Page:Life and prophecies of that faithful minister of God's word, Mr Donald Cargill.pdf/4

great covenanted work of reformation, wherein the "right-hand of the Lord, that does ever valiantly," was and is remarkable to be seen, in the beginning and carrying on thro' all the periods of this Church; not only from Paganism and Popery, but also abjuring of Prelacy, both in the last articles of the National Covenant but more expresly in the second article of the Solemn League and Covenant betwixt the three nations, wherein all ranks were and are solemnly and perpetually bound, in their places and stations, to extirpate that old Strumpet Mother, and eldest beautiful daughter of Antichrist, with which the blinded nations have been and are sadly bewitched; but vile, loath me and hateful in the eye's of all the zealous, serious godly in Scotland, ever since the Lord made light to arise to see her abominations. And it hath been, is, and may be confirming and comforting to all the Lord's people that our reformation, in all the steps thereof, hath been of and for the Lord, in that he raised up and continued such a succession of earnest contenders and faithful witnesses through so many ages, that none have exceeded them sine the Apostles went off the stage. Accordingly the Popish, Prelatical, and Malignant Faction, enemies of God and godliness, began their undermining work (in the year 1650) of our covenanted reformation, that had flourished in a wonderful manner from 1638, eleven, years, in their public resolutions, as they were then called, in getting all places of power and trust, filled with men of wicked and corrupt principles and practices, to make way for the getting their chief Head Charles IId upon the throne of Britain which proved effectual, and got their hellish designs accomplished; which was foreseen, foretold and contended against by a handful of worthy ministers and Christians in these days called Protesters or Remonstrators. Then, in the 60th year, Cromwell, the English general with his ten thousand men were called home,who came to Scotland in the end of July,