-And yet it
is to be feared after all, that there are many now-a-days, more
irritated and chagrined at this evil, because it more sensibly crosses
their own inclination, then because it is an usurpation upon the church
of Christ, else they would give a more ample testimony against the other
branches of those incroachments made upon Christ's crown and royal
dignity. These who would see more of the evil consequences of patronage,
and popular elections vindicated, may consult _Rectius instruendum_;
Park upon patronage; the suffrages of the people; the full vindication
of the people's right, &c. a plea for the church of Scotland against
patronage; the candid inquiry; and an attempt to prove every species of
patronage foreign to the nature of the church, &c.

[73] And may we not tremble and be afraid of the same judgments? for how
applicable is this to out case in Scotland at present, wherein these our
national vows and covenants are not only slighted and neglected, yea
flouted at by many in this profane generation, but even some having a
more seeming zeal for religion, stand not to argue and say, "That
although these covenants were binding on our forefathers who made and
took them, yet they can be no way obligatory on us who were never
personally engaged therein." But let such for certainty know, that as
these solemn vows have their foundation in scripture, Numb. xxx. 7.
Deut. v. 3. Josh. xxiv. 25. Psal. lxxvi. 11. Isa. xix. 18. Jer l. 5.
Gal. iii. 15. The duties engaged to therein being purely theological and
moral, they must have respect unto all circumstances and periods of
time, and besides their form being _formalis ratio_, _i.e._ formal
reason, and the action solemn, the majesty of heaven being both a party
and witness therein, the obligation must be perpetual, which no mortal
on earth can lawfully dispense with, and so shall bind and oblige all
Scotsmen under penalty of breach of God's covenant while sun and moon
endure.

[74] See the forementioned letter and note in a pamphlet intitled, Some
predictions or prophecies of our Scots Worthies, &c., from page 20 &c.

[75] This protestation had been given in a little before this, to a
meeting of ministers in the little kirk of Edinburgh. See Calderwood's
history, page 675.

[76] See his own history, page {illegible}32.

[77] Mr. Calderwood gave in a protest against the assembly 1649, for
enabling the directory for election of ministers, which protest was not
given i