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be_v with_o they_o may_v be_v either_o conceive_v and_o understand_v in_o regard_n of_o the_o estate_n of_o grace_n and_o reconciliation_n with_o god_n but_o how-so-eve_a that_o with_o many_o of_o they_o god_n be_v not_o in_o this_o regard_n yet_o the_o reason_n can_v be_v allege_v in_o this_o sense_n because_o than_o it_o will_v follow_v by_o the_o argument_n that_o we_o may_v not_o take_v the_o help_n of_o any_o man_n out_o of_o the_o estate_n of_o grace_n for_o our_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n which_o none_o will_v admit_v or_o it_o may_v be_v understand_v of_o god_n assistance_n and_o prosper_a providence_n simple_o but_o neither_o can_v it_o be_v take_v thus_o because_o it_o be_v certain_a and_o clear_a that_o god_n be_v often_o with_o they_o in_o this_o sense_n in_o their_o own_o cause_n and_o quarrel_n therefore_o it_o must_v needs_o be_v conceive_v in_o regard_n of_o their_o profession_n and_o religion_n which_o be_v corrupt_v and_o idolatrous_a now_o the_o reason_n thus_o understand_v have_v not_o place_n in_o our_o business_n 3._o yet_o do_v we_o not_o find_v that_o amaziah_n be_v command_v to_o exclude_v any_o of_o the_o subject_n of_o his_o own_o kingdom_n from_o act_v in_o that_o defence_n or_o reprove_v for_o not_o do_v of_o it_o notwithstanding_o many_o of_o they_o no_o doubt_n be_v naughty_a and_o corrupt_v in_o their_o way_n 2._o king_n 14.4_o the_o first_o reason_n be_v take_v from_o the_o four_o article_n of_o the_o covenant_n that_o the_o resolution_n agree_v upon_o be_v inconsistent_a therewith_o the_o scope_n whereof_o be_v allege_v to_o be_v against_o the_o employment_n of_o such_o person_n because_o it_o bind_v to_o discover_v they_o and_o bâ—ing_v they_o to_o condign_a punishment_n which_o be_v a_o further_a degree_n of_o distance_n to_o which_o we_o answer_v no_o person_n that_o be_v such_o as_o be_v descrive_v in_o that_o article_n be_v allow_v to_o be_v employ_v or_o we_o hope_v shall_v be_v employ_v or_o if_o any_o such_o be_v 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the_o second_o allege_v the_o way_n that_o be_v take_v to_o be_v against_o former_a public_a resolution_n declaration_n our_o solemn_a engagement_n etc._n etc._n we_o shall_v not_o need_v to_o insist_v in_o follow_v several_o every_o branch_n thereof_o because_o all_o of_o they_o may_v be_v clear_v by_o some_o common_a consideration_n 1._o our_o first_o declaration_n and_o public_a resolution_n and_o engagement_n concern_v this_o matter_n be_v conceive_v in_o relation_n to_o act_v in_o a_o way_n of_o prosecution_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o no_o way_n intend_v to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n against_o foreign_a invasion_n for_o which_o we_o be_v allow_v and_o bind_v by_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n which_o no_o humane_a law_n or_o resolution_n can_v infringe_v or_o prejudge_v to_o make_v use_n of_o all_o subject_n in_o the_o kingdom_n if_o the_o make_v use_n of_o they_o be_v not_o sinful_a in_o itself_o and_o may_v be_v without_o 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only_o without_o but_o against_o the_o king_n command_n allege_v and_o that_o true_o that_o they_o have_v not_o break_v the_o law_n in_o regard_n they_o have_v but_o obey_v the_o law_n of_o nature_n in_o a_o case_n of_o necessity_n in_o prejudice_n of_o which_o these_o law_n can_v not_o be_v conceive_v to_o be_v make_v and_o we_o conceive_v the_o very_a same_o be_v applicable_a to_o our_o former_a resolution_n declaration_n etc._n etc._n in_o relation_n to_o our_o present_a case_n 2._o what_o be_v say_v in_o latter_a declaration_n concern_v this_o matter_n in_o relation_n even_o to_o defence_n against_o our_o invader_n as_o it_o streatch_v further_o than_o the_o declare_a intention_n of_o former_a resolution_n so_o it_o be_v in_o a_o â—yme_n when_o the_o whole_a kingdom_n be_v integre_o and_o there_o may_v be_v a_o choice_n make_v of_o instrument_n to_o act_n and_o we_o confess_v in_o such_o a_o case_n choice_n shall_v be_v make_v of_o the_o best_a instrument_n but_o now_o the_o case_n be_v alter_v and_o as_o to_o the_o answer_n give_v by_o the_o commission_n at_o sterline_n to_o the_o quaeree_n propound_v by_o the_o king_n majesty_n about_o the_o end_n of_o september_n the_o like_a may_v be_v say_v there_o be_v then_o considerable_a force_n gather_v in_o the_o west_n by_o who_o much_o be_v expect_v by_o honest_a people_n and_o the_o remnant_n of_o the_o army_n which_o be_v as_o sterline_v and_o on_o this_o side_n together_o with_o such_o recruit_n as_o be_v then_o a_o levy_n be_v join_v together_o may_v have_v be_v a_o considerable_a power_n to_o have_v oppose_v the_o enemy_n without_o any_o urgent_a necessity_n to_o employ_v other_o yet_o 3._o neither_o at_o this_o time_n be_v it_o resolve_v that_o any_o be_v employ_v that_o be_v either_o knownly_a profane_a or_o continue_v in_o enmity_n and_o opposition_n to_o 〈…〉_o and_o cause_n of_o god_n to_o the_o three_o take_v from_o the_o eminent_a danger_n which_o be_v allege_v will_n inevitable_a follow_v the_o way_n resolve_v upon_o because_o these_o man_n get_v power_n into_o their_o hand_n can_v but_o employ_v the_o same_o according_a to_o their_o own_o principle_n and_o for_o establish_v their_o own_o end_n destructive_a to_o the_o work_n of_o god_n we_o answer_v 1._o suppose_v there_o be_v some_o danger_n of_o this_o kind_n yet_o it_o be_v not_o certain_a and_o inevitable_a and_o we_o desire_v it_o may_v be_v consider_v that_o on_o the_o other_o hand_n if_o necessary_a help_n in_o itself_o not_o sinful_a be_v not_o employ_v there_o be_v certain_a ruin_n both_o to_o kingdom_n and_o cause_n without_o a_o extraordinary_a divine_a work_n which_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n to_o look_v for_o neglect_v ordinary_a mean_n let_v these_o two_o be_v weigh_v in_o the_o balance_n one_o against_o another_o and_o let_v warrantable_a christian_a prudence_n judge_n which_o of_o they_o be_v to_o be_v choose_v 2._o we_o can_v see_v the_o danger_n unto_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n so_o apparent_a and_o great_a by_o this_o way_n of_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n consider_v 1._o that_o many_o of_o these_o now_o to_o be_v employ_v therein_o who_o have_v be_v debar_v be_v former_o know_v active_a favourer_n and_o promoter_n of_o the_o cause_n and_o have_v solemn_o declare_v their_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n of_o their_o fall_n from_o their_o steadfastnesse_n and_o their_o sorrow_n for_o the_o same_o and_o have_v bind_v themselves_o to_o a_o more_o firm_a and_o faithful_a adhere_n to_o the_o cause_n and_o covenant_n by_o all_o the_o band_n that_o can_v be_v impose_v upon_o man_n 2._o that_o none_o be_v to_o be_v employ_v who_o be_v know_v to_o be_v still_o of_o a_o contrary_a mind_n and_o affection_n 3._o that_o none_o of_o who_o there_o may_v be_v the_o least_o suspicion_n this_o way_n be_v to_o get_v such_o power_n or_o trust_v put_v in_o their_o hand_n
for_o defend_v the_o kingdom_n as_o may_v be_v prejudicial_a to_o the_o cause_n 4._o for_o prevent_v any_o danger_n of_o this_o kind_n we_o resolve_v to_o have_v a_o particular_a oath_n to_o be_v tender_v unto_o and_o take_v by_o all_o who_o be_v to_o be_v on_o the_o service_n as_o full_a and_o bind_n as_o possible_o man_n can_v conceive_v to_o guard_v the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o work_v of_o reformation_n from_o all_o harm_n or_o prejudice_n 5._o the_o opposition_n that_o many_o of_o these_o who_o have_v be_v former_o exclude_v and_o now_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v do_v make_v to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n do_v arise_v upon_o their_o sinful_a preference_n of_o the_o king_n interest_n to_o the_o cause_n which_o be_v then_o separate_v and_o stand_v in_o opposition_n one_o to_o another_o but_o now_o the_o interest_n of_o the_o king_n and_o the_o cause_n be_v join_v in_o one_o and_o the_o king_n now_o have_v bind_v himself_o by_o covenant_n and_o oath_n solemn_o renew_v at_o his_o coronation_n to_o maintain_v the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n there_o can_v be_v so_o evident_a danger_n apprehend_v that_o way_n to_o the_o four_o take_v from_o scandal_n and_o offence_n of_o the_o godly_a it_o be_v answer_v 1._o the_o mean_v resolve_v on_o be_v not_o sinful_a in_o itself_o and_o be_v necessary_a in_o the_o present_a case_n and_o condition_n of_o the_o land_n the_o offence_n and_o scandal_n can_v be_v give_v but_o take_v and_o therefore_o 2._o if_o any_o godly_a shall_v withdraw_v themselves_o from_o contribute_v their_o necessary_a concurrence_n for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n they_o can_v but_o high_o sin_n against_o god_n in_o desert_v their_o necessary_a duty_n and_o we_o do_v wish_v and_o hope_v that_o there_o be_v no_o active_a instrument_n to_o cause_v honest_a and_o godly_a people_n in_o the_o land_n to_o stumble_v and_o offend_v more_o then_o either_o they_o of_o themselves_o be_v incline_v to_o do_v or_o they_o can_v have_v occasion_n by_o the_o public_a resolution_n 3._o suppose_v the_o magistrate_n shall_v employ_v some_o person_n who_o he_o ought_v not_o yet_o we_o do_v not_o see_v how_o that_o any_o godly_a aught_o or_o can_v without_o sin_n lie_v aback_o from_o concur_v in_o the_o just_a defence_n of_o their_o country_n in_o the_o necessity_n thereof_o and_o be_v call_v by_o lawful_a authority_n to_o the_o five_o wherein_o it_o be_v say_v that_o it_o seem_v to_o make_v void_a the_o strength_n of_o several_a answer_n give_v to_o the_o adversary_n allege_v our_o accession_n to_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n and_o to_o promote_a a_o malignant_a party_n and_o interest_n and_o to_o contribute_v to_o the_o justify_n of_o their_o quarrel_n and_o to_o heighten_v they_o in_o their_o hope_n and_o resolution_n against_o this_o land_n it_o be_v answer_v 1._o it_o can_v no_o way_n favour_v any_o alledgeance_n of_o the_o adversary_n of_o our_o accession_n to_o the_o unlawful_a engagement_n or_o promote_a of_o any_o malignant_a party_n or_o interest_n see_v none_o be_v to_o be_v admit_v who_o have_v be_v accessory_a to_o the_o engagement_n but_o such_o as_o have_v solemn_o and_o publicklie_o renounce_v the_o same_o and_o all_o course_n tend_v thereto_o and_o make_v declaration_n of_o their_o acknowledgement_n of_o the_o sinfulness_n and_o unlawfulnesse_n thereof_o do_v engage_v themselves_o never_o to_o come_v any_o way_n in_o opposition_n to_o the_o covenant_n and_o cause_n of_o god._n 2._o we_o see_v not_o how_o it_o can_v any_o way_n justify_v their_o quarrel_n &_o we_o wish_v that_o none_o among_o ourselves_o have_v give_v or_o do_v give_v they_o injustlie_o pretence_n of_o justify_v their_o quarrel_n 3._o we_o must_v not_o stand_v to_o make_v use_n of_o lawful_a and_o necessary_a mean_n for_o our_o just_a defence_n upon_o their_o conceive_n groundless_a big_a hope_n and_o injust_a resolution_n against_o we_o to_o the_o six_o what_o be_v allege_v therein_o be_v as_o easy_o deny_v as_o it_o be_v affirm_v and_o here_o we_o can_v but_o observe_v that_o which_o be_v general_o throughout_o this_o whole_a letter_n that_o all_o who_o have_v be_v hitherto_o debar_v from_o act_v what_o ever_o they_o have_v be_v before_o and_o what_o ever_o be_v their_o testimony_n now_o of_o repentance_n for_o any_o sinful_a course_n they_o have_v be_v upon_o for_o a_o time_n for_o which_o they_o have_v give_v satisfaction_n to_o the_o kirk_n be_v yet_o count_v malignant_n which_o we_o can_v but_o think_v a_o very_a hard_a and_o uncharitable_a judgement_n and_o the_o rather_o remember_v that_o in_o the_o commission_n at_o sterline_n after_o the_o defeat_n it_o be_v otherwise_o publicklie_o acknowledge_v to_o the_o seven_o 1._o we_o acknowledge_v that_o we_o have_v cause_n to_o be_v afraid_a of_o the_o lord_n indignation_n and_o controversy_n against_o the_o land_n both_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o such_o as_o be_v now_o to_o be_v employ_v as_o also_o for_o the_o sin_n of_o other_o as_o well_o as_o of_o they_o but_o we_o see_v no_o cause_n to_o be_v afraid_a of_o god_n indignation_n simple_o upon_o this_o account_n that_o necessary_a mean_n allow_v by_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o our_o just_a and_o necessary_a defence_n and_o as_o for_o that_o enemy_n he_o be_v not_o only_o the_o rod_n of_o god_n anger_n and_o the_o staff_n in_o his_o hand_n the_o lord_n indignation_n against_o malignant_n but_o also_o against_o the_o whole_a land_n even_o the_o godly_a themselves_o as_o be_v at_o this_o day_n visible_a in_o all_o the_o three_o kingdom_n because_o of_o our_o manifold_a sin_n hypocrisy_n and_o disobedience_n to_o the_o gospel_n of_o christ_n so_o if_o this_o alledgeance_n have_v any_o force_n to_o the_o point_n for_o which_o it_o be_v bring_v it_o shall_v follow_v that_o all_o and_o every_o one_o of_o we_o shall_v lie_v down_o and_o do_v nothing_o against_o the_o enemy_n at_o all_o certain_o although_o ashur_n be_v the_o rod_n of_o god_n anger_n against_o the_o hypocritical_a nation_n of_o the_o jew_n yet_o that_o be_v no_o argument_n why_o that_o people_n may_v not_o stand_v in_o their_o defence_n against_o that_o enemy_n whereas_o it_o be_v say_v that_o the_o necessity_n plead_v for_o the_o present_a resolution_n do_v not_o clear_v they_o in_o these_o thing_n because_o they_o remember_v in_o the_o year_n 1646._o albeit_o the_o necessity_n be_v plead_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n for_o the_o capitulation_n with_o james_n grahame_n and_o his_o adherent_n yet_o that_o do_v not_o hinder_v the_o commission_n to_o bear_v testimony_n against_o the_o pardon_v of_o they_o which_o be_v much_o less_o than_o employ_v they_o it_o be_v answer_v 1._o that_o the_o necessity_n be_v clear_a as_o it_o have_v be_v clear_v in_o the_o present_a case_n plead_v most_o strong_o for_o and_o may_v clear_v any_o concern_v the_o make_v use_n of_o mean_n in_o themselves_o lawful_a for_o just_a defence_n 2._o that_o necessity_n plead_v by_o the_o committee_n of_o estate_n be_v meerelie_o pretend_v they_o have_v then_o sufficiency_n of_o power_n to_o have_v suppress_v and_o take_v order_n with_o that_o enemy_n what_o be_v allege_v from_o the_o passage_n and_o paper_n already_o cite_v as_o speak_v against_o the_o employ_v of_o they_o in_o our_o army_n in_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n have_v be_v already_o sufficient_o answer_v that_o which_o follow_v speak_v against_o unbelief_n in_o case_n of_o the_o scarcenesse_n of_o mean_n etc._n etc._n we_o acknowledge_v the_o divine_a truth_n of_o that_o that_o it_o be_v all_o one_o with_o god_n to_o save_v with_o many_o or_o with_o few_o and_o that_o it_o be_v great_a sin_n to_o be_v misbelieve_v when_o god_n in_o his_o providence_n redact_v we_o to_o scarcetie_n of_o secundarie_n mean_n but_o that_o it_o be_v no_o ground_n for_o we_o to_o neglect_v the_o use_n of_o lawful_a necessary_a and_o competent_a mean_n when_o god_n do_v afford_v they_o such_o as_o he_o have_v yet_o bless_a be_v his_o name_n leave_v unto_o we_o in_o this_o land_n but_o none_o of_o understanding_n who_o we_o meet_v with_o do_v see_v how_o these_o can_v be_v have_v without_o such_o a_o call_n forth_o of_o the_o people_n in_o these_o part_n of_o the_o land_n that_o be_v yet_o free_a from_o the_o oppression_n of_o the_o enemy_n as_o be_v hold_v forth_o in_o the_o public_a resolution_n which_o be_v make_v use_n of_o as_o they_o may_v be_v make_v use_n of_o without_o such_o snare_n danger_n to_o the_o cause_n of_o god_n and_o any_o give_a scandal_n and_o just_a grief_n to_o the_o godly_a as_o be_v pretend_v what_o ever_o be_v the_o event_n thereupon_o give_v we_o leave_v to_o say_v will_v be_v more_o peace_n and_o comfort_n to_o we_o then_o if_o any_o further_a calamity_n shall_v come_v upon_o the_o land_n lawful_a and_o necessary_a mean_n afford_v by_o providence_n not_o have_v be_v make_v use_n of_o what_o follow_v hereafter_o have_v be_v answer_v before_o until_o it_o come_v to_o these_o word_n but_o we_o can_v conceive_v how_o the_o kingdom_n and_o cause_n can_v be_v well_o separate_v etc._n etc._n wherein_o give_v we_o leave_v to_o say_v without_o offence_n great_a injury_n be_v do_v the_o commission_n of_o the_o kirk_n in_o that_o resolution_n whileas_o it_o be_v allege_v that_o therein_o we_o do_v separate_v the_o kingdom_n from_o the_o cause_n as_o we_o be_v go_v contrary_a to_o the_o mind_n and_o course_n of_o this_o kirk_n and_o kingdom_n these_o twelve_o year_n past_a which_o never_o separate_v they_o and_o be_v homologate_a with_o such_o as_o be_v adversary_n and_o undermyner_n of_o the_o cause_n have_v endeavour_v to_o put_v religion_n out_o of_o the_o quarrel_n do_v our_o mention_v only_o the_o kingdom_n in_o that_o resolution_n import_v a_o separation_n of_o the_o kingdom_n and_o the_o cause_n in_o the_o quarrel_n against_o our_o enemy_n or_o what_o logic_n can_v draw_v out_o such_o a_o consequence_n out_o of_o it_o we_o do_v think_v that_o the_o kingdom_n be_v in_o danger_n by_o this_o enemy_n the_o cause_n also_o be_v in_o danger_n and_o the_o defend_n of_o the_o kingdom_n will_v be_v the_o defend_n of_o the_o cause_n also_o and_o we_o trust_v no_o instrument_n shall_v be_v employ_v for_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o kingdom_n to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o cause_n so_o that_o we_o see_v not_o that_o much_o advantage_n be_v by_o that_o resolution_n give_v to_o the_o enemy_n and_o we_o wonder_v how_o it_o can_v be_v say_v to_o be_v inductive_a to_o other_o to_o comply_v with_o they_o to_o the_o prejudice_n of_o the_o kingdom_n as_o be_v of_o less_o value_n and_o importance_n than_o the_o cause_n except_o these_o other_o be_v such_o as_o have_v cast_v off_o natural_a affection_n to_o their_o native_a kingdom_n or_o judge_v these_o who_o be_v present_a enemy_n to_o the_o kingdom_n not_o to_o be_v enemy_n to_o the_o cause_n a._n ker._n perth_n march_v 13._o 1651._o the_o letter_n of_o the_o minister_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o stirling_n be_v not_o here_o print_v as_o be_v intend_v the_o same_o be_v already_o print_v at_o edinburgh_n under_o the_o false_a and_o odious_a title_n of_o a_o remonstrance_n of_o the_o presbytery_n of_o stirling_n against_o the_o present_a conjunction_n with_o the_o malignant_a party_n and_o spread_v throughout_o the_o kingdom_n by_o what_o mean_n and_o warrant_v it_o be_v not_o know_v a._n ker._n