posture, in that short manifesto, or declaration, published at Glasgow, June 6th, 1679.  But when their numbers multiplied, their divisions increased, and lawful means for honestly defending the cause were by the majority refused.  Mr. Welsh and that Erastian party with him, being by this time come up, did in their declaration at Hamilton, take in the tyrant’s interest; against which, those who were honest and faithful to the interest of Zion’s king contended, and protested, that in conscience they could not take in the interest of one into the state of the quarrel who had manifestly stated himself in opposition to the interest of CHRIST; that it was inconsistent with the covenant, which could not bind them to espouse the interest of its destroyers, and the destroyers of all that adhered to it; and also contrary to their testimony and declaration for the covenants and work of reformation at Rutherglen, Glasgow, &c., and against all defection from the same.

Thus, when the most part in a great measure forsook the LORD, he was justly provoked to forsake them, and their great divisions landing them in such confusion, they became an easy prey to the enemy, by whom they were totally routed at Bothwell, June. 22d, 1679, where they felt the dismal fruits and consequences of joining at all with that Erastian faction, after they had openly declared and discovered what they were.  This was so far from proving any defense to them, notwithstanding the numbers of that party, that it proved their destruction.  And those whose hearts were upright and honest in the cause of GOD, by their means, in holy sovereignty, were made to fall a sacrifice to their enemies’ wrath.  The slain on that day were many, and the after-cruelty to prisoners great; they being carried into and kept for a long time in the Gray-friars church yard of Edinburgh, exposed, defenseless, night and day, to tempests of all kinds.  By this inhuman usage (with design to wear out the saints of the Most High), together with the insinuations and persuasions of some of the indulgence favorers, their faith failing them in this hour of temptation, and fear prevailing, a number of these prisoners were persuaded to take the insnaring bond of peace, whereby they were engaged to own their rising at Bothwell to be rebellion, and to oblige themselves never to rise in arms against the king, and to live peaceably, &c., while others of them were tortured, not accepting deliverance.

9.  Although this defeat and dispersion of the espousers of the truth and cause of CHRIST, in opposition both to its avowed enemies and secret betrayers, brought the remnant that were left into very melancholy circumstances, their enemies having in a great measure extinguished the light of the gospel, by apprehending and shedding the blood of their faithful pastors, who used to hold forth the word of life unto them, as a light whereby they might discern between sin and duty; and others