Chapter 41

That prevailing party of Sectaries in _England_, who have broken the Covenant, and despised the Oath of God, corrupted the truth, subverted the fundamentall Government, and taken away the Kings life look upon us with an evill eye, as upon these who stand in the way of their monstruous and new fangled devices in Religion and Government; And though there were no cause to fear any thing from that party but the Gangrene and infection of those many damnable and abominable errours which have taken hold on them yet our vicinity unto and daily commerce with that Nation, may justly make us afraid that the Lord may give up many in this Land unto a spirit of delusion to beleeve lies, because they have not received the love of the truth.

Neither is the Malignant party so far broken and brought low, as that they have abandoned all hopes of carrying on their former designs against the Covenant and work of Reformation: Beside many of them in this Kingdom, who are as Foxes tied in chains, keeping their evill nature, and waiting an opportuny to break their cords, and again to prey upon the Lords people, there be standing Armies in _Ireland_, under the command of the Marquesse of _Ormond_, The Lord _Inchqueen_, the Lord of _Airds_, and _George Munro_, who forgetting all the horrible cruelty that was exercised by the Irish Rebels, upon many thousands of the English and Scottish Nations in that land, have entred into a Peace and Association with them, that they may the more easily carry on the old designes of the Popish, Prelaticall and Malignant party, And the Lord of _Airds_, and _George Monro_, have by treachery and oppression brought the Province of _Ulster_, and Garrisons therein, under their power and Command, and have redacted our country-men, and such as adhere unto the Covenant, and cause of God in that Province, unto many miseries and straits, and are like to banish the Ministers of the Gospell, and to overturn these faire beginnings of the work of God, which were unto many a branch of hope, that the Lord meant to make _Ireland_ a pleasant land.

But which is more grievous unto us then all these, our King notwithstanding of the Lords hand against his Fathers opposition to the work of God, and of the many sad and dolefull consequences followed thereupon, in reference to Religion and his Sebjects, and to his person, and Government, doth hearken unto the councels of these who were Authors of these miseries to his Royall Father and his Kingdoms: By which it hath come to passe, that his Majesty hath hitherto refused to grant the just and necessary desires of this Kirk and Kingdom, which were tendred unto him from the Commissioners of both for securing of Religion, the Liberties of the Subject, his Majesties Government, and the Peace of the Kingdome; And it is much to be feared that those wicked Counsellours may so farre prevaile upon him in his tender yeers, as to engage him in a warre, for overturning (if it be possible) of the work of God, and bearing down all those in the three Kingdoms that adhere thereto: Which if he shall doe, cannot but bring great wrath from the Lord upon himselfe and his Throne, and must be the cause of many new, and great miseries, and calamities to these Lands.

It concerns a Nation thus sinfull and loaden with iniquity and involved in so many difficulties and dangers, by timous repentance and unfained humiliation to draw near to God, and to wrastle with him in Prayer and Supplication, that our sin may be pardoned, and our iniquity done away, and that he would establish the Land in the love of the truth and inable every one in their station to do their duty boldly and without fear, and in humble dependance upon the Lord, in whom alone is the salvation of his people; Every man ought with all faithfulnesse and diligence, to make use of all these means that are approven and allowed of God, for preserving and carrying on of his work, and for securing and guarding the Land against all enemies whatsomever, both upon the right hand and upon the left.

The Spirit of errour and delusion in our Neighbour Land, in the policy of Satan hath vailed it self in many, under the mask of holinesse and is in the righteous and wise dispensation of God, armed with power, and attended with successe: Therefore all the Inhabitants of this land would labour for more knowledge, and more love of the truth, without which they may easily be deceived, audled into tentation, and would learn to distinguish betwixt the shew and power of godlinesse. We know that there be many in _England_ who be truly godly, and mourn with us for all the errours and abominations that are in that land, But it is without controversie, that that Spirit which hath acted in the Courses and Counsels of these, who have retarded and obstructed the work of God, dispised the Covenant, forced the Parliament, murthered the King, changed the civill Government, and established so vast a Toleration in Religion, cannot be the Spirit of Righteousnesse and Holinesse, because it teaches not men to live godly and righteously, but drawes them aside into errour and make them to bring forth the bitter fruits of impiety and iniquity and therefore ought to be avoyded. And not only are such of our Nation as travaile in our Neighbour-land, to take heed unto themselves that they receive not infection from such as are leavened with Errour, but these also who live at home, especially in those places where Sectaries, upon pretext of merchandise, and other civill imployments, ordinarily traffique and converse. Neither needs any man to be afraid of the power and successe of that party, Neither needs any man to be afraid of the power and successe of that party, they who have gadded about so much to change their way, shall ere long be ashamed; The Lord hath rejected their confidences, and they shall not prosper in them; How farre they may proceed in their Resolutions and Actings against this Kingdome, is in the hand of the most high; If the Lord shall suffer that party to invade this land, it may be the comfort and incouragement of all the inhabitints thereof, that not only hath that unlawfull engagement against the Kingdom of _England_ been declared against, and condemned both by Kirk and State; but also that these men can pretend no quarrell against us, unlesse it be, that we have adhered unto the Solemn League and Covenant, from which they have so foully revolted and backslidden; and that we have borne testimony against Toleration, and their proceedings in reference to Religion and Government, and the taking away of the Kings life: And therefore we trust that in such a case none will be so farre deficient in their duty as not to defend themselves against such injust violence, and in the strength of the Lord to adhere unto their former principles, with much boldnes of spirit, and willingnesse of heart; In this certainly we shall have a good conscience and the Lord shall be with us.

We are not so, to have the one of our eyes upon the Sectaries, as not to hold the other upon the Malignants, they being an enemy more numerous, and no lesse subtile and powerfull nor the other, and at this time more dangerous unto us, not onely because experience hath proven that there is a greater aptitude and inclination in these of our Land, to complie with Malignants then Sectaries in that they carry on their wicked designes under a pretext of being for the King; But also because there be many of them in our own bowels, and for that they doe pretend to be for maintenance of the Kings Person and Authority, and (which is the matter of our grife) because the King ownes their principles and wayes; which if it be not taken heed unto, may prove a great snare, and dangerous tentation to many as side with them against the Lords people, and his cause. The constant tenour of the carriage of these in this land, who stand for the Cause of God; are undeniable arguments of their affection to Monarchy, and to that Royall Family and Line wich hath sweyed the Scepter of this Kingdom for many hundreds of yeers past. Albeit his Majestie who lately reigned, refused to harken to their just desires, yet did they with much patience and Moderation of mind, supplicate and solicite his Majesty for satisfaction in these things that concern Religion and the Covenant, and were still willing, that upon satisfaction given, he should be admitted to the exercise of his power; and whatsoever envie and malice objects to the contrary, were carefull to get assurance concerning the safety of His Majesties Person, when they brought their Army out of _England_; and when notwithstanding of that assurance, the prevailing party of Sectaries were acting for his life, did to the utmost of their power, endeavour by their Commissioners that there might have been no such proceeding, And when their desires and endeavours were not successfull, did protest and bear testimony against the same. And, as both Kirk and State had testified their tender respect to his Majesty who now reigns, by their Letters written to him whilst his Father was yet living, So no sooner did the Parliament heare of his Fathers death, but they did with all solemnity proclaim him King of these Kingdoms; And after they had acquainted his Majesty by Messages with their proceedings herein, Commissioners were sent both from State and Kirk instructed with power and Commission to expresse the affection of this Kingdome to Monarchy, and his Majesties Person and Goverment, together with their desires concerning the security of Religion, and the Peace of those Kingdoms. And albeit the desires of both which are now published to the world, with his Majesties answers thereto, are such as are most just and necessary; yet the Counsels of the malignant party had so great influence upon his Majesty, that his answers are not only not satisfactory, but short of that which was many times granted by his Royal Father, and cannot be acquiesced unto, unlesse we would abandon the League and Covenant, and betray Religion, and the cause of God.

We hold it the duty of all who live in this Land, to wrestle with God in the behalfe of the King, that he may be recovered out of the snare of evill Counsell, and brought to give satisfaction to the publick desires of Kirk and State; and in their places and stations to use all endeavours with himselfe and others for that effect, and to be willing, upon satisfaction given, to admit him to the exercise of his power, and cheerfully to obey him in all things according to the will of God, and the lawes of the Kingdom, and to do every thing that tends to the preservation of his Majesties Person, and just greatnesse and Authority, in the defence and preservation of the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdomes.

But if his Majesty, or any having, or pretending power and Commission from him, shall invade this Kingdom, upon pretext of establishing him in the exercise of his Royal power, as it will be an high provocation against GOD to be accessory or assisting thereto, so will it be a necessary duty to resist and oppose the same, We know that men are so forgetfull of the oath of God, and ignorant of the interest of Jesus Christ and the Gospel, and doe so little tender that which concerns his Kingdom and the Privileges thereof, and do so much dote upon absolute and Arbitrary Government for gaining their own ends, and so much maligne the Instruments of the work of Reformation, that they would admit his Majesty to the exercise of his Royal power upon any termes whatsoever, though with never so much prejudice to Religion, and the Liberties of these Kingdomes, and would think it quarrell enough to make War upon all those who for consciences sake cannot condescend thereto. But We desire all these who fear the Lord, and mind to keep their Covenant impartially to consider these things which followes.

1. That as Magistrates and their power is ordained of God, so are they in the exercise thereof, not to walk according to their owne will, but according to the Law of equity and righteousnesse, as being the Ministers of GOD for the safety of his People; Therefore a boundles and illimitted power is to be acknowledged in no King nor Magistrate; Neither is Our King to be admitted to the exercise of his power as long as he refuses to walk in the Administration of the same according to this rule, and the established Laws of the Kingdom, that his Subjects may live under him a quiet and and peaceable life in all Godlinesse and honestie.

2. There is ane mutuall Obligation and Stipulation betwixt the King and his People; As both of them are tied to GOD, so each of them are tied one to another for the performance of mutuall and reciprocall duties: According to this, It is Satute and Ordained in the 8. Act of the 1. Parliament of King _James_ the 6. _That all Kings, Princes or Magistrates whatsoever, halding their place, which hereafter shall happen in any time to Raign and beare rale over this Realm, at the time of their Coronation and receipt of their Princely Authority, make their faithfull promise by Oath in the presence of the Eternall GOD that during the whole course of their lives, they shall serve the same Eternall GOD to the utmost of their power, according as he hath required in his most Holy Word contained in the Old and New Testament and according to the same Word, shall maintain the true Religion of_ Christ Jesus, _the Preaching of His most Holy Word, and due and right ministration of His Sacraments now received and Preached within this Realm, and shall abolish and work against all false religion contrary to the same, And shall rale the peeple committed to their charge according to the Will and Command of GOD revealed in his Word and according to the laudable Laws and Constitutions received within this Realm, And shall procure to the utmost of their power to the Kirk of God and the whole Christian People, true and perfect peace in all time comming. And that Justice and Equity be keeped to all creatures without exception._ Which Oath was sworn, first by King _Iames_ the 6, and afterwards by King _Charles_ at his Coronation, and is inferred in our Nationall Covenant, which was approven by the King who lately Reigned, As long therefore as his Majesty who now Reignes, refuses to hearken to the just and necessary desires of State and Kirk, propounded to his Majesty for the Security of Religion, and safety of his People, and to engage and oblige himself, for the performance of his Duty to his People, It is consonant to Scripture and reason and the Laws of the Kingdom, that they should refuse to admit him to the exercise of his Government, untill he give satisfaction in these things.

3. In the League and Covenant which hath been so solemly sworne and renewed by this Kingdom, the Dutie of defending and preserving the Kings Majesties Person and Authority is joyned with, and subordinat unto the dutie of preserving and defending the true Religion and Liberties of the Kingdoms: And therefore his Majestie standing in opposition to the just and necessary publick desires concerning Religion and Liberties, it were a manifest Breach of Covenant, and a preferring of the Kings interest to the interest of _Jesus Christ_, to bring him to the exercise of his Royal power, which he, walking in a contrary way, and being compassed about with Malignant Counsels, cannot but employ unto the prejudice and ruin of both.

4. Was not an Arbitrary Government and unlimited power, the fountain of most of all the Corruptions both in Kirk and State? And was it not for restraint of this, and for their own just defence against Tyranny and injust violence, which ordinarily is the fruit and effect of such a power, that the Lords People did joyn in Covenant, and have been at the expense of so much blood, pains and treasure these yeers past? And if his Majestie should be admitted to the exercise of his Government before satisfaction given, were it not to put in his hand that Arbitrary Power, which we have upon just and necessary grounds been so long withstanding, and so to abandon our former Principles, and betrary our Cause?

5. The King being averse from the Work of Reformation and the instruments thereof, and compassed about with Malignant and disaffected men, whom he hearkens unto as his most faithfull Counsellers, and looks upon as his best and most Loyall Subjects, We leave it to all indifferent men to judge, whether his Majestie, being admitted to the exercise of his Power before satisfaction given, would not by such Counsells endeavour an overturning of the things which GOD hath wrought amongst us, and labour to draw publick administrations concerning Religion and the liberties of the Subject, unto that course and channall in which they did run under Prelacie, and before the Work of Reformation: Which we have the more cause to fear, because his Royall Father did so often declare, that he conceived himself bound to employ all the power that GOD should put in his hands to the utmost for these ends; and that he adheres as yet to his Fathers Principles, and walkes in his way, and hath made a Peace with the _Irish_ Rebels, by which is granted unto them the full liberty of Popery.

6. It is no strange nor new thing for Kingdoms to preserve Religion of themselves from ruine, by putting restraint upon the exercise of the power and Government of those who have refused to grant those things that were necessary for the good of Religion, and the Peoples safety; There have bin many precedents of it in this and other nations of old, and of late. Upon these and other important considerations, It shall be the wisdom of every one who dwell in the Land, to take heed of such a temptation & snare, that they be not accessory to any such designes or endeavours, as they would not bring upon themselves, and upon their families, the guilt of all the detriment that will undoubtedly follow thereupon to Religion and the Covenant, and of all the miseries and calamities that it will bring upon his Majesties Person and Throne, and upon these Kingdoms; Such a thing would in all appearance be the undermining and shaking—if not the overthrowing and destroying of the work of Reformation: And therefore whosoever attempt the same, oppose themselves to the Cause of GOD, and will at last dash against the Rock of the LORDS Power, which hath broken in pieces many high and lofty ones since the beginning of this work in these Kingdoms: And it is unto us a sure Word of Promise, That whosoever shall associate themselves, or take counsel together, or gird themselves against GOD and His Work, shall be broken in pieces.

It is not onely joyning in Arms with the Malignant partie, that all these who would keep their integritie hath need to beware of, but also subtil devices and designes, that are promoted by fair pretexts and perswasions to draw men to dispense at least with some part of these necessarie desires, that are propounded to his Majestie for securing of Religion, After many turnings and devises the foundation of the unlawful Engagement was at last laid by his Majesties Concessions in the year 1648. Wherein though many things seemed to be granted, yet that was denyed, without which Religion and the Union betwixt the Kingdoms could not have been secured: And it is probable, that such a way may be assayed again, and prosecuted with very much cunning and skill to deceive and insnare the simple. It doth therefore concerne all ranks and conditions of persons to be the more warie and circumspect, especially in that which concerns the National Covenant, and the Solemn League and Covenant, that before his Majestie be admitted to the exercise of his Royal Power, that by and aftour the Oath of Coronation, he shall assure and 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 for himself and his successours, consent and agree to Acts of Parliament, injoyning the Solemn League and Covenant, and fully Establishing Presbyterial Government, the Directory of Worship, the Confession of Faith and Catechisme, as they are approven by the General Assembly of this Kirk and Parliament of this Kingdom, in all his Majesties Dominions, and that he shall observe these in his own Practice and Familie, and that he shall never make opposition to any of these, nor endeavour any change thereof. Albeit the League and Covenant be despised by that prevailing party in _England_, and the Work of Uniformity, thorow the retardements and obstructions that have come in the way, be almost forgotten by these Kingdoms, yet the obligation of that Covenant is perpetual, and all the duties contained therein are constantly to be minded, and prosecute by every one of us and our posterity, according to their place and stations: And therefore we are no lesse zealously to endeavour, that his Majestie may Establish, and swear, and subscribe the same, then if it were unanimously regarded and stuck unto by all the Kingdom of _England_, for his Majestie swearing and subscribing the League and Covenant, will much contribute for the Security of Religion, his Majesties happinesse, and the Peace of his Kingdoms.