“The Declaration and
Testimony of the True Presbyterian, Anti-prelatic, Anti-erastian,
persecuted party in Scotland.” 
Published at Sanquhar, June 22, 1680.

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 cause 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 lie 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 he hath so far debased 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, whether inferior
magistrates or any other, as enemies to our Lord and his crown, and the
true Protestant and Presbyterian interest in this land-our Lord’s espoused
bride and Church. Therefore, although we be for 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 these 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 prerogative
therein, and many other breaches in matters eccelesiastic and by his
tyranny and breach of the very reges 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 anywise acknowledged him in his tyranny,
civil or ecclesiastic; yea, against all such as shall strengthen, side
with, or anywise acknowledge any other in like usurpation and tyranny-far
more against such as would betray or deliver up our free reformed mother
Kirkunto 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 those who have gone before, as also of
those who have suffered of late, and we do disclaim that Declaration
published at Hamilton, June 1679, chiefly because it takes in the king’s
interest, which we are several years since loosed from, because of the
aforesaid 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 to 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 to conclude, we hope. after this, none will blame us for,
or offend at, our rewarding those that are against 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 their offence.

This defiant statement, interpreted by
the Government as a Declaration of War, was soon enforced by the discovery
of the Queensferry Papers on the body of Henry Hall. Together these
declarations led directly to a Proclamation
on 30 June 1680 that Richard Cameron and his friends were Rebels and
Traitors, offering large rewards for them, Dead or Alive.

Back to Sanquhar
Declaration and the Cameronians.