TO demo [...]strate the lawfulness and necessity of this presen Engagement against the Scots by the Parliament of the Commonwealth of England, would be but the holding of a Candle to the Sun: were not the eyes of men very much blinded & their Reason prosticuted to the dictates of Selfishness and Prejudice; it being a thing hardly to be imagined, that any English man should be so far cheated, as to betray the Interest of his Country to the Scotish Nation; [...] that those whose Principles have led them to assist the Parliament against the late King and whose prayers and swords h [...]ve strenuously endeavoured his removal, should, after the apparent and acknow [...]edged hand of God; subduing that Faction, fall into it, and endeavour the re-inforcing thereof upon the blood and ruine of Religion, themselves, and this Common-wealth. But seeing it hath pleased God to permit such a spirit of delusion and madness to seize on men▪ and that under the disguise of Religion, and the misguiding of Discontent, which may prove of dangerous concernment to themselves and this Nation, I thought it my duty, according to my little time and ta­lent to unveil this Mystery, which I lay before the World to serve those ends for which God hath appointed it.

In the management of which I shall onely endeavour, with what brevity I can to manifest,

• 1. The lawfulness and necessity of this present Engagement against the Scots.
• 2. The groundless conjunction of those of the Presbytery of this Na­tion with the Scots and Malignants either from Religion State-principles, or the demeanour of this Commonwealth towards them.

In the close whereof something may appear whereby every honest heart may have matter of encouragement effectually to assist this work, and to expect the presence of the Lord to accompany them therein.

The Justness of this Engagement against the Scots will be evident when it's considered.

First, that the Cause is the very same with that which was formerly in England, viz. against the tyranny of the King; which, after the solemn [Page 2]Appeals of both parties to God hath eminently been from heaven determi­ned not onely once but a second and a third [...]i [...]e; and this not in Eng­land onely but in Scotland and I [...]eland; upon which ground we may ex­pect his wonted presence. This will appear no Riddle if it be minded.

1. That▪ without giving any satisfaction for the innocent blood that hath been shed by him or his father in these Wars in these three Nations, or bringing him as a Delinquent to condign punishment they have treated with Charles Stuart eldest son to the late King, who hath actually levied Arms against the Parliament of England and [...]ave taken and proclaimed him King not onely of Scotland but of England and Ireland.

2. They have engaged to assist him with Forces and are in Arms against: the Commonwealth of England, whereby they highly own not onely the guilt of the former Wars, but gird unto [...]heir loins the blood that may be shed in this Quarrel, wherein they protect him from the Justice of Eng­land and assist hi [...] with A [...]ms further to pursue his tyr [...]nuical principles.

3. They have joyned with all the old enemies of England Papists and Malignants; with the Rebels in Ireland whom they entertain in their Ar­mies as Officers and Souldiers, and are employed in the Plots and Con­trivances in this Nation, the more to facilitate the intended issue of their monstrous Conjunction.

Secondly, it's not onely the same Cause that was formerly managed by the late King and his party but hath in it, as to them, these Aggravations.

1. In that the Quarrel they now take upon them was first designed and acted upon Themselves in the yeer 1639 by the late King, whom we then so greatly tendered, that we rather put the most probable hopes of our re­lief. viz. our Parliament, to a dissolution then to assist him against them.

2. That when the Q [...]arrel was afterwards on foot in England. they seemed to retain so much sense of the former cou tesie, that they levied Forces and came in to our assistance, declaring them to be not onely ours, but their Common enemies, and so for a time they pursued them; which Quarrel they now espouse to themselves.

3. After we had rolled thorow the blood of seven yeers War, into a little Peace and were beg [...]nning to sit under our Vines; in stead of rejoy­cing that we that took the War out of theirs into our own bowels were returned to rest they cruelly designed our Invasion, and with a full consent of Parliament entred our borders with a great Army committing unspeak­able mischiefs and villanies in the English Nation; and all to set up the late King on the blood of the honest people of this Nation, and the de­struction of Religion and Liberty: To which though some of the Leading men now amongst them seemed to dissent, yet we very well know who first [Page 5]designed the Invasion, and that the Invasion was was not the scruple, but what hand should manage it, whether Duke Hamilton, or the Kirk.

4. That when through the Providence of God this weapon turned into their own bowels so that the flames of war designed and blown upon us, were like to consume them [...]elves, upon the request of those men, which be­fore and now breath forth nothing but our destruction, we came to their assistance, not with Recompences but with love; not with the wounds of enemies but the embraces of friends; not with the powering forth of thei [...] blood but the laying of our own on the ground for their sakes, and (through the blessings of God) ended that war and returned with such humble expressions of our thankfulness as is too long to be related.

5. When our enemies were subdued on all parts, and were upon the work before us in altering of the Government of the Nation, for the best security of the honest party, and the true administration of Justice a­mongst us; of which not they, but our selves are the proper Judges, we took not the advantage of their breach of the Amity between us, nor the opportunit [...]es that lay before us, to put Laws upon them, or to claim any of their Priviledges, but left them to the policy of their own constitution; Notwithstanding all which Indeerments, they seek now bloodily to put the son of the late King over us to mould our Constitutions according to their pleasures, and to put us into War again after all our sufferings. But though like Amalek they come to cut us off when they think we are weak and feeble insteed of bringing forth Bread and Water to us, yet let them take heed least God remember it against them, as he did against Amalek; and let them beware that the Grecian Horse for whose enter­tainment they break down the Wals of their League and Principles, do not disgorge such a number of Arm'd men amongst them, as may by wofull experience let them finde▪ twas not a present from heaven, but a neat design to possess their Dominion.

The disguise under which these things are covered, is Religion and the Covenant, thinking thereby the better to deceive; which being truely weighed as will appear in the ensuing Discourse, are ashamed to cover such rotten Sepulchres; but in their proper Colou [...]s, you will finde these contrivances to be,

• 1. The Riches and Lordliness of the Nobility.
• 2. The Domination of the Kirk, over Conscience and Authority.
• 3. Their Unsatiable lust to possess the sweetness and Dominion of England; which to effect they take in any persons or Interests (except some the more cunningly to deceive) and fear not to appeal to God to [Page 4]judge between us, and to put the name of the Lord and Religion upon all their endeavors, which no doubt God will answer to their shame and sorrow.

By what hath been said concerning the cause of this Engagement and the Aggravations of it (to say nothing of former Actions) together with their continued refusall to Treat with us, or to own the Authority of this Common-wealth, and the great designs they have laid in England not only to draw away the hearts of many of this Nation upon the pre­tence of Religion, from the Interest thereof by designing an universall rising of Malignants and Presbyters over all this Common-wealth to de­stroy us; as by the Commissions, confession, and other Papers taken on Colonel Robert Leuen [...] under his own hand, and Charles Stuarts hand and Seal, with his confession before his Execution, doth very much ap­pear: I say upon the consideration of these and many other particulars which might be n [...]ed, there will appear to any unblessed man, a great necessity enforcing this State to expedite their Armies for the prevention of the mischiefes designed on them, and there to Engage the Enemy where it may be of most advantage to their affaires and least detriment to their own borders: and if the making of Scotland the seat of that War they have designed upon us (whose borders by the last Invasion, and these late practises lie open to us) may be a prevention of those miseries which their last Invasions exercised on the Cor [...]et [...]y, and thereby making the enemy to feel the smart of their own War; Justice and Prudence leads them to such undertakings, which as it is sufficient ground for entring that Nation with our Army, so it is answer enough to any that shall question such an Engagement.

2. As to the Groundlesseness of the Conjunction of any of the Presby­terie of this Nation with the Scots and the Malignants, although the Interest of England against Scotland the Principles of Freedom against Tyranny, the prevention of War▪ and blood in England should be mat­ter enough for every Englishman▪ that hath been faithful to the Parlia­ment, and loves the peace of his country to be so far from joyn [...]ng with, &c. incouraging this enemy as to unite themselves and live and dye to­gether against them▪ and in these particulars the groundlesseness of it is sufficiently manifested yet give me leave to demonstrate that the Presbyterie especially, who appear to be the leading men in this Engagement against us, have neither from Religion, their former State-principles, nor the de­portment of those in Authority towards them, any ground of conjunction which the Scots and Malignants in this War; which (if God prevent not) may suddenly make England and Scotland and Aceldema.

[Page 5] 1. As to Religion, 2 Cor 10. [...]. Heb 4.12. Ioh. 18 36 M [...]h. 26.52, 53. The Apostle tels us that the weapons thereof are not carnall▪ but spiritual; not in Garments rowled in blood, but in the two-edged sword of the Spirit: My kingdome (saith Christ) is not of this world otherwise I could pray my father and he should send me Legi­ons of Angels, and my servants would fight for me therfore Peter put up thy sword: for they that draw the sword in this sense shall perish by the sword. To raise Armes to put Nations into blood to make war a­gainst authority, was neither the Doctrine of Christ, nor his Apostles; therefore (saith Christ) give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars; pay them Tribute least we should offend them, though as free men we think our selves exempted: When you enter into a house or City▪ Matth. 21.20. and they receive you not what then? Raise Arms move sedition shedd blood? No, shake the dust off your seet against them: and pray (saith the Apostles) for those that are in Authority over you, Matth. 10.14. Act. 12 51. R m 13 4. R m 4 17 2 I' [...] 3.16. Tat 17. that under them you may live a godly life &c. Even to such higher powers let every o [...]e be subject. The office of a Minister consists in things that concern the Kingdom of God which is Righteousness, peace joy in the Holy Ghost; and as to that their work is to be in Doctrine, Exhortation Reproof &c. and he must be one that's blameless, not given to wine filthy lucre no str [...]ker &c. not in sitting on the Thrones of Earthly power, mo [...]nting over Terren Glories, controwling affairs of State and putting Nations into war, where they are denyed this Lordliness; no the Son of man (saith Christ) came not to destroy b [...]t to save; Luk 4 56. M [...].23.8. M tth. 20.25. 2 Cor. [...]0. [...]. and be you not called R [...]bbies for after t [...]ee t [...]ings do the Gentiles seek. The Kingdom of God consists in the spirit through which it is mighty in casting down the strong holds within: the work of the Gospell must be carried on in the way of the Gospell not by the Pow­ers of the World, but by the Word and Spirit; those that proceed ot [...]er­wise go without their Commission, and consequently without any pro­mise of Protection. In a word ther's not Precept, or Example of Christ or his Apostles that they ever took the Authorities of the world to enforce Religion, nor called for fire from Heaven upon such as refused, ex­cept those to whom Christ said You known not of what Spirit you are; nor that they intermeddled in setting Nations on fire, if they were not received, Luk. 9.54.55. or that mixt themselves in these hum [...]ne affaires.

Therefore for the Presbyter in England to Design and Leavy war, to plot and conspire to betray and give up their own Nation into the hands of strangers and men of desperate Spirits whose mercies are cruelties, and which may end in the des [...]owring and ra [...]shment of Matrons and Virgins, the ripping up of women with child the dashing of little ones a­gainst the Wals, the blood and ruine of a Nation, their own Nation, and [Page 6]all that is dear in it, because every thing is not enforced as Doctrine which they lay down; because what they propose as the external part of a Kirk, is not coercively enjoyned upon all men; themselves not being Apostles or able to demonstrate the truth of their assertions from the Scriptures or A­postolical infall [...]bility, hath no ground at all from Christ o [...] his Apostles, but the very contrary is judged by the Scriptures. It is evident that such minde their own L [...]sts, and not the Lord Jesus, to whom they pretend; and therefore when they suffer it will be as evil doers, not for the Gospel

2. Then for their State-principle I mean the cause of their first Engage­ment against the King, Was it not because it was contrary to the Law of Nature (the safety of the People) that one man should be above the Law, and dispose of the lives and estates of the Nation as he pleased; and when the Parliament desired redress in many grievances, to raise Arms against them and tear the very bowels of the Nations and put all upon the hazard, rather then to be limited in his unsatiable Will? And were not those Gentle­men some of the first, the most zealous in Parliament Pulpits and Armies against him and his party and rejoyced that they had a life or estate to lose or engage against him? Or could any thing be imagined to express their de­testation of him and his party, more then came from their Pulpits P [...]ns, and Swords? or are any to this day so severe against his party in Seque­strations &c.? And is not the Cause still the same the same cruel bloody, tyrannical principles, and parties to be opposed whom if God should per­mit to have the day, would execute such horrid villanies murthers massa­cres that the Sun never saw; and would not rest whilst the face of honesty were remaining in the Nation or indeed this any longer a People? Are they converted, nay are they not rather heightned in all malicious bloodiness imaginable, and will let these men taste of the Cup as deep as others, and herein be more miserable to see their friends destroyed before them? Why then or upon what ground do the Presbyters after that God hath deliver­ed that King and his party into our hands a first a second a third time, in England Scotland and Ireland hath brandished his sword▪ and given it a charge against them to their overthrow, and made th [...]m the destruction of those that joyned to them, as well as witnessed from heaven against them in the most signal manner that ever was in the world? Why then do they now strike in with that Interest and joyn with those and forraign peo­ple, to put their Country, their Religion their Wives and Children▪ their Lives and Liberties and all that is dear in the world after all our preserva­tions, into utter destructions? Oh consider this, and lay it to heart lest you become [...]uilty of the blood of your friends your selves and that which hath been committed by this party; lest you fall with transgressors, and God [Page 9] tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you. Hath any thing been done that is not according to our first Principle, and that unavoidable Necessity enforced us? Could it be safe after all, to leave such a dangerous President on Record as a King unpunished that had endeavoured to bring his Will thorow the Blood of a Nation, and the Liberties thereof, and had appealed to God to determine the Quarrel by the sword? Or were it just to do so, to destroy the Servant, and excuse the Master that gave the [...]m­mand and to leave the honest party unsecured after all their sufferings? Did not you fight against him in the Feild, and was not this as much as cutting off his head at White-Hall; onely you mist your Execution, but that tooke? And when some of us being unsatisfied whether we should kill the King if we met him in a Charge, and went to many of you to be re­solved; Viz. Mr. Calamy, Mr Case, Mr. Love. Mr. Ash. &c. did not you tell us that we might lawfully kill him? How comes now your Judgment to be altered? Can the power of Godlinesse be safe amongst these men? Can you love their company and joyn with their actions? If you say 'twas but a party of men did this, and that it was not according to the Covenant; Did not those that you looke upon, be­tray their trusts, and fall into compliance with him contrary to their duty, and to the hazard of the Nation? Must all be lost because some are un­faithfull? And should not they doe justice whose hearts God hath kept upright and called to performe it, because others neglected it, and would not doe it? Was there not a necessity in these things? And for the Co­venant, were you to protect him otherwise then it consists with Religion, and the safety of the People? Was it not according to Religion that he that sheddeth mans bloud by man should his bloud be shed? And could his comming in with a Negative voice, and his opportunities thereby to obtaine in a short time all his ends, be safe for the Liberties of the People, especially there being no conviction upon him, or any remorse for his for­mer Actions? And was it not a part of the Covenant to bring Delin­quents to punishment? Was not he one, the Chiefe, the Principall? Or are Covenants of that nature any otherwise then Externall, serving onely whilst the end (viz.) the safety and good of the People is cleare and perspicuous? are they any longer binding then the Equitie of them re­manies, and the Powers that made them so understand it? Besides, are Constitutions to be perpetuall? Hath not, and doth not God make many changes in the world, and as the good of the people is more brought to light, should not Constitutions beare that in their foreheads? The safety of the People ought to forme Constitutions, and not old Constitutions to determine the safety of the people; nor ought every defect to cause an alteration, but where necessity enforceth, especially where the former [Page 8]proves destructive; are not the Laws changed upon this account? To what end serves all the discoveries of good in the world if Governments should not be thereunto conformable? And to this end the Providence of God hath and doth worke up the policy of Nations according to their oppor­tunities to form their constitutions. Truely if things be sifted to the bot­tom, i [...] will appear that if the Government had been charged the late King execu [...]ed by you, or those hands you like, it had been the good, and in that the justice of it determined: but because it is by others hands, you having layd your selves aside in being unfaithfull to your Principles, and sacrifi­sing to the Gods that afflicted you; and now you will trie whether you can undo his worke againe, and give the lye to his Appearances, though in it you hazard your bodies and soules, and the being of England. I beseech you sadly to consider this, and give Glory to the Lord of Hosts, before he cause your feet to stumble farther and fall in the darke Moun­taines: These things have no ground from you former principle.

3. As to the Deportment of this State towards them, let it be consi­dered what their Provocations have been, and what they have received in recompence, and then it will be evident that they have Ground to fight for the Common-wealth, and not against it.

Before I proceed to that, I shall onely premise their Maxime, which is true both in Religion and Reason; That the miscariages of persons should never cause a man to throw away the Principles of Equitie: What though these men have had discouragements, and many now in Authority abounding with Infirmities; Shall we therefore turne into a contrary Cause, and thereby disturbe and betray the Peace of our Countrey?

For the provocations given to the Rulers of this Nation, let it be conside­red: Were they not the first beginners of Schism and Division amongst the Parliaments friends? Did not they as soone as God smiled a little on our proceedings, whilst with one heart and hand we were pursuing a Common Enemy, begin a separation with their Presbytery? which being as a bone cast amongst us, they denied any other Religion that was not of that fashion? Did they not take off severall deserving Officers and Souldiers from their Union with their faithfull Brethren, to be in opposi­tion to them, whereby those who were little enough to looke the Enemy in the face, looked upon one another as Enemies? Did they not Impor­tune the Parliament, even with breaches of their Priviledges, to make Shib­boleths to turne out of the Armyes and places of trust those that could not subscribe to the Jure Divino of Presbytery, though they never yet did nor ever will from Scripture be able to manifest it? And though the per­sons [Page 9]that scrupled it might upon as good, nay on firmer grounds have moved for another f [...]me having more of Scripture, and as much faith­fullnesse Gallantrie and sufferings for the Parliament to commend them as the other if not more; their silence being, because they thought it and doe still esteeme it Antichristian to enforce people to that worship of God which they doe not understand; the Lawes of Christ being like his King­dome, not Carnall but Spirituall. How many an opportunity had the Enemy by this? How much bloud was lest, till the Providence of God brought forth another Army of those men whom they had layd aside and provided Engins to destroy their Consciences or their persons? When necessity brought them into the field what endeavours▪ what lorging [...] were there to destroy them though the neck of England lay upon their proceedings! It would be endlesse to reckon up all things? With what outstretched neckes they gaped for their rout at Nasby! and when the Lord marveilously turn'd it into a day of Victory (which England will have cause alwaies to remember with thankfullness to God) how sad were their hearts and at all the other unparallel'd mercies with which God had blessed them, The like of Marston-Moor. insomuch that some of them judg'd it Judgements rather then mercies!

When through that Army the Enemy was subdued and Ireland stood in need of relief what endeavours were there to break this Army in peices, to bring up the Scots to this end, to put in a new General! &c. When none of chese things would put us together by the eares, then upon a de­signe pretended for Ireland, but intending another end they endeavour the breaking it in peices and to bring the pretended forces for Ireland to ballance the Army; when part of the Army would have gone if led by by their owne Officers; that was refused being thought no less than dam­nation and so p [...]est by the Presbytery to send such thither. Mr. Nich [...] acknow­ledg me [...]t at Kingston. Then they en­deavour to disb [...]nd them noting them Traytors upon the report of a Pe ition intended from the Army to them though they had not seen the Petition, or l [...]e [...]rd any deposition on for what was suggested; and this as a gratuity for rede [...]ming them from their enemies.

When none of those would effect their end nor put us into blood then (so tender were they of this poor Lands sufferings and blood, and of Ire­land) they des [...]gre another war and to that end got a rude multitude some of the Ra [...]es c [...]pping them on the b [...]ok) who with an unparallel'd im­pudence put Force on the House, Note, the first Force was [...]y themselvs. necessitated the Speaker and other faith­ful per on to flee to the Army the rest to revoke former Orders▪ and to ord [...]n another Army, General Officers raising of London g [...]isoning it against the Army, and designed other parts also, and the Scots marching [Page 12]to our borders which was the first war by them raised.

When God was pleased to blast this also that much blood was not shed, (no thanks to them) then they must designe a compliance with the late King and the Scots must be sent for their preparations not voted against, private Agreements must pass between the King and them: to accom [...]l [...]sh this the Militia must lie unsetled, the N [...]vie must be broken (which great loss is not yet recovered) a Personal Treaty must be driven on with fu [...], though no men more against it formerly then them; and the rising of the people made a pretence thereunto when it's known who stirred up the peo­ple to force a Treaty, although Treaties were known to be designes for mischief; and the very treating with him put an acknowledgement of guilt upon themselves. Then the Scots came in with a great Army; Insurrecti­ons were everywhere to the great hozard of England; five thousand of which under the Earl of Holland being followed with five hundred of ours and news thereof brought into the Assembly Oh said a R [...]bby, M. Hodges. but there is five▪ thousand with my Lord to engage them; and the best of their actions were then to look on whilst we were eng [...]ging in blood; be ng those [...] of whose hand the King took the Nav [...]e Duke Hamilton t [...]e Scots Army and the Insurrections the Militia of the Country; and so they helpt on a second war upon their account, being the sole encourage­ment of Scots and Malign [...]n [...]s.

The goodness of God having delivered us from these straits, and made us instruments to save Scotland themselves and us, when we had oppor­tunity, and were altring the Constitution of the Nation for the best ad­vantage of Justice and Safety and the King called to account; then they rail against the Alteration, the Kings Execution; and in stead of lying down before the presence of the Lord and blessing his Name for the good he had done▪ in preserving them against their own wills they again encou­rage the Malignants and Scots vilifie and contemn the Government re­fuse to own or obey them; every Pulpit excommunicating the State out of the Divinity of Truth the R [...]ght of Authority, and the Hearts of the People; and have proceeded to assist and joyn with that Nation of Scot­land Charles Stuart son to the late King and all the Malignants and Re­bels of Ireland who manage the same Cause of the King, whom they pray for, yet could there not be a Prayer for▪ or Thanksgiving to God be had from them for what he hath wonderfully done by the Army in Ire­land; but to lay designes for an universal Rising amongst our selves, and so upon their own account have laid the foundation of a third war▪ which they call The Cause of the King and the Ki [...]k; the First being God and the King, the Second The King and Parliament: The first was Bel­lum [Page 13]Episcopal [...]; and in this the Bishops and the King fell together; the second, the King fell from and by the Parliament: the third, Bellum Presbyteriale, and in this let them take heed lest the King and the Kirk fall together. Thus they prefer their own unrighteous discontents before the Peace of this Nation; valuing more the venting of their p [...]ssi [...]ns then the Lives Liberties, and Territories of England; which they had rather, and therefore give life unto and assist the Scots and Malignants to the ruine of this Nation, then that those whom God hath prospered, and put in Authority should govern, Little dost thou think, ô England, Few for [...]ain Nations are now plotting the ravish­ing of the wives of thy bosome, and to de­stroy thee utterly. and themselves be out of the Chair over mens Consciences and the State; though their own blood may prove the second Scene of the Tragedy.

Before I pass this▪ let me intreat thee, O England to consider who hath put thee into Two wars already since thy First was ended; and the Ma­lignants and Scots are encouraged to this Third war (likely to be more bloody then all that hath yet been) through these men; and that the blood that shall be shed is from them, as the cause, upon what grounds thou seest; that thou mayst indeed perceive who makes thee miserable; the in­terest of the Priest having all along set fire in this Nation; the Bishops were first these follow; to whom the Lord give repentance, lest they finde it a hard thing to kick against the pricks.

But now what hath the carriage of the State been towards them? Have they not notwithstanding all the [...]e high provocations contrary to the Law of God and Man Have they not, I say permitted them and always will the liberty of their Conference as to Religion? (though they denied it to us and do still deny it.) Have they not the propriety of their Est [...]tes, the security of the Laws and all other advantages, onely they require them to be true and not consp [...]e against this Commonwealth▪ which t [...]ey refuse? Have they not been treated with all civilities, and commended their way of Worship to the Nation? And for all the despe [...]a [...]e D [...]visions in the Na­tion, and three several Wars, which have cost much blood▪ and how much more wel now not; Hath any man of them suffered? (the more I fear the State hath to answer for:) onely when their rage had proceeded so far as to lay the ground of this War, and the closing with the Scots and Ma­lignants, and would not forbear their rebellious against the State, some few of them have been suspended from their P [...]lp [...]s▪ that they might be hindred from pouring more oil into the flame of this Nation; [...]he medling with State-affairs being that for which they are suspended; such an im­placable spirit having scized upon them that nothing but the ruine of this Power and overthrowing all that God hath done for us will satisfie them, and this under the disguse of Religion, when as it is their own Lusts that [Page 12]is the rife of these Wars, and which will cost dear in the end. I do even tremble to think how they will be able to appear before the Lord, whose Name they put upon their unrighteous actions; comm [...]t iniqu [...]ty rail and revile, put Nations into blood, and yet cry The Temple of the Lord. The righteous God of heaven and earth will one day make the [...]e things naked before the Sun and bring forth the righteousness of his People.

By all that hath been said will strongly appear not only this Justice and necessity of this Engagement against Scotland b [...]t that all those Presby­ters that shall Engage against the P [...]rliament of England have no ground either from Religion; their former Stat-Principle or the demeanour of those in Authority towards them to do so, but the contrary.

And from all that hath been said there is g [...]e [...]t matter of encour [...]ge­ment (if the Lord so please) to every faithful soul to proceed in this cause of God, and his people, without fearing any d [...]fficulties, and qu [...]etly to ex­pect his blessing on their endeavors and because [...]our enemies may seem many, let me reckon up a few▪ which may be as a Mo [...]ntain full of Cha­riots of fire for your assistance; let your enem [...]es have all the blood and mischief shedd in the late wars upon their shoulders; their cause and gui [...]t cannot be separated.

2. They are joyned to Idolaters, and that accursed thing which God hath so much declared ag [...]inst, and which hitherto hath ruin'd all that have joyned to it; having snatcht away a King an [...] Monarchy in his dis­pleasure in a s [...]gnall manner to which workings of Heaven they dare bid defiance and g [...]ve the lye to all that hath been said of God concerning it.

3. We have given no just occasion to the Scots or P [...]esbyters but have protected them in the Enjoyment of their Consciences, Est [...]tes and in o­ther advantages so far as the Publique safety would adm [...]t; whom if a Spirit of delusion did not possess, they would see how imposs [...]ble it is that the spiri [...] of prophaneness should set up the power of godliness, the Prin­ciples of Tyranny the freedom of the People the Interest of Scotland, the English D [...]m [...]nion, or themselves safe in the hands of such men as will m [...]ke no diff [...]rence.

So was Christ [...]e counted a Blasph [...] ­me [...], and upon that crucified.4. That the Interest of J [...]sus Christ in the Spirit and Power of Reli­gion is on this side and is indeed that which they maligne, and therefore brand with the name of Sect [...]ris [...]e.

5. That the time is now drawing nigh wherein God will cut short his work in Righteousness. Mountains must m [...]l [...] down before him; he draws things into a more high and narrow dispute, not so much between Pro­phaneness and Religion (which prophaneness and Idolatry they take in to their ass [...]stance) but we the form and power of Godliness: and now [Page 13]the powers of that Nation in the form are drawing into Armageddon, a­gainst the power of Religion, and have encompassed the beloved City, but fire will come down from Heaven to destroy them.

6. A great spirit of Prayer and Confidence is risen up in the Saints for his presence in this work; wherein not the arm of flesh, but his Glory shall be seen and acknowledged; and they are drawn forth in their expe­ctation to behold some eminent appearance.

7. To adde no more the Scipture tells us, that the neerer Babylon is to her destruction, the more she is in her confidence. And let us not be dis­couraged, that many that pretend to godliness are with them: Many Jews staid and perished in old Babylon: if they joyn to Babylon, they shall fall with her. Come out of her, my people, lest ye be partakers of her sins and of her plagues. If they will uphold what God will destroy, we must do our work, and leave it to God, who knows how to deliver the Righteous, to save their persons and open their eyes; which is our prayer to God for them, though they prepare war in their hearts against us.

Thus have I, according to what I have received, and my little time, endeavoured to unvail the mystery of Iniquity which is now working in Scotland and England, and what indeed lies at the bottome of all Parties in these transactions: more might be said, but this is not in­tended for a Volume. I bless the Lord I have no other end in it then to discharge my duty in this hour of Temptation to my poor Country, which seems to be betrayed and beset on all hands; whose welfare I value above my life, and out of my tender affections to many of the Presbyterie whom I love and respect, and desire that they may be delivered out of the snare of the Devil in which they are taken Cap­tive: indeed its no bad Couns [...]l to them to weigh these things serious­ly, least they be farther found fighters against God, betrayers, and rippers up of the bowels of their Country destroyers of the Saints in their just proceedings, under the pretence of the Honor of God Christ and the Gospel; and that other honest people who I believe truely fear God, may not be deluded by the guiles of men who lie in wait to deceive. I have no personal prejudice against any one, nor write I any thing out of prejudiced spirit but have dealt plainly according to the truth of things, and necessity that lies upon me to pluck some (if it may be) out of the fire; for 'tis now no jesting; the Scots and Malig­nants have through discontent cheated those men in their assistance, which is likely to prove either their destruction, or our ruin and all the truely faithful people in the world. Many of these things have been [Page 14]longer observed by me but was loath to put them on the Stage, hoping that God would have let these men see the Error of their waies: but when they proceed so high as that they occasion this war that is now on foot, which is likely, to have more black attendance then any yet; and their passions must fall, or we with the faithful in the Land, and the Nation, must be ruined; I could not but thus discharge my conscience, to let this Nation know, that these men have been and are now the ground of the miseries that have been since the first Conquest of this Enemy and shall proceed on this Engagement. I have faithful­ly done it, as in his presence, and let the effect be as it pleaseth him; onely let every faithful soul whom God hath preserved from being led away with the errour of the wicked, lift up his heart, and in all humi­lity and considence proceed in this work against all these generations that lift up their hand against Heaven and their Country, as that wherein the preservation of Religion Civility and Liberty the Being of England, the support of other people who lie under tyrannical Go­vernours, the honour of God and Christ is concerned; and let them believe that the Lord, who hath hitherto, to the amazement of the world, brought along this Cause, and blessed his people in it, will not, after all this, give us up as a proy to our blood-thirsty enemies; and for his great Names sake, and the praise of his Workings, he will not let the Enemy say that Profaness is better then Religion, Tyranny then Justice, Hypocrisie then Ʋprightness, the Form of godliness then the Power: No surely, his work shall go on, and he will cut it short in righteousness. In confidence of which assistance of God, and the en­dearments of this Engagement, let us rather leave our bodies in the ground as a testimony to the truth of these things, then by any base de­spondence of spirit neglect and betray this Cause, wherein his glory is so much concerned, and the welfare of these Nations.