Scotlands sad Complaint: Or, an Exact RELATION OF THE Barbarous proceedings of the Malignant and Royall party there.
Also the undaunted Resolutions of the Ministry of that Kingdome, to oppose them to the Death.
Together with Causes of a Solemn Humiliation and Fast, kept by them on the last Thursday of June and the first Sabbath in July, 1648.
Unto which is added the certain number of Horse and Foot intended for England; together with a discovery of their Grand Designe.
Sent from Edenborough by an Honorable Gentleman to his Friend in LONDON.
London, Printed by J. M.
Scotlands sad Complaint.
I Have seen none from you, however I will not omit to give you an account of passages here: the inclosed will shew you the undaunted resolution of the Ministry; the other go on to raise their Force, and those that are now ready are about Dumfreese, they are some 2000. Horse, and 4000. Foot at the most; but I believe by the 10. of July they will be 12000. Foot, and 4500. Horse, with those now coming over out of Ireland, & truly before that time, it is confidently reported they will be in England, and the Garrisons of Barwick, and Carlile, Garrisoned by the Scots: believe it sir, there was never such oppression of the godly in Scotland, and no hope of redresse: there lyeth such an overawing Force upon them, or else most part are very willing; their Army rises heavily, and most of their old Souldiers desert them: and indeed thus [Page 4]much take from me, that 2000. of these men are not able to fight with 800. of our men that resolve to fight: and then for their manners, Montrosses men were not neer so bad: what the Lord will do, to himself is only known; his people desire to live by Faith, for indeed there is nothing else to lay hold upon: The Prince is expected shortly hither to Barwick. I suppose I shall see you before it be long, for the Commissioners get no satisfactory answers to any thing, but the more is offerd, the more haste is made to get up a Force: but if yet we could send any considerable Body to the borders, things would quickly change. I believe the Post came in at his time, but we had no Letters nor news, but what is blown about by the contrary Party, viz. That there is rising in all parts of England, and except they get in quickly, all will be done before they come. Sir, I shall not enlarge, only desire the assistance of your prayers for
Causes of a solemn Humiliation and Fast to be kept on the last Thursday of June, and first Sabbath of July, 1648.
1. WE are to mourn for all the sins and provocation mentioned in the causes of our former humiliation, which did continue and abound notwithstanding all our Obligations to reform our wayes, and many former solemn Professions of Repentance, and withall the sharp Rods, wherewith God hath corrected; and heavy Judgments, wherewith he now threatens us.
2. We are in a special way to be humbled for the countenance that hath been given, and compliance that hath been made by too many, with Malignants, & persons disaffected to the work of Reformation, which in the just [Page 6]Judgment of God, hath at last put such power and strength in their hands, as is terrible to the People of God, and threatens his work with ruin.
We are to bewail the small proficiency under the preaching of the Gospel of many, the great contempt thereof in others, and the great obstinacy and hardness of heart in some, not only unto the despising and reproaching of their Ministry, but unto the rejecting the most powerful word of exhortation in the mouth of his servants.
We are to be humbled for the grievous backsliding that is amongst us, which hath prevailed unto the undertaking of an unlawful Engagement of War, notwithstanding the many Petitions from Burroughs and Shires, Presbyters Synods to the contrary; which undertakings, besides many sad effects amongst our selves is like to rent in sunder the Union betwixt the Kingdoms, and not only obstruct the work of Uniformity, but overturn the Foundation already laid.
We are to lament before the Lord the oppression of his people in many places of the [Page 7]Kingdom unto the spoiling of their goods, offering violence unto their persons, and forcing of their consciences, and by causing them, either to endure great affliction, or to sin against God by being accessary to a sinful course.
We are deeply to be humbled, that the Parliament being now risen, they have been so far from satisfying any of the just and necessary desires of the Kirk, or harkening to the Petitions presented unto them, that they have enjoyned obedience to all their Orders upon the grounds of their Declaration published in April.
We are to intreat the Lord in the behalf of our King, that he may be convinced, and repent of the evil of his former ways, and be inclined unto the love and approbation of the work of God, and in the behalf of those that have the power of the Kingdom in their hands, that they may desist from every sinful course, and satisfie the just and necessary desires of the Kirk, and the consciences of the well-affected in the Land by securing Religion and preserving Union betwixt the Kingdoms and Monarchical Government, in the [Page 8]Person of the King and his Posterity.
We are to beg of God, that all the purposes both of Sectaries, and of the Popish, Prelatical and Malignant party in all the three Kingdoms, against the Truth and Work of God, may be disappointed & their power crushed: So also that the Lord would strengthen his people in all these dominions, to adhere without shrinking or fainting to the Cause of God and to bear a faithful testimony thereof in the day of trouble.
Lastly, We are to pray for a blessing upon the ensuing general Assembly, that they may meet in peace and love; and being furnished with the spirit of Unity, Faithfulness, Wisdom and Zeal, they may so carry themselves in every thing, as that the hopes and designs of disaffected men may be disappointed; Truth maybe preserved, Holiness promoted amongst our selves, and the works of Uniformity advanced amongst our Neighbours.