Page:Life and prophecies of that faithful minister of God's word, Mr Donald Cargill.pdf/15

the cautionary-band witnessed against in the banders disbanded. They so far complied with the enemy's design and desire to have their Rendezvous of Rebellion, the field conventicles (as then called) the devil's grand eye-sore, and great vexation to all his friends, the foes of reformation, that they would preach none without houses, even those who formerly were most zealous and forward that way, whose names might be mentioned, and who would not set their faces to doors when there were any people without. These lamentable things, together with the cruel tyranny, shedding so much innocent precious dear blood, made them split with zeal, not only to call off all that do not agree with them in every thing, but also to utter strange anti-gospel imprecations, disdaining and reproaching all others as backsliders, stating their testimony against all crown dues, excise and customs. And for that end would make no use of ale nor tobacco, and other foul things. These people at first were commonly called Sweet Singers, from their frequently meeting together, and singing these tearful Psalms over the mournful case of the church, Psalm 74, 79, 180, 83, 137. Thus they continued from the beginning of the year until April then all with one consent, that they might be free from all these foresaid things, left their houses, warm soft beds, covered tables; some of them their husbands and children weeping upon them to stay with them; some women taking the suckling children in their arms to desart places to be free of all snares and sins, and communion with all others, and mourn for their own sins, the land's tyranny and defections, and there to be safe from the land's utter ruin and desolations by judgments; some of them going to Pentland hills, with a resolution to sit their to see the smoke and utter ruin of the sinful bloody city of Edinburgh: But if they had fulfilled their resolution, they would have been sadly beaten these forty-eight years, being lately gone to their graves, laying more weight and stress upon these