WE undersubscribers , now Prisoners for the truth in the Cannongate Tolbuith Ironhouse , though most vile , yet it pleased the Holy Ghost to work on our Spirits of a time past , in clearing causes of wrath , and shewing us duty from day to day , that now in some time past we are , and have been called Mad men and Devils , and now there is none in the Kingdom , in Prison , or out of Prison that we can converse with as Christians . And yesterday being the 26. day of the 5th . Moneth , it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us , to take out of our Bibles the Psalms in Meeter for several Causes mentioned afterwards , for the book of the Revelation sayes , If any man should add unto these things , God shall add unto him the plagues which are written in this book ; and we did burn them in our Prison ▪ house , and sweep away the Ashes . Likewise , in the Holy Scriptures , we renounce Chapters and Verses , and Contents , because it is only done by Humane Wisdom , and the changing of the books after the Holy Ghost had placed them : we being pressed to this work by the Holy Ghost , do renounce the Impression and Translation of both the Old and New Testaments , and that for additions put unto them by men , and other causes ; as first , putting in horrid Blasphemy , making a Tyrant Patron of the Church , when the Scriptures holds of none but of God , and needs no Patronage from any King , Prince , or Rulers , and the writing of that Blasphemous , Sacrilegious , ( as some call it ) the Epistle Dedicatory , filled with such language , as Dread Sovereign , Highness , most High and Mighty , most Sacred Majesty ; and likewise the horrid unparalelled blasphemy , making a Trian●le with these Hebrew Letters in it thus , יהוה Jehovah , representing the Trinity ; and likewise putting in horrid Pictures in several places of the Holy Scripture ; and likewise drawing scores betwixt the books of the Bible , and other superfluous traditions . Likewise we renounce the Catechisms Larger and Shorter , and Confession of Faith , against which we have many causes : one cause is , in the 23. chap. for the Scripture proofs that they cite , proves the contrary of that they write . We renounce the Acts of the General Assembly , and all the Covenants , and acknowledging of sins and engagement to duties , and that which they call Preaching books , and all their works , way , form , and manner of worship , Doctrine , Discipline , and Government , and the studying on their books the thing they call their Preaching , for instead of going to God for his mind to the people , they go to their books , and so makes their books their God and their leader , and so all following that way , go to Hell together ; the cause of this is , we find none of their works but they are like themselves , carnal and corrupt , according to that Scripture , Hate the Garment spotted with the flesh We renounce the limiting of the Lords mind by Glasses , and their ordination of men only learned , and their saying , that Learning is the essential of a Minister without grace . Likewise , we renounce their manner of renewing Covenants , pressing mens consciences to take a Covenant , and by so doing , has filled the Kirk and State with Tyrants and incarnat Devils , as we find this day , they knew the men to have no marks of grace , but on the other hand , to be prophant , as them they call King and Rulers , Captains and Commanders in State and Armies , and all Kirk Officers whom we call Tyrants and Judases ; for by so doing they have corrupted both Kirk and State , as this day Kirk men and States men , whom we call Judases and Tyrants , are studying in opposition to Holiness and the work of Reformation , who entered in by these same Covenants , are now pursuing our lives for a Christian walk . And likewise , we renounce the Covenant taken at Queensferry , commonly called Cargil's Covenant , and likewise Hamiltown Declaration , yea , and Sanquhare Declaration , because they may and has owned these , and are owning these , who are enemies to Holiness , and were enemies to us , as some of them said , we should suffer Kirk Censure for giving over the old Apostat Ministers to the Devil , and some of them counted us their enemies for the truths sake , and sent us word they would protest against us , and so we justifie our Lord in breaking them at Airds Moss , we justifie the Lord likewise , in taking away that they call Field-Preachings , or mockings , because they were nothing but Rebellion against the High Lord , as we find now when our Lord is come to the Cross , there is neither Minister nor People to bide by him , of the many thousands has flocked to the thing they call Preachings or mockings , and therefore now all are found void of saving grace , and so we see that word is accomplished , Strait and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life , and few there be that find it ; and that other word , many shall strive and shall not be able . We finding all former Actions to be such as Devils has and can creep in at ( as Declarations and Covenants ) and get the name of Saints ; Therefore , this day it seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us , to renounce and burn the former Covenants and Declarations , because they are not strait enough according to Scrippture , and all their works such like , and therefore we will own none of their works , till it please the Lord to give us teaching from himself . By this all may know and understand , we overturn , and formally burns all the former , worke of the Clergy of Scotland , and throughout all the whole world that are in opposition to Holiness ▪ dated the 6th . day of the week , being the 27. of the 5th . Moneth 1681. about midday .

We renounce and decline all Authority throughout the world , and all that are in Authority , and all their Acts and Edicts , from the Tyrant Charles Stuart to the lowest Tyrant , and burns them the samen day , being the 6th . day of the week , the 27. day of the 5th . Moneth , 1681. at Cannongate Tolbuith Iron-house .

We renounce the names of Moneths , as January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , Nov. December . Sunday , Monday , Tuesday , Wednesday , Thursday , Friday , Saturday ▪ Martymass , Hol●●●yes , for there is none holy but the Sabbath day ▪ Lambas day , Whitsunday , Candlemass , Beltan , Crossstones , and Images Fairs , named by Saints , and all the remnants of Popery , Yool or Christmas , old wives Fablet and By words , as Palmsunday , Carlinsunday , the 29. of May , being dedicat by this Generation to Prophanity , Peacesunday , Halloweven , Hogmynac night , Valenteins even ; no Marrying in the Moneth they call May ; the innumerable reliques of Popery , Atheism and Sorcery , and New-years-day , and Hansel-Munday , Dredgies and Likewakes , Valentin● Fair , Chappels , Chaplains : likewise Sabbath-days feastings , Blythmeats , Banquetings , Revellings , Pipings , Sportings , Dancings , Laughings , Singing prophane and lustful Songs and Ballads , Table-Lawings , Monk-lands , Frier-lands , Blackfrier-lands , Kirks and Kirkyards , and Mercat Crosses , Fount-stones , Images , Registers of Lands and Houses , Register Bands , Discharges , and all their Law-works , Inhibitions , Hornings , Letters of Adjudications , Ships Passes , Prophanity and all unchast thoughts , words and Actions , formality , and indifferency , Story-books and Ballads , Romances and Pamphlets , Commedy books , Cards and Dice , and all such like , we disown all of them , and burns them the 6th . day of the week , being the 27. day of the 5th . Moneth , 1681. at the Cannongate Tolbuith Iron-house .

We renounce all the Customs and Fashions of this Generation , their way and custom of eating and drinking , sleeping , and wearing , and all our ownformer wayes , as well Religious as Moral , in so far as they have been squared and casten in this Generations mould , and all our Iniquious courses , lightness and unconcernedness with the Glory of God , the only end wherefore we were sent into the world , the 7th . day of the week , being the 27. of the 5th . Moneth .

We renounce all that are now in Prison houses or Correction houses , men and women : for none of them are with us in this work , and when we sent them a Copy of this our Renounciation , they called us Devils . The Copy of this we burnt instead of the Books and works of this Apostate Generation , and buried the Ashes in our and covered it with dust .

Notwithstanding of our burning Covenants and Declarations , and renouncing of them and their works ; Be it known to All , that we do neither vindicate the Cursed Murderers of their Bloodshed on Fields , and Scaffolds , and Seas , and other horrid cruelties , such as Torterings , Imprisonments , Pillagings , Banishments , Scourgings , Stigmatizings , &c. nor condemn we the worthie Martyrs , and the sufferings of others , only we give the Lord Justice , and vindicats his tarrying , for now the Furnace has brought forth a more pure Cause , which we tearm , Holiness to be built upon the word of God .

That all may know and see our innocency , and know our end is and was the Glory of God in all we did , though we came farr short ; and in Moneths past we could get none to shew us kindness for meat or lodging , though we could pay for it our selves : That word in Malachy , Ye are cursed with a curse , for ye have robbed me , even the whole nation . And likewise in Deut. We seeing the land all thus cursed , and all justifying themselves in that iniquity , were afraid to eat , or drink , or sleep under a roof with them ; though there were many that would have sheltered us , yet we could not eat , drink , converse or pray with them , least we had come under the curse , so many times our beds has been in he open fields , and we have come to houses and they would not sell us Meal to make Potage of , and we have found Meal and water a rare dish , because the curse was off it , and it was blessed to us , according to that Scripture , the blessing of the Lord maketh rich . We are not murmuring in this , but when the weather has been worst , winds and rain , cold frost and snow , and when we had fasted most , we were best satisfied , according to that Scripture , all shall work together for their good , that truly seek the Lord ; when we had outward straits , then we had most inward peace , we had joy in the Holy Ghost , so the thing the world calls the worst of our life , as reproaches , imprisonments , nakedness , hunger , and cold , &c. we had rather be suffering for our Lords sake , then be Kings of the whole earth , for our joy no man can take from us , and our prison is so pleasant through our Lord , that we care for no company , for we know no company but all are cursed , and we know not what it is to weary , but according to that Scripture , eat and drink my beloved , yea eat and drink abundantly , we are rather in Paradice .

These things were cleard to us when fasting and praying , and we were pressed to do this by the Holy Ghost , we had many fasts about this thing , and this week we took some milk and bread in the third day of the week in the morning being the 24 day of the 5th . moneth 1681. and tasted neither meat nor drink , nor any other kind of living , till the 6th . day of the week at 4. afternoon ( and then we took a little milk and bread ) for to find out the Causes of his wrath we have , wandered , mourned , wept many a night , and day in houses and fields , for we have and has had no other end but his Glory , that the Elect such as should be saved might be brought in , and it is only Conscience that keeps us from giving men reverence in word and behaviour , though some call us dumb Devils , and unlearned Bruits , and one of us when coming before them they call Rulers , was called a Block-head , notwithstanding of all that came on us , we know and are taught by the Holy Scriptures , to give honour unto whom honour is due , and to salute one another , but it has been our work of a time to renounce the filthy vilde Imbracings , Salutations , and Complements of this Generation which they call Court-breeding , our carriage , professing to follow the Lord Jesus , should be st●●d and circumspect , according to that Scripture , Let us walk circumspectly , not as fools , but as wisemen , as it is written in Matthew , let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works , and glorifie your father which is in heaven .

Cursed are they that sayes peace to a land , who are in the place of Watchmen , when the Lord sayes no peace , which practice , we silly unlearned creatures renounce , for we bless him he has keeped us from resting till the Ark rest ; and as for these they call Watch-men , that cryes peace or keep silence , we shall referr them to the Prophet Ezekiel , which ye may read at leisure , which we think shall be Scotlands Doom , for we have heard tell of few of them they call Ministers , but they have all said peace , when brought before the enemies to witness their practice , being most unconscionable on Hill sides , and Moor sides , before several thousands , they called them Tyrants , and intollerable Oppressors , and their Government Tyranny and oppression , and that the Crown of Supremacy that Charles Stuart had usurped over the Kirk , would weight him down from the Throne , and all that Race with him , and when they are brought before them , and into Prisons , nothing but in with the other supplication , to the Honourable Lords of His Majesties Secret Council , beck and beinge , and please your Lordships Grace . &c. and now they are all at peace with his enemies , save one whom we disown , and so or long the enemies shall curse them , when the Lord awakens their Consciences ; ( though we confess we have had some special witnesses of Ministers ) and we think or long , the Malignants shall pursue these Ministers to death for unfaithfulness , for the vilest Creatures in the Land high and low , rich and poor , noble and ignoble , must give account for works done in the flesh ; then the Dogs , Sorcerers , Whoremongers , and Murderers , and Idolaters , False-swearers , Cursers , Sabbath breakers , idle loose livers , and all that are unchast in thoughts , words , and behaviour , and all that makes no Conscience of their way , and whosoever loveth and maketh a lye , shall tremble that day when they shall enter into Eternity ; when it shall be said as it was to Dives , thou in thy lifetime hadst thy good things , and Lazarus his bad things ; for except a man be born again , he can in no wise enter into the Kingdom of Heaven .

We take up the Book of the Holy Scripture at the Lords command , and for a testimony of our dissatisfaction , at the abounding corruptions , both of Translators and the Press , and likewise for a Testimony of our desires and intentions for a new Translation and Impression , free of the foresaid and other abuses , we to our power reform our own books , and sayes , that the word of God needs no humane Art ; We hold that the Word of God is laid the foundation of this new building , and shortly it shall become the head Corner stone of the Building , over both Kirk and Stater Kirk-men , and States-men ; so that Scripture towards the end of the Rev. of John shall be fulfilled ; And I saw heaven opened , and behold a white horse , and he that sat upon him was called faithfull and true , and in righteousness he doth judge and make war , his eyes were as a flame of fire , and on his head were many Crowns , and he had a new name written that no man knew , but he himself , and he was cloathed with a vesture dipt in blood , and his name is called the word of God .

And first , to show that we take the Word of God in every point to be our Rule , the sum and end of our so much reproached and mocked at Exercise ( Fasting and Prayer , ) will be found in the Book of Psalms ; Be thou exalted , O God , above the Heavens ; and let thy glory be above all the Earth . It is written in the Acts of the Apostles , It seemed good to the Holy Ghost and to us : but they usurping Supremacy , sayes , by the Authority of the General Assembly allows these Psalms to be fung in Congregations , &c. which we renounce : And more , we think the Psalm Book in Meeter , and no other thing ought to be within the broads of the Bible , but the simple Scriptures of Truth ; the Psalms may be had in a Book by themselves .

We are so reproached and calumniate , that we are forced to make our defence , and show that we have mourned , fasted , and prayed many a day , and many a night this last Winter , many times in the open Fields , in Frost and Snow , while our Clothes were frozen upon us , and our Feet frozen in our Shooes , as the Town of cursed Borrowstonness can witness , and all this to find out the causes of our Lords tarrying , when those who are now calling us Devils , were turning themselves upon their Ivory beds , like a door upon the Hinges , eating the fat and drinking the sweet at their own ease : And when we were driven thence by Persecution , we took our selves to the Fields , holding still by our duty , where many Women did offer themselves to the Work , with whom our spirits was many a time burdened , whom we could not put away ( as our blessed Lord dealt with Judas whom he knew would betray him ) without manifest causes : We stayed not with them but on solemn days , such as Sabbaths , and appointed times for publick Meeting ; but when they took their rest betwixt hands , we continued still in Fields , nights and days , fasting and praying for two or three days together , several times , and it was always their fear we should propose some question to try them for Seperation , and that night before we was taken , we warned them that the Souldiers would come , and told them to use their freedom ; We saw them alfo a Mile off , an hour before they came , and none of them would go away ; and after we were brought in hither , after some several days Fasting and Prayer , we being warned by the Holy Ghost , followed Esthers advice , and continued from eight a Clock of the morning the 24 day of the 5 Month , till the 27 at four afternoon fasting and praying ; we sent them word likewise to Fast and Pray , and when we sent them the answer of our Prayers in writ , they called us Devils ; thence we fasted till the 28 day at night , and thence till the 30 at night , waiting still to see if they would recover , but they waxed still worse , and we were forced to write this to vindicate our carriage towards them .