PResuming it is thy desire , to answer the holy & honourable designation I accost thee with , I shall take the Confidence to assure thee , it is my design to answer in some measure the expectation , which the Title of this Treatise would offer ; in the hope , that , wherein I come short ( as I indeed confess not only my jealous fears , but my sensible conviction of my insufficiency for such a great undertaking ) thy Christian tenderness will impute it to my weakness , and not to any want of worth in the Cause I manage ; which is truly worthy , weighty , noble , & honourable , in the esteem of all the Lovers of Christ , that have Zeal for his Honour in exercise : And therefore as it gives me all the encouragement I have , in dependance on his furniture , whose Cause it is , to make such an Essay ; So it animates my ambition , albeit I cannot manage it with any proportion to its merit , yet to move the Christian Reader to make enquiry about it , and then sure I am he will find it is Truth I plead for , though my plea be weak . All I shall further say by way of Preface is to declare the Reason of the Title and the design of the work .

Though Books use not to be required to render a reason of their names , which often are arbitrarly imposed , more for the Authors fancy , and the times fashion than for the readers Instruction : yet , seing the times injuries do oblige the Author to conceal his name , the Title will not obscurely notify it to some , for whose satisfaction this is mainly intended , and signify also the Scope of the subject ; which aims at giving goodly words , not suggared with Parasitick sweetness , nor painted with affected pedantry , but fairly brought forth in unhampered freedom , for the beauty of the blessing of humane & Christian Liberty , in its due & true boundaries . This was the subject of a discourse , as some may remember , on that Text whence this Title is taken Gen. 49. 21. Naphtali is a hind let loose : In prosecuting of which , the Speaker with several others , falling at the same time into the hands of the hunters , to learn the worth of that interrupted subject from the experience of the want of it ; an occasion was given , and interpreted by the Author to be a Call , to study more the preciousness of that priviledge predicated of Naphtali , which is the right an● property of the wrestling Tribe of Israel , the persecuted witnesses of Christ now every where preyed upon : And now , providence having opened a door , for delivering himself as a roe from the hand of the hunter , he thought it his duty , and as necessary a piece of service as he could do to the Generation , to bring to light his Lucubrations thereupon : With an endeavour to discover , to all that are free born , and are not contented slaves mancipated in a stupid subjection to Tyrants absoluteness ; that , this Character of Naphtali , satisfied with favour and full with the blessing of the Lord , that he is a hind let loose from the yoke of Tyrannical slaverie , is far preferable , in the account of all that understand to be Christians or men , to that infamous Stigma of Issachar ( the sin , shame , & miserie of this age ) to be a strong Ass couching under two burdens , and he saw that rest was good , and the Land that it was pleasant , and bowed his shoulder to bear , and became a servant unto tribute . But to all that are not altogether strangers in our Israel it will appear , that this Title is not ineptly applied to the subject and design of this Treatise . The party , whose Case and Cause and Contendings are here treated of , being known to have the same situation of residence in Scotland , that Naphtali had in Israel , viz. the West and the South ( Deut. 33. 23. ) will be found , among all our Tribes , most appositely to bear the signature of Naphtali , who , in their wrestlings for the Interest of Christ and the Liberties of his Israel , have mostly jeoparded their lives in the high places of the fields ; and chiefly to deserve his Elogy , being a hind ( called wild by nick-name in the scorn of them that are at ease , but ) truly weak in their present wilderness Condition , to wrestle against the force & fraud of their Cruel & cunning hunters , who cease not ( when they have now got the rest of the Roes and hinds of the field made fast asleep , under the bondage of the Lions dens & Mountains of Leopards , by a pretence of a falsely so called Liberty of Conscience ) to seek and pursue the chase of them for a prey ; Yet , really they are let loose , and not only suffered to run loose , as a prey to the hunters by the unwatchfullness of their keepers , but made to escape loose , by the mercy of the Mighty one of Iacob , from the nets of the hunters , and snares of the foulers , and from the yoke of the bondage of these beasts of prey , to whose Authority they will not oune a willing subjection : And being such hinds , so let loose , they make it their work , to give goodly words , for the worth and honour and Royalties of their Princely Master , and for the precious Liberties wherewith he hath endoted and entrusted his Spouse and Children , and to keep the goodly words of his patience , untill he return as a Roe or a young Hart upon the Mountains of Bether . This being the party , who are represented as the Wild folk of Scotland , the design of this Treatise is to hold forth the History of their manifold Chases , the Craft , keenness , & Cruelty of their hunters , and the goodlyness of the words of their Testimony : Which , by reason of the likeness of the Testimony of former Periods with the present , and that the latter may be vindicated by the former , is resumed from the beginning of the Church of Scotlands wrestlings against the Enemies of Christ , and deduced through all the most signal steps of this long propagated and hereditary War . And lest my words should not be goodly enough , nor my notions grateful to the Criticks of this age , who cast every thing as new and nice , which is someway singular and not suited to their sentiments ; that it may appear the Cause here cleared and vindicated is not of yesterday , but older than their Grandfathers who oppose it , I dare avouch without vanity , there is nothing here but what is confirmed by Authors of greatest note & repute in our Church , both ancient & modern , namely , Buchanan , Knox , Calderwood , Acts of General Assemblies , Cawses of Wrath , Lex Rex , Apologetical Relation , Napthali , Ius Populi , History of the Indulgence , Banders disbanded , Rectius Instruendum , and some other Authors much respected : whose Authority , more alwayes repelled by rage than ever yet resisted by reason , though I value more , than all the vain oblatrations of the Opposers of this Testimony , and think it sufficient to confute all imputations of its Novelty , and to counterballance the weight that may be laid on the Contradictions of the greatest that treat on this subject : Yet I do not lay so much stress on the reason of their Authority , as on the Authority of their reason ; which is here represented with that Candor and Care , that , lest any should cavil that they are wrested or wronged , when made to speak so patly to the present Controversies , I have chosen rather to transcribe their words , than to borrow their matter dressed up in my own ; except where the prolixity & multiplicity of their Arguments , as clearly demonstrating that which I adduce them for as that for which they were primarly intended , did impose the necessity of abridging them ; which yet is mostly in their oun words , though reduced into a Syllogistical forme . But this obloquie of Novelty being anticipated , when I reflect on the helps I have collected from so many hands , I am rather afraid , the Truths here delivered be comtemned as obsolete and antiquate , than cast at for new speculations . However I am content , yea it is my ambition that nothing here be looked upon as mine , but that it may appear , this is an old Plea ; and that the party here pleaded for , who are stigmatized with many singularities , are a people , who ask the old paths and the good way , that they may walk therein ; and though their paths be not now much paved , by the frequency of passengers , and multitude of Professors walking therein ; and albeit it must indeed be confessed , the word of their Testimony is some way singular , that the same things were never the word of Christs patience , stated as heads of suffering before ; yet they are not untroden paths , but the same way of Truth , which hath been maintained by the witnesses of Christ in all the Periods of our Church , and asserted by the greatest Confessors , though never before sealed by Martyrs . As for the Arguments I bring to clear & confirm them , whether they be accounted mine or borrowed from others , I am very indifferent ; if they prove the point they are brought for , which I hope they will be sound to do : But of this ● am confident , there is nothing here can be condemned , untill some one or more of those grave Authors be confuted , and when that is done ( which will be ad Calendas Graecas , or against the 30. of February ) there is something besides here which will challenge Consideration .

The design then of this work is of great importance : even no less than to essay , the discussing the difficulties of all our Conflicts with open Enemies , about the present state of the Testimony ; the vindicating of all the heads of sufferings sustained thereupon , these 27 years past ; the proposing of the right state of the Testimony for the Interest of Christ , not only of this but of all former Periods ; with an account of the propagation & prosecution of the witnessings , wrestlings , and sufferings for it from time to time ; to the end it may appear , not only how great the sufferings have been , since this fatal Catastrophe and overturning of the Covenanted Reformation , and unhappie restauration of Tyrannie and Prelacie ; but that the grounds , upon which they have been stated , are not niceties and novelties ( as they are reproached and reputed by many ) but worthie and weighty Truths of great value and validity , and of near affinity unto & Conformity with the continued series and succession of the Testimonies in all former Periods . So that in this litle Treatise must be contained , a Compendious Historie of the Church of Scotland her Testimony in all ages , a vindication of the present state of it , yea in effect a short Epitome of the substance of those famous forecited Authors , as far as we need to consult them concerning the Controversies of the present time with Adversaries : Which is much , and perhaps too much , to be undertaken in so small a volume . But considering , that many who are concerned in this Cause , yea the most part who concern themselves about it , are such who have neither access nor time nor capacity to revolve the voluminous Labours of these Learned men , for light in this Case ; I have done my best , to bring them into one body of a portable bulk , with as great brevity as could consist well with any measure of perspicuity ; Not medling with any thing , but what I thought might some way conduce to clear some part of the present Testimony .

Every undertaking of this nature , cannot but be lyable to several disadvantages that are unavoidable , this hath many discouraging and difficult . One is , that it shall be exposed to the Common fate of such representations , to be stigmatized as a seditious Libel , and so may be sent to the flames to be confuted ; and to enflame the fury of these firebrands , already hell-hot , into the utmost extremity of rage against the Author , that ever Cruelty it self at its fullest freedom did exert , against Truth and reason arraigned and cast for Sedition and Treason : The only Sanctuary in such a Case is , in prospect of this , to have the greater care , that nothing be spoken , but what the Speaker may dare to affirm in the face of Cruelty it self . A Second common disadvantage is obvious from the Consideration of the humor of the Age , wherein fancy hath greater force than faith , and nothing is pleasing but what is parasitical , or attempered to the palat of the Greatest not of the best ; And naked Truth , without the fairdings of flatterie , or paintings of that pâkiness which is commonly applauded as prudence now adayes , is either bogled at or exposed to scorn & Contempt ; and reason , if roundly written , except it meet with an honest heart , is commonly read with a stammering mouth , which puts a T before it , and then it is stumbled at as Treason : This Essay does expect no Entertainment from any , but such who resolve to harbour Truth be the hazard what will , even when the world raises the Hue & Cry after it , and from such who are really groaning , either by suffering or Sympathie , under the same grievances here represented . There is a Third which makes it not a litle difficult , the quality , quantity , & intricacy of the matter , here to be confined to such a Compend . All which together considered , do infer a fourth difficulty , that hardly can it get a pass through the Press ; which is blocked up against all such books , that may offer a manifestation of the innocency of that people , and the injustice & inhumanity of their enemies ; which is their only hope of preventing the worlds knowledge & condemnation of their actings . Yea there is a fifth , that wants not its own difficulty , that though the Press were patent , yet an empty Purse , from a poor impoverished people , will as readily preclude all access to it , as if it were locked up by Law ; but both together make it hard . But there is a sixth disadvantage yet more discouraging , that the man as well as the money is wanting to manage the business : And this needs no other proof , than the necessity of my poor pen to undertake it , instead of a better . It must needs be very low with that people , that stand in need of such a pitiful patrociny as mine is . Our persecuted brethren elsewhere , have this advantage of us , that they have Champions to espouse their quarrel , which we have not ; but only such , who , as they are reputed in the world , so in their own sense , owne themselves to be very unaccomplished for such work ; and under this invincible disadvantage also , that , being forced to a wandering and unsetled life , they have no conveniency , nor can be accommodated with time nor helps to performe it ; and so circumstantiated , that either it must be done at this time , and in this manner , or not at all . In the seventh place , we are at a greater loss than any suffering people , in that among all other bitter ingredients we have this Gall also in our Cup , that they that suffer most among us have not the comfort & benefit of the Sympathie of others , that sufferers use to have from good people . The reason of this makes an Eight discouragement , besides what is said above ; that not only is the Case & Cause of that poor persecuted & wasted Witnessing Remnant obscure in it self , and not known in the world , nay not so much as in the very neighbouring Churches of England & Ireland ; but also more obscured by the malice of Enemies , traducing , calumniating , & reproaching that righteous Remnant whom they intend to ruine ; not indeed as Hereticks ( which is the case of other suffering Churches , wherein they have the advantage of us also , that thô the name be more odious , yet it makes the notion of their Cause and the nature of their enemies more notour , and is more effectual to conciliate Sympathie from all that know , that Protestants are persecuted by Papists under the notion of Hereticks ; But we are at a loss in this , that our Persecuters , at least the most part of the Executioners of the Persecution , will not as yet avouch that Protestanism is Heresie , though we want not this Nick-name likewise from the Chief of them , that are professed Papists ) but as Schismaticks , Seditious , Rebells , Traitors , Murderers , holding Principles inconsistent with Government ( to wit , their Tyranny ) and the peace of humane Society ( to wit , their Association against Religion and liberty ) and therefore to be exterminated out of the world . And this Imposture covering all their mischiefs , hath prevailed so far with the blinded world , that under this brand the Consideration of their Case & Cause is buried , without farther inquirie . This were yet more tolerable from open enemies ; if there were not another more pressing discouragement in the Ninth place , peculiar to them in Scotland ; that having to do with treacherous as well as Truculent Enemies , as they have been much destroyed by open force , so much more by fraud : while by ensnaring favours some have been flattered from the Testimony , others disdaining & suspecting , as well as deprived of and secluded from , these favours , have s●uck to it ; hence Defection brought on Division , and Division Confusion , which hath reduced the Reformation to a ruinous heap . In the next place , as the Consequent of the former , while the purer Remnant have been resolutely prosecuting the Testimony , and not only keeping themselves free of , and standing at the furthest distance from , all degrees of Complyance , but also witnessing against their Brethren involved in them , and thinking it their duty to discountenance them in these Corruptions & backslidings ; they have been therefore reproached and misrepresented very industriously , as Ignorant , imprudent , transported with blind Zeal , Extravagant , wild , Separatists , espousing new & nice notions , Rejecters of the Ministry , Imposers on the Ministry , Denyers of all Government , Usurpers of an imaginary Government of their oun , that died as fools , and as guilty of their oun blood . By which odious & invidious obloquies , they have easily prevailed with many , both at home & abroad , that are more credulous than considerate , to beleeve these things of them : Hence , with prejudicate people a contrary Representation will find difficult acceptance . However this Moreover is another great disadvantage , and renders an Essay to vindicate their sufferings very uneasie , that they are thrust at & tosted on both hands , by Enemies & professed friends : And by Enemies , that are not all Papists : but professed Protestants , ouning the same fundamentalls in opinion , though in practice not holding the same Head : And by friends , that not only are Protestants , but Presbyterians , under the bonds of the same Solemn & Sacred Covenants , the obligation whereof they still oune ; And not only so , but such , whose Piety & Godliness cannot be doubted . This is a Gravamen grievous to bear , & greatly aggravates the difficultie . Finally , the greatest of all is , that not only their Cause is rendered odious , but must be confessed truly to be odd & someway singular ; and therefore will seem strange & surprising to Strangers , to hear an account of extraordinary sufferings for & upon extraordinary Causes , which never were formerly stated as heads of suffering . For now it is the Dragons chiefest stratagem with us , like to be the most subtil , ensnaring , & successful of any , that ever he set on work since ever he began this War with the Lamb , ( which yet I hope will prove as fatal to his Interest as the former ) to bring the sufferings of Christs witnesses to such a state , that may seem to spectators litle or nothing relative to Religion , that so he may destroy both them and their Testimony unlamented , and by that Trick divert others from concerting that same necessary witness in the season thereof . And for this end he will change both matter & manner , in managing the War . He will not now persecute for the old Controverted heads of Poperie , with fire & faggot as formerly , for refusing to worship Our Lady , or the blessed Sacrament of the Altar . These weapons & Engines are so worn out of use , that they will not work now as they did before . And that old Baud of Babylon is become so ugly and out of date , that he does not believe her beauty can be so bewitching , except she put on a new busk . But her Eldest Daughter , the Prelatical Church , of the same Complexion with herself , except that she is coloured with Protestant paint , is fitter for his service , to allure our Land into fornication ; And who will not be entyced , must be forced to Communion with her , by finings , confynings , exactions , extortions , & impositions of Oaths &c. Religion must be litle concerned here : for there is Preaching enough , and of Protestant Doctrine too , and without the Monkie-Tricks , & Montebank showes , & fopperies of English-Popish Ceremonies , & Lyturgical services : What would they be at ? Is it not better to yeeld to this , than to fall into the hand of the Scotish-Spanish-Inquisition , that will rack the Purse , the Body , & Conscience , and all ? This is one Complex head of suffering , and thought a very small one by many . But now finding this would not do his business yet , it looked too like Religion still : He hath therefore invented a new Machin : He will not now Persecute , nor force the Conscience at all ( so good natur'd is the Devil and his Lievetenant grown , in their old age ) for matters of meer Religion . Nay ( if we may believe him , who when he speaketh a lie speaketh it of his own ) he hath not done it this long time , but only , in all the violent Courses exercised against these Sufferers , he hath been Magistratically chastising the disobedience & rebellion , of a few turbulent Traitors , who would not oune the Government . And thus under the notion of Rebellion , & disouning Authority , he hath had access & success to destroy almost an innumerable number of honest & innocent , faithful & fruitful , lovers of Christ ; who though indeed they have had their sufferings stated upon those points , yet I doubt not shall be found among the followers of the Lamb , and Confessors and Martyrs of Christ , who haue overcome by the blood of the Lamb & the word of their Testimony , not loving their lives unto the Death , whose blood is crying for vengeance against the shedders thereof , And He will make inquisition for it , when He comes to overturn , overturn , & take His own right , for which they have been Contending . Nevertheless this is a prejudice too prevalent with many , to misregard the Case & Cause of these Contenders , or any thing that can be said to represent them favourablie . And all these disadvantages , difficulties , & discouragements together considered , would soon cool my Courage , and at first blush make me leave off before I begin , were I not persuaded that it is the Cause of Christ these reproached people are suffering for , and that their great sufferings & reproaches are both alike unjust , from both which the Lord will vindicate them , & bring forth their righteousness as the light & their judgment as the noon day , ●n His oun time . In confidence of which , depending on his Conduct , I shall undertake , as briefly as is possible for me , to represent their case , and clear the Cause , so far at least as concerns their Contest with their pesecuting Enemies , wi●h whom I only deal at present ; it not being my purpose to descend particularly into their necessitated Contendings with Complying Brethren , partly because they would make the volume to excresce unto too great a bulk , & because they are to be seen elsewhere ; yet in effect these also are not only here narratively deduced , but whatever is odious in them is vindicated , & what is difficult in some measure enodated .

But it may be expected and desiderated , that I should give a distinct deduction of all the Steps of this woful defection , against which a great part of the Testimony hath been stated : but I would have the Reader advertised , I touch only that part of the Testimony which hath been sealed by severe sufferings from enemies . It were a Task transcending my Capacity , and a Theme wherein I have no pleasure , besides that it is inconsistent with my Leasure , to inlarge upon such a sad and shameful subject : Though the world indeed is at a loss , that they that would do it cannot , and they that would & should do it will not ; And it is a greater loss , not only to Scotland , but also to the whole Christian world , that what hath been done in this kind already cannot see the light , or rather that the Church of Christ is deprived of its light , which through the injury of the times , & the disingenuous Prudence of some , who suffer themselves to be imposed upon by the Patrons of Defection , is embezilled & suppressed . I mean that excellent & faithful History of Defection , the posthumous work of famous Mr. M'ward , whose praise is in the Churches : which if they that have it in keeping , would do themselves the honour , and the world the happiness , of publishing it , there would be no more need to discover , from whence , to what , and how , that Church hath fallen & degenerate ; nor so great dissicultie in that indisputable & indispensable duty that such a day calls for , in searching & trying our wayes to the end we may turn again to the Lord ; Nor any necessity for my poor essay , to invite & incite the people of the lord to take Cognizance & Compassion of poor perishing Scotland . I wish that they who have it , may consult more their oun duty and credit , and what they owe to the memory of the dead , the Churches edification , the dayes Testimony , and the honour of Christ , than to continue robbing the world of such a Treasure ; wich I doubt not to call Treason against Christ , & Sacriledge against the Church , & stick not to tell them , if they will not publish it , the world must know there was such a thing done . But it not being my design now , to detect or reflect upon all the defections of that declining , & by declensions divided , & by divisions almost ( only not ) destroyed Church ; I shall medle with them no further , than what is necessary to clear the cause ; refering the knowledge and account of them , either to the Notoriety of the grossest of them , or to the more particular enarration of them , to be found in papers emitted & published by the Contenders against them : Of which one is of this same years edition , entituled , The Informatory vindication of a poor , wasted , misrepresented Remnant , &c. In which may be evident , that notwithstanding of all this darkness & distress , defection & division , under which the Church of Scotland hath been so long & is still labouring , there is yet a poor wasted , wounded , rent & almost ruined , but still wrestling & witnessing Remnant , of Professors & Confessors of Christ there , who though they have not only had their soulls exceedingly filled with the scorning of those that are at ease & with the contempt of the proud , but their bodies also killed all day long and counted as sheep for the slaughter , have yet through grace endeavoured to overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their Testimony , & have not loved their lives dear unto the death , & have continued to this day contending both against Professed Enemies , & also declining friends , sustaining from both the utmost of rage & reproach . And since that litle book gives an account , what their Conten●ings have been against their backdrawing brethren on the right & left hand , I shall spare labour to offer a discussion of them , only endeavour to make it not difficult to decide & determine , on whose side Truth lies , by what is here hinted .

I shall conclude , with advertising the Reader of one thing further ; that , as this Reproached people , for whose Testimony I am pleading , is now the only party that is persecuted in Scotland ( some few excepted ; who are exempted from the pretended favour of the current Indemnities ) & their persecution still continues , notwithstanding of the impudent as wel as insnaring Declarations of Universal Liberty to all Dissenters , which they look upon as their honour & happiness , to be thought incapable of Tyrannical & Antichristian favours ; So their past & present oppressions & sufferings are only here in general agregated described as to their kinds , & vindicated as to their causes : the particular deduction of their number , weight , & measure ; of their names that have been martyred & murdered , both by formality of Law & without all formality of Law , by Sea & Land , City & Countrey , on Scaffolds & in the fields ; of the manner of their sufferings ; & of the forme of their Trialls & Testimonies , being intended shortly ( if the Lord will ) to be emitted & published in a book by it self ; which wil discover to the world as rare instances of the injustice , illegality , & inhumanity of the Scotish Inquisition , & of the innocency , zeal , ingenuity , & patience of the witnesses of Christ , as readily can be instanced in these latter ages . Only here is a taste till more come : which if the Lord shall bless for its designed end , the Glory of God , the vindication of Truth , the information & satisfaction of all Serious Sympathisers with Zions sorrowes , & the Conviction or Confutation of Reproachers , so far at least as to make them surcease from their invidious charges of things whereof the innocency is here vindicated , I have obtained all my design , & shall desire to give the Lord the praise .