Alexander Henderson’s Sermons

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index d2beffc..f72bb03 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -13,8 +13,8 @@ Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and much more is it required of us now in these days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; which indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, @@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In respect of his enemies; "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so malicious against him, yet he shall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he shall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in these words that I have read to you: and that @@ -58,24 +58,25 @@ think I that there be any who can show the parallel of it.◊footnote{The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause.} The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness; albeit it is true, indeed, many have been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of the land, since the beginning, to be more holy than they used to be. And if the multiplication of them be not wonderful, I cannot tell what ye will tell me of that is more wonderful; so that indeed it is a miracle to all who hear of it. In the time while Christ was upon the earth there were two sorts of miracles to be seen;---first, Christ made the dumb to speak, the blind to see, the lame to walk, etc.: this indeed was a great miracle. The second sort of miracles was of him who did see these things wrought by Christ, and yet for all that, did not believe in him who did work them. Even so there are two sorts of wonders in this same time wherein we live;---first, how the Lord has multiplied his people, and made them to be so many, whereas, at the first, we thought them to be but very few; secondly, we cannot but wonder at these who observe not God's hand into it; and indeed we cannot but wonder that any can be so blind that they observe not the very hand and finger of God in the work. Ay, we who have been witnesses to it, for the most part, we cannot but wonder at the work of God in it. It has not been man's wit has done the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it; and we cannot tell how; but only we see that there are numbers continually multiplied.

I. "Thy people." Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is a note of property. They are God's people---God has absolute right over a @@ -90,27 +91,27 @@ magistrate did that.◊footnote{The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man cannot make one blade of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your food, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God's people. And then, which is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let alone for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who shall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that which was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and say, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are much obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that also and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion: it behooveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversaries themselves upon @@ -163,22 +164,22 @@ by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him; and then he says to thee, "I will not remember thy sins any more; I know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be always in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I shall perform it for you also, at least I shall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and unless ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how much thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. "In the day of thy power." This is the time when the people of God shall be willing, even in the day of his power; that is, in the day of the power of @@ -217,48 +218,48 @@ time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God shall be weak, a time when they shall be strong; a time when some shall rise up to persecute the saints, a time when others shall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he shews it; a time when the people draw back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.} this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is an hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a mode of worship as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord's power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small beginnings; and so the Lord did in this same work;---he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.◊footnote{ "Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, (and the number was inconsiderable who at that time durst profess otherwise,) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up," etc.---◊it{Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland}, p 209. Ed. 1844.} 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preaching in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversaries, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrary to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so much the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversaries that they have devised for their own good. This also is an evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all @@ -296,45 +297,45 @@ again. Albeit thou wert like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou shalt not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord." and albeit thou wert as unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, "Here am I, Lord, send me." and be as Elisha, when Elias cast his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use. If ye knew this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well expressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to call them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingness, a noble, generous, high-minded people. And all this is to shew that when the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness. They are so willing that if they had a thousand minds they would employ them all for him, and if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his service. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, "Draw me and I shall run after thee" they are flying together, as the dove does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Song of Solomon Christ says, "My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it: as it is in ◊ref{Acts.17}. Paul's spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the Unknown God. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be as forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the @@ -354,8 +355,8 @@ of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that which may be deduced from the first.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, "In obedience to the Commandment of God."} And in the keeping of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessary for us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with @@ -363,11 +364,11 @@ that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I may say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were once going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from it.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, @@ -390,16 +391,16 @@ holiness;" a speech that is borrowed from the priest's garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, especially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, beyond others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessary. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessary, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to themselves, who never used the like; and they had done great wrong to the kirk also in not appointing such garments to be worn by ministers.◊footnote{Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There are garments of glory in heaven, and garments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in @@ -417,75 +418,74 @@ or dedication to the Lord. Where there is purgation from filthiness, separation from the world, and dedication to the Lord, there there is holiness and nowhere else.

Now, is there any of you but ye are obliged to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. If so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave's end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,◊footnote{This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occasion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.} obliges you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that which ye are bound to perform. And, therefore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would oblige you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I shall earnestly endeavour to do as far as I can. And, indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we shall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Christian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, or these who have set down this covenant, seeing all of you are bound to do it.

Secondly, "The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessary for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Isaiah, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"◊footnote{◊ref{Isa.6.3}} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of these people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to ◊ref{Ps.133}, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. However, observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as on a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he shall multiply his people, and he shall multiply them in a secret manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.◊footnote{This beautiful illustration was once and again employed by Henderson in the course of this memorable year. See particularly, his Replies to the Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs.}

We have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. So it is not in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the day of persecution, when the Lord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discerning people, to know the Lord's seasons. Shall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord's merciful and gracious visitation towards them? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and everyone has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing only, which he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalt themselves high, and boast themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace.◊footnote{A marked allusion to their professors and clergy, who, with the single exception of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.}

"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so shall thy people be. This is an ordinary @@ -504,27 +504,27 @@ multiplied thus. Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administered, the people of God will then multiply exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people have been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest, shall have enough ado to contain them.◊footnote{The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the roof of St. Giles'.} And it is a marvel to consider how the Lord has multiplied his people, at this time. This is not that we are to glory in multitudes, but to let you see the great work of God, who has multiplied his people thus. And as it was at the beginning of the plantation of the Christian religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews shall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it shall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others shall be stirred up, and ye not a bit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing. And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

"Thy youth." That is, ◊it{thy young men}. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not @@ -542,18 +542,18 @@ growing in grace, gaining still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye once lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth which ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is explained according as the exigencies of the time require, and it is applied to the present purpose.

Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand in awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God which we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

◊it{Objection}. We have obliged ourselves, by our subscription already; what then needs us to oblige ourselves over again by our oath? ◊it{Ans}. It's true, @@ -579,15 +579,15 @@ guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that which they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned attempted themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

For the first part of this Confession of faith, there is not a word changed in it; and if so be that men had kept that part of it free of sinister glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the authors thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now; but because they have put sinister glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be explained and applied to the present time.

The first thing that ye swear to is, that with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, constantly to adhere unto and defend the @@ -597,16 +597,15 @@ God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that which Acts of Assembly allow, and Acts of Parliament command? ◊it{Ans}. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they deferred their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly."} Because such ills have followed upon these innovations, therefore we think it meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done. Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a command, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of @@ -615,47 +614,47 @@ the pretended Assembly bears. The words are, "The Assemblie thinks good," etc., communion." Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel: and so they who practise◊footnote{i.e. kneeling} now keep the letter of the Act, but they who forbear keep the meaning thereof more nearly than the practitioners. 3. We promise and swear against the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, with all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to be done with it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been as hard for you to have quit it as to quit the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherwise should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion: as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combination against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say no more of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us obliges ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, according to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And indeed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to ask if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who have renewed their covenant with God,---therefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good examples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to be frightened at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to strive after this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye shall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obliged to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all,

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index b1c8adc..d2beffc 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and much more is it required of us now in these days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalmit expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; which indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the @@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In respect of his enemies; "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so despitefulmalicious against him, yet he shall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he shall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of @@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ shall be a willing people; a holy people; a people who shall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

Many proofs hashave been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning---that the Lord's people shall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the @@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ think I that there be any who can show the parallel of it.◊footnote{The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause.} The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness; albeit it is true, indeed, many hashave been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of the land, since the beginning, to be more holy than they used to be. And if the multiplication of them be not wonderful, I cannot tell what ye will tell me of that is more wonderful; so @@ -70,14 +70,14 @@ things wrought by Christ, and yet for all that, did not believe in him who did work them. Even so there are two sorts of wonders in this same time wherein we live;---first, how the Lord has multiplied his people, and made them to be so many, whereas, at the first, we thought them to be but very few; secondly, we cannot but wonder at these who observesobserve not God's hand into it; and indeed we cannot but wonder that any can be so blind that they observe not the very hand and finger of God in the work. Ay, we who have been witnesses to it, for the most part, we cannot but wonder at the work of God in it. It has not been man's wit has done the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it; and we cannot tell how; but only we see that there are numbers continually multiplied.

I. "Thy people." Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is a note of property. They are God's people---God has absolute right over a people, and there is none who has any right over them but he alone. It's true all people are under him, but he calls not all his people after this manner. @@ -86,17 +86,17 @@ to command these people is in God's hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that◊footnote{Thethat.◊footnote{The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man cannot make one pyle (blade)blade of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat,food, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God's people. And then, which is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone)alone for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet @@ -108,12 +108,12 @@ Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that which was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says,say, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are much obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that also and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behovethconclusion: it behooveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversarsadversaries themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that @@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ memory." The first principle of government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author's "Instructions for Defensive Arms", and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And shall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e.,persons?◊footnote{i.e. Prelates and other dignitaries.}dignitaries} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God's people; and seeing that it is so, shall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon @@ -157,18 +157,18 @@ and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, "I the Lord thy God entersenter in covenant with thee, and renewsrenew the covenant that before I made with thee." And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him; and then he says to thee, "I will not remember thy sins any more; I know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be ayealways in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I shall perform it for you also, at least I shall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and withoutunless ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I @@ -217,7 +217,7 @@ time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God shall be weak, a time when they shall be strong; a time when some shall rise up to persecute the saints, a time when others shall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it);shews it; a time when the people drawsdraw back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery @@ -226,7 +226,7 @@ there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is an hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a [mode]mode of worship as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing @@ -245,18 +245,18 @@ right hand lifted up," etc.---◊it{Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland}, p 209. Ed. 1844.} 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preachingspreaching in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars,adversaries, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contraircontrary to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so much the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversarsadversaries that they have devised for their own good. This [also]also is an evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these @@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.--- "Our prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own overthrowers."}

And [now]now since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has wrought so on the hearts of people now, and since he has made all the plots of the enemies to work against themselves, and for his people, let us give this @@ -289,21 +289,21 @@ hypocrisy. Our hearts they are contrary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious, and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---thatwork---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou werewert like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou shallshalt not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:"Lord." and albeit thou werewert as unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here"Here am I, Lord, send me,"me." and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast)cast his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use,use. If ye knew this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---itthis---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think @@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well expressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to call them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingnesses,willingness, a noble, generous, high-minded people. And all this is to shew that when the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness. They are so willing that if they had a thousand @@ -322,13 +322,13 @@ they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his service. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, "Draw me and I shall run after thee:"thee" they are flying together, as the dowesdove does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the CanticlesSong of Solomon Christ says, "My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people;"people" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it: as it is Acts 17.in ◊ref{Acts.17}. Paul's spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the Unknown God. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he @@ -353,8 +353,8 @@ us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but an interpretation of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that which may be deduced from the first.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words,--- "In obedience to the Commandment of God."} And in the [keeping?]keeping of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessary for us @@ -363,10 +363,10 @@ that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,---inthings---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I may say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were once(once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from it.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony @@ -374,11 +374,11 @@ of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, barons, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, and commons; and wherefore, then, should not ye be willing to follow their example? And then, I may say, ye have the prayers of all the reformed kirks in Europe for you, who have ever heard of the perturbations that hashave been, and yet are, into this land. And, moreover, beloved, whom have ye against you in this course? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. And should not all these make you willing to [swear?]swear to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye shall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king's heart, and made him willing also; but because he is informed @@ -390,7 +390,7 @@ holiness;" a speech that is borrowed from the priest's garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, especially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, by (beyond)beyond others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessary. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessary, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to @@ -400,9 +400,9 @@ King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There beare garments of glory in heaven, and garments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of inthe Colossians,◊footnote{◊ref{Col.3.12-Col.3.14}} and this holiness which is spoken of here. Concerning which we will mark two things:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of @@ -417,34 +417,31 @@ or dedication to the Lord. Where there is purgation from filthiness, separation from the world, and dedication to the Lord, there there is holiness and nowhere else.

Now, is there any of you but ye are obleist (obliged)obliged to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. ItIf so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave's end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,◊footnote{This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occasion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.} oblishesobliges you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that which ye are bound to perform. And, therefore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleishoblige you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I shall prease (earnestly endeavour)earnestly endeavour to do as far as I can. And, indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we shall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Christian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (oror these who hashave set down this covenant),covenant, seeing all of you are bound to do it.◊footnote{The words in parenthesis, and similar self-corrections preserved in this volume, show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his contemporaries.}it.

Secondly, "The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessary for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay,Isaiah, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"◊footnote{◊ref{Isa.6.3}} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they @@ -455,9 +452,9 @@ beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of these people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133rd Psalm,◊ref{Ps.133}, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however)However, observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as inon a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he shall multiply his people, and he @@ -470,7 +467,7 @@ occurs.}

We have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. SoitSo it is not in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the day of persecution, when the Lord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discerning people, to know the Lord's seasons. Shall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern @@ -480,10 +477,10 @@ things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and everyone has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only),only, which he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exaltsexalt themselves high, and boastsboast themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace.◊footnote{A marked allusion to their professors and clergy, who, with the single exception @@ -496,18 +493,18 @@ phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we shall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there shall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{◊ref{2Sam.17.12}} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. 54,◊ref{Isa.54}, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v.verse 2, "Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administrate,administered, the people of God will then multiply exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people hashave been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest, shall have enough ado to contain them.◊footnote{The Tron Church in Edinburgh, @@ -525,7 +522,7 @@ up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews shall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it shall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others shall be stirred up, and ye not a whitbit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing. And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

@@ -535,18 +532,18 @@ reckoned by their first, but by their second birth. Ay, moreover, still the older that the children of God grow in years, and the weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns,children, that every temptation prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get an evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?]gaining still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye once lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth which ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained)explained according as the exigencies of the time requires,require, and it is applied to the present purpose.

Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and @@ -554,12 +551,12 @@ attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in]in awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God which we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

◊it{Objection}. We have oblishedobliged ourselves, by our subscription already; what then needs us to obleishoblige ourselves over again by our oath? ◊it{Ans}. It's true, I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have @@ -568,65 +565,65 @@ statutes.◊footnote{◊ref{Ps.119.100}} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for these, they speak for themselves. And I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours,superiors, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not]and not all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessary for us to spend much time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedestmost learned in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.◊footnote{ "Drthis.◊footnote{"Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that which they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned assayedattempted themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

For the first part of this Confession of faith, there is not a word changed in it; and if so be that men had keepedkept that part of it free of sinistroussinister glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the pennersauthors thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now; but because they have put sinistroussinister glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be explained and applied to the present time.

The first thing that ye swear to is, Thatthat with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, constantly to adhere unto and defend the true religion. There is no scruple here. 2. That ye suspend and forbear the practice of all novationsinnovations already introduced in the matters of the worship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that which Acts of Assembly allows,allow, and Acts of Parliament commands?command? ◊it{Ans}. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they deferred their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly."} Because such ills hashave followed upon these novations,innovations, therefore we think it meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done. Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a command, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pretended Assembly bears. The words is,are, "The Assemblie thinks good," etc., "because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion." Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel: and so they who practise◊footnote{i.e. kneeling} now keep the letter of the Act, but they who forbear keep the meaning thereof more nearly than the practisers.practitioners. 3. We promise and swear against the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, with all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (bebe done with)with it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been as hard for you to have quatquit it as to quitequit the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherwaysotherwise should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and @@ -634,14 +631,14 @@ preservation of true religion: as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combination against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomoreno more of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishesobliges ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, according to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And indeed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask)ask if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or @@ -649,18 +646,18 @@ against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who hashave renewed their covenant with God,---hereforeGod,---therefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamplesexamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened)be frightened at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after)strive after this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye shall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleistobliged to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the ◊it{Attestation}.

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 845157e..b1c8adc 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -16,11 +16,11 @@ days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilkwhich indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, and for our priest to intercede for us, and be a sacrifice for our sins, but when it comes to his princely office, to direct us what we should do, then we would be at that whilkwhich seems best in our own eyes.

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In @@ -94,7 +94,7 @@ A man cannot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God's people. And then, whilkwhich is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone) for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave; and therefore we belong to him. Then @@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ life. It is he who shall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilkwhich was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are much obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, @@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that God has over you, and that ye are the people of Jesus Christ; and therefore no man ought to enjoin anything to be done by you, but that for the whilkwhich he has a warrant from God. There is a great controversy now about disobedience to superiors, and the contempt of those who are in authority; but there is not a word of that, whether God be obeyed or not, or if he be disobeyed by any. Fy, @@ -351,7 +351,7 @@ is the only record of the notable fact here stated.} And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but an interpretation of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilkwhich may be deduced from the first.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, --- "In obedience to the Commandment of God."} And in the [keeping?] of a Covenant we are not bound to @@ -403,8 +403,8 @@ in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There be garments of glory in heaven, and garments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,◊footnote{◊ref{Col.3.12-Col.3.14}} and this holiness whilkwhich is spoken of here. Concerning whilkwhich we will mark two things:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly respects: therefore, I would have you with willingness to put on holiness. And, indeed, @@ -424,7 +424,7 @@ the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,◊footnote{This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occasion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.} oblishes you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that whilkwhich ye are bound to perform. And, therefore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the @@ -480,7 +480,7 @@ things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and everyone has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilkwhich he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their @@ -544,7 +544,7 @@ respects, and labour to get an evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye once lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilkwhich ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the present purpose. @@ -555,7 +555,7 @@ authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in] awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God whilkwhich we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

◊it{Objection}. We have oblished ourselves, by our subscription already; what @@ -580,7 +580,7 @@ Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilkwhich they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned assayed themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing. @@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that whilkwhich Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? ◊it{Ans}. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 34c59ce..845157e 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -441,16 +441,16 @@ show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his contemporaries.}

Secondly, "The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessary for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"◊footnote{◊ref{Isa.6.3}} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of these people. "From the womb @@ -571,14 +571,14 @@ I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessary for us to spend much time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.◊footnote{ "Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 6e863f6..34c59ce 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ reader will remember that the sermon preached by Henderson at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.}

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessar,necessary, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of state, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in @@ -357,7 +357,7 @@ Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, --- "In obedience to the Commandment of God."} And in the [keeping?] of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessarnecessary for us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that. @@ -392,8 +392,8 @@ especially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, by (beyond) others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessar.necessary. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessar,necessary, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to themselves, who never used the like; and they had done great wrong to the kirk also in not appointing such garments to be worn by ministers.◊footnote{Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and @@ -441,7 +441,7 @@ show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his contemporaries.}

Secondly, "The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessarnecessary for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God @@ -571,7 +571,7 @@ I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessarnecessary for us to spend much time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 5331428..6e863f6 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -491,7 +491,7 @@ of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.}

"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so shall thy people be. This is an ordinarordinary phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we shall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there shall not be left of him and of all the men that are

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 757710b..5331428 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -26,8 +26,8 @@ His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In respect of his enemies; "The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against him, yet he shall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he shall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in these words that I have read to you: and that @@ -35,11 +35,11 @@ is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most willing people, a people who counts holiness to be their chiefest beauty. And they are so marvellously multiplied, that it is a wonder to consider of it: there is no more drops of dew will fall, nor they will not fall any faster in a morning than the Lord will multiply them, when he is pleased to do so. And although the Lord sometimes multiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better taken up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist @@ -111,10 +111,10 @@ had done that whilk was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are much obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that also and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that God has over you, and that ye are the people of Jesus Christ; and therefore no @@ -134,9 +134,9 @@ derived. "The ministers of Scotland," says Dr M'Crie in his Life of Melville, traitors; and in this respect complete justice has not been done to their memory." The first principle of government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author's "Instructions for Defensive Arms", and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And shall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God's people; and seeing that it is so, shall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon @@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how much thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. "In the day of thy power." This is the time when the people of God shall be willing, even in the day of his power; that is, in the day of the power of @@ -187,10 +187,10 @@ power: he says, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;" "Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;" he meant of the temple of his body: and indeed there was none who could raise his dead body out of the grave, but only himself. A second day of his power shall be the day of the resurrection of our bodies out of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than any of these, and that is the day of our first resurrection out of the grave of sin, by the preaching of the gospel. And there is good reason for it, why this should be called a day of his power. First, because it is the power of Jesus Christ that brings the purity of the gospel into a land; and we may indeed say that it was only his power that brought the gospel into this land. It had not authority then to countenance it, @@ -254,17 +254,16 @@ upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so much the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is an evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.--- "Our prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own overthrowers."}

And [now] since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has @@ -279,38 +278,38 @@ suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of these people. The first of them is ◊it{willing}. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed these three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are contrary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious, and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou shall not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were as unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye knew this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well expressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to @@ -380,8 +379,8 @@ beloved, whom have ye against you in this course? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. And should not all these make you willing to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye shall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king's heart, and made him willing also; but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing. @@ -461,10 +460,10 @@ place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he shall multiply his people, and he shall multiply them in a secret manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.◊footnote{This beautiful illustration was once and again employed by Henderson in the course of this memorable year. See particularly, his Replies to the Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs.} @@ -495,12 +494,12 @@ doctrine and practice.} dew is multiplied upon the earth, so shall thy people be. This is an ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we shall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there shall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{◊ref{2Sam.17.12}} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. 54, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, "Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus. @@ -541,9 +540,9 @@ prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get an evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye once lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) @@ -572,14 +571,14 @@ I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend much time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.◊footnote{ "Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned @@ -625,45 +624,45 @@ all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been as hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion: as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combination against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, according to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And indeed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,---herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened) at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye shall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the ◊it{Attestation}.

Now, I hope all these things be so clear to you, that there is not any scruple in any of your minds. And therefore, that this work may be done aright, and may

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 89c04ab..757710b 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of state, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and ◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great}much more is it required of us now in ◊scottish{thir#these|those}these days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant @@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ and never so despiteful against him, yet he shall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he shall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in ◊scottish{thir#these|those}these words that I have read to you: and that is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most willing people, a @@ -109,9 +109,9 @@ Lord's people, by way of property. And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are ◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great}much obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that ◊scottish{als#as|also} (also)also and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their @@ -175,7 +175,7 @@ world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how ◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great}much thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions. @@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to see that we rise not out of it; and when we are beginning to rise they are busy to hold us down. And think not that we can rise, and lift up ourselves from so base to so high ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third. When the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that makes it to continue, for if the Lord make not the gospel to continue into a land, it will not stay there. And there is no less @@ -223,7 +223,7 @@ defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.} this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship as they thought @@ -254,10 +254,10 @@ upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so ◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great}much the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how @@ -279,9 +279,9 @@ suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of ◊scottish{thir#these|those}these people. The first of them is ◊it{willing}. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed ◊scottish{thir#these|those}these three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are @@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou shall not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were ◊scottish{als#as|also}as unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot @@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be ◊scottish{als#as|also}as forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St. Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now. @@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.◊footnote{So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the only record of the notable fact here stated.} And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an interpretation of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilk may be deduced from the first.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the @@ -431,7 +431,7 @@ of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I shall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do ◊scottish{als#as|also}as far as I can. And, indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we shall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Christian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your @@ -454,7 +454,7 @@ and more clad with holiness. Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of ◊scottish{thir#these|those}these people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133rd Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of @@ -478,7 +478,7 @@ seasons. Shall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord's merciful and gracious visitation towards them? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and ◊scottish{ilk#each|every} ◊scottish{ane#an|one}everyone has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the @@ -492,7 +492,7 @@ of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.}

"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so shall thy people be. This is ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we shall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there shall not be left of him and of all the men that are with @@ -541,7 +541,7 @@ prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get ◊scottish{ane#an|one}an evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye once lose it, ye will @@ -567,12 +567,12 @@ yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have promised, I have sworn, and I shall perform thy righteous statutes.◊footnote{◊ref{Ps.119.100}} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for ◊scottish{thir#these|those},these, they speak for themselves. And I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend ◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great}much time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits @@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been ◊scottish{als#as|also}as hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index e55932c..89c04ab 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of state, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and mickle◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great} more is it required of us now in thir◊scottish{thir#these|those} days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant @@ -24,32 +24,32 @@ would be at that whilk seems best in our own eyes.

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In respect of his enemies; "The Lord sallshall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against him, yet he sallshall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he sallshall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in thir◊scottish{thir#these|those} words that I have read to you: and that is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most willing people, a people who counts holiness to be their chiefest beauty. And they are so marvellously multiplied, that it is a wonder to consider of it: there is no moemore drops of dew will fall, nor they will not fall any faster in a morning than the Lord will multiply them, when he is pleased to do so. And although the Lord sometimes multiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better tanetaken up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist speaks here. "Thy people." 2. The properties of these people in this day: They sallshall be a willing people; a holy people; a people who sallshall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

Many proofs has been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning---that the Lord's people sallshall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident @@ -103,15 +103,15 @@ thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sallshall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are mickle◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great} obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that als◊scottish{als#as|also} (also) and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their @@ -134,11 +134,11 @@ derived. "The ministers of Scotland," says Dr M'Crie in his Life of Melville, traitors; and in this respect complete justice has not been done to their memory." The first principle of government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author's "Instructions for Defensive Arms", and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And sallshall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God's people; and seeing that it is so, sallshall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is warranted by God or not; because God is the only superior over you. @@ -166,7 +166,7 @@ therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sallshall perform it for you also, at least I sallshall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think @@ -175,19 +175,19 @@ world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great} thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. "In the day of thy power." This is the time when the people of God sallshall be willing, even in the day of his power; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus Christ. The day of his own resurrection from the dead was one day of his power: he says, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;" "Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;" he meant of the temple of his body: and indeed there was none who could raise his dead body out of the grave, but only himself. A second day of his power sallshall be the day of the resurrection of our bodies out of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than any of these, and that is the day of our first resurrection out of the grave of sin, by the preaching of the gospel. And there is good reason for it, why this should be called a day of his power. @@ -204,7 +204,7 @@ are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to see that we rise not out of it; and when we are beginning to rise they are busy to hold us down. And think not that we can rise, and lift up ourselves from so base to so high ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third. When the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that makes it to continue, for if the Lord make not the gospel to continue into a land, it will not stay there. And there is no less @@ -214,16 +214,16 @@ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God sallshall be weak, a time when they sallshall be strong; a time when some sallshall rise up to persecute the saints, a time when others sallshall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.} this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship as they thought @@ -254,10 +254,10 @@ upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so mickle◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great} the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how @@ -279,9 +279,9 @@ suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of thir◊scottish{thir#these|those} people. The first of them is ◊it{willing}. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir◊scottish{thir#these|those} three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are @@ -294,14 +294,14 @@ work,---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sallshall not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were als◊scottish{als#as|also} unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye kentknew this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---it is the Lord who commanded light to @@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ minds they would employ them all for him, and if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his service. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, "Draw me and I sallshall run after thee:" they are flying together, as the dowes does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, "My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people;" and, indeed, to see a people running @@ -337,7 +337,7 @@ never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be als◊scottish{als#as|also} forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St. Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now. @@ -350,7 +350,7 @@ still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.◊footnote{So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the only record of the notable fact here stated.} And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} interpretation of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilk may be deduced from the first.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the @@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ abjure that. all things,---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I may say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anesonce (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from it.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony @@ -380,7 +380,7 @@ beloved, whom have ye against you in this course? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. And should not all these make you willing to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye sallshall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king's heart, and made him willing also; but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause @@ -431,9 +431,9 @@ of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I sallshall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do als◊scottish{als#as|also} far as I can. And, indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we sallshall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Christian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (or these who has set down this covenant), seeing all of you are bound to do it.◊footnote{The @@ -454,14 +454,14 @@ and more clad with holiness. Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of thir◊scottish{thir#these|those} people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133rd Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he sallshall multiply his people, and he sallshall multiply them in a secret manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.◊footnote{This beautiful @@ -474,11 +474,11 @@ the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. Soit is not in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the day of persecution, when the Lord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discerning people, to know the Lord's seasons. SallShall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord's merciful and gracious visitation towards them? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and ilk ane◊scottish{ilk#each|every} ◊scottish{ane#an|one} has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the @@ -492,10 +492,10 @@ of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.}

"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sallshall thy people be. This is ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sallshall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there sallshall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{◊ref{2Sam.17.12}} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. 54, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more @@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ then multiply exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people has been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest, sallshall have enough ado to contain them.◊footnote{The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship @@ -523,9 +523,9 @@ religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sallshall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sallshall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sallshall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sallshall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing. And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause. @@ -541,10 +541,10 @@ prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get ane◊scottish{ane#an|one} evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye anesonce lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the @@ -564,15 +564,15 @@ then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? ◊it{Ans}. It's true I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have promised, I have sworn, and I sallshall perform thy righteous statutes.◊footnote{◊ref{Ps.119.100}} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for thir,◊scottish{thir#these|those}, they speak for themselves. And I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend mickle◊scottish{mickle#large|much|great} time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits @@ -625,7 +625,7 @@ all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als◊scottish{als#as|also} hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and @@ -661,7 +661,7 @@ gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye sallshall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the ◊it{Attestation}.

a/src/0003.pm b/src/0003.pm index 5c09c0d..e55932c 100644 --- a/src/0003.pm +++ b/src/0003.pm @@ -1,49 +1,50 @@ #lang pollen

◊commentary{"Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth." The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Henderson at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.}

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessar, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of state, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and mickle more is it required of us now in thir days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilk indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, and for our priest to intercede for us, and be a sacrifice for our sins, but when it comes to his princely office, to direct us what we should do, then we would be at that whilk seems best in our own eyes.

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; "The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand." 2. In respect of his enemies; "The Lord sall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against him, yet he sall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he sall have a kingdom for himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in thir words that I have read to you: and that is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most willing people, a people who counts holiness to be their chiefest beauty. And they are so marvellously multiplied, that it is a wonder to consider of it: there is no moe drops of dew will fall, nor they will not fall any faster in a morning than the Lord will multiply them, when he is pleased to do so. And although the Lord sometimes multiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better tane up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist speaks here. "Thy people." 2. The properties of these people in this day: They sall be a willing people; a holy people; a people who sall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

@@ -53,64 +54,63 @@ holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident and notable proof of it than this same that is presently into this land, nor think I that there be any who can show the parallel of it.◊footnote{The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause.} The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness; albeit it is true, indeed, many has been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of the land, since the beginning, to be more holy than they used to be. And if the multiplication of them be not wonderful, I cannot tell what ye will tell me of that is more wonderful; so that indeed it is a miracle to all who hear of it. In the time while Christ was upon the earth there were two sorts of miracles to be seen;---first, Christ made the dumb to speak, the blind to see, the lame to walk, etc.: this indeed was a great miracle. The second sort of miracles was of him who did see these things wrought by Christ, and yet for all that, did not believe in him who did work them. Even so there are two sorts of wonders in this same time wherein we live;---first, how the Lord has multiplied his people, and made them to be so many, whereas, at the first, we thought them to be but very few; secondly, we cannot but wonder at these who observes not God's hand into it; and indeed we cannot but wonder that any can be so blind that they observe not the very hand and finger of God in the work. Ay, we who have been witnesses to it, for the most part, we cannot but wonder at the work of God in it. It has not been man's wit has done the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it; and we cannot tell how; but only we see that there are numbers continually multiplied.

I. "Thy people." Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is a note of property. They are God's people---God has absolute right over a people, and there is none who has any right over them but he alone. It's true all people are under him, but he calls not all his people after this manner. All things are for God, and subordinate to him; the absolute power to rule and to command these people is in God's hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that◊footnote{The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man cannot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God's people. And then, whilk is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone) for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, "Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, it's true indeed we are mickle obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that als (also) and more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves @@ -122,11 +122,11 @@ man ought to enjoin anything to be done by you, but that for the whilk he has a warrant from God. There is a great controversy now about disobedience to superiors, and the contempt of those who are in authority; but there is not a word of that, whether God be obeyed or not, or if he be disobeyed by any. Fy, that people should sell themselves over to the slavery of man, when the Lord has only sovereign power over them! I would not have you to think that a whole country of people are appointed only to uphold the grandeur of five or six men. No, they are ordained to be magistrates for your good.◊footnote{The clear and unembarrassed expression of such rational opinions on the subject of civil rule, considering the time and place in which they were uttered, would appear more extraordinary to us, if we did not recollect from whose teaching they were derived. "The ministers of Scotland," says Dr M'Crie in his Life of Melville, @@ -135,13 +135,13 @@ traitors; and in this respect complete justice has not been done to their memory." The first principle of government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author's "Instructions for Defensive Arms", and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God's people; and seeing that it is so, sall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is warranted by God or not; because God is the only superior over you.

2. Secondly. "Thy people." This also is a note of distinction; for every people are God's people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it's true, @@ -155,160 +155,161 @@ people. And we should remember of this, that those who are the people of God, they have notable privileges; they have all things that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, "I the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and renews the covenant that before I made with thee." And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him; and then he says to thee, "I will not remember thy sins any more; I know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. "In the day of thy power." This is the time when the people of God sall be willing, even in the day of his power; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus Christ. The day of his own resurrection from the dead was one day of his power: he says, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;" "Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;" he meant of the temple of his body: and indeed there was none who could raise his dead body out of the grave, but only himself. A second day of his power sall be the day of the resurrection of our bodies out of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than any of these, and that is the day of our first resurrection out of the grave of sin, by the preaching of the gospel. And there is good reason for it, why this should be called a day of his power. First, because it is the power of Jesus Christ that brings the purity of the gospel into a land; and we may indeed say that it was only his power that brought the gospel into this land. It had not authority then to countenance it, for all those that were in authority were against it; and counsel and policy, and all the clergy, and the multitude, all of them, were against it; and yet, for all that, the Lord brought in the purity of the gospel into this land, and established it here against all these. Secondly, when the purity of the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of God that makes it effectual for turning of souls unto himself, and raising them out of the grave of sin, wherein they are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to see that we rise not out of it; and when we are beginning to rise they are busy to hold us down. And think not that we can rise, and lift up ourselves from so base to so high ane estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third. When the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that makes it to continue, for if the Lord make not the gospel to continue into a land, it will not stay there. And there is no less power required either to bring the gospel into a land, or to make it effectual, or to make it to continue, than was required to raise the dead body of Christ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God sall be weak, a time when they sall be strong; a time when some sall rise up to persecute the saints, a time when others sall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.} this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord's power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small beginnings; and so the Lord did in this same work;---he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.◊footnote{ "Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, (and the number was inconsiderable who at that time durst profess otherwise,) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up," etc.---◊it{Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland}, p 209. Ed. 1844.} 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preachings in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so mickle the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.--- "Our prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own overthrowers."}

And [now] since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has wrought so on the hearts of people now, and since he has made all the plots of the enemies to work against themselves, and for his people, let us give this glory to God, and reverence him, and say that it is only by his power that the work is done, and that he has been pleased to manifest himself into the work. Beloved, we may comfort ourselves in this, if all this has been done by the power of God, then we need not to fear the power of men; men can do nothing against God. The Lord may indeed put his kirk to a trial, but he will not suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of thir people. The first of them is ◊it{willing}. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are contrary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious, and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sall not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were als unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye kent this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well expressed here. They are @@ -317,38 +318,38 @@ call them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingnesses, a noble, generous, high-minded people. And all this is to shew that when the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness. They are so willing that if they had a thousand minds they would employ them all for him, and if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his service. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, "Draw me and I sall run after thee:" they are flying together, as the dowes does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, "My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people;" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it: as it is Acts 17. Paul's spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the Unknown God. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be als forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St. Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now.

1. Because it is God's cause ye have in hand, and it is no new cause to us. It is almost sixty years old; it is no less since this same Confession of Faith was first subscribed and sworn to.◊footnote{The Covenant was first subscribed by the King and his household on the 28th of January 1580-81.}1580--81.} And it has been still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.◊footnote{So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the only record of the notable fact here stated.} And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but ane interpretation of the former part; and if men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilk may be deduced from the @@ -357,17 +358,17 @@ Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, --- "In obedience to the Commandment of God."} And in the [keeping?] of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessar for us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I may say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anes (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from it.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, @@ -385,66 +386,67 @@ touched the king's heart, and made him willing also; but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing.

The second property of God's people is holiness. "In the beauties of holiness;" a speech that is borrowed from the priest's garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, especially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, by (beyond) others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessar. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessar, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to themselves, who never used the like; and they had done great wrong to the kirk also in not appointing such garments to be worn by ministers.◊footnote{Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There be garments of glory in heaven, and garments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,◊footnote{◊ref{Col.3.12-Col.3.14}} and this holiness whilk is spoken of here. Concerning whilk we will mark two things:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly respects: therefore, I would have you with willingness to put on holiness. And, indeed, if we saw what holiness were, we needed not to be persuaded to put it on, we would do it willingly. For it has these parts in it---1. A purgation from former filthiness. 2. A separation from the world. If thou will be holy, then thou must be separate from the world; thou must strive to keep thyself from these whose garments are spotted with the flesh. 3. Holiness requires devotion or dedication to the Lord. Where there is purgation from filthiness, separation from the world, and dedication to the Lord, there there is holiness and nowhere else.

Now, is there any of you but ye are obleist (obliged) to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. It so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave's end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,◊footnote{This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occasion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.} oblishes you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that whilk ye are bound to perform. And, therefore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I sall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do als far as I can. And, indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we sall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Christian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (or these who has set down this covenant), seeing all of you are bound to do it.◊footnote{The words in parenthesis, and similar self-corrections preserved in this volume, show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his contemporaries.}

Secondly, "The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessar for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"◊footnote{◊ref{Isa.6.3}} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more @@ -458,13 +460,14 @@ even to the learned ear, but look to the 133rd Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he sall multiply his people, and he sall multiply them in a secret manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.◊footnote{This beautiful illustration was once and again employed by Henderson in the course of this memorable year. See particularly, his Replies to the Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs.}

We have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. @@ -493,38 +496,39 @@ dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{◊ref{2Sam.17.12}} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. 54, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, "Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administrate, the people of God will then multiply exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people has been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest, sall have enough ado to contain them.◊footnote{The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the roof of St. Giles'.} And it is a marvel to consider how the Lord has multiplied his people, at this time. This is not that we are to glory in multitudes, but to let you see the great work of God, who has multiplied his people thus. And as it was at the beginning of the plantation of the Christian religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing. And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

"Thy youth." That is, ◊it{thy young men}. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not @@ -534,59 +538,60 @@ grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns, that every temptation prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get ane evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye anes lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the present purpose.

Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in] awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God whilk we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

◊it{Objection}. We have oblished ourselves, by our subscription already; what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? ◊it{Ans}. It's true, I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have promised, I have sworn, and I sall perform thy righteous statutes.◊footnote{◊ref{Ps.119.100}} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for thir, they speak for themselves. And I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend mickle time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.◊footnote{ "Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned assayed themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

For the first part of this Confession of faith, there is not a word changed in it; and if so be that men had keeped that part of it free of sinistrous glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the penners thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now; but because they have put sinistrous glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be explained and applied to the present time.

The first thing that ye swear to is, That with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, constantly to adhere unto and defend the @@ -595,16 +600,17 @@ practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the worship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that whilk Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? ◊it{Ans}. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they deferred their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly."} Because such ills has followed upon these novations, therefore we think it meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done. Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a command, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of @@ -619,49 +625,50 @@ all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion: as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combination against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, according to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And indeed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,---herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened) at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the ◊it{Attestation}.

Now, I hope all these things be so clear to you, that there is not any scruple in any of your minds. And therefore, that this work may be done aright, and may be accompanied by the power of God, I would have all of you to bow your knees before that great and dreadful Lord, and beseech him that he would send down the Holy Ghost, and the power of his Spirit, to accompany the work, that so ye may do it with all your hearts, to his glory and honour, and to your comfort in Jesus Christ.

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a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index ba769c5..5c09c0d 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ multiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better tane up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist speaks here. "Thy people".people." 2. The properties of these people in this day: They sall be a willing people; a holy people; a people who sall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication. @@ -329,7 +329,7 @@ the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it: as it is Acts 17. Paul's spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the "Unknown God".Unknown God. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index d22ff4c..ba769c5 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -402,7 +402,7 @@ use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There be garments of glory in heaven, and garments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,◊footnote{Col 3:12-14}Colossians,◊footnote{◊ref{Col.3.12-Col.3.14}} and this holiness whilk is spoken of here. Concerning whilk we will mark two things:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly respects: therefore, I @@ -444,7 +444,7 @@ necessar for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"◊footnote{Isa 6:3}Almighty:"◊footnote{◊ref{Isa.6.3}} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more @@ -493,7 +493,7 @@ dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{2 Sam 17:12}one."◊footnote{◊ref{2Sam.17.12}} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. 54, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form @@ -561,7 +561,7 @@ what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have promised, I have sworn, and I sall perform thy righteous statutes.◊footnote{Ps 119:100}statutes.◊footnote{◊ref{Ps.119.100}} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for thir, they speak for themselves. And I would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index a12fae6..d22ff4c 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ youth." The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Henderson at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.}

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessary,necessar, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of stare,state, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and mickle more is it required of us now in thir days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it[ ] expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilk indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, and @@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ command these people is in God's hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that◊footnote{ Thethat◊footnote{The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? @@ -145,39 +145,40 @@ superior over you.

2. Secondly. "Thy people." This also is a note of distinction; for every people are God's people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it's true, are God's people by right of creation: why therefore says he, by◊it{thy} people, and not ◊it{all} people? Because all people belongs not to Christ. God has authority over all indeed, but in a special manner he enters in covenant with some. All people who are subject to him in his providence are not his peculiar people, his royal nation, his holy priesthood, his chosen generation, but only these of them who belongs to Christ; those are properly termed to be his people. And we should remember of this, that those who are the people of God, they have notable privileges; they have all things that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, "I the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and renews the covenant that before I made with thee." And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him; and then he says to thee, "I will not remember thy sins any more; I know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. "In the day of thy power." This is the time when the people of God sall be willing, even in the day of his power; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus @@ -285,8 +286,8 @@ he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are contrary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious,[], and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look @@ -327,7 +328,7 @@ the chariots of my noble people;" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it: as it is Acts 17. PaulsPaul's spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the "Unknown God". And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw @@ -453,7 +454,7 @@ beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous ◊it{multiplication} of thir people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133d133rd Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are @@ -521,7 +522,7 @@ for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing -thing. And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

@@ -590,12 +591,12 @@ behoved to be explained and applied to the present time. The first thing that ye swear to is, That with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, constantly to adhere unto and defend the true religion. There is no scruple here. 2. That ye suspend and forbear the practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the sworshipworship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that whilk Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? Ans.◊it{Ans}. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they @@ -655,7 +656,7 @@ it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the Attestation.◊it{Attestation}.

Now, I hope all these things be so clear to you, that there is not any scruple in any of your minds. And therefore, that this work may be done aright, and may

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index cfd7412..a12fae6 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ magistrate did that◊footnote{ The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man canriotcannot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are @@ -106,862 +106,561 @@ estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right :right: they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, ¢ Whe- ther"Whether it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye." As if they had said, It'sit's true indeed we are mickle obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that als (also) and more ?more? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that God has over you, and that ye are the people of Jesus Christ; and therefore no man ought to enjoin anything to be done by you, but that for the whilk he has a warrant from God. There is a great controversy now about disobedience to superiors, and the contempt of those who are in autho- rity;authority; but there is not a word of that, whether God be obeyed or not, or if he be disobeyed by any. Fy, that people should sell themselves over to the slavery of man, when the Lord has only sovereign power over them! I would not have you to think that a whole couatrycountry of people are appointed only to uphold the grandeur of five or six men. No, they are ordained to be magistatesmagistrates for your good.◊footnote{ Thegood.◊footnote{The clear and unembarrassed expression of such rational opinions on the subject of civil rule, considering the time and place in which they were uttered, would appear more extraordinary to us, if we did not recollect from whose teaching they were derived. ¢ The"The ministers of Scotland," says Dr MM'Crie in his Life of Melville, ¢ were"were the first to avow them, at the ex- penseexpense of being denounced and punished as traitors; and in this respect com- pletecomplete justice has not been done to their memory.""memory." The first principle of- government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author's " Instructions"Instructions for Defensive Arms,"Arms", and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God's people; and seeing that it is so, sall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is war- rantedwarranted by God or not; because God is the only superior over you.

STOP2. Secondly. "Thy people." This also is a note of distinction; for every people are God's people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it's true, are God's people by right of creation: why therefore says he, by people, and not ◊it{all} people? Because all people belongs not to Christ. God has authority over all indeed, but in a special manner he enters in covenant with some. All people who are subject to him in his providence are not his peculiar people, his royal nation, his holy priesthood, his chosen generation, but only these of them who belongs to Christ; those are properly termed to be his people. And we should remember of this, that those who are the people of God, they have notable privileges; they have all things that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, "I the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and renews the covenant that before I made with thee." And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him; and then he says to thee, "I will not remember thy sins any more; I know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strength to perform it." And therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thousand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of repentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

2. Secondly. "Thy people." This also is a noteII. "In the day of distinction; for every people are God's people, but therethy power." This is a distinction among them. All people, it's true, are God'sthe time when the peopleby right ofcreation: why therefore says he, by people, and not a// people? Because all people belongs not to Christ. God has authority over all indeed, but in a special manner he enters in covenant with some. All people who are subject to himsall be willing, even in the day of his providence are notpower; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus Christ. The day of his peculiar people,own resurrection from the dead was one day of his royal nation,power: he says, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;" "Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;" he meant of the temple of his holy priesthood,body: and indeed there was none who could raise his chosen generation,dead body out of the grave, but only thesehimself. A second day ofthem who belongs to Christ; those are properly termed to be his people. And we should rememberpower sall be the day ofthis, that those who are the peopleresurrection of God, they have notable privileges; they have all thingsour bodies out of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than any people should have,of these, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any arethat is the peopleday of God, thereour first resurrection out of the grave of sin, by the preaching of the gospel. And there is blessedness indeed,good reason for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort,it, why this should be called a day of his power. First, because it is the power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his peopleof Jesus Christ that brings the purity of the gospel into a land; and we may indeed say that it was only his bosom,power that brought the gospel into this land. It had not authority then to countenance it, for all those that were in authority were against it; and with every soul he does so,counsel and policy, and all the clergy, and says, ¢«the multitude, all of them, were against it; and yet, for all that, the Lord thy God entersbrought in covenant with thee,the purity of the gospel into this land, and re- newsestablished it here against all these. Secondly, when the covenant that before I made with thee." And then he layspurity of the gospel is into a necessity upon thee, by his providence,land, it is only the power of God that thou must enter in covenant with him;makes it effectual for turning of souls unto himself, and then he saysraising them out of the grave of sin, wherein they are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to thee, "I willsee that we rise not remember thy sins any more; I'knowout of it; and when we are beginning to rise they are heinous, great,busy to hold us down. And think not that we can rise, and many, but because thou desireslift up ourselves from so base to so high ane estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third. When the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that they shouldmakes it to continue, for if the Lord make not be remembered, therefore Ithe gospel to continue into a land, it will not remember them.stay there. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye inthere is no less power required either to bring the gospel into a fearland, or to breakmake it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promiseeffectual, or to you, I will performmake itfreely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strengthcontinue, than was required to perform it." Andraise the dead body of Christ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God sall be weak, a time when they sall be strong; a time when some sall rise up to persecute the saints, a time when others sall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this land◊footnote{From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.} this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had determined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord's power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small beginnings; and so the Lord did in this same work;---he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.◊footnote{ "Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, (and the number was inconsiderable who at that time durst profess otherwise,) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up," etc.---◊it{Stevenson's History of the Church of Scotland}, p 209. Ed. 1844.} 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preachings in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so mickle the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane evident token of the Lord's power.◊footnote{In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled "Grounds of God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same words, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.--- "Our prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own overthrowers."}

------------------------------------ 0055 ------------------------------------And [now] since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has wrought so on the hearts of people now, and since he has made all the plots of the enemies to work against themselves, and for his people, let us give this glory to God, and reverence him, and say that it is only by his power that the work is done, and that he has been pleased to manifest himself into the work. Beloved, we may comfort ourselves in this, if all this has been done by the power of God, then we need not to fear the power of men; men can do nothing against God. The Lord may indeed put his kirk to a trial, but he will not suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

PSALM X. V. 3. . 15III. Now, for the properties of thir people. The first of them is ◊it{willing}. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are contrary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious, [], and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---that albeit they had been before running with all their speed to the devil, yet he makes them to stand still in the way and look about them, and consider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sall not know where thou art, but say, "Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were als unwilling to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but incontinent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye kent this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

"thereforeNow for this willingness of these people, it is well expressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to the endcall them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingnesses, a noble, generous, high-minded people. And all this is to shew that ye may be perfectly blessed, enterwhen the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness. They are so willing that if they had a covenant with God; and without ye be in covenant withthousand minds they would employ them all for him, ye shall be in nothingand if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but perpetual misery. Ithey would havehold them all of youup for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his service. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace,they cannot run fast enough, "Draw me and your only glory inI sall run after thee:" they are flying together, as the world,dowes does tobe in covenant with God: and so that ye are the peopleholes of God, I would not have youthe rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, "My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people;" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to count menmeet together to be rich and glorious men by their estates inkeep communion with the world---that heLord, this is the best chariot that can spendbe. And this willingness has been so many chaldersgreat at some times in the children of victual yearly, or so many thou- sand merks. O,God that they have fallen in a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came intoparoxysm, or like the world, and naked thou must go outfit of a fever, with it: as it again. But see how mickle thou hasis Acts 17. Pauls spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the "Unknown God". And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the knowledgeiniquities of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward inSodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the workchildren of re- pentance, faith, etc.,God this while past have been grieved and such good actions. Learnvexed to set your affections on thingsbehold the sins that are above,has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be als forward for the glory and testifyhonour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it by your actions.should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St. Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now.

II. "In the day of thy power." This1. Because it is God's cause ye have in hand, and it is no new cause to us. It is almost sixty years old; it is no less since this same Confession of Faith was first subscribed and sworn to.◊footnote{The Covenant was first subscribed by the time whenKing and his household on the people28th of God sallJanuary 1580-81.} And it has been still in use yearly to be willing, evensubscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.◊footnote{So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the dayonly record of his power; that is,the notable fact here stated.} And I think it would have been so in all the dayparts of the power of Jesus Christ. The dayland if men had dreamed of his own resurrection from the deadwhat was one day of his power : he says, "I have power to lay down my life, and I have powercoming upon us. Whatever is added totake it up again;" ‘ Destroyat this temple, and I will buildtime, it up again in three days;" he meantis nothing but ane interpretation of the temple of his body:former part; and indeedif men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there was none who could raise his dead body out ofis nothing in the grave,latter part but only himself. A second day of his power sallthat whilk may be deduced from the day offirst.◊footnote{Henderson himself was the resurrection of our bodies outauthor of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than anyconcluding part ofthese, and that is the day of our first resurrection out ofCovenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the grave of sin, bywords, --- "In obedience to the preachingCommandment of the gospel.God."} And there is good reason for it, why this should be called a day of his power. First, because it is the power of Jesus Christ that bringsin the purity[keeping?] ofthe gospel into a land; andCovenant we may indeed say that it was only his power that brought the gospel into this land. It hadare not authority thenbound to countenance it, for all thosekeep only these same words that were in authority were againstbefore, but we must renew it; and counsel and policy, and allin the clergy, andrenewing thereof we must apply it to the multitude, all of them, werepresent time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against it; and yet,the present ills. For it is not necessar for all that,us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with that; but the Lord broughtthing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I may say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anes (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from it.

------------------------------------ 0056 ------------------------------------3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, barons, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, and commons; and wherefore, then, should not ye be willing to follow their example? And then, I may say, ye have the prayers of all the reformed kirks in Europe for you, who have ever heard of the perturbations that has been, and yet are, into this land. And, moreover, beloved, whom have ye against you in this course? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. And should not all these make you willing to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye sall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king's heart, and made him willing also; but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing.

16 SERMON.

the purity of the gospel into this land, and established it here against all these. Secondly, when the purity of the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of God that makes it effectual for turning of souls unto himself, and raising them out of the grave of sin, wherein they are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to see that we rise not out of it; and when we are begin- ning to rise they are busy to hold us down. And think ~not that we can rise, and lift up ourselves from so base to so high ane estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third When the gospel is intoa land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that makes it to continue, for if the Lord make not the gospel to continue into a land, it will not stay there. And there is no less power required either to bring the gospel into a land, or to make it effectual, or to make it to continue, than was required to raise the dead body of Christ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord's power; a time when the saints of God sall be weak, a time when they sall be strong; a time when some sall rise up to per- secute the saints, a time when others sall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this Jand* this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane hour of that day of the Lord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had de- termined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship

* From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling

away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.

------------------------------------ 0057 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 17

as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord's power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small be- ginnings; and so the Lord did in this same work;---he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.* 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preachings in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so mickle the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane evident token of the Lord's power.+

* «Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, (and the number was inconsiderable who at that time durst profess other- wise, ) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up," etc.---Stcvenson's History of the Church of Scotland, p- 209. Ed. 1844.

t In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled " Grounds of

B

------------------------------------ 0058 ------------------------------------

18 SERMON.

And [now] since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has wrought so on the hearts of people now, and since he has made all the plots of the enemies to work against themselves, and for his people, let us give this glory to God, and reverence him, and say that it is only by his power that the work is done, and that he has been pleased to manifest himself into the work. Beloved, we may comfort ourselves in this, if all this has been done by the power of God, then we need not to fear the power of men; men can do nothing against God. The Lord may indeed put his kirk to a trial, but he will not suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of thir people. The first of them is willing. The Lord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are con- trary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious,

], and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,---that albeit they had been be- fore running with all their speed to.the devil, yet he makes God's aim and call to this voyage, etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same wo'rds, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led

directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.--- «Qur prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own over-

throwers."

------------------------------------ 0059 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 19

them to stand still in the way and look about them, and con- sider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sall not know where thou art, but say, ‘" Here am I, Lord:" and albeit thou were als unwill- ing to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, " Here am I, Lord, send me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but in- continent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye kent this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well ex- pressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to call them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingnesses, a noble, generous, high-minded people. ~ And all this is to shew that when the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness, They are so willing that if they had a thousand minds they would employ them all for him, and if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his ser-

------------------------------------ 0060 ------------------------------------

20 SERMON.

vice. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, " Draw me and I sall run after thee:" they are flying together, as the dowes does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, " My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people;" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it : as it is Acts 17. Pauls spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the uNKkNowN Gop. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be als forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now.

1. Because it is God's cause ye have in hand, and it is no new cause to us. It is almost sixty years old; it is no less since this same Confession of Faith was first subscribed and sworn to.* And it has been still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.+ And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but ane interpretation of the former part; and if

* The Covenant was first subscribed by the King and his household on the 28th of January 1580-81.

t So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the only record of the notable fact here stated.

------------------------------------ 0061 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 21

men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilk may be deduced from the first.* And in the [keeping?] of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessar for us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I ma say, if in the Lord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anes (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from 1t.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, barons, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, and commons; and wherefore, then, should not ye be willing to follow their example? And then, I may say, ye have the prayers of all the reformed kirks in Europe for you, who have ever heard of the per- turbations that has been, and yet are, into this land. And, moreover, beloved, whom have ye against you in this course ? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. =~ And should not all these make you wil- ling to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye sall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king's heart, and made him willing also;

* Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the

Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, --- In obedience to the Commandment of God."

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22 ' SERMON.

but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing.The second property of God's people is holiness. "In the beauties of holiness;" a speech that is borrowed from the priest's garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, espe- ciallyespecially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, by (beyond) others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessar. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessar, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to themselves, who never used the like; and they had done great wrong to the kirk also in not appointing such garments to be worn by ministers.*ministers.◊footnote{Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.} There be garments of glory in heaven, and gar- mentsgarments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,+Colossians,◊footnote{Col 3:12-14} and this holiness whilk is spoken of Lere.here. Concerning whilk we will mark two things :---First,things:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly re- spects :respects: therefore, I would have you with willingness to put on holiness. And, indeed, if we saw what holiness were, we needed not to be persuaded to put it on, we would do'do it willingly. For it has these parts in it---1. A purgation from former filthiness. 2. A separation from the world. If thou will be holy, then thou must be separate from the world; thou must strive to keep thyself from these whose garments are spotted with the flesh. 3. Holiness requires* Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.

t Col. i1, 12-14.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 2.3 devotion or dedication to the Lord. Where there is pur- gationpurgation from filthiness, separation from the world, and dedi- cationdedication to the Lord, there there is holiness and nowhere else.

Now, is there any of you but ye are obleist (obliged) to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. It so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave's end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,*day,◊footnote{This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occasion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.} oblishes you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that whilk ye are bound to perform. And, there- fore,therefore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I sall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do als far as I can. And, in- deed,indeed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we sall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Chris- tianChristian liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (or these who has set down this covenant), seeing all of you are bound to do it.+it.◊footnote{The words in parenthesis, and similar self-corrections preserved in this volume, show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his contemporaries.}

Secondly, ¢ The beauties"The ◊it{beauties} of holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessar for the saints of God, so all God's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, ¢ Holy,"Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:"{Almighty:"◊footnote{Isa 6:3} and the Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes wherewith they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

* This determinesNow follows the factmarvellous ◊it{multiplication} of thir people. "From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133d Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, "from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth," that this sermon was preached onas in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the occa- sionday of his power, he sall multiply his people, and he sall multiply them in a secret manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.◊footnote{This beautiful illustration was once and again employed by Henderson in the Swearingcourse of this memorable year. See particularly, his Replies to the Covenant at St Andrews.Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs.}

t The wordsWe have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning; and in parenthesis,the morning the dew falls, and similar self-corrections preservednot in the night, nor in the heat of the day. Soit is not in the night of defection, nor inthis volume, show very strikingly the sensitive modestyheat of the speaker. This wasday of persecution, when the Lord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a distinguishing featurediscerning people, to know the Lord's seasons. Sall we be as those, of his character, well knownwhom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord's merciful and gracious visitation towards them? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and ilk ane has not this gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. And therefore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his co- temporaries.own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace.◊footnote{A marked allusion to their professors and clergy, who, with the single exception of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.}

1"From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, "Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."◊footnote{2 Sam 17:12} And this phrase is well set down, Isa. vi. 3.54, "Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, "Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administrate, the people of God will then multiply exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people has been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest, sall have enough ado to contain them.◊footnote{The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the roof of St. Giles'.} And it is a marvel to consider how the Lord has multiplied his people, at this time. This is not that we are to glory in multitudes, but to let you see the great work of God, who has multiplied his people thus. And as it was at the beginning of the plantation of the Christian religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, seeing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing - And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

------------------------------------ 0064 ------------------------------------"Thy youth." That is, ◊it{thy young men}. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not reckoned by their first, but by their second birth. Ay, moreover, still the older that the children of God grow in years, and the weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns, that every temptation prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get ane evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are growing in grace, [gaining?] still more strength to resist temptations, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye anes lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the present purpose.

24 SERMON.Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in] awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God whilk we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

Holy Ghost◊it{Objection}. We have oblished ourselves, by our subscription already; what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? ◊it{Ans}. It's true, I grant, many of you has this stylesubscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to becalled Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness;more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have promised, I have sworn, and the saints whoI sall perform thy righteous statutes.◊footnote{Ps 119:100} There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are in heaven,all of them made within this issame kingdom for the long white robes where- withmaintenance of the true religion; and for thir, they are clothed.speak for themselves. Andthey who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. ~ Beloved, I would have you to count thisthese who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to be your beauty, even holiness; forsee and try if ye have not this beauty, thenthere be anything against them, but [and not] all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.directly for them.

Now follows the marvellous multiplication of thir people. ""From the wombBeloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend mickle time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from the morning thou hastdevil, the dewworld, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of thy youth." The wordsthem who are somewhat obscure even toaccounted the learned ear, but look tolearnedest in the 133d Psalm,land, have assayed their wits and there ye will see a place to helpused their pens to clear them. Always (however) observe here, ¢ from the wombobject against this.◊footnote{ "Dr John Forbes, Laird of the morning thou hast the dewCorse, professor of thy youth," that asdivinitie ina May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick thatOld Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the fields are covered with it,supplicants and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the daysubscryvers of his power, he sall multiply his people,ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and he sall multiply them in a secret manner; sorebellion."--- Supplement to Row.} But truly these who are judicious, they have confessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it is marvellous towas, because they who were the world, that once there should seemmost learned assayed themselves to be so few or none of them,see what they could say, and then incontinent he should make them to be throughyet when all estates.*was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

We have first to learn here, thatFor the Kirkfirst part of God, she has a morning; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heatthis Confession of the day. Soitfaith, there is not a word changed in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the dayit; and if so be that men had keeped that part ofpersecu- tion, when the Lord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morningfree of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discern- ing people,sinistrous glosses, and had applied it according toknow the Lord's seasons. Sall we be as those,meaning of whom our Saviour complains,those who can discern the face ofwere the sky,penners thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now; but cannot discern the day of the Lord's mercifulbecause they have put sinistrous glosses upon it now and gracious visitation towards them ? Men indeed maymisapplied it, therefore it behoved to be very learned and know things very well,explained and yet inapplied to the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and ilk ane has not thispresent time.

* This beautiful illustration was onceThe first thing that ye swear to is, That with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, constantly to adhere unto and defend the true religion. There is no scruple here. 2. That ye suspend and forbear the practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the sworship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies andagain employed by Henderson in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the coursepractice of that whilk Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? Ans. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this memorable year. See particularly, his Repliesis all that we do.◊footnote{ "The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they deferred their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Aberdeen Doctors, whereAssembly."} Because such ills has followed upon these novations, therefore we think it occurs.meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done. Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a command, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pretended Assembly bears. The words is, "The Assemblie thinks good," etc., "because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion." Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel: and so they who practise◊footnote{i.e. kneeling} now keep the letter of the Act, but they who forbear keep the meaning thereof more nearly than the practisers. 3. We promise and swear against the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Commission, with all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined willingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the matters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion: as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combination against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, according to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And indeed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,---herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened) at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gospel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the Attestation.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 25 gift, to discern the Lord's merciful visitation. ~And there- fore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace*

" From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, ¢ Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one."™ And this phrase is well set down, Is. liv., " Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, "Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administrate, the people of God will then multiply - exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people has been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest,

* A marked allusion to their professors and clergy, who, with the single exception of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.

t 2 Sam. xvii, 12.

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26 ‘ SERMON.

sall have enough ado to contain them.* And it is a marvel to consider how the Lord has multiplied his people, at this time. This is not that we are to glory in multitudes, but to let you see the great work of God, who has multiplied his people thus. And as it was at the beginning of the plantation of the Christian religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, see- ing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing - And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

"Thy youth." That is, thy young men. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not reckoned by their first, but by their second birth. Ay, moreover, still the older that the children of God grow in years, and the weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns, that every temptation prevails with them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get

* The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then -a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637.. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the

roof of St. Giles'.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 2%

ane evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are grow- ing in grace, [gaining ?] still more strength to resist tempta- tions, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye anes lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the present purpose.

Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in] awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God whilk we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

Objection. We have oblished ourselves, by our sub- scription already; what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? Ans. It's true, I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have pro- mised, I have sworn, and I sall perform thy righteous statutes.* There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for thir, they speak for themselves. And 1 would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend mickle time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from

* Ps. cxix. 100

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28 SER MON.

the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.* But truly these who are judicious, they have con- fessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned assayed themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

For the first part of this Confession of faith, there is not a word changed in it; and if so be that men had keeped that part of it free of sinistrous glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the penners thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now; but because they have put sinistrous glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be ex- plained and applied to the present time.

The first thing that ye swear to is, That with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, con- stantly to adhere unto and defend the true religion. There is no scruple here. 2. That ye suspend and forbear the practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the sworship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that whilk Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? Ans. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.+ Because such ills has followed upon these novations, there- fore we think it meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done.

* « Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.

¢« The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured; but they deferred

------------------------------------ 0069 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 29

Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a com- mand, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pre- tended Assembly bears. The words is, "The Assemblie thinks good," etc., ¢ because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion." Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel : and so they who practise* now keep the letter of the Act, but they who forbear keep the meaning thereof more nearly than the practisers. 3. We promise and swear against the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Com- mission, with all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined wil- lingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the mat- ters of God's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion : as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combina- tion against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, ac-

their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly.

* 4. e, Kneeling.

------------------------------------ 0070 ------------------------------------

30 SERMON.

cording to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And in- deed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of; for when your neighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,---herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened) at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gos- pel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the Attestation.Now, I hope all these things be so clear to you, that there is not any scruple in any of your minds. And therefore, that this work may be done aright, and may be accompanied by the power of God, I would have all of you to bow your knees before that great and dreadful Lord, and beseech him that he would send down the Holy Ghost, and the power of his Spirit, to accompany the work, that so ye may do it with all your hearts, to his glory and honour, and to your comfort in Jesus Christ.

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index 90eb166..cfd7412 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

Many proofs has been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning---that the Lord’sLord's people sall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident @@ -79,12 +79,12 @@ see that there are numbers continually multiplied.

I. "Thy people." Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is a note of property. They are God's people---God has absolute right over a people, and there is none who has any right over them but he alone. It’sIt's true all people are under him, but he calls not all his people after this manner. All things are for God, and subordinate to him ;him; the absolute power to rule and to command these people is in God’sGod's hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity ;eternity; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that◊footnote{ The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the @@ -94,39 +94,39 @@ A man canriot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God’sGod's people. And then, whilk is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone) for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave ;grave; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord’sLord's people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right : they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, ¢ Whe- ther it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye.”ye." As if they had said, It’sIt's true indeed we are mickle obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that als (also) and more ? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,—Itconclusion,---It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that God has over you, and that ye are the people of Jesus Christ ;Christ; and therefore no man ought to enjoin anything to be done by you, but that for the whilk he has a warrant from God. There is a great controversy now about disobedience to superiors, and the contempt of those who are in autho- rity ;rity; but there is not a word of that, whether God be obeyed or not, or if he be disobeyed by any. Fy, that people should sell themselves over to the slavery of man, when the Lord has only sovereign power over them! I @@ -137,16 +137,16 @@ good.◊footnote{ The clear and unembarrassed expression of such rational opinions on the subject of civil rule, considering the time and place in which they were uttered, would appear more extraordinary to us, if we did not recollect from whose teaching they were derived. ¢ The ministers of Scotland,”Scotland," says Dr Mtraitors ;traitors; and in this respect com- plete justice has not been done to their memory.””memory."" The first principle of - government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author’s “author's " Instructions for Defensive Arms,”Arms," and is there used as the main ground of his argument.} And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God’s people ;God's people; and seeing that it is so, sall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is war- @@ -155,9 +155,9 @@ over you.

STOP

2. Secondly. “Thy people.”"Thy people." This also is a note of distinction ;distinction; for every people are God’sGod's people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it’sit's true, are God’sGod's people by right of creation: why therefore says he, by people, and not a// people? Because all people belongs not to Christ. God has authority over all indeed, but in a @@ -165,9 +165,9 @@ special manner he enters in covenant with some. All people who are subject to him in his providence are not his peculiar people, his royal nation, his holy priesthood, his chosen generation, but only these of them who belongs to Christ ;Christ; those are properly termed to be his people. And we should remember of this, that those who are the people of God, they have notable privileges ;privileges; they have all things that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their @@ -175,10 +175,10 @@ security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, ¢« the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and re- news the covenant that before I made with thee.”thee." And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him ;him; and then he says to thee, “I"I will not remember thy sins any more; I'know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed @@ -187,21 +187,21 @@ again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strength to perform it.”it." And

------------------------------------ 0055 ------------------------------------

PSALM X. V. 3. . 15

“therefore"therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God ;God; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world—thatworld---that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thou- sand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it @@ -211,13 +211,13 @@ pentance, faith, etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. “In"In the day of thy power.”power." This is the time when the people of God sall be willing, even in the day of his power ;power; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus Christ. The day of his own resurrection from the dead was one day of his power : he says, “I"I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;”again;" ‘ Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;”days;" he meant of the temple of his body: and indeed there was none who could raise his dead body out of the grave, but only himself. A second day of his power sall be the day of the @@ -232,7 +232,7 @@ say that it was only his power that brought the gospel into this land. It had not authority then to countenance it, for all those that were in authority were against it; and counsel and policy, and all the clergy, and the multitude, all of them, were against it ;it; and yet, for all that, the Lord brought in

------------------------------------ 0056 ------------------------------------ @@ -260,8 +260,8 @@ to continue, than was required to raise the dead body of Christ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord’sLord's power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord’sLord's power; a time when the saints of God sall be weak, a time when they sall be strong; a time when some sall rise up to per- secute the saints, a time when others sall rise up to help @@ -269,10 +269,10 @@ them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this Jand* this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord’sLord's power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane hour of that day of the Lord’sLord's power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had de- termined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship @@ -292,9 +292,9 @@ shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord’sLord's power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small be- ginnings ;ginnings; and so the Lord did in this same work;—hework;---he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.* 3. This is also a note of the power @@ -317,7 +317,7 @@ we may say that it has not been so mickle the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane evident token of the Lord’sLord's power.+

* «Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, @@ -326,10 +326,10 @@ wise, ) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up,” etc.—Stcvenson'sup," etc.---Stcvenson's History of the Church of Scotland, p- 209. Ed. 1844.

t In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled “" Grounds of

B

@@ -356,7 +356,7 @@ that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of thir people. The first of them is willing. The Lord’sLord's people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God @@ -371,17 +371,17 @@ trary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious, all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,—thatwork,---that albeit they had been be- fore running with all their speed to.the devil, yet he makes God’sGod's aim and call to this voyage, etc.,”etc.," an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same wo'rds, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led

directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.—cause.--- «Qur prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own over-

throwers.”throwers."

------------------------------------ 0059 ------------------------------------ @@ -393,9 +393,9 @@ sider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sall not know where thou art, but say, ‘“‘" Here am I, Lord:”Lord:" and albeit thou were als unwill- ing to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, “" Here am I, Lord, send me,”me," and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but in- @@ -406,7 +406,7 @@ use, If ye kent this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,—itthis,---it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this @@ -436,10 +436,10 @@ head were a man, they would employ them all in his ser-

vice. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, “" Draw me and I sall run after thee:”thee:" they are flying together, as the dowes does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, “" My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people ;”people;" and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so @@ -461,8 +461,8 @@ others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now.

1. Because it is God’sGod's cause ye have in hand, and it is no new cause to us. It is almost sixty years old ;old; it is no less since this same Confession of Faith was first subscribed and sworn to.* And it has been still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this @@ -495,9 +495,9 @@ that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,—inthings,---in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I ma say, if in the Lord’sLord's providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anes (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from @@ -513,18 +513,18 @@ kirks in Europe for you, who have ever heard of the per- turbations that has been, and yet are, into this land. And, moreover, beloved, whom have ye against you in this course ? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country ;country; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. =~ And should not all these make you wil- ling to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye sall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king’sking's heart, and made him willing also;

* Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the

Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, —--- In obedience to the Commandment of God.”God."

------------------------------------ 0062 ------------------------------------ @@ -535,9 +535,9 @@ but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing.

The second property of God’sGod's people is holiness. “In"In the beauties of holiness;”holiness;" a speech that is borrowed from the priest’spriest's garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, espe- cially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for @@ -553,16 +553,16 @@ ministers.* There be garments of glory in heaven, and gar- ments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,+ and this holiness whilk is spoken of Lere. Concerning whilk we will mark two things :—First,:---First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly re- spects : therefore, I would have you with willingness to put on holiness. And, indeed, if we saw what holiness were, we needed not to be persuaded to put it on, we would do’do' it willingly. For it has these parts in it—1.it---1. A purgation from former filthiness. 2. A separation from the world. If thou will be holy, then thou must be separate from the world ;world; thou must strive to keep thyself from these whose garments are spotted with the flesh. 3. Holiness requires

* Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a @@ -587,7 +587,7 @@ else. Now, is there any of you but ye are obleist (obliged) to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. It so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave’sstave's end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,* oblishes you to this; and it requires nothing of @@ -603,18 +603,18 @@ join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I sall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do als far as I can. And, in- deed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we sall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Chris- tian liberty ;liberty; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (or these who has set down this covenant), seeing all of you are bound to do it.+

Secondly, ¢ The beauties of holiness.”holiness." Consider here that as holiness is necessar for the saints of God, so all God’sGod's courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, ¢ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:”{Almighty:"} and the

* This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occa- sion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews. @@ -637,34 +637,34 @@ saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes where- with they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. ~ Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness ;holiness; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous multiplication of thir people. ““From""From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth.”youth." The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133d Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, ¢ from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth,”youth," that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he sall multiply his people, and he sall multiply them in a secret manner ;manner; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.*

We have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning ;morning; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. Soit is not in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the day of persecu- tion, when the Lord’sLord's people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discern- ing people, to know the Lord’sLord's seasons. Sall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord’sLord's merciful and gracious visitation towards them ? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are @@ -678,33 +678,33 @@ Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs. ------------------------------------ 0065 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 25 gift, to discern the Lord’sLord's merciful visitation. ~And there- fore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest ;proudest; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace*

“" From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth.”youth." That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, ¢ Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground ;ground; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one.”™one."™ And this phrase is well set down, Is. liv., “" Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child ;child; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife.”wife." And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, “Enlarge"Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.”stakes." And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in @@ -738,8 +738,8 @@ that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, see- ing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon’s fleece ;Gideon's fleece; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were @@ -747,7 +747,7 @@ not such a thing - And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

“Thy youth.”"Thy youth." That is, thy young men. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not reckoned by their first, but by their second birth. Ay, moreover, still @@ -756,7 +756,7 @@ weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns, that every temptation prevails with them ;them; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend @@ -768,7 +768,7 @@ then -a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637.. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the

roof of St. Giles’.Giles'.

------------------------------------ 0067 ------------------------------------ @@ -798,8 +798,8 @@ of God whilk we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

Objection. We have oblished ourselves, by our sub- scription already ;already; what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? Ans. It’sIt's true, I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more @@ -839,7 +839,7 @@ a word changed in it; and if so be that men had keeped that part of it free of sinistrous glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the penners thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now ;now; but because they have put sinistrous glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be ex- plained and applied to the present time.

@@ -866,10 +866,10 @@ And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done. * « Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion.”—rebellion."--- Supplement to Row.

¢« The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured ;abjured; but they deferred

------------------------------------ 0069 ------------------------------------ @@ -878,9 +878,9 @@ PSALM CX. V. 3. 29

Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a com- mand, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pre- tended Assembly bears. The words is, “The"The Assemblie thinks good,”good," etc., ¢ because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion.”communion." Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel : and so they who practise* now keep the letter of @@ -894,12 +894,12 @@ lingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth ;Perth; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the mat- ters of God’sGod's service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king’sking's majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion : as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come @@ -908,7 +908,7 @@ tion against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence ;defence; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, ac- @@ -926,19 +926,19 @@ view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly.

cording to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And in- deed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of ;of; for when your neighbour’sneighbour's house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates ;Prelates; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,—hereforeGod,---herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, @@ -951,7 +951,7 @@ after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant ;covenant; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the Attestation.

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index 2d498ac..90eb166 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -77,44 +77,34 @@ and multiply so, but only God has done it; and we cannot tell how; but only we see that there are numbers continually multiplied.

I. “Thy people.”"Thy people." Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is.is a note of property. They are God’s people—GodGod's people---God has absolute right over a people, and there is none who has any right over them but he alone. It’s true all people are under him, but he calls not all his people after this manner. All things are for God, and subordinate to him ; the absolute power to rule and to command these people is in God’s hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity ; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that◊footnote{ The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man canriot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God’s people. And then, whilk is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone) for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave ; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord’s people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right :

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index e8f8b1a..2d498ac 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -6,97 +6,75 @@ youth." The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Henderson at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.}

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessary, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of stare, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and mickle more is it required of us now in thir days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it [ ] expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilk indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, and for our priest to inter- cedeintercede for us, and be a sacrifice for our sins, but when it comes to his princely office, to direct us what we should do, then we would be at that whilk seems best in our own eyes.

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; ¢ The"The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand.”hand." 2. In respect of his enemies ; ‘‘Theenemies; "The Lord sall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.”enemies." Were his enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against him, yet he sall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he sall have a kingdom for him- self,himself, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in thir words that I have read to you: and that is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most will- ingwilling people, a people who counts holiness to be their chiefest beauty. And they are so marvellously multiplied, that it is a wonder to consider of it: there is mono moe drops of dew will fall, nor they will not fall any faster in a morning than the Lord will multiply them, when he is pleased to do so. And although the Lord sometimes mul- tiplymultiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better tane up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist speaks here. ‘Thy people.”"Thy people". 2. The properties of these people in this day :day: They sall be a willing people; a holy people ;people; a people who sall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

Many proofs has been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning—thatbeginning---that the Lord’s people sall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident and nota- blenotable proof of it than this same that is presently into this land, nor think I that there be any who can show the parallel of it.◊footnote{The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause.} The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness ;holiness; albeit it is true, indeed, many has- been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of the land, since the beginning, to be more holy than they used to be. And if the multiplication of them be not won- derful,wonderful, I cannot tell what ye will tell me of that is more wonderful ;wonderful; so that indeed it is a miracle to all who hear of it. In the time while Christ was upon the earth there were two sorts of miracles to be seen ;—first,seen;---first, Christ made the dumb to speak, the blind to see, the lame to walk, &c.:etc.: this indeed was a great miracle. The second sort of mira- clesmiracles was of him who did see these things wrought by Christ, and yet for all that, did not believe in him who did work them. Even so there are two sorts of wonders in this same time wherein we live ;—first,live;---first, how the Lord has multiplied his people, and made them to be so many, whereas, at the first, we thought them to be but very few; secondly, we cannot but wonder at these who observes not God’sGod's hand into it; and indeed we cannot but wonder that any can be so blind that they observe not the very hand and finger of God in the work. Ay, we who have been wit- nesseswitnesses to it, for the most part, we cannot but wonder at the work of God in it. It has not been man’sman's wit has done the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it ;it; and we cannot tell how ;how; but only we see that there are num- bersnumbers continually multiplied.

I. “Thy people.” Here is a note of property, and a @@ -204,7 +182,7 @@ that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, &c.etc. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, ¢« the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and re- news the covenant that before I made with thee.” And @@ -239,7 +217,7 @@ sand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of re- pentance, faith, &c.,etc., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

@@ -358,7 +336,7 @@ wise, ) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up,” &c.—Stcvenson'setc.—Stcvenson's History of the Church of Scotland, p- 209. Ed. 1844.

t In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled “ Grounds of @@ -405,7 +383,7 @@ cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,—that albeit they had been be- fore running with all their speed to.the devil, yet he makes God’s aim and call to this voyage, &c.,”etc.,” an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same wo'rds, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led @@ -719,7 +697,7 @@ proudest ; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, &ec.,etc., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace*

“ From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of @@ -911,7 +889,7 @@ PSALM CX. V. 3. 29 Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a com- mand, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pre- tended Assembly bears. The words is, “The Assemblie thinks good,” &c.,etc., ¢ because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion.” Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not

a/src/0003.poly.pm b/src/0003.poly.pm index ad27546..e8f8b1a 100644 --- a/src/0003.poly.pm +++ b/src/0003.poly.pm @@ -1,5 +1,10 @@ PSALM CX. V. 3* SERMON. Psalm 110:3#lang pollen

◊commentary{"Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth." The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Henderson at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.}

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessary, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of stare, @@ -13,18 +18,6 @@ for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it [ ] expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does

* «'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning : thou hast the dew of thy youth.” The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Hender- son at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.

------------------------------------ 0050 ------------------------------------

IO SERMON.

by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilk indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take @@ -32,7 +25,7 @@ him for our prophet to teach us, and for our priest to inter- cede for us, and be a sacrifice for our sins, but when it comes to his princely office, to direct us what we should do, then we would be at that whilk seems best in our own eyes.;

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; ¢ The Lord said unto my @@ -67,11 +60,6 @@ in this day : They sall be a willing people; a holy people ; a people who sall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

------------------------------------ 0051 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 11

Many proofs has been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning—that the Lord’s people sall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from @@ -80,8 +68,9 @@ There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident and nota- ble proof of it than this same that is presently into this land, nor think I that there be any who can show the paral- lelparallel of it.*it.◊footnote{The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause.} The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness ; albeit it is true, indeed, many has - been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of @@ -109,14 +98,6 @@ the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it ; and we cannot tell how ; but only we see that there are num- bers continually multiplied.

* The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause,

------------------------------------ 0052 ------------------------------------

I2 SERMON.

I. “Thy people.” Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is. a note of property. They @@ -130,7 +111,10 @@ give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity ; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that*that◊footnote} The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.} 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man canriot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, @@ -155,17 +139,6 @@ who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord’s people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it

* The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church

put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.

------------------------------------ 0053 ------------------------------------

PSALM X. V. 3. ‘ 13

was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right : they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, ¢ Whe- ther it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, @@ -192,11 +165,8 @@ when the Lord has only sovereign power over them! I would not have you to think that a whole couatry of people are appointed only to uphold the grandeur of five or six men. No, they are ordained to be magistates for your good.* And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few per- sons 2 No, all these things are ordained for the good of

*good.◊footnote} The clear and unembarrassed expression of such rational opinions on the subject of civil rule, considering the time and place in which they were uttered, would appear more extraordinary to us, if we did not recollect from whose teaching they were derived. ¢ The ministers of Scotland,” says Dr @@ -205,15 +175,9 @@ pense of being denounced and punished as traitors ; and in this respect com- plete justice has not been done to their memory.”” The first principle of - government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author’s “ Instructions for Defensive Arms,” and is there used as the main ground of his argument.

t i.e.,argument.} And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few persons?◊footnote{i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.

------------------------------------ 0054 ------------------------------------

14 - SERMON.dignitaries.} No, all these things are ordained for the good of God’s people ; and seeing that it is so, sall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything @@ -221,6 +185,8 @@ that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is war- ranted by God or not; because God is the only superior over you.

STOP

2. Secondly. “Thy people.” This also is a note of distinction ; for every people are God’s people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it’s true, are God’s

a/src/0003.txt b/src/0003.poly.pm similarity index 100% rename from src/0003.txt rename to src/0003.poly.pm

a/src/0003.txt b/src/0003.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ad27546 --- /dev/null +++ b/src/0003.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1033 @@ PSALM CX. V. 3* SERMON. Psalm 110:3

It is, beloved in the Lord, very expedient, and sometimes most necessary, that we turn away our eyes from kings and their greatness, from kirkmen and men of stare, and that we turn them towards another object, and look only to Jesus Christ, who is the great king, priest, and prophet of his kirk. The godly in former times, who were kings, priests, and prophets themselves, used to do this, and that before Christ; and mickle more is it required of us now in thir days, seeing we live in troublesome times; for there is a comfort that comes to the children of God that way. The first part of this psalm it expresses to us the threefold office of Christ, and the second part of it [ ] expresses the valiant acts our Lord Jesus does

* «'Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauty of holiness from the womb of the morning : thou hast the dew of thy youth.” The reader will remember that the sermon preached by Hender- son at the Glasgow Assembly in the end of this year, on the occasion of the excommunication of the bishops, was from the 1st verse of this Psalm.

------------------------------------ 0050 ------------------------------------

IO SERMON.

by these his three offices, but especially by his princely office; whilk indeed is his worst studied office by many men in the world. We would, many of us, willingly take him for our prophet to teach us, and for our priest to inter- cede for us, and be a sacrifice for our sins, but when it comes to his princely office, to direct us what we should do, then we would be at that whilk seems best in our own eyes. ;

His princely office is described unto us here three ways. 1. In relation to God himself; ¢ The Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand.” 2. In respect of his enemies ; ‘‘The Lord sall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion: rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.” Were his enemies never so many, and never so despiteful against him, yet he sall rule in the midst of them. And indeed this is a very admirable part of his kingly office, that even in the midst of his enemies he sall have a kingdom for him- self, in despite of them, and all that they can do or say against it. 3. The third, wherein the glory of his kingly office consists, is in thir words that I have read to you: and that is in relation to, and in respect of the subjects of the kingdom of Christ. And they are described here to be a people belonging to Jesus Christ; to be a people on whom God manifests his power; and they are a most will- ing people, a people who counts holiness to be their chiefest beauty. And they are so marvellously multiplied, that it is a wonder to consider of it: there is mo moe drops of dew will fall, nor they will not fall any faster in a morning than the Lord will multiply them, when he is pleased to do so. And although the Lord sometimes mul- tiply them in a secret manner, yet still the multitude stands to be true.

That the purposes may be the better tane up by you who will take heed to them, consider of these parts in the words. 1. The persons of whom the Psalmist speaks here. ‘Thy people.” 2. The properties of these people in this day : They sall be a willing people; a holy people ; a people who sall be miraculously multiplied. And so their properties is willingness, holiness, and multiplication.

------------------------------------ 0051 ------------------------------------

PSALM CX. V. 3. 11

Many proofs has been of the truth of this prophecy since the beginning—that the Lord’s people sall be willing in the day of his power, in the beauties of holiness; from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth. There were many evident proofs of the truth of this since the beginning of the plantation of the gospel into the world. And surely we know not a more evident and nota- ble proof of it than this same that is presently into this land, nor think I that there be any who can show the paral- lel of it.* The Lord has made them willingly to offer up themselves, and all that they have, for him. And they are a people of holiness ; albeit it is true, indeed, many has - been brought to it from this quarter and that quarter of the land, since the beginning, to be more holy than they used to be. And if the multiplication of them be not won- derful, I cannot tell what ye will tell me of that is more wonderful ; so that indeed it is a miracle to all who hear of it. In the time while Christ was upon the earth there were two sorts of miracles to be seen ;—first, Christ made the dumb to speak, the blind to see, the lame to walk, &c.: this indeed was a great miracle. The second sort of mira- cles was of him who did see these things wrought by Christ, and yet for all that, did not believe in him who did work them. Even so there are two sorts of wonders in this same time wherein we live ;—first, how the Lord has multiplied his people, and made them to be so many, whereas, at the first, we thought them to be but very few; secondly, we cannot but wonder at these who observes not God’s hand into it; and indeed we cannot but wonder that any can be so blind that they observe not the very hand and finger of God in the work. Ay, we who have been wit- nesses to it, for the most part, we cannot but wonder at the work of God in it. It has not been man’s wit has done the work, and multiply so, but only God has done it ; and we cannot tell how ; but only we see that there are num- bers continually multiplied.

* The preacher alludes here, of course, to the remarkable unanimity with which the people of Scotland gave themselves to the covenanted cause,

------------------------------------ 0052 ------------------------------------

I2 SERMON.

I. “Thy people.” Here is a note of property, and a note of distinction. First, it is. a note of property. They are God’s people—God has absolute right over a people, and there is none who has any right over them but he alone. It’s true all people are under him, but he calls not all his people after this manner. All things are for God, and subordinate to him ; the absolute power to rule and to command these people is in God’s hand, and he will not give that power to any other over them: and he has good reason so to do. 1. Because he was thinking upon his people from all eternity ; and there was none who did that but only he. 2. He made us and fashioned us in time; and neither any authority or magistrate did that* 3. Who is it that provides means for their sustenance daily, and makes these means effectual, but only the Lord? A man canriot make one pyle (blade) of grass, or one ear of corn, to grow for thy entertainment, but only the Lord: and when thou hast gotten these things, it is the blessing of God that makes them effectual. For when ye say the grace to your meat, say ye it to man? No, ye say it only to God. So that every way ye are God’s people. And then, whilk is more, and therefore we are bound to be his people, no man can redeem the life of his brother, nor give a price sufficient for his life, let be (let alone) for his soul, and yet the Lord, he has redeemed us from hell, and from the grave ; and therefore we belong to him. Then is it not the Lord who enters in covenant with thee, and says, I will remember thy sins no more? Then albeit all the world should remember thy ill deeds, yet if the Lord remember them not, then thou art blessed. It is he who says, I will write my laws in your hearts, to lead you here: it is he who puts us in the estate of grace while we are here, and so puts us in hope of glory after this life. It is he who sall be our judge at that great day. And so ye are the Lord’s people, by way of property.

And this was it that made the apostles so bold, when it

* The preacher has in his eye here the claim to lordship over the Church

put forth by the bishops, and of supremacy over the Church put forth by the king, at this time.

------------------------------------ 0053 ------------------------------------

PSALM X. V. 3. ‘ 13

was alleged that they had done that whilk was not right : they make the enemies themselves judges, and says, ¢ Whe- ther it be right in your sight to obey God rather than man, judge ye.” As if they had said, It’s true indeed we are mickle obliged to man, but we are more obliged to God than to all men; for what is it that man can do to us, either good or ill, but God can do that als (also) and more ? And upon this ground, in the next chapter, they draw this conclusion,—It behoveth us rather to obey God than man. And so, first, they reason with the adversars themselves upon it; and seeing that they could not deny it, upon that they draw up their conclusion. I mark this for this end, that whenever ye are enjoined to do anything by any man, that then ye would not forget this dignity and power that God has over you, and that ye are the people of Jesus Christ ; and therefore no man ought to enjoin anything to be done by you, but that for the whilk he has a warrant from God. There is a great controversy now about disobedience to superiors, and the contempt of those who are in autho- rity ; but there is not a word of that, whether God be obeyed or not, or if he be disobeyed by any. Fy, that people should sell themselves over to the slavery of man, when the Lord has only sovereign power over them! I would not have you to think that a whole couatry of people are appointed only to uphold the grandeur of five or six men. No, they are ordained to be magistates for your good.* And sall we think that a ministry shines into a land for the upholding of the grandeur of some few per- sons 2 No, all these things are ordained for the good of

* The clear and unembarrassed expression of such rational opinions on the subject of civil rule, considering the time and place in which they were uttered, would appear more extraordinary to us, if we did not recollect from whose teaching they were derived. ¢ The ministers of Scotland,” says Dr M pense of being denounced and punished as traitors ; and in this respect com- plete justice has not been done to their memory.”” The first principle of - government, here stated in such unqualified terms, is more fully expounded in the author’s “ Instructions for Defensive Arms,” and is there used as the main ground of his argument.

t i.e., Prelates and other dignitaries.

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14 - SERMON.

God’s people ; and seeing that it is so, sall ye then make yourselves like to asses and slaves, to be subject to all that men pleases to impose upon you? No, no; try anything that they impose upon you, before ye obey it, if it is war- ranted by God or not; because God is the only superior over you.

2. Secondly. “Thy people.” This also is a note of distinction ; for every people are God’s people, but there is a distinction among them. All people, it’s true, are God’s people by right of creation: why therefore says he, by people, and not a// people? Because all people belongs not to Christ. God has authority over all indeed, but in a special manner he enters in covenant with some. All people who are subject to him in his providence are not his peculiar people, his royal nation, his holy priesthood, his chosen generation, but only these of them who belongs to Christ ; those are properly termed to be his people. And we should remember of this, that those who are the people of God, they have notable privileges ; they have all things that any people should have, and whatever we should be, they have that. Where any are the people of God, there there is blessedness indeed, for they have his truth for their security, they have his love for their comfort, his power for their defence, &c. The Lord God, he takes his people into his bosom, and with every soul he does so, and says, ¢« the Lord thy God enters in covenant with thee, and re- news the covenant that before I made with thee.” And then he lays a necessity upon thee, by his providence, that thou must enter in covenant with him ; and then he says to thee, “I will not remember thy sins any more; I'know they are heinous, great, and many, but because thou desires that they should not be remembered, therefore I will not remember them. And because when ye have renewed your covenant with me, ye will be aye in a fear to break it again, therefore I will write my law in your hearts. And so whatever I promise to you, I will perform it freely when ye are in covenant with me; and whatever ye promise to me, being in covenant with me, I sall perform it for you also, at least I sall give you strength to perform it.” And

------------------------------------ 0055 ------------------------------------

PSALM X. V. 3. . 15

“therefore to the end that ye may be perfectly blessed, enter in a covenant with God ; and without ye be in covenant with him, ye shall be in nothing but perpetual misery. I would have all of you to think this to be your only health, wealth, and peace, and your only glory in the world, to be in covenant with God: and so that ye are the people of God, I would not have you to count men to be rich and glorious men by their estates in the world—that he can spend so many chalders of victual yearly, or so many thou- sand merks. O, a silly beggarly glory is this! Naked thou came into the world, and naked thou must go out of it again. But see how mickle thou has of the knowledge of Jesus Christ, how far thou art forward in the work of re- pentance, faith, &c., and such good actions. Learn to set your affections on things that are above, and testify it by your actions.

II. “In the day of thy power.” This is the time when the people of God sall be willing, even in the day of his power ; that is, in the day of the power of Jesus Christ. The day of his own resurrection from the dead was one day of his power : he says, “I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it up again;” ‘ Destroy this temple, and I will build it up again in three days;” he meant of the temple of his body: and indeed there was none who could raise his dead body out of the grave, but only himself. A second day of his power sall be the day of the resurrection of our bodies out of the dust. But there is another day that is meant of here than any of these, and that is the day of our first resurrection out of the grave of sin, by the preaching of the gospel. And there is good reason for it, why this should be called a day of his power. First, because it is the power of Jesus Christ that brings the purity of the gospel into a land; and we may indeed say that it was only his power that brought the gospel into this land. It had not authority then to countenance it, for all those that were in authority were against it; and counsel and policy, and all the clergy, and the multitude, all of them, were against it ; and yet, for all that, the Lord brought in

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16 SERMON.

the purity of the gospel into this land, and established it here against all these. Secondly, when the purity of the gospel is into a land, it is only the power of God that makes it effectual for turning of souls unto himself, and raising them out of the grave of sin, wherein they are so fast buried. So when the Lord first sends the gospel, we are lying into the grave of sin; and the devil, and the world, and all these enemies they are watching the grave, to see that we rise not out of it; and when we are begin- ning to rise they are busy to hold us down. And think ~not that we can rise, and lift up ourselves from so base to so high ane estate, without the power of God. No, no. Third When the gospel is intoa land, it is only the power of Jesus Christ that makes it to continue, for if the Lord make not the gospel to continue into a land, it will not stay there. And there is no less power required either to bring the gospel into a land, or to make it effectual, or to make it to continue, than was required to raise the dead body of Christ out of the grave, or will be required to raise ours.

I would have you to consider here, that all times are not alike, but there is a time of the Lord’s power; that all days are not alike, but there is a day of the Lord’s power; a time when the saints of God sall be weak, a time when they sall be strong; a time when some sall rise up to per- secute the saints, a time when others sall rise up to help them; a time when the Lord withholds his power, and a time when he kythes (shews it); a time when the people draws back from the Lord, and a time when they turn to him again. There has been a day of defection in this Jand* this time past, and now there is a time of the Lord’s power in bringing back this defection again: and indeed this very instant time that now is is ane hour of that day of the Lord’s power, and I will shew you two or three reasons for it. 1. The Lord did arise and manifested his power when the enemies were become insolent, and when they had de- termined that they would set up such a [mode] of worship

* From 1596 to the present year 1638, there had been a sad falling

away from the attainments of the First Reformation. Popery was in the fair way to be re-established in the land.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 17

as they thought meet, and noways according to the pattern shown upon the mount. And indeed the Lord, he uses ordinarily to do this, that even when the enemies of his people are become insolent, and they have determined that they will do such a thing instantly, then he takes them in their own snare. 2. To show that it is the Lord’s power only that works a work, he uses to begin at very small be- ginnings ; and so the Lord did in this same work;—he began at first with some few, and these not honourable, and yet now he has made it to cover the whole land through all the quarters thereof.* 3. This is also a note of the power of God, that he has touched the hearts of people, that there was never such a howling and a weeping heard amongst them this long time as there is now; and yet it is not a weeping for sorrow, but a weeping for joy. How oft has there been preachings in the most part of the congregations of this land this long time past, and yet people have never found the power of it in working upon their hearts; and yet within this short space, when the Lord has renewed his covenant with them, and they with him, he has displayed his banner, and made his power known in working upon the hearts of people. 4. In this the power of God is manifestly to be seen in this work, that the Lord has made all the devices and plots of the adversars, that they have devised to further their own ends, to work contrair to these ends, and to work for the good of his own work. And, indeed, we may say that it has not been so mickle the courage and wisdom of these, that has been for this cause, that has brought it so far on, but the very plots and devices of the adversars that they have devised for their own good. This [also] is ane evident token of the Lord’s power.+

* «Nevertheless, before the end of April, every parish throughout Scotland, where the minister was friendly to the reformation then sought, (and the number was inconsiderable who at that time durst profess other- wise, ) having observed a fast to humble themselves for the former defection and breach of the covenant, did renew the same with great solemnity, scarce a person opposing themselves, but every one, women as well as men, concurring, and publicly avouching the Lord to be their God, with their right hand lifted up,” &c.—Stcvenson's History of the Church of Scotland, p- 209. Ed. 1844.

t In an important paper of Baillie of date 1640, entitled “ Grounds of

B

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18 SERMON.

And [now] since the Lord did arise when the enemies were become insolent, since he began at so small beginnings and has brought it so far, since the Lord has wrought so on the hearts of people now, and since he has made all the plots of the enemies to work against themselves, and for his people, let us give this glory to God, and reverence him, and say that it is only by his power that the work is done, and that he has been pleased to manifest himself into the work. Beloved, we may comfort ourselves in this, if all this has been done by the power of God, then we need not to fear the power of men; men can do nothing against God. The Lord may indeed put his kirk to a trial, but he will not suffer her to be overthrown by any. And indeed, any who hears and knows what the enemies are doing here may see that they are not fighting against men, but against God, and that they are kicking against the pricks.

III. Now, for the properties of thir people. The first of them is willing. The Lord’s people are a people of willingness in the day of his power: and indeed thir three go very well together, the people of God, the power of God, and a willing people. When the power of God works upon his people then he makes them to be a willing people. And indeed, it is no small matter to see a people willing in a good cause, for by nature we are unwilling, and naturally we are not set to affect anything that is right, except it be through hypocrisy. Our hearts they are con- trary to God; they are proud, disobedient, rebellious,

], and he who sees and knows his own heart sees all this to be in it; and he knows that it is the Lord who cries upon him, in the day of his own power, and frames his heart in a new mould, and makes it to be so nimble and cheerful in any good work,—that albeit they had been be- fore running with all their speed to.the devil, yet he makes God’s aim and call to this voyage, &c.,” an abstract of which has been given by Stevenson, the author makes use of these same wo'rds, and in a succinct and lucid manner, shows at length how the various measures adopted by the government, at the suggestion of the prelates, had all led

directly to the advancement and confirmation of the reforming cause.— «Qur prelates have thus become our reformers, and their own over-

throwers.”

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 19

them to stand still in the way and look about them, and con- sider what they have been doing, and then to turn about again. Albeit thou were like to Paul, persecuting the Church, yet he can then make a preacher of thee, and so affright thee that thou sall not know where thou art, but say, ‘“ Here am I, Lord:” and albeit thou were als unwill- ing to go as the prophet or Moses, yet he will make thee to say, “ Here am I, Lord, send me,” and be as Elisha, when Elias cuist (cast) his mantle about him, then he could not stay any longer. And when Christ comes to Peter, and calls upon them, they cannot stay any longer, but in- continent they leave all and follows him. I will not now begin to make any large discourse of the invincible power of God; I say no more of it now but only this for your use, If ye kent this power of God, it would make you ready and willing to give a confession to him this day, and even to confess him before men, and to forsake all and follow him. Ye who are ignorant of the power of God, take heed to this,—it is the Lord who commanded light to come out of darkness, who must make you to see Christ; he who takes his rod in his hand to beat down the hard and humble the haughty heart, he must do this also. O if ye felt this power of God, ye would think nothing to forsake all and to follow him. He has suffered more for us nor we can suffer for him; and if we suffered anything for him, he would not suffer any of us yet to be a loser at his hand: but we cannot put him to a trial.

Now for this willingness of these people, it is well ex- pressed here. They are called a people of willingness. And yet he thinks not this satisfactory, to call them a willing people, but he calls them a people of willingnesses, a noble, generous, high-minded people. ~ And all this is to shew that when the people of God is wakened up in the day of his power, there is none who is able to express their willingness, They are so willing that if they had a thousand minds they would employ them all for him, and if they had a thousand faces, they would not let one of them look down, but they would hold them all up for the Lord; if every hair in their head were a man, they would employ them all in his ser-

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20 SERMON.

vice. Their willingness, indeed, it cannot be expressed. They cry to the Lord, because they think they cannot run fast enough, “ Draw me and I sall run after thee:” they are flying together, as the dowes does to the holes of the rocks before a tempest come. In the Canticles Christ says, “ My soul made me as the chariots of my noble people ;” and, indeed, to see a people running through the land, to meet together to keep communion with the Lord, this is the best chariot that can be. And this willingness has been so great at some times in the children of God that they have fallen in a paroxysm, or like the fit of a fever, with it : as it is Acts 17. Pauls spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the City of Athens given to so much base idolatry as to worship the uNKkNowN Gop. And Lot, also, he had such a fit as this; he vexed his righteous soul with the iniquities of Sodom, that is, he tortured his soul with their sins, he never saw them committing sin but it was a grief to him. And, indeed, the children of God this while past have been grieved and vexed to behold the sins that has been committed into this same land. I insist upon this the rather because I would wish from my heart that ye would be thus willing, and that ye would be als forward for the glory and honour of God as ever any was. And then, indeed, it should do good to others also, when they should hear tell that the people of St Andrews were such a willing people. And, indeed, ye have just reason to be willing now.

1. Because it is God’s cause ye have in hand, and it is no new cause to us. It is almost sixty years old ; it is no less since this same Confession of Faith was first subscribed and sworn to.* And it has been still in use yearly to be subscribed and sworn to in some parts, among some in this land, to this day.+ And I think it would have been so in all the parts of the land if men had dreamed of what was coming upon us. Whatever is added to it at this time, it is nothing but ane interpretation of the former part; and if

* The Covenant was first subscribed by the King and his household on the 28th of January 1580-81.

t So far as the Editor has yet ascertained, this is the only record of the notable fact here stated.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 21

men will be willing to see the right, they may see that there is nothing in the latter part but that whilk may be deduced from the first.* And in the [keeping?] of a Covenant we are not bound to keep only these same words that were before, but we must renew it; and in the renewing thereof we must apply it to the present time when it is renewed, as we have done, renewed it against the present ills. For it is not necessar for us to abjure Turcism or Paganism, because we are not in fear to be troubled with that; but the thing that we are in danger of is Papistry, and therefore we must abjure that.

2. A second reason to make you willing is, because this matters concerns you in all things,—in your bodies, in your estates, in your lives, your liberties, in your souls. I ma say, if in the Lord’s providence this course had not been taken, ye would have found the thraldom whereinto that course, wherein ye were anes (once) going, would have brought you to or now, even ye who are most averse from 1t.

3. A third reason to make you willing is, ye have the precedency and testimony of the nobility in the land to it, and of all sorts of persons, noblemen, barons, gentlemen, burgesses, ministers, and commons; and wherefore, then, should not ye be willing to follow their example? And then, I may say, ye have the prayers of all the reformed kirks in Europe for you, who have ever heard of the per- turbations that has been, and yet are, into this land. And, moreover, beloved, whom have ye against you in this course ? All the atheists, all the papists, and all the profane rogues in the country ; they draw to that side, and it is only they who hate this cause. =~ And should not all these make you wil- ling to [swear?] to it, and to hazard for it? And I may say, if ye be but willing to hazard all that ye have, that may be the heaviest distress that ever ye sall be put to. And if so be that ye had been willing at first, the Lord would have touched the king’s heart, and made him willing also;

* Henderson himself was the author of the concluding part of the

Covenant as renewed in 1638, beginning with the words, — In obedience to the Commandment of God.”

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22 ' SERMON.

but because he is informed by some that the most part are not willing, that is a great part of the cause why he is not willing.

The second property of God’s people is holiness. “In the beauties of holiness;” a speech that is borrowed from the priest’s garments under the law. Sometimes they were broidered with gold, sometimes they were all white, espe- cially in the day of expiation. Not that ministers under the New Testament should have such garments as these, for these were representations to them, both of their inward holiness and of their outward holiness, by (beyond) others; but now all believers are priests as well as ministers are, and therefore such garments as these are not necessar. Indeed, if such garments as these had been necessar, then Christ and his apostles had done great wrong to themselves, who never used the like; and they had done great wrong to the kirk also in not appointing such garments to be worn by ministers.* There be garments of glory in heaven, and gar- ments of grace in the earth; that party-coloured garment spoken of in the Colossians,+ and this holiness whilk is spoken of Lere. Concerning whilk we will mark two things :—First, as people are a people of willingness in a good cause, so they must also be a people of holiness, or otherwise their willingness is only but for some worldly re- spects : therefore, I would have you with willingness to put on holiness. And, indeed, if we saw what holiness were, we needed not to be persuaded to put it on, we would do’ it willingly. For it has these parts in it—1. A purgation from former filthiness. 2. A separation from the world. If thou will be holy, then thou must be separate from the world ; thou must strive to keep thyself from these whose garments are spotted with the flesh. 3. Holiness requires

* Both King James and his son Charles had busied themselves in a most absurd and preposterous manner about the ordinary dress of the clergy in Scotland. Charles was the first who enjoined the use of the surplice and other priestly vestments in the performance of divine worship. The surplice, or whites, was used at his coronation in Edinburgh for the first time since the Reformation.

t Col. i1, 12-14.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 2.3

devotion or dedication to the Lord. Where there is pur- gation from filthiness, separation from the world, and dedi- cation to the Lord, there there is holiness and nowhere else.

Now, is there any of you but ye are obleist (obliged) to be holy? Ye say that ye are the people of the Lord. It so be, then ye must have your inward man purged of sin, and ye must stand at the stave’s end against the corruptions of the time, and ye must devote yourselves only to serve and honour God. And your Covenant, that ye are to swear to this day,* oblishes you to this; and it requires nothing of you but that whilk ye are bound to perform. And, there- fore, seeing this is required of you, purge yourselves within, flee the corruptions of the time, eschew the society of those whom ye see to be corrupt, and devote yourselves only to the Lord. Yet this is not that we would obleish you to perform everything punctually that the Lord requires of you; there is none who can do that, but promise to the Lord to do so, tell him that ye have a desire to do so, and join a resolution and a purpose, and say to him, Lord, I sall prease (earnestly endeavour) to do als far as I can. And, in- deed, there is no more in our covenant but this, that we sall endeavour to keep ourselves within the bounds of our Chris- tian liberty ; and, albeit, none of you would swear to this, ye are bound to it by your baptism. And, therefore, think not that we are precisians, (or these who has set down this covenant), seeing all of you are bound to do it.+

Secondly, ¢ The beauties of holiness.” Consider here that as holiness is necessar for the saints of God, so all God’s courtiers they are full of beauty. God himself is full of beauty, and we have no power, beauty, nor holiness but in his power, beauty, and holiness. Holiness, it is the beauty of the Son of God, Jesus Christ; and to him it is said in Esay, ¢ Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty:”{ and the

* This determines the fact that this sermon was preached on the occa- sion of the Swearing of the Covenant at St Andrews.

t The words in parenthesis, and similar self-corrections preserved in this volume, show very strikingly the sensitive modesty of the speaker. This was a distinguishing feature of his character, well known to his co- temporaries.

1 Isa. vi. 3.

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24 SERMON.

Holy Ghost has this style to be called Holy. And the angels in heaven, they are clothed with holiness; and the saints who are in heaven, this is the long white robes where- with they are clothed. And they who are begun to be sanctified here, they strive to be more and more clad with holiness. ~ Beloved, I would have you to count this to be your beauty, even holiness ; for if ye have not this beauty, then all your other beauty will degenerate in a bastard beauty.

Now follows the marvellous multiplication of thir people. ““From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth.” The words are somewhat obscure even to the learned ear, but look to the 133d Psalm, and there ye will see a place to help to clear them. Always (however) observe here, ¢ from the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth,” that as in a May morning, when there is no extremity of heat, the dew falls so thick that all the fields are covered with it, and it falls in such a secret manner that none sees it fall, so the Lord, in the day of his power, he sall multiply his people, and he sall multiply them in a secret manner ; so that it is marvellous to the world, that once there should seem to be so few or none of them, and then incontinent he should make them to be through all estates.*

We have first to learn here, that the Kirk of God, she has a morning ; and in the morning the dew falls, and not in the night, nor in the heat of the day. Soit is not in the night of defection, nor in the heat of the day of persecu- tion, when the Lord’s people are multiplied, but it is in the morning of the day. Beloved, I wish ye may be a discern- ing people, to know the Lord’s seasons. Sall we be as those, of whom our Saviour complains, who can discern the face of the sky, but cannot discern the day of the Lord’s merciful and gracious visitation towards them ? Men indeed may be very learned and know things very well, and yet in the meantime be but ignorant of this; for there are sundry gifts bestowed upon men, and ilk ane has not this

* This beautiful illustration was once and again employed by Henderson in the course of this memorable year. See particularly, his Replies to the Aberdeen Doctors, where it occurs.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 25 gift, to discern the Lord’s merciful visitation. ~And there- fore happy are ye, albeit ye be not great in other gifts, if so be that ye know this; for the Lord, he has some gifts of his own bestowing allanerly (only), whilk he will bestow upon the meanest, and yet he will deny them to the proudest ; even as the tops of the mountains, they will be dry and have no dew, while as the valleys will be wet with it. So those who exalts themselves high, and boasts themselves of their other gifts, of their knowledge, learning, experience, &ec., the Lord will, for all that, ofttimes leave them void of saving and sanctifying grace*

“ From the womb of the morning thou hast the dew of thy youth.” That is, as the dew is multiplied upon the earth, so sall thy people be. This is ane ordinar phrase in Scripture. Hushai says to Absalom, ¢ Convene the people from Dan to Beersheba, and then we sall light upon David as the dew lighteth upon the ground ; and then there sall not be left of him and of all the men that are with him so much as one.”™ And this phrase is well set down, Is. liv., “ Rejoice, O barren, and thou that didst not bear, break forth into singing and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child ; for more are the children of the desolate than the married wife.” And therefore he uses this form of speech, v. 2, “Enlarge thy tents, and let them stretch the curtains of thy habitations; lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes.” And all these things are requisite to be done when the people of God are multiplied thus.

Let us observe here, if the word of God continue in this land, in the purity thereof, and the sacraments be rightly administrate, the people of God will then multiply - exceedingly here. The chiefest city in this land, they are forced to marvel where the people has been in former times that are in it now, so that they cannot get kirks to contain them. And they think, if the gospel continue in the purity thereof, all the kirks that they are building, with the rest,

* A marked allusion to their professors and clergy, who, with the single exception of Principal Howie, had actively countenanced the recent defections both in doctrine and practice.

t 2 Sam. xvii, 12.

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26 ‘ SERMON.

sall have enough ado to contain them.* And it is a marvel to consider how the Lord has multiplied his people, at this time. This is not that we are to glory in multitudes, but to let you see the great work of God, who has multiplied his people thus. And as it was at the beginning of the plantation of the Christian religion, there was three thousand converted at one preaching of the apostle, I will not say that there has been three thousand converted at a preaching here, but I may say this, that at one preaching there has been some thousands wakened up, who had not been so for a long time before. And will it not be a hard matter, see- ing that it is so, that Saint Andrews sall be as Gideon’s fleece ; that all the kingdom about it sall be wet with the dew of heaven, and it sall only be dry? Even so, will it not be a shame, that all others sall be stirred up, and ye not a whit stirred up in this day more than if there were not such a thing - And therefore, beloved, I would have you to join yourselves with the rest of the people of God in this cause.

“Thy youth.” That is, thy young men. Those that are renewed by grace they are called young, albeit they were never so old, because their age is not reckoned by their first, but by their second birth. Ay, moreover, still the older that the children of God grow in years, and the weaker in the world, they grow younger and stronger in grace. Secondly, they are called young, because of the strength that they have to resist temptations. Before they be renewed by grace and born again that way, they are like bairns, that every temptation prevails with them ; but then they are as young men, who are able to resist temptations to sin, so that sin gets not liberty to exercise dominion over them. Thirdly, they are called young, because they will contend with all their power and might for the faith. I would have all of you to be young in these respects, and labour to get

* The Tron Church in Edinburgh, which is the city spoken of, was then -a-building. The loose stones and rubbish about the new building were used by the rabble in the riots of 1637.. And the erection of the Parliament House had left space for another place of worship under the

roof of St. Giles’.

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PSALM CX. V. 3. 2%

ane evidence of your new birth by these, that ye are grow- ing in grace, [gaining ?] still more strength to resist tempta- tions, and by contending earnestly for the faith; even be bold in this, especially in contending for the truth. Strive for the truth, for if ye anes lose it, ye will not get it so easily again. And this same is the covenant of truth whilk ye are to swear to; for as our Covenant is renewed, so also it is exponed (explained) according as the exigencies of the time requires, and it is applied to the present purpose.

Beloved, I told you already that ye have no cause of fear, for I avow and attest here before God, that what ye do is not against authority, but for authority, let some men who are wickedly disposed say what they will; but what ye do is for authority. And I told you of the obligations whereby authority are bound to this. And for the words of it, because they are conceived in a terrible manner, ye need not to stand [in] awe for this; and it were good that ye should read them over again, and think upon this wrath of God whilk we pray for to come upon us, if we do intend anything against authority.

Objection. We have oblished ourselves, by our sub- scription already ; what then needs us to obleish ourselves over again by our oath? Ans. It’s true, I grant, many of you has subscribed it already, and so ye are bound; but now ye are to swear also, that so through abundance of bands to God ye may know yourselves to be the more bound to him. David says, I have purposed, I have pro- mised, I have sworn, and I sall perform thy righteous statutes.* There be also here sundry Acts of Parliament, that are all of them made within this same kingdom for the maintenance of the true religion; and for thir, they speak for themselves. And 1 would have these who say we do anything against law and against our superiours, to see and try if there be anything against them, but [and not] all directly for them.

Beloved, I hope that it will not be necessar for us to spend mickle time with you in removing of scruples. Good things I know has over many objections against them from

* Ps. cxix. 100

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the devil, the world, and our own ill hearts. And I know some of them who are accounted the learnedest in the land, have assayed their wits and used their pens to object against this.* But truly these who are judicious, they have con- fessed that they have been greatly confirmed by that whilk they have objected; and the reason of it was, because they who were the most learned assayed themselves to see what they could say, and yet when all was done, they had nothing to say that was worth the hearing.

For the first part of this Confession of faith, there is not a word changed in it; and if so be that men had keeped that part of it free of sinistrous glosses, and had applied it according to the meaning of those who were the penners thereof, there needed not to have such a thing ado as there is now ; but because they have put sinistrous glosses upon it now and misapplied it, therefore it behoved to be ex- plained and applied to the present time.

The first thing that ye swear to is, That with your whole hearts ye agree and resolve, all the days of your life, con- stantly to adhere unto and defend the true religion. There is no scruple here. 2. That ye suspend and forbear the practice of all novations already introduced in the matters of the sworship of God, or approbation of the corruptions of the public government of the kirk, or civil places and power of kirkmen, till they be tried and allowed in free assemblies and in parliaments. Now, I know there be some who make scruples here. How can we, say they, bind ourselves to forbear the practice of that whilk Acts of Assembly allows, and Acts of Parliament commands? Ans. We do not herein condemn the Act as altogether unlawful, whatever our judgment be of it, but this is all that we do.+ Because such ills has followed upon these novations, there- fore we think it meet now to forbear the practice of them till they be tried by Assembly and Parliament.

And this is not a breach of the Act, when all is done.

* « Dr John Forbes, Laird of Corse, professor of divinitie in the Old Toune Colledge, wrot a pamphlet, wherein he accused all the supplicants and subscryvers of ye covenant as blinde guides, of heresie, schism, sedition, temertie, refractoriness, perjury, and rebellion.”— Supplement to Row.

¢« The opinion of Henderson and Dickson was clear and decided that the Articles of Perth were unconstitutional and abjured ; but they deferred

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Because the Act is not set down in the manner of a com- mand, but only as a counsel; for so the Act of the pre- tended Assembly bears. The words is, “The Assemblie thinks good,” &c., ¢ because all memory of superstition is now past, therefore we may kneel at the communion.” Then, if there be any danger of superstition, by the very words of the Act we may gather this, that we should not kneel : and so they who practise* now keep the letter of the Act, but they who forbear keep the meaning thereof more nearly than the practisers. 3. We promise and swear against the Service-book, Book of Canons, and High Com- mission, with all other innovations and ills contained in our Supplications, Complaints, and Protestations. Now for the Service-book, I find every one almost to be so inclined wil- lingly to quite (be done with) it. But let me attest your own consciences, if it had gone on for a while, and been read among you, as it was begun to be, if it had not been als hard for you to have quat it as to quite the Articles of Perth ; and therefore, do not deceive yourselves, to let such things be practised any more. It is a pitiful thing, that those who are wise otherways should deceive themselves in the mat- ters of God’s service and worship, and suffer others to deceive them also. 4. Ye promise and swear, to the uttermost of your power to stand to the defence of the king’s majesty, in the defence and preservation of true religion : as also, every one of you to the mutual defence of another in the same cause. Now there be a number who says, that in this we come under rebellion against the king, and we join in a combina- tion against him, when we join ourselves thus, every one for the defence of another. I say nomore of it but this. It is not disputed here, ye see, whether it be lawful for subjects to take up arms against their prince or not, whether in offence or defence ; but that we will maintain the true religion, and resist all contrary corruptions, according to our vocation. And every one of us oblishes ourselves for the defence of another, only in maintaining the cause of true religion, ac-

their own convictions to those of others, such as Baillie, and consented to leave the matter, for the present, an open question in the Covenant. Their view was afterwards confirmed by the Assembly.

* 4. e, Kneeling.

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cording to the laws and liberties of this kingdom. And in- deed, this is very reasonable to be done, albeit not asked of ; for when your neighbour’s house is burning, ye will not run to the king to speir (ask) if ye should help him or not, before it come to your own; but ye will incontinent put to your hand, both to help him, and to save your own house. Ye may not say, neither, that because we may not oppose against authority, that we may not oppose against Papists or against Prelates ; for that were to make ourselves slaves to men. And the very law of nature binds every one of us to help another, in a lawful manner, for a good cause. 5. Ye swear, because ye cannot look for a blessing from God upon your proceedings, except that with your confession and subscription ye join such a life as becomes Christians who has renewed their covenant with God,—herefore ye promise to endeavour at least, for yourselves and all that are under you, to keep yourselves within the bounds of your Christian liberty, and to be good ensamples to others in all godliness, soberness, and righteousness, and of every duty ye owe both to God and man. And there is none who needs to skarre (be frightened) at this; for we are not hereby to tie any to the obedience of the law, but to the obedience of the gos- pel: and I am sure all are bound at least to prease to (strive after) this. And therefore I would have you to labour to it; and when ye find that ye cannot get it done, then run to Christ, and beseech him to teach you to do it, and to give you strength, according to his promise made in his new covenant ; and so ye sall give glory to God and get good to your own souls. And, indeed, all of you are obleist to amend your lives, and to live otherwise than ye have done. And last of all, there is the Attestation.

Now, I hope all these things be so clear to you, that there is not any scruple in any of your minds. And therefore, that this work may be done aright, and may be accompanied by the power of God, I would have all of you to bow your knees before that great and dreadful Lord, and beseech him that he would send down the Holy Ghost, and the power of his Spirit, to accompany the work, that so ye may do it with all your hearts, to his glory and honour, and to your comfort in Jesus Christ.