Tue Union oF 1707 In DUMFRIESSHIRE. 121 
Incorporating Union with England, save only their bare Promise, 
who have broken the most solemn Tyes of Sacred Engagements, 
and all Bonds of Friendship, Confederacy, and Neighbourhood, 
these hundred years bygone, to the extream hurt, & hazard both 
of our Church and State, and have even still, since ever we came 
under one Head with them, been in appearance seeking our 
Ruine. 
7 mo. For any thing we can see, if this Union should go 
on, either we behooved to Ruine our Selves by submitting to a 
Toleration, destructive to our own Government and Discipline ; 
or else to put our Honest Neighbours (some of the Dissenters) 
in England, in hazard of losing theirs, since it will no doubt be 
pleaded, that the Dissenters in both parts of the Nation should be 
equally dealt with; And yet for us we cannot without Horror 
think of the Sin, and sinful Consequences of a Toleration here. 
8 vo. Our Hearts do Tremble to think what bitter Fruits of 
Faction, Parties, and incurable Breaches the going into this 
Union may produce, and how easie an Access thro’ this and the 
great Ferment of the Nation it may make for the pretended King 
James the Eight to come to the Throne, At least we cannot 
understand how this Union can put a Bar thereupon, but rather 
have strong and not groundless Fears of its tending to the con- 
trary. And as to the matter of Rents and Irritation among these 
_ in our Bounds, We are very sure that they whothave hitherto com- 
plained of the continuance, by Act of Parliament, of so many 
Prelatists in Churches, of the Connivance at others in Meeting- 
houses, of Incroachments made on Assemblies in their Adjourn- 
ments and Dissolution ; and otherwise also in the matters of Fasts 
and Oaths; And of the not duly Executing of good Laws against 
Papists, Quakers, and other Heretical and Profanely Scandalous 
Persons, will then have their Grievances greatly encreased, and 
_ who knows what may be the issue thereof. 
9no. We cannot see how it can consist with this Union to 
endeavour to bring to condign Punishment Malignants, or 
Enemies to Reformation, which is plain Duty in itself, and to 
which we stand solemnly engaged by our Covenants; Yea, such 
being readiest to take the Sacramental Test of England, are 
nearest to advancement, and no Scotsman can be advanced in 
England without it, whereas any Englishman may be in place of 
Truth in Scotland how opposit soever to our Government. 
