Declarations – 1680 Sanquhar

Bond taken before the Proclamation of the Sanquhar Declaration, June 1680.

The Bond was subscribed by Richard Cameron and other militants at the meeting that agreed the Sanquhar Declaration and which provocatively styled  itself as ‘representative of the true presbyterian Kirk, and covenanted nation of Scotland’.

Text from Anon., Cloud of Witnesses (ed. Thomson), 500.

‘We, under subscribers, bind and oblige ourselves to be faithful to God, and true to one another, and to all others who shall join with us, in adhering to Rutherglen Testimony, and disclaiming the Hamilton Declaration, chiefly because it takes in the king’s interest, which we are loosed from by reason of his perfidy and Covenant breaking, both to the most high God, and the people over whom he was set, under the terms of his propagating the main ends of the Covenants, to wit, the Reformation of religion; and instead of that, usurping to himself the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, and encroaching upon the liberties of the Church, and so stating himself both in opposition to Jesus Christ the Mediator, and the free government of His house. And also in disowning and protesting against the reception of the Duke of York, a professed Papist, and whatever else hath been done in this land (given to the Lord) in prejudice to our covenanted and universally sworn-to Reformation. And although, as the Lord who searcheth the heart knows, we be for government and governors, both civil and ecclesiastic, such as the Word of God and our Covenants allow; yet, by this we disown the present magistrates, who openly and avowedly are doing what in them lies for destroying utterly our work of reformation from Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and other heresies and errors; and by this we declare also, that we are not any more to own ministers indulged, and such as drive a sinful union with them; nor are we to join any more in this public cause with ministers or professors of any rank, that are guilty of the defections of this time, until they give satisfaction proportioned to the scandal and offence they have given.

Subscribed by

Thomas Douglas Minister of the Gospel, Ri.[chard] Cameron Minister of the Gospel, Robert Dick, Alexander Gordon of Creuch [or Kilsture], Will.[iam] Stewart, David Farrie, James Stewart [at Causeway End], Robert Stewart, John Patterson, John Potter, James Greirson, John Hamilton, James Edward, John Moody [in Cubs Hill], J.[ohn] Vallance [in Auchinleck parish], Thomas Campbell [in Hole], John Crichtoun [in Waterhead], John Gemmill [in St Brydsbank], John Maccolm, Patrick Gemmil [in the Old Castle of Cumnock], John Wilson, Samuel Macmichael, Joseph Thomson, Michael Cameron, John Fouller, James Macmichael.’

Subscription list taken from Anon., A True and Impartial Account Of the Examinations and Confessions Of several Execrable Conspirators Against the King & His Government In Scotland, 12.

Sanquhar Declaration, 22 June 1680.

The Declaration was drafted by Richard Cameron and proclaimed on the anniversary of the Battle of Bothwell Brig. The Declaration was the foundation stone of a coherent militant platform and was adhered to by all members of the United Societies.

Text from Wodrow, History, III, 212.

‘It is not amongst the smallest of the Lord’s mercies to this poor land that there have been always some who have given their testimony against every course of defection, (that many are guilty of) which is a token for good, that he doth not as yet intend to cast us off altogether, but that he will leave a remnant in whom he will be glorious, if they, through his grace, keep themselves clean still, and walk in his way and method, as it has been walked in and owned by him in our predecessors of truly worthy memory, in their carrying on of our noble work of reformation in the several steps thereof, from popery, prelacy, and likewise erastian supremacy, so much usurped by him, who (it is true so far as we know) is descended from the race of our kings, yet hath so far deborded from what he ought to have been, by his perjury and usurpation in church matters, and tyranny in matters civil, as is known by the whole land, that we have just reason to account it one of the Lord’s great controversies against us, that we have not disowned him and the men of his practices, (wither inferior magistrates or any other) as enemies to our Lord and his crown, and the true protestant and presbyterian interest in thir lands, our Lord’s espoused bride and church. Therefore, altogether we be fore government and governors, such as the word of God and our covenant allows, yet we for ourselves, and all that will adhere to us, as the representative of the true presbyterian kirk, and covenanted nation of Scotland, considering the great hazard of lying under such a sin any longer, do by thir presents disown Charles Stuart, that has been reigning (or rather tyrannizing, as we may say) on the throne of Britain these years bygone, as having any right, title to, or interest in the said crown of Scotland for government, as forfeited several years since, by his perjury and breach of covenant both to God and his kirk, and usurpation of his crown and royal prerogatives therein, and many other breaches in matters ecclesiastic, and by his tyranny and breach of the very leges regnandi in matters civil. For which reason, we declare, that several years since he should have been denuded of being king, ruler or magistrate, or of having any power to act, or to be obeyed as such. As also, we being under the standard of our Lord Jesus Christ, Captain of salvation, do declare a war with such a tyrant and usurper, and all the men of his practices, as enemies to our Lord Jesus Christ, and his cause and covenants; and against all such as have strengthened him, sided with, or any wise acknowledge him in his tyranny, civil or ecclesiastic, yea, against all such as shall strengthen, side with, or any wise acknowledge any other in the like usurpation and tyranny, far more against such as would betray or deliver up our reformed mother-kirk unto the bondage of antichrist the pope of Rome. And by this we homologate that testimony given at Rutherglen, the 29th of May, 1679, and all the faithful testimonies of these who have gone before, as also of these that have suffered of late. And we disclaim that declaration published at Hamilton, June, 1679, chiefly because it takes the king’s interest, which we are several years since loosed from, because of the forsaid reasons, and others, which may after this (if the Lord will) be published. As also, we disown, and by this resent the reception of the duke of York, that professed papist, as repugnant to our principles and vows to the most high God, and as that which is the great, though not alone, just reproach of our kirk and nation. We also by this protest against his succeeding the crown; and whatever has been done, or any are essaying to do in this land (given to the Lord) in prejudice to our work of reformation. And do conclude, we hope after this none will blame us for, or offend at our rewarding these that are against us, as they have done to us, as the Lord gives opportunity. This is not to exclude any that have declined, if they be willing to give satisfaction according to the degree of the offence.
Given at Sanquhar, June 22d, 1680’.

Both texts can be found here:

Sanquhar Declaration