Act, Declaration, Testimony for the Whole of our Covenanted Reformation | Page 3

community belonging thereto, by some who invidiously call them a
headless mob, whose principles cannot be known, anti-government
men, men of bloody principles, &c., than which nothing can be more
unjust: seeing, as a body distinct from all others, they have still stood
upon the footing of the covenanted establishment, as has been
frequently declared to the world, and as the constitution of the
presbytery bears; so that they can no more be said ever to have wanted
a proper testimony exhibiting their principles to the world, than the
reformed church of Scotland, whereof they are a part.
6. The present broken and divided situation of the members of
CHRIST'S mystical body, together with the abounding of error, seems
necessarily to require it as a proper mean, under the divine blessing, for
gathering again the scattered flock of Christ, the chief shepherd, to the
one sheepfold, and putting a stop to the current of prevailing apostasy
and defection.
For these reasons (with more that might be adduced) the presbytery
find themselves in duty bound, to God, the present and succeeding
generations, to throw in their small mite of a testimony, against the
manifold avowed backslidings and defections of all degrees of men,
both in the former and present times, from the precious truths of Christ,
and purity of his ordinances; unto the maintenance whereof, not only
they, but all in these lands, are solemnly bound by covenant
engagements.
And, to conclude, let none mistake the presbytery's aim and intention,
in the whole or any part of the following testimony, as if they minded
nothing else but magistracy, &c., and that to have civil government,
and governors established, according to the rule of God's word, was all
the religion they intended, without regarding or opposing any other of
the prevailing evils and iniquities of the present time. So some are
pleased to allege, as has been hinted above; but such might do well to
consider, that, as the sovereign and distinguishing goodness of God is
clearly evidenced in giving his statutes and judgments unto his Israel,
in all ages, while he has not dealt so with the other nations of the world,

wherein his will is manifestly revealed, determining his people's duty in
all their regulations; so his glory is equally concerned, that they receive,
observe, keep pure and entire, all the ordinances he hath appointed in
his word. The sinful prostitution of any of these, or breaking over the
boundaries which Jehovah hath set is an evident contempt of his
sovereign authority, and violation of the moral law. God requires of his
people an universal respect to all his ordinances and commandments.
Hence what is designed by them in this undertaking, is equally to
testify their adherence unto, and approbation of the doctrine, worship,
discipline and government of the house of God; and to signify their
opposition to, and dissatisfaction with, all the apostatizing, backsliding
courses in principle and practice, from that reformation purity, both in
church and state (which, as the attainment of the nations of Britain and
Ireland, was by them accounted their chief ornament and glory), that
have taken place, especially in this kingdom, since our woful decline
commenced: whereby the witnesses for Scotland's covenanted
reformation, have been deprived of any legal benefit, as well, since as
before the late revolution; in which the reformation, neither in civil nor
ecclesiastical constitutions, was adopted. The intent, therefore, of this
work is of very great importance; no less being proposed, than the right
stating of the testimony for the covenanted interest of Christ in these
lands, and judicial vindication of all the heads thereof, after such a long
and universal apostasy therefrom: a work that must needs be attended
with great difficulties, and labor under manifold disadvantages, as in
other respects, so particularly from the consideration of the temper of
this age, wherein nothing almost is pleasing, but what is adapted to the
taste, not of the best, but of the greatest: and naked truth without the
varnish of flattery, and painting of carnal policy, is generally treated
with contempt, and exposed to ridicule. And therefore, to remove as
much as possible the prejudice of a critical age, who are ready to reject
every thing as new, which is in some respects singular, and not suited
to their favorite sentiments; the presbytery have endeavored, in this
work, to conform, as much as possible, to the faithful contendings of
former honest contenders for the truths and testimony of JESUS, and
that, both as to matter and manner: and as the grounds of this testimony
are not any needless scrupulosities, or strange novelties, but precious
and weighty truths, of the greatest value and importance, and of nearest

affinity unto the continued series and succession of the testimonies of
the church of Scotland, in