The history of the indulgence shewing its rise, conveyance, progress, and acceptance : together with a demonstration of the unlawfulness thereof and an answere to contrary objections : as also, a vindication of such as scruple to hear the indulged / by a Presbyterian.

IX. Hovv it is against our Covenants.

I Hope, it will be granted, that the obligations of the Covenants, Vowes and Solemne Engagments are upon us; and that I need do no more here, than show, wherein the accepting of this Indulgence was against our Covenants; and this is to me manifest from these Particulars.

1. It is a chiefe part of that Religion, and head of that Doctrine, that we are obliged by all our Covenants and Vowes to defend, viz. That Christ is sole King and Head of His Church, which is His House and Kingdome; and consequently, we are obliged to do nothing, that may wrong His Right, and entrench upon His Royal Prerogatives. But what wrongs the accepting of this Indulgence carrieth alongs with it, against the Royal Prerogatives of Christ, as sole Head and King of His Church, we have seen above, under the first Head, and we need not here re∣peat them.

2. We are obliged by our Covenants to defend and own Presbyterian Govern∣ment, as is granted by all: but in how many particulars this Indulgence crosseth the principles of Prebyterian Government, we have seen above, under the Second Head; and as to all these particulars our Covenants are violated.

3. How we are engaged by our Covenant against P••elacy, the second Article of the Solemne League and Covenant can tell us; and how many wayes the accepting of this Indulgence, did contribute expresly or virtually, unto the strengthening of Prelacy, we saw above, under the foregoing Eight Head: And it is past all question, that these particulars there mentioned are utterly inconsistent with an Endeavour to extir∣pat Prelacie.

4. We cannot be ignorant, that in the Solemne Acknowledgment of sins, and Engag∣ment to duties, we vowed and swore to study and endeavoure to preserve Religion in purity, against errour &c. and particularly against Erastianisme, in these words, Be∣cause many have of late laboured to supplant the liberties of the Kirk, we shall maintaine and defend the Kirk of Scotland in all her Liberties and Privileges, against all who shall oppose & undermine the same, or encroach thereupon, under any pretext whatsomever. And certaine it is, that Erastianisme was never so regnant in Scotland, as it is, and hath been, since this Catastrophe began, and that the Liberties and Privileges of the Church are not only now opposed, encroached upon, and undermined, but overturned and qui∣te taken away. Now, how became it all, who minded faithfulness and steadfastness in their Covenant, to stand fast in this Particular, and be tender of all the Privileges of the Church, and to guaird against very thing, which might contributee in the least, or be justly interpreted to contribute unto this Invasion, or prove a consent thereun∣to?

But on the other hand, in how many Particulars, the accepters of the Indulgence stand guilty here, hath been shown above, and may be seen under the Third and First heads.

5. We are expresly bound by our Covenants, not to suffer ourselves Directly, or Indirectly, by whatsoever Combination, Perswasion, Suggestion, Allurment, or Terrour, to be divided or withdrawn from our blessed Union and Conjunction, whether to make defection to the contrary Party, or to give ourselves to à detestable Indifferency or Neutrality. But, now, as to this Indulgence, what a divisive mo∣tion it was, is notour enough; and it was, by the confession of some of the chiefe of the Indulgers themselves, said to be intended for that end; and beside this, the thing it self speaketh out this with a loud voice. How manifest and great a breach is hereby made among the suffering remnant, is beyond all denial; and how great, consequently, and manifest the breach of Covenant is, upon this account, is Alas! too obvious and plaine.