The Superscription.
Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.
Tis not unknown unto you (dear brethren) what comfort and tranquility God gave unto us in times most dangerous, by our Christian Assemblies, and godly Conference, as oft as any danger appeared to any member or members of our own Body; And how that since we have neglected, or at least not frequented our Conventions and Assemblies, The adversaries of Christ Jesus his holy Evangel, have enterprised and boldned themselves, publicly and secretly to do many things odious in Gods presence, and most hurtful to the true Religion, now of Gods great favour granted unto us: The holy Sacraments are abused by profane Papists; Masses have been, and yet are said openly, and maintained:1 The blood of some of our dearest Ministers hath been shed, without fear of punishment or correction craved by us. And now last are two of our dear Brethren; Patrick Cranston, and Androe Armstrong, summoned to under-lie the Law in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh the four and twentieth of this instant of October, for a fore-thought Felony, pretended Murder, and for invading of the Queens Majesties Palace of Halyrud-house, with unlawful convocation, &c. These terrible Summons are directed against our Brethren, because that they, with two or more, passed to the Abbey, upon Sunday the five and twentieth of August, to behold and note what persons repaired to the Mass. And because that upon the Sunday before (the Queen being absent) there resorted to that Idol a rascal multitude, having openly the least devilish Ceremony (yea, even the conjuring of their accursed water) that ever they had in the time of greatest blindness: But because (I say) our said Brethren past, and that in most quiet manner, to note such abusers, these fearful Summons are directed against them, to make, no doubt, a preparation upon a few, that a door may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude. And if so it come to pass, God, no doubt, hath justly recompensed our former negligence and ingratitude towards him and his benefits, in our own bosoms. God gave us a most notable Victory of his and our enemies: he brake their strength, and confounded their counsels; he left us at freedom, and purged the Realm, for the most part, of open Idolatry;
The Superscription.
Wheresoever two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them.
TIs not unknown unto you (dear brethren) what comfort and tranquility God gave unto us in times most dangerous, by our Christian Assemblies, and godly Conference, as oft as any danger appeared to any member or members of our own Body; And how that since we have neglected, or at least not frequented our Conventions and Assemblies, The adversaries of Christ Jesus his holy Evangell, have enterprised and boldned themselves, publikely and secretly to do many things odious in Gods presence, and most hurtfull to the true Religion, now of Gods great favour granted unto us: The holy Sacraments are abused by prophane Papists; Masses have been, and yet are said openly, and maintained:1 The blood of some of our dearest Ministers hath been shed, without fear of punishment or correction craved by us. And now last are two of our dear Brethren; Patrick Cranston, and Androe Armstrong, summoned to under-lie the Law in the Tolbuith of Edinburgh the four and twentieth of this instant of October, for a fore-thought Fellony, pretended Murther, and for invading of the Queens Majesties Palace of Halyrud-house, with unlawfull convocation, &c. These terrible Summons are directed against our Brethren, because that they, with two or more, passed to the Abbey, upon Sunday the five and twentieth of August, to behold and note what persons repaired to the Masse. And because that upon the Sunday before (the Queen being absent) there resorted to that Idoll a rascall multitude, having openly the least devillish Ceremony (yea, even the conjuring of their accursed water) that ever they had in the time of greatest blindenesse: But because (I say) our said Brethren past, and that in most quiet manner, to note such abusers, these fearfull Summons are directed against them, to make, no doubt, a preparation upon a few, that a doore may be opened to execute cruelty upon a greater multitude. And if so it come to passe, God, no doubt, hath justly recompenced our former negligence and ingratitude towards him and his benefits, in our owne bosomes. God gave us a most notable Victory of his and our enemies: he brake their strength, and confounded their counsells; he left us at freedome, and purged the Realme, for the most part, of open Idolatry;
- 1M. Rob. Font stricken in the head with a weapon by Cap. Lawder.
