The Cameronians became more united, systematic, and explicit in their views, in the year 1680 ; and in the following year, they began to form themselves into so cieties, and to have quarterly, or more frequent meet ings, as circumstances permitted ; and took the name of The Societies United in Correspondence. A paper was found on Mr Hall of Ilaughhead, at Queensfcrry, (called from that the Queensferr• Paper,) containing the princi pal tenets of that sect; but containing also sonic expres sions and sentiments, to which as a body they did not give their assent. They particularly disavowed the assump tion of magist•atical authority, to which the authors of it had ventured to lay claim. The tenour of this paper, and the conduct of a few people in attempting to rescue \lr Ball, provoked the council to issue a proclamation, granting power, among other things, to seize suspected persons, and mentioning Mr Richard Cameron and others by name. These having now completely broken off from the rest of the Presbyterian ministers and others, who would not adopt their peculiar notions, met in arms at Sanquhar, and published a declaration or testimony, in which they disowned the king's right to the crown and government of Scotland, and protested against the suc cession of James, on account of their popery and breach of covenant to Cod and the church. Mr Richard Ca meron wrote a vindication of this paper, and a keen and lengthened controversy took place. The rejection of the royal authority, thus broadly and boldly avowed, is that part of their conduct, which has given the chief handle to the opponents and enemies of the Cameronians. Even sonic of their own number were dissatisfied with the language of the Sanquhar Declaration ; and afterwards they amended and explained certain parts of it, while they defended it in general, in their Informatory Vindica tion, drawn up by Mr Renwick in 1687. Besides that declaration, Mr Cameron and about thirty others com posed and subscribed a bond for their mutual defence. soon after this, the rencounter at Airsmoss hap p( hell, v. btu theCanwronians were defeated, and run and many more killed. In the course of the yeah
those who had been made prisoners in that engagement were executed as traitors. And a very sit let seal rh war made for the follow ers of Cameron throughout the co entry, sonic of whom were taken, and put to death r, thcii non-conformity and rebellion. For a Ion;, while thes.• unfortunate people were the objects of psi seention an f vengeance. No pit) was shetril to age or sex—to cha • racter or condition ; and government aed resolved to demonstrate to the world, that they did not in any mea sure deserve the allegiance which they so rigidly th manded, and for withdrawing which the were so se' early punished. It is unnecessary to give an account of the stdrelings which they endured, from th • resentment and cruelty of their rulers. In 1686, were some divisions among them. A considerable num ber disapproved of the violence of \lr Renwick, who w as now at the head of the party ; and not only separated from them, but published testimonies against some of their proceedings. The great point of difference seems to have been, that the former would not unite with sue 11 of the suffering Presbyterians as did not go all lengths with them, while the latter acted on more like cal principle-. and were for associating with all who held the same gene ral sentiments, and were in the same distressful circum stances. It was on this occasion that the Informatory Vindication was drawn up. In 1688, Mr Renwick, who appears to have been a pious worthy man, was seized, tried, and executed at Edinburgh. lie died in the avowal of those doctrines, respecting the authority of the king, which he had hitherto maintained. He was the last who suffered publicly for the cause of religion. The revolu tion put an end to the calamities of the Cameronians, as it put an end to arbitrary sway, and to persecution for conscience sake. The Cameronians still exist as a dis tinct sect ; but they are as inconsiderable in numbers, as they are decent and peaceable in their deportment. Sec \Vodrow's History of the Sufferings of the Church cf Scotland ; Hind let Loose ; and Burnet's History of his own Ti»zes. (7)