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how to stop and overturn our great covenanted work of reformation, wherein the right hand of the Lord that does ever valiantly, was and is remarkable to be seen in the beginning and carrying on, through all the periods of this Church not only from Paganism and Popery, but, also abjuring of Prelacy, both in the last articles of the National Covenant: but more expressly in the second article of the Solemn League and Covenant betwixt the three nations; wherein all ranks were and are solemnly and perpetually bound, in their places and stations, to extirpate that old strumpet mother, and eldest beautiful daughter of Antichrist with which the blind nations have been and are sadly bewitched: but vile, vile, loathsome and hateful in the eyes of all the zealous, serious, godly in Scotland, ever since the Lord made light to arise to see her abominations. And it hath been, is, and may be confirming and comforting to all the Lord’s people, that our reformation, in all the steps thereof, hath been of and for the Lord, in that he raised up and continued such a succession of earnest contenders, and faithful witnesses through so many ages, that none have exceeded them since the apostles went off the stage.
Accordingly, the Popish, Prelatical, and malignant faction, enemies of God and godliness, began their undermining work (in the year 1650) of our covenaated reformation, that had flourished in a wonderful manner from 1683, eleven years in their public Resolutions, as they were then called, in getting all places of power and trust filled with men of wicked and corrupt principles and practices to make way for their getting their chief head, Charles II. upon the throne of Britain, which proved effectual, and got their hellish designs accomplished; which was foreseen, foretold and contended against by a handful of worthy ministers and Christians, in these days called Protestors or Remonstrators. Then Cromwell the English general was called home with his ten thousand men, who came to Scotland in the end of July 1650 to arraign the Duke of Hamilton and many debauchees with him, for invading their kingdom in the year 1648, (which was faithfully witnessed against), and hindering their kings from complying, with thePar-
