostle requires subjection to, are only such as are +so in a moral sense; none but such are accounted powers and magistrates +in the sense of the text. The apostle must mean the same powers here he +describes in Rom. xiii, 1-3, &c., otherwise he contradicts himself, +which must not be admitted; and the powers he there speaks of, are moral +powers, i.e., such as have not only proper abilities for government and +rule, but also a right of constitution, impowering them to use their +abilities for that purpose. How can one be expected or said to be the +_minister_ of God _for good_, or a _terror to evil doers, and a praise +to them that do well_, if he is so disposed and inclined, as to love +that which is evil, and hate that which is good, and so actually is a +praise to evil doers, and a terror to such as do well? To suppose any +such thing, is to overthrow the universally established connection +between cause and effect, the means and the end. And so much (namely, +that the powers there spoken of are moral powers), _Seceders_ are forced +to grant in their explication of Rom. xiii. Say they, "The text speaks +only of powers in a moral sense." And this concession at once destroys +their scheme, and confirms what the Presbytery plead for, namely, that +none are lawful powers but such as are so according to the preceptive +will of God in his word; which certainly, in the judgment of all _who +would deal reverently with the oracles of God_, is, in this case, a rule +far preferable "to the remainders of natural light, in the moral +dictates of right reason," from which _Seceders_ fetch the institution +of this divine ordinance of magistracy, and on which they settle it, as +on (what they call) "the natural and eternal law of God;" preferring +that to the plain, perfect and complete, revelation of God's will in his +word. + +The _last_ text used by them, is, 1 Pet. ii, 13 to 17, the import of +which, they say, is, that all who have a constitution by consent of the +civil society, are to be subjected to for the Lord's sake, as having an +institution from him: and that, however seldom they were inclined or +employed in the discharge of the duties proper to their office. It may +suffice to observe, that while the apostle is here speaking, as in the +above texts, of moral powers, as above described, it is evident, that by +_every ordinance of man_, can only be meant the different kinds and +forms of civil government, and governors set up by men, to each of which +the apostle exhorts to a submission, providing, that in the setting up +of these, they acted agreeably to the general laws and rules appointed +by God in his word, both respecting the constitution of government, and +the qualifications of governors. Then, as they bear the stamp of divine +authority, they were to be submitted to for the Lord's sake. But what +manifest abuse of scripture is it, to allege with them that the inspired +apostle exhorts to submit to every monster of iniquity, if only set up +by the civil society, though perhaps guilty of a number of crimes that +by the law of God, and laws of men founded thereon, are punishable by a +severe death? Sure, such can never have a title to that obedience which +is due to the ordinance of God, who have not so much as a title to live +upon the earth. Moreover, let it be considered, that in the above cited +texts, the spirit of God enjoins either that obedience and subjection +that is due to lawful magistrates, or that subjection only which is for +a time, by an extraordinary and special command, such as Jer. xxix, 7, +given to conquerors and usurpers, having no right but what is +providential. If the first, then they cannot intend any but those moral +powers who are said to be of God, in respect of his approbative and +preceptive will. If the last, then these texts are not the rule of +obedience to lawful rulers, who are set up qualified, and govern +according to the law of God. But that these texts can only be understood +of the first, is evident from this, that in them not only is the office, +duty and end of the civil magistrate as particularly described, as the +obedience and subjection commanded; but the one is made the foundation, +ground, and reason of, and inseparably connected with the other. And +therefore it was, that the renowned witnesses for Christ and his +interest, contended so much for reformation in the civil magistracy and +magistrate, in an agreeableness to the original institution of that +ordinance, and endured so great opposition on that account. + +To conclude this: as it is evident these texts give no countenance to +the corrupt scheme of _Seceders_, but always suppose the power, to which +subjection and obedience for conscience sake is enjoined to be lawful, +in regard of matter, person, title, &c. So the Presbytery cannot but +testify against them for perverting and wresting the scriptures of +truth, to a favoring of their anarchical and anti-scriptural tenet, and +for their so stiffly and tenaciously pleading for avowed apostasy and +defection (which is the whole scope and amount of their declared scheme +of politics), viz., that it is lawful for posterity to turn back to +where their forefathers were, giving up with many precious truths, and +further attainments in reformation, valuable and necessary, acquired at +the expense of much zeal, faithfulness and treasure, and handed down to +us, sealed by the spirit of God upon the souls of his people, as his +work and cause; and on public scaffolds and high places of the field, +with the dearest blood of multitudes of Christ's faithful witnesses, who +loved not their lives unto the death. And this, in express contradiction +to the land's solemn covenant engagements to the Lord, for maintaining +and holding fast that whereunto we had attained. For notwithstanding all +the regard and deference _Seceders_ profess to the covenants and +reformation principles, they are, all the while, directly pleading in +defense of the same cause, advancing the same arguments to support it, +and likewise giving the same corrupt and perverted explication of the +above texts of scripture, that the merciless and bloody murderers and +persecuters did, in the late tyrannous times, in their stated opposition +to the cause and interest of glorious Christ, together with the indulged +who took part with them, in opposing the kingdom and subjects of Zions +exalted King. And as [pity it is] _Seceders_ have pleaded the cause of +malignants, and, rubbing the rust from their antiquated arguments, have +presented them with a new lustre; so the Presbytery, in opposition +thereto, are satisfied to plead the same cause, with the same arguments +and to understand these scriptures in the same sense as was done by the +witnesses for reformation, whom the Lord honored to seal his truths with +their blood, as is sufficiently confirmed from the Cloud of Witnesses; +where their concurring testimonies are harmoniously stated, upon their +disowning the authority of the then anti-christian and Erastian +government, even when acknowledged by the bulk and body of the nation, +both civil and ecclesiastical. Whence also it is evident, that the +persecution was not the cause of their casting off that authority; but +that authority's assuming and usurping the royal prerogatives of Christ, +the church's Head, was the cause of their disowning it; and then their +refusing to acknowledge foresaid authority, was the cause of all their +persecution. + +3. The Presbytery testify against foresaid Associates, on account of +their corruption in worship; particularly, in the duty of prayer, both +as practiced by their ministers, and by them enjoined upon their people. + +Wherein, in an inconsistency with a faithful testimony against the +declared enemies of the church's head and king, they affect to express a +superlative loyalty unto the prelatic possessors of power, not much +differing from the forms imposed upon, and observed by the Erastian +church. The Presbytery acknowledge it duty to pray for all men, in the +various stations of life, as sinners lost, of the ruined family of Adam, +standing absolutely in need of a Savior, that they may be saved and come +to the knowledge of the truth; as is enjoined, _Tim._ ii, 1, 2. Which +yet must not be understood in an unlimited sense, but with submission to +the will of God, if they belong to the election of grace. Nay, they +acknowledge it indispensable duty, as to pray, that the church may +obtain such kings and queens, as shall he nursing fathers and mothers, +according to the Lord's gracious promise; so, when such are granted to +them, it is their duty to make prayers and supplications, in a +particular manner, for them. But it is no less than an abuse of +scripture, and flat contradiction to many promises and threatenings, to +extend foresaid command to every person without distinction whom +providence advances to the supreme rule over the people of God, in a way +of acknowledging their authority as lawful, and of praying for success +and prosperity to them (as Seceders do), to pray for success unto, and +the continuance of wicked rulers, that are enemies to the Lord, and +usurpers of his crown, and such whom the Lord in anger against a people +for their sins, may send as a special punishment upon them, and from +whom he has promised deliverance unto his people, as a peculiar +blessing, is no less than the slighting of the promises, and deriding of +threatenings, and in reality, is a taking part with God's enemies, +against him and his cause. As it is impossible, sincerely to pray for +the coming of Christ's kingdom, and advancement thereof, without also, +as a necessary mean conducive thereto, to pray for the downfall and +destruction of all his enemies, as such, whatever be their place and +station (which is not at all inconsistent with praying for their +salvation, as lost sinners); seeing Jesus Christ no less effectually +destroys his enemies, when he makes them to bow in a way of willing +subjection to the scepter of his law and grace, than when he breaks them +in pieces with his iron rod of wrath; so, how self-contradictory is it +in _Seceders_, to pray for the coming of Christ's mediatory kingdom; +and, at the same time to pray for the success and preservation of one, +in his kingly character, who themselves acknowledge, has, in that +character, made grievous encroachments upon the royal prerogatives of +the Lord Jesus Christ, is an usurper of his crown, and therefore, in +that view, must be considered as an enemy to his kingdom? + +That the above is no false charge against _Seceders_, is witnessed by a +variety of their causes of fasting, concluding with such prayers, which +they have emitted, as well as by their daily practice: and particularly, +_Antiburgher Seceders_, have given a late recent proof of this; in what +they call, A solemn warning by the _Associate Synod_, &c. Which +unfaithful warning concludes with a self-contradictory form of prayer, +enjoined upon all under the inspection of said _Synod_. Among other +things, they "exhort all--the people under their inspection, to pour out +earnest and incessant supplications before the Lord, in a dependence +upon the merit and intercession of our great High-priest, that he +may--bring about a revival of our covenanted reformation,--removing all +the mountains which stand in the way; that he may abundantly bless our +sovereign king _George_, and the apparent heir of the crown,--blasting +all the plots or efforts of whatever enemies, open or secret,--against +the Protestant succession to the throne of these kingdoms in the family +of _Hanover_; that he may be gracious to the high courts of parliament, +in this and the neighboring island,--leading them to proper measures for +the honor of Christ; that he may hasten the enlargement of the +Mediator's kingdom," &c. + +On all which, let it suffice to observe, 1. That as in no part of this +prayer they make any exceptions against, so they must be understood +therein, approving of the constitution of the king, the establishment, +and limitation of the throne of these kingdoms in the _Hanoverian_ +family, as presently by law established: and also, approving of the +_British_ and _Irish_, parliaments, in their constitution as by law +established, though both of them grossly Erastian, and necessarily +connected with maintaining _English_ popish ceremonies, the whole +_English_ hierarchy, and civil places and power of churchmen; in +opposition to the word of God, reforming laws, and covenanted +constitutions of the nations. Hence, 2. This pattern of prayer must be +understood as containing earnest supplications to the Lord, that he may +continue and preserve an Erastian constitution, that he may perpetuate +the limited succession to the throne in the family of _Hanover_; and +that, in opposition to all attempts whatever, toward any change, however +much it might contribute to the glory of God, good of the church, and +revival of a covenanted reformation; and also, seems to include a desire +that, God may preserve and maintain a parliament in the nations, one of +the houses whereof, viz., the House of Peers, is composed partly of +_spiritual lords_, as essential members thereof,--an anti-christian +designation, a title and office, not to be found in the book of divine +revelation. So, 3. This prayer seems to suppose a consistency between +the preservation of all these, and the revival of a covenanted +reformation in these lands; and also that they, particularly a +parliament, thus anti-christian in its constitution, are proper +instruments for promoting the honor and declarative glory of Christ; +although the prelates, constituent members therein, are a generation of +men that were never yet known to have a vote for Christ's kingdom and +interest. And therefore, 4. This prayer consists of flat contradiction. +(1.) In regard the revival of a covenanted reformation, and the +flourishing of Christ's mediatory kingdom, nationally, must be attended +with the overthrow of all constitutions, civil and ecclesiastical, that +hinder and oppose the same; _Hag._ ii, 6, 7, and with the down bringing +of all the enemies thereof, from the height of their excellency. (2.) It +is a contradiction for them to pray, that the Lord would remove all the +mountains that stand in the way of the revival of our reformation; and +yet, at the same time, pray for the preservation and continuance of the +constitution, under which (as they themselves acknowledge, _Defense of +their Princ., page_ 51): "There is a mighty bar thrust into the way of +our covenanted reformation, both in church and state; yea, a gravestone +is laid, and established upon the same." (3.) It is a sinful and glaring +contradiction for _Seceders_ to rank an approbation of the _English_ +hierarchy among our public national sins and steps of defection (as they +do, page 53 of their pamphlet); and yet themselves persist and continue +in the same sin and guilt, homologating and approving the anti-christian +constitution of the _British_ and _Irish_ parliaments, by praying (like +their forefathers, in their fulsome address to _James_ the Papist) for +divine illumination and conduct to the Prelates in their civil places +and power, as necessary members there, as they do in this prayer of +theirs. Can such be supposed to be either truly sensible of sin, or +humbled for it, who, notwithstanding all their confessions, still +continue in the love and practice of it? But with such mock +acknowledgements (of which a variety of other instances might be given) +have they hitherto imposed on the generation. And so, 5. It is a prayer, +that in several parts thereof, has no scripture warrant, no foundation +in the promises of God. Particularly, on what scriptural warrant, what +promise, can _Seceders_ build their prayers for, or expectation of the +Lord's answering them, by blessing an Erastian government to themselves +or others, which being, in its constitution, contrary to the word of +God,--is such, that under it (as they grant, _ibid_, page 46), a people +cannot truly prosper in their civil concerns, nor be enriched with the +blessings of the gospel? From what scriptural promise are they warranted +to pray, that God may perpetuate the succession to the throne in any one +family, and especially, when that succession is circumscribed and +limited, in a way opposite to the laws of God, and mediatory kingdom of +Christ? and therefore, a prayer that cannot be made in faith, and so +cannot be acceptable to God in its complex form. No person can have +faith in the merit and intercession of Christ, for obtaining anything in +prayer, but what Christ has priorly merited, and does actually intercede +for. But it would savor too much of blasphemy, to apply some of the +particulars already noticed in this form of prayer, to the merit and +intercession of our _great High-priest_. Sure it cannot be thought, that +he makes intercession for the prosperity and success of his enemies, in +their stated opposition to his kingdom and interest in this world; +neither can it be consistent with fidelity to Christ, as a King, for his +professed subjects to pray for it. What a fearful trifling with God in +the duty of prayer, is it to pray that the Lord may bring down Popery +and Prelacy; and next breath to pray that the Lord may continue, +prosper, and preserve the Erastian head, and great bulwark of Prelacy? + +4. Again, the Presbytery testify against the Associate party for their +treachery in covenant. This is a sin that is in scripture, and even by +the common voice of mankind, declared very heinous; but which, by what +is already discovered anent said party, appears too, too justly +chargeable upon them. It is notorious, and what themselves boast much +of, that they professedly maintain the moral and perpetual obligation of +the covenants, both the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of _Scotland, England_, and _Ireland_, entered into +for reformation and defense of religion, and bringing the churches of +God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in +religion, according to the word of God. They also do in the most public +manner profess, that they are the only true faithful witnesses for a +covenanted reformation. But the consistency of such a profession with +maintaining principles that are diametrically opposite to these +covenants, and the cause of truth, sworn to in them (as has been made +evident they do) is altogether unintelligible. Is it possible +strenuously to maintain the lawfulness of a prelatical government +abjured in the covenants, and yet at the same time sincerely and +honestly, according to the profession made by the church, _Psal._ xliv, +17, 18, to contend for the moral obligation of the covenants, and the +work of reformation sworn to in them? But further, the necessity of +lifting up a testimony against _Seceders_ for their treachery and +unfaithfulness in the matter of the covenants, will appear by +considering that they, after making a very solemn profession of renewing +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three lands, in place of practicing accordingly, have, in +reality, made a new and very different bond or covenant, both in form +and substance, which they have not only sworn themselves, but also +imposed upon many honest people: and this as a renewing, nay, as the +only right way of renewing said covenants according to the +circumstances, of the times. That this bond entered into by _Seceders_ +(however good it may be, considered in an abstract sense) is not a +renovation of the national covenants, as they assert it to be, but a +treacherous and deceitful burying of these covenants, as to their sum +and substance, is abundantly evident from their industrious keeping out, +and omitting the most part of them out of their new and artificial bond. +Particularly, although they pretend to a renovation both of the National +and Solemn League and Covenant, yet they have almost entirely left out, +and passed over the National Covenant of _Scotland_; and satisfying +themselves with simply testifying against Popery, have omitted all the +particular errors, and branches thereof expressly contained in the +National Covenant. As to the Solemn League, of which they pretend their +bond is also a renovation, there is very little of it to be found +therein, as appears from a comparison of the one with the other. Thus +they have left out that remarkable and necessary clause in the first +Article, viz., "Against our common enemies:" and in place of endeavoring +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, as in said +article, there is an unintelligible clause or jumble of words brought +in, viz., to promote and advance our covenanted conjunction and +uniformity in religion, just as if that conjunction and uniformity had a +present existence (in its native and original state and form) in the +three lands; when, on the contrary, Presbytery is established in +_Scotland_, yet not on the footing of the word of God and the covenants, +and Episcopacy is established in _England_ and _Ireland_, in +contradiction to the word of God and the covenants. 2. They have kept +out that necessary clause in the 2d article, viz., "Without respect of +persons, endeavor the extirpation," &c, and instead thereof say, +"Testify against Popery and Prelacy;" where appears not only a +difference in expression, but a substantial difference. 3. They have +altogether omitted and kept out the 3d and 4th articles. 4. They have +kept out that material and necessary clause in the 5th article, viz., +"That justice may be done on the willful opposers thereof," in manner +expressed in the preceding article. 5. They have left out all the 6th +article, excepting these words: "We shall not give ourselves up to a +detestable neutrality and indifference in the cause of God." And 6. They +have wholly omitted that material paragraph of the conclusion of the +Solemn League. It is therefore evident, that the model of the covenants +agreed to by _Seceders_, is different in substance, as well as form, +from our ancient covenants; so that, under pretense of renovation, they +have made a new bond. + +But, again, that their pretended renovation is a real burying of the +covenanted reformation, appears from their overlooking, casting by, and +keeping out the National Covenant, as it was renewed in the year 1638, +and the Solemn League and Covenant, as renewed in the year 1648, and +going back to the years 1580 and 1581, as the pattern they propose to +follow in carrying on of their covenanted testimony. And what can be the +reason of this? Can it be, because Prelacy, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, were, by the explication and application of the +covenant, _anno_ 1638, expressly and explicitly condemned, while they +were formerly only implicitly, and by way of consequence? So they have +at least, by this step back, both tacitly condemned our reformers, of +giving themselves needless trouble in their explanation of the covenant, +as condemning and abjuring Episcopacy; and also, do overlook, despise, +and disgracefully bury the many advanced steps of reformation attained +to in these covenanted lands between 1638 and 1649 (particularly the +church of _Scotland's_ testimony against Prelacy) in which time +reformation arrived to a greater height of purity than ever was attained +in any foregoing period of this church and nation. However, whatever +their reasons were for so doing, that they have so done is clear, from +their act _Edinburgh, February_ 3d, 1743, where they conclude with a +_nota bene_, lest it should not otherwise have been observed that they +do so, and thereby declare their sin as _Sodom_, as if the publishing of +it would make an atonement for it. "N.B. Only the National Covenant, as +it was entered into, _annis_ 1580, 1581 (without the bond wherein it was +renewed _anno_ 1638) and the Solemn League and Covenant (without the +solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, _anno_ 1648), +are hereby prefixed unto the following act, agreeably unto the design of +said act": and for this they pretend the example of our reformers, +_anno_ 1638, who renewed the National Covenant by a new bond, in place +of that new bond wherewith it was renewed and sworn, 1590, which they +omitted--wherein their deceit and unfaithfulness is very obvious from +the following observations: 1. Hereby they have cast a most injurious +calumny and reproach upon our honored reformers, and in their pretending +to imitate their practice, in renovation of the covenants, are guilty of +a most dreadful and deceitful imposition on the generation; for though +our reformers did renew the covenants with a new bond, and perhaps very +seldom swear them without some additions, yet they never went back from +any part of reformation, espoused, and sworn to in the renovations that +were before them, under a pretense, that such points of reformation +formerly attained, were unsuitable, or not adapted to their +circumstances, as _Seceders_ have done. On the contrary, our reformers, +in all the different renovations of the covenants, not only included all +that was formerly attained to, binding themselves in strict adherence to +all the articles priorly in the oath and covenant of God (at the same +time solemnly acknowledging all former breaches thereof; and obliging +themselves, in the strength of grace to the performance of the contrary, +and consequential duties), but also, still went forward in explaining +and more explicitly applying the covenants against the sins of the day, +and more expressly binding themselves to the opposite duties, as is +clear from the bond wherewith our reformers renewed the covenants 1638, +and the solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, 1648; +both which the _Seceders_ have barefacedly cast by and exploded in their +alleged renovation of the covenants; whereby, as it is manifest that our +reformers always went forward to further degrees of reformation, so it +is no less manifest, that foresaid party acting contrary to them, have +gone backward. But 2d. They have not only rejected the renovations of +the covenants by our ancestors 1638 and 1640; but even when they +pretended to follow the renovation of the covenant, 1580 and 1581, they +have kept out and perverted almost the whole of the national covenants, +as was already observed; particularly in their new bond, they have cast +away the civil part of the covenants altogether. For what reason they do +so, is indeed hard to say. True, they allege it would be a blending of +civil and religious matters together; and that it is not proper (or +competent for them, as a church judicatory) to meddle in these matters +that are of a civil nature. But seeing infinite wisdom has not judged it +a (sinful) blending of civil and religious concerns together, to deliver +the duties both civil and religious in one and the same moral law unto +mankind; it is difficult to conceive, how the people of God their +binding themselves in a covenant of duties to the conscientious +performance of all the duties God required of them in his word, whether +civil or religious, according to their respective or immediate objects, +can be reputed a blending of them together; or that this has the +remotest tendency to destroy that distinction which God in his revealed +will has stated between what is immediately civil in its nature, and +what is properly religious. This, therefore, is a mere groundless +pretense and evasion; and if it has any force at all, as a reason, it +strikes against the reformers who compiled these covenants. They are the +proper objects at whom through the sides of others it thrusts; for they, +at the framing of sundry of their covenants, and afterward at the +renovation of their covenant, did it both without the ecclesiastical +authority, and also without, and contrary unto, yea, at the hazard of +suffering the greatest severities from the civil authority on that +account. And yet the ecclesiastical judicatories of the church of +_Scotland_ afterward found it competent for them, as such, to approve of +these covenants, both as to the matter and form of them, without +branding and exploding them as a blending of matters civil and religious +together, as _Seceders_ have done. Again, as the covenants require no +other than a lawful magistrate; and seeing _Seceders_ acknowledge the +present as lawful, and that it is their duty to be subject to, and +support them as such, it is impossible to conceive any reason, why they +have not honored the present rulers with a place in their new and +artificial bond: unless perhaps this, that they were aware that would +have been so glaring a contradiction to these covenants they were +pretending to renew, as would doubtless have startled and driven away +from them a good many honest people, whom they have allured and led +aside by their good words and fair-set speeches; and yet it is pretty +obvious they have included the present rulers in their bond, and taken +them in an oblique and clandestine way, by swearing to the relative +duties contained in the fifth commandment, seeing they acknowledge them +as their civil parents. Again, as their bond is supposed to reduplicate +upon the national covenants, and so to bind to every article in them, by +native consequence, they swear to a prelatical government: for seeing +they have made no exception in their bond, it must be applied to no +other, but the government, which presently exists; and this, in flat +contradiction to the covenants, by which such a government is abjured. +So that their new bond is no less opposite to the national covenants, +and is much mere deceitful, than if they had plainly and explicitly +sworn allegiance to the present government therein; only the generality +of their implicit followers do not so readily observe it. Upon the +whole, how strange is it, that they should have the assurance to father +their deceitful apostasy, and wretched burying of the covenants upon our +reformers, so injuriously to their character, and at the hazard of +imposing a heinous and base cheat upon the world, while, notwithstanding +all their vain pretensions, it is undeniably evident to those who will +impartially, and without prejudice, examine the method and order whereby +our ancestors renewed our covenants, that in this they have been so far +from following their example, that they have directly contradicted the +same, and, in reality, buried much of the covenants and work of +reformation sworn to in them. For though a people may very lawfully, by +a new bond, enlarge and add to their former obligations that they +brought themselves under; yet they can never, without involving +themselves in the guilt of perjury, relax or cancel former obligations +by any future bond. Accordingly, our worthy ancestors, by all the new +bonds they annexed to former obligations, were so far from attempting to +loose themselves from any covenanted duty that either they or their +fathers were priorly bound unto, that they thereby still brought +themselves under straighter bonds to perform all their former and new +obligations of duty to God. But, as has been discovered, _Seceders_, by +their artificial bond, have cast out the very substance and spirit of +the covenants, by their rumping and hewing them at pleasure, to reduce +them to the sinful circumstances of the time: and this, in opposition to +their own public profession, that these covenants are moral in their +nature and obligation upon these nations to the latest posterity. How +surprising it is then, that after such a profession, they dare cast out +of their bond the greatest parts of the covenants! This is not only to +break these obligations, but it is to make a public declaration, that +different times and circumstances do free men from their obligation to +keep their most solemn vows to the Most High. To this, as very +applicable, may be subjoined the words of Mr. _Case_, in a sermon +relative to the covenants: "Others have taken it (viz., the covenant) +with their own evasions, limitations and reservations: such a Jesuitical +spirit has got in among us, by which means it comes to pass, that by +that time that men have pared off and left out, and put what +interpretation they frame to themselves, there is little left worth the +name of a covenant." And, indeed, so many are the self-inconsistencies +and gross contradictions attending this new bond, that it would have +been much more for the honor both of the covenants, and of _Seceders_ +themselves, rather never to have attempted such a work, than to have +done it in a way of tearing to pieces our solemn national vows. +Wherefore the Presbytery cannot but, in testifying against them for +their unfaithfulness, obtest all the lovers of truth, to beware of +joining in this course of treachery, and apostasy from God and his +covenanted cause. + +5. The presbytery testify against foresaid party, for their +unfaithfulness and partiality in point of testimony-bearing to a +covenanted, work of reformation; while yet they not only profess to be +witnesses, but the only true and faithful contenders for the said work +and cause. The justness of this charge manifestly appears from the scope +of their Act and Testimony, which seems to be principally leveled +against the corruptions of the present church judicatories, and not +equally against the corruptions of both church and state, in +agreeableness to the faithful testimonies of the Lord's people in former +times, and in a consistency with the reformation that was jointly +carried on in both church and state, and solemnly sworn and engaged to +in the covenants. They appear never to have fully adopted the testimony +of the Church of _Scotland_ in her purest times, when the profession of +the true religion was by law made a necessary qualification of every one +that should be admitted to places of civil trust and power in the +nation. Nor are the faithful testimonies of the valiant sufferers and +contenders, even unto death, for the precious truths of God in the late +persecuting period, as stated against both church and state, fully +stated, and judicially approven by them; much less have they fully +adopted the testimony, as stated against the revolution constitution, +both civil and ecclesiastical, which they did not in their testimony +condemn as sinful; but, on the contrary, acknowledged the civil +constitution lawful, notwithstanding of their complaining of some +defects and omissions therein. Of which error in the foundation, it may +be said, in respect of all the mal-administrations since, it was _fons +et origo mali_. And seeing, in and by the revolution constitution, the +nation was involved in the guilt of apostasy and treachery, in +subverting and overturning the good and laudable laws for true religion +and right liberty, a faint declaring against some omissions cannot be +accounted sufficient; especially when what is thus partly complained of, +is at the same time complexly extolled, as a great and glorious +deliverance to the church and nation. Their testimony further appears to +be partial and unfaithful, considering that their secession was not from +the constitution of the Revolution Church, but in a partial and limited +way, from a prevailing corrupt party in the judicatories of the church: +upon which footing it was, that some of greatest note among them made +their accession after their first secession, expressly declaring so +much; whereby they have injured the true state of the testimony which +the Lord honored his covenanted Church of _Scotland_ to bear; which is +stated against all lukewarm and _Laodicean_ professors, as well as open +enemies, and against all Erastian usurpation, and sectarian invasion on +the cause of Christ. Moreover, their unfaithfulness in point of +testimony, convincingly appears from their bitter contentions, and +almost endless disputes among themselves, after their breach, upon the +religious clause of some burgess oaths, anent the true state of their +own testimony, whether lifted up against the revolution constitution of +the church, and settlement of religion, or not. Had necessary and real +faithfulness been studied, in stating their testimony clearly and +plainly, against all the defection, and apostasy of the day from a +covenanted reformation, there had been no occasion for such a dispute +among them. And now, when the one party have more openly avowed their +unfaithfulness, in receding from almost everything that had the least +appearance of faithfulness to the cause and covenant of God, in their +former testimony, and professedly adopted the revolution settlement, as +theirs, acknowledging the constitutions, both civil and ecclesiastical, +as lawful, in an open contradiction to any testimony for reformation +work: the other party, _to wit, Antiburghers_, have now indeed +professedly cast off the revolution constitution of the church (at the +same time continuing to make their partial Act and Testimony the basis +of their distinguished profession); but yet, in an inconsistency +therewith, and in contradiction to the covenanted testimony of the +church of _Scotland_, continue to adopt the constitution of the State, +as being, however defective, yet agreeable to the precept and so lawful. +Hence, they are still most partial in their testimony, of which they +have given a fresh and notable proof, in forementioned warning published +by them: wherein though there are a variety of evils condescended upon, +as just grounds of the Lord's controversy with the nations, yet there is +not that faithfulness used therein, in a particular charging home of the +several sins mentioned, upon every one in their different ranks, as, in +agreeableness to the word of God, is requisite to work a conviction in +every one, that they may turn from their sins, and as might correspond +to the title given that performance. Thus, passing other instances that +might also have been observed, they justly remark, _page_ 31st, "The +glorious sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the alone King and +Head of his church, is sadly encroached upon and opposed by the royal +supremacy, in causes ecclesiastical. The king is acknowledged as supreme +head, or governor on earth, of the churches of _England_ and _Ireland_. +The civil sovereign is thus declared to be the head or fountain of +church power, from whence all authority and ministrations in these +churches do spring, is vested with all powers of government and +discipline, and constituted the sole judge of controversies within the +same." "The established Church of _Scotland_ have also, by some +particular managements, subjected and subordinated their ecclesiastical +meetings to the civil power." But while they acknowledge this to be the +sin of the church, and an high provocation against the Lord; yet, as to +the particular sin of the civil power, in assuming and usurping this +Erastian supremacy unto itself, they are quite silent. They have not the +faithfulness to say, in their warning, to the robber of Christ, in this +matter, as once the prophet of the Lord said to the king of _Israel_, in +another case, _Thou art the man_. On the contrary (which cannot but have +a tendency to ward off any conviction of his sin that this warning, +should it come into his hands, might be expected to work), they are +guilty of the basest flattery, used by court parasites, stiling him, +"the best of kings, of the mildest administration," as in _page_ 13th; +and acknowledge it, as a particular effect of the Lord's goodness, that +we are privileged with such an one. But is he indeed deserving of such a +character? better than which could not be given to the most faithful +ruler, devoting all his power, as in duty bound, to the support and +advancement of the kingdom and interest of Jesus Christ, that over +reigned. Does he really merit such an encomium, who sacrilegiously +usurps and wears the crown, that alone can flourish on the head of +_Zion's_ king? And is this such a blessing to the church, that an enemy +to her Lord and Head rules over her? Oh! may not the Lord say? "I +hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright." + +6. The Presbytery testify against said Seceding party, because of the +sinfulness of their terms of ministerial and Christian communion, as +being partly destructive of that liberty wherewith Christ has made his +people free. By which they have both imposed upon themselves, and shut +the door of access unto the privileges of the church, upon all such, as, +in a consistency with their adherence to truth and duty, cannot accept +of their unwarrantable restrictions. Of this, they gave early +discoveries, as appears from the known instance of that notable, +backslider, Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_, whom they obliged, before license, to +make a public and solemn renunciation of his former principles and +profession, respecting the covenanted reformation.[4] As also, their +rejecting all accessions from his _Laodicean_ brethren, wherein was +contained an explicit adherence to the same, until they did drop their +former testimony. This blind zeal in _Seceders_, against a testimony for +truth in its purity, did gradually increase, until it hurried them on to +a more particular and formal stating of their terms of communion, +whereby were totally excluded all the free and faithful of the land from +their communion, who could not approve of, nor swear the bond, whereby +they pretended to renew the covenants: as in their act at _Edinburgh_, +1744; wherein they did resolve and determine, "That the renovation of +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three nations, in the manner now agreed upon, and proposed by the +Presbytery, shall be the terms of ministerial communion with this +Presbytery, and likewise of Christian communion, in admission of people +to sealing ordinances; secluding therefrom all opposers, contemners, and +slighters of the said renovation of our solemn covenants." By this act, +_Seceders_ have obliged their adherents to consent to their infamous +burial of our national covenants with the Lord, and reformation therein +sworn to, particularly as they were renewed, both 1638 and 1648. And +that they might further evince their resolution to bear down the +foresaid work, they afterward proceeded to subjoin unto their _formula_ +of questions to be put to candidates before license, and to probationers +before ordination, the following questions, viz., "Are you satisfied +with, and do you propose to adhere unto, and maintain the principles +about the present civil government, which are declared and maintained in +the _Associate Presbytery's_ answers to Mr. _Nairn_, with their defense +thereunto subjoined?" Whereby, in opposition to the professed endeavors +for the revival of a covenanted reformation in the lands, they expressly +bind down all their intrants into the office of the ministry, to an +explicit acknowledgement of their anti-government scheme of principles +anent the ordinance of magistracy; and thereby to an acknowledging of +the lawfulness of a government, which themselves confess has not only +departed from, and neglected their duty of espousing and supporting the +covenanted principles of this church, but also opposed, contradicted and +overthrown the glorious reformation once established in these nations. A +government, under which, as they profess, the nations cannot be enriched +by the blessings of the gospel; and that, because it does not, in all +the appurtenances of its constitution and administration, run in +agreeableness to the word of God. By all which it appears that although +they refuse formally to swear any oaths of allegiance to the powers in +being; yet they do materially, and with great solemnity, engage +themselves to be true and faithful to a government, under which, and +while it stands, they are certain, if their concessions hold true, that +they shall never see the nations flourish, either in their temporal or +spiritual interests. It is only needful further to observe, that +_Seceders_ in the terms of their communion, by debarring from the table +of the Lord, all who impugn the lawfulness of a prelatic, Erastian +government (as is notourly known they do), make subjection and loyalty +to such an authority, a necessary, and, to them, commendatory +qualification of worthy receivers of the Lord's supper, although none of +those qualifications--required by God in his word. While (as has been +already observed) they, with the most violent passion, refuse to admit +the professing and practicing the true religion, a necessary +qualification of lawful civil rulers over a people possessed of and +professing the true religion, which is in effect to deny the necessity +of religion altogether as to civil rulers, than which nothing can be +more absurd. + +_Lastly_, not to multiply more particulars, the Presbytery testify +against the scandalous abuse, and sinful prostitution of church +discipline, and tyranny in government, whereby the forementioned party +have remarkably signalized themselves; and which, in a most precipitant +and arbitrary manner, they have pretended to execute against such as +have discovered the smallest degree of faithfulness, in endeavoring to +maintain the principles of our reformation, in agreeableness to the true +state of the covenanted testimony of the Church of _Scotland_; which has +not only appeared in the case of _David Leslie_, and some others, on +account of a paper of grievances given in to said Associates; against +whom they proceeded to the sentence of excommunication, without using +those formalities and means of conviction required and warranted by the +church's Head, even in the case of just offenses done by any of the +professed members of his mystical body; or so much as allowing that +common justice to the sentenced party, that might be expected from any +judicatory, bearing the name of Presbyterian. (Though the Presbytery are +not hereby to be understood as approving every expression contained in +foresaid paper.) But particularly, they have given notable proof of +their fixed resolution, to bear down all just appearances in favor of +_Zion's_ King and cause, in the case of Mr. _Nairn_, once of their +number, because of his espousing the principles of this Presbytery, +especially, respecting God's ordinance of magistracy, against whom they +proceeded to the highest censures of the church, upon the footing of a +pretended libel; in which libel, they did not so much as pretend any +immorality in practice, or yet error in principle, as the ground of +their arbitrary procedure, further than his espousing the received +principles of this church in her best times, and what stood in necessary +connection with such a profession: although, in adorable providence, he +has since been left to fall into the practice of such immorality, as has +justly rendered him the object of church censure by this Presbytery. As +also in the case of Messrs. _Alexander Marshall_, and _John +Cuthbertson_, with some others, elders and private Christians, against +whom they proceeded in a most unaccountable, anti-scriptural, and +unprecedented manner, and upon no better foundation, than that noticed +in the case above, pretended to depose and cast such out of the +communion of their church, as never had subjected to their authority, +nor formerly stood in any established connection with them. + +And further, besides these instances condescended upon, they habitually +aggravate their abuse of the ordinances of Christ's house, in pretending +to debar and excommunicate from the holy sacrament of the supper, many +of the friends and followers of the Lamb, only because they cannot +conscientiously, and in a consistency with their fidelity to their Head +and Savior, acknowledge the authority of the usurpers of his crown as +lawful. From all which, and every other instance of their continued +prostitution of the discipline instituted by Christ in his church, and +of that authority, which he, as a Son over his own house, has given unto +faithful gospel ministers, to the contempt and scorn of an ungodly +generation; the Presbytery cannot but testify against them, as guilty of +exercising a tyrannical power over the heritage of the Lord; and to whom +may too justly be applied, the word of the Lord, spoken by his prophet, +_Isa._ lxvi, 5: "Your brethren that bated you, that cast you out for my +name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to +your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Wherefore, and for all the +foresaid grounds, the Presbytery find and declare, that the pretended +_Associate Presbytery_, now called _Synod_, whether before or since, in +their separate capacity, claiming a parity of power, neither were, nor +are lawful and rightly constituted courts of the Lord Jesus Christ, +according to his word, and to the testimony of the true Presbyterian +Covenanted Church of Christ in _Scotland_: and therefore ought not, nay +cannot, in a consistency with bearing a faithful testimony for the +covenanted truths, and cause of our glorious Redeemer, be countenanced +or submitted to in their authority by his people. + +Again, the Presbytery find themselves in duty obliged to testify against +these brethren who some time ago have broken off from their communion, +for their unwarrantable separation, and continued opposition to the +truth and testimony, in the hands of this Presbytery, even to the extent +of presuming, in a judicial capacity, to threaten church censure against +the Presbytery, without alleging so much as any other reason for this +strange procedure, than their refusing to approve as truth, a point of +doctrine, that stands condemned by the standards of the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, founded on the authority of divine revelation. But, as +the Presbytery have formerly published a vindication of the truth +maintained by them, and of their conduct, respecting the subject matter +of difference with their _quondam_ brethren, they refer to said +vindication, for a more particular discovery of the error of their +principle, and extravagance of their conduct in this matter. And +particularly, they testify against the more avowed apostasy of some of +these brethren, who are not ashamed to declare their backslidings in the +streets, and publish them upon the house tops; as especially appears +from a sermon entitled, _Bigotry Disclaimed_--together with the +vindication of said sermon; wherein is vented such a loose and +latitudinarian scheme of principles, on the point of church communion, +as had a native tendency to destroy the scriptural boundaries thereof, +adopted by this church in her most advanced purity; and which is also +inconsistent with the ordination vows, whereby the author was solemnly +engaged. This, with other differences, best known to themselves, +occasioned a rupture in that pretended Presbytery, which for some years +subsisted: but this breach being some considerable time ago again +cemented, they constituted themselves in their former capacity, upon +terms (as appears from a printed account of their agreement and +constitution, which they have never yet disclaimed as unjust) not very +honorable nor consistent with their former principles and professed zeal +for maintaining the same. Which agreement was made up, without any +evidence of the above author's retracting his lax principles, contained +in the foresaid sermon. Whatever was the cause, whether from the +influence of others (as was said by the publisher of their agreement), +or from a consciousness of dropping part of formerly received +principles, is not certain; but one of these brethren, for a time, gave +up with further practical communion with the other, namely, Mr. _Hugh +Innes_, late of the _Calton, Glasgow_; while yet it was observed, that +both used a freedom, not formerly common to them, anent the present +authority, in their public immediate addresses to the object of worship; +which, together with their apparent resiling from part of their former +testimony occasioned stumbling to some of their people, and terminated +in the separation of others. Foresaid latitudinarianism and falling +away, is also sadly verified, in the conduct of another principal member +of their pretended Presbytery, who has professedly deserted all +testimony bearing for the reformation principles of the Covenanted +Church of _Scotland_.[5] + +At last, after their declared interviews for that purpose, these +brethren have patched up a mank agreement, which they have published, in +a paper entitled _Abstract of the covenanted principles of the Church of +Scotland, &c._, with a prefixed advertisement in some copies, asserting +the removal of their differences, which arose from a sermon on _Psal._ +cxxii, 3, published at _Glasgow_,--by a disapprobation of what is +implied in some expressions hereof, viz., "That all the members of +Christ's mystical body may, and ought to unite in visible church +communion." + +Here is, indeed, a smooth closing of the wound that should have been +more thoroughly searched, that, by probing into the practical +application of said sermon, the corrupt matter of communion with the +Revolution Church, in the gospel and sealing ordinance thereof, might +have been found out; but not one word of this in all that abstract, +which contains their grounds of union, and terms of communion. Nothing +of the above author's recanting his former latitudinarian practices of +hearing, and thereby practically encouraging, that vagrant Episcopalian, +_Whitefield_; his communicating, which natively implies union, with the +Revolution Church, in one of the seals of the covenant; nor his public +praying for an Erastian government, in a way, and for a reason, that +must needs be understood as an homologation of their authority. On which +accounts, the Presbytery testify against said union, as being +inconsistent with faithfulness in the cause of Christ; and against said +abstract, as, however containing a variety of particulars very just and +good, yet bearing no positive adherence to, nor particular mention of, +faithful wrestlings and testimonies of the martyrs and witnesses for +_Scotland's_ covenanted cause. As also, they testify against the +notorious disingenuity of their probationer, who, after a professed +dissatisfaction on sundry occasions, with the declining steps of said +brethren, particularly with the declaimer against bigotry, has +overlooked more weighty matters, and embraced a probability of enjoying +the long grasped for privilege of ordination, though it should be +observed at a greater expense than that of disappointing the expectation +of a few dissatisfied persons, who depended upon his honesty, after they +had broken up communion with those he continues still to profess his +subjection unto. + +And further, the Presbytery testify against the adherents of foresaid +brethren, in strengthening their hands in their course of separation +from the Presbytery, rejecting both their judicial and ministerial +authority, and the ordinances of the gospel dispensed by them. And more +especially, the Presbytery condemn the conduct of such of them as, +professedly dissatisfied with the above said left-hand extremes, and +other defections of foresaid brethren, have therefore broken off from +their communion; yet, instead of returning to their duty in a way of +subjecting themselves to the courts of Christ, and ordinances instituted +by him in his church, have turned back again to their own right-hand +extremes of error, which once they professedly gave up, but now persist +in, an obstinate impugning the validity of their ministerial authority +and protestative mission, undervalue the pure ordinances of the gospel +dispensed by them, and live as if there were no church of Christ in the +land, where they might receive the seals of the covenant, either to +themselves or their children; and therefore, in the righteous judgment +of God, have been left to adopt such a dangerous and erroneous system of +principles, as is a disgrace to the profession of the covenanted +cause.[6] + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +The following supplement, having been a competent length of time before +the church in _overture_, was adopted in Logan county, Ohio, May, 1850. +And, although without the formality of a judicial sanction, we trust it +will not be found destitute of divine authority. The design of it is to +show the application of the principles of our Testimony to society, as +organized in the United States. For although conventional regulations, +civil and ecclesiastical, in this land, are very different from the +condition of society in Great Britain, where our Testimony was first +emitted, yet the corruptions of human nature, embodied in the +combinations of society, are not less visible in this than in other +lands, nor less hostile to the supreme authority of the Lord and his +Anointed. "The beast and the false prophet" continue to be the objects +of popular devotion: Rev. xix, 20. + +_Cincinnati_, Nov. 12th, 1850. + + + + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART III, + +Containing an application of the principles of our Covenanted Testimony +to the existing condition of society in these United States. + + +The controversy which arose between the Associate and Reformed churches, +on the doctrine of civil magistracy, was the occasion of greater +divergency between them, on collateral subjects. From false principles, +consistent reasoning must produce erroneous conclusions. Assuming that +the Son of God, as Mediator, has nothing to do with the concerns of +God's moral government beyond the precincts of the visible church, it +would follow, that church members, as citizens of the "kingdoms of this +world," neither owe him allegiance nor are bound to thank him for +"common benefits." The assumption is, however, obviously erroneous, +because, as Mediator, he is "head over all things to the church," Eph. +i, 22, consequently, all people, nations and languages, are bound to +obey and serve him, in this office capacity, and to thank him for his +mercies. + +While this controversy was keenly managed by the respective parties in +the British isles, the Lord Christ interposed between the disputants, as +it were, to decide the chief point in debate. By the rise of the British +colonies west of the Atlantic, against the parent country, and their +successful struggle to gain a national independence, a clear commentary +was furnished on the long-contested principle, that, in some cases, it +is lawful to resist existing civil powers. Seceders, forgetting, for the +time, their favorite theory, joined their fellow colonists in casting +off the yoke of British rule. Those who vehemently opposed Reformed +Presbyterians, for disowning the British government, joined cheerfully +in its overthrow. How fickle and inconsistent is man! During +the revolutionary struggle might be witnessed the singular +spectacle--humbling to the pride of human reason, revolting to the +sensibilities of the exercised Christian--brethren of the same +communion, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, pleading with the God of +justice to give success to the respective armies! East of the ocean the +petition would be, "Lord, prosper the British arms;" on the west, "Lord, +favor the patriots of these oppressed colonies!" Such are the +consequences natively resulting from a theory alike unscriptural and +absurd--a principle deep-laid in that system of opposition to the Lord +and his Anointed, emphatically styled "The Antichrist." + +Great national revolutions are special trials of the faith and patience +of the saints. No firmness of character will be proof against popular +opinion and example at such a time, without special aid from on high. +Reformed Presbyterians in the colonies rejoiced in the success of the +revolution, issuing in the independence of the United States. Their +expectation of immediate advantage to the reformation cause was too +sanguine. A new frame of civil polity was to be devised by the colonies, +now that they were independent of the British crown. This state of +things called forth the exercise of human intellect, in more than +ordinary measure, to meet the emergency. Frames of national policy are +apt to warp the judgment of good men. Even Christian ministers are prone +to substitute the maxims of human prudence for the precepts of +inspiration. Many divines conceived the idea of conforming the visible +church to the model of the American republic. The plan was projected and +advocated, of bringing all evangelical denominations into one +confederated unity, while the integral parts should continue independent +of each other. This plan would have defeated its own object, the unity +of the visible church, and subverted that form of government established +by Zion's King. Upon trial by some of the New England Independents and +Presbyterians, the plan has proved utterly abortive. + +Prior to the Revolutionary war, a Presbytery had been constituted in +America, upon the footing of the covenanted reformation. The exciting +scenes and active sympathies, attendant on the Revolutionary war, added +to a hereditary love of liberty, carried many covenanters away from +their distinctive principles. The Reformed Presbytery was dissolved, and +three ministers who belonged to it, joining some ministers of the +Associate Church, formed that society, since known by the name of the +Associate Reformed Church. The union was completed in the year 1782, +after having been five years in agitation. + +These ministers professed, as the basis of union, the Westminster +standards; but the abstract of principles, which they adopted as the +more immediate bond of coalescence, discovered, to discerning +spectators, that the individuals forming the combination, were by no +means unanimous in their views of the doctrines taught in those +standards. Indeed, there were certain sections of the Confession +_reserved_ for future discussion, which, in process of time, were wholly +rejected. This attack upon a document, venerable not so much for its age +as its scriptural character, gave rise to zealous opposition by some in +the body, and ultimately resulted in a rupture. Two ministers dissented +from the majority, left their communion, and proceeded to erect a new +organization, styled "The Reformed Dissenting Presbytery." This was in +the year 1801. At this date, there were four denominations, in the +United States, claiming to be the legitimate successors of the British +reformers, viz., the Associate, Reformed, Associate Reformed, and +Reformed Dissenting Presbyterians. Three of these professedly appear +under the banner of a standing judicial testimony, which they severally +emitted to the public. The Associate Reformed Church, by judicial +declaration and uniform practice, is opposed to this method of +testimony-bearing. + +The Reformed Presbytery, which had been dissolved by the defection of +the ministry, during the Revolutionary war, was reorganized toward the +close of the eighteenth century. The troubles in Ireland, when the +inhabitants united for the purpose of gaining independence of the +British crown, were the occasion of bringing strength to the church in +America. Reformed Presbyterians, feeling sensibly with others the arm of +British tyranny, joined interests hastily with Papists and others, in +one sworn association, for the purpose of overturning the existing +government by force of arms. The enterprise, as might have been +expected, was unsuccessful; Isa. viii, 11, 12; Obadiah 7; 2 Cor. vi, 17. +Many fled to the asylum which God had provided, shortly before, in +America. Among the refugees were some of the Covenanters, by which the +church was strengthened in her ministry and membership. + +Early in the nineteenth century, measures were taken by the Reformed +Presbytery, in the United States, for re-exhibiting the principles of a +covenanted reformation, in a judicial way. Accordingly, in the year +1806, the Presbytery published, as adopted, a work entitled "Reformation +Principles Exhibited"--a book which has ever since been popularly called +the American Testimony. The familiar designation, _Testimony_, the +general complexion of the book, the orthodox aspect of terms, and even +most of the leading sentiments of the work, gave it currency, and +rendered it generally acceptable to pious and intelligent Covenanters. +And however it seemed to the unsuspecting to sustain, it eventually and +effectually supplanted the Scottish Testimony. The men who had the +principal hand in giving shape and direction to the principles and +practice of Covenanters in the United States, at that time, were located +in some of the most populous and commercial cities on the Atlantic +coast, where temptations to conform to this world were many and +pressing. A disposition to temporize was manifested in these localities, +soon after their principles had been judicially exhibited. The last war +between the United States and England, subjected Covenanters to new +trials in America. As aliens, they were deemed unsafe residents at the +seaboard, and were ordered, by the government, to retire a certain +distance to the interior (much like the course pursued by Claudius +Caesar toward the Jews, Acts xviii, 2). To meet the exigency, a +deputation of the church was appointed to repair to Washington, in 1812, +and offer a pledge that they would defend the integrity of the country +against all enemies. This measure was, however, never carried out. + +The church increased in numbers and influence, and began to be noticed +with respect and professions of esteem among surrounding denominations. +Some of her members had ventured to act in the capacity of citizens of +the United States, by serving on juries. This was of course managed for +a time clandestinely. At length, waxing confident by success, they began +to act more openly. This gave rise to a petition addressed to the +supreme judicatory of the church. The petitioners were answered by +instructing them to apply for direction to the inferior +judicatories--thus shunning the duty of applying their own acknowledged +principles. This was in the year 1823. This course did not satisfy the +petitioners, and application was again made to Synod in 1825, to explain +the import of their former Act. The reply was--"This Synod never +understood any act of theirs, relative to their members sitting on +juries, or contravening the old common law of the church on that +subject;" a response obviously as equivocal as the preceding. As early +as 1823, a motion was made in the Synod to open a correspondence with +the judicatories of other denominations. This motion was resisted, and +for the time proved abortive. At next meeting of Synod, however, the +measure was brought before that body, by a proposal from the General +Assembly to correspond by delegation. This proposal found many, and some +of them able, advocates in the Reformed. P. Synod. The measure was, +however, again defeated; but immediately after the failure, a number of +ministers forsook the Reformation ranks and consorted with the General +Assembly. In the year 1828, the Synod gave its sanction and lent its +patronage to the Colonization Society, which was continued till the year +1836, when its patronage was transferred to the cause of Abolition. The +spirit of declension became manifest at the session of Synod in 1831, +when some of the most prominent and practical principles of the Reformed +Church were openly thrown into debate, in the pages of a monthly +periodical, under the head of "Free Discussion." Through the pernicious +influence of that perfidious journal, sustained by the patronage of +ministers of eminent standing in the church, a large proportion--neatly +one-half--of the ministry were prepared, by the next meeting of Synod in +1833, to renounce the peculiar principles and long known usages of the +Reformed Covenanted Church. Organizing themselves as a separate body, +yet claiming their former ecclesiastical name, they deliberately +incorporated with the government of the United States, and some of the +senior ministers, more fully to testify their loyalty, in their old age, +took the oath of naturalization!--thus breaking down the carved work +which they had for many years assiduously labored to erect. + +It was hoped that the severe trial to which the professing witnesses of +Christ were subjected at that time, would have taught them a lesson not +soon to be forgotten. It was thought by many that the church was now +purged from the leaven which had almost leavened the whole lump. The +Synod met in 1834, when a perverse spirit was evident in the midst of +its members. The Colonization and Abolition Societies, with other +associations--the exfoliations of Antichrist--had evidently gained an +ascendency in the affections of many of the members. The altercation and +bitterness with which the claims of these societies were discussed, +evidenced to such as were free from their infection, that some of those +present viewed these popular movements as transcending in importance, +the covenanted testimony of the church. As the practice of occasional +hearing was on the increase in some sections of the church, Synod was +memorialized on that subject, but refused to declare the law of the +church. The old spirit of conformity to the world was still more +manifest in 1836, when Synod was importuned by her children, from the +eastern and western extremes of the church, by petition, memorial, +protest and appeal--growing out of the practice then generally prevalent +of incorporating with the voluntary associations of the age. The +response of the supreme judicatory was in this case as ambiguous as on +any former occasion. The backsliding course of the factious majority was +but feebly counteracted by dissent from only two members of Synod; a +respectable minority having been outwitted by the carnal wisdom of those +who were prompt in applying the technicalities of law. Hope was, +however, cherished, that this check so publicly given, together with the +practical workings of the system of moral amalgamation, would induce +even reckless innovators to pause--to consider their ways and their +doings. This hope, however rational and sanguine, was totally +disappointed in 1838, when the table of the supreme judicatory might be +said to be crowded with petitions, letters, remonstrances, memorials, +protests and appeals. The just grievances of the children of witnessing +and martyred fathers, were treated with contempt--"laid on the table," +"returned," with the cry "let them be kicked under the table," &c. And +when some attempted to urge their right to be heard, they were called to +order, treated with personal insult, or subjected to open violence. A +few of these, having thus experienced the tyranny and abuse of the +ruling faction, declined the authority and communion of Synod, and +established a separate fellowship. + +When the Synod again met in 1840, the same measures which had been +carried by mob violence at the preceding meeting, were pressed as +before; but with less tumult--leaders having learned caution from the +consequences following their former outrageous conduct. Matters had now +come to a crisis, when a reclaiming minority were reduced to this +dilemma--either to acquiesce in the almost total subversion of the +covenanted constitution of the church; or, by separating from an +irreclaimable majority, attempt, by an independent organization, to make +up the breach. It is easy to see which alternative was duty, not only +from the nature of the case, but from the well defined footsteps of the +flock. Reformation has been effected in the church of God in all ages, +by the protestation and separation of a virtuous Minority. At this +juncture a paper was laid upon the table of Synod, of which the +following is a true copy: + +"PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. + +"Whereas, It is the province and indispensable duty of this Synod, when +society is in a state of agitation as at present, to know the signs of +the times and what Israel ought to do: and whereas it is also the duty +of this Synod, to testify in behalf of truth, to condemn sin and testify +against those who commit it; to acquaint our people with their danger, +and search into the causes of God's controversy with them and with us: +and whereas it is the duty of Synod further, to point out to the people +of God the course to be pursued, that divine judgments may be averted or +removed--therefore, + +"1. _Resolved_, That uniting with, or inducing to fellowship, by the +members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the voluntary and +irresponsible associations of the day--composed of persons of all +religious professions and of no profession--be condemned, as unwarranted +by the word of God, the subordinate Standards of the church, and the +practice of our covenant fathers. + +"2. That an inquiry be instituted, in order to ascertain the grounds of +God's controversy with us, in the sins of omission and commission, +wherewith we are chargeable in our ecclesiastical relations. + +"3. That the sins thus ascertained, be confessed, mourned over and +forsaken, and our engagement to the contrary duties renewed; that the +Lord may return, be entreated of his people and leave a blessing behind +him." + +This paper was instantly "laid on the table;" and when, at a subsequent +session of the court, it was regularly called up for action, it was +again and finally "laid on the table!" Ever since that transaction, this +paper has been diligently misrepresented, as consisting only of _one_ +resolution, and that the _first_, contrary to its own evidence. + +After the final adjournment of Synod, those individuals who, as a +minority, had opposed the innovations and backslidings of their +brethren, embraced an opportunity for consultation. It appeared that +without preconcert, they were unanimous that all legal means having +failed to reclaim their backsliding brethren, who constituted a large +majority of Synod; both duty and necessity required them to assume a +position independent _of_ former organizations, that they might, +untrammeled, carry out practically their testimony. Accordingly two +ministers and three ruling elders proceeded to constitute a Presbytery +on constitutional ground, declaring in the deed of constitution, +adherence to all reformation attainments. This transaction took place in +the city of Alleghany, June 24th, 1840. The declining majority continued +their course of backsliding, following those who had relinquished their +fellowship with slanderous imputations and pretended censure, as is +usual in such cases. Since that time, there are no evidences given by +them either of repentance or reformation. + +The Synod of Scotland has for many years been in a; course of +declension, in many respects very similar to that of America. As early +as the year 1815, some ministers of that body began to betray a +disposition to accommodate their profession to the taste of the world. +The judicial testimony emitted by their fathers was represented as too +elaborate and learned to be read and understood by the common reader, +and too severe in its strictures upon the principles and practice of +other Christian denominations. The abstract of terms of communion was +viewed as too strict and uncharitable, especially the Auchensaugh +Covenant became particularly obnoxious. By a persevering importunity for +a series of years this degenerating party prevailed so far in the Synod +as to have the Auchensaugh Deed expunged from the symbols of their +profession. This was accomplished in 1822; and, taken in connection with +other movements indicating a prevailing spirit of worldly conformity, +this outrage upon the constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, +gave rise to a secession from the body, by the oldest minister in the +connection, and a considerable number of others, elders and members. At +the above date, the Rev. James Reed declined the fellowship of the +Scottish Synod; and he maintained the integrity of the covenanted +standards in a separate communion till his death: declaring at his +latter end, that "he could not have laid his head upon a dying pillow in +peace, if he had not acted as he did in that matter." + +Deaf to the remonstrances of this aged and faithful minister, his former +brethren pursued their perverse and downward course, until their new +position became apparent by the adoption of a Testimony and Terms of +Communion adapted to their taste. Their Testimony was adopted in 1837. +This document ostensibly consists of two parts, historical and +doctrinal; but really only of the latter as _authoritative_. This will +appear from the preface to the history, as also that it is without the +_formal_ sanction of the Synod, which appears prefixed to the doctrinal +part of the book. A considerable time before they ventured to obtrude +this new Testimony on the church; they had prepared the way for its +introduction, by supplanting the authoritative "Rules of Society," +framed and adopted by their fathers. This was done by issuing what they +called a "Guide to Social Worship," which the Scottish Synod sent forth +under an ambiguous _recommendation_, and the spurious production was +republished by order of Synod, in America, 1836, with the like equivocal +expression of approbation. + +What has been just related of the Ref. Pres. Church in Scotland, will +apply substantially to that section of the same body in Ireland. On the +doctrine of the magistrate's power _circa sacra_, however, there was a +controversy of several years' continuance and managed with much +asperity, in which Rev. Messrs. John Paul, D.D., and Thomas Houston were +the most distinguished disputants. Their contendings issued in breach of +organic fellowship in 1840. Indeed the sister-hood which had subsisted +for many years among the Synods east and west of the Atlantic ocean, was +violated in 1833; when the rupture took place in the Synod of America, +by the elopement of the declining party, who are since known by alliance +with the civil institutions of the United States. Among these five +Synods, the principle called _elective affinity_ has been strikingly +exemplified; while what the Scripture denominates _schism_, has been as +visibly rampant as perhaps at any period under the Christian +dispensation. + +This brief historical sketch may serve to show the outlines of the +courses respectively pursued by the several parties in the British Isles +and America, who have made professions of attachment to that work in the +kingdom of Scotland especially, which has been called the Second +Reformation. But the duty of fidelity to Zion's King, and even the duty +of charity to these backsliding brethren; together with the informing of +the present and succeeding generations, require, that we notice more +formally some of the more prominent measures of these ecclesiastical +bodies and so manifest more fully our relation to them. It is not to be +expected however, that we are about to condescend upon _all_ the +erroneous sentiments or steps of defection, supplied by the history of +these communities. To direct the honest inquiries of the Lord's people, +and assist them in that process of reasoning by which facts are compared +with acknowledged Standards, supreme and subordinate, that their +moral character may be tested, is all that is proposed in the following +sections. + +SECTION I. The Secession from the Revolution Church of Scotland in that +country assumed a position in relation to the civil institutions of +Great Britain, which their posterity continue too occupy until the +present time in the United States without material alteration. + +1. They cooperate practically with all classes in the civil community, +in maintaining national rebellion against the Lord and his Anointed. +They give their suffrages toward the elevation of vile persons to the +highest places of civil dignity in the American confederacy--knowing the +candidates to be strangers or enemies to Immanuel. And although they +have recently lifted a testimony against that system of robbery called +slavery, which is so far right; yet this fact only goes to render their +professed loyalty to an unscriptural frame of civil government, as +manifestly inconsistent as it is impious. + +2. The have all along in the United States renounced the civil part of +the British Covenants, declaring that they "neither have nor ever had +anything to do with them." Truth is not local, nor does the obligation +of the second table of the moral law, on which that part of our +covenants is plainly founded, depend on the permanency of our residence +in a particular portion of the world. "The earth is the Lord's and the +fullness thereof." It follows, that however solemnly or frequently they +profess to renew their fathers' covenants; the whole transaction +displays their unfaithfulness to the Lord, who is a party in the +covenants; and is calculated to mislead the unwary. + +3. Their unsteadfastness is further evidenced, by conforming to other +ecclesiastical communities in the loose practice of occasional or +indiscriminate hearing; and even in some instances of ministerial +intercommunion--the law of their church on that matter having become +obsolete. Against these courses, in some of which that body has +obstinately persevered for more than a hundred years, we deem it +incumbent on us to continue an uncompromising testimony. Many comments +the Moral Governor of the nations has furnished in his providence within +the last century, making still more intelligible the righteous claims of +his word: but Seceders seem to have their moral vision obscured by a +vail of hereditary prejudice. We trust the Lord is on his way to destroy +the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is +spread over all nations; Is. xxv, 7. + +SEC. II. Our testimony against the unfaithfulness of the Associate +Reformed Church, continues also without material change since the rise +of that body. The following among others may here be noticed, as +constituting just grounds of opposition in a way of testimony-bearing, +by all who would be found faithful to the Lord, and their covenant +engagements. + +1. Their very origin was unwarranted by scripture. All the scriptural +attainments to which they profess to adhere, were already incorporated +in the standards of the organic bodies, from whose fellowship they +seceded. They did therefore make a breach without a definite object, and +multiply divisions in the visible body of Christ without necessity. Thus +they did violence to the royal law of love; for while under a profession +of charity they invited to their new fellowship their former brethren; +the nature of the case evinces a disposition to unmitigated tyranny. +This state of things we think has not been generally understood. We +shall here endeavor to render it intelligible. The fact of organizing +that church (the Associate Reformed) said to both Covenanters and +Seceders "It is your duty to dissolve your respective organizations, and +join us." This is undeniable. The Covenanter or Seceder replies by +asking--"What iniquity have you or your fathers found in us, that you +forsook our communion?" &c. "Not any," replies the Associate Reformed +Church; "only some trifling opinions peculiar to you severally which we +deem unworthy of contending about. Only join our church, and we will +never quarrel with you, relative to your singularities." "Ah," replies +the other party, "the matters about which we differ, are trifling in +your account; how then could they be of such magnitude as to warrant +your breaking fellowship with us? What you call _trifles, +peculiarities_, &c, we cannot but still judge important principles, +sealed by the precious blood of martyrs: must we deny these or bury them +in silence, to gain membership in your new church? Is this the nature +and amount of your professed charity? This is not that heaven-born +principle 'that rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.' +You break fellowship for what you esteem mere trifles--you propose to us +a new term of communion, with which it is morally impossible that we +should comply, without doing violence to our consciences. Is this +charity or tyranny?" + +2. Although covenanting was declared by this body at their origin, to be +an "important duty," they never recognized the solemn deeds of their +fathers as binding on them; nor have they ever attempted the +acknowledged duty in a way supposed to be competent to themselves. Nay, +the obligation of the British covenants has been denied both openly and +frequently from the pulpit and the press; and even attempts have been +made, not seldom, by profane ridicule, to bring them into contempt. The +very duty of public, social covenanting, either in a National or +ecclesiastical capacity, has been often opposed in the polemic writings +of the ministers of this body, however often inculcated and exemplified +in the word of God. The moral nature of the duty taken in connection +with prophetic declarations, to be fulfilled only under the Christian +dispensation, demonstrates the permanency of this divine ordinance until +the end of the world. + +3. This church set out with unsound views of church fellowship, as has +been already in part made appear. But when their position came to be +more pointedly defined, they made the novel distinction between _fixed_ +and _occasional_ communion. The practical tendency of this unscriptural +experiment was necessarily to _catholic_ communion, which theory was +soon advocated by some of the most prominent of the ministry; and +accordingly eventuated in the merging of a large number of her ministry +and membership, in the communion of the General Assembly. + +4. On the doctrine of the divine ordinance of civil government, this +church has all along been unsound; as is fully evidenced in the practice +of her members, which has been similar to that of Seceders. Our +testimony against the latter is, in this particular, equally directed +against the former. + +5. This church has appeared as the advocate of a boundless toleration, +conforming her views and policy in a most servile manner to the infidel +model presented in the civil constitutions of republican America. It +would seem, indeed, that this body aimed at conforming their +ecclesiastical polity to that standard, from the fact that the very +symbol of their profession as a corporate body, is designated the +"Constitution of the Associate Reformed Church"--a designation which +might be considered as militating against the supremacy of the Holy +Scriptures. In this Constitution a sphere is assigned to conscience, +which is incompatible with due subjection to the Supreme Lawgiver. As +well might the _will_, or any other faculty of the soul of man, be +invested with this impious supremacy, and immunity from control, by any +authority instituted on earth by the only Lord of conscience. Jehovah +will rule the _consciences_ of his creatures, as well as their +_judgments_ and _wills_, by his holy law, in the civil commonwealth, in +the church and in the family. + +6. The unfaithfulness of this body appears further, in shunning to +declare the _divine right_ and unalterableness of Presbyterial Church +Government, she testifies not against Prelacy or Independency. If this +church is Presbyterial in practice, it is on no better footing than that +of the Revolution Church of Scotland. + +7. The purity of divine worship is not guarded by the terms of +fellowship in this church. It is true, "No Hymns merely of human +composure, are allowed in her churches." But what mean these guarded +terms and phrases, "merely;" "churches?" The best interpretation of +these cunningly contrived expressions is supplied by the practice of +those ministers of the body, who scruple not to offer unto God "hymns +merely of human composure" when occupying pulpits of other +denominations, or sojourning for a night in families where these hymns +are statedly used. It is known that this part of the order of public +worship has been submitted in some instances, to the voice of the +congregation by their pastor; thus manifesting in the same act, +latitudinarianism in regard both to the government and worship of the +house of God. + +Lastly, to specify no further--Laxity of discipline is observable in +this church. She has always admitted to her fellowship, and to a +participation in her special privileges (the seals of the covenants), +persons who openly deny the divine warrant for a fast in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper; yea, who ridicule that part of the +solemnity as _superstitious_! The same privileges are granted in this +church to such as habitually neglect the worship of God in the family. +Nor does this church inculcate or enjoin, as a part of Christian +practice, fellowship meetings for prayer and conference. We must, as +witnesses for the cause of Christ, solemnly protest against these +sentiments and correspondent practices, as inconsistent with the +scripture and the reformation attainments of our covenant fathers. + +SEC. III. The Reformed Dissenting Church embraced more of the peculiar +principles of the covenanted reformation than either of the two +preceding. On the doctrines of magistracy and toleration, abstractly +considered, they have manifested commendable fidelity. Nevertheless, in +the practical application of these doctrines and in other respects, we +are constrained to continue a testimony against them. + +1. What has been remarked of the origin of the Associate Reformed body, +is partly true also of the party which dissented from them: their +organization was uncalled for, there being no scriptural attainment +embraced by them, which was not already exhibited under a judicial +banner. Those who erected the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery may have +been harshly treated by ministers of the Reformed Presbytery, when +attempting negotiations for union, as public fame has often rumored: yet +supposing this to have been the case, multiplying separate fellowships +was not a happy expedient for effecting union in the truth. + +2. This body of Christians have been all along unfaithful in applying +their own avowed principles relative to magistracy. Their innovation in +this respect would seem to have been a carnal expedient to reach a +two-fold object: the one, to retaliate on the Reformed Church for +supposed indignities offered; the other, to render themselves more +popular in the eyes of other communities. They admit that a constitution +of civil government may be so immoral, that it cannot be considered as +God's ordinance; that in such a case "no Christian can, without sinning +against God, accept any office supreme or subordinate, where an oath to +support such a constitution is made essential to his office." These +admissions are equally just and important; yet these concessions are +wholly neutralized in practice by these people, for they claim it as +their privilege to choose others to fill those offices, which they say, +they themselves cannot fill "without sinning against God." We must +continue our earnest testimony against this attempt to separate in law, +between the representative and his constituents, involving as it does, +if consistently carried out, the total overthrow of the covenants of +works and grace, and ultimately of God's moral government by his +annotated Son! The effort made to sustain their practice in this matter, +from the examples of the Marquis of Argyle and Lord Warriston, is very +disingenuous; simply because the church of Scotland had not at the date +referred to, reached the measure of her attainments on that head. +Indeed, the whole drift of their argument goes to justify the position, +that in some cases, it is expedient to do evil that good may come. + +3. On the doctrine of faith this church has, we think, darkened counsel, +by words without knowledge. Their distinctions and caveats relative to +_assurance_, are calculated rather to bewilder than enlighten the mind +of the general reader. "Receiving and resting on Christ as offered in +the gospel," amounts to "appropriation, certainty, assurance," &c. There +is evidence of a tendency to "vain jangling" here, against which, even +suppose there be no error couched in the terms, we ought to testify. + +4. This church evinces a disposition to intercommunion, in the practice +both of ministers and members, wholly inconsistent with steadfastness, +and at war with her own declared views of toleration. Occupying pulpits +in common with more corrupt communities, doing this in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and attendance and co-operation +with others in conventional proceedings among those who style themselves +"Reformed Churches," are practices among these people, on which we feel +constrained to animadvert with decided disapprobation. As also their +violation of the form of Presbyterian church government by one minister +with ruling elders presuming to set apart candidates to the office of +the holy ministry. + +SEC. IV. To speak thus publicly against those who may be the precious +sons of Zion, is a painful duty. That charity, however, which rejoiceth +in the truth, requires of Christ's witnesses that they censure and +rebuke, in a way competent to them, those of the household of faith whom +they see and know to be in a course of error or of sin; _Isa._ lviii, 1; +_Tit._ i, 13. + +Many of those with whom we were wont to take pleasure in displaying a +banner jointly, and in a judicial capacity, are now, alas! arrayed +against us. To the real friend of Jesus, and the truth as it is in +Jesus, there cannot be a more lamentable spectacle than the _professed +witnesses_ of the Lamb disposed in rank under hostile colors as the +company--not of two, but of many armies, ready to engage in mutual +destruction! And indeed those who bite and devour one another, are in +danger of being consumed one of another. The Lord is righteous in all +that is come upon us; for we have sinned against him--both we and our +fathers. We know not how to avert more wrath from the Lord, reclaim +backsliders, confirm the wavering, direct sincere inquirers, apprise the +unsuspecting of their danger, and exonerate our own consciences, +otherwise than by giving open, candid and honest testimony for Christ +and truth, against those, even once brethren by covenant bonds, who have +dishonored him, and caused the way of truth to be evil spoken of. + +Against those who separated from us in Philadelphia, 1833, erecting a +rival judicatory, and dishonestly claiming the name Reformed +Presbyterian Church, we bear our feeble testimony for the following +among other reasons: + +1. They did then openly enter on a course subversive of our whole +covenanted system of doctrine and order, by withdrawing their dissent +from the civil institutions of the United States, and incorporating with +the National Society--knowing the same to be, by the terms of the +national compact, opposed in many respects, both to godliness and +honesty. + +2. This party had, in a clandestine way, exerted their influence to +seduce and draw away disciples after them for a series of years. This is +evident from the petitions addressed to Synod on the jury law, issuing +from those who are known to have been in correspondence with some of the +leaders in that defection. + +3. This party are chargeable with mutilating the Judicial Testimony +emitted in Scotland, 1761; and also with changing the terms of +communion, and obtruding a mutilated formula upon an unsuspecting +people, contrary to due order. + +_History_ and _argument_ are excluded from the terms of Church +Fellowship, on the very face of "Reformation Principles Exhibited;" and +the Auchensaugh Covenant expunged from the formula of terms of +communion, without submitting them in overture to the people for +inspection. We say these steps of defection and apostasy are chargeable +to the account of those who made the breach in 1833: _First_, Because +the senior and leading ministers in that separation were the men who +framed the American Testimony and Terms of Communion; and so had many +years before laid the platform and projected the course on which they +violently entered at that date. _Second_, These separatists, in the +edition of these symbols of their profession lately published, have +consistently left out of the volume, the Historical Part, and also +remodeled the formula of Terms of Communion. + +4. This body continues to wax worse and worse, against all remonstrance +from their former connections and others, as also in the face of +providential rebukes;--losing, because forfeiting, the confidence of +conscientious and honorable men, exemplified in the frequent meetings, +and to them, disastrous results, of the Convention of, so called, +Reformed Churches. + +SEC. V. With the foregoing party may be classed those different and +conflicting fellowships in Scotland and Ireland, whose recent Terms of +Communion and Judicial Testimony, substantially identify with those +mentioned in the preceding section. + +1. Public fame charges the Eastern Synod of Ireland, and the Synod of +Scotland, with connivance at the members and officers under their +inspection, in co-operating with the immoral and anti-christian +government of Great Britain. They are therefore guilty of giving their +power and strength to that powerful and blood-thirsty horn of the beast. +We are inclined to give more credit to public fame in this than we would +in many other cases, because: + +2. These Synods have opened a door in their new Testimony for such +sinful confederacies. "What!" will the simple and uninitiated reader of +the Testimony ask, "does not that Testimony declare, often and often, +that the British constitution is anti-christian?" We answer, the _book_ +declares so; but we caution the reader to be on his guard, lest he judge +and take for granted, without a careful examination, that the book and +the Testimony are the same thing. Let the honest inquirer consult the +_preface_ to the _Historical_ part of the book, and then the preface to +the Doctrinal part: the latter, he will find, on due examination, to +constitute the Testimony. True, in page 8 of the preface to the volume, +it is said, "the Testimony, as now published, consists of two parts, the +one _Historical_ and the other _Doctrinal_." This sounds orthodox; but, +in the same page, when these two parts come to be defined, it is said, +"when the church requires of those admitted into her fellowship, an +acknowledgement of a work like the present, the approbation expressed +has a reference to the _principles_ embodied in it, and _the proper +application_ of them," &c. "So they wrap it up"--better than our fathers +succeeded in a similar enterprise in America. The truth is what they +call the _historical_ part is largely _argumentative_; and both these +parts are carefully and covertly excluded from the _terms of +fellowship_! We shall have occasion to recur to this subject, as there +are many others likeminded with these innovators. + +3. These people are also deeply involved in the popular, so called, +benevolent associations of the world, Sunday Schools, Bible Societies, +Temperance Reforms, Missionary Enterprise, &c, evidencing a wide +departure from our covenanted uniformity, based upon our covenanted +Testimony. + +SEC. VI. Those who in 1838, on account of sensible tyranny, growing out +of defection on the part of the majority, declined the authority of +Synod, have shared all along in our sympathies; and it has been our +desire that they and we could see eye to eye in the doctrines and order +of the house of God. + +Although this party promised fair for a time, and apparently contended +for "all the attainments of a covenanted reformation," in process of +time it became apparent that they possessed not intelligence sufficient +to manage a consistent testimony for that cause. They seem to have been +under the influence of temporary impulse, arising from the experience of +_mal-administration_; rather than to have discovered any +_constitutional_ defection in the body from which they separated. This +is apparent indeed if we have access to any credible source of +information relative to the principles they profess, and their Christian +practice. More particularly, + +1. Although that paper which they designate "Safety League," has the +sound of orthodoxy; yet, as originated, and since interpreted by them, +there is a lamentable falling off from the attainments and footsteps of +the flock. _First_, so far as we can ascertain, that instrument had +clandestine origin being framed and subscribed by those _who were yet in +fellowship with the Synod_! This might be earnest, but, we think, not +honorable contending for the truth. _Second_, when this paper comes to +be interpreted by its framers and signers, it seems to cover only the +American Testimony and Terms, as remodeled by breach of presbyterial +order. At other times, it will conveniently extend to the Scottish +Testimony, 1761, and the Auchensaugh Deed, 1712! From which we infer +that these people have no settled standards. + +2. We testify against these people for unwarrantable separation from us. +One of their elders co-operated in organizing the Reformed Presbytery in +1840; this in official, and, as then distinctly understood, +representative capacity. Yet, some time afterward, he and his brethren +withdrew from said Presbytery, without assigning justifiable reasons. + +3. Efforts are known to have been made, by some then in their +fellowship, to have social corresponding meetings established among +them, but without success; in opposition to the well-defined example of +our witnessing fathers, whose example they affect to imitate. + +Lastly, these quondam brethren are not, to this day, distinguishable, in +the symbols of their profession, from any party who have more evidently +and practically abandoned the distinctive principles and order of a +covenanted ancestry. There is no constitutional barrier in the way of +their coalescence with any party, whom interest or caprice may select. + +SEC. VII. Against that party usually, but improperly, styled the Old +Lights, are we obliged to testify more pointedly than against any other +party now claiming to be Reformed Presbyterians. _First_, because we +believe there are among them still, real Covenanters; and, in proportion +to the whole body, a greater number of such than in any other +fellowship. These we would undeceive, if the Lord will; for we earnestly +desire renewed fellowship with all such on original ground. _Second_, +because the leaders among these make the fairest show in the flesh, and, +calculating on spiritual sloth and the force of confirmed habit, hope to +lead honest people insensibly after them back into Egypt. _Third_, +because they are more numerous, and, from habit, more exemplary than +other parties; and therefore more likely to influence honest Christians +unwittingly to dishonor Christ, and gainsay his precious truth. + +1. These former brethren acted, in 1833, very similar to the policy of +the Revolution Church of Scotland in 1689. Instead of repairing the +breaches made, and going on to fortify our New Testament Jerusalem, +against the assaults of enemies in future, they rested in their present +position, providing only for a new edition of Reformation Principles +Exhibited, with a continuance of the history to that date. It was urged, +at the time, that the argumentative part of our Testimony should be +hastened to completion, but without effect. As the apostate Assembly of +Scotland, 1689, admitted unsound ministers, curates, &c., to seats in +court; so, with the like politic design, members were admitted to seats +in Synod, 1833, who claimed "a right to withdraw to another party, if +they should see cause"--yea, one of these was called to the moderator's +chair! + +2. At next meeting, 1834, when the continuation of the historical part +of the Testimony was read, and referred to a committee for publication +in the forthcoming edition of Reformation Principles Exhibited, it was +directed that the terms of communion should be inserted, supplying the +deficiency in the first term, in these words: "and the alone infallible +rule of faith and manners." In the new edition these important words +were omitted, as before! Several ministers seemed to be influenced in +social relations, at that time, more by public opinion, than by the +infallible rule. No further progress was made with the argumentative +part of the Testimony, and a petition from Greenfield, to have Synod's +mind relative to occasional hearing, was returned. Against these steps +of unfaithfulness we lift our protest. + +3. Against the tyranny manifested at the next meeting, there were some +to stand up at the time; but the spirit of the world prevailed in all +the important transactions. We testify against those who refused to +permit petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed to that court, +to be read. Especially do we protest against that satanical spirit +evidenced in misrepresenting certain respectful and argumentative +papers, as being "abusive," "insulting," &c.: also the unrighteous +attempt, by some guilty members of that court, to stop the mouth of +petitioners; and we condemn the reason assigned for so doing, viz., +"They had no right to petition, because they were under suspension"! +This reason is worthy of double condemnation, as coming from the mouth +of him who, in this instance, acted the ecclesiastical tyrant, and who +would come down from Zion's walls to the plains of Ono, mingle in +political strife, that he might open his mouth for the dumb; and because +a brother in covenant bonds would demur, censure him, and then make the +fact of censure a reason why he should not be heard when petitioning for +relief from such tyranny! "Revolters are profound to make slaughter." + +4. As papers were numerous on the table of Synod in 1838, so they +furnished occasion for displays of character and conduct, humiliating to +all lovers of Zion, who witnessed the transactions of that meeting of +the supreme judicatory. + +This was the first time, so far as we know, when that body was called +upon formally to review and rectify, in a way competent to them, some +parts, both of the constitutional law and administration of the Reformed +Presbyterian Synod and Church in America. For a series of years, and +chiefly through the influence of leaders in that faction which separated +from the body in 1833, high-handed measures of tyranny had transpired: +and some of the subjects of that tyranny were yet writhing under a sense +of accumulated wrongs; others had, by death, been released from this +species of persecution. Some thought it dutiful to call Synod's +attention to these matters, and a _petition_ was laid before them, from +Rev. Robert Lusk, requesting that certain cases of discipline, which the +petitioner specified, be reviewed; and especially asking, that "the term +_testimony_ be restored to its former ecclesiastical use." As this was, +in our deliberate opinion, the most important measure brought under the +cognizance of the church representative in America, during the current +of the nineteenth century, it was thought the court would take the +matter under deliberate consideration. Whether through ignorance of the +matter proposed, or that sectional interests engrossed the attention of +parties, or that the prevailing majority desired to be untrammeled in +their future course, the petition was smuggled through and shuffled by, +under the cognomen of a "letter," which a member of Synod answered on +behalf of the court, as though it were a matter of the smallest +importance imaginable! We solemnly testify against this manner of +disposing of a weighty matter at that time, whether through inattention +or design. We protest also against the violent conduct of those +ministers, and others on the same occasion, who made the place of solemn +worship and judicial deliberation, a scene of confusion, by +vociferations, gesticulations and physical force, in violation of God's +law, ordination vows, and the first principle of Presbyterian church +government. + +5. Here we can advert only to a tithe of the fruits of darkness, which +had been increasing in quantity and bitterness, since the meeting of +Synod in New York, 1838. To carry out measures of worldly policy, in +1840, diligent electioneering was carried on during the intermediate +time, that the court might be what is technically called a _packed +Synod_. That court was chiefly composed of such ministers and elders as +were known to favor innovations; and some who were known to be disposed +to resist defection, were excluded from seats in court. Against this +dishonest, partial and unjust measure, we protest. And here we lift our +testimony against this course, as having greatly retarded the Lord's +work for many years before, and as having facilitated the introduction +of error, disorder and open tyranny, in manifold instances, during the +same period. + +6. We testify against the tyranny exercised upon James McKinney, of +Coldenham, who was not allowed to read his vindication and +justification, when he asked permission to do so, from the published +sentiments of some of those who condemned him!!! Also the cruelty +practiced toward Miss King, an absent member, whose representation of +her case to the Synod, could not so much as be heard. We bear testimony +against those who in that Synod would interrupt, call to order--in +violation of order--those members who were appearing in defense of +injured truth, and who were often silenced by tumult, or the call of +order by an obsequious moderator. Especially do we testify against the +dishonesty and unfaithfulness of that body, displayed by them in +disposing of the paper inserted (see p. 132), calling Synod's attention +to what we firmly believe to be the source of all the error, guilt and +distractions incident or attending to that body for many years. + +On the practice of confederating with the enemies of God, we testify +against this party, not only for the _fact_ of so confederating, but +also, and chiefly, for resisting the evidence of God's word, often +adduced in condemnation of the practice--refusing to hear the +testimonies, experience, and reasoning of Christ's witnesses and +martyr's when cited from the Cloud of Witnesses, Informatory +Vindication, Gillespie on Confederacies, &c; and for obstinately going +on in this trespass, in the face of manifold convictions from living +witnesses and providential rebukes. + +As it respects ecclesiastical relations, we testify against these former +brethren for having wittingly, perseveringly, and presumptuously +fostered _schism_ in the visible church, manifestly for carnal ends, +during many years. It is notorious that five Synods are in organic +fellowship, while hardly two of them will hold ministerial or +sacramental communion! What a picture does this state of things in the +professing church of Christ present to the infidel; how hardening to the +self-righteous and the openly profane! And although conventional +regulations be lightly looked upon by many, not being based upon express +words of scripture; yet when framed and engaged to, according to the +general rules of scripture, much sin is the result of violating them, +and trampling them under foot, as has often been done by this body of +people. This has been the case in Presbyteries, subordinate Synods, and +especially in the general Synod. Subordinate Synods have been dissolved +by the action of the general Synod after they had ceased to be; and +without consulting the Presbyteries, who alone were competent to decree +or dissolve the delegation form of the general Synod, that court +dissolved itself, after having many years trampled upon the law of +Presbyteries fixing the ratio of delegation. Against such reckless, +disorderly procedure we testify as being the cause or occasion of much +sin against Zion's King, and much suffering to his precious people. + +Finally--We solemnly enter our protestation against this church, as +having taken the lead of most others in razing the very foundation stone +of the covenanted structure. All the evils that have befallen the +professed friends of a work of reformation on both sides of the Atlantic +are traceable to a _setting aside_ the _footsteps_ of the flock from +being terms of ecclesiastical communion. It is now more than ten years +since this important matter was expressly submitted to the Old Light +Synod's consideration, and during the subsequent period, in various +forms, the same has been pressed, but without effect; except as +manifesting more fully their obduracy. They refuse still to return, +Ephraim-like, going on frowardly in the way of their own heart. + +That uninspired history ought to be incorporated among the terms of +communion in the Church of Christ, is a proposition which we firmly +believe, on the evidence both of reason and Scripture, although denied, +condemned, and rejected by all pretenders to reformation attainments. +That _history_ and _argument_ are so rejected by all parties affecting +to be _reformed_ churches, will appear from the following citations from +their own authoritative judicial declarations: "Authentic history and +sound argument are always to be highly valued; but they should not be +incorporated with the confession of the Church's faith." "The +Declaratory part is, the Church's _standing Testimony_."--Ref. Prin. +Exhibited, preface--edition, 1835. Here history and argument are both +excluded, not only from the Church's _testimony_ but also from her +confession! This is the declared sentiment of Old and New Light +Covenants, together with the Safety League people--evidencing to all who +are free from party influence, that however they differ in practice, on +this all important point they perfectly harmonize in principle. East of +the Atlantic, among the three Synods professing to follow the footsteps +of the flock, the declared sentiment is the same, but then they differ +from their brethren in practice--mingling with the heathen and learning +their works without scruple. In this respect they are more consistent +than the other parties, though more visibly corrupt. + +The Reformed Dissenters "prefix a _Narrative_ to their testimony," thus +rejecting _history_ from _testimony_. Some advocates for union in +conventions of reformed churches, have plead for a historical +introduction to their proposed _testimony_; but they have carefully +assured the public that this introduction shall constitute no _term_ of +union or communion. Thus, it is evident, that all the professed +followers of the British Reformers around us, have cast off this +reformation attainment from the standards of their professions +severally. We condemn this church-rending and soul-ruining sentiment, +and testify against all who maintain it, for the following reasons: + +_First_, on their part it is inconsistent and self-contradictory. They +all say they are following the footsteps and holding the attainments of +the Scottish Reformers. But how do they discover these footsteps, or how +ascertain these attainments? Are they recorded in the Bible? No. Are +they to be found elsewhere but in _uninspired history_? Certainly no +where else. Yet all these parties absurdly reject uninspired history +from their bonds of fellowship! and still venture to tell the world, +they are holding fast these attainments!! This is solemn trifling, +profane mockery. _Second_. This position is unsound and false in the +light of reason. All civilized nations, as well as the Jews, have it +written in their laws, "That the testimony of two men is true." The +witnesses do not need to be inspired to be credible. "We receive the +witness of men," although a "false witness will utter lies." No society +can exist without practical recognition of the credibility of human +testimony; and this is especially true of the "Church of the living God, +which is the pillar and ground of the truth;" for, _Third_. In the light +of Scripture, her members cannot perform some of their most important +duties, either to God or to one another if they irrationally and +wickedly relinquish this principle. God's people are charged "not to +forget his mighty works;" Psa. lxxviii. 7. Are these works all written +in the Bible? They are required to confess their fathers' sins, as well +as their own. Since the divine canon was closed, many sins have been, +and now are chargeable against professing Christians. Are these recorded +in the Scriptures? And thus the reader may ask himself of sin and duty +to any extent, in relation to God as a party. + +And the same is true of the second table of the moral law. For example: +in reference to "the first commandment with promise," should the +Christian minor be asked as the Jew did his Lord, "Who is your father?" +How shall he answer? Is he warranted to appeal to God to manifest his +earthly sonship? No; but he is required by God's law to "honor his +father;" and his obedience to this command is grounded on human +testimony as to the object to whom this honor is due. Thus consistency, +reason and scripture combine, to accuse and fasten guilt--the guilt of +apostasy upon all who have renounced that fundamental principle of our +glorious covenanted reformation--_that history and argument belong to +the bond of ecclesiastical fellowship_. With any who hold the theory +here condemned, however exemplary or even conscientious in morals and +religion they may appear, we can have no ecclesiastical fellowship; for, +however ardent their attachment or strong their expressions of affection +to Confession, Catechisms, Covenants, &c.; they give no guarantee of +competent intelligence or probable stability; as alas! we see in the +present declining course of many in our day. + +We would earnestly and affectionably beseech all well wishers to a +covenanted work of reformation: that they would take into their serious +consideration whether these things are, or are not connected inseparably +with the wellfare of Zion. Especially would we expostulate with such as +have any regard for the Judicial Testimony adopted at Ploughlandhead, +Scotland, in 1761: that they conscientiously compare it with the book +called Reformation Principles Exhibited, and also with the new Scottish +Testimony, where it is practicable, and all these with the supreme +standard, the holy scriptures. They will find on examination, that these +are wholly irreconcilable in the very form of testimony-bearing. +Particularly, let the reader notice that our fathers in 1761, considered +_history_ and _argument_ as constituting their testimony: and did not +look upon _doctrinal declaration_ as formal testimony at all. Look at +the very title page of their Testimony; where you read, "Act, +Declaration and Testimony," plainly distinguishing between _declaration_ +and _Testimony_. Now, all innovators make doctrinal declaration their +testimony, reversing our fathers' order; yea, we would add God's order, +for he distinguishes between his law and testimony; Ps. lxxviii, 5-7; +cv, 42-45. God's special providences toward his covenanted people +constitute his testimony by way of eminence; Exod. xx, 1, &c., and their +conduct under his providences constitute their testimony, which must +consist of history; and by this and the blood of the Lamb, Christ's +witnesses are destined to overcome all anti-christian combinations. + +In attempting thus to follow the approved example of our covenant +fathers, whose practice it was to testify not only against the +corruptions of ecclesiastical, but also of civil constitutions, where +their lot was cast, we deem it incumbent on us to continue our testimony +first published in 1806, against the immoralities incorporated with the +government of these United States. + +Believing that a nation as such, is a proper subject of God's +government, and that those nations favored with his law as revealed in +the holy scriptures, are peculiarly required to regard the authority of +the Lord and his Anointed, therein made fully known: it is with deep +regret that we feel constrained to designate and testify against evils +in the Constitution of this nation. Notwithstanding numerous +excellencies embodied in this instrument, there are moral evils +contained in it also, of such magnitude, that no Christian can +consistently give allegiance to the system. There is not contained in it +any acknowledgment of the Christian religion, or professed submission to +the kingdom of Messiah. It gives support to the enemies of the Redeemer, +and admits to its honors and emoluments Jews, Mohammedans, Deists and +Atheists--it establishes that system of robbery by which men are held in +slavery, despoiled of liberty, and property, and protection. It violates +the principles of representation, by bestowing upon the domestic tyrant +who holds hundreds of his fellow creatures in bondage, an influence in +making laws for freemen proportioned to the number of his own slaves. +This constitution is, in many instances, inconsistent, oppressive and +impious. + +Much guilt, and of long standing, is chargeable against this nation, for +its cruel treatment of the colored race, in subjecting them ever since +1789 to hopeless bondage; its unjust transactions with the Indian race, +and more recently waging an unjust war with a neighboring republic, as +would appear, for the wicked purpose of extending the iniquitous system +of slavery. + +"Arise O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations." + + + + +PART IV. + +A brief declaration or summary of the principles maintained by the +Presbytery, as to doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, in +agreeableness to the word of God, our Confession of Faith and +Catechisms, and whole covenanted testimony of the Church of +Scotland.--The contrary doctrines condemned. + + +Unto what has been more generally laid down in the preceding pages, with +respect to the principles and practice of this church and nation, both +in former and present times; the Presbytery proceed to subjoin a +positive and explicit declaration of their principles anent the truths +of our holy religion, whether by the generality agreed unto, or by some +controverted. + +I. OF GOD.--The Presbytery did, and hereby do acknowledge and declare, +that there is one infinite, eternal, self-existent, and independent +Being; and that this only true and living God, absolutely +all-sufficient, having all being, perfection, glory, and blessedness, in +and of himself, subsists in three distinct, divine persons, the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit (in one and the same undivided essence and +godhead), all equally the same in substance, power, and glory, although +distinguished by their personal properties; according to Deut. vi, 4; 1 +Cor. viii, 6; 1 Tim. i, 17; Acts xvii, 24, 25; 1 John v, 7; Matth. +xxviii, 19; Confession of Faith, chap. 2; larger catechism, quest. +7--11; shorter catechism, quest. 4--6. + +II. OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.--Again, they confess and declare, that +although the light of nature discovers unto us that there is a God, yet +of itself it is absolutely insufficient to teach us the saving knowledge +of the invisible Being and his will; and therefore God of his infinite +condescension has given us a most perfect revelation of himself and of +his will in the scriptures of truth, contained in the sacred books of +the Old and New Testament; which scriptures the Presbytery assert to be +of divine authority, and not to be believed and received because of any +other testimony, than that of God their author, who is truth itself. +Which word of God is the alone perfect and complete rule, both of faith +and practice, containing a full and ample revelation of the whole +counsel of God, both respecting his own glory and the salvation of men; +by which all spirits are to be tried, and to which all doctrines and +controversies in religion are to be brought, as to the supreme judge, in +whose sentence alone we are to acquiesce; according to Rom. i, 19, 20; 1 +Cor. ii, 13, 14; Heb. i, 1; 2 Tim. iii, 16; 2 Pet. i, 19, 21; 2 Tim. +iii, 15; Gal. i. 8, 9; Eph. ii, 20, and our standards, Confess. chap. 1; +larger Cat. quest. 2-5; shorter Cat. quest. 2, 3. + +III. OF THE DECREES OF GOD.--Again, they assert and maintain, that +Jehovah, according to his own most wise counsel, and for his own glory, +has, by one immanent act of his will from eternity, purposed and decreed +all events in time; and particularly, that by his absolute sovereignty, +he has unchangeably determined the final state of all intelligent +beings, visible and invisible. That God of his mere good pleasure, +abstracting from all other causes whatever, for the praise of his +glorious grace to be manifested in time, has from all eternity +predestinated a certain definite number of mankind sinners, in and +through Jesus Christ, to eternal life, together with all the means +leading thereunto. And also, by the same sovereign will, has passed by, +and left others in their sins, foreordaining them to bear the just +punishment of their own iniquities; as is evident from Rom. ix, 11, 13, +15, 16, 18; Eph. i, 4, 6, 9, 11; Jude verse 4; and according to Confess, +chap. 3; larger Cat. quest. 12, 13; shorter Catechism quest. 7. + +IV. OF CREATION.--In like manner they acknowledge and declare, that as +God, from the infinity of his being and goodness, has communicated a +finite created existence to all other beings, framing them with natures +wisely suited and adapted to the different ends of their creation; so by +the same all-powerful word whereby they were at first created, he +preserves and upholds all his creatures in their beings, and by the +incessant care and invariable conduct of his divine providence, does +constantly direct and overrule them and all their actions unto his own +glory; according to divine revelation, Gen. i, throughout; Col i, 16; +Rom. xi, 36; Psal, cxlv, 17, and xxxiii, 9; and cxix, 91; Heb. i, 2, 3; +Confess, chap. 4, 5; larger Cat. quest. 14; short. Cat. quest. 8. + +Likewise they profess and declare, that God, as the last and finishing +part of his workmanship in this lower world, created man an intelligent +being, endued with a living, reasonable and immortal soul, whose +greatest glory consisted in his having the gracious image of his God and +Creator drawn upon his soul, chiefly consisting in that knowledge, +righteousness and inherent holiness wherewith he was created. And +further, that God, in his favor and condescension to man, was pleased to +enter into a covenant with him, as the public head and representative of +all his posterity, wherein God promised unto him eternal life and +blessedness with himself in glory, upon condition of personal, perfect +and perpetual obedience; to the performance whereof, he furnished him +with full power and ability, and threatened death upon the violation of +his law and covenant, as is evident from the sacred text; Gen. i, 26, +27; Eccl. vii, 29; Gen. ii, 17; Rom. x, 5, and according to our Confess, +chap. 4, § 2; chap, 7, § 1, 2; chap. 19, § 1; larger Cat. quest. 20; +short. Cat. quest. 10, 12. + +V. OF THE FALL OF MAN.--They again assert and maintain, that the first +and common parents of mankind, being seduced by the subtilty of Satan, +transgressed the covenant of innocency, in eating the forbidden fruit; +whereby they lost the original rectitude of their nature, were cut off +from all gracious intercourse with God, and became both legally and +spiritually dead; and therefore they being the natural root of all +mankind, and the covenant being made with _Adam_, not as a private, but +a public person, all his descendants by ordinary generation, are born +under the guilt of that first sin, destitute of original righteousness, +and having their nature wholly depraved and corrupted; so that they are +by nature children of wrath, subjected unto all the penal evils +contained in the curse of a broken law, both in this life, and in that +which is to come; Gen. iii, 6, 13; Eccl. vii. 20; Rom. v, from 12 to 20; +Rom. iii, 10-19; Eph. ii, 3; Confess, chap. 6: larger Cat. quest. 21, +22, short. Cat. question 13 to 20. + +In like manner they assert and declare, that all mankind, by their +original apostasy from God, are not only become altogether filthy and +abominable in the eyes of God's holiness; but also, are hereby utterly +indisposed, disabled, and entirely opposite to all good, the +understanding become darkness, and the will enmity and rebellion itself +against God; so that man, by his fall, having lost all ability of will +to what is spiritually good, cannot in his natural state, and by his own +strength, convert himself (being dead in trespasses and sins), nor can +he in less or more contribute to his own salvation, or in the least +prepare himself thereunto; neither is there any natural, necessary or +moral connection between the most diligent and serious use of the means, +and obtaining salvation thereby. Although the Presbytery maintain, that +as a God of grace has promised the converting influences of his Spirit +to be showered down upon dead souls, in the use of means of his own +appointment; they are therefore to be attended to with the utmost care +and diligence; as appears from Rom. v, 6; John vi, 44, 65; Tit. iii, +3-5; Job xiv, 4; Confess. chap. 9, § 3; larger Cat. quest. 25. + +VI. OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE.--Likewise they assert and declare, that +Jehovah, in the person of the Father, having purposed to save a certain +number of the ruined family of _Adam_, did from all eternity enter into +a covenant transaction with Jesus Christ, his eternal and only begotten +Son, who contracted as the second _Adam_, in the name of all his +spiritual seed. In which covenant, the Father promising to confer +eternal life upon a select number given unto Christ, upon condition of +his fulfilling all righteousness for them; the Lord Jesus Christ did +again stipulate and engage, as the condition of the covenant by him to +be fulfilled, that in the fullness of time, assuming the human nature +into a personal union with the divine, he would therein, and in the +elect's name fulfill, not only the preceptive part of the law, but also +bear the whole punishment contained in the threatening thereof: which +covenant, that it might be absolutely free to sinners, and that the +salvation therein provided for them, might not be of debt, but of grace, +was unto Jesus Christ a covenant of redemption, nothing being therein +promised to him, but upon his paying a full price, adequate to the most +extensive demands of law and justice; according to Psal. lxxxix, 2, 3, +28, 34, 35; Tit. i, 2; Isa. liii, 10, 11; Matth. v, 17; Confess. chap. +7, § 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 30, 31; Short. Cat. quest. 20. + +VII. OF THE MEDIATOR.--In like manner they profess, assert, and declare, +that the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person in the glorious and +adorable Trinity, being by the Father's appointment constituted mediator +and surety of the new covenant, did, in the fullness of time, assume the +human nature, consisting of a true body and reasonable soul, into a +personal union with his divine; which two natures, in the one person of +our Immanuel, God-man, remain distinct, without conversion, composition, +or confusion. And being every way completely qualified and furnished for +executing his mediatory offices of prophet, priest, and king, was called +to the exercise thereof, by God the Father, who put all power and +judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same; +Prov. viii, 23; Heb. ii, 14; 1 Tim. ii, 5; John vi, 27, and v, 27; +Confess. chap. 8 throughout; Larg. Cat. quest. 21-23; short. Cat. quest, +21, 22. + +Again, they acknowledge and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ our +REDEEMER, the only begotten Son of God, by eternal and ineffable +generation, is most properly a divine person, true and very God, one in +essence, equal and the same in power, eternity, glory, and all divine +perfections with the Father and Holy Ghost: and that therefore it is +most blasphemous to assert, that the terms, _necessary existence_, and +_supreme deity_, and the title of _the only true God_, do not belong to +the Son equally with the Father, as the same in substance, being +expressly contrary to these texts of sacred writ which assert the +opposite truth; John i, 1-4; Phil, ii, 6; John x, 30; 1 John v, 20, and +to our standards, Confess. chap. 8, § 2; Larg. Cat. quest. 36; Short. +Cat. 6. + +They likewise further acknowledge, assert, and declare, that the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and only Mediator between God and +man, being designed from everlasting the REDEEMER of his people, and +having all fullness, power, and authority lodged in him for the +execution of his mediatory trust, has, ever since the fall of mankind, +as the great and good shepherd of _Israel_, undertaken the care, +government, protection, and instruction of the Church of God, in +agreeableness to the above said trust: which he did all along under the +Old Testament, and still continues faithfully to discharge in all the +parts thereof; so that whatever revelation God made unto his church +since the fall, was by Jesus Christ as the great prophet and preacher of +righteousness. Particularly, it was he that first appeared unto lapsed +man, and as the great revealer of the council of peace, called upon him +in the voice of mercy, saying, "_Adam_, where art thou?" It was he that, +pleasing himself in the forethoughts of his future incarnation, and as a +prelude thereto, condescended at different times to appear in a human +form, and speak unto the fathers. By him, as the messenger of the +covenant, were the lively oracles delivered to the Israelitish church; +and by his Spirit in the prophets, successively raised up to instruct +his church in the knowledge of the divine will, was signified and +foretold the grace that should come, until the fullness of the time +appointed in the council of Heaven, when it was promised he should come, +and by his personal presence fill his house with glory. Then did God in +these last days speak unto men by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of +all things; who, not only by himself, but also, after his ascension, by +his evangelists and apostles filled with the Spirit, has made known all +things that he heard of his Father. And now, after the canon of +scripture is completed, and no new revelation to be expected to the end +of time, continues by his word and spirit to instruct sinners in the +knowledge of all things necessary for their sanctification and +salvation; according to Acts x, 38, and iii, 22; Luke iv, 18, 21; John +i, 18; 1 Pet. i, 10-12; Heb. i, 1, 2; Eph. iv, 11-13; Confess. chap. 8, +§ 1; Larg. Cat. quest. 43; Short. Cat. quest. 24. + +In like manner, they profess and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ, +being called of him that said unto him, "Thou art my Son, this day have +I begotten thee," unto the honorable office of High Priest over the +house of God, and confirmed therein by all the solemnities of the oath +of God, he did most willingly undertake this work, saying, _Lo, I come +to do thy will, O God!_ And that he might finish and fulfill the same, +in agreeableness to his eternal engagements to the Father, to the Old +Testament types and sacrifices, promises and prophecies, wherein he was +foresigned and revealed to be the seed of the woman, that should bruise +the serpent's head, did, in the fullness of time, humble himself to be +made of a woman, made under the law, in the form of a bond servant to +Jehovah. In which character, he not only fulfilled the preceptive part +of the law, but also, with the most unparalleled meekness, patience and +resignation, submitted to the most grievous and dreadful sufferings, +both in body and soul, even all that divine wrath, indignation and +punishment, wrapped up in the terrible curse of a broken covenant of +works. By which obedience of his unto the death, through the eternal +Spirit offering himself without spot unto God, a proper, real and +expiatory sacrifice for sin, he has fully satisfied divine justice, made +reconciliation for the iniquities of his people, and purchased an +eternal inheritance for them in the kingdom of glory. The saving +benefits of which redemption, by the Spirit's effectual application +thereof, he does, by his intercession at the Father's right hand, as an +arisen, living, and now glorified Savior, constantly and certainly +communicate unto all those whom the Father has given him. Further, the +Presbytery declare, that however they acknowledge the standing of the +world, as a theater to display the riches of divine grace, the preaching +of the gospel indefinitely to mankind sinners, and all the common favors +of life indifferently enjoyed by them, do all result, as native, +necessary and determined consequences, from the interposition of Christ +in behalf of his spiritual seed, and have their ultimate foundation in +the infinite sufficiency, fullness and perfection, of the blood and +sacrifice of Christ, God-man: yet they affirm, that, as a certain elect +and select number were given unto Christ, to be redeemed from among men, +so, for their sakes alone, he engaged his heart to approach unto God. +For their sakes, he sanctified himself; in their name, i.e., in their +law-room and stead, and for their good, as the surety of the better +covenant, he became obedient unto death, and endured the whole of that +punishment threatened by the law, and incurred by the transgression of +it. He subjected himself to that very curse, bore that wrath and died +that death, which they themselves should have undergone. And hereby, by +his doing and dying, he made a proper, real, full and expiatory +satisfaction to the justice of God for their sins. Wherefore it is +impossible but that to all those for whom Christ has purchased this +complete redemption, and for whose sins he has given this full +satisfaction accepted of God, he will certainly and effectually apply +and communicate the same in the saving benefits thereof; seeing that it +is his will who has merited it, that all those who are the Father's +choice by election, and his purchase by redemption, should be _ever with +him where he is, that they may behold his glory_; and since, as he is +thus willing, he is also able, to save them to the uttermost that come +to God by him. So that all for whom Christ died, all that are redeemed +by his blood, are, in consequence hereof; effectually called, justified, +sanctified and glorified; according to Psal. xl, 7, 8; Heb. x, 5-11; +Phil. ii, 8; Gal. iv, 4, 5; Heb. ix, 14, 28; Dan. ix, 24; Psal. lxxv, 3; +Isa. xlix, 8; John vi, 37, 39, chap. x, 15, 16; Eph. i, 7; Rom. viii, +34, and ver. 29, 30; John xvii throughout; John xi, 52; Confess, chap. +vii, § 4, 5, 8; Larg. Cat. quest. 44; Sh. Cat. quest. 25. + +They also acknowledge, assert and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ +is, by the appointment of God the Father, set as King upon his holy hill +of Zion; over which, as his special kingdom, he is invested with an +absolute power and supremacy, as the sole and only head thereof, to +appoint offices, officers, laws and ordinances. And that accordingly, by +virtue of this solemn investiture, the same Lord Jesus Christ has, in +all ages, called out of the world, and maintained therein, a church unto +himself, which he visibly governs by a complete system of laws, officers +and censures, instituted in his word, and has not left the affairs of +his church, in which (as a Son over his own house) he peculiarly +presides, to be regulated and modeled by the carnal policy and invention +of men. Also, that, as King in _Zion_, he powerfully and irresistibly, +in a day of efficacious grace, subdues the perverse hearts and wills of +sinners unto his obedience, persuading and enabling as many as were +appointed to obtain salvation through him, to believe in his name, in +order thereunto. All whom he either preserves from, or supports under, +the various temptations, trials and afflictions, they are liable to in +this mortal life; till at last, completing a work of grace in their +souls, he advances them to a state of perfection and glory. + +Further, the Presbytery declare and maintain, that, in subserviency to +this his special mediatory kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ has a supreme +and sovereign power given unto him, in heaven and in earth, and over the +infernal powers of darkness--angels, authorities and powers being put in +subjection to him; that he has the management of all the wheels of +providence put into his hand, whereby he restrains, disappoints, and at +last totally destroys, all the enemies of his interest and glory; and by +which he orders and overrules all the events that fall out in time, for +the accomplishment of the great and glorious ends of his incarnation, +and lasting good of those that love him: according to Psal. ii, 6; Isa. +ix, 6, 7; Isa. xxxiii, 22; Matth. xxi, 5; Isa. lv, 4, 5; Gen. xlix, 10; +Heb. iii, 6; Psal. cx, 1, 2; Matth. xxviii, 18; John vii, 2; 1 Pet. iii, +22; Phil, ii, 9-11; Confess, chap, viii § 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 45; Sh. +Cat. quest. 26. + +They again declare and assert, that as the light of nature is absolutely +insufficient to give a just discovery, either of the grievous malady of +sin, or the blessed remedy provided for sinners, so none, however +diligent they may be to frame their lives according to the dictates of +nature's light, can possibly attain to salvation, while they remain +without any objective revelation of Jesus Christ, as the great +propitiation and peace-maker, who has abolished death, and brought life +and immortality to light, by the gospel. And further, that there is no +other name, doctrine or religion, whereby any can be saved, but in the +name, doctrine and religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he is the +great author and institutor; in the profession and faith whereof, he +leads his people through this world into the possession of endless +felicity and glory in the world to come. + +VIII. OF THE GOSPEL OFFER.--They further declare, that, as God the +Father, out of his unbounded love, has, on the footing of the infinite +sufficiency of the death and sacrifice of Christ, made a free and +unhampered gift and grant of him, as an all-sufficient Savior, unto +sinners of mankind lost, as such, in the word: so the ministers and +embassadors of Christ (according as they are expressly authorized and +commanded by him) are to publish this gospel, these glad tidings of +great joy to all the world, wherever they may be called or cast, in the +providence of God, and make a full, free and unhampered offer of Christ +and his whole salvation to sinners, without distinction, assuring them +of God's mercy and grace, through Christ, in whom he proclaims himself +well pleased; of Christ's omnipotent power and ability to save to the +uttermost all that come unto God by him; and that there are no +impediments, bars or hinderances, _ab extra_, between Jesus Christ, as +held forth in the offer of the gospel, and sinners lost, why they, even +every one of them, may not receive and appropriate him, as the Lord +their righteousness. And the above said frank and unhampered gift of +Christ, and him crucified, by God the Father, as a full and +all-sufficient Savior unto lost and ruined sinners, the Presbytery view +as the great and prime foundation, both of the ministerial offer, and +of, faith in the Lord Jesus, for life and salvation: as is clear from +Rom. x, 14; 1 Cor. i, 21-25; Isa. lv, 1; Mark xvi, 15; John iii, 16; +Confess, chap, vii, § 3; Larg. Cat. ques. 67; Sh. Cat. ques. 31, &c. + +IX. OF JUSTIFICATION.--Again, they profess and declare, that the active +and passive obedience, or the complete mediatory righteousness, of the +Lord Jesus Christ, is the only meritorious cause of a sinner's +justification, pardon of sin, and acceptance of his person and services +with a holy God; and that true and saving faith, which is also the gift +of God, is the alone instrumental cause of the sinner's justification in +his sight; or that evangelical condition, or internal mean, in and by +which the soul is interested in Christ, and the whole of his +righteousness and salvation. Which righteousness, received and rested on +by faith, is the only foundation of a sinner's title to eternal life and +glory; as appears evident from Rom. iii, 22-29; Rom. v, 17-20; Jer. +xxiii, 6; Gal. ii, 16; Acts x, 43; Col. i, 27; Acts viii, 37; Rom. x, 9; +Mark v, 36; Eph. ii, 8; Confess, chap. 11, 14; Larg. Cat. ques. 70, 73; +Sh. Cat. ques. 3. + +They likewise profess and maintain, that believers, by the righteousness +of Christ being justified from all things, from which they could not be +justified by the law of Moses, are by Jesus Christ perfectly delivered +from the law, as a covenant of works, both as commanding and condemning; +so as that thereby they are neither justified nor condemned, it being +dead to them, and they to it, by the body of Christ, to whom they are +married. However, notwithstanding of this freedom, they are still +servants unto God; still under the moral law, as a rule of life in the +hand of their glorious Mediator and new covenant Head, directing them +how they are to walk, so as to please God; the obligation whereof, as +such, remains perpetual and indissoluble; and that this privilege is +peculiar to believers only, all others being still under the old +covenant obligation, both as to the debt of obedience and punishment; +according to Rom. vi, 14, and vii, 4, 6; Gal. iv, 4, 5, and ii, 16; Rom. +viii, 1; Gal. iii, 10; Confess, chap, xix, § 5, 6; Larg. Cat. ques. 97; +Sh. Cat. ques. 43, 44. + +X. OF GOOD WORKS.--Again, they assert and declare, that as no works +are truly and spiritually good, but those that are performed by a person +united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and under the influence of his +Holy Spirit; and consequently, that none of the actions of the +unregenerate, however in themselves materially agreeable unto the letter +of the law, are either pleasing or acceptable to God; nor can they +dispose or prepare their souls for receiving his grace, though their +omission and neglect of these is still more displeasing unto God, and +destructive unto themselves. So likewise they declare, that even the +best works of obedience performed by the regenerate, can neither merit +the pardon of any one sin, nor procure them the smallest measure or +God's grace or favor, because of the manifold sins and imperfections +they are still attended with, and because of the infinite distance +between God and them, with respect to whom, when they have done all that +they can, they are but unprofitable servants. Neither is their ability +to do them at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit dwelling in +them. And further, that the spring and principle motive of true love to +God, and acceptable obedience to him, is not self-interest or love to +our own felicity, nor yet a slavish fear of punishment; but the glorious +perfections and transcendent excellencies of the Deity, manifested in +the face of Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory, +and express image of his person, are the prime and chief motives both of +love, fear and obedience unto God; all who really love God loving him +principally for himself. As also, that all acceptable service to God, +performed by believers, is principally influenced by the authority of a +God of grace, stamped upon his word, springs from faith in Jesus Christ, +as an animating and active principle in their souls, and is ultimately +directed to the glory of God in Christ, as the great end thereof. Hence, +therefore, although God has graciously connected his own glory and his +people's felicity inseparably together, that yet no actions, however +good in themselves or beneficial to others, which arise only from a +principle of self-interest, love to one's own bliss, or fear of hell, +are evidential of saving grace in the soul, or any more than what one in +a state of nature may perform; according to Gen. iv, 5; Heb. xi, 4, 6; +Matth. vi, 2, 5, 16; Hag. ii, 14; Amos, v, 21, 22; Tit. i, 15, and iii, +5; Rom. iii, 20, and iv, 2, 4, 6; Job xxii, 2, 3; Eph. i, 6; 1 Pet. ii, +5; Exod. xxviii, 38; Confess, chap. 16 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 73, +101; Sh. Cat. ques. 44. + +XI. OF ASSURANCE OF GRACE.--In like manner they declare and assert, that +although there may be much darkness, and manifold doubts and fears, +seated in the same soul where true and saving faith is: and although +true believers may wait long before they know themselves to be +believers, and be assured that they are really in a state of grace; and +even, after they have arrived at a subjective assurance of their +salvation, may have it much shaken, clouded and intermitted; that yet +there is no doubting, no darkness, in the saving acts of a true and +lively faith: but in all the appropriating acts of saving faith, there +is an objective assurance, an assured confidence and trust in Jesus +Christ, and the promise of life in which he is revealed to the soul; +according to Isa. 1, 10; Mark ix, 24; 1 John v, 13; Psal. lxxvii, 1 to +11; Psal. lxxxviii, throughout; Gal. ii, 20; Mark xi, 24; Confess, chap. +18 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 72, 80, 81; Short. Cat. question 86. + +XII. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.--They further assert and +declare, that whosoever, of any of the children of men, in all ages, +have attained salvation, did believe in, and receive the Lord Jesus +Christ, the promised Messiah, and only Savior from sin, to whom all the +prophets bear witness, in whom all the promises and lines of salvation +do center; and particularly, that however much the faith of the +disciples and apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in him, as +their only Redeemer, might be at any time overclouded, yet it was never +totally subverted; and that the noble grace of faith in the souls of +believers cannot be totally lost; but that such is the immutability of +God's decrees, and his unchangeable love; such the efficacy of their +Redeemer's merit, and constant abiding of the spirit of holiness in +them; and such the nature of the new covenant, that, notwithstanding of +various temptations and afflictions, the prevailing of remaining +corruption in them, they must all and every one of them, certainly and +infallibly persevere in a state of grace unto the end, and be at last +saved with an everlasting salvation; as appears from Heb. xi, 13; John +iv, 42; Phil. i, 6; John x, 28, 29; 1 Pet. ii, 9; Jer. xxxiv, 4; +Confess, chap. 8, § 1, chap. 14, § 2, and chap. 17 throughout. + +XIII. OF LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.--They further assert and declare, that +the noble faculty of conscience, God's deputy in the soul of man, over +which he alone is absolute Lord and Sovereign, is not subjected unto the +authority of man; neither are any human commands further binding upon +the consciences of men, than they are agreeable unto, and founded upon +the revealed will of God, whether in matters of faith or practice. And +although the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased a glorious liberty unto +believers from sin, and all the bitter fruits thereof, and of access to +a throne of grace with boldness; and has procured unto his church +freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, with a more abundant +communication of gospel influences: yet, inasmuch as conscience is the +rule ruled, not the rule, ruling, none can, without manifest sin, upon +pretense of conscience or Christian liberty, cherish any forbidden lust +in their souls, nor are left at freedom to reject any of the divine +ordinances instituted in the word, to change or corrupt their scriptural +institution, by immixing human inventions therewith, or in the least +deviating from the punity thereof. And that therefore, all who vent or +maintain tenets or opinions, contrary to the established principles of +Christianity, whether in the matter of doctrine, divine worship, or +practice in life, which are contrary to, and inconsistent with the +analogy of faith, and power of true godliness, or destructive to that +pure peace and good order established by Christ in his church, are +accountable unto the church; and upon conviction, ought to be proceeded +against, by inflicting ecclesiastical censures or civil pains, in a way +agreeable unto the divine determination in the word concerning such +offenses. + +And further, they declare, that it is most wicked, and what manifestly +strikes against the sovereign authority of God, for any power on earth +to pretend to tolerate, and, by sanction of civil law, to give license +to men to publish and propagate with impunity, whatever errors, +heresies, and damnable doctrines, Satan, and their own corrupt and +blinded understandings, may prompt them to believe and embrace; +toleration being destructive of all true religion, and of that liberty +wherewith Christ has made his people free; and the great end thereof, +which is, "That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we may +serve the Lord--in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our +lives." Agreeable to James iv, 12; Rom. xiv, 4; Acts iv, 19, and v, 29; +1 Cor. vii, 23; Matth. xxiii, 9; 2 John 10, 11; 2 Cor. i, 24; Matth. xv, +9; Col. ii, 20, 22, 23; Gal. ii, 4, 5, and v, 1, 13; Isa. viii, 20; Acts +xvii, 11; Hosea v, 11; 1 Cor. v, 1,5, 11, 13; Tit. i. 10, 11, 13, and +iii, 20; Matth. xviii, 15-17; Deut. xiii, 6-12; Ezek. vii, 23, 25, 26; +Zech. xiii, 2, 3; Rev. ii, 2, 14, 15, 20; Confess, chap. 20; Larg. Cat. +quest. 100, 103; Sh. Cat. quest. 49, 50. + +XIV. OF TESTIMONY-BEARING.--Again, they declare and assert, that all +true believers, members of the church invisible, are by the indissoluble +bond of the Spirit, and true faith in Christ, their Head, savingly +united unto, and have communion with him in grace and in glory, in this +life and the life to come. In all their afflictions he is afflicted, and +shares with them in their sufferings and trials, is with them in and +through death, exalteth them at last over all their enemies, receiving +them into glory and blessedness with himself, that they may behold and +share in his glory with him through eternity: and that all of them being +knit and joined together in holy love and affection, do participate +mutually of each others gifts and graces; and are indispensably bound to +exercise themselves in the practice of all commanded duties, for +preserving the love of God, and life of grace, in their own, and one +another's souls. And further, they declare that the visible church, and +the members thereof, are externally in covenant with Christ their Head, +have one and the same Lord, profess the same faith in doctrine and +worship, receive the same seals of God's covenant, baptism, and the +Lord's Supper: and are thereby bound to hold fast the Head, to be +subject to his authority, keep the faith they have received, and +maintain an holy communion and fellowship in the worship of God; closely +abiding by the standard of Christ, their captain and leader, and lifting +up the banner of divine truth, in opposition unto, and holy contempt of +all their enemies of every kind. And further, they affirm, that as the +visible church in general, is bound to be faithful to Christ, their Head +and Lord, and to preserve inviolate, the whole of that sacred +_depositum_ of truth wherewith she is intrusted by him, not quitting +with, nor willfully apostatizing from the same, in profession or +practise: so no particular subject of this spiritual kingdom of Christ +can recede from any part of divine truth, which they have received, and +whereof they have made profession, without lese-majesty unto the Son of +God, and violation of their obligations they have come under, at +receiving the seals of the covenant, with whatever other lawful vows +they have made unto the Most High; according to 1 John i, 2, 3; Eph. +iii, 16-19; John i, 16; Heb. x, 24, 25; Acts ii, 42, 46; Eph. iv, 4-6; +Phil. iii, 16; Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 3; Confess, chap. 2, 6; Larg. Cat. +quest. 63; Short. Cat. quest. 50. + +XV. OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT.--They likewise affirm and declare, that the +Lord Jesus Christ, our exalted Immanuel, the sole and supreme Head, +Lawgiver and King of his church, which is his spiritual and absolutely +free and independent kingdom, has herein warranted, instituted and +appointed certain office-bearers (who derive their mission and authority +from him alone) to regulate, administer, judge and determine in all the +affairs of his house, to whom alone the keys of the kingdom of heaven +are by him committed. Particularly, they are intrusted with the key of +doctrine, to discover the mind of God, and preach Christ crucified unto +sinners; the key of government for preserving that beauty of order, +purity and power in the house of God, which he has enjoined should take +place therein; the key of discipline, to inflict ecclesiastical censures +upon such as turn aside after their _crooked ways_, or continue +obstinate in their offenses; the key of ordination and mediate mission, +in ordinary circumstances of the church, solemnly to set apart and send +forth church officers unto that sacred function and official trust in +the house of God, on the regular trial of the suitableness of their +gifts and qualifications for that spiritual service and ministration; +according to 1 Cor. xii, 28; Eph. iv, 11; Matth. xviii, 19; John xx, 23; +Matth. xviii, 18; Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; Matth. xxviii, 19, +20; Mark xvi, 15; Acts vi, 6; 1 Tim. iv, 14, and iii, 10; Confess, chap +30, § 2, 3 and 31; § 3. Form of church government, books of discipline, +and the several laudable acts and constitutions of this church; +particularly, _Act_ of _Assem._ at _Edinburgh, August_ 4th, 1649, +_Sess._ 4, entitled, _Directory for electing of ministers_. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the +church's glorious Head, hath appointed a certain form of government +therein, distinct from civil government, and not at all subordinate to +civil rulers. And that the only ecclesiastical government warranted by +Christ is his word, and to continue in his church unalterable, is +Presbyterial church government, exclusive of all superior dignity above +a teaching presbyter, and consisting in her judicative capacity of +kirk-sessions, in subordination to presbyteries; of presbyteries, in +subordination to provincial synods; of provincial synods, in +subordination to national; and national to ecumenical assemblies, or +general councils. + +And further, they assert, that the office-bearers of the Lord's house, +are, according to the command, and in the name and authority of the Lord +Jesus Christ, the only Lawgiver and King of his church, and by virtue of +the church's intrinsic power derived from Christ, to assemble, +constitute and adjourn these several courts of his house, nominate the +fixed or occasional times of their subsequent meetings, as the church's +condition or exigencies require; although they grant that the Christian +magistrate may, in extraordinary cases, or otherwise, call together a +synod of ministers, and ether fit persons, for consultation and advice +in religious matters: but in which they have no power to judge or +determine in matters of faith; but only discretively to examine, whether +the synod's determinations and decisions be consonant and agreeable to +scripture, and accordingly to acquiesce therein; Isa. ix, 6, 7; Ezek. +xliii, 10, 11; Acts xv, 2, 4, 6; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. xiii, 17; 2 Chron. +xix, 8-11; Acts xvii, 11; Confess, chap. 30, § 1 and chap. 31, § 1, 2, +and conform to act of assembly, anno 1647; § 2,3; 2d book of discipline, +and propositions for church government. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the office-bearers in the church +of Christ, according to their different places and stations therein, +must give evidence of their being possessed in some suitable measure of +the qualifications which God in his word requires to be in any that are +to be placed in such stations or offices, particularly that of +devotedness to the cause and honor of Christ. And they further assert, +that ministers of the gospel, and other church officers, must enter into +the exercise of their office, at the door of Christ's appointment, by +the call and choice of the Christian people, who are capable with +judgment to give their consent; 1 Tim. iii, from verse 2 to 12; Tit. i, +5, 6, 7; Acts vi, 2 to 6; Chap, xiv, 23; John x, 4, 5, and agreeable to +the laudable acts and ordinances of this church and state, in favor of +reformation principles, books of discipline, &c. + +XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.--In like manner they assert and maintain, that +God Almighty, the Sovereign Lord of all things, and special protector +and preserver of his professed subjects in this lower world, hath for +his own glory and the public good, authorized and instituted in his word +the office and ordinance of civil government and governors, for the +preservation of external peace and concord, administration of justice, +defense and encouragement of such as are, and do good, and punishment of +evil doers, who transgress either table of the law. For all which ends, +subordinate unto that of his own glory, God, the alone supreme fountain +of all power, has instituted and appointed this ordinance. And further +they maintain, that a due measure of those qualifications which God, the +great lawgiver requires in his word, together with what other +stipulations according to the same unerring rule, a Christian people, +who are blessed with the light of divine revelation, have made the +fundamental conditions of civil government among them, are essentially +necessary to the constitution and investiture of lawful authority over +such a people. No other but such a constitution and investiture, can +either be approven of by God, or answer the ends, ultimate or +subordinate, of this ordinance, unto the honor of the great institutor, +as appears from Prov. viii, 15, 16; Psa. cxlvii, 19, 20, and cxlix, G, +7, 8, 9; Isa. xlix, 23; Rom. xiii, 1, 2, 3, 4; Deut. xvii, 14, 15; 2 +Sam. xxiii, 2, 3, 4; Exod. xviii, 21. Confess, chap. 23, § 1. Seasonable +warning by the general assembly, July 27, 1649. Act 15, Sess. 2, Parl. +1, 1640. + +They further assert and maintain, that the constituting of the relation +betwixt rulers and ruled, is voluntary and mutual; and that the lawful +constitution of civil magistrates, is, by the mutual election of the +people (in whom is the radical right, or intermediate voice of God, of +choosing and appointing such as are to sway the scepter of government +over them) and consent of those who are elected and chosen for the +exercise of that office, with certain stipulations according to +scripture and right reason, obliging each other unto the duty of their +different stations and relations. And further they affirm that when +magistrates are so constituted, Christians are bound by the law of God +to pray for the divine blessing upon their persons and government, +reverence and highly esteem them, yield a conscientious subjection and +obedience to their lawful commands, defend and support them in the due +exercise of their power; which power magistrates are especially to exert +for the outward defense of the church of God, against all her external +enemies, restraining or otherwise punishing, as the case may require, +all open blasphemers, idolaters, false-worshipers, heretics, with all +avowed contemners of the worship and discipline of the house of God; and +by his civil sanction to corroborate all the laws and ordinances of +Christ's house, providing and enjoining that every thing in the house of +the God of heaven, be done according to the law of the God of heaven; +Deut. xvii, 14; 2 Kings xi, 17; 1 Sam. xi, 15; 1 Tim. ii, 1,2; 1 Peter +ii, 17; Rom xiii, 2 to 8; 2 Kings xviii, 4, and xxiii, 1 to 26; 2 Chron. +xxix, and xxx, chapters throughout; Ezra vii, 23. Confess. chap. 23, § +3, coronation oath of Scotland, sworn and subscribed by Charles II. at +Scone, January 1st, 1651, and oath of fidelity by the people. + +XVII. OF CORRUPTIONS IN THE TWO PRECEDING ORDINANCES.--But, with respect +to these two great ordinances of divine institution, the magistracy and +ministry, with the qualifications of the persons and duty of the people, +as before asserted, the Presbytery reject, like as they did, and hereby +do reject and condemn the following contrary errors, tenets and +opinions, whether of older or later date, vented either by open enemies +or professed friends to the reformation cause. And, + +1. They reject and condemn that loose latitudinarian tenet and opinion +of opening the door of communion with the church in her judicative +capacity, or sealing ordinances, unto the grossly ignorant, loose, +careless, profane and scandalous: and to the anti-christian deist, +blasphemous heretic, or any who maintain doctrines, principles and +opinions contrary to, and eversive of the cardinal and fundamental +doctrines of Christianity, or such principles and practices as oppose, +obscure or darken the church's beauty and purity, and spoil her of her +power, and particularly that of the church of _Scotland_, in her +attainments in reformation; this being evidently destructive and ruinous +to truth and holiness, the only foundation and basis of external union +and concord in the church, and consequently of all durable, harmonious +and comfortable communion among the ministers and members of Christ's +mystical body: See Eph. v, 11; Isa. viii, 20; Amos iii, 3; 1 Cor. vi, +10; Heb. xii, 14; Rev. xxii, 14, 15; 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18; and conform to +the acts and practice of this church, in her best and purest times, in +excluding from her communion, and refusing to unite with any chargeable +as above. + +Again, they hereby reject that false and ungodly principle and opinion, +That a God of infinite wisdom has left his professing people destitute +of any declaration of his will (which they are absolutely bound to +regard) concerning both the institution, administration and +qualifications of such persons as should administer these two distinct +ordinances, government, civil and ecclesiastical; or that these two +different species of government have not their foundation and +institution, as the ordinances of God, in his revealed will; but that +either (with the corrupt revolution church) he hath left the government +of his house a matter of indifference, and the pattern thereof to be +moulded by the discretion of the wise men of this world, and according +to the corrupt will and fluctuating inclination of the people; or, with +their public resolution-brethren, the _Seceders_, exchanging the clear +scriptural and covenanted basis of civil government, with the obscure +foundation of the law and light of nature, or the more dissolute basis +of mere election and acknowledgment of whomsoever the _primores regni_, +though never so wicked and licentious, choose and set up as magistrates. +Which notion contains an injurious and impious impeachment of divine +revelation, as a rule imperfect and insufficient to guide Christians +into the knowledge of the will of God, and their duty, as the peculiar +and professed subjects of the King of kings, and supreme lawgiver, +concerning all his ordinances; and is contrary to 2 Tim. iii, 16; Rom, +ii, 14; Ezek. xliii, 11; and xliv, 5; Lev. xviii, 2, 3, 4, 5; Matt, +xxviii, 20. Confess, chap. 23, § 3. + +They in like manner reject and condemn the ecclesiastical headship of +the church, blasphemously arrogated by that man of sin, and son of +perdition the Pope of _Rome_; with all that superiority of dignity and +office in the house of God, claimed by anti-christian Prelates, together +with the whole of their hierarchical order, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, by both usurped; which is a most wicked attempt to +overturn God the Father's deed, constituting his Son Christ, sole King +and Head of his church, an exauctorating of Jesus Christ from his +throne, and headship in his church, an elevation of his ministers, +contrary to his will, and the nature and ends of their office; and an +anti-scriptural and confused blending together of different and distinct +ordinances. Psa. ii, 6; Isa. ix, 6, and xxii, 24; Col. i, 18; Mark x, +42, 43; Luke xxii, 25, 26; I Pet. v, 3; 2 Chron. xix, 12; 1 Cor. vii, 2. +Confess. chap. 25, § 6, and contrary to our solemn covenants, and many +acts and ordinances of both church and state, in times of reformation. + +They likewise reject and condemn that gross Erastian principle, That the +civil magistrate is supreme head over all persons, and in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, whether in more ancient and later times +of tyranny and persecution, openly and blasphemously usurped, or at and +since the Revolution, more craftily yet too manifestly claimed; as +appears from the 37th article of the church of _England_, and king's +declaration prefixed to the said articles: and is further evident from +the many encroachments made upon the royal dignity and headship of +Christ, by the usurpers of his throne, practically vesting themselves +with power and authority to convene and adjourn at their pleasure, and +give laws and ordinances to the church, which is a daring attack on the +prerogative, sovereignty, wisdom and power of her absolute King and +Lord, on whom, as a nail fastened in a sure place, his Father has hung +all the glory of his house, and vested him with the sole supremacy over +the same, being filled abundantly with the spirit of wisdom and +understanding, with the spirit of counsel and of might, to direct and +preside in the management of all her concerns, and to preserve from and +overcome all her enemies; Isa. xxii, 24, and xi, 2, 3, and ix, 6; Col. +i, 18; Eph. i, 22; 2 Chr. xxvi, 18; Heb. v, 4; Confess. chap. 25, § 6. + +They also reject and condemn that Erastian tenet and opinion, that the +whole or any part of the power, mission, qualifications, or +administration of ecclesiastical officers, or ministers of the church of +Christ, depends upon the authority and dictation of the civil +magistrate, because it is manifestly destructive of the church's power +and authority, under Christ her Head, and derived from him, and likewise +of the ministerial freedom and faithfulness of Christ's embassadors: and +particularly they reject and condemn, as gross Erastianism (whether +practiced before or since the Revolution, and especially since the +incorporating union with _England_ on terms diametrically opposite to +our covenant union), the civil magistrate's limiting the mission of +office-bearers in the church, according to his will; prescribing certain +qualifications, and restricting to certain limitations; such as the +test, indulgences, allegiance, assurance, and abjuration oaths, act +restoring patronages, and the act anent _Porteous_, together with the +threatened deprivation of office and benefice, upon non-compliance; 1 +Cor. xii, 28; Matt, xviii, 17, 18; John xx, 23. + +They further reject and condemn that Erastian opinion, that the external +government of Christ's house is left unto the precarious determination +of sinful men, or hath either its immediate or mediate dependence upon +the will and pleasure of the civil magistrate, according to the import +of the claim of right, the anti-scriptural basis of the revolution +settlement. This being evidently an impious reflection on the perfect +wisdom of the church's Head, subversive of the beauty of his house, and +fertile of disorder therein, laying the kingdom of Christ obnoxious to +spiritual tyranny and oppression, when strangers, enemies, or such as +have no call or warrant to build the house of the Lord, put to their +hand to model the form of her government as best suits their perverse +inclinations and secular views, in express contradiction to the will and +law of the God of heaven, Exod xxv, 40, and xxvi, 30; Ezek. xliii, 11; 1 +Chron. xv, 12, 13; Neh. ii, 20, with many other texts above cited. + +Again they reject and condemn that latitudinarian tenet, That the Lord +Jesus Christ, the alone Head of the church, hath left his house void of +any particular form of government, of divine institution exclusive of +all other, under the New Testament dispensation: which, is a manifest +reflection upon his fidelity to him who appointed him, and most absurd +to suppose of him who is true and faithful, as a Son over his own house, +and contrary to Isa. ix, 6, 7; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. iii, 2, 3, 5; 1 Cor. +xii, 28; Rom. xii 6, 7, 8; Acts xx, 17, 28; Matt, xxviii, 20. Confess. +chap. 30, § 1, and to the propositions for church government. + +They further reject and condemn that sectarian principle and tenet, +whether in former or latter times maintained, that a kirk session, or +particular congregational eldership, is vested with equal ecclesiastical +power and authority, with any superior judicatory, and is neither +subordinate nor accountable to them (in the Lord) in their +determinations. They likewise reject as sectarian, That the community of +the faithful or professing Christians, in a private station hath any +scriptural warrant for public teaching, or judicative determination in +the church; both which opinions are not only expressly contrary to +scripture, Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; I Cor. v, 4; 1 Tim: v, 17; +Heb. v, 4, and xiii, 17, &c, but also have been found hitherto most +hurtful and dangerous to the church of God, depriving her ministers and +members of just and necessary recourse to superior judgment and decision +in matters difficult, discrediting and prostituting the sacred office of +the ministry, and tending to overthrow a standing ministry in the church +of Christ, and subvert that comely and beautiful order he hath +prescribed therein. + +In like manner they reject and condemn that gross invasion and +encroachment upon the church's liberties, by the intrusion of popish +patronages, whether imposed as a law by civil, or executed by +ecclesiastical powers. Of the latter of these, the ministers and +judicatories of the now corrupt, harlot Church of _Scotland_, cannot but +be more egregiously guilty. The nature of their sacred function and +trust obliges them to preserve inviolate the church's freedom and +liberties: but in place of this, their hands are _chief in the +trespass_, in an authoritative and active enforcement of this wicked +act--an act evidently destructive of the very nature and essence of that +mutual relation between pastor and people, and which has the native and +necessary tendency to schism in the church, spiritual leanness, and +starving of the flock, by thrusting in idle, idol shepherds upon them, +such as serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies; feed +themselves, but not the flock; and seek not them, but theirs, contrary +to John x, 2, 9; Heb. v, 4; 1 Tim. iii, 3; 1 Cor. xii, 14, with many +more; and to acts of both church and state, in times of reformation in +these covenanted lands. + +But, on the other hand, that the Presbytery, when thus condescending on +particulars, pass not over in sinful silence, what stands opposite to +the word of God and their declared principles, as above concerning civil +authority, the administrators thereof, and subjection of the people +thereto: they reject, likeas they hereby reject and condemn that +anti-scriptural principle and opinion, that the divine scriptural +ordinance of magistracy has not its foundation in the moral preceptive +law of God (wherein alone his will is revealed and declared unto his +people, concerning the nature, use, and ends of all his ordinances), but +in the subjective light of nature (even as corrupted), so confused and +dark in its discoveries, so gross and selfish in its principles, +motives, and ends, that neither the true nature of this, nor any other +of the ordinances of Jehovah, as revealed in his word, can hereby be +known, or the true use and ends thereof sufficiently discovered or +obtained. + +They likewise testify against, and reject that equally absurd opinion, +as a stream flowing from the foresaid corrupt fountain, that the office, +authority, and constitution of lawful magistrates, does not solely +belong to professing Christians, in a Christian reformed land, but that +the election and choice of any one whosoever, made by the civil body +(whether Pagan, Papist, Atheist, Deist, or other enemy to God, to man, +and to true religion), makes up the whole of what is essential to the +constitution of a lawful magistrate according to God's ordinance. A +tenet contrary to the light and dictates both of reason and scripture. + +And they hereby also disclaim that corrupt notion, that all providential +magistrates, who are, and while they are acknowledged by any civil +society especially in an apostate backsliding land and people from the +scriptural standard (in respect of the origin of their office), are also +preceptive; and that the office and authority of all so constituted and +acknowledged, in itself considered, does equally arise from, and agree +unto the preceptive will of God, contrary to scriptural precepts, Deut. +xvii, 18; what falls under scriptural reproof, Hos. viii, 4; and what +greatly depreciates the valiant contendings of our honored ancestors for +civil reformation, and tends to invalidate their deeds of constitution +thereanent. + +Again the Presbytery testifies against, and condemns that principle, +that the Christian people of God ought to give explicit acknowledgment +of, implicit subjection and obedience to, whatever civil authority +(though most wicked and unlawful) the Lord in his holy providence, may, +for the trial and punishment of his church, permit a backsliding people +to constitute and set up, without regard to the precept of his word. And +they hereby reject whatever in opposition to the covenanted principles +of the Church of _Scotland_, does justly, and in its own nature imply a +voluntary and real acknowledgment of the lawfulness of the title and +authority of an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted, and Erastian +government, constituted upon the ruins of our scriptural covenanted +reformation. Particularly, they testify against praying for success and +prosperity to such, in their stated opposition to the Lord and his +Anointed, or in any form implying a homologation of their title as +lawful, swearing oaths of fidelity and allegiance to such, accepting any +office from such, and executing these in their name and authority under +them, military associations with such, by a voluntary enlisting under +their banner, and fighting for their support and establishment. And that +in regard these are actions, as they express a proper and explicit +owning of the lawfulness of that authority, which they immediately +respect, so they are such as cannot be obtained without the actual +consent of the party performing, and must therefore imply a deliberate +approbation of foresaid iniquitous authority. + +Further, they testify against a direct and active, free and voluntary +paying of tribute and other dues, unto such, and that for conscience +sake, as unto the ordinance of God, according to his precept; and +particularly, when these dues are required as a tessera of loyalty to +such; or when required, as an evidence of a person's active contributing +to the accomplishment of some wicked action, expressly declared to be +the immediate end of the imposition. Thus the case was in the time of +persecution, when the declared end of the additional cess, was the +immediate suppression of the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields. +As also, not only against professed witnesses for reformation +principles, their prosecuting of their witnessing brethren at law before +the courts of anti-scriptural, unqualified judges; but generally, +against all law processes, in a way of direct counteracting any part of +reformation attainments, or express homologating the authority of an +unlawful judge. And, in fine, against all voluntary subjection, for +conscience sake, unto such powers as are not the ordinance of God, +according to his revealed preceptive will, as contrary to scripture; 2 +Sam. ii, 10; 2 Kings xi, 4, 17; 2 Chron. xix, 2; Isa. viii, 12 and lxv, +11; Rom. xiii, 1 to 8; 1 Cor. vi, 1 to 8, contrary to the acts of this +church approving, and ordinances of the state, establishing the civil +authority upon its scriptural foundation, and thereby discovering the +proper object of a Christian people's voluntary and conscientious +subjection; and particularly, to the act of classes. While in the +meantime, it must be acknowledged, that the state and condition of +Presbyterian Covenanters in these lands, continuing, as a community, to +witness and contend for reformation of both church and state, that +obtained, and was established, between 1638 and 1650, cannot be regarded +as that of a free people enjoying their ancient privileges and +liberties, but as that of an oppressed people, brought under the power +of a conqueror, and no better than captives in their own land. As this +was evidently the state of the suffering remnant under the persecuting +period, when, by the force of the sword, they were robbed of their +former liberties, and reduced to the most deplorable condition. So, +however the Revolution did alter some circumstances in the condition of +Covenanters; yet, in regard it was established upon, and did homologate +the overthrow of the reformation, to which that people do still adhere, +it could make no substantial change in their condition, from what it +formerly was. And moreover, as it is necessarily requisite to the +constituting of the relation between magistrate and people, that there +be a mutual and voluntary consent; and as the community of presbyterian +Covenanters did never, at or since the Revolution, give such consent; +but, on the contrary, have, in the most public manner, protested against +the constitution and installment of rulers in agreeableness thereto, as +being contrary to the word of God, covenanted constitution, and +fundamental laws of the nations; as is evident from their printed +testimonies and declarations. It follows, that their state is that of an +oppressed people, in passive subjection to a conquering power, whose +duty is, to wait with patience upon _Israel's_ God for his return to +revive his work, and recall the bondage of his _Zion_. And while they +are to take care to do nothing that justly implies their consent to the +continued opposition made unto the covenanted reformation, yet they +ought to observe a proper difference between such actions and things as +are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful, by a moral obligation, +and those that are not so. As also, between that which cannot be had, +nor the value or equivalent of it, unless the person actually give it; +and that which may be obtained, whether he actually contribute to it or +not.[7] Most applicable to this our present condition, are the words of +the _Levites_, expressing the distressed state of _Israel_, which they +had brought themselves into by their sins, as recorded by Neh. ix, 36, +37: "Behold we are servants this day; and for the land thou gavest unto +our fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold we +are servants in it: and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings which +thou hast set over us, because of our sins; also they have dominion over +our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great +distress." + +Likewise the Presbytery testify against all ministerial or church +communion with such, who, though they may occupy the place of +office-bearers in the church of Christ, yet are destitute of those +qualifications indispensably required by the church's Head, or enter not +into their office by the door he has appointed in his word, own another +head than Christ, or apostatize and fall from the truth and cause of +Christ, formerly espoused and sworn to by them in a church capacity; +against all active owning and countenancing of such, by attending upon +any of their corrupt official ministrations, or receiving any ordinances +from such, to whom the Lord has denied his blessing. Against all +voluntary contracting with prelates, curates, or such officers of human +invention in the church, for paying tithes or other dues unto them, as +unto lawful, scriptural parish ministers. For besides that there is +nothing due unto them, their office having no divine authority; so there +being under the New Testament a change of the priesthood, there is also +a change of the law, respecting tithes; according to 2 Cor. vi, 17; Rev. +ii, 20, &c. + +By all which it appears, from what is above asserted and declared +concerning these two divine distinct ordinances, the ministry and +magistracy, that the principles maintained thereanent by the Presbytery, +are nothing else than an endeavor, as a judicatory of the Lord Jesus +Christ, constituted in his name, to hold fast the church of _Scotland's_ +testimony, agreeable to the scriptures of truth, for confession and +covenants, fundamental acts and constitutions both of church and state +and this, according to the command of the church's sole King and Head; +Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 11. And what is testified against, is, in the +nature of it, an homologation of the church's faithful opposition to +backsliders, in their course of defection, from the national, +attainments in religion and reformation, resisting even unto blood, +striving against sin. + +XVIII. OF OATHS AND VOWS.--The Presbytery further assert and declare, +that oaths and vows are a part of religious worship, warranted in the +word of God, and under the New Testament dispensation, and may be +lawfully taken and entered into by the Lord's people. That such oaths +and vows only are warrantable, as are lawful both for the matter and the +manner of them; and those that are so, when once engaged in, must not be +violated on any consideration, and that, because of the authority of the +awful name of God interposed in them. And further, they declare, that +the right of administering oaths is competent only to those vested with +such authority as is agreeable to the word of truth. As also, that it is +the incumbent duty of Christians, by solemn oath to bind themselves to +maintain and defend the persons of righteous rulers, in the lawful +exercise of their authority; and to such only, it is lawful to swear +oaths of allegiance and fidelity. And hereby, they disapprove the +principle of refusing allegiance to lawful authority. At the same time, +the Presbytery testify against, as above, all the oaths of allegiance in +being, to an Erastian Prelatical government. And further, they reject +and detest that sinful, idolatrous and superstitious form of swearing, +in laying the hand upon, and kissing the gospels, practiced by the +Prelatical churches of _England_ and _Ireland_, and even introduced into +_Scotland_, as a gross profanation of that holy ordinance, and contrary +to the scripture examples thereof. Hereby they also testify against all +sinful swearing, whereby the name of God, his titles, perfections, or +graces of his Holy Spirit, are profaned in ordinary discourse. As also, +the unnecessary oaths of customhouse, trade, &c., as a reiterated and +fearful profanation of the name of God. And moreover, they testify +against, and condemn that ungodly and superstitious oath, practiced by +that unhallowed club, called _Free Masons_: according to Deut. x, 20; +Exod. xx, 7; Neh. xiii, 25; Ezra x, 5; Deut. vi, 13; Matth. iv, 35, 36; +Ezek. xvii, 16, 17, 18, 19; Rev. x, 5, 6; Jer. iv, 2. and v, 2; Confess. +chap. 22. + +Again, they testify and declare, that the work of solemn covenanting +with a God in Christ, is a duty warranted in the scriptures of the Old +and New Testament, and by the examples of the godly, agreeable thereto; +and that not only to individuals in particular, but to churches and +nations in general. Which covenants once entered into, and being for the +matter of them lawful, are most sacred, and therefore inviolably +binding; and what cannot be broken or transgressed, without manifest +guilt, and incurring the dreadful resentment of a holy and jealous God, +who has severely threatened to punish covenant-breakers. And hence they +assert, that the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League +and Covenant entered into by the three nations, for reformation and +defense of religion, and for the maintainance and preservation of the +truths and ordinances of God in purity, and sworn by our honored +ancestors, not only for themselves, but including also their posterity, +are of divine authority, as having their foundation upon the word of +God; therefore moral, and so perpetually binding upon the nations, and +every individual of them, to the latest posterity. Wherefore, the +Presbytery testify against the principle of refusing the lawfulness of +national covenanting, particularly, under the New Testament +dispensation, and all principles and practices that strike against the +moral obligation of these covenants; see Deut. vi, 13, Isa. ix, 18, and +xliv, 5; Jer. 1, 5; Deut. xxix, 12 to 16, 24, 25; Lev. xxvi, 25, 26; +Josh, ix, 14, 15, 18, 19; 2 Sam. xxi, 1; Ezek. xvi, 59, and xvii, 15, +16, 18, 19; Hos. x, 4; Gal. iii, 15; 2 Cor. viii, 5. See also acts and +ordinances both of church and state in times of reformation, respecting +the taking, and binding obligation, of the covenants. + +Again, the Presbytery hereby testify and declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto, all the different steps of reformation, that ever, +in any period, were attained unto in this church and land: particularly, +besides what has been mentioned above, they declare their adherence to +the Westminster Confession of Faith, as it was approven by act of the +General Assembly of the Church of _Scotland, anno_ 1647: Catechisms, +larger and shorter; Form of church government, Directory for worship, +and Books of Discipline, as agreeable to, and extracted from the sacred +oracles. + +And with respect to the fourth article of the 23d chapter of our +Confession, the Presbytery hereby declare, that they reject that corrupt +sense and gloss which has been imposed upon it, whether by open enemies, +or false friends to our covenanted reformation in former or latter +times, viz., That a reformed Christian people, having generally +received, and publicly professing the true religion; and more +especially, having expressly and solemnly bound themselves by public +national vows to the Most High, for the preservation of it, may +warrantably set over them an infidel, or one of a religion differing +from the true religion, and thereupon acknowledge and submit themselves +unto him, as their lawful civil ruler for conscience sake. And moreover, +they declare that they understand said articles, as principally relating +to the condition of a people emerging out of the darkness and +superstition of Paganism or Popery, &c., before that religion has +obtained the sanction of civil authority; when, although the major part +or bulk of a people should embrace the true religion, yet that does not +dissolve or loose the relation subsisting between them and their civil +rulers, prior to their conversion, agreeable to, and founded upon the +just and reasonable laws of the realm. In this case only, it is granted, +that an infidel, or one of a different religion, may have authority just +and legal over a people partly converted to the knowledge and gospel of +Christ. Thus it was with the primitive Christians, and thus it was +particularly with our ancestors in _Scotland_, at the beginning of the +reformation; and this perfectly well agrees to the apostolic precept and +determination in a case similar to the above; 1 Cor. vii, 12, 13 and 39, +and 2 Cor. vi, 14. + +As also, they further declare their approbation of, and adherence to all +the faithful testimonies, declarations and protestations, emitted by the +witnesses for the work of reformation, whether before or under the late +times of tyranny and persecution, in prisons, scaffolds, or in the +fields, by land or sea; or by such, as since that time have succeeded. +them in the self same testimony, as they are founded upon, and agreeable +to the word of truth, and as a just and proper vindication of foresaid +covenanted cause. And particularly with the above proviso and +limitation, they declare their adherence to the _Rutherglen, Sanquhar_ +and _Lanerk_ declarations, _annis_ 1679, 1680, 1682; as also to the +declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1683, 1684, 1692, and 1695, 1703, +1707; to the _informatory vindication_, and _cloud of witnesses_; to the +_covenants national_ and _solemn league_, sworn at _Auchensaugh_, near +_Douglas_, in the year 1712, at _Crawfurd-john_ 1745; with the +additional acknowledgments of sins, and engagements to duties at these +times; to the declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1718, and at +_Montherrick_, 1740, 1741. And in like manner, they testify their +adherence to the _Act_ formerly emitted by this Presbytery, in +condemnation of the universal scheme. And they do hereby testify +against, and disapprove all partiality and unfaithfulness, whether in +respect of right or left hand extremes, in any testimonies, published in +a way of professed adherence to reformation principles; particularly, +they reject the testimony published by those designated the _Associate +Presbytery_, as no adequate testimony for truth, because of the +partiality and unfaithfulness, both to God and the generation, +discovered therein; being, instead of a faithful vindication, no better +than a burial of some of the most important attainments in reformation +of this church and land. And they likewise reject, detest and abhor that +spurious brat, stuffed with gross error, blasphemy and nonsense, most +falsely and unjustly designated, "A testimony for the word of Christ's +patience," by that sacrilegious usurper of the ministry, _William +Dunnet_, who, being once plunged into the depths of enthusiasm, such is +his madness, that under pretense of an immediate mission from heaven, he +not only daringly usurps the whole of the ministerial function, but also +wickedly claims an Erastian exercise of the office of the civil +magistrate, in a stupid unaccountable declaration of war, offensive and +defensive, against all mankind, himself, and his blind-folded +confederates only excepted; having probably had these anti-scriptural +notions instilled into him by the industry of some unstable heads, who, +after they had made a professed subjection to this Presbytery, in the +Lord, did, with some others of the same stamp, in a most unwarrantable +and schismatical manner, break off from their communion, without so much +as discovering any shadow of reason, in justification of their rash, +ungrounded and precipitate separation. + +Upon the whole, the Presbytery, protesting that they have been +influenced to this necessary work of displaying a judicial banner for +the covenanted cause and interest of our exalted Redeemer, purely out of +a regard to the glory of God, a desire that Christ's kingdom may be +advanced, and his buried truths revived, as also a concern for the +welfare and happiness of the present and succeeding generations, do +earnestly, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, beseech and obtest +all and every one, into whose hands this testimony may come, that, +without considering the insignificancy of the instruments, and laying +aside prejudice and carnal selfish considerations, they receive the +truth as it is in Jesus, not only in the notion, but in the love and +power of it; that they take with the many just and highly aggravated +grounds of the Lord's controversy, and causes of his wrath against us, +not only on account of private and personal wickedness come to a very +great height, but particularly on account of the general opposition to +the public concerns of his glory, in what respects the doctrine, +worship, government and discipline of his house. Alas! our public +abominations are both obstinately persisted in and publicly justified. +That they lay to heart the great and terrible wickedness of the day and +generation, with deep humiliation before the Lord, while he waits to, be +gracious, and is calling all ranks to humble themselves, and saying, +"Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, +for he is gracious and merciful;" Joel ii, 13. That, in the way of +flying under the covert of the atoning blood of the Son of God, by faith +in his name, for the remission of sins, and endeavoring after personal +reformation, as to all the impiety and irreligion, all the detestable +indifferency, lukewarmness and hypocrisy, in the matters of God, which +universally prevail; they also study and set about public reformation, +every one in their several stations, according to our solemn national +engagements, concurring to restore the Lord's ruined and buried work, +and rebuild his house, which is now lying as a desolate heap, covered +over with the rubbish of manifold errors, corruptions and human +inventions. If we still hold fast our abominations, and will not, by +repentance and reformation, return and give glory to the Lord our God +before he cause darkness, then, when he returns for the salvation of +_Zion_, "He will come treading down the people in his anger, and making +them drunk in his fury, and bringing down their strength to the earth;" +Isa. lxiii, 6. "But is there no hope in _Israel_ concerning this thing? +Is there no balm in _Gilead_? Is there not a physician there?" Is there +not virtue in Christ's blood for the most desperate cases, that +churches, as well as particular persons, can be in? Is there not ground +to hope, that the Lord will not altogether forsake these sinful lands, +which were given to him of old for an inheritance, and wherein he has so +long maintained his possession, but that he will yet build up our +_Zion_, and appear in his glory therein, will plead his own cause, +revive his own work, a covenanted work of reformation, and remove all +the contempt and ignominy which it presently lies under? Sure the +continuance of his gracious calls and invitations to return to him, +gives ground to hope, that our "_Israel_ hath not been forsaken, nor +_Judah_ of his God, of the Lord of Hosts, though their land was filled +with sin against the holy One of _Israel_;" Jer. li, 5. And though, while +so much of error, prejudice and carnal interest, lie as impassable +mountains in the way, there is little appearance of the nations taking +this course yet the Lord seems still to bespeak us in that endearing +language, Jer. iii, 12, "Go and proclaim these words towards the north, +and say, Return thou backsliding _Israel_, saith the Lord, and I will +not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, saith the +Lord, and I will not keep anger forever." Though we have nationally torn +our marriage contract with heaven, and taken away our names, yet the +Lord has not. _Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am +married unto you._ Let all, then, _repent, and turn themselves from all +their transgressions, so iniquity shall not be their ruin_; but if not, +then let all the impenitent despisers of the repeated calls of mercy +know, that abused patience will at length turn into fury, and the Lord +Jehovah, who has already furbished his sword, and prepared the +instruments of death, will speedily give that dreadful commission to the +executioners of his wrath: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is +ripe; come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for +their wickedness is great:" Joel iii, 13. "But because God will do this +to _Israel_, let us prepare to meet our God." Further, the Presbytery +invite and entreat all who tender the glory of God, the removal of the +causes of his wrath and indignation, and who desire the continuance of +his tabernacle and gracious presence among us, to come and join in a +harmonious, zealous and faithful testimony for the precious truths and +interest of _Zion's_ glorious King, and against every course that has a +tendency to heighten, and at last to lay on the copestone of our +defections. Consider it is the Lord's call and command to every one, +even in their most private station, _Contend earnestly for the faith +once delivered to the saints_. It is the burden he, at this day, lays on +his church and people: _Hold fast what thou hast till I come, that no +man take thy crown_; hold fast by our former attainments in reformation. +And finally, the Presbytery exhort all with whom they are more +particularly connected, _To stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, +striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified +by your adversaries_. Let the flame of fervent and true love to God, his +truths, and to one another, prevent and extinguish the wild fire of +unnecessary and hurtful mutual animosities; and _endeavoring to keep the +unity of the spirit in the bond of peace_, study oneness in promoting +the Lord's opposed work, and in walking in the good old way, without +turning aside to the right hand or to the left, because of the lion that +is therein, and without laying other foundations than what were laid. +Let none of Christ's true and faithful witnesses suffer their hearts to +sink into despondency; the cause is the Lord's, and assuredly he will +thoroughly plead that cause which is his own. It will outlive all its +enemies, and yet have a glorious resurrection; and this will be the +crown and comfort of all such as continue, amidst all trials and +sufferings, contending for him, in the blessed expectation of the +conqueror's everlasting reward. Therefore, _lift up the hands that hang +down, and strengthen the feeble knees_; greater afflictions have been +accomplished in those that are gone before, and are now inheriting the +promises, than any wherewith the Lord is presently trying his church. +And as the God of all grace, after they had suffered awhile, made them +perfect, and put them in possession of that eternal glory to which they +were called by Jesus Christ, so shall he establish, strengthen and keep +his people still from falling, and, after all their sorrows and +sufferings, present them faultless before the presence of his glory, +with exceeding joy. "Return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts; look down +from heaven, and behold and visit this vine; and the vineyard which thy +right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for +thyself, it is burnt with fire, it is cut down, they perish at the +rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right +hand, upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself, so will +not we go back from thee; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name; +turn us again, O Lord of Hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be +saved: Let God arise, let _Zion's_ immortal and omnipotent King Jesus +reign, and let all his enemies be scattered; but let them that love him +be as the sun, when he goeth forth in his might." + +Extracted by JO. THORBURN, Pr. Clk. + + + + +ADDENDA. + +In addition to what is said (from page 65 to 67 preceding, respecting +the establishment of Popery in Canada), the Presbytery deeply lament, +that, in the present edition of their Testimony, they are furnished with +fresh matter to animadvert upon the continued tendency of the British +administration in favor of the religion of Antichrist. + +Not long after the civil establishment of Popery in Canada, new +privileges, civil and religious, were bestowed upon the professors of +that religion at home, both in England and Ireland, by which Catholics +have received toleration, under the sanction of law, openly to profess +and practice their idolatry, to open seminaries of learning for the +public instruction of youth in their own religion, and to purchase and +transfer estates to their Popish relations, in direct opposition to the +established laws of the land, framed by our Protestant ancestors, under +the sense of felt necessity, whereby Catholics were laid under +disabilities, as to the enjoyment of those privileges, which they saw to +be inconsistent with the peace of the state and safety of the Protestant +religion, on account of the barbarous massacres committed by Catholics +upon Protestants, and the numerous hostile attempts made to overturn, by +violence, the Protestant religion within these lands, as proceeding from +the sanguinary spirit of Popery. The modern plea set up in favor of +those privileges being conferred upon Popery, that the Catholics of this +day have candidly renounced the whole of their old principles which they +held, as inimical to a Protestant country, never can be admitted, while +they still retain the most dangerous of all their principles, viz., +implicit faith in the doctrines of supreme councils, and the dispensing +authority of the Pope. Against this sinful indulgence granted to Popery, +the Presbytery testified at the time, in a separate piece, entitled, A +Testimony and Warning against the Blasphemies and Idolatries of Popery, +&c., to which they still refer the reader. An attempt also was made to +extend a similar indulgence to Catholics in Scotland, but which was +happily frustrated through the zealous exertions of the people, who, +pleading the established laws of the land, boldly reclaimed against the +measure, which produced the desired effect of compelling the government +to desist. But alas! no sooner, was the popular zeal cooled, than +government sowed tares by enlarging the privileges of Catholics with +regard to civil property. The deplorable fact now is, that Popery, +basking in the sunshine of legislative power, advanced to the legal +possession of new privileges, and shielded by a formal toleration in the +neighboring kingdoms, may be considered as enjoying the actual +protection of government in Scotland. In Ireland, privileges of a still +more exalted nature are bestowed upon Popery, while the Catholic is so +far enfranchised, that, in conjunction with the Protestant, he may give +his voice for members to serve in the legislature of the country. What +greatly adds to the evil is, the lamentable alteration of public +opinion, so lately displayed against the measures of government in +former indulgences bestowed upon the Catholic interest; but which has +now changed into an entire approbation thereof, both by the great body +of the people and the minority in the two houses of Parliament; and the +only complaint against government on that score is, that, stopping short +of meeting just claims of Catholics, they have not ingrafted them into +all the privileges of British subjects, and for ever done away the +odious distinction between Protestant and Catholic, as to privilege. + +When we open our eyes to the measures of the present day, we behold +still more abominations. The government so far from remembering whence +they are fallen, repenting and doing their first works, have started +again in the cause of Antichrist, by leaguing themselves in a military +expedition with a group of Popish despots on the continent, who have +long given their power to the beast; of this expedition one object +evidently appears to be the re-establishment and support of Popery in +France, where under the administration of the omnipotent, and avenging +holy providence of God, in the pouring out of the vials of his wrath +upon the beast, that false religion has received a sore and bleeding +wound, and where the people, long crushed under the tyranny of a +despotic throne, and usurpation of an imposing priesthood, have risen to +extricate themselves from the accumulated oppression, and by their +astonishing efforts have shaken off the Papal yoke, by renouncing their +accustomed allegiance to the head of the Antichristian states at Rome, +have withdrawn their wonted supplies from his treasures, and completely +overthrown the temporal power of his religion in their own country, +which had for many ages kept them in fetters. If any doubt should be +entertained with regard to the support afforded to the sinking cause of +Popery in France by this expedition, the declaration published by the +brother of the late King of France, stiling himself Louis XVIII, at the +head of the emigrants in arms, exhibits the fact in the clearest point +of view, while he plainly and unequivocally says, in that declaration, +that their designs are the erection of the throne and altar, by which +are meant the civil government and the Catholic religion, as they +existed in France prior to the revolution. Britain, not satisfied with +sending forth numerous hosts to the field abroad, and lavishing her +treasures to supply the exhausted finances of the coalesced powers, has +opened her arms at home to receive flying emigrants, caressed by her, as +if they had been sufferers in the cause of genuine Christianity. By the +voice of Episcopal dignitaries the Popish clergy have been extolled, as +men of the most eminent piety, while places have been furnished by +government, to accommodate them in their mass service; and a branch of +the bloody house of Bourbon, whom divine vengeance has reduced to the +abject state of a wandering exile, is admitted among us, with all marks +of honor, and, with his train, provided for, as if he were a zealous +supporter of the Protestant cause, seeking an asylum from the rage of +Papal persecution in this reformed land. It cannot escape the notice of +the attentive observer, how closely the crown of Britain has become +allied to this false religion, in consequence of the conquest of the +island of Corsica, and the accession of the crown of that island to the +crown of Britain. According to the new constitution of Corsica, the king +of Great Britain, as represented by his viceroy, makes an essential +branch of the parliament, all the acts whereof must be assented to by +him, in order, to give them the force of law. Now, it is to be remarked, +that in this constitution Popery is expressly declared to be the only +established religion in the island; it is therefore agreed to be divided +into districts, to be filled up with ministers of the Catholic religion, +endowed with legal maintenance. So the king of Britain, as wearing the +Corsican crown, engages to unite this constitutional establishment of +the Catholic religion, the king of Great Britain, as the king of +Corsica, gives his firm assent. Moreover, to provide for the more +extensive propagation of Popery in Corsica, the legislature stipulate to +consult with the See of Rome; here, also, he engages to join the wisdom +of his counsels to those of the Pope, for the express purpose of giving +a wider spread to Popery. If the prophet Jehu accused Jehoshaphat, +though a good prince, when he was returning from a military expedition +with Ahab, king of Israel, in such cutting language; 2 Chron. xix, 2, +_Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? +therefore, is wrath upon thee from the Lord_: in what words shall we +pronounce upon this conduct of Britain, in mixing with her politics and +wars, active measures to raise again the falling Dagon of Popery from +the threshold, and to help forward the interests of a religion which the +Lord has solemnly declared he will destroy with the judgments of his +hand and the brightness of his coming. Besides the iniquity of the thing +itself, in giving direct aid to this religion; our guilt derives great +aggravations from a view of the present dispensations of Providence in +visibly sending down terrible judgments (no matter through what rough +hands) upon that anti-christian power, that has long, sat upon many +waters; and the loud voice of Jehovah is uttering, on the awful crisis +of its downfall, to all the fearers of his name to escape a share in its +judgments, by flying away from all communion with its evils; Rev. xviii, +4, _Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, +and that ye receive not of her plagues._ But, blind to his avenging +hand, and deaf to this summons, Great Britain, once without, is now +again returning into a most unlawful communion to support this adjudged +power, by which she constitutes herself a partner in its sins, and +thereby exposes herself to a portion of its plagues. In vain will it be +urged as a plea of justification, that the authors of the revolution in +France, having overturned the constitution of their own country, and +spread desolation through the wide extent of it, menaced other nations, +and us also; and that, therefore, Britain, acting on the first principle +of nature's law, self-preservation, joined the allied powers for her own +defense. Though the Presbytery are by no means to be understood as +giving their suffrage for the lawfulness and justice of the war on our +side; yet, for the sake of argument, allowing the plea--what then? Will +this sanctify the measures adopted by Britain, in recovering, supporting +and propagating the cause of Popery, that the conquest of the enemy, and +her own safety are the ends ultimately to be gained by them? The +Christian maxim, that evil is not to be done that good may come, binds +as strongly nations as individuals. Popery is not a local evil; it is +still the mystery of iniquity, as much in France, and in Corsica, as it +is in Great Britain; it is everywhere the forbidden fruit, not to be +touched. If the security of a Protestant country is to be sought for, in +dependence upon, or in any state of connection with the co-existence and +maintenance of Antichrist, we have indeed a feeble pillar to rest upon, +for, as sure as God himself has spoken it, the Papal kingdoms are the +Babylon to fall and to rise no more again at all. Perhaps, our allies +would not be pleased with another mode of conduct; and shall we run the +hazard of displeasing the God of all our salvation, to gratify, in sin, +the friends of the man of sin? If the crown of Corsica cannot be worn, +but upon the condition of supporting Popery, and joining in councils +with the Church of Rome, to advance her interest there, we are afraid +the weight of it, like a millstone, will sink us deep in the gulf of +God's wrath. But Popery was the former religion of that island, and the +people wished no change. If the wretched inhabitants, loving darkness +rather than the light, refused to be reclaimed, leave them to +themselves, but why should we have fellowship with them in their +unfruitful works of darkness. The Presbytery would not wish to be +understood as if they meant that Protestants ought to raise a crusade, +in order to exterminate Catholics in foreign lands, as Catholics have +attempted to do against Protestants, for the weapons of our warfare, in +propagating religion are not carnal. But it certainly is the incumbent +duty of all Protestant nations to abstain from anything, that has a +tendency to uphold and propagate their religion; and as no positive +countenance should be given to it, so it is highly proper that Catholics +should be kept in such a state of restraint, as they may not again have +it in their power to repeat those bloody scenes, which Popery had acted +upon us. With a view to deliver themselves from the guilt of +participating in the evil, the Presbytery do lift up a judicial +testimony against the present anti-christian courses of administration; +as, also, against those state fasts, proceeding from an Erastian +supremacy, which have been appointed to be observed by all persons, in +order to engage by prayer the Almighty to crown their measures with +success. Likewise, the Presbytery do testify against the national +church, particularly her ministers, who from their station ought to act +as spiritual watchmen, and give pointed warning of sin and danger on the +present occasion; but, who, instead of faithfully discharging this duty, +sanction all these measures of government, which cannot fail to produce +a hardening effect upon the generation. + +N.B. Since writing the above, by a reverse in the war, Britain has lost +possession of Corsica, but while this does not acquit her of the guilt +of her anti-christian administration there, neither will it supersede +the necessity of our testimony against it. + + * * * * * + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + +The late Reformed Presbytery, June 2d, 1845, adopted the following +doctrinal and practical declarations. They have therefore a judicial +sanction; and having been in overture before the people prior to the +action of Presbytery, we subjoin them as a suitable supplement. +_Cincinnati, Nov. 12th_, 1850. + + +JUDICIAL DECLARATIONS. + +1. Man is a free agent, unconscious of restraint in his volitions by the +execution of the immutable decree of God; and it is not possible for +him, in any instance, to avoid fulfilling that decree: yet the law of +God--not his decree--is the rule of man's conduct, and the standard of +final judgment. + +2. It is the duty of a Christian to pray for the church of Christ--to +inquire diligently into her scriptural character, and to seek covenant +blessings in her communion. + +3. If the majority should violate the terms upon which church members +were united, it is lawful for the minority to testify against the +defection, and to walk by the rule of their former attainments. And when +any community assuming to be the Church of Christ, imposes sinful terms +of communion--when the constitution is anti-scriptural--when the +administration is corrupt, and attempts at its reformation have proved +ineffectual--it is the duty of Christians to separate from it: "_Come +out of her, my people_," &c.; Rev. xviii, 4. + +4. No member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church can, without +contracting guilt, in the present state of society, take the oath of +allegiance to the government of these United States, hold office, +exercise the elective franchise, act as a juror, or hold communion in +other ecclesiastical bodies, by what is commonly styled _occasional +hearing_; Rev. xi, 1-3. + + + + +TERMS + +OF + +MINISTERIAL AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNION + +IN THE + +REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. + + * * * * * + +1. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, +and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice. + +2. An acknowledgement that the whole doctrine of the Westminster +Confession of Faith, and the Catechisms, larger and shorter, are +agreeable unto, and founded upon the Scriptures. + +3. An acknowledgment that Presbyterian Church government is of divine +right, and unalterable: and that the most perfect model as yet attained, +is exhibited in the Form of Government and Directory for Worship, as +adopted by the Church of Scotland, in the Second Reformation. + +4. An acknowledgment that public, social covenanting, is an ordinance of +God, and obligatory on churches and nations under the New Testament +dispensation: and that the National Covenant of Scotland, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of Scotland, England and Ireland, were an +exemplification of this divine institution: and that these solemn deeds +are of perpetual obligation upon the moral person, as continued by +representation and accession: and in consistency with this, +acknowledging the renovation of these covenants at Auchensaugh, 1712, to +be agreeable to the Word of God. + +5. An approbation of the faithful contendings of the martyrs of Jesus, +against paganism, popery, prelacy, malignancy, and sectarianism; and +against immoral constitutions of civil government--Erastian tolerations +and persecutions which flow therefrom: the Judicial Act, Declaration and +Testimony, emitted by the Reformed Presbytery in North Britain, 1761, +together with the Historical and Declaratory Supplements adopted by the +Reformed Church in North America, 1850--as containing an noble example +for their posterity to follow, in contending for all divine truth, and +in testifying against all corruptions embodied in the constitutions of +either church or State. + +6. Practically adorning the doctrine of God our Savior, by walking in +all his commandments and ordinances blamelessly. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: _Christ's rights, &c._ By these are not meant the rights of +Christ personal. It is not in the power of mortals, or any creature, to +acquire and secure these to him; but the rights of Christ mystical, that +is, of the church, or, of his truth, true worship, and religion, and +professors of it as such.] + +[Footnote 2: Besides the above instances of that unholy, tyrannical, and +church-robbing policy, which has been exercised by the supreme civil +powers in these nations with reference to religion and the worship of +God, all of which existed when the presbytery first published their +testimony, there has, of late, a very singular instance of the same kind +occurred, in the course of administration, which the presbytery cannot +forbear to take notice of, but must embrace the present opportunity to +declare their sense of, and testify against; and especially, as it is +one that carries a more striking evidence than any of the former, of our +public national infidelity and licentiousness, and of our being +judicially infatuated in our national counsels, and given up of heaven +to proceed from evil to worse, in the course of apostasy from the cause +and principles of the reformation. We particularly mean the instance of +a late bill or act, which has been agreed upon by both houses of +parliament, and which also, June, 1774, was sanctioned with the royal +assent, entitled "An act for making more effectual provision for the +government of the province of Quebec in North America." By which act, +not only is French despotism, or arbitrary power, settled as the form of +civil government, but, which is still worse, Popery, the _Religion of +Antichrist_, with all its idolatries and blasphemies, has such security +and establishment granted it, as to be taken immediately under the legal +protection of the supreme civil authority of these nations in that vast +and extensive region of _Canada_, lately added to the British dominions +in North America--a province so large and fertile, that it is said to be +capable of containing, if fully peopled, not less than thirty millions +of souls. This infamous and injurious bill, before it passed into a law, +was publicly reprobated and declaimed against by sundry members of both +houses. It has been petitioned and remonstrated against by the most +respectable civil body corporated in Britain, or its dominions, the city +of London; by all the provinces of North America south of Quebec; and +even by the inhabitants of the city of Quebec itself. It has been, in +the most public manner, in open parliament, declared to be "a most +cruel, oppressive, and odious measure--a child of inordinate power," &c. +All which are sufficient indications how scandalous, offensive, and +obnoxious this act was. There was afterward, in the month of May, 1775, +a bill brought into the house of lords, in order to effectuate the +repeal of the foresaid disgraceful act, when, in the course of public +debate, it was represented by those few members of the house who +appeared in the opposition, as "one of the most destructive, most +despotic, most nefarious acts that ever passed the house of peers." But +all in vain--the repeal could not be effected. + +And moreover, let it be further observed here, that the bench of bishops +in the house of peers, who assume the anti-christian title of _spiritual +lords_, and pretend to claim a seat in parliament for the care of +religion, during the whole course of this contest, instead of appearing +for the Protestant interest, have, to their lasting infamy, publicly +distinguished themselves in opposition to it, by--"Standing forth the +avowed supporters of Popery." + +The presbytery, therefore, find themselves in duty obliged, in their +judicative capacity, principally in behalf of the rights and interests +of the great God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer--that is to +say, in behalf of the rights of truth, true religion, and righteousness +among men, which he ever owns as his, to add, as they hereby do, their +public testimony against this nefandous national deed, so manifestly +injurious to all these. + +The presbytery do not, as some others, found their testimony against +this extravagant act establishing Popery, &c., in Canada, solely or +simply on its injuriousness to the private interests of men--their +bodily lives, goods, or outward privileges; nor do they declare against +and condemn it merely because _that_ religion which is sanctioned with +this national decree and engagement for its defense is a sanguinary one: +"Has deluged our island in blood, and dispersed impiety, persecution, +and murder, &c., through the world." (See an address from the general +congress to the people of Great Britain.) These are all indeed +incontestable proofs that it is not the religion of the divine Jesus, +but of antichrist. Nevertheless, the same have been known to be the +staple and constant fruits of Prelacy too, which, to the extent of its +reach and influence, has as much Christian blood wrapped up in its +skirts as Popery, if not more. Nor yet is it merely on account that it +is greatly injurious, as indeed it is, and a notorious breach of the +public faith to the British Protestant settlers in that province. The +presbytery's particular objections against this extraordinary measure +are of a different quality. They are briefly such as follow: + +1. The _iniquity_ of it against God. It is certainly a deed highly +provoking and dishonoring to the God of heaven. For (1), it is a giving +that public protection and countenance to a _lie_, i.e. to idolatry and +false worship (and to anti-christian idolatry, the worst of all other), +which is only due to the truth of God. It is a devoting and giving our +national power to the preservation of the life of the Romish beast, +after the deadly wound given it by the Reformation. And therefore (2), a +most wretched prostitution of the ordinance of civil power, sacred by +its divine institution, to be _a terror_ and restraint _to evil doers, +and a praise to them that do well_, Rom. xiii,--to the quite contrary +purposes. What right have open idolaters and blasphemers to be protected +and supported by any ordinance of God in the public acts of their +idolatry? And how awful is it to think (3), that it is a setting +ourselves openly to fight against God, in a national engagement to +support and defend what God has declared and testified to us in his +word, he will have destroyed; and wherein he expressly forbids giving +the least countenance to idolatry. And shall we thus harden ourselves +against God and prosper? (4), As this last instance of our profane +national policy is a still more open discovery of our incorrigibleness +in our apostasy, so it is also the most striking of all the former of +that Erastianism and spiritual supremacy exercised by the civil powers +in these lands over the church and kingdom of Christ. Herein we have an +open and avowed justification of that anti-scriptural right and power +claimed by them to settle and establish whatever mode of religion they +please, or is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people, or which +best answers their worldly political purposes, although it should be the +religion of Satan in place of that of Christ. This has been the great +leading principle all along since the Revolution, but never more openly +discovered than in this instance. Upon all which it may appear how +sinful and provoking to the divine Majesty this act must be. + +2. The _folly and shamefulness_ of it as to ourselves. How disgraceful +and dishonorable is this public act in favor of Popery, even to the +nation itself, and its representatives, who me the authors of it. How +palpably inconsistent is it with our national character and profession +as Protestant, and with our national establishments, civil and +ecclesiastical (both which are professedly built upon reformation from +Popery), to come to take that idolatrous religion under our national +protection, and become _defenders_ of the _anti-christian_ faith; nay, +were it competent for the presbytery as a spiritual court, and spiritual +watchmen, to view this act in a civil light, they might show at large, +that it is a violation of the fundamental national constitutions of the +kingdom, and reaches a blow to the credit of the legal security granted +to the Protestant religion at home. We need not here mention how +contrary this act is to the fundamental laws and constitutions of the +kingdom of Scotland, which are now set aside. But it is contrary to, and +a manifest violation of the Revolution and British constitution itself; +contrary to the Claim of Right, yea, to the oath solemnly sworn by every +English and British sovereign upon their accession to the throne, as +settled by an act of the English parliament in the first year of William +III. By which they are obliged to "profess, and to the utmost of their +power maintain, in all their dominions, the laws of God, the true +profession of the gospel, and the true reformed religion established by +law." But these things the presbytery leave to such whom it may more, +properly concern. Let it, however, be observed that the presbytery are +not here to be interpreted as approving of the abovesaid oath, as it +designedly obliges to the maintenance of the abjured English hierarchy +and popish ceremonies, which might better be called _a true reformed +lie_, than the true reformed religion. Nevertheless, this being the +British coronation oath, it clearly determines that all legal +establishments behoove to be Protestant, and that without a violation of +said oath, no other religion can be taken under protection of law but +what is called Protestant religion only. + +The presbytery conclude the whole of this additional remark with +observing, That as in the former instances of the exercise of this +Erastian power above mentioned, the present church of Scotland never +gave evidence of her fidelity to Christ, so far as to testify against +them; so their assembly has, in a like supine, senseless manner, +conducted themselves with reference to this last and most alarming +instance. Notwithstanding all that has been remonstrated against it, and +in favor of the reformed religion, they have remained mute and silent, +which indeed evidences them not to be truly deserving of the character +of _venerable_ and _reverend_, which they assume to themselves, but +rather that of an association; or, in the words of the weeping prophet, +_an assembly of treacherous men_: Jer. ix, 2.] + +[Footnote 3: See pages 68, 69, preceding.] + +[Footnote 4: Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_ originally belonged to the community +of Old Dissenters under the pastoral inspection of the Rev. Mr. _John +McMillan_ senior; was educated and lived in communion with them, till +upwards of the age of thirty years; during which time he wrote and +published a book, entitled, _Plain Reasons, &c._, setting forth the +grounds why Presbyterian Dissenters refused to hold communion with the +revolution, church and state; but, having no prospect of obtaining +license and ordination among them, in regard they had then no ordained +minister belonging to them but old Mr. _McMillan_ alone, it appeared +that, from a passionate desire after these privileges, he left his old +friends, and made his application to the Associate Presbytery, who +treated him as above narrated.] + +[Footnote 5: Mr. _John Cameron_, then a probationer and clerk to their +Presbytery.] + +[Footnote 6: These people, referred to above, very unjustly designate +themselves such _who adhere to the testimony for the kingly prerogative +of Christ_. They did at first, before their agreement with the +Presbytery, and ever since their elopement, do still profess to appear +for what they call _An Active Testimony_, conform to the rude draft of a +paper commonly known by the name of the _Queensferry Paper_ or +_Covenant_ (see _Cloud of Witnesses_, Appendix, page 270). After their +_activity_ had carried them the length of avouching the most +inconsistent anti-predestinarian, Arminian schemes of universal +redemption, and not only to a total separation from the Presbytery, and +rejection of their judicial authority, but even to an open denial of the +protestative mission of the ministers therein, and of all others; the +most part of them were, in God's holy and righteous justice, left to +receive and submit to the pretended authority and ministrations of +_William Dunnet_, a deceiver, destitute of all mission and authority, +whom they were afterward obliged to abandon In 1771, they published a +pamphlet entitled, _A short Abstract of their Principles and Designs_. +In this they cunningly evade the acknowledgment of our Confession of +Faith and Catechisms, decline to own the doctrine of the holy Trinity in +_unity_, and do professedly adopt and avow the hypothesis of the famous +modern Socinian, Dr. _Taylor, of Norwich_, anent the person of Christ. +According to which he is no more than "a glorious being, truly created +by God before the world." This pre-existent creature they call a +_superangelic_ spirit; which spirit, coming in time to be united to a +human body, makes according to them, the person of Christ. A person +neither truly God nor truly man, but a sort of being different from +both. The absurdity and blasphemy of this hypothesis needs no +elucidation. Thus they idolatrously worship _another_ god than the +Scripture reveals, and blasphemously substitute and trust in _another_ +savior than the gospel offers unto sinners. In the same pamphlet they +declare and publish their resolution to take some of their number under +formal trials, whom, upon being approved, they might appoint and send +forth to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of it. And all +which they have accordingly done, to the great dishonor of God, reproach +of religion, and the profession of it. + +And now, from the above principles and practices, the reader may justly +conclude how unworthily these Christians (if they may be called such) +profess to stand up for the royal prerogatives of Christ. What an +arrogant and presumptuous invasion upon, and usurpation of, the powers +and prerogatives of this glorious King, for any mortal to assume "to +appoint and call men," not to the _work_ (which yet is all that the +Church of Christ, according to the will of God, and her privileges from +Christ her head, ever claimed), but to the very _power_ and _office_ of +the holy ministry, "and to _install_ them in it." Besides, that their +doctrine as to Christ's person, which denies his divine nature and +sonship, saps the very foundations of _that_ and all his other offices. +We would, therefore, yet beseech them, by the mercies of God, "to repent +them of all their wickedness, and to pray God, if perhaps the thoughts +of their heart may be forgiven them."] + +[Footnote 7: It has been complained by some, that the sense of both the +members of this particular paragraph is obscure, and not so intelligible +as it should be to many readers; but this complaint seems rather to +arise from the want of proper attention and consideration, than from any +other cause. As to the first branch of the sentence, Among--"Such +actions and things as are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful +by a moral obligation"--may be reckoned the payment of county tolls on +highways and bridges, for the benefit of an easy and commodious +passage--keeping watch in cities which have no settled or regular +guard, to prevent public damage by fire or otherwise. In like manner, +the payment of custom in public markets or fairs, or of town dues, all +of which, being intended for the benefit of public corporations, are +given or paid as the price of liberty and privilege of trade and +commerce. And to this may be added, such necessary instances of +_self-defense_ as a person may be obliged to, when maliciously and +villanously attacked in his character or goods, by persons perhaps +designedly taking advantage of his Christian temper, or profession. Or +when perhaps a person may be maliciously charged with, and prosecuted +for crimes not only peculiarly dishonorable to religion, but even +capital, as has been the case with some individuals. In all such cases, +self-defense at law becomes necessary before the ordinary courts and +judges of any nation, or place of the world whatever, when such defenses +are admitted without the formal and explicit acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of unjust or usurped authority (when such happens to be in +place, as in the instance of Paul's appeal to Caesar, Acts xxv), or +acting any otherwise contrary to justice and charity. And with regard to +the other branch of the sentence where it is observed--"That a +difference ought to made between those things that cannot be had, nor +yet the value and equivalent of them, unless the person actually give +it," &c.: This is sufficiently explained in a paragraph, page 163, near +the foot. Prayers for God's blessing on any government--enlisting and +bearing arms in their service--accepting offices and places of power +from them--swearing oaths of fidelity to them, &c.--are such things as +can by no means be got, nor yet the equivalent of them, unless the party +actually consents and grants them. These, therefore, and, such like, are +the only instances of action which, the Presbytery judge, do, in their +own nature, contain and express a proper and explicit acknowledgment of +the lawfulness of that authority which they immediately respect.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the +Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive, by The Reformed Presbytery + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13200 *** diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive + +Author: The Reformed Presbytery + +Release Date: August 17, 2004 [EBook #13200] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACT, DECLARATION, & TESTIMONY *** + + + + +Produced by Jordan Dohms and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +ACT, DECLARATION, + +AND + +TESTIMONY, + +FOR THE + +WHOLE OF OUR COVENANTED REFORMATION, AS ATTAINED +TO, AND ESTABLISHED IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND; +PARTICULARLY BETWIXT THE YEARS 1638 +AND 1649, INCLUSIVE. + +AS, ALSO, + +AGAINST ALL THE STEPS OF DEFECTION FROM SAID REFORMATION, WHETHER IN +FORMER OR LATER TIMES, SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF THAT +GLORIOUS WORK, DOWN TO THIS PRESENT DAY: + +BY THE REFORMED PRESBYTERY. + + * * * * * + +PSALM IX, 4.--Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee: that it +may be displayed because of the truth. + +ISAIAH VIII, 16.--Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my +disciples. + +JUDE, verse 3.--That ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was +once delivered to the saints. + +REVELATION III, 11.--Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou +hast, that no man take thy crown. + + * * * * * + +TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, + +A HISTORICAL AND DECLARATORY SUPPLEMENT. + +1850. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The Presbytery, soon after their erection, being convinced of the +expediency and necessity of emitting a judicial testimony, to discover +to the world the principles upon which, as a judicatory of the Lord +Jesus Christ, they stood, in opposition to the different, so called, +judicatories in the land; together with the agreeableness of these +principles to the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and +to the covenanted constitution of the church of Scotland in her purest +periods; did therefore, after a proposal for said effect, agree in +appointing one of their number to prepare a draft of this kind to be +laid before them, who, after sundry delays, to their grief of mind, at +once cut off their hopes of all assistance from him, in that or any +other particular, by laying himself obnoxious to the censures of the +church; which the presbytery, in duty both to him, to God, and to his +people, were obliged to put in execution against him, while he, in +contempt of that ordinance, and other means used for his conviction and +recovery, obstinately persists in his impenitency and defection. And +although the presbytery, few in number, were thus diminished, yet, being +still resolved to prosecute their former design, they renewed their +appointment upon another brother, who, in consequence of his +undertaking, was allowed a cessation from his other public work, in +order to expedite the proposed draft: and now, when nothing was expected +that should retard the finishing of such a necessary work, the +lamentable fire of division, that had long been smothered, unhappily +broke forth into a violent flame, whereby the presbytery was rent +asunder, and that brother, on whom the appointment was formerly laid, +happening to be of the separating party, a second stop was not only put +to the publication of this testimony, but the presbytery, from the +absence of a brother removed to a distant part of the world, together +with the paucity of their number, were almost wholly discouraged from +attempting again what they had been oftener than once disappointed in. + +But notwithstanding of the above, with many other difficulties which we +shall not at present take notice of, the presbytery, still considering, +that, even in their present circumstances, when their number is few and +despicable, their adversaries many, and such as are in repute in the +world, whereby the opposition made to them, and the conspiracy formed +against the covenanted testimony of the church of Scotland maintained by +them, must needs be strong; there is yet a gracious door of opportunity +left open for them to attempt, in their judicative capacity, the +prosecution and accomplishment of the necessary work formerly proposed; +and which they could not but judge the Lord still called them unto, +while after all the above-mentioned breaches made upon them, he still +continued to give them a nail in his holy place, and a wall in Judah and +Jerusalem, _Ezra_ ix, 8, 9, they therefore again laid their appointments +upon some others to prepare a draft of _An Act, Declaration, and +Testimony_, &c., and which, under the favor of Divine Providence, has at +length been finished and laid before the presbytery. We only need to +observe further with reference to this, that the long delay of what is +now agreed upon did not proceed from any design in the presbytery, of +depriving either the people of their particular inspection, or the +generation, of any benefit that might be obtained by a work of this +nature, but partly from the fewness of their number, and great extent of +their charge, and partly from the great distance of members' residence +from each other, whereby they can seldom have access to meet all +together, for expediting this or any other work of public concern they +have in hand. + +It is, therefore, with an eye to the Wonderful Counselor (when Zion's +faithful counselors are so few) for light and direction in the +management of this great and important work, that the presbytery have +resolved upon the publication hereof at this time, for the reasons which +follow: + +1. Because this duty of bearing witness for truth, and declaring against +all error, and defection from it, and transmitting the same uncorrupted +to posterity, is expressly enjoined on the church by the Spirit of God +in the Scriptures of truth. _Psal._ lxxviii, 5: "For he hath established +a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded +our fathers that they should make them known to their children." +_Isaiah_ xliii, 10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." _Matth._ x, +32: "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I also +confess before my Father who is in heaven." _John_ xv. 27: "Ye also +shall bear witness." _Acts_ i, 8: "And ye shall be witnesses unto me." + +2. Because, in agreeableness to the above scripture warrant, it has been +the constant practice of the church in all ages, when in such capacity, +judicially to assert, and declare their approbation of the truths of the +everlasting gospel, and attainments of the church, joined with the +condemnation of all contrary error, as appears from their harmonious +confessions: and particularly, this has been the honorable practice of +the once famous church of Scotland, witness her excellent confessions, +covenants, &c., whose posterity we are, and, therefore, in duty bound to +homologate, and approve her scriptural form and order, by a judicial +asserting of her attainments, as saith the apostle, _Philip._ iii, 16: +"Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the +same rule, let us mind the same thing." _Rev._ iii, 3: "Remember, +therefore, how thou has received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent." + +3. That, notwithstanding many, both ministers and private Christians, +have been honored faithfully to publish their testimonies and +declarations, and to seal them with their blood, in opposition to the +growing defections in the land, being through the tyranny of the times +prevented from acting in any other capacity: yet never, since the +national overthrow of the glorious structure of reformation, has any +church judicatory; constituted purely on the footing of our covenanted +establishment, appeared in a judicial vindication of our Redeemer's +interest and injured rights. + +4. The unspeakable loss sustained by the present generation, through the +want of a full and faithful declaration of the covenanted principles of +the church of Scotland, which they in the loins of their ancestors were +so solemnly engaged to maintain; whereby, as ignorance must be +increased, so prejudices are also gradually begotten in their winds +against the truth in the purity thereof. And this, through the many +mistaken notions at present prevailing among the different contending +parties of professors in these nations, concerning the distinct +ordinances of divine institution, viz., the ministry and magistracy, or +ecclesiastical and civil government; and, more especially, the +presbytery reckon themselves, and all professing their allegiance unto +Christ and his cause, obliged to maintain the testimony of our ancestors +for the divine institution and right constitution of civil government, +according to the law of God, as what they found to be, and still is, +indispensably necessary for the outward defense and preservation of +righteousness and true religion; and because the very foundation and +ends of this ordinance have been doctrinally subverted, and the +generation taught the most licentious principles concerning it, by a +body of professed witnesses among ourselves: and this they design to do, +without (as they are slanderously reported of by some) laying aside +themselves, or withdrawing others, from the study of internal and +habitual or practical holiness. + +5. To wipe off the reproach of that odium cast upon the presbytery and +community belonging thereto, by some who invidiously call them a +headless mob, whose principles cannot be known, anti-government men, men +of bloody principles, &c., than which nothing can be more unjust: +seeing, as a body distinct from all others, they have still stood upon +the footing of the covenanted establishment, as has been frequently +declared to the world, and as the constitution of the presbytery bears; +so that they can no more be said ever to have wanted a proper testimony +exhibiting their principles to the world, than the reformed church of +Scotland, whereof they are a part. + +6. The present broken and divided situation of the members of CHRIST'S +mystical body, together with the abounding of error, seems necessarily +to require it as a proper mean, under the divine blessing, for gathering +again the scattered flock of Christ, the chief shepherd, to the one +sheepfold, and putting a stop to the current of prevailing apostasy and +defection. + +For these reasons (with more that might be adduced) the presbytery find +themselves in duty bound, to God, the present and succeeding +generations, to throw in their small mite of a testimony, against the +manifold avowed backslidings and defections of all degrees of men, both +in the former and present times, from the precious truths of Christ, and +purity of his ordinances; unto the maintenance whereof, not only they, +but all in these lands, are solemnly bound by covenant engagements. + +And, to conclude, let none mistake the presbytery's aim and intention, +in the whole or any part of the following testimony, as if they minded +nothing else but magistracy, &c., and that to have civil government, and +governors established, according to the rule of God's word, was all the +religion they intended, without regarding or opposing any other of the +prevailing evils and iniquities of the present time. So some are pleased +to allege, as has been hinted above; but such might do well to consider, +that, as the sovereign and distinguishing goodness of God is clearly +evidenced in giving his statutes and judgments unto his Israel, in all +ages, while he has not dealt so with the other nations of the world, +wherein his will is manifestly revealed, determining his people's duty +in all their regulations; so his glory is equally concerned, that they +receive, observe, keep pure and entire, all the ordinances he hath +appointed in his word. The sinful prostitution of any of these, or +breaking over the boundaries which Jehovah hath set is an evident +contempt of his sovereign authority, and violation of the moral law. God +requires of his people an universal respect to all his ordinances and +commandments. Hence what is designed by them in this undertaking, is +equally to testify their adherence unto, and approbation of the +doctrine, worship, discipline and government of the house of God; and to +signify their opposition to, and dissatisfaction with, all the +apostatizing, backsliding courses in principle and practice, from that +reformation purity, both in church and state (which, as the attainment +of the nations of Britain and Ireland, was by them accounted their chief +ornament and glory), that have taken place, especially in this kingdom, +since our woful decline commenced: whereby the witnesses for Scotland's +covenanted reformation, have been deprived of any legal benefit, as +well, since as before the late revolution; in which the reformation, +neither in civil nor ecclesiastical constitutions, was adopted. The +intent, therefore, of this work is of very great importance; no less +being proposed, than the right stating of the testimony for the +covenanted interest of Christ in these lands, and judicial vindication +of all the heads thereof, after such a long and universal apostasy +therefrom: a work that must needs be attended with great difficulties, +and labor under manifold disadvantages, as in other respects, so +particularly from the consideration of the temper of this age, wherein +nothing almost is pleasing, but what is adapted to the taste, not of the +best, but of the greatest: and naked truth without the varnish of +flattery, and painting of carnal policy, is generally treated with +contempt, and exposed to ridicule. And therefore, to remove as much as +possible the prejudice of a critical age, who are ready to reject every +thing as new, which is in some respects singular, and not suited to +their favorite sentiments; the presbytery have endeavored, in this work, +to conform, as much as possible, to the faithful contendings of former +honest contenders for the truths and testimony of JESUS, and that, both +as to matter and manner: and as the grounds of this testimony are not +any needless scrupulosities, or strange novelties, but precious and +weighty truths, of the greatest value and importance, and of nearest +affinity unto the continued series and succession of the testimonies of +the church of Scotland, in former and more ancient periods; so it is the +presbytery's ambition, that nothing, as to the subject matter of what is +here contained, be looked upon as theirs, but may be regarded as an +ancient plea, wherein is nothing but what has been maintained and +confirmed by authors of the greatest fame and reputation in the church; +has been asserted by the greatest confessors, and sealed by the best +blood of the honored and faithful martyrs of Jesus: so that it may +appear, the cause and truths here judicially stated and vindicated, are +not of yesterday's date, but the same old paths and good way, that we +are commanded to ask for, and walk in, though paths that are not now +much trodden, a way that is not much paved by the multitude of +professors walking therein. + + + + +ACT, DECLARATION, AND TESTIMONY. + +PART I. + +Containing a brief historical narration of the several periods of the +Testimony of the Church of Scotland, and of the faithful contendings of +the witnesses for Christ, particularly from the commencement of the +Reformation in these lands, down to the late Revolution; with the +Presbytery's approbation thereof. + + +PLOUGHLANDHEAD, JUNE 6, 1761. + +The which day and place, the Reformed Presbytery being met, and taking +into their most serious consideration, the deplorable situation of the +interest of Christ and religion at present, in these sinning lands +wherein so few are asking for the old path, saying, Where is the good +way, that we may walk therein? but, on the contrary, an avowed apostasy +and backsliding from the right ways of the Lord, is by the generality +carried on, with a secret undermining of reformation interests, by some, +under more specious pretenses; and, further, considering the general +deluge of error and heresy, that has overrun these lands, and the swarm +of erroneous heretics that has overspread the same, making very impious +attacks upon the most part of revealed religion, who, notwithstanding, +have found such shelter under the wings of a Laodicean church, and +almost boundless state toleration, that they walk on without fear in the +foresaid broad way of sin and error. And, moreover, all kinds of sin and +wickedness so universally abound and pass, without any suitable check, +that he who departs from iniquity maketh himself a prey; together with +the woful insensibility, and deep security of all, under our spiritual +plagues and impending temporal strokes. And yet, while the land so +evidently groans under its inhabitants, very few either acknowledge +themselves guilty, or turn from the evil of their ways, saying, What +have we done? Also, considering the horrid breach and contempt of sacred +vows unto the Most High, the great effusion of the saints' blood, shed +in our late persecution under prelacy (which is yet to be found in our +skirts), and the faithful testimony they therewith sealed, remains +buried under the gravestones, both of ecclesiastical and civil deeds of +constitution, unto this day. So that we may rather admire, that the Lord +hath not made such inquisition for blood, as to make our land an +aceldama, than that we are yet under a dispensation of divine +forbearance. All which is followed with a deep oblivion of most or all +of the memorable instances of the Lord's goodness, mercy and power, +manifested unto his church, in these lands; the remembrance whereof +ought still to be retained, and the same acknowledged with thankfulness, +by all the children of Zion, unto the latest ages. + +Wherefore the presbytery, amidst their many difficulties, partly noticed +in the introduction, as a court of the true Presbyterian Covenanted +Church of CHRIST in Scotland, constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone KING and HEAD of his church, judicially to +commemorate: Likeas, they did, and hereby do acknowledge, with the +utmost gratitude, the great goodness and tender mercy of our God unto +our church and land; who, in consequence of that early new covenant +grant, made by JEHOVAH to his eternal SON, to give him the heathen for +his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, +caused the day spring from on high to visit us. Our glorious Redeemer, +that bright and morning Star, having, by his almighty power, shaken oft +the fetters of death, wherewith it was impossible that he could be held, +and, as a victorious conqueror, leading captivity captive, ascended into +the highest heavens, and there sat down on the right hand of God, did +very soon discover his cordial acceptance of, and superlative delight +in, possessing his Father's extensive grant, by stretching forth the +lines of his large and great dominion unto the distant nations of the +world, involved in the thickest darkness of stupidity and idolatry; and, +in a particular manner, did, as the glorious sun of righteousness, +graciously illuminate this remote and barbarous isle, causing the +refulgent beams of gospel light to dissipate the gross darkness that, +covered the people, which prevailed so far (according to very authentic +historical accounts), that, about the beginning of the third century, +those of the highest dignity in the nation, voluntarily enlisted +themselves under the displayed banner of CHRIST, the captain of +salvation, and became nursing fathers and nursing mothers to his church, +employing their power to root out Pagan idolatry, and bring their +subjects under the peaceful scepter of the SON of GOD. This plant of +Christianity having once taken root, did, under all the vicissitudes of +divine providence, grow up unto a spreading vine, which filled the land, +and continued to flourish, without being pressed down with the +intolerable burden of prelatical or popish superstition: the truths and +institutions of the gospel being faithfully propagated and maintained in +their native purity and simplicity by the Culdees some hundreds of years +before ever that man of sin and son of perdition, by the door of +prelacy, stepped into the temple of God in Scotland. Those early +witnesses for CHRIST, having no other ambition but that of advancing +piety and the doctrines which were according to godliness, were +therefore called _Culdees_, that is, _Cultores Dei_, or worshipers of +God. The doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the house of +GOD being thus established, continued for many years, taught and +exorcised, according to divine institution. But, in process of time, the +Church of CHRIST in this land came to be assaulted with the corruptions +of the see of Rome, by means of Palladius, the Pope's missionary to the +Britons, who made the first attempt to bring our fathers' necks under +the anti-christian yoke, which gradually increasing by little and +little, clouded the sunshine of prosperity the church then enjoyed, till +about the eleventh century, when the Romish fraternity fully established +themselves, by usurping a diocesan supremacy over the house of God; +after which a midnight darkness of popish error and idolatry overwhelmed +the nation, for near the space of five hundred years. Yet, even in this +very dark period, the LORD left not himself altogether without some to +bear witness for him, whose steadfastness in defense of the truth, even +unto death, vanquished the inhuman cruelty of their savage enemies. The +honor of the church's exalted Head being still engaged to maintain the +right of conquest he had obtained over this remote isle, and raise up +his work out of the ruins, under which it had lain so long buried; he, +about the beginning of the 15th century, animated some valiant champions +(Messrs. Hamilton, Wishart, and others) with a spirit of truth and +heroic courage, to contend against the abominations of the Babylonish +whore, whose labors, by the blessing of Heaven, were rendered +successful, to open the eyes of some to see, and engage many others to +inquire after, and espouse the truth as it is in JESUS. These, not +regarding the fear of man, nor the cruelty of their enemies, but as good +soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, enduring hardness, chose, rather than desert +their Master's cause, to offer their bodies to be devoured by the +tormenting flames, no more merciless than their hellish persecutors; +while in that fiery chariot, through the serial regions, their souls +ascended to the celestial country. And herein, also, did GOD frustrate +the expectation of that monster of iniquity, Cardinal Beaton (whose +memory let it for ever perish), and his wicked accomplices, and turned +their counsel into foolishness, who, by the death of a few zealous +contenders for the faith, intended the total suppression of CHRIST'S +truth for ever; but GOD having purposed the contrary, made the effusion +of their blood the occasion of rousing many from the deep sleep of gross +ignorance, by putting them to search into the truth of those doctrines, +which these martyrs sealed with their blood; so that JESUS CHRIST, the +only true light in the orb of the gospel, began again to shine forth +within this realm. + +Upon this begun revival of reformation, the glory of the LORD went +remarkably before his people, and the GOD of Israel was their reward, +uniting the hearts, and strengthening the hands, both of noble and +ignoble, to a vigorous and active espousing of his gospel, and concerns +of his glory, in opposition to the tyranny of the lordly bishops, +persecuting rage, and masked treachery of the two bloody Marys, the +mother and daughter, who then successively governed, or rather +tyrannized, in Scotland. Their number, as well as their zealous spirit, +still increasing, they, for the more effectual management of this noble +enterprise, entered into covenants to advance that begun work of +reformation, and to defend the same and one another in the maintenance +thereof, against all opposition whatsoever. Several such covenants our +early reformers solemnly entered into at Edinburgh, Perth and Leith, in +the years 1557, '59, '60 and '62. In 1560, _the Confession of the Faith, +and doctrine believed and professed by the Protestants within, the realm +of Scotland_, was compiled and civilly ratified, or allowed of, in free +and open parliament, afterward sworn to in the National Covenant _annis_ +1580, 1581 and 1590. At the same time, some other acts were passed, in +favor of reformation; one against the mass and abuse of the sacraments; +another, abolishing the Pope's jurisdiction and authority with this +realm, &c. In the above mentioned year 1560, the first book of policy +and discipline, containing the form and order of presbyterial church +government, was composed, approven and subscribed by the ministry, and a +great part of the nobility. Thus, by the wisdom and power of GOD, who +takes the wise in their own craftiness, by means, especially, of the +indefatigable labors of the renowned Mr. KNOX (whose memory is still +savory in the churches), was this surprising work of reformation +advanced, until it obtained the authority of a law; whereby, was not +only the presbyterian protestant interest ratified, but anti-christian +supremacy and superstition abolished. + +The church, gradually increasing in beauty and perfection, did, with +much painfulness and faithful diligence, labor after a more full +establishment of the house of GOD, in all its privileges, until, by +perfecting the second book of discipline, they completed the exact model +of presbytery, which, though they had enjoyed national assemblies for a +considerable time, yet was not brought to such an entire conformity to +the divine pattern, nor so generally acquiesced in until now, that it +was unanimously approven by the assembly 1590, and particularly enjoined +to be subscribed by all who did bear office in the church; and, at last, +they prevailed to get it publicly voted and approven in parliament, +June, 1592; and also at the same time, obtained by act of parliament, +the ratification of all the privileges and liberties of the church, in +her assemblies, synods, presbyteries, &c. + +And here we may observe, that while this church and nation contended for +the obtaining of a legal establishment of the ecclesiastical polity, +they were no less concerned to have that other distinct ordinance of +GOD, civil magistracy, unalterably settled, in agreeableness to the rule +of GOD'S word. This appears, not only by their earnest contendings +against the abuse of that ordinance among them; but also, by the public +acts of parliament, obliging prince and people to be of one perfect +religion, and wholly incapacitating all persons, for bearing any office, +supreme or subordinate, who refused, by their solemn oath, to approve +of, and, to the utmost of their power, engage to defend the true +religion, as contained in the word of GOD, and confession of faith +founded thereon, then believed, and publicly professed within the realm, +ratified and generally sworn to in the National Covenant, during the +whole course of their lives, in all their civil administrations. See +_Acts Parl. 1st_, James VI, 1567. + +Thus the hand of GOD was remarkably seen, and his powerful arm evidently +revealed, in delivering this nation both from Pagan darkness and Popish +idolatry, the memory whereof ought not to be lost, but thankfully +acknowledged, to the honor of GOD'S great name, by all such as favor the +dust of Zion, for her sake, and long to see her breaches, now wide as +the sea, repaired. + +But to proceed: The church's grand foe envying her growing prosperity, +did soon disturb her peace, by insinuating himself upon those of +superior dignity, who were intrusted with the administration of civil +affairs, both supreme and subordinate, blowing up into a flame that +inbred and rooted enmity, which they still retained, at the simplicity, +strictness and scriptural purity of the reformation in Scotland. The +then supreme civil ruler, king James VI, formed a scheme for ruining the +church of Scotland, and stripping her of those comely and beautiful +ornaments of reformation purity, in doctrine, worship, discipline and +government, which she had now put on, by introducing episcopacy, and +establishing bishops. "This he did for no other reason (says one), but +because he believed them to be useful and pliable instruments for +turning a limited monarchy into absolute dominion, and subjects into +slaves; that which of all other things he affected most:" and for this +purpose (after several subtle and cunningly devised steps, previously +taken, with design to do by degrees what could not be done at once) he +makes an open attack upon the general assembly, robbing them of their +power and liberty to meet, judge and determine, in all ecclesiastical +concerns (well knowing, that so long as assemblies might convene in +freedom, he would never get the estate of bishops established in +Scotland), and imprisoning and banishing many faithful ministers, +members of the general assembly, who opposed him, testified and +protested against his wicked invasion, and sacrilegious robbery of the +church's rights and privileges. And, having at last obtained the +supremacy and headship over the church, which was granted him by an +impious act of a pretended parliament, of his own stamp, called by him +for that purpose, proceeded with his design, until he had again +established Prelacy, and razed Presbytery almost to the very +foundations, notwithstanding all the opposition made to it by the +faithful in the land, both ministers and people. + +Thus, after several former attempts to this effect, was Episcopacy again +established, and prelates lording over GOD'S heritage advanced, imposing +their popish ceremonies, which in that pretended assembly convened at +Perth, anno 1618, were enacted, and afterward ratified in a subsequent +parliament in the year 1621. And as the father had thus violated his +solemn professions, declarations and engagements, to maintain the +covenanted interest; so likewise, upon the accession of the son to the +throne, there was no amendment nor redress had: but he followed the same +iniquitous course, walking in the way of his father, and in the sin +wherewith he made Israel to sin. And further, obtruded upon the church a +service book, a book of popish and prelatical canons, which was followed +with a violent prosecution of the faithful contenders for the former +laudable constitutions of the church, carried on by that monstrous +Erastian high-commission court, patched up of statesmen and clergymen: +and hereby was the church again brought under the yoke of anti-christian +prelacy, and tyrannical supremacy; which lese-majesty to Zion's King was +also ratified with the sanction of civil authority. To this yoke, +oppressing CHRIST'S loyal subjects, many of his professed servants +submitted their necks, and, Issachar-like, became servants to tribute +for a considerable time. + +But when the LORD'S set time to favor Zion came, he made the long +despised dust thereof again to be more pleasant and precious than ever +unto his servants and people, and the long night season and thick clouds +of adversity under which his church labored, amid some day-sky, and +sun-blinks of prosperity, she at times enjoyed, to issue in the dawning +of a day of clearer light wherein the glorious SUN of Righteousness +shone in his meridian splendor, with greater brightness both in this and +the neighboring nations, than at his first arising therein, in a gospel +dispensation; whose benign influences caused the small grain of good +seed, sown by the skill of the Great Husbandman, to grow up to a +fruitful plant, the tender twig to spread itself into a noble vine, and +the little cloud, like a man's hand, to cover the whole hemisphere of +the visible church of Scotland, which long ago, as a church and nation, +had enlisted themselves under the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as their Royal +Prince; whose peaceful and righteous scepter being now also extended to +England and Ireland, they soon submitted themselves thereto, in a +religious association and union with Scotland in covenant engagements, +for reformation from prelacy, as well as Popery, which they had never +hitherto yielded to. + +Upon this gracious return of divine favor, and discovery of Almighty +power manifested against the mighty agents for prelatical superstition, +both in church and state, when, from the paucity of those who appeared +in favor of truth, in the year 1637, small opposition unto its enemies +could be expected; yet their magnanimity in witness-bearing was so +followed by manifestations of the divine countenance and favor, that +both their number and courage daily increased. The National Covenant was +again, after mature deliberation, anent both the lawfulness, expediency +and seasonableness thereof, with great solemnity renewed in _March_, +1638, with the general concurrence of the ministry, noblemen, gentlemen, +and others, humbling themselves before the LORD for their former +defections and breach of covenant; though, at the same time, the court +faction, and many temporising ministers, continued in their opposition, +but which was indeed too weak to make resistance unto the cause of GOD, +and force of truth carried home with suitable conviction upon the +conscience. + +The covenant being first renewed at Edinburgh, they provided next, that +it should also be renewed through the kingdom; and for this purpose, +copies thereof were sent with all convenient speed to the several +presbyteries, together with suitable exhortations, and instructions for +renewing of the same in every parish of their bounds; and by this means +it came to pass, through the good hand of their GOD upon them, that in a +little time almost every parish through Scotland did, with much +solemnity, cheerfulness and alacrity, renew the same, and publicly with +uplifted hand avouch the LORD to be their GOD. And as this solemn action +was everywhere accompanied with remarkable evidences of divine power and +presence in a plentiful effusion of a spirit of grace and supplication; +so the joy of the LORD herein became their strength, and greatly +increased the faith and hopes of all the church's real friends, that as +the LORD had begun, so he would also make an end, and carry on his work +to perfection, amid the terrible threatenings both of king and court; +his majesty being highly displeased that his authority was contemned, +and no concurrence of his royal pleasure sought in the renovation of the +Covenant: but their righteousness in this particular was brought forth +as the light, when the legality of this and their other proceedings was +afterward attested to the king by the ablest lawyers in the kingdom. + +The zealous contenders for the church's liberties, by supplications, +reasonings, and proposed articles, for enjoying what they much longed +for, at last obtained, before the foresaid year 1638 expired, a lawful +and free General Assembly (constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone King and Head of his church), consisting of able +members, both ministers and elders, who would not suffer an infringement +upon their regular manner of procedure, or right to act as unlimited +members of a free court of CHRIST, notwithstanding the constant attacks +made upon their freedom by the king's commissioner, and protestations by +him taken against their regular procedure, which issued in his Erastian +declaration of the king's prerogative, as supreme judge in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, and renewing all his former +protestations in his royal master's name; further protesting in his own +name, and in the name of the lords of the clergy, that no act passed by +them should imply his consent, or be accounted lawful, or of force to +bind any of the subjects; and, then in his majesty's name dissolving the +assembly, discharging their proceeding any further, and so went off. But +the assembly judging it better to obey GOD than man; and to incur the +displeasure of an earthly king, to be of far less consequence than to +offend the Prince of the kings of the earth, entered a protestation +against the lord commissioner's departure without any just cause, and in +behalf of the intrinsic power and liberty of the church; also assigning +the reasons why they could not dissolve the assembly until such time as +they had gone through that work depending upon them. This was given in +to the clerk by Lord Rothes, and part of it read before his grace left +the house, and instruments taken thereupon. Then, after several moving +and pathetic speeches delivered on that occasion, for the encouragement +of the brethren to abide by their duty, by the moderator, Mr. Alexander +Henderson, and others, ministers and elders, exhorting them to show +themselves as zealous for CHRIST their LORD and Master, in his +interests, as he had shewed himself zealous for his master; they +unanimously agreed that they should continue and abide by their work +until they had concluded all things needful, and that on all hazards. +And so they proceeded to the examination of that complaint against the +bishops, who, on account of their, tyranny, superstition, and teaching +of Popish, Arminian, and Pelagian errors, were all laid under the +sentence of deposition; and many of them, for their personal +profaneness, wickedness and debauchery proven against them, together +with their contumacy, were also excommunicated with the greater +excommunication, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might +be saved in the day of the LORD JESUS. They gave their approbation of +the National Covenant; and Prelacy, with the five articles of Perth, +were found and declared to be abjured by it, together with the civil +places and power of kirkmen, their sitting on the bench as justices of +the peace, sitting in council, and voting in parliament. Subscription of +the Confession of faith, or covenant, was also enjoined, presbyterian +church government justified and approven, and an act made for holding +yearly General Assemblies; with many other acts and constitutions +tending to the advancement of that begun reformation, and purging the +church of CHRIST of those sinful innovations, crept into it, which may +be seen more at large in the printed acts of that assembly. The lawful +and just freedom which the church now claimed and stood upon, so highly +incensed the court, because their Erastian encroachments were not +yielded to, that all warlike preparations were speedily made for having +them again reduced, by force of arms, to their former slavery. Yet, what +evil seemed intended against the church by the king, with his popish and +prelatical accomplices, was by her exalted King and Head happily +prevented, and they obliged, at least, to feign subjection, and yield to +a pacification. In which it was concluded, that an assembly be holden at +Edinburgh, _August 6th_, 1639, and the parliament the 20th of the same +month, that same year, for healing the wide breaches, and redressing the +grievances both of church and state; that what was determined by the +assembly, might be ratified by the parliament. In this assembly, the +covenant was ratified and subscribed by the commissioner, and an +injunction laid upon the body of the kingdom for subscribing the same, +with an explication, wherein the five articles of Perth, government of +bishops, the civil places and power of kirkmen were expressly condemned. +Hereby the hopes of the Prelates again being in a great measure lost, +and they receiving fresh assistance from the king (who seemed to have +little conscience in making laws, and found small difficulty in breaking +them), recruited themselves the year following, and took the field, but +with no better success than formerly, which obliged them to yield to +another pacification, wherein both religious and civil liberties were +ratified; and in 1641, these were further confirmed by the oaths, +promises, laws, and subscriptions of both king and parliament, whereat +the king was personally present, and gave the royal assent to all acts +made for the security of the same; while at the same time he was +concurring in the bloody tragedy acted upon the Protestants in the +kingdom of Ireland. + +The gracious countenance and abundant evidence of divine approbation +wherewith the LORD vouchsafed to bless his contending, reforming and +covenanting church in Scotland, in a plentiful effusion of his Holy +Spirit on the judicatories and worshiping assemblies of his people, +proved a happy means to excite and provoke their neighbors in England +and Ireland, to go and do likewise. For in the year 1643, when the +beginning of a bloody war between the king and parliament of England +threatened the nation with a series of calamity and trouble; the +parliament having convocated an assembly of divines to sit at +Westminster for consulting about a reformation of religion in that +kingdom, sent commissioners, consisting of members of both houses and +assembly, to treat with the assembly of the church of Scotland, and +convention of estates about these things. In the month of _August_, they +presented their proposals to the convention of estates and assembly, +desiring, that because the popish prelatical faction is still pursuing +their design of corrupting and altering the religion through the whole +island, the two nations might be strictly united for their mutual +defense against them and their adherents, and not to lay down arms until +those, their implacable enemies, were disarmed, &c. Commissioners were +deputed from the estates, and assembly, to convene with those from +England, in order to consider their proposals. And, at the first +conferences, it was agreed that the best and speediest means for +accomplishing the union and assistance desired, was for both nations to +enter into a mutual league and covenant for reformation and defense of +religion and liberty against its enemies. Which being drawn up, and +affectionately embraced, was unanimously approved by the general +assembly and sent up to England by the hands of the ministers and +elders, sent commissioners from the church of Scotland to the synod at +Westminster, where (being proposed by the parliament to the +consideration of the synod), after the interpolation of an explanatory +note in the second article, it was approven, and with public +humiliation, and all other religious and answerable solemnity, taken and +subscribed by them (the synod), and by both honorable houses of +parliament and by their authority taken and subscribed by all ranks in +England and Ireland that same year, ratified by act of the parliament of +Scotland, _anno_ 1644, and afterward renewed in Scotland, with an +acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties by all ranks in the +year 1648, and by the parliament, 1649. + +Thus, to the rejoicing of all true lovers of the prosperity and beauty +of the church, who longed for CHRIST the salvation of Israel, his coming +forth out of Zion, these three churches and nations combined and +embarked together in the same honorable and glorious cause of +reformation, and solemnly bound themselves by the oath of GOD, to +maintain and defend the same against all its enemies and opposers +whatever; thereby publicly professing their subjection to Christ, and +their preferring of pure and undefiled religion, the advancement of the +interest, kingdom and glory of JESUS CHRIST, to their nearest and +dearest interests in this world. And the Lord was with us while we were +with him, and steadfast in his covenant; but when we forsook him, and +broke his covenant, he also forsook us, and delivered his strength into +captivity, and his glory into the enemies' hand. + +In the next place, the assembly at Westminster, with the assistance of +commissioners from the general assembly of the church of Scotland, +proceeded to conclude on what was needful for furthering and completing +this intended and covenanted uniformity in religion, that the Lord might +be one, and his name one in the three lands. And for this purpose, a +confession of faith was composed, and agreed upon by that venerable +assembly, together with catechisms larger and shorter, propositions +concerning church government, ordination of ministers, and directory for +worship; all which were received and approved by the General Assembly, +and convention of estates in Scotland. + +The Lord thus prospering his work in the hands of his servants employed +in ecclesiastical affairs, gave no less countenance unto the parliament +of England, with the assistance they received from Scotland, in +defeating all the wicked attempts of the popish, prelatical and +malignant party in England, overthrowing their tyranny, and reducing the +supporters thereof. A like victory was at length obtained over Montrose +in Scotland, who commanded the royalist, or malignant party there, and +had for some time carried all before him. And so the King being worsted +at all hands, and despairing of overtaking his designs, his army having +been almost all cut to pieces, and himself obliged to fly, resigned +himself over to the Scots army at Newark, in the year 1646, and marched +along with them to Newcastle; and they, upon the frequent solicitations +of the English parliament, and their engaging for the King's honorable +treatment, delivered him over to them. Afterward, he falling into the +hands of Cromwell and the English army, a number in this nation violated +the oath of GOD, which they had lately come under, by engaging in an +unlawful war with England, commonly called the Duke's engagement, in +order to rescue the King from his captivity (notwithstanding that he +still persisted in his opposition to the just claims, both of the church +and nation, and after all that was come upon him, could not be +reconciled to the covenants and work of reformation); where they were in +_July_ 1648, totally routed by Oliver Cromwell; and Duke Hamilton, their +general, being made prisoner, was incarcerated, and afterward beheaded. +This engagement was remonstrated against, and judicially condemned by +the General Assembly of the church of Scotland; and the sinfulness of it +was publicly acknowledged as a breach of the covenant-union between the +two nations, by all ranks in Scotland that same year, at the renovation +of the Solemn League and Covenant therein. At last the king being seized +upon by Cromwell and his sectarian army, was, notwithstanding all the +remonstrances both of church and state, removed by a violent death. Upon +which the parliament of Scotland, on the _5th_ of _February_, 1649, +caused proclaim his son Charles II, king of Great Britain, France, and +Ireland (which title he had assumed himself at the Hague, as soon as the +report of his father's death came to his ears), promising their fidelity +and defence of his person and authority, according to the National +Covenant, and the Solemn League and Covenant. And at the same time +declaring, that before he be admitted to the exercise of the royal +power, he shall give security for the preservation and maintenance of +the true reformed religion, and unity of the kingdoms, now established, +by laws both civil and ecclesiastical, according to the covenants: which +security for religion and liberty, at the first proposed treaty at the +Hague, he deferred to grant, and afterward postponed the signing of the +treaty at Breda, when everything was agreed upon, from the great hopes +he entertained of accomplishing his design, without acquiescing with +their demand from Montrose's expedition, whom he had sent into Scotland +with an army, in order to prepare his way into that kingdom, by +devastation with fire and sword. But this intrigue not succeeding, he +found himself obliged to comply with all their proposals, and signed the +treaty. This treaty the king did in effect break, before he left Breda, +by communicating after the episcopal manner, contrary to the express +warning and remonstrance of the commissioners from the church of +Scotland, who went to him, and showed him his sin in so doing, and how +inconsistent it was with his own concessions in the present treaty; and +an evidence that he had no intention to perform what he had agreed to, +but dissembled with GOD and man; and he, on the other hand, put them off +with sham excuses and professions; and so, from their too much credulity +to his fraudulent professions and promises all along, they brought him +over to Scotland, and before his landing in this kingdom, he takes the +covenant at Spey, on the _23rd_ of _June_, 1649, by his oath subjoined +in allowance and approbation of the Covenants National, and Solemn +League, obliging himself faithfully to prosecute the ends thereof in his +station and calling; and for himself and successors, he shall agree to +all acts of parliament enjoining the same, and establishing presbyterial +church government the directory for worship, confession of faith and +catechisms, in the kingdom of Scotland, as approven by the General +Assemblies of this kirk, and parliament of this kingdom. And for their +further satisfaction, according to the act of the West Kirk, Edinburgh, +_August 13th_, 1650, approven the same day by the committee of estates, +he emitted a declaration at Dunfermline, by profession, fully and +heartily acquiescing with all their demands, all which afterward served +for nothing but as a lasting monument of his horrid perjury, wicked +dissimulation, and mockery of God and man. And even then, when this +declaration was published, he had formed a design for bringing in the +enemies of the covenant, and work of reformation, both into the army and +judicatories, and for dividing the Presbyterians among themselves. And +this he effectually managed for both foresaid ends, by the public +resolutions, on the _14th_ of _December_, that same year 1650. This +woful and prime step of defection, so contrary to the word, and +injurious to the work of God, was faithfully testified against by many, +both ministers, and whole presbyteries, who were sensible of the present +sinfulness and evil of it, and foresaw the bitter and dismal +consequences that followed upon it. + +In the meantime, notwithstanding this, and other shrewd evidences, the +king gave of his double dealing and hypocrisy, he was crowned at Scoon, +on the first of _January_, 1651, and had the Covenants National and +Solemn League again administered unto him, by the reverend Mr. Douglas, +after a sermon from 2 _Kings_ xi, 12, 17, which he, in a most solemn +manner renewed, before the three estates of parliament, the +commissioners of the General Assembly, and a numerous congregation, in +the words of his former oath at Spey; with the coronation oath, as +contained in the 8th _Act, Parl._ 1st, James VI, to all which he engaged +before his coronation; and on these terms, and no other, were the oaths +of fidelity to him, as the lawful supreme magistrate, taken, at his +receipt of the royal authority. And consequently, these covenant +engagements became fundamental constitutions, both in church and state, +and the door of access into office-bearing in either, and formal ground +of the people's subjection. Then was the church's appearance "Beautiful +as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners." + +From what is noticed above, the presbytery cannot but declare their +hearty approbation of the zeal, courage, and faithfulness of our honored +ancestors, in their valiant contendings for the valuable liberties and +privileges of the spiritual kingdom of the MESSIAH, until they got the +same established, and the nations brought under the most solemn, sacred, +and inviolable engagements, to maintain every branch of this glorious +reformation; a reformation, not only from the more gross errors, and +idolatries of Popery, but from the more refined superstition of Prelacy, +and all that Antichristian and Erastian supremacy, that in former times +had been exercised on the heritage of the LORD; a reformation of both +the divine ordinances of ministry and magistracy, from all the abuses +and corruptions thereof, by the inventions of men, joined with the above +mentioned establishment of them, in some measure of agreeableness unto +their scriptural institution. + +Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto foresaid reformation, in all the different parts and +branches thereof, attained from 1638 to 1650 inclusive, and sworn to in +the National and Solemn League and Covenant, not exclusive of such parts +of reformation as were attained unto prior to this, but as a further +advance on this foundation, and as being much more pure and agreeable to +the infallible standard of scripture, than any formerly arrived at in +these nations. + +The daughter of Zion, thus going forth in the perfection of her beauty, +when all ranks and degrees voluntarily subjected themselves unto the +royal scepter of the SON of GOD, was most comely in the eyes of her +Beloved; But oh! how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold +changed; the stones of the sanctuary are poured out on the top of every +street, so that the house that was called of all people the house of +prayer, is now become a den of thieves, being no less infamously +despicable for deformation, than formerly, for purity of reformation, +highly admired. This, at first, began with the public resolutions of the +commission of the General Assembly 1650, above noticed, for taking into +places of power and trust, in judicatories and armies, such persons as +were known malignants, and in heart disaffected to the work, and people +of GOD, putting it in their power to destroy and pull down the LORD'S +work at their pleasure; a practice manifestly inconsistent with their +covenant engagements, and the word of GOD, _Deut._ xxiii, 9, 2 _Chron._ +xix, 2. Those that were then called protestors (from their opposing and +protesting against these resolutions), continued steadfastly to witness +against the same, as the first remarkable step, to make way for that +bloody catastrophe, that afterward befell the church. The Lord, then, in +his righteous displeasure and controversy with the nation, for betraying +of his cause and interest into the hands of his enemies, sold them into +the hand of that conquering usurper, Oliver Cromwell, who, having stript +them of their civil liberties, as the most effectual method to rob the +church of her spiritual privileges, and nullify the forcible obligation +of the sacred covenants (which, when preserved, serve as a strong +barrier against all such usurpations), framed a hellish and almost +unbounded toleration in Scotland, of heretical and sectarian errors, for +gratification of the abettors thereof, which was followed with a deluge +of irreligion and impiety, drowning the nation in a still deeper +apostasy. + +In this hour of temptation, the witnesses for CHRIST, endeavoring to +keep the word of his patience, testified against these evils, as +contrary to the word and oath of God, and destructive of the church's +former glory. And Charles II, who had lately, by all the confirmations +of word, writ, and solemn oath, obliged himself for the maintenance and +defense of religion and liberty, having cast off the thing that was +good, the enemy did pursue him so, that he, instead of being able to +stand as a head of defense to the nations, narrowly escaped with life +from the enemies' hands, being obliged to abscond and fly before the +sectaries into France; where, and in other parts, he remained an exile +for the space of ten years, and there discovered, he had no regard to +the principles he had lately professed and sworn to maintain: but +breaking his professed wedlock with CHRIST, is said, at that juncture, +to have joined hands with the Romish whore, laying aside his cloak of +professed godliness, and again taking up with the mystery of iniquity. + +During the ten years' usurpation of Cromwell, those who endeavored +faithfulness, had a fight of affliction to keep their ground; yet, after +this came to a period, they had a far more fierce encounter, and of +longer duration, to engage in, in the cruel and bloody tragedy acted +upon them, for the space of 28 years. + +As, by the public resolutions, and foresaid unbounded toleration, the +bounds fixed by JEHOVAH, and homologated and sworn to, in our national +attainments and constitution, were greatly altered, so the parliament of +England prepared the tools, whereby the carved work of the sanctuary (as +far as human craft and cruelty could invent), was broken down, in +restoring Charles II, without any conditions required, or express +limitations set. And Sharp being sent from the church of Scotland, to +stand up for her rights and privileges, fraudulently sold her into the +hands of her enemies; upon which, many of the professed disciples of +CHRIST, who followed him in the sunshine of prosperity and reformation, +forsook him, and fled into the enemies' camp. Thus our decline began; +but, oh! to what a dreadful height Erastianism, tyranny, and bloodshed +arrived, before the Lord, in his providence, put a stop to it. + +Although the Presbytery cannot be supposed, in a consistency with their +present design, to reckon up all, yet they would endeavor to take notice +of some of the most remarkable instances of backsliding, treachery and +oppression, bloodshed, &c, acted in those nations during the late +persecuting period, together with the faithful contendings, and patient +sufferings unto death of the saints and servants of CHRIST, in this hot +furnace of affliction into which they were cast. As, 1, The unhappy +restoration of Charles II, in manner before mentioned commencing. The +faithful declarations and testimonies given in favor of the covenanted +reformation and uniformity, were all on a sudden given up with; the +viper received into our bosom, and again advanced unto the regal +dignity, who soon discovered himself to be of the serpentine seed, and +by his wicked agency imped the dragon his master, by casting out of his +mouth a flood of persecution after the church, that he might cause her +to be destroyed therewith. To this effect the anti-christian yoke of +abjured Prelacy, with all its tyrannical laws, and canonical train of +observances, service book, ceremonies, &c., was speedily wreathed about +England's neck, and Scotland soon felt part of its weight. For, in the +month of _August_, 1660, when some of her most zealous and faithful +ministers met upon this emergency, in order to send an address to the +king, reminding him of his duty, and solemn obligations to perform the +same; the committee appointed by the parliament, _anno_ 1651, for +exercise of government, until another parliament should meet, who then +showed themselves zealous for the reformation, yet now acted a +counter-part, by incarcerating the foresaid ministers, and emitting a +proclamation, prohibiting all such meetings without the king's +authority, and all petitions and remonstrances, under pretense that they +were seditious. This was the first beginning of those sorrows and +calamities that ensued in the many sanguinary laws afterward made and +executed upon the true friends of Zion. + +2. When the ministry, by means of the foresaid prohibitions, were much +dispirited from their duty, dreading such usage as they had lately met +with, the parliament which met in Scotland in _December_, 1661, falls +upon breaking down the carved work of the sanctuary effectually, and +robbing our church of that depositum committed unto her by her glorious +Head. Thus did they wickedly combine and gather themselves together to +plot against the Lord, and against his Anointed, that they might break +his bands, and cast his cords from them. For which intent, after +besmearing the consciences of most of the members with the guilt of that +abominable and wicked oath of allegiance and supremacy, that they might +be secured to the court and king's interest, and ready to swallow down +whatever might be afterward proposed, they passed an act rescissory, +declaring all the parliaments, and acts of parliament made in favor of +reformation, from the year 1640 to 1651, null and void. The king's +supremacy over all persons, and in all causes, is asserted. All +meetings, assemblies, leagues, and covenants, without the king's +authority, are declared unlawful and unwarrantable. The renewing of the +solemn league and covenant, or any other covenants or public oaths, +without the king's special warrant and approbation, is discharged. +Besides these, another heinous act was framed by the same parliament, +for observing every 29th of _May_ as an anniversary thanksgiving, in +commemoration of the unhappy restoration of this ruiner of religion and +reformation. + +3. In the second session of the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1662 +diocesan Erastian Prelacy is established, and the king solemnly invested +with the church's headship, by act of parliament; wherein it is +blasphemously declared, "That the ordering and disposal of the external +government and policy of the church, doth properly belong unto his +majesty as an inherent right of the crown, by virtue of his royal +prerogative and supremacy in all causes ecclesiastical." All such acts +of parliament or council are rescinded, which might be interpreted (as +their acts bear) to give any church power, jurisdiction, or government, +to the office-bearers of the church, other than that which acknowledges +a dependence upon, and subordination to, the sovereign power of the king +as supreme. And although the lordly prelates were hereby promoted to all +the privileges and dignities they possessed before the year 1638, yet +must they be all accountable to the king, in all their administrations, +and in subordination to him, as universal bishop of all England, +Scotland, and Ireland. By which the fountain of church power and +authority is lodged in the king's person, and CHRIST is exauctorated and +dethroned as King and Head in Zion. And further, by the second act of +that perfidious parliament, the covenanted reformation, and all that was +done in favor thereof, from 1638 to 1650, was declared treasonable, and +rebellious. Alike treasonable it was reckoned for subjects, on pretense +of reformation, or any other pretense whatsoever, to enter into any +federal association, or take up arms against the king. They also +declared, that the National Covenant, as sworn in the year 1638, and the +Solemn League and Covenant, were, and are in themselves unlawful oaths, +and that they were imposed upon, and taken by the subjects of this +kingdom, contrary to the fundamental laws and liberties thereof. And to +complete all, they repealed all acts, ecclesiastical and civil, +approving the covenants, particularly the acts of the venerable assembly +at Glasgow 1638, declaring it an unlawful and seditious meeting. And +thereafter, by a wicked act of the council of Glasgow, more than three +hundred ministers were illegally thrust from their charges, for their +non-conformity, in discountenancing a diocesan meeting, or synod, +appointed by the archbishop of Glasgow, and not observing the +anniversary thanksgiving, _May_ 29th, enjoined by the parliament. The +rest were violently ejected from the lawful exercise of their ministry +in their several parishes, and were afterward commanded by act of +parliament to remove themselves and their families twenty miles distant +from their respective flocks, and not to reside within six miles of any +of their (so called) Cathedrals, or three miles of a Burgh. By these +means, many of those poor persecuted ministers, with their families, +were brought into great hardships and wants, being so far removed from +their beloved and affectionate flocks, that they were deprived of that +help from them, that doubtless they would cheerfully have ministered, +for relieving them in their necessities and straits. All this was done +at the instigation of the prelates, who could not endure to have a godly +presbyterian minister near them, and were resolved to make them as +miserable as possible. + +As the observation of that anniversary holy day, _May_ 29th, was again +enjoined by this parliament 1662, with certification, the non-observance +of which was one main cause of the sufferings of the ministers above +noticed, we cannot pass over without mentioning that most abhorred and +heaven-daring ignominy and contempt put upon our solemn and sacred +covenants, and upon GOD the great Party in them, at Linlithgow on that +day, by a theatrical exposing, and presumptuous committing them to the +flames, together with _The causes of GOD'S wrath, Lex Rex_, acts of +parliament, acts of committees of estates, and acts of assemblies made, +during what they called the twenty-two years' rebellion, that is, from +1638 to 1660, done by the authority of the pretended magistrates there; +one of which, and the minister Ramsay, were formerly zealous and active +covenanters, and consequently now publicly avowed and proclaimed their +perjury in the face of the sun, and left an indelible stain upon their +memory. + +Hitherto, although many, both ministers, gentlemen and others, had +endured unexpressible hardships and severities, yet few or none suffered +to the death, save that noble peer, the Marquis of _Argyle_, who was +condemned by the parliament 1661, and beheaded _May_ 27th; and the +Reverend Mr. _James Guthrie_, who suffered five days thereafter. These +two were singled out--the one in the state, the other in the church--to +fall a victim to the resentment and fury of the enemies of that +covenanted work of reformation, which they had both, in an eminent +manner, been honored of GOD to support and advance; and also as a +specimen of what was afterward to be the fate of all that should adhere +to the same glorious cause, and stand up for God against these workers +of iniquity. And, as the foundation of that anti-christian and wicked +hierarchy in the church, and of arbitrary power and absolute tyranny in +the state, was laid in the blood of these two proto-martyrs for the +covenant and cause of GOD, so they now (_July_, 1663,) proceeded to +build it up with the blood of another noble and worthy patriot, the +eminently religious and learned Lord _Warriston_. He having before, in +1660, when _Argyle_ was apprehended, been ordered, together with several +others, to be secured and committed to prison, fled beyond sea, to +escape the fury of his enemies, and even there did their crafty malice +reach him; for, having sent out one of their blood-thirsty emissaries in +quest of him, he was apprehended by him at Roan, in France, brought over +to London, and sent thence to Edinburgh, where he was executed on a +former unjust sentence of forfeiture and death, passed upon him in his +absence. Thus they built up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with +iniquity. But all this was nothing to the cruelty that followed, and the +righteous blood afterward shed in that quarrel. + +4. Although the faithful servants of CHRIST gave too silent submission +for a time to these encroachments made upon their sacred functions, yet, +as they received not their mission from men, so they resolved not to +become the servants of men, but to hazard the loss of every thing that +was dear to them in this world, that they might show themselves faithful +unto their Lord and Master, and valiant for his truth upon the earth, in +going forth without the camp, bearing his reproach. When they could no +longer, with a safe conscience, enjoy their benefices and churches, and +the Lord so expressly called for their service, in feeding the starving +souls of his people, they betook themselves to the open fields, setting +their faces to all the storms to which they were exposed by that high +commission court that was erected; wherein the bishops were chief +agents, being made therein necessary members for putting the former, +with what subsequent wicked laws were made against the servants of +CHRIST, in execution. And, by this time, that deceiving, cruel, +perjured, apostate bishop, _Sharp_, had obtained the presidency in this +and all other public courts in the kingdom. The proceedings of this +court were very unjust, cruel and arbitrary, similar to its preposterous +and illegal constitution. Persons were, without any accusation, +information, witness or accuser, arraigned before them, to answer _super +inquirendis_ to whatever interrogatories they were pleased to propose, +without license to make any lawful defense, or, upon their offering so +to do, were required to take the oath of supremacy, their refusal of +which was accounted cause sufficient for proceeding against them. And +although taking order with papists was first in their commission, yet +last, or rather not at all, in execution; while their infernal rage was +principally set on Presbyterians, in fining, confining and imprisoning +them, for the non-conformity of ministers, and their disregarding their +pretended sentences of deposition, and the people's refusing to +countenance the authority and ministry of these prelatic wolves, who +came in to scatter and tear the flock of CHRIST, but endeavoring to +cleave to their lawful pastors, have equal friends and foes with them, +and hear CHRIST'S law of kindness from their mouth. The idol of jealousy +was thus set up in the house of GOD, and our LORD JESUS CHRIST +sacreligiously robbed of his incommunicable supremacy and headship over +his church by the state; whereby the Pope's supremacy was well nigh +claimed, and Spanish inquisition cruelty almost acted, by this +abominable court; and all at the instigation and for the gratification +of these monsters of iniquity, the prelates, who still agitated the +court to exercise more cruelty than even of themselves they were +inclined to. + +5. Upon the decline of this rigorous court, new measures were again +fallen upon for the oppression, suppression and extirpation, of the true +reformed religion, and the professors of it. The council being very +diligent and careful to deprive the LORD'S people of every thing which +might contribute to their establishment and confirmation in the +righteousness and equity of the cause and covenant of God for which they +suffered, and which tended to expose their tyranny and treason against +GOD, ordered the famous Mr. Brown's _Apologetical Relation_ to be burnt +in the high street of Edinburgh, on February 14th, 1666, by the hand of +the common hangman; and all persons who had copies of said book were +required to give them up, and such as concealed them to be fined 2000 £. +_Scots_, if discovered. Such was their hellish enmity and spite against +our covenanted reformation, and every thing written in defense thereof, +and in vindication of those that suffered for their adherence to it. +About the same time, _Sharp_, for the more effectual accomplishment of +his wicked designs (the high commission being now dissolved, and his +guilty conscience, it seems, suggesting fears of an insurrection of the +oppressed, to relieve themselves from their cruel oppressors), obtains +an order from the king for raising an additional number of forces, for +the security and establishment of himself and his associates in their +thrones of iniquity, by destroying all the faithful in the land, +oppressing and wearing out the saints of the Most High, and burning up +and dispersing all the synagogues of GOD in the nation. In consequence +of this, about three thousand foot, and eight troops of dragoons were +got together, and the command of them given to _Dalziel_ of _Binns_, a +wicked, fierce, cruel man. These were the instruments of that +unprecedented barbarity, cruelty and oppression, committed in the West, +after the defeat of Colonel Wallace and his little army of covenanters, +at Pentland Hills, _November_ 28th, 1666. The occasion and cause of +which rising was, in short, this: Sir _James Turner_ had been sent the +year before into the south-west shires of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, in +order to suppress conventicles (so they called the assemblies of God's +people for public worship and other religious exercises), levy the fines +appointed by the parliament, and oblige the people to conform and submit +to the bishops and curates by force of arms. Turner, in pursuance of +these cruel orders, committed great severities, dreadfully oppressed, +robbed and spoiled the country. In the parish of Dalry, in Galloway, +three or four of his blackguard crew, seizing upon a poor countryman, +carried him to his own house, and were going to torture him in a cruel +manner, by setting him naked on a red-hot gridiron; which four of the +persecuted party hearing of, they repaired to the house, disarmed the +soldiers (upon their refusing to be entreated in behalf of the poor +man), and delivered their fellow sufferer. And lest the rest of the +soldiers quartered in the parish (to force people to keep their parish +church), should fall upon them, being joined with seven or eight more of +their friends, they attacked them early next morning, being about twelve +in number, and disarmed them, killing one that made resistance. +Whereupon, the country being alarmed, and being apprehensive, from sad +experience, of the revenge Sir James would take upon the whole country +for this affront, without distinction of age or sex, they determined to +stand in their own defense. And, getting together a good number of horse +and foot, they march to Dumfries, surprise Turner himself, take him +prisoner, and disarm his soldiers, without any further violence. Being +thus by Providence engaged, without any hope of retreat, and being +joined by many more of their brethren in the same condition with +themselves, some ministers, and Colonel Wallace (afterward chosen +general), they come to Lanerk, where they renew the covenant, _November_ +26th, 1666, and thence to Pentland Hills, where, being attacked by +Dalziel and his blood-hounds, they were, notwithstanding their bravery +in repulsing the enemy twice, at last totally routed, many killed and +taken prisoners, most of the prisoners treacherously executed +(notwithstanding they were taken upon solemn promise to have their lives +spared), of whom the Lord was graciously pleased, not only to accept of +a testimony, by sufferings, but also countenanced them, even to +admiration, in sealing the same with their blood. After this, there were +severe edicts issued out against all who had any hand in this appearance +for GOD'S cause and covenant (called by them rebellion, a horrible +conspiracy, and what not); all the subjects were strictly charged not to +harbor, reset, supply, or in any manner of way correspond with any that +were concerned in this engagement, but that they pursue and deliver them +up to justice, or otherwise be esteemed and punished as favorers of it. +This appearance for religion and liberty became, for a time, the +principal crime of which those were indicted who were prosecuted by this +wicked council, and other merciless enemies, to whom they committed the +management of their affairs. + +6. Although the cruelty of the court had hitherto been very great, yet +they had not wholly effectuated their wicked design of exterminating and +destroying true religion, and the professors thereof, both ministers and +people; but, like Israel under Pharaoh's yoke, the more they oppressed +them, and suppressed their meetings, the more numerous and frequent they +grew, so that their enemies were obliged to alter their course a little +from cruelty into craft. This appeared in the first indulgence, granted +_anno_ 1669, with design to divide Presbyterians among themselves, that +they might the more easily destroy them. Hereby a pretended liberty was +given to several ministers ejected by the act of Glasgow, 1662 +(especially public resolutioners, who had formerly served the court +interest in that matter), under certain restrictions, destructive of +their ministerial freedom and faithfulness, to preach and exercise the +other functions of the ministry in vacant churches. In this fraudulent +snare many were taken; and even such of them as did accept of the +indulgence, but did not keep by the instructions given them by the +council, and observe the wicked anniversary, &c, were afterward +prosecuted, fined, and some turned out. And those who refused compliance +therewith, and testified against it, as flowing from that blasphemous +supremacy and absolute power, which the king had assumed, were most +severely handled, and their assemblies for public worship interdicted +under the highest pains. A second indulgence was framed in the year +1672, in which net they expected to inclose such as the first had not +caught. By this, liberty was granted to a number of non-conformed +ministers, named by the council, not yet indulged, to exercise their +ministry in such places as the council thought fit to ordain and appoint +them, conforming themselves to the rules given by the council to those +that were formerly indulged, besides other restrictions, wherewith this +new liberty was clogged. And, as one special design of the court, in +granting both the first and this second indulgence, was to put an +effectual stop to the meetings of the LORD'S people, ludicrously called +by them field conventicles, so they took occasion, on account of their +contempt of this their indulgence and liberty, to prosecute all such as +kept, or attended on, these meetings, in a more merciless and furious +manner. This indulgence was accepted by many ministers; and part +thereof, by others, represented as a grievance, and redress required. +But although nothing of this kind was obtained, yet it was fallen in +with and accepted by most of those who subscribed the remonstrance +against it; and those few who rejected it, and continued faithfully to +discharge their official trust in the open fields, without coming under +any of these sinful restrictions, became, more especially, the butt of +their enemies' malice and tyranny, were more vigorously prosecuted, and +such as were suspected or convicted of attending on their field +meetings, were fined in an exorbitant manner, and ministers imprisoned, +when they could be apprehended. And because these field meetings, the +great eye-sore of the prelates, still increased, they prevailed with the +council 1674, to take more special notice of the preachers at said +meetings, who appointed a committee for that effect, and ordered their +chancelor to send out parties to apprehend certain of them, according to +their direction. And the same year, a bond was imposed, binding and +obliging tenants, that if they, their wives, or any of their children, +cottars or servants, should keep or be present at any conventicles, +either in houses or fields, that every tenant laboring land be fined for +each house conventicle in 25£. _Scots_; each cottar in 12_£. Scots_; +each servant man in a fourth part of his year's fee, and husbands the +half of these fines for such of their wives and children as shall be at +house conventicles; and the double of these respective fines for each of +the said persons who shall be at any field conventicles, &c. And upon +refusal of said bond, they were to be put to the horn, and their escheat +or forfeiture given to their masters. They likewise, at the same time, +issued forth another proclamation, for apprehending the holders of, and +repairers to, field meetings, by them designed rebels, and whoever +should seize such should have the fines, so unjustly imposed, for their +reward; with a particular sum offered for apprehending any of the +conventicle preachers, and this sum doubled for some that were more +eminent among them, and diligent in working the work of him that sent +them, against whom their malice was more especially turned. These +rigorous measures they continued to prosecute; and in the year 1675, +letters of intercommuning were given out against several ministers and +private Christians, by name, both denouncing them rebels, and secluding +them from all society in the kingdom of Scotland; further requiring, +that no accommodation should be given, or communication any manner of +way held with them, under the pain of being (according to them) +accounted _socii criminis_, and pursued as guilty, with them, of the +same crimes. These inhuman and unprecedented methods reduced the +sufferers to many wanderings and great hardships. It is impossible to +recite the miseries these faithful confessors underwent--wandering about +in deserts, in mountains, in dens, and in caves of the earth, destitute, +afflicted, tormented; besides the other severe impositions upon the +country in general, the bonds imposed, and rage of the _Highland_ host +then raised, which, together with the soldiers, greatly spoiled and +robbed the west country especially, by which means, poor people were +brought to very low circumstances. + +7. Notwithstanding of all the tyranny and treachery hitherto exercised, +the word of GOD grew, and converts unto CHRIST, and the obedience of the +gospel, were daily multiplied; ministers being forward and willing to +preach, and the people willing to hear and receive the law from their +mouth, on all hazards. And the LORD JESUS, following his word and +ordinances with his blessing, showed himself as mighty and powerful in +the open fields, whither they were driven, as ever he had done in their +churches, from whence they were driven, and which were now shut against +them, and filled with time-servers, and antichrist's vassals. But +against CHRIST'S standard and banner thus displayed, the tyrant Charles +II erected his opposite standard for the utter destruction of CHRIST'S +true servants and subjects. And having declared their lawful meetings +for the worship of GOD, according to his word, execrable rendezvouses of +rebellion; a convention of estates, _anno_ 1678, was called and met, by +which a large cess was imposed to maintain an additional army, for the +suppression of the true religion and liberty, and securing tyranny and +arbitrary government. On account of the imposition of this cess, and the +rigorous exaction of it, together with the cruelties and ravages of this +new army maintained by it (the soldiers having commission to dismiss and +disperse their meetings, disarm, imprison and kill preachers and people, +in case of resistance; and a price being put upon the heads of several +faithful ministers if brought to the council dead or alive), both +ministers and people were laid under the necessity of carrying arms for +their own defense when dispensing and attending upon gospel ordinances. +And it was no wonder that, finding themselves thus appointed as sheep +for the slaughter, they looked upon this as their duty, and accordingly +provided themselves with arms for their necessary defense against the +wicked violence of those who thirsted after their blood, and (which was +to them much more dear and precious) the ruin and destruction of the +cause, interest, and gospel of CHRIST in the land. Unto these severe and +hellish measures fallen upon at this time, for the more effectual +suppression and extirpation of the gospel of CHRIST, and professors of +it, the managers were principally instigated by that arch-apostate +_Sharp_; though a bad preparative for his exit out of this world, which +soon came to pass, _anno_ 1679, in the dispensation of adorable +providence and righteous judgment of God, executed upon such a notorious +traitor, who, having first betrayed the church, and all along deeply +imbrued his hands in the blood of GOD'S saints and servants; had blood +given him to drink because he was worthy. + +8. That the land might be more deeply soaked with blood, and made more +heavily to groan under the inhabitants thereof, "Who had transgressed +the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant;" +that the scene of cruel suffering might be more widely opened, and the +bloody tragedy more effectually acted; the primate's death must now be +added to the other pretended crimes of the sufferers. Many were terribly +harrassed on that account, who were no ways concerned in the action; and +some were cruelly tortured and butchered by them for the same cause, +though innocent thereof (for none of the actors did ever fall into their +hands). These enemies were hereby rendered more rude, barbarous and +hard-hearted to all the sufferers who afterward fell into their hands, +and breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the whole body of +the persecuted Presbyterians through the nation. All this, however, did +not dispirit these zealous witnesses, or discourage them from attending +to their work and duty; for we find them on the 29th of _May_, 1679, +publishing their testimony at _Rutherglen_, against the wicked +anniversary, on the same day appointed by the court for its celebration, +and against all that had been done publicly by these enemies of CHRIST +for the overthrow of his work and interest in the lands. They likewise +committed their acts rescissory, supremacy, act restoring abjured +Prelacy, act of _Glasgow_, 1662, the presumptuous act for appointing +_May_ 29th for an unholy anniversary, indulgences, &c., all to the +flames, their just desert, in retaliation of the impious treatment given +unto our solemn and sacred covenants, and other good and laudable acts +and laws for reformation, by their sacrilegious enemies in sundry cities +of these covenanted kingdoms. And so, after extinguishing the bonfires, +a part of the unholy solemnity of the enemies' anniversary day, and +concluding what they had done with prayer and praise, as they had begun +(Mr. _Douglas_, one of their ministers being along with them), they +withdrew. This Christian valor was followed with the LORD'S appearance +for them, in a remarkable manner, on the following _Sabbath_ at +_Drumclog_ near _Lowdonhill_, where being attacked by _Claverhouse_, +when attending on public worship, they completely routed him and his +troops, rescued Mr. _John King_, and a number of other prisoners, whom +_Claverhouse_ had seized that morning, from their hands. Afterward they +declared the grounds and causes of their present defensive posture, in +that short manifesto, or declaration, published at _Glasgow, June 6th_, +1679. But when their numbers multiplied, their divisions increased, and +lawful means for honestly defending the cause were by the majority +refused. Mr. _Welsh_ and that Erastian party with him, being by this +time come up, did in their declaration at _Hamilton_, take in the +tyrant's interest; against which, those who were honest and faithful to +the interest of Zion's king contended, and protested, that in conscience +they could not take in the interest of one into the state of the quarrel +who had manifestly stated himself in opposition to the interest of +CHRIST; that it was inconsistent with the covenant, which could not bind +them to espouse the interest of its destroyers, and the destroyers of +all that adhered to it; and also contrary to their testimony and +declaration for the covenants and work of reformation at _Rutherglen, +Glasgow, &c._, and against all defection from the same. + +Thus, when the most part in a great measure forsook the LORD, he was +justly provoked to forsake them, and their great divisions landing them +in such confusion, they became an easy prey to the enemy, by whom they +were totally routed at _Bothwell, June. 22d_, 1679, where they felt the +dismal fruits and consequences of joining at all with that Erastian +faction, after they had openly declared and discovered what they were. +This was so far from proving any defense to them, notwithstanding the +numbers of that party, that it proved their destruction. And those whose +hearts were upright and honest in the cause of GOD, by their means, in +holy sovereignty, were made to fall a sacrifice to their enemies' wrath. +The slain on that day were many, and the after-cruelty to prisoners +great; they being carried into and kept for a long time in the +_Gray-friars_ church yard of _Edinburgh_, exposed, defenseless, night +and day, to tempests of all kinds. By this inhuman usage (with design to +wear out the saints of the Most High), together with the insinuations +and persuasions of some of the indulgence favorers, their faith failing +them in this hour of temptation, and fear prevailing, a number of these +prisoners were persuaded to take the insnaring bond of peace, whereby +they were engaged to own their rising at _Bothwell_ to be rebellion, and +to oblige themselves never to rise in arms against the king, and to live +peaceably, &c., while others of them were tortured, not accepting +deliverance. + +9. Although this defeat and dispersion of the espousers of the truth and +cause of CHRIST, in opposition both to its avowed enemies and secret +betrayers, brought the remnant that were left into very melancholy +circumstances, their enemies having in a great measure extinguished the +light of the gospel, by apprehending and shedding the blood of their +faithful pastors, who used to hold forth the word of life unto them, as +a light whereby they might discern between sin and duty; and others who +had formerly been helpful unto them, in strengthening their hands, and +encouraging their hearts, in the way of their duty, were overtaken and +overborne with fainting and discouragement; so that, in respect of +public guides, they wore at this time as sheep without a shepherd. Yet, +in this disconsolate and scattered state and condition, CHRIST, the +chief shepherd, had compassion on them, and raised up those two faithful +ministers and zealous contenders for the faith once delivered to the +saints, Messrs. _Richard Cameron_ and _Donald Cargill_, to come forth +for the help of the LORD against the mighty, and to jeopard their lives +along with his people in the high places of the field, in bearing +faithful testimony for his noble truths and cause, and against all the +sins and defections of the time. The first of these, soon after he had +showed his activity and zeal in that banner displayed against the +church's enemies, in the declaration published at _Sanquhar, June 22d_, +1080, did honorably and bravely finish his course, among many others of +Zion's true friends, in the defeat they again sustained at _Airsmoss_, +where, in imitation of his princely Master, he valiantly fought his way +to the incorruptible crown. The latter afterward narrowly escaped his +enemies' hands (by means of Mr. _Henry Hall_, of _Haughhead_, that +honest sufferer for truth, who, to save his minister's life, lost his +own; on whom the _Queensferry_ paper, a draft of a covenant engagement +unto certain duties, was found), and was, by the power and providence of +GOD, preserved, until he accomplished that signal piece of generation +work in drawing forth the sword of excommunication against the tyrant +_Charles_ II, and some others of the chief actors in that bloody +tragedy. And that, because of their bloodshed, perjury, heaven-daring +profaneness, debauchery, inhuman and savage cruelty acted upon the +people of GOD. The which sentence stuck fast in the hearts of these +enemies of Zion's king unto the day of their death, and, by some of +their own acknowledgments, would through eternity. Shortly after this, +that faithful minister crowned his work with martyrdom, and entered into +his Master's joy. + +This murdering period spared neither pastor nor people, age nor sex; +while gross transgressors, and deluded enthusiasts, as _Gib_ and his +faction, were screened from condign punishment, though some of them had +arrived at that prodigious length in wickedness as to commit the Holy +Scriptures and Confession of Faith to the flames. + +10. So many of these once living and lively witnesses for CHRIST being, +now slain, and what was yet surviving of the scattered flock deprived of +their painful shepherds, and not being able to drink of the sanctuary +waters, so muddied by their former pastors, who had defiled the same by +sinful compliance with the time's defections, they resolved, under +divine direction, to gather themselves together into a general meeting, +for advising and informing one another anent their duty, in such +critical times of common danger, that so whatever concerned the whole, +might be done with due deliberation and common consent. The which +general meetings afterward afforded them both good comfort amidst their +discouragements, and also good counsel amidst their perplexities and +doubts, and proved an excellent expedient for preserving the remnant +from the destruction and contagion of the times, propagation of the +testimony, and keeping alive the public spirit of zeal and concern for +the cause and interest of CHRIST; and for these ends they have been kept +up ever since. + +In the meantime, that evil instrument, _James_, duke of _York_, +receiving commission from his perjured brother to preside in the whole +administration of _Scots'_ affairs, upon his arrival for this effect, +held a parliament, which began _July_ 28th, 1681; wherein, besides other +of his wicked acts, that detestable, blasphemous, and self-contradictory +test was framed, which, in the first part thereof, contains the +swearer's solemn declaration, by oath, of his sincere profession of the +true Protestant religion, contained in the first confession of faith, +ratified by _Parl. 1st, James VI_, 1567 (which confession asserts, in +the strongest terms, CHRIST'S alone headship and supremacy as lawgiver +and king in his church, without copartner or competitor), and that he +shall adhere thereunto all the days of his life, and renounce all +doctrines, principles, or practices contrary thereto, and inconsistent +therewith; while, in manifest contradiction thereto, the blasphemous +supremacy, in the utmost extent thereof, is asserted--the Covenants +National and Solemn League, the chief barriers against Popery, +Erastianism, and arbitrary power, are renounced, and unlimited +allegiance unto the occupant is enjoined and sworn to, and the +prelatical government of the church confirmed. + +This oath was at first administered to those in public trust only, and +thereby all were turned out of their places who had any principles of +common honesty remaining in them; but afterward it was imposed on all +persons of all ranks. Against which sinful encroachments on religion and +liberty, the witnessing persecuted remnant accounted themselves bound in +duty to emit their testimony, which they published at _Lanerk, January_ +12th, 1682, adhering to, and confirming their former at _Sanquhar_, and +giving reasons at length for their disowning the unlawful authority of +_Charles II_. Upon intelligence hereof, this declaration, with those at +_Rutherglen_ and _Sanquhar_, were, by order of the council, with great +solemnity, burnt at the cross of _Edinburgh_, by the magistrates in +their robes, together with the Solemn League and Covenant, which had +been burnt formerly: but now they would give new demonstrations of their +rage against it, in conjunction with these declarations, which they saw +and acknowledged were evidently conformed to, and founded upon it. After +the publication of this testimony, the sufferings of that poor people +that owned it were sadder and sharper than ever before, by hunting, +pursuing, apprehending, imprisonment, banishment, death, and torture; +this increasing rage, oppression, cruelty, and bloodshed, being no more +than what they might look for, agreeable to the spirit and principles of +that popish incendiary, to whom such trust was committed. + +11. The poor wrestling remnant, besides their other grievous calamities +and sufferings, being now obnoxious to much censure, in their +appearances for truth reproached, and invidiously misrepresented, both +at home and abroad, by those that were at ease in Zion, as having +forsaken the right way, and run into wild, extravagant, and unhappy +courses; and, withal, being at this time destitute and deprived of their +public standard bearers; their series of witnesses (since the death of +Messrs. _Cameron_ and _Cargill_) maintaining the testimony against the +public national defections being in all appearance interrupted, except +by martyrdom and sufferings; they were obliged to exert themselves, both +for their vindication from those calumnies and slanders, wherewith they +were loaded by their enemies, to foreign Protestant churches especially, +and for obtaining a supply of gospel ministers. Wherefore, sending some +of their number abroad, to represent the righteousness of their cause to +the churches there, and crave their sympathy, in helping them to a +supply of gospel ministers; the LORD was graciously pleased to +countenance and bless their endeavors so, that they obtained access for +the instruction and ordination of young men for the ministry, at a +university in the _United Provinces_; and, in process of time, gave them +a great reviving in their bondage, by sending forth his faithful +embassador, Mr. _James Renwick_, who, while he stood on Zion's +watch-tower, ceased not night and day to give faithful warning of the +danger approaching the city of GOD, evidently discovering his being +clothed with his Master's commission, in bearing faithful testimony and +witness, both against the avowed enemies of truth and backsliders from +it. And notwithstanding all the malicious rage of deadly foes, ranging +and keenly pursuing him, through open or more secret places, the +reproach of tongues and cruel mockings he endured, by the divine +blessing, on his painful labors, amidst his many hardships, the number +of Zion's friends were greatly increased, by the incoming and joining of +many to the fellowship of their settled societies, who resolutely chose +rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the +pleasures of sin, which are but for a season. Upon this further attack +upon Satan's interest, his emissaries issue forth fresh orders, and give +commission to soldiers, foot and dragoons, to hunt, search, and seek +them out of all their most secret dens, caves, and lurking places, where +they might hide themselves, in the most remote and wildest glens and +recesses in the mountains and deserts, allowing them to kill, slay, +destroy, and any way to make an end of them, wherever they might be +found; commanding the whole country, at their peril, to assist them, and +raise the hue and cry after the poor wanderers, and not to reset, +harbor, succor, or correspond with them any manner of way, under the +highest pains, but to do their utmost in informing against them. Thus, +without regard to any of their unlawful forms of legal procedure, they +defiled and besmeared the high places of the field with innocent blood. +These unprecedented methods and measures obliged the sufferers, for +their own preservation, stopping the deluge of blood, and to deter the +insolence of intelligencers and informers, to publish the apologetic +declaration, which they affixed on several market crosses, and parish +church doors, upon the 28th of _October_, 1684; wherein they declare +their firm resolution of constant adherence to their covenanted +engagements; and to the declaration disowning the authority of _Charles +Stuart_, warning all bloody Doegs and flattering Ziphites, to expect to +be dealt with as they deal with them; to be regarded as enemies to GOD, +and the covenanted reformation, and according to their power, and the +degree of their offense, punished as such, &c. After this declaration, +these enemies were still more enraged, and their fury flamed more than +ever formerly. They framed an oath, commonly called the oath of +abjuration, renouncing and abjuring the same, and by a venomous bloody +proclamation, enjoined this oath to be taken by all universally, from +sixteen years and upward, women as well as men, under pain of death; and +many prisoners who having the oath tendered them, refused or declined +it, were sentenced, and executed all in one day, according to the tenor +of their proclamation. And, moreover, they, on this occasion, renewed +their orders and commission to the soldiers, for pursuing and chasing +after the rebels (as they designed them) more vigorously and violently, +and to shoot, or otherwise put them to death wherever they did light +upon them. In the midst of this confusion of slaughter and bloodshed, +GOD cut off by death, _February_ 6th, 1685, that vile person, the author +and authorizer of all this mischief, _Charles II_, who, _Antiochus_ +like, came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flattery (_Dan._ +xi), reigned treacherously and bloodily, and like that wicked king, +_Jehoram_ (2 _Chron._ xxi), died without being desired or lamented, +poisoned, as was thought, by his unnatural popish brother. And, +notwithstanding of all his bastards, begotten in adultery and +fornication, at home and abroad, he died without any to succeed him, +save him that was said to have murdered him. GOD pursued him with the +curse of _Hiel_ the _Bethelite_, for his rebuilding of that cursed +_Jericho_, prelacy; and of that impious and wicked tyrant, _Coniah_ +(_Jer._ xxii), for his treachery and cruelty; "Thus saith the LORD, +Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, +for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting any more upon the throne +of _Israel_." + +12. Notwithstanding the abundant proof that the duke of _York_ had +given, in many instances, and in both kingdoms, of his being a vassal of +antichrist, and notwithstanding of his open and public profession of +papistry, upon his brother's death, fairly warning all what they might +expect, yet were not those, who sat at the helm of affairs, deterred +from committing the reins of government into his hands; but contrary to +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the lands, this professed and +excommunicate papist _James_, duke of _York_, was, _anno_ 1685, +proclaimed king of these once covenanted, but now treacherous and +apostate lands, whereby they appointed themselves a captain to return +into their anti-christian bondage. To this grievous yoke our infamous, +perjured, and apostate state and council in _Scotland_, heartily and +voluntarily subjected themselves and the nation, while others did it +with reluctancy, caressing and embracing with their dearest and best +affections, this enemy to GOD, and CHRIST, and his church, swearing +implicit and unlimited obedience unto him, and asserting his absolute +power and supremacy, indefeasible and hereditary right, without ever so +much as requiring him to take the coronation oath, or give the least +security for, any thing civil or religious (a depth of degeneracy, +parallel to that eminency in reformation purity, from which they were +fallen!) but laid the reins on his own neck, that he might have full +freedom for the satisfying of his lusts, and fulfilling his wicked +designs. This laid religion, liberty, and all, at the mercy of absolute +power and popish tyranny; and still more and more cut off the people of +God from having any hopes of mercy from their bloody enemies; on the +contrary, the duke of _York_, in his letter to his first parliament, +recommends and requires them to leave no means unattempted, for the +extirpation of the poor wandering sufferers, whom he brands with the +odious names of murderers and assassins, wild and inhuman traitors, &c. +And these his ready servants and bloody executioners, came nothing short +of his orders in the execution of them; so that there were more murdered +in cold blood in the open fields, without all shadow of law, trial or +sentence, more banished and sold as slaves, condemned and executed, &c., +in the time of this usurper, than in all the time of the former tyrant. + +As the honest sufferers, consistent with their testimony for truth, in +opposition both to the secret and open subvertors of the cause and state +of Zion's quarrel with her enemies, could not concur in _Argyle's_ +declaration (although there were many things in it materially good, and +commend-worthy), nor join in a military association with him, on account +(among other things) of the too promiscuous admission of persons to +trust in that party, who were then, and afterward discovered themselves +to be, enemies to the cause. Yet, against this usurpation of a bloody +papist, advancing himself to the throne in such a manner, they published +another declaration at _Sanquhar, May_ 28, 1685; wherein, approving of, +and adhering to all their former, and considering that _James_, duke of +_York_, a professed and excommunicated papist, was proclaimed: they +protest against said proclamation, with reasons subjoined at length for +their so doing--against all kinds of popery, general and particular +heads, as abjured by the national covenant--against its entry again +into this land, and every thing that doth, or may directly or +indirectly, make way for the same, &c. After this, Mr. _Renwick_ and his +followers were exposed to the greater fury of their adversaries; more +cruel edicts were given forth against them, approving and ratifying of +former acts, for raising the hue and cry, &c., whereby their calamities +were very much increased, besides the slanders of professed friends, on +account of their not associating and joining with them in their +compliances, although, to the conviction of all unbiassed minds, they +fully vindicated themselves from all their injurious reflections. + +The extirpation of the Presbyterian interest--nay, the suppression of +the Protestant religion in general, the reintroduction of popery, and +plunging the nations in anti-christian darkness and tyranny, being the +long concerted design of this popish bigot now got into the throne; he +resolves to lose no time, and leave no stone unturned, for the +prosecution and accomplishment thereof. And having made tolerable +progress in the execution of this his favorite scheme (although not +without opposition), in _England_, he turns himself to _Scotland_, +expecting an entire acquiescence in his pleasure there, having found the +first parliament, which began, 23d _May_, 1685, so much according to his +own heart, in their hearty and sincere offer of their lives and +fortunes, to assist, defend, and maintain him in his rights, +prerogatives, sacred, supreme, and absolute power and authority, &c. + +Wherefore, the parliament being to meet again _April_ 29, 1686, in his +letter to them, "he heartily recommends to their care his innocent Roman +Catholic subjects, to the end, that as they have given good experience +of their true loyalty and peaceable behavior, they may have the +protection of his laws, without lying under obligations their religion +could not admit of; that all penal laws made against them might be +repealed, &c." But though many were for obliging their king in this +particular, yet it could not be carried without debates and strong +objections; so that, dissolving the parliament, what he could not obtain +there, with any show or face of law, he effectuates, by virtue of the +prerogative royal and absolute power, in a letter to his privy council, +and proclamation inclosed, bearing date _February_ 12, 1687, granting a +royal toleration to moderate Presbyterians, clogged with a number of +grievous Erastian conditions and restrictions, as usual. Secondly, to +Quakers and other enthusiasts. Thirdly, to Papists, abrogating all penal +statutes made against them, and making them in all respects free. And so +devoted were the privy council to his interests, that without demur they +published the proclamation, and wrote back to the king, "that his orders +were punctually obeyed, thanking him for this further proof of his +favors to all his subjects." Thus, this champion for Satan and +antichrist proceeded with his wicked design, and so far succeeded; all +kinds of papistry were publicly practiced, and many churches converted +to mass chapels. For, before this, by the king's letter to his privy +council, of _August_ 21st, 1686, Papists were allowed the free exercise +of their religion, the council required to support and maintain them +therein, and the royal chapel at _Holyrood-House_ ordered to be repaired +for popish service. By which means a door was opened for that swarm of +Jesuits and priests, ascending as locusts out of the bottomless pit, +which quickly overspread the lands. But notwithstanding of all this +indulgence and royal toleration granted to these three forementioned +parties, yet there is no favor nor mercy for the honest and faithful +sufferers, and honorable contenders for the interests and prerogatives +royal of JESUS CHRIST, against his sacrilegious and blasphemous +usurpation of the same. But while he thinks fit to give ease (as himself +says) by this means, to tender consciences, he at the same time +signifies his highest indignation against those enemies of Christianity +(he means Popery) as well as government, and human society, the +field-conventiclers, whom he recommends to the council to root out, with +all the severity of the laws, and the most rigorous persecution of the +forces, it being equally his, and his people's concern to get rid of +them. In consequence of this, all their artillery is directed against +the Rev. Mr. _James Renwick_ only, and that poor, afflicted, and +persecuted people that adhered to him (all others being comprehended in +the pretended liberty granted), so that they were prosecuted with fire +and sword, and according to the utmost severity of their wicked laws +made against them, and a reward of a hundred pounds _sterling_ offered +by the bloody council to any that should bring in Mr. _Renwick_ to them, +either dead or alive. But he having his generation work allotted and cut +out for him by GOD, was preserved and kept from falling into their +hands, until that he had finished the work his Master had given him to +do, notwithstanding all this hellish and anti-christian rage and fury +wherewith they did pursue him. About the beginning of the year 1686, he, +in conjunction with Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who had lately joined him, +wrote the Informatory Vindication, by way of reply to various +accusations in letters, informations and conferences, given forth +against them and their people, wherein they vindicate, clear and justify +themselves from the heavy and false charges, slanders and reproaches, +cast upon them by their enemies, as may be seen in said book. About this +time, also, Mr. _Shields_ set about writing his _Hind let loose_ (which +was published next year), or, A Historical Representation of the +Testimonies of the Church of _Scotland_ for the interest of CHRIST, with +the true state thereof in all its periods; wherein he also solidly, +soundly, and judiciously vindicates the present testimony, in all the +principles thereof, as stated, against the popish, prelatical, and +malignant enemies of that church, for the prerogatives of CHRIST, +privileges of the church and liberties of mankind, and sealed by the +sufferings of a reproached remnant of Presbyterians there, witnessing +against the corruptions of the time. + +Whilst these two loving and faithful fellow-laborers were thus +industriously exerting themselves for the propagation and vindication of +the persecuted gospel, and cause of CHRIST; that fiery Jesuit, popish +tyrant, and enemy to GOD and man, the duke of _York_, and his popish +party, were equally industrious on the other hand, to promote their +grand design of utterly extinguishing the light of the gospel, and +bringing in Antichrist, with all his poisonous and hellish vermin, and +abominable idolatries; and that, with all the murdering violence, +diabolical subtilty and malignant rage that hell and _Rome_ could invent +and exert. He had formerly published a proclamation (as is noticed +above), granting a lawless liberty to several sorts of persons therein +specified, called his first indulgence; but breathing nothing but +threatenings and slaughter against the people of GOD, who stood firm to +his cause. But withal, this proclamation, enjoined an oath in the room +of all oaths formerly imposed, to be taken by all that minded to share +in his royal favor; wherein they swore, not only absolute subjection and +passive obedience, never to resist him, not only on any pretense, but +for any cause, let him do, or command to be done what he would; but +also, absolute, active obedience, without reserve: "That they shall, to +the utmost of their power, assist, defend, and maintain him, his heirs +and successors, in the exercise of their absolute power and authority, +against all deadly." This was so palpably gross and odious, that it was +disdained and abhorred by all that had common sense. Wherefore, finding +that this proposal did not take, nor answer his design, in a letter to +the council, bearing date about a month after the former, he endeavors +to mend the matter, and set it out in another dress, pretending that +they had mistaken his meaning in the former, and so lets them know, that +it is his pleasure now, that if the Presbyterian preachers do scruple to +take the oath (contained in the proclamation), or any other oath +whatsoever, they, notwithstanding, have the benefit of his indulgence +(without being obliged to take the oath), provided they observe the +conditions on which it was granted. But this not having the desired +effect neither, it is followed with the third indulgence or toleration, +emitted by proclamation, dated 28th _June_, 1687, excellently well +calculated for obtaining his end; wherein, after a solemn declaration of +his intention to maintain his archbishops and bishops, he does, by his +sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, suspend, +stop and disable, all penal and sanguinary laws, made against any for +non-conformity to the religion established by law--granting liberty to +all the subjects to meet and serve GOD, after their own way, in private +houses or chapels, or places purposely hired or built for that use, with +an injunction to take care that nothing be preached or taught, that +might any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from him and his +government: but, notwithstanding the premises, strictly prohibiting all +field meetings, against all which all his laws and acts of parliament +are left in full force and vigor; and all his judges, magistrates and +officers of forces, commanded to prosecute such as shall be guilty of +said field conventicles, with the utmost rigor; and all this under +pretense, that now, after this his royal grace and favor, there is not +the least shadow of excuse left for these meetings. Wherefore, he is +confident, that none will, after these liberties and freedoms given to +all, to serve God in their own way, further presume to meet in these +assemblies, except such as make a pretense of religion, to cover their +treasonable designs against his royal person, and peace of his +government. + +The most of the Presbyterian ministers in _Scotland_ took the benefit of +this wicked and boundless toleration, chiefly designed in favor of +Papists. And a large number of them, being met at _Edinburgh_, agreed +upon, and, in name of all the rest, sent an address of thanks to the +tyrant for his toleration, stuffed with the most loathsome and +blasphemous flatteries, to the dishonor of GOD, the reproach of his +cause, and betraying of his church. For, in this address, dated _July_ +21st, 1687, designating themselves the loyal subjects of this true +religion and liberty destroyer, they offer him their most humble and +hearty thanks for his favor bestowed, and bless the great GOD who put it +into his heart to grant them this liberty, which they term a great and +surprising favor, professing a fixed resolution still to maintain an +entire loyalty, both in their doctrine and practice (consonant to their +known, principles, which, according to the holy Scriptures, are +contained in the _Confession of Faith_); and they humbly beseech, that +any who promote disloyal principles and practices (as they disown them) +may not be looked upon as any of theirs, whatever name they may assume +to themselves; and that, as their address comes from the plainness and +sincerity of loyal and thankful hearts, so they were much engaged by his +royal favor, to continue their fervent prayer to the King of kings, for +divine illumination and conduct, and all other blessings, both spiritual +and temporal, ever to attend his person and government. Thus these men +made themselves naked to their shame, and declared to the world, that +they did only presumptuously arrogate to themselves the name of +Presbyterians; whereas, in reality, they were quite another kind of +creatures, acting diametrically opposite to Presbyterian principles, in +congratulating, extolling and justifying a tyrant, for assuming to +himself a blasphemous, absolute power, whereby he suspends and disables +all penal laws against idolators, and gives a toleration for all errors. + +But while these pretended Presbyterians, who all along loved peace +better than truth, and preferred their own ease before the concerns of +their Master's glory, were thus sheltering themselves under this refuge +of lies; true Presbyterians, who kept by presbyterian principles, and +acted a faithful part for CHRIST, refusing to bow down to the idol of +supremacy, which the tyrant had set up, or pay any regard to his +blasphemous toleration, were pursued, persecuted, and slain, without +pity or compassion, all the engines of the court being leveled against +them for their destruction, because they would still reserve to +themselves the liberty wherewith CHRIST had made his people free, and +not exchange it for one from Antichrist, restricted with his reserves +and limitations; so that (as Mr. _Shields_ tells us in his account of +Mr. _James Renwick's_ life), in less than five months after the +toleration, there were fifteen most desperate searches particularly for +him, both of foot and horse: and, that all encouragement might be given +to any who would apprehend him, a proclamation was issued, dated +_October_ 18th, "Authorizing all officers, civil and military, to +apprehend and secure in firmance his person, with some others; and for +encouragement, insuring the sum of _100£ sterling_ for taking him, or +them, dead or alive." In the midst of all these hazards, this unwearied +and faithful laborer did notwithstanding continue at his work, in +preaching, catechising, &c., and the Lord still preserved him from +falling into the enemy's hand, until he had finished that piece of +generation work, in drawing up a full and faithful testimony against +_York's_ toleration, and for the covenants and work of reformation, &c., +which he gave in to a meeting of Presbyterian ministers at _Edinburgh_, +on the 17th _January_, 1688; and going thence to _Fife_, whither he was +called to preach, in his return, was apprehended at _Edinburgh_, and +called to seal his above testimony, with all his other contendings +against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and all defection from the land's +attainments in reformation, with his blood, which he did in the _Grass +market_ of _Edinburgh_, 17th of _February_, 1688, with a remarkable and +extraordinary measure of the Lord's gracious presence and spirit, not +only in this part of his sufferings, but all the time of his +imprisonment. The Lord hereby bearing witness, both to the truth of that +cause for which he suffered, and also testifying his gracious acceptance +of his sufferings, and of the free-will-offering of his life, which he +laid down for his sake. And as neither the violence nor flattery of +enemies could prevail with this faithful confessor and martyr himself, +to quit with one hair or hoof of what belonged to Christ, so he +recommended to the poor scattered remnant which he left, as part of his +dying counsel, to keep their ground, and not to quit nor forego one of +these despised truths, which he was assured the Lord, when he returned +to bind up the breach of his people, and heal them of their wound, would +make glorious in the earth. Thus that worthy minister, and now glorified +martyr of Jesus, through a chain of sufferings, and train of enemies, +fought his way unto an incorruptible and immortal crown of endless +glory. He was the last that sealed the testimony for religion and +liberty, and the covenanted work of reformation, against Popery, +Prelacy, Erastianism, and tyranny, in a public manner, on the scaffold, +with his blood. After the death of this renowned martyr, he was +succeeded by the eminent Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who carried on, and +maintained, the testimony, as it was stated, in all the heads and +clauses thereof, continuing to preach in the fields. On which account, +he, and the people who attended his ministry, were exposed for some time +longer to the fury and resentment of their enemies. But their power, +which they had so long perverted and abused, quickly came to a period. +For in a few months, God, in his righteous judgment and adorable +providence, overturned that throne of iniquity on which they depended, +and expelled that inhuman, cruel monster, from his tyrannical and +usurped power, upon the prince of Orange's coming over into _England_, +in the beginning of _November_ that same year. But, although the Lord at +this juncture, and by this means, rescued and delivered our natural and +civil rights and privileges in a national way from under the oppression +and bondage of anti-christian tyranny, arbitrary and absolute power, yet +the Revolution, at this time, brought no real deliverance to the church +of God. But Christ's rights,[1] formerly acquired for him by his +faithful servants, lay still buried under the rubbish of that +anti-christian building of Prelacy, erected on the ruins of his work in +this land; and the spiritual liberties and privileges of his house +remained, and do still remain under the bondage of Erastianism, +supremacy, toleration, &c. For it is well known, that although this man, +Jehu-like, "destroyed _Baal_ out of _Israel_, yet he departed not from +the sins of _Jeroboam_, wherewith he made _Israel_ to sin." + +About this time, the united societies (having no actual minister since +Mr. _Renwick's_ death, Mr. _Shields_ being only preacher) sent over some +commissioners from their general meeting to _Embden_, one of the United +Provinces, to bring over Mr. _Thomas Linning_, a young man whom they had +sent thither some years before in Mr. _Renwick's_ time, to the +university there, and for ordination. In consequence hereof, the said +Mr. _Linning_ came home, with testimonials of his ordination to the +ministry by the classes at _Embden_; and in conjunction with Mr. +_Shields_ and Mr. _William Boyd_ (another of their ministers, who had +also come from Holland about this time), renewed the Covenants National +and Solemn League, and dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's supper near +Lesmahago, in Clydesdale, and continued to preach to the people for +about four months, until the first General Assembly (so called) met at +Edinburgh 1689-90. At which time, he, with his two brethren, in their +own name, and the name of their people, presented a paper to that +Assembly, bearing on what terms they and their people would join in +communion with them; only craving that they might all join in humbling +themselves before the Lord, and acknowledge and bewail their fathers', +their own, and the land's many and heinous iniquities, and breaches of +Covenant, before they proceeded to any other business, and so have their +public sins and scandalous compliances washed away by repentance, and +calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus. That they would purge out from +among them, all ignorant, insufficient, heterodox, and notoriously +scandalous ministers, such as, by information, accusation, or otherways, +were guilty of the blood of the saints, &c. But these proposals were +reckoned unseasonable and impracticable, tending rather to kindle +contention, than compose division, and so were thrown over their bar. +The generality of these men were so plunged and puddled in the ditch of +defection and apostasy, that they could not think of the drudgery of +cleansing themselves in God's way, by a particular and public confession +of, and humiliation for their own and the land's public sins, but chose +rather to sit down filthy and polluted as they were, and presume, in the +midst of their abominations unrepented of, to approach God's holy +things, which, how provoking to heaven, let God in his word be judge, +_Isa._ lii, 11; _Hag._ ii, 13, 14; 2 _Chr._ xxx, 3; _Ezek._ xliv, 10. +Nay, it is but too, too evident, that for this cause, God then laid them +under that awful sentence, _Rev._ xxii, 11: "Him that is filthy, let him +be filthy still;" or that, _Isa._ xxii, 14. For as their hearts were +then hardened against God's call by his word and providence to that +important and most necessary duty; so, ever since, they, have been so +much the more so, and have gone on from evil to worse. + +But to return to our purpose: the two brethren, Messrs. _Linning_ and +_Boyd_, upon the rejection of the above said paper of proposals, +intending to unite with them at any rate, gave in another, importing +their submission to the assembly; which paper, Mr. _Shields_ also, +through their influences, insinuations, and persuasions, was drawn in to +subscribe and adhere to; which he had never done, had he not fallen by +the means of these false brethren, and which, it is said, he sadly +repented afterward. Thus, the poor people were again left destitute of +ministers, and public gospel ordinances, until the Rev. Mr. _John, +McMillan_ acceded to them, from the public judicatories of the +revolution church, in the year 1706. And their kind friend, Mr. +_Linning_, to make amends for all his misdemeanors, and in return for +the charges the societies were at about his education, at home and +abroad, did them that good office, to write, and load them with +calumnies and slanders, to the universities in the _Netherlands_, +whither they had recourse formerly in like cases; so that all access for +having their loss retrieved from that quarter, was blocked up. + +What is thus briefly hinted above, may suffice to afford some cursory +view of the rise and progress of religion and reformation in these +lands, especially in _Scotland_; until, as a church and nation, our +kingdom became the Lord's, by the strictest and most intimate federal +alliance, and the name almost of every city, was, _the Lord is there_: +together with the general state and condition of the church and land, +from the fatal juncture of our woful decline, unto the end of the above +mentioned bloody period; the faithfulness of some, in this time of trial +and temptation: the defection and backsliding course of others; and the +great and avowed wickedness of the rest, extended unto an exhorbitant +hight of savage inhumanity, irreligion and impiety. Upon all which, the +presbytery, in duty to God, the present and succeeding generations find +themselves obliged to testify: + +1, Their hearty approbation of the faithfulness of such ministers and +others, who opposed, and faithfully testified against the public +resolutions of church and state, framed in the year 1651, for receiving +into places of power and trust, malignant enemies to the work of +reformation, contrary to the word of God, _Exod._ xviii, 21; _Deut._ i, +13; _2 Chron._ xix, 2; and to all acts of assembly and parliament in the +reforming period; the assembly disclaiming the resolutions, as appears +from their act, _June 17th_, 1646, session 14th, entitled, _Act for +censuring the compilers with the public enemies of this church and +kingdom_: and their seasonable and necessary warning _June 27th_, 1640, +session 27th; where "they judge it a great and scandalous provocation, +and grievous defection from the public cause, to comply with, these +malignants, &c." As also, _Act 11th_, Triennial Parliament of, Charles +I, entitled, _Act for purging the army of disaffected persons to the +Covenant and work of Reformation_. And the faithful warnings, given by +general assemblies and parliament, even against the admission of Charles +II to the regal dignity, when so evidently discovering his disingenuity, +until once he should give more satisfying proof of hid sincerity; see +act of the commission at the _West Kirk, August_ 13th, 1650, where the +commission of the general assembly, considering, that there may be just +ground of stumbling, from the king's majesty's refusing to emit the +declaration offered him by the committee of estates, and the commission +of the General Assembly, concerning his former carriage, and resolution +for the future, in reference to the cause of God, and enemies and +friends thereof; doth therefore declare "That this kirk and kingdom do +not espouse any malignant party, quarrel, or interest, but that they +fight merely upon their former grounds and principles, and in the +defense of the cause of GOD, and of the kingdom, as they have done these +twelve years past: and therefore as they disclaim all the sin and guilt +of the king and of his house, so they will not own him nor his interest, +otherwise than with a subordination to GOD, and so far as he owns and +prosecutes the cause of GOD, and disclaims his, and his father's +opposition to the work of GOD and to the covenant," &c. The which +declaration being seen and considered by the committee of estates, was +the same day approven by them. Thus, both church and state exerted +themselves in the discharge of their duty, in order to obtain a +settlement, according to the word of God, and the covenants, which were +now become the _magna charta_ of the privileges and liberties of the +nations, both civil and religious; and therefore, were sworn to and +subscribed by Charles II, as was also the coronation oath, for the +security and preservation of the true religion, at his receipt of the +royal power. + +2. The presbytery testify and declare their approbation of the conduct +of the faithful, before the restoration, who, adhering to the aforesaid +fundamental constitutions of the nations, both refused subjection unto, +and testified against, the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_ and his +accomplices, his invading the land, his anti-christian toleration of all +sectarian errors and heresies, threatening the ruin and destruction of +the true religion, as well as liberty. This was particularly testified +against by the synod of _Fife_, and others in conjunction with them, as +wicked and intolerable; as opposite unto, and condemned by, the +Scriptures of truth, _Job_ xxxiv, 17; _Deut._ xiii, 1-12; _Zech._ xiii, +3; contrary to acts of assembly and parliament, made against malignants, +their being received into places of power and trust, with whom these +sectarians were compliers, such as _Act_ 16th, of _Assemb._ 1646, +_Sess._ 13th; _Act_ 26th, _Sess._ 2d, parliament _Charles_ I, &c. + +3. The presbytery do hereby heartily approve and homologate the +testimony borne unto the truths and royal prerogatives of Christ, as +King of Zion, by the witnesses and martyrs for the same, from the +restoration, _anno_ 1660, to the late revolution, by protestations, +declarations, confiscation of goods, bonds, imprisonment, banishment, +all kinds of cruelty and suffering, even unto the death (as noticed +above), by the impious revolters from the righteous laws of God, and +overturners of the just and equitable laws of men, both sacred and +civil; to the maintenance whereof, the greatest part of these +transgressors had bound themselves by the most sacred and inviolable +obligations, which made their wickedness the more daring and aggravated, +and the testimony of the saints against such as had made themselves so +vile in the sight of God and all good men, the more justifiable. _Psalm_ +cxix, 139: "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have +forgotten thy words." And as the doers of the law have the promise of +justification by the great Legislator, _Rom._ ii, 13, so they ought to +have the approbation of his people for doing his will. + +And as the Spirit discovers the church's duty not to consist only in +bearing witness unto the truth, and justifying Christ's confessors and +martyrs, in their faithful adherence unto it, but also in testifying +against sin, and condemning the wicked for their wickedness; for which, +also, we have the precedent of the reformed and covenanted church of +_Scotland_, both before and during the defection and wickedness of the +forementioned period. Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare +and testify particularly: + +1. Against that prime and leading step of defection, the public +resolutions, a scheme projected by that arch hypocrite and traitor to +God, Charles II, for the reintroduction of men of the same wicked and +malignant spirit with himself, into places of public trust in the +nation--men, the most of whom had been formerly excommunicated by the +church, and excluded from all office-bearing in the commonwealth, by the +states, in their act of classes, as being avowed and obstinate enemies +to God and to their country. Which scheme, approven of and put in +execution, with the consent of a corrupt part of the ministry of the +church, called afterward resolutioners, made way for that sad and bloody +catastrophe, which after befel the poor church of Christ in this land. + +2. They declare and testify against the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_, +with those who subjected themselves unto, and owned, his authority; +against his treacherous invasion of this land, contrary to the public +oaths and vows, and covenant union of the nations; together with his +sectarian principles, and wicked toleration, then obtruded upon them. + +3. They declare and testify against the restoration of _Charles_ II, +1660, unto the government of these covenanted lands, after he had so +plainly discovered his spirit and designs, in the matter of the public +resolutions. On account of which treacherous and double dealing with God +and man, he was, in the Lord's holy and adorable providence, justly +secluded from the government, and lived an exile for the space of ten +years; but, by means of his malignant public resolution friends, he was +again, by might, though not of right, restored, without so much as his +adherence sought to those oaths, which he had formerly so solemnly +sworn. Add to this the church's sinful silence, through the influence of +the backslidden resolution party therein, so that, at the convention of +the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1661, consisting mostly of persons of +known disaffection to the true religion, elected of purpose to serve the +king's traitorous designs, there was not so much as a protestation for +civil or religious liberties and privileges offered thereunto; but the +vile person (as be afterward fully declared himself) was peaceably, +though illegally, exalted. + +4. As the presbytery find themselves in duty bound to testify against +this most unhappy restoration of _Charles_ II, so, of necessary and just +consequence, they declare against the whole of his usurped and +tyrannical administration--particularly against his blasphemous and +heaven-daring ecclesiastical supremacy; against the act rescissory, +declaring null and void the covenants, presbyterian church government, +and all the laws made in favor of the true religion since the year 1638; +the wicked anniversary thanksgiving day, in memory of the restoration; +the re-establishment of diocesan and Erastian Prelacy; his publicly and +ignominiously burning of our solemn covenants, after pretending to +nullify their obligation; with all his cruelty, tyranny, oppression and +bloodshed, under color, and without form, of law, exercised upon the +Lord's people, during the whole of his reign. + +5. They again testify against the treachery of these covenanted lands, +in their advancing (contrary to our solemn covenants and all law and +reason) _James_, duke of _York_, a professed Papist, and avowed +malignant to the throne of these realms. As also, they testify against +his Christ-dethroning supremacy, and anti-christian indulgences and +toleration, flowing from that wicked fountain; his horrid and cruel +massacreing and murdering of the saints and servants of the Most High; +with all his other wickedness briefly specified in the foregoing +narrative. + +Upon the whole, the presbytery declare and testify against all the +affronts done unto the Son of God, and open attacks made upon his crown +and kingdom; all the different steps of apostasy from a work of +reformation, and all the hellish rage and cruelty exercised against the +people of God during the foresaid period of persecution, carried on by +these two impious brothers. + + + + +PART II. + +Containing the grounds of the Presbytery's testimony against the +constitutions both civil and ecclesiastical at the late Revolution, anno +1689: as also, against the gross Erastianism and tyranny that has +attended the administration both of church and state, since that +memorable period: with various instances thereof, &c. + + +After the Lord, for the forementioned space of twenty-eight years, had, +because of their manifold sins, sorely plagued this church and nation +with the grievous yoke of prelatical tyranny, bloodshed, oppression and +fiery persecution, and thereby had covered the daughter of Zion with a +cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty +of Israel, and had thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the +daughter of Judah, yea, brought them down even to the ground; he was +pleased, in his holy sovereignty, to put a stop to that barbarous +cruelty that was exercised upon his people, at the last national +Revolution, by the instrumentality of the prince and princess of +_Orange_; which is the more remarkable, in that those whom the Lord +employed as the rod of his anger, to strike off that monstrous tyrant +_James_ duke of _York_ from the _British_ throne, were natural branches +sprung up from the same stock: and this at a juncture when not only the +church of Christ was in the greatest danger of being totally extirpated, +but the whole land in hazard of being again overwhelmed with popish +darkness and idolatry. But although a very fit opportunity was then +offered the nations for reviving the long buried work of a covenanted +reformation both in church and state, and re-establishing all the +ordinances of God in purity, according to their scriptural institution: +yet, alas! how deeply is it to be lamented, that, instead thereof, the +multitude of his tender mercies being forgotten, there was a returning, +but not to the Most High; yea, a turning aside like a deceitful bow; so +that, in many respects, our national guilt is now increased above what +it was in former times: wherefore, as the presbytery desire with the +utmost gratitude to acknowledge the divine goodness, in giving a respite +from the hot furnace of persecution; so they likewise find themselves, +in duty to their princely Master and his people, obliged to testify and +declare against foresaid revolution settlement, in a variety of +particulars, with the many defections and backslidings flowing +therefrom. Likeas they hereby do testify against the constitutions, both +civil and ecclesiastic, at the Revolution, _anno_ 1689, in those +respects, and for these reasons: + +1. Because that in the civil constitution, these nations once united +together in a scriptural and covenanted uniformity, unmindful of their +former establishment upon a divine footing, wherein king and people were +to be of one perfect religion, and the supreme magistrate obliged by +solemn oath to maintain and preserve the same inviolable, did call and +invite _William_ and _Mary_, prince and princess of _Orange_, unto the +possession of the royal power in these lands, in a way contrary to the +word of God, as _Deut._ xvii, 15: "Thou shalt in any wise set him king +over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy +brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger +over thee, which is not thy brother." _2 Sam._ xxiii, 3: "The God of +Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men, +must be just, ruling in the fear of God." + +In opposition to these clear precepts, the nations did choose the +foresaid persons to sway the civil scepter over them, who were neither +brethren by birth, nor religious profession, being educated in a church +where Erastianism prevails, as appears from their ascribing such an +extensive power to the civil magistrate, as is inconsistent with the +intrinsic power of the church. Accordingly, by these principles, said +prince of _Orange_ did regulate his conduct, in the assumption of his +regal authority, consenting to swear two distinct oaths, whereby he +obliged himself to preserve and maintain the two distinct and contrary +religions (or modes of religions worship), Presbytery and Prelacy, and +so betrayed both to God and man his politic, worldly views, and +proclaimed himself destitute of that truth and religious fear, which is +the essential character of every person who may warrantably be invested +with supreme authority over the Israel of God. And as they wanted +scriptural, so likewise covenant qualifications, namely, known +integrity, approven fidelity, constant affection, and zeal to the cause +and true church of God; and therefore could not in a consistency with +the covenanted constitution, and fundamental laws of the crown, be set +up as king and queen of these covenanted lands. + +Again, as during the persecuting period the nations generally were +involved in the guilt of perjury and deep apostasy, by the many sinful +contradictory tests, oaths and bonds then imposed; so, in a particular +manner, those who, by virtue of their birth and dignity, ought to have +been the defenders of the nation's privileges, both sacred and civil, on +the contrary, as privy councilors to the two impious brothers in their +rage against the Lord and his Anointed, and as members of their +iniquitous parliaments (where perverting equity and justice, they framed +the most heaven-daring and abominable mischiefs into a law, and then +with the utmost cruelty prosecuted the same), had many of them brought +themselves under the fearful guilt of these atrocious crimes of murder, +perjury, tyranny and oppression, and thereby, according to the law both +of God and man, not only forfeited their lives, had the same been duly +executed; but also divested themselves of all just right and title to +act the part of the nations' representatives, in choosing and installing +any in the office of supreme civil governor, until at least they had +given suitable evidence of their repentance. Yet such were the +constituent members of that committee of estates, and first parliament, +employed in the Revolution settlement, without so much as making any +suitable public acknowledgment of their wickedness in the active hand +the generality of them had in the former bloody persecution, as appears +from a comparative view of the lists of the members of parliament, and +particularly the duke of _York's_ last parliament, with act second of +the acts and orders of the meeting of estates, _anno_ 1689. Yea, by +viewing the lists of _James_ VII, his privy council, annexed by _Wodrow_ +to the second volume of his history, it is evident, that a great number +of the nobility alone, members of that bloody council, were also members +of foresaid convention of estates, the members of which convention +(seven bishops excepted) were exactly the same with the members of the +first parliament at the Revolution. For this, compare second act of the +meeting of estates, with act first, parliament first, of _William_ and +_Mary_. By all which it is evident, that from princes who had thus +removed the bound, and discovered no just remorse for their sins, there +was little ground left to expect a happy establishment of religion, in +restoring the flock of Christ to the full possession of those valuable +privileges and liberties wherewith he had made them free. + +The character of the constituent members being considered, the +constitution itself, and wherein it is inconsistent with our covenanted +establishment, and is therefore hereby testified against, comes next to +be considered. Although the declaration of the meeting of estates in +this kingdom, containing their claim of right, comprehended much more of +their civil liberties, and formal rights of government, than was enjoyed +under the former monstrous tyranny, yet by no means sufficiently +provided for the legal establishment of our former happy reformed +constitution, which necessarily obliged the civil rulers to employ their +power to maintain and defend, not only the doctrine, but also the +Presbyterian worship, discipline and government, as the only and +unalterable form instituted by Christ in his house. Whereas this craves +the abolition of prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the +church above presbyters in _Scotland_, simply as it hath been a great +and insupportable grievance and trouble to this nation, and contrary to +the inclinations of the generality of the people ever since the +reformation from Popery, without regarding the divine right of +Presbytery, and the contrariety of Prelacy to scripture revelation. In +agreeableness to which demand, when the first parliament met in +_Scotland_ immediately after the Revolution, which began the ____ day of +_April_, 1689, in _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, entitled _Act abolishing +Prelacy_, they abolished Prelacy for the foresaid reason, and further +declare, that they will settle by law that church government in this +kingdom, which is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people. +Accordingly, in the second session of the same parliament, _Act_ 5th, +_June_ 7th, 1690, the parliament establishing the Presbyterian church +government and discipline, as it had been ratified and established by +the 14th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592, reviving, renewing +and confirming the foresaid act of parliament, in the whole heads +thereof, except that part of it relating to patronages, afterward to be +considered of. Likewise, in the above mentioned act at the Revolution, +the thirty-three chapters of the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith +(exclusive of the catechisms, directory for worship, and form of church +government formerly publicly authorized, and Covenants National and +Solemn League) were ratified and established by the parliament. And the +said Confession being read in their presence, was voted and approven by +them, as the public and avowed Confession of this church, without taking +any notice of its scriptural authority. And further, in the same session +of parliament, by the royal power allenarly, the first meeting of the +general assembly of this church, as above established, was appointed to +be held at _Edinburgh_, the third _Thursday_ of _October_ following, the +same year, 1690. And by the same civil authority and foresaid act, many +of the churches in _Scotland_ were declared vacant. + +2. The presbytery testify against the ecclesiastical constitution at the +Revolution; particularly, in regard, 1st--That the members composing the +same were no less, if not much more exceptionable, than those of whom +the state consisted; the whole of them one way or other being justly +chargeable with unfaithfulness to CHRIST, and his covenanted cause, by +sinful and scandalous compliance with the public defections of the +former times, or actively countenancing the malignant apostasy of the +lands, which will appear evident, by considering, that the Revolution +Church consisted of such office-bearers, as had, in contradiction to +their most solemn covenant engagements, fallen in with, and approven of +the public resolutions. And these public resolutioners, who had betrayed +the LORD'S cause, which they had in the most solemn manner sworn to +maintain, were, without any public acknowledgement demanded or offered, +or adequate censure inflicted (even, after that the LORD had remarkably +testified his displeasure against that leading step of defection, by +suffering these vipers, which we thus took into our bosom, to sting us +almost to death) for this their scandalous defection and perjury, +admitted and sustained members of the Revolution Church. Again, the +Revolution assembly consisted of such ministers as had shamefully +changed their holding of CHRIST, and sinfully submitted, in the exercise +of their ministry, to an exotic head, _Charles_ II, who had, by virtue +of his blasphemous supremacy, and absolute power, taken the power of the +keys from Christ's ministers, and afterward returning only one of them +(viz.: the key of doctrine) to such as accepted his anti-christian, +church-destroying, and Christ-dethroning indulgences, attended with such +sinful limitations and restrictions, as were utterly inconsistent with +ministerial freedom and faithfulness, declaring the acceptors to be +men-pleasers, and so not the servants of Christ (of which above). Of +this stamp were the most of them, who, without any public acknowledgment +of that horrid affront they had put upon the church's true Head, dared +to constitute and act as the supreme judicatory of the church of Christ, +_anno_ 1690. Again, the foresaid assembly was almost wholly formed of +such as had petitioned for, accepted of, and pretended to return a +God-mocking letter of thanks for that blasphemous unbounded toleration, +which that popish tyrant, the duke of _York_ (as is noticed formerly), +granted, with a special view to reintroduce abjured popery; and +therefore while it extended its protection to every heresy, did exclude +the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields; which toleration +(according to _Wodrow_) was joyfully embraced by all the Presbyterian +ministers in Scotland, the honored Mr. Renwick only excepted, who +faithfully protested against the same. + +But further, the Revolution assembly did partly consist of such members +as, contrary to our solemn covenants, had their consciences dreadfully +polluted, by consenting unto, subscribing, and swearing some one or +other of the sinful wicked oaths, tests and bonds, tyrannically imposed +in the persecuting period, or by persuading others to take them, and +declining to give warning of the danger of them, or by approving the +warrantableness of giving security to the bloody council, not to +exercise their ministry, but according to their pleasure. Moreover, they +were all, generally, manifestly guilty of the sin of carrying on and +maintaining schism and defection from the covenanted church of CHRIST in +_Scotland_. As also (which from the history of these times is evident), +the ruling elders in that assembly, being generally noblemen, gentlemen, +and burgesses, were mostly such as had an active hand in the tyranny and +persecution that preceded, and in one respect or other, were stained +with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Thus, that assembly was packed +up, chiefly, of such blacked compilers, as, one way or other, were +deeply involved in the apostasy, bloodshed and cruelty of the preceding +period, yet had not broke off their iniquities, by a public confession +of these crying sins, before that meeting; nor can it be found, that any +adequate censure was inflicted on any of them for the same. Therefore, +the presbytery testify against the Revolution church, as consisting +mostly of such scandalous schismatical members, as could not, in a +consistency with the scriptural rule, and laudable acts of this reformed +church, have been admitted to church privileges, far less to bear office +in the house of God; until, at least, they had been duly purged from +their aggravated scandals, and given evident signs of a real repentance, +according to the Word of God, 2 _Chron._ xxx, 3: "For they could not +keep the passover at that time, because the priests had not sanctified +themselves sufficiently." And _Ezek._ xliv, 10: "And the Levites that +are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray +away from me after their idols, they shall even bear their iniquity;" v. +13: "And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest +unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy +place; but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which +they have committed." + +Next, the presbytery declare and testify against the Revolution church, +because plainly Erastian, and utterly inconsistent with the covenanted +constitution of the reformed church of _Scotland, anno_ 1648: the truth +of which charge will appear obvious, from considering the act of +parliament, on which the civil power settled the constitution of the +Revolution church, viz., _Act_ 114, _James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th; where, +_inter alia_, it is expressly declared, "That it shall be lawful to the +kirk ministers, every year at least, and oftener, _pro re nata_, as +occasion and necessity sall require, to hald and keepe general +assemblies, providing that the king's majesty, or his commissioner with +them, to be appointed be his highness to be present at ilk general +assembly, before the dissolving thereof, nominate and appoynt time and +place, quhen and quhair the next general assemblie sall be halden: and +in case neither his majesty nor his said commissioner beis present for +the time, in that town, quhair the said general assemblie beis halden, +then, and in that case, it shall be lesum for the said general assembly +be themselves, to nominate and appoint time and place, quhair the next +general assembly of the kirk sall be keeped and halden, as they have +been in use to do these times by-past." Here, in this act, a manifest +invasion and traitorous attack is made upon the headship and supremacy +of Christ, as a Son in, and over his own house. He who is God's +annotated King in Zion, and sits on the throne of his holiness, is +hereby robbed of his crown rights; the intrinsic power, the spiritual +liberty and freedom, granted by Christ to his church, is encroached +upon. It is a received opinion among all true Presbyterians, that the +church hath an intrinsic power to meet in the courts of Christ's house, +from the lowest to the highest, by virtue of the power committed to her +by the Lord Jesus Christ, without dependence on the civil power. This is +agreeable to scripture, _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, 18, 19, where the +apostles receive the keys immediately from the hands of Christ their +Lord and Master. And as one principal part of that trust Christ has +committed to his church, this has been the constant plea of the +reforming and reformed Presbyterian church of _Scotland_. Let us hear +what that renowned and faithful minister, and venerable confessor for +Christ, the Rev. Mr. John Welsh, says to this particular, in his letter +to the Countess of _Wigton_ from _Blackness_, 1606, when a prisoner for +this same truth. Having asserted the independence of the church, the +spiritual kingdom of Christ, upon any earthly monarch, and her freedom +to meet and judge of all her affairs; he adds, "These two points, 1st, +that Christ is Head of his church; 2d, that she is free in her +government from all other jurisdictions, except Christ's. These two +points, I say, are the special causes of our imprisonment, being now +convicted as traitors for maintaining thereof. We have been ever waiting +with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation +thereof, if it should please our God to be so favorable as to honor us +with that dignity. Yea, I do affirm, that these two points above +written, and all other things that do belong to Christ's crown, scepter +and kingdom, are not subject, nor cannot be, to any other authority, but +to his own altogether: so that I would be glad to be offered up as a +sacrifice for so glorious a truth." So far he. But now this assembly of +_treacherous_ men, by settling themselves upon such a constitution have +openly given up this scriptural truth and Presbyterian principle handed +down to us, sealed with the sufferings and dearest blood of the faithful +Confessors and Martyrs of Christ, and have consented that it is unlawful +for the office-bearers in the Lord's house to exert their proper power +in calling and appointing general assemblies, however loudly the +necessity of the church may call for them, unless the king authorize +their diet of meeting, which he may, or may not do, according to his +pleasure. + +Again, it is evident, that the revolution church is constituted in the +same Erastian manner with the late Prelacy in _Scotland_. For proof of +which, observe, that as Prelacy was never ecclesiastically asserted to +be of divine authority, neither has Presbytery, by any explicit and +formal act of Assembly, at or since the revolution. As the prelates' +high ecclesiastical court was called, adjourned and dissolved, in the +king's name, so likewise are the assemblies of the Revolution Church. As +the Episcopalians owned the king, in the exercise of his Erastian +supremacy over them, so the Revolution Church, instead of opposing, did +take up her standing under the covert of that anti-christian supremacy, +and has never since declined the exercise thereof. And, as the civil +power prescribed limits unto, and at pleasure altered, the prelatic +church, so this church has accepted of a formula, prescribed by the +civil power, requiring that all the ordinances within the same be +performed by the ministers thereof, as they were then allowed them, or +should thereafter be declared by their authority, as _Act_ 23d, _Sess._ +4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, expressly bears. By what is said above, it may +appear, that this church is Erastian in her constitution. But it is +further to be observed, that the present constitution is no less +inconsistent with the scriptural and covenanted constitution of the +church of _Scotland_, in regard that the retrograde constitution, to +which the church fled back, and on which she was settled at the +revolution, was but an infant state of the church, lately after her +first reformation from Popery, far inferior to her advanced state +betwixt 1638 and 1649 inclusive. It was before the church had shaken off +the intolerable yokes of Erastian supremacy and patronages; before she +had ecclesiastically asserted, and practically maintained, her spiritual +and scriptural claim of right, namely, the divine right of presbytery, +and intrinsic power of the church, the two special gems of Christ's +crown, as King on his holy hill of Zion; before the explanation of the +national covenant, as condemning episcopacy, the five articles of +_Perth_, the civil power of churchmen; before the Solemn League and +Covenant was entered into; before the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith, +the Catechisms, larger and shorter, the Directory for worship, Form of +Presbyterian church government and ordination of ministers, were +composed; and before the acts of church and state, for purging +judicatories, ecclesiastical and civil, and armies from persons +disaffected to the cause and work of God, were made; and all these +valuable pieces of reformation ratified with the full and ample sanction +of the supreme civil authority, by the king's majesty and honorable +estates of parliament, as parts of the covenanted uniformity in +religion, betwixt the churches of Christ in _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. And therefore, this revolution constitution amounts to a +shameful disregarding--yea, disclaiming and burying--much (if not all) +of the reformation attained to in that memorable period, and is a +virtual homologation and allowance of the iniquitous laws at the +restoration, _anno_ 1661, condemning our glorious reformation and sacred +covenants as rebellion; and is such an aggravated step of defection and +apostasy, as too clearly discovers this church to be fixed upon a +different footing, and to be called by another name, than the genuine +offspring of the true covenanted church of Christ in _Scotland_. + +Besides what has been already noticed, respecting the sinfulness both of +the members constituent, and the constitutions at the revolution, it is +to be further observed, as just matter of lamentation, that, at this +period, when such a noble opportunity was offered, no suitable endeavors +were made for reviving the covenanted cause and interest of our +REDEEMER; no care taken that the city of the Lord should be built upon +her own heap, and the palace remain after the manner thereof; but, on +the contrary, a religion was then established, not only exceedingly far +short of, but in many particulars very inconsistent with, and +destructive of, that blessed uniformity in religion, once the glory of +these now degenerate isles. The presbytery, therefore, in the next +place, do testify against the settlement of religion made at the +revolution, and that in these particulars following: + +1. Instead of abolishing Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, as it had +been abjured in the Solemn League and Covenant, and stands condemned by +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, conform to the +divine law, it was then, with all its popish ceremonies, anew secured, +confirmed and established, in both these kingdoms, as the true religion, +according to the word of God, to be publicly professed by all the +people; and the supreme civil magistrate solemnly sworn, at his +inauguration, both that he himself shall be of the Episcopal communion, +and that he shall maintain inviolably the settlement of the church of +_England_, in the kingdoms of _England_ and _Ireland_, and territories +thereunto belonging. Thus the revolution has ratified the impious +overthrow, and ignominious burial, of the covenanted reformation in +these two kingdoms, that was made in the persecuting period, and has +fixed a legal bar in the way of their reformation, in agreeableness to +the sacred oath the three nations brought themselves under to God +Almighty. + +2. As to the settlement of religion in _Scotland_, the presbytery +testify against it: because it was a settlement, which, instead of +homologating and reviving the covenanted reformation between 1638 and +1650, in profession and principle, left the same buried under the +infamous act rescissory, which did, at one blow, rescind and annul the +whole of the reformation, and authority establishing the same, by making +a retrograde motion, as far back as 1592, without ever coming one step +forward since that time, and herein acted most contrary to the practice +of our honored reformers, who always used to begin where former +reformations stopped, and after having removed what obstructed the work +of reformation, went forward in building and beautifying the house of +the Lord. + +That this backward settlement at the revolution, was a glaring +relinquishment of many of our valuable and happy attainments, in the +second and most advanced reformation (as said is), and consequently, an +open apostasy and revolt from the covenanted constitution of the church +of _Scotland_, is sufficiently evident, from the foresaid act of +settlement 1690; where (after having allowed of the _Westminster_ +confession) they further add, "That they do establish, ratify and +confirm, the Presbyterian church government and discipline, ratified and +established by the 114th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592." So +that this settlement includes nothing more of the covenanted uniformity +in these lands, than only the thirty-three articles of the Confession of +Faith, wanting the scripture proofs. Again, that the Revolution +settlement of religion did not abolish the act rescissory, nor ratify +and revive any act, between 1638 and 1650, authorizing and establishing +the work of reformation, is clear from the same act: wherein, after +abolishing some acts anent the late prelacy in _Scotland_, they declare: +"that these acts are abolished, so far allenarly, as the said acts, and +others, generally and particularly above mentioned, are contrary or +prejudicial to, inconsistent with, or derogatory from, the Protestant +religion, or Presbyterian church government, now established." Where +observe, that this general clause is restricted to acts and laws, in so +far only, as they were contrary to the religion settled in this act; and +therefore, as this act includes no part of the covenanted reformation +between 1638 and 1649, so this rescissory clause abolishes laws, not as +against foresaid reformation, but only in so far as they strike against +the revolution settlement, which the act rescissory could not do. Again, +in another clause of the same act, it is added: "Therefore, their +majesties do hereby revive and ratify, and perpetually confirm, all +laws, statutes and acts of parliament, made against Popery and Papists." +The only reason that can be given for the revival of laws, not against +Prelacy, but Popery, when abolishing Prelacy, is, that the parliament, +excluding the covenanted reformation from this settlement of religion, +resolved to let the whole of it lie buried under the act rescissory. For +as, in reality, there were no laws made expressly against Prelacy before +1592, but against Popery and Papists; so, had they said, laws against +prelacy and prelates, they thereby would have revived some of the laws +made by the reforming parliaments, between 1640 and 1650; wherein +bishops and all other prelates, the civil places and power of kirkmen, +&c., are expressly condemned. Again, in the foresaid act, they confirm +all the article of the 114th _Act_, 1592, except the part of it anent +patronages, which is to be afterward considered. Now, had the revolution +parliament regarded the reforming laws to have been revived, and so the +act rescissory to be rescinded, by their _Act_ 5th, 1690, they would not +have left this particular to be again considered of, seeing patronages +were entirely abolished by an act of parliament 1649; but, having the +ball at their foot, they now acted as would best suit with their +political and worldly views. Once more observe, that when the revolution +parliament ratified the act 1592, they take no notice of its having been +done before, by a preceding parliament in 1649. All which plainly says, +that the reforming laws and authority of the parliaments by which they +were made, are not regarded as now in force. To conclude this +particular, if the settlement of religion, made in 1690, had revived and +ratified the authority of our reforming parliaments, and laws made by +them; then, as these obliged the king to swear the covenants before his +coronation, and all ranks to swear them, and obliged to root out +malignancy, sectarianism, &c., and to promote uniformity in doctrine, +worship, discipline and government, in the three nations, so the +revolution settlement would have obliged all to the practice of the same +duties, and that, before ever king, or any under him, could have been +admitted to any trust; while all that would not comply therewith, would +have been held as enemies, not only to religion, but to their king and +country also, as was the case when reformation flourished. But, as the +very reverse of this was authorized and practised at the revolution, it +convincingly discovers, that the settlement of religion, made in 1690, +left the whole of the reformation attained to, ratified and established +by solemn oaths and civil laws between 1640 and 1649, buried under that +scandalous and wicked act rescissory, framed by that tyrant, _Charles_ +II, after his restoration. Nor is there to be found, in all the acts, +petitions, supplications and addresses, made by the assemblies at or +since the revolution, any thing importing a desire to have that +blasphemous act rescinded, which stands in full force, to the perpetual +infamy and disgrace of the revolution settlement of religion, so much +gloried in, by the greatest part, as happily established. + +2. The presbytery testify against the Revolution settlement of religion, +not only as including avowed apostasy from the covenanted constitution +of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and a traitorous giving up of the +interests and rights of Christ, our Lord and REDEEMER, in these, and +especially in this land; but also, as it is an Erastian settlement, +which will appear, by considering 1_st_. The scriptural method then +taken, in establishing religion: instead of setting the church foremost +in the work of the Lord, and the state coming after, and ratifying by +their civil sanction what the church had done; the Revolution parliament +inverted this beautiful order, both in abolishing Prelacy, settling +Presbytery, and ratifying the Confession of Faith, as the standard of +doctrine to this church; 2_d_, In abolishing Prelacy, as it was not at +the desire of the church, but of the estates of _Scotland_, so the +parliament did it in an Erastian manner, without consulting the church, +or regarding that it had been abolished by the church, _anno_ 1638, and +by the state, 1640, in confirmation of what the church had done. Thus, +_Act_ 3d, 1689, 'tis said, "The king and queen's majesties with the +estates of parliament, do hereby abolish Prelacy." Again, when +establishing presbytery, _Act_ 5th, 1690, they act in the same Erastian +manner, whereby the order of the house of God was inverted in the matter +of government; in regard that the settlement of the government of the +church in the first instance, properly belongs to an ecclesiastical +judicatory, met and constituted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; +and it is afterward the duty of the state to give the sanction of their +authority to the same. This Erastianism further appears in the +parliament's conduct with respect unto the Confession of Faith: see +_Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1st, wherein thus they express +themselves: "Likeas they, by these presents, ratify and establish the +Confession of Faith, now read in their presence, and voted and approven +by them, as the public and avowed confession of this church." Hence it +is obvious, that the parliament, by sustaining themselves proper judges +of doctrine, encroached upon the intrinsic power of the church: they +read, voted, and approved the Confession of Faith, without ever +referring to, or regarding the act of the general assembly 1647, or any +other act of reforming assemblies, whereby that confession was formerly +made ours, or even so much as calling an assembly to vote and approve +that confession of new. That the above conduct of the state, without +regarding the church in her assemblies, either past or future, is gross +Erastianism, and what does not belong, at first instance, to the civil +magistrate, but to the church representative, to whom the Lord has +committed the management of the affairs of his spiritual kingdom, may +appear from these few sacred texts, besides many others, namely, _Numb._ +i, 50, 51: "But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of +testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all the things +that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels +thereof, and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about +the tabernacle; and when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites +shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the +Levites shall set it up, and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put +to death." See also chapters iii, and iv, throughout; also _Deut._ +xxxiii, 8, 10; 1 _Chron._ xv, 2; 2 _Chron._ xix, 11; _Ezra_ x, 4. So +_David_, when he had felt the anger of the Lord, for not observing his +commandments in this particular, says, 1 _Chron._ xv, 12, 13, to the +_Levites_, "Sanctify yourselves that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord +God of Israel. For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God +made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." +Likewise Hezekiah, a reforming king, did not himself, at first instance, +set about reforming and purging the house of God; but having called +together the priests and Levites, says to them, 2 _Chron._ xxix, 5: +"Sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your +fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place;" compared +with _ver._ 11; _Mal._ ii, 7; _Matth._ xvi, 19. "I will give unto thee +the keys of the kingdom of heaven." And xxviii, 18, 19, 20: "All power +is given unto me, go ye therefore and teach all nations, teaching them +to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." From all which +it may safely be inferred, that as the Lord Jesus Christ, the King and +Lawgiver of his church, has committed all the power of church matters, +whether respecting the doctrine or government thereof, to church +officers, as the first, proper receptacles thereof; so, for civil +rulers, at first instance, by their own authority, to make alterations +in the government of the church, and to settle and emit a standard of +doctrine to the church, is a manifest usurpation of ecclesiastical +authority, and tyrannical encroachment upon the ministerial office. It +needs only to be added, that this Revolution conduct stands condemned by +the Confession of Faith itself, in express terms (as well as in the holy +scriptures), _chap._ xxiii, _sect._ 3, "The civil magistrate may not +assume to himself the administration of the word or the keys." And also, +by the beautiful practice of our reformers, betwixt 1638 and 1649, who +observed the scriptural order, the church always going foremost, in all +the several pieces of reformation attained to, and then the state coming +after, by exerting their authority, in ratification and defense of the +church's acts and deeds, in behalf of reformation. + +3. The Erastianism of this settlement of religion, appears plain from +the act of parliament 1592, noticed above, upon which the Revolution +parliament did found it, as in _Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2, 1690, by which the +forementioned act 1592, is ratified, revived, renewed and confirmed, in +all the heads thereof, patronage excepted. Now, in regard that act 1592 +contains an invasion upon the headship of Christ, and intrinsic power of +the church, and ascribes an Erastian power to the civil magistrate over +the church, making it unlawful for the church to convocate her superior +judicatories, but in dependence upon the king for his licence and +authority; and in regard the Revolution parliament did revive and renew +this clause in foresaid act 1592, as well as other heads thereof, it +must needs follow, that this settlement of religion cannot be freed of +the charge of Erastianism. Nor is it very strange that statesmen, who +had been educated in the principles of Erastianism, should be fond of +reviving an act that robbed Christ of his crown rights, and the church +of her spiritual liberty; but most surprising, that professed +Presbyterian ministers should so greedily embrace and approve of +Erastianism, as a valuable and glorious deliverance to the church of +Christ! In agreeableness to this Erastian article of the above act the +parliament, in their act 1690, indicted and appointed the first general +assembly, as a specimen of their Erastian power over their newly +constituted church; and it has ever since been the practice of the +sovereign, to call, dissolve and adjourn her assemblies at his pleasure, +and sometimes to an indefinite time. It is further observable, that the +king's commission to his representative in assembly, runs in a style +that evidently discovers, that he looks upon the assembly's power and +right of constitution as subordinate to him. Thus it begins, "_Seeing by +our decree that an assembly is to meet_," &c. Yet notwithstanding of +this, the assembly 1690 (nor any after them, so far as was ever known to +the world) did not by any one formal act and statue expressly condemn +Erastianism, and explicitly assert the alone headship of Christ, and the +intrinsic, independent power of the church, in opposition to these +encroachments made thereupon, and therefore may be justly construed +consenters thereto. To conclude this particular, of the Erastianism of +the present settlement of religion, it may be observed that although the +Revolution parliament, from political views, did by _Act_ 1st, _Sess._ +2d, rescind the first act of the second parliament of Charles II. +entitled _Act asserting his majesty's supremacy over all persons and in +all causes ecclesiastical_; yet, from what is above hinted, it may be +inferred, that the Revolution state has still preserved the very soul +and substance of that blasphemous supremacy (though possibly they may +have transferred it from the person of the king, abstractly considered, +and lodged it in the hand of the king and parliament conjunctly, as the +more proper subject thereof): for, in the words of Mr. John Burnet, in +his testimony against the indulgence, quoted by Mr. Brown in his history +of the indulgence, "To settle, enact and emit constitutions, acts and +orders, concerning matters, meetings and persons ecclesiastical, +according to royal pleasure (and parliamentary is much the same), is the +very substance and definition of his majesty's supremacy, as it is +explained by his estates of parliament." But the Revolution act of +parliament settling religion, is just to settle, enact and emit such +constitutions, acts and orders concerning matters, meetings and persons +ecclesiastical, according to parliamentary, instead of mere royal +pleasure: and therefore the act authorizing the Revolution settlement of +religion, is the very substance and definition of a royal parliamentary +supremacy. The truth of this will further appear by the sequel. + +4. The presbytery testify against the Revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as it is not a religious, but a mere civil and +political one; "not built upon the foundation of the apostles and +prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" but upon +the fluctuating inclinations of the people, as the formal foundation +thereof. For proof of which, consider the acts of parliament relative to +the abolition of Prelacy, and the establishment of presbytery. In +consequence of an article of the claim of right made by the estates of +Scotland, the _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, _Parl._ 1689, declares, "That +whereas the estates of this kingdom, in their claim of right, declared +that Prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the church above +presbyters, is and hath been a great and insupportable grievance to this +nation, and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the people +ever since the reformation, they having been reformed from Popery by +presbyters, and therefore to be abolished: our sovereign lord and lady, +with advice and consent of the estates of parliament, do hereby abolish +Prelacy, and all superiority of any office in the church in this kingdom +above presbyters; and do declare, that they, with advice aforesaid, will +settle by law that church government in this kingdom, which is most +agreeable to the inclinations of the people." Agreeable to this, one of +king William's instructions to the parliament 1690, is, "You are to pass +an act establishing that church government which is most agreeable to +the inclinations of the people." Accordingly we have the _Act_ 5th, +_Sess._ 2d, 1690, settling Presbyterian church-government in the same +form, and on the same footing. And so much king William, who, doubtless, +was perfectly acquainted with the true intent and meaning of that act, +declares in his letter to the assembly indicted by him that same year. +From all which (without noticing the Erastian form of these acts, &c.) +it may be observed, that there is somewhat done that is materially good; +but then there is nothing importing the contrariety of Prelacy to the +scriptures of truth, nor the divine right of Presbyterian church +government, so that the whole of this settlement is purely political, +done for the pleasure of the good subjects of Scotland: for, 1st, the +only reason why Prelacy is complained of and abolished, is, because it +was grievous and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the +people. It is not so much as declared contrary to law, though well known +that it was condemned by many of the reforming laws; far less is it +declared contrary to the word of God, and reformation principles founded +thereupon. Neither is it said to be a grievance to the nations, though +it is manifest, by the nations entering into a solemn covenant to +extirpate it, that it was an insupportable burden to all the three. And +the great reason assigned for the people's dissatisfaction to Prelacy, +is _antiquity_, "they having been reformed from Popery by presbyters," +as if our reformers had only contended for a church government merely +human; whereas they strenuously maintained the divine right of +presbytery, and condemned Prelacy as contrary to the word of God. This +reason would be equally strong against presbytery, on supposition that +prelates had got the start of presbyters in the reformation from Popery. +Again, 2d, upon the same, and no better ground, was Presbytery +established, namely, because it was more agreeable to the inclinations +of the people, and as it was of a more ancient standing in Scotland than +Prelacy. Further, that the divine right of presbytery is not +acknowledged in this settlement, appears from the express words of the +act itself, wherein it is designated, "the only government of Christ's +church in the nation;" not the only government of Christ's church laid +down in the word of God, received and sworn to by all the three nations, +ratified by both civil and ecclesiastical authority. A clear evidence, +that church government was regarded as ambulatory only, and what might +be altered at pleasure. Hence, while the king was settling presbytery in +Scotland, he was also maintaining, as bound by oath, Prelacy in England, +&c. And so Presbytery, for peace's sake, as most agreeable to the +inclinations of the people, was settled in Scotland as the government of +Christ's church there. Thus, there is a settlement of religion, and yet +not one line of scripture authority, or reformation principles legible +therein: and, as one said (though a strenuous defender of the +settlement), "The glory of that church is at a low pass, which hangs +upon the nail of legal securities by kings and parliaments, instead of +the nail which God has fastened in a sure place;" which, alas! is the +case with the church of Scotland at this day. It is true, that the +parliament call their settlement, "Agreeable to God's word;" but it is +as true, that, from their conduct toward both (abolishing Prelacy, and +establishing Presbytery, from these political motives above mentioned), +it is abundantly plain, that they believed neither of them to be +formally and specifically agreeable to, and founded upon the word of +God; but that they regarded all forms of church government as +indifferent, and thought themselves at liberty to pick and choose such a +particular form as best suited the humors and inclinations of the +people, and their own worldly advantage. Accordingly, we find the +parliament 1689, appointing a committee to receive all the forms of +government that should be brought before them, to examine them for this +purpose, and then report their opinions of them to the house. + +That the parliament at this time, or the king and parliament conjunctly, +acted from the above latitudinarian principle, is further evident, from +their establishing and consenting to the establishment of these two +different and opposite forms of church government, Presbytery in +_Scotland_, and Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, and both of them +considered as agreeable to the word of God, and the only government of +Christ's church in the several kingdoms, where they were espoused; +which, as it is self-contradictory and absurd, so it is impossible they +could ever have done this, if they had believed the divine right of +either of them. And finally, by this conduct of theirs, the state +declared their approbation thereof, and resolution to copy after the +16th _Act, Sess._ 2d _Parl._ 1st of _Charles_ II (yet in force), which +ascribes an Erastian power to the king, of settling church government as +he shall think proper. By all which it appears quite inconsistent with +the Revolution settlement, to consider church power in any other light, +than as subordinate to the power of the state. And yet with this +political and Erastian settlement of religion, the Revolution Church +have declared themselves satisfied; they have not condemned Episcopacy, +as contrary to the word of God, nor positively asserted the divine right +of Presbytery, and disclaimed the claim of right and act of settlement, +as their right of constitution; but, on the contrary, approved of both, +as appears from the commission's act, 1709, and their address to the +parliament, 1711, both homologated by the succeeding assemblies. Whereby +they declare, that they have dropped a most material part of the +testimony of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and are not faithful to +the Lord Jesus Christ, in maintaining the rights of his crown and +kingdom. From the whole, it may too justly be concluded concerning the +Revolution settlement of religion, what the prophet _Hosea_ declares of +the calf of _Samaria, Hos._ viii, 6: "For from Israel was it also, the +workman made it, therefore it is not God; the calf of _Samaria_ shall be +broken in pieces." It is not a divine institution founded upon the word +of God, and regulated by his revealed law; but a human invention, owing +its original in both kingdoms to the inclinations of the people, and +governed by laws opposite to the laws of Christ in the word. + +Hence we have the idolatrous institutions of Prelacy, established in the +one nation, and Erastianism, under the specious pretext of Presbytery, +in the other; and both under an exotic head of ecclesiastical +government. + +From what is said above, respecting the Revolution constitutions, and +settlement of religion in the nations, it will appear, that the same are +opposite to the word of God, and covenanted constitutions of both church +and state, and to the reforming laws, between 1638 and 1650, ratifying +and securing the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the +church, and all divine ordinances, sacred and civil, according to +scripture revelation; and therefore cannot be acknowledged as lawful, by +any that make the law of God their rule, and desire to go out by the +footsteps of the flock of Christ. + +The Presbytery proceed now to consider the administration since the late +Revolution, as standing in immediate connection with the forementioned +constitutions and settlement: only, in the entry, it may be observed, +that as the mal-administrations, civil and ecclesiastical, are increased +to almost an innumerable multitude, so that it would be next to an +impossibility to reckon them all; the Presbytery propose only to observe +so many of the most remarkable instances, as shall be sufficient to +justify a condemnation of the present course of the nations, although +the constitutions could not, be excepted against as sinful. And, + +1. The Presbytery declare and testify against the gross Erastianism that +has attended the administrations of both church and state, since the +Revolution. As the constitutions of both (above noticed) were Erastian +and anti-scriptural, so their conduct ever since has been agreeable +thereto, tending evidently to discover that, while the state is robbing +out Redeemer of his crown, and his church of her liberties, this church, +instead of testifying against, gives consent to these impieties. + +Particularly, 1, as at the forementioned period, so ever since, the king +has continued, by his own authority, to call, dissolve, and adjourn the +national assemblies of this church. The first Revolution Assembly was +held, by virtue of an Erastian indictment, and by the same power +dissolved. The nest was, by royal authority, appointed to be at +_Edinburgh_ 1691, but by the same power, adjourned to 1692, and then +dissolved, without passing any act; and though again indicted to meet +1693, yet was not allowed to sit until _March_ 1694, near a year after +the parliament had made an humble address to the sovereign for granting +that privilege. But it would be endless to attempt an enumeration of all +the instances of the exercise of Erastianism in this particular, which +is annually renewed. How often, alas! have the assemblies been +prorogued, raised, and dissolved, by magistratical authority, and +sometimes without nomination of another diet? How frequently also, have +they been restricted in their proceedings, and prelimited as to members, +and matters to be treated of, and discussed therein; depriving some +members of their liberty to sit and act as members, though regularly +chosen, merely, because such had not taken the oaths appointed by law? +All which exercise of Erastian supremacy natively results from the +parliamentary settlement 1690. And when no adequate testimony was ever +given by the church against such Erastian usurpations, but they are +still crouched under and complied with, it may justly be constructed a +tame subjection and woful consent to this supremacy. That this is no +forced inference from the continued practice of this church, appears +from this (besides other evidences that might be adduced), viz., That as +the Revolution parliament, when ratifying the Confession of Faith, +entirely left out the act of Assembly 1647, approving and partly +explaining the same (wherein these remarkable words are, "It is further +declared, that the Assembly understands some parts of the second article +of the 31st chapter, only of kirks not settled or constituted in point +of government") as being inconsistent with the Erastian impositions of +the magistrate. So this church, when they cause intrants into the +ministry subscribe the Confession, do not oblige them to subscribe it +with this explanatory act (which does by no means admit of a privative +power in the magistrate, destructive of the church's intrinsic power), +but they only do it as the parliament ratified it. + +2. Another instance of Erastianism practiced by both church and state, +is, that when the king and parliament did bind down episcopal curates +upon congregations, forbidding church judicatories the exercise of +discipline upon the impenitent, and enjoining the Assembly to admit +such, without any evidence of grief or sorrow for their former apostasy, +upon their swearing the oath of allegiance, and subscribing a _formula_, +homologating the Revolution settlement, substituted in the room of the +covenants; the church approved of this settlement, and protection +granted by the civil powers to such curates all their lifetime in their +churches and benefices, who yet were not brought under any obligation to +subject themselves to the government and discipline of the church. The +truth of this is manifest, from sundry of king _William's_ letters to +the Assemblies, together with after acts of parliament, relative +thereto. In his letter, dated _February_ 13th, 1690, to the commission +of the Assembly, he says, "Whereas there has been humble application +made to us by several ministers, for themselves and others, who lately +served under episcopacy; we have thought good to signify our pleasure to +you, that you make no distinction of men, otherwise well qualified for +the ministry, though they have formerly conformed to the law, +introducing Episcopacy, and that ye give them no disturbance or vexation +for that cause, or for that head: and it is our pleasure, that, until we +give our further directions, you proceed to no more process, or any +other business." In another letter, dated _June_ 15th, 1691, he says, +"We are well pleased with what you write, to unite with such of the +clergy, who have served under Episcopacy; and that you are sufficiently +instructed by the General Assembly to receive them; from all which, we +do expect a speedy and happy success, that there shall be so great a +progress made in this union betwixt you, before our return to _Britain_, +that we shall then find no cause to continue that stop, which at present +we see necessary; and that neither you, nor any commission or church +meeting, do meddle in any process or business, that may concern the +purging out of the episcopal ministers." And in a letter to the +episcopal clergy, he says, "We doubt not of your applying to, and +concurring with, your brethren the Presbyterian ministers, in the terms +which we have been of pains to adjust for you; the _formula_ will be +communicated to you by our commissioners," &c. See also the 27th _Act, +Parl._ 1695, where it is declared, "That all such as shall duly come in +and qualify themselves, shall have and enjoy his majesty's protection, +as to their respective kirks and benefices, they always containing +themselves within the limits of their pastoral charge, within their said +parishes, without offering to exercise any part of government, unless +they be first duly assumed by a competent church judicatory; providing, +nevertheless, that as the said ministers are left free to apply, or not, +to the foresaid church judicatories," &c. To which agree, _Act_ 2d, +_Parl._ 1700; _Act_ 3d, _Parl._ 1702; _Act_ 2d, _Parl._ 1703, &c. Behold +here the civil magistrate, exercising the supremacy in matters +ecclesiastical, in that he both establishes the old _Scots_ curates in +their respective parishes, upon their former footing, limits them in the +exorcise of their function, discharging them from exercising any part of +ecclesiastical polity, but upon their uniting with the Presbyterians, on +the terms he had adjusted for them. And further, by his authority stops +the exercise of church discipline against these curates (though the most +of them were notoriously scandalous); nay, even discharges the Assembly +from proceeding to any other business, until they received other +directions from the throne. Which palpable instance of Erastianism in +the state, was not only peaceably submitted to, but heartily acquiesced +in by the church: for as they had declared they would censure no +prelatical incumbent for his principles anent church government, however +much disaffected to a covenanted reformation, and had given frequent +discoveries of their readiness to receive into communion the episcopal +curates, according to the terms prescribed by the parliament (as appears +from the Assembly records); so the Assembly 1694, _Act_ 11th, having +framed a sham _formula_, for receiving in the curates, containing no +such thing as any renunciation of abjured prelacy, the abominable test, +and other sinful oaths these creatures had taken, but only an +acknowledgment of the Revolution settlement of religion, as established +by law, by the foresaid act, appointed their commission to receive all +the episcopal clergy who applied, and being qualified according to law, +would also subscribe their _formula_, and that without requiring the +least show of repentance for their scandalous public sins, and their +deep guilt of the effusion of the blood of God's faithful saints and +witnesses during the tyranny of the two brothers. These instructions to +the commission and other judicatories (as appears by their acts), were +successively renewed by the Assembly upward of twenty times, from 1694 +to 1716, and were indeed attended with good success, as is evident from +their address to the queen, recorded _Act_ 10th, 1712; where they +declare, as an instance of their moderation, "That since the Revolution, +there had been taken in, and continued, hundreds of the episcopal +curates upon the easiest terms," viz., such as were by the royal +prerogative adjusted to them. Which practice, as it declares this church +homologators of Erastianism, so is directly opposite to Presbyterian +principles, the discipline and practice of our reformed church of +_Scotland_, and to the laws of Christ, the supreme lawgiver, _Ezek._ +xliv, 10-15; _2 Cor._ vi, 17, 18, &c. + +3. A _third_ instance of the Erastianism practiced since the revolution, +is, that the king and parliament have taken upon them to prescribe and +lay down, by magistratical authority, conditions and qualifications, +_sine qua non_, of ministers and preachers. For proof of which, see +_Act_ 6th, _Sess._ 4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, where it is enacted, "That +the said oath of allegiance be sworn the same with the foresaid +assurance, be subscribed by all preachers and ministers of the gospel +whatever--certifying such of the foresaid persons as are, or shall be, +in any public office, and shall own and exercise the same without taking +the said oath and assurance in manner foresaid,--ministers provided to +kirks shall be deprived of their benefices or stipends, and preachers +shall be punished with banishment, or otherwise, as the council shall +think fit." Also, _Act_ 23d, 1693, it is ordained, "That no person be +admitted or continued to be a minister, or preach within this church, +unless that he have first taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance, +and subscribed the oath of assurance in manner appointed. And further +statute and ordain, that uniformity of worship be observed by all the +said ministers and preachers, as the same are at present performed and +allowed therein, or shall hereafter be declared by the authority of the +same: and that no minister or preacher be continued and admitted +hereafter, unless that he subscribe to observe, and do actually observe, +the foresaid uniformity." The Erastianism in these acts seems screwed up +yet a little higher, by _Act_ 7th, _Sess._ 5th, _Parl._ 1st, 1695; +where, after appointing a new day to such ministers as had not formerly +obeyed, it is ordained: "With certification that such of the said +ministers as shall not come in between and said day, are hereby, and by +the force of this present act, _ipso facto_, deprived of their +respective kirks and stipends, and the same declared vacant, without any +further sentence." The Erastianism in these acts is so manifest at first +sight, that it is needless to illustrate the same; only it may be +remarked, that, by these acts, the civil magistrate prescribes new +ministerial qualifications, viz., the oaths of allegiance and assurance; +and these imposed instead of an oath of allegiance to Zion's King, viz., +the oaths of the covenants. As also, that ministers are hereby +restricted from advancing reformation, being bound down to observe that +uniformity at present allowed, or that shall hereafter be declared by +authority of parliament. And further, Erastianism is here advanced to +the degree of wresting the keys of government out of the hands of the +church altogether--taking to themselves the power of deposing all such +ministers as shall not submit to their anti-christian impositions, and +of declaring and ascertaining, by their own authority, what mode of +worship or government shall take place in the church hereafter. This +Erastian appointment of ministerial qualifications, &c., is evidently +injurious, both to the headship of Christ in his church, and to the +church's intrinsic power. It pertains to the royal prerogative of +Christ, to appoint all the qualifications of his officers, which he has +done in the Word. And it pertains to the church representative, by +applying the laws of Christ in his Word, to declare who are qualified +for the ministry, and who are not. But here the civil power, without any +regard to church judicatories, by a magisterial authority, judges and +determines, the qualifications that gospel ministers must have, +otherwise they cannot be acknowledged ministers of this church. At the +same time, it must be regretted, that the church, instead of faithfully +discovering the sinfulness of foresaid conduct, and testifying against +it, as an anti-christian usurpation, have declared their approbation +thereof, by taking the above named illimited oaths, according to the +parliament's order; and also by the assembly's enjoining their +commission to act conform to the parliament's directions respecting +ministerial qualifications, in their admission of those that had +formerly conformed to Episcopacy, and refusing to admit any into their +communion without having these new ministerial qualifications. + +4. A fourth piece of Erastianism exercised since the commencement of the +revolution settlement, against which the presbytery testify, is, the +civil magistrate, by himself and his own authority, without consulting +the church, or any but his parliament, privy council, and diocesan +bishops, his appointing diets and causes of public fasting and +thanksgiving. A number of instances might here be condescended on. So an +act of the states, _anno_ 1689, for public thanksgiving. An act of +parliament 1693, appointing a monthly fast, declares, "That their +majesties, with advice and consent of the said estates of parliament, do +hereby command and appoint, that a day of solemn fasting and humiliation +be religiously and strictly observed, by all persons within this +kingdom, both in church and meeting-houses, upon the third _Thursday_ of +the month of _May_, and, the third _Thursday_ of every month thereafter, +until intimation of forbearance be made by the lords of their majesties' +privy council; and ordains all ministers to read these presents a +_Sunday_ before each of these fast days, nominated, by authority; and +ordains all disobeyers to be fined in a sum not exceeding 100£., and +every minister who shall not obey, to be processed before the lords of +their majesties' privy council; and requiring sheriffs to make report of +the ministers who shall fail of their duty herein, to the privy +council." But it is to no purpose to multiply instances of this kind, +seeing it has been the common practice of every sovereign since the +revolution, to appoint and authorize national diets of fasting, with +civil pains annexed. And as the state has made these encroachments upon +the royalties of Christ, so this church, instead of bearing faithful +testimony against the same, have finally submitted thereto. In +agreeableness to the royal appointment, they observed the monthly fast +for the success of the war against _Lewis_ XIV (of which above), and in +favor of the Pope, which king _William_ was bound to prosecute by virtue +of a covenant made with the allies at the _Hague, February_, 1691, to be +seen in the declaration of war then made against _France_, wherein it is +expressly said, "That no peace is to be made with _Lewis_ XIV, till he +has made reparation to the Holy See for whatsoever he has acted against +it, and till he make void all these infamous proceedings (viz., of the +parliament of _Paris_) against the holy father, _Innocent_ XI." Behold +here the acknowledgment of the Pope's supremacy, and his power and +dignity, both as a secular and ecclesiastical prince; and in the +observation of these fasts, the church did mediately (_tell it not in +Gath_--) pray for success to the _man of sin_--a practice utterly +repugnant to Protestant, much more to Presbyterian, principles, and +which will be a lasting stain upon both church and state. As this church +did then submit, so since she has made a resignation and surrender of +that part of the church's intrinsic right to the civil power, see _Act_ +7th, _Assem._ 1710: "All ministers and members are appointed religiously +to observe all fasts and thanksgivings whatever, appointed by the church +or supreme magistrate; and the respective judicatories are appointed to +take particular notice of the due observation of this, and _Act_ 4th, +1722, _Act_ 5th, 1725." From which acts it is manifest, that the +Revolution Church has not only declared the power and right of +authoritative indicting public fasts and thanksgivings for ordinary, +even in a constituted settled national church, to belong, at least +equally, to the civil magistrate, as to the church; but, by their +constant practice, have undeniably given up the power of the same to the +civil power altogether--it being fact, that she never, by her own power, +appoints a national diet of fasting, but still applies to the king for +the nomination thereof. And further, as a confirmation of this +surrender, it appears from their public records, that when some members +have protested against the observation of such diets, the assembly would +neither receive nor record such protest. Now, the sinfulness of this +Erastian practice still persisted in, is evident from the Scriptures of +truth, where the glorious king of Zion assigns the power of appointing +fasts, not to the civil magistrate, but to the spiritual office-bearers +in his house. _Jer._ xiii, 18: "Say unto the king and queen, Humble +yourselves." Here it is the office of the prophets of the Lord, to +enjoin humiliation work upon those that are in civil authority, contrary +to the present practice, when kings and queens, usurping the sacred +office, by their authority, say to ministers, "Humble yourselves." See +also, _Joel_ i, 13, 14, and ii, 15, 16, compared with _Numb._ x, 8-10. +Here whatever pertains to these solemnities, is entrusted to, and +required of, the ministers of the Lord, without the intervention of +civil authority. The same is imported in _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, +18; _John_ xx, 23--it being manifestly contained in the power of the +keys committed, by the church's head, to ecclesiastical officers. +Moreover, this Erastianism, flowing from a spiritual supremacy exercised +over the church, is peculiarly aggravated by these particulars: + +1. That commonly these fasts have been appointed on account of wars, in +which the nations were engaged, in conjunction with gross anti-christian +idolaters, who have been most active in their endeavors to root out +Protestantism. Now, it cannot but be most provoking to the Majesty of +Heaven for professed Presbyterians to observe fasts, the professed +design of which, includes success to the interest of the avowed enemies +of our glorious REDEEMER. Again, the above practice is aggravated, from +this consideration, that these diets of fasting, with civil pains +annexed to them, are sent by public proclamation, directed to their +sheriffs and other subordinate civil officers, who are authorized to +dispatch them to the ministers, and inspect their observation thereof. +And while professed ministers of Christ tamely comply with all this, it +amounts to no less, than a base subjection of the worship of God, in the +solemnity of fasting in a national way, to the arbitrament of the civil +powers, when whatever time and causes they appoint, must be observed. + +From all which, in the words of the ministers of _Perth_ and _Fife_, in +their testimony to the truth, &c., 1758, the presbytery testify against +the above Erastian conduct, as being, in its own nature, introductory to +greater encroachments, and putting into the hands of the civil powers, +the modeling of the worship of God, and things most properly +ecclesiastical. + +5. Another piece of Erastianism, respecting the present administration, +which the Presbytery testify against, is the king and parliament their +arbitrarily imposing several of their acts and statutes upon ministers +and preachers, under ecclesiastical pains and censures; while this +Revolution Church, by their silent submission and compliance therewith, +have, at least, interpretatively given their consent thereto. Thus, as +the oaths of allegiance and assurance were enjoined upon all in +ecclesiastical office, under the pain of church censure (of which +above), so likewise, _Act_ 6th, 1706, ordains, "That no professors and +principals, bearing office in any university, be capable, or be admitted +to continue in the exercise of their said functions, but such as shall +own the civil government, in manner prescribed, or to be prescribed by +acts of parliament." In consequence of which, there is an _Act_ 1707, an +act in the first year of king _George_ I, and another in the fifth year +of his reign; by all which statutes, ecclesiastical persons are enjoined +to take the oath of abjuration, with the other oaths, under pain of +having ecclesiastical censures inflicted upon them. And they ordain, +"That no person be admitted to trials, or licensed to preach, until they +have taken the public oaths, on pain of being disabled." The foresaid +act, in the fifth year of _George_ I, ordains, "all ministers and +preachers to pray in express words for his majesty and the royal family, +as in former acts." The king and parliament at their own hand prescribe +a set form of prayer for the Church of _Scotland_, and that under +Erastian penalties, upon the disobeyers. Again, by an act of 1737, +framed for the more effectual bringing to justice the murderers of +Captain _Porteous_, it is enacted, "That this act shall be read in every +parish church throughout _Scotland_, on the first Lord's day of every +month, for one whole year, from the first day of _August_, 1737, by the +minister of the parish, in the morning, immediately before the sermon; +and, in case such ministers shall neglect to read this act, as is here +directed, he shall, for the first offense, be declared incapable of +sitting or voting in any church judicatory; and for the second offense, +be declared incapable of taking, holding or enjoying any ecclesiastical +benefice in that part of _Great Britain_ called _Scotland_." The +Erastianism of this act is very plain, the penalties thereof are +ecclesiastical, and infer a kind of deposition; seeing the disobeyers +are hereby disabled from exercising and enjoying what is essential to +their office. Moreover, the wickedness of this act appears, in that it +was appointed to be read on the Sabbath day, and in time of divine +service; whereby ministers being constituted the magistrates' heralds to +proclaim this act, were obliged to profane the Lord's day, and corrupt +his worship, by immixing human inventions therewith, which was directly +a framing mischief into a law. Yet, with all these impositions above +noticed, this church has generally complied; and thereby declared that +they are more studious of pleasing and obeying men, than God, seeing +their practice therein infers no less, than a taking instructions in the +ministerial function, and matters of divine worship, from another head +than Christ. + +6. The last piece of Erastian administration in church and state, the +presbytery take notice of, and testify against, is that of patronages. +When the parliament 1690, had changed the form of patronages, by taking +the power of presentations from patrons, and lodging it in the hands of +such heritors and elders as were qualified by law, excluding the people +from a vote in calling their ministers, this Erastian act, spoiling the +people of their just privilege, was immediately embraced by the church, +as is evident from their overtures for church discipline, 1696, where +they declare that only heritors and elders have a proper right to vote +in the nomination of a minister. Also their overtures, 1705 and 1719, do +lodge the sole power of nomination of ministers in the hands of the +majority of heritors, by giving them a negative over the eldership and +congregation. But, as if this had not been a sufficient usurpation of +the people's right, purchased to them by the blood of Christ, by an act +of parliament, 1712, the above act, 1690, is repealed, and patrons fully +restored to all their former anti-christian powers over the heritage of +the Lord; which yoke still continues to oppress the people of God. While +again, this church, as if more careful to please the court, and court +parasites, than Christ and his people, have not only peaceably fallen in +with this change, daily practicing it in planting vacant congregations, +but, as fond of this child of _Rome_, have further established and +confirmed the power of patrons, by the sanction of their authority, as +appears from several acts of assembly, thereby declaring their +resolutions to have this epidemic evil continued, though it should +terminate in the utter ruin of the church. Patronage was always by the +Church of _Scotland_ since the reformation, accounted an intolerable +yoke; and therefore she never ceased contending against it until it was +at last utterly abolished by acts both of reforming assemblies and +parliaments; and that as one of the inventions of the whore of _Rome_. + +As this anti-christian practice was unknown to the church in her +primitive and purest times, until gradually introduced with other popish +corruptions, so it has not the least vestige of any warrant in the word +of truth: nay, is directly opposite thereto, and to the apostolical +practice: Acts i, 15-24; chap. vi, 2-7: as also, xiv, 23, and xvi, 9, +with other passages therein;--a book, intended to give us the +apostolical practice and pattern, in the settlement of the Christian +church: and 2 Cor. iii, 19, &c. Wherefore the presbytery testify against +this Erastian usurpation, as most sinful in itself, most injurious to +the church of Christ, and inconsistent with the great ends of the +ministry; and against this church, for not only submitting unto, but +even promoting this wickedness; which is evident, from her deposing some +of her members, for no other reason but because they could not approve +of this pernicious scheme. Witness Mr. _Gallespie_, minister at Carnock, +who was deposed May, 1752: and against all violent intruders, who, not +entering by the door, can be regarded only as thieves and robbers; John +x, 1. + +These are a few of the many instances of the Erastian usurpations of the +headship of Christ, as a Son, in and over his own house, and of the +church's intrinsic power assumed by the state, and consented to by this +church since the Revolution.[2] And without condescending upon any more, +the presbytery concludes this part, with observing upon the whole, that +when Henry VIII of England did cast off the authority of the see of +Rome, and refused to give that subjection to the pope formerly paid by +him and his predecessors; he did, at the same time, assume to himself +all that power in his dominions, which the pope formerly claimed; and +soon afterward procured to have himself acknowledged and declared, by +act of parliament, to be head of the church--head over all persons, and +in all causes, civil and ecclesiastical. And which anti-christian +supremacy has, ever since, continued an essential part of the English +constitution, and inherent right of the crown; so that all the crowned +heads there, have ever since been as little popes over that realm: and +that all such still appropriate unto themselves that blasphemous +anti-christian title of the head of the church, and supreme judge in all +causes, is undeniably evident from the known laws and canons of England: +and further appears from a declaration made by King George I, June 13th, +1715, where he styles himself _Defender of the faith, and supreme +Governor of the church in his dominions_; declaring, that before the +clergy can order or settle any differences about the external policy of +the church, they must first obtain leave under his broad seal so to do. +Which title or authority for man, or angel, to assume, is a downright +dethroning and exauctorating of Christ, the only and alone Head and +Supreme Governor of his church. From this spiritual anti-christian +supremacy, granted by English laws to the king of England, confirmed and +established, by virtue of the incorporating union, in British kings, by +acts of British parliament, do flow all the forementioned acts imposed +upon the Revolution Church of Scotland. And as these acts and laws +declare, that the British monarch confines not his spiritual supremacy +to the church of England, but it extends it also over the church of +Scotland: so this Revolution Church, having never either judicially or +practically lifted up the standard of a public, free and faithful +testimony, against these sinful usurpations, flowing from the fountain +of said supremacy, and clothed with the authority of an anti-christian +parliament, where abjured bishops sit constituent members, but, on the +contrary, has submitted to every one of them; therefore, this church may +justly be constructed, as approvers and maintainers of Erastian +supremacy. And hereby, indeed, the revolt of these degenerate lands from +their sworn subjection and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as +supreme in his own house, is completed, when they have these many years +substituted another in his place, and framed supremacy into a standing +law, to be the rule, according to which their kings must lord it over +the house and heritage of the Living God. Again: + +The presbytery testify against the manifold, and almost uninterrupted +opposition to the ancient glorious uniformity in religion between the +nations, that has appeared in the administrations of both church and +state, since the last Revolution. The revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as has been already observed, laid our solemn +covenants and work of reformation, sworn to therein, in a grave, and +many stones have since been brought and cast upon them: many ways and +measures have both church and state taken to make sure the revolution +sepulcher of a covenanted work of reformation, and prevent, if possible, +its future resurrection: against all which, the presbytery judge +themselves bound to lift up their testimony. Particularly, + +1. The presbytery testify against the incorporating union of this nation +with _England_; and as being an union founded upon an open violation of +all the articles of the Solemn League and Covenant, still binding upon +the nations; and consequently, destructive of that uniformity in +religion, once happily attained to by them: which will at first view +appear, by comparing the articles of the union with those of the Solemn +League. All associations and confederacies with the enemies of true +religion and godliness, are expressly condemned in scripture, and +represented as dangerous to the true _Israel_ of God: _Isa._ viii, 12; +_Jer._ ii, 28; _Psal._ cvi, 35; _Hos._ v, 13, and vii, 8, 11; 2 _Cor._ +vi, 14, 15. And if simple confederacies with malignants and enemies to +the cause of Christ are condemned, much more is an incorporation with +them, which is an embodying of two into one, and, therefore, a straiter +conjunction. And taking the definition of malignants, given by the +declaration of both kingdoms joined in arms, _anno_ 1643, to be just, +which says, "such as would not take the covenant, were declared to be +public enemies to their religion and country, and that they are to be +censured and punished, as professed adversaries and malignants;" it +cannot be refused, but that the prelatical party in _England_, now +joined with, are such. Further, by this incorporating union, this nation +is obliged to support the idolatrous Church of _England_; agreeable +whereto, the _Scottish_ parliament, in their act of security, relative +to the treaty of union, declares, "that the parliament of _England_ may +provide for the security of the Church of _England_, as they think +expedient." Accordingly, the _English_ parliament, before entering upon +the treaty of union with _Scotland_, framed an act for securing the +Church of _England's_ hierarchy and worship, as by law established. +Which act, they declare, "Shall be inserted, in express terms, in any +act of parliament which shall be made for settling and ratifying any +treaty of union, and shall be declared to be an essential fundamental +part thereof." Hence, the act of the _English_ parliament for the union +of the two kingdoms, contains the above act for securing the Church of +_England_. Which act being sent down to _Scotland_, stands recorded +among the acts of the last _Scottish_ parliament. Moreover, the last +article of said union contains, that all laws and statutes in either +kingdom, so far as they are contrary to, or inconsistent with the terms +of these articles, or any of them, shall, from and after the union, +cease and become void; which, as in the act of exemplification, was +declared to be, by the parliaments of both kingdoms. Thus, this nation, +by engrossing the _English_ act, establishing Prelacy, and all the +superstitious ceremonies, in the act of the union parliament, and by +annulling all acts contrary to the united settlement, have sealed, as +far as men can do, the gravestones formerly laid upon the covenanted +uniformity of the nations. To all which the revolution church, by +consenting, and practically approving this unhallowed union, have said +Amen; though, at first, some of the members opposed and preached against +it, yet afterward changed, and (if some historians may be credited) by +the influence of gold, were swayed to an approbation. This church's +consent to the union is evident, from their accepting of the act of +security, enacted by the _Scots_ parliament, as the legal establishment +and security of the Church of _Scotland_; and from the assembly 1715, +utterly rejecting a proposal to make a representation to the king, that +the incorporating union was a grievance to the Church of _Scotland_; +though it ought still to be regarded as such, by all the lovers of +reformation principles, because it is a disclaiming of our sworn duty, +to endeavor the reformation of _England_ and _Ireland_. It is a +consenting to the legal and unalterable establishment of abjured Prelacy +in them, obliges the sovereigns of _Great Britain_ to swear to the +preservation of the prelatical constitution, and idolatrous ceremonies +of the episcopal church, and join in communion therewith; and, +therefore, for ever secludes all true Presbyterians from the supreme +rule. This union establishes the civil, lordly power of bishops, +obliging the Church of _Scotland_ to acknowledge them as their lawful +magistrates and ministers, to pray for a blessing upon them in the +exercise of their civil power, and is therefore a solemn ratification of +anti-christian Erastianism. It has formally rescinded, and for ever made +void any act or acts, in favor of a covenanted uniformity in religion, +that might be supposed to be in force before this union: and therefore, +while it stands, it is impossible there can be a revival of that blessed +work, which was once the glory of the nations of _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. + +2. The presbytery testify against the sinful practice of imposing oaths +upon the subjects, contradictory to presbyterian principles in general, +and the oath of the covenants in particular, as the allegiance, and +particularly the abjuration; all which oaths, imposed by a _British_ +parliament, exclude our covenanted uniformity, and homologate the united +constitution. But, to prevent mistakes, let it be here observed, that +the presbytery do not testify against any of these oaths, out of the +remotest regard to the spurious pretended right of a popish pretender to +the throne and crown of these kingdoms; for they judge and declare, +that, by the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, he can +have no right, title or claim, to be king of these covenanted +kingdoms--seeing, by our covenants and laws, establishing the covenanted +reformation, which are well founded on the divine law, all Papists, as +well as Prelatists, are forever excluded from the throne of these, and +especially of this land. So that it is utterly inconsistent with the +principles maintained by this presbytery, constituted upon the footing +of the covenanted church of _Scotland_, and the oath of God they, with +the nations, are under, ever to acknowledge and own the popish +pretender, or any of that cursed race, as their king; but they testify +against these oaths, because they bind to the acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of a prelatic Erastian constitution of civil government, and +homologate the incorporating union, in one article whereof, it is +declared, that these words, "This realm, and the crown of this realm, +&c," mentioned in the oaths, shall be understood of the crown and realm +of _Great Britain_, &c.; and that in that sense the said oaths shall be +taken and subscribed, and particularly the oath of abjuration, which +whosoever takes, swears to maintain Erastian supremacy, Prelacy, and +_English_ popish ceremonies; and so, at least, by native and necessary +consequence, the swearing thereof is an abjuring of our sacred +covenants. But that which puts it beyond all dispute, that the oath of +abjuration, in the literal sense thereof, obliges to maintain the +prelatic constitution of _England_, both in church and state, as by law +established, and secured by the union act, is the express words of that +act of parliament, by which this oath was imposed, and to which it +expressly refers, viz., the act of further limitation, where it is said: +"On which said acts (viz., of limitation, and further limitation), the +preservation of your majesty's royal person and government, and the +maintaining of the church of _England_, as by law established, do, under +God, entirely depend. To the intent therefore, that these acts may be +forever inviolably preserved, it is hereby enacted, that magistrates and +ministers shall take the following oath," namely, of abjuration. The +above act, then, declaring that said oath was directly intended for the +support and establishment of the prelatic church of _England_, it +follows, that this oath is a solemn abjuration of the covenanted +reformation, as it is also expressly repugnant to Presbyterian +principles. But though the above oath is so manifestly sinful, yet the +ministers of this church did neither faithfully warn others of the sin +and danger thereof, nor faithfully oppose it when imposed on themselves; +but, agreeing that every one should act therein as he thought proper, +they who refused it may be reputed _socii criminis_ with the generality, +who, contrary to their professed principles, did take and subscribe the +same, and that (as says the oath) heartily and willingly; whereby they +not only engaged to maintain a prelatic government, Prelacy, with all +its popish ceremonies, but to maintain _only_ a prelatic government, and +to oppose all others, even though Presbyterian, in their accession to +the throne; and this by virtue of the sinful limitations and conditions, +wherewith the oath is clogged. And hereby, these nominal Presbyterians +discover that they are not possessed of a zeal for the advancement of +the true Presbyterian cause and principles, proportionable to that which +the _English_ discover for their will worship and superstition. + +3. The presbytery testify against a sinful and almost boundless +toleration, granted _anno_ 1712, a woful fruit of the union; by which +toleration act, not only those of the Episcopal communion in _Scotland_ +have the protection of authority, but a wide door is cast open, and +ample pass given to all sects and heretics (popish recusants and +antitrinitarians some way excepted, who yet are numerous in the nation), +to make whatever attacks they please upon the kingdom and interest of +our glorious Redeemer, in order to the advancement of their own and the +devil's, and all with impunity. The foresaid act warrants the Episcopal +clergy publicly to administer all ordinances, and perform their worship +after their own manner, with all the popish canons and ceremonies +thereof, and obliges all magistrates to protect and assist them, while +it destroys the hedge of church discipline against the scandalous and +profane, and is, therefore, a settling and establishing of Prelacy in +_Scotland_, giving it a security, little, if anything, inferior to that +which the established church has. Again, by a clause in the toleration +bill, the security given by former laws to Presbyterian church +government and discipline, is undermined and taken away, at least +rendered ineffectual, and made the subject of ridicule to the openly +profane, by the civil magistrate's withdrawing his concurrence, in as +much as it declares the civil pain of excommunication to be taken away, +and that none are to be compelled to appear before church judicatories. +There is nothing in religion of an indifferent nature; "For whosoever +[saith Christ] shall break one of the least of these commandments, and +shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven." It +must, then, be the most daring wickedness, and an affronting of the +Majesty of Heaven in the highest manner, for an earthly monarch to +pretend to enact a toleration of religions, and thereby give a liberty +where the divine law has laid a restraint; it implies an exalting of +himself, not only to an equality with, but to a state of superiority +above, the God of glory. Whatever principles are of divine authority +require no toleration from man; it is wickedness to pretend to do it, +seeing whatever comes under the necessity of a toleration, properly so +called, falls, at the same time, under the notion of a crime. And no +less wicked is it for a magistrate to protect, by a promiscuous +toleration, all heretics, heresies and errors; yea, it is a manifest +breach of trust, and plain perverting the end of his office, seeing he +is appointed to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_, intrusted with +the concerns of God's glory, as well as the interests of men. Experience +has, in every age, taught, that a toleration of all religions is the +cut-throat and ruin of all true religion. It is the most effectual +method that ever the policy of hell hatched, to banish all true +godliness out of the world. But however manifold the evils be that +toleration is big with, this church, instead of opposing, seems to have +complied therewith, and to be of toleration principles; which is +evident, not only from their receiving into communion the _Scots_ +curates, of which above; but from their joining in communion with Mr. +_Whitefield (an English_ curate and member of that church, and +ring-leader of the Methodists there), when he is in _Scotland_. Again, +it is known, that when the _Scots_ gentlemen are sent to attend the +_British_ parliament, or at any time in _England_, they do, many of +them, join in communion with the prelatic church--nay, are guilty of +taking the sacramental test (that is, taking the sacrament after their +superstitious manner, to qualify them for any public post); yet this +church receives them into the closest communion, without requiring any +satisfaction for these evils; whereby they act contrary to Christ's +example, in purging and keeping his house pure, and contrary to the +Scripture; _Rev._ ii, 14, 15, 20. + +4. In like manner, the presbytery testify against the tyranny that has +frequently appeared in the administration since the revolution, both in +church and state. The civil powers have discovered not a little of +tyrannical and arbitrary power, in imposing their laws, statutes and +injunctions, upon the church, as in the instances of the particulars +formerly noticed. But further, it has appeared in their fining and +imprisoning persons, because (though endeavoring to live peaceably, as +far as possible, with all men) they could not, in conscience, and in a +due regard to the covenanted cause, own the lawfulness of their +authority, by swearing fidelity to the present constitution. Again, in +their dispensing with, and counteracting, the law of God in a variety of +instances. Thus, while, without any divine warrant, the crime of theft +is capitally punished, yet the grossest adulterers, who are capitally +punishable by the divine law, pass with impunity. And frequently +reprieves, and sometimes pardons (as in the case of _Porteous_), have +been granted to murderers, expressly contrary to the law of God, which +declares that "Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be +shed." Another astonishing and full evidence of the above charge, is in +the act repealing the penal statutes against witches, &c., 1735, where +it is enacted, "That no prosecution, suit or proceeding, shall be +carried on against any person or persons, for witchcraft, sorcery, +enchantment or conjuration," &c. This act, in plain terms, flatly +contradicts and opposes the law of God, in the very letter thereof. See +_Levit._ xx, 6, 27; _Deut._ xviii, 10-12; _Exod._ xxii, 18. Not only has +the state, in these and other instances (as the imposing almost +intolerable taxations upon the impoverished subjects, for supporting the +grandeur of useless and wicked pensioners, and for carrying on wars, +often not only sinful in respect of their rise and causes, but in their +nature and tendency unprofitable to the nations), been guilty of this +evil, but also the Revolution Church has exercised a most tyrannical +government. As many of the constituent members of the Revolution Church +had shown a persecuting, tyrannizing spirit, against the faithful +contenders for the truth, in the matter of the public resolutions, so +the same spirit has still continued since the revolution, and frequently +exerted itself in a most arbitrary manner, against all who have made any +appearance for a covenanted work of reformation. Accordingly, soon after +the revolution, this church raised some processes against Mr. _John +Hepburn_, minister at _Orr_, under pretense of some irregularities, but +in reality, for his making some appearance against their abounding +defection, and for a covenanted work of reformation, and continued their +prosecution to suspension and deposition; and further, applied to the +civil magistrate, to apprehend said Mr. _Hepburn_, who accordingly was +imprisoned in _Edinburgh_, and then, because of his preaching to the +people out of a window, was carried to _Stirling_ castle, and kept close +prisoner there for a considerable time, as a book, entitled _Humble +Pleadings_, fully discovers. They likewise exercised their tyranny +against Messrs. _Gilchrist_ in _Dunscore_, and _Taylor_ in _Wamphray_, +whom they prosecuted, not only to deposition, but even excommunication, +for no reason but their bearing testimony against that ensnaring oath of +abjuration, and a number of other defections. Again, this church, still +fond of suppressing the good old cause and owners thereof, framed and +prosecuted a libel, most unjustly (some even of themselves being +judges), against Mr. _John McMillan_, minister in _Balmaghie_, for +presenting, in a regular manner, a paper of real and acknowledged +grievances; and, because he would not resile from it, but continued to +plead for a redress, was at last deposed. As also Mr. _John McNeil_, +preacher, for the same reason, had his license taken from him; and, by +the authority of the assembly, both of them were prosecuted and +censured, not for scandal, insufficiency or negligence, error in +doctrine, &c., but only on account of their pleading for the covenanted +reformation of the Church of _Scotland_, and maintaining a necessary +testimony against the prevailing corruptions and defections of former +and present times, as appears from their paper of grievances and joint +declinature, printed 1708. Nay, such was their mad zeal against +reformation principles, that, by the _Act_ 15th of _Assem._ 1715, the +commission was not only empowered to censure all the forementioned +persons, but also enjoined to apply to the civil magistrate for +suppressing and punishing them; and accordingly sundry of them were +proclaimed rebels over public market crosses, only for their continued +adherence to reformation. And besides other instances, their magisterial +and lordly power exercised over the flock of Christ, in the violent +intrusion of ministers into vacant churches over the belly of the +people, and then excommunicating from sealing ordinances such as cannot +in conscience submit to the ministry of these intruders, is a most +glaring one; while at the same time, severe censures are inflicted upon +such ministers as have the honesty to oppose these anti-christian +measures. Loud complaints have likewise been made against their +arbitrary and tyrannical conduct, with reference to Mr. _Ebenezer +Erskine_, and others with him, designated by the name of the _Associate +Presbytery_, because of their remonstrating against, and endeavoring to +rectify, some of the forementioned evils in the church; the justness of +which grievances and complaints may be instructed from their own +writings on that head. + +It must not be here omitted to remark, that as this church is justly +charged with tyranny in government, so she is equally guilty of +partiality in discipline. Though all that discover any measure of +faithfulness in the concerns of Christ's glory, are sure to meet with +most severe treatment, yet the loose, profane and erroneous, have seldom +any church censures put in execution against them. This church never +made any suitable inquiry into the sinful compliances, and sad +defections of her members and office-bearers, during the persecuting +period: and that unfaithfulness in the exercise of church discipline is +still copied after. How few, guilty of the most gross scandals, are +censured, such as notorious drunkenness, blasphemy, cursing, swearing, +sabbath-breaking, uncleanness, especially among the rich, who are +capable to give pecuniary mulcts to free them from church censure? +(Thus, in conformity to the prelatical and anti-christian example, +setting to sale the censures of the church, and dispensing with the laws +of Christ for money.) Nay, not only are such overlooked, but many guilty +of these gross sins, together with oppression, neglecters of family +worship, and the grossly ignorant, are without any public +acknowledgement of these sins, admitted to the highest and most solemn +ordinances, viz., both sacraments. And this may be thought the less +strange, when persons chargeable with most of these sins, are admitted, +and continued to be office-bearers in the house of God. Persons, and +even teachers maintaining most dreadful blasphemous errors connived at, +patronized, or but slightly censured, and still kept in communion, +without any open renunciation of these heresies. Play-houses, the +seminaries of vice and impiety, erected in the principal cities of the +nation, and stage players, commonly among the most abandoned of mankind, +escape with impunity. Yea, this pagan entertainment of the stage is +countenanced by the members and office-bearers of this church, and that +to such a degree, that one of the ministers thereof has commenced author +of a most profane play, called _The Tragedy of Douglas_, wherein +immorality is promoted, and what is sacred exposed to ridicule. Oh! how +astonishing! that a minister in the once famous church of Scotland +should be guilty of such abominations, and yet not immediately sentenced +to bear the highest of all church censure! + +5. The Presbytery testify against this established church, for +unfaithfulness of doctrine; which will appear by a few instances: +although before the Revolution, the Lord Jesus was openly, as far as +human laws could do, divested of his headship and sovereignty in and +over his church; although the divine right of presbytery had been +publicly and nationally exploded, derided and denied, yet this church +has never by any formal act, declared that our Lord Jesus Christ is sole +king, the alone supreme head of his church--nor in the same manner +declared that the presbyterian form of church government is of divine +right, and condemned all other forms as contrary to the word. Such a +testimony was the more necessary, when the civil powers have arrogated +Christ's power to themselves, and continue to exercise it over his +church; and the want of it is an evidence of the church's unsoundness in +the doctrine of government, and of Christ's kingly office. This church's +error in doctrine further appears from their condemnation of a book +entitled _The marrow of modern divinity_, as containing gross antinomian +errors; whereby they condemned many great gospel truths as errors, +particularly, that believers are altogether set free from the law, as a +covenant of works, both from its commanding and condemning power, +together with others; whereby they have made way for, and encouraged +that legal, moral way of harranguing, exclusive of Christ and his most +perfect righteousness (which is so common and frequent in all parts of +the land), and opened a door for introducing _Baxterian_ principles, +which, in consequence hereof, have since very much prevailed. Another +evidence of this church's unsoundness and unfaithfulness in doctrine, is +their excessive, sinful lenity toward the most gross heretics. +Notwithstanding _Arminian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, and _Arian_ +blasphemies, have been publicly taught; and although true godliness, and +the effectual working of the Spirit on the souls of men have been +publicly exposed as enthusiasm, and many other damnable heresies vented, +yet this church has never lifted up the faithful standard of a judicial +testimony, in condemnation of these heresies, and in vindication of the +precious truths of Christ thereby impugned. And when the ministers and +members of this church have been processed before her assemblies, and +convicted of maintaining many gross errors, no adequate censure has been +inflicted. This particularly appears in the case of Mr. Simpson, +professor of divinity in the college of Glasgow, when processed before +the judicatories of this church, in the years 1715 and 1716, for several +gross errors; such as, "That regard to our own happiness, in the +enjoyment of God, ought to be our chief motive in serving him, and that +our glorifying of God is subordinate to it: that Adam was not our +federal head;" and other _Arminian, Socinian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, +all to be found in his answers to Mr. Webster's libel given in against +him, and clearly proven: yet was he dismissed with a very gentle +admonition. Which sinful lenity encouraged him, not only to persist in +the same errors, but also to the venting of _Arian_ heresies among his +students. + +Accordingly, he was again arraigned before the assembly's bar in the +years 1727-28-29, when it was found clearly proven that he had denied +the necessary existence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the numerical +Oneness of the Three Persons of the Trinity in substance and essence, +with other damnable tenets. Yet when these articles, whereby he had +attempted to depose the Son of God from his supreme deity, were proven, +and when (as one of the members of this church, in his protest against +the assembly's sentence, said) the Son of God was, as it were, appearing +at the bar of that assembly, craving justice against one who had +derogated from his essential glory, and blasphemed his name, at which +every knee should bow. Yet such was the corruption and unfaithfulness of +this church, that the blasphemer was dismissed without any adequate +censure passed upon him, and still continued in the character of a +minister and member of this church. + +Again, when Mr. Campbell, professor of church history at St. Andrews, +was processed before the judicatories of this church, for maintaining a +scheme of dangerous and most pernicious principles, which he published +to the world, having a manifest tendency to subvert revealed religion, +and expose the exercise of serious godliness, under the notion of +enthusiasm; to advance self-love, as the leading, principle and motive +in all human actions whatever, and to destroy the self-sufficiency of +God, making him a debtor to his creatures: yet though these, with a +number of God-dishonoring, creature-exalting, and soul-ruining errors, +were notorious from his books, and were defended by him; the heretic, +instead of being duly censured, was countenanced and carressed: whereby +this church has given a most deep wound to some of the most important +truths of the Christian religion, and becomes chargeable with the guilt +of all the errors maintained by that erroneous professor. + +A third instance of this church's unfaithfulness, appears in the case of +Mr. Glas, and others, who openly vented, by preaching and printing, +independent schemes of church government, with some new improvements; +attacked our Confession of faith and Covenants, unhinging all order and +government in the church, pulled up the hedge of discipline, to +introduce all errors in doctrine, and corruption in worship; and, at +last, openly renounced presbytery, name and thing (denying that there is +any warrant for national churches under the New Testament), and +asserted, that our martyrs, who suffered for adhering to the covenanted +reformation, were so far in a delusion, with many other sectarian +tenets: for which, the church at first suspended, and then deposed some +of them. But afterward, as if this church repented of doing so much in +favor of presbytery, they were reponed, to the great danger of the +church: for having discovered no remorse for their errors, they +immediately employed all their parts to shake presbytery, by setting up +independent churches and ordaining several mechanics to be their +ministers; and nothing done by the church for putting a stop to these +errors, and for reviving and vindicating the precious truths they had +impugned. + +Likewise, when Mr. Wishart was staged for error vented by him in some of +his sermons, with respect to the influence of arguments taken from the +awe of future rewards and punishments, and other erroneous notions; he +was dismissed without any renunciation of his heterodox principles, and +assoilzied by the judicatories of this church: and, as easy absolutions +encourage error, so no sooner was he assoilzied, but he had the +assurance to recommend erroneous books, such as Doctor Whitchcot's +sermons, to his students. It is indeed no small evidence of the +unsoundness of this church, when the heads of colleges are suffered, +_impune_, to recommend such books for students and probationers to form +upon. + +Again, when professor Leechman was quarreled with for his deistical +sermon on prayer, by the presbytery of _Glasgow_, and afterward carried +before the assembly; yet although in all his sermons, he presents God as +the object of prayer, merely as our Creator, without any relation to +Christ, as Mediator; but recommends to his hearers, as the only +acceptable disposition of mind, an assured confidence in the goodness +and mercy of their Creator: not only has that Christless sermon been +very much extolled, but the author dismissed from the assembly's bar in +such a manner, as if thereby he had merited their applause. From all +which it sufficiently appears, that this church is unsound and +unfaithful, in point of doctrine; especially, if it is considered, that +she has been frequently addressed by representations, declaring the +necessity of an assertory net, affirming and ascertaining the precious +truths injured and impuned, and that publicly, by the above mentioned +errors; and that a solemn warning should be emitted, discovering the +evil and danger of them: yet that necessary duty has still been +contemned and disregarded. + +The great truths of God, have, for many years, lain wounded and bleeding +in our streets, trampled upon by their open and daring enemies; while +this church has entirely forgotten and slighted the divine command, to +contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. And though +the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith continues to be subscribed by +intrants into the ministry (the covenants owned by the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, as a part of her confession, being abstracted from the +confession of this present church), yet how little of that system and +order of doctrine is now taught? the generality having just as much of +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross, in most of their discourses, as +is to be found in the writings of _Plato, Epictetus_ and _Seneca_, and +the rest of the Pagan moralists. So that this church appears orthodox, +in little (or no) other sense than the church of _England_ is so, viz., +by subscribing the thirty-nine articles, which are _Calvinistical_ in +the doctrinal parts; while yet the _Arminian_ system of doctrine is +generally received and taught by her clergy. Add to what is above, that +this church maintains no suitable testimony against sins of all sorts, +in persons of all stations; neither emits faithful warnings anent the +snares and dangers of the nation, nor full and free declarations of +present duty, as church judicatories, like faithful watchmen did in +former times. But such faithfulness in God's matters is not now, alas! +to be expected; seeing this church has made a formal concert, or mutual +paction, binding up one another from preaching against, and applying +their doctrines to the sins, corruptions and scandals of the times: see +_Acts of Assem._ 16th, 17th, _anno_ 1712; _Act_ 6th, 1713; _Act_ 8th, +1714; _Act_ 6th, 1715. The Presbytery cannot also here omit observing, +and that with deep regret, that although the most damnable principles, +which have a direct tendency to deny the being of God, and so to +propagate opinionative atheism, to subvert all religion, to extol the +power of corrupt nature, and exalt Popery, as the best form of religion, +to deny the subjection of the world to the providence of God, to destroy +all distinction between virtue and vice, and consequently affirm, that +there is no moral evil in the world, and to ridicule Christianity, as +destitute of divine authority, have been lately vented by _David Hume_, +Esq.; and another designated by the name of _Sopho_: yet this church has +passed no suitable censure upon the authors of these impious and +blasphemous principles, though they justly deserve the very highest: nor +have they done anything to testify their dislike, or put an effectual +stop to the spreading of these abominable tenets. The presbytery +therefore, as they declare their abhorrence of these, and the other +errors formerly mentioned, so testify against the church's notorious +unfaithfulness, in suffering these wretches to pass with impunity; and +as being, on all these accounts noticed, unsound and corrupt, in the +matter of doctrine, &c. It may also be here remarked, as an undoubted +evidence of the corruptness of the state, that, although there are civil +laws presently in being, which declare the maintaining of +antitrinitarian, atheistical principles, to be not only criminal, but +capital; yet the civil powers in the nation have not so much regard to +God, and the Son of God, as to punish treason openly acted against them. + +6. The presbytery testify against both church and state, for their +sinful associations with malignants: as declared enemies to the +covenanted interest have engrossed the civil power wholly to their +hands, since the public resolutions, that a door was opened for their +admission; so such is the nature of the laws presently extant and in +force, that one cannot be admitted to any office, civil or military, but +by swearing away all friendship to a covenanted reformation. And, +moreover, all along since the late Revolution, the nations have been the +most earnest pursuing after friendship with the grossest idolators; and, +in express contradiction to the word of God, have confederated in the +closest alliance with God's declared enemies abroad; nay, have exhausted +their strength and substance, in maintaining the quarrel of such as have +been remarkable for their hatred at, and persecution of the protestant +interest. The Revolution Church has also said a confederacy with such as +have, on all occasions, shewed a rooted enmity and hatred at reformation +principles: which appears from their admitting such (noticed above) to +be office-bearers in the church: from their observing fasts, and praying +for success to the allied armies, though almost wholly composed of such, +and many of them oftentimes gross Popish idolaters: from their going in +with, and approving of the sinful incorporating union with _England_: +from their acknowledging the civil power of church men as lawful: from +their joining in religious communion with Mr. _Whitefield_; and in many +other instances. Not to insist further in enumerating particulars, the +Presbytery finally testify against church and state, for their +negligence to suppress impiety, vice, and superstitious observance of +holy days, &c. The civil powers herein acting directly contrary to the +nature and perverting the very ends of the magistrate's office, which is +to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_; the minister of God, a +revenger, to execute wrath on him that doeth evil. Transgressors of the +first table of the law may now sin openly with impunity; and, while the +religious observation of the sabbath is not regarded, the superstitious +observation of holy-days, even in _Scotland_, is so much authorized, +that on some of them the most considerable courts of justice are +discharged to sit. Stage-plays, masquerades, balls, assemblies, and +promiscuous dancings, the very nurseries of impiety and wickedness, are +not only tolerated, but even countenanced by law. And as these, with +other evils, are permitted by the civil powers; so this church seems to +have lost all zeal against sin. No suitable endeavors are used to +prevent the growth of atheism, idolatry and superstition: and though +Prelacy, as well as Popery, is growing apace in the lands, and organs +publicly used in that superstitious worship; yet no testimony is given +against them, but new modes introduced into the worship of God, for +carnal ends, as a gradual advance toward that superstition. Yea, so +unconcerned about suppressing vice and extravagant vanity, &c, that not +only are the forementioned nurseries of sin frequented by ministers' +children, but ministers themselves have countenanced them by their +presence, to the great scandal of their office, and manifest +encouragement of these seminaries of immorality. And notwithstanding +that by the late proclamation, the penal laws against vice and profanity +seem to be revived (which is in itself so far good), yet this cannot +supersede or remove the ground of the Presbytery's testimony against +church and state complexly, on the above account, or even against the +thing itself, in the manner that it is gone about. For besides that, +notwithstanding of all former endeavors of this kind, since the +overthrow of our scriptural and covenanted reformation, immorality and +wickedness have still increased and overflowed all these banks; partly, +because, after all their pretenses, the laws were not vigorously put in +execution (and as good, no law nor penalty, as no execution), and +partly, because these law-makers, being also themselves the +law-breakers, have entrusted the execution to such as are generally +ringleaders in a variety of gross immoralities; it is not likely, that +ever God will countenance and bless such attempts, whereby (contrary to +scripture and all good order) the ecclesiastical power is subjected to +the civil, and ministers made the bare inspectors of men's manners, and +informers to inferior judges, without having it in their power to oblige +such transgressors (if obstinate) to compear before church judicatories, +and conform and submit to the laws of Christ's house. Nay, so far will +God be from approving such Erastian methods of reformation, that he will +certainly visit for this, among all our other iniquities, and in his own +due time make a breach upon us, because we sought him not in the due +order. Wherefore, and for all these grounds, the Presbytery testify +against both church and state, as in their constitutions Erastian and +anti-scriptural, including the substitution and acknowledgement of +another head and governor over the church than Christ, as may be +sufficiently evident from proofs above adduced. And particularly, +because the British united constitution is such as involves the whole +land, and all ranks therein, in the dreadful guilt of idolatry, +communicating with idolators, apostasy, perjury, &c.[3] They declare +they can have no communion therewith; but that it is such an association +as that God's call to his people, concerning it, is, "Come out from +among them. Be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will +receive you, saith the Lord." + + * * * * * + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART SECOND. + +For as much as a good number of people in the north of _Ireland_ have +acceded, and submitted themselves to the Presbytery, and one of their +number is fixed among them as their proper pastor; the Presbytery +intended to have subjoined something by way of appendix to the above +Testimony, with relation to the state of religion in that kingdom, +especially with regard to the settlement of the presbyterian religion +there. But as diocesan Episcopacy is the religion there established by +law, against which the Presbytery has declared and testified (as above) +as an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted and merely a human and political +settlement (whether considered abstractly or complexly with that in the +kingdom of _Scotland_), there needs nothing be further said anent it. +And as those called Presbyterians in _Ireland_, are equally enemies to +the true covenanted Presbyterian cause with those of the Revolution +Church of _Scotland_; so the above testimony equally strikes against +them with the other. There seems, however, to be this considerable +difference betwixt the Presbyterians in _Scotland_ and _Ireland, viz._, +That although the settlements the same as to the matter of it, yet so it +is not as to the form or manner of it, the Presbyterians in _Ireland_ +neither having, nor claiming any other security or foundation for their +different mode of religious worship than the royal indulgence, or +toleration Act. And therefore, as the Presbytery did and do testify +against toleration, and toleration principles, disclaiming such an +anti-scriptural shelter; they therein, of consequence, bear witness and +testimony against all such as do in these lands (where God has given his +people a claim of another kind) professedly dwell under such a shadow. +But besides, the Presbytery view them (complexly considered) as unworthy +of their regard or notice in these papers, as to engaging in any +particular or explicit testimony against them, in as much as they have +denuded themselves of almost any pretense to the Presbyterian name, by +not only disclaiming and opposing the true Presbyterian cause, but +having also fallen from the belief and profession of the most important +and fundamental truths of Christianity; thereby plainly discovering +themselves to be creatures of quite another species and spirit, than the +ministers of Jesus Christ, and friends to the blessed spiritual +Bridegroom; deserving rather to be termed a synagogue of _Libertines_, a +club of _Socinians, Arians, Pelagians_ &c., banded together against +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross than a synod of the ministers of +the gospel. Therefore, as the presbytery testify and remonstrate against +them, their toleration, or indulgence footing, on which they professedly +stand, together with their poisonous jumble and medley of errors, +commonly called _Newlight_, adopted, and with the greatest warmth and +diligence, spread and propagated by most of them, and connived at and +tolerated by the rest and all their books or prints written by them, or +others of the like spirit with them in defense of these dangerous and +damnable tenets so they do hereby judicially warn and exhort all the +people under their inspection there, to beware of such men, and such +books, however they may varnish over the doctrines they bring, with fine +words fair speeches and pretenses, in order to deceive the hearts of the +simple; and this, as they would not incur the displeasure of a holy and +jealous God, and have their souls defiled and destroyed by these +error's. On the contrary to endeavor to have their minds and +understandings enlightened with the knowledge of the truths of Christ, +and mysteries of his gospel, and their hearts warmed with the love of +them; so that being through grace established in the belief of the +truth, they may not "be as children tossed to and fro, and carried about +with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning +craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" _Eph._ iv, 14, 15. +"But speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him, +which is the Head even Christ;" and striving to refrain and keep +themselves from every wicked, offensive and backsliding course, and to +live soberly, righteously and godly, blameless and harmless as the sons +of God, without rebuke, adorning the gospel of Christ with a +conversation becoming the same; so shall they thereby glorify God, and +transmit a faithful testimony for the despised truths of Christ to +posterity, that so there may be a seed to do service unto him in these +lands, and make his name to be remembered through all generations. + + + + + +PART III. + +The principles of some parties, who have made the most specious +appearances for the Reformation, considered.--Particular grounds of +testimony against that body of ministers and people known by the name of +the Secession, wherein their partiality and unfaithfulness in their +profession of the covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland is +discovered in various instances,--their loose and immoral doctrine about +civil society and government--their corruption in worship, sinful terms +of communion, &c., &c. + + +The Presbytery having in the preceding pages exhibited their testimony +against both church and state, as now established in these isles of the +sea, and therein discovered the reasons, why they are obliged to +disapprove of both, proceed, next, to take notice of some of the parties +that have made the most specious appearances for reformation in this +land since the Revolution, of which that party commonly known by the +name of the _Secession_, are not the least remarkable. It is vast pity, +and it is with grief and lamentation, that the Presbytery find +themselves, in point of duty, obliged to lift up a testimony against the +forementioned party; considering, that they have made a professed +appearance under a judicial banner displayed for truth, and a covenanted +work of reformation, and have, in reality, showed much zeal in opposing +a variety of errors in doctrine, corruption in discipline and +government, most prevalent in the national Church of _Scotland_; have +contributed to vindicate some of the most important truths and doctrines +of the Christian faith, that have been openly impugned in this day of +blasphemy, and may have been instrumental in turning many to +righteousness, and reviving the exercise of practical godliness among +not a few. But as _Paul_ withstood _Peter_ to the face, and testified +against his dissimulation, though both of them apostles of our common +Lord and Savior; so it still remains duty to testify against the most +godly, and such as may have been very useful to the church in many +respects, in so far as they have not showed themselves _earnest +contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints_, but have dealt +treacherously with God in the concerns of his glory. It is therefore +with just regret they proceed to observe, that they are obliged, to +testify against this party designated, first, by the title of _The +Associate Presbytery_ (and then that of _The Associate Synod_)--and that +particularly, for their error in doctrine, treachery in covenant, +partiality and tyranny in discipline and government. It may at first +seem strange, to see a charge of error advanced against those who made +the countenancing of error in the judicatories of the established +church, one principal ground of their secession therefrom. But by taking +a narrower view of the principles and doctrines which they have roundly +and plainly asserted, and endeavored to justify in their printed +pamphlets anent civil government, the reception and belief of which they +zealously inculcate upon their followers, it will appear, that their +scheme is so far from tending to promote the declarative glory of God, +and the real good of human and religious society, or the church of God, +which are the very ends of the divine ordinance of magistracy, that it +is not only unscriptural, but anti-scriptural, contrary to the common +sentiments of mankind, and introductive of anarchy and confusion in +every nation, should it be thoroughly adopted, and therefore ought to be +testified against. The sum of their principles anent civil magistracy, +may be collected from these few passages, to be found in a print +entitled, _Answers by the Associate Presbytery to reasons of dissent, +&c.--Page_ 70. "This divine law, not only endows men in their present +state with a natural inclination to civil society and government, but it +presents unto them an indispensable necessity of erecting the same into +some form, as a moral duty, the obligation and benefit whereof no +wickedness in them can lose or forfeit.--_Page_ 74. Whatever magistrates +any civil state acknowledged, were to be subjected to throughout the +same.--_Page_ 50. Such a measure of these qualifications (viz., +scriptural) and duties cannot be required for the being of the lawful +magistrate's office, either as essential to it, or a condition of it +_sine qua non_: I. It cannot be required as essential thereunto; for +then it would be the same thing with magistracy, which is grossly +absurd, and big with absurdities. In the _next_ place, it cannot be a +condition of it _sine qua non_, or, without which one is not really a +magistrate, however far sustained as such by civil society; for then no +person could be a magistrate, unless he were so faultlessly. The due +measure and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties belong +not to the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the +well-being and usefulness thereof.--_P._ 87. The precepts, already +explained, are a rule of duty toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society. Nothing needs be added +for the clearing of this, but the overthrow of a distinction that has +been made of those that are acknowledged as magistrates by the civil +society, into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as +are so by his providential will only; which distinction is altogether +groundless and absurd: All providential magistrates are also preceptive, +and that equally in the above respect (viz., as to the origin of their +office) the office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does +equally arise from, and agree unto the preceptive will of God.--_P._ +88. The precepts already explained (_Prov._ xxiv, 21; _Eccl._ x, 4; +_Luke_ xx, 25; _Rom._ xiii, 1-8; _Tit._ iii, 1; _1 Pet._ ii, 13-18), are +a rule of duty equally toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society; they are, and continue +to be a rule of duty in this matter, particularly, to all the Lord's +people, in all periods, places, and cases." These few passages, +containing the substance of Seceders' principles on the head of civil +government, may be reduced to the following particulars: 1. They +maintain the people to be the ultimate fountain of magistracy, and that +as they have a right to choose whomsoever they please to the exercise of +civil government over them; so their inclinations, whether good or bad, +constitute a lawful magistrate, without regard had to the divine law. 2. +That the law of God in the scriptures of truth, has no concern with the +institution of civil government, but only adds its precept in forcing +obedience upon the conscience of every individual, under the pain of +eternal damnation, to whomsoever the body politic shall invest with the +civil dignity; and that, without any regard to the qualifications of +person or office. 3. Whomsoever the _primores regni_, or representatives +of a nation, do set up, are lawful magistrates, and that not only +according to the providential, but according to the preceptive will of +God also, in regard that God, the supreme governor, has prescribed no +qualifications in his word, as essential to the being of a lawful +magistrate, nor told what sort of men they must be, that are invested +with that office over his professing people, though it is confessed +there are many that are necessary to the well-being and usefulness of +that office: and therefore, 4. That no act, or even habitual series of +the greatest wickedness and mal-administration can forfeit the person's +right to the people's subjection, for conscience sake, considered as +individuals, while the majority of a nation continue to recognize and +own his authority. The absurdity of this scheme of principles may +obviously appear at first view to every unbiassed mind that is blessed +with any competent measure of common sense and discretion, and tolerable +knowledge of divine revelation. That magistracy is a divine ordinance, +flowing originally from Jehovah, the supreme and universal Sovereign of +Heaven and earth, as the ultimate fountain thereof, cannot be denied. +Neither is it to be doubted, but that the Lord has lodged a power and +right in the people, of choosing and setting up those persons that shall +exercise civil government over them, and to whom they will submit +themselves. But then, while God has lodged this power in the people, of +conveying the right of civil authority to their magistrates, he has at +the same time given them positive and unalterable laws, according to +which they are to proceed, in setting up their magistrates; and, by the +sovereign authority of the Great Lawgiver, are they expressly bound to +act in agreeableness to these rules, without any variation, and that, +under the pain of rebellion against him, who is King of kings, and Lord +of lords. The Presbytery, therefore, testify against this scheme of +Seceding principles, calculated, in order to inculcate a stupid +subjection and obedience to every possessor of regal dignity, at the +expense of trampling upon all the laws of God, respecting the +institution, constitution, and administration of the divine ordinance of +magistracy. Particularly, this opinion is, + +1. Contrary to the very nature of magistracy, as described in the +scriptures of truth, where we are taught, that all authority to be +acknowledged of men, must be of God, and ordained of God. The divine +ordination of magistracy is the alone formal reason of subjection +thereto, and that which makes it a damnable sin to resist. So the +apostle teacheth, _Rom._ xiii, 1, &c.: "There is no power but of God; +the powers that be, are ordained of God." Not only is it the current +sentiment of orthodox divines upon the place, but the text and context +make it undeniably evident, that by _power_ here, is understood, not a +natural, but a moral power, consisting not only in an ability, but in a +right to command. Which power is said to be ordained of God, as +importing, not merely the proceeding of the thing from God +providentially, but such a being from God, as carries in it his +instituting or appointing thereof, by the warrant of his word, law, or +precept. So that that power which is to be owned as of God, includes +these two particulars, without which, no authority can be acknowledged +as God's ordinance, viz., institution and constitution, so as to possess +him, who is God's minister, with a moral power. In the divine +institution of magistracy is contained, not only the appointment of it, +but the defining the office in its qualifications and form, in a moral +sense, prescribing what shall be the end, and what the measure of its +authority, and how the supreme power shall rule and be obeyed. Again, +the constitution of the power, or the determination of the form, and +investiture of the particular person with the government, is of God: +hence our Savior, _John_ x, 35, in his application of these words in the +_Psalms_, "I said, ye are gods," to magistrates, shows how they were +gods, "because unto them the word of God came;" that is, by his word and +warrant he authorized them; his constitution is passed upon them, who +are advanced by men, according to his law in his word. When therefore a +nation acts according to divine rule, in the molding of government, and +advancing of persons to the exercise of it; there the government and +governors may be said to be ordained of God. But that government that is +not consonant to the divine institution, and those governors, that are +not advanced to the place of supreme rule, in a Christian land, by the +people, regulating themselves by the divine law, cannot be said to be +the powers ordained of God. It is not merely the conveying the imperial +dignity by men unto any particular person, that constitutes the power to +be of God; but because, and in so far as this is done by virtue of a +warrant from God and in agreeableness to his law that the action has the +authority of God upon it. + +Hence, if in this matter there is a substantial difference from, or +contrariety to the divine rule, then there is nothing but a +contradiction to God's ordinance: this must needs be granted, unless it +is maintained that God has wholly left the determination of this +ordinance to men, absolutely and unlimitedly, giving them an unbounded +liberty to act therein, according to their own pleasure, which is most +absurd. From the whole, it follows, that more is requisite than the +inclinations of any people, to constitute a lawful magistrate, such as +can be acknowledged God's ordinance. That power which in its institution +and constitution is of God, by his law, can alone challenge subjection, +not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. + +2. The Presbytery testify against this scheme of principles, as being +anti-scriptural, and what, in its tendency, is destructive to the +authority of the sacred oracles. _Seceders_ maintain, that the people, +without regard to scriptural qualifications, have an essential right to +choose whom they please to the exercise of civil government, and that +whomsoever they choose are lawful magistrates; and thus make the great +ordinance of magistracy dependent on the uncertain and corrupt will of +man. But that this annarchical system is not of divine authority, but +owes its origin to their own invention, appears from the following texts +of holy writ, besides others, _Exod._ xviii. 21: "Moreover, thou shalt +provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, +hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers." This +counsel of Jethro, was God's counsel and command to Moses, in the choice +of magistrates, supreme and subordinate; and discovers, that people are +not left to their own will in this matter. It is God's direction, that +the person advanced to rule, must be _a man in whom is the spirit; +Numb._ xxvii, 18; which _Deut._ xxxiv, 9, interprets to be _the spirit +of wisdom_, (i.e.) the spirit of government, fitting and capacitating a +man to discharge the duties of the magistratical office, to the glory of +God and the good of his people; without this, he ought not to be chosen. +_Deut._ i, 13: "Take ye wise men and understanding, and known among your +tribes, and I will make them rulers over you." Here is a precept, +directing the people in their choice: they must not be children nor +fools; if so, they are plagues and punishments, instead of scriptural +magistrates, who are always a blessing. And they must be men of known +integrity and affection to the real welfare of _Israel_, not such as are +known to be haters of, and disaffected to the _Israel_ of God. Again, +the express law of the king, is, that he must be one of the Lord's +chosing; _Deut._ xvii. 14, 15: "When thou art come unto the land which +the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell +therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the +nations about me: thou shalt in anywise set him king over thee, whom the +Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set +king over thee, thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy +brother." Here, though Christians have a right to set a king over them, +yet, it is evident, they are not left at liberty to choose whom they +please, but are, in the most express and positive terms, limited and +circumscribed in their choice to him, whom the Lord their God shall +choose: and this divine choice must certainly be understood (in a large +sense) of a person of such a character, temper of mind, and +qualifications, as God pointed out to them in his law, particularly in +the text before cited (for whatever God's word approves of and chooses, +that God himself chooses). And in the text before, as the person is +further described, both negatively and positively, he must be a brother; +which relation is not to be confined to that of kindred or nation, but +especially respects religion. He must not be a stranger and enemy to the +true religion, but a brother, in respect of a cordial embracing, and +sincere profession (so far as men can judge) of the same cause of +religion, and so one, of whom it may be expected that he will employ his +power and interest to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ. This precept +respects the office, and points at the very deed of constitution, and in +the most positive manner, restricts not only the people of the _Jews_, +but every nation blessed with the light of divine revelation, in their +setting up of civil rulers, pointing forth on whom they may, and on whom +they may not confer this honorable office. The same truth is confirmed +by 2 _Sam._ xxiii, 2, 3, 4: "The spirit of the Lord spake by me--the God +of _Israel_ said,--he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the +fear of God."--So _Job_ xxxiv, 17, 18: "Shall even he that hateth right +govern?--Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye +are ungodly?" In which words, while _Elihu_ is charging _Job_ with +blasphemy, in accusing God of injustice, declaring that if he made God a +hater of right and impeached him of injustice, he did, in effect, +blasphemously deny his government, universal dominion and sovereignty in +the world. It is not only supposed, but strongly asserted and affirmed, +that he that hateth right should not govern. Again, 1 _Cor._ vi, 1, 4, +5: "If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set +them to judge--Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not +one that is able to judge between his brethren?" All these texts, which +are plain, positive, moral precepts, whereby God hath set boundaries +about his own ordinance; that it be not corrupted by men, as they +demonstrate what magistrates ought to be, and prove that they cannot be +of God's ordaining who have not these qualifications: so they evince, +that scriptural qualifications are nothing less necessary and essential +to the being of a lawful scriptural magistrate, than the consent of the +people; and consequently, do sufficiently overturn this anti-scriptural +scheme. _Seceders_ indeed grant, that God hath declared his will, +concerning the choice of magistrates in the above, and such like +precepts; but, from their granting these scriptural qualifications to be +only advantageous to those that have them, and necessary to the +well-being and usefulness of lawful magistrates, and at the same time +denying them to be necessary to the being thereof; it necessarily +follows, as the consequence of their sentiments, that they allow civil +society a negative over the supreme Lawgiver in this matter; and in so +doing, exalt the will and inclination of the creature above the will of +the Creator, which is the very definition of sin. Say they in the +fore-quoted pamphlet, page 80th, "It is manifest, that the due measure +and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties, belong not to +the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the well-being +and usefulness thereof." How easy is it here to turn their own artillery +against themselves, and split their argument with a wedge of its own +timber? For if, as is granted, scriptural qualifications are essential +to the usefulness of the magistrate's office, they must also be +necessary to the being thereof, otherwise it is in itself quite useless. +And if in itself useless, with respect to the great ends thereof, +without the due measure of scriptural qualifications, it cannot then be +the ordinance of God, in regard it must not be supposed, that a God of +infinite wisdom and goodness, who does nothing in vain, has instituted +an ordinance for the good of his people, in subserviency to his glory, +which yet, in itself (as to its being and essence), is useless, and of +no profit nor advantage to them. And as for their comparison of the +magistrate's office to other common and ordinary places and relations +among men, the parallel will not hold, no not for illustration, far less +for a proof of their doctrine. Nor is there any comparison, unless they +can prove, that God in his word has as plainly and positively required +men to be so and so qualified, before it is lawful for them to enter +into, or for others to put them in such places and relations, as he has +done, with regard to magistracy. This is indeed the scope and end of +their whole scheme, to derogate from, degrade and lessen the dignity of +this great ordinance of magistracy, allowing it no more than what is +common to men in general, in other inferior states and ordinary business +of life, alleging, "That these qualifications (which they grant God has +prescribed in his word) are only advantageous to them that have them;" +and that at the hazard of evidently opposing and contradicting the +intention of the Spirit of God, in the above texts of scripture, which +imply a specialty, and particular appropriation to kings and rulers in +their office. + +Again, this principle either, as above said, denies magistracy to be +God's ordinance instituted in his word; or then says, that he hath +instituted ordinances in his revealed will, without prescribing any +qualifications as essential to their being, but entirely left the +constitution of them to the will of man. But how absurd is this, and +derogatory to the glory of God, in all his perfections, who is a God of +order, once to imagine, that he hath set any of his ordinances, either +as to matter or manner, upon the precarious footing of the pure will of +wicked and ungodly men? The smallest acquaintance with divine revelation +will readily convince, that he hath not. It may as well, and with the +same parity of reason, be refused, that there are any qualifications +requisite, as essential to the being and validity of the office of the +ministry, but only necessary to its well-being and usefulness; and +therefore, is as lawful (in its exercise) in the want of these +qualifications, as the ordinance of magistracy is accounted to be. But +how contrary is this to scripture, _Tit._ i, 7, 8; 1 _Tim._ iii, 2, 3, +4, 5, 6, 7, &c. Now, comparing these with the above-cited texts, +respecting the qualifications of magistrates, it appears, that the +qualifications of the magistrate are required in the same express and as +strong terms (if not also somewhat more clearly,) as the qualifications +of the minister; and seeing a holy God hath made no difference, as to +the essentiality of the qualifications pertaining to these distinct +ordinances, it is too much presumption for any creature to attempt doing +it. Both magistrate and minister are, in their different and distinct +spheres, clothed with an equal authority from the law of God,--have +subjection and obedience equally, under the same pains, required to them +respectively, (as _Deut_. xvii. 9 to 13; 2 _Chron_. xix, 5 to 11; _Heb_. +xiii, 17, &c.)--and the qualifications of both, as above, stated and +determined with equal peremptoriness, making them no less essential to +the being and validity of the one than the other. And this being the +case, it is not easy to understand how _Seceders_ will reconcile their +principles anent civil government, with their principle and practice, in +separating from an established church or ministry, whose constitution +they acknowledge to be good; and who being presbyterially ordained, are +also still countenanced by the body of the people. Sure, had they dealt +fairly, honestly and impartially in the matters of God, they would have +acted in this case agreeably to their declared principle, page 79th of +their pamphlet, viz.: "The passages holding forth these qualifications +and duties of magistrates, do not by the remotest hint imply, that, if +in any wise they be deficient in, or make defection from the same, their +authority and commands, even in matters lawful, must not be subjected +unto and obeyed," &c. Certainly, according to this, all the +deficiencies, defections, and mal-administrations in the church, could +never have been a warrantable ground (which yet they make the only +ground) of their separation from her. "But on the contrary," they should +still have continued in communion with her, and subjection to her in +matters lawful, in a way of testifying "against the same, and essaying +their reformation, by all means that were habile for them." _Seceders_ +must either grant, that such was their duty, and so of themselves +condemn their separation as unwarrantable; or else deny, that the +qualifications of the magistrate and minister are required in the same +express terms in scripture; that both are clothed with an equal (though +distinct) authority; and that subjection and obedience are under the +same pains enjoined to both, and consequently say, that it is less +dangerous to cast off, contemn and disregard the authority of a church, +than that of the state; while yet (according to their scheme) civil +authority is entirely resolved into, and depends purely upon the +changeable will of civil society. But, it is presumed, they will allow, +that ecclesiastical authority is derived, and flows from, and depends +entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone, the glorious Judge, Lawgiver, +and King of his church; so that (according to them) this being of a far +more noble extract and original, it must be of far more dangerous +consequence, to contemn and cast off it, than the other. + +Again, as this doctrine gives unto men a negative over the Holy One of +Israel, it also opens a wide door for introducing and enforcing the +cause of deism, already too prevalent: for, if all who are set up by +civil society, however wicked, and void of the qualifications God has +required, while they are acknowledged and submitted to by their +constituents, must be equally regarded as God's ordinance, with those +who have those qualifications; then it will follow, that the corrupt +will of wicked men legitimates the magistrate's office and authority, +not only without, but in contradiction to the preceptive will of God; +and what is this (_absit blasphemia_), but to exalt man above God, in +giving unto the universal Sovereign and Supreme Lawgiver, only a +consultative power in the constitution of magistracy, while it ascribes +unto man an absolute and definitive power, whereby they have power to +receive or reject the law of God (at least respecting magistracy) at +pleasure, and their deed of constitution be equally valid, when +opposite, as when agreeable unto, and founded upon his righteous law. +And sure, by the same reason, that man may take a liberty to dispense +with the authority of God, in one point of his commanding will; he may +also in another, until at last every part of it is rejected. It is but a +contempt of the same authority, and he that offends in one point, is +guilty of all. Such are the absurdities that this their scheme leads to, +though it is hoped the authors do not intend so. It may here be only +necessary further to observe, that among the other desperate shifts +_Seceders_ are driven to in defense of their favorite notion, they say, +that scriptural qualifications cannot be essential to God's ordinance of +magistracy, or necessarily required as a condition of it _sine qua non_; +for then it would be the same thing with magistracy; nor can these +qualifications be the condition (_sine qua non_, or), without which one +could not be a magistrate; for then it would be necessary, that every +one were possessed of them faultlessly, before he could be owned as a +lawful magistrate; either of which they allege would be grossly absurd. +But this plausible and fair-set argument of theirs, if it prove any +thing, will prove more than it is supposed they themselves will grant, +and consequently proves nothing at all. For the same gross absurdity +may, with equal reason, be inferred from a maintaining, that a due +measure and performance of scripture qualifications and duties are +essential to any other of God's ordinances, and so that these are the +ordinance itself. For instance, they might as well reason (as some have +justly observed already), that scriptural qualifications are not +essential to a lawful gospel minister, for then it would be the same +thing with the ministry, itself; nor can it be a condition, without +which one is not really a minister, unless he were so faultlessly. And +thus they have at once stripped, not only all of the race of _Adam_, +that ever exercised that office, but themselves also, of any real +mission, as ministers, unless they have assumed the Pope's +infallibility, and are advanced to the _Moravian_ perfection. So, +although the scripture declares it essential to the true church, that +she hold the head, yet by their childish reasoning, this would infer a +conclusion big with absurdities, even that this qualification of a true +church, is the church itself. And, in like manner, it can no longer be +admitted, that faith in Christ, and holiness, are essential to the being +of a true Christian; for that would be to make faith the same thing with +a Christian, and would infer, that as in heaven only holiness is in +perfection, so there alone Christians are to be found. Upon the whole, +as the Lord has given an indispensable law, respecting the constitution +of kings, showing what conditions and qualifications are required of +them; it undeniably follows, as an established truth, that Christianized +nations must invest none with that office, but in a way agreeable to +that law, and those alone according to scripture, are magistrates of +God's institution, who are in some measure possessed of these +qualifications. It is therefore an anti-scriptural tenet, that nothing +is requisite to constitute a lawful magistrate, but the inclinations and +choice of the civil society. + +3. The Presbytery testify against this system of principles, because it +has a direct tendency to destroy the just and necessary distinction that +ought to be maintained between the perceptive and providential will of +God, and necessarily jumbles and confounds these together, in such a +manner, as a man is left at an utter uncertainty to know when he is +accepted and approven of God in his conduct, and when not. That this is +the scope of their principles, is confessed, p. 87, of their book of +principles: "Nothing needs be added [say they] for the clearing of this, +but the overthrow of a distinction that has been made of those who are +acknowledged as magistrates by civil society, into such as are so by the +preceptive will of God, and such are so by his providential will only; +which distinction is altogether groundless and absurd. It will not be +refused, that all such preceptive magistrates are also providential. +But, moreover, all such providential magistrates are also preceptive. +The office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does equally +arise from, and agrees to the preceptive will of God." A doctrine most +shocking in itself! How strange! that Christians, from any +consideration, will obstinately maintain a favorite opinion, which is +confessedly built upon, and cannot be established but at the expense of +blending and confounding the preceptive and providential will of God, +while the distinction thereof is clearly and inviolably established in +the word of God! Although divine providence, which is an unsearchable +depth, does many times, and, in many cases, serve as a commentary to +open up the hidden mysteries of scripture revelation; yet, where the law +of God in the scriptures of truth is silent, there providence regulates +not, is neither institutive, nor declarative of God's will to be done by +us; and where the said divine law does ordain or deliver a rule to us in +any case, there providence gives no relaxation, allowance or countermand +to the contrary. (See _Gee_ on magistracy, in his excellent discourse on +providence.) That an overthrow of this necessary distinction, for the +sake of the above dangerous scheme, cannot be admitted of, in a +consistency with a due regard to the authority of revealed religion, and +that therefore the right and lawfulness of magistracy is not founded +upon the providential will of God, though they are countenanced and +supported by the majority of a nation, will partly appear from the +following considerations: + +1. If there is no distinction to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, then is providence equally in all respects the +rule of duty, as much as the precept is, and so man should be left at an +utter uncertainty, what is duty, in regard of the opposition that is +many times between providential dispensations and the precept. Nay, then +it is impossible that man can be guilty of sin, in transgressing the +divine will, because God infallibly brings to pass, by his holy and +over-ruling providence, whatever he has decreed by his eternal purpose. +_Rom._ ix, 17. And thus the Jews, in murdering the Son of God, should be +acquitted from the charge of guilt, and could not be said to transgress +the divine will. + +2. If no distinction is to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, but providence is declarative of the precept, +then is providence a complete rule without the written word. And this at +once supersedes the necessity of divine revelation, and derogates from +the sufficiency and perfection of the scriptures of truth. The written +word is affirmed to be _perfect_: _Psal._ xix, 7. Sinners are reproved +for doing that which the word gave no command for, _Jer._ vii, 31, and +xix, 5; and challenged for following the promising appearances: _Isa._ +xxx. 1, 2, 3, 11. It is therefore daring presumption to set up +providence for a rule in opposition to the written law of God. Hence it +must be concluded, either that the preceptive will of God in the +scriptures is imperfect, or the laws therein repealable by providence; +or then that providence cannot be the rule of human actions. + +3. If the distinction between the preceptive and providential will of +God is to be overthrown, then providence must be expressive of God's +approbative ordination, equally as his revealed will is. For, without +this (viz. the divine approbation), there can be no lawful title to what +is possessed. But this is what providence of itself cannot do; it cannot +without the precept discover either God's allowance or disallowance. If +then this distinction is denied, and the providential will of God +asserted to be declarative of his preceptive, and so of his approbative +will; it remains to be manifested, where and how it has been appointed +of God for such an end, an end that is by the Spirit of God denied unto +it: _Eccl._ ix, 1, 2, 4. If this distinction is to be overthrown, then +either the providential will of God, without any regard to the precept, +in every case, and in every sort of tenure, gives a just and lawful +right and title; or God has declared in his word that it shall be so in +the matter of civil government only, viz. that whosoever gains the +ascendancy in the inclinations of the people, by whatever sinful methods +this is obtained, it matters not, and so is by the hand of providence +raised up above all his rivals to the regal dignity, he is the lawful +magistrate, God's ordinance according to his precept. The first cannot +be said; it were impious to suppose it; for that would justify all +robberies and violences, and legitimate every fraud; not the latter, for +where is it to be found in all the book of divine revelation, that God +hath made such a law touching magistracy? But how big with absurdities, +to say, that a holy God has given to man a plain and positive law to be +his governing rule in every particular that concerns him, this of +magistracy only excepted. In this great ordinance he hath wholly left +him to be guided, or rather misled and bewildered by his own corrupt +inclinations: but the contrary of this has been in part discovered, and +may further. 5. If, in order to establish their anti-government scheme, +the foresaid distinction is to be destroyed, and all such as are +providential powers, and acknowledged by man, are also preceptive, and +therefore to be submitted to for conscience sake, then are the kingdoms +of men necessarily obliged to own and submit unto the dominion of the +devil. The devil not only claims to himself the possession of the power +of all the kingdoms of this world, but it is certain that of the most of +them he still retains an actual predominancy, hence styled the god of +this world. Now, it cannot be refused, but that the power he exercises +is providential (or a power of permission); and it is most certain, that +it is with the consent and good will of all the children of men, while +in a natural state. But are men therefore obliged to acknowledge his +authority, or submit to that providential power he maintains over them? +If every providential power is also preceptive, the answer must be given +in the affirmative. The like may be said of the Pope of _Rome_, the +devil's captain-general, to display his hellish banner against the King +of kings, and Lord of lords, with respect to those nations where he is +acknowledged in his diabolical pretensions. It can be to no purpose for +_Seceders_ to allege that the Pope claims a power unlawful in itself, +and therefore cannot be owned, in regard the person whom they make a +pretended acknowledgment of, as their lawful sovereign, is by the act of +his constitution invested with a similar power, a power both civil and +ecclesiastical, and declared to be head of the church, as well as the +state. Nothing, therefore, remains for them, but either to acknowledge +this clear distinction between the providential and preceptive will of +God, or then profess the lawfulness of both the above mentioned powers. +6. If the foresaid distinction is too big with absurdities to be +received, and if the authority of all providential magistrates does +equally arise from, and agree unto the precept, then it would be no sin +to resist the powers ordained of God, provided that providence proves +auspicious and favorable to the rebel, and advances him to the throne, +with the good will of his fellow rebellious subjects, by expelling the +lawful sovereign; at least such resistance could not be determined to be +sinful, until once the event declared, whether providence would +countenance the treasonable attempt or not. Thus what the apostle +declares a damnable sin, _Rom._ xiii, 2, must be justified and made the +foundation of subsequent duty, if patronized by a multitude. This they +evidently maintain, as appears from their declaration of principles, +page 82, where, pretending to obviate some difficulties anent their +principles, arising from the people of God's disowning anti-scriptural +magistrates: "The whole nature of any simple revolt [say they] lies in +breaking off immediately from the civil body, by withdrawing from, or +withdrawing part of their territories; and then it necessarily follows +at the same time, that these revolters break off from the head of the +civil body, without ever denying his authority over the members who +still cleave unto the same." This, in connection with their grand +foundation principle, and the scope of their discourse at the above +citation, discovers that they grant, that if the whole civil society +should reject the authority they had set up (however agreeable it should +have been to the preceptive will of God, and should again set up +another, though never so opposite thereto), their doing so would be +lawful; but it is not lawful for a few to disown any authority (however +wicked and anti-scriptural), unless they can at the same time withdraw +from, or withdraw part of his territories. Nothing can be more absurd +than to say, that a people are bound by the laws of God to give +subjection for conscience sake, and yet at the same time are at liberty +to cast off and reject the same authority at pleasure. If the magistrate +be lawful, it is utterly unlawful to reject him; an attempt to divest +him of his office, power and authority, though carried on by the +_primores regni_, is rebellion against God. It is most ridiculous to +allege, that a people considered as a body politic, are not under the +same obligation to their rightful sovereign, as when they are considered +as individuals, but may lawfully reject him, and set up another, if they +please; so that he who one day is God's minister, next day hath no title +to that office, but if he claim it, must be treated as a traitor, +whereby all security that can possibly be given to the most lawful +magistrate, is at once destroyed. Thus, if the Chevalier had succeeded +in his late attempt, had gained the favor of the _primores regni_, and +thereby mounted the _British_ throne; _Seceders_ must then, of +necessity, either have quit their present principles, or then have +subjected to his yoke for conscience sake, under the pain of eternal +damnation. His being a professed Papist, and enslaved vassal of _Rome_, +could not have warranted them to leave their place of subjection to him +while owned by the civil society, and so they must have treated the +present powers as usurpers and enemies to government, though they now +flatter them with the pretensions of an ill-grounded loyalty. Again, how +absurd and self contradictory to grant, that a minor part may not only +revolt, but also withdraw part of a prince's territories; and yet that +the same party may not, when residing in the nation, refuse to +acknowledge the lawfulness of an anti-scriptural power. This is to say, +that people are no longer obliged to submit to authority, than they are +in capacity to withdraw from, or withdraw part of their prince's +territories from him, and so to justify their rebellion, by that which +can only be a terrible aggravation of their sin. These, with a number of +other absurdities, natively flow from a denial of the distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God, making the title of +the lawful magistrate depend solely upon the will of the people. Nothing +is more evident than this, that if the inclinations of the people, +exclusive of all other qualifications, constitute a lawful magistrate, +then (though he rules ever so agreeable to God's preceptive will), so +soon as this body (though in a most unjust and tyrannical manner) casts +him off, he that moment for ever loses all title and claim to the +office, and can no longer be regarded as a lawful magistrate. A +principle that in its nature and tendency is introductive of all anarchy +and confusion, and with the greatest propriety deserves the encomium of +the _anti-government scheme_. + +7. This anarchical system of principles, which destroys the above just +and necessary distinction, is directly in opposition to the laudable and +almost universal practice of all nations, in ordaining and enacting +certain fundamental laws, constitutions and provisos, whereby the throne +is fenced, the way to it limited, and the property thereof predisposed. +The Scripture sufficiently discovers those restrictions and rules, which +God himself has prescribed and laid down, for directing and determining +of his people's procedure about the erection of magistrates. And profane +history abounds in discovering certain fundamental laws and conditions +to take place, almost in every nation, without conforming to which, none +can be admitted to that dignity over them. But to what purpose are any +such laws and constitutions, if this vague principle is once admitted, +which cancels and disannuls all such provisos and acts? Why should +_Moses_ have been so solicitous about his successor in the government of +_Israel, Numb._ xxvii, 15-17, if God had ordained the inclinations of +the people alone should determine? Or to what purpose did _Israel_, +after the death of _Joshua_, ask of God, who should be their leader, if +their own inclinations alone were sufficient to determine it? If God has +declared, that the corrupt will of the people is the alone basis of +civil power, then, not only are all state constitutions and fundamental +laws useless, because, on every vacancy of the throne, they not only +must all give place to the superior obligation, the incontrollable law, +of the uncertain inclinations of the body politic, but they are in their +nature unlawful; their proper use in every nation being to prevent all +invasion upon the government by unqualified persons, and to illegitimate +it, if at any time done. So that, if the consent of civil society is the +only essential condition of government which God has authorized, not +only are all scriptural conditions and qualifications useless and +unlawful, but also all human securities, either from intruders or for +lawful governors, are unlawful, in regard the very design of them all is +to oppose this grand foundation principle, the jure-divinity of which +_Seceders_ have found out, and do confidently maintain. And thus, by the +seceding scheme, is condemned, not only the practice of almost all other +nations, determining by law, some indispensable qualifications that +their rulers must have; but particularly the practice of these once +reformed lands, when reformation had the sanction, not only of +ecclesiastic, but also of civil, authority, is hereby condemned. +Scripture and covenant qualifications were then made essential to the +being of a lawful magistrate, by the fundamental laws and constitutions +of the nations; so that however the inclinations of the people might run +(as it soon appeared they were turned in opposition to these), yet, by +these laws, and in a consistency with that constitution, none could be +admitted to the place or places of civil authority, but such as +professed, and outwardly practiced, according to reformation principles. +See _Act_ 15th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1649. And how happy we had been, if +we had constantly acted in conformity to these agreeable laws, +experience, both former and latter, will bear witness. How much better +had it been for us to have walked in God's statutes, and executed his +judgments, than by our abhorrence of them, and apostasy from them, to +provoke him to give us statutes that are not good, and judgments whereby +we cannot live (_Ezek._ xx, 25), or have any comfortable enjoyment and +possession of the blessings and privileges of his everlasting gospel, as +it is with us at this day. And yet, this is what _Seceders_ would have +us caressing, embracing and (with them) blessing God for, under the +notion of a present good; and so bless God for permitting his enemies +(in anger against an ungrateful and guilty people) to overturn his work +and interest, and establish themselves upon the ruins thereof; to bless +him for making our own iniquities to correct us, and our backslidings to +reprove us, until we know what an evil and bitter thing it is to depart +from the LORD GOD of our fathers; to bless him (for what is matter of +lamentation) that the adversaries of _Zion_ are the chief, and her +enemies prosper, _Lam._ i, 5: and all this abstractly, under the notion, +of good, which comes very near the borders of blasphemy. + +But, moreover, the civil settlement at the revolution is also condemned +by this principle of theirs; not because of its opposition to a +covenanted reformation, but in regard it includes some essential +qualifications required in the supreme civil ruler. The nations are, by +that deed of constitution, bound up in their election of a magistrate; +and all Papists, such as marry with Papists, or do not publicly profess +the Protestant religion, are declared incapable of the throne. So that +we see the present law makes some other qualifications, besides the +consent of the body politic, essential to the constitution of a lawful +sovereign in _Britain_. From all which it is plain, that this principle +of _Seceders_ is neither a reformation nor a revolution principle; let +then the impartial world judge whence it came. + +_Seceders_, in consequence of their contradictory and self-inconsistent +system of principles, declare they cannot swear allegiance to a lawful +government. They maintain the present to be lawful, yet (in Dec. of +their principles, _page_ 55th) they say, "The question is not whether it +be lawful for us to swear the present allegiance to the civil +government, which the Presbytery acknowledge they cannot do, seeing +there are no oaths to the government in being, but what exclude the oath +of our covenants, and homologate the united constitution." But seeing +they acknowledge that every constitution of government, that comprehends +the will and consent of civil society, were it as wicked and diabolical +as can be imagined, is lawful--yea, as lawful as any that is most +consonant to the preceptive will of God, having all the essentials of +his ordinance; and seeing, because of the will and consent of the +people, they own the present to be lawful, it is most surprising why +they cannot swear allegiance to it; their reasons cannot, in a +consistency with their principle, be sustained as valid. That the +present oaths of allegiance and the oath of the covenants are +inconsistent, is readily granted; but seeing the oaths of allegiance +bind to nothing more than what they confess they are bound to for +conscience sake, namely, to own the lawfulness of the government, and to +maintain it according to the constitution thereof (which is a duty owed +by subjects to every lawful sovereign); and seeing that whatever is in +the oaths of allegiance contrary to the covenants, does not flow from +them, abstractly considered, but from the constitution to which they +bind (which constitution is sanctified by the people's acknowledgement +of it). If, therefore, the covenants forbid a duty, to which they are +bound for conscience sake, their authority in that ought not to be +regarded. + +But certainly _Seceders_, who have found it duty to alter and model the +covenants, according to the circumstances of the times they live in, +might have found it easy work to reconcile the oath of the covenants +with allegiance to a lawful government. The other part of their reason +is no less ridiculous and self-contradictory, viz., "They cannot swear +allegiance to the present government, because it homologates the united +constitution." But is not this constitution according to the will, and +by consent of, the body politic? and is it not ordained by the +providential will of God? therefore, according to them, has all the +essentials of a lawful constitution, which claims their protection, +under pain of damnation. How great the paradox! they cannot swear +allegiance, because they would bind them to acknowledge and defend a +lawful constitution. Is not active obedience, is not professed +subjection for conscience sake, an homologation of the constitution? +Certainly they are, and that not in word only, but in deed and in truth. +And what is the allegiance, but a promise to persevere in what they do +daily, and what they hold as their indispensable duty to do? To grant +the one, then, and refuse the other, is, in effect, to homologate or +acknowledge the constitution, and not to acknowledge it, at the same +time, which is a glaring absurdity. + +But here, they would have people attend to their chimerical distinction +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority. They have made a +successless attempt (in order to establish their antigovernment scheme) +for the overthrow of a distinction, which Heaven has irreversibly fixed, +between the preceptive and providential will of God; and, for the same +purpose, they will impose this distinction on the generation--a mere +shift and artifice, which has no foundation nor subsistence any where +else, but in their imagination, and serves for no purpose but to cheat +their own and others' consciences, and betray the cause of God. It is +plain, that as a power, both civil and ecclesiastical, belongs to the +essence and constitution of an English diocesan bishop, so the same is +declared to belong now to the essence and constitution of an English +king, who is the head and chief prelate among them all; and it is their +manner to call themselves his bishops (not Christ's), as having their +power, both ecclesiastical and civil, immediately from him, as the +fountain of all power within his dominions So that there is no room for +this distinction of _Seceders_ here, unless they are such expert +logicians, as to distinguish a thing from that which is essential to it, +and so from itself; but this is a destruction, not a distinction. +_Seceders_ indeed presume and depend very much upon their abilities of +this kind; for they can distinguish between the magistrate's office and +its essential qualifications, which God has inseparably joined together +in his word. They can distinctly pray for the head, author, authorizer +and prime supporter, of abjured Prelacy and Prelates, that God would +bless him in his government, and yet not pray for the Prelates +themselves. They can pray very fervently and distinctly for the British +and Irish parliaments, and yet not at all pray for the bishops, +necessary and essential members there. And what is all this but to pray +for a nonentity, a mere creature of their own mind? They have neither +king nor parliament in their abstracted and imaginary sense, but do +clearly distinguish themselves out of both. We might refer them to that +famous and faithful embassador, and renowned martyr for the cause and +testimony of Jesus, Mr. _Donald Cargill_, in his last speech and +testimony, and let him determine the controversy (in this particular) +between us. They will not be so bold as to say, that this honorable +witness died with a lie in his right hand. His words are these: "As to +the cause of my suffering, the main is, not acknowledging the present +authority as it is now established. This is the magistracy I have +rejected, that was invested with Christ's power; and seeing that power +taken from Christ, which is his glory, and made the essential of the +crown, I thought it was as if I had seen one wearing my husband's +clothes, after he had killed him. And seeing it is made the essential of +the crown, there is no distinction we can make, that can free the +conscience of the acknowledger from being a partaker of this +sacrilegious robbing of God. And it is but to cheat our conscience, to +acknowledge the civil power, for it is not the civil power only, that is +made the essential of the crown. And seeing they are so express, we must +be plain; for otherwise, it is to deny our testimony, and consent to his +robbery." From these words it is evident, _first_, that Mr. Cargill was +no _Seceder_, or of their mind, in this particular; and _second_, that, +at the time, there were some who did cheat and impose upon their own +consciences, by distinguishing (where there was no room for distinction) +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority--which distinction +was condemned and testified against by all who were truly faithful to +Christ and their own consciences, and tender of his honor and glory, by +their unanimous rejection of that anti-christian and unlawful power; and +that when they had much more reason and temptation to fly to such a +subterfuge for their safety, than _Seceders_ now have. And, _third_, +from these words it is also clear, that Mr. _Cargill_ and that poor, +distressed and persecuted people that adhered to him, rejected and +disclaimed the then authority, not so much because of their tyranny and +mal-administrations, as on account of the unlawfulness and wickedness of +the constitution itself (which was the prime original and spring of all +the wickedness in the administration), namely, because the king +arrogantly and sacrilegiously assumed to himself that power, which was +the sole and glorious prerogative of Jesus Christ. And as to the +difference that _Seceders_ make between that and the present time (since +the revolution), it is certain, that whatever greater degree of absolute +supremacy was then assumed by _Charles_ II, it does not vary the kind of +that claimed, or rather conferred on and exercised, by the supreme +powers, since the revolution (for _majus et minus non variant speciem_), +nor acquit them of the guilt of robbing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, of +his incommunicable prerogative and supremacy in and over his church, as +the only king and head thereof. Nor will the difference of times, while +the constitution remains the same, while God remains the same, and truth +and duty remain the same, nor yet any distinction that can be made, free +the conscience of the acknowledger, more now than then, from being a +partaker (art and part) with the civil power, in this sacrilegious +robbery. _Psal._ l, 18: "When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst +with him," &c. + +But passing this: seeing the above mentioned reasons, which _Seceders_ +allege why they cannot swear allegiance to the present government, which +they assert is lawful and scriptural, cannot be sustained, some others +must be sought for them: and they may be either, because they judge +allegiance itself unlawful; or rather, because then they would be bound +by oath to continue faithful to this government in all changes that can +happen. Whereas now, they are free, and equally ready, in a full +consistency with their principles, to profess their subjection to +another, were it even a popish pretender. For according, to them, an +infidel or papist may have a just and lawful authority over us, +notwithstanding all, both the reformation and revolution laws, to the +contrary. If, therefore, the legislature would, in the oaths of +allegiance, insert this limitation, viz. so long as the body politic is +pleased to acknowledge the supreme magistrate, they would find it easier +to come over their other pretended and inconsistent difficulties. For +the truth is, they cannot, in a consistency with their anti-government +scheme, and with safe consciences, swear to any government, but with +such limitation, in regard they cannot be sure, but he that is now owned +by civil society may be rejected, and another set up, who must be +acknowledged. So they would be brought into an inextricable dilemma; +either they must own them both to be God's ordinance, which is absurd; +or then be perjured, by rejecting him to whom they had sworn; or then +incur damnation, by refusing obedience to him, who is set up by the body +politic. Such is the labyrinth of confusion and contradiction this +anarchical system leads into; a system that cancels all constitutions by +God and men anent civil government. + +8. This anti-government Seceding principle, destructive of said +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, is both +contrary to, and confuted by many approven scriptural examples; in which +the Spirit of God testifies, that the actual possession of the throne, +under the favor of providence, and by the consent of a majority of a +nation, may be in one, while the moral power and right of government is +in another. The word of God acknowledges _David_ the rightful sovereign +over all _Israel_, for the space of forty years (1 Kings, ii, 11; 1 +Chron. xxix, 26, 27); seven of these he is said to have reigned in +_Hebron_, and thirty-three in _Jerusalem_. During the first seven years +of his reign at _Hebron_, there is a positive confinement of his actual +rule to the tribe of _Judah_ only; 2 Sam. v, 5. And at the same time, +_Ishbosheth_ is said to be made king over all _Israel_, and to have +reigned two years. In agreeableness to Seceding principles, there is no +reconciling these different texts. According to their scheme _David_ can +with no propriety be said to have reigned forty years over all _Israel_, +seeing seven of the years were elapsed before he was actually +acknowledged by all _Israel_, before providence put him in the actual +possession of all that extensive power. There is another known example, +applicable to the present purpose, in the instance of _David_, during +the rebellion of his unnatural son _Absalom_. According to the sacred +story, 2 Sam. chap, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, it appears, that he was +wholly ejected, both out of the hearts and territories of _Israel_, and +not only the throne, but the will and consent of the people given up to +_Absalom_. But was _David_ therefore divested of his right and title? +Though it is most contrary to scripture to suppose it; yet, according to +_Seceders_, seeing _Absalom_ was king, by possession of the throne, and +had not only the power providentially put into his hand, but had it also +by the consent of the people; it necessarily follows that _Absalom_, +being a providential magistrate, his office and authority did equally +arise from, and agree to the preceptive will of God, and subjection and +obedience, for conscience sake, was equally due to him, as to _David_, +by the _Israelitish_ tribes. And so it was a damnable sin in _David_ to +fight against him, as it could be no less than a resisting the ordinance +of God. The same may be said with respect to that other revolt, by the +instigation, and under the conduct of _Sheba_; 2 Sam. chap. xx. But +although, according to _Seceders_, he must also have been their lawful +magistrate, the Spirit of God discovers the reverse, still acknowledging +the right of government in all these changes to be in _David_. Another +example is in the case of _Solomon_, who was ordained or designed by God +expressly for the kingdom of _Israel_. _Adonijah_ had obtained the +ascendancy, both in respect of actual possession, and the inclinations +and consent of the majority of the nation; the consent was general; 1 +Kings, i, 5, 7, 9, 11, 18, 25, and ii, 15. He had all to plead for +himself, which _Seceders_ make essential to the constitution of a lawful +king. He had got to the throne by providence, and had full admission and +possession, by the inclinations of the people. If then there is no +distinction to be made of those who are acknowledged by civil society, +into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as are so by +his providential will only--then _Solomon_ had no right nor title to the +crown; and the enterprise of _David_ and _Nathan_, &c., of setting him +on the throne, was utterly unlawful. Both they and _Solomon_ ought to +have acquiesced in the duty of subjection to _Adonijah_, as being the +ordinance of God. But this would have been opposite to the express +direction of the Lord, appointing the kingdom to _Solomon_, "It was his +from the Lord," as _Adonijah_ himself confessed. To the same purpose +might be adduced, the instance of _Joash_, the son of _Akaziah_, who was +king _de jure_, even when _Athaliah_ had not only the countenance of +providence, but the consent of the people, in the possession of the +kingdom; 2 Chron. xxii, 10, 12. Again, the practice of nations, in +owning those for their lawful sovereigns, who, by providence, were put +from the actual exercise of their rule and authority, contributes to +confute this absurd notion. Thus, the people of _Israel_, who had risen +up for _Absalom_, do even, when _David_ was out of the land, own him for +their king. So, during the _Babylonish_ captivity, there are several +persons noted as princes of _Judah_, whom the people owned, as having +the right of government over them. With a variety of other instances, +all discovering, in opposition to their anarchical system, that it is +not by the dispensations of providence, that the right and title of the +lawful magistrate is to be determined. Moreover, as the Associate +Presbytery have so barefacedly belied the scriptures of truth, as to +assert that there cannot be so much as an instance found in all the +history of the Old Testament, of any civil members refusing, either by +word or deed, an acknowledgment of, or subjection unto the authority of +any magistrate actually in office, by the will of the civil body: +besides what have been already adduced, take these few following +examples of many. After that _Saul_, by his disobedience to the +commandment of the Lord, had forfeited his title to the kingdom, he was +no more honored as king, by _Samuel_, the prophet; but, on the contrary, +he openly testified to his face, that the Lord had rejected him from +being king; 1 Sam. xv, 26-35. Though he mourned over him as one +rejected, yet he no more acknowledged him as clothed with the authority +as a lawful king; nay, the Lord having rejected him, reproves his +prophet for mourning for him, 1 Sam. xvi, 1. From which, and the command +he received to anoint _David_ in his stead, and that even while the +civil society did acknowledge, and was subject unto _Saul_, it appears, +that the throne of _Israel_ was then regarded, both by the Lord and his +prophet, as vacant, until _David_ was annointed; from which time, in the +eye of the divine law, he was the rightful king, and ought, in +consequence of the public intimation made by the prophet of _Saul's_ +rejection, to have been acknowledged as the Lord's Anointed by the whole +kingdom of _Israel_. In agreeableness whereto, the scripture informs, +that not only _David_ in expectation of the Lord's promise, resisted +_Saul_ as an unjust usurper, but many among the tribes of _Israel_, whom +the Spirit of God honorably mentions, rejected the government of _Saul_, +and joined themselves to him that was really anointed of the Lord; 1 +Chron. xii, 1-23. Now, if the Lord did command, under pain of damnation, +to give loyal obedience to all in the place of supreme authority, +however wicked, while acknowledged by the body politic, he would not +reject such, nor command to set up others in their room, nor approve of +those who disowned and resisted them. But all this is done in this +instance, which of itself, is sufficient to overthrow their scheme. +Another instance is in 2 Chron. xi, 13, 16, where the authority of +_Jeroboam_ is rejected and cast off, even when acknowledged and +submitted to by the nation of _Israel_, by the priests and _Levites_, +and after them, by all such as did set their hearts to seek the Lord God +of _Israel_, through all the ten tribes; and this, because of his +abominable wickedness. Whereby it appears a commendable duty to refuse +the lawfulness of the authority of wicked occupants, though acknowledged +by the majority of a nation. A similar example there is in the reign of +_Baasha_, who could not by all his vigilance prevent many from casting +off his government; 2 Chron. xv, 9. Again, there is an express example +of _Elisha's_ disowning the king of _Israel_, even when the civil +society owned him; 2 Kings, iii, 14, 15. He did not regulate his conduct +by providence, and the will of the people, but, in opposition to both, +refused him that honor that is due to all that are really kings. To +these may be added that notable example of _Libnah_, a city of the +priests, who could not but have knowledge by the law of their God what +was their duty; 2 Chron. xxi, 10. Here is an instance of a people's +casting off allegiance to a king, properly because of his apostasy and +intolerable wickedness, whereby they bore testimony against him, and +discovered what was the duty of the whole nation, on account of his +apostasy from the Lord. Their so doing was a most positive, actual and +express condemnation, both of _Jehoram_ for his wickedness, and of the +people for concurring, joining with him, and strengthening his hands in +it (even as _Noah_ by his faith and obedience is said to have condemned +the antediluvian world; Heb. ix, 7.) And this their conduct and +testimony the Spirit of God justifies, and records to their honor. These +few of many that might be adduced, declare the impudence, as well as +fallacy and imposture of _Seceders_ in this matter, and also justify the +principles which they maliciously nick-name the anti-government scheme; +and that for no other reason, but because it establishes the ordinance +of magistracy among a people favored by God with divine revelation, upon +his preceptive will, in opposition to their anarchical notions of +setting it wholly upon the tottering basis of the corrupt will of man. +And, to conclude this particular, how ridiculously absurd is it in them +to insinuate, that, in the examples above, or others to be found in +sacred history, those persons did, notwithstanding their own practice in +rejecting the authority of wicked rulers, still view it as the duty of +the rest of the nation, to acknowledge them? This is pure jargon and +nonsense, contrary both to reason and religion. By what law could the +opposite practices of those that disowned, and those that still +continued to own the authority of unlawful rulers, be justified? It +could not by the divine law, which never condemns that as sin in one, +which it approves as duty in others in the same circumstances. Seeing +therefore these, in the instances above, are justified, the practice of +those who continued to acknowledge the lawfulness of these wicked +rulers, must be regarded as condemned, both by the divine law, and also +by the practices of the above persons, which do all jointly concur in +witnessing, that they viewed it the duty of all the rest of the nation, +to have done as they did. And from the whole, it appears a commendable +duty for the Lord's people to disown the right and lawfulness of rulers +set up in contradiction to the divine law. + +9. The iniquity of attempting to destroy the necessary distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God in the matter of +magistracy, appears from God's express disallowance of some whom +providence had actually exalted to the supreme command over a people; +_Ezek._ xxi, 27: "I will overturn, &c." Although this may have an +ultimate respect to Christ, yet it has also a reference to the rightful +governors of _Judah_, when disposessed of their right by the +providential will of God. And here the Lord threatens the execution of +his judgments upon the unjust possessor. See also _Amos_ vi, 13; _Hab._ +ii, 5, 6; _Nah._ iii, 4, 5; and _Matth._ xxvi, 52. By all which it +appears, that the supreme lawgiver states a real difference between +those who are only exalted by the providential will of GOD, and not +authorized by his preceptive will; and therefore it is impossible that +the office and authority of them both can equally arise from, and agree +to the precept. Again, in _Hos._ viii, 4, "They have set up kings, but +not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not," is this +distinction showed, as with the brightness of a sun-beam, so that he +that runs may read it. The LORD by his prophet here charges this people +with horrid apostasy, in changing both the ordinances of the magistracy +and the ministry, particularly, although the LORD commanded, if they +would set up kings, they should set up none but whom he chose; _Deut._ +xvii, 15. Yet they had no regard to his law. This charge seems to have +respect to the civil constitution among the ten tribes after their +revolt from the house of David; not simply charging their revolt on +them, but that after their secession, they did not consult GOD, nor act +according to his precept, in their setting up of kings. As nothing can +happen in the world, but by the course of providence; and as all things +are known unto GOD, in respect of his omniscience, the text cannot +respect either of these. The true import of the charge then is, they +have set up kings, but not according to the law and preceptive will of +GOD; and therefore he neither did nor would approve either them or their +kings. Hence the prophet charges this as one cause of their national +destruction. Here then it is undeniably evident that GOD himself +establishes that distinction pleaded for; and it is therefore most +wicked to assert, as _Seceders_ do, that it is altogether groundless and +absurd. Again, this text discovers, that all kings that are set up and +acknowledged by civil society, are not agreeable to the preceptive will +of GOD, or, as such, approven by him, as they have falsely asserted: for +here the LORD declares, that _Israel_ had set up kings that were not +agreeable to his precept: and the charge respects their authority, the +very deed of constitution. To say then, that all providential +magistrates are also preceptive, is directly to give the GOD of truth +the lie. Moreover, this plainly intimates, that all such providential +magistrates as are not set up in agreeableness to the precept; are +disallowed and condemned by GOD, and therefore GOD commands to put away +the carcasses of such kings, as, because of the blind consent of civil +society, were little better than adored by the people, _Ezek_. xliii, 9, +"that he might dwell in the midst of them forever;" and therefore he +declares it the sin, and so the cause of the people's ruin, as in the +above text: and also in _Hos._ v, 11, "_Ephraim_ is oppressed;" because +he willingly walked after the commandment, deliberately and implicitly +followed every wicked ruler set up by civil society. It is but a +perverting and abusing the above text, to plead that it is only a +condemnation of _Israel_, for not consulting the LORD in making choice +of their kings, but no condemnation of them for setting them up, and +acknowledging them, in contradiction to the LORD'S choice, as plainly +laid before them in his preceptive will. And it is very contradictory, +to acknowledge it a sin, not to consult God, and yet to assert that it +is a matter of indifference as to the validity of their office, whether +his counsel be followed or not, which it must be, if, as their principle +bears, the being of the magistrate's office and authority is equally +good and valid, when contrary, as when agreeable to the commanding will +of God. But if, as is granted, it be a sin not to consult God in the +choice of magistrates, it must needs be a great aggravation thereof, +after consulting him, to reject and contemn his counsel, and openly +contradict his positive command, by constituting kings in opposition to +his declared will, which is evidently the sin charged upon _Israel_, and +the reason why he disclaims all such; and therefore, according to that +known and approven rule, that wherever any sin is forbidden and +condemned in scripture, there the contrary duty is commanded and +commended; it follows, that the setting up of rulers, in opposition to +the express command of God, being here condemned, the contrary duty is +commended, namely, a disowning of all such rulers; for, if it be a sin +to set up rulers, and not by God, it must also be a sin to acknowledge +them when so set up, in regard it is a continuing in, and approving of +the sin of that wicked erection; although such an acknowledgment may +indeed be agreeable to their principle, which gives to the creature a +prerogative above the Creator. From the whole it may already appear, +what reason the Presbytery have for testifying against _Seceders_, for +maintaining such a corrupt doctrine; a doctrine, which they very justly +acknowledge (p. 87) cannot be established, but by the overthrow of this +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God; a +distinction, that as they shall never be able to overturn by all their +impotent and impious attacks: so it will to all ages stand as a strong +bulwark, inviolably defending the truth here contended for by the +Presbytery. + +4. The Presbytery testify against this anti-government principle of the +_Secession_, as being contradictory to, and inconsistent with the +reformation principles, and covenanted obligations, whereby these +nations, in agreeableness to the law of God, bound themselves to +maintain all the ordinances of God in their purity, according to their +original institution in the scriptures of truth. The Seceding scheme (as +has been noticed formerly) is, that whomsoever the bulk of the nation, +or body politic, set up, and providence proves auspicious and favorable +to, is the lawful magistrate, to be owned and submitted to for +conscience sake. The inconsistency of which tenet with reformation +principles, may appear from viewing and comparing therewith the +coronation oath, _James VI, Parl._ 1, _cap._ 8, where it is ordained as +a condition _sine qua non_, that all kings, princes, and magistrates, +shall at their installment solemnly swear to maintain the true religion +of Jesus Christ, and oppose all false religions. So also _James VI, +Parl. 1, cap._ 9th, which ordains, that no person may be a judge or +member of any court that professes not the true religion. Also _Charles +I_, _Parl._ 2, _sess_ 2d, _Act._ 14, it is ordained, that before the +king be admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall give +satisfaction to the kingdom anent the security of religion: and so the +same parliament, _Act_ 15th, 1649, express themselves (referring to the +coronation oath above mentioned): "The estates of parliament judging it +necessary, that the prince and people be of one perfect religion, +appoint, that all kings and princes, who shall reign or bear rule within +this realm, shall at the receipt of their princely authority, solemnly +swear to observe in their own persons, and to preserve the religion, as +it is presently established and professed. And they ordain, that before +the king's majesty who now is, or any of his successors, shall be +admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall, by and attour the +foresaid oath, declare by his solemn oath, under his hand and seal, his +allowance of the National Covenant, and of the Solemn League and +Covenant, and obligation to prosecute the ends thereof in his station +and calling; and that he shall consent, and agree to acts of parliament, +enjoining the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully establishing +Presbyterian government, the Directory for worship, Confession of Faith, +and Catechisms approved by the General Assembly of this kirk, and +parliament of this kingdom--and that he shall observe these in his own +practice and family,--and shall never make opposition to any of these, +or endeavor any change thereof. Likeas, the estates of parliament +discharge all the lieges and subjects of this kingdom to procure or +receive from his majesty any commissions or gifts whatsoever, until his +majesty shall give satisfaction, as said is, under the pain of being +censured in their persons and estates, as the parliament shall judge +fitting. And if any such commissions or gifts be procured or received by +any of the subjects before such satisfaction, the parliament declares +and ordains all such and all that shall follow thereupon, to be void and +null." And the same session, _Act_ 26th, it is in short ordained, that +none shall bear any place of public trust in the nation, but such as +have the qualifications God requires in his word. Thus, in the prefatory +part of the act, they say, "The estates of parliament taking into +consideration, that the Lord our God requires that such as bear charge +among his people, should be able men, fearing God, hating covetousness, +and dealing truly: and that many of the evils of sin and punishment, +under which the land groans, have come to pass, because hitherto they +have not been sufficiently provided and cared for," &c. (And afterward +in the statutory part), "Do therefore ordain, that all such as shall be +employed in any place of power and trust in this kingdom, shall not only +be able men, but men of known affection unto, and of approved fidelity +and integrity in the cause of God, and of a blameless Christian +conversation," &c. To the same purpose, _Act_ 11th, _Parl._ 2d, _Sess._ +3d, entitled _act for purging the army_. See also the coronation oath, +of _Scotland_, as subscribed by _Charles II_, at _Scoon_, 1650. All +which, and many other fundamental laws of the like nature, made in time +of reformation, show the principles of our reformers to have been quite +different from those of _Seceders_ anent civil government: and that to +constitute lawful magistrates, they must of necessity have scriptural +and covenant qualifications, besides the consent of the people. With +what face then can they pretend to have adopted a testimony for +reformation principles, and to be of the same principles with our late +reformers? The vanity of this pretense will further appear, by comparing +their principles with the Solemn League and Covenant, with every article +of which they are inconsistent. They profess the moral obligation of the +covenants, and yet at the same time maintain the lawfulness of every +providential government, whether popish or prelatic, if set up by the +body politic. But how opposite this to the _first_ article, obliging +constantly to endeavor the preservation of the reformed religion? Can it +be consistent therewith, to commit the government of the nations to a +sworn enemy to the reformation? or, with that sincerity which becomes +the professors of Christ, to plead the lawfulness of an authority raised +upon the overthrow of the reformed religion? No less opposite is it to +the _second_ article, which obliges, and that without respect of +persons, to endeavor the extirpation of popery, prelacy--to maintain and +plead for the lawfulness of that which establishes or supports prelacy +or popery in the nations. This appears rather like a sincere endeavor in +them to promote whatever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of +true godliness; and that, because an apostate people approves thereof, +contrary to _Exod._ xxiii, 2: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do +evil." Again, the _third_ article binds to preserve the rights of +parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms, and the king's authority +in the preservation and defense of the true religion. But how +inconsistent is it therewith, to own and defend an authority that in its +constitution and habitual series of administration, is destructive of +all these precious and valuable interests? It is full of contradiction, +and a mocking both of God and the world, to pretend to own and defend +the destroyers of the true religion, in the defense of religion, as +_Seceders_ do in their mock acknowledgment of such as are sworn to +maintain Prelacy, in opposition to the reformed religion. The +contradictoriness of this principle of theirs to the _fourth_ article, +needs no illustration. Again, the owning of an authority, which is +reared up and stands upon the footing of the destruction of the +covenanted union, and uniformity of the nations in religion can never be +consistent with the _fifth_, article, which binds, to an endeavoring, +that these kingdoms may remain conjoined in that firm covenanted union +to all posterity. In like manner, as the _sixth_ article obliges to a +defending of all that enter into that League and Covenant, and never to +suffer ourselves to be divided, and make defection to the contrary part; +it must be a manifest contradiction thereto, not only to defend such as +are enemies to that covenant, but even in their opposition thereto. And +it is a making defection to the contrary part, and from that cause and +covenant with a witness, to plead the lawfulness of the national +constitution, which is established upon the ruins of a covenanted work +of reformation, as _Seceders_ do; whose principle and practice, in +opposition to what is professed in the conclusion of the covenant, as +well as what was the very design of entering into it, is, instead of a +going before others, in the example of a real reformation, a corrupting +of the nations more and more, and going before them in the example of a +real apostasy and defection from the reformation, so solemnly sworn to +be maintained in this covenant; and a teaching of them to appoint +themselves a captain, to return to their anti-christian bondage. + +Upon the whole, as the Presbytery ought to testify against this new +scheme of principles, respecting the ordinance of magistracy; they +therefore, upon all the grounds formerly laid down, did, and hereby do +declare, testify against, and condemn the same, as what is, indeed, a +new and dangerous principle, truly anti-government, introductory of +anarchy and confusion, of apostasy and defection from the covenanted +work of reformation, the principles by which it was carried on and +maintained, and acts and laws, by which it was fenced and established; +and what is flatly opposite to, and condemned by the word of divine +revelation, in many express and positive precepts, and approven +examples, agreeable thereto, as well as by our solemn national +covenants, founded upon, and agreeable to the said word of divine +revelation. And finally, let this be further observed, that as it was a +beautiful branch of our glorious reformation, that the civil government +of this nation was modeled agreeable to the word of God; and that the +right of regal government was constituted, bounded and fixed by an +unalterable law, consonant to the word of God, and sworn to be +inviolably preserved both by king and people: so the _Associate +Brethren_, by their doctrine on this head, which is inconsistent with +our uncontroverted establishment, and fundamental laws, excluding from +the throne all papists and prelatists, have counteracted a most +important point of the covenanted reformation, and opened a wide door to +_Jacobitism_. For, if every one is bound to acknowledge implicitly any +government, in fact, that prevails: then, if a party in these nations +should rise up, and set a _popish_ pretender on the throne, according to +their doctrine, all should be obliged to subject to him; and it would be +sinful to impugn the lawfulness of his authority, although that, by +being popish, he is destitute of the essential qualifications required +of a king, not only by the word of God, but by the national constitution +and laws, in order to make him a lawful sovereign to these nations. + +2. The Presbytery testify against the Associate Presbytery, now called +Synod, for their wronging, perverting and misapplying the blessed +scriptures of truth in many texts, in order to support their erroneous +tenet: namely, that the word of God requires no qualifications as +essential to the being of a lawful Christian magistrate: but that +whosoever are set up, and while they continue to be acknowledged by +civil society, are lawful magistrates, though destitute of scripture +qualifications, and acting in a manifest opposition to the revealed will +and law of God. + +The texts of scripture used by them, do prove this general proposition, +viz., That it is the duty of the people of God to obey and submit to +lawful rulers in their lawful commands: and that it is utterly unlawful +and sinful to oppose such lawful authority. But none of these texts +quoted by them, prove, that it is the duty of the people of God, blessed +with the knowledge of his revealed will, to submit to, and obey, for +conscience sake, an authority that is sinful, and opposite to the +revealed will of God, both in its constitution and general course of +administration. Nor do they prove, that a prelatical, Erastian or popish +government, is a lawful government, either expressly, or by right of +necessary consequence, over a people, who either do, collectively +considered as a church and nation, or are bound to profess all the parts +of the true religion, and to maintain all the divine ordinances in their +purity: nor do they prove, that any can be lawful rulers over these +Christian and covenanted nations, who want the essential qualifications +required by the word of God, the covenants, and fundamental laws of the +kingdoms: or that it is sinful in the people of God, to say so much, in +testifying against the joint and national apostasy from God and the +purity of religion. Particularly, + +The first text they adduce is, _Prov._ xxvi, 21: "My son, fear, thou the +Lord and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change." +It is granted, that this scripture enjoins all those duties that, in a +consistency with the fear of the Lord, a people owe to their rightful +kings. But nothing can be more absurd, than to extend the command to all +that bear the name of kings, who are acknowledged by a nation as kings, +and while they do so own them, though their constitution should be most +anti-christian, and they justly chargeable with unparalleled evils not +only in their private character, but in their public conduct: be they +idolaters, adulterers, blasphemers, sabbath-breakers, murderers, +invaders, and avowed usurpers of the throne, crown and scepter, and +incommunicable prerogatives of Christ, the glorious King of Zion, +setting themselves in the temple of God, and exalting themselves above +all that is called God, by dispensing with his laws, and, in place +thereof, substituting their own wicked laws, whereby they establish +iniquity, and enjoin, under severe penalties, the profanation of the +name, day and ordinances of the Lord. This command must certainly be +understood in a consistency with the duty and character of one that is +resolved to be an inhabitant of the Lord's holy hill, _Psal._ xv, "In +whose eyes a vile person is contemned." It must be consistent with the +fear of the Lord, which can stand very well with a fearing and honoring +all who are really kings; but a flat contradiction thereto, to fear +every vile person, because it is the will of civil society to set him up +in the character of king. Till therefore Seceders prove, either that +kings are under no obligation to obey the law of God themselves, and so +not liable to its sanction and penalty, in case of disobedience; or +then, that the favor and approbation of civil society can justify a +dispensing with the law of God, they will never be able to prove from +this, nor any other text, that such as are guilty of any crime declared +capital in the word of truth have a right and title to that fear, honor +and obedience, that is due to lawful kings, even though they are +acknowledged by civil society. And so this text makes nothing for, but +against their darling tenet; and their explication thereof is evidently +a wresting of scripture, making it speak in their favor, contrary to the +scope and meaning of the Holy Spirit therein. And their inviduous +insinuation, that all who differ from their opinion, do likewise depart +from the fear of the Lord, is but a further evidence of their abuse of +scripture, while it is at the same time utterly false. See Mr. Knox's +history, p. 422, 1st _Book of Discipline, cap._ 10, 11. + +A _second_ text abused, for supporting their forementioned principle, is +_Eccles._ x, 4: "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave +not thy place, for yielding pacifieth great offenses." As formerly, so +here they assert, that this text refers to any rulers presently +acknowledged by the civil society, and that the rising of the ruler's +spirit must be understood as groundless, and so sinful, and necessarily +comprehends any wrath or wrong that a subject may meet with unjustly at +the ruler's hand, upon personal or religious accounts. That yet, +notwithstanding, the subject (in the use of lawful endeavors for his own +vindication) must continue in subjection and obedience to the ruler, in +lawful commands, while the civil state continues to acknowledge him; and +this, as the only habile mean of convincing the ruler of his error, and +preventing further evils. + +But, as the reason which they there allege, does not necessarily +conclude and prove this rising of spirit in the ruler to be sinful; so +the whole of their application and gloss built upon it, is invalidated; +and, moreover, is a condemnation of the principles and practice of our +reformers, and sufferers for the cause and truths of Christ, in the late +times, when they left their place of subjection, and took up arms in +defense of their religion, liberties and lives. + +Their explication is also self inconsistent; for, if this rising of +spirit necessarily comprehends any wrath or wrong, on personal or +religious accounts, then there must be a yielding, or keeping the place +of subjection, not only in lawful commands, but in all matters, whether +lawful or not; otherwise, this yielding cannot be supposed to answer the +end designed. For though a subject should yield in all other +particulars, yet, unless he also yield in that particular, on which the +rising of the ruler's spirit is grounded, his yielding cannot pacify the +ruler's wrath. So all the subjection, they contend, the sufferers gave, +particularly in the beginning of the late persecution, to the then +rulers, did not, nor could, pacify their wrath, because they would not +give up with their conscience and all religion, which was the very +foundation of the rising of his spirit against them; though, according +to their explication of the text, this was what they should have done, +and so have pacified the ruler's wrath. It is but a mere shift to tell +the world, that it is only in lawful matters they are to yield; the +yielding must surely correspond to the rising of the spirit spoken of. +But with such deceitful shifts are they forced to cover over a doctrine, +which, if presented in its native dress, would not meet with such ready +reception. But in opposition to their strained interpretation of the +text, the ruler must be understood a lawful ruler, who is the minister +of God for good--one who has not only moral abilities for government, +but also a right to govern. And as a subject may be keeping his place of +subjection to a righteous ruler, and yet be guilty, in his private or +public character, of what gives just offense, and occasions the ruler's +spirit justly, and so not sinfully, to rise against him--thus, one may +be guilty of many criminal mismanagements in the discharge of his public +trust, guilty of profaning the name of God or his day, or of riot, +excessive drinking, &c, without having any thought of casting off the +authority of his ruler--so, when a person has hereby provoked the spirit +of his ruler, this divine precept teaches the party offending not to +aggravate his offense, by attempting (though able) to make good his +part, or rebel against his sovereign, but to yield, acknowledge his +guilt and trespass, and submit to such punishments as the lawful ruler +shall justly inflict, according to the degree and quality of the +offense; whereby only, the ruler will be satisfied. Agreeable to this, +is that parallel text, _Eccles._ viii, 2, 3: "I counsel thee to keep the +king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God: Be not hasty +to go out of his sight; stand not in an evil thing." On the whole, it +must be a great abuse of Scripture, to wrest a divine precept, which +directs subjects to submit to such punishments as their lawful ruler +shall justly lay them under for their offenses, to the support of this +anti-scriptural notion, viz., that every wicked person, whom the +majority of a nation advances to the supreme rule, is the minister of +God, to whom obedience is due, under pain of eternal damnation, as is +done with this text. + +A _third_ scripture, perverted to support the above principle, is _Luke_ +xx, 25: "Render therefore to _Caesar_ the things which be _Caesar's_, +and unto God the things which be God's." From this, _Seceders_ imagine +strongly to fortify their cause. But, from a just view of the text, it +will appear, that the answer given by Christ contains no acknowledgment +of _Caesar's_ title to tribute, or of his authority as lawful. It is +beyond doubt, that the question was captious, and that the design of the +Scribes and Pharisees, in proposing it to Christ, was to have him +ensnared in his words. This they thought themselves sure of, whether he +should answer positively or negatively. For if positively, and so +recognize and acknowledge _Caesar's_ title, then they would have +occasion to accuse him to the people, as an enemy to the laws, liberty +and honor, of the _Jewish_ nation. This is evident from ver. 26: "And +they could not take hold of his words before the people." And then, if +he should deny that it was lawful, they would have an opportunity or +pretense of delating and delivering him to the _Roman_ governor, as an +enemy to _Caesar_. They seem, however, to have been confident, that he +who taught the way of God in truth, without regard to any, would never +inculcate it as a duty for them to give tribute to _Caesar_, subjection +to whom, as their lawful governor, for conscience sake, was so contrary +to the divine law given to the _Jews_, respecting their magistrates; and +if so, they would not miss of sufficient accusation against him. But +here infinite wisdom shone forth, in giving such an answer as declared +their wisdom to be but folly, and at once disappointed all their +malicious hopes; an answer which left _Caesar's_ claim unresolved, as to +any positive determination whether it belonged to him or not. The +question is in direct terms. Our Lord does not directly answer to the +question, in the terms proposed by the wicked spies. He neither +expressly says it is lawful or unlawful to pay it, but gave his answer +in such terms as they could not from it form an accusation against him, +either to the people or to the governor. He, in general, teaches to give +_Caesar_ all things that, by the law of God, were due to him; at the +same time enjoining them that, under pretense of giving to men their +demands, they rob not God of what was his due, namely, a conscientious +regard to all the laws he had given them, and universal obedience to all +his commands, without regard to persons of any station. And it is +certain, that _Caesar_ was a proud, aspiring, idolatrous and bloody +usurper (like the king of _Babylon_, Hab. ii, 5, for which causes the +Lord denounces fearful wrath and judgments against him, Hab. ii, 7-14), +having no other right to the most part of his dominions, than the Lord's +providential disposal, which sometimes makes "the tabernacles of robbers +prosper; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly;" Job xii, 6. "And for +their sins gives _Jacob_ to the spoil, and _Israel_ to the robbers;" +Isa. xiii, 24. "And giveth power to the beast, to continue forty and two +months, and to have power over all nations;" Rev. xiii, 5, 7. So that, +by looking into the divine law, which determines every one's due, +according to their just character, and of which they could not be +ignorant, they might see that he had a just title to all that was due to +an usurper, idolater and murderer. That the _Jewish_ coin did bear +_Caesar's_ image, could be no evidence of his being their lawful +sovereign, seeing it is most common for the greatest usurpers and +tyrants to stamp their image upon the coin of the nations they tyrannize +over. And though it be granted that the _Jews_ had, by this time, +consented to _Caesar's_ usurpation, yet that could not legitimate his +title, nor warrant their subjection to him for conscience sake, seeing +they could not consent to his authority, but in express contradiction to +the many plain and positive scripture precepts, given by God unto them, +as has been seen above. It is, therefore, violence done to the text (as +also opposite to the sentiments of some eminent divines on the place), +to say that it contains a command to pay tribute to _Caesar_; and it +would appear from Luke xxiii, 2, that the _Jews_ themselves did not +understand it so. It may be further observed, that this is not the only +instance where our Lord, in infinite wisdom, declined to give direct +answers to the ensnaring questions of his malicious enemies. See John +viii, 3-12; Matth. xxi, 23-28; John xviii, 19-21, where are questions of +a similar nature, proposed with the same hellish intention, and all +answered by him in like manner. In each of which, _Seceders_ might, on +as good ground as in the answer to the question anent tribute, say that +Christ did shift and dissemble the truth. But the least insinuation of +such a charge cannot be made from any of these answers, without the +greatest blasphemy. + +A _fourth_ text used by them for maintaining their erroneous scheme, is +Rom. xiii, 1-8. Without animadverting upon every part of their +explication of this place of holy writ, it is sufficient to observe: 1. +That the power here spoken of by the apostle, is not a _physical_, but a +_moral_ power; a power that is lawful and warranted, in regard of +matter, person, title or investiture. A legitimacy in each of these must +go to the making of a moral power; and an illegitimacy in any of these +is an illegitimacy in the very being and constitution, and so a nullity +to the power as moral, a making it of no authority. As the text speaks +only of this moral power, so it excludes every unlawful power (see Mr. +_Gee_ on magistracy, on this text). 2. That the _being_ of God, or the +ordination God here spoke of, is not a being of God _providentially_ +only, but such a _being of_ God as contains in it his institution and +appointment, by the warrant of his law and precept; so that the +magistrates to whom the apostle enjoins obedience, are such as are set +up according to the preceptive ordination and will of God, as is evinced +not only by the author referred to above, and other divines, but what +sufficiently appears from the context, where the subjection enjoined, +and resistance forbidden, with their respective reasons, are what can +only be spoken with respect to powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God. Again, by considering the office and duty of the powers, and the +end of their ordination, as described, ver. 3, 4, which by no means +agree to any but those moral powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God, it appears a manifest abuse of this text, to apply it to every one +advanced by providence to the place of supreme rule, not only without +any regard, but in direct opposition to the preceptive will of God. It +is most absurd and self-contradictory in professed testimony bearers for +a covenanted reformation, to apply this text in a way of pleading the +lawfulness of an Erastian, anti-christian constitution, that is +destitute of all those qualifications already mentioned (and always +included in the scriptural definition of a lawful magistrate), as +necessary to constitute a moral power, viz., in regard of matter, +person, title or investiture, &c. But of the power which they so +zealously plead for, the matter is unlawful, being Erastian, partly +civil, partly ecclesiastical, by the united constitution. The person +invested with this supreme power, is one who is declared incapable, by +the fundamental laws and covenanted constitution of the nations; the +manner of investiture, and terms on which the crown is held, sinful--the +constitution being in an immediate opposition to the unalterable +constitution of the kingdom of the _Messias_, and founded on the +destruction of the covenanted reformation. And it may be added, that it +is unlawful, as to the exercise and application of it, which has been +all along in opposition to all _true_ religion, and a grievous +oppression of the church, the kingdom of Christ, in the liberties +thereof. And it must be so; for the tree must be made good, before the +fruit can be such. By all which it appears, there is a nullity in the +power as moral, being so very opposite to the revealed will of God. And +from what is said, it is obvious that this scripture gives no +countenance to their corrupt scheme, but furnishes with strong arguments +against it. + +A _fifth_ scripture adduced is, Titus iii, 1: "Put them in mind to be +subject to principalities and powers," &c. As _Seceders_ apply this text +to the same purpose, and explain it in the same manner, as they have +done those others above mentioned, so what is already said is sufficient +to discover the deceit of their use and explication thereof. The powers +and magistrates the apostle requires subjection to, are only such as are +so in a moral sense; none but such are accounted powers and magistrates +in the sense of the text. The apostle must mean the same powers here he +describes in Rom. xiii, 1-3, &c., otherwise he contradicts himself, +which must not be admitted; and the powers he there speaks of, are moral +powers, i.e., such as have not only proper abilities for government and +rule, but also a right of constitution, impowering them to use their +abilities for that purpose. How can one be expected or said to be the +_minister_ of God _for good_, or a _terror to evil doers, and a praise +to them that do well_, if he is so disposed and inclined, as to love +that which is evil, and hate that which is good, and so actually is a +praise to evil doers, and a terror to such as do well? To suppose any +such thing, is to overthrow the universally established connection +between cause and effect, the means and the end. And so much (namely, +that the powers there spoken of are moral powers), _Seceders_ are forced +to grant in their explication of Rom. xiii. Say they, "The text speaks +only of powers in a moral sense." And this concession at once destroys +their scheme, and confirms what the Presbytery plead for, namely, that +none are lawful powers but such as are so according to the preceptive +will of God in his word; which certainly, in the judgment of all _who +would deal reverently with the oracles of God_, is, in this case, a rule +far preferable "to the remainders of natural light, in the moral +dictates of right reason," from which _Seceders_ fetch the institution +of this divine ordinance of magistracy, and on which they settle it, as +on (what they call) "the natural and eternal law of God;" preferring +that to the plain, perfect and complete, revelation of God's will in his +word. + +The _last_ text used by them, is, 1 Pet. ii, 13 to 17, the import of +which, they say, is, that all who have a constitution by consent of the +civil society, are to be subjected to for the Lord's sake, as having an +institution from him: and that, however seldom they were inclined or +employed in the discharge of the duties proper to their office. It may +suffice to observe, that while the apostle is here speaking, as in the +above texts, of moral powers, as above described, it is evident, that by +_every ordinance of man_, can only be meant the different kinds and +forms of civil government, and governors set up by men, to each of which +the apostle exhorts to a submission, providing, that in the setting up +of these, they acted agreeably to the general laws and rules appointed +by God in his word, both respecting the constitution of government, and +the qualifications of governors. Then, as they bear the stamp of divine +authority, they were to be submitted to for the Lord's sake. But what +manifest abuse of scripture is it, to allege with them that the inspired +apostle exhorts to submit to every monster of iniquity, if only set up +by the civil society, though perhaps guilty of a number of crimes that +by the law of God, and laws of men founded thereon, are punishable by a +severe death? Sure, such can never have a title to that obedience which +is due to the ordinance of God, who have not so much as a title to live +upon the earth. Moreover, let it be considered, that in the above cited +texts, the spirit of God enjoins either that obedience and subjection +that is due to lawful magistrates, or that subjection only which is for +a time, by an extraordinary and special command, such as Jer. xxix, 7, +given to conquerors and usurpers, having no right but what is +providential. If the first, then they cannot intend any but those moral +powers who are said to be of God, in respect of his approbative and +preceptive will. If the last, then these texts are not the rule of +obedience to lawful rulers, who are set up qualified, and govern +according to the law of God. But that these texts can only be understood +of the first, is evident from this, that in them not only is the office, +duty and end of the civil magistrate as particularly described, as the +obedience and subjection commanded; but the one is made the foundation, +ground, and reason of, and inseparably connected with the other. And +therefore it was, that the renowned witnesses for Christ and his +interest, contended so much for reformation in the civil magistracy and +magistrate, in an agreeableness to the original institution of that +ordinance, and endured so great opposition on that account. + +To conclude this: as it is evident these texts give no countenance to +the corrupt scheme of _Seceders_, but always suppose the power, to which +subjection and obedience for conscience sake is enjoined to be lawful, +in regard of matter, person, title, &c. So the Presbytery cannot but +testify against them for perverting and wresting the scriptures of +truth, to a favoring of their anarchical and anti-scriptural tenet, and +for their so stiffly and tenaciously pleading for avowed apostasy and +defection (which is the whole scope and amount of their declared scheme +of politics), viz., that it is lawful for posterity to turn back to +where their forefathers were, giving up with many precious truths, and +further attainments in reformation, valuable and necessary, acquired at +the expense of much zeal, faithfulness and treasure, and handed down to +us, sealed by the spirit of God upon the souls of his people, as his +work and cause; and on public scaffolds and high places of the field, +with the dearest blood of multitudes of Christ's faithful witnesses, who +loved not their lives unto the death. And this, in express contradiction +to the land's solemn covenant engagements to the Lord, for maintaining +and holding fast that whereunto we had attained. For notwithstanding all +the regard and deference _Seceders_ profess to the covenants and +reformation principles, they are, all the while, directly pleading in +defense of the same cause, advancing the same arguments to support it, +and likewise giving the same corrupt and perverted explication of the +above texts of scripture, that the merciless and bloody murderers and +persecuters did, in the late tyrannous times, in their stated opposition +to the cause and interest of glorious Christ, together with the indulged +who took part with them, in opposing the kingdom and subjects of Zions +exalted King. And as [pity it is] _Seceders_ have pleaded the cause of +malignants, and, rubbing the rust from their antiquated arguments, have +presented them with a new lustre; so the Presbytery, in opposition +thereto, are satisfied to plead the same cause, with the same arguments +and to understand these scriptures in the same sense as was done by the +witnesses for reformation, whom the Lord honored to seal his truths with +their blood, as is sufficiently confirmed from the Cloud of Witnesses; +where their concurring testimonies are harmoniously stated, upon their +disowning the authority of the then anti-christian and Erastian +government, even when acknowledged by the bulk and body of the nation, +both civil and ecclesiastical. Whence also it is evident, that the +persecution was not the cause of their casting off that authority; but +that authority's assuming and usurping the royal prerogatives of Christ, +the church's Head, was the cause of their disowning it; and then their +refusing to acknowledge foresaid authority, was the cause of all their +persecution. + +3. The Presbytery testify against foresaid Associates, on account of +their corruption in worship; particularly, in the duty of prayer, both +as practiced by their ministers, and by them enjoined upon their people. + +Wherein, in an inconsistency with a faithful testimony against the +declared enemies of the church's head and king, they affect to express a +superlative loyalty unto the prelatic possessors of power, not much +differing from the forms imposed upon, and observed by the Erastian +church. The Presbytery acknowledge it duty to pray for all men, in the +various stations of life, as sinners lost, of the ruined family of Adam, +standing absolutely in need of a Savior, that they may be saved and come +to the knowledge of the truth; as is enjoined, _Tim._ ii, 1, 2. Which +yet must not be understood in an unlimited sense, but with submission to +the will of God, if they belong to the election of grace. Nay, they +acknowledge it indispensable duty, as to pray, that the church may +obtain such kings and queens, as shall he nursing fathers and mothers, +according to the Lord's gracious promise; so, when such are granted to +them, it is their duty to make prayers and supplications, in a +particular manner, for them. But it is no less than an abuse of +scripture, and flat contradiction to many promises and threatenings, to +extend foresaid command to every person without distinction whom +providence advances to the supreme rule over the people of God, in a way +of acknowledging their authority as lawful, and of praying for success +and prosperity to them (as Seceders do), to pray for success unto, and +the continuance of wicked rulers, that are enemies to the Lord, and +usurpers of his crown, and such whom the Lord in anger against a people +for their sins, may send as a special punishment upon them, and from +whom he has promised deliverance unto his people, as a peculiar +blessing, is no less than the slighting of the promises, and deriding of +threatenings, and in reality, is a taking part with God's enemies, +against him and his cause. As it is impossible, sincerely to pray for +the coming of Christ's kingdom, and advancement thereof, without also, +as a necessary mean conducive thereto, to pray for the downfall and +destruction of all his enemies, as such, whatever be their place and +station (which is not at all inconsistent with praying for their +salvation, as lost sinners); seeing Jesus Christ no less effectually +destroys his enemies, when he makes them to bow in a way of willing +subjection to the scepter of his law and grace, than when he breaks them +in pieces with his iron rod of wrath; so, how self-contradictory is it +in _Seceders_, to pray for the coming of Christ's mediatory kingdom; +and, at the same time to pray for the success and preservation of one, +in his kingly character, who themselves acknowledge, has, in that +character, made grievous encroachments upon the royal prerogatives of +the Lord Jesus Christ, is an usurper of his crown, and therefore, in +that view, must be considered as an enemy to his kingdom? + +That the above is no false charge against _Seceders_, is witnessed by a +variety of their causes of fasting, concluding with such prayers, which +they have emitted, as well as by their daily practice: and particularly, +_Antiburgher Seceders_, have given a late recent proof of this; in what +they call, A solemn warning by the _Associate Synod_, &c. Which +unfaithful warning concludes with a self-contradictory form of prayer, +enjoined upon all under the inspection of said _Synod_. Among other +things, they "exhort all--the people under their inspection, to pour out +earnest and incessant supplications before the Lord, in a dependence +upon the merit and intercession of our great High-priest, that he +may--bring about a revival of our covenanted reformation,--removing all +the mountains which stand in the way; that he may abundantly bless our +sovereign king _George_, and the apparent heir of the crown,--blasting +all the plots or efforts of whatever enemies, open or secret,--against +the Protestant succession to the throne of these kingdoms in the family +of _Hanover_; that he may be gracious to the high courts of parliament, +in this and the neighboring island,--leading them to proper measures for +the honor of Christ; that he may hasten the enlargement of the +Mediator's kingdom," &c. + +On all which, let it suffice to observe, 1. That as in no part of this +prayer they make any exceptions against, so they must be understood +therein, approving of the constitution of the king, the establishment, +and limitation of the throne of these kingdoms in the _Hanoverian_ +family, as presently by law established: and also, approving of the +_British_ and _Irish_, parliaments, in their constitution as by law +established, though both of them grossly Erastian, and necessarily +connected with maintaining _English_ popish ceremonies, the whole +_English_ hierarchy, and civil places and power of churchmen; in +opposition to the word of God, reforming laws, and covenanted +constitutions of the nations. Hence, 2. This pattern of prayer must be +understood as containing earnest supplications to the Lord, that he may +continue and preserve an Erastian constitution, that he may perpetuate +the limited succession to the throne in the family of _Hanover_; and +that, in opposition to all attempts whatever, toward any change, however +much it might contribute to the glory of God, good of the church, and +revival of a covenanted reformation; and also, seems to include a desire +that, God may preserve and maintain a parliament in the nations, one of +the houses whereof, viz., the House of Peers, is composed partly of +_spiritual lords_, as essential members thereof,--an anti-christian +designation, a title and office, not to be found in the book of divine +revelation. So, 3. This prayer seems to suppose a consistency between +the preservation of all these, and the revival of a covenanted +reformation in these lands; and also that they, particularly a +parliament, thus anti-christian in its constitution, are proper +instruments for promoting the honor and declarative glory of Christ; +although the prelates, constituent members therein, are a generation of +men that were never yet known to have a vote for Christ's kingdom and +interest. And therefore, 4. This prayer consists of flat contradiction. +(1.) In regard the revival of a covenanted reformation, and the +flourishing of Christ's mediatory kingdom, nationally, must be attended +with the overthrow of all constitutions, civil and ecclesiastical, that +hinder and oppose the same; _Hag._ ii, 6, 7, and with the down bringing +of all the enemies thereof, from the height of their excellency. (2.) It +is a contradiction for them to pray, that the Lord would remove all the +mountains that stand in the way of the revival of our reformation; and +yet, at the same time, pray for the preservation and continuance of the +constitution, under which (as they themselves acknowledge, _Defense of +their Princ., page_ 51): "There is a mighty bar thrust into the way of +our covenanted reformation, both in church and state; yea, a gravestone +is laid, and established upon the same." (3.) It is a sinful and glaring +contradiction for _Seceders_ to rank an approbation of the _English_ +hierarchy among our public national sins and steps of defection (as they +do, page 53 of their pamphlet); and yet themselves persist and continue +in the same sin and guilt, homologating and approving the anti-christian +constitution of the _British_ and _Irish_ parliaments, by praying (like +their forefathers, in their fulsome address to _James_ the Papist) for +divine illumination and conduct to the Prelates in their civil places +and power, as necessary members there, as they do in this prayer of +theirs. Can such be supposed to be either truly sensible of sin, or +humbled for it, who, notwithstanding all their confessions, still +continue in the love and practice of it? But with such mock +acknowledgements (of which a variety of other instances might be given) +have they hitherto imposed on the generation. And so, 5. It is a prayer, +that in several parts thereof, has no scripture warrant, no foundation +in the promises of God. Particularly, on what scriptural warrant, what +promise, can _Seceders_ build their prayers for, or expectation of the +Lord's answering them, by blessing an Erastian government to themselves +or others, which being, in its constitution, contrary to the word of +God,--is such, that under it (as they grant, _ibid_, page 46), a people +cannot truly prosper in their civil concerns, nor be enriched with the +blessings of the gospel? From what scriptural promise are they warranted +to pray, that God may perpetuate the succession to the throne in any one +family, and especially, when that succession is circumscribed and +limited, in a way opposite to the laws of God, and mediatory kingdom of +Christ? and therefore, a prayer that cannot be made in faith, and so +cannot be acceptable to God in its complex form. No person can have +faith in the merit and intercession of Christ, for obtaining anything in +prayer, but what Christ has priorly merited, and does actually intercede +for. But it would savor too much of blasphemy, to apply some of the +particulars already noticed in this form of prayer, to the merit and +intercession of our _great High-priest_. Sure it cannot be thought, that +he makes intercession for the prosperity and success of his enemies, in +their stated opposition to his kingdom and interest in this world; +neither can it be consistent with fidelity to Christ, as a King, for his +professed subjects to pray for it. What a fearful trifling with God in +the duty of prayer, is it to pray that the Lord may bring down Popery +and Prelacy; and next breath to pray that the Lord may continue, +prosper, and preserve the Erastian head, and great bulwark of Prelacy? + +4. Again, the Presbytery testify against the Associate party for their +treachery in covenant. This is a sin that is in scripture, and even by +the common voice of mankind, declared very heinous; but which, by what +is already discovered anent said party, appears too, too justly +chargeable upon them. It is notorious, and what themselves boast much +of, that they professedly maintain the moral and perpetual obligation of +the covenants, both the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of _Scotland, England_, and _Ireland_, entered into +for reformation and defense of religion, and bringing the churches of +God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in +religion, according to the word of God. They also do in the most public +manner profess, that they are the only true faithful witnesses for a +covenanted reformation. But the consistency of such a profession with +maintaining principles that are diametrically opposite to these +covenants, and the cause of truth, sworn to in them (as has been made +evident they do) is altogether unintelligible. Is it possible +strenuously to maintain the lawfulness of a prelatical government +abjured in the covenants, and yet at the same time sincerely and +honestly, according to the profession made by the church, _Psal._ xliv, +17, 18, to contend for the moral obligation of the covenants, and the +work of reformation sworn to in them? But further, the necessity of +lifting up a testimony against _Seceders_ for their treachery and +unfaithfulness in the matter of the covenants, will appear by +considering that they, after making a very solemn profession of renewing +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three lands, in place of practicing accordingly, have, in +reality, made a new and very different bond or covenant, both in form +and substance, which they have not only sworn themselves, but also +imposed upon many honest people: and this as a renewing, nay, as the +only right way of renewing said covenants according to the +circumstances, of the times. That this bond entered into by _Seceders_ +(however good it may be, considered in an abstract sense) is not a +renovation of the national covenants, as they assert it to be, but a +treacherous and deceitful burying of these covenants, as to their sum +and substance, is abundantly evident from their industrious keeping out, +and omitting the most part of them out of their new and artificial bond. +Particularly, although they pretend to a renovation both of the National +and Solemn League and Covenant, yet they have almost entirely left out, +and passed over the National Covenant of _Scotland_; and satisfying +themselves with simply testifying against Popery, have omitted all the +particular errors, and branches thereof expressly contained in the +National Covenant. As to the Solemn League, of which they pretend their +bond is also a renovation, there is very little of it to be found +therein, as appears from a comparison of the one with the other. Thus +they have left out that remarkable and necessary clause in the first +Article, viz., "Against our common enemies:" and in place of endeavoring +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, as in said +article, there is an unintelligible clause or jumble of words brought +in, viz., to promote and advance our covenanted conjunction and +uniformity in religion, just as if that conjunction and uniformity had a +present existence (in its native and original state and form) in the +three lands; when, on the contrary, Presbytery is established in +_Scotland_, yet not on the footing of the word of God and the covenants, +and Episcopacy is established in _England_ and _Ireland_, in +contradiction to the word of God and the covenants. 2. They have kept +out that necessary clause in the 2d article, viz., "Without respect of +persons, endeavor the extirpation," &c, and instead thereof say, +"Testify against Popery and Prelacy;" where appears not only a +difference in expression, but a substantial difference. 3. They have +altogether omitted and kept out the 3d and 4th articles. 4. They have +kept out that material and necessary clause in the 5th article, viz., +"That justice may be done on the willful opposers thereof," in manner +expressed in the preceding article. 5. They have left out all the 6th +article, excepting these words: "We shall not give ourselves up to a +detestable neutrality and indifference in the cause of God." And 6. They +have wholly omitted that material paragraph of the conclusion of the +Solemn League. It is therefore evident, that the model of the covenants +agreed to by _Seceders_, is different in substance, as well as form, +from our ancient covenants; so that, under pretense of renovation, they +have made a new bond. + +But, again, that their pretended renovation is a real burying of the +covenanted reformation, appears from their overlooking, casting by, and +keeping out the National Covenant, as it was renewed in the year 1638, +and the Solemn League and Covenant, as renewed in the year 1648, and +going back to the years 1580 and 1581, as the pattern they propose to +follow in carrying on of their covenanted testimony. And what can be the +reason of this? Can it be, because Prelacy, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, were, by the explication and application of the +covenant, _anno_ 1638, expressly and explicitly condemned, while they +were formerly only implicitly, and by way of consequence? So they have +at least, by this step back, both tacitly condemned our reformers, of +giving themselves needless trouble in their explanation of the covenant, +as condemning and abjuring Episcopacy; and also, do overlook, despise, +and disgracefully bury the many advanced steps of reformation attained +to in these covenanted lands between 1638 and 1649 (particularly the +church of _Scotland's_ testimony against Prelacy) in which time +reformation arrived to a greater height of purity than ever was attained +in any foregoing period of this church and nation. However, whatever +their reasons were for so doing, that they have so done is clear, from +their act _Edinburgh, February_ 3d, 1743, where they conclude with a +_nota bene_, lest it should not otherwise have been observed that they +do so, and thereby declare their sin as _Sodom_, as if the publishing of +it would make an atonement for it. "N.B. Only the National Covenant, as +it was entered into, _annis_ 1580, 1581 (without the bond wherein it was +renewed _anno_ 1638) and the Solemn League and Covenant (without the +solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, _anno_ 1648), +are hereby prefixed unto the following act, agreeably unto the design of +said act": and for this they pretend the example of our reformers, +_anno_ 1638, who renewed the National Covenant by a new bond, in place +of that new bond wherewith it was renewed and sworn, 1590, which they +omitted--wherein their deceit and unfaithfulness is very obvious from +the following observations: 1. Hereby they have cast a most injurious +calumny and reproach upon our honored reformers, and in their pretending +to imitate their practice, in renovation of the covenants, are guilty of +a most dreadful and deceitful imposition on the generation; for though +our reformers did renew the covenants with a new bond, and perhaps very +seldom swear them without some additions, yet they never went back from +any part of reformation, espoused, and sworn to in the renovations that +were before them, under a pretense, that such points of reformation +formerly attained, were unsuitable, or not adapted to their +circumstances, as _Seceders_ have done. On the contrary, our reformers, +in all the different renovations of the covenants, not only included all +that was formerly attained to, binding themselves in strict adherence to +all the articles priorly in the oath and covenant of God (at the same +time solemnly acknowledging all former breaches thereof; and obliging +themselves, in the strength of grace to the performance of the contrary, +and consequential duties), but also, still went forward in explaining +and more explicitly applying the covenants against the sins of the day, +and more expressly binding themselves to the opposite duties, as is +clear from the bond wherewith our reformers renewed the covenants 1638, +and the solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, 1648; +both which the _Seceders_ have barefacedly cast by and exploded in their +alleged renovation of the covenants; whereby, as it is manifest that our +reformers always went forward to further degrees of reformation, so it +is no less manifest, that foresaid party acting contrary to them, have +gone backward. But 2d. They have not only rejected the renovations of +the covenants by our ancestors 1638 and 1640; but even when they +pretended to follow the renovation of the covenant, 1580 and 1581, they +have kept out and perverted almost the whole of the national covenants, +as was already observed; particularly in their new bond, they have cast +away the civil part of the covenants altogether. For what reason they do +so, is indeed hard to say. True, they allege it would be a blending of +civil and religious matters together; and that it is not proper (or +competent for them, as a church judicatory) to meddle in these matters +that are of a civil nature. But seeing infinite wisdom has not judged it +a (sinful) blending of civil and religious concerns together, to deliver +the duties both civil and religious in one and the same moral law unto +mankind; it is difficult to conceive, how the people of God their +binding themselves in a covenant of duties to the conscientious +performance of all the duties God required of them in his word, whether +civil or religious, according to their respective or immediate objects, +can be reputed a blending of them together; or that this has the +remotest tendency to destroy that distinction which God in his revealed +will has stated between what is immediately civil in its nature, and +what is properly religious. This, therefore, is a mere groundless +pretense and evasion; and if it has any force at all, as a reason, it +strikes against the reformers who compiled these covenants. They are the +proper objects at whom through the sides of others it thrusts; for they, +at the framing of sundry of their covenants, and afterward at the +renovation of their covenant, did it both without the ecclesiastical +authority, and also without, and contrary unto, yea, at the hazard of +suffering the greatest severities from the civil authority on that +account. And yet the ecclesiastical judicatories of the church of +_Scotland_ afterward found it competent for them, as such, to approve of +these covenants, both as to the matter and form of them, without +branding and exploding them as a blending of matters civil and religious +together, as _Seceders_ have done. Again, as the covenants require no +other than a lawful magistrate; and seeing _Seceders_ acknowledge the +present as lawful, and that it is their duty to be subject to, and +support them as such, it is impossible to conceive any reason, why they +have not honored the present rulers with a place in their new and +artificial bond: unless perhaps this, that they were aware that would +have been so glaring a contradiction to these covenants they were +pretending to renew, as would doubtless have startled and driven away +from them a good many honest people, whom they have allured and led +aside by their good words and fair-set speeches; and yet it is pretty +obvious they have included the present rulers in their bond, and taken +them in an oblique and clandestine way, by swearing to the relative +duties contained in the fifth commandment, seeing they acknowledge them +as their civil parents. Again, as their bond is supposed to reduplicate +upon the national covenants, and so to bind to every article in them, by +native consequence, they swear to a prelatical government: for seeing +they have made no exception in their bond, it must be applied to no +other, but the government, which presently exists; and this, in flat +contradiction to the covenants, by which such a government is abjured. +So that their new bond is no less opposite to the national covenants, +and is much mere deceitful, than if they had plainly and explicitly +sworn allegiance to the present government therein; only the generality +of their implicit followers do not so readily observe it. Upon the +whole, how strange is it, that they should have the assurance to father +their deceitful apostasy, and wretched burying of the covenants upon our +reformers, so injuriously to their character, and at the hazard of +imposing a heinous and base cheat upon the world, while, notwithstanding +all their vain pretensions, it is undeniably evident to those who will +impartially, and without prejudice, examine the method and order whereby +our ancestors renewed our covenants, that in this they have been so far +from following their example, that they have directly contradicted the +same, and, in reality, buried much of the covenants and work of +reformation sworn to in them. For though a people may very lawfully, by +a new bond, enlarge and add to their former obligations that they +brought themselves under; yet they can never, without involving +themselves in the guilt of perjury, relax or cancel former obligations +by any future bond. Accordingly, our worthy ancestors, by all the new +bonds they annexed to former obligations, were so far from attempting to +loose themselves from any covenanted duty that either they or their +fathers were priorly bound unto, that they thereby still brought +themselves under straighter bonds to perform all their former and new +obligations of duty to God. But, as has been discovered, _Seceders_, by +their artificial bond, have cast out the very substance and spirit of +the covenants, by their rumping and hewing them at pleasure, to reduce +them to the sinful circumstances of the time: and this, in opposition to +their own public profession, that these covenants are moral in their +nature and obligation upon these nations to the latest posterity. How +surprising it is then, that after such a profession, they dare cast out +of their bond the greatest parts of the covenants! This is not only to +break these obligations, but it is to make a public declaration, that +different times and circumstances do free men from their obligation to +keep their most solemn vows to the Most High. To this, as very +applicable, may be subjoined the words of Mr. _Case_, in a sermon +relative to the covenants: "Others have taken it (viz., the covenant) +with their own evasions, limitations and reservations: such a Jesuitical +spirit has got in among us, by which means it comes to pass, that by +that time that men have pared off and left out, and put what +interpretation they frame to themselves, there is little left worth the +name of a covenant." And, indeed, so many are the self-inconsistencies +and gross contradictions attending this new bond, that it would have +been much more for the honor both of the covenants, and of _Seceders_ +themselves, rather never to have attempted such a work, than to have +done it in a way of tearing to pieces our solemn national vows. +Wherefore the Presbytery cannot but, in testifying against them for +their unfaithfulness, obtest all the lovers of truth, to beware of +joining in this course of treachery, and apostasy from God and his +covenanted cause. + +5. The presbytery testify against foresaid party, for their +unfaithfulness and partiality in point of testimony-bearing to a +covenanted, work of reformation; while yet they not only profess to be +witnesses, but the only true and faithful contenders for the said work +and cause. The justness of this charge manifestly appears from the scope +of their Act and Testimony, which seems to be principally leveled +against the corruptions of the present church judicatories, and not +equally against the corruptions of both church and state, in +agreeableness to the faithful testimonies of the Lord's people in former +times, and in a consistency with the reformation that was jointly +carried on in both church and state, and solemnly sworn and engaged to +in the covenants. They appear never to have fully adopted the testimony +of the Church of _Scotland_ in her purest times, when the profession of +the true religion was by law made a necessary qualification of every one +that should be admitted to places of civil trust and power in the +nation. Nor are the faithful testimonies of the valiant sufferers and +contenders, even unto death, for the precious truths of God in the late +persecuting period, as stated against both church and state, fully +stated, and judicially approven by them; much less have they fully +adopted the testimony, as stated against the revolution constitution, +both civil and ecclesiastical, which they did not in their testimony +condemn as sinful; but, on the contrary, acknowledged the civil +constitution lawful, notwithstanding of their complaining of some +defects and omissions therein. Of which error in the foundation, it may +be said, in respect of all the mal-administrations since, it was _fons +et origo mali_. And seeing, in and by the revolution constitution, the +nation was involved in the guilt of apostasy and treachery, in +subverting and overturning the good and laudable laws for true religion +and right liberty, a faint declaring against some omissions cannot be +accounted sufficient; especially when what is thus partly complained of, +is at the same time complexly extolled, as a great and glorious +deliverance to the church and nation. Their testimony further appears to +be partial and unfaithful, considering that their secession was not from +the constitution of the Revolution Church, but in a partial and limited +way, from a prevailing corrupt party in the judicatories of the church: +upon which footing it was, that some of greatest note among them made +their accession after their first secession, expressly declaring so +much; whereby they have injured the true state of the testimony which +the Lord honored his covenanted Church of _Scotland_ to bear; which is +stated against all lukewarm and _Laodicean_ professors, as well as open +enemies, and against all Erastian usurpation, and sectarian invasion on +the cause of Christ. Moreover, their unfaithfulness in point of +testimony, convincingly appears from their bitter contentions, and +almost endless disputes among themselves, after their breach, upon the +religious clause of some burgess oaths, anent the true state of their +own testimony, whether lifted up against the revolution constitution of +the church, and settlement of religion, or not. Had necessary and real +faithfulness been studied, in stating their testimony clearly and +plainly, against all the defection, and apostasy of the day from a +covenanted reformation, there had been no occasion for such a dispute +among them. And now, when the one party have more openly avowed their +unfaithfulness, in receding from almost everything that had the least +appearance of faithfulness to the cause and covenant of God, in their +former testimony, and professedly adopted the revolution settlement, as +theirs, acknowledging the constitutions, both civil and ecclesiastical, +as lawful, in an open contradiction to any testimony for reformation +work: the other party, _to wit, Antiburghers_, have now indeed +professedly cast off the revolution constitution of the church (at the +same time continuing to make their partial Act and Testimony the basis +of their distinguished profession); but yet, in an inconsistency +therewith, and in contradiction to the covenanted testimony of the +church of _Scotland_, continue to adopt the constitution of the State, +as being, however defective, yet agreeable to the precept and so lawful. +Hence, they are still most partial in their testimony, of which they +have given a fresh and notable proof, in forementioned warning published +by them: wherein though there are a variety of evils condescended upon, +as just grounds of the Lord's controversy with the nations, yet there is +not that faithfulness used therein, in a particular charging home of the +several sins mentioned, upon every one in their different ranks, as, in +agreeableness to the word of God, is requisite to work a conviction in +every one, that they may turn from their sins, and as might correspond +to the title given that performance. Thus, passing other instances that +might also have been observed, they justly remark, _page_ 31st, "The +glorious sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the alone King and +Head of his church, is sadly encroached upon and opposed by the royal +supremacy, in causes ecclesiastical. The king is acknowledged as supreme +head, or governor on earth, of the churches of _England_ and _Ireland_. +The civil sovereign is thus declared to be the head or fountain of +church power, from whence all authority and ministrations in these +churches do spring, is vested with all powers of government and +discipline, and constituted the sole judge of controversies within the +same." "The established Church of _Scotland_ have also, by some +particular managements, subjected and subordinated their ecclesiastical +meetings to the civil power." But while they acknowledge this to be the +sin of the church, and an high provocation against the Lord; yet, as to +the particular sin of the civil power, in assuming and usurping this +Erastian supremacy unto itself, they are quite silent. They have not the +faithfulness to say, in their warning, to the robber of Christ, in this +matter, as once the prophet of the Lord said to the king of _Israel_, in +another case, _Thou art the man_. On the contrary (which cannot but have +a tendency to ward off any conviction of his sin that this warning, +should it come into his hands, might be expected to work), they are +guilty of the basest flattery, used by court parasites, stiling him, +"the best of kings, of the mildest administration," as in _page_ 13th; +and acknowledge it, as a particular effect of the Lord's goodness, that +we are privileged with such an one. But is he indeed deserving of such a +character? better than which could not be given to the most faithful +ruler, devoting all his power, as in duty bound, to the support and +advancement of the kingdom and interest of Jesus Christ, that over +reigned. Does he really merit such an encomium, who sacrilegiously +usurps and wears the crown, that alone can flourish on the head of +_Zion's_ king? And is this such a blessing to the church, that an enemy +to her Lord and Head rules over her? Oh! may not the Lord say? "I +hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright." + +6. The Presbytery testify against said Seceding party, because of the +sinfulness of their terms of ministerial and Christian communion, as +being partly destructive of that liberty wherewith Christ has made his +people free. By which they have both imposed upon themselves, and shut +the door of access unto the privileges of the church, upon all such, as, +in a consistency with their adherence to truth and duty, cannot accept +of their unwarrantable restrictions. Of this, they gave early +discoveries, as appears from the known instance of that notable, +backslider, Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_, whom they obliged, before license, to +make a public and solemn renunciation of his former principles and +profession, respecting the covenanted reformation.[4] As also, their +rejecting all accessions from his _Laodicean_ brethren, wherein was +contained an explicit adherence to the same, until they did drop their +former testimony. This blind zeal in _Seceders_, against a testimony for +truth in its purity, did gradually increase, until it hurried them on to +a more particular and formal stating of their terms of communion, +whereby were totally excluded all the free and faithful of the land from +their communion, who could not approve of, nor swear the bond, whereby +they pretended to renew the covenants: as in their act at _Edinburgh_, +1744; wherein they did resolve and determine, "That the renovation of +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three nations, in the manner now agreed upon, and proposed by the +Presbytery, shall be the terms of ministerial communion with this +Presbytery, and likewise of Christian communion, in admission of people +to sealing ordinances; secluding therefrom all opposers, contemners, and +slighters of the said renovation of our solemn covenants." By this act, +_Seceders_ have obliged their adherents to consent to their infamous +burial of our national covenants with the Lord, and reformation therein +sworn to, particularly as they were renewed, both 1638 and 1648. And +that they might further evince their resolution to bear down the +foresaid work, they afterward proceeded to subjoin unto their _formula_ +of questions to be put to candidates before license, and to probationers +before ordination, the following questions, viz., "Are you satisfied +with, and do you propose to adhere unto, and maintain the principles +about the present civil government, which are declared and maintained in +the _Associate Presbytery's_ answers to Mr. _Nairn_, with their defense +thereunto subjoined?" Whereby, in opposition to the professed endeavors +for the revival of a covenanted reformation in the lands, they expressly +bind down all their intrants into the office of the ministry, to an +explicit acknowledgement of their anti-government scheme of principles +anent the ordinance of magistracy; and thereby to an acknowledging of +the lawfulness of a government, which themselves confess has not only +departed from, and neglected their duty of espousing and supporting the +covenanted principles of this church, but also opposed, contradicted and +overthrown the glorious reformation once established in these nations. A +government, under which, as they profess, the nations cannot be enriched +by the blessings of the gospel; and that, because it does not, in all +the appurtenances of its constitution and administration, run in +agreeableness to the word of God. By all which it appears that although +they refuse formally to swear any oaths of allegiance to the powers in +being; yet they do materially, and with great solemnity, engage +themselves to be true and faithful to a government, under which, and +while it stands, they are certain, if their concessions hold true, that +they shall never see the nations flourish, either in their temporal or +spiritual interests. It is only needful further to observe, that +_Seceders_ in the terms of their communion, by debarring from the table +of the Lord, all who impugn the lawfulness of a prelatic, Erastian +government (as is notourly known they do), make subjection and loyalty +to such an authority, a necessary, and, to them, commendatory +qualification of worthy receivers of the Lord's supper, although none of +those qualifications--required by God in his word. While (as has been +already observed) they, with the most violent passion, refuse to admit +the professing and practicing the true religion, a necessary +qualification of lawful civil rulers over a people possessed of and +professing the true religion, which is in effect to deny the necessity +of religion altogether as to civil rulers, than which nothing can be +more absurd. + +_Lastly_, not to multiply more particulars, the Presbytery testify +against the scandalous abuse, and sinful prostitution of church +discipline, and tyranny in government, whereby the forementioned party +have remarkably signalized themselves; and which, in a most precipitant +and arbitrary manner, they have pretended to execute against such as +have discovered the smallest degree of faithfulness, in endeavoring to +maintain the principles of our reformation, in agreeableness to the true +state of the covenanted testimony of the Church of _Scotland_; which has +not only appeared in the case of _David Leslie_, and some others, on +account of a paper of grievances given in to said Associates; against +whom they proceeded to the sentence of excommunication, without using +those formalities and means of conviction required and warranted by the +church's Head, even in the case of just offenses done by any of the +professed members of his mystical body; or so much as allowing that +common justice to the sentenced party, that might be expected from any +judicatory, bearing the name of Presbyterian. (Though the Presbytery are +not hereby to be understood as approving every expression contained in +foresaid paper.) But particularly, they have given notable proof of +their fixed resolution, to bear down all just appearances in favor of +_Zion's_ King and cause, in the case of Mr. _Nairn_, once of their +number, because of his espousing the principles of this Presbytery, +especially, respecting God's ordinance of magistracy, against whom they +proceeded to the highest censures of the church, upon the footing of a +pretended libel; in which libel, they did not so much as pretend any +immorality in practice, or yet error in principle, as the ground of +their arbitrary procedure, further than his espousing the received +principles of this church in her best times, and what stood in necessary +connection with such a profession: although, in adorable providence, he +has since been left to fall into the practice of such immorality, as has +justly rendered him the object of church censure by this Presbytery. As +also in the case of Messrs. _Alexander Marshall_, and _John +Cuthbertson_, with some others, elders and private Christians, against +whom they proceeded in a most unaccountable, anti-scriptural, and +unprecedented manner, and upon no better foundation, than that noticed +in the case above, pretended to depose and cast such out of the +communion of their church, as never had subjected to their authority, +nor formerly stood in any established connection with them. + +And further, besides these instances condescended upon, they habitually +aggravate their abuse of the ordinances of Christ's house, in pretending +to debar and excommunicate from the holy sacrament of the supper, many +of the friends and followers of the Lamb, only because they cannot +conscientiously, and in a consistency with their fidelity to their Head +and Savior, acknowledge the authority of the usurpers of his crown as +lawful. From all which, and every other instance of their continued +prostitution of the discipline instituted by Christ in his church, and +of that authority, which he, as a Son over his own house, has given unto +faithful gospel ministers, to the contempt and scorn of an ungodly +generation; the Presbytery cannot but testify against them, as guilty of +exercising a tyrannical power over the heritage of the Lord; and to whom +may too justly be applied, the word of the Lord, spoken by his prophet, +_Isa._ lxvi, 5: "Your brethren that bated you, that cast you out for my +name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to +your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Wherefore, and for all the +foresaid grounds, the Presbytery find and declare, that the pretended +_Associate Presbytery_, now called _Synod_, whether before or since, in +their separate capacity, claiming a parity of power, neither were, nor +are lawful and rightly constituted courts of the Lord Jesus Christ, +according to his word, and to the testimony of the true Presbyterian +Covenanted Church of Christ in _Scotland_: and therefore ought not, nay +cannot, in a consistency with bearing a faithful testimony for the +covenanted truths, and cause of our glorious Redeemer, be countenanced +or submitted to in their authority by his people. + +Again, the Presbytery find themselves in duty obliged to testify against +these brethren who some time ago have broken off from their communion, +for their unwarrantable separation, and continued opposition to the +truth and testimony, in the hands of this Presbytery, even to the extent +of presuming, in a judicial capacity, to threaten church censure against +the Presbytery, without alleging so much as any other reason for this +strange procedure, than their refusing to approve as truth, a point of +doctrine, that stands condemned by the standards of the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, founded on the authority of divine revelation. But, as +the Presbytery have formerly published a vindication of the truth +maintained by them, and of their conduct, respecting the subject matter +of difference with their _quondam_ brethren, they refer to said +vindication, for a more particular discovery of the error of their +principle, and extravagance of their conduct in this matter. And +particularly, they testify against the more avowed apostasy of some of +these brethren, who are not ashamed to declare their backslidings in the +streets, and publish them upon the house tops; as especially appears +from a sermon entitled, _Bigotry Disclaimed_--together with the +vindication of said sermon; wherein is vented such a loose and +latitudinarian scheme of principles, on the point of church communion, +as had a native tendency to destroy the scriptural boundaries thereof, +adopted by this church in her most advanced purity; and which is also +inconsistent with the ordination vows, whereby the author was solemnly +engaged. This, with other differences, best known to themselves, +occasioned a rupture in that pretended Presbytery, which for some years +subsisted: but this breach being some considerable time ago again +cemented, they constituted themselves in their former capacity, upon +terms (as appears from a printed account of their agreement and +constitution, which they have never yet disclaimed as unjust) not very +honorable nor consistent with their former principles and professed zeal +for maintaining the same. Which agreement was made up, without any +evidence of the above author's retracting his lax principles, contained +in the foresaid sermon. Whatever was the cause, whether from the +influence of others (as was said by the publisher of their agreement), +or from a consciousness of dropping part of formerly received +principles, is not certain; but one of these brethren, for a time, gave +up with further practical communion with the other, namely, Mr. _Hugh +Innes_, late of the _Calton, Glasgow_; while yet it was observed, that +both used a freedom, not formerly common to them, anent the present +authority, in their public immediate addresses to the object of worship; +which, together with their apparent resiling from part of their former +testimony occasioned stumbling to some of their people, and terminated +in the separation of others. Foresaid latitudinarianism and falling +away, is also sadly verified, in the conduct of another principal member +of their pretended Presbytery, who has professedly deserted all +testimony bearing for the reformation principles of the Covenanted +Church of _Scotland_.[5] + +At last, after their declared interviews for that purpose, these +brethren have patched up a mank agreement, which they have published, in +a paper entitled _Abstract of the covenanted principles of the Church of +Scotland, &c._, with a prefixed advertisement in some copies, asserting +the removal of their differences, which arose from a sermon on _Psal._ +cxxii, 3, published at _Glasgow_,--by a disapprobation of what is +implied in some expressions hereof, viz., "That all the members of +Christ's mystical body may, and ought to unite in visible church +communion." + +Here is, indeed, a smooth closing of the wound that should have been +more thoroughly searched, that, by probing into the practical +application of said sermon, the corrupt matter of communion with the +Revolution Church, in the gospel and sealing ordinance thereof, might +have been found out; but not one word of this in all that abstract, +which contains their grounds of union, and terms of communion. Nothing +of the above author's recanting his former latitudinarian practices of +hearing, and thereby practically encouraging, that vagrant Episcopalian, +_Whitefield_; his communicating, which natively implies union, with the +Revolution Church, in one of the seals of the covenant; nor his public +praying for an Erastian government, in a way, and for a reason, that +must needs be understood as an homologation of their authority. On which +accounts, the Presbytery testify against said union, as being +inconsistent with faithfulness in the cause of Christ; and against said +abstract, as, however containing a variety of particulars very just and +good, yet bearing no positive adherence to, nor particular mention of, +faithful wrestlings and testimonies of the martyrs and witnesses for +_Scotland's_ covenanted cause. As also, they testify against the +notorious disingenuity of their probationer, who, after a professed +dissatisfaction on sundry occasions, with the declining steps of said +brethren, particularly with the declaimer against bigotry, has +overlooked more weighty matters, and embraced a probability of enjoying +the long grasped for privilege of ordination, though it should be +observed at a greater expense than that of disappointing the expectation +of a few dissatisfied persons, who depended upon his honesty, after they +had broken up communion with those he continues still to profess his +subjection unto. + +And further, the Presbytery testify against the adherents of foresaid +brethren, in strengthening their hands in their course of separation +from the Presbytery, rejecting both their judicial and ministerial +authority, and the ordinances of the gospel dispensed by them. And more +especially, the Presbytery condemn the conduct of such of them as, +professedly dissatisfied with the above said left-hand extremes, and +other defections of foresaid brethren, have therefore broken off from +their communion; yet, instead of returning to their duty in a way of +subjecting themselves to the courts of Christ, and ordinances instituted +by him in his church, have turned back again to their own right-hand +extremes of error, which once they professedly gave up, but now persist +in, an obstinate impugning the validity of their ministerial authority +and protestative mission, undervalue the pure ordinances of the gospel +dispensed by them, and live as if there were no church of Christ in the +land, where they might receive the seals of the covenant, either to +themselves or their children; and therefore, in the righteous judgment +of God, have been left to adopt such a dangerous and erroneous system of +principles, as is a disgrace to the profession of the covenanted +cause.[6] + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +The following supplement, having been a competent length of time before +the church in _overture_, was adopted in Logan county, Ohio, May, 1850. +And, although without the formality of a judicial sanction, we trust it +will not be found destitute of divine authority. The design of it is to +show the application of the principles of our Testimony to society, as +organized in the United States. For although conventional regulations, +civil and ecclesiastical, in this land, are very different from the +condition of society in Great Britain, where our Testimony was first +emitted, yet the corruptions of human nature, embodied in the +combinations of society, are not less visible in this than in other +lands, nor less hostile to the supreme authority of the Lord and his +Anointed. "The beast and the false prophet" continue to be the objects +of popular devotion: Rev. xix, 20. + +_Cincinnati_, Nov. 12th, 1850. + + + + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART III, + +Containing an application of the principles of our Covenanted Testimony +to the existing condition of society in these United States. + + +The controversy which arose between the Associate and Reformed churches, +on the doctrine of civil magistracy, was the occasion of greater +divergency between them, on collateral subjects. From false principles, +consistent reasoning must produce erroneous conclusions. Assuming that +the Son of God, as Mediator, has nothing to do with the concerns of +God's moral government beyond the precincts of the visible church, it +would follow, that church members, as citizens of the "kingdoms of this +world," neither owe him allegiance nor are bound to thank him for +"common benefits." The assumption is, however, obviously erroneous, +because, as Mediator, he is "head over all things to the church," Eph. +i, 22, consequently, all people, nations and languages, are bound to +obey and serve him, in this office capacity, and to thank him for his +mercies. + +While this controversy was keenly managed by the respective parties in +the British isles, the Lord Christ interposed between the disputants, as +it were, to decide the chief point in debate. By the rise of the British +colonies west of the Atlantic, against the parent country, and their +successful struggle to gain a national independence, a clear commentary +was furnished on the long-contested principle, that, in some cases, it +is lawful to resist existing civil powers. Seceders, forgetting, for the +time, their favorite theory, joined their fellow colonists in casting +off the yoke of British rule. Those who vehemently opposed Reformed +Presbyterians, for disowning the British government, joined cheerfully +in its overthrow. How fickle and inconsistent is man! During +the revolutionary struggle might be witnessed the singular +spectacle--humbling to the pride of human reason, revolting to the +sensibilities of the exercised Christian--brethren of the same +communion, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, pleading with the God of +justice to give success to the respective armies! East of the ocean the +petition would be, "Lord, prosper the British arms;" on the west, "Lord, +favor the patriots of these oppressed colonies!" Such are the +consequences natively resulting from a theory alike unscriptural and +absurd--a principle deep-laid in that system of opposition to the Lord +and his Anointed, emphatically styled "The Antichrist." + +Great national revolutions are special trials of the faith and patience +of the saints. No firmness of character will be proof against popular +opinion and example at such a time, without special aid from on high. +Reformed Presbyterians in the colonies rejoiced in the success of the +revolution, issuing in the independence of the United States. Their +expectation of immediate advantage to the reformation cause was too +sanguine. A new frame of civil polity was to be devised by the colonies, +now that they were independent of the British crown. This state of +things called forth the exercise of human intellect, in more than +ordinary measure, to meet the emergency. Frames of national policy are +apt to warp the judgment of good men. Even Christian ministers are prone +to substitute the maxims of human prudence for the precepts of +inspiration. Many divines conceived the idea of conforming the visible +church to the model of the American republic. The plan was projected and +advocated, of bringing all evangelical denominations into one +confederated unity, while the integral parts should continue independent +of each other. This plan would have defeated its own object, the unity +of the visible church, and subverted that form of government established +by Zion's King. Upon trial by some of the New England Independents and +Presbyterians, the plan has proved utterly abortive. + +Prior to the Revolutionary war, a Presbytery had been constituted in +America, upon the footing of the covenanted reformation. The exciting +scenes and active sympathies, attendant on the Revolutionary war, added +to a hereditary love of liberty, carried many covenanters away from +their distinctive principles. The Reformed Presbytery was dissolved, and +three ministers who belonged to it, joining some ministers of the +Associate Church, formed that society, since known by the name of the +Associate Reformed Church. The union was completed in the year 1782, +after having been five years in agitation. + +These ministers professed, as the basis of union, the Westminster +standards; but the abstract of principles, which they adopted as the +more immediate bond of coalescence, discovered, to discerning +spectators, that the individuals forming the combination, were by no +means unanimous in their views of the doctrines taught in those +standards. Indeed, there were certain sections of the Confession +_reserved_ for future discussion, which, in process of time, were wholly +rejected. This attack upon a document, venerable not so much for its age +as its scriptural character, gave rise to zealous opposition by some in +the body, and ultimately resulted in a rupture. Two ministers dissented +from the majority, left their communion, and proceeded to erect a new +organization, styled "The Reformed Dissenting Presbytery." This was in +the year 1801. At this date, there were four denominations, in the +United States, claiming to be the legitimate successors of the British +reformers, viz., the Associate, Reformed, Associate Reformed, and +Reformed Dissenting Presbyterians. Three of these professedly appear +under the banner of a standing judicial testimony, which they severally +emitted to the public. The Associate Reformed Church, by judicial +declaration and uniform practice, is opposed to this method of +testimony-bearing. + +The Reformed Presbytery, which had been dissolved by the defection of +the ministry, during the Revolutionary war, was reorganized toward the +close of the eighteenth century. The troubles in Ireland, when the +inhabitants united for the purpose of gaining independence of the +British crown, were the occasion of bringing strength to the church in +America. Reformed Presbyterians, feeling sensibly with others the arm of +British tyranny, joined interests hastily with Papists and others, in +one sworn association, for the purpose of overturning the existing +government by force of arms. The enterprise, as might have been +expected, was unsuccessful; Isa. viii, 11, 12; Obadiah 7; 2 Cor. vi, 17. +Many fled to the asylum which God had provided, shortly before, in +America. Among the refugees were some of the Covenanters, by which the +church was strengthened in her ministry and membership. + +Early in the nineteenth century, measures were taken by the Reformed +Presbytery, in the United States, for re-exhibiting the principles of a +covenanted reformation, in a judicial way. Accordingly, in the year +1806, the Presbytery published, as adopted, a work entitled "Reformation +Principles Exhibited"--a book which has ever since been popularly called +the American Testimony. The familiar designation, _Testimony_, the +general complexion of the book, the orthodox aspect of terms, and even +most of the leading sentiments of the work, gave it currency, and +rendered it generally acceptable to pious and intelligent Covenanters. +And however it seemed to the unsuspecting to sustain, it eventually and +effectually supplanted the Scottish Testimony. The men who had the +principal hand in giving shape and direction to the principles and +practice of Covenanters in the United States, at that time, were located +in some of the most populous and commercial cities on the Atlantic +coast, where temptations to conform to this world were many and +pressing. A disposition to temporize was manifested in these localities, +soon after their principles had been judicially exhibited. The last war +between the United States and England, subjected Covenanters to new +trials in America. As aliens, they were deemed unsafe residents at the +seaboard, and were ordered, by the government, to retire a certain +distance to the interior (much like the course pursued by Claudius +Caesar toward the Jews, Acts xviii, 2). To meet the exigency, a +deputation of the church was appointed to repair to Washington, in 1812, +and offer a pledge that they would defend the integrity of the country +against all enemies. This measure was, however, never carried out. + +The church increased in numbers and influence, and began to be noticed +with respect and professions of esteem among surrounding denominations. +Some of her members had ventured to act in the capacity of citizens of +the United States, by serving on juries. This was of course managed for +a time clandestinely. At length, waxing confident by success, they began +to act more openly. This gave rise to a petition addressed to the +supreme judicatory of the church. The petitioners were answered by +instructing them to apply for direction to the inferior +judicatories--thus shunning the duty of applying their own acknowledged +principles. This was in the year 1823. This course did not satisfy the +petitioners, and application was again made to Synod in 1825, to explain +the import of their former Act. The reply was--"This Synod never +understood any act of theirs, relative to their members sitting on +juries, or contravening the old common law of the church on that +subject;" a response obviously as equivocal as the preceding. As early +as 1823, a motion was made in the Synod to open a correspondence with +the judicatories of other denominations. This motion was resisted, and +for the time proved abortive. At next meeting of Synod, however, the +measure was brought before that body, by a proposal from the General +Assembly to correspond by delegation. This proposal found many, and some +of them able, advocates in the Reformed. P. Synod. The measure was, +however, again defeated; but immediately after the failure, a number of +ministers forsook the Reformation ranks and consorted with the General +Assembly. In the year 1828, the Synod gave its sanction and lent its +patronage to the Colonization Society, which was continued till the year +1836, when its patronage was transferred to the cause of Abolition. The +spirit of declension became manifest at the session of Synod in 1831, +when some of the most prominent and practical principles of the Reformed +Church were openly thrown into debate, in the pages of a monthly +periodical, under the head of "Free Discussion." Through the pernicious +influence of that perfidious journal, sustained by the patronage of +ministers of eminent standing in the church, a large proportion--neatly +one-half--of the ministry were prepared, by the next meeting of Synod in +1833, to renounce the peculiar principles and long known usages of the +Reformed Covenanted Church. Organizing themselves as a separate body, +yet claiming their former ecclesiastical name, they deliberately +incorporated with the government of the United States, and some of the +senior ministers, more fully to testify their loyalty, in their old age, +took the oath of naturalization!--thus breaking down the carved work +which they had for many years assiduously labored to erect. + +It was hoped that the severe trial to which the professing witnesses of +Christ were subjected at that time, would have taught them a lesson not +soon to be forgotten. It was thought by many that the church was now +purged from the leaven which had almost leavened the whole lump. The +Synod met in 1834, when a perverse spirit was evident in the midst of +its members. The Colonization and Abolition Societies, with other +associations--the exfoliations of Antichrist--had evidently gained an +ascendency in the affections of many of the members. The altercation and +bitterness with which the claims of these societies were discussed, +evidenced to such as were free from their infection, that some of those +present viewed these popular movements as transcending in importance, +the covenanted testimony of the church. As the practice of occasional +hearing was on the increase in some sections of the church, Synod was +memorialized on that subject, but refused to declare the law of the +church. The old spirit of conformity to the world was still more +manifest in 1836, when Synod was importuned by her children, from the +eastern and western extremes of the church, by petition, memorial, +protest and appeal--growing out of the practice then generally prevalent +of incorporating with the voluntary associations of the age. The +response of the supreme judicatory was in this case as ambiguous as on +any former occasion. The backsliding course of the factious majority was +but feebly counteracted by dissent from only two members of Synod; a +respectable minority having been outwitted by the carnal wisdom of those +who were prompt in applying the technicalities of law. Hope was, +however, cherished, that this check so publicly given, together with the +practical workings of the system of moral amalgamation, would induce +even reckless innovators to pause--to consider their ways and their +doings. This hope, however rational and sanguine, was totally +disappointed in 1838, when the table of the supreme judicatory might be +said to be crowded with petitions, letters, remonstrances, memorials, +protests and appeals. The just grievances of the children of witnessing +and martyred fathers, were treated with contempt--"laid on the table," +"returned," with the cry "let them be kicked under the table," &c. And +when some attempted to urge their right to be heard, they were called to +order, treated with personal insult, or subjected to open violence. A +few of these, having thus experienced the tyranny and abuse of the +ruling faction, declined the authority and communion of Synod, and +established a separate fellowship. + +When the Synod again met in 1840, the same measures which had been +carried by mob violence at the preceding meeting, were pressed as +before; but with less tumult--leaders having learned caution from the +consequences following their former outrageous conduct. Matters had now +come to a crisis, when a reclaiming minority were reduced to this +dilemma--either to acquiesce in the almost total subversion of the +covenanted constitution of the church; or, by separating from an +irreclaimable majority, attempt, by an independent organization, to make +up the breach. It is easy to see which alternative was duty, not only +from the nature of the case, but from the well defined footsteps of the +flock. Reformation has been effected in the church of God in all ages, +by the protestation and separation of a virtuous Minority. At this +juncture a paper was laid upon the table of Synod, of which the +following is a true copy: + +"PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. + +"Whereas, It is the province and indispensable duty of this Synod, when +society is in a state of agitation as at present, to know the signs of +the times and what Israel ought to do: and whereas it is also the duty +of this Synod, to testify in behalf of truth, to condemn sin and testify +against those who commit it; to acquaint our people with their danger, +and search into the causes of God's controversy with them and with us: +and whereas it is the duty of Synod further, to point out to the people +of God the course to be pursued, that divine judgments may be averted or +removed--therefore, + +"1. _Resolved_, That uniting with, or inducing to fellowship, by the +members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the voluntary and +irresponsible associations of the day--composed of persons of all +religious professions and of no profession--be condemned, as unwarranted +by the word of God, the subordinate Standards of the church, and the +practice of our covenant fathers. + +"2. That an inquiry be instituted, in order to ascertain the grounds of +God's controversy with us, in the sins of omission and commission, +wherewith we are chargeable in our ecclesiastical relations. + +"3. That the sins thus ascertained, be confessed, mourned over and +forsaken, and our engagement to the contrary duties renewed; that the +Lord may return, be entreated of his people and leave a blessing behind +him." + +This paper was instantly "laid on the table;" and when, at a subsequent +session of the court, it was regularly called up for action, it was +again and finally "laid on the table!" Ever since that transaction, this +paper has been diligently misrepresented, as consisting only of _one_ +resolution, and that the _first_, contrary to its own evidence. + +After the final adjournment of Synod, those individuals who, as a +minority, had opposed the innovations and backslidings of their +brethren, embraced an opportunity for consultation. It appeared that +without preconcert, they were unanimous that all legal means having +failed to reclaim their backsliding brethren, who constituted a large +majority of Synod; both duty and necessity required them to assume a +position independent _of_ former organizations, that they might, +untrammeled, carry out practically their testimony. Accordingly two +ministers and three ruling elders proceeded to constitute a Presbytery +on constitutional ground, declaring in the deed of constitution, +adherence to all reformation attainments. This transaction took place in +the city of Alleghany, June 24th, 1840. The declining majority continued +their course of backsliding, following those who had relinquished their +fellowship with slanderous imputations and pretended censure, as is +usual in such cases. Since that time, there are no evidences given by +them either of repentance or reformation. + +The Synod of Scotland has for many years been in a; course of +declension, in many respects very similar to that of America. As early +as the year 1815, some ministers of that body began to betray a +disposition to accommodate their profession to the taste of the world. +The judicial testimony emitted by their fathers was represented as too +elaborate and learned to be read and understood by the common reader, +and too severe in its strictures upon the principles and practice of +other Christian denominations. The abstract of terms of communion was +viewed as too strict and uncharitable, especially the Auchensaugh +Covenant became particularly obnoxious. By a persevering importunity for +a series of years this degenerating party prevailed so far in the Synod +as to have the Auchensaugh Deed expunged from the symbols of their +profession. This was accomplished in 1822; and, taken in connection with +other movements indicating a prevailing spirit of worldly conformity, +this outrage upon the constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, +gave rise to a secession from the body, by the oldest minister in the +connection, and a considerable number of others, elders and members. At +the above date, the Rev. James Reed declined the fellowship of the +Scottish Synod; and he maintained the integrity of the covenanted +standards in a separate communion till his death: declaring at his +latter end, that "he could not have laid his head upon a dying pillow in +peace, if he had not acted as he did in that matter." + +Deaf to the remonstrances of this aged and faithful minister, his former +brethren pursued their perverse and downward course, until their new +position became apparent by the adoption of a Testimony and Terms of +Communion adapted to their taste. Their Testimony was adopted in 1837. +This document ostensibly consists of two parts, historical and +doctrinal; but really only of the latter as _authoritative_. This will +appear from the preface to the history, as also that it is without the +_formal_ sanction of the Synod, which appears prefixed to the doctrinal +part of the book. A considerable time before they ventured to obtrude +this new Testimony on the church; they had prepared the way for its +introduction, by supplanting the authoritative "Rules of Society," +framed and adopted by their fathers. This was done by issuing what they +called a "Guide to Social Worship," which the Scottish Synod sent forth +under an ambiguous _recommendation_, and the spurious production was +republished by order of Synod, in America, 1836, with the like equivocal +expression of approbation. + +What has been just related of the Ref. Pres. Church in Scotland, will +apply substantially to that section of the same body in Ireland. On the +doctrine of the magistrate's power _circa sacra_, however, there was a +controversy of several years' continuance and managed with much +asperity, in which Rev. Messrs. John Paul, D.D., and Thomas Houston were +the most distinguished disputants. Their contendings issued in breach of +organic fellowship in 1840. Indeed the sister-hood which had subsisted +for many years among the Synods east and west of the Atlantic ocean, was +violated in 1833; when the rupture took place in the Synod of America, +by the elopement of the declining party, who are since known by alliance +with the civil institutions of the United States. Among these five +Synods, the principle called _elective affinity_ has been strikingly +exemplified; while what the Scripture denominates _schism_, has been as +visibly rampant as perhaps at any period under the Christian +dispensation. + +This brief historical sketch may serve to show the outlines of the +courses respectively pursued by the several parties in the British Isles +and America, who have made professions of attachment to that work in the +kingdom of Scotland especially, which has been called the Second +Reformation. But the duty of fidelity to Zion's King, and even the duty +of charity to these backsliding brethren; together with the informing of +the present and succeeding generations, require, that we notice more +formally some of the more prominent measures of these ecclesiastical +bodies and so manifest more fully our relation to them. It is not to be +expected however, that we are about to condescend upon _all_ the +erroneous sentiments or steps of defection, supplied by the history of +these communities. To direct the honest inquiries of the Lord's people, +and assist them in that process of reasoning by which facts are compared +with acknowledged Standards, supreme and subordinate, that their +moral character may be tested, is all that is proposed in the following +sections. + +SECTION I. The Secession from the Revolution Church of Scotland in that +country assumed a position in relation to the civil institutions of +Great Britain, which their posterity continue too occupy until the +present time in the United States without material alteration. + +1. They cooperate practically with all classes in the civil community, +in maintaining national rebellion against the Lord and his Anointed. +They give their suffrages toward the elevation of vile persons to the +highest places of civil dignity in the American confederacy--knowing the +candidates to be strangers or enemies to Immanuel. And although they +have recently lifted a testimony against that system of robbery called +slavery, which is so far right; yet this fact only goes to render their +professed loyalty to an unscriptural frame of civil government, as +manifestly inconsistent as it is impious. + +2. The have all along in the United States renounced the civil part of +the British Covenants, declaring that they "neither have nor ever had +anything to do with them." Truth is not local, nor does the obligation +of the second table of the moral law, on which that part of our +covenants is plainly founded, depend on the permanency of our residence +in a particular portion of the world. "The earth is the Lord's and the +fullness thereof." It follows, that however solemnly or frequently they +profess to renew their fathers' covenants; the whole transaction +displays their unfaithfulness to the Lord, who is a party in the +covenants; and is calculated to mislead the unwary. + +3. Their unsteadfastness is further evidenced, by conforming to other +ecclesiastical communities in the loose practice of occasional or +indiscriminate hearing; and even in some instances of ministerial +intercommunion--the law of their church on that matter having become +obsolete. Against these courses, in some of which that body has +obstinately persevered for more than a hundred years, we deem it +incumbent on us to continue an uncompromising testimony. Many comments +the Moral Governor of the nations has furnished in his providence within +the last century, making still more intelligible the righteous claims of +his word: but Seceders seem to have their moral vision obscured by a +vail of hereditary prejudice. We trust the Lord is on his way to destroy +the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is +spread over all nations; Is. xxv, 7. + +SEC. II. Our testimony against the unfaithfulness of the Associate +Reformed Church, continues also without material change since the rise +of that body. The following among others may here be noticed, as +constituting just grounds of opposition in a way of testimony-bearing, +by all who would be found faithful to the Lord, and their covenant +engagements. + +1. Their very origin was unwarranted by scripture. All the scriptural +attainments to which they profess to adhere, were already incorporated +in the standards of the organic bodies, from whose fellowship they +seceded. They did therefore make a breach without a definite object, and +multiply divisions in the visible body of Christ without necessity. Thus +they did violence to the royal law of love; for while under a profession +of charity they invited to their new fellowship their former brethren; +the nature of the case evinces a disposition to unmitigated tyranny. +This state of things we think has not been generally understood. We +shall here endeavor to render it intelligible. The fact of organizing +that church (the Associate Reformed) said to both Covenanters and +Seceders "It is your duty to dissolve your respective organizations, and +join us." This is undeniable. The Covenanter or Seceder replies by +asking--"What iniquity have you or your fathers found in us, that you +forsook our communion?" &c. "Not any," replies the Associate Reformed +Church; "only some trifling opinions peculiar to you severally which we +deem unworthy of contending about. Only join our church, and we will +never quarrel with you, relative to your singularities." "Ah," replies +the other party, "the matters about which we differ, are trifling in +your account; how then could they be of such magnitude as to warrant +your breaking fellowship with us? What you call _trifles, +peculiarities_, &c, we cannot but still judge important principles, +sealed by the precious blood of martyrs: must we deny these or bury them +in silence, to gain membership in your new church? Is this the nature +and amount of your professed charity? This is not that heaven-born +principle 'that rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.' +You break fellowship for what you esteem mere trifles--you propose to us +a new term of communion, with which it is morally impossible that we +should comply, without doing violence to our consciences. Is this +charity or tyranny?" + +2. Although covenanting was declared by this body at their origin, to be +an "important duty," they never recognized the solemn deeds of their +fathers as binding on them; nor have they ever attempted the +acknowledged duty in a way supposed to be competent to themselves. Nay, +the obligation of the British covenants has been denied both openly and +frequently from the pulpit and the press; and even attempts have been +made, not seldom, by profane ridicule, to bring them into contempt. The +very duty of public, social covenanting, either in a National or +ecclesiastical capacity, has been often opposed in the polemic writings +of the ministers of this body, however often inculcated and exemplified +in the word of God. The moral nature of the duty taken in connection +with prophetic declarations, to be fulfilled only under the Christian +dispensation, demonstrates the permanency of this divine ordinance until +the end of the world. + +3. This church set out with unsound views of church fellowship, as has +been already in part made appear. But when their position came to be +more pointedly defined, they made the novel distinction between _fixed_ +and _occasional_ communion. The practical tendency of this unscriptural +experiment was necessarily to _catholic_ communion, which theory was +soon advocated by some of the most prominent of the ministry; and +accordingly eventuated in the merging of a large number of her ministry +and membership, in the communion of the General Assembly. + +4. On the doctrine of the divine ordinance of civil government, this +church has all along been unsound; as is fully evidenced in the practice +of her members, which has been similar to that of Seceders. Our +testimony against the latter is, in this particular, equally directed +against the former. + +5. This church has appeared as the advocate of a boundless toleration, +conforming her views and policy in a most servile manner to the infidel +model presented in the civil constitutions of republican America. It +would seem, indeed, that this body aimed at conforming their +ecclesiastical polity to that standard, from the fact that the very +symbol of their profession as a corporate body, is designated the +"Constitution of the Associate Reformed Church"--a designation which +might be considered as militating against the supremacy of the Holy +Scriptures. In this Constitution a sphere is assigned to conscience, +which is incompatible with due subjection to the Supreme Lawgiver. As +well might the _will_, or any other faculty of the soul of man, be +invested with this impious supremacy, and immunity from control, by any +authority instituted on earth by the only Lord of conscience. Jehovah +will rule the _consciences_ of his creatures, as well as their +_judgments_ and _wills_, by his holy law, in the civil commonwealth, in +the church and in the family. + +6. The unfaithfulness of this body appears further, in shunning to +declare the _divine right_ and unalterableness of Presbyterial Church +Government, she testifies not against Prelacy or Independency. If this +church is Presbyterial in practice, it is on no better footing than that +of the Revolution Church of Scotland. + +7. The purity of divine worship is not guarded by the terms of +fellowship in this church. It is true, "No Hymns merely of human +composure, are allowed in her churches." But what mean these guarded +terms and phrases, "merely;" "churches?" The best interpretation of +these cunningly contrived expressions is supplied by the practice of +those ministers of the body, who scruple not to offer unto God "hymns +merely of human composure" when occupying pulpits of other +denominations, or sojourning for a night in families where these hymns +are statedly used. It is known that this part of the order of public +worship has been submitted in some instances, to the voice of the +congregation by their pastor; thus manifesting in the same act, +latitudinarianism in regard both to the government and worship of the +house of God. + +Lastly, to specify no further--Laxity of discipline is observable in +this church. She has always admitted to her fellowship, and to a +participation in her special privileges (the seals of the covenants), +persons who openly deny the divine warrant for a fast in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper; yea, who ridicule that part of the +solemnity as _superstitious_! The same privileges are granted in this +church to such as habitually neglect the worship of God in the family. +Nor does this church inculcate or enjoin, as a part of Christian +practice, fellowship meetings for prayer and conference. We must, as +witnesses for the cause of Christ, solemnly protest against these +sentiments and correspondent practices, as inconsistent with the +scripture and the reformation attainments of our covenant fathers. + +SEC. III. The Reformed Dissenting Church embraced more of the peculiar +principles of the covenanted reformation than either of the two +preceding. On the doctrines of magistracy and toleration, abstractly +considered, they have manifested commendable fidelity. Nevertheless, in +the practical application of these doctrines and in other respects, we +are constrained to continue a testimony against them. + +1. What has been remarked of the origin of the Associate Reformed body, +is partly true also of the party which dissented from them: their +organization was uncalled for, there being no scriptural attainment +embraced by them, which was not already exhibited under a judicial +banner. Those who erected the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery may have +been harshly treated by ministers of the Reformed Presbytery, when +attempting negotiations for union, as public fame has often rumored: yet +supposing this to have been the case, multiplying separate fellowships +was not a happy expedient for effecting union in the truth. + +2. This body of Christians have been all along unfaithful in applying +their own avowed principles relative to magistracy. Their innovation in +this respect would seem to have been a carnal expedient to reach a +two-fold object: the one, to retaliate on the Reformed Church for +supposed indignities offered; the other, to render themselves more +popular in the eyes of other communities. They admit that a constitution +of civil government may be so immoral, that it cannot be considered as +God's ordinance; that in such a case "no Christian can, without sinning +against God, accept any office supreme or subordinate, where an oath to +support such a constitution is made essential to his office." These +admissions are equally just and important; yet these concessions are +wholly neutralized in practice by these people, for they claim it as +their privilege to choose others to fill those offices, which they say, +they themselves cannot fill "without sinning against God." We must +continue our earnest testimony against this attempt to separate in law, +between the representative and his constituents, involving as it does, +if consistently carried out, the total overthrow of the covenants of +works and grace, and ultimately of God's moral government by his +annotated Son! The effort made to sustain their practice in this matter, +from the examples of the Marquis of Argyle and Lord Warriston, is very +disingenuous; simply because the church of Scotland had not at the date +referred to, reached the measure of her attainments on that head. +Indeed, the whole drift of their argument goes to justify the position, +that in some cases, it is expedient to do evil that good may come. + +3. On the doctrine of faith this church has, we think, darkened counsel, +by words without knowledge. Their distinctions and caveats relative to +_assurance_, are calculated rather to bewilder than enlighten the mind +of the general reader. "Receiving and resting on Christ as offered in +the gospel," amounts to "appropriation, certainty, assurance," &c. There +is evidence of a tendency to "vain jangling" here, against which, even +suppose there be no error couched in the terms, we ought to testify. + +4. This church evinces a disposition to intercommunion, in the practice +both of ministers and members, wholly inconsistent with steadfastness, +and at war with her own declared views of toleration. Occupying pulpits +in common with more corrupt communities, doing this in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and attendance and co-operation +with others in conventional proceedings among those who style themselves +"Reformed Churches," are practices among these people, on which we feel +constrained to animadvert with decided disapprobation. As also their +violation of the form of Presbyterian church government by one minister +with ruling elders presuming to set apart candidates to the office of +the holy ministry. + +SEC. IV. To speak thus publicly against those who may be the precious +sons of Zion, is a painful duty. That charity, however, which rejoiceth +in the truth, requires of Christ's witnesses that they censure and +rebuke, in a way competent to them, those of the household of faith whom +they see and know to be in a course of error or of sin; _Isa._ lviii, 1; +_Tit._ i, 13. + +Many of those with whom we were wont to take pleasure in displaying a +banner jointly, and in a judicial capacity, are now, alas! arrayed +against us. To the real friend of Jesus, and the truth as it is in +Jesus, there cannot be a more lamentable spectacle than the _professed +witnesses_ of the Lamb disposed in rank under hostile colors as the +company--not of two, but of many armies, ready to engage in mutual +destruction! And indeed those who bite and devour one another, are in +danger of being consumed one of another. The Lord is righteous in all +that is come upon us; for we have sinned against him--both we and our +fathers. We know not how to avert more wrath from the Lord, reclaim +backsliders, confirm the wavering, direct sincere inquirers, apprise the +unsuspecting of their danger, and exonerate our own consciences, +otherwise than by giving open, candid and honest testimony for Christ +and truth, against those, even once brethren by covenant bonds, who have +dishonored him, and caused the way of truth to be evil spoken of. + +Against those who separated from us in Philadelphia, 1833, erecting a +rival judicatory, and dishonestly claiming the name Reformed +Presbyterian Church, we bear our feeble testimony for the following +among other reasons: + +1. They did then openly enter on a course subversive of our whole +covenanted system of doctrine and order, by withdrawing their dissent +from the civil institutions of the United States, and incorporating with +the National Society--knowing the same to be, by the terms of the +national compact, opposed in many respects, both to godliness and +honesty. + +2. This party had, in a clandestine way, exerted their influence to +seduce and draw away disciples after them for a series of years. This is +evident from the petitions addressed to Synod on the jury law, issuing +from those who are known to have been in correspondence with some of the +leaders in that defection. + +3. This party are chargeable with mutilating the Judicial Testimony +emitted in Scotland, 1761; and also with changing the terms of +communion, and obtruding a mutilated formula upon an unsuspecting +people, contrary to due order. + +_History_ and _argument_ are excluded from the terms of Church +Fellowship, on the very face of "Reformation Principles Exhibited;" and +the Auchensaugh Covenant expunged from the formula of terms of +communion, without submitting them in overture to the people for +inspection. We say these steps of defection and apostasy are chargeable +to the account of those who made the breach in 1833: _First_, Because +the senior and leading ministers in that separation were the men who +framed the American Testimony and Terms of Communion; and so had many +years before laid the platform and projected the course on which they +violently entered at that date. _Second_, These separatists, in the +edition of these symbols of their profession lately published, have +consistently left out of the volume, the Historical Part, and also +remodeled the formula of Terms of Communion. + +4. This body continues to wax worse and worse, against all remonstrance +from their former connections and others, as also in the face of +providential rebukes;--losing, because forfeiting, the confidence of +conscientious and honorable men, exemplified in the frequent meetings, +and to them, disastrous results, of the Convention of, so called, +Reformed Churches. + +SEC. V. With the foregoing party may be classed those different and +conflicting fellowships in Scotland and Ireland, whose recent Terms of +Communion and Judicial Testimony, substantially identify with those +mentioned in the preceding section. + +1. Public fame charges the Eastern Synod of Ireland, and the Synod of +Scotland, with connivance at the members and officers under their +inspection, in co-operating with the immoral and anti-christian +government of Great Britain. They are therefore guilty of giving their +power and strength to that powerful and blood-thirsty horn of the beast. +We are inclined to give more credit to public fame in this than we would +in many other cases, because: + +2. These Synods have opened a door in their new Testimony for such +sinful confederacies. "What!" will the simple and uninitiated reader of +the Testimony ask, "does not that Testimony declare, often and often, +that the British constitution is anti-christian?" We answer, the _book_ +declares so; but we caution the reader to be on his guard, lest he judge +and take for granted, without a careful examination, that the book and +the Testimony are the same thing. Let the honest inquirer consult the +_preface_ to the _Historical_ part of the book, and then the preface to +the Doctrinal part: the latter, he will find, on due examination, to +constitute the Testimony. True, in page 8 of the preface to the volume, +it is said, "the Testimony, as now published, consists of two parts, the +one _Historical_ and the other _Doctrinal_." This sounds orthodox; but, +in the same page, when these two parts come to be defined, it is said, +"when the church requires of those admitted into her fellowship, an +acknowledgement of a work like the present, the approbation expressed +has a reference to the _principles_ embodied in it, and _the proper +application_ of them," &c. "So they wrap it up"--better than our fathers +succeeded in a similar enterprise in America. The truth is what they +call the _historical_ part is largely _argumentative_; and both these +parts are carefully and covertly excluded from the _terms of +fellowship_! We shall have occasion to recur to this subject, as there +are many others likeminded with these innovators. + +3. These people are also deeply involved in the popular, so called, +benevolent associations of the world, Sunday Schools, Bible Societies, +Temperance Reforms, Missionary Enterprise, &c, evidencing a wide +departure from our covenanted uniformity, based upon our covenanted +Testimony. + +SEC. VI. Those who in 1838, on account of sensible tyranny, growing out +of defection on the part of the majority, declined the authority of +Synod, have shared all along in our sympathies; and it has been our +desire that they and we could see eye to eye in the doctrines and order +of the house of God. + +Although this party promised fair for a time, and apparently contended +for "all the attainments of a covenanted reformation," in process of +time it became apparent that they possessed not intelligence sufficient +to manage a consistent testimony for that cause. They seem to have been +under the influence of temporary impulse, arising from the experience of +_mal-administration_; rather than to have discovered any +_constitutional_ defection in the body from which they separated. This +is apparent indeed if we have access to any credible source of +information relative to the principles they profess, and their Christian +practice. More particularly, + +1. Although that paper which they designate "Safety League," has the +sound of orthodoxy; yet, as originated, and since interpreted by them, +there is a lamentable falling off from the attainments and footsteps of +the flock. _First_, so far as we can ascertain, that instrument had +clandestine origin being framed and subscribed by those _who were yet in +fellowship with the Synod_! This might be earnest, but, we think, not +honorable contending for the truth. _Second_, when this paper comes to +be interpreted by its framers and signers, it seems to cover only the +American Testimony and Terms, as remodeled by breach of presbyterial +order. At other times, it will conveniently extend to the Scottish +Testimony, 1761, and the Auchensaugh Deed, 1712! From which we infer +that these people have no settled standards. + +2. We testify against these people for unwarrantable separation from us. +One of their elders co-operated in organizing the Reformed Presbytery in +1840; this in official, and, as then distinctly understood, +representative capacity. Yet, some time afterward, he and his brethren +withdrew from said Presbytery, without assigning justifiable reasons. + +3. Efforts are known to have been made, by some then in their +fellowship, to have social corresponding meetings established among +them, but without success; in opposition to the well-defined example of +our witnessing fathers, whose example they affect to imitate. + +Lastly, these quondam brethren are not, to this day, distinguishable, in +the symbols of their profession, from any party who have more evidently +and practically abandoned the distinctive principles and order of a +covenanted ancestry. There is no constitutional barrier in the way of +their coalescence with any party, whom interest or caprice may select. + +SEC. VII. Against that party usually, but improperly, styled the Old +Lights, are we obliged to testify more pointedly than against any other +party now claiming to be Reformed Presbyterians. _First_, because we +believe there are among them still, real Covenanters; and, in proportion +to the whole body, a greater number of such than in any other +fellowship. These we would undeceive, if the Lord will; for we earnestly +desire renewed fellowship with all such on original ground. _Second_, +because the leaders among these make the fairest show in the flesh, and, +calculating on spiritual sloth and the force of confirmed habit, hope to +lead honest people insensibly after them back into Egypt. _Third_, +because they are more numerous, and, from habit, more exemplary than +other parties; and therefore more likely to influence honest Christians +unwittingly to dishonor Christ, and gainsay his precious truth. + +1. These former brethren acted, in 1833, very similar to the policy of +the Revolution Church of Scotland in 1689. Instead of repairing the +breaches made, and going on to fortify our New Testament Jerusalem, +against the assaults of enemies in future, they rested in their present +position, providing only for a new edition of Reformation Principles +Exhibited, with a continuance of the history to that date. It was urged, +at the time, that the argumentative part of our Testimony should be +hastened to completion, but without effect. As the apostate Assembly of +Scotland, 1689, admitted unsound ministers, curates, &c., to seats in +court; so, with the like politic design, members were admitted to seats +in Synod, 1833, who claimed "a right to withdraw to another party, if +they should see cause"--yea, one of these was called to the moderator's +chair! + +2. At next meeting, 1834, when the continuation of the historical part +of the Testimony was read, and referred to a committee for publication +in the forthcoming edition of Reformation Principles Exhibited, it was +directed that the terms of communion should be inserted, supplying the +deficiency in the first term, in these words: "and the alone infallible +rule of faith and manners." In the new edition these important words +were omitted, as before! Several ministers seemed to be influenced in +social relations, at that time, more by public opinion, than by the +infallible rule. No further progress was made with the argumentative +part of the Testimony, and a petition from Greenfield, to have Synod's +mind relative to occasional hearing, was returned. Against these steps +of unfaithfulness we lift our protest. + +3. Against the tyranny manifested at the next meeting, there were some +to stand up at the time; but the spirit of the world prevailed in all +the important transactions. We testify against those who refused to +permit petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed to that court, +to be read. Especially do we protest against that satanical spirit +evidenced in misrepresenting certain respectful and argumentative +papers, as being "abusive," "insulting," &c.: also the unrighteous +attempt, by some guilty members of that court, to stop the mouth of +petitioners; and we condemn the reason assigned for so doing, viz., +"They had no right to petition, because they were under suspension"! +This reason is worthy of double condemnation, as coming from the mouth +of him who, in this instance, acted the ecclesiastical tyrant, and who +would come down from Zion's walls to the plains of Ono, mingle in +political strife, that he might open his mouth for the dumb; and because +a brother in covenant bonds would demur, censure him, and then make the +fact of censure a reason why he should not be heard when petitioning for +relief from such tyranny! "Revolters are profound to make slaughter." + +4. As papers were numerous on the table of Synod in 1838, so they +furnished occasion for displays of character and conduct, humiliating to +all lovers of Zion, who witnessed the transactions of that meeting of +the supreme judicatory. + +This was the first time, so far as we know, when that body was called +upon formally to review and rectify, in a way competent to them, some +parts, both of the constitutional law and administration of the Reformed +Presbyterian Synod and Church in America. For a series of years, and +chiefly through the influence of leaders in that faction which separated +from the body in 1833, high-handed measures of tyranny had transpired: +and some of the subjects of that tyranny were yet writhing under a sense +of accumulated wrongs; others had, by death, been released from this +species of persecution. Some thought it dutiful to call Synod's +attention to these matters, and a _petition_ was laid before them, from +Rev. Robert Lusk, requesting that certain cases of discipline, which the +petitioner specified, be reviewed; and especially asking, that "the term +_testimony_ be restored to its former ecclesiastical use." As this was, +in our deliberate opinion, the most important measure brought under the +cognizance of the church representative in America, during the current +of the nineteenth century, it was thought the court would take the +matter under deliberate consideration. Whether through ignorance of the +matter proposed, or that sectional interests engrossed the attention of +parties, or that the prevailing majority desired to be untrammeled in +their future course, the petition was smuggled through and shuffled by, +under the cognomen of a "letter," which a member of Synod answered on +behalf of the court, as though it were a matter of the smallest +importance imaginable! We solemnly testify against this manner of +disposing of a weighty matter at that time, whether through inattention +or design. We protest also against the violent conduct of those +ministers, and others on the same occasion, who made the place of solemn +worship and judicial deliberation, a scene of confusion, by +vociferations, gesticulations and physical force, in violation of God's +law, ordination vows, and the first principle of Presbyterian church +government. + +5. Here we can advert only to a tithe of the fruits of darkness, which +had been increasing in quantity and bitterness, since the meeting of +Synod in New York, 1838. To carry out measures of worldly policy, in +1840, diligent electioneering was carried on during the intermediate +time, that the court might be what is technically called a _packed +Synod_. That court was chiefly composed of such ministers and elders as +were known to favor innovations; and some who were known to be disposed +to resist defection, were excluded from seats in court. Against this +dishonest, partial and unjust measure, we protest. And here we lift our +testimony against this course, as having greatly retarded the Lord's +work for many years before, and as having facilitated the introduction +of error, disorder and open tyranny, in manifold instances, during the +same period. + +6. We testify against the tyranny exercised upon James McKinney, of +Coldenham, who was not allowed to read his vindication and +justification, when he asked permission to do so, from the published +sentiments of some of those who condemned him!!! Also the cruelty +practiced toward Miss King, an absent member, whose representation of +her case to the Synod, could not so much as be heard. We bear testimony +against those who in that Synod would interrupt, call to order--in +violation of order--those members who were appearing in defense of +injured truth, and who were often silenced by tumult, or the call of +order by an obsequious moderator. Especially do we testify against the +dishonesty and unfaithfulness of that body, displayed by them in +disposing of the paper inserted (see p. 132), calling Synod's attention +to what we firmly believe to be the source of all the error, guilt and +distractions incident or attending to that body for many years. + +On the practice of confederating with the enemies of God, we testify +against this party, not only for the _fact_ of so confederating, but +also, and chiefly, for resisting the evidence of God's word, often +adduced in condemnation of the practice--refusing to hear the +testimonies, experience, and reasoning of Christ's witnesses and +martyr's when cited from the Cloud of Witnesses, Informatory +Vindication, Gillespie on Confederacies, &c; and for obstinately going +on in this trespass, in the face of manifold convictions from living +witnesses and providential rebukes. + +As it respects ecclesiastical relations, we testify against these former +brethren for having wittingly, perseveringly, and presumptuously +fostered _schism_ in the visible church, manifestly for carnal ends, +during many years. It is notorious that five Synods are in organic +fellowship, while hardly two of them will hold ministerial or +sacramental communion! What a picture does this state of things in the +professing church of Christ present to the infidel; how hardening to the +self-righteous and the openly profane! And although conventional +regulations be lightly looked upon by many, not being based upon express +words of scripture; yet when framed and engaged to, according to the +general rules of scripture, much sin is the result of violating them, +and trampling them under foot, as has often been done by this body of +people. This has been the case in Presbyteries, subordinate Synods, and +especially in the general Synod. Subordinate Synods have been dissolved +by the action of the general Synod after they had ceased to be; and +without consulting the Presbyteries, who alone were competent to decree +or dissolve the delegation form of the general Synod, that court +dissolved itself, after having many years trampled upon the law of +Presbyteries fixing the ratio of delegation. Against such reckless, +disorderly procedure we testify as being the cause or occasion of much +sin against Zion's King, and much suffering to his precious people. + +Finally--We solemnly enter our protestation against this church, as +having taken the lead of most others in razing the very foundation stone +of the covenanted structure. All the evils that have befallen the +professed friends of a work of reformation on both sides of the Atlantic +are traceable to a _setting aside_ the _footsteps_ of the flock from +being terms of ecclesiastical communion. It is now more than ten years +since this important matter was expressly submitted to the Old Light +Synod's consideration, and during the subsequent period, in various +forms, the same has been pressed, but without effect; except as +manifesting more fully their obduracy. They refuse still to return, +Ephraim-like, going on frowardly in the way of their own heart. + +That uninspired history ought to be incorporated among the terms of +communion in the Church of Christ, is a proposition which we firmly +believe, on the evidence both of reason and Scripture, although denied, +condemned, and rejected by all pretenders to reformation attainments. +That _history_ and _argument_ are so rejected by all parties affecting +to be _reformed_ churches, will appear from the following citations from +their own authoritative judicial declarations: "Authentic history and +sound argument are always to be highly valued; but they should not be +incorporated with the confession of the Church's faith." "The +Declaratory part is, the Church's _standing Testimony_."--Ref. Prin. +Exhibited, preface--edition, 1835. Here history and argument are both +excluded, not only from the Church's _testimony_ but also from her +confession! This is the declared sentiment of Old and New Light +Covenants, together with the Safety League people--evidencing to all who +are free from party influence, that however they differ in practice, on +this all important point they perfectly harmonize in principle. East of +the Atlantic, among the three Synods professing to follow the footsteps +of the flock, the declared sentiment is the same, but then they differ +from their brethren in practice--mingling with the heathen and learning +their works without scruple. In this respect they are more consistent +than the other parties, though more visibly corrupt. + +The Reformed Dissenters "prefix a _Narrative_ to their testimony," thus +rejecting _history_ from _testimony_. Some advocates for union in +conventions of reformed churches, have plead for a historical +introduction to their proposed _testimony_; but they have carefully +assured the public that this introduction shall constitute no _term_ of +union or communion. Thus, it is evident, that all the professed +followers of the British Reformers around us, have cast off this +reformation attainment from the standards of their professions +severally. We condemn this church-rending and soul-ruining sentiment, +and testify against all who maintain it, for the following reasons: + +_First_, on their part it is inconsistent and self-contradictory. They +all say they are following the footsteps and holding the attainments of +the Scottish Reformers. But how do they discover these footsteps, or how +ascertain these attainments? Are they recorded in the Bible? No. Are +they to be found elsewhere but in _uninspired history_? Certainly no +where else. Yet all these parties absurdly reject uninspired history +from their bonds of fellowship! and still venture to tell the world, +they are holding fast these attainments!! This is solemn trifling, +profane mockery. _Second_. This position is unsound and false in the +light of reason. All civilized nations, as well as the Jews, have it +written in their laws, "That the testimony of two men is true." The +witnesses do not need to be inspired to be credible. "We receive the +witness of men," although a "false witness will utter lies." No society +can exist without practical recognition of the credibility of human +testimony; and this is especially true of the "Church of the living God, +which is the pillar and ground of the truth;" for, _Third_. In the light +of Scripture, her members cannot perform some of their most important +duties, either to God or to one another if they irrationally and +wickedly relinquish this principle. God's people are charged "not to +forget his mighty works;" Psa. lxxviii. 7. Are these works all written +in the Bible? They are required to confess their fathers' sins, as well +as their own. Since the divine canon was closed, many sins have been, +and now are chargeable against professing Christians. Are these recorded +in the Scriptures? And thus the reader may ask himself of sin and duty +to any extent, in relation to God as a party. + +And the same is true of the second table of the moral law. For example: +in reference to "the first commandment with promise," should the +Christian minor be asked as the Jew did his Lord, "Who is your father?" +How shall he answer? Is he warranted to appeal to God to manifest his +earthly sonship? No; but he is required by God's law to "honor his +father;" and his obedience to this command is grounded on human +testimony as to the object to whom this honor is due. Thus consistency, +reason and scripture combine, to accuse and fasten guilt--the guilt of +apostasy upon all who have renounced that fundamental principle of our +glorious covenanted reformation--_that history and argument belong to +the bond of ecclesiastical fellowship_. With any who hold the theory +here condemned, however exemplary or even conscientious in morals and +religion they may appear, we can have no ecclesiastical fellowship; for, +however ardent their attachment or strong their expressions of affection +to Confession, Catechisms, Covenants, &c.; they give no guarantee of +competent intelligence or probable stability; as alas! we see in the +present declining course of many in our day. + +We would earnestly and affectionably beseech all well wishers to a +covenanted work of reformation: that they would take into their serious +consideration whether these things are, or are not connected inseparably +with the wellfare of Zion. Especially would we expostulate with such as +have any regard for the Judicial Testimony adopted at Ploughlandhead, +Scotland, in 1761: that they conscientiously compare it with the book +called Reformation Principles Exhibited, and also with the new Scottish +Testimony, where it is practicable, and all these with the supreme +standard, the holy scriptures. They will find on examination, that these +are wholly irreconcilable in the very form of testimony-bearing. +Particularly, let the reader notice that our fathers in 1761, considered +_history_ and _argument_ as constituting their testimony: and did not +look upon _doctrinal declaration_ as formal testimony at all. Look at +the very title page of their Testimony; where you read, "Act, +Declaration and Testimony," plainly distinguishing between _declaration_ +and _Testimony_. Now, all innovators make doctrinal declaration their +testimony, reversing our fathers' order; yea, we would add God's order, +for he distinguishes between his law and testimony; Ps. lxxviii, 5-7; +cv, 42-45. God's special providences toward his covenanted people +constitute his testimony by way of eminence; Exod. xx, 1, &c., and their +conduct under his providences constitute their testimony, which must +consist of history; and by this and the blood of the Lamb, Christ's +witnesses are destined to overcome all anti-christian combinations. + +In attempting thus to follow the approved example of our covenant +fathers, whose practice it was to testify not only against the +corruptions of ecclesiastical, but also of civil constitutions, where +their lot was cast, we deem it incumbent on us to continue our testimony +first published in 1806, against the immoralities incorporated with the +government of these United States. + +Believing that a nation as such, is a proper subject of God's +government, and that those nations favored with his law as revealed in +the holy scriptures, are peculiarly required to regard the authority of +the Lord and his Anointed, therein made fully known: it is with deep +regret that we feel constrained to designate and testify against evils +in the Constitution of this nation. Notwithstanding numerous +excellencies embodied in this instrument, there are moral evils +contained in it also, of such magnitude, that no Christian can +consistently give allegiance to the system. There is not contained in it +any acknowledgment of the Christian religion, or professed submission to +the kingdom of Messiah. It gives support to the enemies of the Redeemer, +and admits to its honors and emoluments Jews, Mohammedans, Deists and +Atheists--it establishes that system of robbery by which men are held in +slavery, despoiled of liberty, and property, and protection. It violates +the principles of representation, by bestowing upon the domestic tyrant +who holds hundreds of his fellow creatures in bondage, an influence in +making laws for freemen proportioned to the number of his own slaves. +This constitution is, in many instances, inconsistent, oppressive and +impious. + +Much guilt, and of long standing, is chargeable against this nation, for +its cruel treatment of the colored race, in subjecting them ever since +1789 to hopeless bondage; its unjust transactions with the Indian race, +and more recently waging an unjust war with a neighboring republic, as +would appear, for the wicked purpose of extending the iniquitous system +of slavery. + +"Arise O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations." + + + + +PART IV. + +A brief declaration or summary of the principles maintained by the +Presbytery, as to doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, in +agreeableness to the word of God, our Confession of Faith and +Catechisms, and whole covenanted testimony of the Church of +Scotland.--The contrary doctrines condemned. + + +Unto what has been more generally laid down in the preceding pages, with +respect to the principles and practice of this church and nation, both +in former and present times; the Presbytery proceed to subjoin a +positive and explicit declaration of their principles anent the truths +of our holy religion, whether by the generality agreed unto, or by some +controverted. + +I. OF GOD.--The Presbytery did, and hereby do acknowledge and declare, +that there is one infinite, eternal, self-existent, and independent +Being; and that this only true and living God, absolutely +all-sufficient, having all being, perfection, glory, and blessedness, in +and of himself, subsists in three distinct, divine persons, the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit (in one and the same undivided essence and +godhead), all equally the same in substance, power, and glory, although +distinguished by their personal properties; according to Deut. vi, 4; 1 +Cor. viii, 6; 1 Tim. i, 17; Acts xvii, 24, 25; 1 John v, 7; Matth. +xxviii, 19; Confession of Faith, chap. 2; larger catechism, quest. +7--11; shorter catechism, quest. 4--6. + +II. OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.--Again, they confess and declare, that +although the light of nature discovers unto us that there is a God, yet +of itself it is absolutely insufficient to teach us the saving knowledge +of the invisible Being and his will; and therefore God of his infinite +condescension has given us a most perfect revelation of himself and of +his will in the scriptures of truth, contained in the sacred books of +the Old and New Testament; which scriptures the Presbytery assert to be +of divine authority, and not to be believed and received because of any +other testimony, than that of God their author, who is truth itself. +Which word of God is the alone perfect and complete rule, both of faith +and practice, containing a full and ample revelation of the whole +counsel of God, both respecting his own glory and the salvation of men; +by which all spirits are to be tried, and to which all doctrines and +controversies in religion are to be brought, as to the supreme judge, in +whose sentence alone we are to acquiesce; according to Rom. i, 19, 20; 1 +Cor. ii, 13, 14; Heb. i, 1; 2 Tim. iii, 16; 2 Pet. i, 19, 21; 2 Tim. +iii, 15; Gal. i. 8, 9; Eph. ii, 20, and our standards, Confess. chap. 1; +larger Cat. quest. 2-5; shorter Cat. quest. 2, 3. + +III. OF THE DECREES OF GOD.--Again, they assert and maintain, that +Jehovah, according to his own most wise counsel, and for his own glory, +has, by one immanent act of his will from eternity, purposed and decreed +all events in time; and particularly, that by his absolute sovereignty, +he has unchangeably determined the final state of all intelligent +beings, visible and invisible. That God of his mere good pleasure, +abstracting from all other causes whatever, for the praise of his +glorious grace to be manifested in time, has from all eternity +predestinated a certain definite number of mankind sinners, in and +through Jesus Christ, to eternal life, together with all the means +leading thereunto. And also, by the same sovereign will, has passed by, +and left others in their sins, foreordaining them to bear the just +punishment of their own iniquities; as is evident from Rom. ix, 11, 13, +15, 16, 18; Eph. i, 4, 6, 9, 11; Jude verse 4; and according to Confess, +chap. 3; larger Cat. quest. 12, 13; shorter Catechism quest. 7. + +IV. OF CREATION.--In like manner they acknowledge and declare, that as +God, from the infinity of his being and goodness, has communicated a +finite created existence to all other beings, framing them with natures +wisely suited and adapted to the different ends of their creation; so by +the same all-powerful word whereby they were at first created, he +preserves and upholds all his creatures in their beings, and by the +incessant care and invariable conduct of his divine providence, does +constantly direct and overrule them and all their actions unto his own +glory; according to divine revelation, Gen. i, throughout; Col i, 16; +Rom. xi, 36; Psal, cxlv, 17, and xxxiii, 9; and cxix, 91; Heb. i, 2, 3; +Confess, chap. 4, 5; larger Cat. quest. 14; short. Cat. quest. 8. + +Likewise they profess and declare, that God, as the last and finishing +part of his workmanship in this lower world, created man an intelligent +being, endued with a living, reasonable and immortal soul, whose +greatest glory consisted in his having the gracious image of his God and +Creator drawn upon his soul, chiefly consisting in that knowledge, +righteousness and inherent holiness wherewith he was created. And +further, that God, in his favor and condescension to man, was pleased to +enter into a covenant with him, as the public head and representative of +all his posterity, wherein God promised unto him eternal life and +blessedness with himself in glory, upon condition of personal, perfect +and perpetual obedience; to the performance whereof, he furnished him +with full power and ability, and threatened death upon the violation of +his law and covenant, as is evident from the sacred text; Gen. i, 26, +27; Eccl. vii, 29; Gen. ii, 17; Rom. x, 5, and according to our Confess, +chap. 4, § 2; chap, 7, § 1, 2; chap. 19, § 1; larger Cat. quest. 20; +short. Cat. quest. 10, 12. + +V. OF THE FALL OF MAN.--They again assert and maintain, that the first +and common parents of mankind, being seduced by the subtilty of Satan, +transgressed the covenant of innocency, in eating the forbidden fruit; +whereby they lost the original rectitude of their nature, were cut off +from all gracious intercourse with God, and became both legally and +spiritually dead; and therefore they being the natural root of all +mankind, and the covenant being made with _Adam_, not as a private, but +a public person, all his descendants by ordinary generation, are born +under the guilt of that first sin, destitute of original righteousness, +and having their nature wholly depraved and corrupted; so that they are +by nature children of wrath, subjected unto all the penal evils +contained in the curse of a broken law, both in this life, and in that +which is to come; Gen. iii, 6, 13; Eccl. vii. 20; Rom. v, from 12 to 20; +Rom. iii, 10-19; Eph. ii, 3; Confess, chap. 6: larger Cat. quest. 21, +22, short. Cat. question 13 to 20. + +In like manner they assert and declare, that all mankind, by their +original apostasy from God, are not only become altogether filthy and +abominable in the eyes of God's holiness; but also, are hereby utterly +indisposed, disabled, and entirely opposite to all good, the +understanding become darkness, and the will enmity and rebellion itself +against God; so that man, by his fall, having lost all ability of will +to what is spiritually good, cannot in his natural state, and by his own +strength, convert himself (being dead in trespasses and sins), nor can +he in less or more contribute to his own salvation, or in the least +prepare himself thereunto; neither is there any natural, necessary or +moral connection between the most diligent and serious use of the means, +and obtaining salvation thereby. Although the Presbytery maintain, that +as a God of grace has promised the converting influences of his Spirit +to be showered down upon dead souls, in the use of means of his own +appointment; they are therefore to be attended to with the utmost care +and diligence; as appears from Rom. v, 6; John vi, 44, 65; Tit. iii, +3-5; Job xiv, 4; Confess. chap. 9, § 3; larger Cat. quest. 25. + +VI. OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE.--Likewise they assert and declare, that +Jehovah, in the person of the Father, having purposed to save a certain +number of the ruined family of _Adam_, did from all eternity enter into +a covenant transaction with Jesus Christ, his eternal and only begotten +Son, who contracted as the second _Adam_, in the name of all his +spiritual seed. In which covenant, the Father promising to confer +eternal life upon a select number given unto Christ, upon condition of +his fulfilling all righteousness for them; the Lord Jesus Christ did +again stipulate and engage, as the condition of the covenant by him to +be fulfilled, that in the fullness of time, assuming the human nature +into a personal union with the divine, he would therein, and in the +elect's name fulfill, not only the preceptive part of the law, but also +bear the whole punishment contained in the threatening thereof: which +covenant, that it might be absolutely free to sinners, and that the +salvation therein provided for them, might not be of debt, but of grace, +was unto Jesus Christ a covenant of redemption, nothing being therein +promised to him, but upon his paying a full price, adequate to the most +extensive demands of law and justice; according to Psal. lxxxix, 2, 3, +28, 34, 35; Tit. i, 2; Isa. liii, 10, 11; Matth. v, 17; Confess. chap. +7, § 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 30, 31; Short. Cat. quest. 20. + +VII. OF THE MEDIATOR.--In like manner they profess, assert, and declare, +that the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person in the glorious and +adorable Trinity, being by the Father's appointment constituted mediator +and surety of the new covenant, did, in the fullness of time, assume the +human nature, consisting of a true body and reasonable soul, into a +personal union with his divine; which two natures, in the one person of +our Immanuel, God-man, remain distinct, without conversion, composition, +or confusion. And being every way completely qualified and furnished for +executing his mediatory offices of prophet, priest, and king, was called +to the exercise thereof, by God the Father, who put all power and +judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same; +Prov. viii, 23; Heb. ii, 14; 1 Tim. ii, 5; John vi, 27, and v, 27; +Confess. chap. 8 throughout; Larg. Cat. quest. 21-23; short. Cat. quest, +21, 22. + +Again, they acknowledge and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ our +REDEEMER, the only begotten Son of God, by eternal and ineffable +generation, is most properly a divine person, true and very God, one in +essence, equal and the same in power, eternity, glory, and all divine +perfections with the Father and Holy Ghost: and that therefore it is +most blasphemous to assert, that the terms, _necessary existence_, and +_supreme deity_, and the title of _the only true God_, do not belong to +the Son equally with the Father, as the same in substance, being +expressly contrary to these texts of sacred writ which assert the +opposite truth; John i, 1-4; Phil, ii, 6; John x, 30; 1 John v, 20, and +to our standards, Confess. chap. 8, § 2; Larg. Cat. quest. 36; Short. +Cat. 6. + +They likewise further acknowledge, assert, and declare, that the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and only Mediator between God and +man, being designed from everlasting the REDEEMER of his people, and +having all fullness, power, and authority lodged in him for the +execution of his mediatory trust, has, ever since the fall of mankind, +as the great and good shepherd of _Israel_, undertaken the care, +government, protection, and instruction of the Church of God, in +agreeableness to the above said trust: which he did all along under the +Old Testament, and still continues faithfully to discharge in all the +parts thereof; so that whatever revelation God made unto his church +since the fall, was by Jesus Christ as the great prophet and preacher of +righteousness. Particularly, it was he that first appeared unto lapsed +man, and as the great revealer of the council of peace, called upon him +in the voice of mercy, saying, "_Adam_, where art thou?" It was he that, +pleasing himself in the forethoughts of his future incarnation, and as a +prelude thereto, condescended at different times to appear in a human +form, and speak unto the fathers. By him, as the messenger of the +covenant, were the lively oracles delivered to the Israelitish church; +and by his Spirit in the prophets, successively raised up to instruct +his church in the knowledge of the divine will, was signified and +foretold the grace that should come, until the fullness of the time +appointed in the council of Heaven, when it was promised he should come, +and by his personal presence fill his house with glory. Then did God in +these last days speak unto men by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of +all things; who, not only by himself, but also, after his ascension, by +his evangelists and apostles filled with the Spirit, has made known all +things that he heard of his Father. And now, after the canon of +scripture is completed, and no new revelation to be expected to the end +of time, continues by his word and spirit to instruct sinners in the +knowledge of all things necessary for their sanctification and +salvation; according to Acts x, 38, and iii, 22; Luke iv, 18, 21; John +i, 18; 1 Pet. i, 10-12; Heb. i, 1, 2; Eph. iv, 11-13; Confess. chap. 8, +§ 1; Larg. Cat. quest. 43; Short. Cat. quest. 24. + +In like manner, they profess and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ, +being called of him that said unto him, "Thou art my Son, this day have +I begotten thee," unto the honorable office of High Priest over the +house of God, and confirmed therein by all the solemnities of the oath +of God, he did most willingly undertake this work, saying, _Lo, I come +to do thy will, O God!_ And that he might finish and fulfill the same, +in agreeableness to his eternal engagements to the Father, to the Old +Testament types and sacrifices, promises and prophecies, wherein he was +foresigned and revealed to be the seed of the woman, that should bruise +the serpent's head, did, in the fullness of time, humble himself to be +made of a woman, made under the law, in the form of a bond servant to +Jehovah. In which character, he not only fulfilled the preceptive part +of the law, but also, with the most unparalleled meekness, patience and +resignation, submitted to the most grievous and dreadful sufferings, +both in body and soul, even all that divine wrath, indignation and +punishment, wrapped up in the terrible curse of a broken covenant of +works. By which obedience of his unto the death, through the eternal +Spirit offering himself without spot unto God, a proper, real and +expiatory sacrifice for sin, he has fully satisfied divine justice, made +reconciliation for the iniquities of his people, and purchased an +eternal inheritance for them in the kingdom of glory. The saving +benefits of which redemption, by the Spirit's effectual application +thereof, he does, by his intercession at the Father's right hand, as an +arisen, living, and now glorified Savior, constantly and certainly +communicate unto all those whom the Father has given him. Further, the +Presbytery declare, that however they acknowledge the standing of the +world, as a theater to display the riches of divine grace, the preaching +of the gospel indefinitely to mankind sinners, and all the common favors +of life indifferently enjoyed by them, do all result, as native, +necessary and determined consequences, from the interposition of Christ +in behalf of his spiritual seed, and have their ultimate foundation in +the infinite sufficiency, fullness and perfection, of the blood and +sacrifice of Christ, God-man: yet they affirm, that, as a certain elect +and select number were given unto Christ, to be redeemed from among men, +so, for their sakes alone, he engaged his heart to approach unto God. +For their sakes, he sanctified himself; in their name, i.e., in their +law-room and stead, and for their good, as the surety of the better +covenant, he became obedient unto death, and endured the whole of that +punishment threatened by the law, and incurred by the transgression of +it. He subjected himself to that very curse, bore that wrath and died +that death, which they themselves should have undergone. And hereby, by +his doing and dying, he made a proper, real, full and expiatory +satisfaction to the justice of God for their sins. Wherefore it is +impossible but that to all those for whom Christ has purchased this +complete redemption, and for whose sins he has given this full +satisfaction accepted of God, he will certainly and effectually apply +and communicate the same in the saving benefits thereof; seeing that it +is his will who has merited it, that all those who are the Father's +choice by election, and his purchase by redemption, should be _ever with +him where he is, that they may behold his glory_; and since, as he is +thus willing, he is also able, to save them to the uttermost that come +to God by him. So that all for whom Christ died, all that are redeemed +by his blood, are, in consequence hereof; effectually called, justified, +sanctified and glorified; according to Psal. xl, 7, 8; Heb. x, 5-11; +Phil. ii, 8; Gal. iv, 4, 5; Heb. ix, 14, 28; Dan. ix, 24; Psal. lxxv, 3; +Isa. xlix, 8; John vi, 37, 39, chap. x, 15, 16; Eph. i, 7; Rom. viii, +34, and ver. 29, 30; John xvii throughout; John xi, 52; Confess, chap. +vii, § 4, 5, 8; Larg. Cat. quest. 44; Sh. Cat. quest. 25. + +They also acknowledge, assert and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ +is, by the appointment of God the Father, set as King upon his holy hill +of Zion; over which, as his special kingdom, he is invested with an +absolute power and supremacy, as the sole and only head thereof, to +appoint offices, officers, laws and ordinances. And that accordingly, by +virtue of this solemn investiture, the same Lord Jesus Christ has, in +all ages, called out of the world, and maintained therein, a church unto +himself, which he visibly governs by a complete system of laws, officers +and censures, instituted in his word, and has not left the affairs of +his church, in which (as a Son over his own house) he peculiarly +presides, to be regulated and modeled by the carnal policy and invention +of men. Also, that, as King in _Zion_, he powerfully and irresistibly, +in a day of efficacious grace, subdues the perverse hearts and wills of +sinners unto his obedience, persuading and enabling as many as were +appointed to obtain salvation through him, to believe in his name, in +order thereunto. All whom he either preserves from, or supports under, +the various temptations, trials and afflictions, they are liable to in +this mortal life; till at last, completing a work of grace in their +souls, he advances them to a state of perfection and glory. + +Further, the Presbytery declare and maintain, that, in subserviency to +this his special mediatory kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ has a supreme +and sovereign power given unto him, in heaven and in earth, and over the +infernal powers of darkness--angels, authorities and powers being put in +subjection to him; that he has the management of all the wheels of +providence put into his hand, whereby he restrains, disappoints, and at +last totally destroys, all the enemies of his interest and glory; and by +which he orders and overrules all the events that fall out in time, for +the accomplishment of the great and glorious ends of his incarnation, +and lasting good of those that love him: according to Psal. ii, 6; Isa. +ix, 6, 7; Isa. xxxiii, 22; Matth. xxi, 5; Isa. lv, 4, 5; Gen. xlix, 10; +Heb. iii, 6; Psal. cx, 1, 2; Matth. xxviii, 18; John vii, 2; 1 Pet. iii, +22; Phil, ii, 9-11; Confess, chap, viii § 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 45; Sh. +Cat. quest. 26. + +They again declare and assert, that as the light of nature is absolutely +insufficient to give a just discovery, either of the grievous malady of +sin, or the blessed remedy provided for sinners, so none, however +diligent they may be to frame their lives according to the dictates of +nature's light, can possibly attain to salvation, while they remain +without any objective revelation of Jesus Christ, as the great +propitiation and peace-maker, who has abolished death, and brought life +and immortality to light, by the gospel. And further, that there is no +other name, doctrine or religion, whereby any can be saved, but in the +name, doctrine and religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he is the +great author and institutor; in the profession and faith whereof, he +leads his people through this world into the possession of endless +felicity and glory in the world to come. + +VIII. OF THE GOSPEL OFFER.--They further declare, that, as God the +Father, out of his unbounded love, has, on the footing of the infinite +sufficiency of the death and sacrifice of Christ, made a free and +unhampered gift and grant of him, as an all-sufficient Savior, unto +sinners of mankind lost, as such, in the word: so the ministers and +embassadors of Christ (according as they are expressly authorized and +commanded by him) are to publish this gospel, these glad tidings of +great joy to all the world, wherever they may be called or cast, in the +providence of God, and make a full, free and unhampered offer of Christ +and his whole salvation to sinners, without distinction, assuring them +of God's mercy and grace, through Christ, in whom he proclaims himself +well pleased; of Christ's omnipotent power and ability to save to the +uttermost all that come unto God by him; and that there are no +impediments, bars or hinderances, _ab extra_, between Jesus Christ, as +held forth in the offer of the gospel, and sinners lost, why they, even +every one of them, may not receive and appropriate him, as the Lord +their righteousness. And the above said frank and unhampered gift of +Christ, and him crucified, by God the Father, as a full and +all-sufficient Savior unto lost and ruined sinners, the Presbytery view +as the great and prime foundation, both of the ministerial offer, and +of, faith in the Lord Jesus, for life and salvation: as is clear from +Rom. x, 14; 1 Cor. i, 21-25; Isa. lv, 1; Mark xvi, 15; John iii, 16; +Confess, chap, vii, § 3; Larg. Cat. ques. 67; Sh. Cat. ques. 31, &c. + +IX. OF JUSTIFICATION.--Again, they profess and declare, that the active +and passive obedience, or the complete mediatory righteousness, of the +Lord Jesus Christ, is the only meritorious cause of a sinner's +justification, pardon of sin, and acceptance of his person and services +with a holy God; and that true and saving faith, which is also the gift +of God, is the alone instrumental cause of the sinner's justification in +his sight; or that evangelical condition, or internal mean, in and by +which the soul is interested in Christ, and the whole of his +righteousness and salvation. Which righteousness, received and rested on +by faith, is the only foundation of a sinner's title to eternal life and +glory; as appears evident from Rom. iii, 22-29; Rom. v, 17-20; Jer. +xxiii, 6; Gal. ii, 16; Acts x, 43; Col. i, 27; Acts viii, 37; Rom. x, 9; +Mark v, 36; Eph. ii, 8; Confess, chap. 11, 14; Larg. Cat. ques. 70, 73; +Sh. Cat. ques. 3. + +They likewise profess and maintain, that believers, by the righteousness +of Christ being justified from all things, from which they could not be +justified by the law of Moses, are by Jesus Christ perfectly delivered +from the law, as a covenant of works, both as commanding and condemning; +so as that thereby they are neither justified nor condemned, it being +dead to them, and they to it, by the body of Christ, to whom they are +married. However, notwithstanding of this freedom, they are still +servants unto God; still under the moral law, as a rule of life in the +hand of their glorious Mediator and new covenant Head, directing them +how they are to walk, so as to please God; the obligation whereof, as +such, remains perpetual and indissoluble; and that this privilege is +peculiar to believers only, all others being still under the old +covenant obligation, both as to the debt of obedience and punishment; +according to Rom. vi, 14, and vii, 4, 6; Gal. iv, 4, 5, and ii, 16; Rom. +viii, 1; Gal. iii, 10; Confess, chap, xix, § 5, 6; Larg. Cat. ques. 97; +Sh. Cat. ques. 43, 44. + +X. OF GOOD WORKS.--Again, they assert and declare, that as no works +are truly and spiritually good, but those that are performed by a person +united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and under the influence of his +Holy Spirit; and consequently, that none of the actions of the +unregenerate, however in themselves materially agreeable unto the letter +of the law, are either pleasing or acceptable to God; nor can they +dispose or prepare their souls for receiving his grace, though their +omission and neglect of these is still more displeasing unto God, and +destructive unto themselves. So likewise they declare, that even the +best works of obedience performed by the regenerate, can neither merit +the pardon of any one sin, nor procure them the smallest measure or +God's grace or favor, because of the manifold sins and imperfections +they are still attended with, and because of the infinite distance +between God and them, with respect to whom, when they have done all that +they can, they are but unprofitable servants. Neither is their ability +to do them at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit dwelling in +them. And further, that the spring and principle motive of true love to +God, and acceptable obedience to him, is not self-interest or love to +our own felicity, nor yet a slavish fear of punishment; but the glorious +perfections and transcendent excellencies of the Deity, manifested in +the face of Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory, +and express image of his person, are the prime and chief motives both of +love, fear and obedience unto God; all who really love God loving him +principally for himself. As also, that all acceptable service to God, +performed by believers, is principally influenced by the authority of a +God of grace, stamped upon his word, springs from faith in Jesus Christ, +as an animating and active principle in their souls, and is ultimately +directed to the glory of God in Christ, as the great end thereof. Hence, +therefore, although God has graciously connected his own glory and his +people's felicity inseparably together, that yet no actions, however +good in themselves or beneficial to others, which arise only from a +principle of self-interest, love to one's own bliss, or fear of hell, +are evidential of saving grace in the soul, or any more than what one in +a state of nature may perform; according to Gen. iv, 5; Heb. xi, 4, 6; +Matth. vi, 2, 5, 16; Hag. ii, 14; Amos, v, 21, 22; Tit. i, 15, and iii, +5; Rom. iii, 20, and iv, 2, 4, 6; Job xxii, 2, 3; Eph. i, 6; 1 Pet. ii, +5; Exod. xxviii, 38; Confess, chap. 16 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 73, +101; Sh. Cat. ques. 44. + +XI. OF ASSURANCE OF GRACE.--In like manner they declare and assert, that +although there may be much darkness, and manifold doubts and fears, +seated in the same soul where true and saving faith is: and although +true believers may wait long before they know themselves to be +believers, and be assured that they are really in a state of grace; and +even, after they have arrived at a subjective assurance of their +salvation, may have it much shaken, clouded and intermitted; that yet +there is no doubting, no darkness, in the saving acts of a true and +lively faith: but in all the appropriating acts of saving faith, there +is an objective assurance, an assured confidence and trust in Jesus +Christ, and the promise of life in which he is revealed to the soul; +according to Isa. 1, 10; Mark ix, 24; 1 John v, 13; Psal. lxxvii, 1 to +11; Psal. lxxxviii, throughout; Gal. ii, 20; Mark xi, 24; Confess, chap. +18 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 72, 80, 81; Short. Cat. question 86. + +XII. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.--They further assert and +declare, that whosoever, of any of the children of men, in all ages, +have attained salvation, did believe in, and receive the Lord Jesus +Christ, the promised Messiah, and only Savior from sin, to whom all the +prophets bear witness, in whom all the promises and lines of salvation +do center; and particularly, that however much the faith of the +disciples and apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in him, as +their only Redeemer, might be at any time overclouded, yet it was never +totally subverted; and that the noble grace of faith in the souls of +believers cannot be totally lost; but that such is the immutability of +God's decrees, and his unchangeable love; such the efficacy of their +Redeemer's merit, and constant abiding of the spirit of holiness in +them; and such the nature of the new covenant, that, notwithstanding of +various temptations and afflictions, the prevailing of remaining +corruption in them, they must all and every one of them, certainly and +infallibly persevere in a state of grace unto the end, and be at last +saved with an everlasting salvation; as appears from Heb. xi, 13; John +iv, 42; Phil. i, 6; John x, 28, 29; 1 Pet. ii, 9; Jer. xxxiv, 4; +Confess, chap. 8, § 1, chap. 14, § 2, and chap. 17 throughout. + +XIII. OF LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.--They further assert and declare, that +the noble faculty of conscience, God's deputy in the soul of man, over +which he alone is absolute Lord and Sovereign, is not subjected unto the +authority of man; neither are any human commands further binding upon +the consciences of men, than they are agreeable unto, and founded upon +the revealed will of God, whether in matters of faith or practice. And +although the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased a glorious liberty unto +believers from sin, and all the bitter fruits thereof, and of access to +a throne of grace with boldness; and has procured unto his church +freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, with a more abundant +communication of gospel influences: yet, inasmuch as conscience is the +rule ruled, not the rule, ruling, none can, without manifest sin, upon +pretense of conscience or Christian liberty, cherish any forbidden lust +in their souls, nor are left at freedom to reject any of the divine +ordinances instituted in the word, to change or corrupt their scriptural +institution, by immixing human inventions therewith, or in the least +deviating from the punity thereof. And that therefore, all who vent or +maintain tenets or opinions, contrary to the established principles of +Christianity, whether in the matter of doctrine, divine worship, or +practice in life, which are contrary to, and inconsistent with the +analogy of faith, and power of true godliness, or destructive to that +pure peace and good order established by Christ in his church, are +accountable unto the church; and upon conviction, ought to be proceeded +against, by inflicting ecclesiastical censures or civil pains, in a way +agreeable unto the divine determination in the word concerning such +offenses. + +And further, they declare, that it is most wicked, and what manifestly +strikes against the sovereign authority of God, for any power on earth +to pretend to tolerate, and, by sanction of civil law, to give license +to men to publish and propagate with impunity, whatever errors, +heresies, and damnable doctrines, Satan, and their own corrupt and +blinded understandings, may prompt them to believe and embrace; +toleration being destructive of all true religion, and of that liberty +wherewith Christ has made his people free; and the great end thereof, +which is, "That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we may +serve the Lord--in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our +lives." Agreeable to James iv, 12; Rom. xiv, 4; Acts iv, 19, and v, 29; +1 Cor. vii, 23; Matth. xxiii, 9; 2 John 10, 11; 2 Cor. i, 24; Matth. xv, +9; Col. ii, 20, 22, 23; Gal. ii, 4, 5, and v, 1, 13; Isa. viii, 20; Acts +xvii, 11; Hosea v, 11; 1 Cor. v, 1,5, 11, 13; Tit. i. 10, 11, 13, and +iii, 20; Matth. xviii, 15-17; Deut. xiii, 6-12; Ezek. vii, 23, 25, 26; +Zech. xiii, 2, 3; Rev. ii, 2, 14, 15, 20; Confess, chap. 20; Larg. Cat. +quest. 100, 103; Sh. Cat. quest. 49, 50. + +XIV. OF TESTIMONY-BEARING.--Again, they declare and assert, that all +true believers, members of the church invisible, are by the indissoluble +bond of the Spirit, and true faith in Christ, their Head, savingly +united unto, and have communion with him in grace and in glory, in this +life and the life to come. In all their afflictions he is afflicted, and +shares with them in their sufferings and trials, is with them in and +through death, exalteth them at last over all their enemies, receiving +them into glory and blessedness with himself, that they may behold and +share in his glory with him through eternity: and that all of them being +knit and joined together in holy love and affection, do participate +mutually of each others gifts and graces; and are indispensably bound to +exercise themselves in the practice of all commanded duties, for +preserving the love of God, and life of grace, in their own, and one +another's souls. And further, they declare that the visible church, and +the members thereof, are externally in covenant with Christ their Head, +have one and the same Lord, profess the same faith in doctrine and +worship, receive the same seals of God's covenant, baptism, and the +Lord's Supper: and are thereby bound to hold fast the Head, to be +subject to his authority, keep the faith they have received, and +maintain an holy communion and fellowship in the worship of God; closely +abiding by the standard of Christ, their captain and leader, and lifting +up the banner of divine truth, in opposition unto, and holy contempt of +all their enemies of every kind. And further, they affirm, that as the +visible church in general, is bound to be faithful to Christ, their Head +and Lord, and to preserve inviolate, the whole of that sacred +_depositum_ of truth wherewith she is intrusted by him, not quitting +with, nor willfully apostatizing from the same, in profession or +practise: so no particular subject of this spiritual kingdom of Christ +can recede from any part of divine truth, which they have received, and +whereof they have made profession, without lese-majesty unto the Son of +God, and violation of their obligations they have come under, at +receiving the seals of the covenant, with whatever other lawful vows +they have made unto the Most High; according to 1 John i, 2, 3; Eph. +iii, 16-19; John i, 16; Heb. x, 24, 25; Acts ii, 42, 46; Eph. iv, 4-6; +Phil. iii, 16; Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 3; Confess, chap. 2, 6; Larg. Cat. +quest. 63; Short. Cat. quest. 50. + +XV. OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT.--They likewise affirm and declare, that the +Lord Jesus Christ, our exalted Immanuel, the sole and supreme Head, +Lawgiver and King of his church, which is his spiritual and absolutely +free and independent kingdom, has herein warranted, instituted and +appointed certain office-bearers (who derive their mission and authority +from him alone) to regulate, administer, judge and determine in all the +affairs of his house, to whom alone the keys of the kingdom of heaven +are by him committed. Particularly, they are intrusted with the key of +doctrine, to discover the mind of God, and preach Christ crucified unto +sinners; the key of government for preserving that beauty of order, +purity and power in the house of God, which he has enjoined should take +place therein; the key of discipline, to inflict ecclesiastical censures +upon such as turn aside after their _crooked ways_, or continue +obstinate in their offenses; the key of ordination and mediate mission, +in ordinary circumstances of the church, solemnly to set apart and send +forth church officers unto that sacred function and official trust in +the house of God, on the regular trial of the suitableness of their +gifts and qualifications for that spiritual service and ministration; +according to 1 Cor. xii, 28; Eph. iv, 11; Matth. xviii, 19; John xx, 23; +Matth. xviii, 18; Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; Matth. xxviii, 19, +20; Mark xvi, 15; Acts vi, 6; 1 Tim. iv, 14, and iii, 10; Confess, chap +30, § 2, 3 and 31; § 3. Form of church government, books of discipline, +and the several laudable acts and constitutions of this church; +particularly, _Act_ of _Assem._ at _Edinburgh, August_ 4th, 1649, +_Sess._ 4, entitled, _Directory for electing of ministers_. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the +church's glorious Head, hath appointed a certain form of government +therein, distinct from civil government, and not at all subordinate to +civil rulers. And that the only ecclesiastical government warranted by +Christ is his word, and to continue in his church unalterable, is +Presbyterial church government, exclusive of all superior dignity above +a teaching presbyter, and consisting in her judicative capacity of +kirk-sessions, in subordination to presbyteries; of presbyteries, in +subordination to provincial synods; of provincial synods, in +subordination to national; and national to ecumenical assemblies, or +general councils. + +And further, they assert, that the office-bearers of the Lord's house, +are, according to the command, and in the name and authority of the Lord +Jesus Christ, the only Lawgiver and King of his church, and by virtue of +the church's intrinsic power derived from Christ, to assemble, +constitute and adjourn these several courts of his house, nominate the +fixed or occasional times of their subsequent meetings, as the church's +condition or exigencies require; although they grant that the Christian +magistrate may, in extraordinary cases, or otherwise, call together a +synod of ministers, and ether fit persons, for consultation and advice +in religious matters: but in which they have no power to judge or +determine in matters of faith; but only discretively to examine, whether +the synod's determinations and decisions be consonant and agreeable to +scripture, and accordingly to acquiesce therein; Isa. ix, 6, 7; Ezek. +xliii, 10, 11; Acts xv, 2, 4, 6; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. xiii, 17; 2 Chron. +xix, 8-11; Acts xvii, 11; Confess, chap. 30, § 1 and chap. 31, § 1, 2, +and conform to act of assembly, anno 1647; § 2,3; 2d book of discipline, +and propositions for church government. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the office-bearers in the church +of Christ, according to their different places and stations therein, +must give evidence of their being possessed in some suitable measure of +the qualifications which God in his word requires to be in any that are +to be placed in such stations or offices, particularly that of +devotedness to the cause and honor of Christ. And they further assert, +that ministers of the gospel, and other church officers, must enter into +the exercise of their office, at the door of Christ's appointment, by +the call and choice of the Christian people, who are capable with +judgment to give their consent; 1 Tim. iii, from verse 2 to 12; Tit. i, +5, 6, 7; Acts vi, 2 to 6; Chap, xiv, 23; John x, 4, 5, and agreeable to +the laudable acts and ordinances of this church and state, in favor of +reformation principles, books of discipline, &c. + +XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.--In like manner they assert and maintain, that +God Almighty, the Sovereign Lord of all things, and special protector +and preserver of his professed subjects in this lower world, hath for +his own glory and the public good, authorized and instituted in his word +the office and ordinance of civil government and governors, for the +preservation of external peace and concord, administration of justice, +defense and encouragement of such as are, and do good, and punishment of +evil doers, who transgress either table of the law. For all which ends, +subordinate unto that of his own glory, God, the alone supreme fountain +of all power, has instituted and appointed this ordinance. And further +they maintain, that a due measure of those qualifications which God, the +great lawgiver requires in his word, together with what other +stipulations according to the same unerring rule, a Christian people, +who are blessed with the light of divine revelation, have made the +fundamental conditions of civil government among them, are essentially +necessary to the constitution and investiture of lawful authority over +such a people. No other but such a constitution and investiture, can +either be approven of by God, or answer the ends, ultimate or +subordinate, of this ordinance, unto the honor of the great institutor, +as appears from Prov. viii, 15, 16; Psa. cxlvii, 19, 20, and cxlix, G, +7, 8, 9; Isa. xlix, 23; Rom. xiii, 1, 2, 3, 4; Deut. xvii, 14, 15; 2 +Sam. xxiii, 2, 3, 4; Exod. xviii, 21. Confess, chap. 23, § 1. Seasonable +warning by the general assembly, July 27, 1649. Act 15, Sess. 2, Parl. +1, 1640. + +They further assert and maintain, that the constituting of the relation +betwixt rulers and ruled, is voluntary and mutual; and that the lawful +constitution of civil magistrates, is, by the mutual election of the +people (in whom is the radical right, or intermediate voice of God, of +choosing and appointing such as are to sway the scepter of government +over them) and consent of those who are elected and chosen for the +exercise of that office, with certain stipulations according to +scripture and right reason, obliging each other unto the duty of their +different stations and relations. And further they affirm that when +magistrates are so constituted, Christians are bound by the law of God +to pray for the divine blessing upon their persons and government, +reverence and highly esteem them, yield a conscientious subjection and +obedience to their lawful commands, defend and support them in the due +exercise of their power; which power magistrates are especially to exert +for the outward defense of the church of God, against all her external +enemies, restraining or otherwise punishing, as the case may require, +all open blasphemers, idolaters, false-worshipers, heretics, with all +avowed contemners of the worship and discipline of the house of God; and +by his civil sanction to corroborate all the laws and ordinances of +Christ's house, providing and enjoining that every thing in the house of +the God of heaven, be done according to the law of the God of heaven; +Deut. xvii, 14; 2 Kings xi, 17; 1 Sam. xi, 15; 1 Tim. ii, 1,2; 1 Peter +ii, 17; Rom xiii, 2 to 8; 2 Kings xviii, 4, and xxiii, 1 to 26; 2 Chron. +xxix, and xxx, chapters throughout; Ezra vii, 23. Confess. chap. 23, § +3, coronation oath of Scotland, sworn and subscribed by Charles II. at +Scone, January 1st, 1651, and oath of fidelity by the people. + +XVII. OF CORRUPTIONS IN THE TWO PRECEDING ORDINANCES.--But, with respect +to these two great ordinances of divine institution, the magistracy and +ministry, with the qualifications of the persons and duty of the people, +as before asserted, the Presbytery reject, like as they did, and hereby +do reject and condemn the following contrary errors, tenets and +opinions, whether of older or later date, vented either by open enemies +or professed friends to the reformation cause. And, + +1. They reject and condemn that loose latitudinarian tenet and opinion +of opening the door of communion with the church in her judicative +capacity, or sealing ordinances, unto the grossly ignorant, loose, +careless, profane and scandalous: and to the anti-christian deist, +blasphemous heretic, or any who maintain doctrines, principles and +opinions contrary to, and eversive of the cardinal and fundamental +doctrines of Christianity, or such principles and practices as oppose, +obscure or darken the church's beauty and purity, and spoil her of her +power, and particularly that of the church of _Scotland_, in her +attainments in reformation; this being evidently destructive and ruinous +to truth and holiness, the only foundation and basis of external union +and concord in the church, and consequently of all durable, harmonious +and comfortable communion among the ministers and members of Christ's +mystical body: See Eph. v, 11; Isa. viii, 20; Amos iii, 3; 1 Cor. vi, +10; Heb. xii, 14; Rev. xxii, 14, 15; 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18; and conform to +the acts and practice of this church, in her best and purest times, in +excluding from her communion, and refusing to unite with any chargeable +as above. + +Again, they hereby reject that false and ungodly principle and opinion, +That a God of infinite wisdom has left his professing people destitute +of any declaration of his will (which they are absolutely bound to +regard) concerning both the institution, administration and +qualifications of such persons as should administer these two distinct +ordinances, government, civil and ecclesiastical; or that these two +different species of government have not their foundation and +institution, as the ordinances of God, in his revealed will; but that +either (with the corrupt revolution church) he hath left the government +of his house a matter of indifference, and the pattern thereof to be +moulded by the discretion of the wise men of this world, and according +to the corrupt will and fluctuating inclination of the people; or, with +their public resolution-brethren, the _Seceders_, exchanging the clear +scriptural and covenanted basis of civil government, with the obscure +foundation of the law and light of nature, or the more dissolute basis +of mere election and acknowledgment of whomsoever the _primores regni_, +though never so wicked and licentious, choose and set up as magistrates. +Which notion contains an injurious and impious impeachment of divine +revelation, as a rule imperfect and insufficient to guide Christians +into the knowledge of the will of God, and their duty, as the peculiar +and professed subjects of the King of kings, and supreme lawgiver, +concerning all his ordinances; and is contrary to 2 Tim. iii, 16; Rom, +ii, 14; Ezek. xliii, 11; and xliv, 5; Lev. xviii, 2, 3, 4, 5; Matt, +xxviii, 20. Confess, chap. 23, § 3. + +They in like manner reject and condemn the ecclesiastical headship of +the church, blasphemously arrogated by that man of sin, and son of +perdition the Pope of _Rome_; with all that superiority of dignity and +office in the house of God, claimed by anti-christian Prelates, together +with the whole of their hierarchical order, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, by both usurped; which is a most wicked attempt to +overturn God the Father's deed, constituting his Son Christ, sole King +and Head of his church, an exauctorating of Jesus Christ from his +throne, and headship in his church, an elevation of his ministers, +contrary to his will, and the nature and ends of their office; and an +anti-scriptural and confused blending together of different and distinct +ordinances. Psa. ii, 6; Isa. ix, 6, and xxii, 24; Col. i, 18; Mark x, +42, 43; Luke xxii, 25, 26; I Pet. v, 3; 2 Chron. xix, 12; 1 Cor. vii, 2. +Confess. chap. 25, § 6, and contrary to our solemn covenants, and many +acts and ordinances of both church and state, in times of reformation. + +They likewise reject and condemn that gross Erastian principle, That the +civil magistrate is supreme head over all persons, and in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, whether in more ancient and later times +of tyranny and persecution, openly and blasphemously usurped, or at and +since the Revolution, more craftily yet too manifestly claimed; as +appears from the 37th article of the church of _England_, and king's +declaration prefixed to the said articles: and is further evident from +the many encroachments made upon the royal dignity and headship of +Christ, by the usurpers of his throne, practically vesting themselves +with power and authority to convene and adjourn at their pleasure, and +give laws and ordinances to the church, which is a daring attack on the +prerogative, sovereignty, wisdom and power of her absolute King and +Lord, on whom, as a nail fastened in a sure place, his Father has hung +all the glory of his house, and vested him with the sole supremacy over +the same, being filled abundantly with the spirit of wisdom and +understanding, with the spirit of counsel and of might, to direct and +preside in the management of all her concerns, and to preserve from and +overcome all her enemies; Isa. xxii, 24, and xi, 2, 3, and ix, 6; Col. +i, 18; Eph. i, 22; 2 Chr. xxvi, 18; Heb. v, 4; Confess. chap. 25, § 6. + +They also reject and condemn that Erastian tenet and opinion, that the +whole or any part of the power, mission, qualifications, or +administration of ecclesiastical officers, or ministers of the church of +Christ, depends upon the authority and dictation of the civil +magistrate, because it is manifestly destructive of the church's power +and authority, under Christ her Head, and derived from him, and likewise +of the ministerial freedom and faithfulness of Christ's embassadors: and +particularly they reject and condemn, as gross Erastianism (whether +practiced before or since the Revolution, and especially since the +incorporating union with _England_ on terms diametrically opposite to +our covenant union), the civil magistrate's limiting the mission of +office-bearers in the church, according to his will; prescribing certain +qualifications, and restricting to certain limitations; such as the +test, indulgences, allegiance, assurance, and abjuration oaths, act +restoring patronages, and the act anent _Porteous_, together with the +threatened deprivation of office and benefice, upon non-compliance; 1 +Cor. xii, 28; Matt, xviii, 17, 18; John xx, 23. + +They further reject and condemn that Erastian opinion, that the external +government of Christ's house is left unto the precarious determination +of sinful men, or hath either its immediate or mediate dependence upon +the will and pleasure of the civil magistrate, according to the import +of the claim of right, the anti-scriptural basis of the revolution +settlement. This being evidently an impious reflection on the perfect +wisdom of the church's Head, subversive of the beauty of his house, and +fertile of disorder therein, laying the kingdom of Christ obnoxious to +spiritual tyranny and oppression, when strangers, enemies, or such as +have no call or warrant to build the house of the Lord, put to their +hand to model the form of her government as best suits their perverse +inclinations and secular views, in express contradiction to the will and +law of the God of heaven, Exod xxv, 40, and xxvi, 30; Ezek. xliii, 11; 1 +Chron. xv, 12, 13; Neh. ii, 20, with many other texts above cited. + +Again they reject and condemn that latitudinarian tenet, That the Lord +Jesus Christ, the alone Head of the church, hath left his house void of +any particular form of government, of divine institution exclusive of +all other, under the New Testament dispensation: which, is a manifest +reflection upon his fidelity to him who appointed him, and most absurd +to suppose of him who is true and faithful, as a Son over his own house, +and contrary to Isa. ix, 6, 7; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. iii, 2, 3, 5; 1 Cor. +xii, 28; Rom. xii 6, 7, 8; Acts xx, 17, 28; Matt, xxviii, 20. Confess. +chap. 30, § 1, and to the propositions for church government. + +They further reject and condemn that sectarian principle and tenet, +whether in former or latter times maintained, that a kirk session, or +particular congregational eldership, is vested with equal ecclesiastical +power and authority, with any superior judicatory, and is neither +subordinate nor accountable to them (in the Lord) in their +determinations. They likewise reject as sectarian, That the community of +the faithful or professing Christians, in a private station hath any +scriptural warrant for public teaching, or judicative determination in +the church; both which opinions are not only expressly contrary to +scripture, Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; I Cor. v, 4; 1 Tim: v, 17; +Heb. v, 4, and xiii, 17, &c, but also have been found hitherto most +hurtful and dangerous to the church of God, depriving her ministers and +members of just and necessary recourse to superior judgment and decision +in matters difficult, discrediting and prostituting the sacred office of +the ministry, and tending to overthrow a standing ministry in the church +of Christ, and subvert that comely and beautiful order he hath +prescribed therein. + +In like manner they reject and condemn that gross invasion and +encroachment upon the church's liberties, by the intrusion of popish +patronages, whether imposed as a law by civil, or executed by +ecclesiastical powers. Of the latter of these, the ministers and +judicatories of the now corrupt, harlot Church of _Scotland_, cannot but +be more egregiously guilty. The nature of their sacred function and +trust obliges them to preserve inviolate the church's freedom and +liberties: but in place of this, their hands are _chief in the +trespass_, in an authoritative and active enforcement of this wicked +act--an act evidently destructive of the very nature and essence of that +mutual relation between pastor and people, and which has the native and +necessary tendency to schism in the church, spiritual leanness, and +starving of the flock, by thrusting in idle, idol shepherds upon them, +such as serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies; feed +themselves, but not the flock; and seek not them, but theirs, contrary +to John x, 2, 9; Heb. v, 4; 1 Tim. iii, 3; 1 Cor. xii, 14, with many +more; and to acts of both church and state, in times of reformation in +these covenanted lands. + +But, on the other hand, that the Presbytery, when thus condescending on +particulars, pass not over in sinful silence, what stands opposite to +the word of God and their declared principles, as above concerning civil +authority, the administrators thereof, and subjection of the people +thereto: they reject, likeas they hereby reject and condemn that +anti-scriptural principle and opinion, that the divine scriptural +ordinance of magistracy has not its foundation in the moral preceptive +law of God (wherein alone his will is revealed and declared unto his +people, concerning the nature, use, and ends of all his ordinances), but +in the subjective light of nature (even as corrupted), so confused and +dark in its discoveries, so gross and selfish in its principles, +motives, and ends, that neither the true nature of this, nor any other +of the ordinances of Jehovah, as revealed in his word, can hereby be +known, or the true use and ends thereof sufficiently discovered or +obtained. + +They likewise testify against, and reject that equally absurd opinion, +as a stream flowing from the foresaid corrupt fountain, that the office, +authority, and constitution of lawful magistrates, does not solely +belong to professing Christians, in a Christian reformed land, but that +the election and choice of any one whosoever, made by the civil body +(whether Pagan, Papist, Atheist, Deist, or other enemy to God, to man, +and to true religion), makes up the whole of what is essential to the +constitution of a lawful magistrate according to God's ordinance. A +tenet contrary to the light and dictates both of reason and scripture. + +And they hereby also disclaim that corrupt notion, that all providential +magistrates, who are, and while they are acknowledged by any civil +society especially in an apostate backsliding land and people from the +scriptural standard (in respect of the origin of their office), are also +preceptive; and that the office and authority of all so constituted and +acknowledged, in itself considered, does equally arise from, and agree +unto the preceptive will of God, contrary to scriptural precepts, Deut. +xvii, 18; what falls under scriptural reproof, Hos. viii, 4; and what +greatly depreciates the valiant contendings of our honored ancestors for +civil reformation, and tends to invalidate their deeds of constitution +thereanent. + +Again the Presbytery testifies against, and condemns that principle, +that the Christian people of God ought to give explicit acknowledgment +of, implicit subjection and obedience to, whatever civil authority +(though most wicked and unlawful) the Lord in his holy providence, may, +for the trial and punishment of his church, permit a backsliding people +to constitute and set up, without regard to the precept of his word. And +they hereby reject whatever in opposition to the covenanted principles +of the Church of _Scotland_, does justly, and in its own nature imply a +voluntary and real acknowledgment of the lawfulness of the title and +authority of an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted, and Erastian +government, constituted upon the ruins of our scriptural covenanted +reformation. Particularly, they testify against praying for success and +prosperity to such, in their stated opposition to the Lord and his +Anointed, or in any form implying a homologation of their title as +lawful, swearing oaths of fidelity and allegiance to such, accepting any +office from such, and executing these in their name and authority under +them, military associations with such, by a voluntary enlisting under +their banner, and fighting for their support and establishment. And that +in regard these are actions, as they express a proper and explicit +owning of the lawfulness of that authority, which they immediately +respect, so they are such as cannot be obtained without the actual +consent of the party performing, and must therefore imply a deliberate +approbation of foresaid iniquitous authority. + +Further, they testify against a direct and active, free and voluntary +paying of tribute and other dues, unto such, and that for conscience +sake, as unto the ordinance of God, according to his precept; and +particularly, when these dues are required as a tessera of loyalty to +such; or when required, as an evidence of a person's active contributing +to the accomplishment of some wicked action, expressly declared to be +the immediate end of the imposition. Thus the case was in the time of +persecution, when the declared end of the additional cess, was the +immediate suppression of the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields. +As also, not only against professed witnesses for reformation +principles, their prosecuting of their witnessing brethren at law before +the courts of anti-scriptural, unqualified judges; but generally, +against all law processes, in a way of direct counteracting any part of +reformation attainments, or express homologating the authority of an +unlawful judge. And, in fine, against all voluntary subjection, for +conscience sake, unto such powers as are not the ordinance of God, +according to his revealed preceptive will, as contrary to scripture; 2 +Sam. ii, 10; 2 Kings xi, 4, 17; 2 Chron. xix, 2; Isa. viii, 12 and lxv, +11; Rom. xiii, 1 to 8; 1 Cor. vi, 1 to 8, contrary to the acts of this +church approving, and ordinances of the state, establishing the civil +authority upon its scriptural foundation, and thereby discovering the +proper object of a Christian people's voluntary and conscientious +subjection; and particularly, to the act of classes. While in the +meantime, it must be acknowledged, that the state and condition of +Presbyterian Covenanters in these lands, continuing, as a community, to +witness and contend for reformation of both church and state, that +obtained, and was established, between 1638 and 1650, cannot be regarded +as that of a free people enjoying their ancient privileges and +liberties, but as that of an oppressed people, brought under the power +of a conqueror, and no better than captives in their own land. As this +was evidently the state of the suffering remnant under the persecuting +period, when, by the force of the sword, they were robbed of their +former liberties, and reduced to the most deplorable condition. So, +however the Revolution did alter some circumstances in the condition of +Covenanters; yet, in regard it was established upon, and did homologate +the overthrow of the reformation, to which that people do still adhere, +it could make no substantial change in their condition, from what it +formerly was. And moreover, as it is necessarily requisite to the +constituting of the relation between magistrate and people, that there +be a mutual and voluntary consent; and as the community of presbyterian +Covenanters did never, at or since the Revolution, give such consent; +but, on the contrary, have, in the most public manner, protested against +the constitution and installment of rulers in agreeableness thereto, as +being contrary to the word of God, covenanted constitution, and +fundamental laws of the nations; as is evident from their printed +testimonies and declarations. It follows, that their state is that of an +oppressed people, in passive subjection to a conquering power, whose +duty is, to wait with patience upon _Israel's_ God for his return to +revive his work, and recall the bondage of his _Zion_. And while they +are to take care to do nothing that justly implies their consent to the +continued opposition made unto the covenanted reformation, yet they +ought to observe a proper difference between such actions and things as +are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful, by a moral obligation, +and those that are not so. As also, between that which cannot be had, +nor the value or equivalent of it, unless the person actually give it; +and that which may be obtained, whether he actually contribute to it or +not.[7] Most applicable to this our present condition, are the words of +the _Levites_, expressing the distressed state of _Israel_, which they +had brought themselves into by their sins, as recorded by Neh. ix, 36, +37: "Behold we are servants this day; and for the land thou gavest unto +our fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold we +are servants in it: and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings which +thou hast set over us, because of our sins; also they have dominion over +our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great +distress." + +Likewise the Presbytery testify against all ministerial or church +communion with such, who, though they may occupy the place of +office-bearers in the church of Christ, yet are destitute of those +qualifications indispensably required by the church's Head, or enter not +into their office by the door he has appointed in his word, own another +head than Christ, or apostatize and fall from the truth and cause of +Christ, formerly espoused and sworn to by them in a church capacity; +against all active owning and countenancing of such, by attending upon +any of their corrupt official ministrations, or receiving any ordinances +from such, to whom the Lord has denied his blessing. Against all +voluntary contracting with prelates, curates, or such officers of human +invention in the church, for paying tithes or other dues unto them, as +unto lawful, scriptural parish ministers. For besides that there is +nothing due unto them, their office having no divine authority; so there +being under the New Testament a change of the priesthood, there is also +a change of the law, respecting tithes; according to 2 Cor. vi, 17; Rev. +ii, 20, &c. + +By all which it appears, from what is above asserted and declared +concerning these two divine distinct ordinances, the ministry and +magistracy, that the principles maintained thereanent by the Presbytery, +are nothing else than an endeavor, as a judicatory of the Lord Jesus +Christ, constituted in his name, to hold fast the church of _Scotland's_ +testimony, agreeable to the scriptures of truth, for confession and +covenants, fundamental acts and constitutions both of church and state +and this, according to the command of the church's sole King and Head; +Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 11. And what is testified against, is, in the +nature of it, an homologation of the church's faithful opposition to +backsliders, in their course of defection, from the national, +attainments in religion and reformation, resisting even unto blood, +striving against sin. + +XVIII. OF OATHS AND VOWS.--The Presbytery further assert and declare, +that oaths and vows are a part of religious worship, warranted in the +word of God, and under the New Testament dispensation, and may be +lawfully taken and entered into by the Lord's people. That such oaths +and vows only are warrantable, as are lawful both for the matter and the +manner of them; and those that are so, when once engaged in, must not be +violated on any consideration, and that, because of the authority of the +awful name of God interposed in them. And further, they declare, that +the right of administering oaths is competent only to those vested with +such authority as is agreeable to the word of truth. As also, that it is +the incumbent duty of Christians, by solemn oath to bind themselves to +maintain and defend the persons of righteous rulers, in the lawful +exercise of their authority; and to such only, it is lawful to swear +oaths of allegiance and fidelity. And hereby, they disapprove the +principle of refusing allegiance to lawful authority. At the same time, +the Presbytery testify against, as above, all the oaths of allegiance in +being, to an Erastian Prelatical government. And further, they reject +and detest that sinful, idolatrous and superstitious form of swearing, +in laying the hand upon, and kissing the gospels, practiced by the +Prelatical churches of _England_ and _Ireland_, and even introduced into +_Scotland_, as a gross profanation of that holy ordinance, and contrary +to the scripture examples thereof. Hereby they also testify against all +sinful swearing, whereby the name of God, his titles, perfections, or +graces of his Holy Spirit, are profaned in ordinary discourse. As also, +the unnecessary oaths of customhouse, trade, &c., as a reiterated and +fearful profanation of the name of God. And moreover, they testify +against, and condemn that ungodly and superstitious oath, practiced by +that unhallowed club, called _Free Masons_: according to Deut. x, 20; +Exod. xx, 7; Neh. xiii, 25; Ezra x, 5; Deut. vi, 13; Matth. iv, 35, 36; +Ezek. xvii, 16, 17, 18, 19; Rev. x, 5, 6; Jer. iv, 2. and v, 2; Confess. +chap. 22. + +Again, they testify and declare, that the work of solemn covenanting +with a God in Christ, is a duty warranted in the scriptures of the Old +and New Testament, and by the examples of the godly, agreeable thereto; +and that not only to individuals in particular, but to churches and +nations in general. Which covenants once entered into, and being for the +matter of them lawful, are most sacred, and therefore inviolably +binding; and what cannot be broken or transgressed, without manifest +guilt, and incurring the dreadful resentment of a holy and jealous God, +who has severely threatened to punish covenant-breakers. And hence they +assert, that the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League +and Covenant entered into by the three nations, for reformation and +defense of religion, and for the maintainance and preservation of the +truths and ordinances of God in purity, and sworn by our honored +ancestors, not only for themselves, but including also their posterity, +are of divine authority, as having their foundation upon the word of +God; therefore moral, and so perpetually binding upon the nations, and +every individual of them, to the latest posterity. Wherefore, the +Presbytery testify against the principle of refusing the lawfulness of +national covenanting, particularly, under the New Testament +dispensation, and all principles and practices that strike against the +moral obligation of these covenants; see Deut. vi, 13, Isa. ix, 18, and +xliv, 5; Jer. 1, 5; Deut. xxix, 12 to 16, 24, 25; Lev. xxvi, 25, 26; +Josh, ix, 14, 15, 18, 19; 2 Sam. xxi, 1; Ezek. xvi, 59, and xvii, 15, +16, 18, 19; Hos. x, 4; Gal. iii, 15; 2 Cor. viii, 5. See also acts and +ordinances both of church and state in times of reformation, respecting +the taking, and binding obligation, of the covenants. + +Again, the Presbytery hereby testify and declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto, all the different steps of reformation, that ever, +in any period, were attained unto in this church and land: particularly, +besides what has been mentioned above, they declare their adherence to +the Westminster Confession of Faith, as it was approven by act of the +General Assembly of the Church of _Scotland, anno_ 1647: Catechisms, +larger and shorter; Form of church government, Directory for worship, +and Books of Discipline, as agreeable to, and extracted from the sacred +oracles. + +And with respect to the fourth article of the 23d chapter of our +Confession, the Presbytery hereby declare, that they reject that corrupt +sense and gloss which has been imposed upon it, whether by open enemies, +or false friends to our covenanted reformation in former or latter +times, viz., That a reformed Christian people, having generally +received, and publicly professing the true religion; and more +especially, having expressly and solemnly bound themselves by public +national vows to the Most High, for the preservation of it, may +warrantably set over them an infidel, or one of a religion differing +from the true religion, and thereupon acknowledge and submit themselves +unto him, as their lawful civil ruler for conscience sake. And moreover, +they declare that they understand said articles, as principally relating +to the condition of a people emerging out of the darkness and +superstition of Paganism or Popery, &c., before that religion has +obtained the sanction of civil authority; when, although the major part +or bulk of a people should embrace the true religion, yet that does not +dissolve or loose the relation subsisting between them and their civil +rulers, prior to their conversion, agreeable to, and founded upon the +just and reasonable laws of the realm. In this case only, it is granted, +that an infidel, or one of a different religion, may have authority just +and legal over a people partly converted to the knowledge and gospel of +Christ. Thus it was with the primitive Christians, and thus it was +particularly with our ancestors in _Scotland_, at the beginning of the +reformation; and this perfectly well agrees to the apostolic precept and +determination in a case similar to the above; 1 Cor. vii, 12, 13 and 39, +and 2 Cor. vi, 14. + +As also, they further declare their approbation of, and adherence to all +the faithful testimonies, declarations and protestations, emitted by the +witnesses for the work of reformation, whether before or under the late +times of tyranny and persecution, in prisons, scaffolds, or in the +fields, by land or sea; or by such, as since that time have succeeded. +them in the self same testimony, as they are founded upon, and agreeable +to the word of truth, and as a just and proper vindication of foresaid +covenanted cause. And particularly with the above proviso and +limitation, they declare their adherence to the _Rutherglen, Sanquhar_ +and _Lanerk_ declarations, _annis_ 1679, 1680, 1682; as also to the +declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1683, 1684, 1692, and 1695, 1703, +1707; to the _informatory vindication_, and _cloud of witnesses_; to the +_covenants national_ and _solemn league_, sworn at _Auchensaugh_, near +_Douglas_, in the year 1712, at _Crawfurd-john_ 1745; with the +additional acknowledgments of sins, and engagements to duties at these +times; to the declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1718, and at +_Montherrick_, 1740, 1741. And in like manner, they testify their +adherence to the _Act_ formerly emitted by this Presbytery, in +condemnation of the universal scheme. And they do hereby testify +against, and disapprove all partiality and unfaithfulness, whether in +respect of right or left hand extremes, in any testimonies, published in +a way of professed adherence to reformation principles; particularly, +they reject the testimony published by those designated the _Associate +Presbytery_, as no adequate testimony for truth, because of the +partiality and unfaithfulness, both to God and the generation, +discovered therein; being, instead of a faithful vindication, no better +than a burial of some of the most important attainments in reformation +of this church and land. And they likewise reject, detest and abhor that +spurious brat, stuffed with gross error, blasphemy and nonsense, most +falsely and unjustly designated, "A testimony for the word of Christ's +patience," by that sacrilegious usurper of the ministry, _William +Dunnet_, who, being once plunged into the depths of enthusiasm, such is +his madness, that under pretense of an immediate mission from heaven, he +not only daringly usurps the whole of the ministerial function, but also +wickedly claims an Erastian exercise of the office of the civil +magistrate, in a stupid unaccountable declaration of war, offensive and +defensive, against all mankind, himself, and his blind-folded +confederates only excepted; having probably had these anti-scriptural +notions instilled into him by the industry of some unstable heads, who, +after they had made a professed subjection to this Presbytery, in the +Lord, did, with some others of the same stamp, in a most unwarrantable +and schismatical manner, break off from their communion, without so much +as discovering any shadow of reason, in justification of their rash, +ungrounded and precipitate separation. + +Upon the whole, the Presbytery, protesting that they have been +influenced to this necessary work of displaying a judicial banner for +the covenanted cause and interest of our exalted Redeemer, purely out of +a regard to the glory of God, a desire that Christ's kingdom may be +advanced, and his buried truths revived, as also a concern for the +welfare and happiness of the present and succeeding generations, do +earnestly, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, beseech and obtest +all and every one, into whose hands this testimony may come, that, +without considering the insignificancy of the instruments, and laying +aside prejudice and carnal selfish considerations, they receive the +truth as it is in Jesus, not only in the notion, but in the love and +power of it; that they take with the many just and highly aggravated +grounds of the Lord's controversy, and causes of his wrath against us, +not only on account of private and personal wickedness come to a very +great height, but particularly on account of the general opposition to +the public concerns of his glory, in what respects the doctrine, +worship, government and discipline of his house. Alas! our public +abominations are both obstinately persisted in and publicly justified. +That they lay to heart the great and terrible wickedness of the day and +generation, with deep humiliation before the Lord, while he waits to, be +gracious, and is calling all ranks to humble themselves, and saying, +"Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, +for he is gracious and merciful;" Joel ii, 13. That, in the way of +flying under the covert of the atoning blood of the Son of God, by faith +in his name, for the remission of sins, and endeavoring after personal +reformation, as to all the impiety and irreligion, all the detestable +indifferency, lukewarmness and hypocrisy, in the matters of God, which +universally prevail; they also study and set about public reformation, +every one in their several stations, according to our solemn national +engagements, concurring to restore the Lord's ruined and buried work, +and rebuild his house, which is now lying as a desolate heap, covered +over with the rubbish of manifold errors, corruptions and human +inventions. If we still hold fast our abominations, and will not, by +repentance and reformation, return and give glory to the Lord our God +before he cause darkness, then, when he returns for the salvation of +_Zion_, "He will come treading down the people in his anger, and making +them drunk in his fury, and bringing down their strength to the earth;" +Isa. lxiii, 6. "But is there no hope in _Israel_ concerning this thing? +Is there no balm in _Gilead_? Is there not a physician there?" Is there +not virtue in Christ's blood for the most desperate cases, that +churches, as well as particular persons, can be in? Is there not ground +to hope, that the Lord will not altogether forsake these sinful lands, +which were given to him of old for an inheritance, and wherein he has so +long maintained his possession, but that he will yet build up our +_Zion_, and appear in his glory therein, will plead his own cause, +revive his own work, a covenanted work of reformation, and remove all +the contempt and ignominy which it presently lies under? Sure the +continuance of his gracious calls and invitations to return to him, +gives ground to hope, that our "_Israel_ hath not been forsaken, nor +_Judah_ of his God, of the Lord of Hosts, though their land was filled +with sin against the holy One of _Israel_;" Jer. li, 5. And though, while +so much of error, prejudice and carnal interest, lie as impassable +mountains in the way, there is little appearance of the nations taking +this course yet the Lord seems still to bespeak us in that endearing +language, Jer. iii, 12, "Go and proclaim these words towards the north, +and say, Return thou backsliding _Israel_, saith the Lord, and I will +not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, saith the +Lord, and I will not keep anger forever." Though we have nationally torn +our marriage contract with heaven, and taken away our names, yet the +Lord has not. _Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am +married unto you._ Let all, then, _repent, and turn themselves from all +their transgressions, so iniquity shall not be their ruin_; but if not, +then let all the impenitent despisers of the repeated calls of mercy +know, that abused patience will at length turn into fury, and the Lord +Jehovah, who has already furbished his sword, and prepared the +instruments of death, will speedily give that dreadful commission to the +executioners of his wrath: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is +ripe; come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for +their wickedness is great:" Joel iii, 13. "But because God will do this +to _Israel_, let us prepare to meet our God." Further, the Presbytery +invite and entreat all who tender the glory of God, the removal of the +causes of his wrath and indignation, and who desire the continuance of +his tabernacle and gracious presence among us, to come and join in a +harmonious, zealous and faithful testimony for the precious truths and +interest of _Zion's_ glorious King, and against every course that has a +tendency to heighten, and at last to lay on the copestone of our +defections. Consider it is the Lord's call and command to every one, +even in their most private station, _Contend earnestly for the faith +once delivered to the saints_. It is the burden he, at this day, lays on +his church and people: _Hold fast what thou hast till I come, that no +man take thy crown_; hold fast by our former attainments in reformation. +And finally, the Presbytery exhort all with whom they are more +particularly connected, _To stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, +striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified +by your adversaries_. Let the flame of fervent and true love to God, his +truths, and to one another, prevent and extinguish the wild fire of +unnecessary and hurtful mutual animosities; and _endeavoring to keep the +unity of the spirit in the bond of peace_, study oneness in promoting +the Lord's opposed work, and in walking in the good old way, without +turning aside to the right hand or to the left, because of the lion that +is therein, and without laying other foundations than what were laid. +Let none of Christ's true and faithful witnesses suffer their hearts to +sink into despondency; the cause is the Lord's, and assuredly he will +thoroughly plead that cause which is his own. It will outlive all its +enemies, and yet have a glorious resurrection; and this will be the +crown and comfort of all such as continue, amidst all trials and +sufferings, contending for him, in the blessed expectation of the +conqueror's everlasting reward. Therefore, _lift up the hands that hang +down, and strengthen the feeble knees_; greater afflictions have been +accomplished in those that are gone before, and are now inheriting the +promises, than any wherewith the Lord is presently trying his church. +And as the God of all grace, after they had suffered awhile, made them +perfect, and put them in possession of that eternal glory to which they +were called by Jesus Christ, so shall he establish, strengthen and keep +his people still from falling, and, after all their sorrows and +sufferings, present them faultless before the presence of his glory, +with exceeding joy. "Return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts; look down +from heaven, and behold and visit this vine; and the vineyard which thy +right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for +thyself, it is burnt with fire, it is cut down, they perish at the +rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right +hand, upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself, so will +not we go back from thee; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name; +turn us again, O Lord of Hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be +saved: Let God arise, let _Zion's_ immortal and omnipotent King Jesus +reign, and let all his enemies be scattered; but let them that love him +be as the sun, when he goeth forth in his might." + +Extracted by JO. THORBURN, Pr. Clk. + + + + +ADDENDA. + +In addition to what is said (from page 65 to 67 preceding, respecting +the establishment of Popery in Canada), the Presbytery deeply lament, +that, in the present edition of their Testimony, they are furnished with +fresh matter to animadvert upon the continued tendency of the British +administration in favor of the religion of Antichrist. + +Not long after the civil establishment of Popery in Canada, new +privileges, civil and religious, were bestowed upon the professors of +that religion at home, both in England and Ireland, by which Catholics +have received toleration, under the sanction of law, openly to profess +and practice their idolatry, to open seminaries of learning for the +public instruction of youth in their own religion, and to purchase and +transfer estates to their Popish relations, in direct opposition to the +established laws of the land, framed by our Protestant ancestors, under +the sense of felt necessity, whereby Catholics were laid under +disabilities, as to the enjoyment of those privileges, which they saw to +be inconsistent with the peace of the state and safety of the Protestant +religion, on account of the barbarous massacres committed by Catholics +upon Protestants, and the numerous hostile attempts made to overturn, by +violence, the Protestant religion within these lands, as proceeding from +the sanguinary spirit of Popery. The modern plea set up in favor of +those privileges being conferred upon Popery, that the Catholics of this +day have candidly renounced the whole of their old principles which they +held, as inimical to a Protestant country, never can be admitted, while +they still retain the most dangerous of all their principles, viz., +implicit faith in the doctrines of supreme councils, and the dispensing +authority of the Pope. Against this sinful indulgence granted to Popery, +the Presbytery testified at the time, in a separate piece, entitled, A +Testimony and Warning against the Blasphemies and Idolatries of Popery, +&c., to which they still refer the reader. An attempt also was made to +extend a similar indulgence to Catholics in Scotland, but which was +happily frustrated through the zealous exertions of the people, who, +pleading the established laws of the land, boldly reclaimed against the +measure, which produced the desired effect of compelling the government +to desist. But alas! no sooner, was the popular zeal cooled, than +government sowed tares by enlarging the privileges of Catholics with +regard to civil property. The deplorable fact now is, that Popery, +basking in the sunshine of legislative power, advanced to the legal +possession of new privileges, and shielded by a formal toleration in the +neighboring kingdoms, may be considered as enjoying the actual +protection of government in Scotland. In Ireland, privileges of a still +more exalted nature are bestowed upon Popery, while the Catholic is so +far enfranchised, that, in conjunction with the Protestant, he may give +his voice for members to serve in the legislature of the country. What +greatly adds to the evil is, the lamentable alteration of public +opinion, so lately displayed against the measures of government in +former indulgences bestowed upon the Catholic interest; but which has +now changed into an entire approbation thereof, both by the great body +of the people and the minority in the two houses of Parliament; and the +only complaint against government on that score is, that, stopping short +of meeting just claims of Catholics, they have not ingrafted them into +all the privileges of British subjects, and for ever done away the +odious distinction between Protestant and Catholic, as to privilege. + +When we open our eyes to the measures of the present day, we behold +still more abominations. The government so far from remembering whence +they are fallen, repenting and doing their first works, have started +again in the cause of Antichrist, by leaguing themselves in a military +expedition with a group of Popish despots on the continent, who have +long given their power to the beast; of this expedition one object +evidently appears to be the re-establishment and support of Popery in +France, where under the administration of the omnipotent, and avenging +holy providence of God, in the pouring out of the vials of his wrath +upon the beast, that false religion has received a sore and bleeding +wound, and where the people, long crushed under the tyranny of a +despotic throne, and usurpation of an imposing priesthood, have risen to +extricate themselves from the accumulated oppression, and by their +astonishing efforts have shaken off the Papal yoke, by renouncing their +accustomed allegiance to the head of the Antichristian states at Rome, +have withdrawn their wonted supplies from his treasures, and completely +overthrown the temporal power of his religion in their own country, +which had for many ages kept them in fetters. If any doubt should be +entertained with regard to the support afforded to the sinking cause of +Popery in France by this expedition, the declaration published by the +brother of the late King of France, stiling himself Louis XVIII, at the +head of the emigrants in arms, exhibits the fact in the clearest point +of view, while he plainly and unequivocally says, in that declaration, +that their designs are the erection of the throne and altar, by which +are meant the civil government and the Catholic religion, as they +existed in France prior to the revolution. Britain, not satisfied with +sending forth numerous hosts to the field abroad, and lavishing her +treasures to supply the exhausted finances of the coalesced powers, has +opened her arms at home to receive flying emigrants, caressed by her, as +if they had been sufferers in the cause of genuine Christianity. By the +voice of Episcopal dignitaries the Popish clergy have been extolled, as +men of the most eminent piety, while places have been furnished by +government, to accommodate them in their mass service; and a branch of +the bloody house of Bourbon, whom divine vengeance has reduced to the +abject state of a wandering exile, is admitted among us, with all marks +of honor, and, with his train, provided for, as if he were a zealous +supporter of the Protestant cause, seeking an asylum from the rage of +Papal persecution in this reformed land. It cannot escape the notice of +the attentive observer, how closely the crown of Britain has become +allied to this false religion, in consequence of the conquest of the +island of Corsica, and the accession of the crown of that island to the +crown of Britain. According to the new constitution of Corsica, the king +of Great Britain, as represented by his viceroy, makes an essential +branch of the parliament, all the acts whereof must be assented to by +him, in order, to give them the force of law. Now, it is to be remarked, +that in this constitution Popery is expressly declared to be the only +established religion in the island; it is therefore agreed to be divided +into districts, to be filled up with ministers of the Catholic religion, +endowed with legal maintenance. So the king of Britain, as wearing the +Corsican crown, engages to unite this constitutional establishment of +the Catholic religion, the king of Great Britain, as the king of +Corsica, gives his firm assent. Moreover, to provide for the more +extensive propagation of Popery in Corsica, the legislature stipulate to +consult with the See of Rome; here, also, he engages to join the wisdom +of his counsels to those of the Pope, for the express purpose of giving +a wider spread to Popery. If the prophet Jehu accused Jehoshaphat, +though a good prince, when he was returning from a military expedition +with Ahab, king of Israel, in such cutting language; 2 Chron. xix, 2, +_Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? +therefore, is wrath upon thee from the Lord_: in what words shall we +pronounce upon this conduct of Britain, in mixing with her politics and +wars, active measures to raise again the falling Dagon of Popery from +the threshold, and to help forward the interests of a religion which the +Lord has solemnly declared he will destroy with the judgments of his +hand and the brightness of his coming. Besides the iniquity of the thing +itself, in giving direct aid to this religion; our guilt derives great +aggravations from a view of the present dispensations of Providence in +visibly sending down terrible judgments (no matter through what rough +hands) upon that anti-christian power, that has long, sat upon many +waters; and the loud voice of Jehovah is uttering, on the awful crisis +of its downfall, to all the fearers of his name to escape a share in its +judgments, by flying away from all communion with its evils; Rev. xviii, +4, _Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, +and that ye receive not of her plagues._ But, blind to his avenging +hand, and deaf to this summons, Great Britain, once without, is now +again returning into a most unlawful communion to support this adjudged +power, by which she constitutes herself a partner in its sins, and +thereby exposes herself to a portion of its plagues. In vain will it be +urged as a plea of justification, that the authors of the revolution in +France, having overturned the constitution of their own country, and +spread desolation through the wide extent of it, menaced other nations, +and us also; and that, therefore, Britain, acting on the first principle +of nature's law, self-preservation, joined the allied powers for her own +defense. Though the Presbytery are by no means to be understood as +giving their suffrage for the lawfulness and justice of the war on our +side; yet, for the sake of argument, allowing the plea--what then? Will +this sanctify the measures adopted by Britain, in recovering, supporting +and propagating the cause of Popery, that the conquest of the enemy, and +her own safety are the ends ultimately to be gained by them? The +Christian maxim, that evil is not to be done that good may come, binds +as strongly nations as individuals. Popery is not a local evil; it is +still the mystery of iniquity, as much in France, and in Corsica, as it +is in Great Britain; it is everywhere the forbidden fruit, not to be +touched. If the security of a Protestant country is to be sought for, in +dependence upon, or in any state of connection with the co-existence and +maintenance of Antichrist, we have indeed a feeble pillar to rest upon, +for, as sure as God himself has spoken it, the Papal kingdoms are the +Babylon to fall and to rise no more again at all. Perhaps, our allies +would not be pleased with another mode of conduct; and shall we run the +hazard of displeasing the God of all our salvation, to gratify, in sin, +the friends of the man of sin? If the crown of Corsica cannot be worn, +but upon the condition of supporting Popery, and joining in councils +with the Church of Rome, to advance her interest there, we are afraid +the weight of it, like a millstone, will sink us deep in the gulf of +God's wrath. But Popery was the former religion of that island, and the +people wished no change. If the wretched inhabitants, loving darkness +rather than the light, refused to be reclaimed, leave them to +themselves, but why should we have fellowship with them in their +unfruitful works of darkness. The Presbytery would not wish to be +understood as if they meant that Protestants ought to raise a crusade, +in order to exterminate Catholics in foreign lands, as Catholics have +attempted to do against Protestants, for the weapons of our warfare, in +propagating religion are not carnal. But it certainly is the incumbent +duty of all Protestant nations to abstain from anything, that has a +tendency to uphold and propagate their religion; and as no positive +countenance should be given to it, so it is highly proper that Catholics +should be kept in such a state of restraint, as they may not again have +it in their power to repeat those bloody scenes, which Popery had acted +upon us. With a view to deliver themselves from the guilt of +participating in the evil, the Presbytery do lift up a judicial +testimony against the present anti-christian courses of administration; +as, also, against those state fasts, proceeding from an Erastian +supremacy, which have been appointed to be observed by all persons, in +order to engage by prayer the Almighty to crown their measures with +success. Likewise, the Presbytery do testify against the national +church, particularly her ministers, who from their station ought to act +as spiritual watchmen, and give pointed warning of sin and danger on the +present occasion; but, who, instead of faithfully discharging this duty, +sanction all these measures of government, which cannot fail to produce +a hardening effect upon the generation. + +N.B. Since writing the above, by a reverse in the war, Britain has lost +possession of Corsica, but while this does not acquit her of the guilt +of her anti-christian administration there, neither will it supersede +the necessity of our testimony against it. + + * * * * * + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + +The late Reformed Presbytery, June 2d, 1845, adopted the following +doctrinal and practical declarations. They have therefore a judicial +sanction; and having been in overture before the people prior to the +action of Presbytery, we subjoin them as a suitable supplement. +_Cincinnati, Nov. 12th_, 1850. + + +JUDICIAL DECLARATIONS. + +1. Man is a free agent, unconscious of restraint in his volitions by the +execution of the immutable decree of God; and it is not possible for +him, in any instance, to avoid fulfilling that decree: yet the law of +God--not his decree--is the rule of man's conduct, and the standard of +final judgment. + +2. It is the duty of a Christian to pray for the church of Christ--to +inquire diligently into her scriptural character, and to seek covenant +blessings in her communion. + +3. If the majority should violate the terms upon which church members +were united, it is lawful for the minority to testify against the +defection, and to walk by the rule of their former attainments. And when +any community assuming to be the Church of Christ, imposes sinful terms +of communion--when the constitution is anti-scriptural--when the +administration is corrupt, and attempts at its reformation have proved +ineffectual--it is the duty of Christians to separate from it: "_Come +out of her, my people_," &c.; Rev. xviii, 4. + +4. No member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church can, without +contracting guilt, in the present state of society, take the oath of +allegiance to the government of these United States, hold office, +exercise the elective franchise, act as a juror, or hold communion in +other ecclesiastical bodies, by what is commonly styled _occasional +hearing_; Rev. xi, 1-3. + + + + +TERMS + +OF + +MINISTERIAL AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNION + +IN THE + +REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. + + * * * * * + +1. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, +and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice. + +2. An acknowledgement that the whole doctrine of the Westminster +Confession of Faith, and the Catechisms, larger and shorter, are +agreeable unto, and founded upon the Scriptures. + +3. An acknowledgment that Presbyterian Church government is of divine +right, and unalterable: and that the most perfect model as yet attained, +is exhibited in the Form of Government and Directory for Worship, as +adopted by the Church of Scotland, in the Second Reformation. + +4. An acknowledgment that public, social covenanting, is an ordinance of +God, and obligatory on churches and nations under the New Testament +dispensation: and that the National Covenant of Scotland, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of Scotland, England and Ireland, were an +exemplification of this divine institution: and that these solemn deeds +are of perpetual obligation upon the moral person, as continued by +representation and accession: and in consistency with this, +acknowledging the renovation of these covenants at Auchensaugh, 1712, to +be agreeable to the Word of God. + +5. An approbation of the faithful contendings of the martyrs of Jesus, +against paganism, popery, prelacy, malignancy, and sectarianism; and +against immoral constitutions of civil government--Erastian tolerations +and persecutions which flow therefrom: the Judicial Act, Declaration and +Testimony, emitted by the Reformed Presbytery in North Britain, 1761, +together with the Historical and Declaratory Supplements adopted by the +Reformed Church in North America, 1850--as containing an noble example +for their posterity to follow, in contending for all divine truth, and +in testifying against all corruptions embodied in the constitutions of +either church or State. + +6. Practically adorning the doctrine of God our Savior, by walking in +all his commandments and ordinances blamelessly. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: _Christ's rights, &c._ By these are not meant the rights of +Christ personal. It is not in the power of mortals, or any creature, to +acquire and secure these to him; but the rights of Christ mystical, that +is, of the church, or, of his truth, true worship, and religion, and +professors of it as such.] + +[Footnote 2: Besides the above instances of that unholy, tyrannical, and +church-robbing policy, which has been exercised by the supreme civil +powers in these nations with reference to religion and the worship of +God, all of which existed when the presbytery first published their +testimony, there has, of late, a very singular instance of the same kind +occurred, in the course of administration, which the presbytery cannot +forbear to take notice of, but must embrace the present opportunity to +declare their sense of, and testify against; and especially, as it is +one that carries a more striking evidence than any of the former, of our +public national infidelity and licentiousness, and of our being +judicially infatuated in our national counsels, and given up of heaven +to proceed from evil to worse, in the course of apostasy from the cause +and principles of the reformation. We particularly mean the instance of +a late bill or act, which has been agreed upon by both houses of +parliament, and which also, June, 1774, was sanctioned with the royal +assent, entitled "An act for making more effectual provision for the +government of the province of Quebec in North America." By which act, +not only is French despotism, or arbitrary power, settled as the form of +civil government, but, which is still worse, Popery, the _Religion of +Antichrist_, with all its idolatries and blasphemies, has such security +and establishment granted it, as to be taken immediately under the legal +protection of the supreme civil authority of these nations in that vast +and extensive region of _Canada_, lately added to the British dominions +in North America--a province so large and fertile, that it is said to be +capable of containing, if fully peopled, not less than thirty millions +of souls. This infamous and injurious bill, before it passed into a law, +was publicly reprobated and declaimed against by sundry members of both +houses. It has been petitioned and remonstrated against by the most +respectable civil body corporated in Britain, or its dominions, the city +of London; by all the provinces of North America south of Quebec; and +even by the inhabitants of the city of Quebec itself. It has been, in +the most public manner, in open parliament, declared to be "a most +cruel, oppressive, and odious measure--a child of inordinate power," &c. +All which are sufficient indications how scandalous, offensive, and +obnoxious this act was. There was afterward, in the month of May, 1775, +a bill brought into the house of lords, in order to effectuate the +repeal of the foresaid disgraceful act, when, in the course of public +debate, it was represented by those few members of the house who +appeared in the opposition, as "one of the most destructive, most +despotic, most nefarious acts that ever passed the house of peers." But +all in vain--the repeal could not be effected. + +And moreover, let it be further observed here, that the bench of bishops +in the house of peers, who assume the anti-christian title of _spiritual +lords_, and pretend to claim a seat in parliament for the care of +religion, during the whole course of this contest, instead of appearing +for the Protestant interest, have, to their lasting infamy, publicly +distinguished themselves in opposition to it, by--"Standing forth the +avowed supporters of Popery." + +The presbytery, therefore, find themselves in duty obliged, in their +judicative capacity, principally in behalf of the rights and interests +of the great God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer--that is to +say, in behalf of the rights of truth, true religion, and righteousness +among men, which he ever owns as his, to add, as they hereby do, their +public testimony against this nefandous national deed, so manifestly +injurious to all these. + +The presbytery do not, as some others, found their testimony against +this extravagant act establishing Popery, &c., in Canada, solely or +simply on its injuriousness to the private interests of men--their +bodily lives, goods, or outward privileges; nor do they declare against +and condemn it merely because _that_ religion which is sanctioned with +this national decree and engagement for its defense is a sanguinary one: +"Has deluged our island in blood, and dispersed impiety, persecution, +and murder, &c., through the world." (See an address from the general +congress to the people of Great Britain.) These are all indeed +incontestable proofs that it is not the religion of the divine Jesus, +but of antichrist. Nevertheless, the same have been known to be the +staple and constant fruits of Prelacy too, which, to the extent of its +reach and influence, has as much Christian blood wrapped up in its +skirts as Popery, if not more. Nor yet is it merely on account that it +is greatly injurious, as indeed it is, and a notorious breach of the +public faith to the British Protestant settlers in that province. The +presbytery's particular objections against this extraordinary measure +are of a different quality. They are briefly such as follow: + +1. The _iniquity_ of it against God. It is certainly a deed highly +provoking and dishonoring to the God of heaven. For (1), it is a giving +that public protection and countenance to a _lie_, i.e. to idolatry and +false worship (and to anti-christian idolatry, the worst of all other), +which is only due to the truth of God. It is a devoting and giving our +national power to the preservation of the life of the Romish beast, +after the deadly wound given it by the Reformation. And therefore (2), a +most wretched prostitution of the ordinance of civil power, sacred by +its divine institution, to be _a terror_ and restraint _to evil doers, +and a praise to them that do well_, Rom. xiii,--to the quite contrary +purposes. What right have open idolaters and blasphemers to be protected +and supported by any ordinance of God in the public acts of their +idolatry? And how awful is it to think (3), that it is a setting +ourselves openly to fight against God, in a national engagement to +support and defend what God has declared and testified to us in his +word, he will have destroyed; and wherein he expressly forbids giving +the least countenance to idolatry. And shall we thus harden ourselves +against God and prosper? (4), As this last instance of our profane +national policy is a still more open discovery of our incorrigibleness +in our apostasy, so it is also the most striking of all the former of +that Erastianism and spiritual supremacy exercised by the civil powers +in these lands over the church and kingdom of Christ. Herein we have an +open and avowed justification of that anti-scriptural right and power +claimed by them to settle and establish whatever mode of religion they +please, or is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people, or which +best answers their worldly political purposes, although it should be the +religion of Satan in place of that of Christ. This has been the great +leading principle all along since the Revolution, but never more openly +discovered than in this instance. Upon all which it may appear how +sinful and provoking to the divine Majesty this act must be. + +2. The _folly and shamefulness_ of it as to ourselves. How disgraceful +and dishonorable is this public act in favor of Popery, even to the +nation itself, and its representatives, who me the authors of it. How +palpably inconsistent is it with our national character and profession +as Protestant, and with our national establishments, civil and +ecclesiastical (both which are professedly built upon reformation from +Popery), to come to take that idolatrous religion under our national +protection, and become _defenders_ of the _anti-christian_ faith; nay, +were it competent for the presbytery as a spiritual court, and spiritual +watchmen, to view this act in a civil light, they might show at large, +that it is a violation of the fundamental national constitutions of the +kingdom, and reaches a blow to the credit of the legal security granted +to the Protestant religion at home. We need not here mention how +contrary this act is to the fundamental laws and constitutions of the +kingdom of Scotland, which are now set aside. But it is contrary to, and +a manifest violation of the Revolution and British constitution itself; +contrary to the Claim of Right, yea, to the oath solemnly sworn by every +English and British sovereign upon their accession to the throne, as +settled by an act of the English parliament in the first year of William +III. By which they are obliged to "profess, and to the utmost of their +power maintain, in all their dominions, the laws of God, the true +profession of the gospel, and the true reformed religion established by +law." But these things the presbytery leave to such whom it may more, +properly concern. Let it, however, be observed that the presbytery are +not here to be interpreted as approving of the abovesaid oath, as it +designedly obliges to the maintenance of the abjured English hierarchy +and popish ceremonies, which might better be called _a true reformed +lie_, than the true reformed religion. Nevertheless, this being the +British coronation oath, it clearly determines that all legal +establishments behoove to be Protestant, and that without a violation of +said oath, no other religion can be taken under protection of law but +what is called Protestant religion only. + +The presbytery conclude the whole of this additional remark with +observing, That as in the former instances of the exercise of this +Erastian power above mentioned, the present church of Scotland never +gave evidence of her fidelity to Christ, so far as to testify against +them; so their assembly has, in a like supine, senseless manner, +conducted themselves with reference to this last and most alarming +instance. Notwithstanding all that has been remonstrated against it, and +in favor of the reformed religion, they have remained mute and silent, +which indeed evidences them not to be truly deserving of the character +of _venerable_ and _reverend_, which they assume to themselves, but +rather that of an association; or, in the words of the weeping prophet, +_an assembly of treacherous men_: Jer. ix, 2.] + +[Footnote 3: See pages 68, 69, preceding.] + +[Footnote 4: Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_ originally belonged to the community +of Old Dissenters under the pastoral inspection of the Rev. Mr. _John +McMillan_ senior; was educated and lived in communion with them, till +upwards of the age of thirty years; during which time he wrote and +published a book, entitled, _Plain Reasons, &c._, setting forth the +grounds why Presbyterian Dissenters refused to hold communion with the +revolution, church and state; but, having no prospect of obtaining +license and ordination among them, in regard they had then no ordained +minister belonging to them but old Mr. _McMillan_ alone, it appeared +that, from a passionate desire after these privileges, he left his old +friends, and made his application to the Associate Presbytery, who +treated him as above narrated.] + +[Footnote 5: Mr. _John Cameron_, then a probationer and clerk to their +Presbytery.] + +[Footnote 6: These people, referred to above, very unjustly designate +themselves such _who adhere to the testimony for the kingly prerogative +of Christ_. They did at first, before their agreement with the +Presbytery, and ever since their elopement, do still profess to appear +for what they call _An Active Testimony_, conform to the rude draft of a +paper commonly known by the name of the _Queensferry Paper_ or +_Covenant_ (see _Cloud of Witnesses_, Appendix, page 270). After their +_activity_ had carried them the length of avouching the most +inconsistent anti-predestinarian, Arminian schemes of universal +redemption, and not only to a total separation from the Presbytery, and +rejection of their judicial authority, but even to an open denial of the +protestative mission of the ministers therein, and of all others; the +most part of them were, in God's holy and righteous justice, left to +receive and submit to the pretended authority and ministrations of +_William Dunnet_, a deceiver, destitute of all mission and authority, +whom they were afterward obliged to abandon In 1771, they published a +pamphlet entitled, _A short Abstract of their Principles and Designs_. +In this they cunningly evade the acknowledgment of our Confession of +Faith and Catechisms, decline to own the doctrine of the holy Trinity in +_unity_, and do professedly adopt and avow the hypothesis of the famous +modern Socinian, Dr. _Taylor, of Norwich_, anent the person of Christ. +According to which he is no more than "a glorious being, truly created +by God before the world." This pre-existent creature they call a +_superangelic_ spirit; which spirit, coming in time to be united to a +human body, makes according to them, the person of Christ. A person +neither truly God nor truly man, but a sort of being different from +both. The absurdity and blasphemy of this hypothesis needs no +elucidation. Thus they idolatrously worship _another_ god than the +Scripture reveals, and blasphemously substitute and trust in _another_ +savior than the gospel offers unto sinners. In the same pamphlet they +declare and publish their resolution to take some of their number under +formal trials, whom, upon being approved, they might appoint and send +forth to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of it. And all +which they have accordingly done, to the great dishonor of God, reproach +of religion, and the profession of it. + +And now, from the above principles and practices, the reader may justly +conclude how unworthily these Christians (if they may be called such) +profess to stand up for the royal prerogatives of Christ. What an +arrogant and presumptuous invasion upon, and usurpation of, the powers +and prerogatives of this glorious King, for any mortal to assume "to +appoint and call men," not to the _work_ (which yet is all that the +Church of Christ, according to the will of God, and her privileges from +Christ her head, ever claimed), but to the very _power_ and _office_ of +the holy ministry, "and to _install_ them in it." Besides, that their +doctrine as to Christ's person, which denies his divine nature and +sonship, saps the very foundations of _that_ and all his other offices. +We would, therefore, yet beseech them, by the mercies of God, "to repent +them of all their wickedness, and to pray God, if perhaps the thoughts +of their heart may be forgiven them."] + +[Footnote 7: It has been complained by some, that the sense of both the +members of this particular paragraph is obscure, and not so intelligible +as it should be to many readers; but this complaint seems rather to +arise from the want of proper attention and consideration, than from any +other cause. As to the first branch of the sentence, Among--"Such +actions and things as are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful +by a moral obligation"--may be reckoned the payment of county tolls on +highways and bridges, for the benefit of an easy and commodious +passage--keeping watch in cities which have no settled or regular +guard, to prevent public damage by fire or otherwise. In like manner, +the payment of custom in public markets or fairs, or of town dues, all +of which, being intended for the benefit of public corporations, are +given or paid as the price of liberty and privilege of trade and +commerce. And to this may be added, such necessary instances of +_self-defense_ as a person may be obliged to, when maliciously and +villanously attacked in his character or goods, by persons perhaps +designedly taking advantage of his Christian temper, or profession. Or +when perhaps a person may be maliciously charged with, and prosecuted +for crimes not only peculiarly dishonorable to religion, but even +capital, as has been the case with some individuals. In all such cases, +self-defense at law becomes necessary before the ordinary courts and +judges of any nation, or place of the world whatever, when such defenses +are admitted without the formal and explicit acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of unjust or usurped authority (when such happens to be in +place, as in the instance of Paul's appeal to Caesar, Acts xxv), or +acting any otherwise contrary to justice and charity. And with regard to +the other branch of the sentence where it is observed--"That a +difference ought to made between those things that cannot be had, nor +yet the value and equivalent of them, unless the person actually give +it," &c.: This is sufficiently explained in a paragraph, page 163, near +the foot. Prayers for God's blessing on any government--enlisting and +bearing arms in their service--accepting offices and places of power +from them--swearing oaths of fidelity to them, &c.--are such things as +can by no means be got, nor yet the equivalent of them, unless the party +actually consents and grants them. These, therefore, and, such like, are +the only instances of action which, the Presbytery judge, do, in their +own nature, contain and express a proper and explicit acknowledgment of +the lawfulness of that authority which they immediately respect.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the +Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive, by The Reformed Presbytery + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACT, DECLARATION, & TESTIMONY *** + +***** This file should be named 13200-8.txt or 13200-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/0/13200/ + +Produced by Jordan Dohms and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + diff --git a/old/13200-8.zip b/old/13200-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..96d4b8f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13200-8.zip diff --git a/old/13200.txt b/old/13200.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2c8e46f --- /dev/null +++ b/old/13200.txt @@ -0,0 +1,9529 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole +of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive, by The Reformed Presbytery + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive + +Author: The Reformed Presbytery + +Release Date: August 17, 2004 [EBook #13200] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACT, DECLARATION, & TESTIMONY *** + + + + +Produced by Jordan Dohms and PG Distributed Proofreaders + + + + + +ACT, DECLARATION, + +AND + +TESTIMONY, + +FOR THE + +WHOLE OF OUR COVENANTED REFORMATION, AS ATTAINED +TO, AND ESTABLISHED IN BRITAIN AND IRELAND; +PARTICULARLY BETWIXT THE YEARS 1638 +AND 1649, INCLUSIVE. + +AS, ALSO, + +AGAINST ALL THE STEPS OF DEFECTION FROM SAID REFORMATION, WHETHER IN +FORMER OR LATER TIMES, SINCE THE OVERTHROW OF THAT +GLORIOUS WORK, DOWN TO THIS PRESENT DAY: + +BY THE REFORMED PRESBYTERY. + + * * * * * + +PSALM IX, 4.--Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee: that it +may be displayed because of the truth. + +ISAIAH VIII, 16.--Bind up the testimony, seal the law among my +disciples. + +JUDE, verse 3.--That ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was +once delivered to the saints. + +REVELATION III, 11.--Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou +hast, that no man take thy crown. + + * * * * * + +TO WHICH IS NOW ADDED, + +A HISTORICAL AND DECLARATORY SUPPLEMENT. + +1850. + + + + +INTRODUCTION. + + +The Presbytery, soon after their erection, being convinced of the +expediency and necessity of emitting a judicial testimony, to discover +to the world the principles upon which, as a judicatory of the Lord +Jesus Christ, they stood, in opposition to the different, so called, +judicatories in the land; together with the agreeableness of these +principles to the Word of God, the only rule of faith and practice, and +to the covenanted constitution of the church of Scotland in her purest +periods; did therefore, after a proposal for said effect, agree in +appointing one of their number to prepare a draft of this kind to be +laid before them, who, after sundry delays, to their grief of mind, at +once cut off their hopes of all assistance from him, in that or any +other particular, by laying himself obnoxious to the censures of the +church; which the presbytery, in duty both to him, to God, and to his +people, were obliged to put in execution against him, while he, in +contempt of that ordinance, and other means used for his conviction and +recovery, obstinately persists in his impenitency and defection. And +although the presbytery, few in number, were thus diminished, yet, being +still resolved to prosecute their former design, they renewed their +appointment upon another brother, who, in consequence of his +undertaking, was allowed a cessation from his other public work, in +order to expedite the proposed draft: and now, when nothing was expected +that should retard the finishing of such a necessary work, the +lamentable fire of division, that had long been smothered, unhappily +broke forth into a violent flame, whereby the presbytery was rent +asunder, and that brother, on whom the appointment was formerly laid, +happening to be of the separating party, a second stop was not only put +to the publication of this testimony, but the presbytery, from the +absence of a brother removed to a distant part of the world, together +with the paucity of their number, were almost wholly discouraged from +attempting again what they had been oftener than once disappointed in. + +But notwithstanding of the above, with many other difficulties which we +shall not at present take notice of, the presbytery, still considering, +that, even in their present circumstances, when their number is few and +despicable, their adversaries many, and such as are in repute in the +world, whereby the opposition made to them, and the conspiracy formed +against the covenanted testimony of the church of Scotland maintained by +them, must needs be strong; there is yet a gracious door of opportunity +left open for them to attempt, in their judicative capacity, the +prosecution and accomplishment of the necessary work formerly proposed; +and which they could not but judge the Lord still called them unto, +while after all the above-mentioned breaches made upon them, he still +continued to give them a nail in his holy place, and a wall in Judah and +Jerusalem, _Ezra_ ix, 8, 9, they therefore again laid their appointments +upon some others to prepare a draft of _An Act, Declaration, and +Testimony_, &c., and which, under the favor of Divine Providence, has at +length been finished and laid before the presbytery. We only need to +observe further with reference to this, that the long delay of what is +now agreed upon did not proceed from any design in the presbytery, of +depriving either the people of their particular inspection, or the +generation, of any benefit that might be obtained by a work of this +nature, but partly from the fewness of their number, and great extent of +their charge, and partly from the great distance of members' residence +from each other, whereby they can seldom have access to meet all +together, for expediting this or any other work of public concern they +have in hand. + +It is, therefore, with an eye to the Wonderful Counselor (when Zion's +faithful counselors are so few) for light and direction in the +management of this great and important work, that the presbytery have +resolved upon the publication hereof at this time, for the reasons which +follow: + +1. Because this duty of bearing witness for truth, and declaring against +all error, and defection from it, and transmitting the same uncorrupted +to posterity, is expressly enjoined on the church by the Spirit of God +in the Scriptures of truth. _Psal._ lxxviii, 5: "For he hath established +a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded +our fathers that they should make them known to their children." +_Isaiah_ xliii, 10: "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord." _Matth._ x, +32: "Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I also +confess before my Father who is in heaven." _John_ xv. 27: "Ye also +shall bear witness." _Acts_ i, 8: "And ye shall be witnesses unto me." + +2. Because, in agreeableness to the above scripture warrant, it has been +the constant practice of the church in all ages, when in such capacity, +judicially to assert, and declare their approbation of the truths of the +everlasting gospel, and attainments of the church, joined with the +condemnation of all contrary error, as appears from their harmonious +confessions: and particularly, this has been the honorable practice of +the once famous church of Scotland, witness her excellent confessions, +covenants, &c., whose posterity we are, and, therefore, in duty bound to +homologate, and approve her scriptural form and order, by a judicial +asserting of her attainments, as saith the apostle, _Philip._ iii, 16: +"Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained, let us walk by the +same rule, let us mind the same thing." _Rev._ iii, 3: "Remember, +therefore, how thou has received, and heard, and hold fast, and repent." + +3. That, notwithstanding many, both ministers and private Christians, +have been honored faithfully to publish their testimonies and +declarations, and to seal them with their blood, in opposition to the +growing defections in the land, being through the tyranny of the times +prevented from acting in any other capacity: yet never, since the +national overthrow of the glorious structure of reformation, has any +church judicatory; constituted purely on the footing of our covenanted +establishment, appeared in a judicial vindication of our Redeemer's +interest and injured rights. + +4. The unspeakable loss sustained by the present generation, through the +want of a full and faithful declaration of the covenanted principles of +the church of Scotland, which they in the loins of their ancestors were +so solemnly engaged to maintain; whereby, as ignorance must be +increased, so prejudices are also gradually begotten in their winds +against the truth in the purity thereof. And this, through the many +mistaken notions at present prevailing among the different contending +parties of professors in these nations, concerning the distinct +ordinances of divine institution, viz., the ministry and magistracy, or +ecclesiastical and civil government; and, more especially, the +presbytery reckon themselves, and all professing their allegiance unto +Christ and his cause, obliged to maintain the testimony of our ancestors +for the divine institution and right constitution of civil government, +according to the law of God, as what they found to be, and still is, +indispensably necessary for the outward defense and preservation of +righteousness and true religion; and because the very foundation and +ends of this ordinance have been doctrinally subverted, and the +generation taught the most licentious principles concerning it, by a +body of professed witnesses among ourselves: and this they design to do, +without (as they are slanderously reported of by some) laying aside +themselves, or withdrawing others, from the study of internal and +habitual or practical holiness. + +5. To wipe off the reproach of that odium cast upon the presbytery and +community belonging thereto, by some who invidiously call them a +headless mob, whose principles cannot be known, anti-government men, men +of bloody principles, &c., than which nothing can be more unjust: +seeing, as a body distinct from all others, they have still stood upon +the footing of the covenanted establishment, as has been frequently +declared to the world, and as the constitution of the presbytery bears; +so that they can no more be said ever to have wanted a proper testimony +exhibiting their principles to the world, than the reformed church of +Scotland, whereof they are a part. + +6. The present broken and divided situation of the members of CHRIST'S +mystical body, together with the abounding of error, seems necessarily +to require it as a proper mean, under the divine blessing, for gathering +again the scattered flock of Christ, the chief shepherd, to the one +sheepfold, and putting a stop to the current of prevailing apostasy and +defection. + +For these reasons (with more that might be adduced) the presbytery find +themselves in duty bound, to God, the present and succeeding +generations, to throw in their small mite of a testimony, against the +manifold avowed backslidings and defections of all degrees of men, both +in the former and present times, from the precious truths of Christ, and +purity of his ordinances; unto the maintenance whereof, not only they, +but all in these lands, are solemnly bound by covenant engagements. + +And, to conclude, let none mistake the presbytery's aim and intention, +in the whole or any part of the following testimony, as if they minded +nothing else but magistracy, &c., and that to have civil government, and +governors established, according to the rule of God's word, was all the +religion they intended, without regarding or opposing any other of the +prevailing evils and iniquities of the present time. So some are pleased +to allege, as has been hinted above; but such might do well to consider, +that, as the sovereign and distinguishing goodness of God is clearly +evidenced in giving his statutes and judgments unto his Israel, in all +ages, while he has not dealt so with the other nations of the world, +wherein his will is manifestly revealed, determining his people's duty +in all their regulations; so his glory is equally concerned, that they +receive, observe, keep pure and entire, all the ordinances he hath +appointed in his word. The sinful prostitution of any of these, or +breaking over the boundaries which Jehovah hath set is an evident +contempt of his sovereign authority, and violation of the moral law. God +requires of his people an universal respect to all his ordinances and +commandments. Hence what is designed by them in this undertaking, is +equally to testify their adherence unto, and approbation of the +doctrine, worship, discipline and government of the house of God; and to +signify their opposition to, and dissatisfaction with, all the +apostatizing, backsliding courses in principle and practice, from that +reformation purity, both in church and state (which, as the attainment +of the nations of Britain and Ireland, was by them accounted their chief +ornament and glory), that have taken place, especially in this kingdom, +since our woful decline commenced: whereby the witnesses for Scotland's +covenanted reformation, have been deprived of any legal benefit, as +well, since as before the late revolution; in which the reformation, +neither in civil nor ecclesiastical constitutions, was adopted. The +intent, therefore, of this work is of very great importance; no less +being proposed, than the right stating of the testimony for the +covenanted interest of Christ in these lands, and judicial vindication +of all the heads thereof, after such a long and universal apostasy +therefrom: a work that must needs be attended with great difficulties, +and labor under manifold disadvantages, as in other respects, so +particularly from the consideration of the temper of this age, wherein +nothing almost is pleasing, but what is adapted to the taste, not of the +best, but of the greatest: and naked truth without the varnish of +flattery, and painting of carnal policy, is generally treated with +contempt, and exposed to ridicule. And therefore, to remove as much as +possible the prejudice of a critical age, who are ready to reject every +thing as new, which is in some respects singular, and not suited to +their favorite sentiments; the presbytery have endeavored, in this work, +to conform, as much as possible, to the faithful contendings of former +honest contenders for the truths and testimony of JESUS, and that, both +as to matter and manner: and as the grounds of this testimony are not +any needless scrupulosities, or strange novelties, but precious and +weighty truths, of the greatest value and importance, and of nearest +affinity unto the continued series and succession of the testimonies of +the church of Scotland, in former and more ancient periods; so it is the +presbytery's ambition, that nothing, as to the subject matter of what is +here contained, be looked upon as theirs, but may be regarded as an +ancient plea, wherein is nothing but what has been maintained and +confirmed by authors of the greatest fame and reputation in the church; +has been asserted by the greatest confessors, and sealed by the best +blood of the honored and faithful martyrs of Jesus: so that it may +appear, the cause and truths here judicially stated and vindicated, are +not of yesterday's date, but the same old paths and good way, that we +are commanded to ask for, and walk in, though paths that are not now +much trodden, a way that is not much paved by the multitude of +professors walking therein. + + + + +ACT, DECLARATION, AND TESTIMONY. + +PART I. + +Containing a brief historical narration of the several periods of the +Testimony of the Church of Scotland, and of the faithful contendings of +the witnesses for Christ, particularly from the commencement of the +Reformation in these lands, down to the late Revolution; with the +Presbytery's approbation thereof. + + +PLOUGHLANDHEAD, JUNE 6, 1761. + +The which day and place, the Reformed Presbytery being met, and taking +into their most serious consideration, the deplorable situation of the +interest of Christ and religion at present, in these sinning lands +wherein so few are asking for the old path, saying, Where is the good +way, that we may walk therein? but, on the contrary, an avowed apostasy +and backsliding from the right ways of the Lord, is by the generality +carried on, with a secret undermining of reformation interests, by some, +under more specious pretenses; and, further, considering the general +deluge of error and heresy, that has overrun these lands, and the swarm +of erroneous heretics that has overspread the same, making very impious +attacks upon the most part of revealed religion, who, notwithstanding, +have found such shelter under the wings of a Laodicean church, and +almost boundless state toleration, that they walk on without fear in the +foresaid broad way of sin and error. And, moreover, all kinds of sin and +wickedness so universally abound and pass, without any suitable check, +that he who departs from iniquity maketh himself a prey; together with +the woful insensibility, and deep security of all, under our spiritual +plagues and impending temporal strokes. And yet, while the land so +evidently groans under its inhabitants, very few either acknowledge +themselves guilty, or turn from the evil of their ways, saying, What +have we done? Also, considering the horrid breach and contempt of sacred +vows unto the Most High, the great effusion of the saints' blood, shed +in our late persecution under prelacy (which is yet to be found in our +skirts), and the faithful testimony they therewith sealed, remains +buried under the gravestones, both of ecclesiastical and civil deeds of +constitution, unto this day. So that we may rather admire, that the Lord +hath not made such inquisition for blood, as to make our land an +aceldama, than that we are yet under a dispensation of divine +forbearance. All which is followed with a deep oblivion of most or all +of the memorable instances of the Lord's goodness, mercy and power, +manifested unto his church, in these lands; the remembrance whereof +ought still to be retained, and the same acknowledged with thankfulness, +by all the children of Zion, unto the latest ages. + +Wherefore the presbytery, amidst their many difficulties, partly noticed +in the introduction, as a court of the true Presbyterian Covenanted +Church of CHRIST in Scotland, constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone KING and HEAD of his church, judicially to +commemorate: Likeas, they did, and hereby do acknowledge, with the +utmost gratitude, the great goodness and tender mercy of our God unto +our church and land; who, in consequence of that early new covenant +grant, made by JEHOVAH to his eternal SON, to give him the heathen for +his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, +caused the day spring from on high to visit us. Our glorious Redeemer, +that bright and morning Star, having, by his almighty power, shaken oft +the fetters of death, wherewith it was impossible that he could be held, +and, as a victorious conqueror, leading captivity captive, ascended into +the highest heavens, and there sat down on the right hand of God, did +very soon discover his cordial acceptance of, and superlative delight +in, possessing his Father's extensive grant, by stretching forth the +lines of his large and great dominion unto the distant nations of the +world, involved in the thickest darkness of stupidity and idolatry; and, +in a particular manner, did, as the glorious sun of righteousness, +graciously illuminate this remote and barbarous isle, causing the +refulgent beams of gospel light to dissipate the gross darkness that, +covered the people, which prevailed so far (according to very authentic +historical accounts), that, about the beginning of the third century, +those of the highest dignity in the nation, voluntarily enlisted +themselves under the displayed banner of CHRIST, the captain of +salvation, and became nursing fathers and nursing mothers to his church, +employing their power to root out Pagan idolatry, and bring their +subjects under the peaceful scepter of the SON of GOD. This plant of +Christianity having once taken root, did, under all the vicissitudes of +divine providence, grow up unto a spreading vine, which filled the land, +and continued to flourish, without being pressed down with the +intolerable burden of prelatical or popish superstition: the truths and +institutions of the gospel being faithfully propagated and maintained in +their native purity and simplicity by the Culdees some hundreds of years +before ever that man of sin and son of perdition, by the door of +prelacy, stepped into the temple of God in Scotland. Those early +witnesses for CHRIST, having no other ambition but that of advancing +piety and the doctrines which were according to godliness, were +therefore called _Culdees_, that is, _Cultores Dei_, or worshipers of +God. The doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the house of +GOD being thus established, continued for many years, taught and +exorcised, according to divine institution. But, in process of time, the +Church of CHRIST in this land came to be assaulted with the corruptions +of the see of Rome, by means of Palladius, the Pope's missionary to the +Britons, who made the first attempt to bring our fathers' necks under +the anti-christian yoke, which gradually increasing by little and +little, clouded the sunshine of prosperity the church then enjoyed, till +about the eleventh century, when the Romish fraternity fully established +themselves, by usurping a diocesan supremacy over the house of God; +after which a midnight darkness of popish error and idolatry overwhelmed +the nation, for near the space of five hundred years. Yet, even in this +very dark period, the LORD left not himself altogether without some to +bear witness for him, whose steadfastness in defense of the truth, even +unto death, vanquished the inhuman cruelty of their savage enemies. The +honor of the church's exalted Head being still engaged to maintain the +right of conquest he had obtained over this remote isle, and raise up +his work out of the ruins, under which it had lain so long buried; he, +about the beginning of the 15th century, animated some valiant champions +(Messrs. Hamilton, Wishart, and others) with a spirit of truth and +heroic courage, to contend against the abominations of the Babylonish +whore, whose labors, by the blessing of Heaven, were rendered +successful, to open the eyes of some to see, and engage many others to +inquire after, and espouse the truth as it is in JESUS. These, not +regarding the fear of man, nor the cruelty of their enemies, but as good +soldiers of JESUS CHRIST, enduring hardness, chose, rather than desert +their Master's cause, to offer their bodies to be devoured by the +tormenting flames, no more merciless than their hellish persecutors; +while in that fiery chariot, through the serial regions, their souls +ascended to the celestial country. And herein, also, did GOD frustrate +the expectation of that monster of iniquity, Cardinal Beaton (whose +memory let it for ever perish), and his wicked accomplices, and turned +their counsel into foolishness, who, by the death of a few zealous +contenders for the faith, intended the total suppression of CHRIST'S +truth for ever; but GOD having purposed the contrary, made the effusion +of their blood the occasion of rousing many from the deep sleep of gross +ignorance, by putting them to search into the truth of those doctrines, +which these martyrs sealed with their blood; so that JESUS CHRIST, the +only true light in the orb of the gospel, began again to shine forth +within this realm. + +Upon this begun revival of reformation, the glory of the LORD went +remarkably before his people, and the GOD of Israel was their reward, +uniting the hearts, and strengthening the hands, both of noble and +ignoble, to a vigorous and active espousing of his gospel, and concerns +of his glory, in opposition to the tyranny of the lordly bishops, +persecuting rage, and masked treachery of the two bloody Marys, the +mother and daughter, who then successively governed, or rather +tyrannized, in Scotland. Their number, as well as their zealous spirit, +still increasing, they, for the more effectual management of this noble +enterprise, entered into covenants to advance that begun work of +reformation, and to defend the same and one another in the maintenance +thereof, against all opposition whatsoever. Several such covenants our +early reformers solemnly entered into at Edinburgh, Perth and Leith, in +the years 1557, '59, '60 and '62. In 1560, _the Confession of the Faith, +and doctrine believed and professed by the Protestants within, the realm +of Scotland_, was compiled and civilly ratified, or allowed of, in free +and open parliament, afterward sworn to in the National Covenant _annis_ +1580, 1581 and 1590. At the same time, some other acts were passed, in +favor of reformation; one against the mass and abuse of the sacraments; +another, abolishing the Pope's jurisdiction and authority with this +realm, &c. In the above mentioned year 1560, the first book of policy +and discipline, containing the form and order of presbyterial church +government, was composed, approven and subscribed by the ministry, and a +great part of the nobility. Thus, by the wisdom and power of GOD, who +takes the wise in their own craftiness, by means, especially, of the +indefatigable labors of the renowned Mr. KNOX (whose memory is still +savory in the churches), was this surprising work of reformation +advanced, until it obtained the authority of a law; whereby, was not +only the presbyterian protestant interest ratified, but anti-christian +supremacy and superstition abolished. + +The church, gradually increasing in beauty and perfection, did, with +much painfulness and faithful diligence, labor after a more full +establishment of the house of GOD, in all its privileges, until, by +perfecting the second book of discipline, they completed the exact model +of presbytery, which, though they had enjoyed national assemblies for a +considerable time, yet was not brought to such an entire conformity to +the divine pattern, nor so generally acquiesced in until now, that it +was unanimously approven by the assembly 1590, and particularly enjoined +to be subscribed by all who did bear office in the church; and, at last, +they prevailed to get it publicly voted and approven in parliament, +June, 1592; and also at the same time, obtained by act of parliament, +the ratification of all the privileges and liberties of the church, in +her assemblies, synods, presbyteries, &c. + +And here we may observe, that while this church and nation contended for +the obtaining of a legal establishment of the ecclesiastical polity, +they were no less concerned to have that other distinct ordinance of +GOD, civil magistracy, unalterably settled, in agreeableness to the rule +of GOD'S word. This appears, not only by their earnest contendings +against the abuse of that ordinance among them; but also, by the public +acts of parliament, obliging prince and people to be of one perfect +religion, and wholly incapacitating all persons, for bearing any office, +supreme or subordinate, who refused, by their solemn oath, to approve +of, and, to the utmost of their power, engage to defend the true +religion, as contained in the word of GOD, and confession of faith +founded thereon, then believed, and publicly professed within the realm, +ratified and generally sworn to in the National Covenant, during the +whole course of their lives, in all their civil administrations. See +_Acts Parl. 1st_, James VI, 1567. + +Thus the hand of GOD was remarkably seen, and his powerful arm evidently +revealed, in delivering this nation both from Pagan darkness and Popish +idolatry, the memory whereof ought not to be lost, but thankfully +acknowledged, to the honor of GOD'S great name, by all such as favor the +dust of Zion, for her sake, and long to see her breaches, now wide as +the sea, repaired. + +But to proceed: The church's grand foe envying her growing prosperity, +did soon disturb her peace, by insinuating himself upon those of +superior dignity, who were intrusted with the administration of civil +affairs, both supreme and subordinate, blowing up into a flame that +inbred and rooted enmity, which they still retained, at the simplicity, +strictness and scriptural purity of the reformation in Scotland. The +then supreme civil ruler, king James VI, formed a scheme for ruining the +church of Scotland, and stripping her of those comely and beautiful +ornaments of reformation purity, in doctrine, worship, discipline and +government, which she had now put on, by introducing episcopacy, and +establishing bishops. "This he did for no other reason (says one), but +because he believed them to be useful and pliable instruments for +turning a limited monarchy into absolute dominion, and subjects into +slaves; that which of all other things he affected most:" and for this +purpose (after several subtle and cunningly devised steps, previously +taken, with design to do by degrees what could not be done at once) he +makes an open attack upon the general assembly, robbing them of their +power and liberty to meet, judge and determine, in all ecclesiastical +concerns (well knowing, that so long as assemblies might convene in +freedom, he would never get the estate of bishops established in +Scotland), and imprisoning and banishing many faithful ministers, +members of the general assembly, who opposed him, testified and +protested against his wicked invasion, and sacrilegious robbery of the +church's rights and privileges. And, having at last obtained the +supremacy and headship over the church, which was granted him by an +impious act of a pretended parliament, of his own stamp, called by him +for that purpose, proceeded with his design, until he had again +established Prelacy, and razed Presbytery almost to the very +foundations, notwithstanding all the opposition made to it by the +faithful in the land, both ministers and people. + +Thus, after several former attempts to this effect, was Episcopacy again +established, and prelates lording over GOD'S heritage advanced, imposing +their popish ceremonies, which in that pretended assembly convened at +Perth, anno 1618, were enacted, and afterward ratified in a subsequent +parliament in the year 1621. And as the father had thus violated his +solemn professions, declarations and engagements, to maintain the +covenanted interest; so likewise, upon the accession of the son to the +throne, there was no amendment nor redress had: but he followed the same +iniquitous course, walking in the way of his father, and in the sin +wherewith he made Israel to sin. And further, obtruded upon the church a +service book, a book of popish and prelatical canons, which was followed +with a violent prosecution of the faithful contenders for the former +laudable constitutions of the church, carried on by that monstrous +Erastian high-commission court, patched up of statesmen and clergymen: +and hereby was the church again brought under the yoke of anti-christian +prelacy, and tyrannical supremacy; which lese-majesty to Zion's King was +also ratified with the sanction of civil authority. To this yoke, +oppressing CHRIST'S loyal subjects, many of his professed servants +submitted their necks, and, Issachar-like, became servants to tribute +for a considerable time. + +But when the LORD'S set time to favor Zion came, he made the long +despised dust thereof again to be more pleasant and precious than ever +unto his servants and people, and the long night season and thick clouds +of adversity under which his church labored, amid some day-sky, and +sun-blinks of prosperity, she at times enjoyed, to issue in the dawning +of a day of clearer light wherein the glorious SUN of Righteousness +shone in his meridian splendor, with greater brightness both in this and +the neighboring nations, than at his first arising therein, in a gospel +dispensation; whose benign influences caused the small grain of good +seed, sown by the skill of the Great Husbandman, to grow up to a +fruitful plant, the tender twig to spread itself into a noble vine, and +the little cloud, like a man's hand, to cover the whole hemisphere of +the visible church of Scotland, which long ago, as a church and nation, +had enlisted themselves under the LORD JESUS CHRIST, as their Royal +Prince; whose peaceful and righteous scepter being now also extended to +England and Ireland, they soon submitted themselves thereto, in a +religious association and union with Scotland in covenant engagements, +for reformation from prelacy, as well as Popery, which they had never +hitherto yielded to. + +Upon this gracious return of divine favor, and discovery of Almighty +power manifested against the mighty agents for prelatical superstition, +both in church and state, when, from the paucity of those who appeared +in favor of truth, in the year 1637, small opposition unto its enemies +could be expected; yet their magnanimity in witness-bearing was so +followed by manifestations of the divine countenance and favor, that +both their number and courage daily increased. The National Covenant was +again, after mature deliberation, anent both the lawfulness, expediency +and seasonableness thereof, with great solemnity renewed in _March_, +1638, with the general concurrence of the ministry, noblemen, gentlemen, +and others, humbling themselves before the LORD for their former +defections and breach of covenant; though, at the same time, the court +faction, and many temporising ministers, continued in their opposition, +but which was indeed too weak to make resistance unto the cause of GOD, +and force of truth carried home with suitable conviction upon the +conscience. + +The covenant being first renewed at Edinburgh, they provided next, that +it should also be renewed through the kingdom; and for this purpose, +copies thereof were sent with all convenient speed to the several +presbyteries, together with suitable exhortations, and instructions for +renewing of the same in every parish of their bounds; and by this means +it came to pass, through the good hand of their GOD upon them, that in a +little time almost every parish through Scotland did, with much +solemnity, cheerfulness and alacrity, renew the same, and publicly with +uplifted hand avouch the LORD to be their GOD. And as this solemn action +was everywhere accompanied with remarkable evidences of divine power and +presence in a plentiful effusion of a spirit of grace and supplication; +so the joy of the LORD herein became their strength, and greatly +increased the faith and hopes of all the church's real friends, that as +the LORD had begun, so he would also make an end, and carry on his work +to perfection, amid the terrible threatenings both of king and court; +his majesty being highly displeased that his authority was contemned, +and no concurrence of his royal pleasure sought in the renovation of the +Covenant: but their righteousness in this particular was brought forth +as the light, when the legality of this and their other proceedings was +afterward attested to the king by the ablest lawyers in the kingdom. + +The zealous contenders for the church's liberties, by supplications, +reasonings, and proposed articles, for enjoying what they much longed +for, at last obtained, before the foresaid year 1638 expired, a lawful +and free General Assembly (constituted in the name of the LORD JESUS +CHRIST, the alone King and Head of his church), consisting of able +members, both ministers and elders, who would not suffer an infringement +upon their regular manner of procedure, or right to act as unlimited +members of a free court of CHRIST, notwithstanding the constant attacks +made upon their freedom by the king's commissioner, and protestations by +him taken against their regular procedure, which issued in his Erastian +declaration of the king's prerogative, as supreme judge in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, and renewing all his former +protestations in his royal master's name; further protesting in his own +name, and in the name of the lords of the clergy, that no act passed by +them should imply his consent, or be accounted lawful, or of force to +bind any of the subjects; and, then in his majesty's name dissolving the +assembly, discharging their proceeding any further, and so went off. But +the assembly judging it better to obey GOD than man; and to incur the +displeasure of an earthly king, to be of far less consequence than to +offend the Prince of the kings of the earth, entered a protestation +against the lord commissioner's departure without any just cause, and in +behalf of the intrinsic power and liberty of the church; also assigning +the reasons why they could not dissolve the assembly until such time as +they had gone through that work depending upon them. This was given in +to the clerk by Lord Rothes, and part of it read before his grace left +the house, and instruments taken thereupon. Then, after several moving +and pathetic speeches delivered on that occasion, for the encouragement +of the brethren to abide by their duty, by the moderator, Mr. Alexander +Henderson, and others, ministers and elders, exhorting them to show +themselves as zealous for CHRIST their LORD and Master, in his +interests, as he had shewed himself zealous for his master; they +unanimously agreed that they should continue and abide by their work +until they had concluded all things needful, and that on all hazards. +And so they proceeded to the examination of that complaint against the +bishops, who, on account of their, tyranny, superstition, and teaching +of Popish, Arminian, and Pelagian errors, were all laid under the +sentence of deposition; and many of them, for their personal +profaneness, wickedness and debauchery proven against them, together +with their contumacy, were also excommunicated with the greater +excommunication, for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit might +be saved in the day of the LORD JESUS. They gave their approbation of +the National Covenant; and Prelacy, with the five articles of Perth, +were found and declared to be abjured by it, together with the civil +places and power of kirkmen, their sitting on the bench as justices of +the peace, sitting in council, and voting in parliament. Subscription of +the Confession of faith, or covenant, was also enjoined, presbyterian +church government justified and approven, and an act made for holding +yearly General Assemblies; with many other acts and constitutions +tending to the advancement of that begun reformation, and purging the +church of CHRIST of those sinful innovations, crept into it, which may +be seen more at large in the printed acts of that assembly. The lawful +and just freedom which the church now claimed and stood upon, so highly +incensed the court, because their Erastian encroachments were not +yielded to, that all warlike preparations were speedily made for having +them again reduced, by force of arms, to their former slavery. Yet, what +evil seemed intended against the church by the king, with his popish and +prelatical accomplices, was by her exalted King and Head happily +prevented, and they obliged, at least, to feign subjection, and yield to +a pacification. In which it was concluded, that an assembly be holden at +Edinburgh, _August 6th_, 1639, and the parliament the 20th of the same +month, that same year, for healing the wide breaches, and redressing the +grievances both of church and state; that what was determined by the +assembly, might be ratified by the parliament. In this assembly, the +covenant was ratified and subscribed by the commissioner, and an +injunction laid upon the body of the kingdom for subscribing the same, +with an explication, wherein the five articles of Perth, government of +bishops, the civil places and power of kirkmen were expressly condemned. +Hereby the hopes of the Prelates again being in a great measure lost, +and they receiving fresh assistance from the king (who seemed to have +little conscience in making laws, and found small difficulty in breaking +them), recruited themselves the year following, and took the field, but +with no better success than formerly, which obliged them to yield to +another pacification, wherein both religious and civil liberties were +ratified; and in 1641, these were further confirmed by the oaths, +promises, laws, and subscriptions of both king and parliament, whereat +the king was personally present, and gave the royal assent to all acts +made for the security of the same; while at the same time he was +concurring in the bloody tragedy acted upon the Protestants in the +kingdom of Ireland. + +The gracious countenance and abundant evidence of divine approbation +wherewith the LORD vouchsafed to bless his contending, reforming and +covenanting church in Scotland, in a plentiful effusion of his Holy +Spirit on the judicatories and worshiping assemblies of his people, +proved a happy means to excite and provoke their neighbors in England +and Ireland, to go and do likewise. For in the year 1643, when the +beginning of a bloody war between the king and parliament of England +threatened the nation with a series of calamity and trouble; the +parliament having convocated an assembly of divines to sit at +Westminster for consulting about a reformation of religion in that +kingdom, sent commissioners, consisting of members of both houses and +assembly, to treat with the assembly of the church of Scotland, and +convention of estates about these things. In the month of _August_, they +presented their proposals to the convention of estates and assembly, +desiring, that because the popish prelatical faction is still pursuing +their design of corrupting and altering the religion through the whole +island, the two nations might be strictly united for their mutual +defense against them and their adherents, and not to lay down arms until +those, their implacable enemies, were disarmed, &c. Commissioners were +deputed from the estates, and assembly, to convene with those from +England, in order to consider their proposals. And, at the first +conferences, it was agreed that the best and speediest means for +accomplishing the union and assistance desired, was for both nations to +enter into a mutual league and covenant for reformation and defense of +religion and liberty against its enemies. Which being drawn up, and +affectionately embraced, was unanimously approved by the general +assembly and sent up to England by the hands of the ministers and +elders, sent commissioners from the church of Scotland to the synod at +Westminster, where (being proposed by the parliament to the +consideration of the synod), after the interpolation of an explanatory +note in the second article, it was approven, and with public +humiliation, and all other religious and answerable solemnity, taken and +subscribed by them (the synod), and by both honorable houses of +parliament and by their authority taken and subscribed by all ranks in +England and Ireland that same year, ratified by act of the parliament of +Scotland, _anno_ 1644, and afterward renewed in Scotland, with an +acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties by all ranks in the +year 1648, and by the parliament, 1649. + +Thus, to the rejoicing of all true lovers of the prosperity and beauty +of the church, who longed for CHRIST the salvation of Israel, his coming +forth out of Zion, these three churches and nations combined and +embarked together in the same honorable and glorious cause of +reformation, and solemnly bound themselves by the oath of GOD, to +maintain and defend the same against all its enemies and opposers +whatever; thereby publicly professing their subjection to Christ, and +their preferring of pure and undefiled religion, the advancement of the +interest, kingdom and glory of JESUS CHRIST, to their nearest and +dearest interests in this world. And the Lord was with us while we were +with him, and steadfast in his covenant; but when we forsook him, and +broke his covenant, he also forsook us, and delivered his strength into +captivity, and his glory into the enemies' hand. + +In the next place, the assembly at Westminster, with the assistance of +commissioners from the general assembly of the church of Scotland, +proceeded to conclude on what was needful for furthering and completing +this intended and covenanted uniformity in religion, that the Lord might +be one, and his name one in the three lands. And for this purpose, a +confession of faith was composed, and agreed upon by that venerable +assembly, together with catechisms larger and shorter, propositions +concerning church government, ordination of ministers, and directory for +worship; all which were received and approved by the General Assembly, +and convention of estates in Scotland. + +The Lord thus prospering his work in the hands of his servants employed +in ecclesiastical affairs, gave no less countenance unto the parliament +of England, with the assistance they received from Scotland, in +defeating all the wicked attempts of the popish, prelatical and +malignant party in England, overthrowing their tyranny, and reducing the +supporters thereof. A like victory was at length obtained over Montrose +in Scotland, who commanded the royalist, or malignant party there, and +had for some time carried all before him. And so the King being worsted +at all hands, and despairing of overtaking his designs, his army having +been almost all cut to pieces, and himself obliged to fly, resigned +himself over to the Scots army at Newark, in the year 1646, and marched +along with them to Newcastle; and they, upon the frequent solicitations +of the English parliament, and their engaging for the King's honorable +treatment, delivered him over to them. Afterward, he falling into the +hands of Cromwell and the English army, a number in this nation violated +the oath of GOD, which they had lately come under, by engaging in an +unlawful war with England, commonly called the Duke's engagement, in +order to rescue the King from his captivity (notwithstanding that he +still persisted in his opposition to the just claims, both of the church +and nation, and after all that was come upon him, could not be +reconciled to the covenants and work of reformation); where they were in +_July_ 1648, totally routed by Oliver Cromwell; and Duke Hamilton, their +general, being made prisoner, was incarcerated, and afterward beheaded. +This engagement was remonstrated against, and judicially condemned by +the General Assembly of the church of Scotland; and the sinfulness of it +was publicly acknowledged as a breach of the covenant-union between the +two nations, by all ranks in Scotland that same year, at the renovation +of the Solemn League and Covenant therein. At last the king being seized +upon by Cromwell and his sectarian army, was, notwithstanding all the +remonstrances both of church and state, removed by a violent death. Upon +which the parliament of Scotland, on the _5th_ of _February_, 1649, +caused proclaim his son Charles II, king of Great Britain, France, and +Ireland (which title he had assumed himself at the Hague, as soon as the +report of his father's death came to his ears), promising their fidelity +and defence of his person and authority, according to the National +Covenant, and the Solemn League and Covenant. And at the same time +declaring, that before he be admitted to the exercise of the royal +power, he shall give security for the preservation and maintenance of +the true reformed religion, and unity of the kingdoms, now established, +by laws both civil and ecclesiastical, according to the covenants: which +security for religion and liberty, at the first proposed treaty at the +Hague, he deferred to grant, and afterward postponed the signing of the +treaty at Breda, when everything was agreed upon, from the great hopes +he entertained of accomplishing his design, without acquiescing with +their demand from Montrose's expedition, whom he had sent into Scotland +with an army, in order to prepare his way into that kingdom, by +devastation with fire and sword. But this intrigue not succeeding, he +found himself obliged to comply with all their proposals, and signed the +treaty. This treaty the king did in effect break, before he left Breda, +by communicating after the episcopal manner, contrary to the express +warning and remonstrance of the commissioners from the church of +Scotland, who went to him, and showed him his sin in so doing, and how +inconsistent it was with his own concessions in the present treaty; and +an evidence that he had no intention to perform what he had agreed to, +but dissembled with GOD and man; and he, on the other hand, put them off +with sham excuses and professions; and so, from their too much credulity +to his fraudulent professions and promises all along, they brought him +over to Scotland, and before his landing in this kingdom, he takes the +covenant at Spey, on the _23rd_ of _June_, 1649, by his oath subjoined +in allowance and approbation of the Covenants National, and Solemn +League, obliging himself faithfully to prosecute the ends thereof in his +station and calling; and for himself and successors, he shall agree to +all acts of parliament enjoining the same, and establishing presbyterial +church government the directory for worship, confession of faith and +catechisms, in the kingdom of Scotland, as approven by the General +Assemblies of this kirk, and parliament of this kingdom. And for their +further satisfaction, according to the act of the West Kirk, Edinburgh, +_August 13th_, 1650, approven the same day by the committee of estates, +he emitted a declaration at Dunfermline, by profession, fully and +heartily acquiescing with all their demands, all which afterward served +for nothing but as a lasting monument of his horrid perjury, wicked +dissimulation, and mockery of God and man. And even then, when this +declaration was published, he had formed a design for bringing in the +enemies of the covenant, and work of reformation, both into the army and +judicatories, and for dividing the Presbyterians among themselves. And +this he effectually managed for both foresaid ends, by the public +resolutions, on the _14th_ of _December_, that same year 1650. This +woful and prime step of defection, so contrary to the word, and +injurious to the work of God, was faithfully testified against by many, +both ministers, and whole presbyteries, who were sensible of the present +sinfulness and evil of it, and foresaw the bitter and dismal +consequences that followed upon it. + +In the meantime, notwithstanding this, and other shrewd evidences, the +king gave of his double dealing and hypocrisy, he was crowned at Scoon, +on the first of _January_, 1651, and had the Covenants National and +Solemn League again administered unto him, by the reverend Mr. Douglas, +after a sermon from 2 _Kings_ xi, 12, 17, which he, in a most solemn +manner renewed, before the three estates of parliament, the +commissioners of the General Assembly, and a numerous congregation, in +the words of his former oath at Spey; with the coronation oath, as +contained in the 8th _Act, Parl._ 1st, James VI, to all which he engaged +before his coronation; and on these terms, and no other, were the oaths +of fidelity to him, as the lawful supreme magistrate, taken, at his +receipt of the royal authority. And consequently, these covenant +engagements became fundamental constitutions, both in church and state, +and the door of access into office-bearing in either, and formal ground +of the people's subjection. Then was the church's appearance "Beautiful +as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, and terrible as an army with banners." + +From what is noticed above, the presbytery cannot but declare their +hearty approbation of the zeal, courage, and faithfulness of our honored +ancestors, in their valiant contendings for the valuable liberties and +privileges of the spiritual kingdom of the MESSIAH, until they got the +same established, and the nations brought under the most solemn, sacred, +and inviolable engagements, to maintain every branch of this glorious +reformation; a reformation, not only from the more gross errors, and +idolatries of Popery, but from the more refined superstition of Prelacy, +and all that Antichristian and Erastian supremacy, that in former times +had been exercised on the heritage of the LORD; a reformation of both +the divine ordinances of ministry and magistracy, from all the abuses +and corruptions thereof, by the inventions of men, joined with the above +mentioned establishment of them, in some measure of agreeableness unto +their scriptural institution. + +Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto foresaid reformation, in all the different parts and +branches thereof, attained from 1638 to 1650 inclusive, and sworn to in +the National and Solemn League and Covenant, not exclusive of such parts +of reformation as were attained unto prior to this, but as a further +advance on this foundation, and as being much more pure and agreeable to +the infallible standard of scripture, than any formerly arrived at in +these nations. + +The daughter of Zion, thus going forth in the perfection of her beauty, +when all ranks and degrees voluntarily subjected themselves unto the +royal scepter of the SON of GOD, was most comely in the eyes of her +Beloved; But oh! how is the gold become dim, and the most fine gold +changed; the stones of the sanctuary are poured out on the top of every +street, so that the house that was called of all people the house of +prayer, is now become a den of thieves, being no less infamously +despicable for deformation, than formerly, for purity of reformation, +highly admired. This, at first, began with the public resolutions of the +commission of the General Assembly 1650, above noticed, for taking into +places of power and trust, in judicatories and armies, such persons as +were known malignants, and in heart disaffected to the work, and people +of GOD, putting it in their power to destroy and pull down the LORD'S +work at their pleasure; a practice manifestly inconsistent with their +covenant engagements, and the word of GOD, _Deut._ xxiii, 9, 2 _Chron._ +xix, 2. Those that were then called protestors (from their opposing and +protesting against these resolutions), continued steadfastly to witness +against the same, as the first remarkable step, to make way for that +bloody catastrophe, that afterward befell the church. The Lord, then, in +his righteous displeasure and controversy with the nation, for betraying +of his cause and interest into the hands of his enemies, sold them into +the hand of that conquering usurper, Oliver Cromwell, who, having stript +them of their civil liberties, as the most effectual method to rob the +church of her spiritual privileges, and nullify the forcible obligation +of the sacred covenants (which, when preserved, serve as a strong +barrier against all such usurpations), framed a hellish and almost +unbounded toleration in Scotland, of heretical and sectarian errors, for +gratification of the abettors thereof, which was followed with a deluge +of irreligion and impiety, drowning the nation in a still deeper +apostasy. + +In this hour of temptation, the witnesses for CHRIST, endeavoring to +keep the word of his patience, testified against these evils, as +contrary to the word and oath of God, and destructive of the church's +former glory. And Charles II, who had lately, by all the confirmations +of word, writ, and solemn oath, obliged himself for the maintenance and +defense of religion and liberty, having cast off the thing that was +good, the enemy did pursue him so, that he, instead of being able to +stand as a head of defense to the nations, narrowly escaped with life +from the enemies' hands, being obliged to abscond and fly before the +sectaries into France; where, and in other parts, he remained an exile +for the space of ten years, and there discovered, he had no regard to +the principles he had lately professed and sworn to maintain: but +breaking his professed wedlock with CHRIST, is said, at that juncture, +to have joined hands with the Romish whore, laying aside his cloak of +professed godliness, and again taking up with the mystery of iniquity. + +During the ten years' usurpation of Cromwell, those who endeavored +faithfulness, had a fight of affliction to keep their ground; yet, after +this came to a period, they had a far more fierce encounter, and of +longer duration, to engage in, in the cruel and bloody tragedy acted +upon them, for the space of 28 years. + +As, by the public resolutions, and foresaid unbounded toleration, the +bounds fixed by JEHOVAH, and homologated and sworn to, in our national +attainments and constitution, were greatly altered, so the parliament of +England prepared the tools, whereby the carved work of the sanctuary (as +far as human craft and cruelty could invent), was broken down, in +restoring Charles II, without any conditions required, or express +limitations set. And Sharp being sent from the church of Scotland, to +stand up for her rights and privileges, fraudulently sold her into the +hands of her enemies; upon which, many of the professed disciples of +CHRIST, who followed him in the sunshine of prosperity and reformation, +forsook him, and fled into the enemies' camp. Thus our decline began; +but, oh! to what a dreadful height Erastianism, tyranny, and bloodshed +arrived, before the Lord, in his providence, put a stop to it. + +Although the Presbytery cannot be supposed, in a consistency with their +present design, to reckon up all, yet they would endeavor to take notice +of some of the most remarkable instances of backsliding, treachery and +oppression, bloodshed, &c, acted in those nations during the late +persecuting period, together with the faithful contendings, and patient +sufferings unto death of the saints and servants of CHRIST, in this hot +furnace of affliction into which they were cast. As, 1, The unhappy +restoration of Charles II, in manner before mentioned commencing. The +faithful declarations and testimonies given in favor of the covenanted +reformation and uniformity, were all on a sudden given up with; the +viper received into our bosom, and again advanced unto the regal +dignity, who soon discovered himself to be of the serpentine seed, and +by his wicked agency imped the dragon his master, by casting out of his +mouth a flood of persecution after the church, that he might cause her +to be destroyed therewith. To this effect the anti-christian yoke of +abjured Prelacy, with all its tyrannical laws, and canonical train of +observances, service book, ceremonies, &c., was speedily wreathed about +England's neck, and Scotland soon felt part of its weight. For, in the +month of _August_, 1660, when some of her most zealous and faithful +ministers met upon this emergency, in order to send an address to the +king, reminding him of his duty, and solemn obligations to perform the +same; the committee appointed by the parliament, _anno_ 1651, for +exercise of government, until another parliament should meet, who then +showed themselves zealous for the reformation, yet now acted a +counter-part, by incarcerating the foresaid ministers, and emitting a +proclamation, prohibiting all such meetings without the king's +authority, and all petitions and remonstrances, under pretense that they +were seditious. This was the first beginning of those sorrows and +calamities that ensued in the many sanguinary laws afterward made and +executed upon the true friends of Zion. + +2. When the ministry, by means of the foresaid prohibitions, were much +dispirited from their duty, dreading such usage as they had lately met +with, the parliament which met in Scotland in _December_, 1661, falls +upon breaking down the carved work of the sanctuary effectually, and +robbing our church of that depositum committed unto her by her glorious +Head. Thus did they wickedly combine and gather themselves together to +plot against the Lord, and against his Anointed, that they might break +his bands, and cast his cords from them. For which intent, after +besmearing the consciences of most of the members with the guilt of that +abominable and wicked oath of allegiance and supremacy, that they might +be secured to the court and king's interest, and ready to swallow down +whatever might be afterward proposed, they passed an act rescissory, +declaring all the parliaments, and acts of parliament made in favor of +reformation, from the year 1640 to 1651, null and void. The king's +supremacy over all persons, and in all causes, is asserted. All +meetings, assemblies, leagues, and covenants, without the king's +authority, are declared unlawful and unwarrantable. The renewing of the +solemn league and covenant, or any other covenants or public oaths, +without the king's special warrant and approbation, is discharged. +Besides these, another heinous act was framed by the same parliament, +for observing every 29th of _May_ as an anniversary thanksgiving, in +commemoration of the unhappy restoration of this ruiner of religion and +reformation. + +3. In the second session of the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1662 +diocesan Erastian Prelacy is established, and the king solemnly invested +with the church's headship, by act of parliament; wherein it is +blasphemously declared, "That the ordering and disposal of the external +government and policy of the church, doth properly belong unto his +majesty as an inherent right of the crown, by virtue of his royal +prerogative and supremacy in all causes ecclesiastical." All such acts +of parliament or council are rescinded, which might be interpreted (as +their acts bear) to give any church power, jurisdiction, or government, +to the office-bearers of the church, other than that which acknowledges +a dependence upon, and subordination to, the sovereign power of the king +as supreme. And although the lordly prelates were hereby promoted to all +the privileges and dignities they possessed before the year 1638, yet +must they be all accountable to the king, in all their administrations, +and in subordination to him, as universal bishop of all England, +Scotland, and Ireland. By which the fountain of church power and +authority is lodged in the king's person, and CHRIST is exauctorated and +dethroned as King and Head in Zion. And further, by the second act of +that perfidious parliament, the covenanted reformation, and all that was +done in favor thereof, from 1638 to 1650, was declared treasonable, and +rebellious. Alike treasonable it was reckoned for subjects, on pretense +of reformation, or any other pretense whatsoever, to enter into any +federal association, or take up arms against the king. They also +declared, that the National Covenant, as sworn in the year 1638, and the +Solemn League and Covenant, were, and are in themselves unlawful oaths, +and that they were imposed upon, and taken by the subjects of this +kingdom, contrary to the fundamental laws and liberties thereof. And to +complete all, they repealed all acts, ecclesiastical and civil, +approving the covenants, particularly the acts of the venerable assembly +at Glasgow 1638, declaring it an unlawful and seditious meeting. And +thereafter, by a wicked act of the council of Glasgow, more than three +hundred ministers were illegally thrust from their charges, for their +non-conformity, in discountenancing a diocesan meeting, or synod, +appointed by the archbishop of Glasgow, and not observing the +anniversary thanksgiving, _May_ 29th, enjoined by the parliament. The +rest were violently ejected from the lawful exercise of their ministry +in their several parishes, and were afterward commanded by act of +parliament to remove themselves and their families twenty miles distant +from their respective flocks, and not to reside within six miles of any +of their (so called) Cathedrals, or three miles of a Burgh. By these +means, many of those poor persecuted ministers, with their families, +were brought into great hardships and wants, being so far removed from +their beloved and affectionate flocks, that they were deprived of that +help from them, that doubtless they would cheerfully have ministered, +for relieving them in their necessities and straits. All this was done +at the instigation of the prelates, who could not endure to have a godly +presbyterian minister near them, and were resolved to make them as +miserable as possible. + +As the observation of that anniversary holy day, _May_ 29th, was again +enjoined by this parliament 1662, with certification, the non-observance +of which was one main cause of the sufferings of the ministers above +noticed, we cannot pass over without mentioning that most abhorred and +heaven-daring ignominy and contempt put upon our solemn and sacred +covenants, and upon GOD the great Party in them, at Linlithgow on that +day, by a theatrical exposing, and presumptuous committing them to the +flames, together with _The causes of GOD'S wrath, Lex Rex_, acts of +parliament, acts of committees of estates, and acts of assemblies made, +during what they called the twenty-two years' rebellion, that is, from +1638 to 1660, done by the authority of the pretended magistrates there; +one of which, and the minister Ramsay, were formerly zealous and active +covenanters, and consequently now publicly avowed and proclaimed their +perjury in the face of the sun, and left an indelible stain upon their +memory. + +Hitherto, although many, both ministers, gentlemen and others, had +endured unexpressible hardships and severities, yet few or none suffered +to the death, save that noble peer, the Marquis of _Argyle_, who was +condemned by the parliament 1661, and beheaded _May_ 27th; and the +Reverend Mr. _James Guthrie_, who suffered five days thereafter. These +two were singled out--the one in the state, the other in the church--to +fall a victim to the resentment and fury of the enemies of that +covenanted work of reformation, which they had both, in an eminent +manner, been honored of GOD to support and advance; and also as a +specimen of what was afterward to be the fate of all that should adhere +to the same glorious cause, and stand up for God against these workers +of iniquity. And, as the foundation of that anti-christian and wicked +hierarchy in the church, and of arbitrary power and absolute tyranny in +the state, was laid in the blood of these two proto-martyrs for the +covenant and cause of GOD, so they now (_July_, 1663,) proceeded to +build it up with the blood of another noble and worthy patriot, the +eminently religious and learned Lord _Warriston_. He having before, in +1660, when _Argyle_ was apprehended, been ordered, together with several +others, to be secured and committed to prison, fled beyond sea, to +escape the fury of his enemies, and even there did their crafty malice +reach him; for, having sent out one of their blood-thirsty emissaries in +quest of him, he was apprehended by him at Roan, in France, brought over +to London, and sent thence to Edinburgh, where he was executed on a +former unjust sentence of forfeiture and death, passed upon him in his +absence. Thus they built up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with +iniquity. But all this was nothing to the cruelty that followed, and the +righteous blood afterward shed in that quarrel. + +4. Although the faithful servants of CHRIST gave too silent submission +for a time to these encroachments made upon their sacred functions, yet, +as they received not their mission from men, so they resolved not to +become the servants of men, but to hazard the loss of every thing that +was dear to them in this world, that they might show themselves faithful +unto their Lord and Master, and valiant for his truth upon the earth, in +going forth without the camp, bearing his reproach. When they could no +longer, with a safe conscience, enjoy their benefices and churches, and +the Lord so expressly called for their service, in feeding the starving +souls of his people, they betook themselves to the open fields, setting +their faces to all the storms to which they were exposed by that high +commission court that was erected; wherein the bishops were chief +agents, being made therein necessary members for putting the former, +with what subsequent wicked laws were made against the servants of +CHRIST, in execution. And, by this time, that deceiving, cruel, +perjured, apostate bishop, _Sharp_, had obtained the presidency in this +and all other public courts in the kingdom. The proceedings of this +court were very unjust, cruel and arbitrary, similar to its preposterous +and illegal constitution. Persons were, without any accusation, +information, witness or accuser, arraigned before them, to answer _super +inquirendis_ to whatever interrogatories they were pleased to propose, +without license to make any lawful defense, or, upon their offering so +to do, were required to take the oath of supremacy, their refusal of +which was accounted cause sufficient for proceeding against them. And +although taking order with papists was first in their commission, yet +last, or rather not at all, in execution; while their infernal rage was +principally set on Presbyterians, in fining, confining and imprisoning +them, for the non-conformity of ministers, and their disregarding their +pretended sentences of deposition, and the people's refusing to +countenance the authority and ministry of these prelatic wolves, who +came in to scatter and tear the flock of CHRIST, but endeavoring to +cleave to their lawful pastors, have equal friends and foes with them, +and hear CHRIST'S law of kindness from their mouth. The idol of jealousy +was thus set up in the house of GOD, and our LORD JESUS CHRIST +sacreligiously robbed of his incommunicable supremacy and headship over +his church by the state; whereby the Pope's supremacy was well nigh +claimed, and Spanish inquisition cruelty almost acted, by this +abominable court; and all at the instigation and for the gratification +of these monsters of iniquity, the prelates, who still agitated the +court to exercise more cruelty than even of themselves they were +inclined to. + +5. Upon the decline of this rigorous court, new measures were again +fallen upon for the oppression, suppression and extirpation, of the true +reformed religion, and the professors of it. The council being very +diligent and careful to deprive the LORD'S people of every thing which +might contribute to their establishment and confirmation in the +righteousness and equity of the cause and covenant of God for which they +suffered, and which tended to expose their tyranny and treason against +GOD, ordered the famous Mr. Brown's _Apologetical Relation_ to be burnt +in the high street of Edinburgh, on February 14th, 1666, by the hand of +the common hangman; and all persons who had copies of said book were +required to give them up, and such as concealed them to be fined 2000 L. +_Scots_, if discovered. Such was their hellish enmity and spite against +our covenanted reformation, and every thing written in defense thereof, +and in vindication of those that suffered for their adherence to it. +About the same time, _Sharp_, for the more effectual accomplishment of +his wicked designs (the high commission being now dissolved, and his +guilty conscience, it seems, suggesting fears of an insurrection of the +oppressed, to relieve themselves from their cruel oppressors), obtains +an order from the king for raising an additional number of forces, for +the security and establishment of himself and his associates in their +thrones of iniquity, by destroying all the faithful in the land, +oppressing and wearing out the saints of the Most High, and burning up +and dispersing all the synagogues of GOD in the nation. In consequence +of this, about three thousand foot, and eight troops of dragoons were +got together, and the command of them given to _Dalziel_ of _Binns_, a +wicked, fierce, cruel man. These were the instruments of that +unprecedented barbarity, cruelty and oppression, committed in the West, +after the defeat of Colonel Wallace and his little army of covenanters, +at Pentland Hills, _November_ 28th, 1666. The occasion and cause of +which rising was, in short, this: Sir _James Turner_ had been sent the +year before into the south-west shires of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, in +order to suppress conventicles (so they called the assemblies of God's +people for public worship and other religious exercises), levy the fines +appointed by the parliament, and oblige the people to conform and submit +to the bishops and curates by force of arms. Turner, in pursuance of +these cruel orders, committed great severities, dreadfully oppressed, +robbed and spoiled the country. In the parish of Dalry, in Galloway, +three or four of his blackguard crew, seizing upon a poor countryman, +carried him to his own house, and were going to torture him in a cruel +manner, by setting him naked on a red-hot gridiron; which four of the +persecuted party hearing of, they repaired to the house, disarmed the +soldiers (upon their refusing to be entreated in behalf of the poor +man), and delivered their fellow sufferer. And lest the rest of the +soldiers quartered in the parish (to force people to keep their parish +church), should fall upon them, being joined with seven or eight more of +their friends, they attacked them early next morning, being about twelve +in number, and disarmed them, killing one that made resistance. +Whereupon, the country being alarmed, and being apprehensive, from sad +experience, of the revenge Sir James would take upon the whole country +for this affront, without distinction of age or sex, they determined to +stand in their own defense. And, getting together a good number of horse +and foot, they march to Dumfries, surprise Turner himself, take him +prisoner, and disarm his soldiers, without any further violence. Being +thus by Providence engaged, without any hope of retreat, and being +joined by many more of their brethren in the same condition with +themselves, some ministers, and Colonel Wallace (afterward chosen +general), they come to Lanerk, where they renew the covenant, _November_ +26th, 1666, and thence to Pentland Hills, where, being attacked by +Dalziel and his blood-hounds, they were, notwithstanding their bravery +in repulsing the enemy twice, at last totally routed, many killed and +taken prisoners, most of the prisoners treacherously executed +(notwithstanding they were taken upon solemn promise to have their lives +spared), of whom the Lord was graciously pleased, not only to accept of +a testimony, by sufferings, but also countenanced them, even to +admiration, in sealing the same with their blood. After this, there were +severe edicts issued out against all who had any hand in this appearance +for GOD'S cause and covenant (called by them rebellion, a horrible +conspiracy, and what not); all the subjects were strictly charged not to +harbor, reset, supply, or in any manner of way correspond with any that +were concerned in this engagement, but that they pursue and deliver them +up to justice, or otherwise be esteemed and punished as favorers of it. +This appearance for religion and liberty became, for a time, the +principal crime of which those were indicted who were prosecuted by this +wicked council, and other merciless enemies, to whom they committed the +management of their affairs. + +6. Although the cruelty of the court had hitherto been very great, yet +they had not wholly effectuated their wicked design of exterminating and +destroying true religion, and the professors thereof, both ministers and +people; but, like Israel under Pharaoh's yoke, the more they oppressed +them, and suppressed their meetings, the more numerous and frequent they +grew, so that their enemies were obliged to alter their course a little +from cruelty into craft. This appeared in the first indulgence, granted +_anno_ 1669, with design to divide Presbyterians among themselves, that +they might the more easily destroy them. Hereby a pretended liberty was +given to several ministers ejected by the act of Glasgow, 1662 +(especially public resolutioners, who had formerly served the court +interest in that matter), under certain restrictions, destructive of +their ministerial freedom and faithfulness, to preach and exercise the +other functions of the ministry in vacant churches. In this fraudulent +snare many were taken; and even such of them as did accept of the +indulgence, but did not keep by the instructions given them by the +council, and observe the wicked anniversary, &c, were afterward +prosecuted, fined, and some turned out. And those who refused compliance +therewith, and testified against it, as flowing from that blasphemous +supremacy and absolute power, which the king had assumed, were most +severely handled, and their assemblies for public worship interdicted +under the highest pains. A second indulgence was framed in the year +1672, in which net they expected to inclose such as the first had not +caught. By this, liberty was granted to a number of non-conformed +ministers, named by the council, not yet indulged, to exercise their +ministry in such places as the council thought fit to ordain and appoint +them, conforming themselves to the rules given by the council to those +that were formerly indulged, besides other restrictions, wherewith this +new liberty was clogged. And, as one special design of the court, in +granting both the first and this second indulgence, was to put an +effectual stop to the meetings of the LORD'S people, ludicrously called +by them field conventicles, so they took occasion, on account of their +contempt of this their indulgence and liberty, to prosecute all such as +kept, or attended on, these meetings, in a more merciless and furious +manner. This indulgence was accepted by many ministers; and part +thereof, by others, represented as a grievance, and redress required. +But although nothing of this kind was obtained, yet it was fallen in +with and accepted by most of those who subscribed the remonstrance +against it; and those few who rejected it, and continued faithfully to +discharge their official trust in the open fields, without coming under +any of these sinful restrictions, became, more especially, the butt of +their enemies' malice and tyranny, were more vigorously prosecuted, and +such as were suspected or convicted of attending on their field +meetings, were fined in an exorbitant manner, and ministers imprisoned, +when they could be apprehended. And because these field meetings, the +great eye-sore of the prelates, still increased, they prevailed with the +council 1674, to take more special notice of the preachers at said +meetings, who appointed a committee for that effect, and ordered their +chancelor to send out parties to apprehend certain of them, according to +their direction. And the same year, a bond was imposed, binding and +obliging tenants, that if they, their wives, or any of their children, +cottars or servants, should keep or be present at any conventicles, +either in houses or fields, that every tenant laboring land be fined for +each house conventicle in 25L. _Scots_; each cottar in 12_L. Scots_; +each servant man in a fourth part of his year's fee, and husbands the +half of these fines for such of their wives and children as shall be at +house conventicles; and the double of these respective fines for each of +the said persons who shall be at any field conventicles, &c. And upon +refusal of said bond, they were to be put to the horn, and their escheat +or forfeiture given to their masters. They likewise, at the same time, +issued forth another proclamation, for apprehending the holders of, and +repairers to, field meetings, by them designed rebels, and whoever +should seize such should have the fines, so unjustly imposed, for their +reward; with a particular sum offered for apprehending any of the +conventicle preachers, and this sum doubled for some that were more +eminent among them, and diligent in working the work of him that sent +them, against whom their malice was more especially turned. These +rigorous measures they continued to prosecute; and in the year 1675, +letters of intercommuning were given out against several ministers and +private Christians, by name, both denouncing them rebels, and secluding +them from all society in the kingdom of Scotland; further requiring, +that no accommodation should be given, or communication any manner of +way held with them, under the pain of being (according to them) +accounted _socii criminis_, and pursued as guilty, with them, of the +same crimes. These inhuman and unprecedented methods reduced the +sufferers to many wanderings and great hardships. It is impossible to +recite the miseries these faithful confessors underwent--wandering about +in deserts, in mountains, in dens, and in caves of the earth, destitute, +afflicted, tormented; besides the other severe impositions upon the +country in general, the bonds imposed, and rage of the _Highland_ host +then raised, which, together with the soldiers, greatly spoiled and +robbed the west country especially, by which means, poor people were +brought to very low circumstances. + +7. Notwithstanding of all the tyranny and treachery hitherto exercised, +the word of GOD grew, and converts unto CHRIST, and the obedience of the +gospel, were daily multiplied; ministers being forward and willing to +preach, and the people willing to hear and receive the law from their +mouth, on all hazards. And the LORD JESUS, following his word and +ordinances with his blessing, showed himself as mighty and powerful in +the open fields, whither they were driven, as ever he had done in their +churches, from whence they were driven, and which were now shut against +them, and filled with time-servers, and antichrist's vassals. But +against CHRIST'S standard and banner thus displayed, the tyrant Charles +II erected his opposite standard for the utter destruction of CHRIST'S +true servants and subjects. And having declared their lawful meetings +for the worship of GOD, according to his word, execrable rendezvouses of +rebellion; a convention of estates, _anno_ 1678, was called and met, by +which a large cess was imposed to maintain an additional army, for the +suppression of the true religion and liberty, and securing tyranny and +arbitrary government. On account of the imposition of this cess, and the +rigorous exaction of it, together with the cruelties and ravages of this +new army maintained by it (the soldiers having commission to dismiss and +disperse their meetings, disarm, imprison and kill preachers and people, +in case of resistance; and a price being put upon the heads of several +faithful ministers if brought to the council dead or alive), both +ministers and people were laid under the necessity of carrying arms for +their own defense when dispensing and attending upon gospel ordinances. +And it was no wonder that, finding themselves thus appointed as sheep +for the slaughter, they looked upon this as their duty, and accordingly +provided themselves with arms for their necessary defense against the +wicked violence of those who thirsted after their blood, and (which was +to them much more dear and precious) the ruin and destruction of the +cause, interest, and gospel of CHRIST in the land. Unto these severe and +hellish measures fallen upon at this time, for the more effectual +suppression and extirpation of the gospel of CHRIST, and professors of +it, the managers were principally instigated by that arch-apostate +_Sharp_; though a bad preparative for his exit out of this world, which +soon came to pass, _anno_ 1679, in the dispensation of adorable +providence and righteous judgment of God, executed upon such a notorious +traitor, who, having first betrayed the church, and all along deeply +imbrued his hands in the blood of GOD'S saints and servants; had blood +given him to drink because he was worthy. + +8. That the land might be more deeply soaked with blood, and made more +heavily to groan under the inhabitants thereof, "Who had transgressed +the laws, changed the ordinances, and broken the everlasting covenant;" +that the scene of cruel suffering might be more widely opened, and the +bloody tragedy more effectually acted; the primate's death must now be +added to the other pretended crimes of the sufferers. Many were terribly +harrassed on that account, who were no ways concerned in the action; and +some were cruelly tortured and butchered by them for the same cause, +though innocent thereof (for none of the actors did ever fall into their +hands). These enemies were hereby rendered more rude, barbarous and +hard-hearted to all the sufferers who afterward fell into their hands, +and breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the whole body of +the persecuted Presbyterians through the nation. All this, however, did +not dispirit these zealous witnesses, or discourage them from attending +to their work and duty; for we find them on the 29th of _May_, 1679, +publishing their testimony at _Rutherglen_, against the wicked +anniversary, on the same day appointed by the court for its celebration, +and against all that had been done publicly by these enemies of CHRIST +for the overthrow of his work and interest in the lands. They likewise +committed their acts rescissory, supremacy, act restoring abjured +Prelacy, act of _Glasgow_, 1662, the presumptuous act for appointing +_May_ 29th for an unholy anniversary, indulgences, &c., all to the +flames, their just desert, in retaliation of the impious treatment given +unto our solemn and sacred covenants, and other good and laudable acts +and laws for reformation, by their sacrilegious enemies in sundry cities +of these covenanted kingdoms. And so, after extinguishing the bonfires, +a part of the unholy solemnity of the enemies' anniversary day, and +concluding what they had done with prayer and praise, as they had begun +(Mr. _Douglas_, one of their ministers being along with them), they +withdrew. This Christian valor was followed with the LORD'S appearance +for them, in a remarkable manner, on the following _Sabbath_ at +_Drumclog_ near _Lowdonhill_, where being attacked by _Claverhouse_, +when attending on public worship, they completely routed him and his +troops, rescued Mr. _John King_, and a number of other prisoners, whom +_Claverhouse_ had seized that morning, from their hands. Afterward they +declared the grounds and causes of their present defensive posture, in +that short manifesto, or declaration, published at _Glasgow, June 6th_, +1679. But when their numbers multiplied, their divisions increased, and +lawful means for honestly defending the cause were by the majority +refused. Mr. _Welsh_ and that Erastian party with him, being by this +time come up, did in their declaration at _Hamilton_, take in the +tyrant's interest; against which, those who were honest and faithful to +the interest of Zion's king contended, and protested, that in conscience +they could not take in the interest of one into the state of the quarrel +who had manifestly stated himself in opposition to the interest of +CHRIST; that it was inconsistent with the covenant, which could not bind +them to espouse the interest of its destroyers, and the destroyers of +all that adhered to it; and also contrary to their testimony and +declaration for the covenants and work of reformation at _Rutherglen, +Glasgow, &c._, and against all defection from the same. + +Thus, when the most part in a great measure forsook the LORD, he was +justly provoked to forsake them, and their great divisions landing them +in such confusion, they became an easy prey to the enemy, by whom they +were totally routed at _Bothwell, June. 22d_, 1679, where they felt the +dismal fruits and consequences of joining at all with that Erastian +faction, after they had openly declared and discovered what they were. +This was so far from proving any defense to them, notwithstanding the +numbers of that party, that it proved their destruction. And those whose +hearts were upright and honest in the cause of GOD, by their means, in +holy sovereignty, were made to fall a sacrifice to their enemies' wrath. +The slain on that day were many, and the after-cruelty to prisoners +great; they being carried into and kept for a long time in the +_Gray-friars_ church yard of _Edinburgh_, exposed, defenseless, night +and day, to tempests of all kinds. By this inhuman usage (with design to +wear out the saints of the Most High), together with the insinuations +and persuasions of some of the indulgence favorers, their faith failing +them in this hour of temptation, and fear prevailing, a number of these +prisoners were persuaded to take the insnaring bond of peace, whereby +they were engaged to own their rising at _Bothwell_ to be rebellion, and +to oblige themselves never to rise in arms against the king, and to live +peaceably, &c., while others of them were tortured, not accepting +deliverance. + +9. Although this defeat and dispersion of the espousers of the truth and +cause of CHRIST, in opposition both to its avowed enemies and secret +betrayers, brought the remnant that were left into very melancholy +circumstances, their enemies having in a great measure extinguished the +light of the gospel, by apprehending and shedding the blood of their +faithful pastors, who used to hold forth the word of life unto them, as +a light whereby they might discern between sin and duty; and others who +had formerly been helpful unto them, in strengthening their hands, and +encouraging their hearts, in the way of their duty, were overtaken and +overborne with fainting and discouragement; so that, in respect of +public guides, they wore at this time as sheep without a shepherd. Yet, +in this disconsolate and scattered state and condition, CHRIST, the +chief shepherd, had compassion on them, and raised up those two faithful +ministers and zealous contenders for the faith once delivered to the +saints, Messrs. _Richard Cameron_ and _Donald Cargill_, to come forth +for the help of the LORD against the mighty, and to jeopard their lives +along with his people in the high places of the field, in bearing +faithful testimony for his noble truths and cause, and against all the +sins and defections of the time. The first of these, soon after he had +showed his activity and zeal in that banner displayed against the +church's enemies, in the declaration published at _Sanquhar, June 22d_, +1080, did honorably and bravely finish his course, among many others of +Zion's true friends, in the defeat they again sustained at _Airsmoss_, +where, in imitation of his princely Master, he valiantly fought his way +to the incorruptible crown. The latter afterward narrowly escaped his +enemies' hands (by means of Mr. _Henry Hall_, of _Haughhead_, that +honest sufferer for truth, who, to save his minister's life, lost his +own; on whom the _Queensferry_ paper, a draft of a covenant engagement +unto certain duties, was found), and was, by the power and providence of +GOD, preserved, until he accomplished that signal piece of generation +work in drawing forth the sword of excommunication against the tyrant +_Charles_ II, and some others of the chief actors in that bloody +tragedy. And that, because of their bloodshed, perjury, heaven-daring +profaneness, debauchery, inhuman and savage cruelty acted upon the +people of GOD. The which sentence stuck fast in the hearts of these +enemies of Zion's king unto the day of their death, and, by some of +their own acknowledgments, would through eternity. Shortly after this, +that faithful minister crowned his work with martyrdom, and entered into +his Master's joy. + +This murdering period spared neither pastor nor people, age nor sex; +while gross transgressors, and deluded enthusiasts, as _Gib_ and his +faction, were screened from condign punishment, though some of them had +arrived at that prodigious length in wickedness as to commit the Holy +Scriptures and Confession of Faith to the flames. + +10. So many of these once living and lively witnesses for CHRIST being, +now slain, and what was yet surviving of the scattered flock deprived of +their painful shepherds, and not being able to drink of the sanctuary +waters, so muddied by their former pastors, who had defiled the same by +sinful compliance with the time's defections, they resolved, under +divine direction, to gather themselves together into a general meeting, +for advising and informing one another anent their duty, in such +critical times of common danger, that so whatever concerned the whole, +might be done with due deliberation and common consent. The which +general meetings afterward afforded them both good comfort amidst their +discouragements, and also good counsel amidst their perplexities and +doubts, and proved an excellent expedient for preserving the remnant +from the destruction and contagion of the times, propagation of the +testimony, and keeping alive the public spirit of zeal and concern for +the cause and interest of CHRIST; and for these ends they have been kept +up ever since. + +In the meantime, that evil instrument, _James_, duke of _York_, +receiving commission from his perjured brother to preside in the whole +administration of _Scots'_ affairs, upon his arrival for this effect, +held a parliament, which began _July_ 28th, 1681; wherein, besides other +of his wicked acts, that detestable, blasphemous, and self-contradictory +test was framed, which, in the first part thereof, contains the +swearer's solemn declaration, by oath, of his sincere profession of the +true Protestant religion, contained in the first confession of faith, +ratified by _Parl. 1st, James VI_, 1567 (which confession asserts, in +the strongest terms, CHRIST'S alone headship and supremacy as lawgiver +and king in his church, without copartner or competitor), and that he +shall adhere thereunto all the days of his life, and renounce all +doctrines, principles, or practices contrary thereto, and inconsistent +therewith; while, in manifest contradiction thereto, the blasphemous +supremacy, in the utmost extent thereof, is asserted--the Covenants +National and Solemn League, the chief barriers against Popery, +Erastianism, and arbitrary power, are renounced, and unlimited +allegiance unto the occupant is enjoined and sworn to, and the +prelatical government of the church confirmed. + +This oath was at first administered to those in public trust only, and +thereby all were turned out of their places who had any principles of +common honesty remaining in them; but afterward it was imposed on all +persons of all ranks. Against which sinful encroachments on religion and +liberty, the witnessing persecuted remnant accounted themselves bound in +duty to emit their testimony, which they published at _Lanerk, January_ +12th, 1682, adhering to, and confirming their former at _Sanquhar_, and +giving reasons at length for their disowning the unlawful authority of +_Charles II_. Upon intelligence hereof, this declaration, with those at +_Rutherglen_ and _Sanquhar_, were, by order of the council, with great +solemnity, burnt at the cross of _Edinburgh_, by the magistrates in +their robes, together with the Solemn League and Covenant, which had +been burnt formerly: but now they would give new demonstrations of their +rage against it, in conjunction with these declarations, which they saw +and acknowledged were evidently conformed to, and founded upon it. After +the publication of this testimony, the sufferings of that poor people +that owned it were sadder and sharper than ever before, by hunting, +pursuing, apprehending, imprisonment, banishment, death, and torture; +this increasing rage, oppression, cruelty, and bloodshed, being no more +than what they might look for, agreeable to the spirit and principles of +that popish incendiary, to whom such trust was committed. + +11. The poor wrestling remnant, besides their other grievous calamities +and sufferings, being now obnoxious to much censure, in their +appearances for truth reproached, and invidiously misrepresented, both +at home and abroad, by those that were at ease in Zion, as having +forsaken the right way, and run into wild, extravagant, and unhappy +courses; and, withal, being at this time destitute and deprived of their +public standard bearers; their series of witnesses (since the death of +Messrs. _Cameron_ and _Cargill_) maintaining the testimony against the +public national defections being in all appearance interrupted, except +by martyrdom and sufferings; they were obliged to exert themselves, both +for their vindication from those calumnies and slanders, wherewith they +were loaded by their enemies, to foreign Protestant churches especially, +and for obtaining a supply of gospel ministers. Wherefore, sending some +of their number abroad, to represent the righteousness of their cause to +the churches there, and crave their sympathy, in helping them to a +supply of gospel ministers; the LORD was graciously pleased to +countenance and bless their endeavors so, that they obtained access for +the instruction and ordination of young men for the ministry, at a +university in the _United Provinces_; and, in process of time, gave them +a great reviving in their bondage, by sending forth his faithful +embassador, Mr. _James Renwick_, who, while he stood on Zion's +watch-tower, ceased not night and day to give faithful warning of the +danger approaching the city of GOD, evidently discovering his being +clothed with his Master's commission, in bearing faithful testimony and +witness, both against the avowed enemies of truth and backsliders from +it. And notwithstanding all the malicious rage of deadly foes, ranging +and keenly pursuing him, through open or more secret places, the +reproach of tongues and cruel mockings he endured, by the divine +blessing, on his painful labors, amidst his many hardships, the number +of Zion's friends were greatly increased, by the incoming and joining of +many to the fellowship of their settled societies, who resolutely chose +rather to suffer affliction with the people of GOD than to enjoy the +pleasures of sin, which are but for a season. Upon this further attack +upon Satan's interest, his emissaries issue forth fresh orders, and give +commission to soldiers, foot and dragoons, to hunt, search, and seek +them out of all their most secret dens, caves, and lurking places, where +they might hide themselves, in the most remote and wildest glens and +recesses in the mountains and deserts, allowing them to kill, slay, +destroy, and any way to make an end of them, wherever they might be +found; commanding the whole country, at their peril, to assist them, and +raise the hue and cry after the poor wanderers, and not to reset, +harbor, succor, or correspond with them any manner of way, under the +highest pains, but to do their utmost in informing against them. Thus, +without regard to any of their unlawful forms of legal procedure, they +defiled and besmeared the high places of the field with innocent blood. +These unprecedented methods and measures obliged the sufferers, for +their own preservation, stopping the deluge of blood, and to deter the +insolence of intelligencers and informers, to publish the apologetic +declaration, which they affixed on several market crosses, and parish +church doors, upon the 28th of _October_, 1684; wherein they declare +their firm resolution of constant adherence to their covenanted +engagements; and to the declaration disowning the authority of _Charles +Stuart_, warning all bloody Doegs and flattering Ziphites, to expect to +be dealt with as they deal with them; to be regarded as enemies to GOD, +and the covenanted reformation, and according to their power, and the +degree of their offense, punished as such, &c. After this declaration, +these enemies were still more enraged, and their fury flamed more than +ever formerly. They framed an oath, commonly called the oath of +abjuration, renouncing and abjuring the same, and by a venomous bloody +proclamation, enjoined this oath to be taken by all universally, from +sixteen years and upward, women as well as men, under pain of death; and +many prisoners who having the oath tendered them, refused or declined +it, were sentenced, and executed all in one day, according to the tenor +of their proclamation. And, moreover, they, on this occasion, renewed +their orders and commission to the soldiers, for pursuing and chasing +after the rebels (as they designed them) more vigorously and violently, +and to shoot, or otherwise put them to death wherever they did light +upon them. In the midst of this confusion of slaughter and bloodshed, +GOD cut off by death, _February_ 6th, 1685, that vile person, the author +and authorizer of all this mischief, _Charles II_, who, _Antiochus_ +like, came in peaceably, and obtained the kingdom by flattery (_Dan._ +xi), reigned treacherously and bloodily, and like that wicked king, +_Jehoram_ (2 _Chron._ xxi), died without being desired or lamented, +poisoned, as was thought, by his unnatural popish brother. And, +notwithstanding of all his bastards, begotten in adultery and +fornication, at home and abroad, he died without any to succeed him, +save him that was said to have murdered him. GOD pursued him with the +curse of _Hiel_ the _Bethelite_, for his rebuilding of that cursed +_Jericho_, prelacy; and of that impious and wicked tyrant, _Coniah_ +(_Jer._ xxii), for his treachery and cruelty; "Thus saith the LORD, +Write ye this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, +for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting any more upon the throne +of _Israel_." + +12. Notwithstanding the abundant proof that the duke of _York_ had +given, in many instances, and in both kingdoms, of his being a vassal of +antichrist, and notwithstanding of his open and public profession of +papistry, upon his brother's death, fairly warning all what they might +expect, yet were not those, who sat at the helm of affairs, deterred +from committing the reins of government into his hands; but contrary to +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the lands, this professed and +excommunicate papist _James_, duke of _York_, was, _anno_ 1685, +proclaimed king of these once covenanted, but now treacherous and +apostate lands, whereby they appointed themselves a captain to return +into their anti-christian bondage. To this grievous yoke our infamous, +perjured, and apostate state and council in _Scotland_, heartily and +voluntarily subjected themselves and the nation, while others did it +with reluctancy, caressing and embracing with their dearest and best +affections, this enemy to GOD, and CHRIST, and his church, swearing +implicit and unlimited obedience unto him, and asserting his absolute +power and supremacy, indefeasible and hereditary right, without ever so +much as requiring him to take the coronation oath, or give the least +security for, any thing civil or religious (a depth of degeneracy, +parallel to that eminency in reformation purity, from which they were +fallen!) but laid the reins on his own neck, that he might have full +freedom for the satisfying of his lusts, and fulfilling his wicked +designs. This laid religion, liberty, and all, at the mercy of absolute +power and popish tyranny; and still more and more cut off the people of +God from having any hopes of mercy from their bloody enemies; on the +contrary, the duke of _York_, in his letter to his first parliament, +recommends and requires them to leave no means unattempted, for the +extirpation of the poor wandering sufferers, whom he brands with the +odious names of murderers and assassins, wild and inhuman traitors, &c. +And these his ready servants and bloody executioners, came nothing short +of his orders in the execution of them; so that there were more murdered +in cold blood in the open fields, without all shadow of law, trial or +sentence, more banished and sold as slaves, condemned and executed, &c., +in the time of this usurper, than in all the time of the former tyrant. + +As the honest sufferers, consistent with their testimony for truth, in +opposition both to the secret and open subvertors of the cause and state +of Zion's quarrel with her enemies, could not concur in _Argyle's_ +declaration (although there were many things in it materially good, and +commend-worthy), nor join in a military association with him, on account +(among other things) of the too promiscuous admission of persons to +trust in that party, who were then, and afterward discovered themselves +to be, enemies to the cause. Yet, against this usurpation of a bloody +papist, advancing himself to the throne in such a manner, they published +another declaration at _Sanquhar, May_ 28, 1685; wherein, approving of, +and adhering to all their former, and considering that _James_, duke of +_York_, a professed and excommunicated papist, was proclaimed: they +protest against said proclamation, with reasons subjoined at length for +their so doing--against all kinds of popery, general and particular +heads, as abjured by the national covenant--against its entry again +into this land, and every thing that doth, or may directly or +indirectly, make way for the same, &c. After this, Mr. _Renwick_ and his +followers were exposed to the greater fury of their adversaries; more +cruel edicts were given forth against them, approving and ratifying of +former acts, for raising the hue and cry, &c., whereby their calamities +were very much increased, besides the slanders of professed friends, on +account of their not associating and joining with them in their +compliances, although, to the conviction of all unbiassed minds, they +fully vindicated themselves from all their injurious reflections. + +The extirpation of the Presbyterian interest--nay, the suppression of +the Protestant religion in general, the reintroduction of popery, and +plunging the nations in anti-christian darkness and tyranny, being the +long concerted design of this popish bigot now got into the throne; he +resolves to lose no time, and leave no stone unturned, for the +prosecution and accomplishment thereof. And having made tolerable +progress in the execution of this his favorite scheme (although not +without opposition), in _England_, he turns himself to _Scotland_, +expecting an entire acquiescence in his pleasure there, having found the +first parliament, which began, 23d _May_, 1685, so much according to his +own heart, in their hearty and sincere offer of their lives and +fortunes, to assist, defend, and maintain him in his rights, +prerogatives, sacred, supreme, and absolute power and authority, &c. + +Wherefore, the parliament being to meet again _April_ 29, 1686, in his +letter to them, "he heartily recommends to their care his innocent Roman +Catholic subjects, to the end, that as they have given good experience +of their true loyalty and peaceable behavior, they may have the +protection of his laws, without lying under obligations their religion +could not admit of; that all penal laws made against them might be +repealed, &c." But though many were for obliging their king in this +particular, yet it could not be carried without debates and strong +objections; so that, dissolving the parliament, what he could not obtain +there, with any show or face of law, he effectuates, by virtue of the +prerogative royal and absolute power, in a letter to his privy council, +and proclamation inclosed, bearing date _February_ 12, 1687, granting a +royal toleration to moderate Presbyterians, clogged with a number of +grievous Erastian conditions and restrictions, as usual. Secondly, to +Quakers and other enthusiasts. Thirdly, to Papists, abrogating all penal +statutes made against them, and making them in all respects free. And so +devoted were the privy council to his interests, that without demur they +published the proclamation, and wrote back to the king, "that his orders +were punctually obeyed, thanking him for this further proof of his +favors to all his subjects." Thus, this champion for Satan and +antichrist proceeded with his wicked design, and so far succeeded; all +kinds of papistry were publicly practiced, and many churches converted +to mass chapels. For, before this, by the king's letter to his privy +council, of _August_ 21st, 1686, Papists were allowed the free exercise +of their religion, the council required to support and maintain them +therein, and the royal chapel at _Holyrood-House_ ordered to be repaired +for popish service. By which means a door was opened for that swarm of +Jesuits and priests, ascending as locusts out of the bottomless pit, +which quickly overspread the lands. But notwithstanding of all this +indulgence and royal toleration granted to these three forementioned +parties, yet there is no favor nor mercy for the honest and faithful +sufferers, and honorable contenders for the interests and prerogatives +royal of JESUS CHRIST, against his sacrilegious and blasphemous +usurpation of the same. But while he thinks fit to give ease (as himself +says) by this means, to tender consciences, he at the same time +signifies his highest indignation against those enemies of Christianity +(he means Popery) as well as government, and human society, the +field-conventiclers, whom he recommends to the council to root out, with +all the severity of the laws, and the most rigorous persecution of the +forces, it being equally his, and his people's concern to get rid of +them. In consequence of this, all their artillery is directed against +the Rev. Mr. _James Renwick_ only, and that poor, afflicted, and +persecuted people that adhered to him (all others being comprehended in +the pretended liberty granted), so that they were prosecuted with fire +and sword, and according to the utmost severity of their wicked laws +made against them, and a reward of a hundred pounds _sterling_ offered +by the bloody council to any that should bring in Mr. _Renwick_ to them, +either dead or alive. But he having his generation work allotted and cut +out for him by GOD, was preserved and kept from falling into their +hands, until that he had finished the work his Master had given him to +do, notwithstanding all this hellish and anti-christian rage and fury +wherewith they did pursue him. About the beginning of the year 1686, he, +in conjunction with Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who had lately joined him, +wrote the Informatory Vindication, by way of reply to various +accusations in letters, informations and conferences, given forth +against them and their people, wherein they vindicate, clear and justify +themselves from the heavy and false charges, slanders and reproaches, +cast upon them by their enemies, as may be seen in said book. About this +time, also, Mr. _Shields_ set about writing his _Hind let loose_ (which +was published next year), or, A Historical Representation of the +Testimonies of the Church of _Scotland_ for the interest of CHRIST, with +the true state thereof in all its periods; wherein he also solidly, +soundly, and judiciously vindicates the present testimony, in all the +principles thereof, as stated, against the popish, prelatical, and +malignant enemies of that church, for the prerogatives of CHRIST, +privileges of the church and liberties of mankind, and sealed by the +sufferings of a reproached remnant of Presbyterians there, witnessing +against the corruptions of the time. + +Whilst these two loving and faithful fellow-laborers were thus +industriously exerting themselves for the propagation and vindication of +the persecuted gospel, and cause of CHRIST; that fiery Jesuit, popish +tyrant, and enemy to GOD and man, the duke of _York_, and his popish +party, were equally industrious on the other hand, to promote their +grand design of utterly extinguishing the light of the gospel, and +bringing in Antichrist, with all his poisonous and hellish vermin, and +abominable idolatries; and that, with all the murdering violence, +diabolical subtilty and malignant rage that hell and _Rome_ could invent +and exert. He had formerly published a proclamation (as is noticed +above), granting a lawless liberty to several sorts of persons therein +specified, called his first indulgence; but breathing nothing but +threatenings and slaughter against the people of GOD, who stood firm to +his cause. But withal, this proclamation, enjoined an oath in the room +of all oaths formerly imposed, to be taken by all that minded to share +in his royal favor; wherein they swore, not only absolute subjection and +passive obedience, never to resist him, not only on any pretense, but +for any cause, let him do, or command to be done what he would; but +also, absolute, active obedience, without reserve: "That they shall, to +the utmost of their power, assist, defend, and maintain him, his heirs +and successors, in the exercise of their absolute power and authority, +against all deadly." This was so palpably gross and odious, that it was +disdained and abhorred by all that had common sense. Wherefore, finding +that this proposal did not take, nor answer his design, in a letter to +the council, bearing date about a month after the former, he endeavors +to mend the matter, and set it out in another dress, pretending that +they had mistaken his meaning in the former, and so lets them know, that +it is his pleasure now, that if the Presbyterian preachers do scruple to +take the oath (contained in the proclamation), or any other oath +whatsoever, they, notwithstanding, have the benefit of his indulgence +(without being obliged to take the oath), provided they observe the +conditions on which it was granted. But this not having the desired +effect neither, it is followed with the third indulgence or toleration, +emitted by proclamation, dated 28th _June_, 1687, excellently well +calculated for obtaining his end; wherein, after a solemn declaration of +his intention to maintain his archbishops and bishops, he does, by his +sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, suspend, +stop and disable, all penal and sanguinary laws, made against any for +non-conformity to the religion established by law--granting liberty to +all the subjects to meet and serve GOD, after their own way, in private +houses or chapels, or places purposely hired or built for that use, with +an injunction to take care that nothing be preached or taught, that +might any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from him and his +government: but, notwithstanding the premises, strictly prohibiting all +field meetings, against all which all his laws and acts of parliament +are left in full force and vigor; and all his judges, magistrates and +officers of forces, commanded to prosecute such as shall be guilty of +said field conventicles, with the utmost rigor; and all this under +pretense, that now, after this his royal grace and favor, there is not +the least shadow of excuse left for these meetings. Wherefore, he is +confident, that none will, after these liberties and freedoms given to +all, to serve God in their own way, further presume to meet in these +assemblies, except such as make a pretense of religion, to cover their +treasonable designs against his royal person, and peace of his +government. + +The most of the Presbyterian ministers in _Scotland_ took the benefit of +this wicked and boundless toleration, chiefly designed in favor of +Papists. And a large number of them, being met at _Edinburgh_, agreed +upon, and, in name of all the rest, sent an address of thanks to the +tyrant for his toleration, stuffed with the most loathsome and +blasphemous flatteries, to the dishonor of GOD, the reproach of his +cause, and betraying of his church. For, in this address, dated _July_ +21st, 1687, designating themselves the loyal subjects of this true +religion and liberty destroyer, they offer him their most humble and +hearty thanks for his favor bestowed, and bless the great GOD who put it +into his heart to grant them this liberty, which they term a great and +surprising favor, professing a fixed resolution still to maintain an +entire loyalty, both in their doctrine and practice (consonant to their +known, principles, which, according to the holy Scriptures, are +contained in the _Confession of Faith_); and they humbly beseech, that +any who promote disloyal principles and practices (as they disown them) +may not be looked upon as any of theirs, whatever name they may assume +to themselves; and that, as their address comes from the plainness and +sincerity of loyal and thankful hearts, so they were much engaged by his +royal favor, to continue their fervent prayer to the King of kings, for +divine illumination and conduct, and all other blessings, both spiritual +and temporal, ever to attend his person and government. Thus these men +made themselves naked to their shame, and declared to the world, that +they did only presumptuously arrogate to themselves the name of +Presbyterians; whereas, in reality, they were quite another kind of +creatures, acting diametrically opposite to Presbyterian principles, in +congratulating, extolling and justifying a tyrant, for assuming to +himself a blasphemous, absolute power, whereby he suspends and disables +all penal laws against idolators, and gives a toleration for all errors. + +But while these pretended Presbyterians, who all along loved peace +better than truth, and preferred their own ease before the concerns of +their Master's glory, were thus sheltering themselves under this refuge +of lies; true Presbyterians, who kept by presbyterian principles, and +acted a faithful part for CHRIST, refusing to bow down to the idol of +supremacy, which the tyrant had set up, or pay any regard to his +blasphemous toleration, were pursued, persecuted, and slain, without +pity or compassion, all the engines of the court being leveled against +them for their destruction, because they would still reserve to +themselves the liberty wherewith CHRIST had made his people free, and +not exchange it for one from Antichrist, restricted with his reserves +and limitations; so that (as Mr. _Shields_ tells us in his account of +Mr. _James Renwick's_ life), in less than five months after the +toleration, there were fifteen most desperate searches particularly for +him, both of foot and horse: and, that all encouragement might be given +to any who would apprehend him, a proclamation was issued, dated +_October_ 18th, "Authorizing all officers, civil and military, to +apprehend and secure in firmance his person, with some others; and for +encouragement, insuring the sum of _100L sterling_ for taking him, or +them, dead or alive." In the midst of all these hazards, this unwearied +and faithful laborer did notwithstanding continue at his work, in +preaching, catechising, &c., and the Lord still preserved him from +falling into the enemy's hand, until he had finished that piece of +generation work, in drawing up a full and faithful testimony against +_York's_ toleration, and for the covenants and work of reformation, &c., +which he gave in to a meeting of Presbyterian ministers at _Edinburgh_, +on the 17th _January_, 1688; and going thence to _Fife_, whither he was +called to preach, in his return, was apprehended at _Edinburgh_, and +called to seal his above testimony, with all his other contendings +against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and all defection from the land's +attainments in reformation, with his blood, which he did in the _Grass +market_ of _Edinburgh_, 17th of _February_, 1688, with a remarkable and +extraordinary measure of the Lord's gracious presence and spirit, not +only in this part of his sufferings, but all the time of his +imprisonment. The Lord hereby bearing witness, both to the truth of that +cause for which he suffered, and also testifying his gracious acceptance +of his sufferings, and of the free-will-offering of his life, which he +laid down for his sake. And as neither the violence nor flattery of +enemies could prevail with this faithful confessor and martyr himself, +to quit with one hair or hoof of what belonged to Christ, so he +recommended to the poor scattered remnant which he left, as part of his +dying counsel, to keep their ground, and not to quit nor forego one of +these despised truths, which he was assured the Lord, when he returned +to bind up the breach of his people, and heal them of their wound, would +make glorious in the earth. Thus that worthy minister, and now glorified +martyr of Jesus, through a chain of sufferings, and train of enemies, +fought his way unto an incorruptible and immortal crown of endless +glory. He was the last that sealed the testimony for religion and +liberty, and the covenanted work of reformation, against Popery, +Prelacy, Erastianism, and tyranny, in a public manner, on the scaffold, +with his blood. After the death of this renowned martyr, he was +succeeded by the eminent Mr. _Alexander Shields_, who carried on, and +maintained, the testimony, as it was stated, in all the heads and +clauses thereof, continuing to preach in the fields. On which account, +he, and the people who attended his ministry, were exposed for some time +longer to the fury and resentment of their enemies. But their power, +which they had so long perverted and abused, quickly came to a period. +For in a few months, God, in his righteous judgment and adorable +providence, overturned that throne of iniquity on which they depended, +and expelled that inhuman, cruel monster, from his tyrannical and +usurped power, upon the prince of Orange's coming over into _England_, +in the beginning of _November_ that same year. But, although the Lord at +this juncture, and by this means, rescued and delivered our natural and +civil rights and privileges in a national way from under the oppression +and bondage of anti-christian tyranny, arbitrary and absolute power, yet +the Revolution, at this time, brought no real deliverance to the church +of God. But Christ's rights,[1] formerly acquired for him by his +faithful servants, lay still buried under the rubbish of that +anti-christian building of Prelacy, erected on the ruins of his work in +this land; and the spiritual liberties and privileges of his house +remained, and do still remain under the bondage of Erastianism, +supremacy, toleration, &c. For it is well known, that although this man, +Jehu-like, "destroyed _Baal_ out of _Israel_, yet he departed not from +the sins of _Jeroboam_, wherewith he made _Israel_ to sin." + +About this time, the united societies (having no actual minister since +Mr. _Renwick's_ death, Mr. _Shields_ being only preacher) sent over some +commissioners from their general meeting to _Embden_, one of the United +Provinces, to bring over Mr. _Thomas Linning_, a young man whom they had +sent thither some years before in Mr. _Renwick's_ time, to the +university there, and for ordination. In consequence hereof, the said +Mr. _Linning_ came home, with testimonials of his ordination to the +ministry by the classes at _Embden_; and in conjunction with Mr. +_Shields_ and Mr. _William Boyd_ (another of their ministers, who had +also come from Holland about this time), renewed the Covenants National +and Solemn League, and dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's supper near +Lesmahago, in Clydesdale, and continued to preach to the people for +about four months, until the first General Assembly (so called) met at +Edinburgh 1689-90. At which time, he, with his two brethren, in their +own name, and the name of their people, presented a paper to that +Assembly, bearing on what terms they and their people would join in +communion with them; only craving that they might all join in humbling +themselves before the Lord, and acknowledge and bewail their fathers', +their own, and the land's many and heinous iniquities, and breaches of +Covenant, before they proceeded to any other business, and so have their +public sins and scandalous compliances washed away by repentance, and +calling upon the name of the Lord Jesus. That they would purge out from +among them, all ignorant, insufficient, heterodox, and notoriously +scandalous ministers, such as, by information, accusation, or otherways, +were guilty of the blood of the saints, &c. But these proposals were +reckoned unseasonable and impracticable, tending rather to kindle +contention, than compose division, and so were thrown over their bar. +The generality of these men were so plunged and puddled in the ditch of +defection and apostasy, that they could not think of the drudgery of +cleansing themselves in God's way, by a particular and public confession +of, and humiliation for their own and the land's public sins, but chose +rather to sit down filthy and polluted as they were, and presume, in the +midst of their abominations unrepented of, to approach God's holy +things, which, how provoking to heaven, let God in his word be judge, +_Isa._ lii, 11; _Hag._ ii, 13, 14; 2 _Chr._ xxx, 3; _Ezek._ xliv, 10. +Nay, it is but too, too evident, that for this cause, God then laid them +under that awful sentence, _Rev._ xxii, 11: "Him that is filthy, let him +be filthy still;" or that, _Isa._ xxii, 14. For as their hearts were +then hardened against God's call by his word and providence to that +important and most necessary duty; so, ever since, they, have been so +much the more so, and have gone on from evil to worse. + +But to return to our purpose: the two brethren, Messrs. _Linning_ and +_Boyd_, upon the rejection of the above said paper of proposals, +intending to unite with them at any rate, gave in another, importing +their submission to the assembly; which paper, Mr. _Shields_ also, +through their influences, insinuations, and persuasions, was drawn in to +subscribe and adhere to; which he had never done, had he not fallen by +the means of these false brethren, and which, it is said, he sadly +repented afterward. Thus, the poor people were again left destitute of +ministers, and public gospel ordinances, until the Rev. Mr. _John, +McMillan_ acceded to them, from the public judicatories of the +revolution church, in the year 1706. And their kind friend, Mr. +_Linning_, to make amends for all his misdemeanors, and in return for +the charges the societies were at about his education, at home and +abroad, did them that good office, to write, and load them with +calumnies and slanders, to the universities in the _Netherlands_, +whither they had recourse formerly in like cases; so that all access for +having their loss retrieved from that quarter, was blocked up. + +What is thus briefly hinted above, may suffice to afford some cursory +view of the rise and progress of religion and reformation in these +lands, especially in _Scotland_; until, as a church and nation, our +kingdom became the Lord's, by the strictest and most intimate federal +alliance, and the name almost of every city, was, _the Lord is there_: +together with the general state and condition of the church and land, +from the fatal juncture of our woful decline, unto the end of the above +mentioned bloody period; the faithfulness of some, in this time of trial +and temptation: the defection and backsliding course of others; and the +great and avowed wickedness of the rest, extended unto an exhorbitant +hight of savage inhumanity, irreligion and impiety. Upon all which, the +presbytery, in duty to God, the present and succeeding generations find +themselves obliged to testify: + +1, Their hearty approbation of the faithfulness of such ministers and +others, who opposed, and faithfully testified against the public +resolutions of church and state, framed in the year 1651, for receiving +into places of power and trust, malignant enemies to the work of +reformation, contrary to the word of God, _Exod._ xviii, 21; _Deut._ i, +13; _2 Chron._ xix, 2; and to all acts of assembly and parliament in the +reforming period; the assembly disclaiming the resolutions, as appears +from their act, _June 17th_, 1646, session 14th, entitled, _Act for +censuring the compilers with the public enemies of this church and +kingdom_: and their seasonable and necessary warning _June 27th_, 1640, +session 27th; where "they judge it a great and scandalous provocation, +and grievous defection from the public cause, to comply with, these +malignants, &c." As also, _Act 11th_, Triennial Parliament of, Charles +I, entitled, _Act for purging the army of disaffected persons to the +Covenant and work of Reformation_. And the faithful warnings, given by +general assemblies and parliament, even against the admission of Charles +II to the regal dignity, when so evidently discovering his disingenuity, +until once he should give more satisfying proof of hid sincerity; see +act of the commission at the _West Kirk, August_ 13th, 1650, where the +commission of the general assembly, considering, that there may be just +ground of stumbling, from the king's majesty's refusing to emit the +declaration offered him by the committee of estates, and the commission +of the General Assembly, concerning his former carriage, and resolution +for the future, in reference to the cause of God, and enemies and +friends thereof; doth therefore declare "That this kirk and kingdom do +not espouse any malignant party, quarrel, or interest, but that they +fight merely upon their former grounds and principles, and in the +defense of the cause of GOD, and of the kingdom, as they have done these +twelve years past: and therefore as they disclaim all the sin and guilt +of the king and of his house, so they will not own him nor his interest, +otherwise than with a subordination to GOD, and so far as he owns and +prosecutes the cause of GOD, and disclaims his, and his father's +opposition to the work of GOD and to the covenant," &c. The which +declaration being seen and considered by the committee of estates, was +the same day approven by them. Thus, both church and state exerted +themselves in the discharge of their duty, in order to obtain a +settlement, according to the word of God, and the covenants, which were +now become the _magna charta_ of the privileges and liberties of the +nations, both civil and religious; and therefore, were sworn to and +subscribed by Charles II, as was also the coronation oath, for the +security and preservation of the true religion, at his receipt of the +royal power. + +2. The presbytery testify and declare their approbation of the conduct +of the faithful, before the restoration, who, adhering to the aforesaid +fundamental constitutions of the nations, both refused subjection unto, +and testified against, the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_ and his +accomplices, his invading the land, his anti-christian toleration of all +sectarian errors and heresies, threatening the ruin and destruction of +the true religion, as well as liberty. This was particularly testified +against by the synod of _Fife_, and others in conjunction with them, as +wicked and intolerable; as opposite unto, and condemned by, the +Scriptures of truth, _Job_ xxxiv, 17; _Deut._ xiii, 1-12; _Zech._ xiii, +3; contrary to acts of assembly and parliament, made against malignants, +their being received into places of power and trust, with whom these +sectarians were compliers, such as _Act_ 16th, of _Assemb._ 1646, +_Sess._ 13th; _Act_ 26th, _Sess._ 2d, parliament _Charles_ I, &c. + +3. The presbytery do hereby heartily approve and homologate the +testimony borne unto the truths and royal prerogatives of Christ, as +King of Zion, by the witnesses and martyrs for the same, from the +restoration, _anno_ 1660, to the late revolution, by protestations, +declarations, confiscation of goods, bonds, imprisonment, banishment, +all kinds of cruelty and suffering, even unto the death (as noticed +above), by the impious revolters from the righteous laws of God, and +overturners of the just and equitable laws of men, both sacred and +civil; to the maintenance whereof, the greatest part of these +transgressors had bound themselves by the most sacred and inviolable +obligations, which made their wickedness the more daring and aggravated, +and the testimony of the saints against such as had made themselves so +vile in the sight of God and all good men, the more justifiable. _Psalm_ +cxix, 139: "My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have +forgotten thy words." And as the doers of the law have the promise of +justification by the great Legislator, _Rom._ ii, 13, so they ought to +have the approbation of his people for doing his will. + +And as the Spirit discovers the church's duty not to consist only in +bearing witness unto the truth, and justifying Christ's confessors and +martyrs, in their faithful adherence unto it, but also in testifying +against sin, and condemning the wicked for their wickedness; for which, +also, we have the precedent of the reformed and covenanted church of +_Scotland_, both before and during the defection and wickedness of the +forementioned period. Likeas, the presbytery did, and hereby do declare +and testify particularly: + +1. Against that prime and leading step of defection, the public +resolutions, a scheme projected by that arch hypocrite and traitor to +God, Charles II, for the reintroduction of men of the same wicked and +malignant spirit with himself, into places of public trust in the +nation--men, the most of whom had been formerly excommunicated by the +church, and excluded from all office-bearing in the commonwealth, by the +states, in their act of classes, as being avowed and obstinate enemies +to God and to their country. Which scheme, approven of and put in +execution, with the consent of a corrupt part of the ministry of the +church, called afterward resolutioners, made way for that sad and bloody +catastrophe, which after befel the poor church of Christ in this land. + +2. They declare and testify against the usurpation of _Oliver Cromwell_, +with those who subjected themselves unto, and owned, his authority; +against his treacherous invasion of this land, contrary to the public +oaths and vows, and covenant union of the nations; together with his +sectarian principles, and wicked toleration, then obtruded upon them. + +3. They declare and testify against the restoration of _Charles_ II, +1660, unto the government of these covenanted lands, after he had so +plainly discovered his spirit and designs, in the matter of the public +resolutions. On account of which treacherous and double dealing with God +and man, he was, in the Lord's holy and adorable providence, justly +secluded from the government, and lived an exile for the space of ten +years; but, by means of his malignant public resolution friends, he was +again, by might, though not of right, restored, without so much as his +adherence sought to those oaths, which he had formerly so solemnly +sworn. Add to this the church's sinful silence, through the influence of +the backslidden resolution party therein, so that, at the convention of +the pretended parliament, _anno_ 1661, consisting mostly of persons of +known disaffection to the true religion, elected of purpose to serve the +king's traitorous designs, there was not so much as a protestation for +civil or religious liberties and privileges offered thereunto; but the +vile person (as be afterward fully declared himself) was peaceably, +though illegally, exalted. + +4. As the presbytery find themselves in duty bound to testify against +this most unhappy restoration of _Charles_ II, so, of necessary and just +consequence, they declare against the whole of his usurped and +tyrannical administration--particularly against his blasphemous and +heaven-daring ecclesiastical supremacy; against the act rescissory, +declaring null and void the covenants, presbyterian church government, +and all the laws made in favor of the true religion since the year 1638; +the wicked anniversary thanksgiving day, in memory of the restoration; +the re-establishment of diocesan and Erastian Prelacy; his publicly and +ignominiously burning of our solemn covenants, after pretending to +nullify their obligation; with all his cruelty, tyranny, oppression and +bloodshed, under color, and without form, of law, exercised upon the +Lord's people, during the whole of his reign. + +5. They again testify against the treachery of these covenanted lands, +in their advancing (contrary to our solemn covenants and all law and +reason) _James_, duke of _York_, a professed Papist, and avowed +malignant to the throne of these realms. As also, they testify against +his Christ-dethroning supremacy, and anti-christian indulgences and +toleration, flowing from that wicked fountain; his horrid and cruel +massacreing and murdering of the saints and servants of the Most High; +with all his other wickedness briefly specified in the foregoing +narrative. + +Upon the whole, the presbytery declare and testify against all the +affronts done unto the Son of God, and open attacks made upon his crown +and kingdom; all the different steps of apostasy from a work of +reformation, and all the hellish rage and cruelty exercised against the +people of God during the foresaid period of persecution, carried on by +these two impious brothers. + + + + +PART II. + +Containing the grounds of the Presbytery's testimony against the +constitutions both civil and ecclesiastical at the late Revolution, anno +1689: as also, against the gross Erastianism and tyranny that has +attended the administration both of church and state, since that +memorable period: with various instances thereof, &c. + + +After the Lord, for the forementioned space of twenty-eight years, had, +because of their manifold sins, sorely plagued this church and nation +with the grievous yoke of prelatical tyranny, bloodshed, oppression and +fiery persecution, and thereby had covered the daughter of Zion with a +cloud in his anger, and cast down from heaven unto the earth the beauty +of Israel, and had thrown down in his wrath the strong holds of the +daughter of Judah, yea, brought them down even to the ground; he was +pleased, in his holy sovereignty, to put a stop to that barbarous +cruelty that was exercised upon his people, at the last national +Revolution, by the instrumentality of the prince and princess of +_Orange_; which is the more remarkable, in that those whom the Lord +employed as the rod of his anger, to strike off that monstrous tyrant +_James_ duke of _York_ from the _British_ throne, were natural branches +sprung up from the same stock: and this at a juncture when not only the +church of Christ was in the greatest danger of being totally extirpated, +but the whole land in hazard of being again overwhelmed with popish +darkness and idolatry. But although a very fit opportunity was then +offered the nations for reviving the long buried work of a covenanted +reformation both in church and state, and re-establishing all the +ordinances of God in purity, according to their scriptural institution: +yet, alas! how deeply is it to be lamented, that, instead thereof, the +multitude of his tender mercies being forgotten, there was a returning, +but not to the Most High; yea, a turning aside like a deceitful bow; so +that, in many respects, our national guilt is now increased above what +it was in former times: wherefore, as the presbytery desire with the +utmost gratitude to acknowledge the divine goodness, in giving a respite +from the hot furnace of persecution; so they likewise find themselves, +in duty to their princely Master and his people, obliged to testify and +declare against foresaid revolution settlement, in a variety of +particulars, with the many defections and backslidings flowing +therefrom. Likeas they hereby do testify against the constitutions, both +civil and ecclesiastic, at the Revolution, _anno_ 1689, in those +respects, and for these reasons: + +1. Because that in the civil constitution, these nations once united +together in a scriptural and covenanted uniformity, unmindful of their +former establishment upon a divine footing, wherein king and people were +to be of one perfect religion, and the supreme magistrate obliged by +solemn oath to maintain and preserve the same inviolable, did call and +invite _William_ and _Mary_, prince and princess of _Orange_, unto the +possession of the royal power in these lands, in a way contrary to the +word of God, as _Deut._ xvii, 15: "Thou shalt in any wise set him king +over thee whom the Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy +brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger +over thee, which is not thy brother." _2 Sam._ xxiii, 3: "The God of +Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men, +must be just, ruling in the fear of God." + +In opposition to these clear precepts, the nations did choose the +foresaid persons to sway the civil scepter over them, who were neither +brethren by birth, nor religious profession, being educated in a church +where Erastianism prevails, as appears from their ascribing such an +extensive power to the civil magistrate, as is inconsistent with the +intrinsic power of the church. Accordingly, by these principles, said +prince of _Orange_ did regulate his conduct, in the assumption of his +regal authority, consenting to swear two distinct oaths, whereby he +obliged himself to preserve and maintain the two distinct and contrary +religions (or modes of religions worship), Presbytery and Prelacy, and +so betrayed both to God and man his politic, worldly views, and +proclaimed himself destitute of that truth and religious fear, which is +the essential character of every person who may warrantably be invested +with supreme authority over the Israel of God. And as they wanted +scriptural, so likewise covenant qualifications, namely, known +integrity, approven fidelity, constant affection, and zeal to the cause +and true church of God; and therefore could not in a consistency with +the covenanted constitution, and fundamental laws of the crown, be set +up as king and queen of these covenanted lands. + +Again, as during the persecuting period the nations generally were +involved in the guilt of perjury and deep apostasy, by the many sinful +contradictory tests, oaths and bonds then imposed; so, in a particular +manner, those who, by virtue of their birth and dignity, ought to have +been the defenders of the nation's privileges, both sacred and civil, on +the contrary, as privy councilors to the two impious brothers in their +rage against the Lord and his Anointed, and as members of their +iniquitous parliaments (where perverting equity and justice, they framed +the most heaven-daring and abominable mischiefs into a law, and then +with the utmost cruelty prosecuted the same), had many of them brought +themselves under the fearful guilt of these atrocious crimes of murder, +perjury, tyranny and oppression, and thereby, according to the law both +of God and man, not only forfeited their lives, had the same been duly +executed; but also divested themselves of all just right and title to +act the part of the nations' representatives, in choosing and installing +any in the office of supreme civil governor, until at least they had +given suitable evidence of their repentance. Yet such were the +constituent members of that committee of estates, and first parliament, +employed in the Revolution settlement, without so much as making any +suitable public acknowledgment of their wickedness in the active hand +the generality of them had in the former bloody persecution, as appears +from a comparative view of the lists of the members of parliament, and +particularly the duke of _York's_ last parliament, with act second of +the acts and orders of the meeting of estates, _anno_ 1689. Yea, by +viewing the lists of _James_ VII, his privy council, annexed by _Wodrow_ +to the second volume of his history, it is evident, that a great number +of the nobility alone, members of that bloody council, were also members +of foresaid convention of estates, the members of which convention +(seven bishops excepted) were exactly the same with the members of the +first parliament at the Revolution. For this, compare second act of the +meeting of estates, with act first, parliament first, of _William_ and +_Mary_. By all which it is evident, that from princes who had thus +removed the bound, and discovered no just remorse for their sins, there +was little ground left to expect a happy establishment of religion, in +restoring the flock of Christ to the full possession of those valuable +privileges and liberties wherewith he had made them free. + +The character of the constituent members being considered, the +constitution itself, and wherein it is inconsistent with our covenanted +establishment, and is therefore hereby testified against, comes next to +be considered. Although the declaration of the meeting of estates in +this kingdom, containing their claim of right, comprehended much more of +their civil liberties, and formal rights of government, than was enjoyed +under the former monstrous tyranny, yet by no means sufficiently +provided for the legal establishment of our former happy reformed +constitution, which necessarily obliged the civil rulers to employ their +power to maintain and defend, not only the doctrine, but also the +Presbyterian worship, discipline and government, as the only and +unalterable form instituted by Christ in his house. Whereas this craves +the abolition of prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the +church above presbyters in _Scotland_, simply as it hath been a great +and insupportable grievance and trouble to this nation, and contrary to +the inclinations of the generality of the people ever since the +reformation from Popery, without regarding the divine right of +Presbytery, and the contrariety of Prelacy to scripture revelation. In +agreeableness to which demand, when the first parliament met in +_Scotland_ immediately after the Revolution, which began the ____ day of +_April_, 1689, in _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, entitled _Act abolishing +Prelacy_, they abolished Prelacy for the foresaid reason, and further +declare, that they will settle by law that church government in this +kingdom, which is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people. +Accordingly, in the second session of the same parliament, _Act_ 5th, +_June_ 7th, 1690, the parliament establishing the Presbyterian church +government and discipline, as it had been ratified and established by +the 14th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592, reviving, renewing +and confirming the foresaid act of parliament, in the whole heads +thereof, except that part of it relating to patronages, afterward to be +considered of. Likewise, in the above mentioned act at the Revolution, +the thirty-three chapters of the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith +(exclusive of the catechisms, directory for worship, and form of church +government formerly publicly authorized, and Covenants National and +Solemn League) were ratified and established by the parliament. And the +said Confession being read in their presence, was voted and approven by +them, as the public and avowed Confession of this church, without taking +any notice of its scriptural authority. And further, in the same session +of parliament, by the royal power allenarly, the first meeting of the +general assembly of this church, as above established, was appointed to +be held at _Edinburgh_, the third _Thursday_ of _October_ following, the +same year, 1690. And by the same civil authority and foresaid act, many +of the churches in _Scotland_ were declared vacant. + +2. The presbytery testify against the ecclesiastical constitution at the +Revolution; particularly, in regard, 1st--That the members composing the +same were no less, if not much more exceptionable, than those of whom +the state consisted; the whole of them one way or other being justly +chargeable with unfaithfulness to CHRIST, and his covenanted cause, by +sinful and scandalous compliance with the public defections of the +former times, or actively countenancing the malignant apostasy of the +lands, which will appear evident, by considering, that the Revolution +Church consisted of such office-bearers, as had, in contradiction to +their most solemn covenant engagements, fallen in with, and approven of +the public resolutions. And these public resolutioners, who had betrayed +the LORD'S cause, which they had in the most solemn manner sworn to +maintain, were, without any public acknowledgement demanded or offered, +or adequate censure inflicted (even, after that the LORD had remarkably +testified his displeasure against that leading step of defection, by +suffering these vipers, which we thus took into our bosom, to sting us +almost to death) for this their scandalous defection and perjury, +admitted and sustained members of the Revolution Church. Again, the +Revolution assembly consisted of such ministers as had shamefully +changed their holding of CHRIST, and sinfully submitted, in the exercise +of their ministry, to an exotic head, _Charles_ II, who had, by virtue +of his blasphemous supremacy, and absolute power, taken the power of the +keys from Christ's ministers, and afterward returning only one of them +(viz.: the key of doctrine) to such as accepted his anti-christian, +church-destroying, and Christ-dethroning indulgences, attended with such +sinful limitations and restrictions, as were utterly inconsistent with +ministerial freedom and faithfulness, declaring the acceptors to be +men-pleasers, and so not the servants of Christ (of which above). Of +this stamp were the most of them, who, without any public acknowledgment +of that horrid affront they had put upon the church's true Head, dared +to constitute and act as the supreme judicatory of the church of Christ, +_anno_ 1690. Again, the foresaid assembly was almost wholly formed of +such as had petitioned for, accepted of, and pretended to return a +God-mocking letter of thanks for that blasphemous unbounded toleration, +which that popish tyrant, the duke of _York_ (as is noticed formerly), +granted, with a special view to reintroduce abjured popery; and +therefore while it extended its protection to every heresy, did exclude +the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields; which toleration +(according to _Wodrow_) was joyfully embraced by all the Presbyterian +ministers in Scotland, the honored Mr. Renwick only excepted, who +faithfully protested against the same. + +But further, the Revolution assembly did partly consist of such members +as, contrary to our solemn covenants, had their consciences dreadfully +polluted, by consenting unto, subscribing, and swearing some one or +other of the sinful wicked oaths, tests and bonds, tyrannically imposed +in the persecuting period, or by persuading others to take them, and +declining to give warning of the danger of them, or by approving the +warrantableness of giving security to the bloody council, not to +exercise their ministry, but according to their pleasure. Moreover, they +were all, generally, manifestly guilty of the sin of carrying on and +maintaining schism and defection from the covenanted church of CHRIST in +_Scotland_. As also (which from the history of these times is evident), +the ruling elders in that assembly, being generally noblemen, gentlemen, +and burgesses, were mostly such as had an active hand in the tyranny and +persecution that preceded, and in one respect or other, were stained +with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. Thus, that assembly was packed +up, chiefly, of such blacked compilers, as, one way or other, were +deeply involved in the apostasy, bloodshed and cruelty of the preceding +period, yet had not broke off their iniquities, by a public confession +of these crying sins, before that meeting; nor can it be found, that any +adequate censure was inflicted on any of them for the same. Therefore, +the presbytery testify against the Revolution church, as consisting +mostly of such scandalous schismatical members, as could not, in a +consistency with the scriptural rule, and laudable acts of this reformed +church, have been admitted to church privileges, far less to bear office +in the house of God; until, at least, they had been duly purged from +their aggravated scandals, and given evident signs of a real repentance, +according to the Word of God, 2 _Chron._ xxx, 3: "For they could not +keep the passover at that time, because the priests had not sanctified +themselves sufficiently." And _Ezek._ xliv, 10: "And the Levites that +are gone away far from me, when Israel went astray, which went astray +away from me after their idols, they shall even bear their iniquity;" v. +13: "And they shall not come near unto me, to do the office of a priest +unto me, nor to come near to any of my holy things, in the most holy +place; but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which +they have committed." + +Next, the presbytery declare and testify against the Revolution church, +because plainly Erastian, and utterly inconsistent with the covenanted +constitution of the reformed church of _Scotland, anno_ 1648: the truth +of which charge will appear obvious, from considering the act of +parliament, on which the civil power settled the constitution of the +Revolution church, viz., _Act_ 114, _James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th; where, +_inter alia_, it is expressly declared, "That it shall be lawful to the +kirk ministers, every year at least, and oftener, _pro re nata_, as +occasion and necessity sall require, to hald and keepe general +assemblies, providing that the king's majesty, or his commissioner with +them, to be appointed be his highness to be present at ilk general +assembly, before the dissolving thereof, nominate and appoynt time and +place, quhen and quhair the next general assemblie sall be halden: and +in case neither his majesty nor his said commissioner beis present for +the time, in that town, quhair the said general assemblie beis halden, +then, and in that case, it shall be lesum for the said general assembly +be themselves, to nominate and appoint time and place, quhair the next +general assembly of the kirk sall be keeped and halden, as they have +been in use to do these times by-past." Here, in this act, a manifest +invasion and traitorous attack is made upon the headship and supremacy +of Christ, as a Son in, and over his own house. He who is God's +annotated King in Zion, and sits on the throne of his holiness, is +hereby robbed of his crown rights; the intrinsic power, the spiritual +liberty and freedom, granted by Christ to his church, is encroached +upon. It is a received opinion among all true Presbyterians, that the +church hath an intrinsic power to meet in the courts of Christ's house, +from the lowest to the highest, by virtue of the power committed to her +by the Lord Jesus Christ, without dependence on the civil power. This is +agreeable to scripture, _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, 18, 19, where the +apostles receive the keys immediately from the hands of Christ their +Lord and Master. And as one principal part of that trust Christ has +committed to his church, this has been the constant plea of the +reforming and reformed Presbyterian church of _Scotland_. Let us hear +what that renowned and faithful minister, and venerable confessor for +Christ, the Rev. Mr. John Welsh, says to this particular, in his letter +to the Countess of _Wigton_ from _Blackness_, 1606, when a prisoner for +this same truth. Having asserted the independence of the church, the +spiritual kingdom of Christ, upon any earthly monarch, and her freedom +to meet and judge of all her affairs; he adds, "These two points, 1st, +that Christ is Head of his church; 2d, that she is free in her +government from all other jurisdictions, except Christ's. These two +points, I say, are the special causes of our imprisonment, being now +convicted as traitors for maintaining thereof. We have been ever waiting +with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation +thereof, if it should please our God to be so favorable as to honor us +with that dignity. Yea, I do affirm, that these two points above +written, and all other things that do belong to Christ's crown, scepter +and kingdom, are not subject, nor cannot be, to any other authority, but +to his own altogether: so that I would be glad to be offered up as a +sacrifice for so glorious a truth." So far he. But now this assembly of +_treacherous_ men, by settling themselves upon such a constitution have +openly given up this scriptural truth and Presbyterian principle handed +down to us, sealed with the sufferings and dearest blood of the faithful +Confessors and Martyrs of Christ, and have consented that it is unlawful +for the office-bearers in the Lord's house to exert their proper power +in calling and appointing general assemblies, however loudly the +necessity of the church may call for them, unless the king authorize +their diet of meeting, which he may, or may not do, according to his +pleasure. + +Again, it is evident, that the revolution church is constituted in the +same Erastian manner with the late Prelacy in _Scotland_. For proof of +which, observe, that as Prelacy was never ecclesiastically asserted to +be of divine authority, neither has Presbytery, by any explicit and +formal act of Assembly, at or since the revolution. As the prelates' +high ecclesiastical court was called, adjourned and dissolved, in the +king's name, so likewise are the assemblies of the Revolution Church. As +the Episcopalians owned the king, in the exercise of his Erastian +supremacy over them, so the Revolution Church, instead of opposing, did +take up her standing under the covert of that anti-christian supremacy, +and has never since declined the exercise thereof. And, as the civil +power prescribed limits unto, and at pleasure altered, the prelatic +church, so this church has accepted of a formula, prescribed by the +civil power, requiring that all the ordinances within the same be +performed by the ministers thereof, as they were then allowed them, or +should thereafter be declared by their authority, as _Act_ 23d, _Sess._ +4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, expressly bears. By what is said above, it may +appear, that this church is Erastian in her constitution. But it is +further to be observed, that the present constitution is no less +inconsistent with the scriptural and covenanted constitution of the +church of _Scotland_, in regard that the retrograde constitution, to +which the church fled back, and on which she was settled at the +revolution, was but an infant state of the church, lately after her +first reformation from Popery, far inferior to her advanced state +betwixt 1638 and 1649 inclusive. It was before the church had shaken off +the intolerable yokes of Erastian supremacy and patronages; before she +had ecclesiastically asserted, and practically maintained, her spiritual +and scriptural claim of right, namely, the divine right of presbytery, +and intrinsic power of the church, the two special gems of Christ's +crown, as King on his holy hill of Zion; before the explanation of the +national covenant, as condemning episcopacy, the five articles of +_Perth_, the civil power of churchmen; before the Solemn League and +Covenant was entered into; before the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith, +the Catechisms, larger and shorter, the Directory for worship, Form of +Presbyterian church government and ordination of ministers, were +composed; and before the acts of church and state, for purging +judicatories, ecclesiastical and civil, and armies from persons +disaffected to the cause and work of God, were made; and all these +valuable pieces of reformation ratified with the full and ample sanction +of the supreme civil authority, by the king's majesty and honorable +estates of parliament, as parts of the covenanted uniformity in +religion, betwixt the churches of Christ in _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. And therefore, this revolution constitution amounts to a +shameful disregarding--yea, disclaiming and burying--much (if not all) +of the reformation attained to in that memorable period, and is a +virtual homologation and allowance of the iniquitous laws at the +restoration, _anno_ 1661, condemning our glorious reformation and sacred +covenants as rebellion; and is such an aggravated step of defection and +apostasy, as too clearly discovers this church to be fixed upon a +different footing, and to be called by another name, than the genuine +offspring of the true covenanted church of Christ in _Scotland_. + +Besides what has been already noticed, respecting the sinfulness both of +the members constituent, and the constitutions at the revolution, it is +to be further observed, as just matter of lamentation, that, at this +period, when such a noble opportunity was offered, no suitable endeavors +were made for reviving the covenanted cause and interest of our +REDEEMER; no care taken that the city of the Lord should be built upon +her own heap, and the palace remain after the manner thereof; but, on +the contrary, a religion was then established, not only exceedingly far +short of, but in many particulars very inconsistent with, and +destructive of, that blessed uniformity in religion, once the glory of +these now degenerate isles. The presbytery, therefore, in the next +place, do testify against the settlement of religion made at the +revolution, and that in these particulars following: + +1. Instead of abolishing Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, as it had +been abjured in the Solemn League and Covenant, and stands condemned by +the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, conform to the +divine law, it was then, with all its popish ceremonies, anew secured, +confirmed and established, in both these kingdoms, as the true religion, +according to the word of God, to be publicly professed by all the +people; and the supreme civil magistrate solemnly sworn, at his +inauguration, both that he himself shall be of the Episcopal communion, +and that he shall maintain inviolably the settlement of the church of +_England_, in the kingdoms of _England_ and _Ireland_, and territories +thereunto belonging. Thus the revolution has ratified the impious +overthrow, and ignominious burial, of the covenanted reformation in +these two kingdoms, that was made in the persecuting period, and has +fixed a legal bar in the way of their reformation, in agreeableness to +the sacred oath the three nations brought themselves under to God +Almighty. + +2. As to the settlement of religion in _Scotland_, the presbytery +testify against it: because it was a settlement, which, instead of +homologating and reviving the covenanted reformation between 1638 and +1650, in profession and principle, left the same buried under the +infamous act rescissory, which did, at one blow, rescind and annul the +whole of the reformation, and authority establishing the same, by making +a retrograde motion, as far back as 1592, without ever coming one step +forward since that time, and herein acted most contrary to the practice +of our honored reformers, who always used to begin where former +reformations stopped, and after having removed what obstructed the work +of reformation, went forward in building and beautifying the house of +the Lord. + +That this backward settlement at the revolution, was a glaring +relinquishment of many of our valuable and happy attainments, in the +second and most advanced reformation (as said is), and consequently, an +open apostasy and revolt from the covenanted constitution of the church +of _Scotland_, is sufficiently evident, from the foresaid act of +settlement 1690; where (after having allowed of the _Westminster_ +confession) they further add, "That they do establish, ratify and +confirm, the Presbyterian church government and discipline, ratified and +established by the 114th _Act, James_ VI, _Parl._ 12th, _anno_ 1592." So +that this settlement includes nothing more of the covenanted uniformity +in these lands, than only the thirty-three articles of the Confession of +Faith, wanting the scripture proofs. Again, that the Revolution +settlement of religion did not abolish the act rescissory, nor ratify +and revive any act, between 1638 and 1650, authorizing and establishing +the work of reformation, is clear from the same act: wherein, after +abolishing some acts anent the late prelacy in _Scotland_, they declare: +"that these acts are abolished, so far allenarly, as the said acts, and +others, generally and particularly above mentioned, are contrary or +prejudicial to, inconsistent with, or derogatory from, the Protestant +religion, or Presbyterian church government, now established." Where +observe, that this general clause is restricted to acts and laws, in so +far only, as they were contrary to the religion settled in this act; and +therefore, as this act includes no part of the covenanted reformation +between 1638 and 1649, so this rescissory clause abolishes laws, not as +against foresaid reformation, but only in so far as they strike against +the revolution settlement, which the act rescissory could not do. Again, +in another clause of the same act, it is added: "Therefore, their +majesties do hereby revive and ratify, and perpetually confirm, all +laws, statutes and acts of parliament, made against Popery and Papists." +The only reason that can be given for the revival of laws, not against +Prelacy, but Popery, when abolishing Prelacy, is, that the parliament, +excluding the covenanted reformation from this settlement of religion, +resolved to let the whole of it lie buried under the act rescissory. For +as, in reality, there were no laws made expressly against Prelacy before +1592, but against Popery and Papists; so, had they said, laws against +prelacy and prelates, they thereby would have revived some of the laws +made by the reforming parliaments, between 1640 and 1650; wherein +bishops and all other prelates, the civil places and power of kirkmen, +&c., are expressly condemned. Again, in the foresaid act, they confirm +all the article of the 114th _Act_, 1592, except the part of it anent +patronages, which is to be afterward considered. Now, had the revolution +parliament regarded the reforming laws to have been revived, and so the +act rescissory to be rescinded, by their _Act_ 5th, 1690, they would not +have left this particular to be again considered of, seeing patronages +were entirely abolished by an act of parliament 1649; but, having the +ball at their foot, they now acted as would best suit with their +political and worldly views. Once more observe, that when the revolution +parliament ratified the act 1592, they take no notice of its having been +done before, by a preceding parliament in 1649. All which plainly says, +that the reforming laws and authority of the parliaments by which they +were made, are not regarded as now in force. To conclude this +particular, if the settlement of religion, made in 1690, had revived and +ratified the authority of our reforming parliaments, and laws made by +them; then, as these obliged the king to swear the covenants before his +coronation, and all ranks to swear them, and obliged to root out +malignancy, sectarianism, &c., and to promote uniformity in doctrine, +worship, discipline and government, in the three nations, so the +revolution settlement would have obliged all to the practice of the same +duties, and that, before ever king, or any under him, could have been +admitted to any trust; while all that would not comply therewith, would +have been held as enemies, not only to religion, but to their king and +country also, as was the case when reformation flourished. But, as the +very reverse of this was authorized and practised at the revolution, it +convincingly discovers, that the settlement of religion, made in 1690, +left the whole of the reformation attained to, ratified and established +by solemn oaths and civil laws between 1640 and 1649, buried under that +scandalous and wicked act rescissory, framed by that tyrant, _Charles_ +II, after his restoration. Nor is there to be found, in all the acts, +petitions, supplications and addresses, made by the assemblies at or +since the revolution, any thing importing a desire to have that +blasphemous act rescinded, which stands in full force, to the perpetual +infamy and disgrace of the revolution settlement of religion, so much +gloried in, by the greatest part, as happily established. + +2. The presbytery testify against the Revolution settlement of religion, +not only as including avowed apostasy from the covenanted constitution +of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and a traitorous giving up of the +interests and rights of Christ, our Lord and REDEEMER, in these, and +especially in this land; but also, as it is an Erastian settlement, +which will appear, by considering 1_st_. The scriptural method then +taken, in establishing religion: instead of setting the church foremost +in the work of the Lord, and the state coming after, and ratifying by +their civil sanction what the church had done; the Revolution parliament +inverted this beautiful order, both in abolishing Prelacy, settling +Presbytery, and ratifying the Confession of Faith, as the standard of +doctrine to this church; 2_d_, In abolishing Prelacy, as it was not at +the desire of the church, but of the estates of _Scotland_, so the +parliament did it in an Erastian manner, without consulting the church, +or regarding that it had been abolished by the church, _anno_ 1638, and +by the state, 1640, in confirmation of what the church had done. Thus, +_Act_ 3d, 1689, 'tis said, "The king and queen's majesties with the +estates of parliament, do hereby abolish Prelacy." Again, when +establishing presbytery, _Act_ 5th, 1690, they act in the same Erastian +manner, whereby the order of the house of God was inverted in the matter +of government; in regard that the settlement of the government of the +church in the first instance, properly belongs to an ecclesiastical +judicatory, met and constituted in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; +and it is afterward the duty of the state to give the sanction of their +authority to the same. This Erastianism further appears in the +parliament's conduct with respect unto the Confession of Faith: see +_Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1st, wherein thus they express +themselves: "Likeas they, by these presents, ratify and establish the +Confession of Faith, now read in their presence, and voted and approven +by them, as the public and avowed confession of this church." Hence it +is obvious, that the parliament, by sustaining themselves proper judges +of doctrine, encroached upon the intrinsic power of the church: they +read, voted, and approved the Confession of Faith, without ever +referring to, or regarding the act of the general assembly 1647, or any +other act of reforming assemblies, whereby that confession was formerly +made ours, or even so much as calling an assembly to vote and approve +that confession of new. That the above conduct of the state, without +regarding the church in her assemblies, either past or future, is gross +Erastianism, and what does not belong, at first instance, to the civil +magistrate, but to the church representative, to whom the Lord has +committed the management of the affairs of his spiritual kingdom, may +appear from these few sacred texts, besides many others, namely, _Numb._ +i, 50, 51: "But thou shalt appoint the Levites over the tabernacle of +testimony, and over all the vessels thereof, and over all the things +that belong to it: they shall bear the tabernacle and all the vessels +thereof, and they shall minister unto it, and shall encamp round about +the tabernacle; and when the tabernacle setteth forward, the Levites +shall take it down, and when the tabernacle is to be pitched, the +Levites shall set it up, and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put +to death." See also chapters iii, and iv, throughout; also _Deut._ +xxxiii, 8, 10; 1 _Chron._ xv, 2; 2 _Chron._ xix, 11; _Ezra_ x, 4. So +_David_, when he had felt the anger of the Lord, for not observing his +commandments in this particular, says, 1 _Chron._ xv, 12, 13, to the +_Levites_, "Sanctify yourselves that ye may bring up the ark of the Lord +God of Israel. For because ye did it not at the first, the Lord our God +made a breach upon us, for that we sought him not after the due order." +Likewise Hezekiah, a reforming king, did not himself, at first instance, +set about reforming and purging the house of God; but having called +together the priests and Levites, says to them, 2 _Chron._ xxix, 5: +"Sanctify yourselves and sanctify the house of the Lord God of your +fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place;" compared +with _ver._ 11; _Mal._ ii, 7; _Matth._ xvi, 19. "I will give unto thee +the keys of the kingdom of heaven." And xxviii, 18, 19, 20: "All power +is given unto me, go ye therefore and teach all nations, teaching them +to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." From all which +it may safely be inferred, that as the Lord Jesus Christ, the King and +Lawgiver of his church, has committed all the power of church matters, +whether respecting the doctrine or government thereof, to church +officers, as the first, proper receptacles thereof; so, for civil +rulers, at first instance, by their own authority, to make alterations +in the government of the church, and to settle and emit a standard of +doctrine to the church, is a manifest usurpation of ecclesiastical +authority, and tyrannical encroachment upon the ministerial office. It +needs only to be added, that this Revolution conduct stands condemned by +the Confession of Faith itself, in express terms (as well as in the holy +scriptures), _chap._ xxiii, _sect._ 3, "The civil magistrate may not +assume to himself the administration of the word or the keys." And also, +by the beautiful practice of our reformers, betwixt 1638 and 1649, who +observed the scriptural order, the church always going foremost, in all +the several pieces of reformation attained to, and then the state coming +after, by exerting their authority, in ratification and defense of the +church's acts and deeds, in behalf of reformation. + +3. The Erastianism of this settlement of religion, appears plain from +the act of parliament 1592, noticed above, upon which the Revolution +parliament did found it, as in _Act_ 5th, _Sess._ 2, 1690, by which the +forementioned act 1592, is ratified, revived, renewed and confirmed, in +all the heads thereof, patronage excepted. Now, in regard that act 1592 +contains an invasion upon the headship of Christ, and intrinsic power of +the church, and ascribes an Erastian power to the civil magistrate over +the church, making it unlawful for the church to convocate her superior +judicatories, but in dependence upon the king for his licence and +authority; and in regard the Revolution parliament did revive and renew +this clause in foresaid act 1592, as well as other heads thereof, it +must needs follow, that this settlement of religion cannot be freed of +the charge of Erastianism. Nor is it very strange that statesmen, who +had been educated in the principles of Erastianism, should be fond of +reviving an act that robbed Christ of his crown rights, and the church +of her spiritual liberty; but most surprising, that professed +Presbyterian ministers should so greedily embrace and approve of +Erastianism, as a valuable and glorious deliverance to the church of +Christ! In agreeableness to this Erastian article of the above act the +parliament, in their act 1690, indicted and appointed the first general +assembly, as a specimen of their Erastian power over their newly +constituted church; and it has ever since been the practice of the +sovereign, to call, dissolve and adjourn her assemblies at his pleasure, +and sometimes to an indefinite time. It is further observable, that the +king's commission to his representative in assembly, runs in a style +that evidently discovers, that he looks upon the assembly's power and +right of constitution as subordinate to him. Thus it begins, "_Seeing by +our decree that an assembly is to meet_," &c. Yet notwithstanding of +this, the assembly 1690 (nor any after them, so far as was ever known to +the world) did not by any one formal act and statue expressly condemn +Erastianism, and explicitly assert the alone headship of Christ, and the +intrinsic, independent power of the church, in opposition to these +encroachments made thereupon, and therefore may be justly construed +consenters thereto. To conclude this particular, of the Erastianism of +the present settlement of religion, it may be observed that although the +Revolution parliament, from political views, did by _Act_ 1st, _Sess._ +2d, rescind the first act of the second parliament of Charles II. +entitled _Act asserting his majesty's supremacy over all persons and in +all causes ecclesiastical_; yet, from what is above hinted, it may be +inferred, that the Revolution state has still preserved the very soul +and substance of that blasphemous supremacy (though possibly they may +have transferred it from the person of the king, abstractly considered, +and lodged it in the hand of the king and parliament conjunctly, as the +more proper subject thereof): for, in the words of Mr. John Burnet, in +his testimony against the indulgence, quoted by Mr. Brown in his history +of the indulgence, "To settle, enact and emit constitutions, acts and +orders, concerning matters, meetings and persons ecclesiastical, +according to royal pleasure (and parliamentary is much the same), is the +very substance and definition of his majesty's supremacy, as it is +explained by his estates of parliament." But the Revolution act of +parliament settling religion, is just to settle, enact and emit such +constitutions, acts and orders concerning matters, meetings and persons +ecclesiastical, according to parliamentary, instead of mere royal +pleasure: and therefore the act authorizing the Revolution settlement of +religion, is the very substance and definition of a royal parliamentary +supremacy. The truth of this will further appear by the sequel. + +4. The presbytery testify against the Revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as it is not a religious, but a mere civil and +political one; "not built upon the foundation of the apostles and +prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;" but upon +the fluctuating inclinations of the people, as the formal foundation +thereof. For proof of which, consider the acts of parliament relative to +the abolition of Prelacy, and the establishment of presbytery. In +consequence of an article of the claim of right made by the estates of +Scotland, the _Act_ 3d, _Sess._ 1st, _Parl._ 1689, declares, "That +whereas the estates of this kingdom, in their claim of right, declared +that Prelacy, and the superiority of any office in the church above +presbyters, is and hath been a great and insupportable grievance to this +nation, and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the people +ever since the reformation, they having been reformed from Popery by +presbyters, and therefore to be abolished: our sovereign lord and lady, +with advice and consent of the estates of parliament, do hereby abolish +Prelacy, and all superiority of any office in the church in this kingdom +above presbyters; and do declare, that they, with advice aforesaid, will +settle by law that church government in this kingdom, which is most +agreeable to the inclinations of the people." Agreeable to this, one of +king William's instructions to the parliament 1690, is, "You are to pass +an act establishing that church government which is most agreeable to +the inclinations of the people." Accordingly we have the _Act_ 5th, +_Sess._ 2d, 1690, settling Presbyterian church-government in the same +form, and on the same footing. And so much king William, who, doubtless, +was perfectly acquainted with the true intent and meaning of that act, +declares in his letter to the assembly indicted by him that same year. +From all which (without noticing the Erastian form of these acts, &c.) +it may be observed, that there is somewhat done that is materially good; +but then there is nothing importing the contrariety of Prelacy to the +scriptures of truth, nor the divine right of Presbyterian church +government, so that the whole of this settlement is purely political, +done for the pleasure of the good subjects of Scotland: for, 1st, the +only reason why Prelacy is complained of and abolished, is, because it +was grievous and contrary to the inclinations of the generality of the +people. It is not so much as declared contrary to law, though well known +that it was condemned by many of the reforming laws; far less is it +declared contrary to the word of God, and reformation principles founded +thereupon. Neither is it said to be a grievance to the nations, though +it is manifest, by the nations entering into a solemn covenant to +extirpate it, that it was an insupportable burden to all the three. And +the great reason assigned for the people's dissatisfaction to Prelacy, +is _antiquity_, "they having been reformed from Popery by presbyters," +as if our reformers had only contended for a church government merely +human; whereas they strenuously maintained the divine right of +presbytery, and condemned Prelacy as contrary to the word of God. This +reason would be equally strong against presbytery, on supposition that +prelates had got the start of presbyters in the reformation from Popery. +Again, 2d, upon the same, and no better ground, was Presbytery +established, namely, because it was more agreeable to the inclinations +of the people, and as it was of a more ancient standing in Scotland than +Prelacy. Further, that the divine right of presbytery is not +acknowledged in this settlement, appears from the express words of the +act itself, wherein it is designated, "the only government of Christ's +church in the nation;" not the only government of Christ's church laid +down in the word of God, received and sworn to by all the three nations, +ratified by both civil and ecclesiastical authority. A clear evidence, +that church government was regarded as ambulatory only, and what might +be altered at pleasure. Hence, while the king was settling presbytery in +Scotland, he was also maintaining, as bound by oath, Prelacy in England, +&c. And so Presbytery, for peace's sake, as most agreeable to the +inclinations of the people, was settled in Scotland as the government of +Christ's church there. Thus, there is a settlement of religion, and yet +not one line of scripture authority, or reformation principles legible +therein: and, as one said (though a strenuous defender of the +settlement), "The glory of that church is at a low pass, which hangs +upon the nail of legal securities by kings and parliaments, instead of +the nail which God has fastened in a sure place;" which, alas! is the +case with the church of Scotland at this day. It is true, that the +parliament call their settlement, "Agreeable to God's word;" but it is +as true, that, from their conduct toward both (abolishing Prelacy, and +establishing Presbytery, from these political motives above mentioned), +it is abundantly plain, that they believed neither of them to be +formally and specifically agreeable to, and founded upon the word of +God; but that they regarded all forms of church government as +indifferent, and thought themselves at liberty to pick and choose such a +particular form as best suited the humors and inclinations of the +people, and their own worldly advantage. Accordingly, we find the +parliament 1689, appointing a committee to receive all the forms of +government that should be brought before them, to examine them for this +purpose, and then report their opinions of them to the house. + +That the parliament at this time, or the king and parliament conjunctly, +acted from the above latitudinarian principle, is further evident, from +their establishing and consenting to the establishment of these two +different and opposite forms of church government, Presbytery in +_Scotland_, and Prelacy in _England_ and _Ireland_, and both of them +considered as agreeable to the word of God, and the only government of +Christ's church in the several kingdoms, where they were espoused; +which, as it is self-contradictory and absurd, so it is impossible they +could ever have done this, if they had believed the divine right of +either of them. And finally, by this conduct of theirs, the state +declared their approbation thereof, and resolution to copy after the +16th _Act, Sess._ 2d _Parl._ 1st of _Charles_ II (yet in force), which +ascribes an Erastian power to the king, of settling church government as +he shall think proper. By all which it appears quite inconsistent with +the Revolution settlement, to consider church power in any other light, +than as subordinate to the power of the state. And yet with this +political and Erastian settlement of religion, the Revolution Church +have declared themselves satisfied; they have not condemned Episcopacy, +as contrary to the word of God, nor positively asserted the divine right +of Presbytery, and disclaimed the claim of right and act of settlement, +as their right of constitution; but, on the contrary, approved of both, +as appears from the commission's act, 1709, and their address to the +parliament, 1711, both homologated by the succeeding assemblies. Whereby +they declare, that they have dropped a most material part of the +testimony of the reformed church of _Scotland_, and are not faithful to +the Lord Jesus Christ, in maintaining the rights of his crown and +kingdom. From the whole, it may too justly be concluded concerning the +Revolution settlement of religion, what the prophet _Hosea_ declares of +the calf of _Samaria, Hos._ viii, 6: "For from Israel was it also, the +workman made it, therefore it is not God; the calf of _Samaria_ shall be +broken in pieces." It is not a divine institution founded upon the word +of God, and regulated by his revealed law; but a human invention, owing +its original in both kingdoms to the inclinations of the people, and +governed by laws opposite to the laws of Christ in the word. + +Hence we have the idolatrous institutions of Prelacy, established in the +one nation, and Erastianism, under the specious pretext of Presbytery, +in the other; and both under an exotic head of ecclesiastical +government. + +From what is said above, respecting the Revolution constitutions, and +settlement of religion in the nations, it will appear, that the same are +opposite to the word of God, and covenanted constitutions of both church +and state, and to the reforming laws, between 1638 and 1650, ratifying +and securing the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the +church, and all divine ordinances, sacred and civil, according to +scripture revelation; and therefore cannot be acknowledged as lawful, by +any that make the law of God their rule, and desire to go out by the +footsteps of the flock of Christ. + +The Presbytery proceed now to consider the administration since the late +Revolution, as standing in immediate connection with the forementioned +constitutions and settlement: only, in the entry, it may be observed, +that as the mal-administrations, civil and ecclesiastical, are increased +to almost an innumerable multitude, so that it would be next to an +impossibility to reckon them all; the Presbytery propose only to observe +so many of the most remarkable instances, as shall be sufficient to +justify a condemnation of the present course of the nations, although +the constitutions could not, be excepted against as sinful. And, + +1. The Presbytery declare and testify against the gross Erastianism that +has attended the administrations of both church and state, since the +Revolution. As the constitutions of both (above noticed) were Erastian +and anti-scriptural, so their conduct ever since has been agreeable +thereto, tending evidently to discover that, while the state is robbing +out Redeemer of his crown, and his church of her liberties, this church, +instead of testifying against, gives consent to these impieties. + +Particularly, 1, as at the forementioned period, so ever since, the king +has continued, by his own authority, to call, dissolve, and adjourn the +national assemblies of this church. The first Revolution Assembly was +held, by virtue of an Erastian indictment, and by the same power +dissolved. The nest was, by royal authority, appointed to be at +_Edinburgh_ 1691, but by the same power, adjourned to 1692, and then +dissolved, without passing any act; and though again indicted to meet +1693, yet was not allowed to sit until _March_ 1694, near a year after +the parliament had made an humble address to the sovereign for granting +that privilege. But it would be endless to attempt an enumeration of all +the instances of the exercise of Erastianism in this particular, which +is annually renewed. How often, alas! have the assemblies been +prorogued, raised, and dissolved, by magistratical authority, and +sometimes without nomination of another diet? How frequently also, have +they been restricted in their proceedings, and prelimited as to members, +and matters to be treated of, and discussed therein; depriving some +members of their liberty to sit and act as members, though regularly +chosen, merely, because such had not taken the oaths appointed by law? +All which exercise of Erastian supremacy natively results from the +parliamentary settlement 1690. And when no adequate testimony was ever +given by the church against such Erastian usurpations, but they are +still crouched under and complied with, it may justly be constructed a +tame subjection and woful consent to this supremacy. That this is no +forced inference from the continued practice of this church, appears +from this (besides other evidences that might be adduced), viz., That as +the Revolution parliament, when ratifying the Confession of Faith, +entirely left out the act of Assembly 1647, approving and partly +explaining the same (wherein these remarkable words are, "It is further +declared, that the Assembly understands some parts of the second article +of the 31st chapter, only of kirks not settled or constituted in point +of government") as being inconsistent with the Erastian impositions of +the magistrate. So this church, when they cause intrants into the +ministry subscribe the Confession, do not oblige them to subscribe it +with this explanatory act (which does by no means admit of a privative +power in the magistrate, destructive of the church's intrinsic power), +but they only do it as the parliament ratified it. + +2. Another instance of Erastianism practiced by both church and state, +is, that when the king and parliament did bind down episcopal curates +upon congregations, forbidding church judicatories the exercise of +discipline upon the impenitent, and enjoining the Assembly to admit +such, without any evidence of grief or sorrow for their former apostasy, +upon their swearing the oath of allegiance, and subscribing a _formula_, +homologating the Revolution settlement, substituted in the room of the +covenants; the church approved of this settlement, and protection +granted by the civil powers to such curates all their lifetime in their +churches and benefices, who yet were not brought under any obligation to +subject themselves to the government and discipline of the church. The +truth of this is manifest, from sundry of king _William's_ letters to +the Assemblies, together with after acts of parliament, relative +thereto. In his letter, dated _February_ 13th, 1690, to the commission +of the Assembly, he says, "Whereas there has been humble application +made to us by several ministers, for themselves and others, who lately +served under episcopacy; we have thought good to signify our pleasure to +you, that you make no distinction of men, otherwise well qualified for +the ministry, though they have formerly conformed to the law, +introducing Episcopacy, and that ye give them no disturbance or vexation +for that cause, or for that head: and it is our pleasure, that, until we +give our further directions, you proceed to no more process, or any +other business." In another letter, dated _June_ 15th, 1691, he says, +"We are well pleased with what you write, to unite with such of the +clergy, who have served under Episcopacy; and that you are sufficiently +instructed by the General Assembly to receive them; from all which, we +do expect a speedy and happy success, that there shall be so great a +progress made in this union betwixt you, before our return to _Britain_, +that we shall then find no cause to continue that stop, which at present +we see necessary; and that neither you, nor any commission or church +meeting, do meddle in any process or business, that may concern the +purging out of the episcopal ministers." And in a letter to the +episcopal clergy, he says, "We doubt not of your applying to, and +concurring with, your brethren the Presbyterian ministers, in the terms +which we have been of pains to adjust for you; the _formula_ will be +communicated to you by our commissioners," &c. See also the 27th _Act, +Parl._ 1695, where it is declared, "That all such as shall duly come in +and qualify themselves, shall have and enjoy his majesty's protection, +as to their respective kirks and benefices, they always containing +themselves within the limits of their pastoral charge, within their said +parishes, without offering to exercise any part of government, unless +they be first duly assumed by a competent church judicatory; providing, +nevertheless, that as the said ministers are left free to apply, or not, +to the foresaid church judicatories," &c. To which agree, _Act_ 2d, +_Parl._ 1700; _Act_ 3d, _Parl._ 1702; _Act_ 2d, _Parl._ 1703, &c. Behold +here the civil magistrate, exercising the supremacy in matters +ecclesiastical, in that he both establishes the old _Scots_ curates in +their respective parishes, upon their former footing, limits them in the +exorcise of their function, discharging them from exercising any part of +ecclesiastical polity, but upon their uniting with the Presbyterians, on +the terms he had adjusted for them. And further, by his authority stops +the exercise of church discipline against these curates (though the most +of them were notoriously scandalous); nay, even discharges the Assembly +from proceeding to any other business, until they received other +directions from the throne. Which palpable instance of Erastianism in +the state, was not only peaceably submitted to, but heartily acquiesced +in by the church: for as they had declared they would censure no +prelatical incumbent for his principles anent church government, however +much disaffected to a covenanted reformation, and had given frequent +discoveries of their readiness to receive into communion the episcopal +curates, according to the terms prescribed by the parliament (as appears +from the Assembly records); so the Assembly 1694, _Act_ 11th, having +framed a sham _formula_, for receiving in the curates, containing no +such thing as any renunciation of abjured prelacy, the abominable test, +and other sinful oaths these creatures had taken, but only an +acknowledgment of the Revolution settlement of religion, as established +by law, by the foresaid act, appointed their commission to receive all +the episcopal clergy who applied, and being qualified according to law, +would also subscribe their _formula_, and that without requiring the +least show of repentance for their scandalous public sins, and their +deep guilt of the effusion of the blood of God's faithful saints and +witnesses during the tyranny of the two brothers. These instructions to +the commission and other judicatories (as appears by their acts), were +successively renewed by the Assembly upward of twenty times, from 1694 +to 1716, and were indeed attended with good success, as is evident from +their address to the queen, recorded _Act_ 10th, 1712; where they +declare, as an instance of their moderation, "That since the Revolution, +there had been taken in, and continued, hundreds of the episcopal +curates upon the easiest terms," viz., such as were by the royal +prerogative adjusted to them. Which practice, as it declares this church +homologators of Erastianism, so is directly opposite to Presbyterian +principles, the discipline and practice of our reformed church of +_Scotland_, and to the laws of Christ, the supreme lawgiver, _Ezek._ +xliv, 10-15; _2 Cor._ vi, 17, 18, &c. + +3. A _third_ instance of the Erastianism practiced since the revolution, +is, that the king and parliament have taken upon them to prescribe and +lay down, by magistratical authority, conditions and qualifications, +_sine qua non_, of ministers and preachers. For proof of which, see +_Act_ 6th, _Sess._ 4th, _Parl._ 1st, 1693, where it is enacted, "That +the said oath of allegiance be sworn the same with the foresaid +assurance, be subscribed by all preachers and ministers of the gospel +whatever--certifying such of the foresaid persons as are, or shall be, +in any public office, and shall own and exercise the same without taking +the said oath and assurance in manner foresaid,--ministers provided to +kirks shall be deprived of their benefices or stipends, and preachers +shall be punished with banishment, or otherwise, as the council shall +think fit." Also, _Act_ 23d, 1693, it is ordained, "That no person be +admitted or continued to be a minister, or preach within this church, +unless that he have first taken and subscribed the oath of allegiance, +and subscribed the oath of assurance in manner appointed. And further +statute and ordain, that uniformity of worship be observed by all the +said ministers and preachers, as the same are at present performed and +allowed therein, or shall hereafter be declared by the authority of the +same: and that no minister or preacher be continued and admitted +hereafter, unless that he subscribe to observe, and do actually observe, +the foresaid uniformity." The Erastianism in these acts seems screwed up +yet a little higher, by _Act_ 7th, _Sess._ 5th, _Parl._ 1st, 1695; +where, after appointing a new day to such ministers as had not formerly +obeyed, it is ordained: "With certification that such of the said +ministers as shall not come in between and said day, are hereby, and by +the force of this present act, _ipso facto_, deprived of their +respective kirks and stipends, and the same declared vacant, without any +further sentence." The Erastianism in these acts is so manifest at first +sight, that it is needless to illustrate the same; only it may be +remarked, that, by these acts, the civil magistrate prescribes new +ministerial qualifications, viz., the oaths of allegiance and assurance; +and these imposed instead of an oath of allegiance to Zion's King, viz., +the oaths of the covenants. As also, that ministers are hereby +restricted from advancing reformation, being bound down to observe that +uniformity at present allowed, or that shall hereafter be declared by +authority of parliament. And further, Erastianism is here advanced to +the degree of wresting the keys of government out of the hands of the +church altogether--taking to themselves the power of deposing all such +ministers as shall not submit to their anti-christian impositions, and +of declaring and ascertaining, by their own authority, what mode of +worship or government shall take place in the church hereafter. This +Erastian appointment of ministerial qualifications, &c., is evidently +injurious, both to the headship of Christ in his church, and to the +church's intrinsic power. It pertains to the royal prerogative of +Christ, to appoint all the qualifications of his officers, which he has +done in the Word. And it pertains to the church representative, by +applying the laws of Christ in his Word, to declare who are qualified +for the ministry, and who are not. But here the civil power, without any +regard to church judicatories, by a magisterial authority, judges and +determines, the qualifications that gospel ministers must have, +otherwise they cannot be acknowledged ministers of this church. At the +same time, it must be regretted, that the church, instead of faithfully +discovering the sinfulness of foresaid conduct, and testifying against +it, as an anti-christian usurpation, have declared their approbation +thereof, by taking the above named illimited oaths, according to the +parliament's order; and also by the assembly's enjoining their +commission to act conform to the parliament's directions respecting +ministerial qualifications, in their admission of those that had +formerly conformed to Episcopacy, and refusing to admit any into their +communion without having these new ministerial qualifications. + +4. A fourth piece of Erastianism exercised since the commencement of the +revolution settlement, against which the presbytery testify, is, the +civil magistrate, by himself and his own authority, without consulting +the church, or any but his parliament, privy council, and diocesan +bishops, his appointing diets and causes of public fasting and +thanksgiving. A number of instances might here be condescended on. So an +act of the states, _anno_ 1689, for public thanksgiving. An act of +parliament 1693, appointing a monthly fast, declares, "That their +majesties, with advice and consent of the said estates of parliament, do +hereby command and appoint, that a day of solemn fasting and humiliation +be religiously and strictly observed, by all persons within this +kingdom, both in church and meeting-houses, upon the third _Thursday_ of +the month of _May_, and, the third _Thursday_ of every month thereafter, +until intimation of forbearance be made by the lords of their majesties' +privy council; and ordains all ministers to read these presents a +_Sunday_ before each of these fast days, nominated, by authority; and +ordains all disobeyers to be fined in a sum not exceeding 100L., and +every minister who shall not obey, to be processed before the lords of +their majesties' privy council; and requiring sheriffs to make report of +the ministers who shall fail of their duty herein, to the privy +council." But it is to no purpose to multiply instances of this kind, +seeing it has been the common practice of every sovereign since the +revolution, to appoint and authorize national diets of fasting, with +civil pains annexed. And as the state has made these encroachments upon +the royalties of Christ, so this church, instead of bearing faithful +testimony against the same, have finally submitted thereto. In +agreeableness to the royal appointment, they observed the monthly fast +for the success of the war against _Lewis_ XIV (of which above), and in +favor of the Pope, which king _William_ was bound to prosecute by virtue +of a covenant made with the allies at the _Hague, February_, 1691, to be +seen in the declaration of war then made against _France_, wherein it is +expressly said, "That no peace is to be made with _Lewis_ XIV, till he +has made reparation to the Holy See for whatsoever he has acted against +it, and till he make void all these infamous proceedings (viz., of the +parliament of _Paris_) against the holy father, _Innocent_ XI." Behold +here the acknowledgment of the Pope's supremacy, and his power and +dignity, both as a secular and ecclesiastical prince; and in the +observation of these fasts, the church did mediately (_tell it not in +Gath_--) pray for success to the _man of sin_--a practice utterly +repugnant to Protestant, much more to Presbyterian, principles, and +which will be a lasting stain upon both church and state. As this church +did then submit, so since she has made a resignation and surrender of +that part of the church's intrinsic right to the civil power, see _Act_ +7th, _Assem._ 1710: "All ministers and members are appointed religiously +to observe all fasts and thanksgivings whatever, appointed by the church +or supreme magistrate; and the respective judicatories are appointed to +take particular notice of the due observation of this, and _Act_ 4th, +1722, _Act_ 5th, 1725." From which acts it is manifest, that the +Revolution Church has not only declared the power and right of +authoritative indicting public fasts and thanksgivings for ordinary, +even in a constituted settled national church, to belong, at least +equally, to the civil magistrate, as to the church; but, by their +constant practice, have undeniably given up the power of the same to the +civil power altogether--it being fact, that she never, by her own power, +appoints a national diet of fasting, but still applies to the king for +the nomination thereof. And further, as a confirmation of this +surrender, it appears from their public records, that when some members +have protested against the observation of such diets, the assembly would +neither receive nor record such protest. Now, the sinfulness of this +Erastian practice still persisted in, is evident from the Scriptures of +truth, where the glorious king of Zion assigns the power of appointing +fasts, not to the civil magistrate, but to the spiritual office-bearers +in his house. _Jer._ xiii, 18: "Say unto the king and queen, Humble +yourselves." Here it is the office of the prophets of the Lord, to +enjoin humiliation work upon those that are in civil authority, contrary +to the present practice, when kings and queens, usurping the sacred +office, by their authority, say to ministers, "Humble yourselves." See +also, _Joel_ i, 13, 14, and ii, 15, 16, compared with _Numb._ x, 8-10. +Here whatever pertains to these solemnities, is entrusted to, and +required of, the ministers of the Lord, without the intervention of +civil authority. The same is imported in _Matth._ xvi, 19, and xviii, +18; _John_ xx, 23--it being manifestly contained in the power of the +keys committed, by the church's head, to ecclesiastical officers. +Moreover, this Erastianism, flowing from a spiritual supremacy exercised +over the church, is peculiarly aggravated by these particulars: + +1. That commonly these fasts have been appointed on account of wars, in +which the nations were engaged, in conjunction with gross anti-christian +idolaters, who have been most active in their endeavors to root out +Protestantism. Now, it cannot but be most provoking to the Majesty of +Heaven for professed Presbyterians to observe fasts, the professed +design of which, includes success to the interest of the avowed enemies +of our glorious REDEEMER. Again, the above practice is aggravated, from +this consideration, that these diets of fasting, with civil pains +annexed to them, are sent by public proclamation, directed to their +sheriffs and other subordinate civil officers, who are authorized to +dispatch them to the ministers, and inspect their observation thereof. +And while professed ministers of Christ tamely comply with all this, it +amounts to no less, than a base subjection of the worship of God, in the +solemnity of fasting in a national way, to the arbitrament of the civil +powers, when whatever time and causes they appoint, must be observed. + +From all which, in the words of the ministers of _Perth_ and _Fife_, in +their testimony to the truth, &c., 1758, the presbytery testify against +the above Erastian conduct, as being, in its own nature, introductory to +greater encroachments, and putting into the hands of the civil powers, +the modeling of the worship of God, and things most properly +ecclesiastical. + +5. Another piece of Erastianism, respecting the present administration, +which the Presbytery testify against, is the king and parliament their +arbitrarily imposing several of their acts and statutes upon ministers +and preachers, under ecclesiastical pains and censures; while this +Revolution Church, by their silent submission and compliance therewith, +have, at least, interpretatively given their consent thereto. Thus, as +the oaths of allegiance and assurance were enjoined upon all in +ecclesiastical office, under the pain of church censure (of which +above), so likewise, _Act_ 6th, 1706, ordains, "That no professors and +principals, bearing office in any university, be capable, or be admitted +to continue in the exercise of their said functions, but such as shall +own the civil government, in manner prescribed, or to be prescribed by +acts of parliament." In consequence of which, there is an _Act_ 1707, an +act in the first year of king _George_ I, and another in the fifth year +of his reign; by all which statutes, ecclesiastical persons are enjoined +to take the oath of abjuration, with the other oaths, under pain of +having ecclesiastical censures inflicted upon them. And they ordain, +"That no person be admitted to trials, or licensed to preach, until they +have taken the public oaths, on pain of being disabled." The foresaid +act, in the fifth year of _George_ I, ordains, "all ministers and +preachers to pray in express words for his majesty and the royal family, +as in former acts." The king and parliament at their own hand prescribe +a set form of prayer for the Church of _Scotland_, and that under +Erastian penalties, upon the disobeyers. Again, by an act of 1737, +framed for the more effectual bringing to justice the murderers of +Captain _Porteous_, it is enacted, "That this act shall be read in every +parish church throughout _Scotland_, on the first Lord's day of every +month, for one whole year, from the first day of _August_, 1737, by the +minister of the parish, in the morning, immediately before the sermon; +and, in case such ministers shall neglect to read this act, as is here +directed, he shall, for the first offense, be declared incapable of +sitting or voting in any church judicatory; and for the second offense, +be declared incapable of taking, holding or enjoying any ecclesiastical +benefice in that part of _Great Britain_ called _Scotland_." The +Erastianism of this act is very plain, the penalties thereof are +ecclesiastical, and infer a kind of deposition; seeing the disobeyers +are hereby disabled from exercising and enjoying what is essential to +their office. Moreover, the wickedness of this act appears, in that it +was appointed to be read on the Sabbath day, and in time of divine +service; whereby ministers being constituted the magistrates' heralds to +proclaim this act, were obliged to profane the Lord's day, and corrupt +his worship, by immixing human inventions therewith, which was directly +a framing mischief into a law. Yet, with all these impositions above +noticed, this church has generally complied; and thereby declared that +they are more studious of pleasing and obeying men, than God, seeing +their practice therein infers no less, than a taking instructions in the +ministerial function, and matters of divine worship, from another head +than Christ. + +6. The last piece of Erastian administration in church and state, the +presbytery take notice of, and testify against, is that of patronages. +When the parliament 1690, had changed the form of patronages, by taking +the power of presentations from patrons, and lodging it in the hands of +such heritors and elders as were qualified by law, excluding the people +from a vote in calling their ministers, this Erastian act, spoiling the +people of their just privilege, was immediately embraced by the church, +as is evident from their overtures for church discipline, 1696, where +they declare that only heritors and elders have a proper right to vote +in the nomination of a minister. Also their overtures, 1705 and 1719, do +lodge the sole power of nomination of ministers in the hands of the +majority of heritors, by giving them a negative over the eldership and +congregation. But, as if this had not been a sufficient usurpation of +the people's right, purchased to them by the blood of Christ, by an act +of parliament, 1712, the above act, 1690, is repealed, and patrons fully +restored to all their former anti-christian powers over the heritage of +the Lord; which yoke still continues to oppress the people of God. While +again, this church, as if more careful to please the court, and court +parasites, than Christ and his people, have not only peaceably fallen in +with this change, daily practicing it in planting vacant congregations, +but, as fond of this child of _Rome_, have further established and +confirmed the power of patrons, by the sanction of their authority, as +appears from several acts of assembly, thereby declaring their +resolutions to have this epidemic evil continued, though it should +terminate in the utter ruin of the church. Patronage was always by the +Church of _Scotland_ since the reformation, accounted an intolerable +yoke; and therefore she never ceased contending against it until it was +at last utterly abolished by acts both of reforming assemblies and +parliaments; and that as one of the inventions of the whore of _Rome_. + +As this anti-christian practice was unknown to the church in her +primitive and purest times, until gradually introduced with other popish +corruptions, so it has not the least vestige of any warrant in the word +of truth: nay, is directly opposite thereto, and to the apostolical +practice: Acts i, 15-24; chap. vi, 2-7: as also, xiv, 23, and xvi, 9, +with other passages therein;--a book, intended to give us the +apostolical practice and pattern, in the settlement of the Christian +church: and 2 Cor. iii, 19, &c. Wherefore the presbytery testify against +this Erastian usurpation, as most sinful in itself, most injurious to +the church of Christ, and inconsistent with the great ends of the +ministry; and against this church, for not only submitting unto, but +even promoting this wickedness; which is evident, from her deposing some +of her members, for no other reason but because they could not approve +of this pernicious scheme. Witness Mr. _Gallespie_, minister at Carnock, +who was deposed May, 1752: and against all violent intruders, who, not +entering by the door, can be regarded only as thieves and robbers; John +x, 1. + +These are a few of the many instances of the Erastian usurpations of the +headship of Christ, as a Son, in and over his own house, and of the +church's intrinsic power assumed by the state, and consented to by this +church since the Revolution.[2] And without condescending upon any more, +the presbytery concludes this part, with observing upon the whole, that +when Henry VIII of England did cast off the authority of the see of +Rome, and refused to give that subjection to the pope formerly paid by +him and his predecessors; he did, at the same time, assume to himself +all that power in his dominions, which the pope formerly claimed; and +soon afterward procured to have himself acknowledged and declared, by +act of parliament, to be head of the church--head over all persons, and +in all causes, civil and ecclesiastical. And which anti-christian +supremacy has, ever since, continued an essential part of the English +constitution, and inherent right of the crown; so that all the crowned +heads there, have ever since been as little popes over that realm: and +that all such still appropriate unto themselves that blasphemous +anti-christian title of the head of the church, and supreme judge in all +causes, is undeniably evident from the known laws and canons of England: +and further appears from a declaration made by King George I, June 13th, +1715, where he styles himself _Defender of the faith, and supreme +Governor of the church in his dominions_; declaring, that before the +clergy can order or settle any differences about the external policy of +the church, they must first obtain leave under his broad seal so to do. +Which title or authority for man, or angel, to assume, is a downright +dethroning and exauctorating of Christ, the only and alone Head and +Supreme Governor of his church. From this spiritual anti-christian +supremacy, granted by English laws to the king of England, confirmed and +established, by virtue of the incorporating union, in British kings, by +acts of British parliament, do flow all the forementioned acts imposed +upon the Revolution Church of Scotland. And as these acts and laws +declare, that the British monarch confines not his spiritual supremacy +to the church of England, but it extends it also over the church of +Scotland: so this Revolution Church, having never either judicially or +practically lifted up the standard of a public, free and faithful +testimony, against these sinful usurpations, flowing from the fountain +of said supremacy, and clothed with the authority of an anti-christian +parliament, where abjured bishops sit constituent members, but, on the +contrary, has submitted to every one of them; therefore, this church may +justly be constructed, as approvers and maintainers of Erastian +supremacy. And hereby, indeed, the revolt of these degenerate lands from +their sworn subjection and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, as +supreme in his own house, is completed, when they have these many years +substituted another in his place, and framed supremacy into a standing +law, to be the rule, according to which their kings must lord it over +the house and heritage of the Living God. Again: + +The presbytery testify against the manifold, and almost uninterrupted +opposition to the ancient glorious uniformity in religion between the +nations, that has appeared in the administrations of both church and +state, since the last Revolution. The revolution constitution and +settlement of religion, as has been already observed, laid our solemn +covenants and work of reformation, sworn to therein, in a grave, and +many stones have since been brought and cast upon them: many ways and +measures have both church and state taken to make sure the revolution +sepulcher of a covenanted work of reformation, and prevent, if possible, +its future resurrection: against all which, the presbytery judge +themselves bound to lift up their testimony. Particularly, + +1. The presbytery testify against the incorporating union of this nation +with _England_; and as being an union founded upon an open violation of +all the articles of the Solemn League and Covenant, still binding upon +the nations; and consequently, destructive of that uniformity in +religion, once happily attained to by them: which will at first view +appear, by comparing the articles of the union with those of the Solemn +League. All associations and confederacies with the enemies of true +religion and godliness, are expressly condemned in scripture, and +represented as dangerous to the true _Israel_ of God: _Isa._ viii, 12; +_Jer._ ii, 28; _Psal._ cvi, 35; _Hos._ v, 13, and vii, 8, 11; 2 _Cor._ +vi, 14, 15. And if simple confederacies with malignants and enemies to +the cause of Christ are condemned, much more is an incorporation with +them, which is an embodying of two into one, and, therefore, a straiter +conjunction. And taking the definition of malignants, given by the +declaration of both kingdoms joined in arms, _anno_ 1643, to be just, +which says, "such as would not take the covenant, were declared to be +public enemies to their religion and country, and that they are to be +censured and punished, as professed adversaries and malignants;" it +cannot be refused, but that the prelatical party in _England_, now +joined with, are such. Further, by this incorporating union, this nation +is obliged to support the idolatrous Church of _England_; agreeable +whereto, the _Scottish_ parliament, in their act of security, relative +to the treaty of union, declares, "that the parliament of _England_ may +provide for the security of the Church of _England_, as they think +expedient." Accordingly, the _English_ parliament, before entering upon +the treaty of union with _Scotland_, framed an act for securing the +Church of _England's_ hierarchy and worship, as by law established. +Which act, they declare, "Shall be inserted, in express terms, in any +act of parliament which shall be made for settling and ratifying any +treaty of union, and shall be declared to be an essential fundamental +part thereof." Hence, the act of the _English_ parliament for the union +of the two kingdoms, contains the above act for securing the Church of +_England_. Which act being sent down to _Scotland_, stands recorded +among the acts of the last _Scottish_ parliament. Moreover, the last +article of said union contains, that all laws and statutes in either +kingdom, so far as they are contrary to, or inconsistent with the terms +of these articles, or any of them, shall, from and after the union, +cease and become void; which, as in the act of exemplification, was +declared to be, by the parliaments of both kingdoms. Thus, this nation, +by engrossing the _English_ act, establishing Prelacy, and all the +superstitious ceremonies, in the act of the union parliament, and by +annulling all acts contrary to the united settlement, have sealed, as +far as men can do, the gravestones formerly laid upon the covenanted +uniformity of the nations. To all which the revolution church, by +consenting, and practically approving this unhallowed union, have said +Amen; though, at first, some of the members opposed and preached against +it, yet afterward changed, and (if some historians may be credited) by +the influence of gold, were swayed to an approbation. This church's +consent to the union is evident, from their accepting of the act of +security, enacted by the _Scots_ parliament, as the legal establishment +and security of the Church of _Scotland_; and from the assembly 1715, +utterly rejecting a proposal to make a representation to the king, that +the incorporating union was a grievance to the Church of _Scotland_; +though it ought still to be regarded as such, by all the lovers of +reformation principles, because it is a disclaiming of our sworn duty, +to endeavor the reformation of _England_ and _Ireland_. It is a +consenting to the legal and unalterable establishment of abjured Prelacy +in them, obliges the sovereigns of _Great Britain_ to swear to the +preservation of the prelatical constitution, and idolatrous ceremonies +of the episcopal church, and join in communion therewith; and, +therefore, for ever secludes all true Presbyterians from the supreme +rule. This union establishes the civil, lordly power of bishops, +obliging the Church of _Scotland_ to acknowledge them as their lawful +magistrates and ministers, to pray for a blessing upon them in the +exercise of their civil power, and is therefore a solemn ratification of +anti-christian Erastianism. It has formally rescinded, and for ever made +void any act or acts, in favor of a covenanted uniformity in religion, +that might be supposed to be in force before this union: and therefore, +while it stands, it is impossible there can be a revival of that blessed +work, which was once the glory of the nations of _Scotland, England_ and +_Ireland_. + +2. The presbytery testify against the sinful practice of imposing oaths +upon the subjects, contradictory to presbyterian principles in general, +and the oath of the covenants in particular, as the allegiance, and +particularly the abjuration; all which oaths, imposed by a _British_ +parliament, exclude our covenanted uniformity, and homologate the united +constitution. But, to prevent mistakes, let it be here observed, that +the presbytery do not testify against any of these oaths, out of the +remotest regard to the spurious pretended right of a popish pretender to +the throne and crown of these kingdoms; for they judge and declare, +that, by the word of God, and fundamental laws of the nations, he can +have no right, title or claim, to be king of these covenanted +kingdoms--seeing, by our covenants and laws, establishing the covenanted +reformation, which are well founded on the divine law, all Papists, as +well as Prelatists, are forever excluded from the throne of these, and +especially of this land. So that it is utterly inconsistent with the +principles maintained by this presbytery, constituted upon the footing +of the covenanted church of _Scotland_, and the oath of God they, with +the nations, are under, ever to acknowledge and own the popish +pretender, or any of that cursed race, as their king; but they testify +against these oaths, because they bind to the acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of a prelatic Erastian constitution of civil government, and +homologate the incorporating union, in one article whereof, it is +declared, that these words, "This realm, and the crown of this realm, +&c," mentioned in the oaths, shall be understood of the crown and realm +of _Great Britain_, &c.; and that in that sense the said oaths shall be +taken and subscribed, and particularly the oath of abjuration, which +whosoever takes, swears to maintain Erastian supremacy, Prelacy, and +_English_ popish ceremonies; and so, at least, by native and necessary +consequence, the swearing thereof is an abjuring of our sacred +covenants. But that which puts it beyond all dispute, that the oath of +abjuration, in the literal sense thereof, obliges to maintain the +prelatic constitution of _England_, both in church and state, as by law +established, and secured by the union act, is the express words of that +act of parliament, by which this oath was imposed, and to which it +expressly refers, viz., the act of further limitation, where it is said: +"On which said acts (viz., of limitation, and further limitation), the +preservation of your majesty's royal person and government, and the +maintaining of the church of _England_, as by law established, do, under +God, entirely depend. To the intent therefore, that these acts may be +forever inviolably preserved, it is hereby enacted, that magistrates and +ministers shall take the following oath," namely, of abjuration. The +above act, then, declaring that said oath was directly intended for the +support and establishment of the prelatic church of _England_, it +follows, that this oath is a solemn abjuration of the covenanted +reformation, as it is also expressly repugnant to Presbyterian +principles. But though the above oath is so manifestly sinful, yet the +ministers of this church did neither faithfully warn others of the sin +and danger thereof, nor faithfully oppose it when imposed on themselves; +but, agreeing that every one should act therein as he thought proper, +they who refused it may be reputed _socii criminis_ with the generality, +who, contrary to their professed principles, did take and subscribe the +same, and that (as says the oath) heartily and willingly; whereby they +not only engaged to maintain a prelatic government, Prelacy, with all +its popish ceremonies, but to maintain _only_ a prelatic government, and +to oppose all others, even though Presbyterian, in their accession to +the throne; and this by virtue of the sinful limitations and conditions, +wherewith the oath is clogged. And hereby, these nominal Presbyterians +discover that they are not possessed of a zeal for the advancement of +the true Presbyterian cause and principles, proportionable to that which +the _English_ discover for their will worship and superstition. + +3. The presbytery testify against a sinful and almost boundless +toleration, granted _anno_ 1712, a woful fruit of the union; by which +toleration act, not only those of the Episcopal communion in _Scotland_ +have the protection of authority, but a wide door is cast open, and +ample pass given to all sects and heretics (popish recusants and +antitrinitarians some way excepted, who yet are numerous in the nation), +to make whatever attacks they please upon the kingdom and interest of +our glorious Redeemer, in order to the advancement of their own and the +devil's, and all with impunity. The foresaid act warrants the Episcopal +clergy publicly to administer all ordinances, and perform their worship +after their own manner, with all the popish canons and ceremonies +thereof, and obliges all magistrates to protect and assist them, while +it destroys the hedge of church discipline against the scandalous and +profane, and is, therefore, a settling and establishing of Prelacy in +_Scotland_, giving it a security, little, if anything, inferior to that +which the established church has. Again, by a clause in the toleration +bill, the security given by former laws to Presbyterian church +government and discipline, is undermined and taken away, at least +rendered ineffectual, and made the subject of ridicule to the openly +profane, by the civil magistrate's withdrawing his concurrence, in as +much as it declares the civil pain of excommunication to be taken away, +and that none are to be compelled to appear before church judicatories. +There is nothing in religion of an indifferent nature; "For whosoever +[saith Christ] shall break one of the least of these commandments, and +shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven." It +must, then, be the most daring wickedness, and an affronting of the +Majesty of Heaven in the highest manner, for an earthly monarch to +pretend to enact a toleration of religions, and thereby give a liberty +where the divine law has laid a restraint; it implies an exalting of +himself, not only to an equality with, but to a state of superiority +above, the God of glory. Whatever principles are of divine authority +require no toleration from man; it is wickedness to pretend to do it, +seeing whatever comes under the necessity of a toleration, properly so +called, falls, at the same time, under the notion of a crime. And no +less wicked is it for a magistrate to protect, by a promiscuous +toleration, all heretics, heresies and errors; yea, it is a manifest +breach of trust, and plain perverting the end of his office, seeing he +is appointed to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_, intrusted with +the concerns of God's glory, as well as the interests of men. Experience +has, in every age, taught, that a toleration of all religions is the +cut-throat and ruin of all true religion. It is the most effectual +method that ever the policy of hell hatched, to banish all true +godliness out of the world. But however manifold the evils be that +toleration is big with, this church, instead of opposing, seems to have +complied therewith, and to be of toleration principles; which is +evident, not only from their receiving into communion the _Scots_ +curates, of which above; but from their joining in communion with Mr. +_Whitefield (an English_ curate and member of that church, and +ring-leader of the Methodists there), when he is in _Scotland_. Again, +it is known, that when the _Scots_ gentlemen are sent to attend the +_British_ parliament, or at any time in _England_, they do, many of +them, join in communion with the prelatic church--nay, are guilty of +taking the sacramental test (that is, taking the sacrament after their +superstitious manner, to qualify them for any public post); yet this +church receives them into the closest communion, without requiring any +satisfaction for these evils; whereby they act contrary to Christ's +example, in purging and keeping his house pure, and contrary to the +Scripture; _Rev._ ii, 14, 15, 20. + +4. In like manner, the presbytery testify against the tyranny that has +frequently appeared in the administration since the revolution, both in +church and state. The civil powers have discovered not a little of +tyrannical and arbitrary power, in imposing their laws, statutes and +injunctions, upon the church, as in the instances of the particulars +formerly noticed. But further, it has appeared in their fining and +imprisoning persons, because (though endeavoring to live peaceably, as +far as possible, with all men) they could not, in conscience, and in a +due regard to the covenanted cause, own the lawfulness of their +authority, by swearing fidelity to the present constitution. Again, in +their dispensing with, and counteracting, the law of God in a variety of +instances. Thus, while, without any divine warrant, the crime of theft +is capitally punished, yet the grossest adulterers, who are capitally +punishable by the divine law, pass with impunity. And frequently +reprieves, and sometimes pardons (as in the case of _Porteous_), have +been granted to murderers, expressly contrary to the law of God, which +declares that "Whosoever sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be +shed." Another astonishing and full evidence of the above charge, is in +the act repealing the penal statutes against witches, &c., 1735, where +it is enacted, "That no prosecution, suit or proceeding, shall be +carried on against any person or persons, for witchcraft, sorcery, +enchantment or conjuration," &c. This act, in plain terms, flatly +contradicts and opposes the law of God, in the very letter thereof. See +_Levit._ xx, 6, 27; _Deut._ xviii, 10-12; _Exod._ xxii, 18. Not only has +the state, in these and other instances (as the imposing almost +intolerable taxations upon the impoverished subjects, for supporting the +grandeur of useless and wicked pensioners, and for carrying on wars, +often not only sinful in respect of their rise and causes, but in their +nature and tendency unprofitable to the nations), been guilty of this +evil, but also the Revolution Church has exercised a most tyrannical +government. As many of the constituent members of the Revolution Church +had shown a persecuting, tyrannizing spirit, against the faithful +contenders for the truth, in the matter of the public resolutions, so +the same spirit has still continued since the revolution, and frequently +exerted itself in a most arbitrary manner, against all who have made any +appearance for a covenanted work of reformation. Accordingly, soon after +the revolution, this church raised some processes against Mr. _John +Hepburn_, minister at _Orr_, under pretense of some irregularities, but +in reality, for his making some appearance against their abounding +defection, and for a covenanted work of reformation, and continued their +prosecution to suspension and deposition; and further, applied to the +civil magistrate, to apprehend said Mr. _Hepburn_, who accordingly was +imprisoned in _Edinburgh_, and then, because of his preaching to the +people out of a window, was carried to _Stirling_ castle, and kept close +prisoner there for a considerable time, as a book, entitled _Humble +Pleadings_, fully discovers. They likewise exercised their tyranny +against Messrs. _Gilchrist_ in _Dunscore_, and _Taylor_ in _Wamphray_, +whom they prosecuted, not only to deposition, but even excommunication, +for no reason but their bearing testimony against that ensnaring oath of +abjuration, and a number of other defections. Again, this church, still +fond of suppressing the good old cause and owners thereof, framed and +prosecuted a libel, most unjustly (some even of themselves being +judges), against Mr. _John McMillan_, minister in _Balmaghie_, for +presenting, in a regular manner, a paper of real and acknowledged +grievances; and, because he would not resile from it, but continued to +plead for a redress, was at last deposed. As also Mr. _John McNeil_, +preacher, for the same reason, had his license taken from him; and, by +the authority of the assembly, both of them were prosecuted and +censured, not for scandal, insufficiency or negligence, error in +doctrine, &c., but only on account of their pleading for the covenanted +reformation of the Church of _Scotland_, and maintaining a necessary +testimony against the prevailing corruptions and defections of former +and present times, as appears from their paper of grievances and joint +declinature, printed 1708. Nay, such was their mad zeal against +reformation principles, that, by the _Act_ 15th of _Assem._ 1715, the +commission was not only empowered to censure all the forementioned +persons, but also enjoined to apply to the civil magistrate for +suppressing and punishing them; and accordingly sundry of them were +proclaimed rebels over public market crosses, only for their continued +adherence to reformation. And besides other instances, their magisterial +and lordly power exercised over the flock of Christ, in the violent +intrusion of ministers into vacant churches over the belly of the +people, and then excommunicating from sealing ordinances such as cannot +in conscience submit to the ministry of these intruders, is a most +glaring one; while at the same time, severe censures are inflicted upon +such ministers as have the honesty to oppose these anti-christian +measures. Loud complaints have likewise been made against their +arbitrary and tyrannical conduct, with reference to Mr. _Ebenezer +Erskine_, and others with him, designated by the name of the _Associate +Presbytery_, because of their remonstrating against, and endeavoring to +rectify, some of the forementioned evils in the church; the justness of +which grievances and complaints may be instructed from their own +writings on that head. + +It must not be here omitted to remark, that as this church is justly +charged with tyranny in government, so she is equally guilty of +partiality in discipline. Though all that discover any measure of +faithfulness in the concerns of Christ's glory, are sure to meet with +most severe treatment, yet the loose, profane and erroneous, have seldom +any church censures put in execution against them. This church never +made any suitable inquiry into the sinful compliances, and sad +defections of her members and office-bearers, during the persecuting +period: and that unfaithfulness in the exercise of church discipline is +still copied after. How few, guilty of the most gross scandals, are +censured, such as notorious drunkenness, blasphemy, cursing, swearing, +sabbath-breaking, uncleanness, especially among the rich, who are +capable to give pecuniary mulcts to free them from church censure? +(Thus, in conformity to the prelatical and anti-christian example, +setting to sale the censures of the church, and dispensing with the laws +of Christ for money.) Nay, not only are such overlooked, but many guilty +of these gross sins, together with oppression, neglecters of family +worship, and the grossly ignorant, are without any public +acknowledgement of these sins, admitted to the highest and most solemn +ordinances, viz., both sacraments. And this may be thought the less +strange, when persons chargeable with most of these sins, are admitted, +and continued to be office-bearers in the house of God. Persons, and +even teachers maintaining most dreadful blasphemous errors connived at, +patronized, or but slightly censured, and still kept in communion, +without any open renunciation of these heresies. Play-houses, the +seminaries of vice and impiety, erected in the principal cities of the +nation, and stage players, commonly among the most abandoned of mankind, +escape with impunity. Yea, this pagan entertainment of the stage is +countenanced by the members and office-bearers of this church, and that +to such a degree, that one of the ministers thereof has commenced author +of a most profane play, called _The Tragedy of Douglas_, wherein +immorality is promoted, and what is sacred exposed to ridicule. Oh! how +astonishing! that a minister in the once famous church of Scotland +should be guilty of such abominations, and yet not immediately sentenced +to bear the highest of all church censure! + +5. The Presbytery testify against this established church, for +unfaithfulness of doctrine; which will appear by a few instances: +although before the Revolution, the Lord Jesus was openly, as far as +human laws could do, divested of his headship and sovereignty in and +over his church; although the divine right of presbytery had been +publicly and nationally exploded, derided and denied, yet this church +has never by any formal act, declared that our Lord Jesus Christ is sole +king, the alone supreme head of his church--nor in the same manner +declared that the presbyterian form of church government is of divine +right, and condemned all other forms as contrary to the word. Such a +testimony was the more necessary, when the civil powers have arrogated +Christ's power to themselves, and continue to exercise it over his +church; and the want of it is an evidence of the church's unsoundness in +the doctrine of government, and of Christ's kingly office. This church's +error in doctrine further appears from their condemnation of a book +entitled _The marrow of modern divinity_, as containing gross antinomian +errors; whereby they condemned many great gospel truths as errors, +particularly, that believers are altogether set free from the law, as a +covenant of works, both from its commanding and condemning power, +together with others; whereby they have made way for, and encouraged +that legal, moral way of harranguing, exclusive of Christ and his most +perfect righteousness (which is so common and frequent in all parts of +the land), and opened a door for introducing _Baxterian_ principles, +which, in consequence hereof, have since very much prevailed. Another +evidence of this church's unsoundness and unfaithfulness in doctrine, is +their excessive, sinful lenity toward the most gross heretics. +Notwithstanding _Arminian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, and _Arian_ +blasphemies, have been publicly taught; and although true godliness, and +the effectual working of the Spirit on the souls of men have been +publicly exposed as enthusiasm, and many other damnable heresies vented, +yet this church has never lifted up the faithful standard of a judicial +testimony, in condemnation of these heresies, and in vindication of the +precious truths of Christ thereby impugned. And when the ministers and +members of this church have been processed before her assemblies, and +convicted of maintaining many gross errors, no adequate censure has been +inflicted. This particularly appears in the case of Mr. Simpson, +professor of divinity in the college of Glasgow, when processed before +the judicatories of this church, in the years 1715 and 1716, for several +gross errors; such as, "That regard to our own happiness, in the +enjoyment of God, ought to be our chief motive in serving him, and that +our glorifying of God is subordinate to it: that Adam was not our +federal head;" and other _Arminian, Socinian_ and _Pelagian_ heresies, +all to be found in his answers to Mr. Webster's libel given in against +him, and clearly proven: yet was he dismissed with a very gentle +admonition. Which sinful lenity encouraged him, not only to persist in +the same errors, but also to the venting of _Arian_ heresies among his +students. + +Accordingly, he was again arraigned before the assembly's bar in the +years 1727-28-29, when it was found clearly proven that he had denied +the necessary existence of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the numerical +Oneness of the Three Persons of the Trinity in substance and essence, +with other damnable tenets. Yet when these articles, whereby he had +attempted to depose the Son of God from his supreme deity, were proven, +and when (as one of the members of this church, in his protest against +the assembly's sentence, said) the Son of God was, as it were, appearing +at the bar of that assembly, craving justice against one who had +derogated from his essential glory, and blasphemed his name, at which +every knee should bow. Yet such was the corruption and unfaithfulness of +this church, that the blasphemer was dismissed without any adequate +censure passed upon him, and still continued in the character of a +minister and member of this church. + +Again, when Mr. Campbell, professor of church history at St. Andrews, +was processed before the judicatories of this church, for maintaining a +scheme of dangerous and most pernicious principles, which he published +to the world, having a manifest tendency to subvert revealed religion, +and expose the exercise of serious godliness, under the notion of +enthusiasm; to advance self-love, as the leading, principle and motive +in all human actions whatever, and to destroy the self-sufficiency of +God, making him a debtor to his creatures: yet though these, with a +number of God-dishonoring, creature-exalting, and soul-ruining errors, +were notorious from his books, and were defended by him; the heretic, +instead of being duly censured, was countenanced and carressed: whereby +this church has given a most deep wound to some of the most important +truths of the Christian religion, and becomes chargeable with the guilt +of all the errors maintained by that erroneous professor. + +A third instance of this church's unfaithfulness, appears in the case of +Mr. Glas, and others, who openly vented, by preaching and printing, +independent schemes of church government, with some new improvements; +attacked our Confession of faith and Covenants, unhinging all order and +government in the church, pulled up the hedge of discipline, to +introduce all errors in doctrine, and corruption in worship; and, at +last, openly renounced presbytery, name and thing (denying that there is +any warrant for national churches under the New Testament), and +asserted, that our martyrs, who suffered for adhering to the covenanted +reformation, were so far in a delusion, with many other sectarian +tenets: for which, the church at first suspended, and then deposed some +of them. But afterward, as if this church repented of doing so much in +favor of presbytery, they were reponed, to the great danger of the +church: for having discovered no remorse for their errors, they +immediately employed all their parts to shake presbytery, by setting up +independent churches and ordaining several mechanics to be their +ministers; and nothing done by the church for putting a stop to these +errors, and for reviving and vindicating the precious truths they had +impugned. + +Likewise, when Mr. Wishart was staged for error vented by him in some of +his sermons, with respect to the influence of arguments taken from the +awe of future rewards and punishments, and other erroneous notions; he +was dismissed without any renunciation of his heterodox principles, and +assoilzied by the judicatories of this church: and, as easy absolutions +encourage error, so no sooner was he assoilzied, but he had the +assurance to recommend erroneous books, such as Doctor Whitchcot's +sermons, to his students. It is indeed no small evidence of the +unsoundness of this church, when the heads of colleges are suffered, +_impune_, to recommend such books for students and probationers to form +upon. + +Again, when professor Leechman was quarreled with for his deistical +sermon on prayer, by the presbytery of _Glasgow_, and afterward carried +before the assembly; yet although in all his sermons, he presents God as +the object of prayer, merely as our Creator, without any relation to +Christ, as Mediator; but recommends to his hearers, as the only +acceptable disposition of mind, an assured confidence in the goodness +and mercy of their Creator: not only has that Christless sermon been +very much extolled, but the author dismissed from the assembly's bar in +such a manner, as if thereby he had merited their applause. From all +which it sufficiently appears, that this church is unsound and +unfaithful, in point of doctrine; especially, if it is considered, that +she has been frequently addressed by representations, declaring the +necessity of an assertory net, affirming and ascertaining the precious +truths injured and impuned, and that publicly, by the above mentioned +errors; and that a solemn warning should be emitted, discovering the +evil and danger of them: yet that necessary duty has still been +contemned and disregarded. + +The great truths of God, have, for many years, lain wounded and bleeding +in our streets, trampled upon by their open and daring enemies; while +this church has entirely forgotten and slighted the divine command, to +contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. And though +the _Westminster_ Confession of Faith continues to be subscribed by +intrants into the ministry (the covenants owned by the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, as a part of her confession, being abstracted from the +confession of this present church), yet how little of that system and +order of doctrine is now taught? the generality having just as much of +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross, in most of their discourses, as +is to be found in the writings of _Plato, Epictetus_ and _Seneca_, and +the rest of the Pagan moralists. So that this church appears orthodox, +in little (or no) other sense than the church of _England_ is so, viz., +by subscribing the thirty-nine articles, which are _Calvinistical_ in +the doctrinal parts; while yet the _Arminian_ system of doctrine is +generally received and taught by her clergy. Add to what is above, that +this church maintains no suitable testimony against sins of all sorts, +in persons of all stations; neither emits faithful warnings anent the +snares and dangers of the nation, nor full and free declarations of +present duty, as church judicatories, like faithful watchmen did in +former times. But such faithfulness in God's matters is not now, alas! +to be expected; seeing this church has made a formal concert, or mutual +paction, binding up one another from preaching against, and applying +their doctrines to the sins, corruptions and scandals of the times: see +_Acts of Assem._ 16th, 17th, _anno_ 1712; _Act_ 6th, 1713; _Act_ 8th, +1714; _Act_ 6th, 1715. The Presbytery cannot also here omit observing, +and that with deep regret, that although the most damnable principles, +which have a direct tendency to deny the being of God, and so to +propagate opinionative atheism, to subvert all religion, to extol the +power of corrupt nature, and exalt Popery, as the best form of religion, +to deny the subjection of the world to the providence of God, to destroy +all distinction between virtue and vice, and consequently affirm, that +there is no moral evil in the world, and to ridicule Christianity, as +destitute of divine authority, have been lately vented by _David Hume_, +Esq.; and another designated by the name of _Sopho_: yet this church has +passed no suitable censure upon the authors of these impious and +blasphemous principles, though they justly deserve the very highest: nor +have they done anything to testify their dislike, or put an effectual +stop to the spreading of these abominable tenets. The presbytery +therefore, as they declare their abhorrence of these, and the other +errors formerly mentioned, so testify against the church's notorious +unfaithfulness, in suffering these wretches to pass with impunity; and +as being, on all these accounts noticed, unsound and corrupt, in the +matter of doctrine, &c. It may also be here remarked, as an undoubted +evidence of the corruptness of the state, that, although there are civil +laws presently in being, which declare the maintaining of +antitrinitarian, atheistical principles, to be not only criminal, but +capital; yet the civil powers in the nation have not so much regard to +God, and the Son of God, as to punish treason openly acted against them. + +6. The presbytery testify against both church and state, for their +sinful associations with malignants: as declared enemies to the +covenanted interest have engrossed the civil power wholly to their +hands, since the public resolutions, that a door was opened for their +admission; so such is the nature of the laws presently extant and in +force, that one cannot be admitted to any office, civil or military, but +by swearing away all friendship to a covenanted reformation. And, +moreover, all along since the late Revolution, the nations have been the +most earnest pursuing after friendship with the grossest idolators; and, +in express contradiction to the word of God, have confederated in the +closest alliance with God's declared enemies abroad; nay, have exhausted +their strength and substance, in maintaining the quarrel of such as have +been remarkable for their hatred at, and persecution of the protestant +interest. The Revolution Church has also said a confederacy with such as +have, on all occasions, shewed a rooted enmity and hatred at reformation +principles: which appears from their admitting such (noticed above) to +be office-bearers in the church: from their observing fasts, and praying +for success to the allied armies, though almost wholly composed of such, +and many of them oftentimes gross Popish idolaters: from their going in +with, and approving of the sinful incorporating union with _England_: +from their acknowledging the civil power of church men as lawful: from +their joining in religious communion with Mr. _Whitefield_; and in many +other instances. Not to insist further in enumerating particulars, the +Presbytery finally testify against church and state, for their +negligence to suppress impiety, vice, and superstitious observance of +holy days, &c. The civil powers herein acting directly contrary to the +nature and perverting the very ends of the magistrate's office, which is +to be _custos et vindex utriusque tabulae_; the minister of God, a +revenger, to execute wrath on him that doeth evil. Transgressors of the +first table of the law may now sin openly with impunity; and, while the +religious observation of the sabbath is not regarded, the superstitious +observation of holy-days, even in _Scotland_, is so much authorized, +that on some of them the most considerable courts of justice are +discharged to sit. Stage-plays, masquerades, balls, assemblies, and +promiscuous dancings, the very nurseries of impiety and wickedness, are +not only tolerated, but even countenanced by law. And as these, with +other evils, are permitted by the civil powers; so this church seems to +have lost all zeal against sin. No suitable endeavors are used to +prevent the growth of atheism, idolatry and superstition: and though +Prelacy, as well as Popery, is growing apace in the lands, and organs +publicly used in that superstitious worship; yet no testimony is given +against them, but new modes introduced into the worship of God, for +carnal ends, as a gradual advance toward that superstition. Yea, so +unconcerned about suppressing vice and extravagant vanity, &c, that not +only are the forementioned nurseries of sin frequented by ministers' +children, but ministers themselves have countenanced them by their +presence, to the great scandal of their office, and manifest +encouragement of these seminaries of immorality. And notwithstanding +that by the late proclamation, the penal laws against vice and profanity +seem to be revived (which is in itself so far good), yet this cannot +supersede or remove the ground of the Presbytery's testimony against +church and state complexly, on the above account, or even against the +thing itself, in the manner that it is gone about. For besides that, +notwithstanding of all former endeavors of this kind, since the +overthrow of our scriptural and covenanted reformation, immorality and +wickedness have still increased and overflowed all these banks; partly, +because, after all their pretenses, the laws were not vigorously put in +execution (and as good, no law nor penalty, as no execution), and +partly, because these law-makers, being also themselves the +law-breakers, have entrusted the execution to such as are generally +ringleaders in a variety of gross immoralities; it is not likely, that +ever God will countenance and bless such attempts, whereby (contrary to +scripture and all good order) the ecclesiastical power is subjected to +the civil, and ministers made the bare inspectors of men's manners, and +informers to inferior judges, without having it in their power to oblige +such transgressors (if obstinate) to compear before church judicatories, +and conform and submit to the laws of Christ's house. Nay, so far will +God be from approving such Erastian methods of reformation, that he will +certainly visit for this, among all our other iniquities, and in his own +due time make a breach upon us, because we sought him not in the due +order. Wherefore, and for all these grounds, the Presbytery testify +against both church and state, as in their constitutions Erastian and +anti-scriptural, including the substitution and acknowledgement of +another head and governor over the church than Christ, as may be +sufficiently evident from proofs above adduced. And particularly, +because the British united constitution is such as involves the whole +land, and all ranks therein, in the dreadful guilt of idolatry, +communicating with idolators, apostasy, perjury, &c.[3] They declare +they can have no communion therewith; but that it is such an association +as that God's call to his people, concerning it, is, "Come out from +among them. Be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will +receive you, saith the Lord." + + * * * * * + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART SECOND. + +For as much as a good number of people in the north of _Ireland_ have +acceded, and submitted themselves to the Presbytery, and one of their +number is fixed among them as their proper pastor; the Presbytery +intended to have subjoined something by way of appendix to the above +Testimony, with relation to the state of religion in that kingdom, +especially with regard to the settlement of the presbyterian religion +there. But as diocesan Episcopacy is the religion there established by +law, against which the Presbytery has declared and testified (as above) +as an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted and merely a human and political +settlement (whether considered abstractly or complexly with that in the +kingdom of _Scotland_), there needs nothing be further said anent it. +And as those called Presbyterians in _Ireland_, are equally enemies to +the true covenanted Presbyterian cause with those of the Revolution +Church of _Scotland_; so the above testimony equally strikes against +them with the other. There seems, however, to be this considerable +difference betwixt the Presbyterians in _Scotland_ and _Ireland, viz._, +That although the settlements the same as to the matter of it, yet so it +is not as to the form or manner of it, the Presbyterians in _Ireland_ +neither having, nor claiming any other security or foundation for their +different mode of religious worship than the royal indulgence, or +toleration Act. And therefore, as the Presbytery did and do testify +against toleration, and toleration principles, disclaiming such an +anti-scriptural shelter; they therein, of consequence, bear witness and +testimony against all such as do in these lands (where God has given his +people a claim of another kind) professedly dwell under such a shadow. +But besides, the Presbytery view them (complexly considered) as unworthy +of their regard or notice in these papers, as to engaging in any +particular or explicit testimony against them, in as much as they have +denuded themselves of almost any pretense to the Presbyterian name, by +not only disclaiming and opposing the true Presbyterian cause, but +having also fallen from the belief and profession of the most important +and fundamental truths of Christianity; thereby plainly discovering +themselves to be creatures of quite another species and spirit, than the +ministers of Jesus Christ, and friends to the blessed spiritual +Bridegroom; deserving rather to be termed a synagogue of _Libertines_, a +club of _Socinians, Arians, Pelagians_ &c., banded together against +Christ, and the doctrines of his cross than a synod of the ministers of +the gospel. Therefore, as the presbytery testify and remonstrate against +them, their toleration, or indulgence footing, on which they professedly +stand, together with their poisonous jumble and medley of errors, +commonly called _Newlight_, adopted, and with the greatest warmth and +diligence, spread and propagated by most of them, and connived at and +tolerated by the rest and all their books or prints written by them, or +others of the like spirit with them in defense of these dangerous and +damnable tenets so they do hereby judicially warn and exhort all the +people under their inspection there, to beware of such men, and such +books, however they may varnish over the doctrines they bring, with fine +words fair speeches and pretenses, in order to deceive the hearts of the +simple; and this, as they would not incur the displeasure of a holy and +jealous God, and have their souls defiled and destroyed by these +error's. On the contrary to endeavor to have their minds and +understandings enlightened with the knowledge of the truths of Christ, +and mysteries of his gospel, and their hearts warmed with the love of +them; so that being through grace established in the belief of the +truth, they may not "be as children tossed to and fro, and carried about +with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning +craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;" _Eph._ iv, 14, 15. +"But speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him, +which is the Head even Christ;" and striving to refrain and keep +themselves from every wicked, offensive and backsliding course, and to +live soberly, righteously and godly, blameless and harmless as the sons +of God, without rebuke, adorning the gospel of Christ with a +conversation becoming the same; so shall they thereby glorify God, and +transmit a faithful testimony for the despised truths of Christ to +posterity, that so there may be a seed to do service unto him in these +lands, and make his name to be remembered through all generations. + + + + + +PART III. + +The principles of some parties, who have made the most specious +appearances for the Reformation, considered.--Particular grounds of +testimony against that body of ministers and people known by the name of +the Secession, wherein their partiality and unfaithfulness in their +profession of the covenanted testimony of the Church of Scotland is +discovered in various instances,--their loose and immoral doctrine about +civil society and government--their corruption in worship, sinful terms +of communion, &c., &c. + + +The Presbytery having in the preceding pages exhibited their testimony +against both church and state, as now established in these isles of the +sea, and therein discovered the reasons, why they are obliged to +disapprove of both, proceed, next, to take notice of some of the parties +that have made the most specious appearances for reformation in this +land since the Revolution, of which that party commonly known by the +name of the _Secession_, are not the least remarkable. It is vast pity, +and it is with grief and lamentation, that the Presbytery find +themselves, in point of duty, obliged to lift up a testimony against the +forementioned party; considering, that they have made a professed +appearance under a judicial banner displayed for truth, and a covenanted +work of reformation, and have, in reality, showed much zeal in opposing +a variety of errors in doctrine, corruption in discipline and +government, most prevalent in the national Church of _Scotland_; have +contributed to vindicate some of the most important truths and doctrines +of the Christian faith, that have been openly impugned in this day of +blasphemy, and may have been instrumental in turning many to +righteousness, and reviving the exercise of practical godliness among +not a few. But as _Paul_ withstood _Peter_ to the face, and testified +against his dissimulation, though both of them apostles of our common +Lord and Savior; so it still remains duty to testify against the most +godly, and such as may have been very useful to the church in many +respects, in so far as they have not showed themselves _earnest +contenders for the faith once delivered to the saints_, but have dealt +treacherously with God in the concerns of his glory. It is therefore +with just regret they proceed to observe, that they are obliged, to +testify against this party designated, first, by the title of _The +Associate Presbytery_ (and then that of _The Associate Synod_)--and that +particularly, for their error in doctrine, treachery in covenant, +partiality and tyranny in discipline and government. It may at first +seem strange, to see a charge of error advanced against those who made +the countenancing of error in the judicatories of the established +church, one principal ground of their secession therefrom. But by taking +a narrower view of the principles and doctrines which they have roundly +and plainly asserted, and endeavored to justify in their printed +pamphlets anent civil government, the reception and belief of which they +zealously inculcate upon their followers, it will appear, that their +scheme is so far from tending to promote the declarative glory of God, +and the real good of human and religious society, or the church of God, +which are the very ends of the divine ordinance of magistracy, that it +is not only unscriptural, but anti-scriptural, contrary to the common +sentiments of mankind, and introductive of anarchy and confusion in +every nation, should it be thoroughly adopted, and therefore ought to be +testified against. The sum of their principles anent civil magistracy, +may be collected from these few passages, to be found in a print +entitled, _Answers by the Associate Presbytery to reasons of dissent, +&c.--Page_ 70. "This divine law, not only endows men in their present +state with a natural inclination to civil society and government, but it +presents unto them an indispensable necessity of erecting the same into +some form, as a moral duty, the obligation and benefit whereof no +wickedness in them can lose or forfeit.--_Page_ 74. Whatever magistrates +any civil state acknowledged, were to be subjected to throughout the +same.--_Page_ 50. Such a measure of these qualifications (viz., +scriptural) and duties cannot be required for the being of the lawful +magistrate's office, either as essential to it, or a condition of it +_sine qua non_: I. It cannot be required as essential thereunto; for +then it would be the same thing with magistracy, which is grossly +absurd, and big with absurdities. In the _next_ place, it cannot be a +condition of it _sine qua non_, or, without which one is not really a +magistrate, however far sustained as such by civil society; for then no +person could be a magistrate, unless he were so faultlessly. The due +measure and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties belong +not to the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the +well-being and usefulness thereof.--_P._ 87. The precepts, already +explained, are a rule of duty toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society. Nothing needs be added +for the clearing of this, but the overthrow of a distinction that has +been made of those that are acknowledged as magistrates by the civil +society, into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as +are so by his providential will only; which distinction is altogether +groundless and absurd: All providential magistrates are also preceptive, +and that equally in the above respect (viz., as to the origin of their +office) the office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does +equally arise from, and agree unto the preceptive will of God.--_P._ +88. The precepts already explained (_Prov._ xxiv, 21; _Eccl._ x, 4; +_Luke_ xx, 25; _Rom._ xiii, 1-8; _Tit._ iii, 1; _1 Pet._ ii, 13-18), are +a rule of duty equally toward any who are, and while they are +acknowledged as magistrates by the civil society; they are, and continue +to be a rule of duty in this matter, particularly, to all the Lord's +people, in all periods, places, and cases." These few passages, +containing the substance of Seceders' principles on the head of civil +government, may be reduced to the following particulars: 1. They +maintain the people to be the ultimate fountain of magistracy, and that +as they have a right to choose whomsoever they please to the exercise of +civil government over them; so their inclinations, whether good or bad, +constitute a lawful magistrate, without regard had to the divine law. 2. +That the law of God in the scriptures of truth, has no concern with the +institution of civil government, but only adds its precept in forcing +obedience upon the conscience of every individual, under the pain of +eternal damnation, to whomsoever the body politic shall invest with the +civil dignity; and that, without any regard to the qualifications of +person or office. 3. Whomsoever the _primores regni_, or representatives +of a nation, do set up, are lawful magistrates, and that not only +according to the providential, but according to the preceptive will of +God also, in regard that God, the supreme governor, has prescribed no +qualifications in his word, as essential to the being of a lawful +magistrate, nor told what sort of men they must be, that are invested +with that office over his professing people, though it is confessed +there are many that are necessary to the well-being and usefulness of +that office: and therefore, 4. That no act, or even habitual series of +the greatest wickedness and mal-administration can forfeit the person's +right to the people's subjection, for conscience sake, considered as +individuals, while the majority of a nation continue to recognize and +own his authority. The absurdity of this scheme of principles may +obviously appear at first view to every unbiassed mind that is blessed +with any competent measure of common sense and discretion, and tolerable +knowledge of divine revelation. That magistracy is a divine ordinance, +flowing originally from Jehovah, the supreme and universal Sovereign of +Heaven and earth, as the ultimate fountain thereof, cannot be denied. +Neither is it to be doubted, but that the Lord has lodged a power and +right in the people, of choosing and setting up those persons that shall +exercise civil government over them, and to whom they will submit +themselves. But then, while God has lodged this power in the people, of +conveying the right of civil authority to their magistrates, he has at +the same time given them positive and unalterable laws, according to +which they are to proceed, in setting up their magistrates; and, by the +sovereign authority of the Great Lawgiver, are they expressly bound to +act in agreeableness to these rules, without any variation, and that, +under the pain of rebellion against him, who is King of kings, and Lord +of lords. The Presbytery, therefore, testify against this scheme of +Seceding principles, calculated, in order to inculcate a stupid +subjection and obedience to every possessor of regal dignity, at the +expense of trampling upon all the laws of God, respecting the +institution, constitution, and administration of the divine ordinance of +magistracy. Particularly, this opinion is, + +1. Contrary to the very nature of magistracy, as described in the +scriptures of truth, where we are taught, that all authority to be +acknowledged of men, must be of God, and ordained of God. The divine +ordination of magistracy is the alone formal reason of subjection +thereto, and that which makes it a damnable sin to resist. So the +apostle teacheth, _Rom._ xiii, 1, &c.: "There is no power but of God; +the powers that be, are ordained of God." Not only is it the current +sentiment of orthodox divines upon the place, but the text and context +make it undeniably evident, that by _power_ here, is understood, not a +natural, but a moral power, consisting not only in an ability, but in a +right to command. Which power is said to be ordained of God, as +importing, not merely the proceeding of the thing from God +providentially, but such a being from God, as carries in it his +instituting or appointing thereof, by the warrant of his word, law, or +precept. So that that power which is to be owned as of God, includes +these two particulars, without which, no authority can be acknowledged +as God's ordinance, viz., institution and constitution, so as to possess +him, who is God's minister, with a moral power. In the divine +institution of magistracy is contained, not only the appointment of it, +but the defining the office in its qualifications and form, in a moral +sense, prescribing what shall be the end, and what the measure of its +authority, and how the supreme power shall rule and be obeyed. Again, +the constitution of the power, or the determination of the form, and +investiture of the particular person with the government, is of God: +hence our Savior, _John_ x, 35, in his application of these words in the +_Psalms_, "I said, ye are gods," to magistrates, shows how they were +gods, "because unto them the word of God came;" that is, by his word and +warrant he authorized them; his constitution is passed upon them, who +are advanced by men, according to his law in his word. When therefore a +nation acts according to divine rule, in the molding of government, and +advancing of persons to the exercise of it; there the government and +governors may be said to be ordained of God. But that government that is +not consonant to the divine institution, and those governors, that are +not advanced to the place of supreme rule, in a Christian land, by the +people, regulating themselves by the divine law, cannot be said to be +the powers ordained of God. It is not merely the conveying the imperial +dignity by men unto any particular person, that constitutes the power to +be of God; but because, and in so far as this is done by virtue of a +warrant from God and in agreeableness to his law that the action has the +authority of God upon it. + +Hence, if in this matter there is a substantial difference from, or +contrariety to the divine rule, then there is nothing but a +contradiction to God's ordinance: this must needs be granted, unless it +is maintained that God has wholly left the determination of this +ordinance to men, absolutely and unlimitedly, giving them an unbounded +liberty to act therein, according to their own pleasure, which is most +absurd. From the whole, it follows, that more is requisite than the +inclinations of any people, to constitute a lawful magistrate, such as +can be acknowledged God's ordinance. That power which in its institution +and constitution is of God, by his law, can alone challenge subjection, +not only for wrath, but for conscience sake. + +2. The Presbytery testify against this scheme of principles, as being +anti-scriptural, and what, in its tendency, is destructive to the +authority of the sacred oracles. _Seceders_ maintain, that the people, +without regard to scriptural qualifications, have an essential right to +choose whom they please to the exercise of civil government, and that +whomsoever they choose are lawful magistrates; and thus make the great +ordinance of magistracy dependent on the uncertain and corrupt will of +man. But that this annarchical system is not of divine authority, but +owes its origin to their own invention, appears from the following texts +of holy writ, besides others, _Exod._ xviii. 21: "Moreover, thou shalt +provide out of all the people, able men, such as fear God, men of truth, +hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers." This +counsel of Jethro, was God's counsel and command to Moses, in the choice +of magistrates, supreme and subordinate; and discovers, that people are +not left to their own will in this matter. It is God's direction, that +the person advanced to rule, must be _a man in whom is the spirit; +Numb._ xxvii, 18; which _Deut._ xxxiv, 9, interprets to be _the spirit +of wisdom_, (i.e.) the spirit of government, fitting and capacitating a +man to discharge the duties of the magistratical office, to the glory of +God and the good of his people; without this, he ought not to be chosen. +_Deut._ i, 13: "Take ye wise men and understanding, and known among your +tribes, and I will make them rulers over you." Here is a precept, +directing the people in their choice: they must not be children nor +fools; if so, they are plagues and punishments, instead of scriptural +magistrates, who are always a blessing. And they must be men of known +integrity and affection to the real welfare of _Israel_, not such as are +known to be haters of, and disaffected to the _Israel_ of God. Again, +the express law of the king, is, that he must be one of the Lord's +chosing; _Deut._ xvii. 14, 15: "When thou art come unto the land which +the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell +therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the +nations about me: thou shalt in anywise set him king over thee, whom the +Lord thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set +king over thee, thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, who is not thy +brother." Here, though Christians have a right to set a king over them, +yet, it is evident, they are not left at liberty to choose whom they +please, but are, in the most express and positive terms, limited and +circumscribed in their choice to him, whom the Lord their God shall +choose: and this divine choice must certainly be understood (in a large +sense) of a person of such a character, temper of mind, and +qualifications, as God pointed out to them in his law, particularly in +the text before cited (for whatever God's word approves of and chooses, +that God himself chooses). And in the text before, as the person is +further described, both negatively and positively, he must be a brother; +which relation is not to be confined to that of kindred or nation, but +especially respects religion. He must not be a stranger and enemy to the +true religion, but a brother, in respect of a cordial embracing, and +sincere profession (so far as men can judge) of the same cause of +religion, and so one, of whom it may be expected that he will employ his +power and interest to advance the kingdom of Jesus Christ. This precept +respects the office, and points at the very deed of constitution, and in +the most positive manner, restricts not only the people of the _Jews_, +but every nation blessed with the light of divine revelation, in their +setting up of civil rulers, pointing forth on whom they may, and on whom +they may not confer this honorable office. The same truth is confirmed +by 2 _Sam._ xxiii, 2, 3, 4: "The spirit of the Lord spake by me--the God +of _Israel_ said,--he that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the +fear of God."--So _Job_ xxxiv, 17, 18: "Shall even he that hateth right +govern?--Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye +are ungodly?" In which words, while _Elihu_ is charging _Job_ with +blasphemy, in accusing God of injustice, declaring that if he made God a +hater of right and impeached him of injustice, he did, in effect, +blasphemously deny his government, universal dominion and sovereignty in +the world. It is not only supposed, but strongly asserted and affirmed, +that he that hateth right should not govern. Again, 1 _Cor._ vi, 1, 4, +5: "If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set +them to judge--Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not +one that is able to judge between his brethren?" All these texts, which +are plain, positive, moral precepts, whereby God hath set boundaries +about his own ordinance; that it be not corrupted by men, as they +demonstrate what magistrates ought to be, and prove that they cannot be +of God's ordaining who have not these qualifications: so they evince, +that scriptural qualifications are nothing less necessary and essential +to the being of a lawful scriptural magistrate, than the consent of the +people; and consequently, do sufficiently overturn this anti-scriptural +scheme. _Seceders_ indeed grant, that God hath declared his will, +concerning the choice of magistrates in the above, and such like +precepts; but, from their granting these scriptural qualifications to be +only advantageous to those that have them, and necessary to the +well-being and usefulness of lawful magistrates, and at the same time +denying them to be necessary to the being thereof; it necessarily +follows, as the consequence of their sentiments, that they allow civil +society a negative over the supreme Lawgiver in this matter; and in so +doing, exalt the will and inclination of the creature above the will of +the Creator, which is the very definition of sin. Say they in the +fore-quoted pamphlet, page 80th, "It is manifest, that the due measure +and performance of scriptural qualifications and duties, belong not to +the being and validity of the magistrate's office, but to the well-being +and usefulness thereof." How easy is it here to turn their own artillery +against themselves, and split their argument with a wedge of its own +timber? For if, as is granted, scriptural qualifications are essential +to the usefulness of the magistrate's office, they must also be +necessary to the being thereof, otherwise it is in itself quite useless. +And if in itself useless, with respect to the great ends thereof, +without the due measure of scriptural qualifications, it cannot then be +the ordinance of God, in regard it must not be supposed, that a God of +infinite wisdom and goodness, who does nothing in vain, has instituted +an ordinance for the good of his people, in subserviency to his glory, +which yet, in itself (as to its being and essence), is useless, and of +no profit nor advantage to them. And as for their comparison of the +magistrate's office to other common and ordinary places and relations +among men, the parallel will not hold, no not for illustration, far less +for a proof of their doctrine. Nor is there any comparison, unless they +can prove, that God in his word has as plainly and positively required +men to be so and so qualified, before it is lawful for them to enter +into, or for others to put them in such places and relations, as he has +done, with regard to magistracy. This is indeed the scope and end of +their whole scheme, to derogate from, degrade and lessen the dignity of +this great ordinance of magistracy, allowing it no more than what is +common to men in general, in other inferior states and ordinary business +of life, alleging, "That these qualifications (which they grant God has +prescribed in his word) are only advantageous to them that have them;" +and that at the hazard of evidently opposing and contradicting the +intention of the Spirit of God, in the above texts of scripture, which +imply a specialty, and particular appropriation to kings and rulers in +their office. + +Again, this principle either, as above said, denies magistracy to be +God's ordinance instituted in his word; or then says, that he hath +instituted ordinances in his revealed will, without prescribing any +qualifications as essential to their being, but entirely left the +constitution of them to the will of man. But how absurd is this, and +derogatory to the glory of God, in all his perfections, who is a God of +order, once to imagine, that he hath set any of his ordinances, either +as to matter or manner, upon the precarious footing of the pure will of +wicked and ungodly men? The smallest acquaintance with divine revelation +will readily convince, that he hath not. It may as well, and with the +same parity of reason, be refused, that there are any qualifications +requisite, as essential to the being and validity of the office of the +ministry, but only necessary to its well-being and usefulness; and +therefore, is as lawful (in its exercise) in the want of these +qualifications, as the ordinance of magistracy is accounted to be. But +how contrary is this to scripture, _Tit._ i, 7, 8; 1 _Tim._ iii, 2, 3, +4, 5, 6, 7, &c. Now, comparing these with the above-cited texts, +respecting the qualifications of magistrates, it appears, that the +qualifications of the magistrate are required in the same express and as +strong terms (if not also somewhat more clearly,) as the qualifications +of the minister; and seeing a holy God hath made no difference, as to +the essentiality of the qualifications pertaining to these distinct +ordinances, it is too much presumption for any creature to attempt doing +it. Both magistrate and minister are, in their different and distinct +spheres, clothed with an equal authority from the law of God,--have +subjection and obedience equally, under the same pains, required to them +respectively, (as _Deut_. xvii. 9 to 13; 2 _Chron_. xix, 5 to 11; _Heb_. +xiii, 17, &c.)--and the qualifications of both, as above, stated and +determined with equal peremptoriness, making them no less essential to +the being and validity of the one than the other. And this being the +case, it is not easy to understand how _Seceders_ will reconcile their +principles anent civil government, with their principle and practice, in +separating from an established church or ministry, whose constitution +they acknowledge to be good; and who being presbyterially ordained, are +also still countenanced by the body of the people. Sure, had they dealt +fairly, honestly and impartially in the matters of God, they would have +acted in this case agreeably to their declared principle, page 79th of +their pamphlet, viz.: "The passages holding forth these qualifications +and duties of magistrates, do not by the remotest hint imply, that, if +in any wise they be deficient in, or make defection from the same, their +authority and commands, even in matters lawful, must not be subjected +unto and obeyed," &c. Certainly, according to this, all the +deficiencies, defections, and mal-administrations in the church, could +never have been a warrantable ground (which yet they make the only +ground) of their separation from her. "But on the contrary," they should +still have continued in communion with her, and subjection to her in +matters lawful, in a way of testifying "against the same, and essaying +their reformation, by all means that were habile for them." _Seceders_ +must either grant, that such was their duty, and so of themselves +condemn their separation as unwarrantable; or else deny, that the +qualifications of the magistrate and minister are required in the same +express terms in scripture; that both are clothed with an equal (though +distinct) authority; and that subjection and obedience are under the +same pains enjoined to both, and consequently say, that it is less +dangerous to cast off, contemn and disregard the authority of a church, +than that of the state; while yet (according to their scheme) civil +authority is entirely resolved into, and depends purely upon the +changeable will of civil society. But, it is presumed, they will allow, +that ecclesiastical authority is derived, and flows from, and depends +entirely upon the Lord Jesus Christ alone, the glorious Judge, Lawgiver, +and King of his church; so that (according to them) this being of a far +more noble extract and original, it must be of far more dangerous +consequence, to contemn and cast off it, than the other. + +Again, as this doctrine gives unto men a negative over the Holy One of +Israel, it also opens a wide door for introducing and enforcing the +cause of deism, already too prevalent: for, if all who are set up by +civil society, however wicked, and void of the qualifications God has +required, while they are acknowledged and submitted to by their +constituents, must be equally regarded as God's ordinance, with those +who have those qualifications; then it will follow, that the corrupt +will of wicked men legitimates the magistrate's office and authority, +not only without, but in contradiction to the preceptive will of God; +and what is this (_absit blasphemia_), but to exalt man above God, in +giving unto the universal Sovereign and Supreme Lawgiver, only a +consultative power in the constitution of magistracy, while it ascribes +unto man an absolute and definitive power, whereby they have power to +receive or reject the law of God (at least respecting magistracy) at +pleasure, and their deed of constitution be equally valid, when +opposite, as when agreeable unto, and founded upon his righteous law. +And sure, by the same reason, that man may take a liberty to dispense +with the authority of God, in one point of his commanding will; he may +also in another, until at last every part of it is rejected. It is but a +contempt of the same authority, and he that offends in one point, is +guilty of all. Such are the absurdities that this their scheme leads to, +though it is hoped the authors do not intend so. It may here be only +necessary further to observe, that among the other desperate shifts +_Seceders_ are driven to in defense of their favorite notion, they say, +that scriptural qualifications cannot be essential to God's ordinance of +magistracy, or necessarily required as a condition of it _sine qua non_; +for then it would be the same thing with magistracy; nor can these +qualifications be the condition (_sine qua non_, or), without which one +could not be a magistrate; for then it would be necessary, that every +one were possessed of them faultlessly, before he could be owned as a +lawful magistrate; either of which they allege would be grossly absurd. +But this plausible and fair-set argument of theirs, if it prove any +thing, will prove more than it is supposed they themselves will grant, +and consequently proves nothing at all. For the same gross absurdity +may, with equal reason, be inferred from a maintaining, that a due +measure and performance of scripture qualifications and duties are +essential to any other of God's ordinances, and so that these are the +ordinance itself. For instance, they might as well reason (as some have +justly observed already), that scriptural qualifications are not +essential to a lawful gospel minister, for then it would be the same +thing with the ministry, itself; nor can it be a condition, without +which one is not really a minister, unless he were so faultlessly. And +thus they have at once stripped, not only all of the race of _Adam_, +that ever exercised that office, but themselves also, of any real +mission, as ministers, unless they have assumed the Pope's +infallibility, and are advanced to the _Moravian_ perfection. So, +although the scripture declares it essential to the true church, that +she hold the head, yet by their childish reasoning, this would infer a +conclusion big with absurdities, even that this qualification of a true +church, is the church itself. And, in like manner, it can no longer be +admitted, that faith in Christ, and holiness, are essential to the being +of a true Christian; for that would be to make faith the same thing with +a Christian, and would infer, that as in heaven only holiness is in +perfection, so there alone Christians are to be found. Upon the whole, +as the Lord has given an indispensable law, respecting the constitution +of kings, showing what conditions and qualifications are required of +them; it undeniably follows, as an established truth, that Christianized +nations must invest none with that office, but in a way agreeable to +that law, and those alone according to scripture, are magistrates of +God's institution, who are in some measure possessed of these +qualifications. It is therefore an anti-scriptural tenet, that nothing +is requisite to constitute a lawful magistrate, but the inclinations and +choice of the civil society. + +3. The Presbytery testify against this system of principles, because it +has a direct tendency to destroy the just and necessary distinction that +ought to be maintained between the perceptive and providential will of +God, and necessarily jumbles and confounds these together, in such a +manner, as a man is left at an utter uncertainty to know when he is +accepted and approven of God in his conduct, and when not. That this is +the scope of their principles, is confessed, p. 87, of their book of +principles: "Nothing needs be added [say they] for the clearing of this, +but the overthrow of a distinction that has been made of those who are +acknowledged as magistrates by civil society, into such as are so by the +preceptive will of God, and such are so by his providential will only; +which distinction is altogether groundless and absurd. It will not be +refused, that all such preceptive magistrates are also providential. +But, moreover, all such providential magistrates are also preceptive. +The office and authority of them all, in itself considered, does equally +arise from, and agrees to the preceptive will of God." A doctrine most +shocking in itself! How strange! that Christians, from any +consideration, will obstinately maintain a favorite opinion, which is +confessedly built upon, and cannot be established but at the expense of +blending and confounding the preceptive and providential will of God, +while the distinction thereof is clearly and inviolably established in +the word of God! Although divine providence, which is an unsearchable +depth, does many times, and, in many cases, serve as a commentary to +open up the hidden mysteries of scripture revelation; yet, where the law +of God in the scriptures of truth is silent, there providence regulates +not, is neither institutive, nor declarative of God's will to be done by +us; and where the said divine law does ordain or deliver a rule to us in +any case, there providence gives no relaxation, allowance or countermand +to the contrary. (See _Gee_ on magistracy, in his excellent discourse on +providence.) That an overthrow of this necessary distinction, for the +sake of the above dangerous scheme, cannot be admitted of, in a +consistency with a due regard to the authority of revealed religion, and +that therefore the right and lawfulness of magistracy is not founded +upon the providential will of God, though they are countenanced and +supported by the majority of a nation, will partly appear from the +following considerations: + +1. If there is no distinction to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, then is providence equally in all respects the +rule of duty, as much as the precept is, and so man should be left at an +utter uncertainty, what is duty, in regard of the opposition that is +many times between providential dispensations and the precept. Nay, then +it is impossible that man can be guilty of sin, in transgressing the +divine will, because God infallibly brings to pass, by his holy and +over-ruling providence, whatever he has decreed by his eternal purpose. +_Rom._ ix, 17. And thus the Jews, in murdering the Son of God, should be +acquitted from the charge of guilt, and could not be said to transgress +the divine will. + +2. If no distinction is to be made between the preceptive and +providential will of God, but providence is declarative of the precept, +then is providence a complete rule without the written word. And this at +once supersedes the necessity of divine revelation, and derogates from +the sufficiency and perfection of the scriptures of truth. The written +word is affirmed to be _perfect_: _Psal._ xix, 7. Sinners are reproved +for doing that which the word gave no command for, _Jer._ vii, 31, and +xix, 5; and challenged for following the promising appearances: _Isa._ +xxx. 1, 2, 3, 11. It is therefore daring presumption to set up +providence for a rule in opposition to the written law of God. Hence it +must be concluded, either that the preceptive will of God in the +scriptures is imperfect, or the laws therein repealable by providence; +or then that providence cannot be the rule of human actions. + +3. If the distinction between the preceptive and providential will of +God is to be overthrown, then providence must be expressive of God's +approbative ordination, equally as his revealed will is. For, without +this (viz. the divine approbation), there can be no lawful title to what +is possessed. But this is what providence of itself cannot do; it cannot +without the precept discover either God's allowance or disallowance. If +then this distinction is denied, and the providential will of God +asserted to be declarative of his preceptive, and so of his approbative +will; it remains to be manifested, where and how it has been appointed +of God for such an end, an end that is by the Spirit of God denied unto +it: _Eccl._ ix, 1, 2, 4. If this distinction is to be overthrown, then +either the providential will of God, without any regard to the precept, +in every case, and in every sort of tenure, gives a just and lawful +right and title; or God has declared in his word that it shall be so in +the matter of civil government only, viz. that whosoever gains the +ascendancy in the inclinations of the people, by whatever sinful methods +this is obtained, it matters not, and so is by the hand of providence +raised up above all his rivals to the regal dignity, he is the lawful +magistrate, God's ordinance according to his precept. The first cannot +be said; it were impious to suppose it; for that would justify all +robberies and violences, and legitimate every fraud; not the latter, for +where is it to be found in all the book of divine revelation, that God +hath made such a law touching magistracy? But how big with absurdities, +to say, that a holy God has given to man a plain and positive law to be +his governing rule in every particular that concerns him, this of +magistracy only excepted. In this great ordinance he hath wholly left +him to be guided, or rather misled and bewildered by his own corrupt +inclinations: but the contrary of this has been in part discovered, and +may further. 5. If, in order to establish their anti-government scheme, +the foresaid distinction is to be destroyed, and all such as are +providential powers, and acknowledged by man, are also preceptive, and +therefore to be submitted to for conscience sake, then are the kingdoms +of men necessarily obliged to own and submit unto the dominion of the +devil. The devil not only claims to himself the possession of the power +of all the kingdoms of this world, but it is certain that of the most of +them he still retains an actual predominancy, hence styled the god of +this world. Now, it cannot be refused, but that the power he exercises +is providential (or a power of permission); and it is most certain, that +it is with the consent and good will of all the children of men, while +in a natural state. But are men therefore obliged to acknowledge his +authority, or submit to that providential power he maintains over them? +If every providential power is also preceptive, the answer must be given +in the affirmative. The like may be said of the Pope of _Rome_, the +devil's captain-general, to display his hellish banner against the King +of kings, and Lord of lords, with respect to those nations where he is +acknowledged in his diabolical pretensions. It can be to no purpose for +_Seceders_ to allege that the Pope claims a power unlawful in itself, +and therefore cannot be owned, in regard the person whom they make a +pretended acknowledgment of, as their lawful sovereign, is by the act of +his constitution invested with a similar power, a power both civil and +ecclesiastical, and declared to be head of the church, as well as the +state. Nothing, therefore, remains for them, but either to acknowledge +this clear distinction between the providential and preceptive will of +God, or then profess the lawfulness of both the above mentioned powers. +6. If the foresaid distinction is too big with absurdities to be +received, and if the authority of all providential magistrates does +equally arise from, and agree unto the precept, then it would be no sin +to resist the powers ordained of God, provided that providence proves +auspicious and favorable to the rebel, and advances him to the throne, +with the good will of his fellow rebellious subjects, by expelling the +lawful sovereign; at least such resistance could not be determined to be +sinful, until once the event declared, whether providence would +countenance the treasonable attempt or not. Thus what the apostle +declares a damnable sin, _Rom._ xiii, 2, must be justified and made the +foundation of subsequent duty, if patronized by a multitude. This they +evidently maintain, as appears from their declaration of principles, +page 82, where, pretending to obviate some difficulties anent their +principles, arising from the people of God's disowning anti-scriptural +magistrates: "The whole nature of any simple revolt [say they] lies in +breaking off immediately from the civil body, by withdrawing from, or +withdrawing part of their territories; and then it necessarily follows +at the same time, that these revolters break off from the head of the +civil body, without ever denying his authority over the members who +still cleave unto the same." This, in connection with their grand +foundation principle, and the scope of their discourse at the above +citation, discovers that they grant, that if the whole civil society +should reject the authority they had set up (however agreeable it should +have been to the preceptive will of God, and should again set up +another, though never so opposite thereto), their doing so would be +lawful; but it is not lawful for a few to disown any authority (however +wicked and anti-scriptural), unless they can at the same time withdraw +from, or withdraw part of his territories. Nothing can be more absurd +than to say, that a people are bound by the laws of God to give +subjection for conscience sake, and yet at the same time are at liberty +to cast off and reject the same authority at pleasure. If the magistrate +be lawful, it is utterly unlawful to reject him; an attempt to divest +him of his office, power and authority, though carried on by the +_primores regni_, is rebellion against God. It is most ridiculous to +allege, that a people considered as a body politic, are not under the +same obligation to their rightful sovereign, as when they are considered +as individuals, but may lawfully reject him, and set up another, if they +please; so that he who one day is God's minister, next day hath no title +to that office, but if he claim it, must be treated as a traitor, +whereby all security that can possibly be given to the most lawful +magistrate, is at once destroyed. Thus, if the Chevalier had succeeded +in his late attempt, had gained the favor of the _primores regni_, and +thereby mounted the _British_ throne; _Seceders_ must then, of +necessity, either have quit their present principles, or then have +subjected to his yoke for conscience sake, under the pain of eternal +damnation. His being a professed Papist, and enslaved vassal of _Rome_, +could not have warranted them to leave their place of subjection to him +while owned by the civil society, and so they must have treated the +present powers as usurpers and enemies to government, though they now +flatter them with the pretensions of an ill-grounded loyalty. Again, how +absurd and self contradictory to grant, that a minor part may not only +revolt, but also withdraw part of a prince's territories; and yet that +the same party may not, when residing in the nation, refuse to +acknowledge the lawfulness of an anti-scriptural power. This is to say, +that people are no longer obliged to submit to authority, than they are +in capacity to withdraw from, or withdraw part of their prince's +territories from him, and so to justify their rebellion, by that which +can only be a terrible aggravation of their sin. These, with a number of +other absurdities, natively flow from a denial of the distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God, making the title of +the lawful magistrate depend solely upon the will of the people. Nothing +is more evident than this, that if the inclinations of the people, +exclusive of all other qualifications, constitute a lawful magistrate, +then (though he rules ever so agreeable to God's preceptive will), so +soon as this body (though in a most unjust and tyrannical manner) casts +him off, he that moment for ever loses all title and claim to the +office, and can no longer be regarded as a lawful magistrate. A +principle that in its nature and tendency is introductive of all anarchy +and confusion, and with the greatest propriety deserves the encomium of +the _anti-government scheme_. + +7. This anarchical system of principles, which destroys the above just +and necessary distinction, is directly in opposition to the laudable and +almost universal practice of all nations, in ordaining and enacting +certain fundamental laws, constitutions and provisos, whereby the throne +is fenced, the way to it limited, and the property thereof predisposed. +The Scripture sufficiently discovers those restrictions and rules, which +God himself has prescribed and laid down, for directing and determining +of his people's procedure about the erection of magistrates. And profane +history abounds in discovering certain fundamental laws and conditions +to take place, almost in every nation, without conforming to which, none +can be admitted to that dignity over them. But to what purpose are any +such laws and constitutions, if this vague principle is once admitted, +which cancels and disannuls all such provisos and acts? Why should +_Moses_ have been so solicitous about his successor in the government of +_Israel, Numb._ xxvii, 15-17, if God had ordained the inclinations of +the people alone should determine? Or to what purpose did _Israel_, +after the death of _Joshua_, ask of God, who should be their leader, if +their own inclinations alone were sufficient to determine it? If God has +declared, that the corrupt will of the people is the alone basis of +civil power, then, not only are all state constitutions and fundamental +laws useless, because, on every vacancy of the throne, they not only +must all give place to the superior obligation, the incontrollable law, +of the uncertain inclinations of the body politic, but they are in their +nature unlawful; their proper use in every nation being to prevent all +invasion upon the government by unqualified persons, and to illegitimate +it, if at any time done. So that, if the consent of civil society is the +only essential condition of government which God has authorized, not +only are all scriptural conditions and qualifications useless and +unlawful, but also all human securities, either from intruders or for +lawful governors, are unlawful, in regard the very design of them all is +to oppose this grand foundation principle, the jure-divinity of which +_Seceders_ have found out, and do confidently maintain. And thus, by the +seceding scheme, is condemned, not only the practice of almost all other +nations, determining by law, some indispensable qualifications that +their rulers must have; but particularly the practice of these once +reformed lands, when reformation had the sanction, not only of +ecclesiastic, but also of civil, authority, is hereby condemned. +Scripture and covenant qualifications were then made essential to the +being of a lawful magistrate, by the fundamental laws and constitutions +of the nations; so that however the inclinations of the people might run +(as it soon appeared they were turned in opposition to these), yet, by +these laws, and in a consistency with that constitution, none could be +admitted to the place or places of civil authority, but such as +professed, and outwardly practiced, according to reformation principles. +See _Act_ 15th, _Sess._ 2d, _Parl._ 1649. And how happy we had been, if +we had constantly acted in conformity to these agreeable laws, +experience, both former and latter, will bear witness. How much better +had it been for us to have walked in God's statutes, and executed his +judgments, than by our abhorrence of them, and apostasy from them, to +provoke him to give us statutes that are not good, and judgments whereby +we cannot live (_Ezek._ xx, 25), or have any comfortable enjoyment and +possession of the blessings and privileges of his everlasting gospel, as +it is with us at this day. And yet, this is what _Seceders_ would have +us caressing, embracing and (with them) blessing God for, under the +notion of a present good; and so bless God for permitting his enemies +(in anger against an ungrateful and guilty people) to overturn his work +and interest, and establish themselves upon the ruins thereof; to bless +him for making our own iniquities to correct us, and our backslidings to +reprove us, until we know what an evil and bitter thing it is to depart +from the LORD GOD of our fathers; to bless him (for what is matter of +lamentation) that the adversaries of _Zion_ are the chief, and her +enemies prosper, _Lam._ i, 5: and all this abstractly, under the notion, +of good, which comes very near the borders of blasphemy. + +But, moreover, the civil settlement at the revolution is also condemned +by this principle of theirs; not because of its opposition to a +covenanted reformation, but in regard it includes some essential +qualifications required in the supreme civil ruler. The nations are, by +that deed of constitution, bound up in their election of a magistrate; +and all Papists, such as marry with Papists, or do not publicly profess +the Protestant religion, are declared incapable of the throne. So that +we see the present law makes some other qualifications, besides the +consent of the body politic, essential to the constitution of a lawful +sovereign in _Britain_. From all which it is plain, that this principle +of _Seceders_ is neither a reformation nor a revolution principle; let +then the impartial world judge whence it came. + +_Seceders_, in consequence of their contradictory and self-inconsistent +system of principles, declare they cannot swear allegiance to a lawful +government. They maintain the present to be lawful, yet (in Dec. of +their principles, _page_ 55th) they say, "The question is not whether it +be lawful for us to swear the present allegiance to the civil +government, which the Presbytery acknowledge they cannot do, seeing +there are no oaths to the government in being, but what exclude the oath +of our covenants, and homologate the united constitution." But seeing +they acknowledge that every constitution of government, that comprehends +the will and consent of civil society, were it as wicked and diabolical +as can be imagined, is lawful--yea, as lawful as any that is most +consonant to the preceptive will of God, having all the essentials of +his ordinance; and seeing, because of the will and consent of the +people, they own the present to be lawful, it is most surprising why +they cannot swear allegiance to it; their reasons cannot, in a +consistency with their principle, be sustained as valid. That the +present oaths of allegiance and the oath of the covenants are +inconsistent, is readily granted; but seeing the oaths of allegiance +bind to nothing more than what they confess they are bound to for +conscience sake, namely, to own the lawfulness of the government, and to +maintain it according to the constitution thereof (which is a duty owed +by subjects to every lawful sovereign); and seeing that whatever is in +the oaths of allegiance contrary to the covenants, does not flow from +them, abstractly considered, but from the constitution to which they +bind (which constitution is sanctified by the people's acknowledgement +of it). If, therefore, the covenants forbid a duty, to which they are +bound for conscience sake, their authority in that ought not to be +regarded. + +But certainly _Seceders_, who have found it duty to alter and model the +covenants, according to the circumstances of the times they live in, +might have found it easy work to reconcile the oath of the covenants +with allegiance to a lawful government. The other part of their reason +is no less ridiculous and self-contradictory, viz., "They cannot swear +allegiance to the present government, because it homologates the united +constitution." But is not this constitution according to the will, and +by consent of, the body politic? and is it not ordained by the +providential will of God? therefore, according to them, has all the +essentials of a lawful constitution, which claims their protection, +under pain of damnation. How great the paradox! they cannot swear +allegiance, because they would bind them to acknowledge and defend a +lawful constitution. Is not active obedience, is not professed +subjection for conscience sake, an homologation of the constitution? +Certainly they are, and that not in word only, but in deed and in truth. +And what is the allegiance, but a promise to persevere in what they do +daily, and what they hold as their indispensable duty to do? To grant +the one, then, and refuse the other, is, in effect, to homologate or +acknowledge the constitution, and not to acknowledge it, at the same +time, which is a glaring absurdity. + +But here, they would have people attend to their chimerical distinction +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority. They have made a +successless attempt (in order to establish their antigovernment scheme) +for the overthrow of a distinction, which Heaven has irreversibly fixed, +between the preceptive and providential will of God; and, for the same +purpose, they will impose this distinction on the generation--a mere +shift and artifice, which has no foundation nor subsistence any where +else, but in their imagination, and serves for no purpose but to cheat +their own and others' consciences, and betray the cause of God. It is +plain, that as a power, both civil and ecclesiastical, belongs to the +essence and constitution of an English diocesan bishop, so the same is +declared to belong now to the essence and constitution of an English +king, who is the head and chief prelate among them all; and it is their +manner to call themselves his bishops (not Christ's), as having their +power, both ecclesiastical and civil, immediately from him, as the +fountain of all power within his dominions So that there is no room for +this distinction of _Seceders_ here, unless they are such expert +logicians, as to distinguish a thing from that which is essential to it, +and so from itself; but this is a destruction, not a distinction. +_Seceders_ indeed presume and depend very much upon their abilities of +this kind; for they can distinguish between the magistrate's office and +its essential qualifications, which God has inseparably joined together +in his word. They can distinctly pray for the head, author, authorizer +and prime supporter, of abjured Prelacy and Prelates, that God would +bless him in his government, and yet not pray for the Prelates +themselves. They can pray very fervently and distinctly for the British +and Irish parliaments, and yet not at all pray for the bishops, +necessary and essential members there. And what is all this but to pray +for a nonentity, a mere creature of their own mind? They have neither +king nor parliament in their abstracted and imaginary sense, but do +clearly distinguish themselves out of both. We might refer them to that +famous and faithful embassador, and renowned martyr for the cause and +testimony of Jesus, Mr. _Donald Cargill_, in his last speech and +testimony, and let him determine the controversy (in this particular) +between us. They will not be so bold as to say, that this honorable +witness died with a lie in his right hand. His words are these: "As to +the cause of my suffering, the main is, not acknowledging the present +authority as it is now established. This is the magistracy I have +rejected, that was invested with Christ's power; and seeing that power +taken from Christ, which is his glory, and made the essential of the +crown, I thought it was as if I had seen one wearing my husband's +clothes, after he had killed him. And seeing it is made the essential of +the crown, there is no distinction we can make, that can free the +conscience of the acknowledger from being a partaker of this +sacrilegious robbing of God. And it is but to cheat our conscience, to +acknowledge the civil power, for it is not the civil power only, that is +made the essential of the crown. And seeing they are so express, we must +be plain; for otherwise, it is to deny our testimony, and consent to his +robbery." From these words it is evident, _first_, that Mr. Cargill was +no _Seceder_, or of their mind, in this particular; and _second_, that, +at the time, there were some who did cheat and impose upon their own +consciences, by distinguishing (where there was no room for distinction) +between the king's civil and ecclesiastical authority--which distinction +was condemned and testified against by all who were truly faithful to +Christ and their own consciences, and tender of his honor and glory, by +their unanimous rejection of that anti-christian and unlawful power; and +that when they had much more reason and temptation to fly to such a +subterfuge for their safety, than _Seceders_ now have. And, _third_, +from these words it is also clear, that Mr. _Cargill_ and that poor, +distressed and persecuted people that adhered to him, rejected and +disclaimed the then authority, not so much because of their tyranny and +mal-administrations, as on account of the unlawfulness and wickedness of +the constitution itself (which was the prime original and spring of all +the wickedness in the administration), namely, because the king +arrogantly and sacrilegiously assumed to himself that power, which was +the sole and glorious prerogative of Jesus Christ. And as to the +difference that _Seceders_ make between that and the present time (since +the revolution), it is certain, that whatever greater degree of absolute +supremacy was then assumed by _Charles_ II, it does not vary the kind of +that claimed, or rather conferred on and exercised, by the supreme +powers, since the revolution (for _majus et minus non variant speciem_), +nor acquit them of the guilt of robbing the Son of God, Jesus Christ, of +his incommunicable prerogative and supremacy in and over his church, as +the only king and head thereof. Nor will the difference of times, while +the constitution remains the same, while God remains the same, and truth +and duty remain the same, nor yet any distinction that can be made, free +the conscience of the acknowledger, more now than then, from being a +partaker (art and part) with the civil power, in this sacrilegious +robbery. _Psal._ l, 18: "When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst +with him," &c. + +But passing this: seeing the above mentioned reasons, which _Seceders_ +allege why they cannot swear allegiance to the present government, which +they assert is lawful and scriptural, cannot be sustained, some others +must be sought for them: and they may be either, because they judge +allegiance itself unlawful; or rather, because then they would be bound +by oath to continue faithful to this government in all changes that can +happen. Whereas now, they are free, and equally ready, in a full +consistency with their principles, to profess their subjection to +another, were it even a popish pretender. For according, to them, an +infidel or papist may have a just and lawful authority over us, +notwithstanding all, both the reformation and revolution laws, to the +contrary. If, therefore, the legislature would, in the oaths of +allegiance, insert this limitation, viz. so long as the body politic is +pleased to acknowledge the supreme magistrate, they would find it easier +to come over their other pretended and inconsistent difficulties. For +the truth is, they cannot, in a consistency with their anti-government +scheme, and with safe consciences, swear to any government, but with +such limitation, in regard they cannot be sure, but he that is now owned +by civil society may be rejected, and another set up, who must be +acknowledged. So they would be brought into an inextricable dilemma; +either they must own them both to be God's ordinance, which is absurd; +or then be perjured, by rejecting him to whom they had sworn; or then +incur damnation, by refusing obedience to him, who is set up by the body +politic. Such is the labyrinth of confusion and contradiction this +anarchical system leads into; a system that cancels all constitutions by +God and men anent civil government. + +8. This anti-government Seceding principle, destructive of said +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God, is both +contrary to, and confuted by many approven scriptural examples; in which +the Spirit of God testifies, that the actual possession of the throne, +under the favor of providence, and by the consent of a majority of a +nation, may be in one, while the moral power and right of government is +in another. The word of God acknowledges _David_ the rightful sovereign +over all _Israel_, for the space of forty years (1 Kings, ii, 11; 1 +Chron. xxix, 26, 27); seven of these he is said to have reigned in +_Hebron_, and thirty-three in _Jerusalem_. During the first seven years +of his reign at _Hebron_, there is a positive confinement of his actual +rule to the tribe of _Judah_ only; 2 Sam. v, 5. And at the same time, +_Ishbosheth_ is said to be made king over all _Israel_, and to have +reigned two years. In agreeableness to Seceding principles, there is no +reconciling these different texts. According to their scheme _David_ can +with no propriety be said to have reigned forty years over all _Israel_, +seeing seven of the years were elapsed before he was actually +acknowledged by all _Israel_, before providence put him in the actual +possession of all that extensive power. There is another known example, +applicable to the present purpose, in the instance of _David_, during +the rebellion of his unnatural son _Absalom_. According to the sacred +story, 2 Sam. chap, xv, xvi, xvii, xviii, xix, it appears, that he was +wholly ejected, both out of the hearts and territories of _Israel_, and +not only the throne, but the will and consent of the people given up to +_Absalom_. But was _David_ therefore divested of his right and title? +Though it is most contrary to scripture to suppose it; yet, according to +_Seceders_, seeing _Absalom_ was king, by possession of the throne, and +had not only the power providentially put into his hand, but had it also +by the consent of the people; it necessarily follows that _Absalom_, +being a providential magistrate, his office and authority did equally +arise from, and agree to the preceptive will of God, and subjection and +obedience, for conscience sake, was equally due to him, as to _David_, +by the _Israelitish_ tribes. And so it was a damnable sin in _David_ to +fight against him, as it could be no less than a resisting the ordinance +of God. The same may be said with respect to that other revolt, by the +instigation, and under the conduct of _Sheba_; 2 Sam. chap. xx. But +although, according to _Seceders_, he must also have been their lawful +magistrate, the Spirit of God discovers the reverse, still acknowledging +the right of government in all these changes to be in _David_. Another +example is in the case of _Solomon_, who was ordained or designed by God +expressly for the kingdom of _Israel_. _Adonijah_ had obtained the +ascendancy, both in respect of actual possession, and the inclinations +and consent of the majority of the nation; the consent was general; 1 +Kings, i, 5, 7, 9, 11, 18, 25, and ii, 15. He had all to plead for +himself, which _Seceders_ make essential to the constitution of a lawful +king. He had got to the throne by providence, and had full admission and +possession, by the inclinations of the people. If then there is no +distinction to be made of those who are acknowledged by civil society, +into such as are so by the preceptive will of God, and such as are so by +his providential will only--then _Solomon_ had no right nor title to the +crown; and the enterprise of _David_ and _Nathan_, &c., of setting him +on the throne, was utterly unlawful. Both they and _Solomon_ ought to +have acquiesced in the duty of subjection to _Adonijah_, as being the +ordinance of God. But this would have been opposite to the express +direction of the Lord, appointing the kingdom to _Solomon_, "It was his +from the Lord," as _Adonijah_ himself confessed. To the same purpose +might be adduced, the instance of _Joash_, the son of _Akaziah_, who was +king _de jure_, even when _Athaliah_ had not only the countenance of +providence, but the consent of the people, in the possession of the +kingdom; 2 Chron. xxii, 10, 12. Again, the practice of nations, in +owning those for their lawful sovereigns, who, by providence, were put +from the actual exercise of their rule and authority, contributes to +confute this absurd notion. Thus, the people of _Israel_, who had risen +up for _Absalom_, do even, when _David_ was out of the land, own him for +their king. So, during the _Babylonish_ captivity, there are several +persons noted as princes of _Judah_, whom the people owned, as having +the right of government over them. With a variety of other instances, +all discovering, in opposition to their anarchical system, that it is +not by the dispensations of providence, that the right and title of the +lawful magistrate is to be determined. Moreover, as the Associate +Presbytery have so barefacedly belied the scriptures of truth, as to +assert that there cannot be so much as an instance found in all the +history of the Old Testament, of any civil members refusing, either by +word or deed, an acknowledgment of, or subjection unto the authority of +any magistrate actually in office, by the will of the civil body: +besides what have been already adduced, take these few following +examples of many. After that _Saul_, by his disobedience to the +commandment of the Lord, had forfeited his title to the kingdom, he was +no more honored as king, by _Samuel_, the prophet; but, on the contrary, +he openly testified to his face, that the Lord had rejected him from +being king; 1 Sam. xv, 26-35. Though he mourned over him as one +rejected, yet he no more acknowledged him as clothed with the authority +as a lawful king; nay, the Lord having rejected him, reproves his +prophet for mourning for him, 1 Sam. xvi, 1. From which, and the command +he received to anoint _David_ in his stead, and that even while the +civil society did acknowledge, and was subject unto _Saul_, it appears, +that the throne of _Israel_ was then regarded, both by the Lord and his +prophet, as vacant, until _David_ was annointed; from which time, in the +eye of the divine law, he was the rightful king, and ought, in +consequence of the public intimation made by the prophet of _Saul's_ +rejection, to have been acknowledged as the Lord's Anointed by the whole +kingdom of _Israel_. In agreeableness whereto, the scripture informs, +that not only _David_ in expectation of the Lord's promise, resisted +_Saul_ as an unjust usurper, but many among the tribes of _Israel_, whom +the Spirit of God honorably mentions, rejected the government of _Saul_, +and joined themselves to him that was really anointed of the Lord; 1 +Chron. xii, 1-23. Now, if the Lord did command, under pain of damnation, +to give loyal obedience to all in the place of supreme authority, +however wicked, while acknowledged by the body politic, he would not +reject such, nor command to set up others in their room, nor approve of +those who disowned and resisted them. But all this is done in this +instance, which of itself, is sufficient to overthrow their scheme. +Another instance is in 2 Chron. xi, 13, 16, where the authority of +_Jeroboam_ is rejected and cast off, even when acknowledged and +submitted to by the nation of _Israel_, by the priests and _Levites_, +and after them, by all such as did set their hearts to seek the Lord God +of _Israel_, through all the ten tribes; and this, because of his +abominable wickedness. Whereby it appears a commendable duty to refuse +the lawfulness of the authority of wicked occupants, though acknowledged +by the majority of a nation. A similar example there is in the reign of +_Baasha_, who could not by all his vigilance prevent many from casting +off his government; 2 Chron. xv, 9. Again, there is an express example +of _Elisha's_ disowning the king of _Israel_, even when the civil +society owned him; 2 Kings, iii, 14, 15. He did not regulate his conduct +by providence, and the will of the people, but, in opposition to both, +refused him that honor that is due to all that are really kings. To +these may be added that notable example of _Libnah_, a city of the +priests, who could not but have knowledge by the law of their God what +was their duty; 2 Chron. xxi, 10. Here is an instance of a people's +casting off allegiance to a king, properly because of his apostasy and +intolerable wickedness, whereby they bore testimony against him, and +discovered what was the duty of the whole nation, on account of his +apostasy from the Lord. Their so doing was a most positive, actual and +express condemnation, both of _Jehoram_ for his wickedness, and of the +people for concurring, joining with him, and strengthening his hands in +it (even as _Noah_ by his faith and obedience is said to have condemned +the antediluvian world; Heb. ix, 7.) And this their conduct and +testimony the Spirit of God justifies, and records to their honor. These +few of many that might be adduced, declare the impudence, as well as +fallacy and imposture of _Seceders_ in this matter, and also justify the +principles which they maliciously nick-name the anti-government scheme; +and that for no other reason, but because it establishes the ordinance +of magistracy among a people favored by God with divine revelation, upon +his preceptive will, in opposition to their anarchical notions of +setting it wholly upon the tottering basis of the corrupt will of man. +And, to conclude this particular, how ridiculously absurd is it in them +to insinuate, that, in the examples above, or others to be found in +sacred history, those persons did, notwithstanding their own practice in +rejecting the authority of wicked rulers, still view it as the duty of +the rest of the nation, to acknowledge them? This is pure jargon and +nonsense, contrary both to reason and religion. By what law could the +opposite practices of those that disowned, and those that still +continued to own the authority of unlawful rulers, be justified? It +could not by the divine law, which never condemns that as sin in one, +which it approves as duty in others in the same circumstances. Seeing +therefore these, in the instances above, are justified, the practice of +those who continued to acknowledge the lawfulness of these wicked +rulers, must be regarded as condemned, both by the divine law, and also +by the practices of the above persons, which do all jointly concur in +witnessing, that they viewed it the duty of all the rest of the nation, +to have done as they did. And from the whole, it appears a commendable +duty for the Lord's people to disown the right and lawfulness of rulers +set up in contradiction to the divine law. + +9. The iniquity of attempting to destroy the necessary distinction +between the providential and preceptive will of God in the matter of +magistracy, appears from God's express disallowance of some whom +providence had actually exalted to the supreme command over a people; +_Ezek._ xxi, 27: "I will overturn, &c." Although this may have an +ultimate respect to Christ, yet it has also a reference to the rightful +governors of _Judah_, when disposessed of their right by the +providential will of God. And here the Lord threatens the execution of +his judgments upon the unjust possessor. See also _Amos_ vi, 13; _Hab._ +ii, 5, 6; _Nah._ iii, 4, 5; and _Matth._ xxvi, 52. By all which it +appears, that the supreme lawgiver states a real difference between +those who are only exalted by the providential will of GOD, and not +authorized by his preceptive will; and therefore it is impossible that +the office and authority of them both can equally arise from, and agree +to the precept. Again, in _Hos._ viii, 4, "They have set up kings, but +not by me; they have made princes, and I knew it not," is this +distinction showed, as with the brightness of a sun-beam, so that he +that runs may read it. The LORD by his prophet here charges this people +with horrid apostasy, in changing both the ordinances of the magistracy +and the ministry, particularly, although the LORD commanded, if they +would set up kings, they should set up none but whom he chose; _Deut._ +xvii, 15. Yet they had no regard to his law. This charge seems to have +respect to the civil constitution among the ten tribes after their +revolt from the house of David; not simply charging their revolt on +them, but that after their secession, they did not consult GOD, nor act +according to his precept, in their setting up of kings. As nothing can +happen in the world, but by the course of providence; and as all things +are known unto GOD, in respect of his omniscience, the text cannot +respect either of these. The true import of the charge then is, they +have set up kings, but not according to the law and preceptive will of +GOD; and therefore he neither did nor would approve either them or their +kings. Hence the prophet charges this as one cause of their national +destruction. Here then it is undeniably evident that GOD himself +establishes that distinction pleaded for; and it is therefore most +wicked to assert, as _Seceders_ do, that it is altogether groundless and +absurd. Again, this text discovers, that all kings that are set up and +acknowledged by civil society, are not agreeable to the preceptive will +of GOD, or, as such, approven by him, as they have falsely asserted: for +here the LORD declares, that _Israel_ had set up kings that were not +agreeable to his precept: and the charge respects their authority, the +very deed of constitution. To say then, that all providential +magistrates are also preceptive, is directly to give the GOD of truth +the lie. Moreover, this plainly intimates, that all such providential +magistrates as are not set up in agreeableness to the precept; are +disallowed and condemned by GOD, and therefore GOD commands to put away +the carcasses of such kings, as, because of the blind consent of civil +society, were little better than adored by the people, _Ezek_. xliii, 9, +"that he might dwell in the midst of them forever;" and therefore he +declares it the sin, and so the cause of the people's ruin, as in the +above text: and also in _Hos._ v, 11, "_Ephraim_ is oppressed;" because +he willingly walked after the commandment, deliberately and implicitly +followed every wicked ruler set up by civil society. It is but a +perverting and abusing the above text, to plead that it is only a +condemnation of _Israel_, for not consulting the LORD in making choice +of their kings, but no condemnation of them for setting them up, and +acknowledging them, in contradiction to the LORD'S choice, as plainly +laid before them in his preceptive will. And it is very contradictory, +to acknowledge it a sin, not to consult God, and yet to assert that it +is a matter of indifference as to the validity of their office, whether +his counsel be followed or not, which it must be, if, as their principle +bears, the being of the magistrate's office and authority is equally +good and valid, when contrary, as when agreeable to the commanding will +of God. But if, as is granted, it be a sin not to consult God in the +choice of magistrates, it must needs be a great aggravation thereof, +after consulting him, to reject and contemn his counsel, and openly +contradict his positive command, by constituting kings in opposition to +his declared will, which is evidently the sin charged upon _Israel_, and +the reason why he disclaims all such; and therefore, according to that +known and approven rule, that wherever any sin is forbidden and +condemned in scripture, there the contrary duty is commanded and +commended; it follows, that the setting up of rulers, in opposition to +the express command of God, being here condemned, the contrary duty is +commended, namely, a disowning of all such rulers; for, if it be a sin +to set up rulers, and not by God, it must also be a sin to acknowledge +them when so set up, in regard it is a continuing in, and approving of +the sin of that wicked erection; although such an acknowledgment may +indeed be agreeable to their principle, which gives to the creature a +prerogative above the Creator. From the whole it may already appear, +what reason the Presbytery have for testifying against _Seceders_, for +maintaining such a corrupt doctrine; a doctrine, which they very justly +acknowledge (p. 87) cannot be established, but by the overthrow of this +distinction between the providential and preceptive will of God; a +distinction, that as they shall never be able to overturn by all their +impotent and impious attacks: so it will to all ages stand as a strong +bulwark, inviolably defending the truth here contended for by the +Presbytery. + +4. The Presbytery testify against this anti-government principle of the +_Secession_, as being contradictory to, and inconsistent with the +reformation principles, and covenanted obligations, whereby these +nations, in agreeableness to the law of God, bound themselves to +maintain all the ordinances of God in their purity, according to their +original institution in the scriptures of truth. The Seceding scheme (as +has been noticed formerly) is, that whomsoever the bulk of the nation, +or body politic, set up, and providence proves auspicious and favorable +to, is the lawful magistrate, to be owned and submitted to for +conscience sake. The inconsistency of which tenet with reformation +principles, may appear from viewing and comparing therewith the +coronation oath, _James VI, Parl._ 1, _cap._ 8, where it is ordained as +a condition _sine qua non_, that all kings, princes, and magistrates, +shall at their installment solemnly swear to maintain the true religion +of Jesus Christ, and oppose all false religions. So also _James VI, +Parl. 1, cap._ 9th, which ordains, that no person may be a judge or +member of any court that professes not the true religion. Also _Charles +I_, _Parl._ 2, _sess_ 2d, _Act._ 14, it is ordained, that before the +king be admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall give +satisfaction to the kingdom anent the security of religion: and so the +same parliament, _Act_ 15th, 1649, express themselves (referring to the +coronation oath above mentioned): "The estates of parliament judging it +necessary, that the prince and people be of one perfect religion, +appoint, that all kings and princes, who shall reign or bear rule within +this realm, shall at the receipt of their princely authority, solemnly +swear to observe in their own persons, and to preserve the religion, as +it is presently established and professed. And they ordain, that before +the king's majesty who now is, or any of his successors, shall be +admitted to the exercise of his royal power, he shall, by and attour the +foresaid oath, declare by his solemn oath, under his hand and seal, his +allowance of the National Covenant, and of the Solemn League and +Covenant, and obligation to prosecute the ends thereof in his station +and calling; and that he shall consent, and agree to acts of parliament, +enjoining the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully establishing +Presbyterian government, the Directory for worship, Confession of Faith, +and Catechisms approved by the General Assembly of this kirk, and +parliament of this kingdom--and that he shall observe these in his own +practice and family,--and shall never make opposition to any of these, +or endeavor any change thereof. Likeas, the estates of parliament +discharge all the lieges and subjects of this kingdom to procure or +receive from his majesty any commissions or gifts whatsoever, until his +majesty shall give satisfaction, as said is, under the pain of being +censured in their persons and estates, as the parliament shall judge +fitting. And if any such commissions or gifts be procured or received by +any of the subjects before such satisfaction, the parliament declares +and ordains all such and all that shall follow thereupon, to be void and +null." And the same session, _Act_ 26th, it is in short ordained, that +none shall bear any place of public trust in the nation, but such as +have the qualifications God requires in his word. Thus, in the prefatory +part of the act, they say, "The estates of parliament taking into +consideration, that the Lord our God requires that such as bear charge +among his people, should be able men, fearing God, hating covetousness, +and dealing truly: and that many of the evils of sin and punishment, +under which the land groans, have come to pass, because hitherto they +have not been sufficiently provided and cared for," &c. (And afterward +in the statutory part), "Do therefore ordain, that all such as shall be +employed in any place of power and trust in this kingdom, shall not only +be able men, but men of known affection unto, and of approved fidelity +and integrity in the cause of God, and of a blameless Christian +conversation," &c. To the same purpose, _Act_ 11th, _Parl._ 2d, _Sess._ +3d, entitled _act for purging the army_. See also the coronation oath, +of _Scotland_, as subscribed by _Charles II_, at _Scoon_, 1650. All +which, and many other fundamental laws of the like nature, made in time +of reformation, show the principles of our reformers to have been quite +different from those of _Seceders_ anent civil government: and that to +constitute lawful magistrates, they must of necessity have scriptural +and covenant qualifications, besides the consent of the people. With +what face then can they pretend to have adopted a testimony for +reformation principles, and to be of the same principles with our late +reformers? The vanity of this pretense will further appear, by comparing +their principles with the Solemn League and Covenant, with every article +of which they are inconsistent. They profess the moral obligation of the +covenants, and yet at the same time maintain the lawfulness of every +providential government, whether popish or prelatic, if set up by the +body politic. But how opposite this to the _first_ article, obliging +constantly to endeavor the preservation of the reformed religion? Can it +be consistent therewith, to commit the government of the nations to a +sworn enemy to the reformation? or, with that sincerity which becomes +the professors of Christ, to plead the lawfulness of an authority raised +upon the overthrow of the reformed religion? No less opposite is it to +the _second_ article, which obliges, and that without respect of +persons, to endeavor the extirpation of popery, prelacy--to maintain and +plead for the lawfulness of that which establishes or supports prelacy +or popery in the nations. This appears rather like a sincere endeavor in +them to promote whatever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of +true godliness; and that, because an apostate people approves thereof, +contrary to _Exod._ xxiii, 2: "Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do +evil." Again, the _third_ article binds to preserve the rights of +parliaments, and the liberties of the kingdoms, and the king's authority +in the preservation and defense of the true religion. But how +inconsistent is it therewith, to own and defend an authority that in its +constitution and habitual series of administration, is destructive of +all these precious and valuable interests? It is full of contradiction, +and a mocking both of God and the world, to pretend to own and defend +the destroyers of the true religion, in the defense of religion, as +_Seceders_ do in their mock acknowledgment of such as are sworn to +maintain Prelacy, in opposition to the reformed religion. The +contradictoriness of this principle of theirs to the _fourth_ article, +needs no illustration. Again, the owning of an authority, which is +reared up and stands upon the footing of the destruction of the +covenanted union, and uniformity of the nations in religion can never be +consistent with the _fifth_, article, which binds, to an endeavoring, +that these kingdoms may remain conjoined in that firm covenanted union +to all posterity. In like manner, as the _sixth_ article obliges to a +defending of all that enter into that League and Covenant, and never to +suffer ourselves to be divided, and make defection to the contrary part; +it must be a manifest contradiction thereto, not only to defend such as +are enemies to that covenant, but even in their opposition thereto. And +it is a making defection to the contrary part, and from that cause and +covenant with a witness, to plead the lawfulness of the national +constitution, which is established upon the ruins of a covenanted work +of reformation, as _Seceders_ do; whose principle and practice, in +opposition to what is professed in the conclusion of the covenant, as +well as what was the very design of entering into it, is, instead of a +going before others, in the example of a real reformation, a corrupting +of the nations more and more, and going before them in the example of a +real apostasy and defection from the reformation, so solemnly sworn to +be maintained in this covenant; and a teaching of them to appoint +themselves a captain, to return to their anti-christian bondage. + +Upon the whole, as the Presbytery ought to testify against this new +scheme of principles, respecting the ordinance of magistracy; they +therefore, upon all the grounds formerly laid down, did, and hereby do +declare, testify against, and condemn the same, as what is, indeed, a +new and dangerous principle, truly anti-government, introductory of +anarchy and confusion, of apostasy and defection from the covenanted +work of reformation, the principles by which it was carried on and +maintained, and acts and laws, by which it was fenced and established; +and what is flatly opposite to, and condemned by the word of divine +revelation, in many express and positive precepts, and approven +examples, agreeable thereto, as well as by our solemn national +covenants, founded upon, and agreeable to the said word of divine +revelation. And finally, let this be further observed, that as it was a +beautiful branch of our glorious reformation, that the civil government +of this nation was modeled agreeable to the word of God; and that the +right of regal government was constituted, bounded and fixed by an +unalterable law, consonant to the word of God, and sworn to be +inviolably preserved both by king and people: so the _Associate +Brethren_, by their doctrine on this head, which is inconsistent with +our uncontroverted establishment, and fundamental laws, excluding from +the throne all papists and prelatists, have counteracted a most +important point of the covenanted reformation, and opened a wide door to +_Jacobitism_. For, if every one is bound to acknowledge implicitly any +government, in fact, that prevails: then, if a party in these nations +should rise up, and set a _popish_ pretender on the throne, according to +their doctrine, all should be obliged to subject to him; and it would be +sinful to impugn the lawfulness of his authority, although that, by +being popish, he is destitute of the essential qualifications required +of a king, not only by the word of God, but by the national constitution +and laws, in order to make him a lawful sovereign to these nations. + +2. The Presbytery testify against the Associate Presbytery, now called +Synod, for their wronging, perverting and misapplying the blessed +scriptures of truth in many texts, in order to support their erroneous +tenet: namely, that the word of God requires no qualifications as +essential to the being of a lawful Christian magistrate: but that +whosoever are set up, and while they continue to be acknowledged by +civil society, are lawful magistrates, though destitute of scripture +qualifications, and acting in a manifest opposition to the revealed will +and law of God. + +The texts of scripture used by them, do prove this general proposition, +viz., That it is the duty of the people of God to obey and submit to +lawful rulers in their lawful commands: and that it is utterly unlawful +and sinful to oppose such lawful authority. But none of these texts +quoted by them, prove, that it is the duty of the people of God, blessed +with the knowledge of his revealed will, to submit to, and obey, for +conscience sake, an authority that is sinful, and opposite to the +revealed will of God, both in its constitution and general course of +administration. Nor do they prove, that a prelatical, Erastian or popish +government, is a lawful government, either expressly, or by right of +necessary consequence, over a people, who either do, collectively +considered as a church and nation, or are bound to profess all the parts +of the true religion, and to maintain all the divine ordinances in their +purity: nor do they prove, that any can be lawful rulers over these +Christian and covenanted nations, who want the essential qualifications +required by the word of God, the covenants, and fundamental laws of the +kingdoms: or that it is sinful in the people of God, to say so much, in +testifying against the joint and national apostasy from God and the +purity of religion. Particularly, + +The first text they adduce is, _Prov._ xxvi, 21: "My son, fear, thou the +Lord and the king, and meddle not with them that are given to change." +It is granted, that this scripture enjoins all those duties that, in a +consistency with the fear of the Lord, a people owe to their rightful +kings. But nothing can be more absurd, than to extend the command to all +that bear the name of kings, who are acknowledged by a nation as kings, +and while they do so own them, though their constitution should be most +anti-christian, and they justly chargeable with unparalleled evils not +only in their private character, but in their public conduct: be they +idolaters, adulterers, blasphemers, sabbath-breakers, murderers, +invaders, and avowed usurpers of the throne, crown and scepter, and +incommunicable prerogatives of Christ, the glorious King of Zion, +setting themselves in the temple of God, and exalting themselves above +all that is called God, by dispensing with his laws, and, in place +thereof, substituting their own wicked laws, whereby they establish +iniquity, and enjoin, under severe penalties, the profanation of the +name, day and ordinances of the Lord. This command must certainly be +understood in a consistency with the duty and character of one that is +resolved to be an inhabitant of the Lord's holy hill, _Psal._ xv, "In +whose eyes a vile person is contemned." It must be consistent with the +fear of the Lord, which can stand very well with a fearing and honoring +all who are really kings; but a flat contradiction thereto, to fear +every vile person, because it is the will of civil society to set him up +in the character of king. Till therefore Seceders prove, either that +kings are under no obligation to obey the law of God themselves, and so +not liable to its sanction and penalty, in case of disobedience; or +then, that the favor and approbation of civil society can justify a +dispensing with the law of God, they will never be able to prove from +this, nor any other text, that such as are guilty of any crime declared +capital in the word of truth have a right and title to that fear, honor +and obedience, that is due to lawful kings, even though they are +acknowledged by civil society. And so this text makes nothing for, but +against their darling tenet; and their explication thereof is evidently +a wresting of scripture, making it speak in their favor, contrary to the +scope and meaning of the Holy Spirit therein. And their inviduous +insinuation, that all who differ from their opinion, do likewise depart +from the fear of the Lord, is but a further evidence of their abuse of +scripture, while it is at the same time utterly false. See Mr. Knox's +history, p. 422, 1st _Book of Discipline, cap._ 10, 11. + +A _second_ text abused, for supporting their forementioned principle, is +_Eccles._ x, 4: "If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave +not thy place, for yielding pacifieth great offenses." As formerly, so +here they assert, that this text refers to any rulers presently +acknowledged by the civil society, and that the rising of the ruler's +spirit must be understood as groundless, and so sinful, and necessarily +comprehends any wrath or wrong that a subject may meet with unjustly at +the ruler's hand, upon personal or religious accounts. That yet, +notwithstanding, the subject (in the use of lawful endeavors for his own +vindication) must continue in subjection and obedience to the ruler, in +lawful commands, while the civil state continues to acknowledge him; and +this, as the only habile mean of convincing the ruler of his error, and +preventing further evils. + +But, as the reason which they there allege, does not necessarily +conclude and prove this rising of spirit in the ruler to be sinful; so +the whole of their application and gloss built upon it, is invalidated; +and, moreover, is a condemnation of the principles and practice of our +reformers, and sufferers for the cause and truths of Christ, in the late +times, when they left their place of subjection, and took up arms in +defense of their religion, liberties and lives. + +Their explication is also self inconsistent; for, if this rising of +spirit necessarily comprehends any wrath or wrong, on personal or +religious accounts, then there must be a yielding, or keeping the place +of subjection, not only in lawful commands, but in all matters, whether +lawful or not; otherwise, this yielding cannot be supposed to answer the +end designed. For though a subject should yield in all other +particulars, yet, unless he also yield in that particular, on which the +rising of the ruler's spirit is grounded, his yielding cannot pacify the +ruler's wrath. So all the subjection, they contend, the sufferers gave, +particularly in the beginning of the late persecution, to the then +rulers, did not, nor could, pacify their wrath, because they would not +give up with their conscience and all religion, which was the very +foundation of the rising of his spirit against them; though, according +to their explication of the text, this was what they should have done, +and so have pacified the ruler's wrath. It is but a mere shift to tell +the world, that it is only in lawful matters they are to yield; the +yielding must surely correspond to the rising of the spirit spoken of. +But with such deceitful shifts are they forced to cover over a doctrine, +which, if presented in its native dress, would not meet with such ready +reception. But in opposition to their strained interpretation of the +text, the ruler must be understood a lawful ruler, who is the minister +of God for good--one who has not only moral abilities for government, +but also a right to govern. And as a subject may be keeping his place of +subjection to a righteous ruler, and yet be guilty, in his private or +public character, of what gives just offense, and occasions the ruler's +spirit justly, and so not sinfully, to rise against him--thus, one may +be guilty of many criminal mismanagements in the discharge of his public +trust, guilty of profaning the name of God or his day, or of riot, +excessive drinking, &c, without having any thought of casting off the +authority of his ruler--so, when a person has hereby provoked the spirit +of his ruler, this divine precept teaches the party offending not to +aggravate his offense, by attempting (though able) to make good his +part, or rebel against his sovereign, but to yield, acknowledge his +guilt and trespass, and submit to such punishments as the lawful ruler +shall justly inflict, according to the degree and quality of the +offense; whereby only, the ruler will be satisfied. Agreeable to this, +is that parallel text, _Eccles._ viii, 2, 3: "I counsel thee to keep the +king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God: Be not hasty +to go out of his sight; stand not in an evil thing." On the whole, it +must be a great abuse of Scripture, to wrest a divine precept, which +directs subjects to submit to such punishments as their lawful ruler +shall justly lay them under for their offenses, to the support of this +anti-scriptural notion, viz., that every wicked person, whom the +majority of a nation advances to the supreme rule, is the minister of +God, to whom obedience is due, under pain of eternal damnation, as is +done with this text. + +A _third_ scripture, perverted to support the above principle, is _Luke_ +xx, 25: "Render therefore to _Caesar_ the things which be _Caesar's_, +and unto God the things which be God's." From this, _Seceders_ imagine +strongly to fortify their cause. But, from a just view of the text, it +will appear, that the answer given by Christ contains no acknowledgment +of _Caesar's_ title to tribute, or of his authority as lawful. It is +beyond doubt, that the question was captious, and that the design of the +Scribes and Pharisees, in proposing it to Christ, was to have him +ensnared in his words. This they thought themselves sure of, whether he +should answer positively or negatively. For if positively, and so +recognize and acknowledge _Caesar's_ title, then they would have +occasion to accuse him to the people, as an enemy to the laws, liberty +and honor, of the _Jewish_ nation. This is evident from ver. 26: "And +they could not take hold of his words before the people." And then, if +he should deny that it was lawful, they would have an opportunity or +pretense of delating and delivering him to the _Roman_ governor, as an +enemy to _Caesar_. They seem, however, to have been confident, that he +who taught the way of God in truth, without regard to any, would never +inculcate it as a duty for them to give tribute to _Caesar_, subjection +to whom, as their lawful governor, for conscience sake, was so contrary +to the divine law given to the _Jews_, respecting their magistrates; and +if so, they would not miss of sufficient accusation against him. But +here infinite wisdom shone forth, in giving such an answer as declared +their wisdom to be but folly, and at once disappointed all their +malicious hopes; an answer which left _Caesar's_ claim unresolved, as to +any positive determination whether it belonged to him or not. The +question is in direct terms. Our Lord does not directly answer to the +question, in the terms proposed by the wicked spies. He neither +expressly says it is lawful or unlawful to pay it, but gave his answer +in such terms as they could not from it form an accusation against him, +either to the people or to the governor. He, in general, teaches to give +_Caesar_ all things that, by the law of God, were due to him; at the +same time enjoining them that, under pretense of giving to men their +demands, they rob not God of what was his due, namely, a conscientious +regard to all the laws he had given them, and universal obedience to all +his commands, without regard to persons of any station. And it is +certain, that _Caesar_ was a proud, aspiring, idolatrous and bloody +usurper (like the king of _Babylon_, Hab. ii, 5, for which causes the +Lord denounces fearful wrath and judgments against him, Hab. ii, 7-14), +having no other right to the most part of his dominions, than the Lord's +providential disposal, which sometimes makes "the tabernacles of robbers +prosper; into whose hand God bringeth abundantly;" Job xii, 6. "And for +their sins gives _Jacob_ to the spoil, and _Israel_ to the robbers;" +Isa. xiii, 24. "And giveth power to the beast, to continue forty and two +months, and to have power over all nations;" Rev. xiii, 5, 7. So that, +by looking into the divine law, which determines every one's due, +according to their just character, and of which they could not be +ignorant, they might see that he had a just title to all that was due to +an usurper, idolater and murderer. That the _Jewish_ coin did bear +_Caesar's_ image, could be no evidence of his being their lawful +sovereign, seeing it is most common for the greatest usurpers and +tyrants to stamp their image upon the coin of the nations they tyrannize +over. And though it be granted that the _Jews_ had, by this time, +consented to _Caesar's_ usurpation, yet that could not legitimate his +title, nor warrant their subjection to him for conscience sake, seeing +they could not consent to his authority, but in express contradiction to +the many plain and positive scripture precepts, given by God unto them, +as has been seen above. It is, therefore, violence done to the text (as +also opposite to the sentiments of some eminent divines on the place), +to say that it contains a command to pay tribute to _Caesar_; and it +would appear from Luke xxiii, 2, that the _Jews_ themselves did not +understand it so. It may be further observed, that this is not the only +instance where our Lord, in infinite wisdom, declined to give direct +answers to the ensnaring questions of his malicious enemies. See John +viii, 3-12; Matth. xxi, 23-28; John xviii, 19-21, where are questions of +a similar nature, proposed with the same hellish intention, and all +answered by him in like manner. In each of which, _Seceders_ might, on +as good ground as in the answer to the question anent tribute, say that +Christ did shift and dissemble the truth. But the least insinuation of +such a charge cannot be made from any of these answers, without the +greatest blasphemy. + +A _fourth_ text used by them for maintaining their erroneous scheme, is +Rom. xiii, 1-8. Without animadverting upon every part of their +explication of this place of holy writ, it is sufficient to observe: 1. +That the power here spoken of by the apostle, is not a _physical_, but a +_moral_ power; a power that is lawful and warranted, in regard of +matter, person, title or investiture. A legitimacy in each of these must +go to the making of a moral power; and an illegitimacy in any of these +is an illegitimacy in the very being and constitution, and so a nullity +to the power as moral, a making it of no authority. As the text speaks +only of this moral power, so it excludes every unlawful power (see Mr. +_Gee_ on magistracy, on this text). 2. That the _being_ of God, or the +ordination God here spoke of, is not a being of God _providentially_ +only, but such a _being of_ God as contains in it his institution and +appointment, by the warrant of his law and precept; so that the +magistrates to whom the apostle enjoins obedience, are such as are set +up according to the preceptive ordination and will of God, as is evinced +not only by the author referred to above, and other divines, but what +sufficiently appears from the context, where the subjection enjoined, +and resistance forbidden, with their respective reasons, are what can +only be spoken with respect to powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God. Again, by considering the office and duty of the powers, and the +end of their ordination, as described, ver. 3, 4, which by no means +agree to any but those moral powers ordained by the preceptive will of +God, it appears a manifest abuse of this text, to apply it to every one +advanced by providence to the place of supreme rule, not only without +any regard, but in direct opposition to the preceptive will of God. It +is most absurd and self-contradictory in professed testimony bearers for +a covenanted reformation, to apply this text in a way of pleading the +lawfulness of an Erastian, anti-christian constitution, that is +destitute of all those qualifications already mentioned (and always +included in the scriptural definition of a lawful magistrate), as +necessary to constitute a moral power, viz., in regard of matter, +person, title or investiture, &c. But of the power which they so +zealously plead for, the matter is unlawful, being Erastian, partly +civil, partly ecclesiastical, by the united constitution. The person +invested with this supreme power, is one who is declared incapable, by +the fundamental laws and covenanted constitution of the nations; the +manner of investiture, and terms on which the crown is held, sinful--the +constitution being in an immediate opposition to the unalterable +constitution of the kingdom of the _Messias_, and founded on the +destruction of the covenanted reformation. And it may be added, that it +is unlawful, as to the exercise and application of it, which has been +all along in opposition to all _true_ religion, and a grievous +oppression of the church, the kingdom of Christ, in the liberties +thereof. And it must be so; for the tree must be made good, before the +fruit can be such. By all which it appears, there is a nullity in the +power as moral, being so very opposite to the revealed will of God. And +from what is said, it is obvious that this scripture gives no +countenance to their corrupt scheme, but furnishes with strong arguments +against it. + +A _fifth_ scripture adduced is, Titus iii, 1: "Put them in mind to be +subject to principalities and powers," &c. As _Seceders_ apply this text +to the same purpose, and explain it in the same manner, as they have +done those others above mentioned, so what is already said is sufficient +to discover the deceit of their use and explication thereof. The powers +and magistrates the apostle requires subjection to, are only such as are +so in a moral sense; none but such are accounted powers and magistrates +in the sense of the text. The apostle must mean the same powers here he +describes in Rom. xiii, 1-3, &c., otherwise he contradicts himself, +which must not be admitted; and the powers he there speaks of, are moral +powers, i.e., such as have not only proper abilities for government and +rule, but also a right of constitution, impowering them to use their +abilities for that purpose. How can one be expected or said to be the +_minister_ of God _for good_, or a _terror to evil doers, and a praise +to them that do well_, if he is so disposed and inclined, as to love +that which is evil, and hate that which is good, and so actually is a +praise to evil doers, and a terror to such as do well? To suppose any +such thing, is to overthrow the universally established connection +between cause and effect, the means and the end. And so much (namely, +that the powers there spoken of are moral powers), _Seceders_ are forced +to grant in their explication of Rom. xiii. Say they, "The text speaks +only of powers in a moral sense." And this concession at once destroys +their scheme, and confirms what the Presbytery plead for, namely, that +none are lawful powers but such as are so according to the preceptive +will of God in his word; which certainly, in the judgment of all _who +would deal reverently with the oracles of God_, is, in this case, a rule +far preferable "to the remainders of natural light, in the moral +dictates of right reason," from which _Seceders_ fetch the institution +of this divine ordinance of magistracy, and on which they settle it, as +on (what they call) "the natural and eternal law of God;" preferring +that to the plain, perfect and complete, revelation of God's will in his +word. + +The _last_ text used by them, is, 1 Pet. ii, 13 to 17, the import of +which, they say, is, that all who have a constitution by consent of the +civil society, are to be subjected to for the Lord's sake, as having an +institution from him: and that, however seldom they were inclined or +employed in the discharge of the duties proper to their office. It may +suffice to observe, that while the apostle is here speaking, as in the +above texts, of moral powers, as above described, it is evident, that by +_every ordinance of man_, can only be meant the different kinds and +forms of civil government, and governors set up by men, to each of which +the apostle exhorts to a submission, providing, that in the setting up +of these, they acted agreeably to the general laws and rules appointed +by God in his word, both respecting the constitution of government, and +the qualifications of governors. Then, as they bear the stamp of divine +authority, they were to be submitted to for the Lord's sake. But what +manifest abuse of scripture is it, to allege with them that the inspired +apostle exhorts to submit to every monster of iniquity, if only set up +by the civil society, though perhaps guilty of a number of crimes that +by the law of God, and laws of men founded thereon, are punishable by a +severe death? Sure, such can never have a title to that obedience which +is due to the ordinance of God, who have not so much as a title to live +upon the earth. Moreover, let it be considered, that in the above cited +texts, the spirit of God enjoins either that obedience and subjection +that is due to lawful magistrates, or that subjection only which is for +a time, by an extraordinary and special command, such as Jer. xxix, 7, +given to conquerors and usurpers, having no right but what is +providential. If the first, then they cannot intend any but those moral +powers who are said to be of God, in respect of his approbative and +preceptive will. If the last, then these texts are not the rule of +obedience to lawful rulers, who are set up qualified, and govern +according to the law of God. But that these texts can only be understood +of the first, is evident from this, that in them not only is the office, +duty and end of the civil magistrate as particularly described, as the +obedience and subjection commanded; but the one is made the foundation, +ground, and reason of, and inseparably connected with the other. And +therefore it was, that the renowned witnesses for Christ and his +interest, contended so much for reformation in the civil magistracy and +magistrate, in an agreeableness to the original institution of that +ordinance, and endured so great opposition on that account. + +To conclude this: as it is evident these texts give no countenance to +the corrupt scheme of _Seceders_, but always suppose the power, to which +subjection and obedience for conscience sake is enjoined to be lawful, +in regard of matter, person, title, &c. So the Presbytery cannot but +testify against them for perverting and wresting the scriptures of +truth, to a favoring of their anarchical and anti-scriptural tenet, and +for their so stiffly and tenaciously pleading for avowed apostasy and +defection (which is the whole scope and amount of their declared scheme +of politics), viz., that it is lawful for posterity to turn back to +where their forefathers were, giving up with many precious truths, and +further attainments in reformation, valuable and necessary, acquired at +the expense of much zeal, faithfulness and treasure, and handed down to +us, sealed by the spirit of God upon the souls of his people, as his +work and cause; and on public scaffolds and high places of the field, +with the dearest blood of multitudes of Christ's faithful witnesses, who +loved not their lives unto the death. And this, in express contradiction +to the land's solemn covenant engagements to the Lord, for maintaining +and holding fast that whereunto we had attained. For notwithstanding all +the regard and deference _Seceders_ profess to the covenants and +reformation principles, they are, all the while, directly pleading in +defense of the same cause, advancing the same arguments to support it, +and likewise giving the same corrupt and perverted explication of the +above texts of scripture, that the merciless and bloody murderers and +persecuters did, in the late tyrannous times, in their stated opposition +to the cause and interest of glorious Christ, together with the indulged +who took part with them, in opposing the kingdom and subjects of Zions +exalted King. And as [pity it is] _Seceders_ have pleaded the cause of +malignants, and, rubbing the rust from their antiquated arguments, have +presented them with a new lustre; so the Presbytery, in opposition +thereto, are satisfied to plead the same cause, with the same arguments +and to understand these scriptures in the same sense as was done by the +witnesses for reformation, whom the Lord honored to seal his truths with +their blood, as is sufficiently confirmed from the Cloud of Witnesses; +where their concurring testimonies are harmoniously stated, upon their +disowning the authority of the then anti-christian and Erastian +government, even when acknowledged by the bulk and body of the nation, +both civil and ecclesiastical. Whence also it is evident, that the +persecution was not the cause of their casting off that authority; but +that authority's assuming and usurping the royal prerogatives of Christ, +the church's Head, was the cause of their disowning it; and then their +refusing to acknowledge foresaid authority, was the cause of all their +persecution. + +3. The Presbytery testify against foresaid Associates, on account of +their corruption in worship; particularly, in the duty of prayer, both +as practiced by their ministers, and by them enjoined upon their people. + +Wherein, in an inconsistency with a faithful testimony against the +declared enemies of the church's head and king, they affect to express a +superlative loyalty unto the prelatic possessors of power, not much +differing from the forms imposed upon, and observed by the Erastian +church. The Presbytery acknowledge it duty to pray for all men, in the +various stations of life, as sinners lost, of the ruined family of Adam, +standing absolutely in need of a Savior, that they may be saved and come +to the knowledge of the truth; as is enjoined, _Tim._ ii, 1, 2. Which +yet must not be understood in an unlimited sense, but with submission to +the will of God, if they belong to the election of grace. Nay, they +acknowledge it indispensable duty, as to pray, that the church may +obtain such kings and queens, as shall he nursing fathers and mothers, +according to the Lord's gracious promise; so, when such are granted to +them, it is their duty to make prayers and supplications, in a +particular manner, for them. But it is no less than an abuse of +scripture, and flat contradiction to many promises and threatenings, to +extend foresaid command to every person without distinction whom +providence advances to the supreme rule over the people of God, in a way +of acknowledging their authority as lawful, and of praying for success +and prosperity to them (as Seceders do), to pray for success unto, and +the continuance of wicked rulers, that are enemies to the Lord, and +usurpers of his crown, and such whom the Lord in anger against a people +for their sins, may send as a special punishment upon them, and from +whom he has promised deliverance unto his people, as a peculiar +blessing, is no less than the slighting of the promises, and deriding of +threatenings, and in reality, is a taking part with God's enemies, +against him and his cause. As it is impossible, sincerely to pray for +the coming of Christ's kingdom, and advancement thereof, without also, +as a necessary mean conducive thereto, to pray for the downfall and +destruction of all his enemies, as such, whatever be their place and +station (which is not at all inconsistent with praying for their +salvation, as lost sinners); seeing Jesus Christ no less effectually +destroys his enemies, when he makes them to bow in a way of willing +subjection to the scepter of his law and grace, than when he breaks them +in pieces with his iron rod of wrath; so, how self-contradictory is it +in _Seceders_, to pray for the coming of Christ's mediatory kingdom; +and, at the same time to pray for the success and preservation of one, +in his kingly character, who themselves acknowledge, has, in that +character, made grievous encroachments upon the royal prerogatives of +the Lord Jesus Christ, is an usurper of his crown, and therefore, in +that view, must be considered as an enemy to his kingdom? + +That the above is no false charge against _Seceders_, is witnessed by a +variety of their causes of fasting, concluding with such prayers, which +they have emitted, as well as by their daily practice: and particularly, +_Antiburgher Seceders_, have given a late recent proof of this; in what +they call, A solemn warning by the _Associate Synod_, &c. Which +unfaithful warning concludes with a self-contradictory form of prayer, +enjoined upon all under the inspection of said _Synod_. Among other +things, they "exhort all--the people under their inspection, to pour out +earnest and incessant supplications before the Lord, in a dependence +upon the merit and intercession of our great High-priest, that he +may--bring about a revival of our covenanted reformation,--removing all +the mountains which stand in the way; that he may abundantly bless our +sovereign king _George_, and the apparent heir of the crown,--blasting +all the plots or efforts of whatever enemies, open or secret,--against +the Protestant succession to the throne of these kingdoms in the family +of _Hanover_; that he may be gracious to the high courts of parliament, +in this and the neighboring island,--leading them to proper measures for +the honor of Christ; that he may hasten the enlargement of the +Mediator's kingdom," &c. + +On all which, let it suffice to observe, 1. That as in no part of this +prayer they make any exceptions against, so they must be understood +therein, approving of the constitution of the king, the establishment, +and limitation of the throne of these kingdoms in the _Hanoverian_ +family, as presently by law established: and also, approving of the +_British_ and _Irish_, parliaments, in their constitution as by law +established, though both of them grossly Erastian, and necessarily +connected with maintaining _English_ popish ceremonies, the whole +_English_ hierarchy, and civil places and power of churchmen; in +opposition to the word of God, reforming laws, and covenanted +constitutions of the nations. Hence, 2. This pattern of prayer must be +understood as containing earnest supplications to the Lord, that he may +continue and preserve an Erastian constitution, that he may perpetuate +the limited succession to the throne in the family of _Hanover_; and +that, in opposition to all attempts whatever, toward any change, however +much it might contribute to the glory of God, good of the church, and +revival of a covenanted reformation; and also, seems to include a desire +that, God may preserve and maintain a parliament in the nations, one of +the houses whereof, viz., the House of Peers, is composed partly of +_spiritual lords_, as essential members thereof,--an anti-christian +designation, a title and office, not to be found in the book of divine +revelation. So, 3. This prayer seems to suppose a consistency between +the preservation of all these, and the revival of a covenanted +reformation in these lands; and also that they, particularly a +parliament, thus anti-christian in its constitution, are proper +instruments for promoting the honor and declarative glory of Christ; +although the prelates, constituent members therein, are a generation of +men that were never yet known to have a vote for Christ's kingdom and +interest. And therefore, 4. This prayer consists of flat contradiction. +(1.) In regard the revival of a covenanted reformation, and the +flourishing of Christ's mediatory kingdom, nationally, must be attended +with the overthrow of all constitutions, civil and ecclesiastical, that +hinder and oppose the same; _Hag._ ii, 6, 7, and with the down bringing +of all the enemies thereof, from the height of their excellency. (2.) It +is a contradiction for them to pray, that the Lord would remove all the +mountains that stand in the way of the revival of our reformation; and +yet, at the same time, pray for the preservation and continuance of the +constitution, under which (as they themselves acknowledge, _Defense of +their Princ., page_ 51): "There is a mighty bar thrust into the way of +our covenanted reformation, both in church and state; yea, a gravestone +is laid, and established upon the same." (3.) It is a sinful and glaring +contradiction for _Seceders_ to rank an approbation of the _English_ +hierarchy among our public national sins and steps of defection (as they +do, page 53 of their pamphlet); and yet themselves persist and continue +in the same sin and guilt, homologating and approving the anti-christian +constitution of the _British_ and _Irish_ parliaments, by praying (like +their forefathers, in their fulsome address to _James_ the Papist) for +divine illumination and conduct to the Prelates in their civil places +and power, as necessary members there, as they do in this prayer of +theirs. Can such be supposed to be either truly sensible of sin, or +humbled for it, who, notwithstanding all their confessions, still +continue in the love and practice of it? But with such mock +acknowledgements (of which a variety of other instances might be given) +have they hitherto imposed on the generation. And so, 5. It is a prayer, +that in several parts thereof, has no scripture warrant, no foundation +in the promises of God. Particularly, on what scriptural warrant, what +promise, can _Seceders_ build their prayers for, or expectation of the +Lord's answering them, by blessing an Erastian government to themselves +or others, which being, in its constitution, contrary to the word of +God,--is such, that under it (as they grant, _ibid_, page 46), a people +cannot truly prosper in their civil concerns, nor be enriched with the +blessings of the gospel? From what scriptural promise are they warranted +to pray, that God may perpetuate the succession to the throne in any one +family, and especially, when that succession is circumscribed and +limited, in a way opposite to the laws of God, and mediatory kingdom of +Christ? and therefore, a prayer that cannot be made in faith, and so +cannot be acceptable to God in its complex form. No person can have +faith in the merit and intercession of Christ, for obtaining anything in +prayer, but what Christ has priorly merited, and does actually intercede +for. But it would savor too much of blasphemy, to apply some of the +particulars already noticed in this form of prayer, to the merit and +intercession of our _great High-priest_. Sure it cannot be thought, that +he makes intercession for the prosperity and success of his enemies, in +their stated opposition to his kingdom and interest in this world; +neither can it be consistent with fidelity to Christ, as a King, for his +professed subjects to pray for it. What a fearful trifling with God in +the duty of prayer, is it to pray that the Lord may bring down Popery +and Prelacy; and next breath to pray that the Lord may continue, +prosper, and preserve the Erastian head, and great bulwark of Prelacy? + +4. Again, the Presbytery testify against the Associate party for their +treachery in covenant. This is a sin that is in scripture, and even by +the common voice of mankind, declared very heinous; but which, by what +is already discovered anent said party, appears too, too justly +chargeable upon them. It is notorious, and what themselves boast much +of, that they professedly maintain the moral and perpetual obligation of +the covenants, both the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of _Scotland, England_, and _Ireland_, entered into +for reformation and defense of religion, and bringing the churches of +God in the three kingdoms to the nearest conjunction and uniformity in +religion, according to the word of God. They also do in the most public +manner profess, that they are the only true faithful witnesses for a +covenanted reformation. But the consistency of such a profession with +maintaining principles that are diametrically opposite to these +covenants, and the cause of truth, sworn to in them (as has been made +evident they do) is altogether unintelligible. Is it possible +strenuously to maintain the lawfulness of a prelatical government +abjured in the covenants, and yet at the same time sincerely and +honestly, according to the profession made by the church, _Psal._ xliv, +17, 18, to contend for the moral obligation of the covenants, and the +work of reformation sworn to in them? But further, the necessity of +lifting up a testimony against _Seceders_ for their treachery and +unfaithfulness in the matter of the covenants, will appear by +considering that they, after making a very solemn profession of renewing +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three lands, in place of practicing accordingly, have, in +reality, made a new and very different bond or covenant, both in form +and substance, which they have not only sworn themselves, but also +imposed upon many honest people: and this as a renewing, nay, as the +only right way of renewing said covenants according to the +circumstances, of the times. That this bond entered into by _Seceders_ +(however good it may be, considered in an abstract sense) is not a +renovation of the national covenants, as they assert it to be, but a +treacherous and deceitful burying of these covenants, as to their sum +and substance, is abundantly evident from their industrious keeping out, +and omitting the most part of them out of their new and artificial bond. +Particularly, although they pretend to a renovation both of the National +and Solemn League and Covenant, yet they have almost entirely left out, +and passed over the National Covenant of _Scotland_; and satisfying +themselves with simply testifying against Popery, have omitted all the +particular errors, and branches thereof expressly contained in the +National Covenant. As to the Solemn League, of which they pretend their +bond is also a renovation, there is very little of it to be found +therein, as appears from a comparison of the one with the other. Thus +they have left out that remarkable and necessary clause in the first +Article, viz., "Against our common enemies:" and in place of endeavoring +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, as in said +article, there is an unintelligible clause or jumble of words brought +in, viz., to promote and advance our covenanted conjunction and +uniformity in religion, just as if that conjunction and uniformity had a +present existence (in its native and original state and form) in the +three lands; when, on the contrary, Presbytery is established in +_Scotland_, yet not on the footing of the word of God and the covenants, +and Episcopacy is established in _England_ and _Ireland_, in +contradiction to the word of God and the covenants. 2. They have kept +out that necessary clause in the 2d article, viz., "Without respect of +persons, endeavor the extirpation," &c, and instead thereof say, +"Testify against Popery and Prelacy;" where appears not only a +difference in expression, but a substantial difference. 3. They have +altogether omitted and kept out the 3d and 4th articles. 4. They have +kept out that material and necessary clause in the 5th article, viz., +"That justice may be done on the willful opposers thereof," in manner +expressed in the preceding article. 5. They have left out all the 6th +article, excepting these words: "We shall not give ourselves up to a +detestable neutrality and indifference in the cause of God." And 6. They +have wholly omitted that material paragraph of the conclusion of the +Solemn League. It is therefore evident, that the model of the covenants +agreed to by _Seceders_, is different in substance, as well as form, +from our ancient covenants; so that, under pretense of renovation, they +have made a new bond. + +But, again, that their pretended renovation is a real burying of the +covenanted reformation, appears from their overlooking, casting by, and +keeping out the National Covenant, as it was renewed in the year 1638, +and the Solemn League and Covenant, as renewed in the year 1648, and +going back to the years 1580 and 1581, as the pattern they propose to +follow in carrying on of their covenanted testimony. And what can be the +reason of this? Can it be, because Prelacy, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, were, by the explication and application of the +covenant, _anno_ 1638, expressly and explicitly condemned, while they +were formerly only implicitly, and by way of consequence? So they have +at least, by this step back, both tacitly condemned our reformers, of +giving themselves needless trouble in their explanation of the covenant, +as condemning and abjuring Episcopacy; and also, do overlook, despise, +and disgracefully bury the many advanced steps of reformation attained +to in these covenanted lands between 1638 and 1649 (particularly the +church of _Scotland's_ testimony against Prelacy) in which time +reformation arrived to a greater height of purity than ever was attained +in any foregoing period of this church and nation. However, whatever +their reasons were for so doing, that they have so done is clear, from +their act _Edinburgh, February_ 3d, 1743, where they conclude with a +_nota bene_, lest it should not otherwise have been observed that they +do so, and thereby declare their sin as _Sodom_, as if the publishing of +it would make an atonement for it. "N.B. Only the National Covenant, as +it was entered into, _annis_ 1580, 1581 (without the bond wherein it was +renewed _anno_ 1638) and the Solemn League and Covenant (without the +solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, _anno_ 1648), +are hereby prefixed unto the following act, agreeably unto the design of +said act": and for this they pretend the example of our reformers, +_anno_ 1638, who renewed the National Covenant by a new bond, in place +of that new bond wherewith it was renewed and sworn, 1590, which they +omitted--wherein their deceit and unfaithfulness is very obvious from +the following observations: 1. Hereby they have cast a most injurious +calumny and reproach upon our honored reformers, and in their pretending +to imitate their practice, in renovation of the covenants, are guilty of +a most dreadful and deceitful imposition on the generation; for though +our reformers did renew the covenants with a new bond, and perhaps very +seldom swear them without some additions, yet they never went back from +any part of reformation, espoused, and sworn to in the renovations that +were before them, under a pretense, that such points of reformation +formerly attained, were unsuitable, or not adapted to their +circumstances, as _Seceders_ have done. On the contrary, our reformers, +in all the different renovations of the covenants, not only included all +that was formerly attained to, binding themselves in strict adherence to +all the articles priorly in the oath and covenant of God (at the same +time solemnly acknowledging all former breaches thereof; and obliging +themselves, in the strength of grace to the performance of the contrary, +and consequential duties), but also, still went forward in explaining +and more explicitly applying the covenants against the sins of the day, +and more expressly binding themselves to the opposite duties, as is +clear from the bond wherewith our reformers renewed the covenants 1638, +and the solemn acknowledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, 1648; +both which the _Seceders_ have barefacedly cast by and exploded in their +alleged renovation of the covenants; whereby, as it is manifest that our +reformers always went forward to further degrees of reformation, so it +is no less manifest, that foresaid party acting contrary to them, have +gone backward. But 2d. They have not only rejected the renovations of +the covenants by our ancestors 1638 and 1640; but even when they +pretended to follow the renovation of the covenant, 1580 and 1581, they +have kept out and perverted almost the whole of the national covenants, +as was already observed; particularly in their new bond, they have cast +away the civil part of the covenants altogether. For what reason they do +so, is indeed hard to say. True, they allege it would be a blending of +civil and religious matters together; and that it is not proper (or +competent for them, as a church judicatory) to meddle in these matters +that are of a civil nature. But seeing infinite wisdom has not judged it +a (sinful) blending of civil and religious concerns together, to deliver +the duties both civil and religious in one and the same moral law unto +mankind; it is difficult to conceive, how the people of God their +binding themselves in a covenant of duties to the conscientious +performance of all the duties God required of them in his word, whether +civil or religious, according to their respective or immediate objects, +can be reputed a blending of them together; or that this has the +remotest tendency to destroy that distinction which God in his revealed +will has stated between what is immediately civil in its nature, and +what is properly religious. This, therefore, is a mere groundless +pretense and evasion; and if it has any force at all, as a reason, it +strikes against the reformers who compiled these covenants. They are the +proper objects at whom through the sides of others it thrusts; for they, +at the framing of sundry of their covenants, and afterward at the +renovation of their covenant, did it both without the ecclesiastical +authority, and also without, and contrary unto, yea, at the hazard of +suffering the greatest severities from the civil authority on that +account. And yet the ecclesiastical judicatories of the church of +_Scotland_ afterward found it competent for them, as such, to approve of +these covenants, both as to the matter and form of them, without +branding and exploding them as a blending of matters civil and religious +together, as _Seceders_ have done. Again, as the covenants require no +other than a lawful magistrate; and seeing _Seceders_ acknowledge the +present as lawful, and that it is their duty to be subject to, and +support them as such, it is impossible to conceive any reason, why they +have not honored the present rulers with a place in their new and +artificial bond: unless perhaps this, that they were aware that would +have been so glaring a contradiction to these covenants they were +pretending to renew, as would doubtless have startled and driven away +from them a good many honest people, whom they have allured and led +aside by their good words and fair-set speeches; and yet it is pretty +obvious they have included the present rulers in their bond, and taken +them in an oblique and clandestine way, by swearing to the relative +duties contained in the fifth commandment, seeing they acknowledge them +as their civil parents. Again, as their bond is supposed to reduplicate +upon the national covenants, and so to bind to every article in them, by +native consequence, they swear to a prelatical government: for seeing +they have made no exception in their bond, it must be applied to no +other, but the government, which presently exists; and this, in flat +contradiction to the covenants, by which such a government is abjured. +So that their new bond is no less opposite to the national covenants, +and is much mere deceitful, than if they had plainly and explicitly +sworn allegiance to the present government therein; only the generality +of their implicit followers do not so readily observe it. Upon the +whole, how strange is it, that they should have the assurance to father +their deceitful apostasy, and wretched burying of the covenants upon our +reformers, so injuriously to their character, and at the hazard of +imposing a heinous and base cheat upon the world, while, notwithstanding +all their vain pretensions, it is undeniably evident to those who will +impartially, and without prejudice, examine the method and order whereby +our ancestors renewed our covenants, that in this they have been so far +from following their example, that they have directly contradicted the +same, and, in reality, buried much of the covenants and work of +reformation sworn to in them. For though a people may very lawfully, by +a new bond, enlarge and add to their former obligations that they +brought themselves under; yet they can never, without involving +themselves in the guilt of perjury, relax or cancel former obligations +by any future bond. Accordingly, our worthy ancestors, by all the new +bonds they annexed to former obligations, were so far from attempting to +loose themselves from any covenanted duty that either they or their +fathers were priorly bound unto, that they thereby still brought +themselves under straighter bonds to perform all their former and new +obligations of duty to God. But, as has been discovered, _Seceders_, by +their artificial bond, have cast out the very substance and spirit of +the covenants, by their rumping and hewing them at pleasure, to reduce +them to the sinful circumstances of the time: and this, in opposition to +their own public profession, that these covenants are moral in their +nature and obligation upon these nations to the latest posterity. How +surprising it is then, that after such a profession, they dare cast out +of their bond the greatest parts of the covenants! This is not only to +break these obligations, but it is to make a public declaration, that +different times and circumstances do free men from their obligation to +keep their most solemn vows to the Most High. To this, as very +applicable, may be subjoined the words of Mr. _Case_, in a sermon +relative to the covenants: "Others have taken it (viz., the covenant) +with their own evasions, limitations and reservations: such a Jesuitical +spirit has got in among us, by which means it comes to pass, that by +that time that men have pared off and left out, and put what +interpretation they frame to themselves, there is little left worth the +name of a covenant." And, indeed, so many are the self-inconsistencies +and gross contradictions attending this new bond, that it would have +been much more for the honor both of the covenants, and of _Seceders_ +themselves, rather never to have attempted such a work, than to have +done it in a way of tearing to pieces our solemn national vows. +Wherefore the Presbytery cannot but, in testifying against them for +their unfaithfulness, obtest all the lovers of truth, to beware of +joining in this course of treachery, and apostasy from God and his +covenanted cause. + +5. The presbytery testify against foresaid party, for their +unfaithfulness and partiality in point of testimony-bearing to a +covenanted, work of reformation; while yet they not only profess to be +witnesses, but the only true and faithful contenders for the said work +and cause. The justness of this charge manifestly appears from the scope +of their Act and Testimony, which seems to be principally leveled +against the corruptions of the present church judicatories, and not +equally against the corruptions of both church and state, in +agreeableness to the faithful testimonies of the Lord's people in former +times, and in a consistency with the reformation that was jointly +carried on in both church and state, and solemnly sworn and engaged to +in the covenants. They appear never to have fully adopted the testimony +of the Church of _Scotland_ in her purest times, when the profession of +the true religion was by law made a necessary qualification of every one +that should be admitted to places of civil trust and power in the +nation. Nor are the faithful testimonies of the valiant sufferers and +contenders, even unto death, for the precious truths of God in the late +persecuting period, as stated against both church and state, fully +stated, and judicially approven by them; much less have they fully +adopted the testimony, as stated against the revolution constitution, +both civil and ecclesiastical, which they did not in their testimony +condemn as sinful; but, on the contrary, acknowledged the civil +constitution lawful, notwithstanding of their complaining of some +defects and omissions therein. Of which error in the foundation, it may +be said, in respect of all the mal-administrations since, it was _fons +et origo mali_. And seeing, in and by the revolution constitution, the +nation was involved in the guilt of apostasy and treachery, in +subverting and overturning the good and laudable laws for true religion +and right liberty, a faint declaring against some omissions cannot be +accounted sufficient; especially when what is thus partly complained of, +is at the same time complexly extolled, as a great and glorious +deliverance to the church and nation. Their testimony further appears to +be partial and unfaithful, considering that their secession was not from +the constitution of the Revolution Church, but in a partial and limited +way, from a prevailing corrupt party in the judicatories of the church: +upon which footing it was, that some of greatest note among them made +their accession after their first secession, expressly declaring so +much; whereby they have injured the true state of the testimony which +the Lord honored his covenanted Church of _Scotland_ to bear; which is +stated against all lukewarm and _Laodicean_ professors, as well as open +enemies, and against all Erastian usurpation, and sectarian invasion on +the cause of Christ. Moreover, their unfaithfulness in point of +testimony, convincingly appears from their bitter contentions, and +almost endless disputes among themselves, after their breach, upon the +religious clause of some burgess oaths, anent the true state of their +own testimony, whether lifted up against the revolution constitution of +the church, and settlement of religion, or not. Had necessary and real +faithfulness been studied, in stating their testimony clearly and +plainly, against all the defection, and apostasy of the day from a +covenanted reformation, there had been no occasion for such a dispute +among them. And now, when the one party have more openly avowed their +unfaithfulness, in receding from almost everything that had the least +appearance of faithfulness to the cause and covenant of God, in their +former testimony, and professedly adopted the revolution settlement, as +theirs, acknowledging the constitutions, both civil and ecclesiastical, +as lawful, in an open contradiction to any testimony for reformation +work: the other party, _to wit, Antiburghers_, have now indeed +professedly cast off the revolution constitution of the church (at the +same time continuing to make their partial Act and Testimony the basis +of their distinguished profession); but yet, in an inconsistency +therewith, and in contradiction to the covenanted testimony of the +church of _Scotland_, continue to adopt the constitution of the State, +as being, however defective, yet agreeable to the precept and so lawful. +Hence, they are still most partial in their testimony, of which they +have given a fresh and notable proof, in forementioned warning published +by them: wherein though there are a variety of evils condescended upon, +as just grounds of the Lord's controversy with the nations, yet there is +not that faithfulness used therein, in a particular charging home of the +several sins mentioned, upon every one in their different ranks, as, in +agreeableness to the word of God, is requisite to work a conviction in +every one, that they may turn from their sins, and as might correspond +to the title given that performance. Thus, passing other instances that +might also have been observed, they justly remark, _page_ 31st, "The +glorious sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ, as the alone King and +Head of his church, is sadly encroached upon and opposed by the royal +supremacy, in causes ecclesiastical. The king is acknowledged as supreme +head, or governor on earth, of the churches of _England_ and _Ireland_. +The civil sovereign is thus declared to be the head or fountain of +church power, from whence all authority and ministrations in these +churches do spring, is vested with all powers of government and +discipline, and constituted the sole judge of controversies within the +same." "The established Church of _Scotland_ have also, by some +particular managements, subjected and subordinated their ecclesiastical +meetings to the civil power." But while they acknowledge this to be the +sin of the church, and an high provocation against the Lord; yet, as to +the particular sin of the civil power, in assuming and usurping this +Erastian supremacy unto itself, they are quite silent. They have not the +faithfulness to say, in their warning, to the robber of Christ, in this +matter, as once the prophet of the Lord said to the king of _Israel_, in +another case, _Thou art the man_. On the contrary (which cannot but have +a tendency to ward off any conviction of his sin that this warning, +should it come into his hands, might be expected to work), they are +guilty of the basest flattery, used by court parasites, stiling him, +"the best of kings, of the mildest administration," as in _page_ 13th; +and acknowledge it, as a particular effect of the Lord's goodness, that +we are privileged with such an one. But is he indeed deserving of such a +character? better than which could not be given to the most faithful +ruler, devoting all his power, as in duty bound, to the support and +advancement of the kingdom and interest of Jesus Christ, that over +reigned. Does he really merit such an encomium, who sacrilegiously +usurps and wears the crown, that alone can flourish on the head of +_Zion's_ king? And is this such a blessing to the church, that an enemy +to her Lord and Head rules over her? Oh! may not the Lord say? "I +hearkened and heard, but they spake not aright." + +6. The Presbytery testify against said Seceding party, because of the +sinfulness of their terms of ministerial and Christian communion, as +being partly destructive of that liberty wherewith Christ has made his +people free. By which they have both imposed upon themselves, and shut +the door of access unto the privileges of the church, upon all such, as, +in a consistency with their adherence to truth and duty, cannot accept +of their unwarrantable restrictions. Of this, they gave early +discoveries, as appears from the known instance of that notable, +backslider, Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_, whom they obliged, before license, to +make a public and solemn renunciation of his former principles and +profession, respecting the covenanted reformation.[4] As also, their +rejecting all accessions from his _Laodicean_ brethren, wherein was +contained an explicit adherence to the same, until they did drop their +former testimony. This blind zeal in _Seceders_, against a testimony for +truth in its purity, did gradually increase, until it hurried them on to +a more particular and formal stating of their terms of communion, +whereby were totally excluded all the free and faithful of the land from +their communion, who could not approve of, nor swear the bond, whereby +they pretended to renew the covenants: as in their act at _Edinburgh_, +1744; wherein they did resolve and determine, "That the renovation of +the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League and Covenant +of the three nations, in the manner now agreed upon, and proposed by the +Presbytery, shall be the terms of ministerial communion with this +Presbytery, and likewise of Christian communion, in admission of people +to sealing ordinances; secluding therefrom all opposers, contemners, and +slighters of the said renovation of our solemn covenants." By this act, +_Seceders_ have obliged their adherents to consent to their infamous +burial of our national covenants with the Lord, and reformation therein +sworn to, particularly as they were renewed, both 1638 and 1648. And +that they might further evince their resolution to bear down the +foresaid work, they afterward proceeded to subjoin unto their _formula_ +of questions to be put to candidates before license, and to probationers +before ordination, the following questions, viz., "Are you satisfied +with, and do you propose to adhere unto, and maintain the principles +about the present civil government, which are declared and maintained in +the _Associate Presbytery's_ answers to Mr. _Nairn_, with their defense +thereunto subjoined?" Whereby, in opposition to the professed endeavors +for the revival of a covenanted reformation in the lands, they expressly +bind down all their intrants into the office of the ministry, to an +explicit acknowledgement of their anti-government scheme of principles +anent the ordinance of magistracy; and thereby to an acknowledging of +the lawfulness of a government, which themselves confess has not only +departed from, and neglected their duty of espousing and supporting the +covenanted principles of this church, but also opposed, contradicted and +overthrown the glorious reformation once established in these nations. A +government, under which, as they profess, the nations cannot be enriched +by the blessings of the gospel; and that, because it does not, in all +the appurtenances of its constitution and administration, run in +agreeableness to the word of God. By all which it appears that although +they refuse formally to swear any oaths of allegiance to the powers in +being; yet they do materially, and with great solemnity, engage +themselves to be true and faithful to a government, under which, and +while it stands, they are certain, if their concessions hold true, that +they shall never see the nations flourish, either in their temporal or +spiritual interests. It is only needful further to observe, that +_Seceders_ in the terms of their communion, by debarring from the table +of the Lord, all who impugn the lawfulness of a prelatic, Erastian +government (as is notourly known they do), make subjection and loyalty +to such an authority, a necessary, and, to them, commendatory +qualification of worthy receivers of the Lord's supper, although none of +those qualifications--required by God in his word. While (as has been +already observed) they, with the most violent passion, refuse to admit +the professing and practicing the true religion, a necessary +qualification of lawful civil rulers over a people possessed of and +professing the true religion, which is in effect to deny the necessity +of religion altogether as to civil rulers, than which nothing can be +more absurd. + +_Lastly_, not to multiply more particulars, the Presbytery testify +against the scandalous abuse, and sinful prostitution of church +discipline, and tyranny in government, whereby the forementioned party +have remarkably signalized themselves; and which, in a most precipitant +and arbitrary manner, they have pretended to execute against such as +have discovered the smallest degree of faithfulness, in endeavoring to +maintain the principles of our reformation, in agreeableness to the true +state of the covenanted testimony of the Church of _Scotland_; which has +not only appeared in the case of _David Leslie_, and some others, on +account of a paper of grievances given in to said Associates; against +whom they proceeded to the sentence of excommunication, without using +those formalities and means of conviction required and warranted by the +church's Head, even in the case of just offenses done by any of the +professed members of his mystical body; or so much as allowing that +common justice to the sentenced party, that might be expected from any +judicatory, bearing the name of Presbyterian. (Though the Presbytery are +not hereby to be understood as approving every expression contained in +foresaid paper.) But particularly, they have given notable proof of +their fixed resolution, to bear down all just appearances in favor of +_Zion's_ King and cause, in the case of Mr. _Nairn_, once of their +number, because of his espousing the principles of this Presbytery, +especially, respecting God's ordinance of magistracy, against whom they +proceeded to the highest censures of the church, upon the footing of a +pretended libel; in which libel, they did not so much as pretend any +immorality in practice, or yet error in principle, as the ground of +their arbitrary procedure, further than his espousing the received +principles of this church in her best times, and what stood in necessary +connection with such a profession: although, in adorable providence, he +has since been left to fall into the practice of such immorality, as has +justly rendered him the object of church censure by this Presbytery. As +also in the case of Messrs. _Alexander Marshall_, and _John +Cuthbertson_, with some others, elders and private Christians, against +whom they proceeded in a most unaccountable, anti-scriptural, and +unprecedented manner, and upon no better foundation, than that noticed +in the case above, pretended to depose and cast such out of the +communion of their church, as never had subjected to their authority, +nor formerly stood in any established connection with them. + +And further, besides these instances condescended upon, they habitually +aggravate their abuse of the ordinances of Christ's house, in pretending +to debar and excommunicate from the holy sacrament of the supper, many +of the friends and followers of the Lamb, only because they cannot +conscientiously, and in a consistency with their fidelity to their Head +and Savior, acknowledge the authority of the usurpers of his crown as +lawful. From all which, and every other instance of their continued +prostitution of the discipline instituted by Christ in his church, and +of that authority, which he, as a Son over his own house, has given unto +faithful gospel ministers, to the contempt and scorn of an ungodly +generation; the Presbytery cannot but testify against them, as guilty of +exercising a tyrannical power over the heritage of the Lord; and to whom +may too justly be applied, the word of the Lord, spoken by his prophet, +_Isa._ lxvi, 5: "Your brethren that bated you, that cast you out for my +name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to +your joy, and they shall be ashamed." Wherefore, and for all the +foresaid grounds, the Presbytery find and declare, that the pretended +_Associate Presbytery_, now called _Synod_, whether before or since, in +their separate capacity, claiming a parity of power, neither were, nor +are lawful and rightly constituted courts of the Lord Jesus Christ, +according to his word, and to the testimony of the true Presbyterian +Covenanted Church of Christ in _Scotland_: and therefore ought not, nay +cannot, in a consistency with bearing a faithful testimony for the +covenanted truths, and cause of our glorious Redeemer, be countenanced +or submitted to in their authority by his people. + +Again, the Presbytery find themselves in duty obliged to testify against +these brethren who some time ago have broken off from their communion, +for their unwarrantable separation, and continued opposition to the +truth and testimony, in the hands of this Presbytery, even to the extent +of presuming, in a judicial capacity, to threaten church censure against +the Presbytery, without alleging so much as any other reason for this +strange procedure, than their refusing to approve as truth, a point of +doctrine, that stands condemned by the standards of the Reformed Church +of _Scotland_, founded on the authority of divine revelation. But, as +the Presbytery have formerly published a vindication of the truth +maintained by them, and of their conduct, respecting the subject matter +of difference with their _quondam_ brethren, they refer to said +vindication, for a more particular discovery of the error of their +principle, and extravagance of their conduct in this matter. And +particularly, they testify against the more avowed apostasy of some of +these brethren, who are not ashamed to declare their backslidings in the +streets, and publish them upon the house tops; as especially appears +from a sermon entitled, _Bigotry Disclaimed_--together with the +vindication of said sermon; wherein is vented such a loose and +latitudinarian scheme of principles, on the point of church communion, +as had a native tendency to destroy the scriptural boundaries thereof, +adopted by this church in her most advanced purity; and which is also +inconsistent with the ordination vows, whereby the author was solemnly +engaged. This, with other differences, best known to themselves, +occasioned a rupture in that pretended Presbytery, which for some years +subsisted: but this breach being some considerable time ago again +cemented, they constituted themselves in their former capacity, upon +terms (as appears from a printed account of their agreement and +constitution, which they have never yet disclaimed as unjust) not very +honorable nor consistent with their former principles and professed zeal +for maintaining the same. Which agreement was made up, without any +evidence of the above author's retracting his lax principles, contained +in the foresaid sermon. Whatever was the cause, whether from the +influence of others (as was said by the publisher of their agreement), +or from a consciousness of dropping part of formerly received +principles, is not certain; but one of these brethren, for a time, gave +up with further practical communion with the other, namely, Mr. _Hugh +Innes_, late of the _Calton, Glasgow_; while yet it was observed, that +both used a freedom, not formerly common to them, anent the present +authority, in their public immediate addresses to the object of worship; +which, together with their apparent resiling from part of their former +testimony occasioned stumbling to some of their people, and terminated +in the separation of others. Foresaid latitudinarianism and falling +away, is also sadly verified, in the conduct of another principal member +of their pretended Presbytery, who has professedly deserted all +testimony bearing for the reformation principles of the Covenanted +Church of _Scotland_.[5] + +At last, after their declared interviews for that purpose, these +brethren have patched up a mank agreement, which they have published, in +a paper entitled _Abstract of the covenanted principles of the Church of +Scotland, &c._, with a prefixed advertisement in some copies, asserting +the removal of their differences, which arose from a sermon on _Psal._ +cxxii, 3, published at _Glasgow_,--by a disapprobation of what is +implied in some expressions hereof, viz., "That all the members of +Christ's mystical body may, and ought to unite in visible church +communion." + +Here is, indeed, a smooth closing of the wound that should have been +more thoroughly searched, that, by probing into the practical +application of said sermon, the corrupt matter of communion with the +Revolution Church, in the gospel and sealing ordinance thereof, might +have been found out; but not one word of this in all that abstract, +which contains their grounds of union, and terms of communion. Nothing +of the above author's recanting his former latitudinarian practices of +hearing, and thereby practically encouraging, that vagrant Episcopalian, +_Whitefield_; his communicating, which natively implies union, with the +Revolution Church, in one of the seals of the covenant; nor his public +praying for an Erastian government, in a way, and for a reason, that +must needs be understood as an homologation of their authority. On which +accounts, the Presbytery testify against said union, as being +inconsistent with faithfulness in the cause of Christ; and against said +abstract, as, however containing a variety of particulars very just and +good, yet bearing no positive adherence to, nor particular mention of, +faithful wrestlings and testimonies of the martyrs and witnesses for +_Scotland's_ covenanted cause. As also, they testify against the +notorious disingenuity of their probationer, who, after a professed +dissatisfaction on sundry occasions, with the declining steps of said +brethren, particularly with the declaimer against bigotry, has +overlooked more weighty matters, and embraced a probability of enjoying +the long grasped for privilege of ordination, though it should be +observed at a greater expense than that of disappointing the expectation +of a few dissatisfied persons, who depended upon his honesty, after they +had broken up communion with those he continues still to profess his +subjection unto. + +And further, the Presbytery testify against the adherents of foresaid +brethren, in strengthening their hands in their course of separation +from the Presbytery, rejecting both their judicial and ministerial +authority, and the ordinances of the gospel dispensed by them. And more +especially, the Presbytery condemn the conduct of such of them as, +professedly dissatisfied with the above said left-hand extremes, and +other defections of foresaid brethren, have therefore broken off from +their communion; yet, instead of returning to their duty in a way of +subjecting themselves to the courts of Christ, and ordinances instituted +by him in his church, have turned back again to their own right-hand +extremes of error, which once they professedly gave up, but now persist +in, an obstinate impugning the validity of their ministerial authority +and protestative mission, undervalue the pure ordinances of the gospel +dispensed by them, and live as if there were no church of Christ in the +land, where they might receive the seals of the covenant, either to +themselves or their children; and therefore, in the righteous judgment +of God, have been left to adopt such a dangerous and erroneous system of +principles, as is a disgrace to the profession of the covenanted +cause.[6] + + + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + + +The following supplement, having been a competent length of time before +the church in _overture_, was adopted in Logan county, Ohio, May, 1850. +And, although without the formality of a judicial sanction, we trust it +will not be found destitute of divine authority. The design of it is to +show the application of the principles of our Testimony to society, as +organized in the United States. For although conventional regulations, +civil and ecclesiastical, in this land, are very different from the +condition of society in Great Britain, where our Testimony was first +emitted, yet the corruptions of human nature, embodied in the +combinations of society, are not less visible in this than in other +lands, nor less hostile to the supreme authority of the Lord and his +Anointed. "The beast and the false prophet" continue to be the objects +of popular devotion: Rev. xix, 20. + +_Cincinnati_, Nov. 12th, 1850. + + + + +SUPPLEMENT TO PART III, + +Containing an application of the principles of our Covenanted Testimony +to the existing condition of society in these United States. + + +The controversy which arose between the Associate and Reformed churches, +on the doctrine of civil magistracy, was the occasion of greater +divergency between them, on collateral subjects. From false principles, +consistent reasoning must produce erroneous conclusions. Assuming that +the Son of God, as Mediator, has nothing to do with the concerns of +God's moral government beyond the precincts of the visible church, it +would follow, that church members, as citizens of the "kingdoms of this +world," neither owe him allegiance nor are bound to thank him for +"common benefits." The assumption is, however, obviously erroneous, +because, as Mediator, he is "head over all things to the church," Eph. +i, 22, consequently, all people, nations and languages, are bound to +obey and serve him, in this office capacity, and to thank him for his +mercies. + +While this controversy was keenly managed by the respective parties in +the British isles, the Lord Christ interposed between the disputants, as +it were, to decide the chief point in debate. By the rise of the British +colonies west of the Atlantic, against the parent country, and their +successful struggle to gain a national independence, a clear commentary +was furnished on the long-contested principle, that, in some cases, it +is lawful to resist existing civil powers. Seceders, forgetting, for the +time, their favorite theory, joined their fellow colonists in casting +off the yoke of British rule. Those who vehemently opposed Reformed +Presbyterians, for disowning the British government, joined cheerfully +in its overthrow. How fickle and inconsistent is man! During +the revolutionary struggle might be witnessed the singular +spectacle--humbling to the pride of human reason, revolting to the +sensibilities of the exercised Christian--brethren of the same +communion, on opposite sides of the Atlantic, pleading with the God of +justice to give success to the respective armies! East of the ocean the +petition would be, "Lord, prosper the British arms;" on the west, "Lord, +favor the patriots of these oppressed colonies!" Such are the +consequences natively resulting from a theory alike unscriptural and +absurd--a principle deep-laid in that system of opposition to the Lord +and his Anointed, emphatically styled "The Antichrist." + +Great national revolutions are special trials of the faith and patience +of the saints. No firmness of character will be proof against popular +opinion and example at such a time, without special aid from on high. +Reformed Presbyterians in the colonies rejoiced in the success of the +revolution, issuing in the independence of the United States. Their +expectation of immediate advantage to the reformation cause was too +sanguine. A new frame of civil polity was to be devised by the colonies, +now that they were independent of the British crown. This state of +things called forth the exercise of human intellect, in more than +ordinary measure, to meet the emergency. Frames of national policy are +apt to warp the judgment of good men. Even Christian ministers are prone +to substitute the maxims of human prudence for the precepts of +inspiration. Many divines conceived the idea of conforming the visible +church to the model of the American republic. The plan was projected and +advocated, of bringing all evangelical denominations into one +confederated unity, while the integral parts should continue independent +of each other. This plan would have defeated its own object, the unity +of the visible church, and subverted that form of government established +by Zion's King. Upon trial by some of the New England Independents and +Presbyterians, the plan has proved utterly abortive. + +Prior to the Revolutionary war, a Presbytery had been constituted in +America, upon the footing of the covenanted reformation. The exciting +scenes and active sympathies, attendant on the Revolutionary war, added +to a hereditary love of liberty, carried many covenanters away from +their distinctive principles. The Reformed Presbytery was dissolved, and +three ministers who belonged to it, joining some ministers of the +Associate Church, formed that society, since known by the name of the +Associate Reformed Church. The union was completed in the year 1782, +after having been five years in agitation. + +These ministers professed, as the basis of union, the Westminster +standards; but the abstract of principles, which they adopted as the +more immediate bond of coalescence, discovered, to discerning +spectators, that the individuals forming the combination, were by no +means unanimous in their views of the doctrines taught in those +standards. Indeed, there were certain sections of the Confession +_reserved_ for future discussion, which, in process of time, were wholly +rejected. This attack upon a document, venerable not so much for its age +as its scriptural character, gave rise to zealous opposition by some in +the body, and ultimately resulted in a rupture. Two ministers dissented +from the majority, left their communion, and proceeded to erect a new +organization, styled "The Reformed Dissenting Presbytery." This was in +the year 1801. At this date, there were four denominations, in the +United States, claiming to be the legitimate successors of the British +reformers, viz., the Associate, Reformed, Associate Reformed, and +Reformed Dissenting Presbyterians. Three of these professedly appear +under the banner of a standing judicial testimony, which they severally +emitted to the public. The Associate Reformed Church, by judicial +declaration and uniform practice, is opposed to this method of +testimony-bearing. + +The Reformed Presbytery, which had been dissolved by the defection of +the ministry, during the Revolutionary war, was reorganized toward the +close of the eighteenth century. The troubles in Ireland, when the +inhabitants united for the purpose of gaining independence of the +British crown, were the occasion of bringing strength to the church in +America. Reformed Presbyterians, feeling sensibly with others the arm of +British tyranny, joined interests hastily with Papists and others, in +one sworn association, for the purpose of overturning the existing +government by force of arms. The enterprise, as might have been +expected, was unsuccessful; Isa. viii, 11, 12; Obadiah 7; 2 Cor. vi, 17. +Many fled to the asylum which God had provided, shortly before, in +America. Among the refugees were some of the Covenanters, by which the +church was strengthened in her ministry and membership. + +Early in the nineteenth century, measures were taken by the Reformed +Presbytery, in the United States, for re-exhibiting the principles of a +covenanted reformation, in a judicial way. Accordingly, in the year +1806, the Presbytery published, as adopted, a work entitled "Reformation +Principles Exhibited"--a book which has ever since been popularly called +the American Testimony. The familiar designation, _Testimony_, the +general complexion of the book, the orthodox aspect of terms, and even +most of the leading sentiments of the work, gave it currency, and +rendered it generally acceptable to pious and intelligent Covenanters. +And however it seemed to the unsuspecting to sustain, it eventually and +effectually supplanted the Scottish Testimony. The men who had the +principal hand in giving shape and direction to the principles and +practice of Covenanters in the United States, at that time, were located +in some of the most populous and commercial cities on the Atlantic +coast, where temptations to conform to this world were many and +pressing. A disposition to temporize was manifested in these localities, +soon after their principles had been judicially exhibited. The last war +between the United States and England, subjected Covenanters to new +trials in America. As aliens, they were deemed unsafe residents at the +seaboard, and were ordered, by the government, to retire a certain +distance to the interior (much like the course pursued by Claudius +Caesar toward the Jews, Acts xviii, 2). To meet the exigency, a +deputation of the church was appointed to repair to Washington, in 1812, +and offer a pledge that they would defend the integrity of the country +against all enemies. This measure was, however, never carried out. + +The church increased in numbers and influence, and began to be noticed +with respect and professions of esteem among surrounding denominations. +Some of her members had ventured to act in the capacity of citizens of +the United States, by serving on juries. This was of course managed for +a time clandestinely. At length, waxing confident by success, they began +to act more openly. This gave rise to a petition addressed to the +supreme judicatory of the church. The petitioners were answered by +instructing them to apply for direction to the inferior +judicatories--thus shunning the duty of applying their own acknowledged +principles. This was in the year 1823. This course did not satisfy the +petitioners, and application was again made to Synod in 1825, to explain +the import of their former Act. The reply was--"This Synod never +understood any act of theirs, relative to their members sitting on +juries, or contravening the old common law of the church on that +subject;" a response obviously as equivocal as the preceding. As early +as 1823, a motion was made in the Synod to open a correspondence with +the judicatories of other denominations. This motion was resisted, and +for the time proved abortive. At next meeting of Synod, however, the +measure was brought before that body, by a proposal from the General +Assembly to correspond by delegation. This proposal found many, and some +of them able, advocates in the Reformed. P. Synod. The measure was, +however, again defeated; but immediately after the failure, a number of +ministers forsook the Reformation ranks and consorted with the General +Assembly. In the year 1828, the Synod gave its sanction and lent its +patronage to the Colonization Society, which was continued till the year +1836, when its patronage was transferred to the cause of Abolition. The +spirit of declension became manifest at the session of Synod in 1831, +when some of the most prominent and practical principles of the Reformed +Church were openly thrown into debate, in the pages of a monthly +periodical, under the head of "Free Discussion." Through the pernicious +influence of that perfidious journal, sustained by the patronage of +ministers of eminent standing in the church, a large proportion--neatly +one-half--of the ministry were prepared, by the next meeting of Synod in +1833, to renounce the peculiar principles and long known usages of the +Reformed Covenanted Church. Organizing themselves as a separate body, +yet claiming their former ecclesiastical name, they deliberately +incorporated with the government of the United States, and some of the +senior ministers, more fully to testify their loyalty, in their old age, +took the oath of naturalization!--thus breaking down the carved work +which they had for many years assiduously labored to erect. + +It was hoped that the severe trial to which the professing witnesses of +Christ were subjected at that time, would have taught them a lesson not +soon to be forgotten. It was thought by many that the church was now +purged from the leaven which had almost leavened the whole lump. The +Synod met in 1834, when a perverse spirit was evident in the midst of +its members. The Colonization and Abolition Societies, with other +associations--the exfoliations of Antichrist--had evidently gained an +ascendency in the affections of many of the members. The altercation and +bitterness with which the claims of these societies were discussed, +evidenced to such as were free from their infection, that some of those +present viewed these popular movements as transcending in importance, +the covenanted testimony of the church. As the practice of occasional +hearing was on the increase in some sections of the church, Synod was +memorialized on that subject, but refused to declare the law of the +church. The old spirit of conformity to the world was still more +manifest in 1836, when Synod was importuned by her children, from the +eastern and western extremes of the church, by petition, memorial, +protest and appeal--growing out of the practice then generally prevalent +of incorporating with the voluntary associations of the age. The +response of the supreme judicatory was in this case as ambiguous as on +any former occasion. The backsliding course of the factious majority was +but feebly counteracted by dissent from only two members of Synod; a +respectable minority having been outwitted by the carnal wisdom of those +who were prompt in applying the technicalities of law. Hope was, +however, cherished, that this check so publicly given, together with the +practical workings of the system of moral amalgamation, would induce +even reckless innovators to pause--to consider their ways and their +doings. This hope, however rational and sanguine, was totally +disappointed in 1838, when the table of the supreme judicatory might be +said to be crowded with petitions, letters, remonstrances, memorials, +protests and appeals. The just grievances of the children of witnessing +and martyred fathers, were treated with contempt--"laid on the table," +"returned," with the cry "let them be kicked under the table," &c. And +when some attempted to urge their right to be heard, they were called to +order, treated with personal insult, or subjected to open violence. A +few of these, having thus experienced the tyranny and abuse of the +ruling faction, declined the authority and communion of Synod, and +established a separate fellowship. + +When the Synod again met in 1840, the same measures which had been +carried by mob violence at the preceding meeting, were pressed as +before; but with less tumult--leaders having learned caution from the +consequences following their former outrageous conduct. Matters had now +come to a crisis, when a reclaiming minority were reduced to this +dilemma--either to acquiesce in the almost total subversion of the +covenanted constitution of the church; or, by separating from an +irreclaimable majority, attempt, by an independent organization, to make +up the breach. It is easy to see which alternative was duty, not only +from the nature of the case, but from the well defined footsteps of the +flock. Reformation has been effected in the church of God in all ages, +by the protestation and separation of a virtuous Minority. At this +juncture a paper was laid upon the table of Synod, of which the +following is a true copy: + +"PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS. + +"Whereas, It is the province and indispensable duty of this Synod, when +society is in a state of agitation as at present, to know the signs of +the times and what Israel ought to do: and whereas it is also the duty +of this Synod, to testify in behalf of truth, to condemn sin and testify +against those who commit it; to acquaint our people with their danger, +and search into the causes of God's controversy with them and with us: +and whereas it is the duty of Synod further, to point out to the people +of God the course to be pursued, that divine judgments may be averted or +removed--therefore, + +"1. _Resolved_, That uniting with, or inducing to fellowship, by the +members of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, in the voluntary and +irresponsible associations of the day--composed of persons of all +religious professions and of no profession--be condemned, as unwarranted +by the word of God, the subordinate Standards of the church, and the +practice of our covenant fathers. + +"2. That an inquiry be instituted, in order to ascertain the grounds of +God's controversy with us, in the sins of omission and commission, +wherewith we are chargeable in our ecclesiastical relations. + +"3. That the sins thus ascertained, be confessed, mourned over and +forsaken, and our engagement to the contrary duties renewed; that the +Lord may return, be entreated of his people and leave a blessing behind +him." + +This paper was instantly "laid on the table;" and when, at a subsequent +session of the court, it was regularly called up for action, it was +again and finally "laid on the table!" Ever since that transaction, this +paper has been diligently misrepresented, as consisting only of _one_ +resolution, and that the _first_, contrary to its own evidence. + +After the final adjournment of Synod, those individuals who, as a +minority, had opposed the innovations and backslidings of their +brethren, embraced an opportunity for consultation. It appeared that +without preconcert, they were unanimous that all legal means having +failed to reclaim their backsliding brethren, who constituted a large +majority of Synod; both duty and necessity required them to assume a +position independent _of_ former organizations, that they might, +untrammeled, carry out practically their testimony. Accordingly two +ministers and three ruling elders proceeded to constitute a Presbytery +on constitutional ground, declaring in the deed of constitution, +adherence to all reformation attainments. This transaction took place in +the city of Alleghany, June 24th, 1840. The declining majority continued +their course of backsliding, following those who had relinquished their +fellowship with slanderous imputations and pretended censure, as is +usual in such cases. Since that time, there are no evidences given by +them either of repentance or reformation. + +The Synod of Scotland has for many years been in a; course of +declension, in many respects very similar to that of America. As early +as the year 1815, some ministers of that body began to betray a +disposition to accommodate their profession to the taste of the world. +The judicial testimony emitted by their fathers was represented as too +elaborate and learned to be read and understood by the common reader, +and too severe in its strictures upon the principles and practice of +other Christian denominations. The abstract of terms of communion was +viewed as too strict and uncharitable, especially the Auchensaugh +Covenant became particularly obnoxious. By a persevering importunity for +a series of years this degenerating party prevailed so far in the Synod +as to have the Auchensaugh Deed expunged from the symbols of their +profession. This was accomplished in 1822; and, taken in connection with +other movements indicating a prevailing spirit of worldly conformity, +this outrage upon the constitution of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, +gave rise to a secession from the body, by the oldest minister in the +connection, and a considerable number of others, elders and members. At +the above date, the Rev. James Reed declined the fellowship of the +Scottish Synod; and he maintained the integrity of the covenanted +standards in a separate communion till his death: declaring at his +latter end, that "he could not have laid his head upon a dying pillow in +peace, if he had not acted as he did in that matter." + +Deaf to the remonstrances of this aged and faithful minister, his former +brethren pursued their perverse and downward course, until their new +position became apparent by the adoption of a Testimony and Terms of +Communion adapted to their taste. Their Testimony was adopted in 1837. +This document ostensibly consists of two parts, historical and +doctrinal; but really only of the latter as _authoritative_. This will +appear from the preface to the history, as also that it is without the +_formal_ sanction of the Synod, which appears prefixed to the doctrinal +part of the book. A considerable time before they ventured to obtrude +this new Testimony on the church; they had prepared the way for its +introduction, by supplanting the authoritative "Rules of Society," +framed and adopted by their fathers. This was done by issuing what they +called a "Guide to Social Worship," which the Scottish Synod sent forth +under an ambiguous _recommendation_, and the spurious production was +republished by order of Synod, in America, 1836, with the like equivocal +expression of approbation. + +What has been just related of the Ref. Pres. Church in Scotland, will +apply substantially to that section of the same body in Ireland. On the +doctrine of the magistrate's power _circa sacra_, however, there was a +controversy of several years' continuance and managed with much +asperity, in which Rev. Messrs. John Paul, D.D., and Thomas Houston were +the most distinguished disputants. Their contendings issued in breach of +organic fellowship in 1840. Indeed the sister-hood which had subsisted +for many years among the Synods east and west of the Atlantic ocean, was +violated in 1833; when the rupture took place in the Synod of America, +by the elopement of the declining party, who are since known by alliance +with the civil institutions of the United States. Among these five +Synods, the principle called _elective affinity_ has been strikingly +exemplified; while what the Scripture denominates _schism_, has been as +visibly rampant as perhaps at any period under the Christian +dispensation. + +This brief historical sketch may serve to show the outlines of the +courses respectively pursued by the several parties in the British Isles +and America, who have made professions of attachment to that work in the +kingdom of Scotland especially, which has been called the Second +Reformation. But the duty of fidelity to Zion's King, and even the duty +of charity to these backsliding brethren; together with the informing of +the present and succeeding generations, require, that we notice more +formally some of the more prominent measures of these ecclesiastical +bodies and so manifest more fully our relation to them. It is not to be +expected however, that we are about to condescend upon _all_ the +erroneous sentiments or steps of defection, supplied by the history of +these communities. To direct the honest inquiries of the Lord's people, +and assist them in that process of reasoning by which facts are compared +with acknowledged Standards, supreme and subordinate, that their +moral character may be tested, is all that is proposed in the following +sections. + +SECTION I. The Secession from the Revolution Church of Scotland in that +country assumed a position in relation to the civil institutions of +Great Britain, which their posterity continue too occupy until the +present time in the United States without material alteration. + +1. They cooperate practically with all classes in the civil community, +in maintaining national rebellion against the Lord and his Anointed. +They give their suffrages toward the elevation of vile persons to the +highest places of civil dignity in the American confederacy--knowing the +candidates to be strangers or enemies to Immanuel. And although they +have recently lifted a testimony against that system of robbery called +slavery, which is so far right; yet this fact only goes to render their +professed loyalty to an unscriptural frame of civil government, as +manifestly inconsistent as it is impious. + +2. The have all along in the United States renounced the civil part of +the British Covenants, declaring that they "neither have nor ever had +anything to do with them." Truth is not local, nor does the obligation +of the second table of the moral law, on which that part of our +covenants is plainly founded, depend on the permanency of our residence +in a particular portion of the world. "The earth is the Lord's and the +fullness thereof." It follows, that however solemnly or frequently they +profess to renew their fathers' covenants; the whole transaction +displays their unfaithfulness to the Lord, who is a party in the +covenants; and is calculated to mislead the unwary. + +3. Their unsteadfastness is further evidenced, by conforming to other +ecclesiastical communities in the loose practice of occasional or +indiscriminate hearing; and even in some instances of ministerial +intercommunion--the law of their church on that matter having become +obsolete. Against these courses, in some of which that body has +obstinately persevered for more than a hundred years, we deem it +incumbent on us to continue an uncompromising testimony. Many comments +the Moral Governor of the nations has furnished in his providence within +the last century, making still more intelligible the righteous claims of +his word: but Seceders seem to have their moral vision obscured by a +vail of hereditary prejudice. We trust the Lord is on his way to destroy +the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is +spread over all nations; Is. xxv, 7. + +SEC. II. Our testimony against the unfaithfulness of the Associate +Reformed Church, continues also without material change since the rise +of that body. The following among others may here be noticed, as +constituting just grounds of opposition in a way of testimony-bearing, +by all who would be found faithful to the Lord, and their covenant +engagements. + +1. Their very origin was unwarranted by scripture. All the scriptural +attainments to which they profess to adhere, were already incorporated +in the standards of the organic bodies, from whose fellowship they +seceded. They did therefore make a breach without a definite object, and +multiply divisions in the visible body of Christ without necessity. Thus +they did violence to the royal law of love; for while under a profession +of charity they invited to their new fellowship their former brethren; +the nature of the case evinces a disposition to unmitigated tyranny. +This state of things we think has not been generally understood. We +shall here endeavor to render it intelligible. The fact of organizing +that church (the Associate Reformed) said to both Covenanters and +Seceders "It is your duty to dissolve your respective organizations, and +join us." This is undeniable. The Covenanter or Seceder replies by +asking--"What iniquity have you or your fathers found in us, that you +forsook our communion?" &c. "Not any," replies the Associate Reformed +Church; "only some trifling opinions peculiar to you severally which we +deem unworthy of contending about. Only join our church, and we will +never quarrel with you, relative to your singularities." "Ah," replies +the other party, "the matters about which we differ, are trifling in +your account; how then could they be of such magnitude as to warrant +your breaking fellowship with us? What you call _trifles, +peculiarities_, &c, we cannot but still judge important principles, +sealed by the precious blood of martyrs: must we deny these or bury them +in silence, to gain membership in your new church? Is this the nature +and amount of your professed charity? This is not that heaven-born +principle 'that rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth.' +You break fellowship for what you esteem mere trifles--you propose to us +a new term of communion, with which it is morally impossible that we +should comply, without doing violence to our consciences. Is this +charity or tyranny?" + +2. Although covenanting was declared by this body at their origin, to be +an "important duty," they never recognized the solemn deeds of their +fathers as binding on them; nor have they ever attempted the +acknowledged duty in a way supposed to be competent to themselves. Nay, +the obligation of the British covenants has been denied both openly and +frequently from the pulpit and the press; and even attempts have been +made, not seldom, by profane ridicule, to bring them into contempt. The +very duty of public, social covenanting, either in a National or +ecclesiastical capacity, has been often opposed in the polemic writings +of the ministers of this body, however often inculcated and exemplified +in the word of God. The moral nature of the duty taken in connection +with prophetic declarations, to be fulfilled only under the Christian +dispensation, demonstrates the permanency of this divine ordinance until +the end of the world. + +3. This church set out with unsound views of church fellowship, as has +been already in part made appear. But when their position came to be +more pointedly defined, they made the novel distinction between _fixed_ +and _occasional_ communion. The practical tendency of this unscriptural +experiment was necessarily to _catholic_ communion, which theory was +soon advocated by some of the most prominent of the ministry; and +accordingly eventuated in the merging of a large number of her ministry +and membership, in the communion of the General Assembly. + +4. On the doctrine of the divine ordinance of civil government, this +church has all along been unsound; as is fully evidenced in the practice +of her members, which has been similar to that of Seceders. Our +testimony against the latter is, in this particular, equally directed +against the former. + +5. This church has appeared as the advocate of a boundless toleration, +conforming her views and policy in a most servile manner to the infidel +model presented in the civil constitutions of republican America. It +would seem, indeed, that this body aimed at conforming their +ecclesiastical polity to that standard, from the fact that the very +symbol of their profession as a corporate body, is designated the +"Constitution of the Associate Reformed Church"--a designation which +might be considered as militating against the supremacy of the Holy +Scriptures. In this Constitution a sphere is assigned to conscience, +which is incompatible with due subjection to the Supreme Lawgiver. As +well might the _will_, or any other faculty of the soul of man, be +invested with this impious supremacy, and immunity from control, by any +authority instituted on earth by the only Lord of conscience. Jehovah +will rule the _consciences_ of his creatures, as well as their +_judgments_ and _wills_, by his holy law, in the civil commonwealth, in +the church and in the family. + +6. The unfaithfulness of this body appears further, in shunning to +declare the _divine right_ and unalterableness of Presbyterial Church +Government, she testifies not against Prelacy or Independency. If this +church is Presbyterial in practice, it is on no better footing than that +of the Revolution Church of Scotland. + +7. The purity of divine worship is not guarded by the terms of +fellowship in this church. It is true, "No Hymns merely of human +composure, are allowed in her churches." But what mean these guarded +terms and phrases, "merely;" "churches?" The best interpretation of +these cunningly contrived expressions is supplied by the practice of +those ministers of the body, who scruple not to offer unto God "hymns +merely of human composure" when occupying pulpits of other +denominations, or sojourning for a night in families where these hymns +are statedly used. It is known that this part of the order of public +worship has been submitted in some instances, to the voice of the +congregation by their pastor; thus manifesting in the same act, +latitudinarianism in regard both to the government and worship of the +house of God. + +Lastly, to specify no further--Laxity of discipline is observable in +this church. She has always admitted to her fellowship, and to a +participation in her special privileges (the seals of the covenants), +persons who openly deny the divine warrant for a fast in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper; yea, who ridicule that part of the +solemnity as _superstitious_! The same privileges are granted in this +church to such as habitually neglect the worship of God in the family. +Nor does this church inculcate or enjoin, as a part of Christian +practice, fellowship meetings for prayer and conference. We must, as +witnesses for the cause of Christ, solemnly protest against these +sentiments and correspondent practices, as inconsistent with the +scripture and the reformation attainments of our covenant fathers. + +SEC. III. The Reformed Dissenting Church embraced more of the peculiar +principles of the covenanted reformation than either of the two +preceding. On the doctrines of magistracy and toleration, abstractly +considered, they have manifested commendable fidelity. Nevertheless, in +the practical application of these doctrines and in other respects, we +are constrained to continue a testimony against them. + +1. What has been remarked of the origin of the Associate Reformed body, +is partly true also of the party which dissented from them: their +organization was uncalled for, there being no scriptural attainment +embraced by them, which was not already exhibited under a judicial +banner. Those who erected the Reformed Dissenting Presbytery may have +been harshly treated by ministers of the Reformed Presbytery, when +attempting negotiations for union, as public fame has often rumored: yet +supposing this to have been the case, multiplying separate fellowships +was not a happy expedient for effecting union in the truth. + +2. This body of Christians have been all along unfaithful in applying +their own avowed principles relative to magistracy. Their innovation in +this respect would seem to have been a carnal expedient to reach a +two-fold object: the one, to retaliate on the Reformed Church for +supposed indignities offered; the other, to render themselves more +popular in the eyes of other communities. They admit that a constitution +of civil government may be so immoral, that it cannot be considered as +God's ordinance; that in such a case "no Christian can, without sinning +against God, accept any office supreme or subordinate, where an oath to +support such a constitution is made essential to his office." These +admissions are equally just and important; yet these concessions are +wholly neutralized in practice by these people, for they claim it as +their privilege to choose others to fill those offices, which they say, +they themselves cannot fill "without sinning against God." We must +continue our earnest testimony against this attempt to separate in law, +between the representative and his constituents, involving as it does, +if consistently carried out, the total overthrow of the covenants of +works and grace, and ultimately of God's moral government by his +annotated Son! The effort made to sustain their practice in this matter, +from the examples of the Marquis of Argyle and Lord Warriston, is very +disingenuous; simply because the church of Scotland had not at the date +referred to, reached the measure of her attainments on that head. +Indeed, the whole drift of their argument goes to justify the position, +that in some cases, it is expedient to do evil that good may come. + +3. On the doctrine of faith this church has, we think, darkened counsel, +by words without knowledge. Their distinctions and caveats relative to +_assurance_, are calculated rather to bewilder than enlighten the mind +of the general reader. "Receiving and resting on Christ as offered in +the gospel," amounts to "appropriation, certainty, assurance," &c. There +is evidence of a tendency to "vain jangling" here, against which, even +suppose there be no error couched in the terms, we ought to testify. + +4. This church evinces a disposition to intercommunion, in the practice +both of ministers and members, wholly inconsistent with steadfastness, +and at war with her own declared views of toleration. Occupying pulpits +in common with more corrupt communities, doing this in connection with +the celebration of the Lord's Supper, and attendance and co-operation +with others in conventional proceedings among those who style themselves +"Reformed Churches," are practices among these people, on which we feel +constrained to animadvert with decided disapprobation. As also their +violation of the form of Presbyterian church government by one minister +with ruling elders presuming to set apart candidates to the office of +the holy ministry. + +SEC. IV. To speak thus publicly against those who may be the precious +sons of Zion, is a painful duty. That charity, however, which rejoiceth +in the truth, requires of Christ's witnesses that they censure and +rebuke, in a way competent to them, those of the household of faith whom +they see and know to be in a course of error or of sin; _Isa._ lviii, 1; +_Tit._ i, 13. + +Many of those with whom we were wont to take pleasure in displaying a +banner jointly, and in a judicial capacity, are now, alas! arrayed +against us. To the real friend of Jesus, and the truth as it is in +Jesus, there cannot be a more lamentable spectacle than the _professed +witnesses_ of the Lamb disposed in rank under hostile colors as the +company--not of two, but of many armies, ready to engage in mutual +destruction! And indeed those who bite and devour one another, are in +danger of being consumed one of another. The Lord is righteous in all +that is come upon us; for we have sinned against him--both we and our +fathers. We know not how to avert more wrath from the Lord, reclaim +backsliders, confirm the wavering, direct sincere inquirers, apprise the +unsuspecting of their danger, and exonerate our own consciences, +otherwise than by giving open, candid and honest testimony for Christ +and truth, against those, even once brethren by covenant bonds, who have +dishonored him, and caused the way of truth to be evil spoken of. + +Against those who separated from us in Philadelphia, 1833, erecting a +rival judicatory, and dishonestly claiming the name Reformed +Presbyterian Church, we bear our feeble testimony for the following +among other reasons: + +1. They did then openly enter on a course subversive of our whole +covenanted system of doctrine and order, by withdrawing their dissent +from the civil institutions of the United States, and incorporating with +the National Society--knowing the same to be, by the terms of the +national compact, opposed in many respects, both to godliness and +honesty. + +2. This party had, in a clandestine way, exerted their influence to +seduce and draw away disciples after them for a series of years. This is +evident from the petitions addressed to Synod on the jury law, issuing +from those who are known to have been in correspondence with some of the +leaders in that defection. + +3. This party are chargeable with mutilating the Judicial Testimony +emitted in Scotland, 1761; and also with changing the terms of +communion, and obtruding a mutilated formula upon an unsuspecting +people, contrary to due order. + +_History_ and _argument_ are excluded from the terms of Church +Fellowship, on the very face of "Reformation Principles Exhibited;" and +the Auchensaugh Covenant expunged from the formula of terms of +communion, without submitting them in overture to the people for +inspection. We say these steps of defection and apostasy are chargeable +to the account of those who made the breach in 1833: _First_, Because +the senior and leading ministers in that separation were the men who +framed the American Testimony and Terms of Communion; and so had many +years before laid the platform and projected the course on which they +violently entered at that date. _Second_, These separatists, in the +edition of these symbols of their profession lately published, have +consistently left out of the volume, the Historical Part, and also +remodeled the formula of Terms of Communion. + +4. This body continues to wax worse and worse, against all remonstrance +from their former connections and others, as also in the face of +providential rebukes;--losing, because forfeiting, the confidence of +conscientious and honorable men, exemplified in the frequent meetings, +and to them, disastrous results, of the Convention of, so called, +Reformed Churches. + +SEC. V. With the foregoing party may be classed those different and +conflicting fellowships in Scotland and Ireland, whose recent Terms of +Communion and Judicial Testimony, substantially identify with those +mentioned in the preceding section. + +1. Public fame charges the Eastern Synod of Ireland, and the Synod of +Scotland, with connivance at the members and officers under their +inspection, in co-operating with the immoral and anti-christian +government of Great Britain. They are therefore guilty of giving their +power and strength to that powerful and blood-thirsty horn of the beast. +We are inclined to give more credit to public fame in this than we would +in many other cases, because: + +2. These Synods have opened a door in their new Testimony for such +sinful confederacies. "What!" will the simple and uninitiated reader of +the Testimony ask, "does not that Testimony declare, often and often, +that the British constitution is anti-christian?" We answer, the _book_ +declares so; but we caution the reader to be on his guard, lest he judge +and take for granted, without a careful examination, that the book and +the Testimony are the same thing. Let the honest inquirer consult the +_preface_ to the _Historical_ part of the book, and then the preface to +the Doctrinal part: the latter, he will find, on due examination, to +constitute the Testimony. True, in page 8 of the preface to the volume, +it is said, "the Testimony, as now published, consists of two parts, the +one _Historical_ and the other _Doctrinal_." This sounds orthodox; but, +in the same page, when these two parts come to be defined, it is said, +"when the church requires of those admitted into her fellowship, an +acknowledgement of a work like the present, the approbation expressed +has a reference to the _principles_ embodied in it, and _the proper +application_ of them," &c. "So they wrap it up"--better than our fathers +succeeded in a similar enterprise in America. The truth is what they +call the _historical_ part is largely _argumentative_; and both these +parts are carefully and covertly excluded from the _terms of +fellowship_! We shall have occasion to recur to this subject, as there +are many others likeminded with these innovators. + +3. These people are also deeply involved in the popular, so called, +benevolent associations of the world, Sunday Schools, Bible Societies, +Temperance Reforms, Missionary Enterprise, &c, evidencing a wide +departure from our covenanted uniformity, based upon our covenanted +Testimony. + +SEC. VI. Those who in 1838, on account of sensible tyranny, growing out +of defection on the part of the majority, declined the authority of +Synod, have shared all along in our sympathies; and it has been our +desire that they and we could see eye to eye in the doctrines and order +of the house of God. + +Although this party promised fair for a time, and apparently contended +for "all the attainments of a covenanted reformation," in process of +time it became apparent that they possessed not intelligence sufficient +to manage a consistent testimony for that cause. They seem to have been +under the influence of temporary impulse, arising from the experience of +_mal-administration_; rather than to have discovered any +_constitutional_ defection in the body from which they separated. This +is apparent indeed if we have access to any credible source of +information relative to the principles they profess, and their Christian +practice. More particularly, + +1. Although that paper which they designate "Safety League," has the +sound of orthodoxy; yet, as originated, and since interpreted by them, +there is a lamentable falling off from the attainments and footsteps of +the flock. _First_, so far as we can ascertain, that instrument had +clandestine origin being framed and subscribed by those _who were yet in +fellowship with the Synod_! This might be earnest, but, we think, not +honorable contending for the truth. _Second_, when this paper comes to +be interpreted by its framers and signers, it seems to cover only the +American Testimony and Terms, as remodeled by breach of presbyterial +order. At other times, it will conveniently extend to the Scottish +Testimony, 1761, and the Auchensaugh Deed, 1712! From which we infer +that these people have no settled standards. + +2. We testify against these people for unwarrantable separation from us. +One of their elders co-operated in organizing the Reformed Presbytery in +1840; this in official, and, as then distinctly understood, +representative capacity. Yet, some time afterward, he and his brethren +withdrew from said Presbytery, without assigning justifiable reasons. + +3. Efforts are known to have been made, by some then in their +fellowship, to have social corresponding meetings established among +them, but without success; in opposition to the well-defined example of +our witnessing fathers, whose example they affect to imitate. + +Lastly, these quondam brethren are not, to this day, distinguishable, in +the symbols of their profession, from any party who have more evidently +and practically abandoned the distinctive principles and order of a +covenanted ancestry. There is no constitutional barrier in the way of +their coalescence with any party, whom interest or caprice may select. + +SEC. VII. Against that party usually, but improperly, styled the Old +Lights, are we obliged to testify more pointedly than against any other +party now claiming to be Reformed Presbyterians. _First_, because we +believe there are among them still, real Covenanters; and, in proportion +to the whole body, a greater number of such than in any other +fellowship. These we would undeceive, if the Lord will; for we earnestly +desire renewed fellowship with all such on original ground. _Second_, +because the leaders among these make the fairest show in the flesh, and, +calculating on spiritual sloth and the force of confirmed habit, hope to +lead honest people insensibly after them back into Egypt. _Third_, +because they are more numerous, and, from habit, more exemplary than +other parties; and therefore more likely to influence honest Christians +unwittingly to dishonor Christ, and gainsay his precious truth. + +1. These former brethren acted, in 1833, very similar to the policy of +the Revolution Church of Scotland in 1689. Instead of repairing the +breaches made, and going on to fortify our New Testament Jerusalem, +against the assaults of enemies in future, they rested in their present +position, providing only for a new edition of Reformation Principles +Exhibited, with a continuance of the history to that date. It was urged, +at the time, that the argumentative part of our Testimony should be +hastened to completion, but without effect. As the apostate Assembly of +Scotland, 1689, admitted unsound ministers, curates, &c., to seats in +court; so, with the like politic design, members were admitted to seats +in Synod, 1833, who claimed "a right to withdraw to another party, if +they should see cause"--yea, one of these was called to the moderator's +chair! + +2. At next meeting, 1834, when the continuation of the historical part +of the Testimony was read, and referred to a committee for publication +in the forthcoming edition of Reformation Principles Exhibited, it was +directed that the terms of communion should be inserted, supplying the +deficiency in the first term, in these words: "and the alone infallible +rule of faith and manners." In the new edition these important words +were omitted, as before! Several ministers seemed to be influenced in +social relations, at that time, more by public opinion, than by the +infallible rule. No further progress was made with the argumentative +part of the Testimony, and a petition from Greenfield, to have Synod's +mind relative to occasional hearing, was returned. Against these steps +of unfaithfulness we lift our protest. + +3. Against the tyranny manifested at the next meeting, there were some +to stand up at the time; but the spirit of the world prevailed in all +the important transactions. We testify against those who refused to +permit petitions, memorials, and other papers addressed to that court, +to be read. Especially do we protest against that satanical spirit +evidenced in misrepresenting certain respectful and argumentative +papers, as being "abusive," "insulting," &c.: also the unrighteous +attempt, by some guilty members of that court, to stop the mouth of +petitioners; and we condemn the reason assigned for so doing, viz., +"They had no right to petition, because they were under suspension"! +This reason is worthy of double condemnation, as coming from the mouth +of him who, in this instance, acted the ecclesiastical tyrant, and who +would come down from Zion's walls to the plains of Ono, mingle in +political strife, that he might open his mouth for the dumb; and because +a brother in covenant bonds would demur, censure him, and then make the +fact of censure a reason why he should not be heard when petitioning for +relief from such tyranny! "Revolters are profound to make slaughter." + +4. As papers were numerous on the table of Synod in 1838, so they +furnished occasion for displays of character and conduct, humiliating to +all lovers of Zion, who witnessed the transactions of that meeting of +the supreme judicatory. + +This was the first time, so far as we know, when that body was called +upon formally to review and rectify, in a way competent to them, some +parts, both of the constitutional law and administration of the Reformed +Presbyterian Synod and Church in America. For a series of years, and +chiefly through the influence of leaders in that faction which separated +from the body in 1833, high-handed measures of tyranny had transpired: +and some of the subjects of that tyranny were yet writhing under a sense +of accumulated wrongs; others had, by death, been released from this +species of persecution. Some thought it dutiful to call Synod's +attention to these matters, and a _petition_ was laid before them, from +Rev. Robert Lusk, requesting that certain cases of discipline, which the +petitioner specified, be reviewed; and especially asking, that "the term +_testimony_ be restored to its former ecclesiastical use." As this was, +in our deliberate opinion, the most important measure brought under the +cognizance of the church representative in America, during the current +of the nineteenth century, it was thought the court would take the +matter under deliberate consideration. Whether through ignorance of the +matter proposed, or that sectional interests engrossed the attention of +parties, or that the prevailing majority desired to be untrammeled in +their future course, the petition was smuggled through and shuffled by, +under the cognomen of a "letter," which a member of Synod answered on +behalf of the court, as though it were a matter of the smallest +importance imaginable! We solemnly testify against this manner of +disposing of a weighty matter at that time, whether through inattention +or design. We protest also against the violent conduct of those +ministers, and others on the same occasion, who made the place of solemn +worship and judicial deliberation, a scene of confusion, by +vociferations, gesticulations and physical force, in violation of God's +law, ordination vows, and the first principle of Presbyterian church +government. + +5. Here we can advert only to a tithe of the fruits of darkness, which +had been increasing in quantity and bitterness, since the meeting of +Synod in New York, 1838. To carry out measures of worldly policy, in +1840, diligent electioneering was carried on during the intermediate +time, that the court might be what is technically called a _packed +Synod_. That court was chiefly composed of such ministers and elders as +were known to favor innovations; and some who were known to be disposed +to resist defection, were excluded from seats in court. Against this +dishonest, partial and unjust measure, we protest. And here we lift our +testimony against this course, as having greatly retarded the Lord's +work for many years before, and as having facilitated the introduction +of error, disorder and open tyranny, in manifold instances, during the +same period. + +6. We testify against the tyranny exercised upon James McKinney, of +Coldenham, who was not allowed to read his vindication and +justification, when he asked permission to do so, from the published +sentiments of some of those who condemned him!!! Also the cruelty +practiced toward Miss King, an absent member, whose representation of +her case to the Synod, could not so much as be heard. We bear testimony +against those who in that Synod would interrupt, call to order--in +violation of order--those members who were appearing in defense of +injured truth, and who were often silenced by tumult, or the call of +order by an obsequious moderator. Especially do we testify against the +dishonesty and unfaithfulness of that body, displayed by them in +disposing of the paper inserted (see p. 132), calling Synod's attention +to what we firmly believe to be the source of all the error, guilt and +distractions incident or attending to that body for many years. + +On the practice of confederating with the enemies of God, we testify +against this party, not only for the _fact_ of so confederating, but +also, and chiefly, for resisting the evidence of God's word, often +adduced in condemnation of the practice--refusing to hear the +testimonies, experience, and reasoning of Christ's witnesses and +martyr's when cited from the Cloud of Witnesses, Informatory +Vindication, Gillespie on Confederacies, &c; and for obstinately going +on in this trespass, in the face of manifold convictions from living +witnesses and providential rebukes. + +As it respects ecclesiastical relations, we testify against these former +brethren for having wittingly, perseveringly, and presumptuously +fostered _schism_ in the visible church, manifestly for carnal ends, +during many years. It is notorious that five Synods are in organic +fellowship, while hardly two of them will hold ministerial or +sacramental communion! What a picture does this state of things in the +professing church of Christ present to the infidel; how hardening to the +self-righteous and the openly profane! And although conventional +regulations be lightly looked upon by many, not being based upon express +words of scripture; yet when framed and engaged to, according to the +general rules of scripture, much sin is the result of violating them, +and trampling them under foot, as has often been done by this body of +people. This has been the case in Presbyteries, subordinate Synods, and +especially in the general Synod. Subordinate Synods have been dissolved +by the action of the general Synod after they had ceased to be; and +without consulting the Presbyteries, who alone were competent to decree +or dissolve the delegation form of the general Synod, that court +dissolved itself, after having many years trampled upon the law of +Presbyteries fixing the ratio of delegation. Against such reckless, +disorderly procedure we testify as being the cause or occasion of much +sin against Zion's King, and much suffering to his precious people. + +Finally--We solemnly enter our protestation against this church, as +having taken the lead of most others in razing the very foundation stone +of the covenanted structure. All the evils that have befallen the +professed friends of a work of reformation on both sides of the Atlantic +are traceable to a _setting aside_ the _footsteps_ of the flock from +being terms of ecclesiastical communion. It is now more than ten years +since this important matter was expressly submitted to the Old Light +Synod's consideration, and during the subsequent period, in various +forms, the same has been pressed, but without effect; except as +manifesting more fully their obduracy. They refuse still to return, +Ephraim-like, going on frowardly in the way of their own heart. + +That uninspired history ought to be incorporated among the terms of +communion in the Church of Christ, is a proposition which we firmly +believe, on the evidence both of reason and Scripture, although denied, +condemned, and rejected by all pretenders to reformation attainments. +That _history_ and _argument_ are so rejected by all parties affecting +to be _reformed_ churches, will appear from the following citations from +their own authoritative judicial declarations: "Authentic history and +sound argument are always to be highly valued; but they should not be +incorporated with the confession of the Church's faith." "The +Declaratory part is, the Church's _standing Testimony_."--Ref. Prin. +Exhibited, preface--edition, 1835. Here history and argument are both +excluded, not only from the Church's _testimony_ but also from her +confession! This is the declared sentiment of Old and New Light +Covenants, together with the Safety League people--evidencing to all who +are free from party influence, that however they differ in practice, on +this all important point they perfectly harmonize in principle. East of +the Atlantic, among the three Synods professing to follow the footsteps +of the flock, the declared sentiment is the same, but then they differ +from their brethren in practice--mingling with the heathen and learning +their works without scruple. In this respect they are more consistent +than the other parties, though more visibly corrupt. + +The Reformed Dissenters "prefix a _Narrative_ to their testimony," thus +rejecting _history_ from _testimony_. Some advocates for union in +conventions of reformed churches, have plead for a historical +introduction to their proposed _testimony_; but they have carefully +assured the public that this introduction shall constitute no _term_ of +union or communion. Thus, it is evident, that all the professed +followers of the British Reformers around us, have cast off this +reformation attainment from the standards of their professions +severally. We condemn this church-rending and soul-ruining sentiment, +and testify against all who maintain it, for the following reasons: + +_First_, on their part it is inconsistent and self-contradictory. They +all say they are following the footsteps and holding the attainments of +the Scottish Reformers. But how do they discover these footsteps, or how +ascertain these attainments? Are they recorded in the Bible? No. Are +they to be found elsewhere but in _uninspired history_? Certainly no +where else. Yet all these parties absurdly reject uninspired history +from their bonds of fellowship! and still venture to tell the world, +they are holding fast these attainments!! This is solemn trifling, +profane mockery. _Second_. This position is unsound and false in the +light of reason. All civilized nations, as well as the Jews, have it +written in their laws, "That the testimony of two men is true." The +witnesses do not need to be inspired to be credible. "We receive the +witness of men," although a "false witness will utter lies." No society +can exist without practical recognition of the credibility of human +testimony; and this is especially true of the "Church of the living God, +which is the pillar and ground of the truth;" for, _Third_. In the light +of Scripture, her members cannot perform some of their most important +duties, either to God or to one another if they irrationally and +wickedly relinquish this principle. God's people are charged "not to +forget his mighty works;" Psa. lxxviii. 7. Are these works all written +in the Bible? They are required to confess their fathers' sins, as well +as their own. Since the divine canon was closed, many sins have been, +and now are chargeable against professing Christians. Are these recorded +in the Scriptures? And thus the reader may ask himself of sin and duty +to any extent, in relation to God as a party. + +And the same is true of the second table of the moral law. For example: +in reference to "the first commandment with promise," should the +Christian minor be asked as the Jew did his Lord, "Who is your father?" +How shall he answer? Is he warranted to appeal to God to manifest his +earthly sonship? No; but he is required by God's law to "honor his +father;" and his obedience to this command is grounded on human +testimony as to the object to whom this honor is due. Thus consistency, +reason and scripture combine, to accuse and fasten guilt--the guilt of +apostasy upon all who have renounced that fundamental principle of our +glorious covenanted reformation--_that history and argument belong to +the bond of ecclesiastical fellowship_. With any who hold the theory +here condemned, however exemplary or even conscientious in morals and +religion they may appear, we can have no ecclesiastical fellowship; for, +however ardent their attachment or strong their expressions of affection +to Confession, Catechisms, Covenants, &c.; they give no guarantee of +competent intelligence or probable stability; as alas! we see in the +present declining course of many in our day. + +We would earnestly and affectionably beseech all well wishers to a +covenanted work of reformation: that they would take into their serious +consideration whether these things are, or are not connected inseparably +with the wellfare of Zion. Especially would we expostulate with such as +have any regard for the Judicial Testimony adopted at Ploughlandhead, +Scotland, in 1761: that they conscientiously compare it with the book +called Reformation Principles Exhibited, and also with the new Scottish +Testimony, where it is practicable, and all these with the supreme +standard, the holy scriptures. They will find on examination, that these +are wholly irreconcilable in the very form of testimony-bearing. +Particularly, let the reader notice that our fathers in 1761, considered +_history_ and _argument_ as constituting their testimony: and did not +look upon _doctrinal declaration_ as formal testimony at all. Look at +the very title page of their Testimony; where you read, "Act, +Declaration and Testimony," plainly distinguishing between _declaration_ +and _Testimony_. Now, all innovators make doctrinal declaration their +testimony, reversing our fathers' order; yea, we would add God's order, +for he distinguishes between his law and testimony; Ps. lxxviii, 5-7; +cv, 42-45. God's special providences toward his covenanted people +constitute his testimony by way of eminence; Exod. xx, 1, &c., and their +conduct under his providences constitute their testimony, which must +consist of history; and by this and the blood of the Lamb, Christ's +witnesses are destined to overcome all anti-christian combinations. + +In attempting thus to follow the approved example of our covenant +fathers, whose practice it was to testify not only against the +corruptions of ecclesiastical, but also of civil constitutions, where +their lot was cast, we deem it incumbent on us to continue our testimony +first published in 1806, against the immoralities incorporated with the +government of these United States. + +Believing that a nation as such, is a proper subject of God's +government, and that those nations favored with his law as revealed in +the holy scriptures, are peculiarly required to regard the authority of +the Lord and his Anointed, therein made fully known: it is with deep +regret that we feel constrained to designate and testify against evils +in the Constitution of this nation. Notwithstanding numerous +excellencies embodied in this instrument, there are moral evils +contained in it also, of such magnitude, that no Christian can +consistently give allegiance to the system. There is not contained in it +any acknowledgment of the Christian religion, or professed submission to +the kingdom of Messiah. It gives support to the enemies of the Redeemer, +and admits to its honors and emoluments Jews, Mohammedans, Deists and +Atheists--it establishes that system of robbery by which men are held in +slavery, despoiled of liberty, and property, and protection. It violates +the principles of representation, by bestowing upon the domestic tyrant +who holds hundreds of his fellow creatures in bondage, an influence in +making laws for freemen proportioned to the number of his own slaves. +This constitution is, in many instances, inconsistent, oppressive and +impious. + +Much guilt, and of long standing, is chargeable against this nation, for +its cruel treatment of the colored race, in subjecting them ever since +1789 to hopeless bondage; its unjust transactions with the Indian race, +and more recently waging an unjust war with a neighboring republic, as +would appear, for the wicked purpose of extending the iniquitous system +of slavery. + +"Arise O God, judge the earth: for thou shalt inherit all nations." + + + + +PART IV. + +A brief declaration or summary of the principles maintained by the +Presbytery, as to doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, in +agreeableness to the word of God, our Confession of Faith and +Catechisms, and whole covenanted testimony of the Church of +Scotland.--The contrary doctrines condemned. + + +Unto what has been more generally laid down in the preceding pages, with +respect to the principles and practice of this church and nation, both +in former and present times; the Presbytery proceed to subjoin a +positive and explicit declaration of their principles anent the truths +of our holy religion, whether by the generality agreed unto, or by some +controverted. + +I. OF GOD.--The Presbytery did, and hereby do acknowledge and declare, +that there is one infinite, eternal, self-existent, and independent +Being; and that this only true and living God, absolutely +all-sufficient, having all being, perfection, glory, and blessedness, in +and of himself, subsists in three distinct, divine persons, the Father, +Son, and Holy Spirit (in one and the same undivided essence and +godhead), all equally the same in substance, power, and glory, although +distinguished by their personal properties; according to Deut. vi, 4; 1 +Cor. viii, 6; 1 Tim. i, 17; Acts xvii, 24, 25; 1 John v, 7; Matth. +xxviii, 19; Confession of Faith, chap. 2; larger catechism, quest. +7--11; shorter catechism, quest. 4--6. + +II. OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.--Again, they confess and declare, that +although the light of nature discovers unto us that there is a God, yet +of itself it is absolutely insufficient to teach us the saving knowledge +of the invisible Being and his will; and therefore God of his infinite +condescension has given us a most perfect revelation of himself and of +his will in the scriptures of truth, contained in the sacred books of +the Old and New Testament; which scriptures the Presbytery assert to be +of divine authority, and not to be believed and received because of any +other testimony, than that of God their author, who is truth itself. +Which word of God is the alone perfect and complete rule, both of faith +and practice, containing a full and ample revelation of the whole +counsel of God, both respecting his own glory and the salvation of men; +by which all spirits are to be tried, and to which all doctrines and +controversies in religion are to be brought, as to the supreme judge, in +whose sentence alone we are to acquiesce; according to Rom. i, 19, 20; 1 +Cor. ii, 13, 14; Heb. i, 1; 2 Tim. iii, 16; 2 Pet. i, 19, 21; 2 Tim. +iii, 15; Gal. i. 8, 9; Eph. ii, 20, and our standards, Confess. chap. 1; +larger Cat. quest. 2-5; shorter Cat. quest. 2, 3. + +III. OF THE DECREES OF GOD.--Again, they assert and maintain, that +Jehovah, according to his own most wise counsel, and for his own glory, +has, by one immanent act of his will from eternity, purposed and decreed +all events in time; and particularly, that by his absolute sovereignty, +he has unchangeably determined the final state of all intelligent +beings, visible and invisible. That God of his mere good pleasure, +abstracting from all other causes whatever, for the praise of his +glorious grace to be manifested in time, has from all eternity +predestinated a certain definite number of mankind sinners, in and +through Jesus Christ, to eternal life, together with all the means +leading thereunto. And also, by the same sovereign will, has passed by, +and left others in their sins, foreordaining them to bear the just +punishment of their own iniquities; as is evident from Rom. ix, 11, 13, +15, 16, 18; Eph. i, 4, 6, 9, 11; Jude verse 4; and according to Confess, +chap. 3; larger Cat. quest. 12, 13; shorter Catechism quest. 7. + +IV. OF CREATION.--In like manner they acknowledge and declare, that as +God, from the infinity of his being and goodness, has communicated a +finite created existence to all other beings, framing them with natures +wisely suited and adapted to the different ends of their creation; so by +the same all-powerful word whereby they were at first created, he +preserves and upholds all his creatures in their beings, and by the +incessant care and invariable conduct of his divine providence, does +constantly direct and overrule them and all their actions unto his own +glory; according to divine revelation, Gen. i, throughout; Col i, 16; +Rom. xi, 36; Psal, cxlv, 17, and xxxiii, 9; and cxix, 91; Heb. i, 2, 3; +Confess, chap. 4, 5; larger Cat. quest. 14; short. Cat. quest. 8. + +Likewise they profess and declare, that God, as the last and finishing +part of his workmanship in this lower world, created man an intelligent +being, endued with a living, reasonable and immortal soul, whose +greatest glory consisted in his having the gracious image of his God and +Creator drawn upon his soul, chiefly consisting in that knowledge, +righteousness and inherent holiness wherewith he was created. And +further, that God, in his favor and condescension to man, was pleased to +enter into a covenant with him, as the public head and representative of +all his posterity, wherein God promised unto him eternal life and +blessedness with himself in glory, upon condition of personal, perfect +and perpetual obedience; to the performance whereof, he furnished him +with full power and ability, and threatened death upon the violation of +his law and covenant, as is evident from the sacred text; Gen. i, 26, +27; Eccl. vii, 29; Gen. ii, 17; Rom. x, 5, and according to our Confess, +chap. 4, Sec. 2; chap, 7, Sec. 1, 2; chap. 19, Sec. 1; larger Cat. quest. 20; +short. Cat. quest. 10, 12. + +V. OF THE FALL OF MAN.--They again assert and maintain, that the first +and common parents of mankind, being seduced by the subtilty of Satan, +transgressed the covenant of innocency, in eating the forbidden fruit; +whereby they lost the original rectitude of their nature, were cut off +from all gracious intercourse with God, and became both legally and +spiritually dead; and therefore they being the natural root of all +mankind, and the covenant being made with _Adam_, not as a private, but +a public person, all his descendants by ordinary generation, are born +under the guilt of that first sin, destitute of original righteousness, +and having their nature wholly depraved and corrupted; so that they are +by nature children of wrath, subjected unto all the penal evils +contained in the curse of a broken law, both in this life, and in that +which is to come; Gen. iii, 6, 13; Eccl. vii. 20; Rom. v, from 12 to 20; +Rom. iii, 10-19; Eph. ii, 3; Confess, chap. 6: larger Cat. quest. 21, +22, short. Cat. question 13 to 20. + +In like manner they assert and declare, that all mankind, by their +original apostasy from God, are not only become altogether filthy and +abominable in the eyes of God's holiness; but also, are hereby utterly +indisposed, disabled, and entirely opposite to all good, the +understanding become darkness, and the will enmity and rebellion itself +against God; so that man, by his fall, having lost all ability of will +to what is spiritually good, cannot in his natural state, and by his own +strength, convert himself (being dead in trespasses and sins), nor can +he in less or more contribute to his own salvation, or in the least +prepare himself thereunto; neither is there any natural, necessary or +moral connection between the most diligent and serious use of the means, +and obtaining salvation thereby. Although the Presbytery maintain, that +as a God of grace has promised the converting influences of his Spirit +to be showered down upon dead souls, in the use of means of his own +appointment; they are therefore to be attended to with the utmost care +and diligence; as appears from Rom. v, 6; John vi, 44, 65; Tit. iii, +3-5; Job xiv, 4; Confess. chap. 9, Sec. 3; larger Cat. quest. 25. + +VI. OF THE COVENANT OF GRACE.--Likewise they assert and declare, that +Jehovah, in the person of the Father, having purposed to save a certain +number of the ruined family of _Adam_, did from all eternity enter into +a covenant transaction with Jesus Christ, his eternal and only begotten +Son, who contracted as the second _Adam_, in the name of all his +spiritual seed. In which covenant, the Father promising to confer +eternal life upon a select number given unto Christ, upon condition of +his fulfilling all righteousness for them; the Lord Jesus Christ did +again stipulate and engage, as the condition of the covenant by him to +be fulfilled, that in the fullness of time, assuming the human nature +into a personal union with the divine, he would therein, and in the +elect's name fulfill, not only the preceptive part of the law, but also +bear the whole punishment contained in the threatening thereof: which +covenant, that it might be absolutely free to sinners, and that the +salvation therein provided for them, might not be of debt, but of grace, +was unto Jesus Christ a covenant of redemption, nothing being therein +promised to him, but upon his paying a full price, adequate to the most +extensive demands of law and justice; according to Psal. lxxxix, 2, 3, +28, 34, 35; Tit. i, 2; Isa. liii, 10, 11; Matth. v, 17; Confess. chap. +7, Sec. 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 30, 31; Short. Cat. quest. 20. + +VII. OF THE MEDIATOR.--In like manner they profess, assert, and declare, +that the Lord Jesus Christ, the second person in the glorious and +adorable Trinity, being by the Father's appointment constituted mediator +and surety of the new covenant, did, in the fullness of time, assume the +human nature, consisting of a true body and reasonable soul, into a +personal union with his divine; which two natures, in the one person of +our Immanuel, God-man, remain distinct, without conversion, composition, +or confusion. And being every way completely qualified and furnished for +executing his mediatory offices of prophet, priest, and king, was called +to the exercise thereof, by God the Father, who put all power and +judgment into his hand, and gave him commandment to execute the same; +Prov. viii, 23; Heb. ii, 14; 1 Tim. ii, 5; John vi, 27, and v, 27; +Confess. chap. 8 throughout; Larg. Cat. quest. 21-23; short. Cat. quest, +21, 22. + +Again, they acknowledge and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ our +REDEEMER, the only begotten Son of God, by eternal and ineffable +generation, is most properly a divine person, true and very God, one in +essence, equal and the same in power, eternity, glory, and all divine +perfections with the Father and Holy Ghost: and that therefore it is +most blasphemous to assert, that the terms, _necessary existence_, and +_supreme deity_, and the title of _the only true God_, do not belong to +the Son equally with the Father, as the same in substance, being +expressly contrary to these texts of sacred writ which assert the +opposite truth; John i, 1-4; Phil, ii, 6; John x, 30; 1 John v, 20, and +to our standards, Confess. chap. 8, Sec. 2; Larg. Cat. quest. 36; Short. +Cat. 6. + +They likewise further acknowledge, assert, and declare, that the Lord +Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, and only Mediator between God and +man, being designed from everlasting the REDEEMER of his people, and +having all fullness, power, and authority lodged in him for the +execution of his mediatory trust, has, ever since the fall of mankind, +as the great and good shepherd of _Israel_, undertaken the care, +government, protection, and instruction of the Church of God, in +agreeableness to the above said trust: which he did all along under the +Old Testament, and still continues faithfully to discharge in all the +parts thereof; so that whatever revelation God made unto his church +since the fall, was by Jesus Christ as the great prophet and preacher of +righteousness. Particularly, it was he that first appeared unto lapsed +man, and as the great revealer of the council of peace, called upon him +in the voice of mercy, saying, "_Adam_, where art thou?" It was he that, +pleasing himself in the forethoughts of his future incarnation, and as a +prelude thereto, condescended at different times to appear in a human +form, and speak unto the fathers. By him, as the messenger of the +covenant, were the lively oracles delivered to the Israelitish church; +and by his Spirit in the prophets, successively raised up to instruct +his church in the knowledge of the divine will, was signified and +foretold the grace that should come, until the fullness of the time +appointed in the council of Heaven, when it was promised he should come, +and by his personal presence fill his house with glory. Then did God in +these last days speak unto men by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of +all things; who, not only by himself, but also, after his ascension, by +his evangelists and apostles filled with the Spirit, has made known all +things that he heard of his Father. And now, after the canon of +scripture is completed, and no new revelation to be expected to the end +of time, continues by his word and spirit to instruct sinners in the +knowledge of all things necessary for their sanctification and +salvation; according to Acts x, 38, and iii, 22; Luke iv, 18, 21; John +i, 18; 1 Pet. i, 10-12; Heb. i, 1, 2; Eph. iv, 11-13; Confess. chap. 8, +Sec. 1; Larg. Cat. quest. 43; Short. Cat. quest. 24. + +In like manner, they profess and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ, +being called of him that said unto him, "Thou art my Son, this day have +I begotten thee," unto the honorable office of High Priest over the +house of God, and confirmed therein by all the solemnities of the oath +of God, he did most willingly undertake this work, saying, _Lo, I come +to do thy will, O God!_ And that he might finish and fulfill the same, +in agreeableness to his eternal engagements to the Father, to the Old +Testament types and sacrifices, promises and prophecies, wherein he was +foresigned and revealed to be the seed of the woman, that should bruise +the serpent's head, did, in the fullness of time, humble himself to be +made of a woman, made under the law, in the form of a bond servant to +Jehovah. In which character, he not only fulfilled the preceptive part +of the law, but also, with the most unparalleled meekness, patience and +resignation, submitted to the most grievous and dreadful sufferings, +both in body and soul, even all that divine wrath, indignation and +punishment, wrapped up in the terrible curse of a broken covenant of +works. By which obedience of his unto the death, through the eternal +Spirit offering himself without spot unto God, a proper, real and +expiatory sacrifice for sin, he has fully satisfied divine justice, made +reconciliation for the iniquities of his people, and purchased an +eternal inheritance for them in the kingdom of glory. The saving +benefits of which redemption, by the Spirit's effectual application +thereof, he does, by his intercession at the Father's right hand, as an +arisen, living, and now glorified Savior, constantly and certainly +communicate unto all those whom the Father has given him. Further, the +Presbytery declare, that however they acknowledge the standing of the +world, as a theater to display the riches of divine grace, the preaching +of the gospel indefinitely to mankind sinners, and all the common favors +of life indifferently enjoyed by them, do all result, as native, +necessary and determined consequences, from the interposition of Christ +in behalf of his spiritual seed, and have their ultimate foundation in +the infinite sufficiency, fullness and perfection, of the blood and +sacrifice of Christ, God-man: yet they affirm, that, as a certain elect +and select number were given unto Christ, to be redeemed from among men, +so, for their sakes alone, he engaged his heart to approach unto God. +For their sakes, he sanctified himself; in their name, i.e., in their +law-room and stead, and for their good, as the surety of the better +covenant, he became obedient unto death, and endured the whole of that +punishment threatened by the law, and incurred by the transgression of +it. He subjected himself to that very curse, bore that wrath and died +that death, which they themselves should have undergone. And hereby, by +his doing and dying, he made a proper, real, full and expiatory +satisfaction to the justice of God for their sins. Wherefore it is +impossible but that to all those for whom Christ has purchased this +complete redemption, and for whose sins he has given this full +satisfaction accepted of God, he will certainly and effectually apply +and communicate the same in the saving benefits thereof; seeing that it +is his will who has merited it, that all those who are the Father's +choice by election, and his purchase by redemption, should be _ever with +him where he is, that they may behold his glory_; and since, as he is +thus willing, he is also able, to save them to the uttermost that come +to God by him. So that all for whom Christ died, all that are redeemed +by his blood, are, in consequence hereof; effectually called, justified, +sanctified and glorified; according to Psal. xl, 7, 8; Heb. x, 5-11; +Phil. ii, 8; Gal. iv, 4, 5; Heb. ix, 14, 28; Dan. ix, 24; Psal. lxxv, 3; +Isa. xlix, 8; John vi, 37, 39, chap. x, 15, 16; Eph. i, 7; Rom. viii, +34, and ver. 29, 30; John xvii throughout; John xi, 52; Confess, chap. +vii, Sec. 4, 5, 8; Larg. Cat. quest. 44; Sh. Cat. quest. 25. + +They also acknowledge, assert and declare, that the Lord Jesus Christ +is, by the appointment of God the Father, set as King upon his holy hill +of Zion; over which, as his special kingdom, he is invested with an +absolute power and supremacy, as the sole and only head thereof, to +appoint offices, officers, laws and ordinances. And that accordingly, by +virtue of this solemn investiture, the same Lord Jesus Christ has, in +all ages, called out of the world, and maintained therein, a church unto +himself, which he visibly governs by a complete system of laws, officers +and censures, instituted in his word, and has not left the affairs of +his church, in which (as a Son over his own house) he peculiarly +presides, to be regulated and modeled by the carnal policy and invention +of men. Also, that, as King in _Zion_, he powerfully and irresistibly, +in a day of efficacious grace, subdues the perverse hearts and wills of +sinners unto his obedience, persuading and enabling as many as were +appointed to obtain salvation through him, to believe in his name, in +order thereunto. All whom he either preserves from, or supports under, +the various temptations, trials and afflictions, they are liable to in +this mortal life; till at last, completing a work of grace in their +souls, he advances them to a state of perfection and glory. + +Further, the Presbytery declare and maintain, that, in subserviency to +this his special mediatory kingdom, the Lord Jesus Christ has a supreme +and sovereign power given unto him, in heaven and in earth, and over the +infernal powers of darkness--angels, authorities and powers being put in +subjection to him; that he has the management of all the wheels of +providence put into his hand, whereby he restrains, disappoints, and at +last totally destroys, all the enemies of his interest and glory; and by +which he orders and overrules all the events that fall out in time, for +the accomplishment of the great and glorious ends of his incarnation, +and lasting good of those that love him: according to Psal. ii, 6; Isa. +ix, 6, 7; Isa. xxxiii, 22; Matth. xxi, 5; Isa. lv, 4, 5; Gen. xlix, 10; +Heb. iii, 6; Psal. cx, 1, 2; Matth. xxviii, 18; John vii, 2; 1 Pet. iii, +22; Phil, ii, 9-11; Confess, chap, viii Sec. 3; Larg. Cat. quest. 45; Sh. +Cat. quest. 26. + +They again declare and assert, that as the light of nature is absolutely +insufficient to give a just discovery, either of the grievous malady of +sin, or the blessed remedy provided for sinners, so none, however +diligent they may be to frame their lives according to the dictates of +nature's light, can possibly attain to salvation, while they remain +without any objective revelation of Jesus Christ, as the great +propitiation and peace-maker, who has abolished death, and brought life +and immortality to light, by the gospel. And further, that there is no +other name, doctrine or religion, whereby any can be saved, but in the +name, doctrine and religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, of which he is the +great author and institutor; in the profession and faith whereof, he +leads his people through this world into the possession of endless +felicity and glory in the world to come. + +VIII. OF THE GOSPEL OFFER.--They further declare, that, as God the +Father, out of his unbounded love, has, on the footing of the infinite +sufficiency of the death and sacrifice of Christ, made a free and +unhampered gift and grant of him, as an all-sufficient Savior, unto +sinners of mankind lost, as such, in the word: so the ministers and +embassadors of Christ (according as they are expressly authorized and +commanded by him) are to publish this gospel, these glad tidings of +great joy to all the world, wherever they may be called or cast, in the +providence of God, and make a full, free and unhampered offer of Christ +and his whole salvation to sinners, without distinction, assuring them +of God's mercy and grace, through Christ, in whom he proclaims himself +well pleased; of Christ's omnipotent power and ability to save to the +uttermost all that come unto God by him; and that there are no +impediments, bars or hinderances, _ab extra_, between Jesus Christ, as +held forth in the offer of the gospel, and sinners lost, why they, even +every one of them, may not receive and appropriate him, as the Lord +their righteousness. And the above said frank and unhampered gift of +Christ, and him crucified, by God the Father, as a full and +all-sufficient Savior unto lost and ruined sinners, the Presbytery view +as the great and prime foundation, both of the ministerial offer, and +of, faith in the Lord Jesus, for life and salvation: as is clear from +Rom. x, 14; 1 Cor. i, 21-25; Isa. lv, 1; Mark xvi, 15; John iii, 16; +Confess, chap, vii, Sec. 3; Larg. Cat. ques. 67; Sh. Cat. ques. 31, &c. + +IX. OF JUSTIFICATION.--Again, they profess and declare, that the active +and passive obedience, or the complete mediatory righteousness, of the +Lord Jesus Christ, is the only meritorious cause of a sinner's +justification, pardon of sin, and acceptance of his person and services +with a holy God; and that true and saving faith, which is also the gift +of God, is the alone instrumental cause of the sinner's justification in +his sight; or that evangelical condition, or internal mean, in and by +which the soul is interested in Christ, and the whole of his +righteousness and salvation. Which righteousness, received and rested on +by faith, is the only foundation of a sinner's title to eternal life and +glory; as appears evident from Rom. iii, 22-29; Rom. v, 17-20; Jer. +xxiii, 6; Gal. ii, 16; Acts x, 43; Col. i, 27; Acts viii, 37; Rom. x, 9; +Mark v, 36; Eph. ii, 8; Confess, chap. 11, 14; Larg. Cat. ques. 70, 73; +Sh. Cat. ques. 3. + +They likewise profess and maintain, that believers, by the righteousness +of Christ being justified from all things, from which they could not be +justified by the law of Moses, are by Jesus Christ perfectly delivered +from the law, as a covenant of works, both as commanding and condemning; +so as that thereby they are neither justified nor condemned, it being +dead to them, and they to it, by the body of Christ, to whom they are +married. However, notwithstanding of this freedom, they are still +servants unto God; still under the moral law, as a rule of life in the +hand of their glorious Mediator and new covenant Head, directing them +how they are to walk, so as to please God; the obligation whereof, as +such, remains perpetual and indissoluble; and that this privilege is +peculiar to believers only, all others being still under the old +covenant obligation, both as to the debt of obedience and punishment; +according to Rom. vi, 14, and vii, 4, 6; Gal. iv, 4, 5, and ii, 16; Rom. +viii, 1; Gal. iii, 10; Confess, chap, xix, Sec. 5, 6; Larg. Cat. ques. 97; +Sh. Cat. ques. 43, 44. + +X. OF GOOD WORKS.--Again, they assert and declare, that as no works +are truly and spiritually good, but those that are performed by a person +united to the Lord Jesus Christ by faith, and under the influence of his +Holy Spirit; and consequently, that none of the actions of the +unregenerate, however in themselves materially agreeable unto the letter +of the law, are either pleasing or acceptable to God; nor can they +dispose or prepare their souls for receiving his grace, though their +omission and neglect of these is still more displeasing unto God, and +destructive unto themselves. So likewise they declare, that even the +best works of obedience performed by the regenerate, can neither merit +the pardon of any one sin, nor procure them the smallest measure or +God's grace or favor, because of the manifold sins and imperfections +they are still attended with, and because of the infinite distance +between God and them, with respect to whom, when they have done all that +they can, they are but unprofitable servants. Neither is their ability +to do them at all of themselves, but wholly from the Spirit dwelling in +them. And further, that the spring and principle motive of true love to +God, and acceptable obedience to him, is not self-interest or love to +our own felicity, nor yet a slavish fear of punishment; but the glorious +perfections and transcendent excellencies of the Deity, manifested in +the face of Jesus Christ, who is the brightness of the Father's glory, +and express image of his person, are the prime and chief motives both of +love, fear and obedience unto God; all who really love God loving him +principally for himself. As also, that all acceptable service to God, +performed by believers, is principally influenced by the authority of a +God of grace, stamped upon his word, springs from faith in Jesus Christ, +as an animating and active principle in their souls, and is ultimately +directed to the glory of God in Christ, as the great end thereof. Hence, +therefore, although God has graciously connected his own glory and his +people's felicity inseparably together, that yet no actions, however +good in themselves or beneficial to others, which arise only from a +principle of self-interest, love to one's own bliss, or fear of hell, +are evidential of saving grace in the soul, or any more than what one in +a state of nature may perform; according to Gen. iv, 5; Heb. xi, 4, 6; +Matth. vi, 2, 5, 16; Hag. ii, 14; Amos, v, 21, 22; Tit. i, 15, and iii, +5; Rom. iii, 20, and iv, 2, 4, 6; Job xxii, 2, 3; Eph. i, 6; 1 Pet. ii, +5; Exod. xxviii, 38; Confess, chap. 16 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 73, +101; Sh. Cat. ques. 44. + +XI. OF ASSURANCE OF GRACE.--In like manner they declare and assert, that +although there may be much darkness, and manifold doubts and fears, +seated in the same soul where true and saving faith is: and although +true believers may wait long before they know themselves to be +believers, and be assured that they are really in a state of grace; and +even, after they have arrived at a subjective assurance of their +salvation, may have it much shaken, clouded and intermitted; that yet +there is no doubting, no darkness, in the saving acts of a true and +lively faith: but in all the appropriating acts of saving faith, there +is an objective assurance, an assured confidence and trust in Jesus +Christ, and the promise of life in which he is revealed to the soul; +according to Isa. 1, 10; Mark ix, 24; 1 John v, 13; Psal. lxxvii, 1 to +11; Psal. lxxxviii, throughout; Gal. ii, 20; Mark xi, 24; Confess, chap. +18 throughout; Larg. Cat. ques. 72, 80, 81; Short. Cat. question 86. + +XII. OF THE PERSEVERANCE OF THE SAINTS.--They further assert and +declare, that whosoever, of any of the children of men, in all ages, +have attained salvation, did believe in, and receive the Lord Jesus +Christ, the promised Messiah, and only Savior from sin, to whom all the +prophets bear witness, in whom all the promises and lines of salvation +do center; and particularly, that however much the faith of the +disciples and apostles of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in him, as +their only Redeemer, might be at any time overclouded, yet it was never +totally subverted; and that the noble grace of faith in the souls of +believers cannot be totally lost; but that such is the immutability of +God's decrees, and his unchangeable love; such the efficacy of their +Redeemer's merit, and constant abiding of the spirit of holiness in +them; and such the nature of the new covenant, that, notwithstanding of +various temptations and afflictions, the prevailing of remaining +corruption in them, they must all and every one of them, certainly and +infallibly persevere in a state of grace unto the end, and be at last +saved with an everlasting salvation; as appears from Heb. xi, 13; John +iv, 42; Phil. i, 6; John x, 28, 29; 1 Pet. ii, 9; Jer. xxxiv, 4; +Confess, chap. 8, Sec. 1, chap. 14, Sec. 2, and chap. 17 throughout. + +XIII. OF LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE.--They further assert and declare, that +the noble faculty of conscience, God's deputy in the soul of man, over +which he alone is absolute Lord and Sovereign, is not subjected unto the +authority of man; neither are any human commands further binding upon +the consciences of men, than they are agreeable unto, and founded upon +the revealed will of God, whether in matters of faith or practice. And +although the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased a glorious liberty unto +believers from sin, and all the bitter fruits thereof, and of access to +a throne of grace with boldness; and has procured unto his church +freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, with a more abundant +communication of gospel influences: yet, inasmuch as conscience is the +rule ruled, not the rule, ruling, none can, without manifest sin, upon +pretense of conscience or Christian liberty, cherish any forbidden lust +in their souls, nor are left at freedom to reject any of the divine +ordinances instituted in the word, to change or corrupt their scriptural +institution, by immixing human inventions therewith, or in the least +deviating from the punity thereof. And that therefore, all who vent or +maintain tenets or opinions, contrary to the established principles of +Christianity, whether in the matter of doctrine, divine worship, or +practice in life, which are contrary to, and inconsistent with the +analogy of faith, and power of true godliness, or destructive to that +pure peace and good order established by Christ in his church, are +accountable unto the church; and upon conviction, ought to be proceeded +against, by inflicting ecclesiastical censures or civil pains, in a way +agreeable unto the divine determination in the word concerning such +offenses. + +And further, they declare, that it is most wicked, and what manifestly +strikes against the sovereign authority of God, for any power on earth +to pretend to tolerate, and, by sanction of civil law, to give license +to men to publish and propagate with impunity, whatever errors, +heresies, and damnable doctrines, Satan, and their own corrupt and +blinded understandings, may prompt them to believe and embrace; +toleration being destructive of all true religion, and of that liberty +wherewith Christ has made his people free; and the great end thereof, +which is, "That being delivered out of the hands of our enemies, we may +serve the Lord--in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our +lives." Agreeable to James iv, 12; Rom. xiv, 4; Acts iv, 19, and v, 29; +1 Cor. vii, 23; Matth. xxiii, 9; 2 John 10, 11; 2 Cor. i, 24; Matth. xv, +9; Col. ii, 20, 22, 23; Gal. ii, 4, 5, and v, 1, 13; Isa. viii, 20; Acts +xvii, 11; Hosea v, 11; 1 Cor. v, 1,5, 11, 13; Tit. i. 10, 11, 13, and +iii, 20; Matth. xviii, 15-17; Deut. xiii, 6-12; Ezek. vii, 23, 25, 26; +Zech. xiii, 2, 3; Rev. ii, 2, 14, 15, 20; Confess, chap. 20; Larg. Cat. +quest. 100, 103; Sh. Cat. quest. 49, 50. + +XIV. OF TESTIMONY-BEARING.--Again, they declare and assert, that all +true believers, members of the church invisible, are by the indissoluble +bond of the Spirit, and true faith in Christ, their Head, savingly +united unto, and have communion with him in grace and in glory, in this +life and the life to come. In all their afflictions he is afflicted, and +shares with them in their sufferings and trials, is with them in and +through death, exalteth them at last over all their enemies, receiving +them into glory and blessedness with himself, that they may behold and +share in his glory with him through eternity: and that all of them being +knit and joined together in holy love and affection, do participate +mutually of each others gifts and graces; and are indispensably bound to +exercise themselves in the practice of all commanded duties, for +preserving the love of God, and life of grace, in their own, and one +another's souls. And further, they declare that the visible church, and +the members thereof, are externally in covenant with Christ their Head, +have one and the same Lord, profess the same faith in doctrine and +worship, receive the same seals of God's covenant, baptism, and the +Lord's Supper: and are thereby bound to hold fast the Head, to be +subject to his authority, keep the faith they have received, and +maintain an holy communion and fellowship in the worship of God; closely +abiding by the standard of Christ, their captain and leader, and lifting +up the banner of divine truth, in opposition unto, and holy contempt of +all their enemies of every kind. And further, they affirm, that as the +visible church in general, is bound to be faithful to Christ, their Head +and Lord, and to preserve inviolate, the whole of that sacred +_depositum_ of truth wherewith she is intrusted by him, not quitting +with, nor willfully apostatizing from the same, in profession or +practise: so no particular subject of this spiritual kingdom of Christ +can recede from any part of divine truth, which they have received, and +whereof they have made profession, without lese-majesty unto the Son of +God, and violation of their obligations they have come under, at +receiving the seals of the covenant, with whatever other lawful vows +they have made unto the Most High; according to 1 John i, 2, 3; Eph. +iii, 16-19; John i, 16; Heb. x, 24, 25; Acts ii, 42, 46; Eph. iv, 4-6; +Phil. iii, 16; Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 3; Confess, chap. 2, 6; Larg. Cat. +quest. 63; Short. Cat. quest. 50. + +XV. OF CHURCH GOVERNMENT.--They likewise affirm and declare, that the +Lord Jesus Christ, our exalted Immanuel, the sole and supreme Head, +Lawgiver and King of his church, which is his spiritual and absolutely +free and independent kingdom, has herein warranted, instituted and +appointed certain office-bearers (who derive their mission and authority +from him alone) to regulate, administer, judge and determine in all the +affairs of his house, to whom alone the keys of the kingdom of heaven +are by him committed. Particularly, they are intrusted with the key of +doctrine, to discover the mind of God, and preach Christ crucified unto +sinners; the key of government for preserving that beauty of order, +purity and power in the house of God, which he has enjoined should take +place therein; the key of discipline, to inflict ecclesiastical censures +upon such as turn aside after their _crooked ways_, or continue +obstinate in their offenses; the key of ordination and mediate mission, +in ordinary circumstances of the church, solemnly to set apart and send +forth church officers unto that sacred function and official trust in +the house of God, on the regular trial of the suitableness of their +gifts and qualifications for that spiritual service and ministration; +according to 1 Cor. xii, 28; Eph. iv, 11; Matth. xviii, 19; John xx, 23; +Matth. xviii, 18; Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; Matth. xxviii, 19, +20; Mark xvi, 15; Acts vi, 6; 1 Tim. iv, 14, and iii, 10; Confess, chap +30, Sec. 2, 3 and 31; Sec. 3. Form of church government, books of discipline, +and the several laudable acts and constitutions of this church; +particularly, _Act_ of _Assem._ at _Edinburgh, August_ 4th, 1649, +_Sess._ 4, entitled, _Directory for electing of ministers_. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the Lord Jesus Christ, the +church's glorious Head, hath appointed a certain form of government +therein, distinct from civil government, and not at all subordinate to +civil rulers. And that the only ecclesiastical government warranted by +Christ is his word, and to continue in his church unalterable, is +Presbyterial church government, exclusive of all superior dignity above +a teaching presbyter, and consisting in her judicative capacity of +kirk-sessions, in subordination to presbyteries; of presbyteries, in +subordination to provincial synods; of provincial synods, in +subordination to national; and national to ecumenical assemblies, or +general councils. + +And further, they assert, that the office-bearers of the Lord's house, +are, according to the command, and in the name and authority of the Lord +Jesus Christ, the only Lawgiver and King of his church, and by virtue of +the church's intrinsic power derived from Christ, to assemble, +constitute and adjourn these several courts of his house, nominate the +fixed or occasional times of their subsequent meetings, as the church's +condition or exigencies require; although they grant that the Christian +magistrate may, in extraordinary cases, or otherwise, call together a +synod of ministers, and ether fit persons, for consultation and advice +in religious matters: but in which they have no power to judge or +determine in matters of faith; but only discretively to examine, whether +the synod's determinations and decisions be consonant and agreeable to +scripture, and accordingly to acquiesce therein; Isa. ix, 6, 7; Ezek. +xliii, 10, 11; Acts xv, 2, 4, 6; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. xiii, 17; 2 Chron. +xix, 8-11; Acts xvii, 11; Confess, chap. 30, Sec. 1 and chap. 31, Sec. 1, 2, +and conform to act of assembly, anno 1647; Sec. 2,3; 2d book of discipline, +and propositions for church government. + +They likewise assert and maintain, that the office-bearers in the church +of Christ, according to their different places and stations therein, +must give evidence of their being possessed in some suitable measure of +the qualifications which God in his word requires to be in any that are +to be placed in such stations or offices, particularly that of +devotedness to the cause and honor of Christ. And they further assert, +that ministers of the gospel, and other church officers, must enter into +the exercise of their office, at the door of Christ's appointment, by +the call and choice of the Christian people, who are capable with +judgment to give their consent; 1 Tim. iii, from verse 2 to 12; Tit. i, +5, 6, 7; Acts vi, 2 to 6; Chap, xiv, 23; John x, 4, 5, and agreeable to +the laudable acts and ordinances of this church and state, in favor of +reformation principles, books of discipline, &c. + +XVI. OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.--In like manner they assert and maintain, that +God Almighty, the Sovereign Lord of all things, and special protector +and preserver of his professed subjects in this lower world, hath for +his own glory and the public good, authorized and instituted in his word +the office and ordinance of civil government and governors, for the +preservation of external peace and concord, administration of justice, +defense and encouragement of such as are, and do good, and punishment of +evil doers, who transgress either table of the law. For all which ends, +subordinate unto that of his own glory, God, the alone supreme fountain +of all power, has instituted and appointed this ordinance. And further +they maintain, that a due measure of those qualifications which God, the +great lawgiver requires in his word, together with what other +stipulations according to the same unerring rule, a Christian people, +who are blessed with the light of divine revelation, have made the +fundamental conditions of civil government among them, are essentially +necessary to the constitution and investiture of lawful authority over +such a people. No other but such a constitution and investiture, can +either be approven of by God, or answer the ends, ultimate or +subordinate, of this ordinance, unto the honor of the great institutor, +as appears from Prov. viii, 15, 16; Psa. cxlvii, 19, 20, and cxlix, G, +7, 8, 9; Isa. xlix, 23; Rom. xiii, 1, 2, 3, 4; Deut. xvii, 14, 15; 2 +Sam. xxiii, 2, 3, 4; Exod. xviii, 21. Confess, chap. 23, Sec. 1. Seasonable +warning by the general assembly, July 27, 1649. Act 15, Sess. 2, Parl. +1, 1640. + +They further assert and maintain, that the constituting of the relation +betwixt rulers and ruled, is voluntary and mutual; and that the lawful +constitution of civil magistrates, is, by the mutual election of the +people (in whom is the radical right, or intermediate voice of God, of +choosing and appointing such as are to sway the scepter of government +over them) and consent of those who are elected and chosen for the +exercise of that office, with certain stipulations according to +scripture and right reason, obliging each other unto the duty of their +different stations and relations. And further they affirm that when +magistrates are so constituted, Christians are bound by the law of God +to pray for the divine blessing upon their persons and government, +reverence and highly esteem them, yield a conscientious subjection and +obedience to their lawful commands, defend and support them in the due +exercise of their power; which power magistrates are especially to exert +for the outward defense of the church of God, against all her external +enemies, restraining or otherwise punishing, as the case may require, +all open blasphemers, idolaters, false-worshipers, heretics, with all +avowed contemners of the worship and discipline of the house of God; and +by his civil sanction to corroborate all the laws and ordinances of +Christ's house, providing and enjoining that every thing in the house of +the God of heaven, be done according to the law of the God of heaven; +Deut. xvii, 14; 2 Kings xi, 17; 1 Sam. xi, 15; 1 Tim. ii, 1,2; 1 Peter +ii, 17; Rom xiii, 2 to 8; 2 Kings xviii, 4, and xxiii, 1 to 26; 2 Chron. +xxix, and xxx, chapters throughout; Ezra vii, 23. Confess. chap. 23, Sec. +3, coronation oath of Scotland, sworn and subscribed by Charles II. at +Scone, January 1st, 1651, and oath of fidelity by the people. + +XVII. OF CORRUPTIONS IN THE TWO PRECEDING ORDINANCES.--But, with respect +to these two great ordinances of divine institution, the magistracy and +ministry, with the qualifications of the persons and duty of the people, +as before asserted, the Presbytery reject, like as they did, and hereby +do reject and condemn the following contrary errors, tenets and +opinions, whether of older or later date, vented either by open enemies +or professed friends to the reformation cause. And, + +1. They reject and condemn that loose latitudinarian tenet and opinion +of opening the door of communion with the church in her judicative +capacity, or sealing ordinances, unto the grossly ignorant, loose, +careless, profane and scandalous: and to the anti-christian deist, +blasphemous heretic, or any who maintain doctrines, principles and +opinions contrary to, and eversive of the cardinal and fundamental +doctrines of Christianity, or such principles and practices as oppose, +obscure or darken the church's beauty and purity, and spoil her of her +power, and particularly that of the church of _Scotland_, in her +attainments in reformation; this being evidently destructive and ruinous +to truth and holiness, the only foundation and basis of external union +and concord in the church, and consequently of all durable, harmonious +and comfortable communion among the ministers and members of Christ's +mystical body: See Eph. v, 11; Isa. viii, 20; Amos iii, 3; 1 Cor. vi, +10; Heb. xii, 14; Rev. xxii, 14, 15; 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18; and conform to +the acts and practice of this church, in her best and purest times, in +excluding from her communion, and refusing to unite with any chargeable +as above. + +Again, they hereby reject that false and ungodly principle and opinion, +That a God of infinite wisdom has left his professing people destitute +of any declaration of his will (which they are absolutely bound to +regard) concerning both the institution, administration and +qualifications of such persons as should administer these two distinct +ordinances, government, civil and ecclesiastical; or that these two +different species of government have not their foundation and +institution, as the ordinances of God, in his revealed will; but that +either (with the corrupt revolution church) he hath left the government +of his house a matter of indifference, and the pattern thereof to be +moulded by the discretion of the wise men of this world, and according +to the corrupt will and fluctuating inclination of the people; or, with +their public resolution-brethren, the _Seceders_, exchanging the clear +scriptural and covenanted basis of civil government, with the obscure +foundation of the law and light of nature, or the more dissolute basis +of mere election and acknowledgment of whomsoever the _primores regni_, +though never so wicked and licentious, choose and set up as magistrates. +Which notion contains an injurious and impious impeachment of divine +revelation, as a rule imperfect and insufficient to guide Christians +into the knowledge of the will of God, and their duty, as the peculiar +and professed subjects of the King of kings, and supreme lawgiver, +concerning all his ordinances; and is contrary to 2 Tim. iii, 16; Rom, +ii, 14; Ezek. xliii, 11; and xliv, 5; Lev. xviii, 2, 3, 4, 5; Matt, +xxviii, 20. Confess, chap. 23, Sec. 3. + +They in like manner reject and condemn the ecclesiastical headship of +the church, blasphemously arrogated by that man of sin, and son of +perdition the Pope of _Rome_; with all that superiority of dignity and +office in the house of God, claimed by anti-christian Prelates, together +with the whole of their hierarchical order, and the civil places and +power of churchmen, by both usurped; which is a most wicked attempt to +overturn God the Father's deed, constituting his Son Christ, sole King +and Head of his church, an exauctorating of Jesus Christ from his +throne, and headship in his church, an elevation of his ministers, +contrary to his will, and the nature and ends of their office; and an +anti-scriptural and confused blending together of different and distinct +ordinances. Psa. ii, 6; Isa. ix, 6, and xxii, 24; Col. i, 18; Mark x, +42, 43; Luke xxii, 25, 26; I Pet. v, 3; 2 Chron. xix, 12; 1 Cor. vii, 2. +Confess. chap. 25, Sec. 6, and contrary to our solemn covenants, and many +acts and ordinances of both church and state, in times of reformation. + +They likewise reject and condemn that gross Erastian principle, That the +civil magistrate is supreme head over all persons, and in all causes, +ecclesiastical as well as civil, whether in more ancient and later times +of tyranny and persecution, openly and blasphemously usurped, or at and +since the Revolution, more craftily yet too manifestly claimed; as +appears from the 37th article of the church of _England_, and king's +declaration prefixed to the said articles: and is further evident from +the many encroachments made upon the royal dignity and headship of +Christ, by the usurpers of his throne, practically vesting themselves +with power and authority to convene and adjourn at their pleasure, and +give laws and ordinances to the church, which is a daring attack on the +prerogative, sovereignty, wisdom and power of her absolute King and +Lord, on whom, as a nail fastened in a sure place, his Father has hung +all the glory of his house, and vested him with the sole supremacy over +the same, being filled abundantly with the spirit of wisdom and +understanding, with the spirit of counsel and of might, to direct and +preside in the management of all her concerns, and to preserve from and +overcome all her enemies; Isa. xxii, 24, and xi, 2, 3, and ix, 6; Col. +i, 18; Eph. i, 22; 2 Chr. xxvi, 18; Heb. v, 4; Confess. chap. 25, Sec. 6. + +They also reject and condemn that Erastian tenet and opinion, that the +whole or any part of the power, mission, qualifications, or +administration of ecclesiastical officers, or ministers of the church of +Christ, depends upon the authority and dictation of the civil +magistrate, because it is manifestly destructive of the church's power +and authority, under Christ her Head, and derived from him, and likewise +of the ministerial freedom and faithfulness of Christ's embassadors: and +particularly they reject and condemn, as gross Erastianism (whether +practiced before or since the Revolution, and especially since the +incorporating union with _England_ on terms diametrically opposite to +our covenant union), the civil magistrate's limiting the mission of +office-bearers in the church, according to his will; prescribing certain +qualifications, and restricting to certain limitations; such as the +test, indulgences, allegiance, assurance, and abjuration oaths, act +restoring patronages, and the act anent _Porteous_, together with the +threatened deprivation of office and benefice, upon non-compliance; 1 +Cor. xii, 28; Matt, xviii, 17, 18; John xx, 23. + +They further reject and condemn that Erastian opinion, that the external +government of Christ's house is left unto the precarious determination +of sinful men, or hath either its immediate or mediate dependence upon +the will and pleasure of the civil magistrate, according to the import +of the claim of right, the anti-scriptural basis of the revolution +settlement. This being evidently an impious reflection on the perfect +wisdom of the church's Head, subversive of the beauty of his house, and +fertile of disorder therein, laying the kingdom of Christ obnoxious to +spiritual tyranny and oppression, when strangers, enemies, or such as +have no call or warrant to build the house of the Lord, put to their +hand to model the form of her government as best suits their perverse +inclinations and secular views, in express contradiction to the will and +law of the God of heaven, Exod xxv, 40, and xxvi, 30; Ezek. xliii, 11; 1 +Chron. xv, 12, 13; Neh. ii, 20, with many other texts above cited. + +Again they reject and condemn that latitudinarian tenet, That the Lord +Jesus Christ, the alone Head of the church, hath left his house void of +any particular form of government, of divine institution exclusive of +all other, under the New Testament dispensation: which, is a manifest +reflection upon his fidelity to him who appointed him, and most absurd +to suppose of him who is true and faithful, as a Son over his own house, +and contrary to Isa. ix, 6, 7; 1 Tim. v, 17; Heb. iii, 2, 3, 5; 1 Cor. +xii, 28; Rom. xii 6, 7, 8; Acts xx, 17, 28; Matt, xxviii, 20. Confess. +chap. 30, Sec. 1, and to the propositions for church government. + +They further reject and condemn that sectarian principle and tenet, +whether in former or latter times maintained, that a kirk session, or +particular congregational eldership, is vested with equal ecclesiastical +power and authority, with any superior judicatory, and is neither +subordinate nor accountable to them (in the Lord) in their +determinations. They likewise reject as sectarian, That the community of +the faithful or professing Christians, in a private station hath any +scriptural warrant for public teaching, or judicative determination in +the church; both which opinions are not only expressly contrary to +scripture, Acts xv, throughout, and xvi, 4; I Cor. v, 4; 1 Tim: v, 17; +Heb. v, 4, and xiii, 17, &c, but also have been found hitherto most +hurtful and dangerous to the church of God, depriving her ministers and +members of just and necessary recourse to superior judgment and decision +in matters difficult, discrediting and prostituting the sacred office of +the ministry, and tending to overthrow a standing ministry in the church +of Christ, and subvert that comely and beautiful order he hath +prescribed therein. + +In like manner they reject and condemn that gross invasion and +encroachment upon the church's liberties, by the intrusion of popish +patronages, whether imposed as a law by civil, or executed by +ecclesiastical powers. Of the latter of these, the ministers and +judicatories of the now corrupt, harlot Church of _Scotland_, cannot but +be more egregiously guilty. The nature of their sacred function and +trust obliges them to preserve inviolate the church's freedom and +liberties: but in place of this, their hands are _chief in the +trespass_, in an authoritative and active enforcement of this wicked +act--an act evidently destructive of the very nature and essence of that +mutual relation between pastor and people, and which has the native and +necessary tendency to schism in the church, spiritual leanness, and +starving of the flock, by thrusting in idle, idol shepherds upon them, +such as serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies; feed +themselves, but not the flock; and seek not them, but theirs, contrary +to John x, 2, 9; Heb. v, 4; 1 Tim. iii, 3; 1 Cor. xii, 14, with many +more; and to acts of both church and state, in times of reformation in +these covenanted lands. + +But, on the other hand, that the Presbytery, when thus condescending on +particulars, pass not over in sinful silence, what stands opposite to +the word of God and their declared principles, as above concerning civil +authority, the administrators thereof, and subjection of the people +thereto: they reject, likeas they hereby reject and condemn that +anti-scriptural principle and opinion, that the divine scriptural +ordinance of magistracy has not its foundation in the moral preceptive +law of God (wherein alone his will is revealed and declared unto his +people, concerning the nature, use, and ends of all his ordinances), but +in the subjective light of nature (even as corrupted), so confused and +dark in its discoveries, so gross and selfish in its principles, +motives, and ends, that neither the true nature of this, nor any other +of the ordinances of Jehovah, as revealed in his word, can hereby be +known, or the true use and ends thereof sufficiently discovered or +obtained. + +They likewise testify against, and reject that equally absurd opinion, +as a stream flowing from the foresaid corrupt fountain, that the office, +authority, and constitution of lawful magistrates, does not solely +belong to professing Christians, in a Christian reformed land, but that +the election and choice of any one whosoever, made by the civil body +(whether Pagan, Papist, Atheist, Deist, or other enemy to God, to man, +and to true religion), makes up the whole of what is essential to the +constitution of a lawful magistrate according to God's ordinance. A +tenet contrary to the light and dictates both of reason and scripture. + +And they hereby also disclaim that corrupt notion, that all providential +magistrates, who are, and while they are acknowledged by any civil +society especially in an apostate backsliding land and people from the +scriptural standard (in respect of the origin of their office), are also +preceptive; and that the office and authority of all so constituted and +acknowledged, in itself considered, does equally arise from, and agree +unto the preceptive will of God, contrary to scriptural precepts, Deut. +xvii, 18; what falls under scriptural reproof, Hos. viii, 4; and what +greatly depreciates the valiant contendings of our honored ancestors for +civil reformation, and tends to invalidate their deeds of constitution +thereanent. + +Again the Presbytery testifies against, and condemns that principle, +that the Christian people of God ought to give explicit acknowledgment +of, implicit subjection and obedience to, whatever civil authority +(though most wicked and unlawful) the Lord in his holy providence, may, +for the trial and punishment of his church, permit a backsliding people +to constitute and set up, without regard to the precept of his word. And +they hereby reject whatever in opposition to the covenanted principles +of the Church of _Scotland_, does justly, and in its own nature imply a +voluntary and real acknowledgment of the lawfulness of the title and +authority of an anti-scriptural, anti-covenanted, and Erastian +government, constituted upon the ruins of our scriptural covenanted +reformation. Particularly, they testify against praying for success and +prosperity to such, in their stated opposition to the Lord and his +Anointed, or in any form implying a homologation of their title as +lawful, swearing oaths of fidelity and allegiance to such, accepting any +office from such, and executing these in their name and authority under +them, military associations with such, by a voluntary enlisting under +their banner, and fighting for their support and establishment. And that +in regard these are actions, as they express a proper and explicit +owning of the lawfulness of that authority, which they immediately +respect, so they are such as cannot be obtained without the actual +consent of the party performing, and must therefore imply a deliberate +approbation of foresaid iniquitous authority. + +Further, they testify against a direct and active, free and voluntary +paying of tribute and other dues, unto such, and that for conscience +sake, as unto the ordinance of God, according to his precept; and +particularly, when these dues are required as a tessera of loyalty to +such; or when required, as an evidence of a person's active contributing +to the accomplishment of some wicked action, expressly declared to be +the immediate end of the imposition. Thus the case was in the time of +persecution, when the declared end of the additional cess, was the +immediate suppression of the pure preaching of the gospel in the fields. +As also, not only against professed witnesses for reformation +principles, their prosecuting of their witnessing brethren at law before +the courts of anti-scriptural, unqualified judges; but generally, +against all law processes, in a way of direct counteracting any part of +reformation attainments, or express homologating the authority of an +unlawful judge. And, in fine, against all voluntary subjection, for +conscience sake, unto such powers as are not the ordinance of God, +according to his revealed preceptive will, as contrary to scripture; 2 +Sam. ii, 10; 2 Kings xi, 4, 17; 2 Chron. xix, 2; Isa. viii, 12 and lxv, +11; Rom. xiii, 1 to 8; 1 Cor. vi, 1 to 8, contrary to the acts of this +church approving, and ordinances of the state, establishing the civil +authority upon its scriptural foundation, and thereby discovering the +proper object of a Christian people's voluntary and conscientious +subjection; and particularly, to the act of classes. While in the +meantime, it must be acknowledged, that the state and condition of +Presbyterian Covenanters in these lands, continuing, as a community, to +witness and contend for reformation of both church and state, that +obtained, and was established, between 1638 and 1650, cannot be regarded +as that of a free people enjoying their ancient privileges and +liberties, but as that of an oppressed people, brought under the power +of a conqueror, and no better than captives in their own land. As this +was evidently the state of the suffering remnant under the persecuting +period, when, by the force of the sword, they were robbed of their +former liberties, and reduced to the most deplorable condition. So, +however the Revolution did alter some circumstances in the condition of +Covenanters; yet, in regard it was established upon, and did homologate +the overthrow of the reformation, to which that people do still adhere, +it could make no substantial change in their condition, from what it +formerly was. And moreover, as it is necessarily requisite to the +constituting of the relation between magistrate and people, that there +be a mutual and voluntary consent; and as the community of presbyterian +Covenanters did never, at or since the Revolution, give such consent; +but, on the contrary, have, in the most public manner, protested against +the constitution and installment of rulers in agreeableness thereto, as +being contrary to the word of God, covenanted constitution, and +fundamental laws of the nations; as is evident from their printed +testimonies and declarations. It follows, that their state is that of an +oppressed people, in passive subjection to a conquering power, whose +duty is, to wait with patience upon _Israel's_ God for his return to +revive his work, and recall the bondage of his _Zion_. And while they +are to take care to do nothing that justly implies their consent to the +continued opposition made unto the covenanted reformation, yet they +ought to observe a proper difference between such actions and things as +are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful, by a moral obligation, +and those that are not so. As also, between that which cannot be had, +nor the value or equivalent of it, unless the person actually give it; +and that which may be obtained, whether he actually contribute to it or +not.[7] Most applicable to this our present condition, are the words of +the _Levites_, expressing the distressed state of _Israel_, which they +had brought themselves into by their sins, as recorded by Neh. ix, 36, +37: "Behold we are servants this day; and for the land thou gavest unto +our fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold we +are servants in it: and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings which +thou hast set over us, because of our sins; also they have dominion over +our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great +distress." + +Likewise the Presbytery testify against all ministerial or church +communion with such, who, though they may occupy the place of +office-bearers in the church of Christ, yet are destitute of those +qualifications indispensably required by the church's Head, or enter not +into their office by the door he has appointed in his word, own another +head than Christ, or apostatize and fall from the truth and cause of +Christ, formerly espoused and sworn to by them in a church capacity; +against all active owning and countenancing of such, by attending upon +any of their corrupt official ministrations, or receiving any ordinances +from such, to whom the Lord has denied his blessing. Against all +voluntary contracting with prelates, curates, or such officers of human +invention in the church, for paying tithes or other dues unto them, as +unto lawful, scriptural parish ministers. For besides that there is +nothing due unto them, their office having no divine authority; so there +being under the New Testament a change of the priesthood, there is also +a change of the law, respecting tithes; according to 2 Cor. vi, 17; Rev. +ii, 20, &c. + +By all which it appears, from what is above asserted and declared +concerning these two divine distinct ordinances, the ministry and +magistracy, that the principles maintained thereanent by the Presbytery, +are nothing else than an endeavor, as a judicatory of the Lord Jesus +Christ, constituted in his name, to hold fast the church of _Scotland's_ +testimony, agreeable to the scriptures of truth, for confession and +covenants, fundamental acts and constitutions both of church and state +and this, according to the command of the church's sole King and Head; +Rev. ii, 25, and iii, 11. And what is testified against, is, in the +nature of it, an homologation of the church's faithful opposition to +backsliders, in their course of defection, from the national, +attainments in religion and reformation, resisting even unto blood, +striving against sin. + +XVIII. OF OATHS AND VOWS.--The Presbytery further assert and declare, +that oaths and vows are a part of religious worship, warranted in the +word of God, and under the New Testament dispensation, and may be +lawfully taken and entered into by the Lord's people. That such oaths +and vows only are warrantable, as are lawful both for the matter and the +manner of them; and those that are so, when once engaged in, must not be +violated on any consideration, and that, because of the authority of the +awful name of God interposed in them. And further, they declare, that +the right of administering oaths is competent only to those vested with +such authority as is agreeable to the word of truth. As also, that it is +the incumbent duty of Christians, by solemn oath to bind themselves to +maintain and defend the persons of righteous rulers, in the lawful +exercise of their authority; and to such only, it is lawful to swear +oaths of allegiance and fidelity. And hereby, they disapprove the +principle of refusing allegiance to lawful authority. At the same time, +the Presbytery testify against, as above, all the oaths of allegiance in +being, to an Erastian Prelatical government. And further, they reject +and detest that sinful, idolatrous and superstitious form of swearing, +in laying the hand upon, and kissing the gospels, practiced by the +Prelatical churches of _England_ and _Ireland_, and even introduced into +_Scotland_, as a gross profanation of that holy ordinance, and contrary +to the scripture examples thereof. Hereby they also testify against all +sinful swearing, whereby the name of God, his titles, perfections, or +graces of his Holy Spirit, are profaned in ordinary discourse. As also, +the unnecessary oaths of customhouse, trade, &c., as a reiterated and +fearful profanation of the name of God. And moreover, they testify +against, and condemn that ungodly and superstitious oath, practiced by +that unhallowed club, called _Free Masons_: according to Deut. x, 20; +Exod. xx, 7; Neh. xiii, 25; Ezra x, 5; Deut. vi, 13; Matth. iv, 35, 36; +Ezek. xvii, 16, 17, 18, 19; Rev. x, 5, 6; Jer. iv, 2. and v, 2; Confess. +chap. 22. + +Again, they testify and declare, that the work of solemn covenanting +with a God in Christ, is a duty warranted in the scriptures of the Old +and New Testament, and by the examples of the godly, agreeable thereto; +and that not only to individuals in particular, but to churches and +nations in general. Which covenants once entered into, and being for the +matter of them lawful, are most sacred, and therefore inviolably +binding; and what cannot be broken or transgressed, without manifest +guilt, and incurring the dreadful resentment of a holy and jealous God, +who has severely threatened to punish covenant-breakers. And hence they +assert, that the National Covenant of _Scotland_, and the Solemn League +and Covenant entered into by the three nations, for reformation and +defense of religion, and for the maintainance and preservation of the +truths and ordinances of God in purity, and sworn by our honored +ancestors, not only for themselves, but including also their posterity, +are of divine authority, as having their foundation upon the word of +God; therefore moral, and so perpetually binding upon the nations, and +every individual of them, to the latest posterity. Wherefore, the +Presbytery testify against the principle of refusing the lawfulness of +national covenanting, particularly, under the New Testament +dispensation, and all principles and practices that strike against the +moral obligation of these covenants; see Deut. vi, 13, Isa. ix, 18, and +xliv, 5; Jer. 1, 5; Deut. xxix, 12 to 16, 24, 25; Lev. xxvi, 25, 26; +Josh, ix, 14, 15, 18, 19; 2 Sam. xxi, 1; Ezek. xvi, 59, and xvii, 15, +16, 18, 19; Hos. x, 4; Gal. iii, 15; 2 Cor. viii, 5. See also acts and +ordinances both of church and state in times of reformation, respecting +the taking, and binding obligation, of the covenants. + +Again, the Presbytery hereby testify and declare their approbation of, +and adherence unto, all the different steps of reformation, that ever, +in any period, were attained unto in this church and land: particularly, +besides what has been mentioned above, they declare their adherence to +the Westminster Confession of Faith, as it was approven by act of the +General Assembly of the Church of _Scotland, anno_ 1647: Catechisms, +larger and shorter; Form of church government, Directory for worship, +and Books of Discipline, as agreeable to, and extracted from the sacred +oracles. + +And with respect to the fourth article of the 23d chapter of our +Confession, the Presbytery hereby declare, that they reject that corrupt +sense and gloss which has been imposed upon it, whether by open enemies, +or false friends to our covenanted reformation in former or latter +times, viz., That a reformed Christian people, having generally +received, and publicly professing the true religion; and more +especially, having expressly and solemnly bound themselves by public +national vows to the Most High, for the preservation of it, may +warrantably set over them an infidel, or one of a religion differing +from the true religion, and thereupon acknowledge and submit themselves +unto him, as their lawful civil ruler for conscience sake. And moreover, +they declare that they understand said articles, as principally relating +to the condition of a people emerging out of the darkness and +superstition of Paganism or Popery, &c., before that religion has +obtained the sanction of civil authority; when, although the major part +or bulk of a people should embrace the true religion, yet that does not +dissolve or loose the relation subsisting between them and their civil +rulers, prior to their conversion, agreeable to, and founded upon the +just and reasonable laws of the realm. In this case only, it is granted, +that an infidel, or one of a different religion, may have authority just +and legal over a people partly converted to the knowledge and gospel of +Christ. Thus it was with the primitive Christians, and thus it was +particularly with our ancestors in _Scotland_, at the beginning of the +reformation; and this perfectly well agrees to the apostolic precept and +determination in a case similar to the above; 1 Cor. vii, 12, 13 and 39, +and 2 Cor. vi, 14. + +As also, they further declare their approbation of, and adherence to all +the faithful testimonies, declarations and protestations, emitted by the +witnesses for the work of reformation, whether before or under the late +times of tyranny and persecution, in prisons, scaffolds, or in the +fields, by land or sea; or by such, as since that time have succeeded. +them in the self same testimony, as they are founded upon, and agreeable +to the word of truth, and as a just and proper vindication of foresaid +covenanted cause. And particularly with the above proviso and +limitation, they declare their adherence to the _Rutherglen, Sanquhar_ +and _Lanerk_ declarations, _annis_ 1679, 1680, 1682; as also to the +declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1683, 1684, 1692, and 1695, 1703, +1707; to the _informatory vindication_, and _cloud of witnesses_; to the +_covenants national_ and _solemn league_, sworn at _Auchensaugh_, near +_Douglas_, in the year 1712, at _Crawfurd-john_ 1745; with the +additional acknowledgments of sins, and engagements to duties at these +times; to the declarations published at _Sanquhar_, 1718, and at +_Montherrick_, 1740, 1741. And in like manner, they testify their +adherence to the _Act_ formerly emitted by this Presbytery, in +condemnation of the universal scheme. And they do hereby testify +against, and disapprove all partiality and unfaithfulness, whether in +respect of right or left hand extremes, in any testimonies, published in +a way of professed adherence to reformation principles; particularly, +they reject the testimony published by those designated the _Associate +Presbytery_, as no adequate testimony for truth, because of the +partiality and unfaithfulness, both to God and the generation, +discovered therein; being, instead of a faithful vindication, no better +than a burial of some of the most important attainments in reformation +of this church and land. And they likewise reject, detest and abhor that +spurious brat, stuffed with gross error, blasphemy and nonsense, most +falsely and unjustly designated, "A testimony for the word of Christ's +patience," by that sacrilegious usurper of the ministry, _William +Dunnet_, who, being once plunged into the depths of enthusiasm, such is +his madness, that under pretense of an immediate mission from heaven, he +not only daringly usurps the whole of the ministerial function, but also +wickedly claims an Erastian exercise of the office of the civil +magistrate, in a stupid unaccountable declaration of war, offensive and +defensive, against all mankind, himself, and his blind-folded +confederates only excepted; having probably had these anti-scriptural +notions instilled into him by the industry of some unstable heads, who, +after they had made a professed subjection to this Presbytery, in the +Lord, did, with some others of the same stamp, in a most unwarrantable +and schismatical manner, break off from their communion, without so much +as discovering any shadow of reason, in justification of their rash, +ungrounded and precipitate separation. + +Upon the whole, the Presbytery, protesting that they have been +influenced to this necessary work of displaying a judicial banner for +the covenanted cause and interest of our exalted Redeemer, purely out of +a regard to the glory of God, a desire that Christ's kingdom may be +advanced, and his buried truths revived, as also a concern for the +welfare and happiness of the present and succeeding generations, do +earnestly, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, beseech and obtest +all and every one, into whose hands this testimony may come, that, +without considering the insignificancy of the instruments, and laying +aside prejudice and carnal selfish considerations, they receive the +truth as it is in Jesus, not only in the notion, but in the love and +power of it; that they take with the many just and highly aggravated +grounds of the Lord's controversy, and causes of his wrath against us, +not only on account of private and personal wickedness come to a very +great height, but particularly on account of the general opposition to +the public concerns of his glory, in what respects the doctrine, +worship, government and discipline of his house. Alas! our public +abominations are both obstinately persisted in and publicly justified. +That they lay to heart the great and terrible wickedness of the day and +generation, with deep humiliation before the Lord, while he waits to, be +gracious, and is calling all ranks to humble themselves, and saying, +"Rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, +for he is gracious and merciful;" Joel ii, 13. That, in the way of +flying under the covert of the atoning blood of the Son of God, by faith +in his name, for the remission of sins, and endeavoring after personal +reformation, as to all the impiety and irreligion, all the detestable +indifferency, lukewarmness and hypocrisy, in the matters of God, which +universally prevail; they also study and set about public reformation, +every one in their several stations, according to our solemn national +engagements, concurring to restore the Lord's ruined and buried work, +and rebuild his house, which is now lying as a desolate heap, covered +over with the rubbish of manifold errors, corruptions and human +inventions. If we still hold fast our abominations, and will not, by +repentance and reformation, return and give glory to the Lord our God +before he cause darkness, then, when he returns for the salvation of +_Zion_, "He will come treading down the people in his anger, and making +them drunk in his fury, and bringing down their strength to the earth;" +Isa. lxiii, 6. "But is there no hope in _Israel_ concerning this thing? +Is there no balm in _Gilead_? Is there not a physician there?" Is there +not virtue in Christ's blood for the most desperate cases, that +churches, as well as particular persons, can be in? Is there not ground +to hope, that the Lord will not altogether forsake these sinful lands, +which were given to him of old for an inheritance, and wherein he has so +long maintained his possession, but that he will yet build up our +_Zion_, and appear in his glory therein, will plead his own cause, +revive his own work, a covenanted work of reformation, and remove all +the contempt and ignominy which it presently lies under? Sure the +continuance of his gracious calls and invitations to return to him, +gives ground to hope, that our "_Israel_ hath not been forsaken, nor +_Judah_ of his God, of the Lord of Hosts, though their land was filled +with sin against the holy One of _Israel_;" Jer. li, 5. And though, while +so much of error, prejudice and carnal interest, lie as impassable +mountains in the way, there is little appearance of the nations taking +this course yet the Lord seems still to bespeak us in that endearing +language, Jer. iii, 12, "Go and proclaim these words towards the north, +and say, Return thou backsliding _Israel_, saith the Lord, and I will +not cause mine anger to fall upon you; for I am merciful, saith the +Lord, and I will not keep anger forever." Though we have nationally torn +our marriage contract with heaven, and taken away our names, yet the +Lord has not. _Turn, O backsliding children, saith the Lord, for I am +married unto you._ Let all, then, _repent, and turn themselves from all +their transgressions, so iniquity shall not be their ruin_; but if not, +then let all the impenitent despisers of the repeated calls of mercy +know, that abused patience will at length turn into fury, and the Lord +Jehovah, who has already furbished his sword, and prepared the +instruments of death, will speedily give that dreadful commission to the +executioners of his wrath: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is +ripe; come, get you down, for the press is full, the fats overflow, for +their wickedness is great:" Joel iii, 13. "But because God will do this +to _Israel_, let us prepare to meet our God." Further, the Presbytery +invite and entreat all who tender the glory of God, the removal of the +causes of his wrath and indignation, and who desire the continuance of +his tabernacle and gracious presence among us, to come and join in a +harmonious, zealous and faithful testimony for the precious truths and +interest of _Zion's_ glorious King, and against every course that has a +tendency to heighten, and at last to lay on the copestone of our +defections. Consider it is the Lord's call and command to every one, +even in their most private station, _Contend earnestly for the faith +once delivered to the saints_. It is the burden he, at this day, lays on +his church and people: _Hold fast what thou hast till I come, that no +man take thy crown_; hold fast by our former attainments in reformation. +And finally, the Presbytery exhort all with whom they are more +particularly connected, _To stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, +striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing terrified +by your adversaries_. Let the flame of fervent and true love to God, his +truths, and to one another, prevent and extinguish the wild fire of +unnecessary and hurtful mutual animosities; and _endeavoring to keep the +unity of the spirit in the bond of peace_, study oneness in promoting +the Lord's opposed work, and in walking in the good old way, without +turning aside to the right hand or to the left, because of the lion that +is therein, and without laying other foundations than what were laid. +Let none of Christ's true and faithful witnesses suffer their hearts to +sink into despondency; the cause is the Lord's, and assuredly he will +thoroughly plead that cause which is his own. It will outlive all its +enemies, and yet have a glorious resurrection; and this will be the +crown and comfort of all such as continue, amidst all trials and +sufferings, contending for him, in the blessed expectation of the +conqueror's everlasting reward. Therefore, _lift up the hands that hang +down, and strengthen the feeble knees_; greater afflictions have been +accomplished in those that are gone before, and are now inheriting the +promises, than any wherewith the Lord is presently trying his church. +And as the God of all grace, after they had suffered awhile, made them +perfect, and put them in possession of that eternal glory to which they +were called by Jesus Christ, so shall he establish, strengthen and keep +his people still from falling, and, after all their sorrows and +sufferings, present them faultless before the presence of his glory, +with exceeding joy. "Return, we beseech thee, O God of Hosts; look down +from heaven, and behold and visit this vine; and the vineyard which thy +right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for +thyself, it is burnt with fire, it is cut down, they perish at the +rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right +hand, upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself, so will +not we go back from thee; quicken us, and we will call upon thy name; +turn us again, O Lord of Hosts, cause thy face to shine, and we shall be +saved: Let God arise, let _Zion's_ immortal and omnipotent King Jesus +reign, and let all his enemies be scattered; but let them that love him +be as the sun, when he goeth forth in his might." + +Extracted by JO. THORBURN, Pr. Clk. + + + + +ADDENDA. + +In addition to what is said (from page 65 to 67 preceding, respecting +the establishment of Popery in Canada), the Presbytery deeply lament, +that, in the present edition of their Testimony, they are furnished with +fresh matter to animadvert upon the continued tendency of the British +administration in favor of the religion of Antichrist. + +Not long after the civil establishment of Popery in Canada, new +privileges, civil and religious, were bestowed upon the professors of +that religion at home, both in England and Ireland, by which Catholics +have received toleration, under the sanction of law, openly to profess +and practice their idolatry, to open seminaries of learning for the +public instruction of youth in their own religion, and to purchase and +transfer estates to their Popish relations, in direct opposition to the +established laws of the land, framed by our Protestant ancestors, under +the sense of felt necessity, whereby Catholics were laid under +disabilities, as to the enjoyment of those privileges, which they saw to +be inconsistent with the peace of the state and safety of the Protestant +religion, on account of the barbarous massacres committed by Catholics +upon Protestants, and the numerous hostile attempts made to overturn, by +violence, the Protestant religion within these lands, as proceeding from +the sanguinary spirit of Popery. The modern plea set up in favor of +those privileges being conferred upon Popery, that the Catholics of this +day have candidly renounced the whole of their old principles which they +held, as inimical to a Protestant country, never can be admitted, while +they still retain the most dangerous of all their principles, viz., +implicit faith in the doctrines of supreme councils, and the dispensing +authority of the Pope. Against this sinful indulgence granted to Popery, +the Presbytery testified at the time, in a separate piece, entitled, A +Testimony and Warning against the Blasphemies and Idolatries of Popery, +&c., to which they still refer the reader. An attempt also was made to +extend a similar indulgence to Catholics in Scotland, but which was +happily frustrated through the zealous exertions of the people, who, +pleading the established laws of the land, boldly reclaimed against the +measure, which produced the desired effect of compelling the government +to desist. But alas! no sooner, was the popular zeal cooled, than +government sowed tares by enlarging the privileges of Catholics with +regard to civil property. The deplorable fact now is, that Popery, +basking in the sunshine of legislative power, advanced to the legal +possession of new privileges, and shielded by a formal toleration in the +neighboring kingdoms, may be considered as enjoying the actual +protection of government in Scotland. In Ireland, privileges of a still +more exalted nature are bestowed upon Popery, while the Catholic is so +far enfranchised, that, in conjunction with the Protestant, he may give +his voice for members to serve in the legislature of the country. What +greatly adds to the evil is, the lamentable alteration of public +opinion, so lately displayed against the measures of government in +former indulgences bestowed upon the Catholic interest; but which has +now changed into an entire approbation thereof, both by the great body +of the people and the minority in the two houses of Parliament; and the +only complaint against government on that score is, that, stopping short +of meeting just claims of Catholics, they have not ingrafted them into +all the privileges of British subjects, and for ever done away the +odious distinction between Protestant and Catholic, as to privilege. + +When we open our eyes to the measures of the present day, we behold +still more abominations. The government so far from remembering whence +they are fallen, repenting and doing their first works, have started +again in the cause of Antichrist, by leaguing themselves in a military +expedition with a group of Popish despots on the continent, who have +long given their power to the beast; of this expedition one object +evidently appears to be the re-establishment and support of Popery in +France, where under the administration of the omnipotent, and avenging +holy providence of God, in the pouring out of the vials of his wrath +upon the beast, that false religion has received a sore and bleeding +wound, and where the people, long crushed under the tyranny of a +despotic throne, and usurpation of an imposing priesthood, have risen to +extricate themselves from the accumulated oppression, and by their +astonishing efforts have shaken off the Papal yoke, by renouncing their +accustomed allegiance to the head of the Antichristian states at Rome, +have withdrawn their wonted supplies from his treasures, and completely +overthrown the temporal power of his religion in their own country, +which had for many ages kept them in fetters. If any doubt should be +entertained with regard to the support afforded to the sinking cause of +Popery in France by this expedition, the declaration published by the +brother of the late King of France, stiling himself Louis XVIII, at the +head of the emigrants in arms, exhibits the fact in the clearest point +of view, while he plainly and unequivocally says, in that declaration, +that their designs are the erection of the throne and altar, by which +are meant the civil government and the Catholic religion, as they +existed in France prior to the revolution. Britain, not satisfied with +sending forth numerous hosts to the field abroad, and lavishing her +treasures to supply the exhausted finances of the coalesced powers, has +opened her arms at home to receive flying emigrants, caressed by her, as +if they had been sufferers in the cause of genuine Christianity. By the +voice of Episcopal dignitaries the Popish clergy have been extolled, as +men of the most eminent piety, while places have been furnished by +government, to accommodate them in their mass service; and a branch of +the bloody house of Bourbon, whom divine vengeance has reduced to the +abject state of a wandering exile, is admitted among us, with all marks +of honor, and, with his train, provided for, as if he were a zealous +supporter of the Protestant cause, seeking an asylum from the rage of +Papal persecution in this reformed land. It cannot escape the notice of +the attentive observer, how closely the crown of Britain has become +allied to this false religion, in consequence of the conquest of the +island of Corsica, and the accession of the crown of that island to the +crown of Britain. According to the new constitution of Corsica, the king +of Great Britain, as represented by his viceroy, makes an essential +branch of the parliament, all the acts whereof must be assented to by +him, in order, to give them the force of law. Now, it is to be remarked, +that in this constitution Popery is expressly declared to be the only +established religion in the island; it is therefore agreed to be divided +into districts, to be filled up with ministers of the Catholic religion, +endowed with legal maintenance. So the king of Britain, as wearing the +Corsican crown, engages to unite this constitutional establishment of +the Catholic religion, the king of Great Britain, as the king of +Corsica, gives his firm assent. Moreover, to provide for the more +extensive propagation of Popery in Corsica, the legislature stipulate to +consult with the See of Rome; here, also, he engages to join the wisdom +of his counsels to those of the Pope, for the express purpose of giving +a wider spread to Popery. If the prophet Jehu accused Jehoshaphat, +though a good prince, when he was returning from a military expedition +with Ahab, king of Israel, in such cutting language; 2 Chron. xix, 2, +_Shouldst thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord? +therefore, is wrath upon thee from the Lord_: in what words shall we +pronounce upon this conduct of Britain, in mixing with her politics and +wars, active measures to raise again the falling Dagon of Popery from +the threshold, and to help forward the interests of a religion which the +Lord has solemnly declared he will destroy with the judgments of his +hand and the brightness of his coming. Besides the iniquity of the thing +itself, in giving direct aid to this religion; our guilt derives great +aggravations from a view of the present dispensations of Providence in +visibly sending down terrible judgments (no matter through what rough +hands) upon that anti-christian power, that has long, sat upon many +waters; and the loud voice of Jehovah is uttering, on the awful crisis +of its downfall, to all the fearers of his name to escape a share in its +judgments, by flying away from all communion with its evils; Rev. xviii, +4, _Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, +and that ye receive not of her plagues._ But, blind to his avenging +hand, and deaf to this summons, Great Britain, once without, is now +again returning into a most unlawful communion to support this adjudged +power, by which she constitutes herself a partner in its sins, and +thereby exposes herself to a portion of its plagues. In vain will it be +urged as a plea of justification, that the authors of the revolution in +France, having overturned the constitution of their own country, and +spread desolation through the wide extent of it, menaced other nations, +and us also; and that, therefore, Britain, acting on the first principle +of nature's law, self-preservation, joined the allied powers for her own +defense. Though the Presbytery are by no means to be understood as +giving their suffrage for the lawfulness and justice of the war on our +side; yet, for the sake of argument, allowing the plea--what then? Will +this sanctify the measures adopted by Britain, in recovering, supporting +and propagating the cause of Popery, that the conquest of the enemy, and +her own safety are the ends ultimately to be gained by them? The +Christian maxim, that evil is not to be done that good may come, binds +as strongly nations as individuals. Popery is not a local evil; it is +still the mystery of iniquity, as much in France, and in Corsica, as it +is in Great Britain; it is everywhere the forbidden fruit, not to be +touched. If the security of a Protestant country is to be sought for, in +dependence upon, or in any state of connection with the co-existence and +maintenance of Antichrist, we have indeed a feeble pillar to rest upon, +for, as sure as God himself has spoken it, the Papal kingdoms are the +Babylon to fall and to rise no more again at all. Perhaps, our allies +would not be pleased with another mode of conduct; and shall we run the +hazard of displeasing the God of all our salvation, to gratify, in sin, +the friends of the man of sin? If the crown of Corsica cannot be worn, +but upon the condition of supporting Popery, and joining in councils +with the Church of Rome, to advance her interest there, we are afraid +the weight of it, like a millstone, will sink us deep in the gulf of +God's wrath. But Popery was the former religion of that island, and the +people wished no change. If the wretched inhabitants, loving darkness +rather than the light, refused to be reclaimed, leave them to +themselves, but why should we have fellowship with them in their +unfruitful works of darkness. The Presbytery would not wish to be +understood as if they meant that Protestants ought to raise a crusade, +in order to exterminate Catholics in foreign lands, as Catholics have +attempted to do against Protestants, for the weapons of our warfare, in +propagating religion are not carnal. But it certainly is the incumbent +duty of all Protestant nations to abstain from anything, that has a +tendency to uphold and propagate their religion; and as no positive +countenance should be given to it, so it is highly proper that Catholics +should be kept in such a state of restraint, as they may not again have +it in their power to repeat those bloody scenes, which Popery had acted +upon us. With a view to deliver themselves from the guilt of +participating in the evil, the Presbytery do lift up a judicial +testimony against the present anti-christian courses of administration; +as, also, against those state fasts, proceeding from an Erastian +supremacy, which have been appointed to be observed by all persons, in +order to engage by prayer the Almighty to crown their measures with +success. Likewise, the Presbytery do testify against the national +church, particularly her ministers, who from their station ought to act +as spiritual watchmen, and give pointed warning of sin and danger on the +present occasion; but, who, instead of faithfully discharging this duty, +sanction all these measures of government, which cannot fail to produce +a hardening effect upon the generation. + +N.B. Since writing the above, by a reverse in the war, Britain has lost +possession of Corsica, but while this does not acquit her of the guilt +of her anti-christian administration there, neither will it supersede +the necessity of our testimony against it. + + * * * * * + + +ADVERTISEMENT. + +The late Reformed Presbytery, June 2d, 1845, adopted the following +doctrinal and practical declarations. They have therefore a judicial +sanction; and having been in overture before the people prior to the +action of Presbytery, we subjoin them as a suitable supplement. +_Cincinnati, Nov. 12th_, 1850. + + +JUDICIAL DECLARATIONS. + +1. Man is a free agent, unconscious of restraint in his volitions by the +execution of the immutable decree of God; and it is not possible for +him, in any instance, to avoid fulfilling that decree: yet the law of +God--not his decree--is the rule of man's conduct, and the standard of +final judgment. + +2. It is the duty of a Christian to pray for the church of Christ--to +inquire diligently into her scriptural character, and to seek covenant +blessings in her communion. + +3. If the majority should violate the terms upon which church members +were united, it is lawful for the minority to testify against the +defection, and to walk by the rule of their former attainments. And when +any community assuming to be the Church of Christ, imposes sinful terms +of communion--when the constitution is anti-scriptural--when the +administration is corrupt, and attempts at its reformation have proved +ineffectual--it is the duty of Christians to separate from it: "_Come +out of her, my people_," &c.; Rev. xviii, 4. + +4. No member of the Reformed Presbyterian Church can, without +contracting guilt, in the present state of society, take the oath of +allegiance to the government of these United States, hold office, +exercise the elective franchise, act as a juror, or hold communion in +other ecclesiastical bodies, by what is commonly styled _occasional +hearing_; Rev. xi, 1-3. + + + + +TERMS + +OF + +MINISTERIAL AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNION + +IN THE + +REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. + + * * * * * + +1. An acknowledgment of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, +and the alone infallible rule of faith and practice. + +2. An acknowledgement that the whole doctrine of the Westminster +Confession of Faith, and the Catechisms, larger and shorter, are +agreeable unto, and founded upon the Scriptures. + +3. An acknowledgment that Presbyterian Church government is of divine +right, and unalterable: and that the most perfect model as yet attained, +is exhibited in the Form of Government and Directory for Worship, as +adopted by the Church of Scotland, in the Second Reformation. + +4. An acknowledgment that public, social covenanting, is an ordinance of +God, and obligatory on churches and nations under the New Testament +dispensation: and that the National Covenant of Scotland, and the Solemn +League and Covenant of Scotland, England and Ireland, were an +exemplification of this divine institution: and that these solemn deeds +are of perpetual obligation upon the moral person, as continued by +representation and accession: and in consistency with this, +acknowledging the renovation of these covenants at Auchensaugh, 1712, to +be agreeable to the Word of God. + +5. An approbation of the faithful contendings of the martyrs of Jesus, +against paganism, popery, prelacy, malignancy, and sectarianism; and +against immoral constitutions of civil government--Erastian tolerations +and persecutions which flow therefrom: the Judicial Act, Declaration and +Testimony, emitted by the Reformed Presbytery in North Britain, 1761, +together with the Historical and Declaratory Supplements adopted by the +Reformed Church in North America, 1850--as containing an noble example +for their posterity to follow, in contending for all divine truth, and +in testifying against all corruptions embodied in the constitutions of +either church or State. + +6. Practically adorning the doctrine of God our Savior, by walking in +all his commandments and ordinances blamelessly. + + + + + +FOOTNOTES: + +[Footnote 1: _Christ's rights, &c._ By these are not meant the rights of +Christ personal. It is not in the power of mortals, or any creature, to +acquire and secure these to him; but the rights of Christ mystical, that +is, of the church, or, of his truth, true worship, and religion, and +professors of it as such.] + +[Footnote 2: Besides the above instances of that unholy, tyrannical, and +church-robbing policy, which has been exercised by the supreme civil +powers in these nations with reference to religion and the worship of +God, all of which existed when the presbytery first published their +testimony, there has, of late, a very singular instance of the same kind +occurred, in the course of administration, which the presbytery cannot +forbear to take notice of, but must embrace the present opportunity to +declare their sense of, and testify against; and especially, as it is +one that carries a more striking evidence than any of the former, of our +public national infidelity and licentiousness, and of our being +judicially infatuated in our national counsels, and given up of heaven +to proceed from evil to worse, in the course of apostasy from the cause +and principles of the reformation. We particularly mean the instance of +a late bill or act, which has been agreed upon by both houses of +parliament, and which also, June, 1774, was sanctioned with the royal +assent, entitled "An act for making more effectual provision for the +government of the province of Quebec in North America." By which act, +not only is French despotism, or arbitrary power, settled as the form of +civil government, but, which is still worse, Popery, the _Religion of +Antichrist_, with all its idolatries and blasphemies, has such security +and establishment granted it, as to be taken immediately under the legal +protection of the supreme civil authority of these nations in that vast +and extensive region of _Canada_, lately added to the British dominions +in North America--a province so large and fertile, that it is said to be +capable of containing, if fully peopled, not less than thirty millions +of souls. This infamous and injurious bill, before it passed into a law, +was publicly reprobated and declaimed against by sundry members of both +houses. It has been petitioned and remonstrated against by the most +respectable civil body corporated in Britain, or its dominions, the city +of London; by all the provinces of North America south of Quebec; and +even by the inhabitants of the city of Quebec itself. It has been, in +the most public manner, in open parliament, declared to be "a most +cruel, oppressive, and odious measure--a child of inordinate power," &c. +All which are sufficient indications how scandalous, offensive, and +obnoxious this act was. There was afterward, in the month of May, 1775, +a bill brought into the house of lords, in order to effectuate the +repeal of the foresaid disgraceful act, when, in the course of public +debate, it was represented by those few members of the house who +appeared in the opposition, as "one of the most destructive, most +despotic, most nefarious acts that ever passed the house of peers." But +all in vain--the repeal could not be effected. + +And moreover, let it be further observed here, that the bench of bishops +in the house of peers, who assume the anti-christian title of _spiritual +lords_, and pretend to claim a seat in parliament for the care of +religion, during the whole course of this contest, instead of appearing +for the Protestant interest, have, to their lasting infamy, publicly +distinguished themselves in opposition to it, by--"Standing forth the +avowed supporters of Popery." + +The presbytery, therefore, find themselves in duty obliged, in their +judicative capacity, principally in behalf of the rights and interests +of the great God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Redeemer--that is to +say, in behalf of the rights of truth, true religion, and righteousness +among men, which he ever owns as his, to add, as they hereby do, their +public testimony against this nefandous national deed, so manifestly +injurious to all these. + +The presbytery do not, as some others, found their testimony against +this extravagant act establishing Popery, &c., in Canada, solely or +simply on its injuriousness to the private interests of men--their +bodily lives, goods, or outward privileges; nor do they declare against +and condemn it merely because _that_ religion which is sanctioned with +this national decree and engagement for its defense is a sanguinary one: +"Has deluged our island in blood, and dispersed impiety, persecution, +and murder, &c., through the world." (See an address from the general +congress to the people of Great Britain.) These are all indeed +incontestable proofs that it is not the religion of the divine Jesus, +but of antichrist. Nevertheless, the same have been known to be the +staple and constant fruits of Prelacy too, which, to the extent of its +reach and influence, has as much Christian blood wrapped up in its +skirts as Popery, if not more. Nor yet is it merely on account that it +is greatly injurious, as indeed it is, and a notorious breach of the +public faith to the British Protestant settlers in that province. The +presbytery's particular objections against this extraordinary measure +are of a different quality. They are briefly such as follow: + +1. The _iniquity_ of it against God. It is certainly a deed highly +provoking and dishonoring to the God of heaven. For (1), it is a giving +that public protection and countenance to a _lie_, i.e. to idolatry and +false worship (and to anti-christian idolatry, the worst of all other), +which is only due to the truth of God. It is a devoting and giving our +national power to the preservation of the life of the Romish beast, +after the deadly wound given it by the Reformation. And therefore (2), a +most wretched prostitution of the ordinance of civil power, sacred by +its divine institution, to be _a terror_ and restraint _to evil doers, +and a praise to them that do well_, Rom. xiii,--to the quite contrary +purposes. What right have open idolaters and blasphemers to be protected +and supported by any ordinance of God in the public acts of their +idolatry? And how awful is it to think (3), that it is a setting +ourselves openly to fight against God, in a national engagement to +support and defend what God has declared and testified to us in his +word, he will have destroyed; and wherein he expressly forbids giving +the least countenance to idolatry. And shall we thus harden ourselves +against God and prosper? (4), As this last instance of our profane +national policy is a still more open discovery of our incorrigibleness +in our apostasy, so it is also the most striking of all the former of +that Erastianism and spiritual supremacy exercised by the civil powers +in these lands over the church and kingdom of Christ. Herein we have an +open and avowed justification of that anti-scriptural right and power +claimed by them to settle and establish whatever mode of religion they +please, or is most agreeable to the inclinations of the people, or which +best answers their worldly political purposes, although it should be the +religion of Satan in place of that of Christ. This has been the great +leading principle all along since the Revolution, but never more openly +discovered than in this instance. Upon all which it may appear how +sinful and provoking to the divine Majesty this act must be. + +2. The _folly and shamefulness_ of it as to ourselves. How disgraceful +and dishonorable is this public act in favor of Popery, even to the +nation itself, and its representatives, who me the authors of it. How +palpably inconsistent is it with our national character and profession +as Protestant, and with our national establishments, civil and +ecclesiastical (both which are professedly built upon reformation from +Popery), to come to take that idolatrous religion under our national +protection, and become _defenders_ of the _anti-christian_ faith; nay, +were it competent for the presbytery as a spiritual court, and spiritual +watchmen, to view this act in a civil light, they might show at large, +that it is a violation of the fundamental national constitutions of the +kingdom, and reaches a blow to the credit of the legal security granted +to the Protestant religion at home. We need not here mention how +contrary this act is to the fundamental laws and constitutions of the +kingdom of Scotland, which are now set aside. But it is contrary to, and +a manifest violation of the Revolution and British constitution itself; +contrary to the Claim of Right, yea, to the oath solemnly sworn by every +English and British sovereign upon their accession to the throne, as +settled by an act of the English parliament in the first year of William +III. By which they are obliged to "profess, and to the utmost of their +power maintain, in all their dominions, the laws of God, the true +profession of the gospel, and the true reformed religion established by +law." But these things the presbytery leave to such whom it may more, +properly concern. Let it, however, be observed that the presbytery are +not here to be interpreted as approving of the abovesaid oath, as it +designedly obliges to the maintenance of the abjured English hierarchy +and popish ceremonies, which might better be called _a true reformed +lie_, than the true reformed religion. Nevertheless, this being the +British coronation oath, it clearly determines that all legal +establishments behoove to be Protestant, and that without a violation of +said oath, no other religion can be taken under protection of law but +what is called Protestant religion only. + +The presbytery conclude the whole of this additional remark with +observing, That as in the former instances of the exercise of this +Erastian power above mentioned, the present church of Scotland never +gave evidence of her fidelity to Christ, so far as to testify against +them; so their assembly has, in a like supine, senseless manner, +conducted themselves with reference to this last and most alarming +instance. Notwithstanding all that has been remonstrated against it, and +in favor of the reformed religion, they have remained mute and silent, +which indeed evidences them not to be truly deserving of the character +of _venerable_ and _reverend_, which they assume to themselves, but +rather that of an association; or, in the words of the weeping prophet, +_an assembly of treacherous men_: Jer. ix, 2.] + +[Footnote 3: See pages 68, 69, preceding.] + +[Footnote 4: Mr. _Andrew Clarkson_ originally belonged to the community +of Old Dissenters under the pastoral inspection of the Rev. Mr. _John +McMillan_ senior; was educated and lived in communion with them, till +upwards of the age of thirty years; during which time he wrote and +published a book, entitled, _Plain Reasons, &c._, setting forth the +grounds why Presbyterian Dissenters refused to hold communion with the +revolution, church and state; but, having no prospect of obtaining +license and ordination among them, in regard they had then no ordained +minister belonging to them but old Mr. _McMillan_ alone, it appeared +that, from a passionate desire after these privileges, he left his old +friends, and made his application to the Associate Presbytery, who +treated him as above narrated.] + +[Footnote 5: Mr. _John Cameron_, then a probationer and clerk to their +Presbytery.] + +[Footnote 6: These people, referred to above, very unjustly designate +themselves such _who adhere to the testimony for the kingly prerogative +of Christ_. They did at first, before their agreement with the +Presbytery, and ever since their elopement, do still profess to appear +for what they call _An Active Testimony_, conform to the rude draft of a +paper commonly known by the name of the _Queensferry Paper_ or +_Covenant_ (see _Cloud of Witnesses_, Appendix, page 270). After their +_activity_ had carried them the length of avouching the most +inconsistent anti-predestinarian, Arminian schemes of universal +redemption, and not only to a total separation from the Presbytery, and +rejection of their judicial authority, but even to an open denial of the +protestative mission of the ministers therein, and of all others; the +most part of them were, in God's holy and righteous justice, left to +receive and submit to the pretended authority and ministrations of +_William Dunnet_, a deceiver, destitute of all mission and authority, +whom they were afterward obliged to abandon In 1771, they published a +pamphlet entitled, _A short Abstract of their Principles and Designs_. +In this they cunningly evade the acknowledgment of our Confession of +Faith and Catechisms, decline to own the doctrine of the holy Trinity in +_unity_, and do professedly adopt and avow the hypothesis of the famous +modern Socinian, Dr. _Taylor, of Norwich_, anent the person of Christ. +According to which he is no more than "a glorious being, truly created +by God before the world." This pre-existent creature they call a +_superangelic_ spirit; which spirit, coming in time to be united to a +human body, makes according to them, the person of Christ. A person +neither truly God nor truly man, but a sort of being different from +both. The absurdity and blasphemy of this hypothesis needs no +elucidation. Thus they idolatrously worship _another_ god than the +Scripture reveals, and blasphemously substitute and trust in _another_ +savior than the gospel offers unto sinners. In the same pamphlet they +declare and publish their resolution to take some of their number under +formal trials, whom, upon being approved, they might appoint and send +forth to preach the gospel and administer the ordinances of it. And all +which they have accordingly done, to the great dishonor of God, reproach +of religion, and the profession of it. + +And now, from the above principles and practices, the reader may justly +conclude how unworthily these Christians (if they may be called such) +profess to stand up for the royal prerogatives of Christ. What an +arrogant and presumptuous invasion upon, and usurpation of, the powers +and prerogatives of this glorious King, for any mortal to assume "to +appoint and call men," not to the _work_ (which yet is all that the +Church of Christ, according to the will of God, and her privileges from +Christ her head, ever claimed), but to the very _power_ and _office_ of +the holy ministry, "and to _install_ them in it." Besides, that their +doctrine as to Christ's person, which denies his divine nature and +sonship, saps the very foundations of _that_ and all his other offices. +We would, therefore, yet beseech them, by the mercies of God, "to repent +them of all their wickedness, and to pray God, if perhaps the thoughts +of their heart may be forgiven them."] + +[Footnote 7: It has been complained by some, that the sense of both the +members of this particular paragraph is obscure, and not so intelligible +as it should be to many readers; but this complaint seems rather to +arise from the want of proper attention and consideration, than from any +other cause. As to the first branch of the sentence, Among--"Such +actions and things as are necessary, and in themselves just and lawful +by a moral obligation"--may be reckoned the payment of county tolls on +highways and bridges, for the benefit of an easy and commodious +passage--keeping watch in cities which have no settled or regular +guard, to prevent public damage by fire or otherwise. In like manner, +the payment of custom in public markets or fairs, or of town dues, all +of which, being intended for the benefit of public corporations, are +given or paid as the price of liberty and privilege of trade and +commerce. And to this may be added, such necessary instances of +_self-defense_ as a person may be obliged to, when maliciously and +villanously attacked in his character or goods, by persons perhaps +designedly taking advantage of his Christian temper, or profession. Or +when perhaps a person may be maliciously charged with, and prosecuted +for crimes not only peculiarly dishonorable to religion, but even +capital, as has been the case with some individuals. In all such cases, +self-defense at law becomes necessary before the ordinary courts and +judges of any nation, or place of the world whatever, when such defenses +are admitted without the formal and explicit acknowledgment of the +lawfulness of unjust or usurped authority (when such happens to be in +place, as in the instance of Paul's appeal to Caesar, Acts xxv), or +acting any otherwise contrary to justice and charity. And with regard to +the other branch of the sentence where it is observed--"That a +difference ought to made between those things that cannot be had, nor +yet the value and equivalent of them, unless the person actually give +it," &c.: This is sufficiently explained in a paragraph, page 163, near +the foot. Prayers for God's blessing on any government--enlisting and +bearing arms in their service--accepting offices and places of power +from them--swearing oaths of fidelity to them, &c.--are such things as +can by no means be got, nor yet the equivalent of them, unless the party +actually consents and grants them. These, therefore, and, such like, are +the only instances of action which, the Presbytery judge, do, in their +own nature, contain and express a proper and explicit acknowledgment of +the lawfulness of that authority which they immediately respect.] + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Act, Declaration, & Testimony for the +Whole of our Covenanted Reformation, as Attained to, and Established in Britain and Ireland; Particularly Betwixt the Years 1638 and 1649, Inclusive, by The Reformed Presbytery + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ACT, DECLARATION, & TESTIMONY *** + +***** This file should be named 13200.txt or 13200.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/1/3/2/0/13200/ + +Produced by Jordan Dohms and PG Distributed Proofreaders + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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