forth a chaste spouse to himself in Scotland. These are tokens of his fatherly love and I fear a delivery, while we stand guilty of such things, as are so open whoredoms against our married husband, might rather be looked upon as a bill of divorce, than joining again in a married relation. And first, I must explain the national sins, according to the light God hath bestowed upon me, out of his free grace, who is not tied to any, but chooseth and revealeth himself to whom he will; and often glorifies his free grace, in making use even of the greatest sinners, as I confess I have been one: which national sins are contained in our national decrees.

"And first, the whole land is become guilty of idolatry, as it is established by the acts of supremacy, especially in the act explanatory; wherein all the declarative glory and prerogatives of Jesus Christ are given to the king;-which is fearful idolatry, in cribing that which he hath purchased with his precious blood, and received from his Father, as his gift, and hath reserved as s peculiar glory; giving this, I say, unto a creature, whom, by this blasphemous decree, we have set up in the room of Jesus Christ, as governor and absolute head and judge in all ecclesiastic affairs: and by the same decree, all acts and laws contrary to it are rescinded, and the whole word of God, contained in the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments, are a law contrary to it, and so by this are rescinded. Now, besides this sin of idolatry; by the act rescissory, all other acts, oaths, covenants, and engagements, that the lands are lying under, sworn to God, and in his name, are rescinded, and declared null: and in contempt of God, to whom, and in whose name they were so solemnly sworn, and so often renewed, are burnt by the hands of the hangman, through several places of these covenanted kingdoms. This is a legal perjury and breach of covenant, unparallelable in sacred or profane history. Besides, in contempt of the presence of God, seen at the meetings of his people convened in his name, they have declared them rendezvouses of rebellion: and by another act, have accounted it presumption for a minister to preach without doors;-thus contemning the call of Christ; whereby they set themselves above God. I could instance many horrid things acted and done by them, in their prosecuting the design of having that idol of theirs fixed in the usurpation of the prerogatives of Jesus Christ; yet not doubting but your ladyship knows many of them, I shall for brevity's sake omit: only, the land is filled, from the one end to the other, with innocent blood, shed on that account; and with other terrible abominations, detestable among Turks an heathens: I think in God's righteous judgment, these men are given up thereto, for the upfilling of the measure of their iniquity, that he may be glorified in the stroke of his justice upon all ranks, which is fast hastening, and that inevitably.

"But next, to mention who are guilty hereof; I know not how to do it; only I may say, I know none can be called free, and a freeing of any, or ourselves thereof, is but a hardening ourselves against God, and a defending sin against him, who is a 'swift witness, and will not be mocked, it will

Linga

dishonesty to light.' And therefore, not to mention the idol of the Lord's jealousy, or those that are prosecuting his wicked commands under him, or prelates and their adherents, I judge, and I fear, God will esteem all guilty of these forementioned sins, that have any way owned any of these, after their wickedness was discovered, and much more, such as have by their personal deeds homologated these wicked decrees, and that either by paying cesses for strengthening them in their down-bearing of the meetings of God's people for his worship, met in opposition to these wicked decrees, which is their consent to, and contribution for, the strengthening them in all their wickedness against God, or yet by subscribing any manner of bonds to them, which is, an acknowledging them in that relation wherein they stand, and are designing to fix themselves, when they are pursuing, taking imprisoning, and letting them out on these bonds again. For, their end in all their prosecutions of this nature, is to confirm themselves in this usurpation of the crown of Christ, as head of the church: and a subscribing any manner of bond prescribed by them, is, and will be, in the sight of God, an acknowledging them as head of the church, in the several stations wherein they have stated themselves;— the king as head, and they as factors under him, prosecuting his will, and putting in execution his commands; and an acknowledging any other head, any manner of way, over the church, is directly a denying of Christ before men, in his kingly office, which is a plain denying of him, and hath sore threatenings annexed thereunto.

"Icould mention many other circumstances, wherein this generation has touched the accursed thing, and has bowed the knee to that Baal-like idol of the Lord's indignation and anger; but I shall only mention besides these two, a third, of some who have appeared in arms against God, for, and in company with his enemies. Now, that way of giving and taking satisfaction for these sins, which some are for, I cannot consent to: for first, these sinful practices being practices immediately against God, and the first table of the law, no satisfaction to man can be sufficient. I close not that door that God hath opened in mercy to the really penitent, but, I say, real evidences that God has forgiven, should be, before a joining with such in society. I know the gospel should be preached to all, that they may repent,-that being the means God hath appointed for conversion, when men have sinned: but Oh! when men after light fall into these things, and others counsel and advise them to such things, fearful shall their doom be, if God prevent them not in his mercy! Now, madam, there were some such among us; and, as I have observed, God has still punished that party that has been appearing for him, when they have taken in, and joined with, the men of these abominations; and has, as it were, laid by such as have complied with the time's apostasy, I doubt not,-reserving them to the general stroke he is threatening the whole lands with. O that one and all were making their soul's interest sure with God!

"Madam, I shall not mention the several steps of apostasy and defection from God in these lands, in complying one way or other with the stated enemies of the living God, to the strengthening them

in their usurpations of Christ's crown and privileges, and hardening them in their sin, in shedding, so many ways, so much innocent blood, and their other wicked courses: neither shall I mention that idolizing of men that is among us, to the provoking of God, to let, yea, cause them fall: neither that selfishness that is among us in our appearances for God, which cannot away with a holy, spotless, and jealous God, who will not give his glory to another.' Oh! that one and all were mourning for, and acknowledging our own and the land's guiltiness in these things, and were seeking brokenness of spirit, which is a sacrifice well-pleasing to God, that God might be reconciled to us, and set up by his Spirit,-his standard; and gather in his own people thereto; and might let out his Spirit to one and all that are called by his name. I doubt not but God will save a remnant, but it will be of such in whom his free grace will be glorified, and not of the great ones, that have not rendered to the Lord, according to the talents he bestowed on them. Remember me to my fellowprisoners, especially such as are keeping their garments clean of these pollutions; and be earnest with God in my behalf, that he would keep me standing, by his free grace,—in this trial,—in patience, humility, and godly fear. And I am, madam, your ladyship's, in all humility, in Jesus Christ :

"DAVID HACKSTON."*

3. TO HIS CHRISTIAN FRIEND N. "July 28, 1680.-Dear and Christian acquaintance, My love being remembered to you and all friends in Jesus Christ; these are to show vou and all others that I know and love the truth, as it is this day owned by the smallest hand that pretend thereto; and that I was yesterday before the lords of justiciary. They charged me with several things. I declined the king's authority as an usurper of the prerogatives of the Son of God, whereby he hath involved the lands in idolatry, perjury, and other wickednesses: and I declined them as exercising under him the supreme power over the church, usurped from Jesus Christ; who, in carrying on their designs of confirming themselves in their usurpations of the crown of Christ, had shed so much innocent blood throughout the land: and that therefore I, as an owner of Christ's right, and his kingly office, which they by their wicked decrees had taken from him, durst not, with my own consent, sustain them as competent judges; but declined them as open and stated enemies to the living God, and competitors for his throne and power, belonging alone to him; whereupon, I was dismissed, and at night my indictment to compear to-morrow before an assize, was intimated Therefore I entreat you will, (for I know you have been moying with Goa,) -cause other faithful friends set time apart, and inquire the Lord's mind concerning me; and be earnest with him in my behalf, that he will glorify himself in me. You may send your letter to with a sure hand, who will give it to me. Wherever Mr. D. C. is, -acquaint him with my case, or send him this line; for I know the

* Cloud of Witnesses.

mind of God is with him; and desire him to write to me. I think, I dare not misbelieve, but when fears assault me, I think there is a voice saying to me, Fear not. Let none stumble at our cause, because of the late dispensation; it is God's cause, which was and is in our hands, though he has punished us with his fatherly chastisements, because of sin amongst us. 6 Every tree that bringeth forth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.' But, that which decayeth and goeth backward, is laid by as useless. John Pollock has been in the boots, but I am informed, he is not discouraged, but is likely to be well again. My wounds are very sore, but, blessed be God, he keeps me in a good temper, both of body and mind. I am kindly enough used, wanting nothing, I recommend you, and all the faithful, to the protection of him, who is the almighty God, and everlasting Father. No more, but rests, yours in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ:

"DAVID HACKSTON."*

4. TO HIS SISTER.

"Loving Sister,-I received yours, and the other with it, both to my contentment and satisfaction: it makes me afraid, that the eyes of many should be on me. Let all look to God; I am frail, but Christ is strong: I have his promise of through-bearing, and assurance that he should honour me in his cause, before this. Lie low before the Lord, and let others that are yet faithful be earnest on my behalf; and do it in faith: the prayers of the faithful avail much.' Have you nothing, and tell all friends to have nothing to do with such, as have ado with those that are sitting in that seat, and exercising that power, which belongs alone to Christ. The stroke of the Lord's anger is ready to be poured forth; and those that have received greatest talents from God, and have made that use of them, to strengthen enemies' hands by bonds, or otherwise owning them,-shall be most remarkable in the stroke; and shall not be honoured to testify for Christ, despised Christ, robbed Christ, contemned Christ, by this generation. Remember me to all relations and friends: and give warning to all to flee to Christ's truths and interest. If the free grace of God be glorified in me, ought not all to praise him? 'Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners.' Many of this generation think they have so much grace that they cannot sin; but I must tell them, grace doth not warrant from sin, and they may so think of it. "Sic Sub.-DAVID HACKSTON."

II. ARCHIBALD ALISON.

[Besides the worthy Author of the preceding letters, there were two other individuals taken at Airsmoss, of whom Archibald

Alison was one. He seems to have belonged to Evandale in Lanarkshire-a district of country in which the supporters of the Covenant were both numerous and respectable. With his companion in suffering, he was brought before the Justiciary on the 4th of August-tried and condemned to be executed on the 11th, or according to other accounts, on the 13th of that month, in the Grassmarket of Edinburgh This sentence he underwent accordingly. The following Testimony to the cause in which he suffered he left behind him.]

"THERE have been many such sights seen in this place of execution, since the year 1660, for this interest and cause, for which I have received the sentence of death; and here I am in your presence to lay down my life this day; for which I charge thee, O my soul, and all that is within me, to bless and magnify the name of the Lord, who can perfect his praise, and bring a testimony out of the mouths of babes or sucklings; yea, before he want some to seal his testimony, even if it were from the beasts of the field, he will not want, as in Balaam's days, the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, gave a testimony against the madness of the prophet. Wherefore, unworthy as I am, I am come here, and beg your ear and attention,―ye who are spectators and auditors-if the Lord shall permit me to speak a few words, and I shall be but brief.

"There are many come here this day to hear and see me lay down this tabernacle of mine, that hath various ends, but our Lord knows you all and your ends both: it is true, God is my witness, that I lge myself the unworthiest person of any that have lost their blood

is honourable cause. He has been pleased to take a testimony from noblemen, gentlemen, ministers, and poor ploughmen lads, and tradesmen of several sorts, which is a token for good, that he has yet a kindness for these covenanted lands. And I bless the Lord with all my heart, that ever he called me with his heavenly calling: I bless the Lord, that I have a life to lay down for his sake; glory to the Lord, that I shall have blood and wounds in his cause.

of

"But to come more particularly to the purpose in hand, the articles my indictment were these:-First, they charged me with rebellion, for joining with these they call rebels, and declared enemies to the king, and enemies to all good government: for my own part I never called them so. I declare here where I stand before him who will be my Judge within a little, my design in coming forth with arms, was to hear the gospel preached truly and faithfully, and I know it was the design of that poor handful to defend the gospel, and to keep up a witness and testimony against the abounding corruptions that this deed is filled with from end to end, and to plead with the Lord that he would not make a total removal therefrom. Yea, I heard Mr Richard Cameron say :- My friends, we are not to compare ourselves with Gideon's three hundred men, no, not at all; our design is to have you examined, how ye are, and what ye are; to choose two or three of the foot, and two or three of the horse, that are found fittest qualified for elders, to try your principles, to try your life and