A serious expostulation with that party in Scotland, commonly known by the name of Whigs wherein is modestly and plainly laid open the inconsistency of their practices I. With the safety of humane society, II. With the nature of the Christian religion, III. Their two covenants are historically related, and prov'd to be no sufficient warrant for what they do, IV. Their new doctrine of a pretended forfeiture, is prov'd to be groundless.

Third Consideration.

If the Persons, for whom I undertook this Argument, think fit to reade what has been said upon the first two Points, I hope they will not give over here, but will vouch∣safe to consider with me, in the third place, whether any Obligation, lying upon us from the late Covenants, be a sufficient Warrant for what we do. Now the best Method I can propose in this, is to give a brief Account of the Rise and Progress of both Covenants, with some impartial Reflexions upon them; in which if my Reader will not rest satisfied, he

shall have no occasion at least given him to think me te∣dious.

Our late Soveraign being fully persuaded that no Church did approach so near the Primitive Purity in Worship and Discipline, as that of England, was resolved to make his Native-Countrey share in what he judg'd so great a Blessing; and in order to it had a Liturgy, and a Book of Canons, published for the use of Scotland; where he was unhappily made believe, he should meet with Approbation from the better sort, and with Complyance from all. But the Peo∣ples insolent and mutinous Behaviour, in affronting and dis∣turbing the Persons who were ordered to read the Service in the Churches of Edenburgh, did shew how ill they were dis∣posed to receive it. This Popular Tumult the first Sunday, was soon after back'd with Petitions and other Marks of their Dislike, which obliged the Council to advance slowly, until they gave the Court advice of what had past. And before the King could come to a Resolution in a Business of so great Importance, such as were no Friends to the Govern∣ment, not only ventur'd to publish their Dissatisfaction, and to enflame the Kingdom with strange Jealousies of Popery and Arbitrary Power, but likewise formed themselves into several Tables (as they called them) of Noblemen, Gentle∣men, Ministers, and Citizens, and by a new Authority took upon them, to sum up all the Grievances which they in∣tended should be redressed; and tho his Majesties not urg∣ing the Liturgy upon that Kingdom, when he saw it could not be done in a peaceable way, might have quieted all their Minds, yet finding their Party strong beyond Expecta∣tion, they were loth to let slip so favourable a Juncture, but boldly resolved to secure themselves against all Attempts of this kind, by entering into a National Covenant, in which they pretended only to renew that, which had been sworn in the Reign of King James.

Those who adhered to the King's interest, could by no means allow of this manner of proceeding, which appeared equally disingenuous and undutiful. The discontented Party alledged in their own behalf, the President given them in the late Reign, which the others thought did no ways fa∣vour their Cause, seeing the Covenant then taken was stampt with Royal Authority, whereas theirs now seem'd directly opposite to it; for there could not be the least Pretence to the King's consent, which they never so much as desired. 'Tis true, it was upon the humble Motion of a general Assem∣bly, that the former King's Council had order'd the Natio∣nal Covenant to be taken the last time, with a Bond to maintain the true Religion, and the King's Person. But this instance of the General Assemblies Motion, which they laid hold on, was so far from justifying, that it rather condemn∣ed their Proceedings; in regard that the General Assemblies not enjoyning the Covenant, till they had first obtained his Majesties Consent, made it evident that in the Assemblies Judgment the Oath could not be renewed without that Au∣thority which first imposed it; Nor could they expect any Sanctuary from the Acts of Parliament, for it had been de∣clared by more than one, that all who leagu'd themselves together, without the knowledg of their Soveraign, were to be punished as Movers of Sedition, and Disturbers of the Publick Peace.

Besides their want of Authority, they laid themselves o∣pen to another most dangerous Censure, while under co∣lour of copying a Covenant and Bond allowed of in the late Reign, it plainly appear'd they had not taken their measures by that Standard, but had explain'd many things rather ac∣cording to their own, than King James's, Mind, and had al∣so added several new Articles of most pernicious conse∣quence, both to the King's Person, and the establish'd Go∣vernment. The King's Person was endanger'd, in so far, as

by their new Bond they enter'd into a mutual Defence of one another, against all Persons whatsoever, without except∣ing his Majesty. This the Royal Party said was in Effect to declare, that if he offer'd to thwart them, they must then oppose him, by adhering to their Covenant. Nor were they more favourable to the established Government, in which they made a wide Breach, by taking upon them to cancel all the Acts of Parliament, and of General Assemblies, that authorized the high Commission, the five Articles of Perth, or the sitting of Bishops in Judicatures. Now by these and several other Instances of this kind, it seem'd strange with what face they could make their Covenant and Bond pass for the same with the former Kings, seeing it was not to be presum'd that the Father design'd to lessen either his own or his Son's Authority; Nor to teach his Subjects how to combine without being Rebels; nor yet to favour the ex∣tirpating the Articles of Perth, and other Things after his Death, which in his Life he had so industriously promoted.

Whatever Influence these Pretences might have upon un∣discerning People, or such, as gave an implicite Credit to whatever their Pastors taught them, the World abroad had much different Thoughts. Nor could all the Endeavours that were used to win many of the Reformed Religion in France, to a good Opinion of such Courses; for they hav∣ing long inveighed against that wicked Association at home, call'd the Holy League, found their Mouths now stop'd, when the Protestants, contrary to the Principles of our Re∣ligion, did exactly follow so ill a Pattern, set them by Pa∣pists. Besides, they knew not what to think of Men, who, setting up for some further degrees in Reformation, thought sit to communicate their Counsels with Cardinal Richelieu, whom they in France look'd upon as the most dangerous E∣nemy then alive to the Protestant Interest; and indeed how that Cardinal's Creature, a bigotish Fryar, whom he em∣ploy'd

at that time in Scotland, could go along in their Coun∣sels, and be so much in the Confidence of Men, that pre∣tended to root out all the Seeds of Popery, is a Thing yet unaccountable; and the more to alienate Peoples Hearts from the new Liturgy, they did maliciously give out, that it was forg'd at Rome, and approv'd of by the Pope. Yet the King's Friends might have defied them, to shew so much of Popish Counsel in the framing or introducing that mistaken Book, as did appear in the Methods they made use of to op∣pose it.

The King perceiving how successfully they carried on their Designs, and gain'd many of his Subjects to their Par∣ty, by frighting them with Popery and Arbitrary Power, dispatch'd the Marquess of Hamilton into Scotland, in Qua∣lity of Commissioner, with Order, to issue out a Declara∣tion, containing all the Assurances which could be desired of his Majesty's firmness to the Protestant Religion, together with his Engagement upon his Royal Word not to enjoin the Liturgy, nor think of any Innovation, unless in such a fair and legal way, as none could reasonably except against. Whereupon those of the other Party, being apprehensive lest this might remove most of the Peoples Prejudices against the Government, used their utmost Endeavours to hinder the Marquess from publishing the King's Declaration; and when this could no longer be done, got time enough to form a most bold Protestation, by which they labour'd to evade all that was alledged against them, and to justify their whole Conduct, declaring roundly, towards the Conclu∣sion, That if his Majesty did not allow of their Proceedings, they were resolv'd of themselves to call a General Assembly, which would be more favourable to them.

The King's Declaration being thus in a great Measure ren∣dred ineffectual, and their Obstinacy, in adhering to the Covenant, growing still greater, a way was thought on

how Things might be accommodated, without great Pre∣judice to the Crown, and the Covenant be rendred toler∣able; The Royal Party therefore proposed, that in the Bond of mutual Defence against all Persons whatsoever, the Covenanters, who stood so much upon their Loyal In∣tentions, would vindicate them to the World, by except∣ing his Majesty, and declaring, that in their Bond they ne∣ver design'd any Opposition to his Authority. But this most reasonable Demand, the Heads of that Party could by no means be brought to grant; and no wonder, if their re∣jecting so fair and so easy a Proposal, gave those, who were Enemies to their Covenant, occasion to complain, that their Practice now began to discover it self inconsistent with what they at first pretended; for whereas in the Covenant they declared from their Heart before God and Man, that they had no intention, nor desire to attempt any Thing, which might turn to the diminution of the King's Greatness and Authority; it seem'd hard now to reconcile this and o∣ther such Expressions, with their Threatning, to assume the King's undoubted Prerogative, in calling an Assembly, and with their refusing to give the King the Satisfaction of excepting him in their mutual Bond, even when by his Com∣missioner he so earnestly desired it.

There remain'd yet one expedient for the King to ruin all they had done, and this was to renew his Father's Cove∣nant; and by this means for ever to defeat their malicious Suggestions of his Inclinations to Popery, which was there so plainly renounced, or at least to make the whole World see, how disingenuous they were, if they offer'd to oppose that Covenant, which from the Beginning they pretended to have sworn. His Majesty, accepting of this Motion, was pleased to give his Commissioner Authority, that at the same time, he recommended the Covenant, he should abso∣lutely revoke the Liturgy, the Book of Canons, and the

high Commission, forbid the Practice of the five Articles of Perth, after a general Pardon to such of his Subjects, as having been misled, were willing to return to their Alle∣giance; and lastly, that for examining all their just Grie∣vances, he should declare his Majesty's gracious intentions to call a General Assembly and a Parliament, where neither Bishops nor others were to be exempted from Censure, but proceeded against in a due and legal Form according to their Misdemeanors.

Upon the news of the King's Covenant, which came thus accompanied with so many and so large Expressions of Kind∣ness, and with such undeniable Marks of his gracious In∣clinations to purchase his Subjects Affections at any rate, some who before despair'd of a good Issue, and others, who be∣gan to shake in their Allegiance, were again confirmed, nothing doubting, but that the Way to heal the dangerous Breach was now found out, and that the Jealousies of Pope∣ry and Innovation being sufficiently remov'd, all Parties would henceforth concur in expressing their Duty to his Majesty. But it proved much otherwise with those, who were deeply engaged in the Covenant, whom no Indulgence could sweeten, nor Concession satisfy, with Contempt did they reject the proffer of Pardon, because accepting thereof might have perhaps argued Guilt, and a tacite yielding the Point, when they were resolved to insist upon the Merits of their Cause; the King's Covenant, which had been so dear to the Nation in the former Reign, and under the shadow of which their new Covenant had first taken Root, was now cryed down as an hellish Contrivance to destroy Reli∣gion, and the Power of Godliness, and all that subscribed it, were declared perjur'd, tho they had made their own hi∣therto pass with the common People for the same; to be short, all being now at stake, and they like to be ruined by their own Arts, it was high time to pull off the Mask.

Finding then that they could no longer pretend the late King's Authority, they fled to a greater, protesting their Adherence to the new Covenant, as immediately sealed from Heaven. Had they been able to give any Evidence for that Seal, no wonder if they still made good their Party; but when their prevaricating was already so plain, People were extreamly credulous to rest satisfied in this upon their bare Word. I shall only adventure to say, it was no Argument of their having the Seal of God, because they wanted that of his Vice-gerent; which was indeed a strong Presumption against them, and questionless the most zealous Espousers of that Interest, whatever Assurances they seemed to have of God's approving what they then did, will be so ingenuous as to own it a Thing of dangerous Consequence, for all esta∣blished Governments to give Encouragement to Preten∣ces of this Nature, seeing at this rate all, who design to im∣pose upon the World, may easily seign a Warrant from God, and so set up in Opposition to Authority.

That very Resolution of adhering to their Covenant, which made them fiercely oppose the King's, and reject his Act of Grace, prompted them to join with his Motion for a General Assembly, because from thence they were sure to draw some Advantage; and tho the King might justly have refused to make good his Proffers, when they had so unduti∣fully rejected the greatest Part of them; yet being willing to gratify his Subjects in every Thing, the Commissioner had Order to appoint the Time and Place. No sooner were they sure of an Assembly (at Glasgow, the 21st of November, 1638.) but Engines were set on work to dispose Things for the Advancement of the Cause: The Marquess of Hamilton being to preside there for his Majesty, proposed some Pre∣liminaries to regulate Elections, and to prevent such Disor∣ders and Disputes, as were like to arise, if they observed not one and the same Method every where; these the Tables

would not hear of, alledging that nothing of this kind could be done, without encroaching upon the Liberties of Christ and of his Church. While at the same Time that the King's Commissioners Preliminaries were rejected, they themselves durst adventure to agree upon eight Articles or Directions to Presbyteries, wherein they determin'd the Members that were to be chosen, the Matters that were to be handled, and the Manner they were to proceed in the Assembly, in every one of which all indifferent Persons thought the Tables guilty of a more open Encroachment upon Christ and the Liberties of his Church, than could be charg'd upon the Marquess, for his modest and reasonable Proposals.

Amongst other unwarrantable Methods, none was more re∣markable than their directing Lay-elders from every Parish, to be present at the several Presbyteries, to vote in the Election of Members for the Assembly; Nor could these ruling Elders fail to carry the Elections as they pleased, if we consider, that six Ministers being declared Candidates in every Presby∣tery, were obliged to retire, as having no Vote in choo∣sing or rejecting themselves, and then the remaining Mini∣sters being lessen'd after this Manner in Number, were plainly out-voted everywhere by the Elders. Surely this was the first Time that ever Secular Men had the naming an Ecclesiastical Assembly; nor needed they have questioned the Success, where the Business was to be manag'd by no o∣ther than their own Creatures; yet contrary to the Practice of former Assemblies in Scotland, contrary to the Practice of all Churches and Ages, they took upon them to go and sit Members themselves in the Assembly, not only to advise in Matters of Discipline, for which they might perhaps have brought a President, but also to decide controverted Points in Divinity, for which, to say no worse, many of them were very ill qualified by their Education. And now let the whole World judge if it were not an Act of Partiality,

not to be paralell'd, for them to cry out upon Bishops and Clergy-men's medling in Secular Affairs, and do now raise such an outery against the King's Supremacy, pretending that it is inconsistent with the Nature of Spiritual Things, to bring them under the Government of the Secular Power: When they themselves, who were Secular Persons, did so manifestly invade the most undoubted Prerogative of the Ministry, heavy Complaints were given in, of the insuppor∣table Yoke of Prelacy: but in truth that of Secular Men, lording it then over God's Inheritance, was much more grie∣vous than the former. Nor were the wiser Sort of Ministers among them insensible of this Usurpation, only they were asham'd to complain much of the Uneasiness of those Chains, wherewith they had help'd to fetter themselves.

If the brevity, which I propose, would allow me, it might be suitable enough with my Design, to give a full Ac∣count of what past in that memorable Assembly, and shew how they confirm'd the Covenant there by the same Me∣thods, by which it was at first set on foot, and had hither∣to been carried on. But it is sufficient at present to observe, that the certain Prospect of a fatal Issue, both to King and Government, if not timely prevented, obliged the King's Commissioner to dissolve the Assembly within a few Days af∣ter their Meeting. And when he expected Compliance, he found them ready with a Protestation to continue their Sessi∣ons, till such Time as they had finished the glorious Work for which they met; however, their refusing to obey the King's Commands, signified to them by his Commissioner, was perfectly inconsistent with what the most eminent among them had said, some days before at the opening the Assembly; for then they exprest in several Harangues their Sense of the King's Bounty and Tenderness in bringing them thither: and who can deny but he, who only had Authority to call them, could also dissolve them at Pleasure? and tho both are equal∣ly

Royal Prerogatives, yet undoubtedly our Princes have Reason to set the highest Value upon their Power of Dissolv∣ing, which has been useful to them upon many Occasions; nor did ever the Crown receive so deep a Wound, as when our late Soveraign parted with this choice Prerogative, and so lay at the Mercy of a Parliament, which the Fears of Dissolution could only have bridled, and kept them within some Com∣pass. But to return to the Assembly: When so great a Con∣tempt was put upon the King, they went on in a most vio∣lent and illegal Manner, to excommunicate some of the Bi∣shops, and to depose all the rest; many Acts of Parliament were rescinded, the Determinations of forty Years Assem∣blies were declared void; all Persons were enjoin'd to take the Covenant under pain of Excommunication; and to give the World a lasting Instance of their Modesty, they conclu∣ded with a Letter to his Majesty, justifying their whole Procedure, and entreating him, that he would look upon them as good and dutiful Subjects, and be satisfied with what they had done.

No wonder if Provocations of so high a Nature did beget suitable Resentments in the King, who after so much abus'd Indulgence, had no Way left to maintain his Right but by Arms; nor did the Covenanters decline a Breach, having made early Preparation for it; so that, before the King came to any Act of Hostility, they seized upon his Castles, levied Troops, impos'd Taxes, and cast off all manner of Alle∣giance; and even when his Majestie's Aversion from shedding his Subjects Blood, made him, upon the Head of a brave and numerous Army, yield to terms of as great Condescension as Necessity could have extorted, and send them home gra∣tified in all their Demands, without fighting; yet new Grievances arm'd them again; and whereas at first they stop'd on the Borders, now most boldly they march into England, force their Passage at Newburn, and refuse to return, un∣til

the King agreed to come into Scotland, there to pass all his Concessions into Acts of Parliament.

His Majesty failed not to make good what he promised, and having purchas'd their Allegiance at so dear a rate, might justly have challeng'd their entire Obedience upon the Prin∣ciples of Gratitude, as well as Duty; but upon the woful Rupture, which soon after followed, betwixt him and his English Parliament, the Spirit and Temper of our Cove∣nanters did discover it self more than ever. Far from being satisfied with the great Trouble they had occasion'd at home, or with the Settlement procur'd to their Hearts Desire, they cherish the two Houses in their unreasonable Demands about Religion; and, as it is most ingenuously observed by a late Writer of our Nation, shew themselves now as violent in pressing England's Uniformity with Scotland, as they were formerly in condemning the Design of bringing Scotland to an Uniformity with England.

'Tis not my Task to meddle with the Differences betwixt the King and his English Parliament, which I leave to the excellent Pens of that Nation; but sure I am, there was not the least Reason for Scotland's espousing the Parliaments Quarrel, or for fomenting their Jealousies of a Prince, who had so lately given us such undoubted Marks of his transcen∣dent Bounty, in yielding to all that our Covenanters de∣manded; besides, by the Explication of the Covenant, we obliged our selves to assist his Majesty in every Cause that concern'd his Honour; and so ought to have been thankful for his Majesty's Condescension, in suffering us to continue neutral; yet notwithstanding these Obligations, The Par∣liament's Interest was so dear to our Commissioners then at London, that forgetting the Quality of Mediators, in which they first appear'd, they sided openly with the Houses a∣gainst the King. Nor were our Ministers at home less par∣tial, our Pulpits did ring with Curses against some, who

were for a Neutrality, as Enemies to the Cause of Christ, and the Reformation of England; all were invited to join in so meritorious a Work, and at length all Sense of Duty was so entirely cast off, that the chief Promoters of those De∣signs adventur'd to assume to themselves a most undoubted Prerogative of the Crown, in summoning a Convention of Estates without the King's Leave.

From a Convention call'd without Authority, there was no reason to expect any legal Proceedings, or Complyance to the King, who yet vouchsafed to approve of their Mee∣ting, upon Condition, they would observe such Limitati∣ons, as were prescrib'd in his Letter. But the Business of England, and the raising an Army, being the only Things, which he forbid them to meddle with, were the first which fell under their Consideration; and Commissioners being sent from the Parliament of England to treat about an Army, our Con∣vention of Estates, notwithstanding the King's special Com∣mand to the contrary, received them with open Arms, a∣greed readily to their Demands, and exprest such an hearty Desire of a strict Union betwixt the two Kingdoms, that their warm Consultations did in a few Days hatch the solemn League and Covenant.

It was strange to see a League, which so highly concern'd a King, two Kingdoms, differing much in Laws and Constitutions, and two Churches, differing no less in Wor∣ship and Discipline, so easily and suddenly concluded. It was first seen, afterwards approved, and lastly sworn in the General Assembly, all within the short Period of three Days. The Ministers made this wonderful Unanimity pass with the People for an undeniable Testimony of the Divine Appro∣bation; tho others, who could never be convinced that the former Covenant received its Seal from Heaven, enter∣tain'd no better Opinion of this, but did attribute their A∣greement only to the dexterous Management of the Leaders,

who had such a powerful Influence and Authority over the rest, that they seldom fail'd in any Thing they proposed.

The whole Negotiation ended without any Debates. Yet there was apparent jugling on both Hands; for the English Commissioners had a great mind to carry with them a Scotish Army, but had no liking at all to our Presbytery; and therefore consenting to a Reformation, according to the Word of God, told one another that they understood well enough what to make of that at home; the Scotish on the other Hand designing to get Presbytery establish'd in Eng∣land, cast in the Words of Reforming, according to the Practice of the best reformed Churches, hoping this made sure for theirs, as the most perfect Model that could any where be found; our Ministers were likewise for abjuring Episco∣pacy as simply unlawful; but neither the English Commis∣sioners then in Scotland, nor the Parliament or Assembly of Divines at Westminster, thought fit afterwards to declare that Institution unlawful: whereupon the Article was conceived to import only an abolishing of Episcopacy, as it was then in England, without condemning what the Primitive Church had allow'd in all its Purity. To describe all the subtile Arts which were used, the manifest Elusions and Breaches where∣with we charged England, and England us, together with the fatal Consequences of this Covenant in both Nations, would require much pains and leisure. It will suffice at pre∣sent to make some brief Reflections, which may serve to cool our too great Fondness of it.

All that could be alledg'd against the National Covenant was of force against this; besides many Material Circumstan∣ces to render it yet more inexcusable; for if we never find Subjects lawfully united among themselves, without the Prince's leave, much less could the Subjects of one Nation take upon them to make a League with those of another, contrary to the King's Command, and in Prejudice of his

Authority. Ought we not to have been contented with the Enjoyment of all we could desire at home, without medling in the Concerns of another Nation, who generally did not appear fond of an Alteration, and never were fitted for our Church-discipline? Was there no more regard due to a So∣veraign, who had deserv'd so well at our hands, than even to pursue him out of his native Countrey; and grudge him that Liberty of Conscience in England, which he had gra∣ciously yielded to us in Scotland? We read of many Nations that engag'd in Wars for the Enlargement of their Sove∣raign's Empire, or Authority over Strangers, we alone shall be known to Posterity as guilty of helping Strangers to shake off the Allegiance due to a Prince born among our selves. But besides these general Reflexions, every one of the six Ar∣ticles, whereof this Covenant consisted, lay open to several Exceptions. As

I. It seem'd hard, that every ignorant Person in Scotland should be obliged by Oath to endeavour the Reformation of England, according the Word of God and the Practice of the best reformed Churches. What knowledg, alas! could Persons of so mean Capacity or Education be presumed to have of Differences among reformed Churches, of which they were to judge upon Oath! how could they weigh the Advantages of Holland above Geneva, of France above Hol∣land, or of Scotland above France, and accordingly endea∣vour the Reformation of England? truly 'tis to be doubted that more was here required of the meanest and weakest of the People, than many of our ablest Ministers could well have perform'd: how could such Persons examine nice Que∣stions about Church-Government according to Scripture, which have divided the learned World? and yet the Vulgar were to judge of such, seeing by those Rules they swore to proceed. Nor do I see any shift, unless we allow them to resign their Judgment by an implicite Faith in their Teachers,

which makes no decent Evasion for a Reformed Church.

The second Article was lyable to the same Exceptions with the former: They swore,

To extirpate Popery, Pre∣lacy, Superstition, Heresy, Schism, Profaneness, and what∣soever should be found contrary to sound Doctrine, and the Power of Godliness.

This I take to have been a very hard Task for every one to perform, and more certainly, than ought to be required of any Man, in Things which are not plain beyond controversy, as all such Points were not then amongst them: for we find, that one Minister did of∣ten inveigh against Opinions, as savouring of Popery, which another as positively deny'd, charging the contrary Opinions, as leading to Schism; and ignorant Persons, who under pain of Perjury were equally engag'd against Schism and Popery, must have found strange Storms, raised in their Minds, and their tender Consciences dreadfully rack'd, while they could not understand, which of the opposite O∣pinions they might safely embrace.

Tho the former Part of the third Article concern'd Things of a quite different Nature, yet the Objections are much of the same kind, by that all were engag'd to defend the Rights and Priviledges of Parliament: But, alas! who could ex∣pect that common People should be put to determine such, when we hear of Debates started frequently concerning Pri∣viledges, which the Wisdom of our greatest Senators is scarce able to accommodate, and seldom is it so done, as to answer all Objections, or satisfy every Member. Suppose a Parliament so divided, that it comes to a Breach, to what Party must the People then adhere, who are not able to judge, which of the two really maintains their Priviledges, where both with Confidence pretend it, and back their Pretences with plausible Reasons. Nothing could have been more for the Peace of the World, than that a greater Re∣verence had been kept up for Vows and Oaths, by not ma∣king

them too common: But seeing our Fathers would not be satisfied without engaging Persons of all Ranks in Oaths, 'tis to be wish'd that ordinary People had only been bound to live peaceably in their Stations; to obey those who by the Laws of the Land were set over them; not to counte∣nance Division and Faction, nor turn States-men and Cen∣surers of their Superiours: for in these and the like Engage∣ments there had only been a further Ty laid upon them to perform easy, plain, and necessary Duties, suitable to their Capacities, without medling in Matters beyond their reach. Whereas our late Covenants did unadvisedly raise such Per∣sons above themselves, injoin'd them Things they could not discharge, and, contrary to all reason, spurr'd those on to be troublesome, who stood more in need of a Bridle to check their natural Fierceness, and the ill-grounded Opi∣nion they had of their own Sufficiency.

By the latter Part of the third Article the Subjects Allegi∣ance to the King was limited to the Preservation and De∣fence of the true Religion; as if Princes Rights, whatever they are, ought not to be maintain'd without any manner of Restriction; this was a clear Diminution of the King's just Power and Greatness, and consequently, inconsistent with what they swore before in the National Covenant: But how ill they intended from the Beginning to maintain the King's Power and Greatness, their Positions as well as their Practices do declare. If we look critically into the History of that Time, we see manifest Gradations in their Encroach∣ments upon the Royal Authority: At their first entring into the National Covenant, it was alledg'd, that the Body of the Nation, consisting of Church and State, might unite to resist the King. Some Years after, when the Union be∣twixt the two Kingdoms was so vehemently carried on, it was declared lawful to assist our Neighbours in extorting from our Soveraign the same Terms for them, which of his

Royal Bounty he had formerly vouchsafed to grant us. At last, we advanced a Step higher, and boldly maintain'd, That a few Associate Counties might take Arms against the Authority both of King and Parliament; and that, having Power, they wanted not Right, upon all Occasions, to curb the Excesses of Government. Now here we may ob∣serve that the extravagant Proceedings of some Western Counties, upon these seditious Principles, fix'd upon them the Name of Whigs; which contemptible Mark of Distincti∣on was for many Years appropriated to us; till of late that, to the Grief of all Men, it is become more universal, and has now unluckily crept into the next Kingdom; and, not∣withstanding its infamous Rise, is there too liberally be∣stow'd upon some, and too much gloried in by others. Thus the Barbarous Name of Guelphs, which had for a long Time been given to those in Germany that oppos'd the Emperour, was at length fatally transplanted from its native Soil into Italy, a warmer Climate, where it took deeper Root, and became, for many Ages, the Fomenter of terrible Disorders. But I hope our Prince's Wisdom will think fit to give an ear∣ly and effectual Check to this and all other Names of Facti∣on, which insensibly undermine the Government, alienate Mens Affections from one another, make wicked Men more desperate, when they see themselves discover'd, especially when by the same Means they are enabled to discover the Strength and Number of their Party, besides many other unforeseen Inconveniences, which may help to bring us back into our former dreadful Confusion.

The fourth Article did, in the Judgment of many, set up a new Inquisition, sufficient to make all tremble that were disaffected to the Cause; and 'tis plain their violent Courses gave too much ground for this Complaint: such as out of real Conscience towards God, or Sense of Duty towards their Prince, refused to sign the Covenants, were, after a

strange manner, declared Enemies to God and the King, proceeded against as Traitors, and forced either to undergo Banishment, or languish in Prison, while their Estates be∣came a Prey to those, who appeared most zealous in perse∣cuting them. This inevitable Danger obliged many to dis∣guise themselves into a seeming Compliance, to what in their Hearts they did detest. And these Methods being then made use of to settle the Purity of the Gospel among us, no wonder if there were more of Hypocrisy than of the Power of Godliness in our Profession; or, if God were thereby provok'd to disown us and our Cause, and to leave the Nation for many Years to groan under an heavy Bondage.

The fifth Article, which was for executing Justice upon all wilful Opposers, falls under the same Exceptions with the former, and might be illustrated with too many Instances of Cruelty, which those Times afford us: How were our Scaffolds dy'd with the Blood of our Nobility and Gentry, who oppos'd the Torrent, and stood up for the Royal In∣terest! How were Prisoners of War most unhumanely sen∣tenc'd, and put to Death, and all, that were like to cre∣ate them any trouble, destroy'd without Mercy! I need not descend to any Particulars, which are still too well known; and indeed as I am loth to make Strangers ac∣quainted with them, so I wish there could be a Curtain drawn to hide such Tragical Pieces from the View of After-Ages.

Their sixth and last Article was a Bond of mutual De∣fence against all Opposers, without excepting the King; and this alone might serve to render the whole void: for if the Oaths of Subjects without the Prince's Consent, in Things relating to the Publick, can never bind, much less then, if they directly encroach upon his Authority. If a Vow could absolve Subjects from their Duty, or deprive the Prince of his Right, then we should only be Subjects, till we vow'd

the contrary; and thus the World might find a compendi∣ous Way to shake off all Dependance. But as the Vowing the Violation of any Man's Property, doth not give us a Title to do it, but only renders our Oath unlawful; so where it is in Prejudice of the Prince, every Circumstance helps to condemn us. When those, who retain'd any Principles of Loyalty, insisted upon this, they did fly to their sincere In∣tentions towards the King: but nothing can so well explain their Meaning, as their Practices afterwards; which, for the Honour of our Nation, ought either to be buried in e∣ternal Oblivion, or else so clearly manifested to the World, that the Guilty might only be infamous to Posterity, while the sounder Part of the Kingdom recover'd to it its native tincture of Honesty and Loyalty.

Having given some short Hints of the manner of entering into both Covenants, of their Nature and Design, I am per∣suaded there needs no further Evidence of their Unlawful∣ness from the Beginning, or of their many other Nullities, to prove that they could lay no Obligation upon those very Persons, who subscrib'd them; and if not upon them, much less upon us, who are their Children, to stand to what they then did. Nor do I indeed find any formal Ty upon Po∣sterity mention'd in either Covenant: for what is alledged from the former, where 'tis declared,

That they are con∣vinced in their Minds, and confess with their Mouths, that the present and subsequent Generations in this Land are bound to keep that National Oath and Subscription inviolable;

may prove perhaps that such was the Opinion of our Fathers, but can never make it obligatory with us, seeing the granting this were to put it in every Man's Power to entail his Opinions upon those who come after him: to which none of us, I presume, will be willing to yield. But allowing matter of fact, and that there had been a positive Oath made by them in the name of their Posterity: Yet this

Oath being by Authority declared unlawful, and we for∣bidden to observe it, the Compliance we ow to those whom God has set over us, cancels all Obligations of this kind, that our Parents could lay upon us. I shall therefore con∣clude, that seeing our Covenants were in so many respects unlawful from the Beginning: and seeing there was neither any formal Obligation laid upon us by our Parents to obscure them; nor yet their Authority in this Case allowable, as interfering with the Laws of the Land, there the least sha∣dow of Reason cannot be brought in behalf of any that pre∣sume now to renew those Covenants, when the contrary is so plainly enjoin'd us by our rescissory Act of Parliament; but as such Persons proceed not upon rational Grounds, so it is in vain to think of reclaiming them by Force of Argu∣ments; the Government must deal with this frenzy, and in its Wisdom find out a Cure suitable to so dangerous a Dis∣temper, before the Infection spreads it self wider.