SOME NOTES OR HEADS OF A PREFACE AND OF A LECTURE PREACHED AT DISTINCKORN-HILL IN THE PARISH OF GAASTOVN April 25 1688. By Master Alexander Shields Preacher of the Gospel Psalm 〈…〉 Samuel 〈◊〉 Chaâ—â— from the 〈◊〉 Verse to the 〈◊〉 April 25 1688. Some Notes or Heads of a PREFACE Preached at Distinckorâ— Hill in the Parish of Gaastoun by Mr. Alexander Shields Preacher of the Gospel The 79 Psalm being Sung. ALL our Songs this Day may be Sad Lamentation for if we understood the Place where we are It is by the Rivers of Babylon and we ought to hang our Harps on the Willows and our Songs ought to be Songs of Mourning and our Voice the Voice of Weeping And this is a very pertinent Song of Lamentation which we have beeâ—â—singing Psalm 79. and very appostle and proper for the Case of our Day when the Heathens have entred into onr Sanctuary and laid Jerusalem on Heaps and the Gentiles are treading down our outer Courts And this will always hold true so long as bloody Papists do so much prevail and the Blood of the Lord's Servants that aim at Faithfulness and contends for GOD is shed like water and runs down like a River about our Jerusalem We are become a Reproach to our Neighbours and made a corn and a Derision to them that are round about us And this may be matter of Lamentation to us but if it were only so with us the matter were 〈◊〉 But not only we are made a Reproach and a Derision but the Word of GOD and the Cause of CHRIST and the Covenanted Work of Reformation is Reproached and made a Ludâ—brium and a Laughing stock to the Heathen round about us To Papists Atheists Prelats and Malignants and Enemies one all hands And when we look on the cruelty of Papists and Malignants and upon our dastardly Yeildings our foolish Yeildings Turn which way we will look before us look behind us look on every hand we see matter of sad Lamentation and lad Significations of the Lord's Displeasure against us And this we must make mention and take notice of when we come before His Presence Who is this day not only a Holy GOD but an Angry GGD who is shâ—wing His Wraâ—h in Characters of Blood. Ye may Remember the last time I was in this Country we did hear a very sad Subjâ—ct suitable to Reflect upon Which was our sears did then come upon us and are come upon us since I had News to tell you then and if a right use hath not been made thereof they will be sadder and sadder still We say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 have not been affected rightly and concerned with them but have been â—ghting and not taking it to heart they will be sadder still Then we were Alarmed with the sad and sudden surprising Report of the Apprehending and taking of two Faithful Servants of JESUS CHRIST who were contending for the Prerogatives of the Prince of the Kings of the Earth and the Concerns of all the Churches and the Depositum of the Church of Scotland who were let fall into the Enemies hands and given up into the Holy all-overruling Providence of GOD to the Power of their murdering Enemies One thereof his Blood has been shed like Water since which make this Song that we have been singing very pertinent and which may make all our Songs Songs of Mourning For his Blood hath a crying Language and I fear that many hath forgotten it that seemed to be affected with it then and many is even despising it But I say that the Blood of that Faithful Servant of JESUS CHRIST Mr. James Renwick hath a Cry to the Hâ—avens against this Generation And we shall shew some things that is the Language of it For we ought not to forgeâ— it for it is precious in the â—ight of GOD and it ought to to be so in our â—ight also For if we forget it it will Cry against us as well as others we oâ—ght to enquire into the Language of such a Dispensation for it hath a very loud Cry to opâ—n Ears and wâ—akened Consciences And First It crys to us That there is a dreadful day comingon this Generation when the Godly man perisheth and when the Righteous and Merciful Men are taken away it is always an Insallible Symptom of Wraâ—h to come Isa 57. 1. We have all the Sympâ—oms of approaching Wrath that ever a Generation had for there are many Righteous Men taken away by bloody Violent Men who weâ—e Righteous in thâ—ir state Righteous in their course and Righteous in their Cause Many also merciful Men are taken away merciful Men who would â—ain have had the Generation brought off from the evils of the Generation and did spend their time and strength for them that did not pity themselves those were merciful Men and it 's so much the more a Symptom of Wrath that those Tokens are not taken notice of but are despised and made light of and this does speak out a surpâ—ising stroak and the near approach of it when People are crying Peace then behold sudden destruction according 1 Thess 5. 3. And are not the generality crying peace and safety and what may we expect but sudden Destruction For O! it 's an unhappy Peace unhappy it's nature and unhappy in it's effects For it 's peace with the Enemies of God yea we have all the procuâ—ing causes that ever brought down the Wrath of God on any Generation 2dly I 'll tell you what the blood of that Martyr crys and it is this that there is not only Wrath and Anger impendent and hanging over our heads but it is also incumbent and lying on us already and that his anger is not turned away but his hand is stretched out still and it is even against us in particular who are the persecuted party and this calls us to search and try our ways that we may know what it is that the Lord contends with us for And indeed we may find in a very slight and overly search and enquiry many procuring causes of it on our part O it says we have slighted many Warnings The Lord hath been sending his Servants rising up â—aily and sending them and many of them have spent their blood and for the most part it seems to have been in vain as to us he hath sent one still after another but we dâ—d not receive thâ—ir Message as we should havâ— dâ—ne and we may fear that he will cease to contend any more with us but will say to us they are joined to their Idols let them alone For many to this day have discoveâ—ed a greaâ— deal of their incorrigiblâ—ness as the Lord before the Flood gave Warning to the Old World by the Preaching of Nâ—ah He set a day to their Repentance One Hundred and Twenty Years and after that they should get no more time to repent It câ—mâ—s to this at lengâ—h that he says I will no more strive with them I 'll say no more to them let them
not away in their iniquities and it seems to say this that the Lord hath set a Day to Scotland's Râ—pentance and I 〈◊〉 it be 〈◊〉 than many are looking for The Lord is even saying They shall have that time and no longeâ— Hâ— hath suffered long but now he is wâ—aâ—â—ed with Repenting Theâ—â—fore the tâ—me is coming that he will say to Scotland as he said to these in the 15 of Jer. 1 and 2 Verses such as are for Death to Death and such as are for the Sword to the Sword and such as are for the Famine to the Famine and such as are for the Captivity to the Captivity and these that are for Massacres to Mâ—ssacres and these that are for Martyrdom to Martyrdom But I fear there shall be but few that shall be honoured with Martyâ—dom O! It says We have undervalued his Message and Mâ—ssenger and the Lord would not always let him be contemned but he hath been provoked to take away Message and Messenger and altogether Thirdly As it Câ—yes for Vengeance against all these that have had any Accession to the shedding of it diâ—â—ctly or indirectly So iâ— hath another Cry and they are Dâ—â—â— and Dâ—ad that wâ—ll not take notice of it and 〈◊〉 it And it 's this That those who are now speaking so fair to this Generation they have Murder in their hearts And it proclaims thâ— Cruelâ—y of Bloody Papâ—sts who had â—he chiefest hand in it And that tho many be crying up the Clemency of the Tyrant on the Throne yet it says we have to do with Men that have Murder in their Hearts altho they be now speaking fair â—leechingly and Flatteringly to this Generation Yet when they speak fair believe them not for there are seven Abominations in their Hearts Tho' many be crying up the Leuity of the Mutdering Enemies The Lord was pleased to Alarm us with this Dispensation though to us very costly Which sayes that they have not changed their Nature they have the same Nature still they have the same end and Design still though they have changed their Methods and Measures a little yet wherever they find any Asserting the Testimony of the day their Rage and Fury is as great against them as ever And it says it is no time now to fall Asleep and to cry peace and Safety For the Lord is calling us to awaken and when the Lyon Roars who will not fear and when the Lord God hath spoken who can but Pâ—ophesie But we by this paâ—ticular see that we have to do with Bloody Papistâ— altho' they be now speaking fair alter all the Blood they have shed both on Fieâ—ds and on Scaffolds and in the Seas yet they have the same Nature still they 〈…〉 same Captain and they are Prosecuting the same Waâ— still against the Prince of the Kings of the Earth The Dragâ—n and his Angels is maâ—â—ging and carrying on the same War still against Michael and his Angâ—ls that he did formeâ—ly though he had chauged his Method a little O Scotland who hath bewitched you have you not had the Experiâ—nce of the Dreadfulness of the Treâ—chery and Cruelty of Papists before and will ye believe them at their fiâ—st Word Especially with a Tolleration when the most part of the Pâ—otestant Churches of Europe have had a Tast of their Falshood and have been Cheated by such a method Was not the Protestants in France Cheated by such a Tolleration granted to them by the Tyrant there which when he saw sit he took away and made them either to Renounce and Abjure their Religion or then endure great Sufferings Was not the Protestants in the Value of Piâ—dmont Ruined by making Peace and Consederacy with the Duke of Savoy And will nothing awaken us O poor Scotland awaken ye and â—eep not now in Peace and Ease for you have to do with those that are intending nothing but Massacres nothing but the Subversion of Religion and the utter Ruine and Overthrow of the Coveâ—anted Reformation and all that adhere to it And they arâ— beguiled that thought the Devil was grown better in his Old Age For many thought so to speak that the Devil and Antichrist were grown better iâ— their Old Age by granting this Toleration Therefore hath the Lord Allarmed us by this Dispensation He would take one of his Jewels and let him fall into their Hands and suffer them to discover their Bloodiness upon him and thereby let us see whom we have to do with It hath this Language with it and wo to them that will not hear it Fourthly It hath another Cry for as little as ye may think of it Yet it hath this Language with it that there is a very sad Defection this day and that there are few Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth We may say as Jeremiah says Chap. 9 He Complains sadly in such a Case and says Oh! that my head were Waters and mine Eyes a Fountain of Tears that I might Weep day and Night for the Slain of the Daughter of my People Oh! that I had in the Wilderness a lodging-place of way faring-men that I might leave my People and go from them For they be all Adulterers an Assembly of Treacherous men And they Bend their Tongues like their Bows for Lies But they are not Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth What way does it sigâ—ifie this ye'll say Then I 'll tell You none can be Valiant for the Truth upon the Earth and Faithful for Christ but he will be exposed to the Cruelty and Rage of His Bloodies Antichristian Enemies it hath been so always and will be so For Michael and the Dragon are two Parties and there must be a War kept up by all the Lord 's Called and Chosen and Faithful against the Dragon and Antichrist without any Cessation Truce or Transaction with them And if any will discover any measure of Valiantness for the Cause or will be Zealous for Christ then he must expâ—ct for the Fury of all the World. He may look for the Rage of the Devil and of Antichrist of Papists Prelats and Malignants to be against him For where Satan hath his Seat on the Throne of the Kingdom the poor Antipas must sâ—ffer Martyrdom Rev. 2 14. I say it speaks out much Desection when those that pretend to be for the Truth on the Earth and those that should contend for the Truth gets leave to enjoy all their Liberties from Enemies For it cannot be neither was it ever seen but all that were Valiant for the Truth and Zealous for the Cause of Christ but they had all the Enemies of Truth upon their Top. And these that now have peace it says they are not so now for the Covenants are not only broken and burnt but Declared Criminal to be owned and the Covenanted Reformation like to be Ruined and razed And when there is so much peace with Antichrist it is a Wrath-prefaging thing a Wrath procuring thing And his Blood crys for Vengeance
Faithful in Witnâ—ssing for Truâ—h but they must wrestle with Gâ—d as well as for God and their Wiâ—nâ—ss must be as publick as can be fâ—r the expressions of seeking the truth and mâ—king up the Hedâ—e does import iâ— seeing these cannot be done buâ— in a publick manner But alas There is nâ—ne found this day to stand in the Gap and to plead with their Mother thaâ— she should put away her Whoredome and Defections yet it is the only way to turn away Wrath for all that Hoâ—ea 2. 2. Ala We have few in Scotland this day to Wresâ—le Mourn and Plead And yet every Rebellion that it done against Gâ—d when we do not declare against it we declare our selves guilty of concealing Treason Secondly Against whom should we Witness against all Great or Sin â—ll they must not Spare tâ—em when they Sin eiâ—her 〈◊〉 Fear or Favâ—ur So we find Samuel here did Witness against Saul and Nathan the Prophet did Witness against David Hanani the Seir against Assa and against Jâ—hâ—shaphat So we find â—â—aiah did Witness agâ—inst Hezekiah Elijah against Jerobeam and Elijah against Achab. Yea many times these Examples has been â—dâ—uced to us to Witness against all Sins be 〈…〉 it will Especially Mâ—nisters shâ—uld preach against the sins of Tyrants Our ancient Reâ—â—â—mers at the beginning or the Reformation made use of the freedom and faithfulness of the Prophets in reproving the sins of the King of Judah and Israel to prove the lawfulnâ—ss of what they did in reproving the sins of the Great Folk in their time And some of tâ—en took the Freedâ—m to say there is many Folk now a days that wiâ—l hâ—ve no other Religion than the Queens and the Queen wiâ—l have no oâ—her Religion than the Cardinals and the Cardinal wiâ—l have no other Religion than the 〈◊〉 and the Pâ—pe will have no other Religion than what pleases the Dâ—viâ— And so it may be said of many in our dâ—y Many will have no other Minister but such as pleases the King the King does nâ—thing but that pleases the Pope the Pope dâ—es nothing but what pleases the Devil And look Ye and see what sort of Preaching that must be then Have ye not a brave Tolleration of it then For upon these Terms was it given That Ministers should preach nothing that war Seâ—itâ—â—us â—r Treasonable or might any way tend to alâ—enat the hearts of the People from the King and his Government And what is that But that they shâ—uld preach nothing against the sins of the Time nothing of the Tyrannie of the Time nâ—thing against that Absâ—lute Power he hath arrogated nothing of the Incoming of Pâ—pery at the Gate and Gap of this Tolleration nor of the Snares of the Times not what was the People's Duty in such a Case for that would be Seditâ—â—us by the King the Pope And christ and the Devil And alas it is sad 〈…〉 that this Toleration is complyed with and that the Freedom and Faithfulness that shouâ—d be used in these things is forborn by the Ministers that Preaches in the Meeting Houses for this pleases the King and the Pope and the Devil well Thirdly When is the time that Ministers should be thus Free Faithful and Publick to Witness against publick sins Samuel took a very fit time to reprove and convince Saul just after the committing of the sin And if ever there was a time to Witness against publick Sins this is it But in Answer to this I shall shew you from Scripture when is the time and Season of giving a publick Witness and Testimony for Truth and against Sin. As first when Enemies are relenting a little from thâ—ir Cruâ—lty former Rage and Fury against the Lord's People yields somewhat and offers Liberty upon easier Terms than before when they are very accommodating and yielding then that is the verâ— Season of a Testimony for Truth without yeilding in the least to them Thus it was with Pharaoh he was very stubborn at first but after that he had keeped the Children of â—rael long in â—ond he yields much and grants to let them go upon condition that they would let him but keep some of the Sheep but Moses thought this a fit time of giving a Testimony he would not yeild to Pharaoh in this not a Hoof says Moses shall be left behind us and we should all be Slaves this Hundred Years Nâ—y though we should never be delivered The Tyrant upon the Throte hath somewhat relented of his former Fury he hath yeilded somewhat and offers Accommodation with the Lord's People but yet upon câ—nditionâ— Destructive to the cause of Christ Then now is a time of giving a Testimony declaring thâ—â— we will not quite one Hâ—of of Truth nor yeild to him in the feast So when ever Enemies will be pleased with less than formerly that is the time to testifie against Sin. Secondly When ever there is a Toleratiâ—n granted when Idolatry and Iâ—â—laters is Tollerated as in Judâ—es 20. The Children 〈…〉 to the Cananites there came an Angel of the Lord to wit a Prâ—phet and testified against thâ—m And Soul hâ—re had given a Toleration to Agag by sparing of his Life Samâ—â—â— testified against him and tâ—ld him that he was but a Rebel to 〈◊〉 for the doing if it◠〈◊〉 when 〈◊〉 gave a Toleratiâ—n to 〈◊〉 he called him his Brother and 〈◊〉 his Life there comes a Prâ—phet 〈◊〉 the Lord and reproveâ— him 1 Kings â—0 and says Thy Life shall go 〈◊〉 his Life and 〈◊〉 People 〈…〉 As also when Ahâ—z toâ—k a Toleration from the Aâ—syrious and entered into 〈◊〉 Assâ—ciâ—tion and Confederacy with Tiglath Pelezar King â—f 〈◊〉 the Prophet 〈◊〉 thought this the Season of giving a Testimony Chap 8 12 Saâ— ye 〈◊〉 a Conâ—ederacy to all them to whom this People shall say a Câ—nâ—ederacy And is not nâ—w Idolatry and Idolaters Tollerated is not Papists and Quakers Tolerated Then this is the time of giving a Testimony for Truth and against every thing contrarâ— to it Then Thirdly When People are halting between two Opinions then is the time of giving a Testimony as Elijah the Prophet did 1 Kings 18. When the Children of Israel were halting between two Opinions he shewed himself to Achab who has sâ—ught his Life many a day before And at this time many People are halting between twâ— Opinions for some will go to the Curats one day and to the Tolerated Meetings another and come to the Field Meetings the Third then this is the time of giving a Testimony For we must tell you not to halt between two Opinions and as Elijah said to them if the Lord be God follow Him but if Beal then follow Him So we say unto you if ye be for God then avouch it and of you be for Antichrist then be for Antichrist it is no time now to keep Peace both with CHRIST and Antichrist for it is a thing impâ—ssible Fourthly When the wicked are very high in Power as Hâ—man in the Days of
is put it into the Hands of the Lords People as that they maâ— cut them off and they spare them as when David spared Sauls Life 1 Samuel 24 16. Blessed be thou my Son David thou shalt prevail says Hypocritical Saul And Fourthlie When they have done an ill Turn to stop the mouths of Reprovers they will say they have not sinned as the Papists have dâ—ne this dâ—y Fifthlie When they have a mind to do an ill Turn to anie then they will speak fair and fall to their Complements as we see Joab did when he killed Amâ—sa 2 Samuel 20. 9 It is said Proverbs 26 25. When they speak fair believe them not for there are seven Abominations in their heart .. Well one word by way of Application There are many in Scotland hath win the Blessing of Enemies well hold them with it but it is not much worth when they have gotten it will do them little good Many of you by Comâ—lying in hearing of Curats taking of Oaths and Bonds and paying the Cess have win Antichrisâ—s Blessing and the Devil's Blessing but when ye have gotten it you will win nothing by it not be the Richer bâ— it And many of you by imbracing this Tolleration have given your Helping hand when they are going to set up Dagon and when you ly by from giving a Testimony against it and when there is such smooth preaching that will trouble Antichrist much O but he will be well pleased with it Oh! consider it Ye who have had any hand in this for Ye have given your Helping hand to set up Poperâ—e and so you have got their Blessing The second thing to be considered an Saul's accosting of Samuel 〈◊〉 Saul's Flauâ—â—ing profession I have performed the Commandment of the LORD I shall note this from it That Hipocrites are very ready to make a shew of their Profession and to â—unt of their performances which is alwise the Mark of a Hipocrite For if Ye would speak to some Folk they will tell You that they have done as much and suffered as much for the Cause as any and they will make a shew of their Profession and boast of their Performances oft times for these ends 〈…〉 To be in Favour with People that they may esteem much of them 〈…〉 â—erformances seeking to be advanced they â—ill tell you they have done 〈◊〉 Duty and the 〈◊〉 Duty and O out they have done much for the LORD O this is 〈◊〉 in His Sight 〈…〉 of what he had done when he said Come with me and see 〈…〉 the LORD 2 King◠〈◊〉 So many Hypocrites in Scotland have made a great â—in of their profession and 〈…〉 of what they had done that they might be much esteâ—med and in Favour with people Many 〈◊〉 their Talking of owning the Covenant a 〈◊〉 to mounâ— themselves into the 〈◊〉 of Preâ—â—ment who have helped to Butâ— iâ— since it which the LORD 's Spâ—â—â— has been grieved Secondly 〈◊〉 did boast of their pretended performances and do make them a scâ—gg to 〈◊〉 their Knavery 〈◊〉 whereas their preâ—encâ— is to â—â—ke themselves Rich I have done bravely says he This 〈◊〉 been much in Scotland Many have had a great shew of Pâ—â—â—â—ssion and â—â—â—gged much of that they had done So many Foâ—ks will â—â—ke up a Profession of Reâ—igion to 〈◊〉 tâ—eir Knavery 〈◊〉 buâ— GOD will discover such to 〈◊〉 shame There will some Folks appear for the Lord with 〈◊〉 Sworns wâ—ereas their Enâ— is to make themselves Rich For there 〈◊〉 many who came out 〈…〉 Bridge thâ—t came out for no other End 〈◊〉 to get a Booty and a Spoil to make themselves Rich Thirdly Hâ—pocrites 〈…〉 much oâ— their Performances that they may perswade others to sin and all that I can say for this End is as 〈◊〉 to alluâ—e People to that which is sinful Tuâ— Wâ—â—rish Woman spoken of by 〈◊〉 Prov 4 When she is alluâ—ing the Young Men to commit Fornication with her she makeâ— use of this is â—n Argument to perswade him 14 Ver. I have Peace-Offâ—rings with me this day I have performed my Vows So when they would have others to concur in a Conspiracy with them they are brave Men then and they will talk much oâ— their performances They boast of their Performances that they may make the some a Prop to leâ—n upon They have nothing to bragg of but their own works and they build upoâ— that and go about to establish their own Righâ—eousness and some Folks lean upon their own principles great profession and much suffâ—ring O â—our 〈◊〉 Foundation poor Saul thought that what he had done would meâ—it Favour from GOD so Hypoâ—â—iâ—es lean on many things that are not CHRIST as props Lastly Hypocrites may make their great pâ—ofession and performances a pleâ— to extenuate and defend and justifie their 〈◊〉 as Saul did here to justâ—fie and exâ—enuate his sin of disobeying the Commandment oâ— the LORD I have performed the Commendment of the Lord. So alas foâ— a 〈◊〉 Deâ—ections â—hat have been in Scotland for which the Heavens may stand astonished and all Nâ—â—ioâ—s that have 〈…〉 Yet this is the common plea and pretext of many Complyers to exâ—enuat their Deâ—â—ction Yet they will say O they have performed the Commandment of the LORD they have done much and suffeâ—ed much Ay if ye will speak to some of the greatest Complyers in â—ll the Land that â—ave gone on in all the Compliances in all the Land bearing of Curates taking of Oaths 〈…〉 and the rest and all this to covet their Defection as Saul did here O this is abominable in the LORD's sight Now the Third thing â—o be spoken to is The Prophet's challenging Saul and telling 〈…〉 that he was a Lying Hâ—pocrite as if the Prophet had said ye talk much of performing of the Commâ—ndment of the LORD but there are many Witnesses to the contrary Ye say yet have performed and obeyed the LORD's Commâ—nâ— have ye done so What means then the bleâ—ting of the Sheep and the â—owing of the Oxen which I hear Every Rout and every Bleâ—â— declaâ—es the 〈◊〉 Whence we observe that Defection shall be discovered by their Effects as Math 9. 14 The Tree is known by us 〈◊〉 Though we may say we have performed the Comâ—â—ndmenâ—s of the Lord there are many things that evidence the 〈◊〉 For if we will 〈◊〉 the sins of out time we may see many evideâ—ces of our Defections our Bleâ—â—ing of the Sheep and Lowing of the Oxen 〈◊〉 Witness 〈◊〉 Alas Our Deâ—ections are great and many and very â—aiâ—our and yet it is sâ—d to heâ—r such a justiâ—yinâ— of our selves as there is I shall only tell you some oâ— them that we may think upon and 〈◊〉 for the same As for Example we have sworâ— away our selves and all that we have to the Lord in a Solemâ— League and Covenant and we are coâ—manded 〈…〉 which we have received Let 〈◊〉 run through shortly all the Arâ—icles thereof 〈…〉 shall see we have broken