uall edification, according to the directions of the last
Assembly published in Print, and seriously recommended by them, or to give
any advantage to Malignants and Prophane persons, with whom it is frequent
to cast upon all those who adhere to former principles, and cannot approve
the present Engagement, the odious nick-names of Sectaries and
Independents. For the beter discovery of such prophane mockers, we give
these markes and characters. 1. They do prophanely and tauntingly abuse
the name of the Spirit, under that name deriding the work of Grace and
sanctification. 2. They esteem and speak of exercises of conscience, as
fancies, or fits of melancholy. 3. They mock at Family-worship and the
means of mutuall edification so much recommended by the last Assembly in
their directions. 4. They do usually calumniate godly Ministers, and
professors who follow holinesse, with the names of Sectaries, or the like
odious names, without any just cause: As we account all such to be enemies
to the practise and power of godlinesse; So we do exhort all the lovers of
truth to hold on in the way of holinesse through good report and ill
report, being stedfast, immovable, alwayes abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as they know their labour is not in vain in the Lord.

IV. That they do not concur in, nor any way assist this present
Engagement, as they would not partake in other mens sins, and so receive
of their plagues, but that by the grace and assistance of Christ they
stedfastly resolve to suffer the rod of the wicked, and the utmost which
wicked mens malice can afflict them with, rather then to put forth their
hand to iniquity.

V. That they suffer not themselves to be abused with fair pretences and
professions usuall in the mouths of those that carry on this designe, and
often published in their Papers, But remember that the foulest actions
have not wanted specious pretences; And if they who killed the Apostles
did both pretend and intend to do God good service, what marvell that they
who engage against the Covenant pretend to engage for it. Neither is it to
be forgotten, That after the first subscription of our Nationall Covenant,
these who had the chief hand in managing publick affairs, and had
subscribed the Covenant, especially the Duke of _Lenox_, and Captain James
then Earl of _Arran_, in the years 1581, 1582, 1583, 1584. when their
designe was to subvert both the Doctrine and Discipline of this Kirk, yet
gave great