1. The teftimony of the King of Martyrs concerning his kingdom, John xviii. 36. 37. explained and illu- '. Strated in Scripture-light, - - Mearns, with his answers, in April 1728, Glas's answers to the synod's queries, “ A congre- “ di&tion under heaven," per : In answer to some considerations on that subject sent to the author by a friend, of the general assembly, March 11. 1730, 221 6. Some observations upon the Original constitution of the Christian church; in a letter to the author of 231 7. A second letter to Mr Aytone, containing remarks upon his Review of the observations on the original - 300 8. Of the unity and distinction of the elder's office, 398 9. A Petition to the Associate Presbytery, by four brethren ; with a dialogue upon it by fix, &c. 411 10. A supplement to Mr Ebenezer Erskine's synodical fermon, en 430 11. The right of the Christian people, and the power Pag. The Testimony of the King of Martyrs concerning his Kingdom, John xviii. 36. 37. explained and illustrated in fcripture-light. John i. 46. Come and fee. Rev. xvi. 10. And the fifth angel poured out his vial on the seat of the beast ; and his kingdom was full of darkness and they gnawed their tongues for pain. [First published in the year 1729.] The P R E FACE. TIT Hen there is so much regard paid to the testimony of V men, which can never be the ground of our faith, it cannot be questioned, but that more regard is due to the testimony of the author and finisher of faith : “ For if we “ receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater.” At least it may be expected, that as many as would " fight “ the good fight of faith, and lay hold on eternal life,” will give a fair hearing to this good confession which Jesus Christ witnessed before Pontius Pilate. And certainly no true Chri. ftian will find reason to be ashamed of this testimony of our Lord, even though it will make all them that are not alha. med to confess it in all its parts, partakers of the afflictions of VOL. I. the the gospel : “ For God hath not given them the spirit of fear, “ but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” The true cause of my fufferings is the open confession of this testimony of Jesus Christ, as I understand it : and no man can confess any part of divine revelation, but according to the understanding he has of it ; otherwise it is not his own confession, but another man's ; or, he confesses not truths, but words. For this cause I suffer in my name, by cruel mockings and reproaches; and in my miniltry, being rejected, as the head of the corner” himself was, by them that pre. tend to be « builders : ” and for this cause I suffer the loss of my living in the world, as far as lies in the power of my persecutors; and it will be owing to the good providence of God, and the equity of the magistrate, if my sufferings do not proceed yet further. Yet, in all this, the enemies of my cause persuade themselves and their followers, that “ they ” are doing God good service :” and I am persuaded, that I ought not to think this « strange, as though some strange " thing had happened to me." But being thus debarred from that access I once had to preach the gospel of the kingdom, and declare the testimony of Jesus Christ in a public manner, I thought it my duty to do my best to make it manifest, according to my measure, by means of the press, (which is yet free, and has been, by the good providence of him that is “ head over all things to the church," made very useful in the recovery of Christianity from the corruption of ic by antichrist); and so to offer my testimony against the prevailing errors of the day, and vindicate the present truth, “ the word of Christ's patience,” that has been condemned and rejected by our “ builders.” I am very sensible, that, as it was never designed to please any faction or party of this world, no party will be altoge. ther pleased with it. But there are two sorts of men from which the gospel met with opposition at the first, and which remain unto this day, though perhaps under other names : and from both I expect heavy censuręs. 1. They that affect a temporal kingdom to Christ, and a wordly church. Thus, “ minding earthly things, and profeiling diffatisfaction with the Christian doctrine of “ patient “ bearing the cross after Christ," they would have the nations of this earth (now brought under the Christian name, not by the influence of the gospel, by which men were made Chri. stians at first, but by those means which served unto the tread. ing of the outer court of God's house under the feet of the Gentiles |