IT will, no doubt, be reputed by many, a work both superfluous and Unseasonable at this time, to publish any thing of this Nature. Superfluous, in regard that our Principles and practises are already abundantly manifest to the world, particularly in our Informatory Vindication, The Testimony against the Toleration, and the Contendings and sufferings of many of our dear brethren in their adhering to the same. And unseasonable, by reason of our present Circumstances, being this day as sheep scattered upon the mountains, without a sheep-herd to gather or lead us: No man taking care for our souls: But in stead thereof, all or most part waiting for our halting, Looking for and Lying in wait, to catch Advantage against the Cause, through the least misbehaviour of any of those who oun it: And would, we doubt not, be glad of any thing whereby they might get the least shaddow of ground to reproach; Now when we are as signes and wonders, and have for moe to Criticize upon our words and actions, than to kyth any Sympathy with the scope and designe of what we intend by the same. Upon these and the like considerations, it may be a question, whether at this time it be our duty to appear in this [Page 4]manner? Seing much of the Beauty and Lustre of a Testimony, yea and much of its weight, depends upon its being both seasonably ex­hibited, and by men of understanding, that have knowledge of the times, and what Israel ought to doe. These and many other things relative to the same, as they have in some measure been pon­dered by us; so have not altogether wanted their oun weight, to de­terr us from any thing of this nature in such a Juncture. But yet u­pon the other hand, When we consider, that ever since the Lords Outstretched Arm brought redemption to this Land from Anti-Chri­stian Darkness, and in ane eminent way made it his oun, by bringing us under these Sacred and Inviolable Bonds of holy Covenants; As E­nemies to that Covenanted work of Reformation, have not been, neither at this day are wanting for their part, in carrying on their Malignant Designes, in Opposition to and for destruction of the Co­venant and Cause of God, and have been not a litle helped thereto by the faintings and Dastardly yeeldings of Unfaithfull and Declyning Ministers and Professors of the same. So Likewise, the Lord hath glorifyed his Name, and hath so far Dignified this Church, as to have the honour (to the honour of his Name be it spoken) of having still a Party in her, who notwithstanding the Hellish Cruelty of open and avowed Enemies in their persecution on the one hand, and the base and treacherous Dealings of backslyding Ministers and Professors in their Reproaches and Misrepresentations of that poor Party on the other hand. Yet over all these Difficulties, accounted it their glo­ry to be faithfull for him in their places and stations: And esteemed the least hoof of the attained unto Reformation, preferrable to their Dearest Interests: Laid hold upon all opportunities that were offered for giving a Testimony of their Love to himself, and zeal for his Pu­blick Glory, although seldome or never thought seasonable by the wise and Learned Rabbies of the time. Considering how they were helped to resist unto blood, in striving to keep the word of his patience, and contend for the faith once Delivered to the Saints. How the Lord smi­led upon their honest Designes, and received them with good-will at their hands. And Likwise considering, what God-provocking, soul-ensnaring, and Land-Desolating Courses are now on foot in these Lands; as if all we have done these years bypast were not sufficient to Draw doun the Lords deserved wrath upon us, without putting on the Capestone on all our other defections, by Joyning once more in Affi­nity with the people of these Abominations, and carrying it on under the Name of Protestant Interest, and New Reformation. And then, what strange Apprehensions the Land hath conceived of us, upon the account of our non-concurrence with the same, looking upon us as men mi­sled, drinking in and mentaining strange and pernicious principles, Despi­sers of Government, and Rejecters of the Gospell. We say, upon these and other weighty Considerations, we Judge our selves some way obliged, if we can do no more, at least to kyth our desire to follow that [Page 5] Noble cloud of Witnesses, and to go forth by their footsteps in conten­ding for Truth, by adding our mite of a Testimony to all the Truths that are this day Practicallie Controverted: and against all defections either on right or Left hand, whatsoever plausible pretences they may be covered with. Although we judge our selves, at this time, Incapable of Publishing any thing that can either make Truth more clear than it is, or yet escape the sneaking Censure of those, whose station (if they were faithfull in it) Leads them to be far more forward in this work than we.

We therefore Declare to the world, our hearty desire to embrace and adhere to the written Word of God, contained in the holy Scrip­tures of the Old and New Testament, as the only and compleat Rule of Faith and Manners: And whatsoever is founded thereupon, or ag­greeable thereunto, such as Our Confession of Faith, Larger and shorter Catechisms, Directory for Worship, Our Covenants, National and Solemne League, The Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engadgment to Duties, Causes of Gods Wrath, The Ordinary and Perpetuall Officers of the Church by Christs oun appointment, as Pastors, Doctors, Elders and Deacons, and the Form of Church Government, Commonlie called Presbyterial. We Declare our Adherence to all the faithfull Contendings for Truth, whether of old or of Late, by Ministers or Professors, against what­soever sinfull Courses, whether more refined or more grosse. And particularly, against the Publick Resolutions, Cromuels Usurpation, the Toleration of Heresies and Sects in his time. Against the Sacrilegious Usurpations and Tyranny of Char. 2d. The Unfaithfullness of Mini­sters and Professors in complying with him, by accepting his Indul­gences first or last. And in a word, to every thing aggreeable to the Matter of our Testimony as it is Declared pag. 25. and 26. of our In­formatory Vindication printed Anno 1687. Likewise, our adherence to he Testimony against the abominable Toleration granted by the Duke of York, given in to the Ministers at Edinburgh by that faithfull Minister and now glorifyed Martyr Mr. James Renuick Janr. 17. 1688. And to whatever faith­full contendings have been made, or Testimonies given against the end­eavours of any, in their striving to engadge us in a sinfull Confede­racie with a Malignant Cause, contrary to this our Testimony, since the Late Revolutions.

Next, we Declare our Rejecting of whatever is Contradictorie or contrary unto the written Word of God, or not founded therupon either Expresly, or by Direct, near-or necessary Consequence. Mo­re particularly, we Testify our Detestation and Abhorrence of Popery, Quakerisme, Libertinisme, Antinomianisme, Socinianisme, Anabaptisme, Independency, Prelacy and Erastianisme, and all Extravagancies and Errors on the right or Left hand, such as the Doting Delusions of these draun into a Consortship in and about the COTE-MOO­RE. Together with all Kinds of Idolatry, Superstition and Pro­fannesse, and whatsoever is found contrary to sound Doctrine and [Page 6]the Power of Godlinesse, and against every other thing, contrary to the Testimony of this Church, as they are particularly enumerated in Page 27. and 28. of our forsaid Vindication. And in Like manner we Disoun as a step of Defection, Declyning from, and contradictory unto the Covenanted Reformation of the Kirk of Scotland, and in­consistent with the Testimony of our Ancestours, The Publishing of that Declaration, called, The Declaration of HIS HIGHNESSE WILLIAM PRINCE of ORANGE &c. And espousing it as the state of the Church and Kingdom of Scotlands Quarrell, while he then was, and yet is, surrounded in Counsell and Army with many of the old and Inveterate Enemies of Christs Cause and people, both at home in these Lands and abroad, except France and his Associates. His unconcernednesse with the overturning the work of God in these Lands these many years, till his oun Interest, and the Call of the Pre­lats in England did prompt him to his Undertakings. Their Being set up by the Suffrages of these men of blood here in Scotland, notwith­standing of their being Immediately before Crouned and Anointed King and Queen in our Neighbouring Covenanted Land, accor­ding to all the English Popish Ceremonies, upon their engadging on their knees, before the Altar &c. To the utmost of their power to pre­serve unto the Bishops and Clergy of that Realme, and to the Churches com­mitted to their Charge, such Rites and Priviledges as do or shall appertain unto them, or any of them. As also, if we consider his other Decla­ration of the Reasons inducing him to appear in Arms in the Kingdom of England, Scotland and Ireland, emitted at the same time; Wherin he Labours to put shame and contempt upon most of all the contendings of this Church, and to bury many of the most materiall points of her Testimony. Thereby declaring his principles, and what he resol­ved upon in his after practise: And his thereby rending and over­turning that desirable Uniformity in Religion attained unto with En­gland, which these Lands cannot break without manifest Perjury; being sworn thereto by the first Article of the solemne League and Cove­nant. At Least it is a walking in their Counsels who rent the same before him; and an undenyable Corroborating and Ratifying the Sta­tutes of Omri and the works of the house of Ahab, that thereby these Co­venanted Lands should be made a desolation, and the Inhabitants thereof a hissing. Upon these and other very weighty grounds and reasons, which (if the Lord will) we may have the occasion to make knoun afterwards; We Declare the Refusal of our Concurrence with the present Course now on foot; It being no way Concerted accor­ding to the ancient Plea of the Scottish Covenanters, for the Covenanted Reformation of Religion in Brittain and Jreland, for the Doctrine, Worship, Discipline and Government of the House of God, against Poperie, Prelacie, Malignancy, Sectarianisme, Erastianisme, and whatever is contrary to sound Doctrine and the power of Godlinesse. But in stead thereof, a joy­ning and concurring with the Promotters of all these, in their Popish, [Page 7]Prelatick, Malignant and Sectarian designes, whereby Error, Profani­ty, and Wickednesse is Encouraged and Tolerated; The Lord highly dishonoured; His avowed and Declared Enemies brought in to places of greatest Power and Trust, in stead of bringing the wheel of Justice over them; Together with the addition of most of all those, who have been the chief Ring-leaders, Fomenters and Favourers of In­dulgences, Toleration, and all other Defections of this Church. This quarrel, we say, we refuse to espouse in Lieu of that other: But to signifie our displeasure therewith, refuses to concurr in any thing that we know will strengthen or encouradge the same, such as taking the Oath of Aleigance, Randivouzing at their command, Paying any Sub­sidies Imposed for that end, or doing any thing that may tend to the weakening the hands or saddening the hearts of our brethren, in their Honest, zealous and faithfull contending against the same. For which Let all concerned see the Seasonable and Necessary warning of the Generall Assembly of this Kirk to all the members thereof, July 27. 1649. Sess. 27. Gen: Assem: July ult 1648. Sess. 21. with the Humble Supplication of the Assembly to the Committee of Estates August 2. 1648. Sess. 25. Act Gener. Assem. Aug. 3. 1648. Sess. 26. Act 4. Parl. 2. Char. And what our Land mourned for Art. 9. Step. 5. of the Causes of Gods Wrath. With many places of Scripture, Acts both of Assemblies and Parliaments, which are so clear, that if they were made judges, and durst come above-board to examine the present Course; It were no great difficul­ty to the meanest capacitie, to see as great disparity between this and what our Fathers contended for, as between Defection and Refor­mation. But Lest we should be hereby suspected of mentaining the Principle of disouning all Government: Therefore, as for such Ma­gistrates, as, being rightly and Lawfully Constitute over us, shall em­ploy their Power for setting the Mediator on His Throne, and the Croun upon His head, and in defence of his Croun-Rights and Royall Prerogatives, shall act as the Ministers of God in a direct Line of Subordination to him, in Defence of our Covenanted Reformation, and the Subjects Liberties, against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianisme, Su­perstition, Heresy, Profannesse, and whatever shall be found to be con­trary to sound Doctrine and the Power of Godlinesse: and thus be­come a Terror to evil Doers, and encouragers of them that do well. We Declare, whensoever we can obtain and enjoy such Rulers, we will Oun, Embrace and Defend them to the utmost of our Power, and prove encouraging subject and obedient to them in our places and Stations. And here in pursuance of our former Testimony, we resolve to stand & wait.

Moreover, we Testify and declare against the unparallelled unfaith­fullnesse of the Ministers in Scotland, as in what they have done be­fore these Revolutions to the detriment of the Cause: So especiallie-since; in Contributing and Concurring they and their Accomplices, in their stations and to their power, with the bulk of these Old▪ [Page 8]bloodie and perjured Enemies of Christ, his Cause and people, in their set­ting up HIS HIGHNESSE THE PRINCE AND PRIN­CESS OF ORANGE, King and Queen over these Covenanted Lands, while acting directly contrarie to the Covenants; being wit­hout Covenant-Qualifications Viz. of known Integrity, Approven fidelity, Constant Affection and zeal to the Cause of God, Such against whom there is no Just Cause of exception nor jealousie; which our Covenants and the Laws of the Croun require to be in Judges Superiour or Inferiour, whom we are allowed to set over us and joyn with, according to Exod. 18.21. 2. Sam. 23.3, 4. Nehem. 7.2, 7. Being not of one perfect Re­ligion with our selves; neither in Covenant, nor admitted Covenant-wayes: without the sealing and swearing of which, our fathers, or rather we our selves, refused to receive Charles the second to the Croun. It being the very foundation, wherupon any right they have to Govern is founded: And without the Approbation and Subscription whereof, the people can never have from him, Sufficient security, either for Religion or their Just Liberties. And, if the Prelats in England, with their Associates, were so peremptory, as not to admitt him to the exercise of the Government, untill they had him engadged to mentain and defend that Abjured Hierarchie; How Astonishing is it that Pres­byterians should not have waited, till the Lord had raised up Instru­ments, rightly Qualifyed, and from whom sufficient Security for the Covenanted Reformation of the True Religion in these Lands might be had: and not to have made hast, in building up Zions breaches with the stones of that burnt mountain of BABYLON? Their unfaithfull­ness to their souls, In not representing to them the Hazard they we­re and would be in, if they entred themselves heirs to the sins of that Throne, against which the Lord hath such a Long and Eminent Con­troversie, In seeking to establish his oun Interest upon the Ruines of the Interest of Jesus Christ; which is nothing else, but to oppose the Kingdom of the son of God, by whom Kings do reigne. If he should cleave unto these men as his Trusty Counsellors, Who, as they never had the Glory of God nor the good of his People before their eyes; So now, in all their Wayes and Counsels, are seeking nothing but their oun Interest, to the Hazard and Destruction of Religion and the Desolation of the Kingdoms. If he should settle a peace with Gods Avowed and Declared Enemies, the murtherers of his poor innocent People, by ouning them as his good and Loyal Subjects, upon condi­tion of their peacable submission to his Government. And if he should Employ, Help, Concurr or Joyn with Anti-christian Forces, either at Home or Abroad. All which he hath done, and this day is doing; which cannot be otherwise Judged, but a giving of his Royall Power and strength unto the Beast: and an accession to all that blood of the Lords people, wherwith those sons of Babel have made the Lands under their Respe­ctive Tyrannies to Suim. Their unfaithfullness, in not Laying plainly and seasonably to his Consideration, what the mouth of the LORD [Page 9]of HOSTS hath spoken of all the Accounts of People, Nations, Kings, and Rulers against the Kingdom of His Son; that they Imagi­ne a Vain thing, and that he that sitteth in Heaven will have them in deri­sion, and vex them in his sore displeasure. What marks of desperate Malignancie; Enmity and hatred to the Cause and people of God, hath appeared, these Years bypast, in these men that now bear the SUAY in his Councels and Armies. How the Anger of the Lord hath been kindled, even against his dearest Saints, when they have joyned them­selves to such men as he hateth, and is Cursed. And how severelie he hath threatned and punished such Kings, as have Associate with Idola­ters & Leaned to their helps. And next, Their Unfaithfullnesse to the poor guilty Land, in not forseeing the Evil and fore shewing the Danger, of setting up Magistrates without asking Counsell at the mouth of the Lord; Although a Duty Incumbent on faithfull Watch­men, to set the Trumpet to their mouths in such Cases, and give Faith­full and Distinct Warning, lest Israel cast off the thing that is good, and the Enemie pursue him, for setting up Kings and not by God, and Princes without his knowledge. Nor yet declaring the sin and Danger of Associating in War with known Enemies of Truth and Godlinesse, such as are employed in the present Expedition: Wherby a door is ope­ned for the Introduction, Toleration, and Encouragment of Papists, Malignants and Sectaries; And the state of the Quarrell, in stead of being rightly proposed, according to the Ancient PLEA, against both right and left hand opposites; it is therby betrayed, lost and buryed. Add to all these, their pretended Fasts and Thanksgivings, for Succes­se and prosperity to the Enemies of God, his Church and people: Whereby the Lord is mocked, His Truths buryed, The peoples Souls ensnared, The Godly stumbled, A Course of Reformation rather bur­yed than raised, prosecuted or defended, And a Malignant Quarrell embraced; Yea that same Course which hath been alwayes Curst of God, and upon which he hath set evident marks of his Displeasure. The Publick Sin, for which he is this day contending against the Land: and the ACHAN which hath made Israel so oft to fall before their Enemies.

Now, if this be no false Charge, as, Alace! it is not: And if the­se be not only pieces of unfaithfullnesse, but manifest breaches of Co­venant, and very great steps of defection from the Principles and pra­ctises of the once famous Church of Scotland, as indeed they are. And if our hearing and Joyning with them, will Inferr a Concurrence with their Course, A participation of their Guilt: And a rendring of us obnoxious to the Judgments to which breach of Covenant is Lyable: Since it is such a Communion, as in the present Circumstances is Inter­preted by all to be a Tessera of Incorporation with them, and a signe of Approbation of their way, with which all must be Interpreted Con­senters that are not Contradicters. And Lykwise a laying doun of our for­mer Testimony, before the Courses Testifyed against be forsaken, as [Page 10]none will deny. Then we see not, How any Honest man, Zealous Christian, or Faithfull Minister can Condemn us, for Declaring our cheerfull Resolution, in the Lords strength, to stand off, and not to Concurr with them in this their New and strange way, by hearing them, paying their Stipends, observing their Fast or Thanksgiving days, Compearing before their Kirk-Sessions, Presbyteries, Synods, Generall Assemblies or the Lyke. But on the Contrarie, To protest and Testify against the Constitution of these Ecclesiastick Meetings; In Regard they are made up of such a corrupt mixture of Members. Some of them having embraced Indulgences; Some having given Bonds to the Councell not to preach for an Indefinite or Longer or Shorter tyme; Some having ordinarly heard and Communicated with the Curates; So­me having come under sinfull Bonds of Peace and Oaths of Aleigance, and the lyke, to the persecuting Adversaries, Repugnant to the Oath of our Covenants. Against the breaches of which Covenant, We Testifie, And against all the Injuries and Affronts that have been or are offered to the same by the Ministers in Scotland, in not preaching the perpe­tuall Obligation of them, nor Renewing them; Neither discovering particularly the breaches thereof: Yea many not once mentioning them in the Engadgments which they Require of parents, when they pre­sent their Children to Baptisme, or in their Licencing and Ordaining of persons to that Holy Function of the Ministery. Oh! How Astonis­hing! The like not to be heard among the Heathen; That these So­lemn Vows and Covenants should not only be Scorned, derided, and openly burnt, and made a Capital Cryme to oun them, by Open & Avowed Adversaries; But also cast by and buried by the Ministers of the Church of Scotland, called Presbyterians. A Covenant, without the Swearing of which, none was capable of the meanest Employment either in Church or State. A Covenant, to which Christs witnesses did alwayes Adhere: and for which they did Suffer & Contend. That Covenant, which the Representatives of Church & State in the three Kingdoms, Did Solemnly Swear and Subscribe for themselves and Po­sterity; Of which the Obligation, either to the Duty or Punishment, continues Indispensible upon the Generation; which for the Moral E­quity of its Matter, the Formality of its Manner, the Importance of its Purpose, the Holinesse of its Solemn Engadgment, and the Glory of its Ends, No power on Earth can disannull, Disable or dispense. That Covenant, which was justly thought a fitt and excellent Mean, not only to strengthen and fortifie the Kingdoms against the Common Enemy of the True Reformed Religion, Publick peace and. prosperity; But also, to acquire the favour of Almighty God towards the three Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland, as is exprest in the Ordi­nance of the Lords and Commons for taking of the Covenant Dated February 20. 1643. Surely then, the Authors and Chief Instruments of the breaches of that Covenant, are to be looked upon as those that strengthen the hands of the Common Enemy, and provoke the wrath of Almighty God against these [Page 11]Kingdoms. And if by the Declaration of both Kingdoms, Joyned in Arms Anno 1643. Such as would not take the Covenant, are declared to be Publick Enemies to their Religion and Countrey, and to be Censured & punished as Publick Adversaries & Malignants: Who seeth not now a strange falling away from these first Principles & Professions among those who either Magnify & Cry up, or at the least Connive at and Comply with such as have not taken the Covenant, Yea are known Enemies to it? Yet notwithstanding, These same Enemies have been Complyed with and Connived at, by many Ministers, in their taking Oaths Imposed by them, Repugnant, we say, to the Oath of our Covenants. And others of them having go­ne on in sundry other steps of Defection: and to no small Contradi­ction of Christs more faithfull Sufferers and Witnesses; Most part ha­ving Addressed for, and accepted of the late Anti-christian Toleration: And to this day are treading the same paths that lead to Defection, and to a detestable Indifferencie and Neutrality in the Lords Matters; without any shaddow of their Cordial Abandoning such Wofull Cour­ses: But on the Contrary, a wyping of the mouth, and saying, We have done no Evil: A Fasting, praying and Giving Thanks for successe and Prosperity to those who have devoured Jacob, and laid his habitation de­solate; Under whose shaddow they Enjoy this unhallowed ease, as if they were delivered to retain and mentain all these Abominations. Can such a work be of God? Can tender Zealous souls Concurr with it in Faith? Or, Can it stand? Which hath its foundation laid upon the Ruines of TRUTH? Such a Superstructure, as building up ZION with blood, and Jerusalem with Iniquitie. Such measures, being boun­ded by the decrees of Gods Enemies. And such Workers, who by the word of God & decrees of our Church, would be suspended, if not deposed from their Office, and brought in as delinquents to un­dergo Censure, and not as Constituent Members of a Judicatorie. In regard they have yeelded up the Liberties of the Church into the hands and will of her Enemies: and in regard they carry on a Course of de­fection, contrary to the Scriptures, our Covenants, and the Acts and Constitutions of this Church. We say again, upon these grounds, We, in our places & stations, Testify against all that they may Conclu­de or Determine in these their Ecclesiastick Courts, by Acts, Ratifi­cations, Declarations, Sentences, Censures or Commissions &c. that shall be made or Given out by them: And protests that the samen may be voyd and null, and not Interpreted as binding to the Church of Scotland. But let none think, that what we have here said can be Interpreted to be a vilipending or Rejecting of the Free, Lawfull, and Rightly Constitu­te Courts of Christ: For we do Acknowledge such to have been among the first and most effectuall Means Appointed of God, for preserving the purity, and Advancing the Power of Reformation in the Church; The sweet fruits and blessed effects wherof this Church hath somtyme Enjo­yed: which we have been endeavouring after, and are this day lon­ging for.

We Detest and Abhorr that principle, of Casting off the Ministrie, wherewith we are maliciously Calumniated, by those who Labour to fasten upon us the Odious Names of Schismaticks and Separatists, Des­pisers of the Gospel and the like. But as herein they bewray their enmi­ty to the Cause we oun; So, till they bring their oun Principles and Practises, and ours both, and try them by the Law and the Testimo­ny, the measuring Line of the Sanctuary, The Word of God, and the Practise of this Church when the Lord kept house with her, and rejoyced over her as a Brydgroom over the Bryde, They can never prove us Schismaticks or Separatists from the Kirk of Scotland, upon the Account of our Non-Union with the Backslyding Multitude therein. And herein we may have a sure and well grounded hope, that when the Lord shall decide the Controversy in the favours of Truth; In that Day, Union in Truth & Duty, and Separation sinfully considered, will be otherwise applyed than now they are. Besides, we may say (without boasting) we suppose it may be gathered from what we have done for the faithfully preached Gospell, and what Love and Respect we have ky [...]ed towards faithfull Ministers, whilst such, what our Carriage to them would yet be if we had them. Yea, we are so far from having any stated Prejudice (as some foolishly think) at any of them, for whatever their strayings have been, either as Ministers or Christians; That we Declare by these Presents, whenever the Lord shall send us such, as out of Love to God, zeal for his Publick Concernments, and Conscience of their Duty, will kyth their Resentment of their former Backslydings and Defections, by Condemning and forsaking the same, and satisfy the offended Consciences of the Lords People, by their Pu­blick Declaring the mi [...] of God Faithfully & Freely, and the Peoples Duty in order to the past and Present Courses of the time; Keeping nothing back that may be profitable for our building up in Holinesse, our manadging a Testimony for Christ, against all the forementioned or the like steps of Defection, and that the same may be Faithfully Transmitted to the succeeding Generations; That they may know what the Lord hath done for our Land, and may not be like their Fathers, a race not right in [...]eart with God, Unsteadfast and Perfidious in his Covenant. Upon these CONDITIONS, and Upon Removal of Just Exceptions, w [...] Promise our hearty Concurrence with them, in hearing them, and to doe every other thing, that Precept or former Practise to Ministers in the like Case, can oblidge Persons in our Cir­cumstances to doe to or for their Faithfull Leaders, to whom they may safely, without scruple, Commit the Charge of their souls. Withall Protesting, that this our Declaration may be a standing Ans­wer to all the Lies, Reproaches, Misinformations, or Misrepresenta­tions whatsoever, that shall be brought in against us in time coming, by whatsoever Party or Persons, upon the Account of our Non-confe­derating with them; Seing what we here Require, is both Reli­gious & Reasonable; And seing what we oun, is of no new Extraction: [Page 13]But was esteemed Truth before we had a tongue to speak for it; and, we hope, shall be so, when its Enemies & betrayers shall want a mouth to speak against it.

And now, having thus Declared our Testimony in as Compendious and Innocent a way, as the Nature and Circumstances of it will Al­low. As we are not altogether Ignorant what Acceptation it shall find from Persons of all tempers to whose hands it may come; So especially from those Ministers, Master ALEXANDER SCHIELDS, Master THOMAS LINNING, Master WILLIAM BOYD, and others their Accomplices, who have lately gone from us and left us, after the Lord (in his mercy to us) had frustrate their designe of Precipitating us into a Confederacy with all those to whom the Nations are saying, A CONFE DE RACY, by Regimenting and Uniting with the destroyers and betrayers of the Cause, and that both in Church and State; and casting in our Lots, and Interweaving our In­terests with theirs; As they had done with many of our Brethren be­fore, and also with many of our selves, which this day we desire to mourn for, And longs for that day, wherein we may Confesse the same before a Competent & Faithfull Judicatory. But if we durst say, that what we have here done, was not intended to please our selves, so neither to give Just ground of Irritation or Stumbling to any of the Lords People. And as for the wicked, who know not at what they Stumble, we may warrantably say, It was not designed to Please them, be the Event what it will. Only this, To let the Indifferent and Lukwarm Party on the one hand know, that the Lord is keeping up a handfull to witnesse for him, against their past and Present Rotten Courses of Defection, Notwithstanding their cutting off the Hair, and putting out the eyes of these three Ministers before-mentioned, and carying them in their Printed Acts and Letters through the Nations, as Trophees of their victory over them; as men whose former Lives & Doctrine had been Contrary to the former Rules and Principles of this Church, nourishing and encouraging Schisme, Division & Defection, and their former Testimonies made up, in many things, of severall Pe­remptory gross mistakes, uncharitable and Injurious Reflections ten­ding rather to kindle Contentions, than remove Divisions. All which are plainly Insinuated in their Act, Called. The Proceedings of the Assembly annent Master Linning and others. Thereby labouring, through them, to reach a blow to the Cause of God, and to all the faithfull Witnesses and Witnessings of the poor Remnant with whom they were once embarked. And that the Malignant Party may likewise know, that we look upon them as the Murtherers of our dear brethren, whose blood, as it is precious in Gods sight, so no humane power can Indemnifie; for though it be Gods glory to pardon, yet mans duty and glory is, to Administer Justice Impartially. We are not changed from our former Principles and Intentions, but our Cause is the same, whatever those who have fallen off from us may plead for. And Fi­nally, [Page 14]we desire all Persons, of whatsoever new Party they be, Mini­ster or other, that would appear more Refined than the rest, and Pre­tending to Act separately from our Enemies and Antagonists, whilst yet really Incorporate with them, and carrying on their designes more effectually, though more smoothly, and Instrumentall to break and Divide us more than any, as if purposely sent forth by the Rest for that effect; Not to mistake us, as if what we have said in order to the Rest, were not applicable to them. But on the Contrary, that we look upon their Course, as Accompanyed with many Aggravations that others are not Capable of. And so, as more loathsome to God, ought to be the more Detestable to us. And as for Neutralists, who account it wisdom to Condemn all, and Pretend to side with none, we referr them to the last Article of the Solemne League and Covenant (without forgetting the rest) Namely, That we shall Assist and Defend all that enter into this League and Covenant, in the mentaining and Pursuing thereof, and shall not suffer our selves Directly nor Indirectly, by whatsoever Combination, Perswasion or Terrour, to be Divided or withdrawn from this blessed Union & Conjunction; Whether to make Defection to the Contrary Part, or to give our selves to a Detestable Indifferency and Neutrality in this Cause. According to which Article, mens Reality and Integrity in the Cove­nant will be Manifest and Demonstrable, as well by their Ommissions as by their Commissions; as well by their not doing good as by their doing of evil. He that is not with us, is against us; and he that gathe­reth not with us, Scattereth. And whatever our Complaints be this day, tossed with Tempests and not Comforted; Yet we hope he hath thoughts of Peace and Purpose of mercy towards us. We do not mourn as those without hope: But we will bear the Indignation of the Lord, because we have sinned against him, Untill he plead our Cause and Execute Judgment for us. He hath lifted Up our Enemies that their fall may be the greater: and that He may cast them down into desola­tion for ever. He will make his Cause to Triumph at last, over all Opposition, and the Enemies foot to slyde in due time: And so put a new song of Praise in the mouths of all the faithfull friends and Fol­lowers of the LAMB.

Therefore we Appoint and Ordain, that Incontinently ye our Emissaries pass upon the tenth day of August 1692 years, unto the Mercat Cross of SANQHAIR, and there by open Proclamation make Intimation of this our Declaration, leaving Coppies of the samen Affixed upon the forsaid Mercat Crosse and other patent places of the Kingdom necessary. Given at....... upon the tenth day of August 1692 Years.

LET KING JESUS REIGNE AND LET ALL HIS ENEMIES BE SCATTERED.