are, with Bloud; For, Bloud it defileth the land, and the land
cannot be clensed of the bloud that is shed therein, but by the
bloud of him that shed it, that others may hear, and fear,
and from henceforth commit no more any such evil among
you. Wilfull murther, prepared, and projected Murther, God
makes uncapable of civill Mercy.
And this case (saith he) some of the Casuists extend,
not only to the execution of murther, but even to the intent
and purpose of the Execution. It is most righteous, that the
very resolution of murther should be expiated with the Blood
of him that resolved it. This is not to be under stood of any kind
of will or purpose whatsoever, though perhaps expressed in
words; but of a will and resolution begun to be acted and presented
as far as opportunity and possibility do concur with the
Project. The reason is (faith the Casuist) because in this Case
the Delinquent hath killed as much as it lay in his power to
kill; He hath killed, though the Patient be not killed; He hath done the act,
though his neighbour hath not suffered it, because he went as far as he could. That
the act was not perfected, it was not out of any change of purpose, but for want of
power. Though providence so far intervened, that the Plot took-not, yet the very
desigue and intention should hang him.
According to Mr. Case, Doctrin then, what think ye of these men that
are not onely actually guilty of the bloud of those many Thousands spilt
last year, and since; but also in Intention and purpose, yea and in possibility
too, of all the bloud that is yet to be spilt; the Bloud of the Parliament.
The Councell of State, the Army, and of all honest people in the Land, if
God in mercy prevent not the effect of these Treasons, so strong in operation
at this very day. But let us conclude, that an impartiall execution of Laws
is the Surest Bond of Commonweals; the onely Ligament that knits all together,
creating an entire union and harmony in all the parts of the publick Body.
THURSDAY, July. 17.
Came this, of the 9. Instant, from Glasgow.
SIR,
WEE are now so remote; that our returnes to you can be but
once a week. The pacquet came but this day to us; and
it hardly escap'd the enemy, who were in the way, and gave the
Convoy a charge, but received a repuls; since our comming into
these parts, Massey with his Brigade has bin ranging towards Edinburge;
and meeting with foure or five of our souldiers, they kil'd
them, It seemes their fury is so great that they resolve to deny
Quarter. Our advance this way has very much prevented their