th such a
torrent of most affectionate expressions, as none but eye or ear witnesses
can conceive whereof the two reverend Divines sent from you to us being
then present, no doubt will give you an account. Neither was it so onely
with us, but also the honourable Convention of Estates here, with the like
harmony of affectionate expressions, did entertain the same; So that we
hope to be reall and constant in prosecuting the contents of this
Covenant. When we in our straits fled to the Lord, and entred in Covenant
with him, he owned us and our Cause, rebuked and dissipated our enemies,
and hitherto hath helped us, and blessed our entreprises with successe
from heaven, notwithstanding our great weaknesse and unworthinesse. We
trust in the Lord, that as once it was prophesied of _Israel_ & _Judah_,
So shall Scotland & England shall become one stick in the hand of the
Lord, they shall ask the way to _Sion_, with their faces thitherward,
saying, Come, let us joyne our selves to the Lord in a perpetual Covenant,
that shall not be forgotten; And so shall it come to passe, that the Lords
Jerusalem in this Island, shall be a cup of trembling, and a burthensome
stone to all their enemies roundabout. Though now it be the time of
_Jacobs_ trouble, the Lord will deliver him out of it. Reverend and dear
Brethren, we conceive your case, and of all the Faithful in that Land to
be no other then of a woman crying, travelling in birth, and pained till
she be delivered. The great red Dragon, (under whose standard the sons of
_Belial_ are fighting) is your Arch enemy, This cannot but be a time of
fear and sorrow; But when the male childe shall be brought forth, the pain
shall cease, and the sorrow shall be forgotten. We are very confident in
the Lord, that you will be faithful to Jesus Christ, in the work committed
to you by him in all his ordinances, and taking neither foundation, corner
stone, nor any part of the rubbish of Babel to build the City that is
called, _The Lord is there_: But measuring all with the golden reed of the
Sanctuary, you may more closely be united to the best Reformed Kirks, in
Doctrine, Worship, and Government, that you may grow up in him in all
things which is the head, even Christ.

And now Reverend and dear Brethren, though we know that you abound in all
gifts and graces, the Spirit of Jesus Christ being plentifully powred out
upon you, yet according to your desire and the motion made by the
Commissioners of the Ho