step_n of_o defection_n and_o that_o the_o same_o may_v be_v faithful_o transmit_v to_o the_o succeed_a generation_n that_o they_o may_v know_v what_o the_o lord_n have_v do_v for_o our_o land_n and_o may_v not_o be_v like_o their_o father_n a_o race_n not_o right_a in_o â—â—eart_n with_o god_n unsteadfast_a and_o perfidious_a in_o his_o covenant_n upon_o these_o condition_n and_o upon_o removal_n of_o just_a exception_n wâ—â—_n promise_v our_o hearty_a concurrence_n with_o they_o in_o hear_v they_o and_o to_o do_v every_o other_o thing_n that_o precept_n or_o former_a practice_n to_o minister_n in_o the_o like_a case_n can_v oblige_v person_n in_o our_o circumstance_n to_o do_v to_o or_o for_o their_o faithful_a leader_n to_o who_o they_o may_v safe_o without_o scruple_n commit_v the_o charge_n of_o their_o soul_n withal_o protest_v that_o this_o our_o declaration_n may_v be_v a_o stand_a answer_n to_o all_o the_o lie_v reproach_n misinformation_n or_o misrepresentation_n whatsoever_o that_o shall_v be_v bring_v in_o against_o we_o in_o time_n come_v by_o whatsoever_o party_n or_o person_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o non-confederating_a with_o they_o see_v what_o we_o here_o require_v be_v both_o religious_a &_o reasonable_a and_o see_v what_o we_o ow_v be_v of_o no_o new_a extraction_n but_o be_v esteem_v truth_n before_o we_o have_v a_o tongue_n to_o speak_v for_o it_o and_o we_o hope_v shall_v be_v so_o when_o its_o enemy_n &_o betrayer_n shall_v want_v a_o mouth_n to_o speak_v against_o it_o and_o now_o have_v thus_o declare_v our_o testimony_n in_o as_o compendious_a and_o innocent_a a_o way_n as_o the_o nature_n and_o circumstance_n of_o it_o will_v allow_v as_o we_o be_v not_o altogether_o ignorant_a what_o acceptation_n it_o shall_v find_v from_o person_n of_o all_o temper_n to_o who_o hand_n it_o may_v come_v so_o especial_o from_o those_o minister_n master_n alexander_n schield_n master_n thomas_n linen_n master_n william_n boyd_n and_o other_o their_o accomplice_n who_o have_v late_o go_v from_o we_o and_o leave_v we_o after_o the_o lord_n in_o his_o mercy_n to_o we_o have_v frustrate_v their_o design_n of_o precipitate_v we_o into_o a_o confederacy_n with_o all_o those_o to_o who_o the_o nation_n be_v say_v a_o confe_fw-mi de_fw-fr racy_n by_o regiment_v and_o unite_n with_o the_o destroyer_n and_o betrayer_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o that_o both_o in_o church_n and_o state_n and_o cast_v in_o our_o lot_n and_o interweave_v our_o interest_n with_o they_o as_o they_o have_v do_v with_o many_o of_o our_o brethren_n before_o and_o also_o with_o many_o of_o ourselves_o which_o this_o day_n we_o desire_v to_o mourn_v for_o and_o belong_v for_o that_o day_n wherein_o we_o may_v confess_v the_o same_o before_o a_o competent_a &_o faithful_a judicatory_a but_o if_o we_o dare_v say_v that_o what_o we_o have_v here_o do_v be_v not_o intend_v to_o please_v ourselves_o so_o neither_o to_o give_v just_a ground_n of_o irritation_n or_o stumble_v to_o any_o of_o the_o lord_n people_n and_o as_o for_o the_o wicked_a who_o know_v not_o at_o what_o they_o stumble_v we_o may_v warrantable_o say_v it_o be_v not_o design_v to_o please_v they_o be_v the_o event_n what_o it_o will_n only_o this_o to_o let_v the_o indifferent_a and_o lukwarm_a party_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n know_v that_o the_o lord_n be_v keep_v up_o a_o handful_n to_o witness_v for_o he_o against_o their_o past_a and_o present_a rot_a course_n of_o defection_n notwithstanding_o their_o cut_n off_o the_o hair_n and_o put_v out_o the_o eye_n of_o these_o three_o minister_n beforementioned_a and_o carry_v they_o in_o their_o print_a act_n and_o letter_n through_o the_o nation_n as_o trophy_n of_o their_o victory_n over_o they_o as_o man_n who_o former_a life_n &_o doctrine_n have_v be_v contrary_a to_o the_o former_a rule_n and_o principle_n of_o this_o church_n nourish_v and_o encourage_v schism_n division_n &_o defection_n and_o their_o former_a testimony_n make_v up_o in_o many_o thing_n of_o several_a peremptory_a gross_a mistake_n uncharitable_a and_o injurious_a reflection_n tend_v rather_o to_o kindle_v contention_n than_o remove_v division_n all_o which_o be_v plain_o insinuate_v in_o their_o act_n called_n the_o proceed_n of_o the_o assembly_n annent_fw-la master_n linen_n and_o other_o thereby_o labour_v through_o they_o to_o reach_v a_o blow_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o to_o all_o the_o faithful_a witness_n and_o witnessing_n of_o the_o poor_a remnant_n with_o who_o they_o be_v once_o embark_v and_o that_o the_o malignant_a party_n may_v likewise_o know_v that_o we_o look_v upon_o they_o as_o the_o murderer_n of_o our_o dear_a brethren_n who_o blood_n as_o it_o be_v precious_a in_o god_n sight_n so_o no_o humane_a power_n can_v indemnify_v for_o though_o it_o be_v god_n glory_n to_o pardon_n yet_o man_n duty_n and_o glory_n be_v to_o administer_v justice_n impartial_o we_o be_v not_o change_v from_o our_o former_a principle_n and_o intention_n but_o our_o cause_n be_v the_o same_o whatever_o those_o who_o have_v fall_v off_o from_o we_o may_v plead_v for_o and_o final_o we_o desire_v all_o person_n of_o whatsoever_o new_a party_n they_o be_v minister_n or_o other_o that_o will_v appear_v more_o refine_v than_o the_o rest_n and_o pretend_v to_o act_n separately_z from_o our_o enemy_n and_o antagonist_n whilst_o yet_o real_o incorporate_v with_o they_o and_z carrying_z on_o their_o design_n more_o effectual_o though_o more_o smooth_o and_o instrumental_a to_o break_v and_o divide_v we_o more_o than_o any_o as_o if_o purposely_o send_v forth_o by_o the_o rest_n for_o that_o effect_n not_o to_o mistake_v we_o as_o if_o what_o we_o have_v say_v in_o order_n to_o the_o rest_n be_v not_o applicable_a to_o they_o but_o on_o the_o contrary_a that_o we_o look_v upon_o their_o course_n as_o accompany_v with_o many_o aggravation_n that_o other_o be_v not_o capable_a of_o and_o so_o as_o more_o loathsome_a to_o god_n aught_o to_o be_v the_o more_o detestable_a to_o we_o and_o as_o for_o neutralist_n who_o account_v it_o wisdom_n to_o condemn_v all_o and_o pretend_v to_o side_n with_o none_o we_o refer_v they_o to_o the_o last_o article_n of_o the_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n without_o forget_v the_o rest_n namely_o that_o we_o shall_v assist_v and_o defend_v all_o that_o enter_v into_o this_o league_n and_o covenant_n in_o the_o mentain_n and_o pursue_v thereof_o and_o shall_v not_o suffer_v ourselves_o direct_o nor_o indirect_o by_o whatsoever_o combination_n persuasion_n or_o terror_n to_o be_v divide_v or_o withdraw_v from_o this_o bless_a union_n &_o conjunction_n whether_o to_o make_v defection_n to_o the_o contrary_a part_n or_o to_o give_v ourselves_o to_o a_o detestable_a indifferency_n and_o neutrality_n in_o this_o cause_n according_a to_o which_o article_n man_n reality_n and_o integrity_n in_o the_o covenant_n will_v be_v manifest_a and_o demonstrable_a as_o well_o by_o their_o ommission_n as_o by_o their_o commission_n as_o well_o by_o their_o not_o do_v good_a as_o by_o their_o do_v of_o evil_a he_o that_o be_v not_o with_o we_o be_v against_o we_o and_o he_o that_o gather_v not_o with_o we_o scatter_v and_o whatever_o our_o complaint_n be_v this_o day_n toss_v with_o tempest_n and_o not_o comfort_v yet_o we_o hope_v he_o have_v thought_n of_o peace_n and_o purpose_n of_o mercy_n towards_o we_o we_o do_v not_o mourn_v as_o those_o without_o hope_n but_o we_o will_v bear_v the_o indignation_n of_o the_o lord_n because_o we_o have_v sin_v against_o he_o until_o he_o plead_v our_o cause_n and_o execute_v judgement_n for_o we_o he_o have_v lift_v up_o our_o enemy_n that_o their_o fall_n may_v be_v the_o great_a and_o that_o he_o may_v cast_v they_o down_o into_o desolation_n for_o ever_o he_o will_v make_v his_o cause_n to_o triumph_n at_o last_o over_o all_o opposition_n and_o the_o enemy_n foot_n to_o slide_v in_o due_a time_n and_o so_o put_v a_o new_a song_n of_o praise_n in_o the_o mouth_n of_o all_o the_o faithful_a friend_n and_o follower_n of_o the_o lamb_n therefore_o we_o appoint_v and_o ordain_v that_o incontinent_o you_o our_o emissary_n pass_v upon_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o august_n 1692_o year_n unto_o the_o mercat_n cross_n of_o sanqhair_n and_o there_o by_o open_a proclamation_n make_v intimation_n of_o this_o our_o declaration_n leave_v copy_n of_o the_o saman_n affix_v upon_o the_o foresaid_a mercat_n cross_n and_o other_o patent_n place_n of_o the_o kingdom_n necessary_a give_v at_o ......._o upon_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o august_n 1692_o year_n let_v king_n jesus_n reign_v and_o let_v all_o his_o enemy_n be_v scatter_v finis_fw-la
a_o true_a copy_n of_o the_o declaration_n publish_v at_o sanqhair_n upon_o the_o ten_o day_n of_o august_n 1692._o sic_fw-la enim_fw-la omninò_fw-la statuo_fw-la non_fw-la ideo_fw-la interire_fw-la in_o ecclesia_fw-la veritatem_fw-la etiamsi_fw-la ab_fw-la uno_fw-la concilio_n opprimatur_fw-la sed_fw-la mirabiliter_fw-la à _fw-la domino_fw-la seruari_fw-la ut_fw-la iterum_fw-la svo_fw-la tempore_fw-la emergat_fw-la &_o superet_fw-la calvin_n print_a in_o the_o year_n m.dc.xciii_o the_o declaration_n of_o a_o poor_a waste_v misrepresented_a remnant_n of_o the_o suffering_n anti-popish_a antiprelatick_a anti-erastian_a antisectarian_a true_a presbyterian_a church_n of_o christ_n in_o scotland_n unite_v together_o in_o a_o general_n correspondence_n publish_v at_o sanqhair_n it_o will_v no_o doubt_n be_v repute_v by_o many_o a_o work_n both_o superfluous_a and_o unseasonable_a at_o this_o time_n to_o publish_v any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n superfluous_a in_o regard_n that_o our_o principle_n and_o practice_n be_v already_o abundant_o manifest_a to_o the_o world_n particular_o in_o our_o informatory_n vindication_n the_o testimony_n against_o the_o toleration_n and_o the_o contending_n and_o suffering_n of_o many_o of_o our_o dear_a brethren_n in_o their_o adhere_n to_o the_o same_o and_o unseasonable_a by_o reason_n of_o our_o present_a circumstance_n be_v this_o day_n as_o sheep_n scatter_v upon_o the_o mountain_n without_o a_o shepherd_n to_o gather_v or_o lead_v we_o no_o man_n take_v care_n for_o our_o soul_n but_o in_o stead_n thereof_o all_o or_o most_o part_n wait_v for_o our_o halt_n look_v for_o and_o lie_v in_o wait_n to_o catch_v advantage_n against_o the_o cause_n through_o the_o least_o misbehaviour_n of_o any_o of_o those_o who_o ow_v it_o and_o will_v we_o doubt_v not_o be_v glad_a of_o any_o thing_n whereby_o they_o may_v get_v the_o least_o shadow_n of_o ground_n to_o reproach_n now_o when_o we_o be_v as_o sign_n and_o wonder_n and_o have_v for_o more_o to_o criticise_v upon_o our_o word_n and_o action_n than_o to_o kith_v any_o sympathy_n with_o the_o scope_n and_o design_n of_o what_o we_o intend_v by_o the_o same_o upon_o these_o and_o the_o like_a consideration_n it_o may_v be_v a_o question_n whether_o at_o this_o time_n it_o be_v our_o duty_n to_o appear_v in_o this_o manner_n see_v much_o of_o the_o beauty_n and_o lustre_n of_o a_o testimony_n yea_o and_o much_o of_o its_o weight_n depend_v upon_o its_o be_v both_o seasonable_o exhibit_v and_o by_o man_n of_o understanding_n that_o have_v knowledge_n of_o the_o time_n and_o what_o israel_n ought_v to_o do_v these_o and_o many_o other_o thing_n relative_a to_o the_o same_o as_o they_o have_v in_o some_o measure_n be_v ponder_v by_o we_o so_o have_v not_o altogether_o want_v their_o owned_a weight_n to_o deter_v we_o from_o any_o thing_n of_o this_o nature_n in_o such_o a_o juncture_n but_o yet_o upon_o the_o other_o hand_n when_o we_o consider_v that_o ever_o since_o the_o lord_n outstretched_a arm_n bring_v redemption_n to_o this_o land_n from_o antichristian_a darkness_n and_o in_o one_fw-mi eminent_a way_n make_v it_o his_o owned_a by_o bring_v we_o under_o these_o sacred_a and_o inviolable_a bond_n of_o holy_a covenant_n as_o enemy_n to_o that_o covenant_v work_v of_o reformation_n have_v not_o be_v neither_o at_o this_o day_n be_v want_v for_o their_o part_n in_o carry_v on_o their_o malignant_a design_n in_o opposition_n to_o and_o for_o destruction_n of_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o have_v be_v not_o a_o little_a help_v thereto_o by_o the_o faint_n and_o dastardly_a yielding_n of_o unfaithful_a and_o decline_a minister_n and_o professor_n of_o the_o same_o so_o likewise_o the_o lord_n have_v glorify_v his_o name_n and_o have_v so_o far_o dignify_v this_o church_n as_o to_o have_v the_o honour_n to_o the_o honour_n of_o his_o name_n be_v it_o speak_v of_o have_v still_o a_o party_n in_o she_o who_o notwithstanding_o the_o hellish_a cruelty_n of_o open_a and_o avow_v enemy_n in_o their_o persecution_n on_o the_o one_o hand_n and_o the_o base_a and_o treacherous_a deal_n of_o backslide_a minister_n and_o professor_n in_o their_o reproach_n and_o misrepresentation_n of_o that_o poor_a party_n on_o the_o other_o hand_n yet_o over_o all_o these_o difficulty_n account_v it_o their_o glory_n to_o be_v faithful_a for_o he_o in_o their_o place_n and_o station_n and_o esteem_v the_o least_o hoof_n of_o the_o attain_v unto_o reformation_n preferable_a to_o their_o dear_a interest_n lay_v hold_v upon_o all_o opportunity_n that_o be_v offer_v for_o give_v a_o testimony_n of_o their_o love_n to_o himself_o and_o zeal_n for_o his_o public_a glory_n although_o seldom_o or_o never_o think_v seasonable_a by_o the_o wise_a and_o learned_a rabbi_n of_o the_o time_n consider_v how_o they_o be_v help_v to_o resist_v unto_o blood_n in_o strive_v to_o keep_v the_o word_n of_o his_o patience_n and_o contend_v for_o the_o faith_n once_o deliver_v to_o the_o saint_n how_o the_o lord_n smile_v upon_o their_o honest_a design_n and_o receive_v they_o with_o goodwill_n at_o their_o hand_n and_o likewise_o consider_v what_o god-provocking_a soul-ensnaring_a and_o land-desolating_a course_n be_v now_o on_o foot_n in_o these_o land_n as_o if_o all_o we_o have_v do_v these_o year_n bypass_v be_v not_o sufficient_a to_o draw_v down_o the_o lord_n deserve_v wrath_n upon_o we_o without_o put_v on_o the_o capestone_n on_o all_o our_o other_o defection_n by_o join_v once_o more_o in_o affinity_n with_o the_o people_n of_o these_o abomination_n and_o carry_v it_o on_o under_o the_o name_n of_o protestant_a interest_n and_o new_a reformation_n and_o then_o what_o strange_a apprehension_n the_o land_n have_v conceive_v of_o we_o upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o non-concurrence_n with_o the_o same_o look_v upon_o we_o as_o man_n mislead_v drink_v in_o and_o mentain_v strange_a and_o pernicious_a principle_n despiser_n of_o government_n and_o rejecter_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o say_v upon_o these_o and_o other_o weighty_a consideration_n we_o judge_v ourselves_o some_o way_n oblige_v if_o we_o can_v do_v no_o more_o at_o least_o to_o kith_v our_o desire_n to_o follow_v that_o noble_a cloud_n of_o witness_n and_o to_o go_v forth_o by_o their_o footstep_n in_o contend_v for_o truth_n by_o add_v our_o mite_n of_o a_o testimony_n to_o all_o the_o truth_n that_o be_v this_o day_n practicallie_o controvert_v and_o against_o all_o defection_n either_o on_o right_n or_o left_a hand_n whatsoever_o plausible_a pretence_n they_o may_v be_v cover_v with_o although_o we_o judge_v ourselves_o at_o this_o time_n incapable_a of_o publish_v any_o thing_n that_o can_v either_o make_v truth_n more_o clear_a than_o it_o be_v or_o yet_o escape_v the_o sneak_a censure_n of_o those_o who_o station_n if_o they_o be_v faithful_a in_o it_o lead_v they_o to_o be_v far_o more_o forward_o in_o this_o work_n than_o we_o we_o therefore_o declare_v to_o the_o world_n our_o hearty_a desire_n to_o embrace_v and_o adhere_v to_o the_o write_a word_n of_o god_n contain_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n of_o the_o old_a and_o new_a testament_n as_o the_o only_a and_o complete_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o manner_n and_o whatsoever_o be_v found_v thereupon_o or_o aggreeable_a thereunto_o such_o as_o our_o confession_n of_o faith_n large_a and_o short_a catechism_n directory_n for_o worship_n our_o covenant_n national_a and_o solemn_a league_n the_o acknowledgement_n of_o sin_n and_o engadgment_n to_o duty_n cause_n of_o god_n wrath_n the_o ordinary_a and_o perpetual_a officer_n of_o the_o church_n by_o christ_n owned_a appointment_n as_o pastor_n doctor_n elder_n and_o deacon_n and_o the_o form_n of_o church_n government_n common_o call_v presbyterial_a we_o declare_v our_o adherence_n to_o all_o the_o faithful_a contending_n for_o truth_n whether_o of_o old_a or_o of_o late_a by_o minister_n or_o professor_n against_o whatsoever_o sinful_a course_n whether_o more_o refine_a or_o more_o gross_a and_o particular_o against_o the_o public_a resolution_n cromuels_n usurpation_n the_o toleration_n of_o heresy_n and_o sect_n in_o his_o time_n against_o the_o sacrilegious_a usurpation_n and_o tyranny_n of_o char._n 2d_o the_o unfaithfulness_n of_o minister_n and_o professor_n in_o comply_v with_o he_o by_o accept_v his_o indulgence_n first_o or_o last_o and_o in_o a_o word_n to_o every_o thing_n aggreeable_a to_o the_o matter_n of_o our_o testimony_n as_o it_o be_v declare_v pag._n 25._o and_o 26._o of_o our_o informatory_n vindication_n print_v anno_fw-la 1687._o likewise_o our_o adherence_n to_o he_o testimony_n against_o the_o abominable_a toleration_n grant_v by_o the_o duke_n of_o york_n give_v in_o to_o the_o minister_n at_o edinburgh_n by_o that_o faithful_a minister_n and_o now_o glorified_a martyr_n mr._n james_n renuick_a janr_n 17._o 1688._o and_o to_o whatever_o faithful_a contending_n have_v be_v make_v or_o testimony_n give_v against_o the_o endeavour_n of_o any_o in_o their_o
nor_o renew_v they_o neither_o discover_v particular_o the_o breach_n thereof_o yea_o many_o not_o once_o mention_v they_o in_o the_o engagement_n which_o they_o require_v of_o parent_n when_o they_o present_v their_o child_n to_o baptism_n or_o in_o their_o licens_v and_o ordain_v of_o person_n to_o that_o holy_a function_n of_o the_o ministry_n oh_o how_o astonish_a the_o like_v not_o to_o be_v hear_v among_o the_o heathen_a that_o these_o solemn_a vow_n and_o covenant_n shall_v not_o only_o be_v scorn_v deride_v and_o open_o burn_v and_o make_v a_o capital_a crime_n to_o owned_a they_o by_o open_a &_o avow_v adversary_n but_o also_o cast_v by_o and_o bury_v by_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n call_v presbyterian_o a_o covenant_n without_o the_o swear_v of_o which_o none_o be_v capable_a of_o the_o mean_a employment_n either_o in_o church_n or_o state_n a_o covenant_n to_o which_o christ_n witness_n do_v always_o adhere_v and_o for_o which_o they_o do_v suffer_v &_o contend_v that_o covenant_n which_o the_o representative_n of_o church_n &_o state_n in_o the_o three_o kingdom_n do_v solemn_o swear_v and_o subscribe_v for_o themselves_o and_o posterity_n of_o which_o the_o obligation_n either_o to_o the_o duty_n or_o punishment_n continue_v indispensible_a upon_o the_o generation_n which_o for_o the_o moral_a equity_n of_o its_o matter_n the_o formality_n of_o its_o manner_n the_o importance_n of_o its_o purpose_n the_o holiness_n of_o its_o solemn_a engadgment_n and_o the_o glory_n of_o its_o end_n no_o power_n on_o earth_n can_v disannul_v disable_v or_o dispense_v that_o covenant_n which_o be_v just_o think_v a_o fit_a and_o excellent_a mean_a not_o only_o to_o strengthen_v and_o fortify_v the_o kingdom_n against_o the_o common_a enemy_n of_o the_o true_a reform_a religion_n public_a peace_n and._n prosperity_n but_o also_o to_o acquire_v the_o favour_n of_o almighty_a god_n towards_o the_o three_o kingdom_n of_o scotland_n england_n and_o ireland_n as_o be_v express_v in_o the_o ordinance_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o commons_o for_o take_v of_o the_o covenant_n dated_n february_n 20._o 1643._o sure_o then_o the_o author_n and_o chief_a instrument_n of_o the_o breach_n of_o that_o covenant_n be_v to_o be_v look_v upon_o as_o those_o that_o strengthen_v the_o hand_n of_o the_o common_a enemy_n and_o provoke_v the_o wrath_n of_o almighty_a god_n against_o these_o kingdom_n and_o if_o by_o the_o declaration_n of_o both_o kingdom_n join_v in_o arm_n anno_fw-la 1643._o such_o as_o will_v not_o take_v the_o covenant_n be_v declare_v to_o be_v public_a enemy_n to_o their_o religion_n and_o country_n and_o to_o be_v censure_v &_o punish_v as_o public_a adversary_n &_o malignant_n who_o see_v not_o now_o a_o strange_a fall_v away_o from_o these_o first_o principle_n &_o profession_n among_o those_o who_o either_o magnify_v &_o cry_v up_o or_o at_o the_o least_o connive_v at_o and_o comply_v with_o such_o as_o have_v not_o take_v the_o covenant_n yea_o be_v know_v enemy_n to_o it_o yet_o notwithstanding_o these_o same_o enemy_n have_v be_v comply_v with_o and_o connive_v at_o by_o many_o minister_n in_o their_o take_a oath_n impose_v by_o they_o repugnant_a we_o say_v to_o the_o oath_n of_o our_o covenant_n and_o other_o of_o they_o have_v go_v on_o in_o sundry_a other_o step_n of_o defection_n and_o to_o no_o small_a contradiction_n of_o christ_n more_o faithful_a sufferer_n and_o witness_n most_o part_n have_v address_v for_o and_o accept_v of_o the_o late_a anti-christian_n toleration_n and_o to_o this_o day_n be_v tread_v the_o same_o path_n that_o lead_v to_o defection_n and_o to_o a_o detestable_a indifferency_n and_o neutrality_n in_o the_o lord_n matter_n without_o any_o shadow_n of_o their_o cordial_n abandon_v such_o woeful_a course_n but_o on_o the_o contrary_a a_o wipe_v of_o the_o mouth_n and_o say_v we_o have_v do_v no_o evil_n a_o fast_v pray_v and_o give_v thanks_o for_o success_n and_o prosperity_n to_o those_o who_o have_v devour_v jacob_n and_o lay_v his_o habitation_n desolate_a under_o who_o shadow_n they_o enjoy_v this_o unhallowed_a ease_n as_o if_o they_o be_v deliver_v to_o retain_v and_o mentain_v all_o these_o abomination_n can_v such_o a_o work_n be_v of_o god_n can_v tender_a zealous_a soul_n concur_v with_o it_o in_o faith_n or_o can_v it_o stand_v which_o have_v its_o foundation_n lay_v upon_o the_o ruin_n of_o truth_n such_o a_o superstructure_n as_o build_v up_o zion_n with_o blood_n and_o jerusalem_n with_o iniquity_n such_o measure_n be_v bound_v by_o the_o decree_n of_o god_n enemy_n and_o such_o worker_n who_o by_o the_o word_n of_o god_n &_o decree_n of_o our_o church_n will_v be_v suspend_v if_o not_o depose_v from_o their_o office_n and_o bring_v in_o as_o delinquent_n to_o undergo_v censure_n and_o not_o as_o constituent_v member_n of_o a_o judicatorie_a in_o regard_n they_o have_v yield_v up_o the_o liberty_n of_o the_o church_n into_o the_o hand_n and_o will_v of_o her_o enemy_n and_o in_o regard_n they_o carry_v on_o a_o course_n of_o defection_n contrary_a to_o the_o scripture_n our_o covenant_n and_o the_o act_n and_o constitution_n of_o this_o church_n we_o say_v again_o upon_o these_o ground_n we_o in_o our_o place_n &_o station_n testify_v against_o all_o that_o they_o may_v conclude_v or_o determine_v in_o these_o their_o ecclesiastic_a court_n by_o act_n ratification_n declaration_n sentence_n censure_n or_o commission_n etc._n etc._n that_o shall_v be_v make_v or_o give_v out_o by_o they_o and_o protest_v that_o the_o saman_n may_v be_v void_a and_o null_a and_o not_o interpret_v as_o bind_v to_o the_o church_n of_o scotland_n but_o let_v none_o think_v that_o what_o we_o have_v here_o say_v can_v be_v interpret_v to_o be_v a_o vilipend_v or_o reject_v of_o the_o free_a lawful_a and_o right_o constitute_v court_n of_o christ_n for_o we_o do_v acknowledge_v such_o to_o have_v be_v among_o the_o first_o and_o most_o effectual_a mean_n appoint_v of_o god_n for_o preserve_v the_o purity_n and_o advance_v the_o power_n of_o reformation_n in_o the_o church_n the_o sweet_a fruit_n and_o bless_a effect_n whereof_o this_o church_n have_v sometime_o enjoy_v which_o we_o have_v be_v endeavour_v after_o and_o be_v this_o day_n long_v for_o we_o detest_v and_o abhor_v that_o principle_n of_o cast_v off_o the_o ministry_n wherewith_o we_o be_v malicious_o calumniate_v by_o those_o who_o labour_n to_o fasten_v upon_o we_o the_o odious_a name_n of_o schismatic_n and_o separatist_n despiser_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o like_a but_o as_o herein_o they_o bewray_v their_o enmity_n to_o the_o cause_n we_o ow_v so_o till_o they_o bring_v their_o owned_a principle_n and_o practice_n and_o we_o both_o and_o try_v they_o by_o the_o law_n and_o the_o testimony_n the_o measure_v line_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n the_o word_n of_o god_n and_o the_o practice_n of_o this_o church_n when_o the_o lord_n keep_v house_n with_o she_o and_o rejoice_v over_o she_o as_o a_o brydgroom_n over_o the_o bride_n they_o can_v never_o prove_v we_o schismatic_n or_o separatist_n from_o the_o kirk_n of_o scotland_n upon_o the_o account_n of_o our_o non-union_n with_o the_o backslide_a multitude_n therein_o and_o herein_o we_o may_v have_v a_o sure_a and_o well_o ground_a hope_n that_o when_o the_o lord_n shall_v decide_v the_o controversy_n in_o the_o favour_n of_o truth_n in_o that_o day_n union_n in_o truth_n &_o duty_n and_o separation_n sinful_o consider_v will_v be_v otherwise_o apply_v than_o now_o they_o be_v beside_o we_o may_v say_v without_o boast_v we_o suppose_v it_o may_v be_v gather_v from_o what_o we_o have_v do_v for_o the_o faithful_o preach_v gospel_n and_o what_o love_n and_o respect_n we_o have_v kithe_v towards_o faithful_a minister_n whilst_o such_o what_o our_o carriage_n to_o they_o will_v yet_o be_v if_o we_o have_v they_o yea_o we_o be_v so_o far_o from_o have_v any_o state_v prejudice_n as_o some_o foolish_o think_v at_o any_o of_o they_o for_o whatever_o their_o straying_n have_v be_v either_o as_o minister_n or_o christian_n that_o we_o declare_v by_o these_o present_n whenever_o the_o lord_n shall_v send_v we_o such_o as_o out_o of_o love_n to_o god_n zeal_n for_o his_o public_a concernment_n and_o conscience_n of_o their_o duty_n will_v kith_v their_o resentment_n of_o their_o former_a backslyding_n and_o defection_n by_o condemn_v and_o forsake_v the_o same_o and_o satisfy_v the_o offend_a conscience_n of_o the_o lord_n people_n by_o their_o public_a declare_v the_o miâ—â—_n of_o god_n faithful_o &_o free_o and_o the_o people_n duty_n in_o order_n to_o the_o past_a and_o present_a course_n of_o the_o time_n keep_v nothing_o back_o that_o may_v be_v profitable_a for_o our_o build_n up_o in_o holiness_n our_o manadge_v a_o testimony_n for_o christ_n against_o all_o the_o forementioned_a or_o the_o like_a