into this preface, which concerneth only national covenanting, and, it
is likely the reader's patience is too far transgressed upon already;
nor was there any _substantial or formal_ difference betwixt it and the
comely order of the Church of Scotland observed in our purest times of
reformation in the celebration of that sacred ordinance, except what in
the form arose from the circumstances we were in, and the reason now
mentioned. The work was awful and great, the persons employed about it
few, insignificant in their own eyes, as well as mean in the eyes of
others; and hence the Lord's power and grace was the more conspicuous,
who (we must not dissemble it) was present to the sensible experience of
many, sealing instruction upon the hearts of some, and granting,
strengthening, and confirming grace to others, for which he ought to
have all the glory.

But because there has been, as we are informed, no small clamor raised
anent some expressions used in debarring the ignorant and scandalous
from the holy table of the Lord; _That the Minister should have
unreasonably and presumptuously excommunicated the Queen and Parliament,
and the whole Ministers of the established church of Scotland_;
Therefore, we shall here insert the very words relating to that affair,
as they were uttered by him without any alteration. In warning the
ignorant, scandalous and profane to beware of presuming to approach to
the holy table of the Lord, the minister observed (as the manner is) the
order of the decalogue, where, in the sins forbidden in the second
commandment, as they are enumerated by the very Reverend the Assembly of
Divines sitting at Westminster, in their humble advice concerning a
Larger Catechism, we find these amongst others--"All devising,
counseling, commanding, using, and any ways approving any religious
worship not instituted by God himself, tolerating a false religion.----
All superstitious devices, corrupting the worship of God, adding to it,