A Just and True Account how sadly the Regular Ministers within the Presbytery of Air have been Treated since Christmas Last.

UPon Christmas day about Ninty Armed Men forced the Minister of Cumnock out of his Chamber into the Church-yard, where they discharged him to Preach any more there under the highest Peril they took upon them to Command him to remove from his Manse, or dwelling House, & his Gleib, and not to uplift his Stipend thenceforth; after which they rent his Gown in pieces over his head: they made a Preface to their discourse to this purpose; that this they did not as States-Men, nor as Church-Men, but by violence and in a Military way of Reformation.

In this manner, in the same place, and at the same time used they the Minister of Authinleck, who dwelleth in Cumnock.

From Cumnock the foresaid day they marched to Machlin, & missing the Minister, were rude beyond expression to his Wife, & finding the English Liturgy burnt it as a Superstitious and Popish Book: thereafter they went to the Church-yard where they publickly discharged the Minister from his Office and Interest there.

Upon the twenty seventh of December the more considerable part of the foresaid number went to Galston: where they apprehended the Minister, and taking him out of his house into the Church yard they rent his Cloak missing his Gown, and thereafter forced him to wade upon and down through the water of Irwine for a considerable time in a severe Frost.

Upon the said day they went to Rickarton: whence they brought the Minister of the place to Torbolton: where they kept for a whole night the Ministers of these two Parishes under a Guard: and next Morning brought them to the Church-yard of Torbolton where they rent the Minister of Torboltons Canonical Coat, and put the one half of it about each of the Ministers necks, commanding the Church-Officer of the Place to lead them thereby per vices as Malefactors, discharging them from all Exercise of the Ministry, & from their Houses, Gleibs, and Stipends under the highest peril.

Upon the Eleventh of January 1689. The First Minister of Air received a written Paper, Commanding him and all his Brethren to leave their Ministery against the fifteenth under the pain of death: and because he did not regard this, there came to his House upon the fifteenth about Eight of the Clock at night Eleven Armed Men of them, who Commanded him under pain of Death to Preach no more in the Church of Air till the Princes further order. And at the same rate did they treat his Collegue that same night.

Much about the same time these Armed Men with their Associats went throughout all the Ministers Houses within that Presbytery, and discharged them any more to Exercise their Ministry, and appointed them to remove from their Manses, or Parsonage Houses and Gleibs, and discharged them to meddle with their Stipends under the penalty aforesaid. So that now the most of the Clergy through force and Violence have left the Countrey; none in it undertaking their Protection; but all the Rabble of it in Arms against them. And to Compleat their Miseries those who are Indebted to them refuse to pay even so much as may carry them to places of shelter: which exposeth them to the greatest hardships Imaginable.

To obviate the Impudent denial of these things the under Subscribers are able and shall (if called) in due time produce sufficient Proof of the whole, and that both by writing and Witnesses. Given under our hands at Edenburgh upon the Twenty and Sixth day of January One Thousand Six Hundred Eighty Nine years.

Gregory, Parson of Aire.
Will. Irwine Minister at Kirk Michael.
Fran. Fordyce, Parson of Cumnock.

An Account of the Grievances of the Presbytery of Dunbarton.

IMprimis, Upon the twenty fifth of December last, Anno 1689 a Party of Dissenters about 9 a Clock at Night, entered violently into the House of Mr. Walter Stirling Minister of Badernock, threatned most Barbarously his Wife and Servants, (himself being from home) saying that they would cut off her Papish nose and rip up her Prelaticall belly but by a good Providence they were hindered by the coming in of some Friends.

2. They having Assaulted Mr. Will. Duncan Minister of Kilpatrickeaster several times before, did on the Sixteenth of January instant, come to his House about the number of Thirty Armed Men, some whereof were his Parishioners, and violently took from him the keys of the Church, struck and abused himself, broke down and overthrew all his Furniture and did cast all out of doors, so that he and his Family were forced to go elsewhere and live upon the Charity of Friends.

3. On Sunday last being the 20 Instant, a little before the time the Sermon should have begun, about Thirty Armed Men came to the Church of Boiall threatned the Minister who was to Preach (Mr. Will. M'Kenzie Minister of that Church being of a long time dangerously sick) most barbarously saying that he should lose his life if he should offer to Preach there, or any other sent from the Presbytery to supply his Place. And on the morrow thereafter, about fourscore armed men, some whereof were his Parishioners, came to his house, abused his Wife by reviling and beating her, (the Minister himself the night before for fear of his life having gone out of the way) spoil'd some of his Furniture, and threatned to throw all out of doors if he and his Family wou'd not go away from Church and House within Eight days.

4. Each day adds new ground of Complaint, most part of the Brethren fearing that before the next Lords day they shall be thrust from their Churches and Houses by Armed force, for they have been often threatned to that effect.

This Account was sent to the Prince of Orange (for then he was no more) attested by the hands of the Presbytery of Dunbarton. Feb. 1688/9.

A true Account of those Abuses and Affronts, that were committed upon the Person of Mr. Robert Bell Parson of Kilmarnock, by a Party of the Presbyterians now in Arms in the West of Scotland.

MAster Robert Bell Minister of Kilmarnock, being desir'd by his Neighbour Minister at Richardtown, to celebrate the Marriage of two Persons at that Church, in the Ministers necessary absence, as he was walking thither, was seized by two Armed Men, who came from a great Party which he saw at some distance; one of them as he came near to him, presented a Musket to his Head; whereupon he told him, he was his Prisoner, and would go where he had a mind to carry him: He having recovered his Musket, and placed him betwixt himself and his Fellow Companion in Arms; in this posture he was brought to the Minister of Ritchardtown's House, where he was commanded to pluck off his Hat, they calling him Rogue and Rascal, and treating him very rudely. But assoon as he perceived they had filled their Bellies with the Meat, that the good Gentlewoman had set before them; and their Passion and Rancour was thereby a little asswaged; he began to ask the Commander of the Party, by what Rule and Law they proceeded, in their appearing thus in Arms: He told him, By the Rule and Law of the Solemn League and Covenant, by which they were obliged to extirpate Prelacy, and bring all Malignants to condign Punishment. Mr. Bell replied, they would do well to take care that those their proceedings were justifiable by the Word of God, and conformable to the practice of Christ, his Apostles, and the Primitive Church in the propagation of the Christian Religion. He answer'd him, That the Doom of all Malignants is clearly set down in the Word of God, and their appearing thus in Arms, was conformable to the Practice of the Ancient Church of Scotland. From this House the Minister was carried Prisoner to Kilmarnock, and in his Journey thither, there was a Gentleman the Laird of Bridgehouse, who having come to meet him, took the courage to tell the Party, that their appearing in Arms, and abusing the Clergy in this Hostile manner, were but insolent outrages against all the Law of the Nation; and that they would do well to remit their Illegal forwardness, together with their pretended grievances unto the Parliament, that was now very quickly to be assembled, by the care and affection that his Highness the Prince had of all the Subjects of this Kingdom. They answered him, To stand off and forbear giving Rules to them, for they would take none from him nor any Man, and that they would not adhere to the Prince of Orange, nor the Law of the Kingdom, any further than the Solemn League and Covenant, was fulfilled and prosecuted by both. By this time they were come near the Town, and they commanded the Minister to pluck off his Hat, which he obeyed, yet at the same breath they threatned to throw him in the River: And coming to the Bridge, they met the whole Body of the aforesaid Party, returning from the Mercat place; where they had caused the Church Officer to deliver up the Keys of the Church: And they discharged by way of Proclamation the Minister, whom in an opprobrious manner, they called Curate of Kilmarnock, from all intromission with the Benefice and Casuality of the Church, or the least exercise of the Ministerial Function. Assoon as they saw Mr. Bell, and understood that he was the Parson of the Parish, he could see nothing in their Faces, but the most insulting joy; nor find in their discourses, but the most reproaching Language, that ever the greatest Criminal in the World was treated with. After a long Consultation amongst themselves, one of their chief Commanders came, and asked him, if he had a Book of Common Prayer: the Minister desired to know of him, why he asked the Question. He answered, That sure be could not want that Book since he was educated at Oxford, and trained up to all the Superstition and Idolatry of the Church of England. The Minister told him, perhaps he had half a dozen of Common Prayer Books; he commanded him, to produce one of them, for that would do their business. From this place they carried him back to his House; and there compelled him to deliver unto their hands the Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England, after this they led him as a Prisoner bare headed, betwixt four Foiles of Musketeers, through a great part of the Town unto the Market-place, where the whole Party was drawn up in Battallia: Which appeared to be about the number of two hundred well Armed, with fire Lock Muskets of a very large size, most of them had also a pair of Pistols but all of them one. In Kilmarnock, after the fashion of most Mercat places in Scotland, there is a Cross erected, unto which one goes up by steps on all sides, after the form of a broad Starecase, with which it is invironed. It was on the uppermost step, that these rude Guards placed the Minister, two of them on the same step, one on both hands; and so on every step as you go down from the Cross, they ranged themselves before him: After this they called for Fire, which was brought, then one of their Commanders made a Speech to the People, that were gathered together in great numbers from the Town and Country. He told them, That they were come there to make the Curate of the place, a Spectacle of Ignominy, and that they were obliged so to do, by virtue of the Solemn League and Covenant; in Obedience unto which they were to declare here their abhorrency of Prelacy, and to make Declaration of their firm intentions and designs, to fulfill all the ends of that Oath: The propagation of the Discipline of the Government of the Church of Scotland, as it is express'd and contained in the foresaid Solemn League and Covenant. And all this they attempted to do, not by virtue of any Civil Power nor Ecclesiastical Power, but by the Military Power, and the Power of the posture they were now in. These are the very words of this Speech. After this another of their Commanders taking the Book of Common Prayer, reading the Title Page of it, and extending his voice very high, he told the People, That in pursuance of the forementioned League and Covenant, they were now to burn publickly this Book of Common Prayer, which is so full of Superstition and Idolatry; and then throwing it into the Fire, blowing the Coals with a pair of Bellows, after that catching it from amidst the flames, they fixed it on the Spear of a Pike, and thence lifting it up on high, far above the top of the Cross. Which Elevation was attended with Shouts and Acclamations, down with Prelacy Idolatry and Superstition of the Churches of England and Scotland. After all these indignities and impudent reproaches, offered to the most reformed and best constituted Churches in the World, they turned themselves to the Minister again, and rudely in a very menacing manner, asking him, if he was an Episcopal Prelate's Man, and of the Communion of the Churches of England and Scotland; he answered, he was, and did there confess it to the whole World. Then they tore his Gown, one of the Guard first cutting up the Skirt of it with his Sword, and throwing it amongst their feet, telling him, It was the Garment of the Whore of Babylon. One of them bid him promise never to Preach, nor Exercise the Office of a Minister any more; but he refused, telling them, that such a Promise lay not within the compass of his own will, and could not be extorted by force, and that tho they should tear his Body, as they had done his Gown, they would never be able to reach his Conscience. Well, well, (says he) do it at your Peril; the Minister answer'd, that he would do it at his Peril. And so they gave over troubling him any more, only asking, what he had to say to them, he told them, he was extremely sorry to see Protestants, so ingratefully exasperated against the best Protestant Church in the World, that had done such Eminent Service to our Common Religion and Interest against Popery: And withal praying God to forgive them, and not to lay these things to their Charge.

So the Minister was dismissed, they telling him, he was an ignorant and obdured Curate and Malignant.

This is a true Copy of that Account, of those indignities and affronts, that were done unto me Robert Bell, by the Presbyterians now in Arms in Scotland.

Glasgow, Jan. 8. 1689.

Robert Bell:

Disorders and Outrages done upon the Persons and Families of Ministers, within the Presbytery of Hamiltown, upon 27 and 28 days of Dec. 1688.

IMprimis, Mr. John Dalgleishe, Minister of Ebandale, was taken out of his House by a Company of Armed Men, was carried to the Kirkyard style bare-headed, and after being surrounded by these Armed Men, and a great many of the People; and one of them in a Speech, having railed against him with many opprobrious imputations, commanded his Beadle to tear his Gown over his Head, which when he refused to do, threatned to kill him, and did beat him in a most inhumane manner with their Swords, till the Minister commanded him also to do it: They likewise expresly prohibited the Minister to preach any more, or to reside in that place, otherways it should be to his peril. Mr. James Crightoune Minister at Oilbrige was treated the same way, only with this difference, that the Gown they tore was a Night-gown, and with this addition, that they caused him to deliver up the Keys, and all the Utensils of the Church, and engaged him to fly and remove all his Goods and Plenishing within eight days, which he did, his Wife was beaten so that she immediately miscarried.

Mr. Angus Mc.Intosh Minister at Stenhouse, being from home when these Men called at his House, they took his Gown, and after they had discharged their pieces in it, next they trod it under their feet, and then tore it and burnt it.

These Presents are testified by Doctor Robert Scott Dean of Glasgow, Mr. George Lesly Minister at Blautire, and Mr. John Dennistowne Minister at Glasford, all within the same Presbytery.

Jan. 23. 1689.

R. Scott
G. Leslie
I. Dennistowne.

Some account of the Outrages and Cruelties committed upon the Ministers and their Families in the Presbytery of Irwin, who own the Protestant Religion as it is established by Law.

THE Ministers in Irwin Presbytery since the beginning of December, have been so sadly and miserably persecuted by the Violencies of a rabble of armed Men and furious Women, who have joyned together in a most barbarous Confederacy against them, that they have been forced to fly and lurk so secretly, as that they are uncapable to meet together in such full number as that they can particularly represent all their Grievances which are still daily increasing, only three or four who have with much difficulty got together at the concerting of this, do from their own proper knowledge of what they have felt, and from certain accounts from the rest of their Brethren declare, that all of their Houses have been invaded by these armed Men, not only in the day time, but for the most part under silence of night, and so many of the Ministers as did not secretly escape, were most disgracefully taken to the Mercat Crosses and other publick Places, and their Gowns torn in pieces over their Heads, and discharged, with greatest Threatnings of Cruelty ever to enter the Churches and preach again: They have also turned many of their Wives and Children out of Doors, and are still proceeding to do so to others, exposing them to the Extremity of the Winter Cold, and to perish for want of Bread, when the Ministers themselves durst not come near them for their relief. The particular Instances are so Lamentable, and the Circumstances of them so many, as that it would be a long work to enumerate them particularly, only this in the general is so well known over all the Country, that there needs neither particular Evidences to prove it, nor more to be said to move the pity of any that are capable to remedy it, and we under Subscribers are content to prove what is here said: Witness your Petitioners at Edinburgh, Jan. 25. 1689.

Charles Littlejohn Minister of Large.
Alexander Laing Minister of Stewartonne.

A Brief Representation of the Sufferings of the Regular Clergy within the Presbytery of Glasgow.

TO omit the Violences have been threatned them, the Contempts have been cast upon them, and the innumerable Discouragements they have generally been trysted with, from Papists on the one hand (some of them having been in great hazard of being turned out of their places for preaching against the Corruptions of Rome, as were easie to instance) and from Presbyterians on the other, these several years by-past, tho they had Law on their side, and have still in their Stations endeavoured to maintain Truth, Peace and Order.

Upon the great Revolution that has happened lately (notwithstanding His Highness the Prince of Orange has declared his great Undertaking to be for the securing Religion, and establishing our Laws and Liberties) the Dissenting Brethren have wreckt their Malice upon the regular Clergy, and in the manner following.

On Christmas day Anno 1688. under cloud of night, about five and forty Men in Arms (all his Neighbours, to the most part of whom he had done special acts of Kindness) came to Mr. Gabriel Russel's House the Minister of Govean; they beat himself, his Wife and Daughter, carried away all the Utensils of the Church, and the Keys of the Doors, discharging him to preach there any more under the highest Perils.

The same night another Party came to Mr. Robert Tinnie's House Minister at Calcheart; not finding himself at home, they turned his Wife, Family and Furniture out of the Manse, and tho it was about Eleven at Night, with great difficulty they suffered the said Mrs. Tinnie to stay in the Stable all night with her small Children; of which Children three have since been at the point of Death, through the Fear and Cold to which they then were exposed. The next Lords day the indulged Preacher in that part, possessed himself of the Pulpit; they were his own Parishoners who treated Mr. Tinnie so. The same Night, and much after the same manner Mr. Robert Bayle Minister at Carmunnock was treated.

On December 27. Anno 1688. Mr. Hugh Blair Minister at Rutherglen, had all his Furniture turned out of his House, the Keys and Utensils of the Church taken from him, &c.

About the same time Mr Gilbert Mushat Minister at Cumernald was treated much after the same manner.

Much about the same time a Party came to Mr. David Milne Minister at Calider, and had rifled his House but that they were interrupted.

But all this time the Ministers in the City of Glasgow suffered nothing, only Letters were sent to them to forbear the Exercise of their Ministry, and their Houses were search'd for Arms, &c. till Jan. 17. 1689. being Thursday, on which 'tis usual for them to have publick Worship and Sermon, a great Multitude of People, for the most part Women, came to Church, with a design to have drag'd the Minister out of the Pulpit; but he (by the advice of some of his Brethren who were there) forbearing to go into the Church, and endeavouring to retire without Noise, was fallen upon most barbarously, beaten, and had his Gown and other Cloaths torn in many pieces, altho he had been one of the Ministers of the said City twenty four years, and lived most Christianly and inoffensively.

The same day the same Rabble went to the House of Mr. Alexander George Minister of the Barony Church of Glasgow, broke his Doors with great Hammers; and notwithstanding he was at that time tyed to his Bed by a very dangerous Sickness, they thrust into his Chamber, and had undoubtedly drag'd him from his Bed, and perhaps murthered him, had not the Provost of the City, with eight or ten Men, come to his relief.

On the Lords day thereafter, being the 20th of January. there was no Sermon in any of the Churches of the City. On the 22th. a Copy of a Letter was sent to each Minister in the City, the Tenour whereof followeth.

We are credibly informed that our pretended Provost Walter Gibsone, and his Malignant Associates, are upon a design of having you restored to your Churches, sometime this or the next Week, but if you will take advice and prevent your own Trouble and perhaps Ruine, do not listen to their Motion, for they are but laying a Snare for you, without reflecting upon their own being taken in it themselves: Therefore consider what you are doing, and if you desire Safety, forbear to attempt any thing suggested upon that head, for assure your selves, that it will not be now the Female Rabble you have to engage with, but must resolve in all time coming for such a Guard as will be so sufficient and diligent, as to protect you, not only in the Church (which even we doubt of) but also in your Houses, and that both by night and by day; if you take this warning, you will both save your selves, and prevent the Effusion of much Blood, but if not, stand to your peril, which in all probability will be more formidable than that of Mr. Milne. Let this be a sufficient warning to you from those who by this desire to exoner themselves.

We doubt not but there are other Instances of the foresaid Violence within our Bounds before this time; but because of our present Dispersion we cannot give any more particular accounts, only as to the Instances above-named, we can make them fully appear when called to it: In Testimony whereof we subscribe thir presents at Edinburg, Jan. 26. 1689.

Al. George Minister of the Gospel at the Barony Church of Glasgow.
John Sage One of the Ministers in the City of Glasgow.

An Account of the Insolencies and Outrages committed upon the Ministers in the Presbytery of Pasley, Glasgow Jan. 22. 1689.

Imprimis. UPon Saturday being the Twelfth instant, about three of the Clock in the Afternoon, there went several of the Inhabitants of the Town of Pasley (accompanied with a numerous Rabble to the Beadle, who is a Man above Seventy years of Age, and in his own House, treated him barbarously, wounding him and taking the Keys of the Church from him, which they still keep, whereby they hinder the Ministers there to exercise their Office.

Item. Upon the Thursday thereafter the 17th. a company of armed Men came to the Ministers House, requiring him within two days to get him thence, and to Transport his Family, certifying him, if he should offer to preach any more there, or should not void the Manse, it should be on his utmost Peril.

Item. On Sunday the 13th of the said month, Mr. Honstown one of the Mountain Preachers (as they are called) usurped the Pulpit of the Parish Church of Eastwood, several times formerly the Minister had been required by armed men to remove.

Item. Upon Monday being the 14th instant, about 200 Men and Women came at eight of the clock at night in a Tumultuary manner, to the Minister at Kulbarchan House, with Battoons in their hands, made that same day for the purpose, whereof three only entred, the rest standing without doors, and the Minister himself being providentially from home, they treated his Wise most opprobriously, and commanded her instantly to remove her self and her Family from that place, certifying her, otherwise it should be at her utmost peril. And to omit more particulars, all the several Ministers in the abovementioned bounds, are now forced for the safety of their Lives, to fly from their several Habitations, and to leave their Wives and Children exposed to their Cruelty; and to add to their Calamity, their Parochoners (a very few discreet Persons only excepted) refuse to pay them any part of the stipend, or any other Debts they owe them, by which cruel usage many of our number are reduced to extream necessity.

Io. Fullerton Moderator.
I. Taylor Minister in Pasley Commissr.

Reverend Sir,

SInce our last we received yours; and for a return, you are to understand, that our Circumstances are still worse, and the opposite Party more Insolent, Cruel and Barbarous. The Particulars are as follows, 1. That Party invaded the Minister of Balantra's House in open day, before many of his own People, beat to the ground his Wife big with Child with the butt end of a Musket, dragged himself to the Church-yard and back again to his House, tare his Cloaths to his Shirt, wounded him with a small Sword, and for warding off the Thrust, beat him severely with Cudgels, and then commanded him under the pain of Death, never to preach any more in that place. 2. Six of the Meeting-house Men came to the Minister's House of Kirk Michael (himself being at Edinburg) beat, batter'd and bruised his Man-Servant, commanded him (after they had lain two days and three nights upon him) to go immediately from the House with all that belonged to his Master therein. 3. They have possessed the Churches of Straton, Ochiltrie, Cumnock, Torboltown, Galston and Sorn. 4. They have ejected the Minister of Rickarton's Wife, Family and whole Furniture. This is the account of the Presbytery of Air.

In Irwin Presbytery both the indulged and Mountain-men have possessed several of the Churches, have gone to the Ministers Houses, given them their last Summons of removal, with all the effects thereof under pain of death.

In Pasley Presbytery they have outed the whole Ministers (as they have in all the West of Scotland) they have particularly ejected the first Minister of Pasley's Wife and Family, burnt his Gowns and Hat at the publick Cross, and thrown all his Goods to the open Street. From that they went to Renfrew (where the Ministers Wife was but nine days lain in of a Child) pull'd her out of the Bed, threatned the Families present ejection, had not one Cranford of Corsburn, who being occasionally there, prevailed with them for ten days respite: the Ministers Wife upon this cruel usage, fell into an high and dangerous Fever, under which, according to our last information, she yet labours. The whole Presbytery of Dunbarton are banished from their Charges. In Glasgow the Ministers are not secure of their Lives, for some nights age they beat Mr. Miln in the Street the second time: They went to the Minister of Calders, rent his Gown in the Church-yard, himself being from home, and commanded his Wife and Family to be gone immediately under the Penalty aforesaid. Sir, We who are here, are patiently waiting for the effects of the Princes Declaration, which was solemnly proclaimed over this Cross on Wednesday last. If it quiet the Country, we are resolved to return to our Charges, a little time will inform us. We had almost forgot to tell you, that on Sunday last the Meeting-house Preacher at Diglass caused them to break open the Church-doors there, and went in and preached. We have wrapt up things in as narrow a compass as was possible: We have written nothing but truth in matter of Fact, and which upon legal trial shall be made good by

Reverend Sir,

Your affectional Brethren to serve you
George Gregorie
Fran. Fordyce
William Irwine Minister of Kirk-Michael
Ja. Hoge Minister of Ochiltrie.

Edin. Feb. 14 1689.

Sir,

Besides all this, they have robbed the Minister of Straton's House and left him nothing. And they have carried away the Minister of Kirk-Michael's Presentation, Decreet of Locality, and all his other Papers, with the Communion Cups.

Information of the abuses done by the Presbyterians, who frequent the Meeting-houses to the Ministers of Leving-Widtalder, Bathgate, and Westcalder; in the Presbytery of Levingstonne.

UPon the 22th. of Dec. last, about six a Clock at Night, about Thirty Men in Arms came to the Kirk Town of Levingstonne, and having set a Guard to the Ministers outer Gate, a Party of them came to his Hall-door, which was shut, and pretending that they were come to search for Arms, rudely craved to have entrance into the House, offering, that if the Door were not opened, they would set fire to it, and shoot in Musket-ball through it, to kill those that were within, and forced the door with such violence, that the double bar which held it securest, being quite broken, the Minister was necessitated to make the door patent, thereupon about eight of them entered the House, with great noise and Swords drawn (the Ministers Wife having been brought to Bed, only six days before that time; which was not unknown to the Assassins) and after a great deal of rough and opprobrious Language, and unchristian carriage towards the Minister (which so affrighted his Wife, that she apprehending her Husbands life to be in danger, rose from her Bed in great consternation, and having put on only a Nightgown, did on her naked feet interpose for his rescue) they compelled him to go through the Rooms before them; with a lighted Candle to guide them in their search for Arms; one of them being so uncivil, that he offered to turn his Wife out of the Bed; whereinto she had again betaken her self, and with much difficulty was by the Minister disswaded from that Cruelty. This done, they carried away such things as they thought fit, together with the said Ministers Horse, but the Horse being quite spoiled returned the next day: They also went to the Church Beadle's House, and robb'd him of his Horse, and other things belonging to him, but the Horse returned also the next day. The names of these Assassins for the most part, and of the Gentleman that hounded them out, are well known. 2. Upon the 27th. of Jan. last, there came Nine Armed Men to the Church of Levingstonne (it being the Lord's Day in the Forenoon) and the Church doors being made patent to them, by one of the Ministers Servants because they had threatned to break them up, they searched all the Seats of the Church for the Minister, and not finding him there they went to his Mansion House, and disbelieving his Wife, who told them that her Husband was from home, they went through the House searching for him most narrowly; and compelled his Wife to go before them with a lighted Candle, belching out terrible Speeches against him; and they not yet finding him, departed, and told some of the Ministers Neighbors, who live in the Kirk Town, that if they had got their Curat, they would have ducked him in the water of Almond, and that albeit they were disappointed at that time, they were resolved to be full of his Flesh. 3. Upon the first of Feb. instant, about sixty Armed Men came to his House, and delivered to his Wife a Summons of removal, the true Copy thereof is hereafter inserted, and having called for the Ministers Gowns (with a purpose (as they declared) to tear them) and for the Keys of the Church door, the Church Bible, the Communion Cups, Records of Session, and all other Utensils belonging to the Church of Levingstonne; they got the said Keys and Bible (all the rest having been put out of the way) and these they delivered to John Wilson in Long Levingstonne, to be by him kept, and so departed. Follows the tenour and true Copy of the Summons.

We belonging to the Parish of Levingstonne, having now groaned under the insupportable Yoke of Prelacy, and having suffered a continual tract of manifold Cruelties and Oppressions many years, upon the account of not owning and submitting unto the intrusion of Episcopal Curats, with all being touched with such zeal for the House of our God, that we cannot endure any longer, to see it made and continued to be a Den of Thieves; who have not ventered in at Christ's Door, but the way of Man's Usurpation, remembring the indispensable obligations of our Solemn Covenant, to endeavour the extirpation of Prelacy, being resolved to prosecute it by all approved means to the outmost as the Lord shall enable us; to prevent other Tumults we warn you to surcease and desist from Preaching, and all other Ministerial Actions, in the Kirk of Levingstonne, and to depart from the Care and Benefice thereof, under certification, that if you refuse you shall be forced to do it.

This Summons is not subscribed by any of the Parishioners of Levingstonne, who never had cause to complain of the Ministers oppression and cruelty, and did all except a few, cheerfully submit to Mr. Honeymans Ministery, until the Meeting-houses were set up. The verity of all which premises, I the said Mr. George Honeyman am able to prove by many Famous Witnesses, as Witness these presents written by Mr. John Park Clerk to the Synod of Edenburgh, and subscribed at my Hand at Edenburgh the 23 of Feb. 1689.

George Honeyman, Minister of Levingstonne.
Jo. Park, Clerk Syn.

Mr. William Man Minister at Bath-gate, informs, that upon the first day of Feb. instant, there came about the number of fifty Men in Arms to his dwelling House, about twelve a Clock at Noon, and having entered his House, they made search for him with drawn Swords in their hands, and violently broke up three doors; and not finding him, who supposing him to be at the time in the Lady Kirktown's House, which is situated very near to his Mansion House; they went to the said Lady's House, whose Gate being shut, they endeavoured to force it up with great Stones, and the help of an Ax, which they had purchased from some of the Neighbours; and when all failed, they set fire to the Gate, and the Gate being thereupon made patent by the Gentlewoman, they in manner aforesaid, searched all the Rooms of the House for the said Mr. William, and not finding him, they went thereafter to the Town of Bathgate, and found him in the House of Mr. John Cala, in the Company of two Gentlemen, who are Justices of Peace, viz. Thomas Sharp Laird of Honstown, and Thomas Hammiston Laird of Boghead; and the Captain of the Company, having called him forth in presence of the said two Gentlemen, they required him with their Swords drawn, and Guns presented to deliver up to them the Communion Cups, the Records of his Kirk Session, the Church Bible, and the Keys of the Church of Bathgate, to which he having answered, that there were none of these things in his custody, they went to the Beadle, and caused him to deliver the said Keys to them, the which they committed to the Custody of John Harvy, Inn-dweller in the said Town, charging him not to deliver them to the said Mr. William, as he would be answerable, unless he were forced by a greater Power so to do; and they being informed of the place where his Gown lay, they went and took it out, and having carried it in Procession to the Cross of Bathgate, they caused his Beadle to tear it there before his Eyes; and this done, they being intreated by the said Justices, not to lay violent hands upon the Person of the said Minister; they delivered a Summons to him to flit and remove, and this they did before several Persons in the Town of Bathgate, whom they adduced to Witness the deed. The Summons is in omnibus the same with that, which the Minister of Levingstonne, received the said day, and is not signed by any of the Parishioners of Bathgate, who never had cause to complain of Mr. Man's cruelty, and did all except a few, cheerfully submit to his Ministery, till the Meeting-houses were lately set up. The verity of all which premises, I the said Mr. William Man, am able to prove sufficiently, as Witness these Presents written by Mr. John Park Clerk to the Synod of Edenburgh, and subscribed with my Hand at Edenburgh, Feb. 23. 1689.

William Man Minister of Bathgate.
Jo. Park, Clerk Syn.

Mr. Normand, Mr. Kinney Minister at Midcalder, informs, that upon the 27th. of Jan. last by past, being the Lord's Day after Sermon, Eight men with drawn Swords and Fire-locks, came to his House, but got not entrance, in regard that the Laird of Calderhall, the Laird of Pompherstonne, with divers other good Neighbors, disarmed some of them, and put the rest to flight; in which encounter one of the Assassins was wounded in the Face, and two were wounded that appeared in the said Mr. Normans defence, viz. William Elphingstonne, natural Son to the said Laird of Calderhall, and James Nemo Butcher in Midcalder, and the said Assassins having got back the Arms taken from them upon their promise to be gone, they accordingly departed, threating that before they slept, they should cause several Persons in the Town of Calder to sleep in their Shooes, for what they had done in defence of the Curat, farther averring, that nothing was designed by them to be done to that Curat; but what and much more was done this day at Edenburgh, to the outing and disgrace of all Curats there. 2. That upon the 1st. of Feb. instant, a considerable Company of men in Arms, came to the said Ministers House early in the morning, pretending, that they were come only to search, whether he were at home or not (altho after the search, they confessed, that they knew he was not there, because sufficiently informed, that he had taken Journey on the Munday preceding, and did not carry his Gown with him, which they resolved to have if possible) and in a most barbarous manner, forced up a Window at the foot of the Bed, where the said Minister Wife was lying with her sucking Child, and thrust in their Swords and Firelocks at the Window, which so affrighted her with the apprehension of present death; that she begged them for God's sake, that if they intended to murther her and her Family, they would but allow her the favour to put on some Cloaths, and to recommend her Self and Family in Prayer to God. This they nothing regarded, but continued forcing up the Hall-door, until the Lock and bolts being broken it was made patent; whereupon sixteen of them having enter'd the House, with Swords drawn; they conveyed the said Ministers Wife, with her Suckling in her Arms to the Kitching, and placed a man with a naked Sword beside her, whom they commanded not to suffer her to stir from that place, and in the mean while the rest of them with their Swords in their hands, searched all the House, and brought down Goods that were hid in the Cieling, declaring, that they behoved to see all the said Ministers Obligations, that he had of his Debtors, and all his other Papers; and in particular, one of them viz. Thomas Levingstonne there said, he behoved to have a gripe of his Fathers Bond, granted to the said Minister for a certain summ of money, which he owes to him; and after exact search, they not finding any Papers or Bonds (the Minister having conveyed them away before that time) they went away, carrying with them the Communion Cups, which they committed to the custody of Walter Johnstonne in Calder, and leaving behind them a Summons of removal, in omnibus the same with these before mentioned, and withal, they declared to the said Ministers Wife, that if She and her Family should neglect to remove within ten days next, thereafter, they would return and eject her and her Children, and all the Goods in the House; or make a Bonefire of all the plenishing. The foresaid Summons is subscribed by none of the Parishioners of Middle Calder, who never had cause to complain of their Ministers oppressing them, and did all of them except a few submit to his Ministery, till the Meeting houses were lately set up. The verity of all which premisses; I the said Mac Normand, Mac Kinney can prove by many famous Witnesses, as Witness these presents Written at Edenburgh, by the said Mr. John Park, and their subscribed with my Hand Feb. 23. 1689.

Norman Mackinney Minister of Calder.
Jo. Park Clerk Syn.

Mr. George Robertsone Minister at Westcalder, informs, that upon Dec. 23. last by past, being the Lords Day, several Persons in Westcalder, invaded his House betwixt Eleven and Twelve at Night, and searched for Arms, but found none but an old two-handed Sword, which they carried with them and departed, averring, that they were to go to their Company. 2. That upon the 1st. of Feb. instant, a Summons of removal was left at his House by some in the Parish; the which Summons is in omnibus the same with these before-mentioned, and is not subscribed by any of the Parishioners of Westcalder, who never received any wrong from the Minister, who having been but lately settled there, most of the Parishioners submitted to his Ministery, till the Meeting-Houses were lately set up, all this I the said George Robertsone am able to prove sufficiently, as Witness these presents. Written by the said Mr. John Park, and subscribed with my Hand at Edenburgh Feb. 13. 1689.

George Robertson Minister at Westcalder.
Jo. Park Clerk Syn.

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