LIBRARY ©lufllogual Seminary, PMJNi 'EtO v. X. J No. Case,.U--')Wft*TV_. No. Shelf, s«ctM»*-"-3k* ;,t; No. Book ftK^.".':- No, .. see 3VW at't. THE / LAST WORDS AND DYING TESTIMONIES / SCOTS WOKTHIES, CONTAINING THE CLOUD OF WITNESSES FOR THE ROYAL PREROGATIVES OF JESUS CHRIST, BEING THE LAST SPEECHES AND TESTIMONIES OF THOSE WHO SUFFERED FOP. THE TRUTH IN SCOTLAND, SINCE THE YEAR 1680; NAPHTALI, OH THE WRESTLINGS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND FOR THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST. TOGETHER WITH OTHER TESTIMONIES COLLATED FROM MEMOIRS OP THE LIVES OF THE WORTHIES, AND OTHER VALUABLE HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS ONLY TO BE FOUND IS OLD PUBLISHED COLLECTIONS AND ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPTS. THE WHOLE ACCOMPANIED WITH HISTORICAL NOTICES AND OBSERVATIONS, EXPLANATORY AND CORRECTIVE, BY A CLERGY MA X. AND ENRICHED WITH A PREFACE BY WILLIAM M'GAVIN, ESQUIRE. GLASGOW: PUBLISHED BY W. E. M'PHUX, AEGYLE STREET; CHARLES ZEIGLER, SOUTH BRIDGE, EDINBURGH; JAMES GILBERT PATERNOSTER ROW. LONDON. 1846. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library http://www.archive.org/details/lastwordsdyingteOOglas ADVERTISEMENT. Encouraged by the almost unprecedented success which has attended the publication of the former volume of the Scots Worthies, the Publisher has been induced to follow it up by the present Work. The former volume contained the Lives of the Covenanting Worthies of Scotland, which, from their interesting nature, have proved highly acceptable; and, it is to be hoped, edifying to the Christian world: — this volume contains their Last Words and Dying Testimonies, which, it is fully expected, will prove equally useful and edifying as its predecessor. The former volume gave the history of the transactions of their lives, and shows how they lived — this gives their dying scenes, and shows how well these eminent men were prepared to die ; and how ready they were to ratify with their blood the profession they had made during their lives. The Publisher cannot doubt that it will be gratifying to the friends of the cause thus to have collected, for the first time into one volume, the Testimonies and Declarations emitted by the Worthies in the immediate prospect of death and eternity, in favour of religion in general, and the refor- mation principles of the Church of Scotland in particular. Many of these testimonies have been extracted from very scarce tracts published about the time they were originally emitted, and now very rarely to be met with ; and even when met with, they are sold at such a price as entirely to exclude them from the use of the general reader. Some others of these Testimonies have never before been printed, but have been derived from original, though duly authenticated manu- scripts; thus giving to the present Work in some measure the character of an original production. The principal j ADVERTISEMENT. portion of these two valuable volumes, well known by the titles of Naphtali and the Cloud of Witnesses, have been incor- porated into the pages of this book. These two, of themselves, would have formed an important acquisition to the Christian's library, but the Publisher is convinced that, with the other additions he has mentioned, the value of the work will be greatly enhanced. The whole has been carefully arranged in chronological order, and the authority quoted to each article from whence it is derived. This mode of arrange- ment will be found of consequence in an historical point of view, and it is one to which little attention has hitherto been given in any former edition of either Naphtali or the Cloud of Witnesses. In short, it is not saying too much to aver, this volume taken in conjunction with the former one, forms as complete a History of the Church of Scotland, during the trying period of the Reformation, as is any where to be met with. The Publisher has again the satisfaction of giving to the world a production of the distinguished Author of the " Pro- testant," who has kindly consented to introduce this volume to the public with one of his luminous essays. For this, and a similar favour formerly received, he thinks it proper to state, that he is indebted to Mr. M'Gavin's disinterested friendship; that gentleman (contrary to a misconception that exists on the subject) having no pecuniary interest whatever either in the present or former publication. The Publisher, in conclusion, begs to express his gratitude for the kindness he has received from numerous friends who have assisted him in procuring the necessary materials for this volume. Many of these had become so scarce, that it was found impossible to obtain a single copy from any other source than by application to private individuals; and the MSS. from which others have been derived, could not have been had at all, hut for the assistance of these friends, to whom he feels so much indebted. CONTENTS. MR. M'GAVTK'S PREFACE, 5^!?e PART FIRST, COMPREHENDING TESTIMONIES THAT WERE EMITTED PREVIOUS TO THE TEAR !. JAMES WOOD 7. ROBERT BLAIR, .....,, 8. THOMAS PATERSON AND OTHERS, ft JOHN M'CULI.OCH AND OTHER*, 73 75 •7 ■ VI CONTENTS. 10. ANDREW ARNOT, 11. JOHN SHIELDS, . 12. ANONYMOUS, 1.3. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, 11, JOHN WILSON, . 15. GEORGE CRAWFURD,". 1G. HUGH M'KAIL, . . 17. JOHN WODROW, 18. RALPH SHIELDS, 19. HUMPHREY COLQUHOUN, 20. JOHN WILSON, 21. JOHN LIVINGSTON, 22. JOHN BURNET, . i 23. JOHN BROWN, . 24 JAMES MITCHELL, 25. JAMES LEARMONTH, . 26. JOHN KID, 97. JOHN KING, THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. 28. SECTION I. THEIR JOINT TESTIMONY, SO. SECTION II. THEIR RESPECTIVE TESTIMONIES. 1. THOMAS BROWN, .... 2. JAMES WOOD S. ANDREW SWORD, .... 4. JOHN WADDEL. .... 5. JOHN CLYDE 30. SECTION III. THEIR DYING SPEECH, . . 31. SECTION IV. THEIR LAST WORDS, . P<5 P7 101 1C4 1*5 i;n lis 120 121 l?i li8 135 mo I1*.1) 103 200 217 228 225 229 235 210 242 P.4RT THIRD, COMPREHENDING TESTIMONIES THAT WERE EMITTED EFTffMS THE TEAPS 1680 AND 1688. 1. DAVID HACKSTON 2. ARCHIBALD ALISON, .... 3. JOHN MALCOM, *. JAMES SKENE. . ... 5. ARCHIBALD STEWART f». JOHN POTTKH, ... ... 7. ISABEL ALI5=n>:, .... 217 2fi0 E8S 275 •-••0 **• CONTENTS. Vll 6. MARION HARVIE, 9. WILLIAM GOUGAR AND I 10. LAURENCE HAY, 11. ANDREW PITILLOCH, . 12. DONALD CARGILL, 13. WALTER SMITH, 14 JAMES BOIG, 15. WILLIAM THOMSON, . 16. WILLIAM CUTHIL, 17. ROBERT GARNOCK, 18. PATRICK FORMAN, 19. DAVID FAIRIE, , 20. JAMES STEWART, SI. ROBERT GRAY, . 22. JAMES ROBERTSON, . 23. JOHN FINLAY, . 24. WILLIAM COCHRAN, . 25. ALEXANDER HUME OF HUME, 26. WILLIAM HARVEY, . 27. JOHN NISEET, 28. JOHN WILSON, . 29. DAVID M'MILLAN, 30. JOHN WHARRY, 31. ANDREW GUILLAN, . 32. JOHN COCHRANE, 33. GEORGE MARTIN, 34. JOHN DICK, 35. JOHN MAIN, 86. JOHN RICHMOND, 37. JAMES JOHNSTON, 33. ARCHIBALD STUART, 39. J OHN PATON, . 40. JAMES NISBET, . 41. ARTHUR TACQUET, . 42. THOMAS HARKNESS AND OTHERS ML JAMES NICHOL, . • • 41. JOHN NISBET, o 45. JAMES REN WICK, . • Page sou 317 326 331 336 351 355 357 369 376 379 385 391 400 413 420 424 427 429 436 450 452 456 453 46* 482 481 m 498 601 501 511 514 511 sea bSi ■ PREFACE- No part of the divine record has been more manifestly verified than the words of God to the serpent, in relation to the promised seed of the woman, '; I will put enmity between thy seed and her seed." This enmity appeared in the first family of mankind ; for Cain, who was of the wicked one, or seed of the serpent, slew his brother; and wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil and his brother's righteous. Abel was interested in the promised seed of the woman, by faith in whom he became righteous ; and by the same faith he offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts. It was the divine acceptance of Abel's sacrifice, signi- fied by some visible token, probably the fire from heaven con- suming it, while no sign indicated the acceptance of Cain's offering, that called into operation the enmity of the latter against the former. It was not merely because Abel was a better character, or led a holier life, that Cain hated him; but because of his acceptance with God, and relation to him as a new creature, made manifest by his works; while Cain himself, not believing in the promised Saviour, remained under the power of the serpent, and was influenced by all his enmity against the truth. This isjthe origin of all the persecution which the church has suffered from its enemies since the beginning of the world. The object of the serpent's enmity, and consequent hostility, is, and always has been, " The Truth ;"• 'not what is true generally, in opposition to what is false ; but that which is emphatically called the truth In distinction from every thing- else. It is the gospel of Christ, the divine record concerning the incarnation, obedience, death, resurrection, and glory ot the Son of God, and of eternal life through him to sinners of the human race. Of the. devil it is said, he was a murderer b X PREFACE. from die beginning, and abode not in the truth; from which it lias been inferred, that there must have been a revelation of the gospel in heaven at the creation of man, or some intima- tion that for a new manifestation of the divine glory, the Son of God would honour that newlv created race by becoming one of them; that a multidude of angels, with one as their leader, afterwards called the devil, did not like the revelation of this purpose, so honourable to an inferior race of creatures, revolted from their allegiance, and became the enemies of God and all that is good in the universe. Whatever be in this, it is certain, that from the beginning, when the truth was told him, that the seed of the woman should bruise his head, all his efforts and those of his seed, have been to blot out the knowledge of that truth from the earth, or so to obscure it by corrupt additions, that men should not perceive the meaning and enjoy the benefit of it. As it was from the beginning, so Christ's apostles found it in their experience, — they who were after the flesh persecuted them who were after the Spirit; and the apostles instructed Christians to expect nothing else while they were in the world. Every species of false religion has its origin in the alienation of the mind and heart of man from the knowledge and love ot God; and the different modes of worship which have this common origin, can easily endure one another; but they will all unite in opposing and endeavouring to put down, that which has its origin in divine revelation; — that which is heavenly in its nature as well as origin, and which must necessarily testify against the worshippers of idols, that their deeds are evil. Thus Rome, in the days of her glory, the most enlightened city in the world, was perfectly tolerant of every mode of heathen worship. She rather invited than forbade men of different nations to worship at Rome as they had done at home ; and she had her pantheon, or temple for nil the gods, where men of every country might set up their own idol, and offer incense upon his altar. This was quite natural ; for amidst the variety and multitude of altars and images, the worshippers were all of one religion, and it was the religion of Rome itself. As all idolatry has its origin in the alienation of men from God, so all the varieties of it have the same design and tendency, — to perpetuate the dominion of the devil over the minds of men. and to indulge them in the PREFACE. xi gratification of their sensual appetites, without any fearful apprehension of future punishment. But Christianity being opposed to all idolatry, and to all the fruits of the flesh ; and refusing to make any compromise with any other system whatever, was itself found to be into- lerable in Rome, when it had made such progress as to attract public notice. Had the Christians put an image ot Christ in the pantheon, and had they consented to be neigh- bourlike; doing in Rome as the Romans did, they would have been no more molested on account of their religion than the worshippers of Jupiter were. But being like the Jews in the time of Hainan, different from all other people, it was reck- oned not fit that they should live. They were murdered by thousands, not by command of such monsters iis Nero only, but also by authority of the more amiable and comparatively humane emperors and governors, some of whom declared plainly that they put the Christians to death, not as guilty of any crime, but solely because they refused to renounce what was called their superstition. Such obstinacy, in the opinion of the philosophical Pliny, was of itself worthy of death, as he says in his letter to the emperor Trajan. With all this opposition, the word of God grew mightily and prevailed in every province of the empire. Pliny, in his letter above referred to, complains that in Bithynia, his province, the temples were deserted, and those who reared victims for sacrifices could scarcely find a purchaser. This was about the beginning of the second century, when, it is believed, all the apostles were dead ; but the impulse which they had given to the cause of God, continued under the ministry of evangelists and others, their immediate successors, not as apostles, but preachers of the gospel. As Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua and of the elders who overlived him; so there is reason to think the first generation of Chris- tian pastors and teachers, after the apostles, held generally 'he faith in purity, and preached it with power; though we know there were corruptions in both faith and practice, in some churches, even while the apostles lived. See Paul to the churches in Galatia, and John to the seven churches in Asia. Had the impulse given by them continued a few ages longer, the world would have been filled with the knowledge of the true God, and his Son Jesus Christ. But when the Xll PllEFACE. ciders who bad been Joshua's companions, and who had been witnesses of God's works on behalf of Israel, had been gath- ered to their fathers, the people began to fall away towards idol worship, and were soon made to feel the bitter conse- quence of their folly. The same seems to have been the case with some churches soon after the age of the apostles, and with almost all of them in a few ages more. Paul had expressly told them of this, particularly in his address to the elders of the church in Ephesus, Acts xx. 28 — 38. And here it is worthy of remark, that he speaks the sentiments, and almost the language of Moses in his valedictory address to Israel, Deut. xxxi. 28 — 30. It was the same Spirit of prophesy that spoke by both ; and he spoke in reference to like events that should happen to the church under both dispensations. We have not many authentic particulars of the persecution of Christians in the Roman empire in the first and second centuries ; but there is enough to assure us that it must have been very dreadful, especially under Nero, and other emperors of a like ferocious character. It was then, notwithstanding, that the gospel triumphed in every place where it came ; and the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church. It was when the churches enjoyed comparative tranquillity, when the profession of Christianity began to become respectable in the world, and to be assumed by worldly men, who found admission into the churches, that far greater evils befell them than the most cruel persecutors could inflict. The two engines by which the devil works are deceit and violence. He had now given the one a fair trial. For about two centuries he laboured by cruelty and force to put down Christianity, and blot out the memory of Christ's name from the earth. He found himself foiled and disappointed; and then he had recourse to his other weapoft ; that is deceit, or as it is emphatically called by the Apostle Paul, "All deceivableness of unrighteous- ness." His first step was to get himself taken for a Christian , or which was virtually the same, to get his seed received as Christians, and so to obtain a lodgment in the fortress of God's house. Few things appear more evident from scripture, than thai the apostolic churches received none into their communion but those who made a credible profession of their faith in Christ such a confession of the truth as induced a belief that thev PREFACE. XIII wore united to rhe Saviour, and saved by his grace. Hence they were addressed as saints and faithful in Christ Jesus. That persons of an opposite character crept in unawares, is admitted by the divine record; but the apostles instructed the churches to put away all such when their real character was iiscovered. While persecution continued, few would seek to be joined to the church who were not really converted to God ; for one who does not really believe the gospel, who of course has no interest in it, can have no encouragement or motive to lay down his life for the gospel's sake. The devil, therefore, found it necessary for the attainment of his object, to stay the sword of persecution when he found he could not prevail by means of it ; and his violence was stayed for a good while before his deceit was so manifest as to excite any alarm. Christianity being legally constituted the religion of the empire, it followed as a thing of course, that the empire should be all of one church, and subject to one pastor. Bishops, especially metropolitans and patriarchs, as the chief among them were now called, were men of great power and influence' The emperors found it necessary for the peace of their do- minions, to stand on good terms with them. But if every kingdom had had a church and bishop of its own, independent of every other, there would have been danger of that kingdom pursuing its own separate interests, and so breaking the peace and integrity of the empire. This was soon perceived, and he who had the honour to be the emperor's own pastor, or bishop of the imperial city, began to put forth a claim of jurisdiction over all other bishops, and to be head of the universal or Catholic church, as that of Rome has ever since called herself. But it required almost two hundred years of incessant intrigue, and persevering encroachment, to get this claim legally ad- mitted and established ; and after all, it was so established in the western part of the empire only, and never extended to the Catholic Church ; for the patriarch of Constantinople retained his claim to the primacy of the Greek church, or eastern empire. On the breaking up of the empire, the western part of it, comprehending almost all Europe, settled down into ten dis- tinct sovereignties, which are usually understood to be pre figured bv the ten horns of die Aoocalvntic Beast, Rev. xiii. 1 — 0. This beast, I suppose, signifies the Roman empire in XIV irREFACE, this state of disruption ; for the ten kingdoms, though distinct and separate, were not insulated or altogether independent of one another ; but had a bond of union, besides religion, in their acknowledgment of one superior, called the Head of the Holy Roman Empire, and in their adoption of the same or nearly the same civil institutions, which they had all re- ceived from Rome, their common parent. These and the Roman church were co-extensive ; and this church is repre- sented by another beast, which John saw in the same vision, rising up out of the earth. The former beast rose out of the sea, that is, the commotions by which the integrity of the em- pire was destroyed, and its organized frame broken up. But this second beast, Rev. xiii. 11 — 15. is seen rising up out of the earth. This was a spiritual power or tyranny, rising not out of commotions and revolutions, like the other. It rose up gradually and silently, and almost imperceptibly, till it got the command of the whole ten kingdoms, and exercised all their power. Thus he became in a manner identified with the first beast. This is evidently the head of the Romish church, who by his usurped spiritual authority over the ten kingdoms wielded their power and disposed of them at his pleasure. This beast is very characteristically described — He had two horns like a lamb, professedly all meekness and gentleness, while he exercised the two kinds of power meant by the two horns ; that is, the spiritual and the temporal, for he became a temporal prince too ; and besides his sway over the empire generally, he acquired a temporal sovereignty of his own, which extended to three of the ten horns, or kingdoms, which were broken off from the rest, and were called the states of the church, and the patrimony of St. Peter. But with all his professed meekness, humility, and gentleness, we are told, " he spake as a dragon." His voice was that of the devil himself when he was pleased to issue his curses and excommunications, consigning individuals and sometimes whole nations to perdi- tion. He called himself " Servant of the servants of God," while, by his actions, he proclaimed himself the prince of th< kings of the earth. The fust beast was eventually merged in this second one ; for henceforward the apostle speaks of one beast only, chap. xv. 2. where he is called emphatically, " The Beast." In him was combined all the power and craft and cruelty of the dragon, which is the symbolical name for the PREFACE. XV devil, chap. xii. 7. and all directed against Christ, his cause and people, so as to be called by the spirit of prophecy, " the Antichrist :" which does not signify the pope alone in his individual person, but the system of which he is the head. In the exercise of his sovereign power over the ten king- doms, the beast caused each of them to make an inume of himself, — " Saying to them umi uwell on the earth that they should make an image of the beast," Rev. xiii. 14. By the earth, I suppose we are to understand the Roman territory, in all its divisions, as become subject to papal Rome ; and the making of an image of the beast in each of them, was the organizing of a national church, which should be the very picture, or representation of the great Catholic one. The great monster with the seven heads and ten horns, was the whole empire or ten kingdoms united in spiritual subjection to the reigning power at Rome, sitting upon the seven mountains, chap. xvii. 19. forming a catholic or universal church, as she has all along pretended to be. Now every kingdom made an exact image of this ; that is, a national church, organized in all its members, so as to represent the great catholic one. In short, each king- dom had a little beast of its own, the very picture of the great one, deriving all its life and vigour from the great one, who " had power to give life unto the image of the beast, cause it to speak," &c. Ver. 15. for all the faculties of every ecclesiastical functionary were derived from Rome, and exercised under the authority of the Pope. What he was to the whole body of Christendom, that the primate of every national church was to it. Thus the image of the beast in England, had his seat in Canterbury, in Scotland, at St. Andrews, and sometimes Glasgow. I believe Scotland by itself is not reckoned among the ten horns of the beast ; but it had an image of him like the rest. The second beast that came up out of the earth, exercised all the power of the first one, which rose up out of the sea. That is, by means of his usurped spiritual authority over the consciences of kings and princes, he influenced and directed all their movements, exciting- them to make war, and eom- manding them to make peace, all according to his own good pleasure. He commanded, or "caused the earth and them which dwell therein, to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed." His spiritual influence over the conscien- X*l PREFACE. ces of all men, wa-j employed to make them submit to their temporal sovereignties, while they supported his spiritual sovereignty, which they were induced to do by means of the wonders which he performed, or miracles which he pretended to work in their presence, having prevailed with them all to make an image of himself, each in his own territory, he had power, not only to give life to the image, but to make it speak, and also to cause that as many as would not worship itself should be killed ; that is, to put to death every one who would not submit to the established religion. All this was awfully verified in the history of Europe for many hundred years. The image of the beast, — the established church in each of the kingdoms, had power to bring to trial all who were sus- pected of heresy ; that is, all who really believed Christ's gospel; and on being convicted, they were delivered over to the secular power to be burnt to death ; and such was the degraded condition of kings and governors, that they were obliged to be the church's executioners. It would seem now that the devil had fully accomplished his purpose. He had filled the whole civilized world with superstition, idolatry, and all their abominable accompani- ments; for while he had covered the western empire with the darkness of popery, he had filled the eastern one with the delusions of Mahomet. All the nations which, in the first and second centuries, had received the light of the gospel ; that is, all the then known world, was now made subject to the devil by one or other of these deceptions ; and bound down to absolute submission, by a power as irresistible as was that of Babylon in the days of Nebuchadnezzar, or that of Rome under Julius Caesar. Other parts of the world, as they were successively discovered, were found in a state of still greater misery and degradation, their inhabitants in the state of naked savages, sacrificing one another, and their own children, to avert the wrath, and propitiate the favour, of their demon divinities. Were it possible for a fiend to enjoy satisfaction, we might suppose the devil now glorying in the success of his work, in having blotted out the knowledge of God from the earth, and making the earth itself a blot in his fair creation. This state of things, as relates to what is called Christendom, is the more astonishing when we nil. < t. that it took place PREFACE. *v'l after the true light had come into the world, and had been shining with great brightness, in the very places which were now covered with darkness. The lijrht of the knowledge of the true God, and of the promised Saviour, shone in the family of Noah, and was continued in the line of Shem. It was comparatively obscure, though enough to guide the steps of the patriarchs in the way to heaven. The great part of the human race fell away from it again, as they had done before the flood ; because they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, wherefore he gave them up to the way they had chosen for themselves — to all the darkness and misery of heathenism. But when Christ came with the full manifesta- tion of the Father's glory, as the just God and the Saviour; when he had given himself for the life of the world; when he had risen from the dead, and gone into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God ; when he had sent the Holy Spirit to endue his apostles with power from on high ; in short, when the Sun of righteousness had risen upon us, — had become a light to lighten the gentiles, and the glory of his people Israel; — and when multitudes without number, in all nations of the known world, had been taught to glory in that light, it might have been expected, that, surety, these nations would never come under the power of darkness again. Bat however astounding the thought, it so happened, in point of fact, dark- ness as palpable as ever, covered the earth, and gross darkness the people. It is not surprising that the speculative mind should be startled, and even confounded, by the knowledge of such a fact. It is not surprising that it should excite the inquiry, Can this light be from heaven which the devil has been able to darken, and almost to extinguish, after it had begun to shine on the earth ? The fact, deplorable as it is, so far from invalidating the evidence of the divine origin of Christianity, Js itself a strong corroborative proof of that divine origin; for theinspired record of the Christian faith contains many intima- tions, and explicitpredictions, thatsuchan event should happen. God was pleased to suffer it to be so, we cannot tell why, just as we cannot tell why he suffered sin at first to enter into our then unpol- luted world. We know thathe took occasion from this, to make new manifestation of his character, by the revelation of the gospel ; and 1 have no doubt he will, when the appointed time xviii PREFACE. has come, make the devil's apparent triumph in the long pre- valence of popery redound to his own glory in a manner which we cannot conceive. And it is a matter of no small importance that this very apostasy proves the divine inspira- tion of the New Testament, which foretels not only that there should be a falling away, but also describes the character of it with such particularity, that every one may see in the system of popery, what the apostles foretold hundreds of years before it arose. See 2 Thessalonians ii. 2 — 12. and 1 Timothy iv. 1—3. But it must not be admitted that the devil actually effected the extinction of the truth from the earth. There can be no doubt that such was his purpose; and he had so nearly accomplished it, that during ages of darkness, there was no spiritual light visible to the world. Where it did shine it was in some sequestered spot, out of the reach of the ruling powers of the world and of the church. There are traces of it upon the mountains of Scotland for a long period after darkness had covered continental Europe; and before it was extin- guished here, it had begun to shine in the vallies of Piedmont. This was so near the seat of the papal power, that it attracted notice ; and the greatest efforts were made to extinguish it. The appearance for the truth made by the people called Wal- denses and Albigenses, as early as the twelfth century, showed the devil again foiled and disappointed. By deceit he had prevailed tenfold more than he had formerly done by violence. But now a few rays of light breaking in upon the dark hemi- sphere, in the very centre of his kingdom, he found that mere deception would not longer serve his purpose. He had tried mere violence before, and that had failed ; now deceit was beginning to fail him; and his last resource was to unite both in one mighty effort to extirpate the truth, and perpetuate his own dominion over the bodies and souls of men. Deceit and violence were united against the truth when what was called, and almost universally taken for, Christ's church, became a persecutor, or the chief instigator of persecution against Christ's true disciples. The opposition of both Jewsand Gentiles to the gospel was open and honest, for theya vowed them- selves itsenemies; and there were no doubt others who thought, like Saul of Tarsus, that they ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus. But now the grand deception was to PRLFACE. XIX make Christ himself, in the person of his Vicar, as the pope was acknowledged to be, issue his mandates to sovereign princes, to levy war upon their subjects, and to extirpate, by fire and sword, men, women, and children, who were infected with the plague of heresy, or even suspected of it: and any one who read, or possessed a copy of the word of God, fell under the suspicion. Armies were accordingly raised for the noly war, as it was called. They took the figure of the cross for their banner, to make the world believe they were fighting for Christ: and they went forward to the slaughter with priestly benedictions, and a promise of heaven as the reward of their labours. The slaughter of the unoffending neaceable Christians was indeed horrible, accompanied by the cold- blooded deceitful mockery, that it was all for Christ's sake. Scotland was one of the last of the kingdoms that submitted to the Roman yoke, and she was one of the first to throw it off. As a political measure, the reformation of England preceded that of Scotland a number of years; but in a religious view, it gained ground more extensively among the Scots while the court was against it, than it did in England with the court in its favour. In England it originated with the court, which gave it a character of secularity, and worldly splendour, which remains to this day. In Scotland it originated with the people, including some of the nobles, and found its way upward to the court, which after a hard struggle, was compelled to give way, and to establish the protestant faith and order, in that simple and unostentatious form which was most agreeable to the people. This was not effected without much bloodshed. Deceit and violence in their cruelest forms, were employed by the image of the beast, whose seat was in St. Andrews, to extinguish the light of the reformation. But the devil was eventually foiled in the use of both his instruments; at least for a time ; for he made an attack again in a new character. This was no less than an attempt to get himself taken for a Protestant, and a mighty zealous one he made himself appear. The church of Scotland had been stript of all her meretricious ornaments, and most of her wealth. Her ministers were no longer ministers of state, or lords of parliament ; but plain honest men, and laborious preachers, with stipends barely sufficient for their maintenance, in a rank scarcely equal to that of respectable farmers and tradesmen. There were no splendid xx ntKFAci:. rites oi' worship, to fix the attention of the stupid and ignorant, or to keep awake the drowsy. Li short, tiie ministrations of the church were all addressed to the understanding, and to the hearts of the people ; and what was worst of all, the peo- ple were taught to understand more both of religion and their own rights than was agreeable to their rulers. The policy of the devil then was to animate these rulers with a high degree of zeal for the honour of the protestant church of Scotland. Her mean condition in the eye of the world was most disgrace- ful. That her ministers should speak to God in their prayers, and to men in their preaching, whatever occurred to their own heated imaginations, was quite unsufTerable. It therefore became necessary to have a set form of words, ordained by royal authority, for their prayers at least ; and to prevent im proper freedom of speech in their preaching, it was thought fit to have a high order of clergy, the king's particular friends, politically his own creatures, set over the ordinary pastors to make them obedient to authority. It was also most unseemly that the church had no representatives in parliament; and no clergy, who, in point of rank and dignity, were fit companions for a king. Tt was out of burning zeal for the glory of the church, and the honour of protestantism in Scotland, that king James VI. set himself to rectify these evils. Accordingly he got the order of bishops imposed upon the church. They were advanced to be lords of council and parliament ; and a great part of the property that had been wrested from the papists, was set apart for the support of their dignity. The church of Scotland was now able to hold up her head like her proud sister of England ; and she was invested with a degree of splendour worthy of the " high and mighty prince," who placed himself at her head. But this was in direct opposition to the wishes of the great body of the people ; and was found by the really godly among them to be a grievous bondage. It was for resisting this imposition that such men as Melville and Welsh suffered imprisonment and exile ; and afterwards that thousands of presbyterians suffered on the gibbet, or were slaughtered in cold blood, by armed savages, who were set a hunting after them, as if they had been wild beasts, fit only to be taken and destroyed. This applies particularly U> the persecution of tin; Covenanters in the reign of Charles II. and of his brother PREFACE. xxi James, from which our lathers obtained a happy deliverance by the arrival of king William and the Revolution in 1688. The following work records the dying testimonies ofa great number of faithful witnesses for the truth, who suffered, chiefly during the twenty-eight years immediately preceding the Revolution. It includes indeed some of the first martyrs of the Reformation ; and contains notices of the happy and tri- umphant death of some that escaped both the fire and the gibbet ; but who, being martyrs in purpose, have very properly a place among their brethren who sealed their testimony with their blood. During the above period, vital Christianity pre- vailed in a high degree among die presbyterians in Scotland ; and, with a few exceptions, it was to be found among them alone. It was evidently this that was the object of hatred to the court, and them who had the administration of affairs in Scotland ; and their desire was to have it totally extirpated. In this, however, the devil was foiled again. During the fiery trial, there was a wonderful unction and power that accompanied the preaching of the gospel by the persecuted ministers. Great multitudes gave decisive evidence of being converted to God ; and obtained the victory over the beast and his image, even such of them as fell in the conflict. They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony ; and loved not their lives unto the death. A portion of the same spirit was communicated to their children ; and a savour of it still remains after a hundred and forty years of peace and universal toleration. W. M' Gavin. s *BXq. :^Z;. 1 - THE LAST WORDS AMD DYING TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. PART FIRST COMPREHENDING TESTIMONIES THAT WERE EMITTED, PREVIOUS TO THE YEAR 1660. I. PATRICK HAMILTON. [This gentleman was among the first who suffered in Scotland, on account of religion. He was descended of noble parentage, and born in 1503 ; and having been artfully seduced into a confession of his principles, was condemned as a heretic by the archbishop of St. Andrews, and suffered death in that city on the 28th of February, 1527. The following is a short detail of what he uttered on the trying occasion :~] On the afternoon of the same day on which he was sentenced, he was hurried to the stake ; and having arrived at the place where the fire was prepared, he put off his gown, coat, and bonnet, and gave them to a favourite servant, saying, " These will not profit me in the fire, yet they will do thee some good. After this, of me thou canst receive no more, except the ensample of my death, which I pray thee to bear in mind ; for albeit the same be bitter to the flesh and fear- ful before men, yet is it the entrance to eternal life, which none shall inherit that deny Christ Jesus before this wicked generation." Hav- ing so said, he commended his soul into the hands of God, with his eyes fixed toward heaven : and the train of powder, though fired, not having kindled the fuel, and his comfortable speeches meantime being often interrupted by one of his persecutors, who called to him, " Con- vert, heretic ; pray to our Lady, and say Salve Regina ;" he spoke as follows : " Wicked man I thou knowest I am not an heretic, and 2 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. that it is the truth of God for which I now suffer. So much, thou didst confess to me in private ; and thereupon I appeal thee to answer be- fore the judgment-seat of Christ."* In a little after, the fire was kindled, and the noble martyr died, exclaiming, " How long, O Lord, 6hall darkness overwhelm this realm? How long wilt thou suffer this tyranny of men ?" And ended by praying, with Stephen, " Lort' Jesus, receive my spirit !"f II. RUSSEL AND KENNEDY. [These two persons were companions in suffering. The former was of the order of grayfriars, the latter a young gentleman of liberal education and promising talents, not more than eighteen years of age. Being tried and condemned by the archbishop of Glasgow, they, in that city, underwent the dreadful sentence which was then awarded to the crime of heresy, in the year 1539. The following are some of their sayings upon trial, and at death : J When sisted before the archbishop, Kennedy at first discovered some weakness ; but being encouraged by Russel, and having his for- titude, as if on a sudden, revived by the effusion of the Holy Spirit from on high, he fell down upon his knees and uttered these remark- able words : " O, Eternal God ! how wonderful is that love and mercy thou bearest to mankind, and unto me the most caitiff and mis- erable wretch above all others 1 For even now when I would have denied Thee and thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, my only Saviour, and so have cast myself into everlasting damnation, thou by thine own hand hast pulled me from the very bottom of hell, and hast made me to feel that heavenly comfort which hath taken from me the ungodly fear by which I was oppressed. Now I defy death.";}: And then to his persecutors : " Do what you please — I praise God, I am ready." Russel, who seems to have arrived at a more mature age, and who was characterized during the trial by the greatest firmness and com- posure of mind, at first reasoned with his accusers, and ingeniously * The person here alluded to was one Campbell, a blarkfriar, who was in- strumental in drawing from Hamilton that acknowledgment of his principles on which he was condemned, and who shortly after died distracted, and under the most awful apprehensions of coming wrath. — See Scots Worthies. f See Knox's Hist. B. I. Stevenson's Hist. vol. i. p. 33. \ This was an instance of spiritual support which some may be tempted to look upon as singular, if not incredible, but which we are disposed to regard as probable, from the experience of ordinary Christiana under the cvery-day trials of life; and which, though it may appear to be connected with enthusiasm, In the circumstances under which it was exhibited, is, wo eona ive, completely b >rne out by the state of feeling which frequently obtains in the piooa mind. I nd r circumstance*, which Lb prospect Involve great sacrifices <>r trials, it is natural for even the Christian sometimes to feel depressed ; but it is hKo nutter of fact, and of consciousness, thai at other times, with an equally vivid conception of these sacrifices or trials, be is enabled to feel ubovt them, and to welcome them with perfect •• i posure and unshrinking stedfbatnesei GEORGE WISH ART. 3 rebutted the charges which were brought against him. At length roused to a higher state of feeling by the railing and calumnies which they poured forth against him, he exclaimed : " This is your hour and power of darki>ess. Now sit ye as judges, and we stand wrong- fully accused, and more wrongfully to be condemned ; but the day will come when our innocence shall appear, and when ye shall see your own blindness to your everlasting confusion. Go forward and fulfil the measure of your iniquity." On being condemned and hurried to the place of execution, he comforted his fellow-martyr with these affecting words : " Brother ! fear not — more mighty is He that is in us than he that is in the world ; the pain that we shall suffer is short and shall be light, but our joy and consolation shall never have an end : and therefore let us strive to enter in, unto our Master and Sa- viour, by the same strait way which he hath taken before us. Death cannot destroy us, for it is destroyed already by him for whose sake we suffer."* III. GEORGE WISHART. fJThis distinguished martyr was of the family of Pittarrow, in the county of Mearns. He was educated chiefly at the university of Cambridge, but returned to his native country in 1544 ; and from an ardent desire to promote the truth, became a zealous preacher of the Gospel. In this good work he was allowed to continue till the end of February 1546, when being apprehended, he was tried and condemned for heresy, and suffered in the flames at St. Andrews, the punishment awarded to that crime. The following may be re- garded as a full and correct account of his last words : J When about to receive the sentence on which, notwithstanding his cogent and intrepid answers, his judges had decided, he poured forth the following pathetic prayer : " O, Immortal God ! how long wilt thou suffer the rage and great cruelty of the ungodly to exercise their fury upon thy servants which do further thy word in this world, see- ing they desire to do the contrary — to choke and destroy thy true doctrine and verity, by which thou hast showed thyself unto the world, which was all drowned in blindness and misknowledge of thy name ! O Lord, we know surely that thy true servants must needs suffer for thy name's sake, persecution, affliction, and trouble in the present life; which, is but a shadow, as thou hast showed to us by thy prophets and apostles. But yet we desire, merciful Father, that thou wouldst con- serve, defend, and help thy congregation-)- which thou hast chosen be- fore the beginning of the world ; and give them grace to hear thy * Knox's Hist. B. I. t The term Congregation, from its use in this passage, seems to have been very early applied to the protestant church of Scotland. In the time of Knox, about twenty years after the death of Wishart, its use in this sense had become quite specific. 4 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. word, and to be thy true servants in this present life." On the fol- lowing day when led to the fire, he thrice uttered these words: " O thoa Saviour of the world, have mercy on me : Father of heaven, I commend my spirit into thy holy hands." He then turned to the people, and spoke as follows : " I beseech you, brethren and sis- ters, that ye be not offended at the word of God, for the affliction and torments which ye see already prepared for me. But I exhort you that you love the word of God for your salvation, and suffer pa- tiently and with a comfortable heart for the word's sake — which is your undoubted salvation and everlasting comfort. Moreover, I pray you, show my brethren and sisters which have heard me often before, that they cease not, nor leave off to learn the word of God which I taught them, after the grace given to me, for any persecutions or troubles in this world, which last not. Show them that my doctrine was not old wives' fables, after the constitutions made by men. If I had taught men's doctrine I had gotten greater thanks of men. But for the word's sake and true gospel which was given to me by the grace of God, I suffer this day by man, not sorrowfully, but with a glad heart and mind. For this cause I was sent — that I should suffer this fire for Christ's sake. Consider and behold my visage : ye shall not see me change my colour. This grim fire I fear not : and so I pray you so do, if any persecution come to you for the word's sake, and not to fear them that slay the body, and have no power afterwards to slay the soul. Some have said of me, I taught that the soul of man should sleep until the last day. But I know surely, and my faith is, that my soul shall sup with my Saviour this night, (ere six hours,) for whom I suffer this. I beseech the Father of heaven to forgive them, that have of any ignorance or else of evil mind, forged lies upon me. I forgive them with all my heart. I beseech Christ to forgive them that have condemned me to death this day, ignorantly — I beseech you, brethren and sisters, to exhort your prelates to the learning of the word of God, that they may be ashamed to do evil and learn to do good. And, if they will not convert* themselves from their wicked error, there shall hastily come upon them the WTath of God, which they shall not eschew." Being tied to the stake and the fire kindled, he exclaimed, " This fire torments my body, but nowise abates my spirit." And then looking towards the cardinal, who witnessed his execution from the palace, he said : " He who in such state from that high place feed- eth his eyes with my torments, within few days shall be hanged out at the same window, to be seen with as much ignominy as he now leaneth there with pride." Upon this the executioner, drawing tho cord, stopt his breath, and he was forthwith consumed to powder.f * It cannot bo supposed from this expression, that Mr. Wuhart supposed the important spiritual change which is called conversion, to be purely tho result of a man's own agency. The word convert is here employed equivalent!/ "ith the expression torn, and is meant to express only that act of a man's on » will, by which, in accordance with the influence of God's Spirit and word exerted upon it, " he ceases to <\« evil and learns to do well." f Knox's Hist. 1J. I. Stevenson's Hist. vol. i. p. SS. WALTER MILL. IV. WALTER MILL. £The death of this martyr is said to have contributed most effec- tually to the downfall of popery, in Scotland. He was born about the year 1476, and, having taken orders in the church, became priest of Lunan, in Angus-shire. But having imbibed the reformed opinions, and left off the saying of mass, he was so early as the year 1538, arrested and condemned. He escaped, however, for his life into Germany, where he remained about twenty years. He then returned home, and having attempted to render him6elf useful, by instructing his neighbours in the protestant faith, he was again taken and condemned as a heretic. His conduct whilst on trial, powerfully evinced the sincerity of his faith, and made a deep im- pression on all who witnessed it. The following is a short account of what took place at his death : ] All things being prepared, he was led forth with a guard of armed men to execution. Being come to the place, some cried out to him to recant, to whom he answered, " I marvel at your rage, ye hypocrites, who do so cruelly pursue the servants of God ; as for me, I am now eighty-two years old, and cannot live long by course of na- ture ; but an hundred shall rise out of my ashes, who shall scatter you, ye hypocrites, and persecutors of God's people ; and such of you as now think yourselves the best, shall not die such an honest death as I now do. I trust in God, I shall be the last who shall suffer death, in this fashion, for this cause, in this land."* Thus his constancy in- * This sentiment, but for the cautious and modest language in which it is expressed, might well have been deemed prophetical, for reasons quite as satis- factory as those on which it has been alleged that statements ascribed to others of the Worthies were of this character. We know not whether, in point of fact, it has ever been regarded in this light, but it must be evident to every one who reflects on the subject, that, but for the preliminary clause, " I trust in God," by which its meaning and reference is so very properly limited, the ex- pression of the dying martyr would have been a prediction, whose fulfilment was proved, by the record of after history. It is generally understood to have been the case, that Mill was the last person who suffered in the cau«e of refor- mation from popery. But the trust which he expressed, that this would be the case, was only what a due consideration of the signs of the times and the ways of Providence would have justified in any one And yet we doubt not, that an omission of such a qualifyiftg expression as is here employed, has led other simi- lar statements of the Worthies to be viewed in the light of absolute predictions, whilst, in reality as delivered, they only expressed and were meant to express the trust or opinion of their authors. That this was not the case in every in- stance is readily admitted ; nor is it denied, that even in the formation of such a trust, opinion, or presentiment (if you will), with regard to future events, there might not be the experience, or at least the enjoyment, of heavenly in- fluence. Nay, with the learned and accurate biographer of Knox, we " tniuk it not inconsistent with the principles of either natural or revealed religion, that God on particular occasions should forewarn persons of some things as about to happen," and we are even inclined with him "to believe that the re- formers were occasionally favoured with extraordinary premonitions," nor has any thing to the contrary of this, as some have imagined, been argued or af- firmed in the Notes to the late edition of the Scots Worthies, to which the pre- 6 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES creased, as his end drew near. Being ordered by Oliphant, one of ■ the persecutors, to go up to the stake, he refused, and said, " No, I will not go, except thou put me up with thy hand, for by the law of God, I am forbidden to put hands to myself; but if thou wilt put to thy hand, and take part of my death, thou shalt see me go up gladly." Then Oliphant putting him forward, he went up with a cheerful countenance, saying, Introibo ad altare Dei.* Having then requested permission to speak to the people : he was answered by Oliphant, " That he had spoken too much already, and that the bishops were exceedingly displeased with what he had said." But some youths having taken his part, and called to him to say on what he pleased, he first went to his knees and prayed, then arose ; and standing upon the coals, addressed the people to this effect : " Dear friends, the cause why I suffer this day, is not for any crime laid to my charge, though I acknowledge myself a miserable sinner before God ; but only for the defence of the truths of Jesus Christ, set forth in the Old and New Testaments, for which, as many faithful martyrs have offered their lives most gladly, so this day I praise God that he hath called me, among the rest of his servants, to seal his truth with my life ; which as I have received it of him, so I willingly offer it up for his glory. Therefore, as ye would escape eternal death, be no longer seduced by the lies of bishops, abbots, friars, monks, and the rest of that sect of antichrist, but depend only upon Jesus Christ and his mercy, that so ye may be delivered from condemnation." — During this speech, loud murmurs and lamentations were heard among the multitude, some admiring the patience, boldness, and constancy of the martyr, others complaining of the hard measures and cruelty of his persecutors. Having spoken as above, he again prayed a little while, and was then drawn up, and bound to the stake. The fire being kindled, he cried, " Lord, have mercy on me : Pray, pray, good people, while there is time;" and thus cheerfully yielded up his soul into the hands of God.f sent volume is meant as an accompaniment. It lias been questioned, indeed, in particular instances, whether the premonitions emitted, amounted to predic- tions, in the proper sense of the word, and whether they were extraordinary and preternatural, or the mere result of natural sagacity and ordinary means of knowledge. But this is quite in accordance with the admission we have made, because, allowing that the great and good men alluded to were occasionally so favoured, it may still be questioned on what particular occasions they were so ; and were it even allowed that this was the case on all the occasions alleged, it would still remain to he observed, that to call them prophetic to speak of them as having the gift and spirit of prophecy, and as having foretold and ;>iv future events, is, according to the proper and common sense in which such ex- pressions are employed with a reference to religion, a gross misapplication of terms — an employment of language Inconsistent with ricjit views of scripture truth, and calculated to lead the simple and unwary into false and erroneous impressions of their true character. • " I will go unto the altnr of God." — Psalms. * Stevenson's Hist. vol. 1. p. HI. JOHN KNOX. V. JOHN KNOX. [This great Reformer was born at Gifford, near Haddington, in the year 1503. He was educated in the popish faith; but having at an early period been freed from its shackles, he became, as is well known, the chief instrument, under providence, in establishing the protestant ascendancy over Scotland. After a life of unremitting labour and severe privation and suffering, spent in this good cause, he died at Edinburgh on the 24th of November, 1572 ; bearing the most ample testimony to the glorious truths, which he so firmly believed and so successfully propagated.]] On Monday, the 17th, he thus addressed the members of his ses- sion, who with Mr. Lawson his colleague, and Mr. Lindsay, one of the ministers of Leitli, assembled in his room for that purpose : " The day approaches and is now before the door, for which I have frequently and vehemently thirsted, when I shall be released from my great labours and innumerable sorrows, and shall be with Christ. And now God is my witness, whom I have served in spirit, in the Gospel of his Son, that I have taught nothing but the true and solid doctrine of the Gospel of the Son of God; and have had it for my only object, to instruct the ignorant, to confirm the faithful ; to comfort the weak, the fearful, and the distressed, by the promises of grace ; and to fight against the proud and rebellious, by the divine threatenings. I know that many have complained, and do yet loudly complain, of my too great severity; but God knows that my mind was always void of hatred to the persons of those against whom I thundered the severest judgments. I cannot deny but that I felt the greatest abhorrence at the sins in which they indulged ; but I still kept this one thing in view, that, if possible, I might gain them to the Lord. What influ- enced me to utter whatever the Lord put into my mouth so boldly, with- out respect of persons, was a reverential fear of my God, who called, and out of his grace appointed me to be a steward of divine mysteries, and a belief that he will demand an account of my discharge of the trust committed unto me, when I shall stand before his tribunal. I profess, therefore, before God, and before his holy angels, that I never made merchandise of the sacred word of God, never etudied to please men, never indulged my own private passions, or those of others, but faithfully distributed the talent intrusted to me, for the edification of the church, over which I watched. Whatever obloquy wicked men may cast on me respecting this point, I rejoice in the testimony of a good conscience. In the meantime, my dearest brethren, do you per- severe in the eternal truth of the Gospel ; wait diligently on the flock over which the Lord hath set you, and which he redeemed by the blood of his only begotten Son. And thou, my dear brother Lawson, fight the good fight, and do the work of the Lord joyfully and reso- lutely. The Lord from on high bless you and the whole church of Edinburgh, against whom, as long as they persevere in the word of truth, which they have heard of roe, the gates of hell shall not pro- vail." 8 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. When they were going out, he desired Messrs. Lawson and Lind- say to remain behind, and thus continued: " There is one thing that greatly grieves me. — You have been witnesses of the former courage and constancy of Grange, in the cause of God; but now, alas — into what a gulf has he precipitated himself! I entreat you not to re- fuse the request which I now make to you: Go to the castle and tell him from me, 'that John Knox remains the same man now, when he is about to die, that ever he knew him when able in body, and wills him to consider what he was, and the estate in which he now stands, which is a great part of his trouble.' Neither the craggy rock, in which he miserably confides, nor the carnal prudence of that man, (Maitland,) whom he esteems a demigod, nor the assistance of stran- gers shall preserve him; hut he shall be disgracefully dragged from his rest to punishment, and hung on a gallows before the face of the sun, unless he speedily amend his life, and flee to the mercy of God. That man's soul is dear to me, and I would not have it perish if I could save it." To the earl of Morton, after having asked him as to his previous knowledge of Darnley's murder, he said, " Well, God has beautified you with many benefits which he has not given to every man; as he has given you riches, wisdom, and friends, and now is to prefer you to the government of the realm. And, therefore, in the name of God I charge you to use all these benefits aright, and better in time to come than ye have done in times bypast; first, to God's glory, to the furtherance of the evangel, the maintenance of the church of God and his ministry; next, for the weal of the king, and his realm, and true subjects. If so ye shall do, God shall bless you and honour you; but if ye do it not, God shall spoil you of these benefits, and your end shall be ignominy and shame." On Thursday, the 20th, the lords Glencairn and Ruthven, having called, and the latter having tendered his services to do for him any thing in his power, his reply was, " I care not for all the pleasure and friendship of the world." — A lady of his acquaintance, desiring him to praise God for what good he had done, and speaking in his commendation, he thus interrupted her: — " Tongue, tongue! lady, flesh of itself is overproud and needs no means to esteem itself.' He then exhorted her to put off pride and be clothed with humility, protesting as to himself that he relied wholly on the free mercy of God, manifested to mankind through his dear Son Jesus Christ, whom alone he embraced for wisdom, and righteousness, and sancti- fication and redemption. And the rest of the company having taken their leave of him, he said to the laird of Braid — u Every one bids me good night, but when will you do it? I have been greatly in- debted unto you, for which I shall never be able to recompense you; but I commit you to one that is able to do it, to the Eternal God." On Friday, the 21st, these words were often in his mouth, " Come Lord Jesus. Sweet Jesus, into thy hands I commit my spirit. Be merciful, Lord, to thy church, which thou hast redeemed* Give peace to this afllicted commonwealth. Kaise up faithful pastors, who will take charge of thy chinch. Grant us, Lord, the perfect hatred JOHN KNOX. 9 of sin, both by the evidences of thy wrath and mercy." In the midst of his meditations he would often address those who stood by, in such sentences as these : " O serve the Lord in fear, and death shall not be terrible to you. Nay, blessed shall death be to those who have felt the power of the death of the only begotten Son of God." On the afternoon of Sabbath the 23d, he suddenly exclaimed, " If any be present let them come and see the work of God." And to Johnston of Elphingston, who was sent for, he said : " I have been these two last nights in meditation on the troubled state of the church of God, the spouse of Jesus Christ, despised by the world, but precious in the sight of God. I have called to God for her, and have committed her to her head Jesus Christ. I have fought against spiritual wickedness in heavenly things and have prevailed. I have been in heaven and have possession. I have tasted of the heavenly joys where presently I am." To some who inquired if he felt much pain, he answered, that he was willing to lie there for years if God so pleased, and if he con- tinued to shine upon his soul through Jesus Christ : and then went on to emit such pious ejaculations as the following : " Live in Christ, live in Christ, and then flesh need not fear death. — Lord grant true pastors to thy church, that purity of doctrine may be retained. Restore peace again to this commonwealth with godly rulers and magistrates. Once Lord make an end of my trouble. Lord I commend my spirit, 60ul, and body, and all into thy hands. Thou knowest, O Lord, my troubles : I do not murmur against thee." On Monday the 24th, which was the last day he spent on earth : being asked by Campbell of Kinzeancleugh, if he had any pain, he replied : " It is no painful pain, but such a pain as shall I trust put an end to the battle. I must leave the care of my wife and children to you, to whom you must be a husband in my room." He after- wards desired his wife to read the 15th chapter of 1st Cor., saying when it was 6nished, "Is not that a comfortable chapter? O what sweet and salutary consolation the Lord hath afforded me from that chapter !" A little after, he said, " Now for the last time I com- mend my soul, spirit, and body, (touching three of his fingers) into thy hand, O Lord." About five o'clock in the evening, he said to his wife, " Go, read, where I cast my first anchor," meaning the seventeenth chapter of John's Gospel. Appearing, after this, to fall into a slumber, he sighed deeply, and being asked, on awaking, the cause of this, he replied : " I have formerly, during my frail life sustained many contests and many assaults of Satan, but at present that roaring lion bath assailed me most furi- ously and put forth all his strength to devour and make an end of me at once. Often before, hath he placed my sins before my eyes, often tempted me to despair, often endeavoured to ensnare me by the allurements of the world ; but these weapons being broken by the sword of the Spirit, the word of God, he could not prevail. Now he has attacked me in another way ; the cunning Serpent has laboured to persuade me that I have merited heaven and eternal blessedness 10 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. by the faithful discharge of my ministry. But, blessed be God, who has enabled me to beat down and quench this fiery dart by suggesting to me such passages of scripture as these, What hast thou, that thou hast not received? By the grace of God, J am what I am : Not J, but the grace of God in me. Being thus vanquished, he left me, Wherefore, I give thanks to my God, through Jesus Christ, who was pleased to give me the victory ; and I am persuaded that the tempter shall not again attack me, but within a short time, I shall without any great bodily pain or anguish of mind, exchange this mortal and miserable life, for a blessed immortality through Jesus Christ." About ten o'clock, being asked by Dr. Preston if he heard the prayers which had just been read, he replied, " Would to God that you and all men had heard them as I have heard them ; I praise God for that heavenly sound." About eleven he gave a deep sigh, and eaid, Noio it is come. Immediately his secretary, Richard Bannatyne, drew near, and, perceiving that he was speechless, requested him to give a sign that he died in peace. — Upon this be lifted up one of his hands, and sighing twice, expired without a struggle I* VI. JAMES LAWSON. [This eminent minister of Jesus Christ was born about the year 1538, in the neighbourhood of Perth. After passing through the usual course of education, at the university of St. Andrews, he went for some years to France, as tutor to the three sons of the countess of Crawford. Upon his return, about 1568, he commenced the teach- ing of Hebrew in St. Andrews ; and shortly after, was elected sub- principal in the university of Aberdeen. Here he continued till 1572, when he was invited to become successor to Mr. Knox, as a minister of Edinburgh. In this situation he approved himself " a workman that needeth not to be ashamed ;" but it is chiefly as a defender of the reformation principles, and on account of the sufferings he endured in that cause, that he deserves a high place among the worthies of Scotland. In the year 1584, lie was obliged to fly into England from the vengeance of the king, and be died on the 12th of October, that year. Upon the 7th of that month he caused to be written, read over, and subscribed the fol- lowing testament, which, as it contains his dying sentiments, unih r views of eternity, both as to his own spiritual state, and with regard to the concerns of the church, we iusert here an his la.'t words. ] " At London, in Honielane, Cheapsidc, in Mr. Anthony Martin's house, upon Wednesday, October 7ili, 1581 ; /, Mr. James Lairson, minister of God's word, of the flock of Christ at Edinburgh, wish grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from the Lord • M'Cric's Life of Knox, in loc. JAMES LAWSON. 11 Jesus Christ, and the continuance of the Holy Spirit, to all those that serve the Lord and love his blessed evangels, giving to understand, to whom it appertains, that, being whole in mind, but finding my God summoning me by his messenger sickness, wherewith he has laid me on bed, to put an end, as appears, to my course in this my transitory life, have thought it good to commit my testament and latter will to writing, as follows: — " First, I thank my God, through Jesus Christ my Saviour, wno has not only of his unspeakable mercy, whereof I confess myself most, unworthy, (if he should deal with me according to my deserts), plucked me out of gross ignorance and blindness of superstition, papistry, and idolatry, especially since the time I heard that notable servant of God, Mr. Knox, of blessed memory,* impugn with great authority of doc- trine that antichristian tyranny ; but also of his great goodness from time to time, has moved me by his sacred word and instruction of his Holy Spirit, to dedicate myself and the small talent which his wisdom hath intrusted to me, to the edification of his people in the holy min- istry, ordained in his kirk, and has blessed also the same, first in bis congregation of Aberdeen, and last in the town of Edinburgh ; testi- fying to the whole world, that as I have felt from time to time the working of his Holy Spirit kindling in my breast a bent and ready will to discharge my own conscience in teaching the word of God purely and sincerely, without fearing the faces of men, and also to procure the establishment of that ecclesiastical discipline revealed and set down in the holy scriptures of God, according to the measure of knowledge given to me to do, so I feel of God's special love, a delec- tation, a zeal, and thirst sealed up in my heart to persevere in the same, as the infallible truth of God, and to continue in the same if it shall please God to prolong my days. Albeit, Lord, far be it from me to boast or glory in any thing in thy presence, before whom the angels are not able to plead their innocency 1 But, in the cause of thy Son Jesus Christ, seeing the want of sufficient zeal, diligence, and ability in the said office, and the many infirmities and imperfections staying me in the performance thereof, — as it became me, I have my refuge to the throne of thy grace, acknowledging, after all my irksome travels wherewith I am broken, that I am an unprofitable servant, re- ferring the whole praise of my weak ministry to the glory of thy holy name, by whom I have my being and moving, craving in the mean- time pardon of all my offences and sins, being now assured of the re- mission thereof through the merits of the death and passion of Jesus Christ, with whom I am conjoined in his everlasting covenant, by lively faith, whereby I presently possess his mercy : — Attour I ren- der most hearty thanks unto his gracious goodness, that he has not only used me as a poor instrument to communicate his heavenly counsels unto others, but also has called me to great honour to suffer * It is obvious from this, that Mr. Lawson had listened with improvement to the early ministrations of John Knox, though it also appears that he had previously a tendency in favour of the reformed opinions. 12 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORITIIES. For the defence of his truth and ecclesiastical discipline* contained therein, and has of his careful providence given lively experience of the performance of that promise which his Son, my Saviour, made, that whosoever shall forsake house, father, mother, brethren, sister, wife, or children, for his name's sake, or the Gospel's, should receive a hundred fold now at this present, and life everlasting in the world to come. Not only to the most godly and learned brethren and sisters among the strangers, and especially in the godly family whereinto the Lord brought me, and wherein I have been most savingly entertained, at my heart's desire, but also to so many of my brethren and fellow- labourers in the evangel with me, of my own country, whose kind- ness, courtesy, and good offices towards me shown, I wish the Lord to register to the one and to the other. And now turning my exhorta- tion to my faithful brethren whom God has called to dispense the holy mysteries of his word and sacraments, whose days it shall please the Lord to prolong after my departure, I beseech them all in the bowels of Jesus Christ, that they take heed that they employ their whole studies during whatsoever time shall be granted them on the face of the earth, to prosecute their good course to benefit the people committed to their care, by preaching the glad tidings of salvation, in season and out of season, neither for lucre nor for the fashion, but ear- nestly, zealously, and with ready mind, in promoving, planting, and advancing that holy ecclesiastical discipline, in the house of God, which is established in his word, and so much the more valiantly and constantly to stand in defence thereof, that Satan's supports (pseudo- episcopalians) and grievous wolves are entered in and umpiring as if they were lords over God's heritage, whom neither the apostle Paul, nor any part of the word of God, did ever allow maliciously to • Mr. Lawson had no doubt suffered much anxiety of mind, in common with every lover of the presbyterian church, with regard to the means and measures which had lately been adopted to subvert and destroy it. Early in 1581, a parliament was held, by which the liberties of both church and state were laid at the feet of the king and of those by whom he was guided. To decline the judgment of his majesty or of the privy council in any matter, was declared to be treason ; all that the church had done towards the abolition of episcopacy was pronounced unlawful ; all church courts, such as assemblies, presbyteries, and even sessions, were suppressed, the bishops made commis- sioners on ecclesiastical causes, and nil animadversions on the nets of govern nient, either private or public, strictly prohibited. Against these " black acts," as they were called, not a nobleman, baron, or burgess ventured to open his mouth. Somo of the ministers repaired to the parliament house with the de- sign of protesting for the rights of the church, bat were D01 admitted. The magistrates of Edinburgh received orders to drag from the pulpit any Individual, who presumed to censure what the parliament had dune. Bat this did not deter Mr. Lawson and his colleagues from exonerating their consciences; and, when the acts were proclaimed at the market-cross of Edinburgh, they. •' tak- ing their lives in their hands, went boldly and made public protestation" again*! them, with all the ceremonies usual on such occasions. This boldness, how- ever, had nearlj oost them their lives. Orders were immediately issued to ap- prehend them, and they only saved themselves by a timely flight into England, where they were soon after joined by almosl twenty others of their brethren. — ■ See M'Crie's Life of Melville, vol. i. p. 832. JAMES LAWSON. J3 impugn tlie same. And as concerning the flock of Edinburgh, how- beit this body of mine has greatly wasted, yet I repent me nothing of my travail there, being assured that the Lord has there a kirk which unfeignedly fear his name, and for whose salvation the Lord has made my ministry profltable. Therefore, from my very heart I leave my blessing to all the faithful there, who dearly love the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and my God, blessed for ever, bless them not only with true and faithful labourers in the ministry, and to preserve them from ravenous wolves, but also with continual increase, with all godliness and perseverance in that true faith and doctrine which I have taught among them, and at last with everlasting life in heaven, whereby both they and I shall mutually rejoice. And for a few others, whose names, in charity, I suppress, who, as they grieved my heart oftentimes while I was present with them, by resisting the up- right and godly cause, and assisting the enemy, so now, since my de- parture from them, through their subscribing that false and infamous libel* set out against us, their pastors, and sundry other unthankful dealings, which we neither merited nor looked for at their hands, they have done what in them lay, to wound the same ; for my part, I forgive them with my heart ; and seeing they would colour their baseness under the shadow of obedience to a superior power, I beseech the Lord to forgive the king for obtruding that letter, injuriously ex- acting their subscription thereunto, and to give them both true re- pentance therefor, and not lay the burden thereof to their charge, nor leave at their bands my blood. May the same Lord open the king's eyes to behold in what hazard he has brought the true religion, his own person, fame, and state, together with the best and most obedi- ent subjects within his realm, and give him grace in time to withdraw himself from these pestilent and wicked counsellors wherewith he is environed, and leave that unhappy course wherein he has wrapt him- self, most fearfully, to the great danger of his body and soul, unless he repent. Amen. Amen. • In addition to the bodily disease under which Mr. Lawson was doomed to suffer, almost ever since his arrival in England, a disease which seems to have been induced by the air of that country, though no doubt aggravated by the sorrow and disappointment which he felt at the state of matters in Scotland, he was shocked and wounded in his best feelings by another circumstance. It ap- pears he had joined with his colleague in addressing a letter to the inhabitants of Edinburgh, stating the reasons of their flight. To this letter a reply was immediately drawn up by archbishop Adamson, in name of the congregation, couched in the harshest and most contumelious terms, denominating them fugi- tives, rebels, and wolves, and renouncing all connexion with them. This dis- graceful paper was immediately sent by the king to the town council, accom- panied with an injunction, that it should be subscribed by them and the prin- cipal inhabitants ; and by the threats and importunities of the court, a number of persons were induced to set their names to it. It is to this fact that Mr. Lawson alludes in the above passage ; and it seems to have made a deeper im- pression on his mind than perhaps, considering the character of the individuals, it ought to have done ; but this, when we take into account the delicacy of his feelings, under a sinking frame, and the unhappy circumstances in which he was otherwise placed, was aot wonderful. — See M'Crie's Life of Andrew Mel- ville, vol. i. p. 233. 14 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. "And now I recommend my soul into the hands of my heavenly Father, the Creator thereof, and to Jesus Christ my only Redeemer and Saviour, by whom the parts of heaven are made pateDt unto me, willing my trusty and dearly beloved brethren, insert witnesses of this my will, to cause bury my body in that place and after that manner which shall seem good ucto them, there to sleep until the day of the joyful resurrection to life everlasting, when my soul and body joined together shall have the full fruition of His face with the bodies and souls of all the faithful. And now, concerning the order- ing of my family, seeing the possession of earthly things is not able to enrich my posterity ; — I desire as God is the Father of the father- less and Comforter of the widow's case, by the riches of his blessing to supply their poverty; and tour?,ing the portion of goods given to me I put the same in the hands of my most special friends, Robert Fairly of Braid, Mr. John Lindsay senator of the college of justice, John Johnston, Elphingston, burgess of Edinburgh, with my loving spouse Janet Guthrie, whom I constitute executors of this my tes- tament, and they with common consent shall choose one or more of their number to whose fidelity the intromission shall be committed upon sufficient security that all things shall come to the use of my children ; which burden I most earnestly request them to take upon them for the love and familiar conjunction that has been betwixt us in Christ, giving power to them to make and subscribe an indenture of my books, household gear, and other moveables left behind me in Scotland, wherever they shall be transported, and also praying my beloved brethren, the witnesses underwritten in this testament, to make and subscribe another inventure of my books, clothes, and other moveables which I have in London, and deliver them to be kept by my brother Mr. Walter Balcanquall ; the whole books, clothes, and other moveables, and household gear, whatsoever, contained in the said inventures, to be set at reasonable prices, and to be sold at the sight and appointment of my said executors and introniitters, and that part thereof which shall of right be judged by them to appertain to me, shall be divided into four equal portions, to my wife and three children, to bring them up in the fear of God at the schools, in such company as their wisdom shall think most meet and expedient. And, as touching the gold and silver presently in my possession here, amount- ing in whole to the number of 76 pieces,* I have committed them to the credit of Mr. Walter Balcanquall, to be disposed as follows : Impri- mis, He shall deliver to the French kirk at London, three angels, lobe distributed to their poor. Item, To Mrs. Vanual, who kept me in my sickness, an angel. Item, I will that my loving brother, Mr. James Carmichael, shall take a rose-noble instantly, and deliver it to my dear brother and loving friend, Mr. Walter Balcanquall, who has been so Careful of meat all times, and especially in lime of my present sick- ness, to remain with him as a perpetual token of my special love and * Here there was a very carious and minute inventory given of tl coins possessed by Mr. LawsOD at the time, which, howevor.it wai not thuupht necessary to insert here, more especially considering the particular object, with which his latter will has been w*4roduced into tin- volume. JAMES LAWSON. 15 thankful heart towards him. Item, I will that the said Mr. Walter deliver in my name to my dear and well beloved spouse, Janet Guthrie, beside other provision made, or that may fall unto her by my testament, the Portugal ducat, in sign of my loving kindness, which she has well deserved, as a faithful brother gave the same to me as a pledge of his singular love towards me. And touching the pieces of gold and English silver, resting of the sum foresaid, I will that the said Mr. Walter deliver the same, bona fide, to my said executors, which gold and silver, resting, I will that my said executors bestow in the manner following : Imprimis, To my sister, Christian Lawson, the sum of twenty pounds Scots, and all the rest to be equally parted betwixt my three bairns, in three portions : providing always, that the recompense of the physicians, apothecaries, and whatsoever expenses necessary shall be made in time of my sickness, or shall be owed by me in London, when it shall please God to call me out of this valley of . misery, which is just debt, and which I am owing presently, or any ex- pense in transporting my graith home, be first paid to my brother Mr. Balcanquall at the sight of the said brethren, of the readiest of the said sum, which shall be disbursed thereof, by the said executors after the eight of the ticket thereof, by the said brethren, which shall be a sufficient discharge unto him for the same. Lastly, I earnestly request of my loving brethren, Mr. Andrew Melville, Mr. John Davidson, and Mr. James Carmichael, to concur with my brother Mr. Walter Balcanquall in revising my written books and papers * as well at London as elsewhere, and use the same as they think may best serve for the glory of God and comfort of the kirk, and my will is, that my said executors deliver them thankfully unto their hands, giving power also to my said executors to put this my testa- ment, if need be, in more exquisite and ample form with all clauses requisite, the substance always being reserved. In witness and verification of this my testament and constant will, in the premises, and in confirmation of my testament, written at my request by Mr. James Carmichael, I, the said Mr. James Lawson, hath subscribed the same with my hand,-]- and desire my good and trusty friends, Mr. * It appears that Mr. Lawson, in his books and papers, teft many proofs of his talents and industry, but we are not aware that any of his writings were published, though they must no doubt have been highly valuable from the "zeal, learning, and eloquence," ascribed to him, by his cotemporaries. \ Perhaps it may appear to some that, viewed as a testimony to a man's re- ligious tenets, there is here a degree of minute formality which might have been dispensed with. Regarded as a legal deed anent the disposition of his property, perhaps some attention to this may be allowed to have been necessary; but the truth is, that it was in the former rather than the latter of these views thai the designs and sentiments of the testator were, in the times in which he lived, liable to be misrepresented. And such, in point of fact, was the virulence of party feeling against him, that archbishop Adamson, on hearing of his death, wrote a testament in his name, containing a rerantation of his principles, and also a variety of letters to his brethren, in which he is made to reflect on their conduct and motives in opposing the king and bishops! It was»thu3 that acts which, at the present day, would disgrace and criminate the humblest citizen in the eyes of his countrymen, were then resorted to by men in the high- est stations in life, with a view to supporting a cause which had no footing of itself in the feelings of the people. IG TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Andrew Melville, provost of the new college of St. Andrews, Mr. James Carmichael, minister of God's word in Haddington, Mr. John Davidson, minister of God's word at Libberton, and Mr. Walter Bal- canquall, my colleague, in the ministry at Edinburgh, to testify the same by their handwriting, the which also they did in my presence, after we had all heard the same distinctly read, day, month, year, and place foresaid. Sic. Sub.*— JAMES LA WSON, Called in the Lord." Mr. Andrew Melville, "\ Mr. James Caumichael, f „,., . .,, t> ■yr i r^ > Witnesses to the .Premises. Mr. John Davidson, ( Mr. Walter Balcanquall. * VII. ROBERT ROLLOCK. £Mr. Rollock was born about the year 1555. After finishing his studies at St. Andrews, he was chosen a professor of philosophy in that university. In this office he continued for four years, dis- charging its duties with much applause, when, about the year 1585, he was invited to a chair in the university of Edinburgh. In that institution he afterwards became principal, a station which he occupied till his death, in 1598. He was signally distinguished not only by the conscientious diligence with which he performed his public duties, but also by the peculiarly mild and Christian spirit, which adorned his private character, and which, as the following details evince, became especially prominent in his last sickness.] Perceiving that his end was approaching, he, with his wonted pru- dence, settled his domestic concerns, and solemnly commended his wife, at that time pregnant of her first and only child, to the care of his friends. Two of these friends, (Patrick Galloway and David Lindsay) who had always 6tood high in his regard, having come to him, he called them to witness that he professed himself to be a dying man, and as such, he implored them to go in his name to the king, and to exhort him to prosecute the path of religion in the same in- offensive coursef he had hitherto followed ; proceed in it with an unfaltering step till the last hour of life, and not allow himself to be drawn from it, either by the hope of enlarging his authority, or by the * MS. Life of Lawson. f It must be confessed, that in this and other instances, the language employed in reference to the king is somewhat too flattering and obsequious. It may be observed, however, in palliation, that the commendation hero bestowed, WSJ evidently meant to refer to the immediately preceding, and consequently least objectionable years of James's reign; and that at all events, such language, however objectionable it may appear, could have proceeded from no wish on the part of Rollok to compromise his principles, but only from that singularly benevolent temper an 1 innate lo\c of peace, by which he was so prominently characterized through life. ROBERT ROLLOCK. 17 evil advices of wicked men. With respect to tiie pastors of the church, for which he felt an equal degree of reverence, he thus spoke : " The ministry of Christ, though in human calculation a mean and humhle office, was yet glorious in the sight of God; and though ministers are earthen vessels, the refuse and offscour- ings of the earth, they will hereafter shine in glorious splendour." Afterwards the ministers of Edinburgh having waited upon him, he discoursed to them as follows : " Wearied out with a weight of sickness, and longing for rest and the end of my life, I continue to breathe and hope ; yet I have not so learned nor preached Christ, but in him to feel support under all my distresses. The care of the college, brethren, has always stood highest in my thoughts : God is my witness with what faithfulness and diligence he enabled me to look after its administration, and I am sensible to myself, you are not ignorant of the advantages that redound to the church and the commonwealth from the right management of that society. The thread of my life is now breaking ; I am fast hastening to my home, my country, my Father's house, long and much desired by me. I beg of you when I am taken away, let not the college mourn too bitterly and long, in widowhood. You, I hope, even you, my brethren, will not be stepmothers to her, but affectionate and kind parents, and nourish and cherish her in your bosom. The work of the ministry has also lain heavily on my spirit, and you are not ignorant of my motives in entering upon it. I dare not say I have ever done any thing worthy of that high office, but I dare say it was in my heart so to do. You will remember that I was chosen by the assembly at Dundee to watch for the interest of this church. In this, I had the glory of God and the safety of the church, miserably tossed with tempests and shaking, before mine eyes ; and I can now declare, that my conscience does not smite me with any wicked departure from duty, in doubling the number of the ministers of Edinburgh, and particularly in my activity to bring in two (Messrs. Howat and Robertson) who studied under me, when I thought I saw gifts in them suitable to such a trust, and hoped God would bless their labours. I am so far from repenting any share I had in it, that to this hour it is satisfying to me. It was lately told me that a rumour is propagated, as if I were vexed in mind for the hand I had in this. But I can appeal to God, the witness and judge of secrets, before whose tribunal I am shortly to stand, that in all that matter, I had right and straight ends before me, according to the grace and prudence God has vouchsafed to me : and there is nothing that vexes and troubles me now. I am per- suaded the wise Maker of the world has tied the church and state together, with a brotherly and adamantine chain, and it hath been my great care to advance the good of both ; so that the temporal sword should not be perniciously drawn against the church, nor the church incited against the king and state, and that an inevitable war might be prevented. And yet the love of peace hath not so far be- witched me, that I could not distinguish between genuine and adulterous peace, neither hath my affection to my sovereign carried B 18 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. me that length as that, to please him, I would suhmit to the least stain on my conscience. I hope the integrity and candour of my practice shall appear when I am dead. In a word, brethren, join together with the most intimate love and concord in the work of the Lord. What can be more unnatural than that the ambassadors of peace should be rending one another with strife and discord ? especially at a season when our enemies are so busy, and our forces ought not to be scattered by strife, but by all means united, that 60 we may thrust not at one another, but only at our enemies' hearts. Let me put you in mind to pay the most obsequious obedience to the king. You live in happy times, and enjoy a singular felicity. You are blessed with a prince who drunk in religion with his milk, who hath guarded your doctrine with a right discipline, and covers both the doctrine and discipline of religion with bis protection ; who hath taken the church so much into his care, as by open and plain un- answerable documents to make it evident, that he will never desert her while be breathes. Therefore, what you may easily and pleas- antly enjoy, it will be folly to seek after by harsh methods. You will then take particular care that the church be not ruined by a fall from such high happiness. Paul might have retained Onesimus with him, but without Philemon he would do nothing, that his benefit should not be as of constraint, but willingly. It is my opinion, we should follow the apostle's pattern in matters of far greater weight. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, enrich you with all spiritual blessings, and furnish you with all might and strength for the faithful discharge of your office." Towards the evening of the same day, he appeared to feel that death was fast approaching, and fell out into a most rapturous discourse, which edified all that heard him. The physicians having attempted by some prescriptions to alleviate his trouble, he turned himself ar.d said, " Thou, O Lord, wilt be my Physician." He then prayed most fervently for the pardon of sins, through the Redeemer's merits, de- claring that he counted all things dross and dung, be they ever so great, for the excellency of the cross of Christ. He then beseeched God that he would give him a comfortable and happy end to this life, that being covered under the wings of mercy, he might sleep in Christ, and enjoy the face of God, which he most violently longed to sic. " I have seen thee," added he, " in the faint glass of the word, as through a glass darkly; allow me that long and much wished fur en- joyment, of the light of thy countenance for eternity.'' lit' then dis- coursed of the resurrection and eternal life. :is if lie were already in heaven; and taking all present by the hand, like the patriarchs of old, lie blessed them, adding exhortations, suited to the temper and office of each individual. Next day, the magistrates and counsellors of the city having waited on hitn, he addressed them as follows: " As far as 1 can conjecture, I am going over the threshold of time, and entering into my native country and my Father's house. This is not uneasy to me : I Live frequently longed for tin' end of this life. 1 have still been moot anxious about the college; and now when I am ahout to tare it, ROBERT ROLLOCK. 19 were I silent in giving my opinion about my successor to be set over it, I could scarcely be free of the stain of negligence. It would be of little use, in my judgment, to go abroad and bring in a stranger to preside in that society, who would know little of the doctrine and discipline of this college. You have at home a person richly fitted with gifts and qualifications for this station — Mr. Henry Charters — who, while a scholar of mine, made vast advances in learning, and hath now for ten years filled the place of a professor of philosophy, with the greatest reputation. Place him in the principal's place, 6et him at the helm of the college, and you will see God favouring him, and blessing his labours. By your office, you are patrons and cherishers of the college ; permit me to wish you may be sincerely careful of it." When he had ended what he had said to the magistrates and mas- ters, he spoke as follows, with reference to his spiritual state : " I thank my God that my memory, sight, hearing, and the rest of my senses, are as perfect as ever ; but my heart is loosed from this world. Lord Jesus, when wilt thou come and take full possession of my heart ? Thou hast the sole claim upon it. It was my main study through my life to dedicate and consecrate it to thee. O, come and take it, that I may for ever be thine I" When he had said this, he fell into a soft rest for a little ; but on awakening, he thus resumed : " Come, Lord Jesus," said he, " break the thread of this miserable life ! Haste, Lord, and make no tarrying ; thou hast redeemed me not to enjoy this frail life, but life eternal. Come, Lord Jesus, grant that life to which thou hast redeemed me." When some about him regretted their loss in his removal, he said, " I have gone through all the stages of life. I am come to the last step of my race — why do you hinder me ? Lord Jesus, with thy help, I will comfortably step this last step. Take me to that glory which I have seen only as through a glass. O, to be for ever with thee !" And when it was told him that the day following was the Sabbath, he exclaimed, " Lord, may my everlasting Sabbath have its happy beginning from thy Sabhath !" From this time, he got tolerable rest, till the middle of the night, when his trouble having increased, he began to expect his last struggle. Having desired Mr. Balcanquall to be sent for, he addressed him thus: " Sir, because you are the oldest minister in Edinburgh, and my friendship with you is not of late, I have sent for you, that I may show the reverence with which, from my youth, I have venerated Christ's ministers. I have, according to the measure God hath be- stowed on me, been pouring out my prayer before the Lord — pray you now for me, and with me: I'll join with you in heart and affec- tion, only let me beg you'll not ask the lengthening out of my life." When all present had kneeled, Mr. Balcanquall prayed ; and having among other things, entreated that the Lord would yet allow the en- joyment of such a valuable person, whom the church and common- wealth so much needed, Mr. Rollock said, " I am fully weary of this life, and only desire the heavenly life which is hid in Christ with God." 20 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. When prayer was ended, he broke out in raptures, commending lha preached Gospel. " The preached word," said he, " is life — without it none can be saved. Believe me, it is not a light matter to preach the word. It is quite another matter than to explain the text of Plato or Aristotle, or to make an oration with the paint and softness of words. The preaching of the word takes in sanctity, humility, and the demonstration of the Spirit." And turning again unto prayer, he said, " Come, Lord Jesus, break the nerves of my eyes — grant me new eyes ! I long to be dissolved, and to be with thee. Hasten to come, Lord Jesus, do not delay — Poor life, remove! that the better, infin- itely better life of God may enter in. Lay hands, Lord Jesus, on this body, arrest it, and take to thyself this soul !" After this, he lay silent till about daybreak, on Sabbath morning, when he broke out in these words : " Come, Lord, and do not tarry : I am weary with my trouble, day and night. Come, Lord Jesus, that I may come to thee. O how sweet would the end of this life be to me ! My sweet Lord, come, divorce my soul from this body, that I may enjoy thee, my husband. Separate this soul of mine from all things, that it may fly to thee, its head and centre !" Here one of the by- standers said, " Do not weary, your Lord will come :" to whom he replied, " Most welcome to me is that news. I wish that to- morrow may be my funeral day." Then another having observed, " Happy is the soul which is so near to God as yours is ;" he said, " In myself there is nothing which I do not regard as dung, that I may win Christ. Christ is my oidy source of comfort : all my own righteousness is as filthy rags." Being asked whether he desired the presence of any minister, he replied, that he wished not to trouble them whilst preparing for public service. " Allow me,'" said he, " like a parrot, to keep speaking with my Lord !" Being informed that the public service had commenced, he said, " Give me, O Lord, to see and feel the things which others are at this moment hearing." About mid-day, a certain person thus spoke to him : " Throughout your whole life, with unwearied diligence and constant labour you have promoted the glory of God :" to which he replied, " My sole ground of glorying is the mercy of God, through Jesus Christ: all other things I regard as loss." After this he fell into a soft Bleep, which lasted till the evening ; upon awaking from which, he was visited by the lord provost of Edinburgh, and thus addressed him : " I have al- ready seriously commended to the care of the magistrates, of which you, my lord, are the chief, the interests of the college : <1<> you also take it under your protection ; let it experience in yon a parent and a benefactor. Seeing by the high station in which yen preside over the city, and the august office with, which God has inv< you, you are able to give support to the church, do not, I beseech you, withdraw 6uch support: on the contrary, do you exert your power and influence toward- its protection ; apply yourself to it with the utmost vigour, that so you may attain salvation through Jeans Christ. All worldly things are perishable, ami will BOOn perisfa ; but God will enrich you, your wife, and your family, out of the treasure of his goodness." During the same nicrht he let fall such expressions ROBERT ItOLLOCK. 21 as these : " In a diseased body I have a tranquil mind : I am not troubled with the fear of death, of sin, or of Satan, for over me these have no power : but yet I am so borne down with a weight of sick- ness, that I am preserved to this hour, far beyond hope. The Lord is as it were breaking me in his mortar, with the pestle of affliction, that he may make me anew for his own kingdom." On the Monday following, he thus spoke : " It is wonderful," said he, " that afflicted as I am with such acute pain, my life should be so long protracted ; but yet I shall wait in patience the good plea- sure of the Lord : I shall bear with it, I shall bear with it — let him do with me as seems good to him ; I shall not contend with him. What is man, that he should contend with God? Nay, even should he thrust him into hell, he ought to be obeyed, and not opposed I Be gracious to me, O Lord, for the sake of Jesus Christ. I blush not to confess, that never as during this affliction, have I arrived at 6uch a height of divine knowledge ! O how dreadful to fall into the hands of Jehovah I but, for me there is mercy laid up in Christ. Why then art thou disquieted, my soul ? Why art thou cast down within me ? In a very little thou shalt have the light of his countenance, and a sweet meeting !" Again, on the morning of the following day : " Now," said he, re- citing some of its words, " now do I experience the truth of the 6th Psalm — ' Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am oppressed with pain. Save me, O Lord, for my bones are sore vexed.' " Then, after a short pause, " Christ shall bear my yoke, and I, upheld by his grace, shall follow in his footsteps." When the bystanders, perceiving him con- vulsed with the violence of the pain, began to weep and mourn, he thus chided them : " Weep not on my account, but weep for your sins : since no one is free from sin, no one is without good cause for tears. With regard to myself, I shall ere long behold the end and conclusion of all these things." Towards evening, one of his rela- tives having come to him, excited his displeasure by this impious request : that, when received into heaven, he would mediate in behalf of him and his other friends. Immediately on hearing it, as if boiling with indignation, he suddenly raised up his emaciated and almost life- less body, and said, " I disclaim that office : Christ is the alone Me- diator." Not long after this, he was visited by his elder brother, whom he thus addressed : " Do you," said he, " cany a reproof to our kinsman: — admonish him to adopt a different line of conduct, other- wise there can be to him no safety for him ; but on the contrary, inevit- able destruction." From this time forward he refused all sustenance, Baying, " I shall no more eat or drink, until I am translated to the kingdom of heaven." He intrusted the care of his funeral to two in- timate and long tried friends. " Why," said he, " should I not have a concern for my body, since it is yet to be glorified and made like unto Christ's own glorious body? and looking to his hands, "These very hands," he exclaimed, "shall then shine with effulgent glory 1" After this hisspeech became gradually more constrained anddifficult. His short sentences, yet impressive and powerful — breathing and savouring of heavenly joy — by degrees gave place to a gentle slum- 22 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ber, in which, having continued for a while, he placidly and quietly commended his spirit to his Creator and Redeemer. His death took place on the 8th of Fehraary, 1598.* VIII. ANDREW DUNCAN. ['Of Mr. Duncan's hirth and parentage we have no account. In 1581, he occupied the place of a regent in St. Leonard's college, St. Andrews. He was afterwards settled as minister of Crail, in Fife, and hecame signally distinguished by the sufferings he en- dured, in favour of the presbyterian polity. He was ultimately banished to France ; but after several years' exile, was allowed to re- turn, upon making some acknowledgments. The following copy of his latter will may be regarded as his testimony to the truths of the Gospel. It bears date 14th April, 1626.] " I, Andrew Duncan, a sinful wight, Christ's unworthy minister in his glorious Gospel, being sickly and weak, worn out with years, and heaviness of heart in this pilgrimage; and being now weaiy of this loathsome prison, this body of death, because of sin ; and having re- ceived sundry advertisements and summonses from my Master to flit out of this uncouth country, the region of death, home to my native land ; and now sitting upon the prison-door threshold, ready to obey, waiting till the sad messenger be sent to convey me home to that glorious palace, even the heavenly Jerusalem, that I may enter into possession of my heritage, even that glorious kingdom in eternity, which Christ came down from heaven to conquer for me ; and then went up to prepare and possess it in my name, as my attorney, until it pleased his Majesty to take me thither, that I may in my own per- son possess it, I proceed to set down the declaration of my latter will, concerning those things which God hath lent me in this world ; in manner following : First, as touching myself, body and soul ; my soul I leave to Christ Jesus, who gave it, and when it was lost, redeemed it, that he may send his holy angels to transport it to the bosom of Abraham, there to enjoy all happiness and contentment ; and as for this frail body, I commend it to the grave, there to sloop and rest, as in a sweet bed, until the day of refreshment, when it shall be re- united to the soul, and shall be set down at the table with the holy patriarchs, prophets, and apostles ; yea, shall be placed on the throne with Christ, and get the crown of glory on my head. As for tho children whom God hath given me, (for which I thank Ilim,) I leave them to his providence, to be governed and cared for by him, be- seeching Him to be the tutor, curator, and agent, in nil their adoes, yea, and a father ; and that he would lead them by his gracious Spirit, through this evil world : that they may be profitable instruments, both in kirk and commonwealth, to set out his glory ; beseeching them on • Lives of Rolloclc, in Latin, by Robertson and C'hnrtcra. JOHN WELCH. 23 the other part, (as they would have God's blessing", and mine in all their affairs,) to set him before their eyes, and to walk in his ways, living peaceably in his fear, in all humility and meekness, with all those they have ado with ; holding their course to heaven, and com- forting themselves with the glorious and fair to-look-at heritage, which Christ hath conquered for them, and for all that love him. Under God, I leave John Duncan, my eldest son, to be tutor to my youngest daughter, Bessie Duncan, his youngest sister, to take a care of her, and to see that all turns go right, touching her person and gear. For executors, I leave my three sons, John, William, and David, to do my turns after me, and to put in practice my directions ; requesting them to be good and comfortable to their sisters, but chiefly to the two that are at home, as they would have God's blessing and mine. Concerning my temporal goods, the baggage and blathrie of the earth, as I have gotten them in the world from God's liberal hand, so I leave them behind me in the world ; giving most humble and hearty thanks unto my heavenly Father for so long and comfortable loan of the same.* Sic. Sub— ANDREW DUNCAN." IX. JOHN WELCH. £Mr. Welch was born about the year 1570. His first settlement as a minister was at Selkirk. From thence he was translated to Kirkcudbright and afterwards to Ayr. In all of these places, but especially the last of them, his labours were signally blessed. It is chiefly, however, for the persecutions he endured on behalf of re- ligion and presbyterian church-government that he is justly re- garded as a most eminent Scots Worthy. With other five of his brethren he was banished to France, and remained there till within a short time of his death. He was then allowed to come to Eng- land, but not to enter Scotland. He died at London in the year 1622, after a violent exertion in preaching. No detail of his last words has been preserved, but the following extracts from a letter written to a noble lady, shortly before his banishment, in 1606, may serve to indicate the state of his mind, in reference to eter- nity.] " My desire to remain here is not great, knowing that so long as 1 am in this house of clay, I am absent from the Lord : and if it were dissolved, I look for a building" not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. In this I groan, desiring to be clothed upon with my new house which is in heaven: if so be, that being clothed, I shall not be found naked. For I that am within this tabernacle, do ofttimes groan and sigh within myself, being ofttimes burdened; not that I would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be * Scots Worthies — Life of Duncan. 24 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. swallowed up of lite. I long to eat the fruit of that tree which is planted in the midst of the paradise of God ; and to drink of the pure river, clear as crystal, that runs through the streets of the new Jerusalem. I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and that though after my skin worms devour my body, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and not another, and mine eyes shall behold him, though my reins be consumed within me. I long to be re- freshed in company with the souls of them that are under the altar, who were slain for the word of God and the testimony which they held ; and to have the long white robe given me, that I may walk in white with those glorious saints, who have washed their garments and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Why should I think it a strange thing to be removed from this place to that wherein is my hope, my joy, my crown, my eldest Brother, my Head, my Father, my Comforter, and all the glorified saints ; and where the song of Moses and of the Lamb is sung joyfully ; where we shall no longer be compelled to sit by the rivers of Babylon, and hang our harps upon the willows, but shall take them and sing the new hale- lujah — blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, to him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb for ever ! What is under this old vault of the heavens, and in this old worn out earth, (which is under the bondage of corruption, groaning and travailling in pain, and as it were still shooting out the head, looking, waiting, and longing for the redemption of the sons of God) what is there I 6ay, that should make me remain here ? I expect that new heaven and that now earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness, and wherein I shall dwell for evermore. I look to get entry into the new Jerusalem, at one of those twelve gates whereupon are written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. I know that Christ Jesus hath prepared room for me; why may I not then, with boldness in his blood, 6tep into that glory, into which my Head and Lord hath gone before me ? Jesus Christ is the Door and the Porter, who then shall hold me out ? Will ho let them perish for whom he died ? Will he let that poor sheep be plucked out of his hand for whom he hath laid down his life ? Who shall condemn the man whom God hath justified ? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of the man for whom Christ hath died, or rather risen again ? I know I have grievously transgressed, but where sin abounded, grace hath 6uperabounded. I know my sins are red as scarlet and crimson, yet the blood of Christ niy Lord, can make me as white as snow and as wool. Whom have I in heaven but him, or whom desire I in earth beside him ? O thou, the fairest among the children of men, the light of tlie Gentiles, the glory of the Jews, the life of the dead, the joy of angels and saints, my soul pantcth to be will) thee I I will put my spirit into thy hands, and thou wilt not put it out of thy pn seme. I will come unto theo ; for thou castest none nway that come unto thee, O thou only de- light of mankind ! Thou earnest to seek and save that which was lost. Thou, seeking me, hast found me : and now being found by thee, I hope, O Lord, thou wilt not let me perish. I desire to bo JOHN WELCH. 25 with thee, and do long for the fruition of thy blessed presence, and joy of thy countenance. Thou, the only good Shepherd, art full of grace and truth : therefore, I trust, thou wilt not thrust me out of the door of thy presence and grace. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Thee. Who shall separate me from thy love ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword ? Nay, in all these things I am more than conqueror through thy majesty who hath loved me. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor things present, nor things to come, nor any other creature, is able to separate me from the love of the majesty which is in Christ Jesus, my Lord. I refuse not to die with thee, that I may live with thee. I refuse not to suffer with thee, that I may rejoice with thee. Shall not all things be pleasant to me, which may be rny last step, by which, or upon which, I may come unto thee. When shall I be satiate with thy face ? When shall I be drunk with thy pleasures ? Come, Lord Jesus, and tarry not. The Spirit saith come. The Bride saith come. Even so Lord Jesus, come quickly, and tarry not. " Why should the multitude of mine iniquities, or the greatness of them affright me ? Why should I faint in this mine adversity to be with thee ? The greater sinner I have been, the greater glory will be thy grace to me, unto all eternity. Oh unspeakable joy, endless, in- finite, and bottomless compassion ! O, ocean of neverfading pleasure 1 O I love of love ! O ! the height, and the depth, and breadth, and length of that love of thine that passeth knowledge 1 O uncreated love I Beginning, without beginning, and ending without an end ! Thou art my glory, my joy, my gain, and my crown. Thou hast set me under thy shadow with great delight, and thy fruit is 6weet unto my taste. Thou hast brought me into thy banqueting- house, and placed me in thine orchard. Stay me with thy fiaggons, and comfort me with thine apples : for I am sick, and my soul is wounded with thy love. Behold, thou art fair, my love : behold, thou art fair, thou hast dove's eyes. Behold, thou art fair my love ; yea, pleasant also : our bed is green. The beams of our house are cedars and our rafters are of fir. How fair and how pleasant art thou I O love for delights ! my heart is ravished with thee. O when shall I see thy face ? How long wilt thou delay to be to me as a roe, or a young hart, leaping upon the mountains, and skipping upon the hills? As a bundle of myrrh be thou unto me, and lie all night between my breasts. Because of the savour of thy good oint- ments, thy name is as an ointment poured out ; therefore, desire I to go out of the desart, and through to the place where thou sittest at thy repose, and where thou makest thy flocks to rest at noon. When shall I be filled with thy love? Certainly, if a man knew how precious it were, he would count all things dross and dung to gain it. I would long for that scaffold, or that axe, or that cord, that might be to me the last step of this my wearisome journey, to go to thee my Lord. Thou, who knovvest the meaning of the spirit, give answer to the 6peaking, sighing, and groaning of the spirit within 26 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. me. Thou, who hast inflamed my heart to speak to thee in this silent, yet love-language of ardent and fervent desire, speak again unto my heart, answer my desires, which thou hast made me speak to thee, O death ! where is thy sting? O gravel where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, that giveth me the victory, through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. What can be troublesome to me, since my Lord looks upon me with so amiable a countenance ? And how greatly do I long for these embracements of my Lord ! O that he would kiss me with the kisses of his mouth : for his love is better than wine 1 O that my soul were the throne whereon he might sit eternally ! O that my heart were the temple wherein he might be magnified and dwell for ever 1 * Who am I that he should first have called me, and then constitute me a minister of the glad tidings of the gospel of salvation these years already, and now last of all lo be a Bttfferer for his cause and kingdom. Now let it be so, that I have fought my fight, and run my race, and now from henceforth is laid up for me that crown of righteousness, which the Lord that righteous God will give, and not to me only, but to all that love his appearance, and choose to witness this, that Jesus Christ is the king of saints, and that his church is a most free kingdom, yet as free as any kingdom under heaven, not only to convocate, hold, and keep her meetings, and conventions and assemblies ; but also to judge of all her affairs, in all h^r meetings and conventions amongst her members and subjects. These two points, First, That Christ is the head of his church. Secondly, That Bhe is free in her government from all other jurisdiction except Christ's ; these two points, I 6ay, are the special cause of our imprisonment, being now convict as traitors for the maintaining thereof : we have been ever waiting with joyfulness to give the last testimony of our blood in confirmation thereof, if it should please our God to be so favourable as to honour us with that dignity: yea I do affirm, that these two points above written, and all other things which belong to Christ's crown, sceptre, and ldngdom, are not subject, nor cannot be, to any other authority, but to his own altogether. So that I would be most glad to be offered up as a sacrifice for so glorious a truth : but alas I I fear [here arc not only many expressions, but even sentiment*, as must be sed, in this address of the Saviour inconsistent with the rigid and 1 taste of modern times as regards the feelings and language of devo< tiori. Bui this being acknowledged, it may also be observed, that there is ,i :!n\\- and a fervour, (occasionally well expressed) in the .sentiments of this man, to which the experience "t" ordinary professors, affords no parallel, and with which, therefore, it cannot be expected that they should readily sympathise, The truth is, that the habitual tone of Mr. "Welch's mind is scarcely equalled by the occasional and most elevated states of feeling experienced by every-day Christians : no wonder then, that upOE like the pre ent, it should exhibit something like ecstacy and extravagance. Indeed, ii mus, be obvioils to every one who emu pa res the religions chai of the pre ii, thai of Weleh and Rutherford and other worthies, that whatever we have gained in clearness and simplicity of view, wo have lost in depth and intensity of feeling. JOHN WELCH. 27 that my sins and the ahuse of so glorious things as I have found, deprive me of so fair a crown ; yet my Lord doth know, if he should call me to it, and strengthen me in it, it would be to me the most glorious day, and the gladdest hour, I ever saw in this life, but I am in his hand to do with me whatsoever shall please his majesty. It may suffice me I have had so long a time in the knowledge of the gospel, and that I have seen the things that I have seen, and heard the things that I have heard, and through the grace of God, I have been so long a witness of these glorious and good news, in my weak ministry, and that my witnessing hath not been altogether without fruit and blessing ; so that I hope at that day, I shall have him to be my crown, my glory, my joy, and reward, and therefore boldly I say with Simeon, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, not in a peaceable dying in my bed, but by rendering up to him my spirit, and the sealing and stamping this truth with my blood. I desire not to have it remedied, but let my Lord's will be done. " The guilt of our blood shall not only lie upon our prince, but also upon our own brethren, bishops, counsellors, and commissioners, it is they, even they that have stirred up our prince against us ; we must therefore lay the blame and burden of our blood upon them especially, however the rest above written be partakers of their sins with them : and as to the rest of our brethren, who either by silence approve, or by crying peace, peace, strengthen the arm of the wicked, that they cannot return, in the mean time make the hearts of the righteous sad, they shall all in like manner be guilty of high treason against the King of kings, the Lord Jesus Christ, his crown and kingdom. " Next unto them, all our commissioners, chancellor, president, comptroller, advocate, and next unto them, all that first or last sat in council, and did not bear plain testimony for Jesus Christ and his kingdom, for which we do suffer. And next unto them, all those who should have at present, and who should at such times have come, and made open testimony of Christ faithfully, although it had been con- trary to plain law, and with the hazard of their lives. When the poor Jews were in such danger, that nothing was expected but utter destruc- tion, queen Esther, after three days' fasting, concluded thus with her- self, ' I will,' said she, ' go in to the king,' though it be not according to law, ' and if I perish I perish,' Esther ix. 16. With this resolu- tion, such as are born counsellors, should have said, Christ's kingdom is now in my hand, and I am bound, also, and sworn, by a special covenant, to maintain the doctrine and discipline thereof, according to my vocation and power, all the days of my life ; under all the pains contained in the book of God, and danger of body and soul, in the day of God's fearful judgment ; and therefore, though I should perish in the cause, yet will I speak for it, and to my power defend it, accord- ing to my vocation. Finally, All those that counsel, command, con- sent, and allow, are guilty in the sight of God. But the mourners for these evils, and the faithful of the land, and those who are un- feignedly grieved in heart, for all these abominations, those shall be marked as not guilty, Ezek. ix. " I know not whether I shall have occasion to write again ; and 28 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. therefore, by this letter, as my latter will and testament, I give testi- mony, warning, and knowledge of these things to all men, according to the Lord's direction to the prophet, ' Son of man, I have made thee a watchman,' Ezek. xxxiii. 7. &c. Therefore I give warning to all men hereby, that no man's blood be required at my hand. Thus desiring the help of your prayers, with my humble commendations and service in Christ, to my lord, your husband, and all the saints there, the messenger of peace be with you all for evermore. Amen. Yours to my full power, for the time Christ's prisoner. JOHN WELCH. X. ROBERT BRUCE. [Robert Bruce was one of the most distinguished men of his time. He was born about the year 1554, and bred to the study of the law ; but in consequence of strong conscientious feelings, he was led to prefer that of divinity, and became ere long one of the min- isters of Edinburgh. Here he shone as a great light, and forth- with became a principal actor in the affairs of the church, and a strenuous maintainer of its established forms. He thus exposed himself to much persecution, which he endured with unshrinking constancy. He concluded a long and arduous life in a manner which deserves to be recorded, giving a short but striking testimony to the strength and reality of his faith and his hope.] For some time previous to his death, which happened in August 1631, he was, through age and infirmity, mostly confined to his chamber. Being frequently visited by friends and acquaintances, he was on one occasion asked by one of them, how matters stood betwixt God and his soul ? He made this reply, " When I was young, I was dili- gent, and lived by faith on the Son of God ; but now I am old and not able to do so much, and yet he condescends to feed me with lumps of sense and experience." On the morning before he was removed, his sickness consisting chiefly in the weakness of age, he came to breakfast ; and having, as usual, eaten an egg, he said to his daughters, " I think I am yet hungry, ye may bring me another eg^." But in- stantly thereafter, falling into deep meditation, and after having mused a little, he said, " Hold, daughter, my Master calls me !" Upon these words, his sight failed him ; and calling for his family Bible, but finding he could not see, he s.iid, " Cast up to me the eighth chapter of the epistle to the Romans, and set my finger < f;'lt " joy unspeakable and glorious." uind sleep, in the dawning, the pastor said, " My lord, where lay Christ all night? Did not your well beloved lie a* a bundle of myrrh be* twixt your breasts?" lie answered, " Nay, not betwixt my breasts, JOHN GORDON, VISCOUNT KENMUIR. 31 but betwixt my breasts locked in my heart.'' He asked, " When will my heart be loosed, and my tongue untied, that I may express the sweetness of the love of God to my soul ?" and before the pastor answered any thing, he answered himself, " even when the wind blow- eth." Being asked by the pastor, " If ever he had benefited by the word of God in public, which he had heard preached these many years ;" he answered, " I never came to your communion, but I was filled with the sense of God, and Christ was powerfully borne in upon my sou!, that do my best, I was not able to hold him out ; but in he would be, whether I would or not ; but oh ! oh ! my woful outbreakings, for the saints I was inclined to. The devil and temptations took me at 6uch a time, as I could not win by unhurt, but oh 1 oh I strong, strong Jesus ; O the depth of the love that would not want me I" Being asked, " what was his judgment concerning the ceremonies now entered in the kirk of God ?" " I think," said he, " and am persuade J in my conscience, they are superstitious, idolatrous, and autichristian, and come from hell, and I repute it a mercy, that my eyes shall not see the desolation that shall come upon this poor church. It's plain popery that is coming among you ; God help me ! God forgive the nobility, for they are either key-cold, or ready to welcome popery ; whereas they should resist ; and wo be to a dead, timeserving, and profane ministry; they are but a company of dumb dogs." He called his lady, and a gen- tleman who was a friend to his lady, and had come a good way to meet him, with the pastor, caused the chamber door to be shut upon all others, and from his bed directed his speech to the gentleman, saying, " I ever found you kind and honest to me all the time of my life ; therefore, I must now give you a charge, which you shall deliver to all the noblemen you know, and with whom you are acquainted. Tell them all how heavy I have found the weight of the Lord's hand upon me, for not giving testimony to the Lord my God, when I had occa- sion once in my life at the last parliament. For this foul fault, how fierce have I felt the wrath of the Lord my God ! My soul hath raged and roared. I have been grieved to the heart. Tell them that they will be as I am now. Encourage others that stood for the Lord. Tell them that failed, that, as even they would wish to have mercy when they are as I am now, that they would repent and crave mercy from God. Would to God I had such an occasion again, to testify my love to the Lord ! For all the earth, should I not do as I have done." To a gentleman, a kinsman of his, he said " I love your soul, and I love your body ; you aro a blessed man if you understand it, because ye may have the blessed means of the word preached beside you ; and seeing you are but a tender man of body, I would not have you to drown yourself so much with the interests and troubles of this world, as I did ; who knows but ye may be the next man that follows me ? My greatest grief is, that I have not the occasion of good means as you have, and if you yourself make not the right use of the occa- sions of your means, one day they shall be a witness against you. Alas! take example by me; I was a fool, and lifted up with folly; and now wdien I was at the very top, I was taken by the Lord, when I least expected. The Lord hath smitten me ; therefore take example 52 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. by me, and leave the world and the fasfteries of friends timely ; ten- der your soul, and tender your worn body. If I were to live in the world again, I should not vex and trouble myself so much a9 I did, but should dwell at the Rusco the most part of my life, that I might have the happiness of the exercise of hearing God's word preached, as you have ; good cousin, use the counsel of your pastor."* To a nobleman, fjord Hemes] that was his brother-in-law, he said, " Mock not at my counsel, my lord. In case you follow the course you are in, you shall never see the face of Jesus Christ. You are de- ceived with the merchandise of the harlot, that makes the world drunk out of the cup of her fornication. Your soul is built upon a sandy foundation. When you come to my state, you will find no comfort in your religion. You know not what a wrestling I have had, ere I came to this state of comfort ; the kingdom of heaven is not got with a skip or a leap, but with much seeking and thrusting." The lord Herries, not liking this discourse, did press to break it off by these words, saying, " My lord, I thank you kindly. I am content to see your lordship so resolved. If I had known of your sickness, I had seen you sooner." Kenmuir answered, " I pray God give you grace to make good use of your coming. And seeing you are now come, contemn not goed counsel, for I have interest in your lordship, and love your soul, and I must exonerate myself, as I will be answerable to God." To his sister, [lady Herries,] he said, " Who knows but the words of a dying brother may prevail with a loving sister. Alas I you incline to a rotten religion. Cast away these decayed dregs ; they will not avail you when you are brought to this case as I am. The half of the world are ignorant, and go to hell, and know not that they have a soul. It is a wonder to see any know that they have a soul. Read the Scriptures. They are plain Scottish lan- guage to all who desire wisdom from God, and to be led to heaven." To a gentleman, his neighbour, he said, " Your soul is in a dangerous case, but you see it not, and as long as you are in the case you are in, you will never see it. I pray you, as you love the salvation of your soul, leave these courses. You must seek out another way to heaven than you are in, else expect to land in hell. There are small means of instruction to be had, because the most part of the ministry are profane and ignorant ; search God's word for the good old way, and search and find all your own ways." To a gentleman, his cousin, he said, " You are a young man, and know not well what you are doing. Seek God's direction for wisdom in your affairs, and you shall prosper; and learn to know you have need of God to be your friend." To another cou-in he said, " David, you are an aged man, and you know not well what an account you have to make ; and if you wire in the case I am in, you would endeavour more earnestly to make op your accounts than you do. I know you better than you believe, for yon worship God according to men's devices. You believe lies of * The kinsman here ' tr -!i of An wart h; a m in of greal piety, an. I a tealooi supporter ot' the \-v>'-' } t'.'iiaa faith. JOHN GORDON, VISCOUNT KENMUIR. S3 God. Your soul is in a dreadful state ; and till you know the truth, you shall never see your own way aright.' To a young man, his neighbour, he said, " Because you are but a young man, beware of temptations and snares ; and above all, be careful to keep yourself in the use of means. Resort to good company ; and though you be named a puritan, and mocked, yet care not for that, but rejoice and be glad, that they who are scorned and scoffed by this godless and vain world, and nicknamed puritans, would admit you to their society, for I must tell you, when I am at this point as you see me, that I get no comfort to my soul from any second means under heaven, ex- cept from those that are branded as puritans. They are the men that can give a word of comfort to a weary soul in due season — and that I have found by experience, since I did lie down here." One of his natural sisters he thus addressed : " My dove, thou art young, and alas I ignorant of God. I know thy breeding, and up- bringing well enough. Seek the Spirit of regeneration. Oh ! if thou knew it, and felt the power of the Spirit as I do now. Think not that all is gone, because your brother is dead. Trust in God, and your Father liveth, — and beware of the follies of youth. Give yourself to reading and praying, and to careful hearing of God's word ; and take heed whom you hear, — and how you hear, — and God be with you." To a minister fTrving of Parton,*] he said, " Mr. James it is not holiness enough to be a minister, for you ministers have your own faults, and those more heinous than others. I pray you be more painful in your calling, and take good heed to the flock of God, and know that every soul that perisheth by your negligence, shall be counted to your soul as murdered before God. Think not but such a man as I may at this time give a wise man counsel. Take heed in these dangerous days how you lead the people of God, and take heed to your ministry." To his chaplain, who was then Mr. George Gil- lespie, he said, " You have carried yourself discreetly to me, bo that I cannot blame you. I hope you will prove an honest man. If I have been at any time harsh to you, forgive me. I would I had taken heed to many of your words. I might have got good by the means God gave me ; but I made no use of them."f " Now," continues Kenmure, " I see that it was God that sent the pastor unto me, because he resolved to stay longer at Irvine. The Lord has now let me see my ways : my soul hath been troubled for them ; but my God hath given me comfort, and hath begun to loose my tongue : God be thanked for that which I have got : I look for more : great is the work of mercy that is shown to me ; now the love of God is made known to my soul, and I am grieved for my ingrati- tude against my loving Lord, and that I should have sinned against him who came down from the heaven to the earth for my cause, to die for my sins. The sense of this love borne in upon my heart hath • Mr. Irving, soon after this time, inclined to episcopal principles, and took part with bishop Sydserf in his persecution of the presbyterians. f Mr. Gillespie was afterwards minister of Weinyss, and subsequently one of the ministers of Edinburgh. 3 C 3i TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. a reflex, making me love my Saviour, and adhere to him again. The sparks and embers of this love shall fly up and down in this bed, so long as I lie in it." To another kinsman he said, " Learn to use your time well. Ob, alas ! the ministry in this country are dead. God help you ; you are not led right ; ye had need to be busy among yourselves. Men are as careless in the practice of godliness as if godliness were but words, signs, and shows ; but all these will not do the turn. Oh J but I find it hard now, to take heaven by violence, and to thrust in at it." To two gentlemen, neighbours, he said, " It is not rising soon in the morning, and running to the park or stone-dyke, that will bring peace to the conscience, when it comes to this part of the play. You know not how I have been beguiled with this world. I would counsel you to seek that one thing that is necessary, even the salvation of your souls. Be continually casting up your accounts : let not your reck- onings be behind as mine were ; but count with your own souls every day and every night." To a cousin, ^Robert Gordon,] bailie of Ayr, he said, " Robert, I know you have light and understanding ; and though you have no need to be instructed by me, yet have you need to be incited. Care not overmuch for the world, but make use of the good occasions and means you have in your country ; for here is a pack of dumb dogs that cannot bark ; they vaguely talk to you of terror and of comfort, but without any sense or life." To a young cousin, and another young gentleman that was his friend, he said, " You are young men, and you have far to go, and it may be some of you have not far to go, and if it fall out that your journey be short, however it is dangerous. Now are you happy, because you have time to lay your accounts with Jesus Christ. See therefore that your reckoning be made daily, lest you be taken, as I am, to make your accounts, and to have all your senses to seek about you. Suffer not therefore this example that you see of mo to slip unobserved, but make your best use of it. I entreat you to give your youth to Jesus Christ, for it is the most precious offer and acceptable gift you can give him. Give not your youth to the devil and your lusts ; and then reserve nothing to Jesus Christ but your old rotten bones. It is to be feared that then he will not accept you : learn therefore to watch and take example by me." He called Mr. Lamb,* who was the bishop of Galloway, com- manding all who were within the chamber to remove, ai;d had a long conference with him; exhorting him earnestly not to inole-.t or remove the Lord's servants, and not to enforce or intliral their con-ciences to receive the Five Articles of Perth, or do any tiling against their con- sciences, but to behave himself meekly towards them, as he would wish to have mercy from God." The bishop answered, " My lord, our ceremonies are of their own nature but things indifferent, and we • Andrew I.amh was translated from the See of Brechin to tli.it of Gallo- way in 1619, on tin- Q44th iif lii Imp Lownrr. — Keith's Catalogue of Scottiah Bullous, p. Ki7. lie died in le>s than three months after Kenmuir, uud was succeeded by Sydseif, a mau of a totally opposite character. JOHN GORDON, VISCOUNT KENMUIR. 35 impose them for decency and order in God's kirk. They need not stand so scrupulously on them as matter of conscience in God's wor- ship." Kenmuir replied, " I am not to dispute with you, but one thing I know, and can tell you from dear experience, that these things indeed are matters of conscience, and not indifferent ; and so I have found them : for since I did lie down on this bed, the sin that lay heaviest on my soul, and hath burdened my conscience most, was my withdrawing of myself from the parliament, and not giving my voice for the truth against these things which they call indifferent ; for in so doing, I have denied the Lord my God." When the bishop began to commend and encourage him for his well-led life, and did put him in hopes of health, and praised him for his civil carnage and legal be- haviour, saying he was no oppressor, and without any known vice, he answered, " That's no matter : a man may be a good civil neighbour, and yet go to hell." The bishop answered, " I confess, my lord, we have all our faults ;" and thereafter insisted in long discourse, which Kenmuir thought impertinent. This made him interrupt the bishop, saying, " What should I more ? I have got a hold of Christ, and Christ of me. God be with your lordship." On the morrow, the bishop came to him, and said, " My lord, how do you do ?" My lord answered, " I thank God, as well as a saved man, hastening to heaven, can do :" After that he gave the clerk of Kirkcudbright a most divine and grave counsel concerning his Chris- tian courage, and how he should walk in his particular calling. He caused him to hold up his hand, and swear by the Lord, that he should never consent, but oppose the election of a corrupt minister or magis- trate. He said to his coachman, " You will now be apt to go to any man that will give you most hire ; but do not so : go where ye may get best company ; though you get less wages, yet will ye get the more grace, because your calling is subject to drunkenness and company." He made him hold up his hand and promise before God to do so. To two young serving-men, who came to him weeping to get his last blessing, he said, " Content not yourselves to be like old divines, with a superficial view of religion to make a show of, blessing yourselves in the morning for a fashion only : yea, though you should pray both morning and evening, yet that will not avail you, except likewise ye make your account every day. Oil ! ye will find few to direct or counsel you : but I will tell you what to do : first pray to the Lord fervently, to enlighten the eyes of your mind; then seek grace to rule your affections. You will find the good of this when you are as I am." He took their oaths to strive to do so. And as he counselled them, he gave also many divine and powerful exhortations to several individuals, insomuch that they could hardly all be written at length. He caused every man to hold up his hand, and swear in his presence, that by God's grace, they would forsake their former sins, and follow his counsel. After he had exhorted many friends and servants, as they were go- ing out of the chamber, he said to them, " I have somewhat yet to say ; be not deceived with the world ; for me, I have played the fool, and brought the house of Kenmuir to the perfection of a complete SG TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. fabric, as it was never before, and busied myself exceedingly; and when I came to the top of my hopes, and thought to enjoy them, the Lord came and plucked me from my hopes ; thereafter I did see my own folly ; and this also I observed in my father. Take example by me, and be not ensnared with the world. There be some who seek the world too carefully, and some too greedily, and many unlawfully; and men have it so much in their mind, that they are upon the world in the morning, ere they come out of their bed, and before even they Beek God. Sirs, set your hearts to take pains, in sad earnest, for the kingdom of heaven. I will tell you the heavenly kingdom is not got with a skip or a leap. I find it now, there must be thrusting, and thronging, and climbing to enter in. It is a strait and narrow way." His own omissions in the morning time, through needless toils and dis- tractions, touched his conscience : this he confessed with regret. He was giving a divine counsel to a friend ; and resting in the midst of it, he looked up to heaven, and prayed for a loosened heart and tongue to express the goodness of God to men ; and afterwards went on in his counsel, not unlike Jacob, Gen. xlix. 18. who in the midst of a prophetical testament, rested a little, and said, " I have waited for thy salvation." He gave his lady, diverse times, and that openly, an hon- ourable and ample testimony of holiness and goodness, and all re- spectful kindness to her husband, and earnestly craved her forgive- ness where he had offended her, and desired her to make the Lord her comforter, and said he was gone before, and it was but fifteen or sixteen years up or down. He spoke ordinarily to all the servants of the house, butlers, cooks, &c, omitting none ; 6aying, " Learn to serve and fear the Lord, and use carefully the means of your salva- tion, that you put not off your accounts till the latter end of the day, as I did foolishly. I know what is generally your religion. Ye go to church, and when ye hear the devil or hell named in the preaching, ye sigh and make a noise, and it's forgot by you before ye come home, and then you are holy enough. But I can tell you, the kingdom of heaven is not got so easily as your pastor and guides would have you suppose ; they are but a pack of dumb dogs. Use the means your- self, and gain some 6ense of God, and pray as you can, morning and evening. If you be ignorant of the way to salvation, God forgive you ! for I have discharged myself in that point towards you, and appointed a man, £Mr. George Gillespie, mentioned above,] to teach you ; your blood be upon yourselves. The little knowledge that you have, if you would use it carefully and with a good conscience, the Lord would lead you on farther, and teach you his ways ; but your form is to ask for that master who will give you most hire, and little care you to live in good company, where you may find the means of sal- vation, and so ye spend the time all over in the ignorance of God." He took an oath of his servants that they should follow his advice: he made a speech severally, to every one of them: he was bo far humbled that he said to every one of them, (the meanest not excepted,) " If I have been rough to thee or offended thee, I pray thee, for God'e sake forgive m< ." And nmong others, one, to whom he had been rough, Baid, <4 Your lordthip did me never wrong; — I will never get JOHN GORDON, VISCOUNT KENMUIR. 37 such a master again :" yet ray lord urged the boy to say, " My lord, I forgive you :" howbeit the boy was hardly brought to utter these words. He said to all the beholders about him, " behold how low the Lord hath laid me !" To a gentleman burdened in his estate, he said, " Sir, I counsel you to cast your burden upon the Lord vour God." A worthy and religious gentleman of his name came to visit him four days before his death. He beholding him afar off, said, " Robert,* come to me ; leave me not till I die." Thereafter, being much com- forted by the gentleman's words, he would have him to wait ; and be- ing more and more comforted with his speeches, said, " Robert, you are a friend to me, both in soul and body." The gentleman asked him, " What comfort hath your soul in your love towards the saints?" He answered, " I rejoice at it." He then asked him, " what comfort he had in bringing the minister who attended him to Galloway ?" He answered, " God knows that I rejoice that ever he put it in my heart so to do ; and, now, because I aimed at God's glory in it, the Lord hath made me find comfort to my soul in the end. The minis- ters of Galloway murdered my father's soul, and if this man had not come they had murdered mine also."-]- In the hearing of my lady Hemes, his sister, a papist, he testified how willing he was to leave the world, insomuch, that he could not command his soul to look back again to this life. Pie did so long, he said, for his soul-full of the well of life, that papists may see that those who die in their religion, see and know well whither they go, and that we are by death fully loosed from the love of this world, for the hope of our own Father's house. It was told him that letters were come from some of his friends to him : he caused deliver them to his lady, saying, " I have nothing to do with them ; — I had rather hear of news from heaven concerning my eternal salvation." It was observed when any came to him on the subject of worldly business, that before they were out at the doors, he returned unto praying, conference, meditation, and some spiritual exercise, and was exceedingly short in despatching all earthly business ; yet so as he took the pains to sign all needful writs when he was required; likewise he recommended the care of the poor to his friends. When he was wearing weaker, he fell into a swoon, and being awakened, he said with smiling and signs of joy to all about him, "I * The individual spoken of in the text, was probably Robert Gordon of Knockbrex, "a simple hearted and painful Christian." — Livingstone's Me- morable Observations, MS. His name is well known to those acquainted with the history of Rutherford, or with his Letters. His sons, John Gordon of Knockbrex, and Robert Gordon, were executed at Edinburgh, on the 7th Dec. 1666, for having been concerned in the rising that was terminated by the battle of Pentland. — See their Testimony. f Kenmuir, in the prospect of death, seems to have experienced great comfort from the recollection of having been the means of bringing a gospel preacher and a faithful clergyman, like Rutherford, to Anwoth. He previously alluded to the same circumstance, and evidently appealed to it as the most praiseworthy acts of his life. 38 TESTIMONIES OF THE tfJOTS WORTHIES. would not exchange my life with you all ; nay, not with you who are ministers : I feel the smell of the place where I am going to." Upon Friday morning, the 12th of September, the day of his de- parture from this life, he said to the pastor, " This night must I sup with Jesus Christ in paradise." The minister read to him 2 Cor. v. and Rev. xxii. and made some short notes on such places as concerned his state. After prayer, be said, " I conceive good hopes that God looketh on me, when he gives his servants 6uch liberty to pray for me. Is it possible that Jesus Christ can lose his hold of me ? Neither can my soul get itself plucked from Jesus Christ." He earnestly de- sired a sense of God's presence ; and the pastor said, " "What, my lord, if that be suspended till you come to your home, and be before the throne, clothed in white, and get your harp in your hand, to 6ing salvation to the Lamb, and to him that sitteth on the throne ; for that is heaven ; and who dare promise it to you on earth ? There is a piece of nature in desiring a sense of God's love, it being an apple that the Lord's children delight to play with. But, my lord, if you would have it only as a pledge of your salvation, we shall seek it from the Lord for you, and you may lawfully pray for it." Earnest prayers were made for him, and he testified that he was filled with the sense of the Lord's love. Being asked what he thought of the world, he answered, " It is more bitter than gall or wormwood." Being de- manded if now he feared death, he answered, " I have tasted death now. It is not a whit bitter: welcome the messenger of Jesus Christ 1" He never left off to mourn for his sins, especially his desert- ing of the parliament. The pastor said to him, " There is a process between the Lord and your father's house, but your name is taken out of it. How dear, dear, was heaven bought for you by your Saviour, Jesus Christ ?" He replied, " I know there is wrath against my father's house, but I shall get my soul for a prey ;" which words he had frequently in his mouth. Ofttimes also he said, " Is not this a sweet word that God saith, As I live, I delight not in the death of a sinner. I will not let go the hold that I have got of Christ: Tliough he should slay me, yet will I trust in him ; and lie at his feet and die there, and lie at his door, like a beggar, waiting on him, and if 1 may not knock, I may scrape." Another word was ordinary to him, — " Oh, Son of God I one love-blink, one smile 1" When he had been deep in a meditation of his change of life, he made this question, " What will Jesus Christ be like when he Cometh ?" It was answered, " all lovely." The day of his change, being Friday the 12lh of September, he was heard to pray divinely : on which day he said to the doctor, " I thought to have been dissolved ere now." The pastor answered, " My lord, weary not of the Lord's yoke : Jesus Christ is posting fat to be at you; he is within a few miles." He answered mildly, " This is my infirmity. I will wait on ; he is worthy the on-waiting. Thou.li he he long in coming, yet I dare s-iy he is coming, leaning over the mountains, and shipping over the hills. If he were once come, we should not sunder." The pastor said, " Some have gotten their fill of Chiist in this life, JAMES MITCHELL 39 though he is often under a mask to his own. Even his best saints, Job, David, Jeremiah, &c. were under desertions." His lordship 'answered, " What are those examples to me? I am not in holiness uear to Job, David, or Jeremiah." The minister answered, " It is true, my lord, you cannot take so wide steps as they did, but you are in the same way with them. A young- child followeth his father at the back; and though he cannot take such wide steps as he, yet this hindereth him not to be in the same way with him. My lord, your hunger overcometh your faith : only believe his word. You are long- ing for Christ: only believe he is faithful, and will come quickly." To this my lord answered, "I think it time; Lord Jesus, come." Then the pastor said, " My lord, our nature is in trouble to be wholly upon our own deliverance; whereas God seeketh first to be glorified in our faith, and patience, and hope; and then it is time enough that we be delivered." He answered, " There is good reason that my Lord be first served. Lord, give me to wait on; only, Lord, burn me not to dross." Another said, " Cast back your eyes, my lord, on what you have received, and be thankful." At the hearing whereof, he presently brake forth in praising of God ; and finding himself weak, and his speech failing, more than an hour before his death, he desired the pas- tor to pray, — which he did. After prayer, the minister cried in his ear, " My lord, can you now sunder with Christ ?" He said nothing. Nor was it expected he would speak any more. Yet a little after, tho minister asked, " Have ye any sense of the Lord's love ?" He an- swered, '; I have sense." The pastor said, " Do you not enjoy ?" He answered, " I do enjoy." Thereafter the pastor said, " Will yo not sunder with Christ ?" He replied, " By no means." This was his last word, not being able to speak any more. The pastor asked if he should pray. He turned his eye towards the pastor. In the time of that last prayer, he was observed joyfully smiling, and looking up with glorious looks, as was observed by the beholders, and with a certain beauty, his visage was beautified, as beautiful as ever he was in his life. He expired with loud and strong fetches and sobs, being strong of heart and body, of the age of five and thirty years. The expiring of his breath, the ceasing of the mo- tion of his pulse, (which the physician was still holding,) ceased all precisely with the Amen of his prayer, and so he died sweetly and holily, and his end was peace. He departed about the setting of the sun, September the 12tb, 1634;. XII. JAMES MITCHELL. [This was an amiable young man, a preacher of the gospel, who died at the early age of twenty-three. He was the son of James Mitchell of Dykes, in the parish of Ardrossan, and was bora about the year 1621. During his studies at the University of 40 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Glasgow, he acquired the affection and esteem of all who knew him, and passed through his trials for license, with the highest approbation of the professors and presbytery. He had preached only a few times, when seized with a consumption, of which he ; died. Of his Christian experience, and pious expressions towards the close of life, we have the following detail.] During his sickness, the Lord was pleased so to guard his heart against the malice of Satan, that his confidence and peace were but little disturbed. He possessed all manner of patience and submission, and never was heard to murmur, but often thought his Master's time well worth the waiting on, and was frequently much refreshed with seeing and hearing good piou3 neighbours, who came to visit him. Among other gracious sayings, he declaimed much against imprudent speaking, especially in students and young ministers ; as being but the froth and vanity of a foolish mind. He lamented the pride of many such in usurping a priority of place, which became them not ; and exclaimed frequently against himself for his own practice, yet 6aid, he was in the strength of God brought to mortify the same. He frequently exhorted his parents to carry themselves to one another as the word of God required, and above all things to fear God, and de- light in his word : he often said, that he dearly loved the book of God, and sought them to be earnest in prayer, showing that it was an unknown thing, and a thing of another world, and that the in- fluence of prayer behoved to come out of heaven ; that the Spirit of supplication must be wrestled for, else all prayer would be but life- less and natural. On one occasion, the laird of Cunningham coming to visit him, as he did frequently, he enumerated all the remarkable passages of God's goodness and providence towards him, especially since he con- tracted sickness, as in showing infinite mercy to his soul, tender compassion towards his body, patience and submission to his will without grudging, calmness of spirit, without passion, solid and constant peace within and without ! " This," said he, " is far beyond the Lord's manner of dealing with many of his dear 6aints, and now, Sir, think ye not that I 6tand greatly indebted to the goodness and kindness of God, who deals thus graciously and warmly with me every way ;" and then burst out in praise to God in a sweet and lively manner. At another time, the laird being present, May 26th, looking out of his bed to the sun shining brightly on the opposite side of the house, he said, " O what a splendour and glory will all the elect and re- deemed saints have one day ; and O ! how much more will the glory of the Creator be, who shall communicate that glory to all his own, but the shallow thoughts of men are not able to conceive the ex- cellency thereof 1" Again, Mr. Macqueen being present, his father inquired at him, wherein our communion with God stood? He said, " in reconcili- ation and peace with him, which is the first effect of our justification :" then, he observed, there was access and love to God, patience and submission to his will, he: thou, the Lord manifested himself to T JAMES MITCHELL 41 us, as Christ himself says, Ye shall know that I am in the Father, and you in me, and I in you. And again, He that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and manifest myself unto him. One morning1 to Hugh Macgavin and his father, he said, "lam not afraid of death, for I rest on infinite mercy, procured by the blood of the Lamb." Then he spake as to himself, " Fear not, little flock, it is the Father's good pleasure to give you the king- dom:" and then said, "What are these who are of this little flock? Even sinners. 'I came not to calkthe righteous, but sinners to re- pentance.' But what kind of sinners? Only those who are sensible of sin and wrath, and see themselves to be lost, therefore, says Christ, ' I came to seek and to save them who are lost.' There are two words here, seeking and saving; and whom? Even those who are lost bankrupts, who have nothing to pay. These are they whom Christ seeks, and who are of his flock." To John Kyle, another morning, he said twice over, " My soul longeth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning." At another time, perceiving his father weeping, he said, " I cannot blame you to mourn, for I know you have thought that I might, with God's blessing, have proved a comfortable child to you; but comfort yourself in this, that ere it be long, I will be at a blessed rest, and in a far better state than I canbe in this life, free from sin and every kind of misery, and within a short time ye will follow after me. And in the meantime, encourage yourself in the Lord, and let not your mourning be like those who have no hope. The Lord by de- grees will assuage your grief, for so he has appointed, else we would be swallowed up, and come to nought, for I could never have been removed out of this life in a more seasonable time than now, having both the favour of God and man, being hopeful that my name shall not be unsavoury when I am gone ; and none know what affronts, grief, and calamities, I might have fallen into, had I lived much longer. And for crosses and trouble, how might my life have been made bitter to me ! for when I think what opposition I might have, ere I was an actual minister, by divisions of the people, the patron, and the presbytery, it could not but overwhelm me; and then being entered, I know not what a fighting life, with a stubborn people, might be my lot, and then what discontent I might have in a wife, which is the lot of many an honest man, is uncertain; then cares, fears, straits of the world, reproaches of men, personal desires, and the devil and an evil world to fight with, these and many more cannot but keep a man in a struggling state in this life. And now, lest this should seem a mere speculation, I could instance these things * This is at once a very correct, and very consolatory view of the many and various evils from which it is not improbable Mr. Mitchell was exempted by his premature death. And to have been able thus to contemplate them, thus to bring them together before the eye of his mind, whilst it no doubt reconciled him to relinquish the world and all its prospects, may also be held as indicating a degree of intellectual sagacity and Christian experience, in. the highest degree creditable to this youthful saint. 42 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. in the persons of many worthy men; I pass all these and only point at one, whose gifts and graces are well known to you, viz. Mr. David Dickson, who, I am sure God has made the instrument of the conversion of many souls, and of much good in the country ; and yet this gracious person has been tossed to and fro. And you know that the Lord made him a gracious instrument in the late reformation, and yet he has in a great measure been slighted by the state and the kirk also. What reason have I then to bless God, who, in mercy is timously removing me from all trouble, and will make me as wel- come to heaven as if I had preached forty years, for he knows it was my intention, by his grace, to have honoured him in my ministry ; and seeing he has accepted the will for the deed, what reason have I to complain ? for now I am willing and ready to be dissolved, and to be with Christ, which is best of all ; wherefore, dear father, com- fort yourself with this." One time, in conference concerning the sin in the godly, his father said to him, " I am sure you are not now troubled with corruption, being so near death." He answered, " You are altogether deceived, for as long as my foot remaineth on this earth, though the earth were translated above the clouds, my mind would not be free of sinful motions." Whereupon, he regretted that he could not get Iris mind and his affections so lifted up, as he could have wished, to dwell or meditate on God, his word, and the endless life ; that he could not feel such spirituality as became him, by entertaining thoughts of God's greatness and goodness, and was often much perplexed with vain thoughts ; but still he was confident, that the Lord, in his rich mercy, would pity and pass by this, his weakness and infirmity." About ten or twelve days before his dissolution, he fell into a faint, and was speechless for nearly an hour, so that none present had any hopes that he would again recover ; but in the meantime he was wrapt in divine contemplation. At last he began to recover, and his heart being enlarged, he opened his mouth with such lively exhorta- tions as affected all present ; and directing his speech to his father, he said, " Be glad, Sir, to see your son, yea, I say* your Kecond ton, made a crowned king." To his mother also he said, " Be of good courage, and mourn not for want of me, for ye will find mo in the all-sufficiency of God :" and then exclaimed, " O death, I give thee a defiance, through Jesus Christ ;" saying to the ou-lookers, " Sirs, this will be a blythe and joyful good night." In the meantime, Mr. Bell came in, and to him lie. said, " Sir, you are welcome as a witness to see me fight out my last fight.' After this, he fell quiet, and got some rest. Within two days, Mr, Bell being come to visit him, lie said, " O Sir, but I was glad tho last night when you were here, when I thought to be dissolved, that T might hare met with my Master, and have enjoyed his presence for ever; but I was much grieved, when I perceived ft little reviving ; and that I was likely to lire longer." To Mr. Gabriel Cunningham, when conferring about death and the manner of dissolution, he said, " () I how sweet a il dig it were, for a man to sleep to death in the arms of Christ." L'e had umnt GEORGE GILLESPIE. 43 other lively and comfortable speeches which were not remembered ; not a day passing1 during the time of his sickness, but the on-waiters were refreshed by him. The night before his departure, he was sensible of great pain. Upon this he said, " I see it is true, that we must enter into heaven through trouble, but the Lord will help us through it." Then he said, " I have great pain, but mixed with great mercy, and strong confidence." He called to mind the saying of John Knox, on his deathbed, " I do not esteem that pain, which will be to me an end of all trouble, and the beginning of eternal felicity." His last words were these : " Lord, open the gates that I may enter in;" and a little after, his father asked, What he was doing? Whereupon he lifted up his hands, and caused all his fingers shiver and twirl, and in presence of many honest neighbours, yielded up his spirit, and went to his rest, a little after sunrising, upon the 1 1th of June, 1643.* XIII. GEORGE GILLESPIE. [Mr. Gillespie, was the son of Mr. John Gillespie, minister of Kirkaldy. Being from principle a supporter of presbyterian government he was for sometime licensed to preach, before he could gain admission to a living. He was at length, however, ordained minister of Wemyss, in 1638; beingthefirstwhowasinducted dur- ing that period, without an acknowledgment of the bishops. Hence- forth, he became a most zealous defender of the presbyterian interest. In 1641, he was translated to Edinburgh, and two years after was sent as a commissioner for the church of Scotland, to the Westminster assembly. On his return from this court, in which he distinguished himself highly, he continued to take a prominent lead in the public affairs of the church, and in 1648 was chosen moderator of the general assembly. He was also appointed to superintend the treaty for uniformity of religion with England, but shortly after, being seized with his last sickness, he died on the 17th of December following. His last words, whilst they record his sentiments with respect to religion in general, have a special reference to the question which then agitated the public mind, with regard to the duke of Hamilton's unlawful engage- ment in favour of the king. We insert them in the order in which he delivered them, as imbodied in his latter Avill,his farewell letter to the general assembly, and his Testimony.] 1. His Latter Will. "Being, through much weakness and sickness, in expectation of my last change, I have thought good, by this my latter-wil), under my * Scots Worthies — Life of Mitchell. ii TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. hand, to declare first of all, that the expectation of death, which appeareth not to be far off, doth not shake me from the faith and truth of Christ, which I have professed and preached ; neither do I doubt, but this so much opposed covenant and reformation of the three king- doms, is of God, and will have a happy conclusion. It hath pleased God, who chooseth the foolish things of this world, to confound the wise, and the things that are not, to confound the tilings that are, to employ me (the unfittest and unworthiest among many thousands) in the advancing and promoting of that glorious work ; and now I repent no forwardness or zeal that ever I had therein, and dare promise, to as many as will be faithful and zealous in the cause of God, it shall be no grief of heart to them afterward, but matter of joy and peace, as this day I find it, through God's mercy, passing by my many and great infirmities, and approving my poor endeavours in his cause. But if there be. a falling back to the sin of compliance with malig- nant ungodly men, then I look for the breaking out of the wrath of the Lord, till there be no remedy. O that there were such a spirit at least, in such of our nobility as stand for the truth, that they may take more of God's counsel, and lean less to their own reason and understanding. As for dangers on the other baud from sectaries, — I have been, and am of the opinion, that they are to be prevented and avoided by all lawful means ; but that tl»e dangers from malig- nants are nearest and greatest in this kingdom." * * * * Sic Sub.— GEORGE GILLESPIE." " Kirkaldy, Sept. 4th, 1648." 2. His Letter to the Commission of the General Assembly. " My very reverend and dear brethren, — Although the Lord's hand detaineth me from attending your meetings, yet, as long as I can write or speak, I dare not be silent, nor conceal my thoughts of any sinful and dangerous course in the public proceedings. Having therefore heard of some motions and beginnings of compliance* with those who have been so deeply engaged in a war, destructive \o religion, and the liberties of the kingdoms, I cannot but discharge • It would appear from this, that some members of assembly, imposed on by their high pretensions to zeal for religion and the covenant, had discovered a tendency to favour the inalignants. This, therefore, Mr. Gillespie inveighs against as a tacit recognition of their unlawful engagement and as a dereliction of the principles on which, in reference to that matter, the assembly had hitherto acted. It was certainly from no want of loyalty, in the proper sense of the word, that the covenanters were opposed to the lately adopted measures in behalf of the king. They were on the contrary his best and steadiest friends. They were his friends from principle, aud not merely from a vapourish and enthusiastic feeling of loyalty which would flatter him to his own and his country's ruin. They, therefore, wished to favour him, in a way that was consistent with their solemn obligations. And above all, they desired to free him from the counsels, and check the influence, of a set of men, who, with i\w most ample professions of religion, as well as of patriotism, had it secretly as their object to lay at the feet of the monarch, both the religious and political privileges of their fellow subjects. GEORGE GILLESPIE. *5 my conscience, in giving a testimony against all such compliance. I know, and am persuaded, that all the faithful witnesses that gave testimony to the thesis, that the late engagement was contrary and destructive to the covenant, will also give testimony to the appendix, that compliance with any who have been active in that engagement, is most sinful and unlawful. I am not able to express all the evils of that compliance, they are so many ; sure I am, it were a harden ing of the malignant party, a wounding of the hearts of the godly, an infinite wronging of those, who, from their affection to the covenant and cause of God, have taken their life in their hand ; a great scandal to our brethren of England, who as they have been strengthened and encouraged by the hearing of the zeal and integrity of the well affected in this kingdom, and how they opposed the late engagement, so they would be as much scandalized to hear of a compliance with malignants now. Yea, all that hear of it might justly stand amazed at us, and look on us as a people infatuated, that can take into our bosom the fiery serpents that have stung us so sore. " But above all, that which would heighten this sin even to the heavens, is this, that it were not only a horrible backsliding, but a backsliding into that very sin which was specially pointed at, and punished by the prevalency of the malignant party; God justly making them thorns and scourges, who were taken in as friends, without any real evidence, or fruits of repentance. Alas 1 shall we split twice upon the same rock : yea, run upon it, when God hath set a beacon on it; shall we be so demented as to fall back into the same sin, which was engraven with great letters in our late judgment ; yea, I may say, shall we thus outface and outdare the Almighty, by protecting his and our enemies, when he is persecuting them ; by making peace and friendship with them, when the anger of the Lord is burning against them ; by setting them on their feet, when God hath cast them down. Oh 1 shall neither judgments nor deliverances make us wise. I must here apply to our present con- dition, the words of Ezra : ' And after all this is come upon us, for our evil deeds, and for our great trespass, seeing that thou, our God, hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hath given us such deliverance as this : Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abominations ? Wouldest thou not be angry with us, till thou hast consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor escaping ?' O happy Scotland, if thou canst now improve aright, and not abuse this golden opportunity; but if thou wilt help the ungodly, and love them that hate the Lord, wrath upon wrath, and wo upon wo shall be upon thee from the Lord. " This testimony of a dying man, (who expects to stand shortly before the tribunal of Christ) I leave with you, my reverend brethren, being confident of you, through the Lord, that ye will be no otherwise minded; but that, as men of God, moved with the zeal of God, you will freely discharge your consciences, against every thing which you see lifting up itself against the kingdom of 46 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the Lord Jesus: this shall be your peace and comfort in your latter end. Now the God of all grace establish you, and direct you, and preserve you all blameless to the end, and bring others out of the snare, that hanker after that compliance. So prayeth, your most affectionate brother, to serve you in what I can to my last: GEORGE GILLESPIE." «Kirkaldy, Sept. 8th, 1648. 3. His Testimony. " Seeing now, in all appearance, the time of my dissolution is very near, although I have in my latter will declared my mind of public affairs, yet I have thought good to add this further testimony, that I esteem the malignant party in these kingdoms, the seed of the serpent, enemies to piety, and presbyterian government, (pretend what they will to the contrary) a generation that have not set God before them. With the malignants are to be joined the profane and scan- dalous, from all which, as also from heresies and errors, the Lord I trust is about to purge his churches. I have often comforted myself (and still do) with the hopes of the Lord's purging this polluted land ; surely the Lord hath begun and will carry on that great work of mercy, and will purge out the rebels. I know there will be always a mixture of hypocrites, but that cannot excuse the con- niving at gross and scandalous sinners. This purging work which the Lord is about, very many have directly opposed and said by their deeds, ' we will not be purged nor refined, but we will be joining and mixing ourselves with these whom the ministers preach against as malignant enemies to God and his cause.' But let him that is filthy he filthy still, and let wisdom be justified of her children. I recommend to them that fear God, sadly and seriously to consider that the holy scripture doth plainly hold forth, 1st. That the helping of the enemies of God, or joining and mingling with wicked men, is a sin highly displeasing. 2d. That this sin hath ordinarily ensnared God's people into divers other 6ins. 3d. That it hath been punished of God with grievous judgments. 4th. That utter destruction is to be feared, when a people, after great mercies and judgments, relapse into this sin, Ezra ix. 13, 14. " Upon these and the like grounds, for my own exoneration, that so necessary a truth want not the testimony of a dying witness of Christ, also the un worthiest among many thousands ; mid that li^lit may be held forth, and warning given, I cannot be silent, at this time, but speak hy my pen, when I cannot by my tongue; yea. now, also by the pen of another, when I cannot by my own, seriously, in the name of Jesus Christ, exhorting, and obtesting all that fear God and make conscience of their ways, to be very tender and circumspect, to watch and pray that they be not ensnared in that great dangerous sin of conjunction, or compliance with malig- nant, or profane enemies of the truth, under whatsoever prudi ptia] considerations it may be varnished Over, whieh, if men uill do, anj trust God iu his uwu way, they shall not only repent it, but to the ANDREW GRAY. 47 greater joy and peace of God's people, they shall see his work go on and prosper gloriously. In witness of the premises, I have subscribed the same with my hand at Kirkaldy, Dec. 15, 1 648, before these wit- nesses, Mr. F. Carmichael, minister at Markinch, and Mr. Alex. Mon- crief, minister at Sconie. Sic Sub.— GEORGE GILLESPIE."* F. Carmichael, lwitnesses# . MONCRIEF, J XIV. ANDREW GRAY. [It appears that Mr. Gray was bora about the year 1634, and being very early sent to college, was prepared for license by his twentieth year. He, shortly after, was called to be minister of the Outer High Church of Glasgow, where his notable gifts as a preacher soon procured for him an extensive reputation and a numerous auditory. People from all quarters flocked to hear him, it being their constant emulation who should be most under the refreshing drops of his ministry. He was allowed to continue in his blessed work only for about two years and a half, when it pleased his ; divine Master to call him home. It is to be regretted that his last words were not recorded. We may learn, however, what were his spiritual exercises, and what his concern for the church's prosperity, and what his desire to save souls, from the following letter, addressed by him to lord Warriston, a little before death, and bearing date February 7tb, 1656.] " My Lord, — It may seem strange, that after so long interruption of intercourse with your lordship by letters, I should at this juncture of time write to you, wherein there seems to be a toleration of tongues, and lusts, and religion, wherein many by their practice say, ' our tongues are our own.' I am afraid, that sad word shall be spoken to Scotland yet seven times more, ' That whereas he hath chastised with whips, he will do it by scorpions, and his little finger shall be heavier than his loins in former times.' If our judgments that seem to approach, were known, and these terrible things in righteousness, by which he, whose furnace is in Jerusalem, is like to speak to us, were 6een and printed on a board, it might make us cry out, • Who shall live when God doth these things, and who can dwell with everlasting burnings ?' " He hath broken his staff of bands, and is threatening to break his staff of beauty, that his covenant which he hath made with all the people, might not be broken. Is it not to be feared, ' That the sword of the justice of God is bathed in heaven, and will come down to make a sacrifice, not in the land of Idumea, or Bozrah, but on these that were once his people, who hath broken his everlasting- covenant, .• Testimony-bearing Exemplified, pp. SO — ii. 48 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and changed his ordinances? What shall Scotland be called? Loru- hamah and Lo-ammi, who was termed Beulah and Hephzibah,' A peo- ple delighted in, and married to the Lord.' I think that curse in Zep a i. 17. is much accomplished in our days, ' They shall walk like blind men, because they have sinned against the Lord.' Does not our car- riage under all these speaking and afflicting dispensations, fighting against God in the furnace, and our dross not departing from us, speak this with our hearts, ' That for three transgressions, and for four, he will not turn away the punishment of these covenanted lands ?' And this shall be our blot in all generations — ' this is that Scotland that in its afflictions, sins more and more.' It is no wonder then, that we be put to our, ' How long, how long wilt thou hide thy face ? How long wilt thou forget, O Lord ? O Lord, how shall thy jealousy burn like a fire, and we hear the confused noise of war, and of rumours of war ?' " Since God has put it, ' How long wilt thou go about, 0 thou back* sliding daughter?' Jer. xxxi. 22. Are ye not gadding about to change, turning his glory into shame, and loving lying vanities ? And i there are four How longs that God is put to lament over Scotland, and which are most in Luke ix. 41. ' How long shall I be with you, and suffer you?' Is not Christ necessitate to depart, and to make us a land sown with salt and grass in our most frequented congregations r Ay, believe it, ere it be long, these two words shall be our lot, there is that in Jer. ii. 31. « O generation, see the word of the Lird ;* when these that would not hear him in his word, shall see him in his dispensations ; when all our threatenings shall be preached to our ears ; and that word in Hosea vii. 12. 'I will chastise them as their congregation hath heard.' O shall poor Scotland 6erve themselves heirs to the sins of the Gadarenes, to desire Christ to flit out of then- coasts, and to subscribe the bill of divorce (in a manner) before Christ subscribe it ? It is like, these three sad evidences of affliction that are in Isaiah xlvii. 11. < shall come upon us in their perfection.' I shall add no more on a sad subject.* " My lord, not being able to write to you with my own hand, I have thought fit to present these few thoughts unto you by the hand of a friend. " I know not, (I will not limit him) but I may stand within that judgment-hall, where that glorious and spotless high priest doth sit, ! * It must be evident to every one at all acquainted with the history of the times, that in the foregoing reflections Mr. Gray alludes to the state of matters iu Scotland, produced by the repeal of the act of classes, and more lately, by the toleration of all sects under Cromwell's usurpation. "We pretend not to say how far his views on these matters were correct, but only to explain the allu- sions which he makes to the religious aspect of Scotland at the period in ques- tion. And undoubtedly, to one who regarded presbytery as the most perfect, and indeed, the divinely authorized form of church government, the diversity of principle, and consequently of profession, which then prevailed, KM amongst the religious ; and the laxity of feeling and conduct amongst the careless and the profane, naturally resulting from such a confusion In the public miiul, might well appear to bo the token and the precursor of still farther chastisements from the hand of God. ANDREW GRAY. 49 with that train that does fill the temple: and, O to be among the last of these that are bidden come in, and partake of that everlasting- peace ! O what a poor report will the messengers of the covenant and gospel make, whose image they crucify in their hearts, to whom I may apply these words by allusion, 'The morning of conversion is to them as the terrors of death, and as the terrors of the breaking in of the day to the destroying of them?' What a poor account will some of us make, both as to the answer of our conscience, and as to the answer of his pains taken upon us, and as to the answer of his promises, and as to the answer of his threatenings, and as to the answer of his commands, and as to the answer of our light? Now, not to trouble your lord- ship, whom I also highly reverence, and my soul was knit unto in the Lord, but that you would bespeak my case to the great Master of requests, and my broken case before him, who has pleaded the desperate case of many, according to the sweet word in Lamentations iii. 56. — this is all at this time from one in a very weak condition, in a great fever, who for much of seven nights has but slept little at all, but has been kept in a right sad and grievous torment from his hand, with many other sad particulars and circumstances. " I shall say now no more, but I am yours in some single respects, I hope, I may say, dying in Christ, ANDREW GRAY."* * Gray's Works, pp. 513—514. D THIC LAST WORDS AND DYING TESTIMONIES OF THH SCOTS WORTHIES. PART SECOND: COMPREHENDING TESTIMONIES THAT WERE EMITTED, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1660 AND 1680. I. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. [[This eminent Christian and divine, so well known to the religious world by his " Letters," was educated at Edinburgh, and very early was elected professor of philosophy in that university. He was afterwards called to be minister of Anwoth in Galloway, and be- came no less distinguished by the conscientious performance of his private duties, than by the troubles he experienced on account of his nonconformity. These he detailed to the memorable assembly of 1638, and in consideration of his high merits, was forthwith ap- pointed to the divinity chair in the new college of St. Andrews. He was also selected in 1643, as one of the commissioners to the assem- bly at Westminster. It was about this period he published the famous treatise, entitled Lex Rex, for which, in the year 1661, it was proposed to indict him, when he was happily removed from tbe threatened evils into a better world. Together with his last words, we subjoin his testimony to the work of reformation, since 1638, which was signed by him only twelve days before his death/] 1. His Last Words. During the time of his last sickness, he uttered many savoury speeches, and often broke out in a kind of sacred rapture, exalting and commending the Lord Jesus. Especially when his end drew mar, iic often called liim his " blessed Master," his " kingly King." Some days before bis death, he said, "I shall shine; I shall see him as he SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 51 is; I shall see him reign, and all his fair company with him, and I shall have my large share. Mine eyes shall see my Redeemer; these very eyes of mine,"and none other for me. This may seem a wide word: but it is no fancy or delusion: it is true. Let my Lord's name be exalted, and if he will, let my name be grinded to pieces, that he may be all in all. If he should slay me ten thousand times, I will trust in him. He often repeated Jer. xv. 16. "Thy words were found of me and I did eat them." When exhorting one to diligence, he said, " It is no easy thing to be a Christian. For me, I have got the victory, and Christ is hold- ing out both his arms to embrace me." At another time, to some friends present, he said, "At the beginning of my sufferings, I had mine own fears, like other sinful men, lest I should faint, and not be carried creditably through, and I laid this before the Lord, and as sure as ever he spoke to me in his word, as sure as his Spirit witnesseth to my heart, he hath accepted my sufferings. He said to me, Fear not, the outgate shall not be simply matter of prayer, but matter of praise. I said to the Lord, If he should slay me five thousand times fivo thousand, I would trust in him : and I speak with much trembling, fearing I should not make my part good ; but as really as ever he spake to me by his Spirit, he witnessed to my heart, that his grace should be sufficient." The Thursday night before his death, being much grieved with the state of the public, he had this expression, " Horror hath taken hold on me." And after- wards, falling on his own condition, he said, " I renounce all that ever he made me will and do, as defiled and imperfect, as coming from me ; I betake myself to Christ for sanctification as well as justification : — Repeating these words, " He is made of God to me wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption :" — adding, I close with it, let him be so, he is my all in all. March 17th, three gentlewomen came to see him, and after ex- horting them to read the word, to be much in prayer, and much in communion with God, he said, " My honourable Master and lovely Lord, my great Royal King, hath not a match in heaven nor in earth. I have my own guilt, like other sinful men ; but he hath pardoned, loved, washed, and given me joy unspeakable and full of glory. I repent not that ever I owned his cause. These, whom ye call pro- testers, are the witnesses of Jesus Christ. I hope never to depart from that cause, nor side with those that have burnt the • Causes of God's Wrath.' They have broken their covenant oftener than once or twice ; but I believe the Lord will build Zion, and repair the waste places of Jacob. Oh I to obtain mercy to wrestle with God for their eternal salvation. As for this presbytery, it hath stood in opposition to me these years past. I have my record in heaven, I had no particular end in view, but was seeking the honour of God, the thriving of the gospel in this place, and the good of the new college, that society which I have left upon the Lord. What personal wrongs they have done me, and what grief they have oc- casioned to me, I heartily forgive them, and desire mercy to wrestle with God for mercy to them, and for the salvation of them all." 52 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. The same day, Messrs. James M'Gill, John Wardlaw, William Vilant, and Alexander Wedderburn, all members of the same pres- bytery coming to visit him, he made them welcome; and said, " My Lord and Master is the chief of ten thousand ; none is comparable to him in heaven or earth- Dear brethren, do all for him ; preach for Christ, pray for Christ, feed the flock committed to your charge for Christ: do all for Christ: beware of men pleasing; there is too much of it amongst us. The new college hath broke my heart, I can say nothing of it ; I have left it upon the Lord of the house, and it hath been, and still is my desire, that he may dwell in this society, and that the youth may be fed with sound knowledge." After this, he said, " Dear brethren, it may seem presumptuous in me, a particular man, to send a commission to a presbytery ;"' and Mr. M'Gill replying, it was no presumption, be continued, " Dear brethren, take a commission from me, a dying man, to them to appear for God and his cause, and adhere to the doctrine of the covenant, and have a care of the flock committed to their charge ; let them feed the flock out of love, preach for God, visit and catechise for God, and do all for God : beware of men pleasing, the chief Shepherd will appear shortly. I have been a 6inful man, and have had mine own failings ; but my Lord hath pardoned and ac- cepted my labours. I adhere to the cause and covenant ; and resolve never to depart from the protestations * against the con- troverted assemblies. I am the man I was. I am still for keeping the government of the kirk of Scotland entire, and would not, for a thousand worlds, have had the least hand in the burning of the 1 Causes of God's Wrath.' Oh ! for grace to wrestle with God for their salvation." Mr. Vilant having prayed at his desire, as they took their leave, he renewed his charge to them, to feed the flock out of love. The next morning, as he recovered out of a fainting, in which they who looked on, expected his dissolution, he said, " I feel, I feel, 1 believe, I joy and rejoice, I feed on manna." Mr. Blair (whose praise is in the churches) being present, when he took a little wine in a spoon to re- fresh himself, being then very weak, said to him, " Ye feed on dainties in heaven, and think nothing of our cordials on earth." He answered, " They rre all but dung ; but they are Christ's creatures, and, out of obedience to his command, I take them. Mine eyes shall see my Redeemer, I know he shall stand at the last day upon the earth, and I shall be caught up in the clouds to meet him in the air, and I shall be ever with him ; and what would you have more? there is an end." And stretching out his hands, he said again, " There is an end." And a little after, he said, " I have been a sinful man, but I stand at the best pass that ever a man did : Christ is mine, and I am his.". — And spoke much of the white stone and new name. Mr. Blair (who loved with all his heart to hear Christ commended) said to him again, • This appears to be these papers bearing the name of representations, propositions, protestations, &c. given in by him, and Messrs. Cant and Living- •ton, to the ministers and elders met at F.dinbnrgh, July Slth, 165 V. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 53 What think ye now of Christ?" To which he answered, " I shall live and adore him. Glory, glory to my Creator and my Redeemer for ever ! Glory shines in Emmanuel's land." In the afternoon of ;hat day he said, " Oh ! that all my brethren in the public may know what a Master I have served, and what peace I have this day. I ^hall sleep in Christ, and when I awake, I shall be satisfied with his likeness. This night shall close the door, and put my anchor within the vail, and I shall go away in a sleep by five of the clock in the morning;" which exactly fell out. Though li8 was very weak, he had often this expression, " Oh I for arms to embrace him ! Oh ! for a well tuned harp !" He exhorted Dr. Colvil (a man who com- plied with prelacy afterward) to adhere to the government of the church of Scotland, and to the doctrine of the covenant, and to have a care to feed the youth with sound knowledge. And the doctor be- ing a professor of the new college, he told him, that he heartily forgave him all the wrongs he had done him. He spoke likewise to Mr. Honeyman (afterwards bishop Honeyman), who came to see him, eaying, " Tell the presbytery to answer for God, and his cause and covenant," saying, " The case is desperate, let them be in their duty." Then directing his speech to Mr. Colvil and Mr. Honeyman, he said, " Stick to it. You may think it an easy thing in me, a dying man, that I am now going out of the reach of all that men can do ; but he, before whom I stand, knows, that I dare advise no colleague or brother to do what I would not cordially do myself, upon all hazard ; and as for the ' Causes of God's Wrath,' that men have now condemned, tell Mr. James Wood from me, that I had rather lay down my head on a scaffold, and have it chopped off many times (were it possible), before I had passed from them." And then to Mr. Honeyman he said, " Tell Mr. Wood, I heartily forgive him all the wrongs he has done me, and desire him from me, to declare himself the man that he is still, for the government of the church of Scotland." Afterwards, when some spake to him of his former painfulness and faithfulness in the ministry, he said, " I disclaim all that : the port that I would be at, is redemption and forgiveness through his blood, ' Thou 6halt shew me the path of life, in thy sight is fulness of joy :' there is nothing now betwixt me and the resurrection, but ' To-day thou shalt be with me in paradise.' " Mr. Blair saying, " Shall I praise the Lord for all the mercies he has done and is to do for you ?" He answered, ''Oh ! fur a well-tuned harp." To his child, he said, " I have again left you upon the Lord : it may be, you will tell this to others, that ' the lines are fallen to me in pleasant places, I have got a goodly heritage,' I bless the Lord that he gave me counsel." Thus, by five o'clock in the morning (as he himself foretold), it was said unto him, ' Come up hither,' and he gave up the ghost, — the renowned eagle took its flight unto the mountain of spices ! 2. His Testimony. " Though the Lord needeth not a testimony from such a wretched man as I, and if all the world should be silent, the very stones would cry, it is more than debt, that I should confess Christ before men and 54 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. angels. It would satisfy me not a little, that the throne of the Lord Jesus were exalted above the clouds, the heaven of heavens, and on both sides of the sun ; and that all possible praise and glory were ascribed to him : that, by his grace, I might put my seal, such as it is, unto that song, even the new song of these, who with a loud voice sing, Rev. v. 9. ' Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests : and we shall reign upon the earth.' And blessed were I, could I lay to, my ear of faith, and say, Amen, to the Psalm ' of the many angels round about the throne, and the beasts and elders, whose number is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, saying, with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and bless- ing ;' and if I heard ' every creature, which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth ; and such as are in the sea ; and all that are in them (as John heard them), saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb, for ever and ever.' I mean not any such visible reign as the Millenarians fancy. I believe (Lord help my unbelief) the doc- trine of the holy prophets and the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ, contained in the books of the Old and New Testament, to be the un- doubted truth of God, and a perfect rule of faith, and the only way of salvation. And I do acknowledge the sum of the Christian re- ligion, exhibited in the confessions and catechisms of the reformed protestant churches ; and in the national covenant, divers tiroes sworn by the king's majesty, the state and church of Scotland, an. 1 sealed by the testimony and subscriptions of the nobles, barons, gentle- men, citizens, ministers, and professors of all ranks : as also in the solemn league and covenant, in the three kingdoms of Scotland, Eng- land, and Ireland. And I do judge, and in conscience believe, that no power on earth can absolve and liberate the people of God from the bonds and sacred ties of the oath of God. I am persuaded, that Asa acted warrantably, in making a law, that the people should stand to the covenant, and in receiving into the covenant such as w ere not of his kingdom, 2 Chron. xv. 6, 10. And so did also Hezekiah, in sending a proclamation through all the tribes, from Dan toBeersheba, that they should come and keep the passover unto the Lord at Jeru- salem, 2 Chron. xxx. 6, 7, though their own princes did not come along with them: yea, and it is nature's law, warranted by the word, that nations should encourage, and stir up one another, to seek the true God. It is also prophesied, that divers nations should excite one another this way, Isa. iii.8. ' Many people shall go, and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways.' Zech. viii. 2. 'And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saving, Let us go speedily to pray before the Lord, and to seek the Lord of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem; and to pray before the Lord. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 55 There is also a clear prophecy to be accomplished under the New Tes- tament, ' That Israel and Judah shall go together and seek the Lord: they shall ask the way to Zion with their faces thitherward, saying, Come, and let us join ourselves to the Lord, in a perpetual covenant, that shall not be forgotten,' Jer. 1. 4>, 5. It is also foretold, that dif- ferent nations shall confederate with the Lord, and with one another, Isa. xix. 23, 24, 25. * In that day there shall be an highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come to Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assy- rians. In that day, shall Israel be the third with Egypt, and with As- syria, even a blessing in the midst of the land : whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt, my people, and Assyria, the work of my hands, and Israel, mine inheritance.' ** The church of Scotland had once as much of the presence of Christ, as to the power and purity of doctrine, worship, discipline, and govern- ment, as many we read of, since the Lord took his ancient people to be his covenanted church. The Lord stirred up our nobles to attempt a reformation in the last age, through many difficulties, and against much opposition, from those in supreme authority : he made bare his holy arm; and carried on the work gloriously, like himself; his right hand getting him the victory, until the idolatry of Rome, and her cursed mass were dashed. A hopeful reformation was in some mea- sure settled, and a sound confession of faith was agreed upon by the lords of the congregation. The people of God, according to the laudable custom of other ancient churches, the protestants in France and Holland, and the renowned princes of Germany, did carry on the work, in an innocent self-defensive war, which the Lord did abundantly bless. When our land and church were thus contending for that begun reformation, these in authority did still oppose the work. And there were not wanting men from among ourselves, men of prelatical spirits, who, with some other timeserving courtiers, did not a little under- mine the building. And we doating too much upon sound parlia- ments, and lawfully constitute general assemblies, fell from our first love, to self-seeking, secret banding, and little fearing the oath of God. " Afterwards, our work in public was too much in sequestration of estates, fining and imprisoning, more than in a compassionate mourn- fulness of spirit toward those whom we saw to oppose the work. In our assemblies, we were more bent to set up a state opposite to a state ; more upon forms, citations, leading of witnesses, suspensions from benefices, than spiritually to persuade, and work upon the con- science, with the meekness and gentleness of Christ.* The glory and • We think there can be only one opinion as to the truth of this observation. With all our admiration of the Worthies who succeeded th« reformation from popery, we cannot but observe that there was frequently displayed by them more zeal for the forms than the essence of religion, and more perhaps of a bold, undaunted, and fiery spirit of opposition to the aggressing power, than the cir- cumstances of the case called for, or was consistent with their own characters as tubjeets of a kingdom, not of this world, and disciples of the lowly Jesus. At the same time, we are not ignorant of the value and importance of the forms foi 56 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. royalty of our princely Redeemer and king was trampled on, as any might have seen in our assemblies. What way the army, and the sword, and the countenance of nobles and officers seemed to sway, that way were the censures carried. It had been better, had there been more days of humiliation in assemblies, synods, presbyteries, con- gregations, families, and far less adjourned commissions, new per- emptory summonses, and new drawn up processes. And if the meek- ness and gentleness of our Master had got so much place in our hearts, that we might have waited on gainsayers and parties contrary minded ; we might have driven gently, as our Master Christ, who loves not to overdrive,, but carries the lambs in his bosom. " If the word of truth in the Old and New Testament be a sufficient rule, holding forth what is a Christian army, whether offensive or defensive ; whether clean, or sinfully mixed, — then must we leave the question betwixt our public brethren* and us to be determined by that rule : but if there be no such rule in the word, then the confederacies and associations of the people of God with the idolatrous, apostate Israelites, with the Egyptians and Assyrians, as that of Jehoshaphat with Ahab, and these of Israel and Judah with Egypt and Assyria, should not be condemned ; but they are often reproved and condemned in scripture. To deny the scripture to be a sufficient rule in this case, were to accuse it of being imperfect and defective ; — a high and unjust reflection on the holy word of God I Beyond all question, the written word doth teach, what is a right constituted court, and what not, Psal. x. ; what is a right constituted house, and what not, Josh. xxiv. 15. ; what is a true church, and what is a synagogue of Satan, Rev. ii. ; what is a clean camp, and what is unclean. We are not for an army of 6aints, and free of all mixture of ill affected men : but it seems an high prevarication for churchmen to counsel and teach, which they contended, to the very existence, and certainly to the preservation and the spread of true godliness ; nor must we fail to observe, that the cir- cumstances in which they were placed, and the encroachments with which they were still farther threatened, might have excited their vigilance, as to minor points, to a higher pitch than their individual importance might seem to war- rant. • That is to say, the public resolutioners — those who were favourable to the repeal of the act of classes, and the admission of all men, of whatever religious denomination, to serve in the army and otherwise. The Scottish parliament had passed some acts, particularly the act of classes, for excluding from places of trust, civil and military, persons who had manifested a malignant opposition to the religion and liberties of the nation, as then established. After the defeat of the Scottish army at Dunbar and Hamilton, by Cromwell, the court, in the end of 1650 and beginning of 1651, put two queries to the commission of the General Assembly, with reference to the admission of malignant* to places of trust. 1 he commission's answers, otherwise called the public resolutions, were favourable *«> the views of the court, and the act of classes was repealed. The resolutions and subsequent procedure of the commission and General Assembly, were pro- tested against by a considerable number of ministers and elders. This gave rise to a division between the resolutioners and proUtteri (as tbej were called), which, though accommodated, was not completely healed, when the restoration took place. The protesters (of whom Hutherford was one), being t'»e stricter pr-Viyterians, were most obnoxious to the restored governu.ent. SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. 57 that the weight and trust of the affairs of Christ, and his kingdom, should be laid upon the whole party of such as have been enemies to our cause ; contrary to the word of God, and the declarations, remon- strances, solemn warnings, and serious exhortations of his church, whose public protestations the Lord did admirably bless, to the encour- agement of the godly, and the terror of all the opposers of the work " Since we are very shortly to appear before our dreadful Master and Sovereign, we cannot pass from our protestation, trusting we are therein accepted of him; — though we should lie under the imputation of dividing spirits, and unpeaceable men. We acknowledge all due obedience, in the Lord, to the king's majesty ; but we disown that ecclesiastic supremacy, in and over the church, which some ascribe to him ; that power of commanding external worship not appointed in the word ; and laying bonds upon the consciences of men, where Christ has made them free. We disown antichristian prelacy, bowing at the name of Jesus, saints' days, canonizing of the dead, and other such corrupt inventions of men, and look on them as the highway to popery. Alas I now there is no need of a spirit of prophecy to declare what shall be the woful condition of a land that hath broken covenant, first practically, and then legally, with the Lord our God : and what shall be the day of the silent and dumb watchmen of Scot- land ? Where will we leave our glory ? and what if Christ depart out of our land ? We verily judge, they are most loyal to the king's majesty, who desire the dross may be separated from the silver, and the throne established in righteousness and judgment. We are not (our witness is in heaven) against his majesty's title by birth to the kingdom, and the right of the royal family : but that the controversy of wrath against the royal family may be removed ; that the huge guilt of the throne may be mourned for before the Lord ; and that his majesty may stand constantly, all the days of his life, to the cove- nant of God, by oath, seal, and subscription, known to the world ; that so peace and the blessings of heaven may follow his government ; that the Lord may be his rock and shield ; that the just may flourish in his time ; that men fearing God, hating covetousness, and of known integrity and godliness, may be judges and rulers under his majesty — and they are not really loyal and faithful to the supreme magistrate, who wish not such qualifications in him. We are not, in this parti- cular, contending that a prince, who is not a convert or a sound be- liever, falls from his royal dominion ; the scriptures of God warrant us to pray for and obey, in the Lord, princes and supreme magistrates, that are otherwise wicked ; and to render all due obedience to them, Rom. xiii. 2, 5. 2 Tim. ii. 12. 1 Pet. ii. 18. Our souls should be afflicted before the Lord, for the burning of the • Causes of God's Wrath.' A sad practice, too like the burning of the roll by Jehudi, Jer. xxxvi. 22. In these controversies, we should take special heed to this, that Christ is a free, independent Sovereign, King, and Law- giver. The Father hath appointed him his own King in mount Zion ; and he cannot endure, that the powers of the world should encroach upon his royal prerogatives, and prescribe laws to him : this presump- tion ia not far from that of citizens that hated him, Luke xix. 14 58 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ' He shall not rule over us ;' and from the intolerable pride of those who are for breaking asunder the bands of the Lord, and his anointed, and for casting away their cords from them, Psal. ii. 3. especially seeing the man Christ would not take the office of a judge upon him, Luke xii. 14. and discharged bis disciples, to exercise a civil lordship over their brethren. True it is, the godly magistrate may command the ministers of the gospel to do their duty, but not under the pain of ecclesiastic censure, as if it were proper for him to call and uncall, depose and suspend from the holy ministry. The lordly spiritual government in and over the church, is given unto Christ, and none else : he is the sole ecclesiastic lawgiver. It is proper to him to smite with the rod of his mouth ; nor is there any other shoulder, in heaven or on earth, that is able to bear the government. As this hath been the great controversy betwixt our Lord Jesus and the powers of the world from the beginning, so it has ruined all that coped with him. Christ has proved a rock of offence to them ; they have been dashed to pieces by the stone that was cut out of the mountain without hands, Dan. ii. 3-1, 45. And the other powers that enter the lists with him shall have the same dismal exit. Whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken ; and on whomsoever it shall fall, it shall grind them to powder, Matth. xxi. 44. As the blessed prophets and apostles of our Lord contended not a little with the rulers of the earth, that Christ should be head corner stone : that Christ is the only head of the church, is as 6ure, as that he died, was buried, and rose again. It is a most victorious and prevailing truth, not only preached and attested by the ambassadors of the Lord of hosts, but confirmed by blood, martyrdom, and suffering. Many precious saints have thought it their honour and dignity, to 6uffer shame and reproach for the name of Jesus ; and it is beyond doubt, that passive suffering for the preci- ous name of Christ comes nearest to that noble sampler, wherein Christ, though a Son, learned obedience by the things which he suffered, Heb. v. 8. Now blessed is the soul, who loves not his life to death, Rev. xii 11. For on such rests the Spirit of glory and of God, 1 Pet. iv. 14. We cannot but say, it is a sad time to our land at present, it is a day of darkness, and rebuke, and blasphemy. The Lord hath covered himself with a cloud in his anger, we looked for peace, but behold evil : our souls rejoiced, when his majesty did swear the covenant of God, and put thereto his seal and subscription ; and therefore confirmed it by Ins royal promise. So thai the subjects' hearts blessed the Lord, and rested upon the healing word of a prince. But now, alas 1 the contrary is enacted by law, tie carved work is broken down, ordinances are defaced, and i\v are brought into the former bondage and chaos of prelatical confusions. The royal prero- gative of Christ is pulled from his head, and, after all the days of sor- row we have seen, we have just cause to fear we shall be made to read and eat that book, wherein is written mourning, and lamentation, and wo. Yet wc are to believe Christ will DOI BO depart from the land, but a remnant shall be saved; and be shall reign ■ victorious conquering king to the ends of the earth. O that there were nations, kindreds, tongues, and all the people of ChiiM'.s habitable world, en- MARQUIS OF ARGYLE. 59 compassing his throne with cries and tears for the spirit of supplica- tion, to be poured down upon the inhabitants of Judah for that effect."* Sic. Sub— SAMUEL RUTHERFORD. February 28th, 1661. II. ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, MARQUIS OF ARGYLE. [This illustrious nobleman, having' received a religious educatien, began very early to discover his zeal for the interests of the pres- byterian church. In l638he attended the General Assembly which met at Glasgow, and contributed much by his presence and advice to give dignity and effect to its deliberations. Next year, and in- deed for five years after, he was active in defending the same cause by his sword, which hitherto he had promoted by his talents and in- fluence ; and till the year 1 648, might be regarded as the principal supporter of the covenanted reformation in Scotland. In 1649, he assisted in reinstating Charles II. on his father's throne, and received many professions of favour from that monarch. Having afterwards, however, during the success of Cromwell, been induced to capitu- late, though after many refusals ; all his good services were forgotten, and at the king's return in 1660, he was arrested, and sent to the Tower of London, whence he was brought to Scotland to be tried by the parliament for alleged high treason. This was early in 1661. On the 25th of May that year, he was tried and con- demned, and, on the 27th, he suffered the death of a traitor, though there can be no doubt the essence of his crime consisted in his rigid adherence to the presbyterian interest.} His Last Words in Prison. After sentence, he was ordered to the common-prison, where his excellent lady was waiting for him. Upon seeing her, he said, " They have given me till Monday to be with you, my dear, there- fore let us make for it." She, embracing him, wept bitterly, and said, " The Lord will require it ; the Lord will require it ;" which drew tears from all in the room. But being himself composed, he said, " Forbear, forbear. I pity them, they know not what they are doing. They may shut me in where they please, but they cannot shut God out from me. For my part, I am as content to be here a9 in the castle, and as content in the castle as in the Tower of Lon- don, and as content there as when at liberty ; and I hope to be as content on the scaffold as any cf them all." He added, he re- membered a scripture cited by an honest minister to him while in the castle, which he intended to put in practice : — " When Ziklag was • Rutherford's Life and Testimony. — Glasg. 1784>. 60 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. taken and burnt, the people spake of stoning David, but be encour aged himself in the Lord." He spent the short time, till Monday, with the greatest serenity and cheerfulness, and in the proper exercises of a dying Christian. To some ministers who were permitted to attend him, he said, " That shortly they would envy him, who was got before tfiem," — and added, " Remember that I tell you, my skill fails me, it you who are ministers will not either suffer much or sin much ; for though you go along with these men in part, if you do not in all things, you are but where you were, and so must suffer ; and if you go not at all with them you must but suffer." He also said, that he was naturally inclined to fear in his temper, but desired those about him, to observe that the Lord had heard his prayer, and removed all fear from him. Mr. Robert Douglas and Mr. George Hutcheson preached to him in the tolbooth on the Lord's day, and at his own desire, his lady took her leave of him that eve- ning. His dear and much valued friend, Mr. David Dickson, it is said, was his bed-fellow the last night he was in time. The Marquis had a sweet time in the tolbooth as to the condition of his 60ul, and this still increased the nearer he approached his end ; as he slept calmly and pleasantly the preceding night, so on Monday morning, though much engaged in settling his affairs in the midst of company, he had at intervals much spiritual conversation, and was so overpowered by a sensible effusion of the Holy Spirit, that he broke out on one occasion into a rapture, and said, " I thought to have con- cealed the Lord's goodness, but it will not do. I am now ordering my affairs, and God is sealing my charter to a better inheritance, and just now saying to me, Son, be of good cheer, thy sins are forgiven thee." About this time he received an excellent letter from a certain min- ister, his friend, full of encouragement and comfort under his present circumstances. He then, with his own hand, wrote to his majesty in the following pathetic terms, respecting his family. His Letter to the King " Most sacred Sovereign, — I doubt not but your majesty hath an account given you from others of the issue of that 6trange process and indictment laid against me, before this can come to your royal hands ; of which, if I had been guilty according to the charge, I should have esteemed myself unworthy to breathe upon the earth ; much less would I have presumed to make an application to your majesty, lint of all those great crimes which have been charged upon me, there hath no- thing been proven except a compliance with the prevalent usurping rebels, after they had Bubdued all your majesty's dominions ; whereby 1 was forced, with many others, to submil unto their unlawful power and government, which was an epidemic disease and fault of the time. " What measure soever I have met with, and whatever malice or calumny hath been cast upon me, yet it is my inexpressible joy and comfort under all these ■offerings, that I am found free and acquitted of thai execrable murder committed againsl the life of your royal MARQUIS OF ARGYLE. 61 father, which (as I desire a comfortable appearance before the Judge both of the quick and the dead), my soul did ever abominate ; for death, with the inward peace of my innocency, is much more accept- able to me than lite itself, with the least stain of treachery. " And now, I am confident, that your majesty's displeasure will be satisfied, and you will suffer my failings to be expiate with my life, which, with all humility and submission, I have yielded up ; and in this small period that remains of my life, no earthly thing shall be more cordially desired by me than your happiness ; and that your majesty and your successors, to all generations, may sway the sceptre of these nations, and that they may be a blessed people under your government. t " And now, hoping that the humble supplication of your majesty's dying subject may find some place within the large extent of your princely goodness and clemency, I have taken the boldness to cast the desolate condition of my poor wife and family upon your royal favour ; for whatever may be your majesty's displeasure against myself, these, I hope, have not done any thing to procure your majesty's indigna- tion. And since that family have had the honour to be faithful sub- jects, and serviceable to your royal progenitors, I humbly beg iny faults may not extinguish the lasting merit and memory of those who have given so many signal proofs of constant loyalty for many gener- ations. Orphans and widows, by special prerogative and command from God, are put under your protection and defence, that you suffer them not to be wronged : they will owe their preservation so entirely to your majesty's bounty and favour, that your countenance, and no- thing else that's human, can be a shield against their ruin. " I shall add no more : only being addebted to several of your majesty's good subjects, and your royal justice being the source and fountain of all equity, whereby all your people are preserved in their just rights and interests, I humbly beg that none of them may suffer for my fault, but that you would allow them satisfaction and payment of what is justly owing unto them, from those sums and debts which are truly resting to my son and me. And as it is my serious and last desire to my children and posterity, next to their duty to Almighty God, that they may be faithful and serviceable to your majesty ; so, were I to enjoy this frail life any longer, I would endeavour, before all the world, to evidence myself to be your majesty's most humble, devoted, and obedient subject and servant, ARGYLE." " From your Prison, Edinburgh, May 27th, 1661." After this, he dined precisely at twelve o'clock, in company with his friends, displaying great cheerfulness, and then retired a little. Upon his opening the door, Mr. Hutcheson said, " What cheer, my lord ?" He answered, " Good cheer, Sir, the Lord hath again con- firmed and said tome from heaven, Thy sins be forgiven thee." Upon this tears of joy flowed in abundance ; he retired to the window and wept ; from that he came to the fire, and made as if he would stir it C2 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. <*i little to conceal his concern ; but it would not do, his tears ran down his face ; and coming to Mr. Hutcheson, he said, " I think his kindness overcomes me. But God is good to me, that he lets not out too much of it here, for he knows I could not bear it. Get me my cloak and let us go." But being told that the clock was kept back till one, till the bailies should come, he answered, " They are far in the wrong ;" and presently kneeled and prayed before all pre- sent, in a most sweet and heavenly manner. As he ended, the bailies sent up word for him to come down, upon which he called for a glass of wine, and having asked a blessing to it, standing and continuing in the same frame, he said, " Now let us go, and God be with us." After having taken his leave* of such in the room as were not to go with him to the scaffold, going towards the door, he said, " I could die like a Roman, but choose rather to die like a Christian. Come away, gentlemen, he that goes first goes cleanliest." When going down stairs, he called the reverend Mr. James Guthrie to him, and embracing him in a most endearing way, took his farewell of him ; Mr. Guthrie, at parting, addressed the Marquis thus : " My lord, God hath been with you, he is with you, and will be with you. And such is my respect for your lordship, that if I were not under sentence of death myself, I would cheerfully die for your lordship," So they parted to meet again in a better place on the Friday following. Then, accompanied by several noblemen and gentlemen, mounted in black,. he with his cloak and hat on, went down the street, and having mounted the scaffold, with great serenity, like one going to his Father's house, saluted all on it. Mr. Hutcheson then prayed ; after which his lordship addressed the spectators.* His Speech on the Scaffold. " Many will expect that I speak many things, and according to their several opinions and dispositions, so will their expectations be from me, and constructions of me ; but I resolve to disappoint many, for I come not hither to justify myself, but the Lord, ' Who is holy in all his ways, and righteous in all his works, holy and blessed is his name ;' neither come I to condemn others: I know many will expect that I speak against the hardness of the sentence pronounced against me ; but I will say nothing to it. 1 bless the Lord, I pardon all men, as I desire to be pardoned of the Lord myself: let the will of the Lord be done ; that is all that I desire. " I hope that ye will have more charity to me now, than ye would have at another time, seeing I speak before the Lord, to whom I must give an account very shortly. I know very well that my words have had but very little weight with many; and that many have mistaken my words and actings both : many have thought me to be a great enemy to these great works, that have of late been brought to pass. But do not mistake me, good people : I speak it in the pretence of the Lord, I entered not upon the work of reformation with any design of advantage to myself, or prejudice to the king and his government ; • Srotn Wnrthiefl — Life of Arjjylo. Wo&TVw't Hist. vol. I. MARQUIS OF ARGYLE. <>3 as my latter will which was written, 1655, and thereafter delivered to a friend (in whose hands it still remaineth), can show. As for these calumnies that have gone ahroad of me, I bless God, I know them to be no more : and as I go to make a reckoning to my God, I am free as to any of these, concerning the king's person or government. I was real and cordial in my desires to bring the king home, and in my endeavours for him when he was at home, and I had no correspond- ence with the adversaries' army, nor any of them, in the time when his majesty was in Scotland ; nor had I any accession to his late majesty's horrid and execrable murder, by counsel or knowledge of it, or any other manner of way. This is a truth, as I shall answer to my Judge. And all the time his majesty was in Scotland, I was etill endeavouring his advantage, my conscience beareth me witness in it. So much to that particular. And [[turning about, he Baid~] I hope, gentlemen, you all will remember these. " I confess, many look on my condition as a suffering condition : but I bless the Lord, that he that hath gone before me, hath trod the wine-press of the Father's wrath ; by whose sufferings, I hope that my sufferings shall not be eternal. I bless him that hath taken away the sting of my sufferings : I may say that my charter was sealed to-day ; for the Lord hath said to me, ' Son be of good cheer, thy sins are freely forgiven thee :' and so I hope my sufferings shall be very easy. And ye know that the scripture saith, ' the Captain of our salvation was made perfect by sufferings.' " I shall not speak much to these things for which I am condemned, lest I seem to condemn others ; it is well known, it is only for com- pliance,* which was the epidemical fault of the nation. I wish the Lord to pardon them : I 6ay no more. " There was an expression in these papers presented by me to the parliament, of the ' contagion of these times,' which may by some be miscOnstructed, as if I intended to lay an imputation upon the work of reformation ; but I declare, that I intended no such thing ; but it only related to the corruptions and failings of men, occasioned by the * His " compliance" with Cromwell's government was no doubt the chief judicial ground on %vhich sentence against him was passed. And, in palliation of this fact, there are many circumstances to be taken into account. First of all, it was, as he declares, " the epidemical fault of the nation" and times. It was in his case become a matter of absolute necessity, so as to save himself and peo- ple from impending ruin, before he acceded to it. It was a fault, moreover, which was committed by many others, under circumstances as aggravated, who, nevertheless, were received into favour and office after the restoration, without an exception being taken to their loyalty. Of this, Sir John Fletcher, the king's advocate, who led the prosecution against hiuo, and many of the noble- men who sat as his judges, were notable instances. It was determined, how- ever, by Middleton and others, who expected to share in his property, and who dreaded his opposition in the measures they had in view anent the church, — that he should be made a sacrifice. And the detestable baseness of General Monk, who sent forward some of the Marquis's confidential letters, in which he had expressed approbation of the usurper's government, unhappily afforded means on which to substantiate the very insufficient plea upon which he was condemned. 64 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. prevailing of the usurping powers. [At this he turned, and took them all witnesses.]] " Now, gentlemen, concerning the nation, I think there are three 6orts of people that take up much of the world, and of this nation. There is : — " 1st, The openly profane : and truly I may say, though I have been a prisoner, I have not had mine ears shut ; I hear assuredly, that drinking, swearing, whoring, were never more common, never more countenanced than now they are. Truly, if magistrates were here, I would say to them, if they would lay forth their power for glorifying of God, by restraining this, they should fare the better ; if they continue in not restraining, they shall fare the worse. I 6ay no more, but either let people shun profanity, and magistrates restrain it, or assur- edly the wrath of God shall follow on it. " 2d, Others are not openly profane (every one will not allow that), but yet they are Gallios in the matter : if matters go well as to their private interest, they care not whether the church of God sink or swim. But whatever they think, God hath laid engagements upon Scotland ; we are tied by covenants to religion and reformation; these that were then unborn are yet engaged ; and in our baptism we are engaged to it. And it passeth the power of all the magistrates under heaven to absolve them from the oath of God : they deceive them- selves, and it may be, would deceive others that think otherwise. But I would caveat this ; people will be ready to think this a kind of insti- gation to rebellion in me ; but they are very far wrong that think religion and loyalty are not well consistent. Whoever they be that separate them, religion is not to be blamed, but they. It is true, it is the duty of every Christian to be loyal ; yet, I think, the order of things are to be observed, as well as their natures ; the order of re- ligion, as well as the nature of it. Religion must not be the cock- boat, it must be the ship. God must have what is his, as well as Caesar what is his : and these are the best subjects that are the best Christians. And that I am looked upon as a friend to reformation, is my glory. " 3d, There is another sort that are truly godly: and to speak to them, I must say what I fear, and every one hath reason to fear, (it is good to fear evil.) It is true the Lord may prevent it ; but if he do not, (and truly I cannot foresee any probability of it,) times are like either to be very sinning or very suffering times : and let Christians make their choice : there is a sad dilemma in the business, ' sin or suffer ;' and surely, he that would choose the better part, will choose to suffer. Others that will choose to sin, shall not escape suffering ; they shall suffer, but it may be, not as I do, [turning about, and pointing to the maiden] but worse : mine is but temporal, theirs shall be eternal , when I shall be singing, they shall be howling. Beware therefore of sin, whatever you are aware of, especially in Buch times. " Yet I cannot say of my own condition, but that the Lord in his providence hath mind of mercy to me, even in this world : for if I had been more favourably dealt with, I fear I might have been over- come with temptations as many other* are, and many more I fear MARQUIS OF ARGYLE. 65 will b« ; and so should have gone out of the world with a more pol- luted conscience, thau through the mercy of God now I have. And hence my condition 13 such now, as when I am gone, will he seen not to have been such as many imagined. It is fit that God take me away before I fall into these temptations that I see others are falling into, and many others I fear will fall : I wish the Lord may prevent it. Yet blessed be hie name, that I am kept both from present evils, and evils to come." [Here he turned about a little, and spoke some words to Mr. Hutcheson ; when, turning again to the people, he spoke as followeth.] " Some may expect T will regret my own condition ; but truly, I neither grudge nor repine, nor desire any revenge. And I declare I do not repent my last going up to London, for I had always rather have suffered any thing, than lie under reproaches as I did. I desire not that the Lord should judge any man ; nor do I judge any but myself: I wish, as the Lord hath pardoned me, so he may pardon them for this and other things ; and that what they have done to me, may never meet them in their accounts. I have no more to say, but to beg the Lord, that when I go away, he would bless every one that Btayeth behind." [His last words, immediately before he laid his head on the block, after his doublet was off, were these :] " I desire you, gentle- men, all that hear me this day to take notice, and I wish that all who see me might hear me, that now when I am entering into eternity, and am to appear before my Judge; and as I desire salvation, and do expect eternal salvation and happiness from him, — from my birth to my scaffold, I am free from any accession by my knowledge, conceVning counsel, or any other way, to his late majesty's death ; and I pray the Lord to preserve his majesty, and to pour his best blessings on his person and government ; and the Lord give him good and faithful counsellors." [Turning about to his friends, he said,]] " Many Christians may stumble at this, and my friends may be discontented ; but when things are lightly considered, my friends have no discredit of me, nor Christians no stumbling-block, but rather an encouragement."* When he had delivered this seasonable and pathetic speech, Mr. Hamilton prayed; after which he prayed most sweetly himself; then he took his leave of all his friends on the scaffold. He first gave the executioner a napkin with some money in it ; he gave to his sons-in- law, Caithness and Ker, his watch and some other things out of his pocket ; he gave to Loudon his silver penner, to Lothian a double ducat, and then threw off his coat. When going to the maiden, Mr. Hutcheson said, " My lord, now hold your grip sicker." He an- swered, " You know, Mr. Hutcheson, what I said to you in the chamber. I am not afraid to be surprised with fear." The laird of Skelmorlie took him by the hand, when near the maiden, and found him most composed. He kneeled down most cheerfully, and after he had prayed a little, he gave the signal (which was by lifting up his hand), and the instrument, called the maiden, struck off his head from his body.f • Naphtali, pp. 285—290. f Scots Worthies— Life of Argyle. E 66 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. III. JAMES GUTHRIE. [Mr. Guthrie was born of an ancient and honourable family. Having passed through the usual course of learning at the grammar school and college with applause, he was elected a regent of philosophy in the university of St. Andrews. Whilst in this situation, by con- verse with Mr. Rutherford, who was then professor of divinity, his sentiments seem to have undergone a most important change ; and from having been opposed to the presbyterian interests, he forth- with became their most cordial defender. Having passed his trials, he was in 1638, settled minister at Lauder, where he remained for about ten years. He was then translated to Stirling, where he continued till his death a most faithful watchman on Zion's walls. Notwithstanding the love to his country, and loyalty to his king by which he was distinguished, and which on many occasions he had prominently displayed, he was, according to the spirit of the times, charged with high treason, on account of certain expressions, which, in the discharge of his duty, he had written and uttered ; and on the 1st of June, 1661, just three days after his friend Argyle'a execution, he suffered a similar death.] His Last Words in Prison. Betwixt Mr. Guthrie's sentence and his execution, he enjoyed perfect composure and serenity of spirit, and wrote a great many letters to his friends and acquaintances. In this interval he uttered several pro- phetical expressions, which, together with the foresaid religious let- ters, could they now be recovered, might be of no small use, in this apostate and backsliding age. The day (June 1.) on which he was executed, it being reported that he was to buy his life, at the expense of retracting some of the things he had formerly said and done, ho wrote and subscribed the following declaration : 11 These are to declare, that I do own the ' Causes of God's Wrath,' the Supplication at Edinburgh, August la.st, and the accession I had to the remonstrances. And if any do think, or have reported, that I was willing to recede from these, they have wronged me, as never having any ground from me to think or to report so. This I attest, under my hand, at Edinburgh, about eleven o'clock, forenoon, before these witnesses ; — Mr. Arthur Eorbes, Mr. John Gutiiiue, Mr. Hugh Walker, Mr. James Cowik." Upon the same day, and it is probable about the 6amc time, he ad- dressed a farewell letter to his wife, which is as follows. IIis Letter to his Wile. " My heart, — Being within a few hours to lay down my lifo for the testimony of Jesus Christ, I do lend these few lines al the last obedience <>f unfeigned end Bootless affection which I bear unto you, uot only as one (L th, but as a member with me of that blessed mj -i- James guthrie. fi7 ral body of the Lord ; for I trust you are, ami that God who hath begun his good work in yen, will also perfect it and bring it to an end, and give you life and salvation. Whatever may be your infirmities and weakness, yet the grace of God shall be sufficient for you, and his strength shall be perfected in your weakness. To me you have been a very kind and faithful yoke-fellow, and not a hinderer but a helper in the work of the Lord. I do bear you this testimony as all the re- compense I can now leave you with : — In all the trials I have met with in the work of the ministry, these twenty years past, which have not been few, and that from aggressors of many sorts, upon the right hand and upon the left, you were never a tempter of me to depart away from the living God, and from the way of my duty, to comply with an evil course, or to hearken to the counsels of flesh and blood, for avoiding the cross and for gaining the profit and preferment of a present world. You have wrought much with your hands for furnish- ing bread to me and to my children, and was always willing that I should show hospitality, especially to tho?e that bore the image of God. These things I mention not to puff you up, but to encourage you under your present affliction and distress, being persuaded that God will have regard unto you and unto the children of my body, which I leave unto your care, that they may be bred up in the know- ledge of the Lord. Let not your wants and weaknesses discourage you: there is power, riches, and abundance with God, both as to the things of the body and things of the soul ; and he will supply all your wants, and carry you through. It is like to be a most trying time, but cleave you to God and keep his way, without casting away your confidence ; fear not to be drowned in the depths of the. troubles that may attend this land, God will hide you under his shadow, and keep you in the hollow of Ms hand. Be sober and of a meek spirit; strive not with providence, but be subject to him who is the Father of Spi- rits. Decline not the cross, but embrace it as your own. Love all that love the Lord, and delight in their fellowship. Give yourself unto prayer, and be diligent in reading the holy Scriptures. Wait on the ordinances, and have them in great esteem as the appointed means, of God, for your salvation. Join the exercise of piety and repentance together, and manifest your faith in the fruits of sincere obedience and of a gospel conversation. Value your conscience above your skin. Be not solicitous, although you know not wherewith to clothe you and your children, or wherewith to dine ; God's providences and promises are a true, rich, and never-failing portion. Jesus Christ be all your salvation and all your desire ! You, I recommend unto Him, and Him unto you : My heart ! I recommend you to the eternal love of Jesus Christ — I am helped of God, and hope I shall be helped to the end. Pray for me while I am here, and praise with me hereafter. God be with you — I am your's, « Edinburgh Tolbooth, JAMES GUTHRIE."* June 1st, 1661." * For this letter, which he presumes lias never before been published, the Editor is indebted to one of Mr. WcJrow's MSS. yet in the possession of his de- 68 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. After this, he dined with his friends with great cheerfulness. After dinner he called for cheese, of which he was fond, but which he had been dissuaded from using for some time, being subject to the gravel, and said, I am now beyond the hazard of that disease. After having been in secret for some time, he came forth with the utmost fortitude and composure, and was carried down, under a guard from the tolbooth to the scaffold, which was erected at the cross. Here he was so far from showing any fear, that he rather expressed a contempt of death; and spoke an hour with the composure of one delivering a sermon. His Speech on the Scaffold. " Men and brethren, I fear many of you be come hither to gaze, rather than to be edified by the carriage and last words of a dying man : but if any have an ear to hear, as I hope some of this great con- fluence have, 1 desire your audience to a few words. I am come hither to lay down this earthly tabernacle and mortal flesh of mine ; and I bless God, through his grace, I do it willingly and not by con- straint. I say, I suffer willingly : if I had been so minded, I might have made a diversion, and not been a prisoner ; but being conscious to myself of nothing worthy of death or of bonds, I would not 6tain my innocency with the suspicion of guiltiness by my withdrawing : neither have I wanted opportunities and advantages to escape since I was prisoner, not by the fault of my keepers, God knoweth, but otherwise ; but neither for this had I light or liberty ; lest I should reflect upon the Lord's name, and offend the generation of the right- eous : and if some men have not been mistaken, or dealt deceitfully in telling me so, I might have avoided not only the severity of the sentence, but also had much favour and countenance, by complying with the courses of the time :f but I durst not redeem my life with the loss of my integrity; God knoweth I durst not; and that since I was prisoner, he hath so holden me by the hand, that he never suf- fered me to bring it into debate in my inward thoughts, much less to propone or hearken to any overture of that kind. I did judge it bet- ter to suffer than to sin ; and therefore I am come hither to lay down my life this day. And I bless God, I die not as a fool ; nor that I have any thing wherein to glory in myself: I acknowledge that I am a sinner, yea, one of the greatest and vilest that has owned a profession of religion, and one of the most unworthy that has preached the gos- seendants, the perusal of which lie obtained through the good offices of a friend. ]t appears that Mrs. Guthrie, the worthy person to whom it was addressed, ■was, along with her daughter, brought to trouble sometime after for having in their possession a copy of the ' ApologeticsJ Narration,' and refusing to tell what they knew of its author. They were even sentenced to exile in the Shetland Isles, but this Benteiice w;is not carried into execution. • Scots Worthies — Life of Guthrie f Mr. Guthrie here refers to the offer of a bishopric which was made to him while in prison, in order to induce him to comply with prelacy. That such nn offer was made, even though it were less certain from the statements of history, is rendered exceedingly probable by the importance which both parties attached to his countenance and support. JAMES GUTHRIE. 69 pel ; my corruptions have been strong1 and many, and have made mo a sinner in all things, yea, even in following my duty: and therefore, righteousness have I none of mine own, all is vile ; but, ' I' do ' be- lieve, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners, whereof I am chief.' Through faith in his righteousness and blood have I obtained mercy ; and through him and him alone, have I the hope of a blessed conquest and victory over sin, and Satan, and hell, and death ; and that ' I shall attain unto the resurrection of the just ;' and be made partaker of eternal life. ' I know in whom I have be- lieved, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.' I have preached salvation through his name, and as I have, preached, so do I believe, and do commend the riches of his free grace, and faith in his name unto you all, as the only way whereby ye can be saved. " And as I bless the Lord that I die not as a fool ; so also, that I die not for evil doing. Not a few of you may happily judge, that ' I suffer as a thief, or as a murderer, or as an evil doer, or as a busy body in other men's matters.' It was the lot of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and hath been of many of his precious servants and people, to suffer by the world as evil doers ; and as my soul scareth not at it, but desireth to rejoice in being brought into conformity with my blessed Head, and so blessed a company in this thing ; so I do desire and pray, that I may be to none of you to-day, upon this account, ' a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence.' Blessed is he that shall not be offended at Jesus Christ, and his poor servants and members, because of their being condemned as evil doers by the world. God is my record, that in these things for which sentence of death hath passed against me, I have a good conscience ! I bless God, they arc not matters of compliance with sectaries, or designs and practices against his majesty's person or government, or the person or govern- ment of his royal father. My heart, I bless God, is conscious unto no disloyalty ; nay, loyal I have been, and I commend it unto you to be loyal and obedient in the Lord. True piety is the foundation of true loyalty : a wicked man may be a flatterer and a time-server, but he will never be a loyal subject. But to return to my purpose, the matters for which I am condemned, are matters belonging to my calling and function as a minister of the gospel, sucli as the discovery and re- proving of sin ; the pressing and the holding fast of the oath of God in the covenant, and preserving and carrying on the work of religion and reformation according thereto ; and denying to acknowledge the civil magistrate as the the ' proper competent judge in causes ecclesiasti- cal :' that in all these things which (God so ordering by his gracious providence) are the grounds of my indictment and death, I have a good conscience, as having walked therein according to the light and rule of God's word, and as did become a minister of the gospel. " I do also bless the Lord, that I do not die as ' one not desired.' I know that, by not a few, I neither have been nor am desired. It hath been my lot to have been a man of contention and 6 orrow ; but it is my comfort, that for my own things I have not contended, but for the thiners of Jesus Christ, for what relateth to Lis interest and 70 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. work, and the well-being of his people. In order to the preserving and promoting of these, I did protest against, and stood in opposition unto these late assemblies at St. Andrews, Dundee, and Edinburgh ; and the public resolutions for bringing the malignant party into the judicatories and armies of this kingdom, conceiving the same contrary to the word of God, and to our solemn covenants and engagements ; and to be an inlet to defection, and to the ruin and destruction of the work of God. And it is now manifest to many consciences, that I have not been therein mistaken ; nor was not fighting against a man of straw. I was also desirous, and did use some poor endeavours to have the church of God purged of insufficient, scandalous, and cor- rupt ministers and elders ; for these things I have been mistaken by some, and hated by others : but, I bless the Lord, as I had the testi- mony of my own conscience ; so I was and am therein approved in the consciences of many of the Lord's precious servants and people: and how little soever I may die desired by some, yet by these I know I do die desired, and their approbation, and prayers, and affection is of more value with me, than the contradiction, or reproach, or hatred of many others; the love of the one I cannot recompense, and the mistake, or hatred, or reproach of the other, I do with all my heart forgive ; and wherein I have offended any of them, do beg their mercy and forgiveness. I do from my soul wish that my death may be profitable unto both, that the one may be confirmed and established in the straight ways of the Lord, and that the other (if the Lord so will) may be convinced, and cease from these things that are not good, and do not edify, but destroy. " One thing I would warn you all of, that God is wroth, yea, very wroth with Scotland, and threateneth to depart and remove his candle- stick ; the causes of his wrath are many, and would to God it wore not one great cause, that causes of God's wrath are despised and re- jected of men. Consider the case that is recorded, Jer. xxxvi. and the consequence of it, and tremble and fear. I cannot but also say, that there is a great addition and increase of wrath. " 1st, By that deluge of profanity that overfloweth all the land, and hath reins loosed unto it every where, in so far that many have lost, not only all use and exercise of religion, but even of morality, and that common civility that is to be found amongst the heathen. " 2d, By that horrible treachery and perjury that is in the matter of the covenant, and cause of God, and work of reformation ; ' Be astonished, () ye heavens, at this, and be horribly afraid, be ye very desolate, saith the Lord ; for my people have committed two evils, they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can bold no water. Shall be break the covenant and prosper? Shall the throne of iniquity have fellow- ship with God, which frameth mischief by a law?' 1 fear the Lord is about to bring a sword on these lands, which fhr.ll avenge the quarrel of bis covenant. " 3d, Horrible ingratitude : the Lord, after ten years' oppression and bondage, hath broken the yoke df ; bat what do v, nit nf JAMES GUTHRIE. 71 our delivery is to work wickedness, and to strengthen ourselves to do evil. " 4th, A most dreadful idolatry, and sacrificing to the creature : we liave changed the glory of the incorruptible God, into the image of a corruptible man, in whom many have placed almost all their sal- vation and desire, and have turned that which might have been a blessing unto us (being kept in a due. line of subordination under God) into an idol of jealousy, by preferring it before him. God is also wroth with a generation of carnal, corrupt, time-serving minis- ters : I know and bear testimony, that in the church of Scotland there is a true and faithful ministry : blessed be God, we have yet many who study their duty, and desire to be found faithful to their Lord and Master] and I pray you to honour, and reverence, and esteem much of these for their work's sake : and I pray them to be encour- aged in their Lord and Master, who is with them to make them as iron pillars, and brazen walls, raid as a strong defenced city in the faithful following: of their duty: but oh I that there were not too many who mind earthly things, and are enemies to the cross of Jesus Christ, who push with the side and shoulder, who strengthen the Hands of evil-doers, who make themselves transgressors, by studying to build again what they did formerly warrantably destroy, I mean prelacy, and the ceremonies, and the service-book, a mystery of iniquity that works amongst us, whose steps lead unto the house of the great whore, Babylon, the mother of fornications : or whosoever else he be that buildeth this Jericho again, let him take heed to the curse of Hiel the Bethelite, and of that flying roll threatened, Zech. v. And let all ministers take heed that they watch, and be stedfast in the faith, and quit themselves like men, and be strong ; and give faithful and seasonable warning concerning sin and duty. Many of the Lord's people do sadly complain of the fainting and silence of many watch- men ; and it concerneth them to consider what God calleth for at their hands in such a day : silence now in a watchman, when he is so much called to speak, and give his testimony upon the peril of his life, is doubtless a great sin. The Lord open the mouths of his servants to speak his word with all boldness, that covenant breaking may be dis- covered and reproved, and that the kingdom of Jesus Christ may not be supplanted, nor the souls of his people destroyed without a wit- ness. " I have but a few words more to add : all that are profane amongst you, I exhort them to repentance, for the day of the Lord's vengeance hasteneth, and is near : but there is yet a door of mercy open for you, if you will not despise the day of salvation. All that are maligners, and reproachers, and persecutors of godliness, and of Buch as live godly, take heed what ye do, it will be hard for you to Kick against the pricks ; you make yourselves the butt of the Lord's fury, and his flaming indignation, if vou do not cease from, and repent of all your ungodly deeds. All that are neutral, and indifferent, and lukewarm professors, be zealous, and repent ; lest the Lord spew you out of his mouth. You that lament after the Lord, and mount for all the abominations that are dyne in this city, and in the land, and 72 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. take pleasure in the stones and dust of Zion, cast not away your con- fidence, but be comforted and encouraged in the Lord. He will yet appear to your joy ; God bath not cast away his people nor work in Britain and Ireland : I hope it shall once more revive by the power of his Spirit, and take root downward, and bear fruit upward. There is yet a holy seed and precious remnant, whom God will preserve and bring forth : but how long cr dark our night may be, I do not know ; the Lord shorten it for the sake of his chosen. In the mean- while, * be ye patient and stedfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, and in love one to another :' beware of 6nares which are strawed thick ; cleave to the covenant and work of refor- mation ; do not decline the cross of Jesus Christ ; ' choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season ;' and account the reproach of Christ greater riches than all the treasure of the world. Let my death grieve none of you, it will be more profitable and advantageous both for me, and for you, and for the church of God, and for Christ's interest and honour, than my life could have been. I forgive all men the guilt of it, and I de- sire you to do so also : ' Pray for them that persecute you, and bless them that curse you, bless, I say, and curse not.' I die in the faith of the apostles and primitive Christians, and protestant reformed churches, particularly of the church of Scotland, whereof I am a member and minister. I bear my witness and testimony to the doctrine, worship, discipline, and government of the church of Scotland, by kirk sessions, presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies. Popery and prelacy, and all the trumpery of service and ceremonies that wait upon them, I do abhor. I do bear witness unto the national covenant of Scot- land, and the solemn league and covenant betwixt the three king- doms of Scotland, England, and Ireland : these sacred, solemn, public oaths of God, I believe, can be loosed nor dispensed with, by no per- son, or party, or power upon earth ; but are still binding upon these kingdoms, and will be for ever hereafter ; and are ratified and sealed by the conversion of many thousand souls, since our entering thereinto. I bear my witness to the protestation against the controverted assem- blies, and the public resolutions ; to the testimonies given against the sectaries ; against the course of backsliding and defection that is now on foot in the land, and all the branches and parts thereof, under whatsoever name or notion, or acted by whatsoever party or person. And in the last place, I bear my witness to the cross of Jesus Christ ; and that I never had cause, nor have cause this day, to repent because of any thing I have Buffered, or can now suffer for his name : I take God to record upon my soul, I woidd not exchange this scaffold, with the palace or mitre of the greatest prelate in Britain. Blessed bo God, who hath showed mercy 1o such a wretch, and hath revealed his Son in me, and made me a minister of the everlasting gospel ; and that be hath deigned, in the midst of much contradiction from Satan and the world, to seal my ministry upon the hearts of not a U-w of his people, and especially in the station wherein I was last, I mean the congregation and presbytery of Stirling. God forgive the poor empty man, that did there intrude upon my labours, and hath made a WILLIAM GOVAN. 73 prey of many poor souls, and exposed others to reproach, and oppres- sion, and a famine of the word of the Lord. God forgive the mis- leaders of that part of the poor people, who tempted them to reject their own pastor, and to admit of intruders, and the Father of mercies pity that poor misled people : and the Lord visit the congregation and presbytery of Stirling once more with faithful pastors, and grant that the work and people of God may be revived through all Britain, and over all the world. Jesus Christ is my light, and my life, my righte- ousness, my strength, and my salvation : ' Ha is all my salvation, and all my desire.' Him, oh, him, I do with all the strength of my soul com- mend unto you. ' Blessed are they that are not offended in him :' blessed are they that trust in him. ' Bless him, O my soul, from henceforth, even for ever.' Rejoice, rejoice all ye that love him ; be patient and rejoice in tribulation : blessed are you, and blessed shall you be for ever and ever. Everlasting righteousness and eternal sal- vation is yours : ' All are yours, and ye are Christ's and Christ is God's.' 'Remember me, O Lord, with the favour thou bearest to thy people ; O visit me with thy salvation, that I may see the good of thy chosen, that I may rejoice in the gladness of thy nation ; that I may glory with thine inheritance.' — ( Now let thy servant depart in peace, 6ince mine eyes have seen thy salvation.' "* Sic Sub.— JAMES GUTHRIE." He gave a copy of this Ins last speech and testimony, subscribed and sealed, to a friend to keep, which he was to deliver to his son, then a child, when he came to age. When on the scaffold, he lifted the napkin off his face, just before he was turned over, and cried, " The covenants, the covenants, shall yet be Scotland's reviving." IV. WILLIAM GOVAN. f_Of this person, who suffered along with Mr. Guthrie, little informa- tion has been transmitted. He is in some papers styled ' Captain Govan.' At all events, it is evident he was a soldier, and that as the chief offe-nce charged against him, he had deserted the king's standard at Hamilton, in company with many others, when the protector's successes had rendered farther resistance useless. It was also alleged against him, that he was present on the scaffold when Charles I. was beheaded ; but to the satisfaction of all, he proved himself alibi. He was reckoned a pious good man, and was evidently an adherent of the presbyteiian interest. His speech, which he delivered immediately after Mr. Guthrie's execution and just before his own, contains almost all the account that now re- mains of his life and character.] " Gentlemen and countrymen, — I am here to suffer this day ; ana that I may declare to you the cause — it is for laying down my arras • Napli tali, pp. 290—299. 74 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WOBfcHIES. at Hamilton, as did all the rest of the company that was there. What was I, that Icing and parliament should have taken notice of me, being a private hoy thrust forth into the fields, who was not worthy to bo noticed by any ? For as I was obscure in myself, so my actions were not conspicuous. Yet it pleased the Lord to employ me as a mean and instrument (unworthy as I was) for carrying on a part of the late reformation ; which I did faithfully endeavour in my station, not going beyond it, — for which I am to suffer this day. " Licentious people have taken occasion to calumniate me this time past, in saying I was an instrument in his late majesty's death, and that I should have said I was on the scaffold at the time of his execution: — all which I do here deny, in the presence of Almighty God, to whom I mxist shortly answer. And, before you all, I do here protest, as I hope for salvation, that I was not instrumental in that, either in word or deed. But on the contrary, it was sore against my heart, who was still a wellwisher of l.is majesty, and even wished lie might be to these lands as David, Solomon, and Josiah. But what could a simple protestation of one who is the least among men do? I do indeed remember I was honoured to bring up Montrose's stand- ard through these streets, and deliver it to the parliament ; in which I glory, as thousands more than I did at that time, for I was then but an executioner, but now I am a sufferer for these things. " Let me now speak a word to some sorts of people. First of all you that are profane, leave off your profanity, forbear sin and seek mercy ; otherwise you will undoubtedly repent it when too late. For ere long you must answer, as I am shortly to do, before a just God. Again, to you civilians and indifferent folks, who, if your own private earthly interest prosper, do not care how the affairs of Christ and his church go, — know that that will not do your turn ; you must bear a testimony for God, be zealous for his cause, and repent now of your sins : so shall you avoid that curse pronounced against the lukewarm Laodiceans, — I will spue them out of my mouth. As to the really godly, I would say this: be not afraid nor astonished to bear testi- mony and suffer for his truth. " As for myself, it pleased the Lord, in the fourteenth year of my age, to manifest his love to me, and now it is about twenty-four years since ; all which time I professed the truth which I suffer for, and bear testimony to at this day, and am not afraid of the cross upon that account : it is sweet, it is sweet — otherwise how durst I look upon the corpse of him who bangs there, with courage, and smile upon I sticks and that gibbet as the gates of heaven ! I die confident in the faith of the prophets and apostles, bearing ray testimony to the gospel as it is now preached by an honest ministry in this city : though, alas ! there be a corrupt generation among the ministry. " I bear witness with my blood to the persecuted government of this church, in general assemblies, synods, and presbyteries, and also to the protestation against ths public resolutions. I bear witness to ■ covenants, national and solemn league, and now am to Mid these my ilo id. I likewise testify against all popery, prelacy, idol- >n, and the service-book, for I have taken not a little \ LORD W ARRIS TON. fi pains in searching' out those things, and have found them to he but the relics of the Romish superstition and idolatry left in king Henry YIll's time; who, though it pleased the Lord to make use of him for beginning the work of reformation, yet he was no good man." After having thus spoken, he took a ring from his finger and gave it to a friend upon the scaffold, desiring him to take it to his wife, and say that " he died in humble confidence, and found the cross of Christ sweet." He declared that " Christ had done all for him, and it was by him alone he was justified;" and being desired to look up to Christ, he answered, " He looketh down and smileth upon vie" Then mounting up some steps of the ladder, he said, "Dear friends, pledge this cup of suffering before you sin, as I have done; for sin and suffering have been presented to me, and I have chosen the suf- fering part." Then the cord being put about his neck, he said, " Now I am near my last, and I desire to reflect on no man ; I would only acquaint you of one thing : the commissioner and I went out to the fields together for one cause ; I have now the cord about my neck, and he is promoted to be his majesty's commissioner ; yet for a thou- sand worlds I would not change lots with him I ! — Praise and glory be to Christ for ever." After having again prayed for a little, he gave the sign, and was forthwith turned over.* V. SIR ARCHIBALD JOHNSTON, LORD WARRISTO^. [This truly eminent and excellent person was bred to the profession of the law ; and having given unequivocal proofs of his zeal in favour of the reformation then going forward, was chosen clerk to the General Assembly in 1638, and afterwards procurator for the church. In these offices, and in the various matters which they led him to undertake, he conducted himself in a manner which secured to him the respect of both the church and state ; and in 1641, he was knighted by his majesty, and appointed a lord of session. After- wards, in 1643, he was sent as a commissioner to the Westminster Assembly, an appointment which lasted till 1643. In 1650 the act of classes being repealed, he took a prominent part with those who protested against it; and in 1657, repaired to London with some others, to plead the cause of that party. This appointment, honourable as it was, proved fatal to him. He was won over by the insinuating arts of Cromwell, and prevailed on to accept the office of Clerk-register at his hands. And this, together with his zeal for the protesting cause, was, after the restoration, turned into a charge against him, upon which he was condemned. The follow- ing speech he read at his execution, on the 22d of July, 1663.]] " Right honourable, much honoured, and beloved auditors and spec- tators,— that which I intended and prepared to have spoken at this * Wodrow's History, vol. !. 76 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. time, and in this condition, immediately before my death (if it should he so ordered that it should be my lot) is not at present in my power, having been taken from me : but I hope the Lord shall preserve it to bear my testimony more fully and clearly, than now I can in this con- dition, having my memory much destroyed, through much sore and long sickness, melancholy, and excessive drawing of my blood ;* though I bless the Lord my God, that notwithstanding the foremen- tioned distempers, I am in some capacity to leave this short and weak testimony. " 1st, I desire in the first place to confess my sins, so far as is proper to this place and case, and to acknowledge God's mercies ; and to express my repentance of the one, and my faith of the other, through the merits of the Lord Jesus Christ our gracious Redeemer and Mediator. I confess that my natural temper (or rather distemper) hath been hasty and passionate, and that in my manner of going about and prosecuting of the best pieces of work and service, to the Lord, and to my generation, I have been subject to many excesses of heat, and thereby to some precipitations, which hath no doubt offended 6tanders-by and lookers-on, and bath exposed both me, and the work, to their mistakes ; whereby, the beauty of the work hath been ob- scured : neither have I, in following the Lord's work, his good work, been without my own self-seeking ; which hath several ways vented itself, to the offence of both God and man, and to the grief thereafter of my own conscience, and which hath often made me groan, and cry out with the apostle, ' O miserable man that I am, who shall deliver me from this body of death ;' and to lie low in the dust mourning and lamenting over the same, deprecating God's wrath, and begging his tender mercies to pardon, and his powerful grace to cure all these evils. I must withal confess, that it doth not a little trouble me, and lie heavy upon my spirit, and will bring me down with sorrow to the grave (though I was not alone in this offence, but had the body of the nation going before me, and the example of persons of all ranks to in- • There are two things in this sentence which it may be proper to explain. When, in the year 1GG1, the order to apprehend him reached Edinburgh, War- riston happened to be from home; and being informed of it, before entering tlio town, lie turned his horse and escaped out of the kingdom, in the disguise of a merchant. lie was immediately after declared a fugitive, and, notwithstanding his absence, sentenced to forfeiture and death. It was natural in these circum- stances, and even proper, that with such a fate awaiting him, he should prepare the testimony which he had in view to seal with his blood. As yet, his powerful mind, though for some time depressed by melancholy, was unimpaired in its energies; and would no doubt enable bim to do ample justice to views with which be wi i familiar, and which he had long and often advanced and promoted. During bis stay at Hamburgh, however, where he chiefly resided during his exile, he was taken ill, and being attended by Dr. Bates, is said to have suffered by his treat* ment. The character of this man, who allowed his friends to boast of his bav« ing shortened the days of Cromwell, renders the allegation not improbable. It i-s said that he gave Warriston poison in liis physic, and took from him about G I ounces of blood, thus weakening his mind, by destroying his bodily rigour. Now, it is not unlikely thai the testimony which previoui to this he might have prepared, would ..t his apprehension shortly ai I upon him, and with his other papers woul ' ' ■ ized uid taken away. LORD WABRISTON. 77 snare me), that I suffered myself through the power of temptations, and the too much fear anent the 6traits that my numerous family might be brought into, to be carried unto so great a length of compli- ance in England with the late usurpers,* which did much grieve the heart9 of the godly, and made these that sought God ashamed and confounded for my sake, and did give no small occasion to the adver- sary to reproach and blaspheme, and did withal not a little obscure and darken the beauty of several former actings about his blessed and glorious work of reformation, happily begun, and far advanced in these lands, wherein he was graciously pleased to employ, and by employ- ing to honour me to be an instrument (though the least and un- worthiest of many) whereof I am not ashamed this day, but account it my glory, however that work be now cried down, opposed, laid in the dust, and trode upon. And my turning aside to comply with these men, was the more aggravated in my person, that I had so fre- quently and seriously made profession of my averseness from, and abhorrence of that way, and had shown much dissatisfaction with these that had not gone so great a length ; for which, as I seek God's mercy in Christ Jesus, so I desire that all the Lord's people, from my example, may be more stirred up to watch and pray, that they enter not into temptation. i " 2d, I do not deny on the other hand, but must testify in the second place, to the glory of his free grace, that the Lord my God hath often showed and engraven upon my conscience, the testimony of his reconciling and reconciled mercy through the merits of Jesus Christ pardoning all my iniquities, and assuring me that he would deliver me also by the graces of his Holy Spirit, from the speat,-j- tyranny, and dominion thereof; and hath often drawn out my spirit, to the exercise of repentance and faith, and often engraven upon my heart in legible characters, his merciful pardon, and gracious begun cure thereof, to be perfected thereafter, to the glory of his name, the salvation of my soul, and edification of his church. * This, as stated in the previous notice, formed the chief ground of the in- dictment on which he was condemned. And yet there was much to he said in palliation, or even excuse of his conduct. First of all, he strongly objected to heing sent on the commission, in the discharge of which at Loudon he was un- happily gained over, and this just because he was afraid the temptations which lie knew would be held out to him would prove too strong. Then, it evidently was from no indifference or want of loyalty to the exiled monarch, that he was led to acknowledge the protector's government, because, for upwards of five years, he had struggled with all his might for the king's interest, and both spoke and wrote against Scotchmen taking offices from Cromwell. Besides, it must not be forgotten that all his exertions seemed to have had little effect, and that resistance or opposition to the reigning influence had become vain, from its being generally and almost universally acceded to. And last of all, what probably weighed most with this good man in the step which he thus deeply deplores, was his private and domestic circumstances: his family was large — considerable sums were owing, which he had advanced on the public service, and a good many bygone years' salaries; and it is not wonderful that these considerations, added to the importunity which no doubt would be employed, should have prevailed on him to accept an office, lucrative in itself, and per- fectly adapted to his profession and character. f i. e. the overflow 78 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " 3d, I am pressed in conscience to leave here at my death, my true and honest testimony in the sight of God and man, to and for ' the national covenant ; the solemn league and covenant ; the solemn acknowledgment of our sins,' and ' engagement to our duties ;' to ail the ' grounds and causes of fasts' and humiliations, and of the ' Lord's displeasure' and contending with the land ; and to the several ' testi- monies' given to his interests, by general assemblies, commissions of the kirk, presbyteries, and by other honest and faithful ministers and professors. " 4th, I am also pressed to encourage his doing, suffering, witness- ing people, and sympathizing ones with these that suffer, that they would continue in the duties of witnessing, mourning, praying, and sympathizing with these that suffer, and humbly to assure them in the name of the Lord our God, the God of his own word and work, of his own cause, covenant, and people, that he will be seen, found, and felt, (in his own gracious way and time, by his own means and instru- ments, for his own glory and honour) to return to his own truths, and interests, and servants, and revive his name, his covenant, his word, his work, his sanctuary, and his 8aints in these nations, even in the three covenanted nations, which were by go solemn bonds, covenants, subscriptions, and oaths, given away and devoted unto himself. " 5th, I exhort all these that have been, or are enemies or un- friends to the Lord's name, covenants, or cause, word, work, or peo- ple, in Britain and Ireland, to repent and amend, before these sad judgments, that are posting fast, come upon them, for their sinning so highly against the Lord, because of any temptation of the time, on the right or left hand, by baits or straits whatsoever, and that after so many professions and engagements to the contrary. " 6th, I dare not conceal from you, that are friendly to all the Lord's interests, that the Lord (to the commendation of his grace, be it humbly spoken) hath several times, in the exercise of my repent- ance and faith during my trouble, and after groans and tears upon these three notable chapters, to wit, the 9th of Ezra, the 9th of Ne- hemiah, and the 9th of Daniel, with other such suitable scriptures, and in the very nick of fervent and humble supplication to him, for the reviving again of his name, cause, covenant, word, find work of reformation, in these covenanted nations, and particularly in poor Scotland, which first solemnly engaged to him, to the good example and encouragement of his people, in the other two nations, to do the same also, that the Lord, I say, hath several times given to me good ground of hope and lively expectations of his merciful, gracious, powerful, and wonderful renewing and reviving again of his foremen* tinned great interests in these covenanted nations: and that in such a way, by such means and instruments, with such antecedents, concur- rents, consequents, and effects, as shad wonderfully rejoice his mourn- ing friends, and astonish his contradicting and counteracting enemies. " 7th, I do earnestly recommend my poor wife B id children, and their posterity, to the choicest blessings of God, and to the prayers and favour of all the Lord's children and servants, in tli dealing with God and men in their behalf, that they may not be rained for my cause, but for the Lord my God's Bake, they may he favoured, LORD WARRISTON. 79 assisted, supplied, and comforted, and also may be fitted by tbe Lord for his fellowship and service; whom God himself hath moved me often, in their own presence, and with their own consent, to dedicate, devote, and resign alike, and as well, a3 I devote and resign my own soul and body to him for time and eternity.* " 8th, I beg the Lord to open the eyes of all the instruments of my trouble, that are not deadly irreconcilable enemies to himself and his people, that they may see the wrong done by them to his interests and people, and to me and mine, and may repent thereof and return to the Lord ; and may more cordially own and adhere to all his inte- rests in time coming : the good Lord give unto them repentance, re- mission, and amendment ; and that is the worst wish I do wish them, and the best wish I can wish them. " 9th, I do earnestly beg the fervent prayers of all his praying peo- ple, servants, and instruments, whether absent or present, wherever they be, in behalf of his name, cause, and covenant-work, and people ; and in behalf of my wife, children, and their posterity: and that the Lord would glorify himself, edify his church, encourage his saints, further lm work, accomplish his good word, by all his doings and dealings, in substance and circumstance toward all his own. " 10th, Whereas I have heard, that some of my unfriends have slandered and defamed my name, as if I had been accessary to his late majesty's death, and to the making of the change of government thereupon ; the great God of heaven be witness and judge between me and my accusers in this ; for I am free (as I shall now answer be- fore his tribunal) from any accession, by counsel or contrivance, or any other way, to his late majesty's death, or to their making that change of government : and I pray the Lord to preserve our present king his majesty, and to pour out his best blessings upon his royal posterity, and to give unto them good and faithful counsellors, holy and wise counsels, and prosperous successes, to God's glory, and to the good and interest of his people, and to their own honour and happiness. " 11th, I do here now submit and commit my soul and body, wife and children, and children's children from generation to generation for ever, with all others his friends and followers, all his doing and suf- fering, witnessing and sympathizing ones, in the present and subse- quent generations, unto the Lord's choice mercies, graces, favours, services, employments, empowerments, enjoyments, improvements, and inheritments, on earth, and in heaven, in time, and eternity. All * It has already been observed, that lord Warriston's family was numerous; and, no doubt, the thought of leaving them unprotected and forlorn in the midst of an unpitying world, must have excited within him the most pungent sorrow. It was consolatory to him, however, that he was able in this atid a following passage, to commit them, in the exercise of faith and hope, to the Father of tn'ercics. And it may be consolatory to others about to leave the world, though not by a death similar to his, to know that in this, as in a thousand ether in- stances, the trust reposed in God was net disappointed. " His numerous family," says Wodrow, " he left upon the Lord's providence cheerfully, who provided as well for most of them as they could have expected, though he had continued in his outward prosperity." SO TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. which suits, with all others, which he hath at any time hy his Spirit moved and assisted me to make and put up, according to his will, I leave before, and upon the Father's merciful bowels, and the Son's mediating merits, aud the Holy Spirit's compassionate groans, for now and evermore. Amen."* VI. JAMES WOOD. fJMr. Wood is spoken of as haviug been one of the brightest lights of the period in which he lived, and as a person most eminent for his piety and learning. Of his early history we have no account. But, at the restoration, he held the office of principal in the old college of St. Andrews, and was a minister of that city. Having given offence to the archbishop, with whom he had formerly beon inti- mate, by some bold reflections upon his lately discovered treachery, he was, in July 1663, cited before the council, stript of his office, on the plea that he had received it from the usurper, and ordered to confine himself to Edinburgh. Shortly after, however, his father's illness and other affairs requiring his presence at St. Andrews, he obtained leave to go thither ; and, previous to his re- turn, he took sick, and died there, early in the following year. During his sickness, he was visited by Sharp, who spread the re- port that he now felt a total indifference with regard to presbyterian government. It was to contradict this misrepresentation that he emitted his Testimony, as is evident from the following very full detail of his last words.] 1. His Last Words. Upon Monday night, being the 29th of February, 1664, which was the first day of his keeping bed all day without rising, his brother-in- law, Mr. J. C.f came to visit him ; to whom, with outstretched arms, embracing him, he said, " Long looked for, long looked for." And beginning to speak a little of his spiritual condition, he said, " I have been under several shakings, but that word hath stayed me, ' Him that cometh to me, I will in no ways cast out ;' blessed be the mouth that spoke it, may I not trust to it ?" On Tuesday, the 1st of March, he caused send for some persona concerned, and when they were come, lie caused read over his Testament, J and, after he bad desired his brother-in-law to pray, he subscribed it. And having been informed of some reports that were going through the country, anent what was spoken by him to Mr. Sharp, when he came to visit him, and hearing that some persons whom he respected were in town, he earnestly desired that they might be sent for in the evening. And when they were long in cotn- • Napbtali, pp. 300 — 306. f Mr. John Carst.-.irs t TJiis was Ijis Latter-will, which, it appears, was* writleii before li is Tes- timony. JAMES WOOD. 81 ing, lie inquired once and again if they were come, saying, " I am pained till tbey come." And though it was the time cf the evening that he used to take some refreshment, yet he put it by till he spake with them, so serious was he in what he was to say to them. When one of these, with another occasionally in company with him, came, being again sent for, though he was in great weakness of body, yet he did witli much earnestness of mind, and more than ordinary extension of his voice, speak to them to this purpose, taking one of them by the hand, and saying, " I am glad to see you, an honest man. The bishop might have spared his visit, but sith he offered that civility, they could not keep him at the gate. I hear several reports have gone of what passed at that visit, as, that when he was speaking his dissat- isfaction with the brethren that did not keep the meeting, that I should have assented, and said, ' if I live, I will testify against them'— the falsest lie that ever was spoken." And being inquired whether he called church government a nicety, and, if he lived, he would abstract more from such niceties, he answered, " Fie, fie, never such a thing I did indeed, that the bishop might not think that I was pursuing that controversy against them, say, I had a great business to think upon my salvation and peace with God at the stake ; but I did not say, nor think that presbyterian government was a nicety. I judge it to be a truth of God, an ordinance of Jesus Christ, a part of his visible king- dom, for which every Christian, as called to it, should suffer even unto death ; and I would exhort them to it, for it is but little that we have suffered yet, and, if I were to live, I would through the grace and might of the power of God, account it my glory to lay down my life in defence of that truth. There is no man in the world that hath more and stronger obligations on him, to stand to the maintenance of that government than I, wherein the Lord hath cleared me with a strong hand. I bless the Lord that made me understand the nature of his covenant, and gave me light in the point of justification, and helped me in some measure to hold out light therein to others, and cleared me in the controversy with the independents, and this anent prelacy." He said, " he had said before, and said so still, that if ever he should come to be against presbyterian government, he might fear to meet with God'a everlasting wrath, and be made a spectacle to others." He said fur- ther, with much grave confidence, " God will give an outgate, (mean- ing of the prelates) though they will say, it is impossible, and how should it come ; he can hiss for the bees, as beyond the river." He said also, nothing of it being suggested by them to him, " That he had a mind to leave a testimony behind him." On Wednesday, the 2d of March, when in the forenoon it was told him that a co-presbyter of his was coming up to see him, while be was coming up stairs, he said to his brother-in-law, " That is a precious man, with little din." And when he came near him, he spake a few words to him, and desired him to pray. And when he was about to take his leave of him, he said, (nothing to that purpose having been hinted at by the person nor any other) " I take you witness before the Lord, that I did not, directly nor indirectly, speak any thing to the prejudice of n^sbyterian government ; but to the contrary, I F 82 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WOUTfllES. Judge it to be a truth of God, and a part of the kingdom of Jesus Christ, for which every Christian, if he be called to it, should suffer. The Lord bless you, and make you a blessing to his church, and you are a blessing." He did that morning, none moving any such thing to him, expressly desire the person that had written to him all the time of his sickness, who was going a little out of the town, to exe- cute somewhat relating to the security of his children's provision, thai he would come in to him about twelve or one o'clock, for he bad somewhat to write that would take time. And when he asked, if he would not do it now ? " No," said he, " for I must think of it." And when he came in, he did after dinner fall very weak, yet with wonder- ful calmness, presentness, and composure of mind, caused him to write the following testimony to presbyterian government, whereof he bad spoken the night before, to divers ministers, and for which he had de- sired the young man that wrote to him to haste him in again, so much was the thing in his heart, and so deliberate was he in it. Mr. William Tullidaff, one of the subscribing witnesses to this testimony, came in after the writing of it, most occasionally, knowing nothing at all of such a business ; whom, after the testimony was sub- scribed by himself and the witnesses, after the distinct reading of it over, he commended as a very faithful friend, " and whom," he said, " he respected, especially for the grace of God in him." Adding, moreover, " they say he is led by me, and that it is by my influence upon him that he doth not conform : but I say it before you, brother, (directing his speech to his brother-in-law) that it was not through my influence, but through the strength of reason in himself, that lie hath not done it." He continued in a most sweet and divine frame of spirit all that night ; so that when one at the other end of the room, was at supper, blessing the table, and speaking somewhat of a frame fit for heaven, he cried out, '• O to be there, O to be there 1" And in midst of the night spake most refreshingly, thus : " I would fain, I would fain be taken up with the love of Jesus Christ, and be exercised in commending of it, which I hope shall be my exercise to all eternity : I think I will now lay by my doubtings, and stay myself on him. Many, many challenges, but now the feud is taken away, the feud is taken away ; he hath said, ' because I live, ye shall live also.' " When after sitting up a little, he laid his head down on his pillow, he said, with great weight and seriousness, " Many say, who will show us any good ? I»ut, Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us, for thou hast caused more joy and gladness to my heart, than they have, when their corn and wine abound ; I will lay me down and sleep, for thou only makest me to be in safety: I would not for a thousand worlds, for a thousand worlds, change my present condition with their bishoprics." And when it was said to him, " It is another sort of sweetness and satisfaction that arileth from the hope of seeing God's face, than these things can afford,"' he said, M Nay, even from present approbation of myself in the course wherein I have Buffered*'! A little after, he said, " I hope my anchor is cast in good ground, it will not drive, but draw me home to the harbour.'' lie did twice thai same night pray sweetly himself, being much therein taken up with the JAMES WOOD. S3 Mediator's sympathy "with his afflicted members. Now, are all these sogi'acious sayings and deliberate doings, the sayings and doings of a man that knew not what he said or did? What man of conscience ingenuity, or reason, will say it? On Friday, he called for his brother-in-law, and said, " Brother, 0 for one hour's converse with Him, for one hour's converse with Him." On Saturday, in the evening, after he had been much tossed with sickness all the day, his brother-in-law told him that Dr. Yeo- man, whom he had caused send for, was come, and asked what he was doing? He answered, "I am longing, longing for a sight of that blessed face: O blessed be he that laid down his life at Jerusa- lem for poor sinners! O the love, O the love, O the love of Jesus! 1 bless him, that ever was pleased to reveal himself to me: O what would have become of me if he had not done it?" When it was said to him that it would have been sad lying in that posture, if Christ had not died, and that death would have had a most dreadful aspect, he said pleasantly, " O death, whex*e is thy sting?" Then a little after, when somewhat was spoken of sin, he said, " O to be freed from indwelling corruption, from a body of sin and death." Onthe Lord's day, being the 6th of March, he was sorely oppressed with sickness and great weakness, yet he said, "He knew it was the Sabbath." Then he said, "Poor thing, poor thing, under a clog!" He would fain have spoken somewhat further ; and when it was asked what he would say? he replied, "What shall I say, what shall I say, but Jesus, but Jesus; I am heavy and dead, but he must pardon, and I hope he will pardon." Then he desired that the family would with- draw for seeking- God together. Toward the evening, he said, "O friendship with Jesus Christ! O friendship, friendship, with Jesus Christ!" Wln?n he was inquired whether the Lord had left any doubts with him about his friendship, he, after a while's silence, very soberly said, "I dare not doubt, I dare not doubt; but I fear a new storm." Then, a little after, he said, " Dearest Lord, dearest Lord, sweet Saviour, save me from all that I would be saved from ; he will save me from all that I fear: I was beginning to fear, but he will dis- appoint my fears." Then he did, griping his brother-in-law fast by the arm, cry with great earnestness, "O to apprehend Jesus Christ — brothei', brother." Then he said, sweetly, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name." When it was said to him, "It is but a little, and it will be sung; 'bless him who hath pardoned all thine iniquity, and hath healed all thy diseases, which he is now a healing;'" he said, "That will sing sweetly, that will sing sweetly." Speaking of a certain person,* he said, "I have said, and say so still, that God will honour him, as he hath honoured Him; God will bless him and his family; I am persuaded God will bless his family, I am persuaded of it." A little after, he said, " Dear Lord Jesus ! — the matter of a song, not of straitened words, but of enlarged praise to all eternity." On Monday morning, being the 7th of March, his brother-in-law * Mr. John Carstairs, 84 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. did inquire how he had heen all that night ? He said, " Not well, but I bless the Lord I had some comfort. I would fain have sung a psalm with you if ye had been here, I would have sung a part of it myself:" and being inquired what psalm? he said, "the 103d," which he had caused his son William to read to him a little before. Toward the evening, when upon an apparent change, his relations were weeping about him, he said, " Would ye have me coming again when bo near the shore, when so near the shore, when I am so near home ?" In the night when he was so full of tossings, even till the morning, he spoke some sweet words in his agony : " I am weak in my thoughts, but God will pardon ; he hides all mine iniquities." When it was asked at him, if there were any challenges now haunting him, he answered, " I have many, many and grievous challenges; but Jesus Christ answereth them all ; through him, matters are fully taken up betwixt God and me. Blessed be God, blessed be God that ever was pleased to send his Son to die for sinners ; what would have be- come of us if he had not died." When he was inquired, whether the thoughts of being a while under sharp affliction were terrible to him, he said, " Not : death is not terrible, but sweet to me ; I will assure you, death is not terrible to me, for things are taken up betwixt God and me." When God's pardoning mercy in Jesus Christ was spoken of, he said, " It should make him to be extolled in praise." And when it was further said to him, there was indeed good ground for that song, ' Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity ?' he replied, " I would fain sing it, but challenges detain me from it a while ; yet all matters are taken up betwixt him and me." On Tuesday, having been silent almost all the day, when he was inquired why he spake not ? he said, " I cannot, I am very weak, but I hope I am strong in the Lord Jesus." On Wednesday morning, the 9th of March, being exceedingly weak, he was inquired if his mind was quiet ? to which he answered, " Somewhat quiet, but I cannot speak ; fain would I be enlarged, to speak to the praise and commendation of the Redeemer." And being asked, whether there were any challenges moving now about him ? he said, " None, but such as are answered by Jesus Christ." And when one sitting by, spoke of the answer of a good conscience, he cried, " No answer to challenges but through the blood of Jesus Christ." And when it was said to him, that ere long he would be associated with the spirits of just men made perfect, and sing his part of their hallelujahs before the throne, he lifted up his eyes and hands with much gravity and seriousness, a considerable space. A little after, having spoken a few words about common business, when he was de- sired not to trouble himself now about these things, he said, com- posedly, "Let then all business be laid aside: welcome, welcome, Lord Jesus; come, come, sweet Saviour; make haste, make haste; Lord; hasten thy pace, and come on the mountains." On this occasion the woman that waited on him, and had waited on his first wife when she was a dying, said that she did chins'* and sing1 * »'. C. cli.uujt (>r hum. JAMES WOOD. 85 sweetly a whole night, and that in the next morning she lifted up her eyes stedfastly, and said, - I see him as it were putting his head through the clouds, and coming* on the mountains.' And when the woman was inquired how long that was before her death ? Mr. Wood overhearing, said, " it was the same day she died : and," said he, " 1 thought I then saw heaven." About eleven o'clock, the defluxion coming down mightily on him, it was said by one standing by, there is a torrent of it, whereupon he took occasion to cry out : " A torrent of the love of God, a torrent of the righteousness of Christ ; I cannot enough wonder at the love of God, and at the love of Jesus Christ in his purchase ; what would have become of me, if he had not died ?" he added, " Lord, pardon all mine iniquity ; Lord Jesus, intercede for me, and interpose betwixt me and the justice of God." When it was said to him, " your dissolution seems to be at hand ; put yourself in a posture to wait for the coming of the Lord ; let your soul be on wing to meet him." " To meet him," said he, " to meet him, blythe at my heart, blythe at my heart ; he will give me wings, he hath promised it." In the night he was sorely oppressed, and much tossed with his fever. Yet, when some death-like passions* did overtake him, he was gathered and sweetly composed, and said to his weeping rela- tions, " Hold me no longer, I am going ; I desire to take leave of you." Then he spake a few weighty words in reference to his own case : " There are many faults, but he will pardon them all : Death maketh a fast bargain betwixt God and the soul, I mean of the be- liever. The bargain is agreed, death is not terrible, but sweet to me ; Jesus Christ hath taken away the sting of it. Good news, good news, I am coming to heaven." When it was 6aid to him, " God maketh your passage easy," he replied, with wonderful presentness of mind, " He hath made it easy, by a word that he spake to me even now ; it is in 2 Cor. v. - He hath made him to be sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God through him.' " When he was in- quired if all fears and doubts were now blown away, he said, " I am scarce able to &peak ;" yet, with lifted up eyes and hands, he said, " They are blown away, only, only through the righteousness of Jesus." After which time he had but little speech ; only on Friday he was overheard cry, " Lord, loose a poor prisoner !" On the Lord's day, March 13th, about two or three in the morning, when he was inquired, if under this sore and long conflict he did win quietly to believe that the love of God was the same to him, he said, sweetly, " Yes, blessed be God, blessed be God ; I find no change in him, he is constant, and just the same he was." After which he ppake few sentences, or none at all. He fell asleep in the Lord, on Tuesday the 15th of March, about ten o'clock in the morning.-]* * i. e. pangs. f The above very interesting account of Mr. Wood's last words, now pub- lished for the first time, has been copied expressly for this Work from a MS. in the Advocates' Library at Edinburgh. There are various circumstances which render it probable that it was written by Mr. John Carstairs, Mr. Wood's brother-in-law, and one of the witnesses to his testimony. At all events, there is every reason for regarding it as perfectly accurate in all its details. — [MS. in Bibl. Jurid. Edin. £f. Jac. V. i. 21. art. 70.] 86 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. 2. His Testimony. H I Jamea Wood, being very shortly, by appearance, to render up my spirit to the Lord, find myself obliged to leave a word behind me, for my vindication before the world. It hath been 6aid of me, that I have, in word at least, departed from my wonted zeal for the presby- terian government, expressing myself, concerning it, as if it were a matter not to be accounted of, and that no man should trouble him- self therefore, in matter of practice. Surely any Christian that knows me in this kirk, will judge that this is a wrong done to me. It is true, that I being under sickness, have said sometimes, in conference about my soul's state, that I was taken up about greater business than any thing of that kind ; and what wonder I said so, being under such wrestling anent my interest in Jesus Christ, which is a matter of far greater concernment than any external ordinance ? But for my esti- mation of presbyterian government, the Lord knoweth, that since the day he convinced my heart, which was by a strong hand, that it is the ordinance of God, appointed by Jesus Christ, for governing and or- dering his visible church, I never had the least change of thought con- cerning the necessity of it, nor of the necessity of the use of it. And I declare, before God and the world, that I still account 60 for it ; and that, however there may be some more precious ordinances, that is so precious, that a true Christian is obliged to lay down his life for the profession thereof, if the Lord shall see meet to put him to trial ; and for myself, if I were to live, I would account it my glory to seal this word of my testimony with my blood. Of this declaration I take God, angels, and men, to be my witnesses ; and have subscribed these presents, at St. Andrews, on the 2d March, 1G64, about seven hours in the afternoon, before Mr. William Tullidaff, minister at Dum- bog, Mr. John Carstairs, my brother-in-law, and John Pitcairn, writer hereof. JAMES WOOD."* William Tullidaff, 1 John Carstairs, > Witnessee.f John Pitcairn, ) * Wodrow's History, vol. i. f It may serve to give the reader some idea of tbe cruelty and injustice that prevailed during the times in question, to state, that these persons, Cor simply witnessing to the subscription of a friend, were brought to much trouble. '* \Vhen Mr. Wood's testimony came to be propaled, tbe primate raged terribly, and caused summon Mr. Carstairs, Mr Tullidaff, and the notary, before the high commission court. The bisbop alleged, yea, spread the report pretty pub- licly, that the notary informed him that when Mr. Wood was in great weak- ness, Mr. Carstairs bad imposed upon him, and made him subscribe that paper wbicb he had formed for him. liut when Mr Tullidaff and the notary came before them, both of them declared that the notary wrato it at his desire, and attested it, as it was his office to do. Here the primate once more got the lie given him to his face; and when the two had continued some time in prison, and nothing Worthy of death and bonds could be fixed upon them, the ttitdiop was forced to dismiss them, without any farther punishment, having shown hi* malieo, and got shame for hia reward. Mr. Carstairs thought fit. on many considerations, to abscond, and did cot compear." — rTodroir, vol. i. p. 809. ROBERT BLAIR. 87 VII. ROBERT BLAIR. [Mi* Blair was born at Irvine, in 1593. He was educated at Glas- gow, and, having completed his studies, was appointed a regent in that university. In 1616, he was licensed to preach, and though he had several charges offered to him in Scotland, accepted a call to become minister of Bangor, in Ireland. In that country his la- bours were remarkably blessed. But being- at length ejected from hislivingby the Bishop of Down, he returned about the year 1638, and was admitted minister of Ayr, and next year was transported to St. Andrews. He now took a prominent share in the public acts of the church ; and in 1646, was sent as a commissioner from the Assembly to the king at Newcastle, along with Mr. Henderson and others, and, on the death of that Worthy, became king's chap- lain in his stead. In 1648, too, he, with two others, was sent to treat with Cromwell anent uniformity of religion in the three king- doms; and after the restoration, in 1660, he suffered the award then so frequently bestowed on merit such as his, by being harassed with repeated citations and imprisonments, and afterwards turned out of his charge.] Being worn out with age, and his spirits sunk by sorrow and grief for the desolations of the Lord's sanctuary in Scotland, Mr. Blair, upon the 10th of August, 1666, took his last sickness; and ever extolling* the good and glorious Master whom he had served, contemplated withseriouscomposurehis approaching end. His sickness increasing, he was visited by many friends and acquaintances, whom he strength ened and comforted by his many gracious and edifying words. At one time, when they told him of some severe acts of council lately made, upon Sharp's instigation, he prayed that the Lord would open his eyes, and give him repentance. And at another time, to Mrs. Rutherford, he said, " I would not exchange conditions with that man, (though for himself he was now on the bed of languish- ing, and the other possessed of great riches and revenues) even if all betwixt us were red gold, and given me to the bargain." When some ministers asked him, if he had any hopes of deliverance to the people of God? he said he would not take upon him to determine the times and seasons which the Lord keeps in his own hand, but that it was to him a token for good, that the Lord was casting the prelates out of the affections of all ranks and degrees of people, and even some who were most active in setting them up, were now beginning* to loathe them for the pride, falsehood, and covetousness they dis- played. To his wife and children he spake gravely and affectionately; and, after having solemnly blessed them, he ad monished them severally as he judged expedient. His son David said to him, tt The best and worst of men have their thoughts and afterthoughts, now, Sir, God having* given you time for afterthoughts on your way, we would hear what they are now." — He answered, " I have again and again thought upon my former ways, and communed with my heart ; and as for my public SS TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. actings and carriage, in reference to the IiOrd's work, if I were to be- gin again, I would just do as I have done." He often repeated the 16th, the 23d, and once the 7 1st Psalm, which he used to call his own. About two days before his death, his speech began to fail and he could not be heard or understood: some things, however, were not altogether lost ; for speaking of some eminent saints then alive, he prayed earnestly that the Lord would bless them, and as an evidence of his love to them, he desired Mr. George Hutcheson, then present, to carry his Christian remembrances to them. When Mr. Hutcheson went from his bedside, he said to his wife, and others who waited on him, that he rejoiced insufferingas a persecuted minister. "Is it not persecution," added he, "to thurst me from the work of the ministry, which was my delight, and hinder me from doing good to my people and flock, which was my joy and crown of rejoicing, and to chase me from place to place, till I am wasted with heaviness and sorrow for the inj uries done to th e Lord's prerogative, interest, and cause ?" What he afterwards said was either forgotten or not understood, and, at length, about four o'clock in the morning, August 27th, 1666, he was gathered to his fathers, by a blessed and happy death, the certain re- sult of a holy life.* VIII. THOMAS PATERSON, AND OTHERS. [Upon the defeat of the covenanters at Pentland, 28th November, 1666, about 80 prisoners in all were brought to Edinburgh. Of these, the greater number were lodged in Haddock's Hold, a place which, as Wodrow remarks, has since then been turned to a better purpose, being now used as a church. Such, however, as were most distinguished by their station or office, it was thought proper to secure in the tollbooth prison. And of this number, it seems Mr. Paterson was one He was a merchant in Glasgow, and had probably joined the insurgents in their progress from Ayr to Lan- ark. It seems he was confined in a chamber with some of the ten who were shortly after condemned and executed, and that he must have shared their fate, had he not died of his wounds before the trial. That his death preceded the trial, appears from his name not being in the process. The following testimony, there- fore, to which he assented, must have been agreed upon by his companionsf in trouble, previous to December 4th, the day on which they were condemned.] * Scots Worthiei — Life of Blair. f "Who the particular individuals were, whose sentiments it expresses, we have no means of knowing. It is certain, however, tli.it they were of the ten, who were honoured to be the first rictims of prelatic revenge. It is not improb that perceiving Mr. Paterson's death approaching, they might have drawn ap the paper, on some ofthefew days which elapsed between their apprehension and their trial. In tin* preface to ii in "Naphtali," it is Baid, thai he " being in like manner indicted, but dying of bis wounds before sentence, did communi- cate the same to his friends, with his assent thereunto." THOMAS PATERSON AND OTHERS. 89 " Men and brethren, — Being condemned by our rulers as traitors, lest we should seem to many to suffer as evil-doers, " 1st, In the first place, we biess and praise the Lord our God, who hath made us (the unworthiest of all men) worthy to be faithful to him, who is ' King of kings and Lord of lords,' and in simplicity and godly sincerity, singly to mind his glory; and who also maketh the cross of Christ (though by men superscribed with treason) our sweet consolation, and his own joy, our strength. " 2d, We declare, in the presence of the same God, before whom we are now ready to appear, that we did not intend to rebel against the king and his just authority, whom as we acknowledge for our law- fid sovereign ; so we earnestly pray in his behalf, that God would open his eyes and convert his heart, that he may remember his vows made unto God, relieve this oppressed kirk, and long reign and flour- ish in righteousness. " 3d, We declare, that perceiving the holy covenants of our God broken, the work of the Lord overturned, the gospel and kingdom of Jesus Christ despised and trampled upon, his pure ordinances cor- rupted, his faithful and our soul-refreshing ministers cast out, and the land filled with perjury and profanity, and like to be hurried back to that gulf of ignorance, superstition, and confusion, whence the Lord did so gloriously deliver us ; and finding ourselves not only spoiled of our most precious blessings, and most dear enjoyments, but urged and compelled by cruel violence and barbarous persecution, to the wicked apostasy from our holy covenants, and to rebellion against our God ; and all this done by no other hand than the wicked and perjured pre- lates ; and for no other ends (whatever they may pretend) than the satisfying of their own vile lusts, and establishing their so often ab- jured antichristian tyranny, over both souls and bodies of men. " 4th, And lastly, finding former petitions condemned as seditious, and our private complaints, when but muttered, insolently rejected, we did in the fear and zeal of our God, and by the warrant of his holy word, according to the first and most innocent instinct of pure nature, and the practice of all people and persons in the like case ; and after the example of all the oppressed kirks of Jesus Christ, and of our noble ancestors, take the sword of necessary self-defence, from the rage and fury of these wicked and violent men, until we might make our heavy grievances known to his majesty, and obtain from his justice a satisfying remedy. " We will not now mention our particular sufferings, nor the sigha and groans of poor wasted Galloway, which though very heavy from the hand of man, are all too light for Jesus Christ ;* nor are we willing to r * This is a very proper distinction, and one which ought ever to be kept in view, when judging of the sufferings to which man is subject in the present state. These sufferings may be altogether unmerited from the persons who in- flict them, and their infliction may be consequently altogether unjustifiable; but it ought ever to be remembered, that great as they may be, they cannot be un- deserved as coming from God. From him it is only suffering we can be said to merit. At the very best, we are unprofitable servants ; nay, we should rather say that all of us have sinned, and come short of his glory, and are thereforo 90 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. reflect upon these grievous and bitter laws and edicts, by which they seem to be warranted : only we know, that God is righteous, whose laws and judgments are superior and above ail the laws and actions of men. And to him who will judge righteously, we entirely commit our cause, which is none other than the reviving of the work of God and renewing of his covenant : which though it pleased the holy and wise God, not to favour with success in the field, and though by men it may be made our condemnation, yet it is our righteousness, inno- cency, and confidence in his sight. And all praise and thanks he unto our God, who not only kept us stedfast in his covenant, and made us willing and ready to adventure our lives for his name, but hath also accepted and dignified our offer with this public appearance :* where, in his own glorious presence, before whom we shall instantly appear, and before our often sworn and once zealous and tender brethren in the same cause, and in midst of thee, O Edinburgh ! once famous for the glory and zeal of God and of this covenant, we may give and seal this our testimony with our blood. " We therefore, the unworthiest of all the faithful, do, in the Spirit of God and glory, testify and seal with our blood and lives, that both the national covenant and solemn league and covenant, are in thera- Belves holy, just, and true, and perpetually binding, containing no other thing than our indispensable obligation to all duties of religion and righteousness, according to the revealed will of God, which no authority nor power of man, is or ever shall be able to disannul : and that our blessed reformations, both from popery and prelacy, and all that was done or ensued, in the sincere and upright prosecution thereof, was and is the work of God, which though men fight against, yet shall they never be able to prevail. And as this is our faith, so it is our hope to all that wait for the salvation of God, that our God will surely appear for his own glory, and vindicate his cause and per- secuted people, and render vengeance to his adversaries, even the ven- geance of his holy temple and broken covenant. O be not then moved with our sufferings, which are but light and momentary, for they • work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,' and for you also a strong confirmation, and abounding consolation against the like trial that possibly may befall you. O then save your- selves from this wicked and apostate generation, and ' be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work and cause of the Lord ; waiting for the appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ, which in his guilty before him. But this, it must bo observed, i.s no excuse for those who, to gratify their own malignant passions, or compass their own selfish purposes, violate every feeling of humanity, trample on the rights of their fellow men, ami are even forward to shed their blood! * Of course, though this testimony was not spoken, and in so far as Patcr- son was concerned, could not be spoken, it was written under the impression that all who concurred in it would be sailed to make such a public appearance, as is here referred to. It is needless to say a word here with regard to the principle* ii avows. <>t these principles it seems to contain an eloquent vindi- cation, lint, at tlie present day, it is enough, for this purpose, to remark, that they .in- the rery principles which ultimately triumphed in the glorious revolu- tion of 1' •. JOHN M'CULLOCH AND OTHERS. 91 time he shall show, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach, whom no man hath seen, or can see, to whom be honour and power everlasting V Amen."* IX. JOHN M'CULLOCH, AND OTHERS. QJohn M'Culloch of Barholm was " a gentleman of good parts and great piety." He had already suffered much for his conscientious adherence to the presbyterian church, having shared extensively both in 1663 and 1665, in the fines and exactions which were levied from Galloway. He was now far advanced in life, and we may be sure it was no ordinary oppression that had induced him to embark in the late insurrection. It appears he had served in the army, and had attained the rank of major. In consequence of this circumstance, as well as from his family influence, it is probable he was regarded as the most distinguished of the prisoners taken at Pentland. He was therefore one of the ten who, immediately after the defeat, were condemned and executed. And hence he was the first to affix his name to the following testimony, (which, in addition to that previously agreed to by some of them,) they subscribed in the prison, at Edinburgh, on the day of their death, being 7th December, 1666.] " Men and brethren, — This is a great and important work, both for us, who are now to render up our spirits to him that gave them, and for you who are not a little concerned in the cause, and in our blood, by justifying or condemning our sentence ; and therefore, as we speak to you as dying men, who dare not dissemble with God or man, nor flatter ourselves ; so ye should not be idle, curious, or unconcerned spectators. " We are condemned by men, and esteemed by many as rebels against the king (whose authority we acknowledge! ) but this is our rejoicing, • Naphtali, pp. 311— 31-i. ■J- It has been common for the apologists of the House of Stuart, to hold up the covenanters who suffered under its dynasty, as characterized by the extremes of disloyalty and sedition. Nothing, however, can be farther from the truth. — Whoever considers the tendency of their principles, must readily perceive that it must have been in an entirely opposite direction. But to pass over this, and to come to facts. The reader must perceive in the above, and jn other succeeding instances, that those of them at least who had engaged in the Pentland insurrec- tion, did so with far other feelings than rebellion against their king. Such was their uniform profession when about to leave the world, and surely, in such cir- cumstances, it is but fair to acknowledge that, in such a profession, they were at least sincere. And what is more, they uniformly refer to the oppressions they had endured, as the sole cause of their rising ; and release from these op- pressions, and from the iniquitous system under which they were sanctioned, as the only end which they had in view. Nor is there a man, who candidly considers these oppressions, as described in the above testimony, and as detailed in " Naphtali," the " Apologetical Relation," " Wodrow's History," and other works relating to the period, that will not, if a spark of humanity remains in bis bosom, be ready to acknowledge that they constituted a cause too adequate. 92 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the testimony of our conscience, that we suffer not as evil-doers, but for righteousness, for the word of God, and testimony of Jesus Christ ; and particularly, for our renewing the covenant, and, in pursuance thereof, for preserving and defending of ourselves by arms, against the usurpation and insupportable tyranny of the prelates ; and against the most unchristian and inhuman oppression and persecution, that ever was enjoined and practised by just rulers, upon free, innocent, and peaceable subjects! " The covenant and cause being so just in themselves, and the duties of self-preservation and mutual defence in maintenance thereof, being to judicious and unbiassed men so clear, we need to say the less for vindication of our practice : only, the laws establishing prelacy, and the acts, orders, and proclamations made for compliance there- with, being executed against us by military force and violence ; and we, with others, for our simple forbearance, being fined, confined, impris- oned, exiled, scourged, stigmatized, heaten, bound as bea9ts, and driven unto the mountains for our lives; and thereby hundreds of families being beggared, several parishes, and some whole country-sides exceedingly impoverished ; and all this, either arbitrarily, and without any law, or respect had to guilt or innocency ; or unjustly, contrary to all con- science, justice, and reason, though under the pretence of iniquitous laws, and without regard had to the penalty specified in the law : and all remonstrating of grievances (were they never so just and many) and petitions for redress, being restrained by laws condemning all for- mer remonstrances and petitions in the like cases ; there was no other remedy left to us, but that last of necessary self-preservation and de- fence. And this being one of the greatest principles of nature, war- ranted by the law of God, scriptural instances, and the consent and practices of all reformed churches and Christian states ahroad, and of our own famous predecessors at home, it cannot in reason or justice be reputed a crime, or condemned as rebellion by any human au- thority. " Though we be not the first that have suffered for the cause of God within the land, yet we are among the first that have been legally condemned and put to death expressly for taking the covenant : and we are so far from being ashamed thereof, that we account it our hon- our to be reckoned worthy to suffer for such a cause ; and cannot but bless the Lord, that we have such a cloud of witnesses, in this and other reformed churches, going before us in the same duty for sub- stance, and in suffering therefore. " We cannot but regret (if we could, with tears of blood,) the na- tional and authorized backsliding of the land, by perjury and breach of covenant ; the overturning of the work of reformation ; the great desolation of the house of the Lord, by smiting of the shepherds, and scattering of the flocks ; the intrusion of so many mercenary hirelings into the ministry, who, becauso of apostasy, perjury, ignorance, and profaneness, can neither be acknowledged U God's mouth to the peo- ple, in preaching, nor employed as their month to him, in prayer ; the abounding of popery, superstition, and profaneness, by unheard of oaths, blasphemies, uncleannesses, and drinking, even in somo whose JOHN M'CULLOCH AND OTHERS. 93 office and place requireth them to be more exemplary; and the shedding1 the blood of the saints by the rage of persecution: and therefore we cannot but disown all these abominable laws, courses, and practices, and declare our abhorrency of the same, and dissent therefrom ; pro- testing beforeangels and men,thatwe be not interpreted as consenters thereto ; and beseeching the hearer of prayer, that we be not involved in the guilt thereof, nor partake of the plagues which follow there- upon. " As this land was happy above all nations, for the purity and plenty of the gospel, and for a form of church government more conform to the pattern in the scriptures, than in others of the reformed churches ; so we acknowledge his great goodness to us in special, that gave us our lines in such pleasant places ; for we have full persuasion of the truth of the reformed religion in the church of Scotland, and have felt so much of the power and sweetness thereof, that we do here declare our firm belief and persuasion of, and adherence to the same, in doc- trine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the ' National Covenant, the Solemn League and Covenant, the Confession of Faith, Catechisms, Directory of Worship, and Propositions for Government ;' accounting it our honour and happiness to have been born in it, to have lived in communion with it, and now to die, through grace, members, witnesses, and assertors thereof. " And further, as Christians, and as members of the same church and commonwealth, in the fear and zeal of our God, in love to our brethren, in desire of the preservation of church and kingdom, and for our own exoneration, now when we take our leave of the world, we do seriously, and in the bowels of Christ, supplicate, warn, exhort, and obtest you. all the inhabitants of the kingdom, from the king to the meanest of the subjects, according to your old principles, pro- fessions, promises, declarations, oaths, and covenants, faithfully to own, maintain, preserve, and defend the said religion ; and after the ex- ample of our noble and renowned ancestors, to quit yourselves like men and Christians, in endeavouring by all just means, according to your places and powers, to shake off this heavy yoke of ' prelacy, which neither we nor our fathers were able to bear,' and which is de- structive to all our true interests, religious and civil ; as ye would not involve yourselves in the guilt and plagues of perjury and breach of covenant ; and as you tender the good of your own names, persons, estates, families, and liberties, as well as of your immortal souls ; and as ye would partake of the good of God's chosen, and of our joys, when ye come so near eternity as we are. " We shall say no more, but as we were not afraid to take our lives in our hands, so we are not afraid to lay them down in this cause ; and as we are not ashamed of Christ because of his cross, so we would not have you offended in Christ, nor discouraged because of us : for we bear you record, that we would not exchange lots with our adversaries : nor redeem our lives, liberties, and fortunes, at the price of perjury and breach of covenant. " And further, we are assured, though this be the day of Jacob's trouble, that yet the Lord when lie hath accomplished the trial of his own, 04 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and filled up the cup of bis adversaries, will awake for judgment, plead his own cause, avenge the quarrel of his covenant, make inquiry for blood, vindicate his people, break the arm of the wicked, and estab- lish the just ; for to him belongeth judgment and vengeance : and though our eyes shall not see it, yet we believe that ' the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing under his wings ;' and that he will revive his work, repair the breaches, build the old wastes, and raise up the desolations ; yea, ' the Lord will judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when their power is gone, and there is none shut up or left : And therefore, rejoice, O ye nations, with his people : for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and he will be merciful to his land and people. So let thy enemies perish, O Lord ; but let them that love him, be as the sun when he goeth forth in his might 1' " Sic Sub.— John M'Culloch of Barholm, John Shields, Andrew Arnot, James Hamilton, John Gordon of Knockbrex, John Parker in Busby, Robert Gordon, his Brother, Christopher Strang, John Ross, Gavin Hamilton. X. ANDREW ARNOT. fJCaptain Arnot, as he is usually styled, from the rank which, it ap- pears, he had previously borne in the army, was a gentleman of some property and influence. He was brother to the laird of Lochridge, an estate lying in the district of Cunningham. He joined the covenanters at Ayr, took the command of a troop, and proceeded with them to Lanark ; and from thence, till they arrived at Rullion Green, where he was taken with his sword in hand. Whether he delivered the following speech on the scaffold, we have not ascer- tained. As containing his separate testimony, to the cause in which he suffered, it may be regarded, only as an addition and en- forcement to the foregoing, which, with his nine companions in suf- fering, he had already subscribed.] " Dear friends and spectators, — I am brought by the good providence of God to this place of execution (which is no dishonour) for points of treason, as is alleged ; but God knoweth (who knoweth the secrets of hearts) whether in rebellion or not, I came forth ; he is my wit- ness, and will be my judge. And whoever they be that any way have been instrumental or incensed against me, to procure this hen- tence against me, God forgive them, and I forgive them. I am not now purposed to dispute tho matter of my being in company with these worthy Christiana who are now defeat and hroken, their blood shed, and they despitefully mocked by many : 1 acknowledge and declare, that I was with them. As to the cause of uiy being with them, whether in rebellion or not, God knoweth, and ail Israel shall . JOHN SHIELDS. 95 know. And for me, I say the cause is the Lord's, who made the heaven and the earth, though now it be hated. And, I desire to bear witness, with the rest of the worthy witnesses who are gone before, and are now staged to that glorious work of reformation in Britain and Ireland, and to gospel ordinances in their purity, as they have been taught and administered these tbirty years by-past. And I ad- here to the presbyterial way of doctrinal worship, discipline, and go- vernment, by general assemblies, synods, presbyteries, and sessions, according to the pattern of the holy scriptures, (Jesus Christ himself being the head corner stone) the Confession of Faith, Catechisms Shorter and Larger, Directory for Public Worship, National Covenant, Solemn League and Covenant, and every paper tending to the good of the true religion. And this I think fit to testify and declare under my hand (not knowing if I shall have any liberty to speak) and intend, God willing, to seal with my blood shortly. I confess, that unex- pectedly I am come to this place, (though sometimes I have had some small thoughts of it,) and I do account myself highly honoured to be reckoned amongst the witnesses of Jesus Christ, to suffer for his name, truth, and cause ; and this day I esteem it my glory, garland, crown, and royal dignity, to fill up a part of his sufferings. And now, I take my leave of you all, my dear and worthy friends and acquaintances. The blessings of the eternal God be multiplied uponyouandyour seed, andupon all the suffering friends of Christ, this day ; upon my dear and loving wife, who hath been a faithful sympa- thizer with me, and upon my dear children- The work of God is now put under, but it shall carry the day: blessed is he that believeth and seeth not, for there shall be a performance. Now, the eternal God, who brought again the Lord Jesus Christ from the dead, the great Shepherd of the sheep, strengthen and stablishyou,and all the Lord's people. So pray ye, and so prayeth your friend, ANDREW ARNOT."* XI. JOHN SHIELDS. [This was another of the ten persons who sufferedon the 7th December, 1666. He is described in Wodrow, as resident in Titwood, and as a tenant of Sir George Maxwell of Nether Pollock. It appears that he had joined the insurgents in Ayrshire, and, that, with John Ross and others, he was employed to watch the movements of the king's forces in the neighbourhood of Kilmarnock. From thence he accompanied them till their overthrow at Pentland, where he was made prisoner. The following is his separate testimony to the cause in which he died.] " I am a man unlearned, and not accustomed to speak in public ; yet being now called to witness and suffer for the Lord in public, I can- not be altogether silent of that which religion and reason hath taught me anent the cause of my suffering. * Nc-vphtali, pp. 314—310. 96 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " I bless the Lord, I suffer not as an evil-doer, especially not for any rebellion against bis majesty's lawful authority ; I attest him who is the searcher of hearts, that was never my intention in the least, and it is as little the nature and intention of what I have done; but for the renewing of the covenant with the Lord, and following the ends thereof, as to the suppressing of abjured prelates, and intruders upon the Lord's flock, and the restoring of the government of the house of God by presbyters, as he himself hath appointed in his word, with a faithful, godly, called, and sent ministry ; and together with pure or- dinances, the power of godliness. For this I am condemned, and to suffer this day. This I acknowledged freely before our judges ; this I still acknowledge, and am persuaded that herein I witness a faithful confession. This cause and covenant I commend to all the Lord's people. It is not free for you to forsake it; you are inviolably en- gaged in it; it is not safe to desert it, because of the curse of the per- j urer and false swearer. There is unspeakable blessedness in the pur- suance of it, whereof I can bear witness to the Lord by my rich ex- perience, since we began to do and suffer at this time for him: where- upon I cheerfully lay down my life for this his cause; he it is who justifieth it, what man or authority under heaven can condemn it? 'Arise, O Lord, let not man prevail against thee ! Plead and judge this cause which is thine own, for thine own name's sake.' '' * XII. ANONYMOUS. fjThe short testimony that follows has come down to us without a name. It professes to be by another of the tenj" persons who were executed on the 7th December, 1 666, and is said to have been left subscribed in the hands of a friend. Who the individual was can- not now be ascertained, but from its having appeared in "Naphtali," which was first published about 1667, there seems to be no good ground for doubting its genuineness.] " I designed no rebellion against lawful authority, but the suppressing of prelacy and of profanity ; and advancing of holiness in God's world : in a word, I adhere to all the articles of the good covenant, and did intend the restoringof ourgoodand soul-refreshing ministers, andthe casting outof the dumb greedy dogs that cannot bark. In this cause I was a free volunteer, pressed by none, thinking it my duty to appear for helping the Lord against the mighty. This I testify under my hand, from the tollbooth of Edinburgh, the 6th of December, 1666. J * Naphtali, pp. 31G, 317. t Naphtali, p. 317. \ Wc shall hero subjoin a few slender particulars, with regard to the seven individuals of this number that remain, besides M'Culloch, Axnot, and Shields, ofwbom we have already given some account. John and Robert Gordon were brothers, of the reBpeotable family of Knockbreck in Galloway. This family had Buffered much from the oppres- sions previously exercised, in that district of country, Betides being har- ALEXANDER ROBERTSON. 9f XIII. ALEXANDER ROBERTSON. [It has been supposed that there were two individuals of this name connected with the Pentland insurrection. And certainly there is some difficulty, without this supposition, to reconcile the statements which have been made with respect to a person or persons so desig- nated. The following particulars seem undoubtedly to refer to the author of the following testimony. He was a preacher of the gos- pel, and the son of a minister. He had joined the insurgents so early as their arrival in Dumfries, where it appears he was present at the seizing of Sir James Turner. From thence he accompanied them to Ayr, and then to Lanark, where he took the covenant with the rest of the party. He then proceeded with them to Collington and Pentland, where he was seen fighting with a sword and pistols. He was basely betrayed by the laird of Morton, his friend, to whom he surrendered upon promise of his life. He was one of five who, on the 10th of December following, were put upon trial, and con- demned to be hanged. One of the five obtained a respite ; Mr. Robertson and the other four were executed on Friday, the 14th of that month.] " Fearing that after the example of others, I should not be permitted assed by the quartering of soldiers, their dwelling was wantonly pillaged and destroyed; and a similar treatment befell their tenantry. No Won- der then that the two young men in question should have been tempted to join the insurgent foi'ces. Who in such a case would not have rebelled against a government which, with a view to enforce conformity to a form of religion which they hated, recklessly surrendered its unoffending subjects to the insults and aggressions of a domineering soldiery? They are described " as youths of shin- ing piety and good learning." Of them it might be literally remarked, that " they were beautiful in their lives, and that in death they were not divided." Being in the act of embracing when the drop fell, they died locked in each other's arms. — We have collected the following with respect to the others:— John Ross belonged to Mauchline ; he joined the insurgents in that neighbour- hood, and was sent along with John Shields and others to discover the motions of the king's troops, and particularly whether they had yet come to Kilmarnock. James Hamilton was a tenant in Killimuir. He took the covenant at Lanark, and belonged to M'Lellan of Barscobe's troop of covenanters. John Parker was a " walker" (waulker, perhaps) in the parish of Kilbride. He also joined the insurgents in the west, and proceeded with them to Pentland. Christopher Strang also was of Kilbride parish. He was at Lanark and took the covenant, and afterwards fought at Pentland under the command of Captain Paton. Gavin Hamilton was from Mauldside, in the parish of Carluke. He joined In the west, and with James Hamilton (perhaps his brother) was in Barscobe's troop. It may not be uninteresting to add, that the sentence with regard to the whole ten was, that, after being hanged, their heads and right arms should be cutoff, and disposed of a3 follows : the heads of M'Culloch and the two Gor- dons to be affixed at Kirkcudbright ; those of Parker, the two Hamiltons, and Strang, at Hamilton; those of Ross and Shields, at Kilmarnock ; and Captain Arnot's at the Watergate of Edinburgh. And the right arms of all of them to be sent to Lanark, to be put up in the public parts of the town, " being the place where they took the covenant." G OS TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. to speak openly to the people, I thought fit (beside iny adherence to ■what my brethren, who have gone before me, left behind them con- cerning our common cause) to leave a word in writ for satisfaction of them who survive me. " That, for preservation and defence of the true religion of this church, and for the relief of my poor brethren afflicted and persecuted therefore, I joined with others in arms, and that I renewed the cove- nant, that all men might the better know my cause and principles, I am so far from denying or being ashamed of, that I both acknowledge and avow it a9 my duty ; but let no man, that will not condemn him- self upon the same common obligations to do what I did, account me a rebel therefore, because with the same breath that I did swear, and with that same hand that I did subscribe to preserve and defend reli- gion, I did also swear to defend the king and his authority. " Our church was not more glorious in herself, and terrible to her adversaries, while we enjoyed pure ordinances of Word and sacraments, and her beautiful assemblies for government and discipline, of the Lord's own institution, than she became of late deformed by the usur- pation and tyranny of prelacy ; and I solemnly declare as a dying man, who dare not dissemble, that as I thought and still aver, that the erecting of this abjured prelacy is the cause of much of the sin in the land, and of all the sufferings of the Lord's people therein ; so I had no worse design, than the restoring of the work of reformation accord- ing to the covenant, and more particularly the extirpation of prelacy, to which his majesty, and all the subjects are as much obliged as I. And let that be removed and the work of reformation restored, and I dare die in saying, that his majesty shall not have in all his dominions more loving, loyal, peaceable, and faithful subjects, than these who for their non-compliance are loaded with the reproaches of fanaticism and rebellion. " The sufferings and insupportable oppression* of these, that could 8 It is impossible in the short compass of a note to give any thing like an adequate idea of the severities which excited the rising in Galloway. First of all, at three several inroads made into that county by an armed force, under the command of Sir James Turner, the most exorbitant fines Mere levied. Then by billeting soldiers on particular families, sometimes for \2 or 15 weeks at a time, their substance was wasted and consumed, to an amount perhaps still greater. But the exactions in money, and the destruction of property, was not all. The conduct and carriage of the soldiers who were thus quartered was such as to deprive the inhabitants of peace and comfort — to expose them to every Bpecies of inconvenience and insult, and sometimes by direct violence to injure their persons or endanger their lives. In support of these statements, many in- stances on record might be quoted, altogether tending to evince that the suffer- ings referred to were insupportable. And when we reflect that such sufferings were inflicted on account of nonconformity, and in order to compel men to de- eert the ministrations of pastors whom they venerated and loved, and attend npon those of persons whom they hated and despised, we are apt involuntarily to exclaim, Is it credible that such things took place in Scotland ? How much more astonishing then, that in Scotland there should be found those Mho are forward to palliate, to excuse, or even to defend the exercise of such enormities, and to condemn and calumniate the unhappy men whose lot it was to hoar them. . ALEXANDER ROBERTSON. 09 not, because of the command and oath of God, acknowledge and com- ply with prelacy, may seem light to some, in whom the spirit of the old enmity, that is betwixt the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent remaineth, and to others (perhaps their friends) who look thereupon at a distance; but as there is just reason to think, that if these rigid oppressions had been made known to his majesty, his justice and clemency would have provided a remedy, and as the half thereof would have made the prelates, their patrons and adherents im- patiently mad, for as loyal as they pretend to be ; so in the like cases of irresistible necessity, when there is little open door for representing of grievances and desires, and less hope of relief thereby, I suppose it will not be found condemned by the confessions of reformed churches, or doctrine of sound divines, but that it is authorized by the light and law of nature, by uncoudemned examples in the holy scripture, and by the practice of all Christian states, — by arms to preserve and defend men's lives, their religion, liberties, and fortunes ; and especially, where they are not seeking to acquire a new religion or new liberties, but only to preserve their old, or recover them, when they are vio- lently and unjustly spoiled of the same, as in our case ; otherwise we should sin against the generation of the just, and condemn as rebel- lious the most of the thorough reformations of the reformed churches abroad, and of our own at home. " If this course was lawful, and if it was our duty to join therein, as I believe and lay down my life in the persuasion that it was ; and if all the kingdom was (as they are) bound by covenant to assist and defend one another in the common cause of religion and liberty, what- ever may be said of these that came not forth to help the Lord against the mighty, — it cannot but be their dreadful sin, who joined themselves in arms, or took oaths to oppose, suppress, and break it, seeing they have sided themselves against the Lord and his work, and their car- riage is a much higher degree of accession to the blood that was shed, than Paul's keeping of the clothes of them that stoned Stephen to death ; and I wish that they may lay the matter to heart, and repent of it, that God may forgive them, as I forgive all men, and particu- larly Morton, who did apprehend me. " I know that there is a holy seed in the land, who shall be the substance thereof, and I pray that the Lord may make them more zealous and valiant for the truth upon earth ; I know also, that there are many whose bowels of compassion have been drawn forth toward these who took their lives in their hands, by prayers to God for them, and charity to them, and especially in Edinburgh toward the poor prisoners (of whom I may not only say, that what they have done, deserveth to be told for a memorial wherever the gospel is preached, but am assuredly confident, that besides the blessings of the poor and persecuted, the Lord is not unrighteous to forget their work and labour of love, which they have showed towards his name, and that they have ministered to the saints and do minister) and yet I must needs regret, that so many in this city once famous and hon- oured for harmonious owning of the cause and covenant of God, and Wessed above many other cities with solemn assemblies for worship 100 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and government, should have been ensnared into an oath so contra- dictory to the oath of the covenant ; and which was devised, contrived, and imposed in lieu of the declaration against the same, and for a grave-stone to suppress the revival of the work of God within this land. " The apostasy of this land is very great by perjury and breach of covenant, and so much the worse and more aggravated, that it is au- thorized, and very universal. And as I cannot but regret that so many are insnared therein, so I must needs warn all to abhor and be- ware of all declarations and oaths contradictory to the covenant, and renunciatory thereof, as they would not involve themselves in the guilt and plagues denounced against, and ordinarily inflicted upon per- jury and breach of covenant; and so much the rather, because this is like to be the Shibboleth and trial of the times. " As for myself, I have seen and do find so much worth in truth, which is to be bought at any rate, but sold at none; and so much transcendant excellency and amiableness in Christ, that not only with cheerfulness and confidence I lay down my life for him and his truth, committing my soul to him, to be kept in hope of a joyful resurrec- tion of the body; but also bless him that gave me a life to lose, and a body to lay down for him; and although the market and price of truth may appear to many very high, yet I reckon it low, and all that I have or can do little, too little, for him 'who gave himself for me.' and to me : ' for I ajcount all things but loss and dung for the excel- lency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord, for whom I now suf- fer the loss of all things, that I may win him, and be found in him, and that I may not only know the fellowship of his sufferings, but the powerof his resurrection, and attain unto the resurrection of the dead.' " And as for you, my dear friends, as I pray for you, that ' the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after ye have suffered a while,' may ' make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, and settle you;' so I recommend to you the same truth, that 'ye be not soon shaken in mind, but that ye hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering: and ' as you have received the Lord, so walk in him; warning and obtesting you, by all manner of obliga- tions, and by the hope and joy of that crown which I wait for, that ye keep yourselves unspotted with the abominable courses and practices of these times, whereunto ye may be tempted by the extremity of suffering, and particularly, that ye beware of unlawful oaths and de- clarations against the cause and covenant of God, that ye have no compliance with, nor give consent unto this prelacy, which ye have abjured; and that you be afraid and aware of popery, which by con- nivance doth so visibly abound and daily increase; but by fighting in the good fight, and keeping of the faith, you may finish your course, as I do, in the assurance of the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, hath laid up, and shall give unto me, and not to me only, but to all them that love his appearance. ALEX. ROBERTSON'."* Naphtali, pp. 31 7— JOHN NEILSON. ioi XIV. JOHN NEILSON. [Mr. Neilson was laird of Corsack, in Galloway — a man of excellent parts aud sincere piety. Being conscientiously attached to the presbyterian worship, and not attending the episcopal curate, an in- formation was laid against him to Sir James Turner, and he was ex- posed forthwith to the most severe oppressions on account of his nonconformity. Under the influence of these, he joined the rising which shortly after took place in his neighbourhood. Far, how- ever, from wishing to avenge himself on the instrument of his suf- ferings, he, at Dumfries, interposed in behalf of Turner, and saved his life. He then accompanied the insurgents in their progress to the Pentlands, where he was taken prisoner, and conducted to Edinburgh. The sufferings to which he was shortly after expose'd, afford matter for one of the blackest pages in the history of perse- cution. With the youthful martyr, Mr. Hugh M'Kail, he was, on the 4th December, put to the torture, " and so fearfully tormented, that his shrieks would have melted any body but those present, who still called for the other touch." He was, with Mr. Robertson and others, tried on the 10th, and suffered the sentence which was passed upon him on the 11th of that month. Here follows the tes- timony which he left behind him.] " Being made a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men, I found it necessary for vindication of the truth, and of myself, for undeceiv- ing of some, and encouraging of others, to leave this line behind me, which, with my innocent blood, may speak when I am gone. " I am condemned, I shall not say how unjustly, as a rebel against man, but the Lord God of gods he knoweth, and all Israel shall know, that it is not for rebellion against God, but for endeavouring to re- cover the blessed work of reformation, and particularly for endeavour- ing to extirpate prelacy, which hath been the cause of so much sin and suffering within this land, and for renewing of the covenant, from the obligation whereof (seeing I made my vow and promise to the Lord) neither I myself, nor any human authority can absolve me. And if any account this rebellion, I do plainly confess, < that after the way which they call heresy, I worship the God of my fathers.' " Although the insupportable oppression under which I and many others did groan,* were enough to justify our preserving and defend- * In order to give this statement of Neilson's its due weight on the reader's mind, it may be proper to set down a few particulars with regard to the suf- ferings which he had been called to endure, as these are recorded by "Wodrow : " Mr. Dalgleish," says he, "curate of Parton (the parish in which Neilson re- sided), had no small hand in this gentleman's hardships. "When Sir James Turner came first into Galloway, Corsack was soon delated for nonconformity, and Sir James exacted £100 Scots from him ; and, contrary to promise, he was sent prisoner to Kirkcudbright. He suffered very much by quarterings of soldiers upon him .*. from the beginning of March to the end of May that year, he had troopers lying on him, sometimes ten, sometimes six, sometimes four at once, and was forced to pay each man half-a-crown a day, which came to £819 102 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ing of ourselves by arms, yet know that the cause was not ours, but the Lord's ; for we suffered all our grievous oppressions, not for evil- doing, hut because we could not in conscience acknowledge, comply with, and obey prelacy, and submit unto the ministry of ignorant, light, and profane men, who were irregularly and violently thrust upon us ; neither did we only or mainly design our civil liberties, but the liberty of the gospel, the extirpation of prelacy, the restoration of our faithful pastors, the suppression of profanity, promoving of piety, the saving of ourselves from unjust violence, until we had presented our grievances and desires ; and, in a word, the recovering of the once glorious, but now ruined work of reformation, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, according to the national covenant and solemn league and covenant, to which I declare my adherence ; and through grace shall seal the .same with my blood. " My advocate drew up a supplication for rne, wherein was ac- knowledged, that I had been with the rebels ; but let none offend thereat : for I do hereby declare, that I was so far from accounting that course rebellion, that I judged, and still do judge, it was my duty to join therein, and my honour to suffer therefore ; otherwise, I should have counted myself accessary to the blood of the Lord's people which is shed : and cannot but regret that others of the Lord's people, when they heard of us, did not come forth with speed tc help the Lord against the mighty ; much more let all mourn, that not only many have appeared as enemies, but also conjured themselves against the Lord, and the same covenant which they so solemnly sware ; and as \or the petition itself, I knew not that expression was in it. " Being conscious myself of so much weakness, and so many heinous sins which predominate in me, and of unfruitfulncss under the gospel, and unsuitable walking thereto, I confess myself the vilest of sinners, and desire to mourn for the same, and pray that the Lord for Christ's sake may freely forgive me, as I have forgiven them that have wronged me, and hope through the righteousness of Jesus Christ to obtain the same ; and I do exhort all and every one of my friends to more holiness, prayer, and stedfastness, always abounding in the work of the Lord ; and ahove all things, to detest and shun Scots, ami free quarters besides to man and horse; which moderately computing at fifteen pence a day, amounts to ,£408: 10s. Next year Sir James Turner sent six foot soldiers to quarter upon him, from March to the middle of June. These had each of them twelve-pence a day, besides free quarters ; which amounts to £756. By those hardships Corsack was obliged to leave his house and wan- der up and down; and upon his hiding, he lost his horse, worth ^'100, and was seized himself and imprisoned for some time. The loss of his household stuff, victual, and most part of his sheep, cannot be well reckoned. When they had turned his lady and children out of doors, they fell next upon his tei and obliged them to brim,' tin in in sheep, lambs, meal, and malt, till they were well nigh ruined. And last of all, they drove all his oxen and black cattle to Glasgow, and sold them. — And all this for nothing else but precise nonconfer- laity ! ! After all this oppression, of which I have before me an attested ac- count, the reader can scarce wonder that he and many others in like circum- stances took hold on the first opportunity that offered to compbiin of, and re lieve thcmbtlves from these calamities." — Wodrow, \o\. >'• p. I JOHN NEILSUX. 103 that wicked declaration against the covenant, the apparent temptation of the time, and the very mark of antichristian prelacy. " All that I have is but little, but if I had many -worlds, I would lay them all down, as now I do my life, for Christ and his cause; nothing doubting but the Lord will abundantly pro vide for my wife and my six children, whom I commit to the Lord's care, and recommend to the kindness and prayers of the faithful;* and do lay an express charge on my wife that she show all my children, that I have bound them all to the covenant, for which now I lay down my life, and that she lay it upon them as my last command, that they adhere to every article thereof. " The work and people of God are brought very low ; it may be, because they were not ripe for a deliverance ; and for the greater trial, and tilling up of the cup of the adversaries : or, because there was little, or less prayer than should have been amongst those who appeared at this time, that the Lord hath made this late breach. But, dear friends, be not therefore tempted to call in question the work of re- formation ; or to think the worse of Christ and his cause, because of sufferings ; nor be discouraged because these few who took their lives in their hands, fell before the adversary ; for as sufferings are often sweetened by the Spirit of God and glory that resteth upon the sufferers, and afterward bring forth the peaceable fruits of righteousness unto them that are exercised thereby ; so the Lord will arise in due time, and have mercy upon Zion, and plead the cause which is * His " wife and children," alas ! were for long exposed to a continuance of the distresses in which lie himself had so largely participated. " His lady," says Wodrow, " heing in Edinburgh, after her husband's death. Maxwell of Milton crime to the house of Corsack with thirty men, and took away every thing that was portable, and destroyed the rest, and turned the family, and a nurse xyith a sucking child, into the fields." " Sometime after, Sir William Bannatyne came and in ventured any thing that was in the house, seized that year's crop, and ar- rested the rest in the tenants' hands. The same Sir William, a little after, came and took lodging, with SO horse, in Corsack, till the lady gave him a bond, with two neighbour gentlemen cautioners, for 300 merks. The said gentlewoman had all her moveables seized for her converse with her own son, who had been inter- communed, and paid near a hundred pounds. In the year 1G80, her son was forfeited merely for noncompearance ; and in a year or two, by Claverhouse's troop and others, she lost and expended, on vexatious suits, upwards of =/.40O. Her eldest son, for three years, was forced to wander and hide in Ireland. In the year I GS4-, she and her son being cited to account for not hearing the curati', her son was imprisoned for some months, and fined in 200 merks. And still forward, until the liberty in 1687, this excellent gentlewoman was vexed with parties of soldiers, and compearance before courts, which put her to great trouble and much charges."— [Wodrow, vol. i. pp. 258, 259.] And is it therefore to be supposed that the prayers of Neilson were unheard, or that his confidence on her account, and on that of his children, in the kindness and care of Provi- dence, was unfounded or misplaced? No. Amidst all these distresses, it may he that they inherited the choicest blessings of heaven ; that the peace of God, which passeth understanding, kept their hearts — that in the midst of their thoughts within them, his spiritual consolations delighted their souls, and that all those calamities, severe as they were, were felt to be preparing them for that better world, " where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rust" 101 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCUTS WORTHIES. his own: and this testimony, as I am this clay to seal with my blood, so I subscribe with my hand: — JOHN NEILSONof Corsack."* XV. GEORGE CRAWFORD. fjOf the five prisoners who were condemned on the 14th of December, one, namely, John Lindsay, belonging to Edinburgh, was for the time respited, and eventually obtained a reprieve. The remaining four were, •—Robertson and Neilson, the authors of the foregoing testimonies, John Gordon of Jrongray parish, who does not seem to have left !)ne ; and George Crawford from the parish of Cumnock, where it it is probable he joined the insurgents in their march to Lanark ; whose testimony is as follows. It seems to be the production of a plain but respectable man, who understood and had weighed the principles which lie owned and acted upon.] " Seeing I am to die after this manner, I lay before you this testi- mony, which I avow before God, and leave behind me to the world. " That which moved me to come along with these men, was their persuasion, and my desire to help them (which, with a safe conscience, I could not well refuse,) who, being tyrannically oppressed by tho prelates and their dependants and upholders, and seeing no other way was left to be taken, took up arms for their own defence ; and if this be rebellion, I leave it to tho great God, the supreme Judge, to de- cern : for in my weak judgment, I found it warrantable from the word of (iod, and without prejudice of the king's authority (whom I pray God to direct and guide in the right ways of the Lord, and to make him prosper therein, so that he may be surely set in his kingdom, hav- ing him whom no enemy can resist, to defend him,) seeing there was nothing intended by us, against his, or any other's, just and lawful authority. " Hut that which was my principal and chief design, was giving my poor assistance to the rooting out of the prelates and prelacy, and all such as are come into God's vineyard without the Master's com- mission, these hirelings who came not in at the true door, Jesus Christ, hut have climbed up some other way, as thieves and robbers, whose voice the bheep know not ; (all which is too sadly confirmed by tho dreadful and horrid sins that are risen in the land, and the curses and plagues that have followed thereupon,) that so, by taking away these, the abuses which proceed from them, and the sad consequences which follow their standing or falling with them, the covenant of God might be re-established, and true pastors that were silenced, might be set nt liberty, their mouths opened, and they themselves put to the keeping of their flocks, and all other such persons, who were banished, or any other way under Buffering, relieved. " And I do adhere to the way of church government sworn to in the covenant, which I think and assert to be conform to God's word; * Naphtall, ,,p. 322—825, HUGH M'KAIL. 105 which, with his Spirit directing-, is the only pattern and judge in all controversies: and however our endeavours at this time have not been successful, it is of the Lord, who will come in his own time, for he can do as well with a few as with many; but it is like, the cup of the adversaries is not full: and who knoweth, but the Lord God of hosts will hiss for the bee of Egypt, and the fly of Assyria, who will be more cruel and bloodthirsty than we were, to avenge the quarrel of his own people, and to make way for the establishing of his own cause. I say no more, but as I was willing to hazard my life for this cause, so I am ready to lay it down at my Master's feet, seeing he calls for it: and I pray the Almighty, to send his Spirit of consolation pro- mised by his Son to his own people to strengthen them and bear them through, till the appointed time of the Lord's, coming with deliver- ance : for he will come for his own cause, and for his people's sake, and will not tarry. GEORGE CRAWFORD."* XVI. HUGH M'KAIL. [It is scarcely possible to conceive a case more deeply affecting than that of this youthful martyr. Having finished his education, he was taken on trials, and licensed as a preacher in 1661, when only twenty years of age. After officiating several times, much to the benefit and gratification of those who heard him, he was called to preach in the great church of Edinburgh on the Sabbath immedi- ately preceding the day fixed for the arbitrary removal of its minis- ters. And having- in his sermon been led to remark, that "the people of God had been persecuted by a Pharaoh on the throne, a Haman in the state, and a Judas in the church," he was thought to have alluded to the then rulers ; and a party was sent next day to apprehend him. He escaped, however; and concealed himself for about four years. The people in the south and west being at length roused in defence of their rights, he joined them so early as the 18th November. But at last worn out, and rendered use- less through fatigue, he was in the act of leaving them in the neigh- bourhood of Edinburgh, on the 27th of that month, when, unhap- pily, he was taken and lodged in prison. After being again and again examined, he was, along with Neilson of Corsack, subjected to the torture of the boots, on the 4th of December. On the 18th he was arraigned with other eight for the crime of rebellion, and, being found guilty, was executed on the 22d of that month, in company with five of these, the others being reprieved.] 1. His Sayings is Prison. During his abode in prison, the Lord was very graciously present with him, both to sustain him against the fear of death, and to dispel all these overcloudings of terror, unto which the frailty of flesh and blood hath sometimes exposed the best of men; and also in assisting him ia * Naphtali, pp. 325 — 32~, 100 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. prayer and praises, to the admiration of all his hearers, especially on the Thursday's night, December 20th, whereon being set at supper •with his fellow-prisoners and his father, and one or two besides, he requested his fellow-prisoners, saying merrily, " Eat to the full, and cherish your bodies, that we may all be a fat Christmas pie to the prelates." After supper, in thanksgiving, he burst forth in blessing God, that had made him such a fool as to come to that prison; and after many gracious words, continued saying, " Many crosses have come in our way, and wrought but weakly upon us, but here is a cross that hath done more good than all the many that befell us before." Then lamenting the condition of the church of God, with much ear' nestness, he used that exclamation in the last of Daniel, " What, Lord, shall be the end of these wonders!" The last nightof his life, being Friday, December 2 1st, he proposed and answered himself several questions, to the strengthening of his fel- low-prisoners, and great refreshing of all his hearers. As, 1. He inquired, "Howshouldhe,goingfromthe tollbooth through a multitude of gazing people and guards of soldiers, to a scaffold and gib- bet, overcome the impression of all these? To which he answered, " By conceiving a deeper impression of a multitude of angels, who are also on-lookers ; according to that, ' We are agaziug-stock to the world, angels, and men:' for the angels rejoicing at our good confession, are j^resent to convey and carry our souls, as the soul of Lazarus, unto Abraham's bosom; not to receive them, for that is Jesus Christ's work alone, who will welcome them to heaven himself, with the songs of angels and blessed spirits; but the angels are ministering spirits, always ready to serve and strengthen all dying believers: and as Stephen saw the heavens opened, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, who then said, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit;' so," said he, "do I believe that Jesus Christ is also ready to receive the souls of his dying sufferers." 2. He inquired, "What is the wray for us to conceive of heaven, who are hasting unto it, seeing the word saith, ' Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him?' '' Whereuutohe answered, " That the scripture helps us two ways to conceive of heaven. The first is, by way of similitude, as in Rev. xxi. where heaven is held forth, by the representation of a glorious city, there described; and, in the same place, it is also termed the bride; but O! how unlike are these two, a bride and a city! which doth clearly evidence the insufficiency and vast disproportion of all such simili- tudes; and therefore/' he added, " the scripture furnishes yet a more excellent way to conceive of heaven; and that is, 1st, By conceiving- the love of Christ to us, even what is tin- breadth) and length, and depth, and height, and innnenseness of that love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, which is also the highest and sweetest motive of praise: — ' Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.' — By holding forth the love of the saints to Jesus Christ, and teaching HUGH M'KAir.. lot us to iove him in sincerity, which is.the very joy and exultation of heaven: — Rev. v. 12. 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.' And no other thing than the soul breathing forth love to Jesus Christ, can rightly apprehend the joys of heaven." The last words which he spoke at supper, were in the commenda- tion of love above knoivledge, saying, " O but notions of knowledge without love, are of small worth, evanishing in nothing, and very dan- gerous." After supper, his father having given thanks, he read the 16th Psalm, and his first words thereafter were, " If there were any thing in this world sadly and unwillingly to be left, it were the read- ing of the scriptures : — ' I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living,' hut this needs not make us sad ; for where we go, the Lamb is the book of scripture, and the light of that city, and there is life, even the river of the water of life, and living springs." To this he added many excellent observations, and making mention of the 23d verse of the 31st Psalm, " O love the Lord, all ye his saints," added, " That where love was, it was so operative, that it made flesh spirit, and where it was not, there spirit was made flesh :" thereafter he sung a part of the same Psalm. Supper being ended, he calls, smilingly, for a pen, saying, " it was to write his testament," wherein he only ordered seme few books, which he had, to be re-delivered to several persons. He went to bed a little after eleven o'clock, and having slept well till five in the morning, he arose and called to his comrade, John Wodrow, saying pleasantly, " Up, John, for you are too long in bed ; you and I look not like men going this day to be hanged, seeing we lie so long." Thereafter he said to him, in the words of Isaiah, xlii. 24. '* l Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers ? Did not the Lord, he against whom we have sinned, for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.' And I think, John," said he, " I have not known, nor do I lay it to heart, as is said in the end of the 25th verse. But, John," said he, " for all this be not afraid, but read the xliii. chap. ver. 1, 2. for all will go well with us." John said to him, " You and I will be cham- bered shortly in heaven, beside Mr. Robertson." He answered, " I fear, John, you bar me out, because you was more free before the council than I was ; but I shall be as free as any of you upon the scaffold." Before breakfast, he said, " he had got a clear ray of the majesty of the Lord after his awaking, but it was a little again over- clouded." Thereafter he prayed, and attested the Lord, " that he had devoted himself to the service of God in the ministry of the Lord Jesus, and the edification of souls, very early ;" adding, " Albeit, I have not been so with my God, yet ' thou hast made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure ; this is all my de sire,' joy, ' and salvation, albeit thou make me not a house to grow. Mow, Lord, we come to thy throne, a place we have not been acquainted with ; earthly kings' thrones have advocates against poor men, but thy throne hath Jesus, an advocate for us. Our supplication 108 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. this day, is not to be free of death, nor of pain in death, but that we may witness before many witnesses, a good confession." His father coming to him that morning to bid him farewell, his last words to him were, after prayer and a little discourse, " That his suf- fering would do more hurt to the prelates, and be more edifying to the Lord's people, than if he were to continue in the ministry for twenty years." And then he desired his father to leave him, else he would but trouble him. " And I desire it of you," said he, " as the best and last service you can do me, to go to your chamber, and pray earnestly to the Lord to be with me on that scaffold ; for how to carry there is my care, even that I may be strengthened to endure to the end." About two o'clock in the afternoon, he was carried to the scaffold, with other five that suffered with him; where he appeared, to the con- viction of all that formerly knew him, with a fairer, better, and more stayed countenance than ever they had before observed. Being come to the foot of the ladder, he directed his speech northward to the mul- titude ; and premising, " That as his years in the world had been but few, so his words at that time should not be many," he spoke to the people the following testimony, which he had before written and subscribed.* i 2. His Testimony. " Being by a great surprisal of providence, thus staged before the world, in a matter of so universal concernment to all that fear God, and desire to be stedfast in his covenant, I could not forbear to leave behind me this standing testimony, concerning the occasion and uses thereof, for the glory of God, and the vindication of my profession from the aspersions cast thereon by men, and the edification of these by my death, to whom I had devoted my life in the work of the ministry. " I have esteemed the government of this church by presbytery, to be among the chief of the ordinances of Jesus Christ, which by his blood he has purchased, and ascended up on high to bestow as a gift upon it; as being the very gospel ministry in its simplicity and purity from the inventions of men, and so the mean by which other ordin- ances are administered and the most fundamental truths made effec- tual in the hearts of his people, and therefore that it ought with that same carefulness to be contended for. Experience, both of the having and wanting of it, hath given it this epistle of commendation, so that it may be both known and read of all men : which is al>o true of the solemn engagements of the nation thereto, by the national covenant, the solemn league and covenant, which I have esteemed in their rise and renewing, pregnant performances of that promise, lsa. riir. .*\ where it is evident, that where church reformations come to any ma- turity, they arrive at this degree of saying, ' I am the Lord's ; and subscribing with the hand unto the Lord.' iSo was it in the days of * Naphtali, pp. 311—315 HUGH M'KAIL. 109 the reforming kings of Judah, and after the restoration from the cap- tivity in the days of Nehemiah. This same promise did the Lord Jesus make yea and amen to us, when he redeemed us from spiritual Babylon ; which is so much the greater evidence, that these were the very motions of God's Spirit in our first reformers, that they were ex- pressly designed against the greatest motions of the spirit of darkness in antichrist and his supporters, andagainstthegreatest confirmations that ever these abominations attained by the decrees of the council of Trent, and that bloody bond called the Holy League. And there- fore, whatever indignity is done unto these covenants, I do esteem to be no less than doing despite unto the Spirit of grace in his most eminent exerting of himself, but especially, declaring against the same as flowing from a spirit of sedition and rebellion, to be a sin of the same nature with theirs, who ascribed Christ's casting out of devita to Beelzebub ; and that, with this aggravation, that these Scribes and Pharisees came never the length of professing Christ, and submitting themselves to him and his ways.* " But we are condemned to death upon the account of this cove- nant, for adhering to the duties therein sworn to, by such as once did as much themselves as we have done, and some of them more than some of us : which considerations have moved me to great fears of God's wrath against the land, according to the curse that we are bound under, if we should break that covenant, and in the fear of it, many times to pour out my soul before the Lord ; and as soon as I heard of a party up in arms in behalf of the covenant, (all other doors being shut, whereby the redress of the manifest violations of it might be ob- tained ; and these by manifest and unheard of violence obtruded upon others to go along with them,) being bound by that covenant against detestable indifferency and neutrality in this matter, and to esteem every injury, done to any engaged in this covenant upon account of it, as done to myself : — very conscience or duty urged me to this against some reluctancy of fear of what might follow. Upon the same rea- sons, at Lanark, with the rest I declared my adherence to the cove- * In one sense it may be said, that whatever opposes his work in the world — the progress of truth and the triumphs of the Redeemer's kingdom, is a sin committed against the Holy Spirit of God. In so far then as the covenants were means under providence of promoting and perpetuating genuine Christi- anity, " the declaring against them as flowing from a spirit of sedition and re- bellion," might be viewed as a sin somewhat similar to, though not perhaps " of the same ijaturc with theirs, who ascribed Christ's casting out of devils to Beelzebub." In this latter instance, we have reason to believe there was a special degree of malignity against God, a determined hostility to his truth, combined at the same time with a perception and consciousness of its claims upon their reception, such as is not often-exhibited in ordinary instances of infi- delity. But yet it is impossible not to remark the resemblance, existing between the circumstances of those, who thus insulted the Saviour to his face and sinned against the Holy Ghost, and of those who, notwithstanding the impressions they must have had of their devotedness and worth, did, with unrelenting se- verity, exclude from their sacred office, men, whose fidelity and success in minis- terial labours, loudly proclaimed them the servants of God — supplying their places with those, whose characters displayed that they were the very reverse. 110 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. nant, by my lifting up of my hand, after the articles thereof were read. " And here I cannot but with grief of heart acknowledge my faint- ing in a day of trial, tbat being engaged with them upon such ac- counts, I many times in fear designed to withdraw, and at length did, which, as it was the occasion of my falling into the hands of the enemy, so I think among other things it was the cause why God de- livered me into their hands. Upon the same fear, in all my examina- tions, I have denied my engagement with them, and endeavoured to vindicate myself by asserting the real designs I had to part from them, and have utterly cast away the glory of a testimony, which my very being in their company, as a favourer of the ends of the covenant, and as one willing to contribute my best endeavours for the promoting of them, but especially my declaring for the covenant, did bear unto the truth and ordinances of Jesus Christ against this untoward generation : this I confess to be no less than a denying of Jesus Christ, and a being ashamed of his words before men ; but I hope the Lord, who remem- bereth that we are but frail dust, shall not lay it to my charge, and according to his faithfulness and grace will forgive me, who by this public confession, take to myself shame and confusion of face, and fly to the propitiation offered to all sinners in Jesus Christ. And these things as they have procured this death unto me, as an act of God's justice ; so they mind me of other evils in mine own heart, that have been the source of this my unwillingness, to take on Christ's cross : my heart hath not studied to maintain that spirituality in walking with God, and edifying exemplariness with others, that became one that had received the first-fruits of the Spirit, and aimed at the ministry of the gospel, living in times of so much calamity for the church of God, and particular afflictions as to myself. If I had spent my days in groaning after my house from heaven, v/ould I have shifted so fair oc- casion of being clothed with it ? Alas, that I have loved my Lord and Master Jesus Christ so little ! Alas, that I have done so little service to him, that I have so little labour to follow me, to my everlasting rest! This I speak to these especially, with whom 1 lave familiarly conversed in my pilgrimage, that seeing the Lord will not grant me life to testify my real reformation of these things, my acknowledgment at death may have influence upon them, to 6tudy not only godliness but the power of it.* • The inconstancy (if it may be so termed) which Mr. M'Kail regrets so bitterly, throughout the foregoing paragraph, was that exhibited in his de- claration before the council; and especially in his supplication of December 11th, entreating an adjournment of his trial, whilst as yet he was writhing under the effects of his late torture — and his petition, after sentence, for the king's pardon, or a mitigation of punishment. Into this last document, it is proper to observe, that his friends, out of zeal tor his life, introduced several expressions which he never sanctioned ; and that even with these expressions retained, it does not, in the judgment of charity, present any thing very inconsistent with the most cordial approval of those principles, for which he BOW WN rea ly to lay down his life. 15ut such was the extreme tenderness of his conscience, nnd such the ardent desire to glorify God, of which lie was now conscious, that vhnt might well appear to other men as venial .«'• irteomings, prompted by the HUGH M'KAIL." 1H " As I acknowledge that I have not been free and ingenuous in these particulars forementioned, so in other things, wherein I inter- poned that holy name of God, as to the not being upon the contriv- ance of this rising in arms, nor privy to any resolution thereanent, nor conscious of any intelligence at home or abroad concerning it, I was most ingenuous : and they have wronged me much, who said that I denied upon oath, that which they were able to make out against me, or knew to be truth ; but none allege perjury against me, but such as are so manifestly guilty of it before the world, that their tongues in such allegements are no slander. " Although I be judged and condemned as a rebel amongst men, yet I hope, even in order to this action to be accepted as loyal before God. Nay, there can be no greater act of loyalty to the king, as the times now go, than for every man to do his utmost for the extirpa- tion of that abominable plant of prelacy, which is the bane of the throne, and of the country : which, if it be not done, the throne shall never be established in righteousness, until these wicked be removed from before it. Sure I am, those who are now condemned as rebels agaiust him, by them, are such as have spent much time in prayer for him, and do more sincerely wish his standing, and have endeavoured it more by this late action so much condemned, than the prelates by condemning them to death. " This disaster hath heightened greatly the afflictions of our church, and ought to teach all of you to drink the wine of astonishment : ye have not known tribulation till now : now wre judge them happy that are fallen asleep, and removed far away, and know that God hath been taking away his servants from the evils that were to come. Know that God's design is, to make many hearts contrite, that have been formerly too whole, and have not lamented sufficiently the re- moval of his ordinances and ministry, and the reproach rubbed upon the work of reformation. Beware that your sorrow be not a momen- tary motion of common compassion, that evanisheth, when it may be, there is some intermission in this violent course of shedding innocent blood ; but labour to have a constant impression that may sanctify the heart ; nay, ye should live much in the apprehension of approach- ing judgment. Certainly the withdrawing of many from us, and not contributing their help to the great work they were engaged to, as well as we ; the general rising against us in many places of the coun- try ; but, above all, this open shedding of the blood of the saints, which involveth the land in the guiltiness of all the righteous blood shed from the foundation of the world, have made Scotland fit fuel for the fire of God's wrath. I can say nothing concerning times to come, but this, ' All things shall work together for good to them that love God,' and so this present dispensation. And they shall have most comfort in this promise, who are most willing that such afflic- tions as we are brought to, be the way that God chooseth to work their good. love of life, and justifiable even, on the score of duty, were felt by him as sins lying heavy upon his heart, and demanding of him, the contrition and acknow- ledgments which are here expre^ed. 3 12 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " Commit wholly the management of all matters to God, and make it your entire study, night and day, to keep your very garments clean; it is hard in times of so general corruptions not to he defiled one way or other; be free of the sins as ye would be of the judgments, which will certainly be such as will make ' all the churches know, that God is the searcher of the hearts, and trier of the reins,' Rev. ii. 23. and so will not be mocked by these pretences, whereby men colour their going along in an evil course, from the real love that they have to a present world. If simple presence amongst them who are esteemed rebels by men, be sufficient to engage them in the crime and punish- ment, (for that is all the ground of my condemnation,) shall not God be much more zealous of his own glory, against all who so much as seem to go along with this course of backsliding. " As a good mean and encouragement, to all the duties of our time, labour to be rooted and grounded in the love of Jesus Christ ; this will be tender of any thing, that may have the least reflection upon him, his words or works, and will prompt the soul to zealous appearing for him at the greatest hazard, and to as much willingnes9 to die for him, as to live that they may glorify him. And for the en- couragement of you all in this matter, I do declare, that ever since the day of my coming into prison, God hath kept my soul free from all amazement or fear of death ; that since my indictment and sen- tence, God hath so manifested himself at several times, that he hath lifted up my soul above prelates, principalities, and powers, death, and hell, to rejoice and be glad in bis salvation ; and from my soul to account him worthy, for whom, in this his cause, I should undergo the greatest shame or pain ; and to the assured hopes of eternal com- munion with him in heaven : and that nothing hath more brangled my peace, than shifting an open and free testimony before my examina- tor9, to the work that I was engaged in. " I do freely pardon all that have accession to my blood, and wish that it be not laid to the charge of this sinful land, but that God would grant repentance to our rulers, that they may obtain the same reconciliation with him, whereof I myself do partake. Truly, I be- lieve many of them, if not instigated by the cruel prelates, (at whose door our blood doth principally lie) would have used more mitigation: but that rehictaney of mind to shed blood, will be so far from vindi- cating of them, that, upon the contrary, it will be a witness against them in the day of the Lord. " I heartily submit myself to death, as that which God hath ap- pointed to all men because of sin, and to this particular way of it, as deserved by my particular sins. I praise God for this fatherly chas- tisement, whereby lie hath made me in part, and will make me per- fectly partaker of his holiness. I glorify him that called me forth to sutler for his name and ordinances, and the solemn engagements of the land to him, and that he hath taken this way to take me away from the evil to come. The Lord bliss all his poor afflicted groaning people that are behind. " Hereafter, I will not talk wiili flesh and blood, nor think on the world's consolations : farewell all my friends, whoso company hath HUGH M'KAIL. 113 been refreshful to me in nay pilgrimage ; I have done with the light of the sun and moon. Welcome eternal life, everlasting love, everlasting praise, everlasting glory ! Praise to him that sits upon the throne, and to the Lamb for ever ! Though I have not been so with thee as I ought to have been in the house of my pilgrimage, yet c thou hast made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure : and this is all my salvation, and all my desire.' Bless the Lord, O my soul I that hath pardoned all mine iniquities in the blood of his Son, and healed all my diseases I ' Bless him, O all ye his angels that excel in strength, ye ministers that do his pleasure I Bless the Lord, O my soul I' Hallelujah I Sic Sub.— HUGH M'KAIL."* " Edinburgh Tolbooth, Dec. 22d, 1666." : 3. His Last Words. Having done speaking to the people, who heard him with great at« tention, he sung a part of the 31st Psalm, and then prayed with such power and fervency, as forced many to weep bitterly. Having ended, he gave his cloak and hat from him ; and when he turned himself, and took hold of the ladder to go up, he said with an audible voice, " I care no more to go up this ladder, and over it, than if I were going home to my father's house :" and as he went up, hearing a great noise amongst the people, he called down to his fellow- sufferers, saying, "Friends and fellow-sufferers, be not afraid, every step of this ladder is a degree nearer heaven." Then having seated himself thereon, he said, "I do partly believe, that the nobles, counsellors, and rulers of the land, would have used some mitigation of this punishment, had they not been instigated by the prelates ; so our blood lies principally at the prelates' door. But this is my comfort now, that ' I know my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God, whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,' pointing to his eyes, 'and not another, though my reins be consumed in me.' And now I do willingly lay down my life for the truth and cause of God, the covenant, and work of reformation, which were once counted the glory of this nation. And it is for en- deavouring to defend this, and to extirpate that bitter root of prelacy, that I embrace this rope," (the executioner putting the rope about his neck.) Then hearing the people weep, he said, " Your work is not to weep, but to pray that we may be honourably borne through ; and blessed be the Lord, that supports me : now, as I have been beholden to the prayers and kindness of many since my imprisonment and sen- tence, so I hope you will not be wanting to me now, in this last step of my journey, that I may witness a good confession : and that you may know the ground of my encouragement in this work, and what my hope is, I will read to you the last chapter of the Bible:" and having read it, he said, "Here you see the glory that is to be revealed upon me, ' a * Naphtali, pp. 319— 350. II 114 TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. pure river of water of life, and so forth (reading the passage) ' where the throne of God is, and the Lamh is in it, where his servants serve him and see his face, and his name is in their foreheads, and the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reign for ever and ever ;' and here you see my access to my glory and reward. « Let him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.' And here you see also my welcome, ' The Spirit and the bride say, Come.' " Then he said, " I have one word more to say to my friends, (looking down to the scaffold) Where are you? You need neither lament me nor he ashamed of me in this condition, for I may make use of that expression of Christ, ' 1 go to your Father and my Father, to your God and my God, to your King and my King, to the blessed apostles and martyrs, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the first-born, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant ;' and so I bid you all farewell : for God will he more comfortable to you than I could be ; and he will also now be more refreshing » me than you can be : farewell, farewell in the Lord !" Then the napkin being put on his face, he prayed a space within himself, after which he put up the cloth from his face, with Ins own hand, and said, " He had one word more to say, and that was to show them the comfort he had in his death,'' saying, " I hope you perceive no alteration or discouragement in my countenance and carriage, and as it may be your wonder, so I profess it as a wonder to myself, and I will tell you the reason of it : besides the justness of my cause, this is my comfort, which was said of Lazarus when he died, that ' the angels did carry his soul into Abraham's bosom ;' so, that as there is a great solemnity here, of a confluence of people, a scaffold, a gallows, and peoplo looking out of windows ; so is there a greater and more solemn preparation in heaven of angels to carry my soul to Christ's bosom. Again, this is my comfort, that it is to come into Christ's hands, and he will present it blameless and faultless to the Father, and ' then shall I be ever with the Lord.' And now I leave off to speak any more to creatures, and turn my speech to theo, O Lord ! and now I begin my intercourse with God, which shall never be broken off. Farewell father and mother, friends and relations ; farewell the world and all delights ; farewell meat and drink ; fare- well sun, moon, and stars. Welcome God and Father ; welcome Kwcet Lord Jesus, the Mediator of the new covenant ; welcome blessed Spirit of grace, and God of all consolation ; welcome glory ; welcome eternal life ; welcome death." Then lie desired the execu- tioner not to turn him over, until he should himself put over his fehoulders, which, after praying a little within himself, he did, saying, " O Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit : for thou hast redeemed my soul, Lord God of truth !'' Thus in the 26th year of his age, ho dieil, as he lived, in the Lord.* • Naphtaii, pp. 341 — 356. JOHN WODROW. 115 XVII. JOHN WODROW. [With respect to this person, who was imprisoned in the same room with Mr. M'Kail, and suffered along with him, very little informa- tion has come down to us. It appears he was a merchant in Glas- gow, and had prohahly joined the insurgents during their progress through Ayrshire, or at Lanark. He seeni3 at all events to have been cordial in the cause which they had in view to promote ; and as has heeu observed, has expressed himself in regard to it with a degree of propriety and force not to be expected from his education or condition in life. His last words consist in a letter to his Avife, written on December 22d, being the day of his death, and the tes- timony delivered by him upon tiie scaffold.] 1. His Letter to his Wife. " My heart, — Reverence the good providence of the Lord our God, who can do nothing wrong ; for whatsoever he doth is well done, and my soul saith, Amen. I had not a will of my own, my heart, since that day wherein you and I parted, my Lord and my God captivated it, and brought it to a submission unto his will : I bless him for evermore for it, that I was never left to my own will: praise, O praise him all ye living! and O thou, my soul, praise the Lord for it. I bless the Lord for evermore, that ever he visited myfather's family, that ever he con- descended to come unto my father's family, and to give a visit to the like of me: he visited me there, and set his love upon me, and hath chosen me for this very end, to be a witness for his covenanted refor- mation. For this my soul is glad, and my glory rejoiceth for this honour, wherewith he hath honoured me; and that, though I be con- demned to die by men on earth, yet am I justified of God through the blood of my Saviour Jesus Christ, who standeth in our nature in heaven, and hath made me free through his imputed righteousness, made over unto me, in which I stand for ever: and within a few hours I shall see him in peace, as lam seen of him, and behold and wonder, and wonder and behold for evermore, even that most glori- ous excellency which is in him! All that which is spoken of him is but little : O my heart, my dear love, come and see, I beseech you ! I thought I had known something of my dearest Lord before, that I had some love from and to him before, but never was it so with me as it hath been with me since I came within the doors of this prison, many a precious visit hath his gracious Majesty given unto me. He is without all comparison; O love, love him! O come to him: O taste and see, and that shall resolve the question best. The thing I suffer for is the covenanted reformation. I bless God, and all that is within me doth bless and magnify his holy name for this, that Scot- land did ever enter into a covenant with the Lord, into a sworn cove- nant, with the hand lifted up to the Lord: and I have now sworn and renewed this covenant again for myself, and you, and my four children, in all the parts and points thereof; and I pray, God help vou to abide in the covenant for ever! 116 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " And now I give you and my four children unto the Lord, and commit you to him as your covenanted God and Husband, and my children's covenanted Father. I say no more, but either study to be indeed a sincere Christian, and seeker of his face in sincerity, or else you will be nothing at all. I recommend you and your young ones to him who is God all-sufficient, and aboundeth in mercy and love to them that love him, and keep his covenant. The blessing of the covenant be upon you, so fare you well. So saith your loving and dying husband, JOHN WODROW. 2. His Speech on the Scaffold. " Dear friends, — I am condemned to die. I shall say little con- cerning' men who have judged and condemned me, they are to an- swer to God for it ; but I bless the Lord, who hath counted me worthy to die for so good and honourable a cause. And that I be not mistaken after I am gone hence, I have thought fit to testify, that in singleness and sincerity of heart, I came into the service, not con- strained, but from conscience of my being engaged by covenant to God, and with a full purpose to perform my vows made in that cove- nant unto the Lord, in the strength of Jesus Christ ; and that I might endeavour to restore again the precious ordinances to their former purity and power, and to recover the fair church in this land (which our blessed Lord hath purchased to himself, and bought at so dear a rate) to her former beauty, which is now defaced : and particularly to bring down that antichristian prelacy, and that perjured crew of prelates, who have so perfidiously wronged the interests of our blessed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. This is the only cause for which I undertook this service, and joined with others my dear and covenanted brethren ; and that I liad no intention to wrong the king's person or authority, but to seek his real good, according to my duty in the word of God, and also as I sware in the same covenant wherein I did swear against prelacy. And notwithstanding I be condemned of men as a rebel, yet I am justified of God, my God and Father, in and through my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who giveth me sweet peace of conscience and joy of heart : I grant it is not enough to justify me before him, that I had a just cause, unless likewise I had therewith the acceptation of my person through faith in the merits of Jesus Christ,-J- who standeth in our nature in heaven, which I (hire declare this day as a dying man, that 1 have obtained ; for I am confident • Naphtali, pp. 3G0— 362. f IVi haps to some into whose hands this volume may fall, tlie statement here made may seem to require explanation. Let it then he observed, that it is in complete consistency with the acknowledged principles of revealed truth, t.> inculcate tlie necessity of the Mediator's righteousness towards the acceptance on the part of God, of even our best and must laudable actions. Hence ^ays the apostle, '• whatsoever is not of faith, is sin," thereby intimating, that, without faith in Christ, and the consequent acceptance of our persons in and through him, all our actions, however excellent in themselves, must be destitute of value In the si^ht of God. JOHN WODROW. 117 ill at through his righteousness made over unto me, he hath made me free, in which I shall stand for ever ; and that within a few hours I shall see him in peace, as I am seen of him ; and hehold and wonder, and wonder and behold for evermore that most glorious excellency of his. And this yieldeth to me great consolation in all my extremities, were they never so great ; this, I say, is my peace and consolation this day, even Christ my righteousness, who hath both accepted my person and cause : therefore I count it a small thing to be judged and condemned of men, for my testimony is on high, and my record in heaven. " Anil now, my friends, I am condemned to die for adhering to my covenant made with God, for reformation of religion and conversa- tion, to which all ranks of the land are bound as well as I, though many (alas I too many) shaking off all fear of God, have despised the oath, not only by breaking the covenant, but by professing and declaring avowedly the bond thereof null, and not binding, either to their own or other men's consciences : and this mischief is framed by a law, which doth greatly heighten the sin ; ' O ! tell it not in Gath, and publish it not in Askelon.' Oh J that this should be heard of amongst papists and pagans, that professed reformed protestants should stand in so little awe of a solemn oath, and name of the great and living God. " But I exhort and obtest you all, that so much the more as othera have made void his covenant, you would esteem it the more precious, and closely follow the reformation vowed, in every article thereof, upon all occasions given you of the Lord ; and that you abhor, de- test, and refuse any engagement whatsoever, that may wrong your oath in the covenant directly or indirectly, as ye would escape the wrath of God that is coming on such breaking of covenant ; but rather choose the greatest extremity of affliction, than the least sin of this sort ; as Moses did, who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's (laughter, but chose rather to suffer reproach for Christ : and be not afraid of suffering for Christ, as though it were an evil thing, neither 6car ye at his cross, for the Lord himself saith, ' My yoke is easy, and my burden light ;' yea, it is lighter to us, than to many that stand by : believe it, faith maketh all burdens light to the believing sufferer. " And now I beseech you believers in Christ, abide in him, bring forth fruit unto holiness, and study tenderness in all manner of con- versation, and holiness, • without which no man shall see the Lord ;' and let not this profane and mocking generation have any thing to re- proach you with, but that whereof you would not be ashamed ; that when you suffer, ye may not suffer as evil-doers, that whereas they speak evil of you, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. It is not knowledge, nor a bare profession, that glorifieth God, but tenderness, holiness, and righteousness, that do commend religion and his cause to all men, and shall convince your adversaries of their wickedness in wronging you, and make them the more inexcusable in that day when they shall be judged : yea, what know ye, but ye may win others, by your tender and good conversa- tion ? " I recommend to you, that ye would be much and fervent in the 113 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. use of that precious duty of prayer, wherein most near communion with God upon earth is to be found: be much in prayer with and for others. ' Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some is,' (I wish they may see the evil of it who neglect it) ' but exhort one another, and so much the more, as you see the day approaching' — Earnestness and diligence will hasten the Lord's com- ing" with relief unto you, and to the Lord's borne-down work; and your slackness in this, may make the wheels of his chariot to move the more slowly. For, the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much with God ; it will do more than armies of men and weapons of war for your defence and deliverance. •' I beseech you also, my dear friends, that you acquaint yourselves with the word of God in the holy scripture, that ye may have ac- quaintance with Jesus Christ, who is clearly set forth therein ; that ye may know him in his excellency, and come to love and believe in him whom ye know ; that ye may be acquainted with his revealed will therein, and may know what is true, and cleave fast thereto, from a sure persuasion that it hath the warrant of his word ; and may be guarded against every error of the wicked, and that ye may fully know what is good and what is evil : and that ye may suffer with confidence, when ye are brought forth thereto as I am. " Finally, my dear friends, be ye perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with you. JOHN WODROW."* XVIII. RALPH SHIELDS. QThis person, as is evident from the tenor of the following testimony, was by birth an Englishman. Having come to Scotland in the pro- secution of his worldly employment, he seems to have settled in Ayr, and to have practised the trade of a clothier. It is probable he joined the covenanters whilst in that neighbourhood ; and it must be obvious from his own words, that he did so from the most cordial acquiescence in their principles. He was one of the five who suffered along with Mr. M'Kail on the 22d of December, 1666. The following is the testimony which he declared on the occasion. ^ " My Friends, — I am come here to die, and I thank God it is not for evil-doing, that I now suffer : although I be charged with rebellion against the king's authority, yet I declare before God and you all, that in all this matter. I never intended to wrong his majesty's just power and greatness, but for conscience' sake, did respect authority as the ordinance of God, appointed for the punishment of evil-doers, and that I wish liis majesty all welfare both in this life, and tho world to • Nn]>!itali, pp. 3~)6 — 362. RALPH SHIELDS. 119 covre ; and that K fci«»j be his happiness to consider his obligations to God and peiform the same, that so it may be well with him and his posterity to many generations ; and I pray to God make him a friend to his cause, and the truly godly who own the same, though falsely called fanatics or turbulent persons. " I declare I have such persuasion of the interest of religion re- formed, and sworn unto in the covenant, that I dare venture not only to lay down my own life, but if every hair of my head were a man, they should all be put to venture for this cause : I would not have the world to stumble at the cause, because of my death after this manner ; for I rejoice greatly in it : and I desire every good Christian, as they tender their own souls' good, that they would grip fast, lay hold on, and cleave to Jesus Christ and his way. " My coining out at this time, I say, was not against his majesty, but for the covenant which is now trodden under foot ; my intention was for the cause of Christ : I take God to witness, it was nothing else I came out for, and for that I am free to lay down my life. " I bless God I am much encouraged in this, and not at all afraid to die for so good and clear a cause ; and I hope, he will bring me through all my difficulties in this dark shadow of death : I hope I have the peace of a good conscience, and have had some glimpses from Jesus Christ, of his countenance and reconciled face, since I came into this prison ; for which, I desire to bless his name with all my soul, heart, and spirit. And I rejoice that he ha3 made use of me to suffer for his cause ; and I think it too little, not only to lay down my body, but (if it were possible) even my very soul at the 6take for that cause, and for Jesus Christ my good and kind Master, who hath loved me, and given himself for me. I give the Lord thanks that I had some of his presence since I came into this condition : and again I say, I am much encouraged and not afraid to die, and bless him that I die not as a murderer, or evil-doer, or rebel against authority, but for such a cause as this. " O that it were the happiness of my nation of England, once to subject themselves unto the sweet yoke of Christ's reformed govern- ment, under which this nation of Scotland hath enjoyed so much of the power and life of the gospel, by a faithful ministry, according to the covenant sworn by them both I " And now, my dear friends in Christ, and fellow-covenanters, though I be a stranger in this land, being an Englishman, but trysted by providence in the prosecution of my calling, to have my residence for a time here in Scotland, (which I look upon, as a singular evidence of God's special love to me) though I be a stranger, I say, to many of you, yet I must be bold, as a dying friend, to beseech you, by the mercy of God, and by your appearance before Jesus Christ, when we shall have to do with none but him as our Judge, that ye be faithful and stedfast in the cause of God, and the covenant which ye have sworn with hands lifted up to the most high God, which no power on earth can loose you from, and that ye keep you from snares unto the con- trary, and not suffer yourselves to fall into a detestable neutrality and indifferency in the cause of God ; especially that ye keep yourselves 120 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. free of any engagements by word or writ, that may wrong your oath of the covenant. I commit my wife and children to his care, who careth for them that put their trust in him before the sons of men, not doubting but they shall be eyed with good will and favour by the godly, after I am gone. And now I render up my spirit to him who gave it me, and for whpse sake I now lay down my life. To this God, my covenanted God, be glory, blessing, and praise, for now and ever ! Amen. " That this is my mind and testimony, which I leave behind mc, I witness by my ordinary subscription R. SHIELDS."* XIX. HUMPHREY COLQUHOUN CThis was another of the five individuals who were executed along with Mr. M'Kail. He seems to have been a plain unlettered man, belonging, it is probable, to the lower ranks of life. The following notice by Wodrow of his behaviour at death, is the only informa- tion which history has transmitted respecting him : " Humphrey Colquhoun, when he died, spoke not on the scaffold and ladder like an ordinary townsman, but, like one in the suburbs of heaven, re- lated his Christian experience, called for his Bible from one of his friends, and laid it on his wounded arm, and read some most ap- posite passages, and spoke to the admiration of all who heard him." His testimony is as follows.] " Dear friends and spectators, — I am come here this day, to this place to die this death, for crimes for which (I thank God) my conscience doth not condemn me. My crime, as is alleged, is for disloyalty against the king's majesty ; yet I thank God that my appearing lately with the Lord's people was from my sense of my obligation in the covenant, and the sense of the wrongs done in the land, and the cry- ing oppressions committed therein. This was the end of my appear- ing for the Lord against his enemies, to bear witness against the same the which obligation of the oath of God, I judge that none on eartli can loose the conscience from. I bless the Lord again and again, I die for this oath and covenant; and I thank God also, that I have by the great mercy of the Almighty God in Christ Jesus, obtained mercy and forgiveness for all my transgressions both against the first and second table of the law : and that through that ocean of grace which is in the Lord Jesus Christ, I believe that I am justified and sancti- fied, and believe now to be glorified with him, by that blessed blood of his, which hath purchased this salvation to me, through faith in the same, made application of, according to the good covenant of grace. He hath performed this, out of his wonderful and incomparable free {;rnee : and this is my joy and exceeding great rejoicing and coneola- • Knj>lit.i)i, pp. 3G2— 361. JOHN WILSON. 121 tion, and all my salvation, for which I am grace's debtor throughout all eternity! I die with this my testimony, and my adherence to the na- tional covenant, to the solemn league and covenant, to the work of reformation a great length carried on, and now overthrown most sin- fully by ungodly men, who have established their ^postacy by law, which no just power on earth could ever do. Also I adhere to the presbyterial government, the Confession of Faith, Catechisms Larger and Shorter, and to the solemn acknowledgment of the chui'ch of Scotland, and public testimonies thereof, against the sins of the time. This day I rejoice that He hath counted me worthy to lay down my life for him, as one that beareth witness against the breach of all the sacred oaths and ties that were established in this land, yea, by the just laws both of God and man, which never could have been re- pealed lawfully, as this wicked generation hath done. " Dear friends, I hope ye will stand fast in this obligation, and in the solemn oaths and ties ye are under, and all the body of the land also will be stedfast in the same, upon the greatest hazard ye can meet with ; and that ye will study perfect holiness and nearness with God, which will help to keep you straight in this day of persecution and sharp trial that is now raging in this land : I bless the Lord, I die not a fool, though some men have thought so of me by their speeches to me, since my imprisonment: neither durst I ever be the man to buy my liberty at such a dear rate as perjury, and to shake off these bles- sed bonds I did willingly come under; and I thank God, I never yet to this moment rued or repented it ; and sure I am, it is better for me to suffer the worst of deaths, than to preserve my life by breaking the oaths of God. I also give my testimony against prelacy, and that wicked hierarchy now established in this land, as that which the church of Christ could never bear until this day, it being such a grand enemy to the purity of the gospel, and power of godliness; yea, a yoke which the church of God groaneth under. I have no more to say, but commend all you the lovers of our Lord Jesus Christ to God himself, and to the good word of his grace, which is able to build you up until the day of his appearance, and to give you all an inheritance with them that are sanctified through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ : And subscribe myself an expectant and apparent heir of the grace of Christ, HUMPHREY COLQUHOUN."* ; XX. JOHN WILSON. [John Wilson was from the parish of Kilmaurs, in Ayrshire, but his occupation or rank in life has not been mentioned. With the ex- ception of "Mungo Kaipo from Evandale," whose testimony, if he gave one, has not been transmitted, he is the last of the five who, * Naphtali, pp. 365—367, 122 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. with Mr. M'Kail, were executed on December 22d, 1GG0. He 6eems to have been a person like the most of his companions in suffering, of plain good sense, belonging to some of the humbler ranks of life, and without much of what is properly denominated learning. This much may be gathered from the following testi- mony, which, however, contains a very clear and manly statement of the principles for which he suffered.]] " Good people and spectators, — I am here condemned to die upon alleged rebellion against the king and his authority, which God know- eth, I never intended. For in my judgment, a man's endeavouring to extirpate perjured prelates and abjured prelacy, according as he is hound by oath in a sworn covenant, may very well stand with a man's loyalty to king and country; for I am sure, the king and his subjects may be happy, yea, more happy in the extirpation of prelates and prelacy, than in their standing ; yea, the throne shall never be estab- lished in peace, until that wicked plant be plucked up by the roots, which hath so much wasted and made desolate the Lord's vineyard : for my part, I pray that the Lord may bless our king with blessings from heaven, and make him a friend to tbe interests of Christ, as the best way for the standing of his throne to many generations : and I pray for all that are in authority under his majesty, that the Lord may not lay to their charge the innocent blood of his saints, which they have shed. But the ground of my sentence is truly, the renew- ing of the covenant with my God, and labouring to defend the same, according to my oath : and this I profess is and was my duty, and by the grace of God will not quit it; and in token hereof, I am here be- fore you all to lay down my life in defence of the same, and require you all to be witnesses to this my testimony ; I do declare, I am not ashamed, but count it my glory. I do likewise declare this before you all in the sight of God, the Judge of all hearts, that since the day I did first swear and subscribe this covenant for reformation, it hath been sweet unto me, for I am persuaded in my conscience of the war- rantableness thereof. I did swear the coveuaut four times, and the last time at Lanark, which was the sweetest time to me of them all ; for with my whole soul I renewed it, and gave up both my soul and body to him, to be at his disposal, which, I trust in God, I shall never rue. Hearty praise and thanks be to the blessed God, that ever it pleased him to give to this poor church that mercy to enter in cove- nant with himself, that he might be unto us a covenanted God, the richest mercy that can be bestowed on men] I have lived a presbyterian in my judgment, according as I have sworn, and judge it to be the only way that God hath appointed in his word, for the government of his church on earth ; for under that government the power and praeticeof religion hath greatly flourished, and many a soul has been converted to the Lord, and found sweet fellowship with him in his ordinances, by the ministry of his honest and lawfully called servants. And blessed be the day that ever I heard a faithful sent minister preach the gospel! I do declare 1" heaven and earth, that m v whole design in this rising in arms was only against abjured prelacyand prelates, thegreat oppressors of (iod'sin- JOHN WILSON. 123 terests, and cruel persecutors of las people, botli in their consciences and bodies ; and I judge their government and way to be not conform to the word of God in the holy scriptures. I might cite many scrip- tures to this purpose, but I shall only name two, Luke xxii. 26. ' But ye shall not be so : but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger ; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.' And 1 Pet. v. 3. ' Neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock.' Yea, it may be seen from sad experience, that under their government, the power of godliness hath decayed, and avowed profanity and popery itself hath increased, both to the dishonour of the holy Lord, and great grief of the hearts of the godly. I am so persuaded of the truth of the covenant, and of the error of their way, and that Jesus Christ is the only King and Lord over his own house, and besides him there is none else, ' for he will not give his glory to another,' that I dare seal the truth thereof with my blood, and am come hither for the same end, without any fear or amazement ; yea, if every hair of mine head were a man, I would have ventured all, ac- cording to the covenant which I made with my God ; and although I be a poor polluted sinner, and ' my house not so with God,' as it be- came ; ' yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, well or- dered in all things and sure, and this is all my salvation, and all my desire ;' and I hope the Lord will soon tread down all his enemies with shame, and the enemies of his covenant also. Therefore, let all that love the Lord Jesus Christ and his truth and covenant, take comfort and courage, notwithstanding all that which is come to pass ; and let them not be ashamed to adhere thereunto, whatsoever sufferings they meet with therein, for he will make up that loss in himself, and avenge the wrongs done to himself and them, in his own due time : I assure you, Christ is a good Master to serve : if ye knew him lightly and his cross, it is sweet and easy to the believer ; for he maketh death to be life, and bringeth light out of darkness. I desire to follow the blessed Captain of my salvation through weal and wo. I beseech you, my dear friends, whom now I am to part with, that ye stand to the defence of all the truths of God and of his word ; and that ye receive the Lord Christ as he hath offered himself therein, ye who have not closed with him ; and that ye who have closed with him, abide in him by a lively faith and love, bringing forth fruits, that you may put a credit on your profession, and keep off every thing that may shame your glorious and blessed Master before this evil and adulterous gen- eration. And I give you all warning, and dehort you heartily as ye love your own souls, and as ye will answer to him, who shall judge the quick and dead, that ye stand fast iu all the duties ye are sworn unto in the national and in the solemn league and covenant, both to- wards God, your king, and one another : and that ye beware of Bnares in taking of any oaths or declarations contrary, in the least, to the oath of God in these covenants. 1 leave my wife and little children upon Jesus Christ my Lord, who are now to be made a widow and fatherless for his sake, trusting, he will care for them ; and I recom- mend them to the counsel and kindness of his people under him. I can forgive the wrong done to me in taking away my life for this 124 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. cause, and wish God to be merciful to those that have condemned me, or have had any hand in my death : but blessed be God, that brought and hath kept me on His side of this cause, and honoured me to be a public witness for him and his blessed truth and cause ; for which I shall praise him in the world to come, whither I now go: yea, I will praise him on the borders of death and eternity. To his blessed name, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be praise for now and ever. So saith vour dying friend, for Christ : — JOHN WILSON."* XX. JOHN LIVINGSTONE. [Mr. Livingstone was born at Kilsyth, in 1603, and was the son of the minister of that parish. He studied at Glasgow, and, having passed Master of Arts in 1621, was in about four years after, licensed to preach the gospel. After some disappointments with regard to a settlement, he was induced to accept of a call to Kil- linchie, in Ireland, where he remained till about 1638. Having then returned to Scotland, he shortly after became minister of Stranraer, in Galloway. From this station he was, ten years after, translated to Ancrum, in Teviotdale, and henceforth began to take a part in the public affairs of the church. In 1650, he was sent as one of the commissioners to the king, at Breda. In 1654, he re- paired to London, on a conference with Cromwell ; and some time after, was appointed by the General Assembly to wait upon the committee of Estates, then with the protector's army. He also took some interest in the disputes with respect to the public re- solutions, and joined the Protestors. And with many of that party, after the restoration, having refused to subscribe the oath of allegi- ance, he was banished from the king's dominions. He went to Rotterdam, and continued there till his death, which happened on the 9th of August, 1672. Previous to his last words, we insert a letter which about a year before, he wrote to his flock at Ancrum, as a parting memorial of his fidelity and affection.] 1. His Pastoral Letter. 11 Notwithstanding, all the 6ad things that have fallen out of late, I would put you in mind of the many good days we have seen together, both of Sabbath-days ami solemn communion-days, wherein we 6aw the Lord's power and grace in the sanctuary, that in remembrance thereof we may exalt his name together ; for my part, I have challenges, he- hides many others, that in my ministry I did not so 6tir up or improve the gift that the Lord had given me, nor so carry myself like a spiri- tual, grave, diligent, and faithful servant' of Christ, as I ought to have done ; that in my ministry among you, I was not more frequent in visiting families and deeling with persons in particular, to bring thern • Naphtali, pp. 3G7— 370. JOHN LIVINGSTONE. 125 to, and keep them in the ways of God. As for you, I may reckon you all in three ranks : and I fear the far greater number is of those who, although in general professors of Christianity, yet, so far as could be observed, never laid religion to heart, and some of these for gross ignorance and looseness were always debarred from the Lord's supper ; others, although having some knowledge and civil walk, yet upon good grounds were always suspected to be void of the love and fear of God, continuing in their natural unrenewed con- dition, neglecting the worship of God in their families and alone, and showing by all their carriage, that their thoughts and designs were never beyond the world : these, no doubt, are glad of the change now come, that they may cast off Christ's yoke, and be free of the word and discipline which terrified and tormented them, and may now both swear terrible oaths and drink themselves drunk, which by some will be ex- pounded as an evidence of their loyalty ; they may now, after the example of many great ones, walk in the lust of uncleanness, mind nothing but how, justly or unjustly, to get the world, and then how to spend it on their lusts ; and hate, and to the utmost of their power persecute all, who will not run with them to the same excess of riot. Now, as I have often in public, with as great earnestness and tenderness as I could, warned these to flee from the wrath to come, so I would yet desire them to stand still before they go to the pit, and hear from a truly loving friend, a few words, which I am confident in the day of the great reckoning, shall be found a message from the living God. Do you believe that there is a God, or heaven or hell ? Or can you, with all your will and strength, 'scape the thoughts of these out of your Bleep- ing consciences ? Or do ye in such sort hate God, that because ye are his creatures ye will in so far be avenged, as to sell yourselves to his enemy, the devil, for nought — to be tormented in all eternity ? I am most sure, none of you all can be sure, that you are repro- bates ; and I can give you assurance, greater than the stability of heaven and earth, even the sworn word of him that liveth and reigneth for ever, that, if you will betake yourselves to the only Saviour of the world, of lost sinners, and forsake your sins, ye are no reprobates. O ! what advantage have ye when ye have gained all the world, all the pleasures, all the riches, and all the favours of it, and have lost your precious and immortal souls ? It is utterly impos- sible but that sometimes your heart tells you there will be bitterness in the end. Doth not whoredom and drunkenness waste the body, take away the judgment, and leave a sting in the conscience ? Can any avoid the curse that goods gotten by falsehood and oppression bring upon the man, and all he hath, yea, on his posterity ? Is it not sad that Satan can prompt man to swear, curse, and blaspheme, and utter that which he dare not utter himself? Though ye were free of all outbreakings, doth not an unrenewed state, the neglect of com- manded duties, Sabbath-breaking, and such like evils, bind you over to the wrath of him who is coming there in flaming fire, to take vengeance on them that know not God, and obey not the gospel ? Ye may pos- sibly think ye are so far gone on, that there is no retreat, and the 126 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ways of the Lord are such as your disposition can never agree witli ; but how can your disposition agree, to burn and consume, and yet never con- sume, in everlasting flames, where each of all your sins shall have their own particular torment ? How can you agree to dwell with infernal furies ? Or will ye add to your other wickedness — despair, and despising all the Lord's loving, loud, and long-continued invitations ? What shall you answer, if the Lord shall say to some of you, at the judgment, I would have given thee both grace and glory if thou hadst sought it; thou wouldest not give one, two, or three knocks at my door ; thou wouldest not open when I knocked often and long at thy door, by so doing thou hast subscribed thine own condemnation ! tr 0 let me obtain this much, of all and every one of yon, for all the pains I have taken among you in preaching, for all my nine years' banishment from you, for all the prayers I have put up for you, for all the love which He who knoweth all things, knoweth that I bear to you, yea, let your own souls, and the love ye have to your own welfare here and hereafter, obtain it, or rather let him who for sinners shed his most precious blood at Jerusalem, obtain this of you, that you will take one day, each of you, from morn to even, forbearing both meat and drink, and go apart either into some quiet room in a house, or unto some part of the fields, where, you may be most quiet, and having beforehand marked in the Bible, such places as are fit to be read at such a time, as also having somewhat searched your way toward God, and his ways toward you, there set yourselves in his sight, spending the time in confession of sin, and prayer for pardon and grace to serve him, and save your own souls: and if (which is not readily to be supposed) ye get no access on such a day, yet, continue thereafter, in such exercise and suits; for, deliver- ance from hell, enjoyment of heaven, and the favour of God, are worth more pains than you can take all your life. Now, if this so easy and necessary advice shall be rejected, without prescribing time and place, or measure and manner, I take instruments before Bun and moon, and all the creatures, that I have left this warning as an endorsed summons fixed on the door of your consciences, to be called and judged before Him who is reaily to judge the quick and the dead at his appearance, in his glory, when besides the wit- nessing of your own conscience, and of all the creatures, I also, as your lawful minister, sent to bring about your reconciliation to God, shall appear to witness, that ye got fair warning, but did reject the, same and would choose death. Therefore, while it is called To-day, take a trial of Christ's yoke, do but put him to it, and see whether or not he will open the windows of heaven and ruin blessings and right- eousness upon you; come and see, and taste the goodness of the Lord, you shall be made to say, lie is a rich and loving Master; once engage your heart to him and ye may defy Satan and all the alhuv- Diente and tenors of the world to draw you from llim. Glad would my heart be before I go to the grave, that some of you have bi gUD a new course, and if ye begin indeed, ye will not get it suppressed ; it will be heard. I bhall, as I can pray for it, and desire others hero to JOHN LIVINGSTONE. 12? pray for it; it is not needful to multiply words. I leave it with you as ye shall answer to Jesus Christ when he shall come in the clouds with power and great glory.* Your affectionate pastor, JOHN LIVINGSTONE." Rotterdam, October, 1671. 2. His Last Words. Upon the 9th of August, 1672, the day on which he died, some of his friends who occasionally came to visit him being present, he was desired by his wife to speak something to them. He said, "There is a vanity in speaking and desiring to hear. But He (Jesus Christ) needs no testimony from man, yet if my poor testimony could signify any thing, it is good my duty to give it him, for he hath made good his word to me in all things. The Lord was pleased to take me when I was young-, and to keep me on his side, for when I was at the college of Glasgow, he engaged me to an opposition to kneeling at the communion. The first acquaintances ever 1 had were Christian acquaintances, as the tutor of Bonnington, and my lady Kenmuir, who is the oldest acquaintance I have alive now in Scot- land. And when I was called to Ireland, I was joined to some worthy men there, whose books I was not worthy to bear." And after a pause, (for he was not able to speak much together) looking towards his friends, he saith with an emphatic sweetness, " Carry my commendations to Him, (meaning Jesus Christ) till I come there myself and bring them." After this Jacob-like pause,he added, "I die in the faith that the truths of God, which he hath helped the church of Scotland to own, shall be owned by him as truths so long as sun and moon endure. I hate in- dependency; though there be good men among them, and some well meaning people favour it, yet it will be found more to the prejudice of the work of God than many are aware of, for they evanish into vain opinions. I have had my own faults, as other men, but he made me always to abhor shows. I have, I know, given offence to many through my slackness and negligence, but I forgive, and desire to be forgiven. I cannot say much of great services, yet, if ever my heart was lifted up, it was in preaching of Jesus Christ. There is a cloud: I would not have people forecasting the worst, — yet there is a storm coming, but I hope it shall not last long. I have not much to do with creatures, I have ordered my cause, and he knoweth my words which I uttered before him at Mizpeh ! " Speaking of some of his special friends in the south, he mentioned these two ladies, the lady Merton, and the lady lliddell, who, he said, " had been very useful to him and his family." His wife apprehending him not able to speak more at that time, and fearing what shortly followed, desired him to take his leave of his friends: "I dare not," said he, with an affectionate tenderness, "and * Gillie'.s Historical Collections, vol. T. 128 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. it is like our parting will be but for a short time!"* And then he slept in the Lord. XXI. JOHN BURNET. [Mr. Burnet is characterized by Wodrow, as having- been a man "of great solidity and learning." He was, at the restoration, minister of Kilbride, in Lanarkshire; and had laboured for many years in that parish with much assiduity, acceptance, and success. He was, how- ever, along with the great majority of his faithful brethren, outed from his charge, and deprived of his living by the Act of 1662. From this period, we do not observe any mention of him till 1673, when with many others, he was offered the Indulgence. This favour he felt it his duty to decline ; and though he did not carry his op- position to the measure so far as others, he yet regarded it as a mea- sure derogatory to the fundamental principles of presbyterian govern- ment. Being unable, from sickness, to appear before the council when cited, to give his reasons for refusing it, — he forwarded them in writing, with a letter to the Chancellor. The paper containing them, together with that letter, is here introduced, as exhibiting a very clear and decided Testimony, not merely against the evil in question, but also in favour of the presbyterian government of the church of Scotland. And, considering that he died shortly after, on the 22d December, 1673, these may still farther be regarded as constituting his last testimony, to that good cause.] 1. His Testimony against the Indulgence. " Being called before his majesty's privy council -J- to give an account of the reasons, why I have not accepted of this present Indulgence, granted by his most excellent majesty to several presbyterian ministers in Scotland ; I desire humbly and in the fear of God (who standeth in the congregation of the mighty, and judgeth among the gods) to give this true, sober, and ingenuous relation of such things, as did and do invincibly bind me, why I cannot accept of this late complex In- dulgence, framed in three distinct acts of council, of the date Septem- ber 3d and 7th, 1672 — To which, I shall premise these things briefly: — " 1 st. That it is well known to all the protestant reformed churches *This account Of Livingstone's last words has been extracted expressly for this Work, from a MS. in the handwriting of Mr. M'Ward, who was present when he died. Tiie title of the MS. is as follows: — " Some expressions of Mr. John Livingstone, when some of his friends were together occasionally to see him a little before his death August 9th, 1072.' '— [LX, Jac V ] ih may tremble before him, and sec how jealous he is for his name and glory. And I account it my mercy, that I have this occasion and call, before I receive my last summons to depart hence, and, before my decaying tabernacle fall into pieces, to bear witness to the truth, which is now blasphemed and buried under heaps of obloquy and re- proach, and to give testimony against this unparalleled catastrophe begun in the year 1660, and carried on since, in Britain and Ireland, by a profane, predominating, popish, prelatical, malignant, and erastian faction, (the old and constant enemy of the church of Scotland from the very beginning ; the Amalekites that first made war against our Israel, after our forefathers were delivered from the bondage of Egyptian Romish taskmasters ; and the Canaanites that have ever since been pricks in our eyes and thorns in our sides,) conspiring- against the Lord and against his anointed ; who are not satisfied with their own treacherous and perfidious apostatizing from the truth, which they once outwardly owned, defended, and appeared for, in their several capacities, — in pulpits, assemblies, councils, parliaments, and in arms against king and court, and all that were engaged against the same ; but with rage, cruelty, inhumanity, and barbarous persecu- tion, do also compel, and with a God-daring audacity and hellish fury, force all, so far as they can, to blaspheme, and join with them in the same excess of wickedness and rebellion against the Most High. " Though it be but little that I can say in my present circumstances, wherein, upon several accounts, I am much out of case to speak to this great and weighty matter as I ought, (the full delineation whereof in its rise and progress, in its causes and consequences, in its parts and con- comitants, would call for a more able head and fitter hand than I have, and require a large volume rather than a sheet,) yet, not knowing how soon it may please the Lord, after many granted issues from death, and unexpected deliveries from the very mouth of the king of terrors, to put an end to my tossings in this valley of sin, trouble, and distance from him, I durst not at this present be wholly silent ; but finding myself called of the Lord to witness a good confession for him, and for his oppressed truth and interest, now trode under foot, and trampled upon with the highest insolency, contempt, and audacity, I re- solved to speak a few words (how weakly and insufficiently soever i t might be) to a few heads of things, unto which other particulars may be reduced. I. " And fnrt,— to begin with that which was the first foundation stone of this Babel and rebellion against the Lord, and which, as corrupt 138 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. blood, runneth through all the veins of this defection to this day, I mean that horrid sin of covenant-breaking, whereof the land and the inhabitants thereof stand in a high measure guilty before the Lord. It pleased the Lord to choose that land, and to set his love upon it, be- cause he loved it ; and we became a special people to himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth, so that, though all the earth "be the Lord's, yet we became a peculiar treasure unto him, above all people, when he took us into covenant with himself, when all our tribes, officers, and rulers, our wives, and little ones stood before the Lord, that they should enter into covenant with the Lord their God, and into the oath of the Lord to be his ; and avouched the Lord in that day to be our God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken to his voice ; and the Lord did avouch us in that day to be his pecu- liar people, to make us high above all nations which lie had made, in praise, in name, and in honour; and that we ought to be a holy people unto the Lord. Thus the Lord, after he had redeemed us for a people to himself, to make himself a name, and had done great things and terrible — when he redeemed us from Egyptian darkness, — did confirm us unto himself, to be a people unto him for ever, and the Lord Jehovah became our God. This, even this, was our glory above all nations : for, what great nation was there, that had the Lord so near unto them as the Lord our God was unlo us, in all things, that we called upon him for ? When we were as no people, and no eye pitied us, being cast out in the open field, and lying polluted in our blood, it pleased the Lord to say to us even then, live ; for it was a time of love, and he spread his skirt over us ; yea, he ; ware unto us, and entered into a covenant with us, and we became his : he washed us, and anointed us with oil — he clothed us, and decked us with ornaments, and made our renown go forth for our beauty, for it was perfect through the comeliness which he had put upon us. What a wonderful mercy was this, that the Lord should have made choice of Scotland, above all other lands, to be his peculiar covenanted peo- ple ; and that he should have avouched us for his people, and caused us to avouch him to be our God, by a solemn covenant, and that so frecmently; for at five several times did the Lord bring that land into covenant with him, and moved them to devote themselves to the Lord to be his, to own and stand for the crown, privileges, and prerogatives of Jesus Christ, to receive and submit to his doctrine, discipline, and government, and to have all tilings done in the house of the God of heaven, according to the mind ami command of the God of heaven. This, sure, was a crown, whereof we might have gloried in the Lord above all people or nations, that are, or have been upon the lace of the earth since the rejection of Israel. And what a singular dispensation of love and favour was it, that the Lord should have carried on this work so far, as at length to have brought the neighbour kingdoms oi England and Ireland into the same bond of the covenant, whereby these islands became the Lord's in another manlier, and more oigbly related to him, than was the whole continent b( Bide. Thus, were the Uttei parts of the earth given I r a possession to Jesus Christ, in a singular JOHN BROWN. 139 manner, as his peculiar subjects, openly and formally owning and ac- knowledging Christ as King in Zion, and as only head of the church, — embracing his laws, ordinances, and institutions ; and rejecting all men's inventions, all superstition, and dregs of popery, and every thing that materially or virtually did impugn, or was inconsistent with Christ's sole right and authority, as King and Lawgiver in his house and king- dom. And what a wonderful dispensation of providence was it, that the king himself should have become a covenanter with God, and that in these lands in their most public capacities, in their parliaments and high councils, should have owned this glorious and honourahle relation and subjection to the Lord God ! Was not this the peculiar glory of these lands, to have the God of the whole earth so nearly related uuto, and engaged for them ; and they to become his espoused land, his peculiar inheritance, and covenanted kingdoms ! But now, be- hold, not only hath there been in the year 1660, and since, — a mani- fest, shameful, wicked, and impudent departing from our oaths, vows, covenants, promises, engagements, resolutions, declarations, attestations, proclamations, acts, and actings ; and a doing contrary to what we had sworn, and that solemnly, with hands lifted up to the most High God> with direful imprecations if we should not stand to the covenant, and promised under the pain of all the curses contained in the book of God, and as we should answer to him in the great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed, attesting the Searcher of hearts of the reality and sincerity of our intentions herein : but also, there hath been an open, deliberate, plain, and avowed renouncing of that covenant ; a parliamentary annulling and rescinding of it, beside other affronts done unto it, as if we could not have been satisfied ivith a simple cancelling of our contract and obligation, and with an open declaring before all the world, angels, and men, that we would no more own the Lord Jehovah for our God, nor any longer abide his people, devoted unto him : but such was our wickedness, spite, and rage, that we would have the same covenant that was so solemnly sworn, and ordered 'to be printed and translated into Latin, that the nations about might see and understand in Avhat relation we stood unto the great God, and what we had vowed and sworn to do and to he for him ; yea, and affixed publicly, in an open place, in the parlia- ment house of England, and in every church and chapel throughout the same, that parliaments, when assembled, might be kept mindful of their obligation, and steer their course in all their parliamentary consultations, deliherations, votes, and resolutions, according to the solemn league and covenant ; and that people, when assembling to worship the Lord, might see and read their obligation, and remember their engagements to the Most High, before whom they were appear- ing,— such, I say, was our rage, that we would have this covenant taken and burned publicly by the hand of a public hangman, (thus was it dealt with in England) in testimony of our souls' perfect and pure abhorrence of the same ; for, a greater declaration of detestation and abhorrence could not be devised to be done to the most blasphem- ous, hellish, and devilish pamphlet that ever was or could be penned. O! will not the Lord God be witness against us, even the Lord from 140 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. his holy temple ? Wag ever the like of this heard ? Ee astonished, O ye heavens, at this ; he horribly afraid, and be very desolate, for we have not only forsaken the fountain of living waters, but we have done it with all the indignity and effrontery imaginable. ' Passover the isles of Chittim and see, and send unto Kedar and consider diligently, and see if there be any such thing. Hath a nation changed their gods, which are yet no gods ? But we have changed our glory for that which doth not profit.' Will not the Lord plead with us and with our children, yea, and with our children's children, upon this account ? Will not the Lord deal with us, as we have done, who have thus des- pised the oath, in breaking the covenant ? Will he not judge us with the judgments of a woman that breaketh wedlock, and give us blood in fury' and jealousy ? May we not fear that the righteous and jeal- ous God shall punish us, till he make his fury towards us to rest, that all lands may be taught, not to do after our lewdness : and because we have forgotten him, and cast him behind our back, make us bear our lewdness and our whoredoms ? Can this wickedness be paralleled in any history, divine or human ? Where shall we read that the same individual persons who had so solemnly (what solemnity could be imagined to contribute to give a deeper impression of the weight and worth of the matter?) sworn and covenanted with God, upon no temptation, have so resolutely, deliberately, and wickedly, not only renounced the same, but also done it with such circumstances of so- lemnity as might bear a declaration to all the world, that this was no rash or inconsiderate deed, but deliberate rather, and such as they would own, avow, and stand to? What more could be devised to declare our open doing despite unto the Lord, and putting him, who is blessed for ever, to open shame ? And where shall we find, that a people so solemnly engaged to God, have so quickly, so solemnly, and so formally renounced their interest in, and relation to Jehovah ; and not onlv so, but also in their public and authoritative capacities com- pelled by laws, declarations, and penalties, all under them, to run with them to the same excess of perjury and wickedness; and not only materially break their vows, oaths, and covenants made to and with the living God, but even formally to renounce and abjure the same; — that so the whole land, from the highest to the lowest, may come under this formal guilt of whoredom and apostasy, and lie under all the curses, plagues, and judgments denounced in the word against revolters from God, covenant-breakers, inquirers after vows, oath- violaters, treacherous dealers, perfidious backsliders, and forsaken i f God? Should not this so heinous iniquity be testified against by all, who would not be charged with the guilt thereof, in the day of their appearance before the tribunal of Jesus Christ ? And should not all, who have not utterly sinned away all the faith and fear of God, mourn, because of this abomination, and because of all the acts, de- clarations, or proclamations made by parliaments or councils to this end, and for carrying on of this design, lest they be charged with the guilt, and partake of the plagues that will undoubtedly fall upon the lands, because of this iniquity ?— - of which, if any doubt, let them Weigh in the balance of judgment and of the sanctuary, these few of JOHN BROWN. Ill many passages, pointing forth both the heinousness of the sin, and the dreadfulness of the judgments attending it : — Deut. iv. 23 — 28. Ezek. xvi. throughout. Ezek. xvii. 11 — 22. Deut. xxix. through- out. 1 Kings xix. 10, 14—17. Psal. Iv. 19, 20, 23. and lxxviii. 37, 58—64-. Jer. xi. 2—4, 8—12. Jer. xxii. 5—12. and xxxiv. 8. to the end. Hos. iv. 2, 3. and x. 4. Zech. v. 3, 4. Rom. i. 31. 1 Kings xi. 11. Josh. ix. 15, 19. compared with 2 Sam. xxi. 1 — 10. 2 Kings xvii. 14—18, &c. Judg. ii. 20, 21. Amos i. 9, 10. Josh. xxiii. 16. Hos. vi. 7 — 10. and viii. 1. Deut. xxiii. 21, 23. Prov. xx. 25. Eccles. v. 4. Levit. xxvi. 25. II. " Next, — That work of reformation, public and private, iu church and in state, which was intended by the covenant obligation, and in the same sworn to be endeavoured by all ranks of people, in their several places and capacities, was, so long as we remained faithful and single- hearted in prosecuting the ends of the covenant, owned and coun- tenanced of the Lord ; — endeavours to promove it were blessed, and the work was carried on with signal demonstrations and appearances of the Lord from heaven, to the comfort and establishment of his peo- ple, and to the conviction and terror of enemies. The Lord was with us and for us, fighting our battles, so long as we were with him, and abode faithful in our engagement. And this work, thus owned, countenanced, and carried on by the signal hand of divine providence with remarkable success and great glory, did lift us up in the eyes of the nations, who looked upon us with amazement, wondering at the great things the Lord was pleased to do for us and among us, and drew all their eyes upon us, when they observed such an extraordinary dispensation of divine power, love, and grace among us. And as we were thus looked upon by other reformed churches, as a pattern worthy to be imitated, and as the measure of their desires and wishes; so, we became the greater terror unto the kingdom of antichrist, and all the followers of the beast and of the false prophets ; being so closely knit and united in such a sure bond and covenant, and obliged by sacred oaths to extirpate that abomination, root and branch ; and against every thing that might countenance the same, or contribute the least to its approbation or establishment. But, oh ! now how are the tables turned, all of a sudden ! How is this whole work overthrown ! How are the bulwarks of our defence against popery removed ! And how is the work of reformation, that had cost no small expense of blood, watchings, tears, prayers, and fastings, overturned in a moment, yea, and razed to the very foundations ! How are we now become a laughing stock, the reformed churches wondering and amazed at our inconstancy ; and papists rejoicing in the hope of reducing again under the yoke of the Roman antichrist, all these lands, once sworn away and solemnly devoted unto the Lord ! How are these locusts now, find- ing this advantage, strenuously playing their game, and diligently ply- ing their time, and that with such success, that, if the Lord prevent it not, they cannot miss their end, and fail of their intentions, and so at length come again unto their wonted cruelty and bloody practices, even to imbrue their hands in the blood of protestants, and re-act their former bloody tragical massacres, to the establishing of the U2 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. abominations of that abominable whore, which hath been long drunk with the blood of the saints ! That matters now are already at this pass, and running- in this cursed channel, who cannot see that have eyes in their head, and see about them? Since our covenant-obliga- tions (our strongest bulwark against prelacy, papacy, superstition, will-worship, error, and idolatry) were shamefully taken away, and this first stone of Babel was laid, hath it not been obvious to all that would not wilfully shut their eyes, what a tendency all acts, conclu- sions, consultations, ways, and courses taken, have had hereunto? To speak nothing of public and authoritative acts and actings, giv- ing countenance and encouragement to Jesuits, mass-priests, popish assemblies, and open masses, and suppressing, persecuting, and bear- ing down the lovers of truth and zealous owners of the reformed re- ligion, and other things of that nature, that clearly demonstrate the genius of this raging spirit, and the native tendency of this course of apostasy and defection which hath been and is thus violently carried on; — the inundation of irreligion, profanity, blasphemy, atheism, and all sort of wickedness that attended this woful catastrophe, and came in, as a flood, overrunning the whole land, carrying multitudes away who formerly seemed at least outwardly religious and sober, and wheeling many into that woful and destructive gulf of indifferency and neutrality in all matters of religion, yea, and blunting the edge of not a few who formerly seemed zealous for religion and the cause of Christ, — is a direful but too evident and plain demonstration of a spirit prone and strongly inclining to a returning unto Egypt : and this quickly appeared in the kindly reception and setting up of those abjured prelatical captains, the first foundation of the Romish apos- tolical hierarchy, and is a presage of blackness of Egyptian darkness at hand. ' A man was famous, according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees, but now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers I' Who knoweth not, that as, such a profane and godless frame that is now the epidemic temper, or d/stempev rather, of this generation hath a thorough compliance with, and encouragement, by that gaudy, superstitious, and idolatrous vanity and abomination of popery, — soitmaketh way for it, and pre- pareth unto a kindly reception thereof, and submission thereto, as being a device so well suited every way to carnal humours, and no way contrived to the restraining from whatsoever wickedness the debauched heart delighteth in, and would run after, but rather to the encouraging thereunto. And, oh ! to this pass is all our reformation now come, through our profane casting off the Lord, and renouncing our obligations to him, as our God, — laying aside all sense and con- sideration of our vows, promises, oaths, declarations, protestations, solemn engagements, and covenants. And where can such tiv a stand who have thus shamelessly and with a high hand revolted from God? What wicked course will not such willingly comply with, who have thus audaeiou-.lv and eihontedlv banished Christ, hk rights, power, authority, work, ordinances, interest, and all, so far as they can, out of the land? < Behold, O Lofd, and see, and plead thine own cause. O spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage JOHN BROWN. H3 to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them. Wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God ? How long1, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth.' III. " Thirdly, — I must in the next place, take notice, that as it was the great honour and advantage of the church of Scotland, acknowledged by such abroad as had any Christian concernment in these matters, — so it was a signal evidence of the special favour of God unto, and blessing upon her, that, together with purity of doctrine, and renounc- ing of antieluistian and heretical error, he granted unto her reforma- tion in worship, discipline, and government, so that she had purity of gospel-worship, according to the pattern of the New Testament ; and also, according to the same pattern, gospel-discipline, and government : and the Lord set the beauty of his ornament in majesty among us. Hence at the very beginning of reformation in doctrine and worship, we had the gospel-discipline of the house of God duly exercised, and presbyterial government, in its principal part set up, in general assem- blies, held twice a year : and, as truth did spread through the land, popish abominations were abandoned, and faithful reformed ministers planted and settled, — the same government and discipline was carried on, and more and more confirmed, as the difficulties and injuries of these times would suffer ; so that with much travail, pains, labour, fast- ings, and wrestlings in prayer, it was established in all its parts, at length, through the whole land, in kirk sessions, presbyteries, provin- cial synods, and national assemblies, in that comely order and sub- ordination that the house of God requireth : and together with this, the nature, end, and extent of church discipline and power was, after no small pains, fully cleared in the second book of discipline, which, after free disputes and debates, was unanimously agreed upon and established ; and all this was sweetly carried on and put in exercise without trouble or opposition, until licentious court parasites, in love with papists, and not loving the wholesome and gentle yoke of Jesus Christ, but desiring rather to follow their lusts without any curb or control, did bring the king first into a dislike thereof, and thereafter unto a manifest opposition thereunto. So that by tyranny, force, and fraud of the court, the free exercise of this useful and necessary ordi- nance of Jesus Christ was much obstructed, weakened, and resisted ; and at length, when this could not fully effectuate the end intended, a way was devised to ruin both discipline and government, by church- men influenced of the court ; who, not only suffered corruption to enter into the church, but piece and piece carried it on by treachery, false- hood, double-dealing, indirect courses, and manifest perjury; — during all which time, the faithful and zealous servants of the Lord opposed this wicked course of defection, and stood stedfastly, so long as they were able, to the maintenance of the discipline and government which Christ had appointed, and which, through God's great mercy, had been established by acts of parliament, and confirmed by a solemn oath and covenant ; and in defence thereof, endured much tossing, hardship, and persecution, and many affronts, injuries, and indignities. And after that course of defectiou had been in the ascendant for 144 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. a considerable time, and Lad at length come to the height of tyranny,—- after all the gospel-discipline and government had been subverted and ejected, and gospel worship begun to be corrupted with popish-Eng- lish ceremonies and men's inventions; it pleased the Lord, in his rich mercy, to visit our church, that had been long oppressed and borne down with hollow-hearted, treacherous church-men, who, for their own ambitious ends, and lustful, covetous designs, complied with all court projects, to destroy all the gospel liberty and privileges which our church had enjoyed, and to bring about, in an unexpected and wonderful manner, our deliverance from that yoke of bondage, in the year 1638, and to re-establish our former church-government and dis- cipline with purity of worship, in glory and splendour, bringing tbe whole land again into the bond of the covenant for the asserting, vin- dicating, and maintaining of the same ; whereby, at length, the church of Christ became, with us, terrible unto evil-doers, as an army will) banners, and was preserved from error, heresy, and other evils, which prove noxious and destructive to churches. Now was this govern- ment and discipline, in the maintenance and vindication whereof after that it had been by the treachery of perfidious apostates overturned, the Lord had so wonderfully appeared ; — so countenanced and blessed of the Lord, that it could not but be manifest to all, that it was the true appointment and institution of Jesus Christ; Which afterward, in the assembly of divines at Westminster (called together by the par- liament of England, to search after a government and discipline most agreeable to the primitive pattern, in prosecution of the ends of the solemn league and covenant) was found to be the only government and discipline that came nearest to the primitive pattern, instituted by Christ and his apostles, of all that offered any pretence thereunto. But now, notwithstanding all this, this government and discipline of the house of God, instituted by Jesus Christ, countenanced and confirmed by his signal appearances in the behalf thereof, and against its enemies and opposers, — blessed with much saving fruits and effects on church members, — confirmed and ratified by all acts requisite, whether in church or state, — and received with an universal approba- tion and satisfaction, is now again with wicked hands overturned and razed to the very foundations, contrary to all acts, vows, covenants, solemn promises, and engagements ; — the precious institutions of Jesus Christ are irreligiously and profanely hated, condemned, destroyed, and shamefully thrust away ; — the authority of Christ maligned and rejected ; — his laws despised and trampled under foot ; — his wisdom undervalued; — his fidelity and faithfulness called into question ; — his ordinances vilipended and contemptuously slighted ; — his sceptre despitefully thrown out of his hand ; — his crown pulled from his head; — his church robbed of her privileges, and exposed to all tin- wild beasts of the forest; — his ministers shamefully misused, and thrust from their pastoral work and government ; — his kingdom in- vaded, plundered, and pillaged ; — and his assemblies, that once looked forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as with banners, now changed into despicable and disorderly routs ! 1 4 O Lord God of hosts, thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt, thou john Brown* 145 hast cast out the heathen, and planted it; thou preparedst room he- fore it, and didst cause it take deep root, and it filled the land ; the hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like goodly cedars : she sent- out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they, which pass by the way, do pluck her ? The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the filed doth devour it. Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts, look down from heaven and behold, and visit this vine, and the vineyard, which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch thou madest strong for thyself." IV. " Fourthly, — As for prelacy, which is now again re-intro- duced, all, who would be found faithful to Christ, and to his interests, must bear witness against it ; — being a plant which our heavenly Father never planted ; — a stirrup to the man of sin ; — a foundation to his antichristian hierarchy; — a dominion in the church, not only des- titute of all warrant from the laws of Christ, but expressly prohibited by Christ and his apostles, and repugnant to the government insti- tuted by our Lord ; — a power deriving no authority from, and having no dependance upon Christ, the head of the church, and sole fountain of all legitimate church power and authority ; — the mere result of pride, ambition, and affectation of worldly pomp and greatness, calculated not to the edification of the church, which this product of pride and vanity is utterly inept for, yea, and destructive of; but to the foster- ing of carnal ease, luxury, ambition, profanity, and secular dominion, framed wholly to promove Satan's and antichrist's design : and, as our church hath always experienced, they have been the fittest instru- ments of the devil for ruining of souls, destroying of the church, and of all her just interests, and for opposing all that is really good, and for subordinating of religion and all the interests of souls unto polite ends and court designs, — being base flattering scycophants and make- baits ; — the pests and constant troublers of our church ; — the sworn slaves of the court, by which only they stood, and prostituting faith, conscience, religion, and ail honesty to their ambitious and avaricious lusts ; — a weed that our church, from the very beginning, hath laboured to be delivered from, and an enemy that she hath opposed and fought against by prayers, tears, covenants, and church censures ; and in faithful and stedfast adhering to and maintaining of the true gospel- government of the church, against all the subtile insinuations, deceitful practices, false calumnies, clancular underminings, tyrannical usurpa- tions, and open treachery of these base, perfidious selfseekers, belly-gods, sons of Luciferian ambition, luxurious petulants, and church-destroyers, hath suffered and undergone much trouble, vexation, threatening, dis- pleasure of king and court, temptation, hardship, journeyings, tossing*, harassings, confinements, imprisonments, relegations, and banishments ; — an evil, which our church, and state too, at length, through the good hand of God upon them, did spue out, as an abominable, loathsome bur- den, and cast over the hedge, with all imaginable detestation and abhor- rence, and with universal acclamations of joy, throughout the whole laud, and did bar the door against their re-entry by renewed cove- T 146 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. nants, vows, and engagements, and all other ways imaginable. Yet now is this same abjured prelacy re-established, in all its former anti- christian grandeur and tyrannical usurpation, neither out of love to the government itself, which is with us accompanied with so much power in state matters, and intolerable ambition in the. persons, and insolent tyranny over all ranks of people, that it is sufficiently hate- ful ; nor out of love to the persons installed, being deservedly con- temptible to all, in whom is any measure of true ingenuity, for their treachery, perfidy, avarice, and pride ; but merely to please the king, and out of pure enmity to the reformation, and to the gospel-govern- ment of Christ's house, and a desire after fleshly liberty and carnal licentiousness. Thus, contrary to all engagements, vows, covenants, solemn promises, and oaths, is this vomit and abominable crudity licked up again, and that cursed antichristian plant replanted, to our perpetual shame and infamy, — to the scandal of Christianity, — to the ruin of piety and of true religion, — to the introduction of popery and of all abomination, — to the dishonour of God, and contempt of Christ, of his laws and institutions, — yea, to the despite of the Holy Spirit, who witnessed his displeasure against the former prelates, the troublers of our Israel, by manifest plagues and judgments upon them and theirs ; and his approbation of our reformation in discipline and government, as well as in doctrine and worship, by his signal owning thereof, and bis blessing thereupon ; and thereby commending it to every honest and serious conscience, beside the express declaration of the mind of God thereanent, in the written word. Now is a part of Eli's doom come upon us, for we see an enemy in the habitation of the Lord. Behold, the righteous Lord hath profaned his sanctuary, the excellency of our strength, the desire of our eyes, and the pity of our soul. ' O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever ? "Why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture ? Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old, the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed, this Mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt. Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations, even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregation : they set up their ensigns for signs.' V. " Fifthly, — That which I shall mention in the next place is, that which was laid as the ground of the preceding evil, and of all the con- comitant and consequent corruptions in the church, and which will necessarily perpetuate the same, and reduce the church and all her interests to nothing, viz. the supremacy in ecclesiastical matters, as- sumed by, and granted to the king, as head of tin' church, no less than of the commonwealth; and this now screwed op to a supra-papal height, whereby Christ is dethroned and spoiled of hi-; Royal preroga- tive and glory, as only Head and King to and over hi- visible chinch and kingdom ; for he will not admit of u co-rival or competitor, nor suffer any to share of that glory which is due to him alone ; ami yet by this supremacy, a power in church matters is granted to the king, and that as his essential right, and inherent in the crown, equal to that which Christ himself aanuneta and oannisalh in such things, as be- long to the external leglenicut of church administrations ; yea, this JOHN BROWN. H7 power granted to the king is made superior to that which Christ ex- erciseth: for the king in all his injunctions and impositions must be obeyed, though he command in and about the worship of God, as such, what Christ hath not commanded, and consequently hath pro- hibited ; as also though he inhibit and discharge what Christ hath ex- pressly enacted and enjoined. Is not this an image of jealousy, which provoketh to jealousy ? What is this, but to make the king, with Lucifer, the son of the morning, say, ' I will ascend into heaven, T will exalt my throne above the stars of God ; I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north : I will ascend above the heights of the clouds ; I will be like the most High,' Isaiah xiv. 13, 14. But we well remember that word, 1 Sam. ii. 10. ' The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces ; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them : the Lord shall judge the ends of the earth ; and he shall give strength unto his King, and exalt the horn of his Anointed ;' and advise all to read, believe, and obey what is written, Psal. ii. and to consider what is said, Ezek. xxviii. 6, 8, 9, 10. But to proceed : — By this supremacy the church is bereaved of the liberty and privileges granted to, and purchased for her Lord, Redeemer, and King : the officers of the church are made to renounce their immedi- ate allegiance unto, and dependance upon their only Lord and- Head, Jesus Christ, and to derive their power and authority from another fountain, and act in subordination to, and by influences received from, another head. The nature of church government and discipline h utterly perverted, and church administrations are made to run in another channel ; — the church, as to her ecclesiastical being is anni- hilated ; — and there is no more a church, as such; for, that company is now metamorphosed into a formal part of the civil polity, and is like unto any other company or society of merchants, tradesmen, or the like ; — all her courts and judicatories are perverted, as to the rise of their power, the nature of their actings, the authority by which they rule, and the end of their administrations ; yea, they are utterly made void and null, having nothing left to them but a precarious power to advise and consult about what is proposed, and to make chimerical acts and conclusions, whether touching the exercise of church cen- sures, for removing of scandal, or the making of church canons and constitutions foi the orderly regulating the affairs of the church, in alterable things, according to the general rules and laws of Christ in ihe gospel, which are wholly but ciphers, until confirmed, ratified, and authorized by the king or his delegate : thus, also, the natural and essential difference betwixt the church and the commonwealth church officers and civil officers, church power and politic power arising from their different originals, natures, work, manner of acting and ends, is removed and quite destroyed ; — the power and saving end of all church discipline and administrations are taken away ; — power is hereby granted to the king, to introduce all the external part of the Jewish and Romish religion, and an hundred times more, for there is no restraint or limitation annexed : hereby, a confusion is brought in, destructive of all that comely and edifying order, appointed and estab- lished by the God of order, as if we were wiser than God: hereby 148 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Christ's kingdom is made a kingdom of this world, — expressly contrary to his own plain denial, or else — he declared to be no more a king, — contrary to that faithful witness he did bear hereunto, while challenged by men ; whereby, the very point of truth is denied, for which he died a martyr, as to men. Thus, all the laws, institutions, commands, or- dinances, and appointments of Jesus Christ, in his spiritual kingdom, are made to avail unto a heterogeneous power, and to run in a civil channel ; and consequently are made null and of no effect, as to their own proper and spiritual ends : the civil magistrate, as such, (and, consequently, though a pagan, an apostate, or a persecuting Julian,) is made a church-member, yea, a church-officer, and that of the highest degree ; yea, the very fountain of all church-power and authority, contrary to all the laws of Christ, the nature of the church, and of church-power, and to the ground of church-privileges, and of right to them : hereby, the practice of the primitive and apostolic church, though influenced and regulated by the apostles, actuated by an infal- lible Spirit, in settling and appointing of gospel order, ordinances, and government, is rejected; — though appointed for a perpetual pattern to all gospel-churches, to the end of the world ; yea, Christ and bis apostles are hereby condemned, for erecting a kingdom within a king- dom, or- a kingdom different and distinct from the temporal or political kingdom headed by Ctesar. This is an usurpation and encroachment, no way warranted by the word, but everywhere, both in the Old and New Testament, condemned ; an evil having sad and direful effects, as to the doctrine, piety, worship, discipline, government, and all the concerns of the church ; — suggested and contrived by licentious syco- phants and base flatterers, who love not the yoke of Christ's discip- line, nor to be under bis laws and government, and therefore cry up the supreme magistrate, as supreme also in God's house and in Christ's kingdom, that they may state them with themselves, as the butt of the indignation of the King of Zion, who is a jealous God, and will not give his glory to another ; — an evil repugnant and contradictory to, and destructive of all the proper ends of the institution of the church, and of church-ordinances, condemned by all the reformed in the Arminians and Erastians, and assented to by prelates and others, only for their own base ends, that they may thereby be advanced to, rtnd settled in their antichristian usurpations and dominion over the church, according to that, lu facia hunc Dominum,te facit Me Detail ; — an evil against which our worthy predecessors laboured with much faithfulness and zeal, constantly opposing all those encroachments, and legally, to their power, defending the just rights of Christ as Kiug, and the privileges of his church and kingdom, by testimonies, protes- tations, declinatures, and sad sufferings; — an evil against which we stand solemnly engaged, from the king upon the throne, to the mean- est subject, both by the national covenant and by the solemn League and covenant; — an evil, finally, wherein we have exceeded and far outstripped those of England, and so have more than justified them an what they have done of this kind. ' Have respect unto the cove- nant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations uf cruelty. Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the JOHN BROWN. 149 foolish man rcproacheth thee daily- Forget not the voice of thine enemies : the tumult of those that rise up against thee increaseth continually.' Ps. lxxiv. 20, 22, 23. VI. " Sixthly, — The next thing which I shall mention is that Act of council at Glasgow, whereby so many faithful and honest labourers in the Lord's vineyard, to the number of three hundred and above, more than the third part of the whole ministry of Scotland, were at once thrust out from their work, banished from their flocks, made to wander with their families, they knew not whither; and the sentence was so framed, as that it was hardly conceivable where they could fix their abode. I shall not altogether justify the too ready submission that was given unto this tyrannical act, whether by myself, or others, supposing that (though I will not in these, deny the magistrate's power to dispose of the persons of ministers, as well as of other subjects, as he will answer to the supreme God, of whom he hath the power ; nor question his authority to banish whether out of his whole dominions, or out of a part thereof, for civil crimes, knowing that in this lie trans- gresseth not the lines of his jurisdiction, howbeit, as to the cause it may be an act of iniquity and oppression ; yet) as matters then were stated, we were called of the Lord to stand to our post, until we had been personally and particularly thrust from our charges : yea, I conceive, hereby we gave too great encouragement to the enemy, to proceed in their intended work, to which this was an open door : the consideration of which with other circumstances, and sad consequences of this too ready yielding, (too many here to be mentioned) should have moved us to have fed our flocks, until personal force had particularly enforced our departure. But not to exaggerate this, further — that act of perse- cution, more suitable for Turks, or antichristian enemies, than for professors of the reformed truth — considering how all that was laid down for the ground thereof, was so insufficient, in point of reason or equity, to have founded such a sentence so tragical in itself, as circum- stantiated ; so insupportable and grievous to the persons and families of so many called and authorized ministers of Jesus Christ ; and so destructive to the church and flock of God, cannot but be looked on as a crying sin of the land ; and for which, all that would find mercy, in tlie day of God's anger, and be preserved from the destroying wea- pon, should sigh and cry : for what was this else, than a laying the church of God desolate, banishing away the means of knowledge, and with that, all piety, faith, fear, and religion ; — an exposing of the flock of God to wolves, false teachers, and soul-murtherers ; or a giving of them up to perfect atheism, and barbarity : not to mention the ini- quitous ground thereof, nor the wicked design, that was promoved and carried on thereby ; nor the many lamentable and deplorable effects and consequences that followed thereupon ; — all which are on record in heaven, and will be brought forth in judgment, in the day that the Lord of hosts, who is jealous for Jerusalem and for Zion with a great jealousy, shall return to Jerusalem with mercies, and build his house in it, and stretch forth a line upon it, and raise up carpenters that shall fray and cast out these horns of the Gentiles, which have scattered Judah, Israel, Bnd Jerusalem. ' O Lord, behold and see how thy flock was scattered, 150 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. because there was no shepherd, and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered. O Lord God, according to thy word, both search thy sheep and seek them out ; and feed them upon the mountains of Israel, by the rivers. Seek that which was lost ; bring again that which was driven away ; bind up that which is broken, and strengthen that which is sick. Set up one shepherd over them, that he may feed them, even thy servant David ; let him feed them, and be their shepherd : and be thou the Lord their God, and thy servant David, a prince : away then, and make with them a covenant of peace, and cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land, that they may dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.' Ezek. xxxiv. 23 — 25. VII. " Seventhly, — Who can mention or recall to mind, without lamentation and wo, the inhumanity and cruelty, which is exercised to this day, to the end this defection from and rebellion against the Lord may be fixed, established, and perpetuated to after generations ? — I mean the barbarous and cruel persecution of all ranks of persons, by chasing, harassing, fining, confining, imprisoning, deportation to American plantations, Highland outlawers, letters of intercommuning, &c. against all such as cannot and will not in all points comply with this course of apostasy from the truth, once delivered, received, professed, owned, and sworn to by all ranks of people. What a strange and wonderful matter is this, that non-compliers, or non-conformists must be so used, because they cannot turn so quickly as others do, who seem to have shaken off all the faith, and all the fear of God, nor turn so prodigiously profane and irreligious, as to shake off so easily all the bonds and obligations of oaths, vows, engagements, covenants, and whatever can either bind persons, as men, or as Christians, to stedfastness and constancy ? How irrational is this, thus to vex and persecute them, because they will not in a moment change their judg- ments, thoughts, and apprehensions of these matters in question, when it is not in their power ; and they dare not cudgel conscience to a corner, nor can tbey enjoin it to be silent, or to stand out of the wav, as it is like some do ? What then can all this cruel and barbarous persecution tend to, but to drive persons either to manifest and open atheism, or to avowed rebellion against God, in practising contrary to conscience, which always giveth forth its mandates and prohibitions in the name and authority of God ? Particularly, how is it to be regretted and amented, that the faithful ministeis of Jesus Christ are thus hunted, harassed, searched for, and drawn into prisons, for preaching the king- dom of Christ, and the poor people in the like manner troubled for bearing of them ; — when the ministers are under a severe injunction of their Lord and Master, to preach in season, and out of season ; and under a pressing necessity, yea under a wo and curse if they preach not the gospel ; — and therefore mutt hazard the displeasure of men, before they run the risk of encountering with the wrath and anget ol the great God, and by all lawful means possible endeavour faithfully and Btrenuously, upon the old score of dependance upon Christ, their only head and Lord, without acknowledgment of or subordination to that sinful and detestable corruption of abjured prelacy, to keep up the interest and kingdom of Jesus Christ ; that by their means and ministry, JOHN BROWN. 151 poor souls may be converted from natme to grace, others confirmed in the truth, and such as are reduced and led away from the truth, in this day of defection and apostasy, may be rightly informed, and brought into the way again ; that thus Jesus Christ may be kept in possession of the land, and that ignorance, atheism, profanity, and wicked apostasy from the living God, may not continue thus to overspread all, and to infect the posterity, as an epidemic and hereditary plague ; and thereby the Lord be provoked to give out an irrevocable sentence of non- churching us, and of removing the candlestick wholly, and so give us up either to popery or paganism : — on the other hand, when people are under the peremptory commands of the Lord, to hear such, as he hath sent, to own them, as his ambassadors, and to receive his word from their mouths, (whom he hath authorized and sent to speak to them in his name, and in his stead, and whom no civil power or authority can degrade or remove from this function, or from the exercise thereof, when they please ;) — and dare not neglect their souls' welfare, by shunning to hear such as God hath sent,blesseth and countenanced], whether in the open fields, or in private houses, howbeit contrary to the wicked laws of men ; nor dare own and countenance those intruded and intruding hirelings and thieves, who have no lawful call from God, or man, conform to the gospel order and institutions ; (who for the most part are persons manifestly given up to all wickedness, and become the very reproach and shame of moral men, let be of the holy ordinance of the ministry ; and cannot but feed people with wind and lies, and drive on to, and confirm in a course of apostasy from, and rebellion against the true and living God ; and who carry upon them all the marks of men disowned of God, which are given in Scripture ;) — and when neither pastors nor people dare possibly comply with, or give any formal coun- tenance unto this stated and continued course of opposition to the con- cerns and interests of Jesus Christ, the covenanted head and husband of the church of Scotland ! ' Lord, for thy sake are we killed all the day long ; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter. Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord ? arise, cast us not off for ever. Wherefore hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction and our oppression ? Arise for our help, and redeem us, for thy mercies' sake.' • When wilt thou take out of our hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of thy fury ; that we no more may drink it again : when wilt thou put it into the hand of them that afflict us ; which have said to our souls, Bow down, that we may go over ?' Ps. xliv. 22 — 26. Isa. li. 22, 23. VIII. " Eighthly, — I cannot but declare my dissent from, and dis- satisfaction with all compliances with this course of defection and apos- tasy from the Lord, and opposition to, and manifest war waged against the Lord and his anointed ; against his truth, his cause, his ordinances, his work, and his interest, first and last, whether by seeking or accept- ingofpresentationsandcollations.bybeingpresentatbishops'meetings, and the like; or by bonds, subscriptions, promises, — yea or by silence, — as beingcontrary to our solemn oaths and vows, made to the most High, and to our covenants, sworn with hands lifted up to the most high God, and a partaking of the sin of these open enemies to Christ and his cause ; and a confirming of them, in their wicked courses of opposition to all 152 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the concerns of our Lord. Especially find particularly, I must bear witness against the accepting of the Indulgence, (as it was called.) which I cannot but look upon, (whatever circumstances may, as to some, help to alleviate the matter,) considered in itself, as a provoking sin before the Lord ; whether I notice the rise, fountain, and spring of this hell hatched device, founded upon, and directly and expressly ris- ing out of the sinfid and usurped supremacy ; or notice the end, design, and native tendency thereof, — to wit, to break the suffering party ; that being divided and broken, they may become the more weak, and so the more easily suppressed and triumphed over ; to confirm the standing defection from the covenanted cause and truth ; and the usurpation ol Christ's crown ; and spoiling the church of her just and lawful privileges ; and to lull people asleep in blindness, security, and unconcernedness, in the trite and dreadful controversy which the Lord hath with the land this day ; and in the principal duties called for at the hands of all who would be approven of God, as stedfast and faithful, in this day of trial : — or notice the sad and native effects and consequences thereof, whether in and upon themselves and ministry, or upon the people to whom they preach, or upon their brethren, or upon the faithful owners of and sufferers for the truth and for following their duty, or upon the stated enemies to Christ's concerns. When, I say, I take notice of these things considerable in it, and with all, call to mind its relation to, dependance upon, and confirmation of that horrid usurpation of the supremacy, screwed up to such a height, in the explicatory, or rather nmplicatory act made thereanent, which some, who had a chief hand in the contrivance and carrying on of the Indulgence, have openly con- fessed, and confidently declared, when they affirmed, that the one was done to make way for the other; and consider moreover, how in itself it is a tacit and virtual (at least, if not more formal and direct) renounc- ing of the former ground ministers stood upon, and call by which they acted, and authority with which they were clothed : a consenting unto and confirming of the usurped supremacy : a subordinating of the min- istry and of ministers, in their most spiritual and ministerial acts, in dispensing word, sacraments, and church censures, unto the magistrate : an overturning of our former orthodox and presbyterian grounds : n wronging of the churches and the lawful pastors, in their just liberties and privileges : a condemning of all our former contendings and plead- ings for, and laudable asserting* of the true prerogative of Christ, na king of his church, and the just privileges of the church, his kingdom : a wreathing an Krastian yoke upon the neck of the church and her ministers, under which she and they may be made to groan long enough: and consequently a violating of our sacred bonds and obligations; con- sidering, I say, the^ things, I cannot but look upon the Indulgence itself, (abstracting always from the intentions of the persons, who have accepted the same, as being confident, that such of them, as I know and hopeful that others, have not had any corrupt or sinistrous design in the matter as accepted and established,) as the greatest wound our cause hath got since this lamentable change began, and as a stab given to it under the fifth rib. Wherein. J am confirmed not only by the pre- sent too visible and sad effects thereof, formerly in part hinted ; but JOHN BROWN. 153 also, by the sad fears and apprehensions I have of the sad consequences of this preparative! in time coming1, — too frequent experience teaching, that magistrates are loath to part with what power in church matters th ey have once been in possession of. It cannot with colour be pre- tended, as ground of excuse, that there was a necessity to preach the gospel, to which this was a necessary medium ; for as this had not the Jeast consideration, in the designs and intentions of the contrivers of, and actors in this affair ; so the door to preach the gospel stood open for them, as well as for others, who to this day continue to preach the gospel, upon their old call and commission, though with hazard, and without man's countenance and authority : and if zeal for the kingdom and house of Christ had made a thorough reconciliation with the cross, and eaten up all sinful love to ease, peace, and quiet, all apprehended difficulties might easily have been overcome, — they might have stood in their integrity, and remained united with their brethren : — so, many had not been made to stumble and offend, the hearts of the godly had not been so grieved, nor the enemy made to rejoice, and the church had been much more edified. And though they have no dependance upon, nor relation to prelates, yet experience proveth, that this way hath not a little contributed to their peaceable and quiet possession of their unlawful places, and usurped authority. ' Should we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the people of these abomi- nations ? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou had3t consumed us, so that there should be no remnant nor escaping ? O Lord God of Israel, thou art righteous ; for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day : behold, we are before thee in our trespasses ; for we cannot stand before thee because of this,' Ezra ix. 14, 15. IX. " Ninthly, — It cannot but be sad and afflicting to consider, that there hath been so little zeal and courage, in this generation, to with- stand and oppose this course of dreadful and shameful defection, by faithful and open witnessing for the truth ; — notwithstanding that the truth and glory of that cause and work, which is now overturned, was so manifest and conspicuous, that none, before this catastrophe, had a face to deny it, yea or to make the least doubt thereof; and notwith- standing we were all from the highest to the lowest, so solemnly and so frequently engaged by covenants, by vows, by oaths, and by pro- mises, to own it, and avow it upon all hazards ; — and notwithstanding we had the same work and cause, many times and many ways owned and asserted by the God of heaven, and confirmed by his visible ap- pearances, in the behalf thereof, in the wonderful works of judgment against the enemies, and in his wonderful works of mercy for the favourers and maintainers thereof; — and notwithstanding we had the example of our noble and magnanimous predecessors before us, who did not quit their post so basely, as we have done, but did bear plain and faithful witness, both more publicly, and more privately, against all encroachments made upon, or injuries done unto the work of God, and the liberties of the church, and ordinances of Christ ; and stood to their rights, maintaining the cause of Jesus Christ, so long as they could stand, by protestations, petitions, declinatures, declarations, and faithful ministerial witnessing to and pleading for the truth, both in public and in private. How may our faces be filled with shame, when we call to 154 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. mind and remember, how those, who were under more disadvantages than we were, did carry themselves valiantly, considering their circum- stances, and acted their part like men, from year to year, without wearying or giving over the cause, under continued and growing troubles and difficulties, tossings, harassings, citations before the council, and high-commission courts, letters of horning, confinement, imprisonment, sentences to death, banishment, relegations, and what not, that malice and wickedness could invent ; and notwithstanding all this lasting and growing persecution, did faithfully, so far as lay in their power, endeavour by witnessings, sufferings, and all legal courses imaginable, to transmit the truth to us their posterity, pure and entire : and when upon the other hand, we look back and consider, how we have appeared so little, in the defence of and witnessings for these truths and interests of Christ, which our forefathers accounted more dear and precious, than their goods, liberties, blood, and lives, when the opposition made, and the destruction and overthrow intended against them, was so mani- fest, clear, and undeniable to all ? How must it be a lamentation, and for a lamentation, in all time coming, that there is not this day a stand- ing testimony, from any church-judicatnry, higher or lower, against this unparalleled defection ? How may the posterity curse our carriage and cowardice, who by our fainting and fearfulness have betrayed the cause, and them, into the hands of these enemies ? This maketh me imagine, that when our Lord shall come again to vindicate and assume his own rights, and to plead his own cause, he shall not possibly follow such a legal and formal like course, as formerly ; but shall appear, as a jealous king, in wrath and great fury, to assert immediately, and recover by sore judgments, his own prerogative and interests ; and all flesh shall be afraid, and even such, as have through his grace and goodness, been preserved from siding with those workers of iniquitv, and from running with them to the same excess of opposition to, and rebellion against the Lord, shall cover their faces with shame, and crv out, ' We have sinned, we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.' And at present, we may with Daniel pray, and say, ' We have sinned, and have committed iniquity, and have done wickedly, and have rebelled, even by departing from thy precepts, and from thy judgments. O Lord, righteousness be- longeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day ; to the men of Jndah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off. O Lord, to us belonged confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee. Yea, all Israel have transgressed thy law, even by departing, that they might not obey thy voice: there- fore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him. — We have sinned, we have done wickedly. () Lord, according to all thy righteousness, let thine anger he turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain : because fur our tins, Jerusalem and thy people are become a reproach to all that ere about us. Now there- fore, O our God, cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate.' Isa. lxiv. 6. Dan. be. 5, 7, 8, 1 1, 1 J— 17. X. " Tenthly, — I shall not much take notice of the screwing up of JOHN BROWN. 155 the prerogative, in civil matters, many pegs above whatever was for- merly; nor of (which is hut a native consequent of this) the many iniquitous acts and actings, tending to the prejudice of the subjects as to their civil rights and privileges, and to the hurt and detriment of the common good, which rulers should by all lawful means seek to pro- mote, and not seek their own greatness and establishment : for, when rulers have shaken off" all the fear of God, and have destroyed the spiritual rights and privileges of their subjects, as Christians, it is but a small matter to rob them also of what is their due, as men, and as members of the civil society : where soul interests are taken away, the loss of bodily interests is not much to be regretted, or bewailed. Only, it is to be observed, as a righteous act in the just and holy God, that the land should be made to groan, under a yoke of tyranny and bond- age, in their civil concerns, which did not groan under, nor lament for their bondage and slavery in spiritual matters ; but out of sinful and excessive love to their temporal trifles, and out of a vain hope and ex- pectation of great advancements therein, and increases thereof, did too willingly follow after the command, and not only yield to, but also concur in, the overthrow of all the precious interests of Jesus, which , as Christians, we were obliged to prefer to all our particular, civil, and temporal concernments whatsoever. Thus the Lord hath, in a manner, made good what was threatened by Moses, ' Because thou servedst not the Lord thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things ; therefore sh alt thou serve thine enemies, which the Lord shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things : and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.' And whether the Lord shall not pursue us further, as is thereby threatened, in the following verses, who can tell ? We have reason, sure, to be afraid ; and in the meantime, may with Nehemiah say, ' Howbeit thou art just in all that is brought upon us ; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly: neither have our kings, our princes, our priests, nor our fathers, kept thy law, nor hearkened unto thy commandments, and thy testimonies, wherewith thou didst testify against them. For they have not served thee in their kingdom, and in the large and fat land Avhich thou gavest before them, neither turned they from their wicked works. Behold, we are servants this day ; and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers, to eat the fruit thereof, and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it; and it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of cur sins : also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure ; and we are in great distress.' Deut. xxviii. 47, 48. Neh. ix. 33 — 37. XL " Eleventhly, — The prodigious growth and abounding of pro- fanity, atheism, unparalleled blasphemy, and impudent wickedness of all 6orts, that now swarmeth over the whole land, and that among all ranks of persons, should be witnessed against. This spirit of wicked- ness and all ungodliness, that now carrieth away even many, that for- merly seemed at least outwardly religious and civil peisons, as it is the constant concomitant of this course of defection prevailing, and an evi- dent demonstration of the Lord's departure from the land, and of his 156 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. withdrawing his restraining influences ; so it prognosticateth sore and dreadful plagues, and wrathful judgments to be coming on the land. To which may be added, the falling away of so many to popery and quakerism ; a clear evidence it is, that the love of the truth hath not been received, when so many are given up to strong delusions, to be- lieve a lie. And howbeit many may think this little concerneth them, so being, they be not themselves chargeable with these evils ; yet all these evils bring guilt upon the land ; and for them the land will be made to mourn, and every one that dwelleth therein be made to lan- guish. These are (to speak so) debitum fundi ; and as they are the native consequences and fruit of our departing from God, and breaking wedlock ; so because of both, we may look for terrible destructions and judgments making desolate, when the sword of the Lord, — with which he shall avenge the quarrel of his covenant, and which is sharp- ened to make a sore slaughter, and furbished that it may glitter, and to consume because of the glittering, — shall be drawn, and put into the hand of the slayer, — then shall it devour flesh : and when the Lord shall draw forth his sword out of his sheath, and cut off from the land the righteous and the wicked, and stretch out his hand against us to de- stroy us, as being weary with repenting, because we have forsaken the Lord, and are gone backward ; then shall we reap the fruit of our do- ings, and our own wickedness shall correct us, and our backslidings shall reprove us ; and we shall know and see, that it is an evil thing and bitter, that we have forsaken the Lord our God, and that his fear is not in us. " How long, Lord? wilt thou be angry forever? shall thy jealousy burn like fire ? O remember not against us former ini- quities : let thy tender mercies speedily prevent us ; for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name ; and deliver us, and purge away our sins.' Ps. lxxix. 5, 8, 9. XII. " Twelfthly, — I must not forget to bear witness unto that loyal and magnanimous attempt to set the crown again upon the head of our Lord ; to deliver the whole land from the insupportable yoke of tyranny, and unjust and illegal oppression both of soul and body ; to recover the rights and privileges of the church, which by wicked hands had been robbed and taken away ; to vindicate, according to the cove- nants of the Lord, the just and lawful rights and liberties of the sub- ject ; to re-establish, according to solemn oaths and vows, the true and only lawful government of the house of God ; to put a stop to the further progress of that defection and apostasy from God which had been for several years carried on with great madness and fury ; and consequently to prevent the dreadful and terrible judgments of God, which our wicked and woful backslidings from the living (iod, and our covenanted Lord and husband, could not but procure at the hands of the jealous and righteous Lord Jehovah : — 1 mean that laudable enter- prise and adventure, in the year 1666, undertaken in such singleness and simplicity of heart, followed and managed with Mich integrity and freedom from self-seeking designs, desire of private revenge, or the like corrupt principles and intentions ; as that all, not maliciously pre- occupied in their judgments, and blinded with prejudice, COold not but be convinced of the innocency of the whole design ; and approve JOHN BROWN. 157 of the same, as a truly commendable and praiseworthy undertaking. It is true, it seemed not good in the eyes of the Lord, to countenance the same, and to make it prosperous : but that is so far from laying the ground of its condemnation to me (for I dare not look upon Jehovah, with such eyes of flesh, and to such as would make such inferences, I shall only say, — careat successibus opto, Quisquis, ab eventu facta notanda putet,) that I look upon the dispensation, as saying upon the one hand, that the cordial appearance for Christ and his interest, was too late, and should have been in the year 1660, (and not first in the year 1666,) when the enemies of the Lord first appeared with their design to over- throw the whole work of the Lord, and to bring us back into Egypt, and the defection was breaking in as a flood. Had the faithful of the land then appeared for the Lord and his cause, and resolved to have Christ and his interests secured, cost what it would, the Lord had probably appeared on their head, and given success to the work; but when instead thereof, there was such a willing going after the com- mand, and such an universal and formal joining with the wicked, and conspiring against the Lord ; and such as should have been valiant for the truth, were so couching under the burden and loving rest, as that virtually at least, and interpretatively by their silence, they consented to all that was enacted and concluded against the Lord, and against his Anointed, what could now have been expected ? And may rot righteousness be ascribed unto the Lord, in this disappointment, upon this very account ? Again, I look upon the dispensation, as saying, upon the other hand, that this appearance was too early, — I mean, that the time of our delivery was not yet near at hand, it being equitable and just, that we should first drink deeper of the cup, which we had mingled for ourselves ; and should find by more bitter experience, the difference betwixt the service of the Lord, and the service of enemies ; and should be made to serve the enemies of the Lord, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things, and have a yoke of iron upon our necks, until we be destroyed ; because we would not serve the Lord our Gcd, with joyfulness, and witli gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things. Of this, I shall say no more, (though Lt is to be feared, that their mentioning the king's interest together with Christ's, where the king was, as such, so formally and directly stated against Christ and his cause, that they were incompatible and inconsistent, might have been a provocation in the eyes of His jealousy ;) nor need I adduce reasons to justify the same, in itself, upon the part of the undertakers, seeing the Lord from heaven did give such a proof of his approbation thereof, as to their single end, in causing such as were called to suffer at the hands of man for the same, ride so tri- umphantly in the chariot of heavenly joy and consolation, through all the terrors and fears of the king of terrors, and through the malice and rage of imbittered enemies, who thirsted for blood, and executed their cruelty with fury ; and in helping them so wonderfully and undaunt- edly to speak in the defence thereof, and to seal the same most cheer- 158 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. fully and courageously with their blood and lives ; and others to suffer upon the account thereof, loss of their estates, and long imprisonment, and other hardships, not only without the least regret, but even with joy and gladness of heart. ' O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased ; O turn thyself to us again. Thou hast made the earth to tremble ; thou hast broken it ; heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. Thou hast showed thy people hard things ; thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. Thou hast cast us off, and put us to shame ; and goest not forth with our armies. Thou makest us to turn back from the enemy ; and they which hate us spoil for themselves. The dead bodies of thy servants I have they given to be meat unto the fowls of heaven, the flesh of thy |saints unto the beasts of the earth. Their blood have they shed like water round about Jerusalem ; and there was none to bury them. We are become a reproach to our neighbours, a scorn and derision to them that are round about us. How long, Lord ? wilt thou be angry for ever ? shall thy jealousy burn like fire ?' Ps. lx. 1 — 3. xliv. 9 — 12. Ixxix. 2—5. XIII. " Lastly, — I must also give testimony against that yearly abomination, and renewed declaration of the land's apostasy and defec- tion from God : — I mean, the celebration and solemn observation of the twenty -ninth of May, yearly ; not only upon the account, that it is called an holyday, (though in mere mockery both to God and man so called, being indeed a day rather set apart to Bacchus, than sanctified to the Lord, and like that day mentioned Hosea vii. 5.) as if man could sanctify and set apart to the Lord, any part of time, in any revolution of weeks, months, or years ; which is the Lord's prerogative alone ; and therefore cannot be observed, even by preaching, without homolo- gating this usurped power; and a professed declaration of our super- stitious mind, besides the prostitution of the holy ordinance of preach- ing to usher in a feast for Bacchus and Venus j and to begin and make a part of the solemnity of such a profane day. Nor yet, only upon the account that it is the celebration of the king's birthday ; for which we have no warrant either by command, or approved example ; and which is a practice savouring more of paganism than of Christian- ity, both as to its original, and as to its observation ; and hath been attended with snares, superstition, and several other vanities. But mainly, upon the account of the ground and fundamental reason of the institution and observation, set down in the narrative of the act, made thereanent ; whereby the proper genius of the dav, and the native tendency of the work thereof, is manifestly declared, to be a solemn declaration before angels and men, of our condemning the whole woik of reformation, blaspheming the name and work of the Lord, fathering the same upon the devil, (as tin; wicked Pharisees did father the won- derful works of our Lord and Saviour on Beelzebub, the prince of devils ; a great ingredient in, if not the greatest part, or whole, of the unpardonable sin, the Bin Bgainal the Holy Ghost,) by calling and accounting it a work of rebellion; — a rejoicing in this overthrow and shameful catastrophe; — profanely offering and presuming to give thanks to the Lord, for the cause of all our sin tmd shame : — au hardening of JOHN BROWN. 159 our hearts, after a high manner of presumption, in this our rebellion against the Lord : — a bringing of the guilt of all this apostasy upon our heads ; and that yearly, with a piece of profane (yet very suitable) solemnity : — a yearly solemn dedication of ourselves and posterity to the principal author of this wickedness, for the carrying on of all the ends thereof: — and a plain and solemn obliging of ourselves to perpetu- ate this defection and apostasy ; so that, the least countenance given unto the observation of this day, under whatsoever colour or pretext, doth manifestly homologate this stated opposition to the prince of the kings of the earth ; bring on the guilt of all this evil, and expose the observer to all those judgments, with which the righteous Lord shall punish this defection and apostasy. ' Thus have we corrupted our- selves ; our spot is not the spot of his children : we are a perverse and crooked generation. Do we thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise ? is not he our Father that hath bought us ? hath he not ' made us, and established us ? Did not the Lord find us in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness? he led us about, he in- structed us, he kept us as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings ; so the Lord alone did lead us, and there was no strange god with us. But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked : we forsook God which made us, and lightly esteemed the Rock of our salvation. We provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked we him to anger. Of the Rock that begat us we are unmindful, and have forgotten God that formed us.' May we not fear that ' the Lord hath abhorred us, because of the pro- voking of his sons and of his daughters ;' — And hath said, — ' I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be : for they have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God ; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities : and I will move them to jealousy with those wnich are not a people ; and I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation ! — For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. I will heap mischiefs upon them ; I will spend mine arrows upon them. They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and ■with bitter destruction. The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also, with the man of gray hairs.' Deut. xxxii. 5, 6, 10 — 12, 15 — 25.* * The preceding Testimony has been copied expressly for the present work from one of the Wodrow MSS. in the Advocates' Library. It has never before been published, so far as the Editor is aware ; and he cannot but regard it as forming a very valuable addition to the previously printed Testimonies of the Scots Worthies. Indeed, whether we think of the high degree of respectability which attaches to the name of its Author, or look to its own intrinsic merits, it cannot but be viewed as an interesting relic, of the zeal, fidelity, and publio spirit, — in the cause of civil and religious liberty^by which our covenanting forefathers were so eminently distinguished It is entitled, " Orig. MS. iu "BiW. Jurid. Edin, 4to. M. S. xcviii, Rob. III. 5, 8. art. 23." 160 TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. XXIII. JAMES MITCHEL. (_Mr. Mitchel, having finished his studies, and obtained the degree of Master of Arts, at the university of Edinburgh, was licensed to preach the gospel about the year 1661. How he employed himself during the interval is unknown ; but in 16G6, having joined the in- surgents in their progress to Pentland, though not present at the battle, lie was induced to go abroad, and remained in Flanders till the beginning of 1G68. It was on the 11th of July, that year, he made the attempt on the life of Archbishop Sharp, for which he was condemned. Having escaped till the year 1674, he was then discovered, and taken by the Archbishop's brother. He was shortly after tried ; but the diet being deserted for want of proof, he was remanded to prison, and continued till January 1676, when he was put to the torture. He was, after this, detained for another year in prison, and then sent to the Bass, till 1678, when he was again tried, and being condemned on a confession which he had judicially retracted, suffered death, on the 18th of January that year.* Of these latter particulars, the reader will find very ample information in the following authentic documents, which, with his Testimony and Last words, he left behind him.] 1. Account of his Trial. " Edinburgh, January 18th, 1678. — My accusation before the Jus- tices was, that I shot a pistol at the archbishop of St. Andrews, in • His execution was at bust most cruelly hurried forward, contrary to tbe following very moving petition of his wife; a petition, to accede to which, it seems, was too much for the wisdom and humanity of the Commissioners even after detaining him in prison for four long years. " The humble supplication of Elizabeth Somei'vill, the poor wife of the sen- tenced Mr. James Mitchel, unto the right honourable the lords of his ma- jesty's privy council, ** Humbly sheweth ; " That whereas your supplicant's husband was upon Thursday last, by the J^ords Commissioners of his Majesty's Justiciary, sentenced to die upon Friday next, the ISth day of January instant, and that it cannot be otherwaya con- ceived, but in nature and humanity, your supplicant hath an ardent desire to see her husband, and to take her long farewell of him before he die. which iLt present she cannot do, nor will she be able to do betwixt and the said day, in respect of her present case and condition, it not being above twelve days since she was brought to bed of a child, and presently affected with a fever, and where through she will be disappointed and frustrate of that her only worldly desire, and thereby may be brought to the grave as Boon as her husband, unlc&a your lordships graciously prevent the same. " May it therefore please your lordships, for the love of Cliri t, mercifully «.» consider the premises, and be graciously pleased to reprieve tbe foresaid sen- tence lor Mich a time, as your gracious lordships shall think expedient, that your poor indigent supplicant maybe in that space capable to see her mid husband, and take her lust farewell of him, and jour supplicant shall ever pii»y. ELIZABETH SOMLHVJLI •"• • Kaphtal, p. tlL JAMES MITCH KL. 161 July 1668, whereby the bishop of Orkney was wounded in the arm, and that I did confess the same before my lord chancellor and the council. But my defence amongst others was, that my confession 1 made was upon oath and promise made to me, upon life and safety, and indeed the promise made to me by my lord chancellor, was in these words, • Upon my great oath and reputation, if I be chancellor, I shall save your life. And if ye will not confess, the council will take another way to make it out,' which I took for the boots, which after- wards I found : and the justices did indeed find my confession to be a judicial one, although I did refuse to own it before the court, but did expressly retract it, unless that the abovementioned promise were made good to me : it was likewise true, that they did also sustain my defence upon the said oath and promise made to me. And when the indictment came to be proven by the lords, viz. my lord chancellor and other lords of council witnessed against me, because at the said time they also denied the making, or any knowledge of the making any such oath or promise to me ; but it having pleased the lord to provide me the copy of an act of council, which was made by the said lords, and subscribed (as I believe) by my lord chancellor, wherein the same oath and promised assurance, is expressly granted to have been given to me by warrant of the lord commissioner, for the time in council ; albeit it be by the same act revoked, for the reasons therein mentioned ; — the lords who had witnessed against me, were greatly moved, and did with great vehemency press the justices, that no such act should be received, to prove for me, since it did so directly contradict what they had sworn ; which, though it was no ways reasonable, that the oaths of any should prejudge me, contrary to the truths and proofs ad- duced by me ; yet the justices were necessitate, without hearing my advocate upon the matter, to reject the foresaid act, and put me off from so clear a probation of my defence ; whereupon, I was found guilty by the assizers, upon the ground of my said confession ; al- beit, in all likelihood the assizers would not have found me guilty, if the act of council had been received, seeing the lord-justice had de- clared, that the foresaid truth being proven, it should take off my con- fession.* However it is most certain, that the indictment against " There can be no doubt whatever as to the truth and accuracy of the state- ment here given. In proof of it we subjoin the copy of the act here referred to, which was left by Mr. Mitchel among the rest of his papers. It will be found to agree throughout with th.it preserved by Wodrow in the first volume of his history ; and, notwithstanding the oaths of several of the commissioners, and among the rest, of the Primate, to the contrary ; it proves most decidedly that th« confession on which they condemned him was made under promise of indem- nity, and could therefore afford no valid ground for the sentence M'hich was passed upon him. 'Act of Council anent the Chancellor's promise. " Edinburgh, March 12th, 1674. — The lord commissioner his grace, and lords of his majesty's privy council, having appointed a committee to examine Mr. James Mitchel, prisoner in the tolbooth of Edinburgh, the said Mr. Jame3 being brought before the said committee, he did make a free and voluntary con- fession of his accession to the said rebellion and rising in arms in the west, and L 162 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. me was carried on against bot,h right and truth : but remitting this unto the Lord, who one day will clear both me and all his servants in. his most righteous judgment, I have here subjoined myself, principles, and foresaid practices, as they were set down in a letter to a friend, and another declaration written by me, when first convened before the lord justices in the year 1674. " Edinburgh Tolbooth, February — 1674, — Sir, Me who may justly call myself ' less than the least of all saints, and the chiefest of all sinners,' yet, Christ Jesus calleth to be a witness for his despised truth, and trampled-on interests and cause, by the wicked, blasphem- ous, and God-coxitemning generation, and against all their perfidious wickedness. Sir, I say, the confidence I have in your real friendship, and love to Christ's truth, people, interest, and cause, has encouraged me to write to you at this time, hoping ye will not misconstruct me, nor take advantage of my infirmity and weakness. You have • heard of my indictment, which I take up in these two particulars : First, As that after he had notice of the same, he went from Edinburgh with colonel Wal- lace, and others, and was with the rebels there, and from thence came alongst and was with them until the night before the fight at Pentland hills, and that at the desire of captain Arnot he came then to Edinburgh, to speak to some persons concerning them ; and being examined upon the attempt made upon the person of the archbishop of St. Andrews, and who shot the pistol at the said archbishop, when the bishop of Orkney was hurt, in the month of January, 1668, — he did declare that the time, and the day that the said attempt was made, he was in the town of Edinburgh, and that he had bought the pistcl, which was about him charged with three balls, when he was apprehended, about the time when the bishop was shot, from Alexander1 Logan, dag-maker in Leitli "Wynd, but refused he was the person that made the attempt, until having re- tired apart with one of the said committee, he did confess, upon his knees, that lie was the person, vpon assurance given him bi/ one of the committee, as to hit life, who had warrant jrotn the commissioner and council to give the same, and did thereafter confess freely before all that were at the said committee, that he shot the said gistol at the said archbishop, and did subscribe his confession in presence of the said committee, which is also subscribed by them. And there- after, the said Mr. James in presence of the said commissioner his grace, and council, did renew and adhere to the said confession, as to his accession to the rebellion and attempt aforesaid, and acknowledged be made the said attempt, because that the said archbishop had a band in troubling and persecuting those that were in the rebellion ; and nevertheless, being brought before the lords commissioners of the justiciary, and asked, if he owned the said confession, he did altogether refuse to answer and adhere to the said confessions, notwithstand- ing he was tedd by the said commissioners of the justiciary, and his maj advocate, that if he would adhere to his said confessions, he should have the benefit of the said assurance, and if Otherwise, he should lose the same. 1 be lord commissioner his grace, and the lords of his majesty's privy council, do de- clare, that they are free ; and that the said Mr, James ought not to have the benefit of any such promise or assurance, and that the same is altogether void, and that the lords of the justiciary and assizers ought to proceed without any respect to the same: and further do declare, that the said Mr. James Mitchel is that person intended and mentioned in the proclamation in the yean 16GS and HiG!), discharging any interoommuning with the rebels therein mentioned, and excepting the taid .Mr. James, and other persons therein mentioned, from his majesty's favour and indemnity, and no ether name of Mr. James Mitchel, though there had been any other of that name involved in the said rebellion."— Napbtali, pp. 4(]8, 44)lJ. JAMES MITCHEL. 163 they term it, rebellion and treason ; — 'anent which I answered to my lord chancellor in committee, that it was no rebellion, but a duty which every one was bound to have performed in joining with that party.' And in the year 1656, Mr. Robert Leigh ton being then primar in the college of Edinburgh, before our laureation, tendered to us the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant. Upon mature deliberation, I found nothing in them but a short compend of the moral law, only binding us to our duty towards God and towards men in their several stations ; and I finding that our banished king's interest lay wholly included therein, and both coronation and allegi- ance oaths, &c. and they being the substance of all loyalty; and, my lord, it was well known, that then many were taking the tender, and forswearing Charles Stuart, parliament, and house of lords, I then subscribed both, the doing of which my lord chancellor would have stood at no less rate, if as well known, than, this my present adhering and prosecuting the ends thereof doth now. And when I was ques- tioned what then I called rebellion ; I answered, it is in Ezra vii. 26. * And whosoever will not do the law of thy God and the law of the. king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprison- ment.' But being questioned before the commissioner and the council thereanent, I answered as I said to my lord chancellor before, in the year 1656, ' Mr. Robert Leighton being then primar in the college of Edinburgh, before our laureation, he tendered to us the national and solemn league and covenant :' he stopt me, saying, ' I'll wad ye are come here to give a testimony :' and then being demanded what I called rebellion, if it was not rebellion to oppose his majesty's forces in the face ? — to which I answered, viz. * My lord chancellor, if it please your grace, I humbly conceive they should have been with us,' meaning, that it wa3 the duty of these forces to have joined tvith us, according to the national and solemn league and covenant, at which answer I perceived him to storm. ' But,' saith he, ' I heard ye have been over seas, with whom did ye converse there ?' Ans. ' With my merchant.' ' But,' saith he, ' With whom in particular ?' Ans. * With one John Mitchel a cousin of mine own.' Saith he, ' I have heard of him, he is a factor in Rotterdam,' to which I conceded. ' But,' saith he, ' Did ye not converse with Mr. Livingston, and such as he ?' To which I answered, ' I conversed with all our banished ministers :' To which he replied, ' Banished traitors, ye will speak treason at the bar.' Then he answered himself, saying, ' But they would call the shooting at the bishop an heroic act.' To which I an- swered, « That I never told them any such thing.' ' But where did you see James Wallace last?' Ans, • Towards the borders of Ger- many, some years ago.' ' But what ailed you at my lord St. An- drews ?' (pointing at him with his finger) Ans. * My lord commis- sioner, the grievous oppression and horrid bloodshed of my brethren, and the eager pursuit, after my own, as it appeareth this day to your grace, and to all his majesty's honourable privy council.' After which he commanded to take me away5 that they might see what to do next with me. 164- TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " The Second is the shooting of the shot intended against the bishop of St Andrews, whereby the bishop of Orkney was hurt : to which I answered my lord chancellor in private, viz. ' That I looked on him to be the main instigator of all the oppression and bloodshed of my brethren that followed thereupon, and the continual pursuing after my own ; and, my lord, as it was creditably reported to us (the truth of which your lordship knows better than we) that he kept up his ma- jesty's letter inhibiting any more blood upon that account, until the last six were executed ; and I being a soldier not. having laid down arms, but being still upon my own defence, and having no other end nor quarrel at any man (but according to my apprehension of him) that as I hope in sincerity, without fixing either my sense or action upon the covenant itself, as it may be understood by the many thousands of the faithful, besides the prosecution of the ends of the same covenant which was, and in that point the overthrow of pre- lates and prelacy, and I being a declared enemy to him on that ac- count, and he to me in like manner : so, I never found myself obliged, either by the law of God, or nature, to set a sentry at his door for ]iia safety ; but as he was always to take his advantage, as it appearelh ; 6o I of him, to take any opportunity offered. Moreover, we being in no terms of capitulation, but on the contrary, I by his instigation being excluded from all grace and favour, thought it my duty to pur- sue him at all occasions. Also, my lord, Sir William Sharp making his apology, anent his unhandsome and cheating way taken, (for he took me under the pretence to have spoken with me about other mat- ters, I not knowing him until five or six of his servants were laying fast hold of me, they being armed of purpose,) desired I would excuse him, seeing what he had done was on his brother's account ; which excuse I easily admitted, seeing that he thought himself obliged to do what he did to me, without law or order in the behalf of his brother ; much more was I obliged to do what 1 did in the behalf of many brethren, whose oppression was so great, and whose blood he caused to be shed in such abundance. Moreover, he persisted in his bloody murders, as witnesseth the wounding of Mr. Bruce, at his taking, by his emissaries, some few days before that fell out concerning himself. Now, if by any means, in taking him away, I could have put a stop to the then current persecution, I esteemed it my duty.' Thus far I have truly resumed what passed. " But tliis answer to the second part of the indictment may be thought by some to be a step out of my ordinary way ; wherefore I shall offer to your consideration that passage, Deut. xiii. i'.* wherein it • The render will perhaps be pleased bj having the remarkable passage here alluded to, quoted in full. It is as follows : — Deut. xiii. 6 — 1 1. " If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy baMMD, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entire thee secretly, tayii)£, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou h.n.st not known, thou, BO* thy fathers ; namely, of the pods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far olf from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the Other end of the earth ; thou shall not Content unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither •hall thine eye pity him. neither ihalt thou spare, neither ibalt thou couceei JAMES MITCHEL. - 165 is manifest, that the seducer, or enticer to worship a false god, is to be put to death, by the hand of those whom he seeks to turn away from the Lord; especially by the hand of t!ie witnesses, whereof I am one, as appeareth, in Deut. xiii. chap. Which precept, I humbly take to be moral, and not merely judicial, and that it is not at all ceremonial or Levitical : and as every moral precept is universal, as to the extent oi place, so also as to the extent of time and persons. Upon which command, Sir, I think that Phinehas acted in taking away the Midian- itish whore, and killed him whom she had seduced, Num. xxv. 8. Also Elijah, by virtue of that precept, gave commandment to the peo- ple to destroy Baal's priests, contrary to the command of the seducing magistrate, who was not only remiss and negligent in executing jus- tice, but became a protector and defender of the seducers. Then, and in that case, I suppose the Christian's duty not to be very dark. Moreover, we see that the people of Israel, 2 Chron. xxxi. 1. de- stroyed idolatry not only in Judah, wherein the king concurred, but in Israel and in Manasseh, where the king himself was an idolater. And surely what all the people were bound to do by the law of God, every one was bound to do it, to the uttermost of their power and capacity. And so it was in Zech. xiii. 3. ; — there, the seducer's father and mother shall put him to death. 1 take this to be meant of the Christian magistrate ; but when he is withdrawn by the seducer from the exercise of his office and duty, and is become utterly remiss and negligent in putting the seducer to death, according to God's express law, (which is not to be expected of him, since then he should do justice upon himself,) but is become a protector and defender of the idolater; then, I doubt not, but that it doth become the duty of every Christian, to the uttermost of his power and capacity, to destroy and cut off both idolatry and idolaters. Yea, these presumptuously murdering pre- lates, ought to be called so by the avenger of blood, when he meeteth them, by the express commandment of God, seeing the thing is mani- festly true, and not to have liberty to flee to such cities of refuge, as the vain pretext of lawful authority : but they should be taken from the horns of such altars, and be put to death. Moreover, what is spoken concerning Amalek, upon the account he designed and re- solved the extirpation of the Lord's people and truth, (which are his throne,) upon which he put forth his hand, and because he took occa- sion against them. Exod. xvii. 14. Num. xxiv. 20. He endeavoured that God should not have a people to serve him according to his re- vealed will upon earth ; and if he could have effectuated his design, there should none have lived, who would not have served and worshipped him, and his idol gods. And for the better effectuating his design, he took occasion against them, when they were wearied coming out of Egypt, Deut. xxv. 17, 18. and the reason there annexed is, • he feared him ; but thou shalt surely kill him ; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die ; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, and from lh« house of bondage. And all Israel shall hear, and fear, aud shall do no more any such M'ick^dness as this U nuion^ you." 166 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. not God.' And because I know that the bishops both will and do say, that what they did against the Lord's people, whom they mur- dered, they did it by law and authority, but what I did was contrary to both ; — I answer, The king himself, and all the estates of the land and every individual person in the land, both were, and are obliged by the oath of God upon them, to have, by force of arms, extirpated the perjured prelates and prelacy ; and in doing thereof, to have de- fended one another with their lives and fortunes. The covenants being engaged to on these terms, viz. ' After supplications, remonstrances, protestations, and all other lawful means havo been used now for that effect f — as the last remedy we took up arms ; upon which condition, our nobility, and all the representatives of the nation, according to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant, gave to the king both the sword and sceptre, and set the crown upon his head ; and he accordingly received them, and promised and swore by the ever living God, to use and improve them for the use forsaid : and especially in order to the performing this article, viz. ' the extirpation and over- throw of prelacy/ And now they vaunt of authority ; of what authority they do mean to speak of, truly I know not, except it be the authority of their aggregated gods, new gods, gods of whom they have their gain, life, and standing ; — Chemosh or Bacchus, which drunken Moab delighted to dwell with in dark cells ; — Ashtaroth or Venus, whom they worship of the female kind, because of their adulteries and whoredoms ; — as also Malcom or Moloch, which signifies tyrannical king, or a devil, (if they will have it so), in whose arms and power they put their poor infants and posterity to be burnt according to his lust and pleasure. Amos v. 26. Psal. cvi. 37. : — and their Mammon, which they delight to worship daily, together with their own bellies ; ' whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things, whose end will be destruction,' except they repent, which there is little probability of, Phil. iii. 19. to which we may add their abominable pride, and blas- phemous perjuries, then their gods will be equal in number to the Whore their mother's sacraments, from whom they have their being, strength, and standing, and from the devil their father, who was a deceiver and murderer from the beginning. And now, seeing the prelates possess whatever their god Chemosh giveth them to possess, then should we not possess what the Lord our God giveth us to possess, viz. the eternal truths manifested to us in his revealed will, and keep and defend the same from all innovations and traditions of his ami our adversaries, defend our lives and liberties out of the hands of our usurping enemies, Judges xi. 29. For, sure I am, that God once dispossesed the prelates and and malignants of all these ; and should they again possess them through our defect ? God forbid ; but the like of this work, our murdering prelates like not, who plead like the Whore their mother for passive obedience, and that all the Lord's people, who may not comply with their idolatries and perfidies, should lay down their bloody axe, with whom too many of our hypocritical time- serving and perfidious professors do agree, who had rather abide with Reuben among the sheep-folds, than jeopard life and fortune in the help of the Lord against the mighty ; but do not consider the bitter JAMES MITCHEL. 167 curse pronounced "by the angel of the Lord against Meroz, to which immediately he subjoins a blessing on Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite. Others excuse themselves thus. ' Vengeance is mine, I will repay it ;' but so the throne of judgment is the Lord's, and by this they will take away the use and office of magistracy ; which erroneous principles I detest: for, God even in the working of miracles, in di- viding the Red Sea, Exod. xiv. 16, commanded Moses to stretch forth his rod ; and Christ, when he opened the blind man's eyes, maketh use of clay and spittle ; though indeed, I mean not of any who were wil- ling to have helped, but wanted opportunity ; yet, there are many peevish, timeserving professors, who resolve they shall never suffer, so long as they have either soul or conscience to mortgage, providing that they may keep them from suffering. And if it will not do their business, it seemeth before they suffer, they resolve to sell all out at the ground. " Now, Sir, I have neither misinterpreted scripture, nor misapplied it, in regard to the persons here hinted at, nor have I been wrong in the end, which ought to be, the glory of God and the good of his church and people. Then, I think that some persons ought to forbear to scourge me so sore with their tongues, while I am not yet condemned by the common enemy. And my hearing of some things reported by some behind my back, hath occasioned my writing to you at this time. O, Sir, be entreated to pray to the Lord in my behalf, that he would be pleased, out of his mercy and goodness, to save me from sinning under suffering, in this hour and power of darkness : for, my soul is pressed within me in the search betwixt sin and duty, viz. lest I should be niggard and too sparing of my life, when God calleth for it : and on the other hand, too prodigal and lavish of it, in not using all legal de- fences in preserving of it, and in any of the like nature. I am in a strait ; O Lord, undertake for me ! — Sir, I hope ye will excuse me in sending you these indistinct and irregular lines, when you consider my present condition. Sir, believe me, I would many times, when I am before them, think a scaffold a sweet retirement, lest they should cheat and deceive me, in making me either to stain the declarative glory of God, my own conscience, or his people and interests, and wronging of them, either by opening the enemy's mouth against them, or letting loose their hands upon them ; henceforth, let the adversaries both say and do what they can, yet ' the righteous shall hold on in his way, and he who hath clean hands will be stronger and stronger.' Job xvii. 9. ' But he that saith unto the wicked, thou art righteous, him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him.' Prov. xxiv. 24. Farewell in the Lord." Postscript — " It is acknowledged by all rational royalists, that it is lawful for any private person to kill an usurper, or a tyrant, sine titulo, and to kill Irish rebels, and tories, or the like, and to kill bears and wolves, and catch devouring beasts, because the good of his action doth not only redound to the person himself, but to the whole com- monwealth, and the person acting incurs the danger himself alone. In the second part of the Cloud of Witnesses, p. 60, Mr. Knox hath these express words : ' For God (said he) had not only given me know- 168 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ledge, and a tongue to make known the impiety of tlie idol, but bad given me credit with many, who would have put in execution God's judgments, if I would only have consented thereto ; but so careful was I of the common tranquillity, and loath was I to offend some, that in secret conference with zealous men, I travelled rather to slacken that fervency God had kindled in them, than to animate and encour- age them to put their hands to God's work ; wherein I acknowledge myself to have done most wickedly, and from the bottom of my heart I do ask God pardon, that I did not what in me lay to have suppressed that idol in the beginning.' " But Oh ! how far are the men in our time from such conviction?, whose work it is to put out any spunk of life and zeal, which appear- eth to be in any person against the idolatry and idols in our time 1 Let men, whether foes or friends, carry or quarrel never so much, yet the purpose and determinations of God will not be disappointed, in leaving a witness against this misbelieving generation : and that he is both as powerful and willing to deliver one or more of his people trusting in him, yea, and that there is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or few, 1 Sam. xiv. 6. — if any be obedient to the voice of his commands ; though success doth not always follow thereupon, more than it did to Israel, Josh. vii. 12. against the city of Ai, be- cause there was an Achan in the camp. And alas ! there are many Achans in the camp of our Israel, which causeth the Lord's people to fall daily before their enemies, and which makes all their endeavours unsuccessful ; I mean the hidden time-serving hypocrites and mur- murers, who have preferred their backs and their bellies to the interest of God, and their hearts still desirous to return to Egypt : I say, until such rebels be purged out and die, we can have little expectation to prosper in any enterprise or undertaking : for they have both belied and misbelieved God, notwithstanding of all his miracles, which he did of old, and which he hath done in our days for his people, and before their eyes, that they are so far gone back in a course of apos- tasy and compliance with the Canaanites of our time, and are become so brutish and ignorant of the express law of God, and are such ene- mies thereto, that they rather concur with the Canaanites, Judg. vi. 30. to have Gideon put to death, for performing his duty according to the express command of God, than either to study the knowledge thereof themselves, or give obedience thereto. But if it he objected, that Gideon had an express command from God for his encouragement ; yet he had no new command from God, save that which was expressly enjoined upon all the Israelites, by virtue of which every one was obliged to have done what he did, without any such message from God, Deut. vii. 2. and xiii. 15. but who were readier than Judah (before they woidd incur any danger or loss) to send three thousand men ti» bring Samson bound to the Philistines, rather than to send him ten for his assistance against the common enemy; concerning the truth of which we have gotten many sad experiments. However, I hope, that which hath been said shall occasion a further cognition, and more serious search into these forementioned truths, than hath been for a long time bypast, JAMES MITCI1EL. 169 " That albeit I have singly declared mine own motives and reasons for that attempt and shooting, wherein I had, and now have peace, and I hope to find acceptance of God, according to the multitude of his mercies to such as seek him in truth and sincerity; yet, I will not take it on me absolutely, and in every respect to justify, or assert it. That is my own deliberate and fixed principle, albeit, that it is justi- fied by, and is the principle of the non-conformist presbyterian party of the church of Scotland, of which I have the honour and happiness to be one, though the unworthiest of any. If I would say, it is of them, T should be found a liar against the truth, for I adventured on it from my own pure and proper motion, without the instigation of any, yea, without so much as the privity of any of that party, whom therefore I earnestly desire, that none may charge with it : and if any shall, I do with confidence aver, that they deal with them most un- justly. I have, I say again, in the simplicity of my heart with can- dour and ingenuity, being a dying man and a Christian, believing that I must be made manifest before the tribunal of Christ, and there re- ceive according to the deeds done in the body, whether they be good or evil, — given an account of the reasons and motives putting and press- ing me on to it, wherein I had quietness of mind in the time, and have still at this present hour ; hoping, that as He is sovereign Lord over all creatures, and moves any of them as instruments to whatsoever his pleasure is, and that as I say, I did take, and do still look upon the motion, as from himself, — so, he will accept of my sincerity in it, and one day bring forth his own and my righteousness, as the light I Sic Sub— JAMES MITCHEL." 2. His Testimony. ' " Now in this place I leave my testimony against and abhorrence of balls, bordel houses, mountebanks, acts of comedies, festival days, viz. at Yule and Pentecost, &c. which are all the product of a profane and perfidious clergy, all of them being instigated by Satan, as fitted instruments for exciting and stirring up of lust to this apostate and rebellious generation, against God, his truth, covenant, people, and cause ; and for the further increase of Satan's dominion in such as are rebellious against God. " I suppose, some will be desirous to know what hath brought me to this place of suffering, to which I give no other answer than that which Elijah gave when threatened with death by Jezebel, 1 Kings xix. 14. ' I have been very zealous for the Lord God of Hosts, be- cause the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and true worship, and slain thy prophets and ministers, and they seek my life to take it away, this day.' I know no other reason why I am brought to this place, but because I have lifted up my hand to the most high God, and sworn in judgment and in right- eousness, from which I cannot go back, Jer. iv. 2. viz. from prosecut- ing the ends of these blessed covenants, which are the very basis, and the fundamental rights and constitution of the kingdom, which all ranks and stations were and are equally obliged and engaged to main- 170 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. fain to iho uttermost of their lives and fortunes, and from which obli- gation and holy covenants, no power on earth is capahle to loose any man's conscience. " With all my heart and soul I own and adhere to the work of reformation, as it was begun and carried on in this kingdom, ac- cording to the word of God, and to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant, and as it was settled amongst us in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, by general assemblies, synods, presbyteries, kirk-sessions, and the people's just power to choose and call their own lawful pastors ; and I do declare, that I judge patron- ages to be a popish rite, and an usurpation in the house of God. " I homologate and approve of ' Lex Ilex,' ' The Causes of God's Wrath,' (to which there be many since that time to be added,) ' The Apologetical Relation,' ' Naphtali,' < Jus Populi,' &c as orthodox and consonant to the received principles and doctrine of the church of Scotland.* " I believe that magistracy is an ordinance appointed of God, as well under the New Testament, as it was under the Old, and that whosoever resisteth the lawful magistrate in the exercise of his lawful * It may be interesting to the reader, and it is in sonic degree necessary to- wards the illustration of the text, that something should be said in reference to the various treatises here referred to. Lex Rex, it is well known, was written by Rutherford, and has in view to assert the sovereignty of the Jaw, in opposi- tion to the despotism of the reigning prince. The Causes of God's Wrath against Scot/and, manifested in his late sad dispensations, was written by Sir. James Guthrie. Its object is sufficiently explained by the title. Both of these treatises were by an act of council, dated {September 19th, 1660, denounced as treasonable, and ordered to be suppressed. And on the 17th of October there- after, they were publicly burnt by the hands of the hangman. — But it was much easier, as the judicious Wodrow remarks, thus to destroy the books, than to answer the reasonings contained in the one, or the facts stated in the other. "With respect to the others, — The Apologetical Relation of the particular Suf- ferings of Faithful Ministers and Professors if the Church of Scotland, since August, 1660, was written by Mr. Brown of Wamphray, and printed in 1665. It is a work which, though somewhat prolix, displays much vigour of mind and force of reasoning. Najdtlali, or a true and shurt Deduction of the Wrestlings of the Church of Scotland fat the A'ingdo/n of Christ, from the beginning of the Reformation to the year 1667: — This book consists of an argumentative and a narrative part; the first of which was executed by Mr. (afterwards Sir) James Stuart of Good- Trees, advocate ; the second, by Mr. John Stirling, minister of Paisley. It was published about 1667, and therefore originally contained only the last speeches and testimonies which were emitted previous to that date; Mr. Mit- chell, with those which follow, having been added In future editions. A pro- clamation was emitted against it on the 12th Pecemher, 1667. It was ordered to be publicly burnt, and thereafter suppressed. It has, nevertheless, gone through many editions — that from which the above text is taken, bears date, Edin. 1761. It was attempted to be answered by bishop Iloneyman, but he weakened the cause which he meant to defend ; and he was taken up with great strength of Masoning by Mr. Stuart in the Jus Populi Vindivatum, or, the People's right to Defend themselves, and their Covenanted Religion, Vindicated, This treatise was published in Holland, whither its author had lied for safety. It experi- enced the fate of its predecessors, being condemned as seditious, by a proclama- tion, dated February 10th, 1671, and all the copies of it ordered into custody. JAMES MITCHEL. 171 power, resisteth the ordinance and appointment' of God, Rom. xin. 1 — 8. • for he is God's minister to thee for thy good,' and in doin» good thou needs not be afraid uf lilm. 1 Fei. n. id. • Wo »„„„«, ..uJt the magistrate for conscience' sake.' Deut. xvii. 15, 16, 17, &c. the lawful magistrate must be a man qualified according to God's appoint- ment, and not according to the people's lust and pleasure, lest in the end he should prove to them < a prince of Sodom,' and ' governor of Gomorrah,' whom God in his righteousness should appoint for their judgment, and establish for their correction, &c. ; he must be ' one of thy brethren,' and not the son of a stranger ; he must not ' make him- self strong by multiplying of horses,' to the end he may compel the Lord's people to rebel against God's express command, and Jeroboam- like, compel the people to any course of apostasy ; ' he must not multiply wives to himself,' much less whores, nor marry an idolatrous wife like Jezebel, 1 Kings xvi. 31. nor covetous, ' in multiplying to himself silver or gold :' he must be ' a diligent student of the law of the Lord all the days of his life, that, he turn neither to the right hand, nor to the left therefrom,' but must judge the people accord- ingly ; otherwise, neither he nor his children can expect to prolong their days in Israel, 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. ' He must not be a son of Belial,' without or above law and order, whom a man cannot touch except he be fenced with iron ; for such shall be ' thrust away ; for,' saith David, ' he that ruleth over men must be just, walking in the fear of God,' &c. But, if a man simulating himself to be thus quali- fied, and thereafter, when he hath strengthened himself upon his throne, shall abjure and falsify his oath and covenant both to God and his subjects, and shall transgress the law and commandment of the Lord, which have given the magistrate only an accumulative power to promove, protect, and defend God's laws, truth, and people, from being corrupted, violated, or any ways damnified, and for that end he hath received both his place and power from God and men ; (for, be hath not received of the Lord an absolute, an obstructive, destructive, and privative power, but as hath been said, the people can give no right nor power to any man, but what is according to God's appoint- ment, lest they should incur that sad challenge from God, Hos. viii. 4. * They have set up kings, but not by me ; they have made princes, but I knew it not,' for in chap. x. 3. Israel confesseth their fault, and they denied that they had a king, because he was not such as God had appointed ; and saith, ' What should a king do to them,' seeing he had partly by force, and partly by fraud withdrawn them from the fear and obedience which they owed to God and his law; and had seduced and compelled them to idolatry and worshipping of false gods,) — and if the magistrate, being in power, shall overturn the cove- nanted work of God, his truth, and interest, the fundamental and municipal laws of the land ; and, moreover, a parliament selected according to his own mind, and for his own use and ends, shall, as the people's representatives, by acts rescissory, rescind all acts of laud- able parliaments, committees of estates, or counsellors, wherein were contained and comprehended a mutual bond, obligation, covenant, or contract betwixt the prince and people, — he having divested himself of 172 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. any legal right to rule over such a people, and they being in statu quo prius, none having right to rule over them without their own consent: — if Ui inktfor they are worthy, &c. And now, my lords, 1 do freely from my heart forgive you who are judges sitting upon the bench, and the men who are ap- pointed to be about this horrid work ; and also these who are vitiat- ing their eyes in beholding the same. And 1 do entreat, that God may never lay it to the charge of any of you, as I beg God may be pleased, for his Son Christ's sake, to blot out my sins and iniquities, and never lay them to my charge here or hereafter:' — " Q. ' Are you that Mr. James Mitchel, who was excepted out of the king's act of grace and favour, or not ?' A. ' I never committed any crime deserving me to be excluded, but rather to be in- cluded, protected, and defended.' Q. ' Know you any more of that name?' A. ' Yes, there are two within Mid Lothian, and what know I, but there may be more elsewhere?" Q. ' When knew you of the )ising in arms, anno l(iG(i ?' A. ' My lords, I knew of it when the rest of the citizens knew of it.' Q. ' When was that?' A. ' When there came a messenger to the council to that effect, and when Dal- ziel and his soldiers marched out at the West Port in order thereto.' Q. ' Went you not out of town with captain Arnot ?' A. * No.' Q. ' Where did you meet with Janus Wallace ?' A. ' 1 did not know him at that time.' Q. ' Was you at Ayr ? or did you join with tiro rebels there, or any where else ?' A. * I never joined with JAMES MITCHEL. 181 any such :' — To which my lord Hatton, treasurer-depute, replied, say- ing, ' My lord, lie never acknowledges these men to be rebels.' To which, 1 answered, — ' My lord, I shall in answer to what is spoken follow Solomon's advice in that he says, that sometimes even a fool by holding his peace will be reputed wise;' — -whether or not Hatton took it to be spoken of him, I cannot tell, but there was nothing replied thereto by any of them. Q. ' Where was you at the time of Pent* Jand ?' A. ' In Edinburgh.' Q. ' Where was you before it?' A. * In Edinburgh.' Q. ' Where was you after it ?' A. ' In Edin- burgh.' Q. * Where did you lodge before that time ?' A. ' In one Grizel Whiteford's.' Q. ' Where did you stay at that time, and was you still in the town, or not ?' A. ' My lord advocate, I do not know what you mean by being still in the town, for you may call it out of the town, if I was at the Windmill, or at Leith.' Q. ' What, was you nowhere further abroad, than at such places ?' A. ' My memory cannot serve me now after ten years' space, to determine where I was, neither do I keep a journal of times past, nor is it my duty so to do ; neither do I think any man's memory here present can serve him for so long a time : but this I judge, that it is my duty every day to be about my lawful employment and calling, according as God hath commanded, and therewith to rest satisfied.' Q. « What took you out of the town at that time ?' A. ' I was making myself ready to go over to Flanders.' Q. ' With whom went you ?' A. 1 With one John Forrester, an Ostender.' Q. ' How long was it after Pentland before you went ?' A. ' I cannot tell.' Q. ' Can you not give a guess ?' A. ' About a month or six weeks.' Q. - What was you doing all that time ?' A. ' I was making myself ready, and thereafter there came a contrary wind.' Q. ' Who was merchant in the ship?' A. l I inquired not.' Q. - But went not the merchant alongst with you ?' A. ' No.' Q. ' What was the reason of that ?' A. ' It was the time of the Dutch war against the English, and at such times merchants of ships do not hazard their persons with their goods, but commit their affairs to factors abroad.' Q. ' How long stayed you there ?' A. - About three quarters of a year.' Q. ' Why stayed you so long there ?' A. ' It was a space before I was ready to return, and thereafter, the report of peace came, which thereafter followed, and I thought it better to wait a little time than hazard in war.' Q. ' With whom came you home again ?' A. * With Dutch- men who were Amsterdamers.' Q. ' Was there no Scotsmen with you ?' A. ' I have told you, my lords, I came home with Dutch- men.' Q. ' Who was the skipper of the ship ?' A. ' I cannot re- member, but he came to Limekilns for a loading of coals from Sir James Hacket.' Q. ' What goods fetched you home ?' A. ' I can- not now remember the particulars.' Q. ' Where did you enter them ?' A. * I made the best shift I could to shun the Customers :' — At which Sir William Parvas riseth, to cause call the excisemen. To which I replied, ' O, Sir William, it was out of your time and theirs.' Q. ' .Did you knonr Peniry ?' A. * Yes.' Q. ' Is he living ?' A. ' No.' Q. * Did you know Sir James Stirling, and Mr. Robert Ferguson ? Are they alive ?' A. ' They are both dead, the one in this town, 182 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and the other in the Indies, heing called hy the Indian merchants to be a minister in one of their plantations.' Q. * Knew you William Young, and whose tenant he was ?' A. ' Yes ; I both knew him, and that he was a tenant of Sir John Gibson's .' Q. * Bought you a horse from him at that time ?' A. ' I never bought a horse from him.' Q. ' From whom had you a horse, when you went out of town ?' A. * There was none in the city who had a horse to lend for hue, who would have refused me for my money.' Q. ' But of whom had you a horse ?' A. ' Where I could have none, I took me to my feet.' " These are the questions, so far as my memory can reach, which being ended, the executioner being commanded thereto, took down my leg from off a chest upon which it had been lying the whole time in the boot, and it being set upon the ground, he began to thrust in the shafts, and drive the wedge. And at every stroke they inquired, if I had any more to say ? To which I answered, 'No more, my lords ;' and thus it continued to the number of nine strokes upon the head of the wedge : at the end of which I fell into a little swarf* through the extremity of pain ; at which the executioner cried out, ' Alas, my lords, he is gone, he is gone.' Then they commanded to leave off the torture, and rising from their seats went away. After which, I was returned to the tolbooth, being carried by my friends in the chair, in which I was tied during the time of my torture. " But for obviating and removing any scruple, which may be ob- jected against what is formerly rehearsed, I offer these things to your consideration : — 1st, Where there is an antecedent upon oath, or promise, upon confessing or acknowledging a duty performed, the one depending illatively upon the other : and when the antecedent, viz. the oath or promise is judicially rescinded, made null and void, in order to all force and effect whatsoever ; I hope then, and in that case, no man upon legal or rational grounds will deny but the conse- quent, by the same act rescissory, which relatively depends thereupon, is as freely and fully made null and void, as to any force and effect, which either in law, or reason, or conscience, can be pretended to the contrary ; and so both parties, by mutual consent, are put in statu quo pruts. But it is true concerning the antecedent, which is clear from Joshua ii. 4. " 2d, Consider, that when a bloody and persecuting enemy, regard- ing neither law, conscience, nor reason, and having the power of life and death in their hands, rules over the people of (!od ; — in that case, the obscuring and concealing of a necessary and commanded duty, and to divert them by some other thing for a time, is warrantable. I hope this is manifest from 1 Sam. xvi. r2G • And Samuel said, low can I go, if Saul hear of it, he will kill me ; and the Lord said, take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice,' &c. As also, ye may see it, 1 Sam. x\\ G. ' If thy Father at all miss me, then tny • The Trailer will no doubt conclude from tlir srnpr of (lie pMMft, that by 8 »vcx\rj Mr. Mitchell meant ■ iw on or faintingfit. JAMES MITCHEL. 183 David earnestly,' &c. As also from Jer. xxxviii. 24, 26. so it is evi- dent, that it had been the practice of the most eminent of the Lord's people to take that way to shift the hellish fury of adversaries. " 3d, Consider, that when an adversary having power in his hand, doth subvert and overturn the very nature and truth of a discourse ; for example, — if it were of a minister's sermon, by leaving out the most material truths, and putting in circumstances and untruths in the room thereof; then, and in that case, I hope, it is not that sermon, speech, or declaration, or testimony, or call it what you will, but it becometh another thing. Now this toucheth the case in hand. " 4th, Consider, that a person being brought before a judicatory, having power to judge and determine anent what is confessed and proven before them, yet out of mere malice and envy, finding the ex- tent of their power not great enough to satisfy their lust, malice, and envy, doth wrest, lie, malign, add, and diminish from what hath been spoken before them, to make up a ground of judgment before another judicatory, before any thing was cojifest or proven, whose power is both distinct from, and of greater extent than theirs, viz. the one having power both of life and limb, and the other having power of neither. " 5th, Consider, how difficult the case is : — Godless and inhuman adversaries study to make a man's principles and conscience to be the ground of his indictment, while both are regulate by the law, and the revealed will of God ; and by this means they endeavour to make a man his own accuser, contrary both to the law of God, the law of nature, and the law of nations ; and by this means cause a man to concur with them in calling his duty a sin, as they do contrary both to equity and justice ; — whereas, they ought to prove what they allege in such cases, where penury of witnesses cannot be instructed. Acts xxiv. 13. ' Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.' As also our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, putteth his accusers to prove what they alleged against him, Matth. xxvii. 11. And thus by a non-confession lie puts them to a probation, which appears verse 13. " 6th, Giving and not granting, that it were true which they allege, viz. a legal denying upon the grounds and reasons aforesaid, which they call a lie, and a sin of such a high nature : yet this may stop their mouths, seeing they are the men, whom neither subscription, promises, nor oaths made and granted before God, angels, and men, can bind and oblige, to the performance thereof, but have both sub- scribed and sworn the contrary. O how can such a generation of hypocrites escape the damnation of hell fire ! who would snatch at so small a mote alleged by them to be in their neighbour's eye, and will not see nor cast out so big a beam out of their own eyes, which is so visible to the whole Christian world ! 4. His Speech on the Scaffold.* " Christian people : — It being rumoured abroad immediately after 1 had received my sentence, that I would not get liberty to speak in • This speech lie had prepared beforehand, under the apprehension that he would not be allowed to deliver it distinctly, from the barbarous practice then 181 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. this place; therefore, I have not prepared a formal discourse, and account of the pretended crimes, for which I was accused and sentenced; neither did I think it very necessary, — the fame of my process having gone so much abroad, — and that, by a former indictment given me near four years since, the diet whereof was suffered to desert, in respect the late advocate could not find a just way to reach me, with that extrajudicial confession they opponed unto me. All know he was zealous in it ; yet my charity is such unto him, that he would not suffer unwarrant- able zeal so far to blind him, as to over-stretch all laws of the land beyond their due limits, in prejudice of the life of any natural subject Next, by an extreme inquiry of torture ; and then by exiling me to the Bass ; and after all, giving me a new indictment, at the instance of the advocate, who formerly was one of mine, when I received the first indictment ; to which new indictment and debate in that process I remit you ; — and particularly, to these two defences of extrajudicial confession, and to the promise of life given to me thereupon by my lord chancellor, upon his own, and the public faith of the kingdom ; upon the verity whereof I am ready to die, and consent to lay down my life. And I hope, your charity will be such to me (a dying man) as not to misconstruct me herein ; — especially, when it is so notourly adminicular by an act of the Secret Council, and yet denied upon oath by the principal officers of state present in council at the making of the said act, and which the act bears to have been present thereat ; (the duke of Lauderdale being then his majesty's commissioner:) which act of council was by the Lords of Justiciary's Interloquitor, most illegally repelled ; but I shall have charity to some of these lords, whom I knew would have given law and justice place, even as to my just absolution, it" they had not been overpowered by the plurality of votes of them who were overawed and dared by the lords of the Secret Council But that will not absolve their consciences at the last day 1 As to my advocates. and lawyers : — I ingenuously acknowledge their care, fidelity, and zeal in my defence ; which, 1 hope, Bhall be some standing fame to them for this, and all future generations. So, — thus much, as a short account of the affair, for which I am brought unjustly to this place. But, I acknowledge my particular and private sins have been such, as have merited a worse death unto mo ; but, I die in the hope of the merits of Jesus Christ, to be freed from these eternal punishments due to me for sin ; yet, I am confident, God doth not plead with me in this for my private and particular bids ; but I am brought here, that the work of God may be made manifest, and fof the trial of faith, John ix. 3. and 1 Pet. i. 7. and, that I may be a witness for his despised truth and interest in his land. — who am called to seal the same with my blood. And I wish heartily, that thus my poor life may put an end to the persecution of tin- true members ol Introduced of beating drnnit, so a-- to drown the rolce of tin' raftering martyr*. It appean that this wu accordingly the cr.sc, and that being Interroptedi lie threw it, in manuscript, over the ■caffold, — having pieNlously intrusted copies of it to some of his friends. JAMES LEARMONTH. 185 Christ in this kingdom, — so much cheated by these perfidious prelates; and in opposition to whom, and in testimony of the cause of Christ, 1 at this time willingly lay down my life. And I thank God, that he hath thought me so worthy as to do the same for his glory and interest. Finally, — conceiving it a Christian duty in a singular and extraordinary case anent my particular judgment concerning both church and state, it is evidently declared and manifested more fully elsewhere ;* so fare- well all earthly enjoyments, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, into whose hands I commit my spirit." Sic Sub JAMES MITCHEL."f ° Edinburgh Tolhootli, Jan. 18th, 1678." XXIV. JAMES LEARMONTH. rjFerhaps there are few cases of more lawless oppression, and more wanton cruelty, than that exhibited in the death of this good man. He was by trade a Chapman, and probably belonged to East Lothian. At all events, being present at a conventicle which mat in that district, just over against the Bass, in May, 1678, when a soldier of the party sent to attack them was killed ; — he was appre- hended, and along with another individual, called William Temple, indicted upon this charge. Both of them were freed by the verdict of the assize, of any actual participation in the death ; but it being proved that Temple had a sword, (though not drawn,) and that Learmonth, (though unarmed,) had exhorted his fellow worship- pers to make resistance ; an order of council was procured, authoriz- ing the court to sentence them : upon which, Temple was con- demned to perpetual banishment, and Learmonth to be beheaded as a traitor, and to have his property confiscated for his majesty's use. This sentence he accordingly underwent on the 27th September, 1678. He prepared and left behind him the following documents.] 1. His Testimony. " Men and Brethren, — I am come here this day to lay down my life, and I bless the Lord I die with a willing heart, and a cheerful mind, as being conscious to myself before God, angels, and men, that I am most innocent of that man's blood, for which lam condemned to die, that I am as free as the child new born, and that I had neither art nor part in taking of his life, as was proven before the justice court and the assize declared me not guilty of the foresaid blood ; but after the assizers' declaration, some of the lords thirsting after my blood, unjustly passed sentence to take my life. It was also proved before the justiciary court, that all the weapons I had, was only a wand in * Here he refers to the foregoing Testimony, in which his sentiments on tike points alluded to are declared most fully, f Naphtali. " N 186 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. my hand. And also it was proved, that when the man was killed, I was at a great distance from the place ; only this is all they charge on me, that I should have spoken such words as to provoke the meeting, to fall upon the party that came to interrupt the worship of God, and to scatter the meeting ; yet, God is my witness, before whom I must shortly appear, that I had no intention for blood, but only for our own defence, being violently pursued, to hinder us in following the service of God upon his own day, and being upon our own just self-defence, and the defence of the gospel. I hope none -can deny, much less Christians, that it was not out of contempt of lawful authority ; but that it was grievous to me to see the work of the Lord hindered, and his day profaned. Therefore, my dear friends, I do here declare to you all, as the words of a dying man, that 1 desire to bless the Lord, although I be but a poor wretched sinner of myself, by reason of my original and actual transgressions, yet 1 have reason again and again to bless and magnify the Lord, that it hath pleased his gracious Majesty so far to condescend to manifest himself to me, as not only to show me my misery, but also to call me, and reveal Christ by his grace in me ; also, I bless the Lord, that hitherto he hath kept me from all scandalous sins that are reigning and raging in these times, and the Lord hath made out that word to my experience: — 2 Pet. i. 3 — 8. ' According as his divine power hath given unto U9 all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue, whereby are given unto us exceed- ing great and precious promises, that by these ye might be made par- takers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust ; and besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue ; and to virtue, knowledge ; and to knowledge, tem- perance ; and to temperance, patience ; and to patience, godliness ; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness ; and to brotherly-kindness, charity ; for if these things be in you and abound, they make you, that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.' My friends, I earnestly desire you, that you would not stumble at the cross of Christ, and his despised gospel, because of my sufferings, and especially ye that are dear to me in East Lothian ; for since I have received this sentence of death, 1 have found his gracious presence and love manifested to my soul, in sustaining boih me and my cross; for he hath made out that to me, that be sends none a warfare upon their own charges. Ye may also call to mind that scrip- ture, Philip, i. 27 — 30. ' Only let your conversation he BS it hecometh the gospel, that whether I come and see you, or he absent, I may hear of your affairs; that yc 6tand fast in one spiii!, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel, and in nothing be terrified by your adversaries, which is to them u evident token of perdition, but unto yon of salvation, and that of (iod. For unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe in him, but also to ntffer for his sake, having the same conflict ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.'— Loi ', Ul I 1 am n member of the church of Scotland, which . i cue of ti Hi d best reformed JAMES LEARMONTH. 187 churches for doctrine, government, discipline, and worship, according to the word of God, as it is expressed in the national covenant, the solemn league and covenant, the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and that hlessed work of reformation so far once advanced, though now brought low, by the usurpation of the crown which belongs only to Je>us Christ, as head of his church ; to all which truths, I adhere, and resolve through the Lord's grace and strength to 6eal the same with my blood. Particularly, — I adhere to the national covenant and solemn league and covenant, as we are all sworn therein, against all popery, prelacy, and all the corruptions thereon depending. As also, I adhere to the solemn league and covenant, as a holy con- nivance of the holy Lord for the three kingdoms in a holy harmony and union, for the advancement of Christ's kingdom in the world ; and I die in the faith of it, that however this blessed work of reformation be brought low, yet the Lord in his own time, who is king and cap- tain of salvation, shall make it glorious and renowned in the eyes of the world, in despite of all adversaries whatsoever. Though it please the Lord to let them triumph and insult for a time, yet he will defend and revive his own work, and the spirits of his own oppressed remnant also, in these barren places ; the seed of the gospel that hath been sown in East Lothian, shad have a spring season and a harvest in despite of devils and men, to the glory of God, and the comfort of his own people. Therefore, I do here give my testimony against all per- secutors of the Lord's people and interest, in this sad time of defection ; I also testify against all these that have intruded themselves into the calling of the ministry,* and upon the labours of his faithful sent ser- vants. And I give my testimony against all apostates and indifferent lukewarm professors, who only follow Christ as the times make for them. Likewise, I give my testimony against all profane, profligate, wicked livers, who carry themselves so as if there were not a God, all whose damnation slumbers not, except it please the Lord to give them repentance and mercy. I also desire the Lord to make Alex- ander Maitland sensible, — who first apprehended me, and who promised upon his faith and conscience, that he would not see me wronged, — at whose door and his brother's, lies immediately my innocent blood, and that they may repent for the same. I desire the Lord to show them mercy, and freely forgive them. And as for the magistrates of Had- dington,— they are not free of my blood ; I wish the Lord may make them sensible thereof, and give them repentance. Also, I declare my blood lieth at the bishop of St. Andrews' door, to stand against * The reader, it is presumed, need scarcely be told, that Mr. Learmonth hero refers to the Episcopal curates, by whom the places of the presbyterian clergy, •who were outed by the Glasgow act of 1662, were supplied. These were men of whom it, might well be alleged, that they sought to be " put into the priest's office for a bit of bread ;" whose characters and conduct must have rendered them contemptible, even if their principles, and the system under which they served, had been less obnoxious to the people ; and who therefoie might well be viewed as " intruders into the ministry," when compared with the able, zeal- ous, and conscientious pastors, " the faithful sent servants," by whom they were preceded. 188 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. him ; for, since I received this sentence of death, it hath heen fre- quently brought to my ears, that lie pressed the king's advocate to take my life, although he needed not for want of malice :* — Isa. xxvi. 11. ' Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not 6ee, but they Bhall see, and be ashamed for their envy at thy people ; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.' Itev. vi. 10. ' And they cried with a loud voice, and said, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth ;' — And I hope my blood shall still cry to the Lord against them, with all the innocent blood that hath been shed for the truth. I here most freely, before 1 go hence (without desire of revenge upon the fore- named persons, or any other, who have been the occasion of my blood shedding, now in my last words, after the example of my Lord and Master,) say, as ia mentioned in that Scripture, Luke xxiii. 34. ' And Jesus said, Father forgive them, for they know not what they do, aud they parted his garments, and cast lots,' &c. " My dear friends, I give my testimony against that calumny cast upon presbyterians, that they are seditious and disloyal persons ; the which aspersion I do abhor. Therefore, I exhort all people, that they will show loyalty to the king, and all lawful magistrates, and all their just and lawful commands, in so far as their commands agree with the word of God. I also desire all the Lord's people to continue faithful, and persevere to the end ; for only such shall be saved. I also re- quest you for the Lord's sake, to be straight in the matters of God, which are of so high concernment, as the glory of our dearest Lord and Master, for God will not be mocked, Isa. xxviii. 22. ' Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong ; for I have heard from the Lord God of hosts, even a consumption deter- mined upon the whole earth.' And do not halt between two opinions ; and let that scripture be always before you, and lay it to mind, Rev. xix. 4. ' These are they that have not been defiled with women, for they are virgins : these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth ; these were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb.' Likewise, take notice of the word, 4 All that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall 6ufter persecution.' But again, precious Christ comforteth his followers with these words, John xvi. last verse, ' These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace ; in the world ye shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.' And this I must eay • Here there arc two persons named by this martyr as aceessoi y to his death. With regard to the first, — it is probable that t lie name should have been printed Charles instead of Alexander Maitland, as that was the name of the ensign, by whose party the conventicle was attacked : or, it is possible he might refer to someone of the countrymen, whom it appears the ensign had compelled to accom- pany and assist him, on that occasion. — With regard to the other pereon named, — Archbishop Sharp, we quote the following statement of the circumstance re- ferred to, from Wodrow. After saying that Learmonth's " trial and sentence were mightily cried out upon," he continues : — " Some paper* before mi s.iv, he was assoilizcd by the jury, bat Bishop Sharp being peremptory tb.it be mult die, moved the advocate to threaten them with the utmost severity, and at length Uiey were prevailed with, to bring him in gnlltT. " — Hlatfjj vol. i. JAMES LEARMONTII. 189 to the commendation of our blessed Lord, that in my experience I have found that scripture verified to me, Prov. iii. 17. 'Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.' Although to flesh and blood the cross of Christ be irksome, yet to the renewed part, Christ's yoke is easy, and his burden light; as it is Mat. xi. 28 — 30. 4 Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly of heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' My brethren, but especially of East Lothian, do not scare at the precious cross of Christ Jesus for my suffering, for I can assure you, Christ's cross is beautiful, and fruitful, and not to be stumbled at, as it is Isa. xxvii. 8. If ye take it on you willingly, and draw kindly in it, it shall be the heartsomest work in the world, to work and the cross upon your back; for, he will bear you and it both, as I have found it in my experience, ever since I began to seek his face, but especially, since he called me to the hardest task ; but no task is hard that he hath called me unto : but I may say, what am I, or my Father's house, or any of the lost posterity of Adam, Psal. viii. 2 — 4. ' Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast ordained strength, because of the enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and avenger. When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained : — What is man, that thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man, that thou visitest him ?' That such a holy one as He, should have singled out such a poor silly man as I, out of that country-side wherein I lived, and that he should have honoured me, by calling me to lay down my life for adhering and following of him in the way of duty, — ■ in countenancing his despised gospel and persecuted cause, now preached in the fields, by his lawfully called servants, — whereby he hath sealed to my soul, that he owns these field meetings, and doth tryst with his friends there, as I have found in a singular manner both in word and sacr«nents, — as I have found it to my comfort at East Nisbet in the Merse, 1 Cor. i. 13. ' For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, foolishness; but unto them that are saved, it is the power of God :' — and there he dealt bountifully with his friends, as in Isa. xxvii. 7. 1 hope ere long the following words of the fore- named chapter shall be made out to me, and I shall enjoy him to all eternity. Be exhorted, to follow this way of the Lord, though unjustly reproached in that calumny of sedition and rebellion. And again, I exhort you to follow Christ in the use of all his commanded services both in public and private, cost what it will: — As Mat. x. 37 — 39. ' He that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me, is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it ; and he that loseth his life for my sake, shall find it.' As for my part, now in my last words, I declare, if all the hairs of my head were men, I would willingly lay them down with my life, for owning my Master Jesus Christ, and his cause, in the field meetings, when you cannot get the liberty of a house as formerly,— where his goings hath been seen iu 190 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the saDctuary to his people in their wilderness condition these sixteen years and upwards, as he hath promised to his people, Ezek. xj. 16. • Yet will I be to tiiem a little sanctuary in the countries where they 6hall come.' And I die in the faith of it, that God will come, and countenance and own those, who venture most for him. Therefore, my beloved, let not the fear of man prevail, but fear him who can kill both soul and body : — Luke xii. 4, 5. ' Fear not him that can kill the body, but fear hirn that after be hath killed the body, hath power to cast into hell.' Isa. li. 12, 13. ' Shouldest thou be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass ; and forgettest the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth ; and hast feared continually every day, because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy ; and where is the fury of the oppressor ?' Consider for your encourage- ment what our Lord hath suffered for his elect : — Isa. liii. throughout. — Also, Luke xxii. 44. ' And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood ;' and mind what will follow, Rev. ii. 4. ' Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.' Luke xxii. 28. ' Ye are they which have continued with me in my tentations, and 1 eppoiut unto you a kingdom.' As that chapter hath been oft sweet to me, press towards the mark, and sink not; as it is, Psal. Ixxiii. 1. ' Truly God is good to Israel;' and Isa. xl. 29 — 31. • He giveth power to the faint ; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall : but they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary ; and they shall walk, and not faint.' John xiv. 1 — 3. ' Let not your heart be troubled ; ye believe in God, be- lieve also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and re- ceive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may bo also.' All the eighth chapter to the Romans hath oft comforted me ; yea, the Lord who hath the tongue of the learned, hath spoke a word in due season to me, which words have been as apples of gold in pictures of silver. There is not a moment of our time, but we must depend on him, and to all such needy dependants he will make out that word, 2 Cor. xii. 9. ' My grace is sufficient for thee.' John xvi. 13. ' When the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth : for he shall not speak of himself: but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall be speak: and he will show you things to come.' And at the close of the warfare, God will make out these sweet words, 1 Cor. xv. 54. * So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.' Job nx. 25, 26. ' I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' PmL xvii. 15. ' As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness; I shall be JAMES LEARMONTH. 191 eatisficd, when I awake, with thy likeness.' Psal. xvi. 8 — 11. have been faithful and enlightened witnesses to the principles of the presbytcriai church of Scotland. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. «f>7 XXVII. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. Sect. I. Their joint Testimony. [7t may be perceived, that the arrangement of this, and the three succeeding articles, is somewhat peculiar. This is owing to the number and variety of their respective contents Thomas Brown was one of Five men, who, on the 2oth of November, 1679, were executed and hung in chains, at Magus Muir, in Fifeshire, the scene of the Archbishop's death. This was not because of their having had any hand in that deed, for they were not even charged with it iu the indictment ; but having refused, when called upon, to declare it murder, and being found guilty of the Bothwell insurrection, it was determined they should suffer on that spot, as marking " the king's detestation" of the event which had there taken place.* — The papers containing their views as to the cause in which they suffered, are here arranged under four general heads, and for the sake of distinction, designated as follows : — Their joint or general Testi- mony; their respective or particular Testimonies; their Dying " " A letter from the king, dated July 26th, to the Council, hears — ' his detestation of the murder of the late Archhishop of St. Andrews; and being desirous to vindicate that innocent blood and show his detestation of the murder, he commands them to cause process criminally, nine of those who were in the late rebellion, with this additional consideration of having owned these murder- ers— who are hereby excepted from any indemnity ; and that, besides the persons who are to be excepted therein — those nine being to be executed merely upon that account. They, being convicted, are to be hanged in chains upon the place where the horrid murder was committed.' — No reflections are necessary upon this; it ■probably teas a proposal sent up from Edinburgh. At the same time, Lauderdale, in his letter, signifies to the council, ' that the king wonders he hath no account of the trial of the prisoners who were eminently ringleaders and active in the rebellion ; and that it is his express pleasure that the justice- court proceed immediately to the trial of them.' The council iu answer to both, acquaint the king, ' that the Justiciary had already sentenced Messrs. King and Kid ; and had appointed a committee to consider the most proper methods for proceeding against others who have been ringleaders in the rebellion.' Wodrow, vol. ii. — This committee, it appears, on the 6th of August following, gave in a report, containing the names of about thirty individuals who refused to call the insurrection, rebellion, and the Archbishop's death, murder, — and in consequence of this, nine individuals, of whom Thomas Brown was one, were impannelled on the 26th of that month. This trial, however, was not proceeded with, and nothing farther was done in the matter till November 10th, when tome of the nine with a great many others, including the five persons, whose Testimonies are here given, were indicted for being in the rebellion and owning the Arch- bishop's murderers. Their indictment was full of the most false and odious misrepresentations, which have been well refuted by Wodrow. It was, never theless, read and sustained. All the rest, except the jive whose death was determined on, were remitted to another diet ; but the prosecution against them does not seem to have been resumed. Those five were condemned upon their own confession of having been at Bothwell. They were sentenced to bo executed on the 18th November. But whether the council respited them till the 25th, or that the Editor of Naphtali has been mistaken as to this date, cannot be ascertained. 206 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Speech ; and their Last Words. The first of these is a paper of considerable length, and constitutes the present Section."] " Men and Brethren : — Although the most part of this generation, not only be wicked and declared enemies of our Lord, but also too many professors and ministers* may, and do look upon us as fools, because of our suffering unto death, for that which too many either account not duty, or at least, look upon it as a light and indifferent tiling: yet we assure you, it is not so with us, nor can we see how all these cunning and far-fetched distinctions would be able to clear and cover us from a flat denying of our Lord and Master, and a plain going out from under his banner and protection, to make peace with, and seek quiet and safety from those who have lifted themselves up against him and his cause. For Isaiah said, chap. lvii. 21. * No peace unto the wicked, saith my God ;' how can we expect peace under them, who are in open war with our Lord, and have robbed him of his glory ; and have the ark in captivity, under their hand ? It is vain to think that any can have peace under them, who have God for their party against them, Obad. ver. 6, 7. " How are the things of Esau searched out ! how are his hid things sought up 1 All the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border ; the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee ; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee, there is no understanding in him." Now, however we be looked upon as fools, both because so many have left us, and so many appear and speak against us ; yet we are confident, it shall be found for Christ's sake and the gospel's, and that yet there is a remnant in this land that cordially join and sympathize with us, and will adhere unto that which we are called to seal with our blood. We confess, we are not learned men, and have not that wisdom and policy that is so much approved and followed in the world, yet we shall find it our mercy to follow that wisdom that is from above, which is first pure and then peaceable, and that understanding which is from above, and that to depart from all evil, is and hath been our surest rule, — when the Searcher of all hearts shall bring forth the hidden things of dishonesty, and when that scripture, Luke xvi. 15. by after providence, is applied and seen upon them, and their practices, that now condemn us, " Ye are they who justify yourselves before men, but God knoweth ycur " There is here an allusion to what is afterwards discussed more fully, namely, the unlawfulness of accepting their Liberty by signing tin- proposed bond. It would appear from what is here stated, and in Krd we know it to Ik- the fact, that man}', to whose Christian profession there could he no valid exception, and seme even who were invested with the sacred office, and otherwise good and faithful men, were induced to look upon the siunin:; of the bond as /, / incon- sistent with their duty to the Saviour, and offered many reasonings to that effect. And perhaps to them, and to many others, the firmness of those who refused it, might seem to he the merest obstinacy; whilst their death, ill such circumstances, might appear to resemble the fool's. It is enough, boww r, to say, that the sufferers themselves thought otherwise, and surely it must b« hlluwcd, that Ihcy had the deepest interest in deciding aright. THOMAS BtfOWN AND OTHERS. iiOO hearts, for that which is highly esteemed amongst men, is an abomina- tion in tlie sight of God." Now to satisfy you a little further, we shall tell you, that it is the fear of offending, and losing the peace and favour of our good Lord, who is this day an angry and jealous God, that makes vis we dare not take this wicked and hell-hatched bond.* For in our baptism, our fathers devoted, and gave us unto the Lord, and afterward, when we came to desire an interest in him, and close the bargain with him, we took him for our Lord and King, as well as our Saviour and Priest, and upon his own terms ; and so to follow and walk in him, even though it should cost us our lives. And now, since he is calling for our lives, we dare not take our word again, and break the bargain with so kind a Master, for all the bounties and baits that is promised by, or can be gotten from men. Ye see, by the first part of the bond, they would make us acknowledge our appearance at Bothwell-bridge to be rebellion, which we cannot : but were then, and still are of the mind, we were only appearing for our Lord and his truths, by dissenting from, and testifying against both the appearing of open and stated enemies, ' that have devoured Jacob, and laid waste his dwelling places,' and also, all those, though professing friends, that have sided with, and strengthened their hands, and offended and made sad the. hearts of his poor people ; that so, if there shall be not only a further usurping, as hath been already, but a giving up by consent by the most part, the glory of the Lord, and submitting to the supremacy, • With respect to the bond here spoken of, it may he proper to note a few particulars. — Upon the fatal issue of the hattle of Bothwell, about twelve or thirteen hundred prisoners were taken, and carried to Edinburgh. These, with, about two hundred more, who had been apprehended at Glasgow, Stirling, and other places in that neighbourhood, after enduring many and great hardships, in their progress, were, with the exception of a few individuals who were put into the Prison, lodged in the Grayfriars' church yard, as the place of their confinement. In about a fortnight thereafter, the lords of his majesty's privy council in obedience to a letter received from his majesty on the subject, ordained that all tlte less distinguished of thein might be set at liberty on their subscribing' the following bond : — " I being apprehended for being at the late Rebellion ; and whereas the lords of his majesty's privy council in pursuance of his majesty's command, have ordained me to be set at liberty, I enacting myself to the effect underwritten : — Therefore, I bind, oblige, and enact myself in the books of the privy council, that hereafter I shall not take up arms, without or against hia majesty or his authority. As witness my hand," &c. : ; ■ ".' ...- The exact number of those who took and of those who refused this obligation, cannot be ascertained. It appears that the greater part fell in with it: and it was said that many who did so, signed it under the impression that their rising ■was nut against his majesty's authority, and consequently that it did not bind them up from any such appearance when occasion offered again. About four hundred, it seems, refused, and consequently were continued in their confine- ment, in the church-yard : but to many the bond was not in the first instance, offered. Of these four hundred, it was reckoned that about a hundred got out, in one way or another, without any compliance. With those who remained, every means was resorted to, in order to induce them to subscribe. Cut they continued unshaken in their purpose; end "as their troubles grew, so did their firmness and resolution." 210 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. which will he found the idol of jealous}'', and that not only hy thb indulged, hut those who are gaping go much after the new indulgence We are confident, his people's appearing at Bothwell bridge, and our Bufferings and blood now, shall be found as a witness against them, and a protestation for, and an indication of the Lord's returning and staying in the land, for the glory of his great name, and the good of the posterity to come ; and that he shall deliver his poor remnant, that he may let enemies see, it hath been in vain, and impossible for them always to resist him, and also let ministers and professors see their sin and folly to distrust him, by making peace with them ; for truly it is to be feared, that sad things are to come on this generation, that not only do iniquity, but defend it, and hate and censure all that stand fast in the faith, and withstand the defections of the time, as if we were more to fear some men, and please others, than to fear and please the living God ; branding us with singularity, and as unstable fools, tending to error and schism, as if it were more to study unity with, and follow ministers, and the bulk of professors, than to study unity in Christ our Lord and Head, and so unity in his truth, and to follow truth, which only can make us free. Let such as so reproach us consider Luke xvi. 15. And as to the rest of the bond, which is, that we shall not lilt arms against the king and his authority, without any qualification or condition, this is more than we or our fathers were obliged to by the obligatory oath, sworn by the people at his coronation, which we find was in these words, ' By the eternal and Almighty God, who liveth and reigiieth for ever, we become your liegemen, and truth aud faith shall bear unto you, and live and die with you against all manner of folks whatsoever, in your service, according to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant.' By which we see an express condition and qualification ; so that see- ing we be sworn only to be for him according to the covenant, which must be understood in defence of, and prosecuting the ends of tho covenant, then surely we cannot bo thought to be obliged to be for him, while he is positively, plainly, and declaredly against these covenants, and the ends thereof, aud suppressing ami persecuting all those that adhere thereunto. Now this we observe from that which is tho people's oath to him as their king. But also in his coronation oath he is sworn to maintain the true religion of Christ Jesus, the preaching of his holy word, and due and right administration of the sacraments then received within this kingdom, which was neither pOpery, prelacy, nor this erastian government ; — but by his oath or taking the covenant, before ever he was received king, orthe coronation oath tendered, — how doth he in the presence of Almighty God, the pcher of hearts, allow and approve, and faithfully oblige himself to maintain the national covenant, ami solemn league and covenant, and to prosecute the ends thereof; and that he for himself ami his successors shall consent and agree to all the acts of parliament enjoin in.ir these Covenants, and fully establishing presbyterian government ; and that he shall observe these in his own practice and I'amilv ; and that he .-hall never make opposition to anv of these acts, or endeavour any change thereof. And further, we see that after these oaths solemnly THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. 211 sworn in the presence of God and all the people, it is uoon these conditions foresaid, that he was set upon the throne ; for at his coronation we see and understand, when the sword was given him hy the Lyon at arms, the Lyon's words were these, ' Sir, receive this kindly sword for the defence of the faith of Christ, and the protection or this kirk, and the true religion, as it is presently professed within this kingdom, according to the national covenant, and solemn league and covenant, and for executing equity and justice, and for the punishment of all iniquity and injustice.' Now, in this flattering, blind, and juggling age, let God arise (hy whom kings reign, and for whom kings should reign) and judge between him and us, and see who have transgressed most, and forfeited their right before God and men ; for which read 1 Kings xviii. 18. where Elijah's answer to Ahab was, ' I have not troubled Israel, but thou and thy father's house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and thou hast followed Baalim.' Also, Psal. xciv. 20 — 23. < Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law ? They gather themselves together against the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood ; but the Lord is my defence, and my God is the rock of my refuge : and he shall bring upon them their own iniquity, and shall cut them off in their own wickedness, yea, the Lord our God shall cut them off.' Read also, Psal. ii. 1 — 4. • Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing ? the kings of the earth set themselves, and the princes take counsel together, against the Lord, and against his Anointed, saying, Let ua break their bands asunder, and cast their cords from us. He that sits in the heavens shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in derision : then shall he speak to them in wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.' Amos viii. 4 — 8. ' Hear this, O ye that swallow up the needy, even to make the poor of the land to fail, saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn ? and the Sabbath, that we may set forth wheat? making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit ? that we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes ; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat ? The Lord hath sworn by the excellency of Jacob, Surely, I will never forget any of their works. Shall not the land tremble for this, and every one mourn that dwelleth therein ? and it shall rise up wholly as a flood , and it shall be cast out and drowned, as by the flood of Egypt.' Now, hath not our king, and many of all ranks, not only broken these oaths of the covenants lying upon them, but risen up against all that own and adhere, or contend against them ? and the blood of his people is about the throne, and upon their skirts, and an ugly crew of hell-hounds hired and hunted out against his people, and paid by the cess, and all authority extended and bended mainly against such as will not bow unto, that idol of jealousy ; for ye see, how all that have said a confederacy with them, (which we cannot do,) get fair quarters for" a time ; but popery is coming fast on. But take heed, lest these who have fled from suffering to save life, may not lose it then, when they shall not be honoured to give a testimony. Wherefore read Isa. viii. from ver. 6. 212 TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ' Forasmuch as this people refuse the waters of Shiloah that go softly, and rejoice in llezin and Remaliah's son. Now, therefore, behold tho Lord bringeth up upon them the waters of the river, strong and many, even the king of Assyria, and all his glory ; and he shall come up over.all his channels, and go over all his banks. And he shall pa>s through Judah, he shall overflow, and go over, he shall reach even to the neck, and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel. Associate yourselves, O ye people, and ye shall be broken in pieces ; and give ear, O ye of far countries, gird yourselves, and ye shall be broken in pieces. Take counsel together, and it shall come to nought ; speak the word, and it shall not stand, for God is with us. For the Lord spake thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me, that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying, Say ye not,. ' a confederacy' to all them to whom this people shall say ' a confederacy ;' neither fear ye them, nor be afraid. Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And he shall be for a sanctuary ; but for a stone of stumbling, and for a rock of offence, to both the houses of Israel ; for a gin, and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Bind up the testimony, and seal up the law among my disciples. And I will wait upon the Lord, who hideth himself from the house of Jacob, and I will look for him. Behold I, and the children whom the Lord hath given me, are for signs and for wonders in Israel, from the Lord of hosts, who dwelleth in mount Zion. And when they shall say unto thee, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God ? the living to the dead ? To the law and to the testimony ; if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. And they shall pass through it, hardly bestead and hungry ; and it shall come to pass, that when they shall be hungry, they shall fret themselves, and curse their king and their God, and look upward And they shall look unto the earth, and behold trouble and darkness, dimness of anguish, and they shall be driven to darkness.' Now, considering all those things, and their circumstances, and what we may see to be the design of the enemies of our Lord on foot, and after God's contending with us at Bothwell-bridge, and rubbing shame on our faces, in causing us to flee after such a manner, for our unfaithful- ness in our declaration, and in not plain acknowledging and mourning for the sins, which are the causes of God's wrath upon the hind. Therefore read Mic. vii. 8 — 10. ' Rejoice not against me, O mini' enemy; when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me. I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me; he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her, which said unto me. Where i* the Lord thy God? mine eye shall heboid her; now shall she he trodden down as the mire of the streets.' Should we then yet add iniquity unto our transgressions by taking this worn! bond? nay, God foibid we do such a great evil, and sin more against God ; for although IVttr, THOMAS B.UOWN AND OTHERS. 21.S after denying his Master, got repentance, yet we dare not but confess and avouch him to he our liege Lord and Laivgiver, Head and King in Zion ; Isa. ix. 6. ' For unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given, and the government shall he upon his shoulders,' &c. And Psal. ii. 6, 7. ' But I have set my King upon roy holy hill of Zion,' &c. — That he may confess and own us before the Father, when he shall sit and judge, and before whom, and by whom our so unjust sentence, and all such, shall be revised and canvassed again : and then all kings and rulers shall be made to tremble and shake before him ; yea, and to cast their crowns under his feet, and to curse them that now flatter them most, whether statesmen or churchmen, whether prelates or papists, or these timeserving, self-seeking, new conformed clergy, that confirm the wicked by their indifferency, unfaithfulness, blunt and ambiguous ways of speaking, and also sadden and break the spirits of the small remnant, that groan to see the neutrality of some, and the joint conspiracy of others against our Lord, and in his matters ; for the prelates and curates drive our king and rulers on all their cruel and wicked courses : and the indulged and others that testify not against them, do either concur, comply with, or wink at, the wicked in their wicked rebellions against God, and all for love of peace, unity, quiet and ease ! Therefore read Ezek. xiii. 4, 5. ' O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the desarts. Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel, to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord,' &c. And ver. 19. 'And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live.' For which, we fear their hands will not be found altogether free of blood, although they would, and do justify them that take this bond. Let none hereafter cry out upon us as erroneous and schismatic, or separatists or dividers, except they can prove that we are to follow ministers whether they follow Christ and his truth fully, or not, which is contrary to Paul's exhorta- tion, Follow me no further than I follow Christ. And we are well advised by Jeremiah, Lam. ii. 14. ' Thy prophets have seen vain and foolish things for thee, and they have not discovered thine iniquity, to turn away thy captivity, but have seen for thee false burdens, and causes of banishment.' We therefore, however we be mistaken of men, declare ourselves presbyterians, both in principles, and in this our present suffering, and sealing a testimony against all such, as have been too faint and ashamed of our sworn-to principles, in yielding to Erastianism. As we testify against those who establish it with a high hand ; so we own and adhere to the former work of reformation in doctiine, worship, discipline, and government, agreed to, summed up, and held forth in the Confession of Faith, Shorter and Larger Catechisms, Directions for Church Government, all according to the word of God, and sworn to in the covenants. We own and adhere to the acknow- ledgment of sins, and engagement to duties, then also sworn to, and also tiie Causes of God's Wrath, and ail the former testimonies of our worthies ; — and in particular do acknowledge and bless God tor the faithful warnings and testimonies we have had for the truth from the 214 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. banished in Holland, in their faithful adhering to the work for which we now suffer, to the honour of their Master, and comfort of his sufferers.* And we again declare against all the former and present proceedings of the stated enemies of the Lord, hoth in their acts and laws made against that which they are solemnly sworn to in the covenants, to defend with us, in the defence of this cause for which they now shed our hlood, and persecute all such as will not render up their bodies and souls to the blind obedience of their unreasonable and wicked wills : and also we declare against all the private practices, underhand dealings, and more public appearances of ministers and professors, either for the enemies of our Lord, or compliance with them, or wherein they have not more faithfully appeared with the poor remnant to help the Lord against the mighty. Therefore, in the presence of Almighty God the Searcher of all hearts, we desire as we can, in our own name, and in the names of all those that adhere unto us, and in name, and for account of the posterity to come, and for the glory of God, to take instruments in the sight of angels and men : and hereby protest against all such causes of indifferency and neutrality in the matters of God, as well as a bowing unto, and formal underhand compliance with this idol of jealousy, which, amongst many other Bins, these have, and are like to provoke the Lord, jet more to leave the land : and instead of turning unto the Lord, and being confounded and ashamed of former ways, we are still more and more going back- ward, wherefore read Jer. v. 1. ' Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if ye can find a man, if there beany that executeth judgment, and seeketh the truth, and I will pardon it.' Ver. 2. ' Although they 6ay, The Lord liveth, surely they swear falsely.' Ver. 3. ' O Lord, are not thine eyes upon the truth ? thou hast stricken them, but they have not grieved; thou hast consumed them, but they have refused to receive correction; they have made their faces harder than a flint, they refuse to return.' Ver. 4. • Therefore I said, Surely these We poor, they are foolish ; for they know not the way of the Lord, nor the judgment of their God.' Ver. 5. ' I will get me to the great nun, • "Whilst there were some among the ministers, who were otherwise the adherents and supporters of the presbyterian government, that advised t lie acceptance of the proffered bond — this was by no means their sentiment universally, or even generally. Nor is it to be supposed that tboM of the prisoners who refused, any more than those who complied with it, were destitute of counsel from men of the most respectable character and attainments. On the contrary, their views and conduct were countenanced and defended by the very ablest divines and casuists then alive. Among others — the ministers who had taken refuse in Holland, particularly Messrs. BroWn and M'Ward, (than whom, there were none noire respectable as authorities on such a sul'ject.) gave their most decided support to the conduct and views of what were leckoned the stricter party among the Bufferers. Many of their letters, both in tefei to the proffered bond and other points pf difference amongst them, are yet extant, both in print and manuscript ; and the reader who may wish to peruse their sentiments for himself, is referred to M*Ward*e Earnest Contending! — a work which was published from bis papers about a century ago. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. 215 and will speak unto them, for they Lave known tiie way of the Lord, anil the judgment of their God ; but these have altogether broken the yoke, and burst the bonds.' Ver. G. ' Therefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them, and a wolf of the evening shall spoil them. Ver. 9. < Shall I not visit for these things, saith the Lord ? and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this ?' Ver. 10. ' Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy : but make not a full end : take away her battlements, for they are not the Lord's.' Ver. 12. ' They have belied the Lord, and said, It is not he, neither shall evil come upon us, neither shall we see sword nor famine.' Ver. 13. ' And the prophets shall become wind, and the word is not in them : thus shall it be done unto them.' Ver. 30. ' A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land.' Ver. 31. ' The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means, and my people love to have it so : and what will ye do in the end thereof?' Like unto the former courses of our fathers, first departing from the Lord, when the resolution party of the church so far complied with the malignant designs of the court, that they turned persecutors, which now is, and ere it be long, may be more the case of the church than now : but we can assure you it will be in vain ; for his purpose shall stand ; and he hath hitherto, and yet shall keep up a party, and remnant, how small and contemptible soever, that shall declare and protest against all such courses, whether in the enemies, or pretended friends of our Lord, who accepts their will for their deed, and will work his own work in them and for them, to the glory of his great name ; and in the confidence of this, and of his faithfulness, which is engaged, we cast our burden, and the burden of all ours upon him, and the burden of all his work and people upon him ; we being cordially willing and free to lsave, quit and forsake, all for the gaining and enjoying of Christ, and therefore shall only entreat, and exhort all that love and desire to see his appearance in peace, and to be made like to him in glory, that they may not now scar so much at his cross ; but in such a sinning and declining time, to be made like him in suffering. Be valiant and steadfast in the faith, cast not out with truth because of our suffering ; for it behoved so to be, that we five seal that with our blood, to obtain which our Lord suffered, and our worthy fore- fathers before us ; and ye know not how soon any of you, to whom this our testimony may come, may be called, either to suffer for the same truths, or deny them ; therefore seek of him to believe, and also to suffer for his sake : for by what is past, any body may see, it must be given of the Lord : and be sure to consult more the law and the testimony, (Isa. viii. 20.) and your former obligations more than to consult flesh and blood, and not to follow men more than God, which one day will not be approven of God, which if we had done, we had not suffered this day. Mistake us not, we are not against your taking counsel of those that be faithful ministers and professors, that fear God, and seek to please him more than men, Micah-like, as Mic. iii. 8. ' Surely I am full of power by the Spirit of the Lord, and of judg- ment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sins.' Ver. 9. ' Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the * 218 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.' Ver. 10. ' They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.' Ver. 11. ' The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money ; yet will they lean upon the Lord, and say Is not the Lord amongst us ; no evil can come upon us.' Ver. 12. * Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house, as the high places of the forest.' And these that are like Jeremiah, Lam. iii. 48. ' Mine eyes run down with rivers of water for the destruction of the daughter of my people.' Ver. 49. ' Mine eye trickleth down, and ceaseth not, without any intermission :' ver. 50. ' Till the Lord look down and behold from heaven.' And all such as do like Daniel, chap. vi. 10. and the three children, Dan. iii. 16 — 18., who said to the king, ' We are not careful to answer thee in this matter : if it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.' Ami like Nehemiah, chap. i. read it £.11 throughout, and chap. vi. 11. who said, ' Should such a man as I flee ? and who is there, that being as I am, would go into the temple to save his life ? I will not go in.' And all such as are like Uriah, Job, and Joseph, that was separated from his brethren. And all the other apostles and prophets, who were valiant for the truth. And on the other hand, be always jealous of such as areholden forth. Mai. ii. 8, 9. ' But ye are departed out of the way, ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts ; therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, but have been partial in the law.' As also, all such, as in Ezek. xiii. 10. ' Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace : and one built up a wall, and lo, another daubed it with untempered mortar.' And read also, ver. 18, to "23, yea, the whole chap. Such also, as in Mic vi. 16.; observe the statutes of Omri, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and walk in their counsels. Yea, in short, beware of every one that is in favour with the wicked, who seek or accept favours from them, not according to his word, and wink at them, and much more those that are approven by them ; and any body may see, who nre in favour with them, and for that ye may read Lam. ii. 14. and the former scripture-, and that in Neh. vi. 10 — 15. But the good Lord who hath preserved us poor weak things from fainting ; lead and guide all these that look unto him, and keep their feet free from the snares of the time ; as he hath done it, he will do it, if ye depend upon him. To whom be glory for ever and ever. Into whose hands we commend our spirits. Sic Sub :— THOMAS BROWN, JAMKS WOOD, ANDREW SWORD, JOHN W ADD EL, JOHN CLYDE."* • Naohtali. THOMAS BROWN. 217 XXVIII. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. Sect. II. Their respective Testimonies. [[In addition to their general attestation, conveyed in the foregoing paper, to the principles for which they suffered, — these five martyrs seem to have thought it necessary or proper, to leave behind them the following individual Testimonies, in favour of the same cause. These Testimonies, as might be expected, are in substance very nearly the same. That of Thomas Brown, which comes first in order, and that of John Waddel, which is the fourth, are consider- ably longer than any of the rest ; but each of them seems to be characterized by varieties both in the sentiment and expression, corresponding to the character and views of the different in- dividuals by whom they a;c subscribed. Of each of these individuals we subjoin a few particulars, in the form of a note to their several Testimonies.] 1. Thomas Brown.* " Men and Brethren : — I am come here this day, in your audience? to lay down this life, which God hath given me, for my being in tho defence of myself, and in the defence of the gospel of Christ Jesus, — which ye know we are solemnly engaged to defend with our lives and liberty, and all that we have in our station ; and being conscious to myself that I was concerned to appear at Both well-bridge, and was willing to cast in my poor mite amongst the people of God. And although, I be now called to lay down my life, upon the account of rebellion, as they call it ; yet the Lord is my witness, and my con- science bears me witness, that I never intended rebellion against the king at all, but I thought it was grievous to me to see the work of God so trode down by a generation that have been stated enemies to the cross of Christ these many years bygone, by their shutting up his faithful ministers, part of them in tolbooths, and part of them in the rocks of the sea, and part of them banished out of the land, and part expelled to corners, and likewise private persons put out of their families, expelled to the mountains and rocks, dens and caves of the earth, and put out of all capacity to provide for their families and little ones. And I thought it was not a time for me to lie at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountains of Samaria, lest I had brought that curse of Meroz upon me, because I would not go out to ' help the Lord against the mighty ;' which I hope none will deny, and much " Of this person, as indeed of all the five, very little information can noiv be obtained. He is designated in Naphtali, " Thomas Brown, shoemaker in Edinburgh." It is probable, we think, that he was respectable, in his rank of life; and it is evident from his Testimony that he must have been a man of good sense and considerable decision of character. He was with other eight, as already remarked, first indicted on the 2Gth of August, but the diet was in that instance adjourned till the 1st of September, and then ultimately deserted. With some more of the eight he was again impannelled on the 10th of November — and being selected from the rest, together with the four persons who were his companions in death, he was condemned and sentenced as we have already stated. 218 ij^STIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. less Christians. Therefore, my friends, let none of you put any reflection upon any that appeared at Both well-bridge, lest ye state God an enemy against you, since we are sworn in the National Covenant, and Solemn League and Covenant, and Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and the work of reformation, aud the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, against Popery, Prelacy, and Quakerism, and all manner of profanity, which is carried on by all ranks and degrees of people in this land. We are bound to defend our covenanted religion, with our lives and liberties in our station, when ' none calleth for justice, nor any pleads for the truth,' Isa. lix. 4. ' Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the Lord,' Ezek. xiii. 5. And as for my part, I could not take any bond which was presented unto me, when I considered the bonds of the covenants that I was solemnly engaged unto ; although I never swaie the covenant, yet I am engaged to maintain it, for whose sake it is named the covenant of God, who hath said, Lev. xxvi. 25. ' I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant.' So 1 desire you, my friends, for the Lord's sake , to mind your vows, ties and engage- ments, that ye are tied and olliged to perform, so far as in you lies, to the Lord, for ye know wlat is said, Ezek. xvii. 15. ' Shall he prosper? shall he escape that 1 Yith done such things? Shall he break the covenant and be delivered'' Ver. 18.' Seeing he despised the oath by breaking the covenant, (when lo he had given his hand) and hath done all these things, he shall not escape.' Ver. 19. ' Therefore thus saith the Lord God, As [ live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recom- pense upon his own head.' Therefore, my friends, mind your en- gagements unto him, and mourn for sin, and lie in the dust before him, and give him no rest, until he i.M;se and plead Zion's cause, and that he may restore the waste places rf poor Scotland, and take away the deluge of wrath, that is hanging over the heads of these lands, for the breach of covenant in them. And as for my part, I have reason again and again to bless the Lord, that ever he set his love upon me, and hath condescended so far, as to single out the like of me, (who am but a poor wretched sinner of myself, and worthy of nothing but eternal damnation, by reason of original and actual transgressions) as to be a witness of his despised and borne down work in these lands. As ye will find written in 1 Tim. i. 15, 10. ' This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came inio the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.' And Isa. li. 12. ' I, even 1 am he that comforteth you; who ait thou that shouldest be afraid of man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made ;.s grass?' Ver. 13. 'And forgettcst the Lord thy Maker, that hath stretched out the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth, and hast feared continually every day, because of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy; and where is the fury of the oppressor?' Likewise that of Isa. xli. 10. ;' Fear thou not, for I am with thee, he not dismayed; for 1 am thy God ; I will strengthen ihee. ye;;, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee >sith the right hand of my THOMAS BROWN. 219 righteousness.' Likewise Isa. xlix. 25. ' I will contend with him that contendeth with thee.' Isa. xxvii. 8. ' He stayeth his rough wind in the day of his ease wind.' Isa. xxxiii. 16. ' His bread shall be given him, and his water shall be sure.' Ver. 17. < Thy eyes shall see the King in his beauty ; they shall behold the land that is very far oft? Psal. cxl. 7. ' Thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.' These scriptures have been very sweet and refreshful to me in my experience. Therefore, I desire not to scare at the cross of Jesus Christ, because of my suffering, for I can assure you from my experience, that his yoke is easy, and his burden is light, for he hath well made out, that lie sends none a warfare upon their own charges. Therefore, my dear friends, give him much credit, and trust much in him, for he is well worth all the pains ye can be at for him. Psal. xxxiv. 8. ' O taste and see that the Lord is good : blessed is the man that trusteth in him.' As for my part, I durst not comply with that party in any terms which was sinful in the sight of God, for the saving of my life, since he hath said in his word, ' He that seeks to save his life, shall lose it.' And if I had taken that bond, I would have subscribed that to be a sin, which I acknowledge to be my duty. I am persuaded in my conscience from the word of God, he that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much, and he that is not faithful in that which is least, will never be faithful in that which is much ; ' and , he that denies me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven ; and him that confesseth me before men, will I confess before my Father which is in heaven.' I give my testimony to the cross of Christ. Likewise I bless the Lord, that it hath pleased him to fall on such a method with the like of me, as to put it into my heart to appear at Both well-bridge for his cause and interest, which was so much trodden under foot by men. And I die in the faith of it, that the seed sown at Bothwell-bridge shall have a glorious spring and harvest, which shall be renowned in the eyes of all the beholders of it. Likewise, / adhere to the National Covenant, the Solemn League and Covenant, the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, and the work of reformation, fyc. as aforesaid, which was once far advanced in our land against popery, prelacy, quakerism, and all manner of error and profanity, which are now abounding in these loose times, by the usurpation of that to the crown, which belongs only to Jesus Christ, as Head of his church, and not to any mortal man ; for all kings and princes are, but in subordination to him, Mat. xxii. 22. ' And he said unto them, Render unto Caesar the things that are Csesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' Therefore, my dear friends, give the king all obedience, in so far as ye are commanded from the word of God, Eccl. viii. 2. ' I counsel thee to keep the king's commandment, and that in regard of the oath of God,' — in so far as ye are engaged solemnly m your covenant ; but do not take any evil course to shun the cross of Christ, for the saving of you; life, and of your means, lest ye state God an enemy against you ; and do not let the fear of men prevail with you, but contend for the faith that was once 220 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. delivered to the saints ; for i can assure you from his word, that his grace will be ali-sufiicienc for you. As tor my part, I bless the Lord that I am a member of the Church ot Scotland, which wa3 one f>f the most glorious and best reformed churches in the world, for doctrine, discipline, and government, and the work of reformation, as one of the most holy contrivances of the most holy Lord, for a hedge to keep out the wild boars out of the vineyard. So, my friends, ye see now by our not being stedfast in our covenant, how that the malignant and prelatic party hath broken into the sanctuary, and defiled His courts, and broken down the carved work those many years bygone : ye see how his poor people are scattered in the place of dragons by that usurped power and tyranny, which is carried on by all ranks of people in this land. So, I would if it might stand with glory, (not that I desire to limit his holy Majesty), and that he would yet send down a pouring of his Spirit upon the hearts of his poor people in Scotland, that there may be yet a reviving amongst them in these lands, that bone may come to bone, and sinew to sinew, that there may be a reviving of his work again in the midst of the years. Therefore, my dear friends, study more loyalty to our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, and give him that which is his own due right, that thereby ye may dwell in the land, and that ye may have his comely presence to dwell amongst you, now when the men of the world are making him to wear a crown of thorns upon his head, and crucifying him in his members, and putting him to open shame, that he is forced to go to the mountains, and dens, and caves of the earth, and is yet looking down to see if there be any that will turn from their iniquities, and seek after him, and he will pardon them. Therefore, my friends, * cast not away your confidence, which hath a great recompense of reward ; for ye have need of patience, that after ye have done tho will of God, ye might receive the promise,' Heb. x. 35, 3G. • And 6tudy to walk in the light, as he is in the light, that we may have fellowship one with another, and the. blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin, 1 John i. 7. and Heb. ix. 12. ' Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us,' and ver. 13, 14., and Psal. xxxii. 5, G. So, I desire to bless the Lord, that his gracious presence hath not been wanting to my 6oul during my imprisonment, which I can say in my experience, that my prison hath been a Bethel to me. So I desire you all, my friends, to seek unto him for grace to help in the time of need. I give my witness and testimony against popery, prelacy, and malignancy, and all manner of corruptions, that are abounding in these loose times. I give my witness and testimony against prelates, curates, and their associates ; and against all those that have intruded themselves into the calling of the ministry, and had never a call from God, to enter by the door into the sheep-fold, but have climbed up another wav. I give my witness and testimony against indifferent and lukewarm professors, who follow Christ, as the times make for them. I uive my witness and testimony against all drunkards, and all false swearers, and profane persons, against all persecutors of the Lord's people, against all profligate and THOMAS BROWN. 221 wicked livers, who know not God, nor will acknowledge him to be the Head of the church. 2 Pet. ii. 3. < And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you ; whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.' I give my witness and testimony against all bonds and declarations takes for the saving of their life and liberty, when it comes in competition with the confessing of our blessed Lord, or the denying of him : ' he that seeks to save his life, shall lose it ; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.' I give my witness and testimony against all compilers and connivers in strengthening of the adversary to carry on their course of defection against the Lord's people, 2 Tim. ii. 12. « If we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him ; if we deny him, he will also deny us.' Therefore, I bless the Lord, that ever he hath been pleased to single out tbe like of me, who am but a wretched sinner of myself; yet I could willingly, if every hair of my head were a man's life, lay them all down with my life, for Christ and his cause. Therefore, my friends, do not deceive yourselves, God will not be mocked. 2 Cor. vi. 17. ' Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.' Ye see how many are ' following their pernicious ways, by whom the way of God is evil spoken of; they are natural brute beasts, meet to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil of the things they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption, and shall receive the reward of unrighteousness; having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls, a heart they have exercised with covetous practices, cursed children, which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam, who loved the wages of unrighteousness.' Take that scripture for your encouragement against these ravenous wolves, Isa. lvi. 10. ' These watchmen are blind, they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.' Ver. II. 'Yea, they are greedy dogs,' &c. — So, my friends, ye see their practices, how they feed themselves, and not the flock of Christ, therefore trust not in them, for they will deceive you, yea, even the very elect, if it were possible ; but for the elect's sake, these days shall be shortened. So, ye may understand what their design and end is ; for they love the purse, the wages of unrighteousness, and they will get it and the curse of God with it, if they mend not their manners ; — as Judas did, who betrayed our blessed Lord and Master for thirty pieces of silver ; and although he did cast them back, yet he got no place for repentance. I desire you to come out from among them, lest ye be partakers of their plagues and judgments. I give my witness and testimony against their idolatrous practices, and their abominable courses, which they take to deceive and entangle poor things. Read Isa. xxvi. 11. ' Lord, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see, but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people ; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them.' Likewise, I give my testimony against the calumny cast upon presoyteriaas, that they are not ioyai subjects to the king, which asDersion I abhor. Therefore, my friends, give only 222 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. obedience as far as the word of God will leach yon, hut oo not. sttetch your consciences, lest the Lord lead yon forth with tne workers of iniquity, and there shall be no exemption in that day, when he shall appear in the clouds gloriously with all his holy angels, and then he shall separate the clean from the unclean. So, if ye ahide with him, he will abide with you, 2 Chron. xv. 1. * And the Spirit of the Lord came upon Azariah the son of Oded.' Ver. 2. < The Lord is with you, while you be with him ; and if ye seek him, he will be found ot you ; but if you forsake him, he will forsake you.' Therefore, my friends, seek him, and sanctify the Lord God in your hearts : anil be not afraid of their fury, and their treacherous dealings. As for my part, indeed I must confess, that I ought to go mourning to the grave for the dreadful apostasy and defection, which, through the prevalency of temptations hath overpowered this land, and yet there are so few that dare venture on precious Christ, or credit him with their lives, as their Lord and Master. Therefore, my soul, bless him that ever he hath credited me, to venture my life for his cause and interest, against this tyrannical course of defection in these lands. I hope within a very little I shall be made a sharer of those heavenly mansions, and the peaceable fruits of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous Judge shall give me, not for any thing of my merit, but in and through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour, upon the terms of the new covenant. Since the Father hath given all fulness unto the Son, I desire to believe in the faith of it, that he will communicate of that fulness to such poor sinners as wc are, which he aforetime hath prepared for them to whom he hath a mind by the election of grace. Yet I know there are many professed friends, of whom I dare not say, but they have the root of the matter in them,* who could say to my own hearing that day when I received my sentence, that I could not have peace in my conscience, in laying down my life for such a little matter, as the refusing of that bond for the saving of my life, of which I had it in some measure borne in upon my spirit, that I could not escape their hands ; yet, I bless the Lord, that although I have many prevailing corruptions and sins, which have prevailed with me ; I have reason to bless him, that he is not wanting to me in my present necessity, for he hath well made out that scripture to my experience, ' I will be a present help in time of trouble.' Therefore, • It has been already stated, with regard to the. bond, held out by govern- ment to the prisoners taken at Both well, ns the condition of their release, thai it \\;'s viewed by different individuals, equally alive to the interests of religion and of presbyterian church government with very different feelings. Seme, ns above specified, with respecjt to whose piety there were good reasons forjudging favourably, not only felt themselves at liberty to take it, but even pressed others to follow their example; and in a previous note we have mentioned some of the views on which it is conceivable they might get rid of objections to it — which in all probability they would otherwise have felt. And surely this very circumstance most lie regarded as (ne of the strongest proofs that could possibly be afforded, of the unbendiog fidelity an. 1 conscientious devotedness by which they were distinguished — who nut only braved the cruel persecution of enemies, but even the advice ami entreaties ot' rViende and fellow Christians, rather than diverge In, ui what they conceive to be the line of duty and the dictates of truth ! JAMES WOOD. 223 I would desire you all to draw near to him, and he will draw near to you. Ye may call to mind that scripture, Mat. x. 38, 39. < He that loveth father or mother better than me, is not worthy of me ; and he that taketh not up his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me ; he that findeth his life, shall lose it ; and he that loseth his life, for my sake, the same shall find it.' And although this dispensation he fallen out to me in a very dark and dismal time, wherein his poor people can hardly discern betwixt sin and duty ; yet I believe through his grace that he will land me fair on the other side of the shore, Isa. xxxv. 10. ' And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs.' As for my judgment anent the indulgence, ye may *ee it by my giving witness and testimony against bonds and declara- tions taking ; and likewise against all compliance and connivance with that party, in carrying on that course of defection and apostasy against the Lord's work and cause. As for that latter indulgence, which they have accepted of at this time, I had no love to it. Erastianism is not to be approved by any sound and well principled Christian, that knows any thing of the principles of religion. Being straitened with time, and since I cannot say my mind fully in this, I refer you to the general testimony left by us all, — recommending my poor wife to the Lord and his good people. Farewell, all my good friends : — Welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into whose hands I commend my spirit. Amen. Sic Sub THOMAS BROWN."* 2. James WooD.f " Men and Brethren, — Seeing it hath pleased the Lord, who is just, holy, and righteous in all his dealings, to call me by this public death to witness for the truth, I judge it my duty to make it known to the world, that I suffer not as an evil-doer, but for adhering to these truths that we and our fathers, yea, all ranks of the land from the lowest to the highest are engaged to. And I bless the Lord, I give my life willingly for him, and his cause, that gave his life for me ; yea, if I had many more lives, I would think them all too little to lay down for this cause. I bless his name, it was my desire to die a martyr for him, and now he hath called me to it, and by his grace hath wonderfully helped me to carry, in and under my present lot, notwithstanding the many tentations I was trysted with from one hand and another, even from those whom I would have expected to * Naphtali. + James Wood was from the parisli of Newmille in Ayrshire. His occupa- tion in life we have not discovered. Mr Wodrow remarks that 'v his case was a little different from those of the other four : the probation against him being the oaths of some soldiers— that he was taken at Bothwell. " And the assize," he observes, " were just enough to bring him as having been taken at Bothwell, without arms : and yet the judges throw him in with the rest, and press the same doom upon him. This," says he, " is another instance of the illegal and severe procedure of this period — to hang a man and put him in chains as a murderer of the Primate, who was only present at the gathering at Bothwell iritkout a?-m«." — Wodrow. vol. ii. 224 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. strengthen our hands; but his grace is all-sufficient to bear up a poor weak thing in the day of trial. He is as good as his promise, and lie hath promised to keep them in the hour of temptation that keep the word of his patience, which he hath made out to me. But as for the grounds of our suffering, it is known to God, that it was my love to my Lord and Master and his persecuted gospel, that moved me to rise in arms against these open blasphemers and enemies to our Lord Jesus, and not for any prejudice I had at great or small of that party, the Lord knows : but a parly appearing for that work, I judged myself bound in duty, from obligations both from the Word and Covenant to join with them. And O that my blood were a river of blood to witness against all that hath preferred their present ease and their temporal life, to our Lord's work and eternal life. But more particularly for this bond which was pressed so much ; I have this to say for it, that my love to my King Christ made me to stand in awe to say ' a confederacy' with that party that are stated enemies to him and his work. And seeing they have taken his crown and sceptre to invest a mortal man with, shall I say, that I should never resent these wrongs and injuries, done to my Lord and Master ? Nay, through hia grace, if I had many more lives than I have, I would part with them all for his sake. But beside, we are all bound by our covenant to extirpate popery and prelacy ; and should I score myself out of that party, that God may, and yet will raise for his broken down and contemned work? — so that, I could not take this accursed bond, unless I had renounced that solemn obligation which I judge myself hound to, and incur the hazard of that wo, which is denounced against those that are at ease in Zion ; and the frowns of my blessed Lord and Master, — which I durst not adventure on, for incurring the wrath of all the kings of the world : so that, whatever men may brand us with, as separating from others that were engaged in the same quarrel with us ; yet, I am persuaded that God will not account us so, and in duo time it shall appear, that they have separated from US, and not we from them. And we, through the sovereign power and might of God, (not by any thing in us more than in them) are adhering to our former avowed and sworn to principles; and I profess, I die in the faith of the Church of Scotland, as it was reformed in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, conform to the word of God, the Con- fession of Faith, and Caicchis?ns Larger and Shorter, the National and Solemn League and Covenants, and I give my hearty approbation of the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties the Causes of God's Wrath ; and I adhere to all the testimonies « i our sufferers of old and of late, who have Buffered for his cause, and do give my testimony, and protest against all the open and avowed, or underhand enemies to our Lord and his woik in these lands. And I give my testimony against these cursed plants of popery and prelacy, which God never planted. And I leave my testimony against supremacy, and all those both ministers and people that have bei*n strengthening the hands of those who have robbed our Lord of his n.yal prerogatives, by receiving indulgencies former or latter, or giving sinful bonds, to bind ministers in those things, for which Christ hath ANDREW SWORD. 225 purchased their freedom at a dear rate. And I give my testimony against the paying of that cess, and all other sinful bonds and ties contrary to scripture and our former covenants. But being straitened with time, I refer you to a general testimony subscribed by us all, wherein all our minds are more fully expressed. I bid farewell to all my dear friends, farewell all earthly comforts, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to whom bo glory for ever. Amen. Sic Sub.— JAMES WOOD."* 3. Andrew SwoRD.t " Men and Brethren, — Although I be a man of small learning, yet I cannot be altogether silent, since it hath pleased the Most High wise and holy Lord, to single me .out, and call for a public testimony to his cause, work, and persecuted interest ; not only borne down by avowed enemies, but which is now disowned even by many professors ; when it is come to that, they must either seal the cause with their blood, or else break the covenant, and turn their back on Christ and his cause, to which they were and are solemnly engaged in the sight of God ; so that I desire that what I am wantingin my written testimony, I may supply by my sufferings and death : which, though for his sake I lay it down, yet I trust not in my own death, but in the mercies and blood of Jesus Christ, who hath purchased and promised the crown of life unto all those, whom, through his strength, he keeps faithful unto the death, Rev. ii. 10, and especially in such an hour of temptations as we have been trysted with ; and I count his assisting grace, in helping me to stand, when stronger than I have yielded, yea, and made me rejoice in that he hath chosen poor me, one amongst the few that are honoured to confess and avow him and his truth in such a time and manner : I say, I am confident it is a token for good to them and me, and I take it in earnest of that crown of life, which T am hopeful to enjoy, ere long, through all eternity, that neither can be lost by me now, nor robbed from me by the wicked men of this generation, who now unjustly rob me of my life and liberty ; for I believe I go where most part of them shall never come. I bless the Lord, I sutler not as an evil-doer, although I be judged and condemned of men for my being in arms, and joining with that little handful that appeared in the fields in defence of Christ, his cause and interest, as we are bound to do by the word of God, and by our covenants ; they call it rebellion against his majesty, but by that way which they call rebellion (or which is called heresy by others) we worship the God of our fathers. And he who is the Searcher of hearts knows, that it was not rebellion against the great and living God and his * Naplitali. + Andrew Sword was by trade a Weaver, and belonged to the parish of Borgue in the Stewartry of Kirkcudbright. With regard to his motives in joining the insurrection, the reader may consult his testimony. But that lie was there, he seems to have confessed judicially, along with Brown, "Waddel, and Clyde. It is scarcely necessary to add, that with all the other four he was entirely guiltless of the Primate's death, and was not even charged with it in the indictment. 226 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Christ. And if Samuel were living now, when so many of our teachers are so silent, he could tell them that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. And I dare venture to say, though no prophet, that we are not the troublers of Israel, but the king and his family, and the wicked Hamans, the railing Rabshakehs, the wicked Doegs, the false and unfaithful prophets, these are the greatest troublers of our Israel. Therefore, let them read Lam. ii. 6, 7. ' And he hath violently taken away his tabernacles, as if it were of a garden ; he hath destroyed his palaces of the assembly ; the Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest : the Lord hath cast off his altar ; he hath abhorred his sanctuary ; he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces,' &c. And ver. 9. < Her gates are sunk into the ground, he hath destroyed and broken her bars ; her king and her princes are among the Gentiles ; the law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.' And I bless his name that ever I was a man to carry arms upon that account. I here declare, that I rue it not, although I be condemned to die for it. I bless the Lord who hath counted me worthy to die for so good and so honourable a cause, who am but a poor, feckless, worthless, sinful creature. " And now, my friends, since he hath honoured me with such a piece of honour, as to have been shut up in prison for a while, and after that, now sentenced to death by men ; and in all this time the Lord hath supported me beyond what I can express : wherefore, ye may hear and see, that they fare best that venture farthest for Christ. Therefore I pray you in his name, scare not at his cross ; for when to your eye and sense it seems to be most bitter, yet even then, he can make it most sweet. I can tell this by experience : Now, for ever and for ever blessed be his name for it. Now, will ye wrestle honestly under his yoke, and he will not only bear the heavy end of it, but he will help you under your end of it. And indeed, when I was first shut up in close prison, I was somewhat dejected and cast down, upon several accounts ; but, blessed be his name, my last time was better, and more sweet to me, than my first time. Although I was sentenced to die, I hope I am not condemned in the court of heaven, for that which men have condemned me on earth. The cause is righteous, lawful, just, and good ; yet I know it is not enough to justify me in God's sight, that I had a good cause; it is the having of Christ's righteousness imputed to me, and received by faith alone, that must do that. I declare I put not my hand to that work to gain any honour, or reputation to myself, but in singleness and sincerity of heart, I came unto the service, not constrained by any man, but from conscience of my being engaged by covenant unto God ; and as under the name of a Christian, so to own the work and interest of Jesus Christ; although I had never the occasion to swear the covenant with an uplifted hand, yet 1 hold myself as deeply engaged in it, as if I had done it; and I declare my appearing with that persecuted handful in the fields, was to do the utmost of niv power, fir the down-1 earing of abjured prelacy, and prelates, and papists, and all other nmi ANDREW SWORD. 229 our Lord ; and to testify not only against them, but all other and sects, and sectaries whatsoever, — but eveu the defections far sinful compliance of the indulged, and others defending them. iy which is made daily more clear to be contrary to the word of Goc. and our sworn covenants. And I declare my appearing, as it was to testify against all them that have wronged our Lord, his kirk and people, so also, to endeavour to my power, the restoring again the pure ordinances to their former power and purity, and to recover tho church in this land (which Jesus Christ hath purchased at so dear a rate) to her former beauty, which is now defaced and broken down in these lands, by perjured prelates and their underlings ; and alas ! disowned even by many ministers and professors, Ezek. xiii. 10 — 12. ' Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace : and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar,' &c. And ver. 19. ' And will ye pollute mo among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to elay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people, that hear your lies ?' &c. — Who have declared by their apostasy and compliance, that they love their life and gear better than Christ and his cause ; either of the which they were and are bound to maintain and own, even to the ' resisting unto blood, striving against sin.' Alas ! alas ! to see professors, who once professed to know so much of Christ and his truth ; and that they have declared, in the sight of enemies, — that tliey durst not trust precious Christ, and his worthy and precious promises, — by their joining and complying with the enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ. These things have they done by taking the bond to procure their life ; but, truly the less wonder that poor people have done it, when not only threatened by enemies, but counselled and driven to it by ministers : Oh ! < the leaders of my people have caused them to err.' Therefore read Jer. xii. 9. ' Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her ; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.' Ver. 10. « Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.' And ver. 11. ' They have made it desolate, and being Jesolate, it mourneth unto me ; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.' And ver. 12. ' The spoilers are coma upon all high places through the wilderness ; for the sword of the Lord shall devour,' &c. ' and no flesh shall have peace.' And wiien I think on that of Hos. ii. from ver. 1 — 8., I shall now heartily i ray, and I pray you, plead with your mother church, the bulk of ministers and professors, that they would acknowledge their defection, mourn for it, and return to the Lord ; and if they v/ill not hear you, nor believe and lay weight upon our words, though men dying, witnessing against their present practices, as well as against our above- board and avowed enemies, I pray you, if they will not turn, let all pray, that the Lord himself may hedge up their way with thorns, and make a wall that they may not find their paths. And indeed it seems, that word hath little weight with or upon them, which Christ hath 226 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Christ, And if Samuel were living now, when so many of our teachers are so silent, he could tell them that rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. And I dare venture to say, though no prophet, that we are not the troublers of Israel, but the king and his family, and the wicked Hamans, the railing Rabshakehs, the wicked Doegs, the false and unfaithful prophets, these are the greatest troublers of our Israel. Therefore, let them read Lam. ii. 6, 7. ' And he hath violently taken away his tabernacles, as if it were of a garden ; he hath destroyed his palaces of the assembly ; the Lord hath caused the solemn feasts and Sabbaths to be forgotten in Zion, and hath despised in the indignation of his anger the king and the priest : the Lord hath cast off his altar ; he hath abhorred his sanctuary ; he hath given up into the hand of the enemy the walls of her palaces,' &c. And ver. 9. ' Her gates are sunk into the ground, he hath destroyed and broken her bars ; her king and her princes are among the Gentiles ; the law is no more, her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.' And I bless his name that ever I was a man to carry arms upon that account. I here declare, that I rue it not, although I be condemned to die for it. I bless the Lord who hath counted me worthy to die for so good and so honourable a cause, who am but a poor, feckless, worthless, sinful creature. " And now, my friends, since he hath honoured me with such a piece of honour, as to have been shut up in prison for a while, and after that, now sentenced to death by men ; and in all this time the Lord hath supported me beyond what I can express : wherefore, ye may hear and see, that they fare best that venture farthest for Christ. Therefore I pray you in his name, scare not at his cross ; for when to your eye and sense it seems to he most bitter, yet even then, he can make it most sweet. I can tell this by experience : Now, for ever and for ever blessed be his name for it. Now, will ye wrestle lionestly under his yoke, and he will not only bear the heavy end of it, but he will help you under your end of it. And indeed, when I was first shut up in close prison, I was somewhat dejected and cast down, upon several accounts ; but, blessed be his name, my last time was better, and more sweet to me, than my first time. Although I was sentenced to die, I hope I am not condemned in the court of heaven, for that which men have condemned me on earth. The cause is righteous, lawful, just, and good ; yet I know it is not enough to justify me in God's sight, that I had a good cause; it is the having of Christ's righteousness imputed to me, and received by faith alone, that must do that. I declare I put not my hand to that work to gain any honour, or reputation to myself, but in singleness and sincerity of heart, I came unto the service, not constrained by any man, but from conscience of my being engaged by covenant unto God ; and as under the name of a Christian, so to own the work and interest of Jesus Christ; although I had never the occasion to swear the covenant with an uplifted hand, yet I hold myself as deeply engaged in it, as if I had done it; and I declare my appearing with that persecuted handful in Che fields, was to do the utmost of niv power, fir the down-lrai ir.g of abjured prelacy, and prelates, and papists, and all other tnemii i ot ANDREW SWORD. 227 our Lord ; and to testify not only against them, but all other errors, and sects, and sectaries whatsoever, — but even the defections and sinful compliance of the indulged, and others defending them. All which is made daily more clear to be contrary to the word of God, and our sworn covenants. And I declare my appearing, as it was to testify against all them that have wronged our Lord, his kirk and people, so also, to endeavour to my power, the restoring again the pure ordinances to their former power and purity, and to recover the church in this land (which Jesus Christ hath purchased at so dear a rate) to her former beauty, which is now defaced and broken down in these lands, by perjured prelates and their underlings ; and alas I disowned even by many ministers and professors, Ezek. xiii. 10 — 12. ' Because, even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace : and one built up a wall, and lo, others daubed it with untempered mortar,' &c. And ver. 19. ' And will ye pollute mo among my people for handfuls of barley, and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people, that hear your lies ?' &c. — Who have declared by their apostasy and compliance, that they love their life and gear better than Christ and his cause ; either of the which they were and are bound to maintain and own, even to the ' resisting unto blood, striving against sin.' Alas ! alas ! to see professors, who once professed to know so much of Christ and his truth ; and that they have declared, in the sight of enemies, — that they durst not trust precious Christ, and his worthy and precious promises, — by their joining and complying with the enemies of the cross of Jesus Christ. These things have they done by taking the bond to procure their life ; but, truly the less wonder that poor people have done it, when not only threatened by enemies, but counselled and driven to it by ministers : Oh ! ' the leaders of my people have caused them to err.' Therefore read Jer. xii. 9. ' Mine heritage is unto me as a speckled bird, the birds round about are against her ; come ye, assemble all the beasts of the field, come to devour.' Ver. 10. ' Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.' And ver. 11. ' They have made it desolate, and being Jesolate, it mourneth unto me ; the whole land is made desolate, because no man layeth it to heart.' And ver. 12. ' The spoilers are come upon all high places through the wilderness ; for the sword of the Lord shall devour,' &c. ' and no flesh shall have peace.' And when I think on that of Hos. ii. from ver. 1 — 8., I shall now heartily pray, and I pray you, plead with your mother church, the bulk of ministers and professors, that they would acknowledge their defection, mourn for it, and return to the Lord ; and if they will not hear you, nor believe and lay weight upon our words, though men dying, witnessing against their present practices, as well as against our above- board and avowed enemies, I pray you, if they will not turn, let all pray, that the Lord himself may hedge up their way with thorns, and make a wall that they may not find their paths. And indeed it seems, that word hath little weight with or upon them, which Christ hath 228 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES, 6aitl, \ He that seeks to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.' And if any would ask at me what I think of the cross, when it is at the heaviest, I can answer them very well that question. I think it an easy and sweet cross ; and I bless His name that ever He made me take it up and follow him. Now, because we are straitened for time to get any thing of a testimony left particular enough, to mention all things we are now clear of, and would be at, as duty to you; and all things in us, our fathers, our prince, our nobles, ministers and all ranks, that are provoking in His sight, aud thAauses of God's wrath on the land, I refer you to the joint and more general testimony agreed to, and subscribed by us all, as our minds together ; and desire the Lord may deal and prevail with the hearts of all such, on whom our death or words, 'tis like, will not prevail, that he may pour forth his Spirit from on high upon us while in time, — and on you that remain, that ye may look on him whom ye have pierced, and mourn until he return : for, I hope ere long to rejoice in that I have been mourning, and now suffering, for that which others dare bless God for as a mercy, and rejoice in ; — that is, the first and now late favours, both indigencies and indemnities, and other things which the wicked are but spreading in your way as snares, and it is too true, that bribes blind the eyes of the wise. Therefore, I beg the Spirit of truth may lead ydu into all truth ; and bidding farewell to all friends, being willing to leave all, to enjoy Christ, to whom I recommend my spirit. Sic Sub— ANDREW SWORD.* 4. John Waddel.t " Men and Brethren, — It may be thought by some, that the cause of my death by suffering, is but a thing indifferent in some respect ; but the Lord knoweth that my intention is, and was, from the first day I appeared in open war, against all those that were fighting against Christ and his cause, from the thought and deep sense of my duty Lo appear in hazard of my life, and goods, and all I had in the world, — to defend ami maintain Jesus Christ and his cause. And now we are condemned as guilty of death, and held by them as rebellious, to appear for the interest of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and they have condemned him, to have no right to govern his church and ecclesi- astical affairs, which we are bound by the word of God and covenants, to own and avow in spite of all that will say the contrary, without respect of persons. It is true, I am bound to maintain all lawful * Naphtali. •J- Of John Waddel our information is equally scanty as <>f tlic three previously mentioned Individuals. He was, according to the designation to bis testimony, as given in Naphtali, from tlic parish of Newmonkland, in Lanarkshire, Hut in AppriKlix, No. xxxiii t<> the sftond volume of Wodrow's History, we have the following notice of him as of sdme others «'t' the five. "John Waddel, i" the parish of Shotts, acknowledges the Rebellion to have been a rebellion, but denies the Arclibhhob'f murder to be sinful." How far this accords with his t«sti. luony, no leave the reader to judge for himself. JOHN" WADDEL 229 authority, as it is agreeable to his word ; and to obey the king, as far as he maintains the church in her liberty, and no further on any accounts ; we are also bound to maintain and own him in holding out foreign nations ; but if he be against God, then we are bound to stand in defence of the church, in all that belongs to the true worship and fear of God, and to do our utmost to the bearing down defection and profanity, .and all those things that are contrary to our solemn engage- ment in the National and Solemn League and Covenant ; and as he hath bound us in his word, and commanded us to lay dOwn our lives for his cause and interest, lie hath also said, ' He that seeks to save his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for the gospel, shall save it.' And I have this to say, that I declare I am not worthy to receive the least honour of a testimony, because I am' the least, and less than the least of all those that have appeared for his cause, at this time, or at any time have appeared for his cause and truth : for I am, as Jacob said, less than the least of all God's mercies ; but I have this to say, to the commendation of free love and mercy that he hath made that as clear to me, as the sun shineth, that if I had yielded at that time, when I was called in question for him and his truths, that he should have disowned me, for doing that, in my greatest strait. And on the other hand, I was fast and sure, that the Lord would own me, if I owned him ; for he says, ' He that contends with you, I will contend with him ;' wherefore I have ground to lay hold upon the promises, yet not I, but the grace of God in me, and the love of him that died, and rose again from the dead in his own strength, and now lives for ever. " I bear my testimony against all those that have declared themselves open enemies against Christ, and against the work of reformation ; — which cause many profess they are owning, and yet denying a part of the truth to be truth ; but well, let them remember that word, ' Wo to them that call good evil, and evil good.' " Next, I bear my testimony against all that say, I might have abode at home, and served God : but I grant that is true, if I had been clear of it, and joined with indulgents. It is true, I acknowledge I once heard them, but now I am sorry for the thing I have done therein : but for their persons, the Lord knows, I have no ill will at them : but upon the other hand, some will say, akhough I went out, yet now I might have taken the bond, and saved my life, and done as other men did ; but I have reason to bless the Lord, that has borne in that upon my heart so clearly, as to see the evil of it, from the beginning of it, and now I declare it, at the end of the time I have to be here-away. " Next, I bear my testimony against that tax so unlawfully imposed against the people, for it was only to maintain that party, who were setting themselves with all their might against the work and worship of God, because it was in power and purity, and because it was not sgreeable to profanity, as they would have had it, therefore they persecute that work and despise it, because it looks so like God, and they so like the devil ; and they hate the people of God, because they hate God, and all that are like him, for this is the reason of our being condemned, because we had something of the fear of God ; and I 230 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. confess there is nothing in me, to be the end and way of the dealing of God, but it is in himself that has moved him to fall in love with me, and bring me into the way of heaven and salvation, although by a terrible way and manner. Nevertheless, I shall win to heaven, though it were through a sea of troubles and difficulties, for the apostle says, Rom. viii. near the close, ' Neither principalities nor powers, death nor life, things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ;' and ver. 31. 'If God be for us, who can be against us ?' It is God that justifies, who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died, yea rather who is risen again from the dead, that we might live ; who is even at the right hand o f God, and is making intercession for us. — For thy sake we are killed all the day long, we are counted as sheep for the slaughter, but, in all these things we are more than conquerers through him that hath loved us.' And as he saith, ver. 18. • I reckon that the sufferings of this present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that, shall be revealed in us.' " Next, I bear my testimony against all sects and opinions that are contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ, both popery and prelacy perjury and all profanity, and all malignancy, and particularly against that protection that is called indulgence, that shelter, that so many have run in under, in these chilled times, while the ark of God is in the open fields, as was said by a worthy man long ago, who was killed in the fields, fighting for the church of Christ, as we were ; aid there is a ground for it. I argue it lawful to rise in arms, in opposition to any that are incensed and enraged against the work of our Lord and Saviour, and his gospel. And that is in Jer. xlviii. 10. < Cursed be he that doth the work of the Lord deceit- fully, and cursed be he that keepeth back his sword from blood.' These were all enemies against God and his way, for it was Moab, that cursed crew, and it may be Edom was there too, our bastard brother, as there was some of the folk, that ye and we call many times friends, but yet they were at Bothwell-bridge, and appeared in open war against Christ, and these who once seemed to be for him (as we thought) and these were they who are indulged ; I could name them to you, but I need not, for the Lord knoweth them and us both, and we must all answer to him what was our intention. But as for me, I am in the way of going to eternity, and must appeal within a few days, and be judged by Christ ; but that day will not be like that day of November, when we got our sentence ; but it is like, that these who judged us then, will be as far down in that day of our appearance, as we were under them in that day, for they did as they thought fit against us, but it shall not be so in that great day, 2 Cor. v. 10. 11 Next, I bear my testimony against all those that say. we arc of the sect of the Jesuits, tending to Quakerism and error, because we are willing Christ should wear his own crown, kingdom, and all his prerogative rights, and these truths we arc engaged unto, and will not give them unto a man whose breath is in his nostrils. As for me, a JOHN WADDEL. 231 dying person, I declare my hatred before God, angels, and men, that I lore none of that kind that we are ranked up with, as some friends said of me, and not of me only, that we agreed well with Quakerism, and had some of their principles ; but the Lord knows, and they shall know, when all of us shall stand before the tribunal of God, and there receive a just sentence, that we abhor these ways. " Next, I bear my testimony against all that say, we will not give the king his due, as we covenanted ; but they are all wrong, for they would have us to give king Charles that which we owe to King Christ, I hope through him that withheld me hitherto from complying and subscribing that bond, that was so clear a sin to me, He will yet help me more, for he says, " Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations ; therefore I appoint for you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me ; that ye may eat and drink with me in my kingdom,' Luke xxii. 28 — 30. And Rev. vii. 13 — 16. * What are these which are arrayed in white robes, and whence came they ? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said unto me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb ;' and they are found without spot before the throne of God, and blameless : ' Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them ; and they shall hunger no more.' And that innumerable company of angels, and the generation of the first-born are to accom- pany them that shall win through to the other side. " Next, I bear my testimony against all those unlawful things that have been imposed upon the people of God, and against all those that have put them to the door, and they who have yielded to that woful cess ; but what need I say any more of that ? It is clear even to the light of nature ; but we are all waxed gross, and are like a deceitful bow, as in Psal. lxxviii., which is a remarkable scripture : but now ye may see, they are the bravest men that can deny most of the scriptures : but I leave this to the Lord of heaven and earth. " Next, I bear my testimony against these noble-men and women, gentle-men and women, ministers, and others, who, though they seem to be our friends, yet say, — we are led on in such a way of superstition by a few silly women, because we durst not do as they would have us do, and that was in taking the bond, and confessing that our being at Bothwell-bridge was rebellion, not only against man, but they would even have me say, that it was rebellion against God ; but the Lord is my record, I durst not do it for my soul : for, I was clear }n ray conscience, that it was a duty lying on me to appear in arms against the generation of wicked men, that, like Ahab, have sold themselves to work wickedness in the sight of God, and so it says to me, that the Lord will do to them as he did to Ahab, Jeroboam, and Baasha, — he made an end of them, both root and branch ; but if it may please the Lord to give them repentance, from my very heart I wish them pardon — both king and nobles, — as I would be forgiven of God myself. " There is another word I have to say, — and that is to all Christians, 232 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. —to fear God, and honour the king, as far as ne and you agree in honouring Christ, and no farther. Although he he a monarch, if he fall on, and break down the work of God, I charge all that have a mind to come to heaven, to arise and contend for the work of God, as ye will be answerable to him in the great day, who is taking notice of all those who are contending for him, his cause and truth, and do not account their life dear to lay it down for him, — who was at the pains to come down from the bosom of the Father, and take on man's nature as a sinful man ; and he was trysted with all sorts of trouble and affliction as we are now, and yet without sin, and yet persecuted as for sin ; and he had fellow-feeling of all our infirmities. " Next, I have this to bear my testimony against, and that is, this great course of defection and backsliding both in ministers and professors, and also the profanity and wickedness in all other ranks and degrees so much carried on by a great many, and not only by a backward and godless generation, but by a professing party, that are crying, ' Away with him, away with him, crucify him ;' but there is a day coming, when many of these will cry to ' hills and mountains to fall upon them, and cover them from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for who will be able *o stand when he appears ?' " Now, there is another ground of my sentence, and that is, because I thought it my duty to appear in name and behalf of the church and people of God, and in owning that handful that was borne down, and made to seek the open fields night and day, because of the fury of the oppressor, and therefore, the more I thought it was my duty, the more it was persecuted. And because I was in covenant with God, — although I was never honoured, so as- to hold up my hand, and swear to God before men, — yet I am not the less engaged in that, to God, but the more ; and having tliis to say, that I came out of my own free will, no man pressing me, but only so far as my conscience did command me, in the peril of my life, to appear in open war against all profanity, and a wicked apostate generation, and to own a small persecuted and despised handful that was forced to take the open fields, by reason of a perjured party, that has so come in, and oppressed all these that would live peaceably. If they would have let them have the word of God preached in power and purity, as we had it once in a day : — but now we are deprived of these great and precious privileges by our misimproving of them, and the Lord hath been pleased to remove his candlestick into corners ; and not only so, but he hath been pleased to let some fall and comply with an adulter- oiii generation, both ministers and professors, for the which we mouii this day, and do testify against them. " Next, I bear my testimony against all these proclamations and declarations, or laws any other way made and set out, contrary to the word and law of God, by a cursed crew of perjured men, who bave broken covenant, and the oaths of God, and have stated themselves againsl ( Ihrisl and hie cause, which v, as a great groundofmyftppearing against the wicked party's side and fart ion. and made me own the other party, (although in hazard of my life,) being lying tn the open G JOHN WADDEL. 233 i Nevertheless, my bond and engagement to God lay on me, that I should defend that interest with my life and liberty, and made it clear that it was a duty, (and particularly to me,) according to my engage- ment to him. I being but a private person, you need not look for such a testimony from me as from others, yet I think it my duty to write a word or two to those that are left behind, to make it appear, that I died not as a fool, as some do imagine ; but I reckon not what any man shall say of me. Now, I hope to be at an end ere long, and beyond all their censures and reproaches, and therefore I die willingly, for ' I know in whom I have believed, and that he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day ;' and I must declare, that I have nothing of myself to boast of, but all in Christ, — ' through his grace I am that I am.' I must declare, that he may as justly cast me down into the lowest hell, as to honour me with the contrary, and that is, by giving a testimony on a scaffold ; — and only for him, and for him only I now suffer. I am willing to die upon that account, having the clear call of God to hold me up, for he saith, Isa. xliii. 2, 3. ' Fear not thou, O Jacob, for I will be with thee ; when thou walkest through the fire, it shall not burn thee ; when thou passest through the waters, they shall not drown thee ;' and is not that a bra,ve ground of hope and encouragement ? Therefore suffer cheerfully, all my friends, I have not much to say, being of smal judgment, but I have that word to say anent my case, Since I was a prisoner, but mainly since I was under the sentence of death, I have had much of the presence of God since that was my lot ; and I may say, ' My lot is fallen in pleasant places, I have a goodly heritage.' Although some dark clouds and vails do intervene, and mar me now and then, yet I must declare, I am not left in the dark altogether. And I have reason to bless God, that he doth not leave me all the way alone, as he may justly do, and my soul blesseth him for owning me so much, as to strengthen me with his own strength. I have a word, Acts xxiv. 13 — 16. that l they cannot prove the things which they lay to my charge :' hut in so far as they did count my duty and fear of God to be rebellion against God and the king ; so I desire the Lord would pardon them for so gross and grievous a sentence that they passed on us, condemning us as accessory to the death of that perjured, profane, and abominable prelate, Sharp, who was one of those in this land that did use all his power to the overthrowing of the work of God ; — but he is now at his portion, where the Lord will ; and I shall say no more of that, but leave all to the Lord ; and I leave on him all causes in this land of Scotland) and all our covenanted lands. " Next, I leave my testimony against those who have pressed the bond on some, advising them who were but weak in judgment ; — and in so doing, you have a hand in their sin, and shall as surely partake of their plagues that shall be sent on them from the hand of the Lord for so doing, as he hath broken them ; for the which I am very sorry, both for them that have taken the bond, and those that enticed them so ro do ; but I hope ye shall see some of them ere long rue that step of defection. I wish I may be forgiven of God for all my sins and 834 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. provocations, but I hope to be forgiven only through His grace, deatlj, and sufferings, — which is the only way by which we must inherit the crown purchased through the precious blood of Christ, which crown we live and die in the faith of, that we shall have a right to : but the Lord hath several ways in so doing, and we are to enjoy the crown in an extraordinary way. " I pray that the Lord may, and will he pleased to return and come again, and make his work a rejoicing work ; and that his poor people, who are precious, near and dear to him, may not depart without a testimony, and go to the grave, and may not be silent, and may see the great hazard of being silent, — I mean both ministers and professors, — but may declare the mind of their Master more faithfully, and that with all boldness, as it is said in that word, ' Who art thou that art afraid of man that shall die, and forgettest me the Lord thy Maker ?' I have another word to say, and that is, James v. 5, 6. ' Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter ; and have condemned the just for the unjust, and he doth not resist you. My brethren, be patient until the coming of our Lord ;' he will make up all your loss, trouble not yourselves ; for ' God resist-eth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble,' 1 Pet. v. 6 — 8. ' Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of the Lord, and he will exalt you in due time : Cast all your care upon the Lord, for he careth for you ; and be sober.' 1 Pet. iv. 6 — 8. ' For this cause was the gospel preached to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit; but the end of all things is at hand, be ye sober, therefore, and watch unto prayer ; and above all things, have fervent charity amongst yourselves, for charity covers a multitude of sins.' Ver. 12 — 19. * Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial, as if some strange thing had happened unto you ; but rejoice in as much as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings, that when his glory shall appear, ye may be glad also with exceeding great joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye ; for the Spirit of God, and of glory resteth on you. On their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified ; but let none of you suffer as a fool, or as a busy- body in other men's matters, or as an evil-doer; yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf; for the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God ; and if it first begin at us, what will become of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear ? Wherefore, let him that suffers according to the will of God, commit the keeping < ! his soul to him in well-doing, as unto a faithful Creator.' 1 desire to mind the poor case and condition of this once much honoured land oi Scotland. O Scotland ! that was once so much honoured with the everlasting gospel 1 which now is despised and disowned, not only by a malignant party, but by some lukewarm professors, who once appeared for the defence of that cause. " Again, I bear my testimony to the cross of Christ, and against all those who are thirsting after the blood of the saints, and against those JOHN CLYDE. 235 that are yet putting some to death, and others to tanish merit. I hear my testimony against all imprisonments or blood, either shed on scaffolds, or in the fields ; and against all reproaches cast on the people of God, calling them fanatics ; and against all oppression done by the perjured prelatic party, and against all those that join in affinity with these persecutors : ye may remember what became of Jehoshaphat with Ahab ; ye will find it in 2 Chron. xix. 2. " Next, I bear my joint testimony with all those that have gone before me, either in that way on scaffolds, or in fields, or shall go yet. I pray God may prevent that any more should suffer, if it be his will ; and I leave my testimony against all these wolves, who have entered into the labours of the faithful servants of our Lord ; and likewise against all ranks and degrees that have done, or shall do any thing contrary to the word of God. And lastly, I refer you to the general testimony agreed to, and subscribed by us all five, as our joint minds together, beside our particular testimonies. So, recommending all my dear friends and relations to the guiding and protection of the Almighty ; farewell all earthly comforts, and welcome Father, Son, Mid Holy Spirit, into whose hands I commend my spirit. Amen. « Sic Sub.— JOHN WADDEL."* 5. John Clyde.-!/ " Men and Brethren, — These are to show you the case that I am in at this time, and what the Lord hath in his infinite wisdom carved out to be my lot and condition at this present time : and I am but a very young man to have such a lot and dispensation cast in my way, at this day ; and for my age, it is but small in account, and few in number, about twenty-one years of age. And I may say justly, as Jacob said to Pharaoh, ' My days are few and full of trouble ;' although I have not come so far a length as Jacob came, nor have met with the hardships he met with, yet in my poor station, I have been trysted with sundry cross dispensations, according to my weak capacity, partly from within, and partly from without. And I may justly say, that I am ' the least of all saints,' and one of the unworthiest that have gone under the name of a profession ; and far less to be counted * Naphtali. f Nothing is mentioned either in Wodrow's History or in Naphtali respecting the profession or place of residence of this individual. He speaks of himself in his " Last words," as having heen a ploughman, and in his Testimony as being a very young man, only twenty-one years of age. He judicially confessed the fact of his having been at Bothwell — and he here defends it on the ground of duty. So guiltless was he, however, with regard to the Archbishop's death, that, as he himself informs us, he had never even seen him to his knowledge. He seems to have, in a special manner, earned the displeasure of the council by his forwardness and firmness in refusing the bond. Wodrow informs us that, out of fifteen individuals who, in the month of August preceding, were, in consequence of the report of committee alluded to in a previous note, im- pinnelled for life, John Clyde was one of two who resisted the taking of the bond, though strongly urged to it by the advice of one of the ministers. This, iu so young a man, was highly honourable to his decision of character. 236 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. worthy to give a testimony for such an honourable cause as this is — that the Lord in his infinite wisdom and holy providence hath laid in my way at this time — that ever he should have counted me worthy to have laid down my life in such a way as this. And now, my dear fi'iends, I am to let you know upon what account I am to lay down my life, and what moved me to cast myself into this hazard. It wan a precious word o-f God that gave me a call to it, as ye will find Judges v. 23. ' Curse ye Meroz' with a double curse, ' because they came not out to the help of the Lord against the mighty.' My dear friends, I confess, ye may object and say, that if the Lord had seen it fit, he could have made the stones to have risen up to have fought his battle ; I confess that he could have done it : yet, however, the Lord allows his people to do it to the uttermost of their power, for the owning and maintaining of his work and interest. We are bound in the sixth article of the Solemn League and Covenant, ' That we shall, according to our places and calling, in this common cause of religion, liberty, and peace of the kingdom, assist and defend all those that enter into this league and covenant, in the maintaining and preserving thereof, even to our lives and liberties losing.' And I might prove it further from scripture, if need were. But I think, if there were but one page in all the holy scripture, it might be a sufficient call and ground for us to defend the work of reformation, even to the loss of our lives and liberties. As ye will find it, Jer. xlviii. 10. ' Cursed be he that doeth the work of the Lord deceitfully and cursed be he that keepeth his sword back from blood.' I might insist and prove my rising in arms by these scriptures, but I shall not insist any longer upon it, because I had need to be taken up about other exercise than this. But yet I thought it my duty, to let you see upon what grounds I lay down my life this day, to put you beyond debate ; for I thought it my duty, and do yet count it my duty, and am so far from repining, desponding, or grudging, that I count it my honour and glory, that ever I should have been counted worthy >o give my weak and feeble testimony against a sinful and apostatizing generation, that hath trampled under foot the covenant and work of reformation, and counted the blood of the Son of God an unholy thing. This I may say< without breach of charity, and without reflection upon any body, for it is visibly seen by the generality of all the people that do countenance the malignant party. But I must confess, there am some better than others : but by the whole plurality there is nothing countenanced, nor carried on, but popery, and prelacy, and quakerUm, and all manner of abomination : and there is nothing hohlcn under* board, but the glorious work of reformation, which 1 am to lav down my life this day for, as a witnessing against popery and prelacy, Quakerism, and all manner of abominations abounding in this poor covenanted land. And 1 think, any that are but half-witted, or have a spunk of mother-wit (as we use to -say), may see that the Lord hath a controversy with these lands, because ' the righteous perish, and no man layeth it to heart, and niereil'ul men are taken away, and no man regardetll it.' Isa. Ivii. 1. And 1 WOt well, it is clearly seen and made out in our days that this is true ; for the faithful ministe:.-, JOHN CLYDE. 237 and other Christians, are taken away, what by death, what by banish- ment, what by execution ; and hunted up and down, that they have not so much as a house to stay or make their abode in. And tor my part, I shall say but very little to it ; but I think, our king and counsellors should think shame to do so ; but truly I may say, that shame is past the shade of their hair (as we used to say in an ol<^ proverb). And as the word says, ' They have a whore's forehead, they cease to be ashamed ;' for any body may see it so, — or else they would never do as they do ; for if they were not void of the grace of God, they would be afraid to do as they do. I shall say nothing to this, purpose, but what I shall make good from his word : when David lamented for the death of Saul and Jonathan his son, though David was accounted to be king over the people of Israel, yet because Saul and Jonathan were killed by their enemies, David says, ' Tell it not in Gath, nor publish it in the streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncir- cumcised triumph,' 2 Sam. i. 20. For truly I think, to my poor and weak-skill, our rulers should think shame to be using their poor subjects so for nothing, but for following the work of God, as they are bound upon conscience to do, to be executing some, and banishing others, as they are doing. But for my own part I shall say no more, but wish, that the Lord would not lay it to their charge, for I desire to forgive them, if it may stand with the Lord's holy will ; and if not, I desire to turn it over on the Lord, let him do as he sees fit. Only this I may say, that it is for no evil that I have done, that I am made a gazing-stock to all these beholders this day ; and I bless his name for it, I die not as a fool ; — I have his own word for it, that if ' I suffer for him, I shall also reign with him ;' and I wot, that the Lord Jesus owns the cause as his, and he calls it his temptations. Therefore, although it be somewhat terrifying to the eyes of the beholders, and to flesh and blood, yet it will yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness to all those that are exercised thereby. And although I am to be executed here, and my body, after I am executed, is to be hung up until it consume all away ; yet I die in the faith of this, that although it should hang till it consume all away, and be scattered up and down the earth, till there be not so much as a hairbreadth together ; though the fowls of the air should come and take away part of it, and the beasts of the field should come and consume the other part of it ; and though, if it were possible, that fishes should come and take anothei part of it, yet I desire to die in the faith of this, that it will be all gathered together again, and a hairbreadth of it will not be lost, when King Christ comes with the sound of the Archangel, and the sound of the last trumpet, and then ' the dead in Christ shall be first raised,' and then ' we must all stand before his tribunal, and give an account of the deeds of the body, whether they have been good or evil ;' according as we have done here, so it will be done unto us, where there will be no respect of persons, where the beggar that sits upon the dunghill will be as much thought of that day, as the king that sits upon the throne : yea, and ' Tophet is prepared of old, for the king as well as for the beggar.' Now, my beloved, I shall let you see the 238 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. confidence I have of this truth. First, ye will find it, Job xix. 26. ' And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.' Ver. 27. ' Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my reins be consumed within me.' And likewise, ye will find it written in Isa. xxx. 33. ' For Tophet is prepared of old : yea, for the king it is prepared, he hath made it deep and large, the pile thereof,' &c. Now, my dear friends, I hope you will find nothing here but what is written in the scriptures, for this is of a certain truth, that it will be so both for kings, nobles, and ignobles, if they do not repent and turn from the evil of their deeds, and turn unto the Lord. But alas ! there is no appearance of turning from their evil deeds. The Lord has been shoaring (as it were) this land with sore strokes, yet we may say, as the prophet says, Isa. i. 5., to that wicked people, ' Why should ye be stricken any more ?' for the more they are stricken, the more they revolt : but stay still yet, there is a day coming when they shall be made to hear, whether they will or not ; Mic. vi. 9. there is a voice of the Lord calling to the city, compared to a rod : but alas ! it is very sad to think upon it, that there are so few that are taking warning from the word of the Lord, as there is. However, they will be made to hear, and take with the warning, little for their profit, * when the Lord shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels, taking vengeance upon all them that know not God, and obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.' And now I shall say no more to this purpose. " But I am to leave my testimony against Popery, and Prelacy, and Quakerism, and Erastianism, and all abominations that are abounding in this land. And likewise, I let all the world know, wheresoever this paper of mine comes to be known, that I die in the faith of this, . — that the Lord shall have a church in this land, whether the devil or men will or not. We have his word for it; there shall be a generation that shall be counted to the Lord for a people that shall serve him, whether king or council will or not, let them do their best, and the bishops and all their underlings, and all their attendants : if hell, and death, and wicked men, and all were set in opposition against it, I say, our King Christ will be head of his church, say against it who will : and he shall reign in Zion till all his enemies be under his feet. Now, I shall say no more, but only two or three words anent the thing I was accused of, by those that pursued mo, and that was the king's advocate, and bishop Sharp's brother, anent the bishop's killing. And whether I had spoken of it or not, there is nobody, but may know, that it was the only thing that made them so sorely to in>ist against me ; I wish the Lord may not lay it to their charge : for I never saiv that man whom thiy called the bishop of St. Andrews, that I knew by another man ; and the other ground of my sentence was the killing of a butcher,* who confessed that he committed both * The rrailcr must observe that this act wh not eharged home in tin* In- dictment on John Clyde, or any ofhii companions, perttmmliy — bat only ;i- the act of the DUty of inaorgente, with whom he and they kid though! it tin ir duty to join. It may even be questioned how Car it was the art of that bodj M ■ whole — but at all events, the motives which led to it were far Other than those JOHN CLYDE. 239 adultery and buggery, and murdered a man of late at Glasgow ; and when as himself did the most horrible acts that ever man did, yet they called the killing of him murder. The third ground of my sentence was, that I was at the late rebellion that was at Bothwell-bridge, as they call it, the which I never held as rebellion, nor counted any thing that was done that way rebellion. I bless the Lord that ever he counted me worthy to bear witness to such things as these were. The fourth ground of my sentence was the hearing of rebellions ministers, that are holden out, as rendezvouses of rebellion, both in field and houses. My soul blesseth the Lord that ever I was witness to such meetings, either in £he fields or in houses, as these were. I bear witness and give my testimony to such meetings as these were. For I may say, that if ever the Lord had a poor church in Scotland, that he has some [ministers] who have been wonderfully owned and carried on by the Lord's powerful and mighty hand, not only to the conviction of some, but to the conversion of others. And I leave my testimony to this persecuted and borne-down work of our Lord Jesus Christ, and leave my testimony against all the opposers thereof, that they are enemies to the cross of Christ. And now I shall say no more concerning these things: — But 1. I declare my testimony against all these forementioned things, and against all bonds that are not consistent with the word of God, and are not agreeable to the Solemn League and Covenant, and against all declarations and cesses that are for the army, to bring down the work of reformation, as it was once owned and advanced in this island of Britain and Ireland, and especially in Scotland ; which was once the best reformed church that was in the whole earth. And I leave my testimony to the Larger and Shorter Catechisms and Confession of Faith. 2. And likewise I declare, that I lay not my life unwillingly down this day, but freely, without any restraint or constraint. Next, I declare, that I am free of all the crimes that they lay to me, for I was ever obedient to the king and his lawful authority, and do commend every one in their places and stations thereto, so far as his laws consist with the word of God. 3. I declare, that it was for the defence of the gospel that I arose, and that of free-will, not allured, nor enticed by any body or person in the world. 4. I declare, that I durst not take the bond that was laid to me, and go over the belly of my conscience, a;.d sin against God, and durst not take liberty to my body with prejudice to my soul ; for, that word was borne in upon me, that those that save their lives, shall lose their lives. 5. I bless the Lord, that sin< e I got my sentence I have been wonderfully carried through, not having so much as an hard thought of any thing that I have done. Yea, the Lord hath wonderfully upholden me since I got my sentence. 6. I to which it was ascribed in the terms of the charge. The .individual in question seems to have been chargeable with the grossest crimes — and it was for these crimes, and not for his zeal or diligence in serving his majesty, that be was condemned and executed. But, indeed, as we have already stated, the indict- ment against these five individuals is full of the most glaring untruths and misrepresentations in regard to the Bothwell insurrection, and this, as Wodrow remarks, is undoubtedly one of them. 240 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. shall say no more to this, but desire my blessing to all my friends in Christ ; and now, I must bid farewell to all earthly pleasures and enjoyments, all kinsfolk and relations, and farewell to my loving mother, and all other friends, and welcome Christ, beaven, and eternity, and farewell sorrow and sigbing, and farewell losses and crosses, punishments and banishments, farewell all earthly sorrows, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, for evermore ; ' Even so, come, Lord Jesus, come quickly,' and receive my spirit ! Amen. Sic Sub JOHN CLYDE."* XXIX. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. Sect. hi. Their Dying Speech. [The designation we have given to the following paper is in a great measure arbitrary. We conceive it, however, justified by the pro- bable design with which it was written, and for any thing certain, that appears to the contrary — which it actually served. It seems to embrace a brief view of the principal topics discussed in their Joint Testimony, which they probably reduced to this more concise form, with the intention of delivering it at the place of execution. Whether it was so delivered or not, we have not ascertained. But at all events, it, being necessary to distinguish it by a separate title, the present one seemed proper, from certain forms of expression employed in it, especially towards the beginning.] u Men and Brethren, — We are come here this day in your presence to lay down this life of ours, being in our own defence, and defence of the gospel, as ye know we are bound in the covenants, to defend our religion, lives, liberties, and all in our stations. My dear friends, mind your vows and engagements, that ye are lying under, and the Church of Scotland is lying under this day. Now we come to give you an account of the reasons, why we are come here to this place of execution, this day. The thing was, our refusing of a bond, which we could not take, no not for our lives, which were offered us, upon condition of subscribing it. 1. The first thing that was in it, was that we should acknowledge our being at Bothwell-bridge to be rebellion, which we profess to be our duty. 2. We are commanded never to lift arms against the king and his authority, in which authority these acts establishing prelacy and the supremacy are included. So we are commanded to maintain and defend them, never to rise against them, which we know to be contrary to sound doctrine. So according to our covenant we give our witness and testimony against them, and as for rebellion, we never intended any such thing against the King or his lawful authority, which we are all sworn to defend, witli our live-;, and all that we have, in our station. But our appearing at Botliwell- • Naphtali, THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. 241 bridge we count no rebellion, but our bounden duty, and no sin, for it was grievous to our hearts to see the work of God borne (town, and trode under foot by a generation that have discovered themselves to be stated enemies to the cross of Christ, by shutting up his faithful servants of the ministry, some in the rocks of the sea, part also banished, others expelled to corners, private persons being put to flee to mountains, rocks, dens, and caves of the earth ; so, we thought ourselves obliged in our station to appear there with others, for the defence of the gospel, according as we are all sworn in the National and Solemn League and Covenants, and Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, to defend the work of reformation against Popery, Prelacy, Quakerism, and all manner of unsound doctrines and wicked practices abounding in these times. So also, my friends, when we considered the bonds of these covenants that we are all lying under, we durst not subscribe any other bonds contrary unto them. Wherefore, we desire all the Lord's people, in so far as it may consist with the word of God, [to consider] the engagements of these covenants that are lying upon them. As for our part, when we considered the obligations of them, we thought it wa3 not a time for us to lie at ease in Zion, lest we should bring the curse of Meroz upon ourselves, if ' we went not out to the help of the Lord against the mighty ;' for ye know it is said in the word, ' Shall he break the covenant, and be delivered ?' So we give our witness and testimony to the cross of Christ, and blessed he the Lord that ever we appeared at Bothwell-bridge for the defence of his persecuted cause, which within a little we shall seal with our blood. " We desire you all not to cast a reproach on that late appearing at Bothwell-bridge, lest ye state God an enemy against you ; for we bless him that ever he fell upon such a method with the like of us, as to make us appear for so honourable a cause as that. " We give our joint witness and testimony against Popery, Prelacy, and all other corruptions abounding in these loose times, particularly against bishops, curates, and malignants, and all who connive with them in that black course they are in for the present, and strengthen the hands of the adversary, in carrying on a course of defection. And we give our testimony against indifferent and lukewarm professors, who follow Christ as the times make for them. We give our testimony against all profligate and wicked livers, who know not God, nor will acknowledge him to be Head of his church, ' whose judgment lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.' WTe give our testimony against that calumny cast upon presbyterians, that they are not loyal to their king, which aspersion as false we abhor ; so we desire you all to obey your king in all his lawful commands, according as ye are bound in the word of God, and your covenants : but when God's laws and the king's laws are contrary one to another, do not stretch your consciences for the saving of your life ; for he that seeks ' to save his life, shall lose it,' saith Christ ; ' but he who loseth his life, for my sake, shall find it.' " Likewise, we give our testimony against the taking of unlawful bonds or declarations for the saving of the life, for which cause we come here to lav down our lives, even for refusing to take such R 242 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. bonds ; we bless the Lord who hath kept us free from these tilings, and we hope to praise Him through all eternity : for since he called us to the hardest task, which is not hard at all through his help, but very refreshful, — he has fully made out unto us, ' that he sends none a warfare upon their own charges ;' and also that promise in Isa. xli. 10. ' Fear thou not, for I am with thee ; be not dismayed, for I am thy God ; I will strengthen thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' So, my friends, ' Cesfc not away your confidence, which hath a great recompense of reward ; k r ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye may receive the promise:' no more, — but we commit • you to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up unto the day of redemp- tion.' Ye will get our mind more fully in another paper elsewhere. Farewell time, and all earthly enjoyments ; welcome blessed Chris* ; into thy hands we commit our spirits. Sic Sub : — THOMAS BROWN, ANDREW SWORD, JAMES WOOD, JOHN CLYDE, JOHN WADDEL."* XXX. THOMAS BROWN AND OTHERS. Sect. iv. Their last Words. [We have stated it as uncertain, whether the preceding speed) was actually delivered by these Five sufferers. And though we have no decisive evidence on the point to the contrary, it seems most probable that it was not, particularly from the following title prefixed to the present article as given in Naphtali : — " A short sum of what was delivered upon the place of execution, by these five men who suffered at Magus Moor in Fife, being sentenced to die in that place, upon the account of the bishop of St. Andrews' death.'- — From the latter part of this announcement, it has frequently been supposed that these individuals were charged or chargeable with the death of the Primate. The contrary of this we have already shown to have been the case. — It is pleasing to observe from the details which follow, that the same unshrinking resolution, decided principle, and stedfast confidence, which characterize their testi- monies, were evident in their last and dying moments.] 1. Thomas Bnowx. Thomas Brown was the first of the Five that was executed. After he was settled upon the ladder, he said, that Providence having ordered his coming there, to die in that place upon the account of the bishop's death : he behoved to declare unto the world, and before these witnesses, his innocence. " Some of you," raid he, u may judge our dying and hanging here is upon the account of tl • Nuphtali. 16 ANDREW SWORD AND JAMES WOOD. 243 bishop's death ; and that I was accessory thereunto : but I must tell you as to that, that I was never in this country before this time ; but the ground of my sentence is, because I will not call my being with that party that was in arms at Bothwell-bridge, rebellion: and because I will not take that bond so vigorously pressed by adversaries, and persuaded unto by friends : TJierefore I am here to offer my life a sacrifice to God. And for my part, in rising in arms I intended no rebellion, but was there with that party in defence of the gospel, which I judged my duty, and I hope you yourselves cannot deny it. A3 for these favours offered to, and received by many preaching the gospel, entering through the indulgence first and last, I look upon them as the ruin of the Church of Scotland " And speaking of the work of reformation, he cited that scripture, Lev. xxvi. 25. ' That the Lord would arise, and avenge the quarrel of his broken covenant ;' and that in Ezek. xvii. 15. ' Shall he break the covenant, and be delivered?' " And though that poor handful had no success, yet it hath been the lot of the people of God in former times, that ' the children of Ephraim turned their backs, though they lacked neither bow nor sword.' " After he had prayed, he blessed the Lord, that if this day every hair )f his head were a man, and every drop of his blood were a life, he would cordially and heartily lay them down for Christ and the cause for which he is now sentenced.* 2. Andrew Sword. Andrew Sword sang the xxxiv. Psalm, and thereafter said, " The bishop of St. Andrews' death I am free of, having lived four or five score miles from this, and having never been in this place before : neither did I ever see a bishop in the face that I knew to be a bishop. My coming here is for refusing to take the bond at Edinburgh : I bless the Lord for keeping me from that snare : I bless the Lord for keeping me since I came to prison, both at Edinburgh and St. Andrews. I exhort you all to seek the Lord, and not to fear suffer- ing, but to credit the Lord for through-bearing. J bear testimony against the wicked abominations of these times, named by him, that is gone before me : and I cannot but commend Christ and his cross to you. I would not exchange my lot for a thousand worlds. Fare- well all created comforts." Then he prayed before he died.f 3. James Wood. James Wood being upon the ladder, said, " As for our coming here upon the account of the bishop's death, for my own part, I was never in this part of the country before} nor ever saw I a bisnop in my life, that I could say there was the man. I am here this day to lay down my life that God hath given me, because I could not call my appearance in arms with those at Bothwell-bridge, rebellion ; and because I would not take the bond. As for my own part, I am so far from calling or thinking it rebellion, that I bless God I was a man to be there with that party, though a man most unable for war, and • Naphtali. f Ibid. 214 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. unskilful because of my infirm arm. And all the arms I had was a halbert upon my shoulder ; and it was not for any thing I did or could do with it ; but I behoved to be there, to show my good will to the work of God, and the respect I had to the interest of our Lord. For I got a command or charge from God, as though he had been a most strict Master, to go and join with that party, and venture my life, which I did most cheerfully : and I bless God that gave me a life to lay down for his cause ; and though in remarkable providence he took not my life in that day, yet for holy and good ends, he spared it to lay it down this day. And now, my friends, I am so far from rueing any thing, that I have done that day, in my appearing for Christ and his cause, that I would heartily (wish, if I were to live) to see as many men every year for the defence of the gospel gathered together, and I would count it my honour to be with them. It was my desire to the Lord, that he would let me die a martyr, and I sought it of him ; and blessed be his name he hath answered me according to that scripture, ' Delight thyself in the Lord, and he. shall give thee the desire of thy heart ;' arid now he hath granted me the desire of my heart on earth, and I shall have the desire of my heart throughout all eternity ; and what would any of you have more, Sirs ? And now, my friends, I am not a whit afraid to go up this ladder, and to lay down my life this day ; for it is the best day that ever yet mine eyes saw ; and I am as sure of my interest, as the word of God, and the Lord's Spirit by his word can make me;" — whereat he smiled. After- wards he said, " I bless the Lord again for honouring me so highly, as to lay down my life for this cause." And turning himself about to some friends, he said, " If I had another life to lay down to-morrow, it were something, but he will accept of this as the widow's mite, for I have no more." And being up almost to the top of the ladder, plucking up the napkin, he said, " Now I am going to lay down this life, and to step out of time into eternity, and if I had as manv lives as there are hairs on mine head, and drops of blood in my body, I would willingly lay them down for Christ, and for you all that are here upon Christ's account. It is like, you may think this a frothy word, but it is the word of a dying man." And turning to his friends, he said, " Seek him, for he is well worth the seeking; credit him, Sirs, give him meikle credit, for he is well worth the crediting, and blame yourselves if you want ; for he wants but employment, and he likes well to be employed : and make the bargain sure. Take hills and mountains, or wood, or trees, or any thing that's near to you, to witness ; and see if once ye can get a hair in his neck, for he will be as good as his promise ; get once his promise, and I warrant you." 4. John Waddel. John Waddel, being on the ladder, said, " As for my accession to the bishop's death, wherefore WC aie sentenced to die in this place, I declare I was never over the water of Forth, in this country, before this time. I have only two words to say to you, my friends, for I • Napbtall, JOHN CLYDE. 245 shall not Irouble you with much speaking, because I am not expert in it, but only to let you know, that I am not come here to die as a fool, for I am sentenced to die here, because I would not call it rebellion — my being with my friends at Both well-bridge, and because I would not take that bond, binding me hereafter, never to lift arms against the king nor his authority ; which thing in conscience I could not do : for whatever others think of it, to me it says, that it is a denying of all appearances for Christ and his cause, that hath formerly been : and likewise it says to me, that we shall never any more lift arms for the defence of Christ's gospel against any party whatsoever that seems to oppose it, which is far from the word of God — ' If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him,' — and the Covenants, National and Solemn League, which was publicly burnt in our nation (for which God in his own time will yet arise) which we are bound to maintain." And turning to his friends, he said, " 1. I am here this day to lay down my life, in opposition to, and to be a Avitness against all those wrongs done to our Lord and his interests, and to testify against popery, prelacy, and malignancy, and indulgence first and last, and against all things contrary to sound doctrine whatsoever. And I bear my testimony unto, and own our Covenants, National and Solemn League — adhering to our Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms. 2. I have this day to say, that because we and the rest of the people of God, that desire to own him, and adhere to his ways, are branded with Quakerism and Jesuitism, — I therefore leave my testimony against all these errors ; and more particularly I do, because they are the only party now in Scotland that cleave to him and his ways, that are branded with it. And so, as a dying man this day, (smiling) I enter my testimony against all those that are contrary to the word of God and sound doctrine ; and declare before him whom I must shortly appear before, and before you all, we own no such thing." Next he said, " I here protest against that abominable cess for the down-bearing of the work of God, and for the managing and strengthening the hands of evil-doers, I shall be a standing witness against all that have paid, or shall persist or go on in paying it hereafter, unless they repent. Yea, I shall be a hanging witness against them ; and although my body will rot, yet the witness shall stand sure." And going to prayer, he said, " Now, Sirs, I am not a whit discouraged to see my three brethren hanging before mine eyes, nor before all this multitude to pray." And then he prayed.* 5. John Clyde. John Clyde, after he had gone to the ladder, said, " I think our being fetched here is like that which we have, in scripture, about Herodias' suit to Herod anent John the Baptist's head, to gratify the insatiableness of that lewd woman : nothing would satisfy the lust of our persecutors but our blood, and in this manner and place, to gratify the bishop's friends. But the ground of my being sentenced is, because I was found in arms with that poor handful at Bothwell- * Naphtali. 246 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. bridge, and would not call it rebellion, and because I would not take that bond, — which thing I had in my offer, and my life upon the taking of it, and was threatened by some to take it, and allured and persuaded by others, — but which I could not in conscience do, because it binds mo hereafter that I should not appear for Christ and his cause. And I durst not do it, Sirs, for I was not sure of my life, no not one moment ; and likewise, I durst not procure the wrath of God at such a rate ; for I judge the loss of my soul to be more hazardful than the loss of the life of my body, and likewise more hazard in offending of God, than in gaining the greatest advantage in the world. I could not stay at home, but judged it my duty to come forth, for I could not see how I could evite that curse, — w Curse ye, Meroz, curse ye bitterly, those that would not come out to the help of the Lord, against the mighty.' And I bless the Lord for keeping me straight ; — I desire to speak it to the commendation of free grace; — and this lam speaking from my own experience that there are none who will lippen to God and depend upon him for direction, but they shall be kept straight and right ; but to be promised to be kept from tribulation, that is not the bargain, for he hath said, that through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom ; for he deals not with us as Satan does, for Satan lets us see the bonniest side of the tentation, but our Lord Jesus lets us see the roughest side and the blackest, — after that the sweetest thing comes ; and he tells us the worst thing that will happen to us. For he hath not promised to keep us from trouble, but he hath promised to be with us in it, and what needs more? I bless the Lord for keeping me to this very hour ; for little would I have thought a twelve- month since, that the Lord would have taken a poor ploughman lad, and have honoured me so highly, as to have made me first appear for him, and then keep me straight, and now hath kept me to this very hour, to lay down my life for him." At the ladder foot ho said to his brother, " AVeep not for me, brother, but weep for yourself, and the poor land, and seek God and make him sure for yourself, and he shall be better to you than ten brethren. Now, fareAvcll all friends and relations, farewell brother, sister, and mother; and welcome Lord Jesus ; into thy hands I commit my spirit !" And lifting up tin- napkin off his face he said, " Dear friends, be not discouraged because of the cross, nor at this ye havo seen this day, for I hope you havo seen no discouragement in me, and you shall see no more !"* * Naphtali. THE LAST WORDS AND DYING TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. PART THIRD: COMPREHENDING TESTIMONIES THAT WERE EMITTED, BETWEEN THE YEARS 1680 AND 1688. I. DAVID HACKSTON. [Mr. Hackston is the first instance of Martyrdom, which occurred in Scotland, since the executions that immediately followed upon the Battle of Bothwell-bridge. He was the Laird of Rathillet in Fife ; and having- shared in the oppressions exercised by Carmichael, the Sheriff of that county, — had engaged, on purpose to avenge them, with the party who, on the 3d of May, 1679, attacked and slew the Archbishop of St. Andrews. In this event, however, it is well known he did not participate farther than being present when it took place. But immediately after, he joined the covenanters in Evandale, and both at Drumclog and Bothwell-bridge held a considerable command. After this, he was frequently searched for, but still escaped — till having joined the followers of Richard Cameron, and being with them when attacked at Airsmoss, on the 22d of July 1 680, he was, after making a stout resistance and receiving many wounds, taken prisoner and carried to Edinburgh. Here the council directed that he should receive the most contu- melious usage, put him to the torture, and determined that he should die, by a mode of execution the most barbarous and revolting which can possibly be conceived.* He was brought * In reference to the humiliating treatment which he received while alive, and the inhuman cruelty which marked his execution, the reader may peruse the two following extracts from Wodrow's History. " Upon the account of his being taken, the Council, July 2-4, gave the follow- ing orders about him: — ' The magistrates of Edinburgh are appointed, as soon 248 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. before the Justiciary, but having declined its authority as he had already declined that of the King and Council, he was forthwith sentenced; and executed accordingly on the 30th of July 1680, at the cross of Edinburgh. His Testimony to the truth for which he suffered is contained in the following Letters, written shortly before his death. 3 1. To ins Christian Friend N . " Tolbooth of Edinburgh, July 26th, 1680. — Dear Acquaintance, I know, this late dispensation of Providence will occasion much sndness to you, and other lovers of the Lord's truth, now in this day ; when so few, by their practice, prove themselves to be zealous for God, or lovers of his truth, — but, instead of that growth in the graces of God's Spirit, and stedfastness which should be in Christians, have made defection from the truth, and are fallen from their first love, to the strengthening the hands of usurpers of the crown of Christ, in their as the body of D. Hackstoa of Raihillet is brought to the Water- Gate, to receive him, and mount him on a bare backed horse with his face to the tail, and his feet tied beneath his helly, and his hands fastened with ropea ; that the executioner with head covered, and his coat, lead his horse up the street to the Tolbooth, the said Hacks ton being bareheaded ; that the three other prisoners be conveyed on foot, bareheaded, after him, with their hands tied to a goad of iron : ordain the said executioner to carry the head of Cameron on a halbert, from the Water-Gate to the Council house, that no meat or drink be given to Haekston after he is in prison, hut what is prepared in the master of the Tolbooth's house; that none speak with him, or any letter be conveyed to him ; that the master of the Tolbooth have a special care (if his person, as he will be answerable, life for life.' One of the bailies of Edinburgh, and John Vanse, master of the Tolbooth, are called, and these orders given them. " No reflections are necessary upon these severe orders. In the afternoon, he and the other prisoners were examined before the Council, but the particulars are not insert in their books. July 21, they order the advocate to pursue a criminal process against him upon Thursday, and reserve the appointment of the time and manner of his execution to themselves." "July 29, the Council, the day before Uathillct's trial, determine the manner of his execution : they well knew his judges would find him guilty ; yet this seems an extraordinary step. It stands in their books as follows: ' That his body be drawn backward on a hurdle to the cross of Edinburgh ; that there bean high scaffold creeled a little above the cross, where, in the first place, his right hand is to be struck off, and after some time his left band : then he is to be banged up and cut down alive, his bowels to be taken out, and his heart shown to the people by the hangman ; then his heart and his bowels to be burnt in a lire prepared for that purpose on the scaffold ; that afterwards his head be cut otT, and bis body divided into four quarters ; his head to be fixed on the Nctherbow, one of his quarters with both his hands to be affixed at St. Andrews, another quarter at Glasgow, a third at Leitb, a fourth at Burntisland; that none presume to lie in mourning for him, or any coffin brought ; that no persona be suffered to be on the scaffold with him, save the two bailies, the executioner, and his servants; that lie be allowed to pray to God Almighty, but not to speak to the people; that the heads of ("ami ion and John Fowler In' affixed on the Nctherbow ; that Hackston's anil ('ami con's heads lie affixed on higher poles than the reel These orders, with such as were before given at his coming into Edinburgh, are so spiteful, inhuman, and barbarous, that I wonder how they were upon by the managers; or what they could design by them." — H'ahjic's Jlnl. T ii. DAVID HACKSTON. 249 unlawful encroachments on the privileges of the Son of God. Where- fore I entreat you, and all others, as you would not offend God, and provoke him to more anger, do not murmur, but bless and praise liim, and submit to him in all humility ; for if this be one of the steps of Zion's deliverance, and God's glory, why should not we praise him for every thing ? If we had the manner of our delivery at our carving-, we would spoil it. — He is the wisdom of the Father, who sits at the helm and orders all affairs. The faith of this would silence all suggestions from Satan, our own hearts, and misbelief. I desire you would charge all that have love or affection to me, not to he sad on my account, but rather to rejoice on my behalf, that God hath so honoured me in all I have heen trysted with : for, as lie took me when I was a slave to Satan and sin, and cast his love upon me, and plucked me as a brand out of the fire, and brought me into covenant with him, to promote and carry forward his work, without fear of what man can do unto me ; and as he helped me to make the bargain with him upon good terms, which was a renouncing of my own strength, and a resolution to do all in his strength ; so now lie hath been faithful in all things to me, and hath furnished me sufficiently for what he hath called me to, and hath passed by my many gross failings and breaches of my conditions to him, and hath done to me above what I could ask of him. O that I could commend him to all, and stir up all to fear, admire, and praise him, and believe on him ! But the luke- warmness and want of love to God, and indifferency in Christ's matters, (which in his condescendency to his church he hath reserved as his declarative glory) and neutrality in these things, are come to so great a height among professors, that, I think, God is laying a stumbling-block before them, one after another, that when they are fallen (whom he will have to fall) he may be glorified in his justice, by bringing that stroke of vengeance that seems to be hanging over these lands ; — because of the fearful idolatry, perjury, bloodshed, blasphemy, and other abominations, the whole land is, this day, guilty of. Think it not strange that I say, all are guilty ; there are none free, nor shall be reputed free in the sight of God, but mourners in Zion. Lord grant repentance, and a spirit of mourning ; brokenness and contrition of spirit is the only sacrifice well-pleasing unto God ; and I prove all guilty. First, our representatives, (and so we in them) established . these sins, in our national decrees, which we have homologate in owning them ever after ; and much more have we homologate their sins, in contributing, one Avay or other, to the strengthening of their hands against God; — as alas, but few be free of this, this day ! O that preachers would preach repentance, and professors would exhort one another to mourn, in secret and together, because of sin ; and with their mourning would believe ; — for these are very consistent together. I find flesh and blood great enemies to faith, and friends, yea, fosterers of sinful fears. It is above nature to believe, especially when dispensations seem to contradict our faith : but if any hath faith towards God concerning me, let not this brangle their faith, but rather strengthen ; there is nothing can contradict what God hath determined ; but over the belly of all opposition he will perfect his work in and by me, either to a 2J0 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. remarkable delivery, or through-bearing, as he sees most for his own glory. " Wherefore let us submit to his will, and lie before the throne, in behalf of Zion and her children ; and O ! that you yourself would, and desire others that are faithful, to hold up my case to Zion's God, that he would glorify himself in me, and let your prayers be in faith ; ' To him that believeth, all things are possible.' There are many feckless, misbelieving prayers, that prevail not with God because of unbelief. I know these sufferings will be a great stumbling to many, otherwise gracious, but let it not be to you : I bless the Lord, it is not (as yet) so to me, but rather the power, yea, the love of God to me ; for it was not altogether unexpected unto me : for (not to reflect upon any that have sealed that truth and cause, as we stated it, with their blood) I cannot deny, but it was over the belly of conscience, that I joined with some of our party ; for some of them had not their garments clean of the late defections, and there was too much pride amongst us : neither dare I allow, that taking of satisfaction for practices which are the homologating of the public sins, which we did about half an hour before our break ; which checked me exceedingly in the time. I think, real sorrow would make men like the prodigal, to think themselves not worthy to be employed in that work ; real evidences of reconciliation with God should be seen before admission to such an employment. O that all would take warning, by my reproof, not to venture to follow any man over conscience ! There were choice godly men among us, but one Acban will make Israel to fall. I fear the want of faith among us, first and last, and all alongst our late business : I know, many mouths will be opened against me because of what I did before this business, but I dare not but speak it, — this is a stumbling-block laid to drive them to more sin ; and alas ! that I did not more to purge us of every sin, especially known sin among us. These that abode within, and came not out with us, let them remember Meroz's curse ; I am afraid, God will think them not free of our blood, for not joining to our help. " And now, knowing ye will be anxious to know how it was then, and how it hath been since with me. First, We getting notice of a party out seeking us, sent two on Wednesday night late, to know their motion, and lay on a muir side all night ; and Thursday, about ten hours, we went to take some meat, and sent out other two, and desired them to consult with the first two who had not come to us. but were lying down to sleep, who all four returned and told us, it was unnecessary to send any for intelligence, they having secured it. Whereupon, after we had gotten some meat, we came to a piece ( t grass, and lay down, and presently we. were all alarmed that they were upon us; and 60 making ready, we saw them coming last on ; and that about three or four hours in the afternoon ; and each one resolving to (light, I rode off to seek a strength for our advantage, and being desired by a countryman to go into such a place for the best strength, I went, and they followed ; but coming to it, I found we could go no further ; and so turning and drawing np quickly, eight hone 00 the right hand with R. D. and fifteen on the left with me, being no more; DAVID HACKSTON. 251 the foot not being forty, and many of them ill aimed, in the midst. I asked all, if they were willing to fight? who all said, Yes ; especially I. G. The enemy advanced fast, whom I took to be above one hundred and twelve, well armed and horsed ; who sending first about twenty dragoons on foot to take the wind of us, which we seeing, sent a party on foot to meet them, and the rest of us advanced fast on the enemy, being a strong body of horse coming hard upon us ; whereupon when we were joined, our horse fired first, and wounded and killed some of them, both horse and foot : our horse advanced to their faces, and we fired on each other ; I being foremost, after receiving their fire, and finding the horse behind me broken, I then rode in amongst them, and went out at a side, without any wrong or wound ; I was pursued by several, with whom I fought a good space, sometimes they followed me, and sometimes I followed them ; at length my horse bogged, and the foremost of theirs, which was David Ramsay, one of my acquaintance ; we both being on foot, fought it with small swords, without advantage to one another ; but at length closing, I was stricken down with three on horseback behind me ; and receiving three sore wounds on the head, and so falling, he saved my life, — which I submitted to. They searched me, and carried me to their rear, and laid me down, where I bled much ; where were brought several of their men sore wounded. They gave us all testimony of brave resolute men. What more of our men were killed, 1 did not Bee, nor know ; but as they told me after, the field was theirs. I was brought toward Douglas. They used me civilly, and brought me drink out of a house by the way. At Douglas, Janet Cleland was kind to me, and brought a surgeon to me, who did but little to mj wounds, only stanched the blood. " Next morning, I was brought to Lanark, and brought before Dalziel, Lord Ross, and some others ; who asked many questions at me, but I not satisfying them with answers, Dalziel did threaten to roast me ; and carrying me to the tolbooth, caused me to be bound most barbarously, and cast me down, where I lay till Saturday morn- ing, without any, except soldiers, admitted to speak to me, or look my wounds, or give me any ease whatsomever. And next morning they brought me and John Pollock,* and other two of us, near two miles on foot, I being without shoes, where that party which had broken us at first, received us. They were commanded by Earlshall. We were horsed, civilly used by them on the way, and brought to Edinburgh about four in the afternoon, and carried about the north side of the town to the foot of the Canongate, where the town magistrates were, who received us ; and setting me on a horse with my face backward, and the other three bound on a goad of iron, and Mr. Cameron's head carried on a halbert before me, and another head in a sack, which 1 knew not, on a lad's back ; and so we were carried * With respect to tins individual, who seems to have been engaged in the same caus"e, AVodrow has been able to ascertain nothing besides what is mentioned in this place, to which he refers the reader. It does not appear that there were any farther proceedings against him of a public nature, otherwise they must have been mentioned in some of the records which he consulted. 252 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. up the street to the Parliament-close, where I was taken down, and the rest loosed : all was dona by the hangman. I was carried up to the council, and first put into a room alone, where the chancellor came, and asked if I knew him? I answered, Yes. He (after some protestations of love,* to which I answered nothing) went his way ; and then I was brought in before the council, where the chancellor read a ditty against me. First anent the bishop's murder ; to which I answered, I was obliged by no law, either of God or man, to answer to it : and neither to accuse myself, nor reveal others by vindicating myself, or any other way. The advocate asked, Where I was the third day of May was a year ? To whom I answered, I am not bound to keep a memorial where I am, or what I do every day. The chancellor asked, if I thought it murder ? To which I answered, though I was not bound to answer such questions, yet I would not call it so, but rather say, It was no murder. The advocate said, Sir, you must be a great liar, to say you remember not where you was that day, it being so remarkable a day. I replied, Sir, you must be a far greater liar, to say, I answered such a thing. Whereupon the chancellor replied, My lord advocate, he said only, lie was not bound to keep in memory every day's work. " The chancellor asked, If I adhered to Mr. Cargill's papers, which they called the New Covenant taken at the Ferry ? I answered, I would know what any would say against them. He asked, if I owned the king's authority ?f I told, though I was not bound to answer such * It appears that between Rathillet and the Chancellor there had formerly subsisted a very close intimacy, and this may account for the expressions of affection or of interest which are here referred to. Whether such expressions were sincere or not, it is impossible to determine. They do not seem to have been judge 1 so by Rathillet. And certainly it might well have been expected, that even the most moderate degree of regard, if sincere, might have sufficed to procure for a friend, the benefit of a sentence less repuguant to the feelings of humanity. ■f According to Wodrow, Rathillet was the first of the sufferers who publicly denied the authority of the king and his officers. And that the reader may judge for himself as to the grounds on which he did so ; we quote the following account of his examination on July 21-th, and of his declinature on July 29th and ottth, as given in the Cloud of Witnesses, His Interrogations and Answers before the Priry Council, on Saturday, Jul,/ 2i, 1680 1. Whether or not had you any hand in the murdering of the late bishop of St. Andrews? Answered, He was not obliged to answer that question, nor be his own accuser. 2. What he would declare as to the king's authority? Answered, That authority that disowns the interest of God, and states itself in opposition to Jesus Christ, is no more to be owned ; but so it is, the king's authority is now such, therefore it ought not to be owned. .'> Whether the killing of the archbishop of St. Andrews was murder, yea, or no? Answered, That Ik- thought it no sin to despatch a bloody monster. 4. If he owned the new covenant taken at Quecnsferry, from .Mr. Cargili one of their preachers? Answered, That he did own it in every particular thereof, and would fain sea the man that, in conscience and reason would debate the contrary. 5. H he were at liberty, and hid the power to kill any of the king's council, and murder them as he did the bishop of St. Andrews, whether he would do it, yea, or n.>? Answered, That be had no spare time to answer such frivolous and childish questions. DAVID HACKSTON. 253 questions, yet being permitted to speak, 1 would say somewhat to that And first, that there could be no lawful authority but what was of God ; and that no authority, stated in a direct opposition to God, could be of God ; and that I knew of no authority nor judicatory this The chancellor told him, that if he were not more ingenuous in his answers, he would presently be tortured. lie answered, ' That is but a little addition to your former cruelties, and I have that comfort, that though you torture my wounded body, yet ye cannot reach my soul.' The chancellor urged him with several other questions, which he refused to answer. ' But,' said he, ' I would gladly speak a little if I could have liberty ;' which was allowed him. Then he said, ' Ye know that youth is a folly, and I acknowledge that in my younger years I was too much carried down with the speat of it ; but that inexhaustible fountain of the goodness and grace of God, which is free and great, hath reclaimed nie, and as a fire-brand hatli plucked me out of the claws of Satan ; and now I stand here before you as a prisoner of Jesus Christ, for adhering to his cause and interest, which hath been sealed with the blood of many worthies, who have suffered in these lands, and have witnessed to the truths of Christ these few years bygone; and I do own all the testimonies given by them, and desire to put my mite among theirs, and am not only willing to seal it with my blood, but also with the sharpest tortures that you can imagine.' Then, being inter- rogated by the bishop of Edinburgh, what he would answer to that article of the Confession of Faith, that ' difference of religion doth not make void the magis- trate's right and authority ?' He answered, He would not answer any perjured prelate: the bishop replied, He was in the wrong to him, because he never took the covenant, therefore he was not perjured, and so deserved not that name. But some of them asked him, how he would answer that question? He answered, That question was answered long ago by the Solemn League and Covenant, which binds us only to maintain and defend the king in the defence of the true religion ; but now the king having stated himself an enemy to religion, and au that will live religiously, therefore it is high time to shake off all obligation of' allegiance to his authority. These interrogations were all read to him in the face of the council, and he owned them all. The next day that he was arraigned before the council, they asked if he had any more to say? He answered, That which he had to say was said already in every particular thereof; 'and,' said he, ' I will not only seal it with my blood, but with all the tortures ye can imagine.' Extract of the proceedings of the Privy Council. " Edinburgh, July 29th, 1G80. — In presence of the lords justiciar}-, clerk, and commissioners of justiciary, compeared David Hackston, of Rathillet, and declines the king's majesty's authority of the commissioners of justiciary as his judges, and absolutely refuses to sign this declaration, as being before persons who are not his judges. He refuses to answer concerning the murder of the late bishop of St. Andrews, and says, the causes of his declinement are, Because the:/ have usurped the supremacy over the church, belonging alone to Jesus Christ, and have established idolatry, perjury and other iniquities ; and in prosecuting their design, in confirming themselves in this usurped right, have shed viucli innocent blood. Therefore the said David, adhereing to Christ, his rights and kingly office over the church, d.eclines them that are his open enemies and competitors for his crown and power, as competent judges ; refuses, as formerly, to sign this his declaration, dated from his own mouth; whereupon his majesty's advocate takes instruments, and requires the commissioners of justiciary to sign the same in his presence, as for him ; and his majesty's advocate takes instrut ments, that the said David has declined his majesty's authority, and the authority of his commissioners, and refused to deny the murder of the late bishop of St. Andrews, and requires Messrs. John Vas, James Balfour, and the men of the court witnesses to the foresaid declaration. Sic Sub : — Sir Robert Alait- land, James Foulis, David Balfour, David Falconer, Rodger Hodge." Upon Friday, July 30, being again brought before the council, it was asked 254 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. day in these nations, but what were in a direct opposition to God, and so could neither be of God, nor lawful, and that their fruits were kything it, in that they were setting bugerers, murderers, sorcerers, and such others at liberty from justice, and employing them in their service, and made it their whole work to oppress, kill, and destroy the Lord's people. The chancellor and all raged, and desired me to instance one of such, so set at liberty and employed. I answered to that, Though it were enough to instance any such when I saw a ■judicatory to execute justice, yet I would instance one; and I instanced a bugerer, liberated at the sheriff court of Fife, and after- wards employed in their service. At which, the chancellor raged, and said, I behoved to be a liar : but I offered to prove it. Bishop Paterson asked, if ever Pilate and that judicatory, who were direct enemies to Christ, were disowned by him as judges? I answered, diat I would answer no perjured prelate in the nation. He answered, that he could not be called perjured, because he never took that sacrilegious covenant. I answered, that God would own that covenant when none of them were to oppose it. They cried all, I was prophesying : I answered, I was not prophesying, but I durst not doubt, but that God, who had such singular love to these lands, as to bring them into covenant in so peculiar a manner with him, would let it be seen that his faithfulness was engaged to carry it through in opposition to his enemies. Some asked, what I answered to that article of the Confession of Faith concerning the king ? I answered, It was cleared in these two covenants. The advocate asked, What I said of that article of the covenant, wherein we are bound to maintain and defend the king ? I desired him to tell out the rest of it, which was, in defence of religion, but not in the destruction of religion. The chancellor threatened me with the Boots, and other terrible things ; and said, I should not have the benefit of a sudden death. To which I answered, it would be but an addition to their cruelties used against God's people before, and that I was there a prisoner of Christ, owning his truths against his open enemies, and referred it to their own acts of parliament and council, to let their cruelty and opposition to God and his people be seen. " After this, they called for a surgeon, and removed me to another room ; where lie dressed my wounds. In which time, the chancellor came and kindly asked, If ever I said to a shepherd on the Mounthill, of him if he had any other tiling to say? lie answered, That which I h;ivt said I will seal it. Then they told him, that they had something to say to him ; und commanded him to hit down and receive his sentence; which willingly he did, bat told them they Were all bloody murderers, for all the power they had was derived from tyranny ; and that these years bygone they had not only tyrannized over the church of God, hut had also grinded the faces «t' the poor, s.) that oppressions, bloodshed, perjury, ami many murders were to he found in their skirts Upon which, he was, incontinent, carried away to the scaffold, at the market cross of Edinburgh ; where he died with great torture inflicted upon his body, not being permitted to leave any testimony to the world, exrent what - comprehended in the above letters directed to some of his Christian acquaint- ances, from his prison in the toibooth of ) .linhurth." ♦ Cloud of Wltnctset. DAVID HACKSTON, £55 That if I thought they would not put me to an ignominious death, I would refer myself to the chancellor? I said, No. He said, A shepherd came to him and said so. I said, that he, or any other who had said so to him were liars. I was asked by some concerning our strength ; to whom I told how few we were, and that surprised by such a strong party, and knowing with what cruel orders they came against us, we were forced to fight, After dressing of my wounds, I was brought back to them, and these things being written, were read over to me ; to which I adhered : and being asked, if I tvould sign them, I said, No. The chancellor said, He would do it for me. Some one of them asked, at the same time, concerning my being at some other business : to whom I answered, That though I was not obliged to answer such questions, yet I adhered to all that had been done in behalf of that cause against its enemies. After which, I was sent to the tolbooth, and have met since with all manner of kindness ; and want for nothing. My wounds are duly dressed, which, I fear, may prove deadly, they being all in the head, the rest of my body is safe. " In all these trials, (I bless the Lord) I was stayed, unmoved ; no alteration of countenance in the least, nor impatience appeared. Some of them have come to me, and regretted that such a man as I should have been led away with Cameron. I answered, He was a faithful minister of Jesus Christ, and as for me, I desired to be one of those despicable ones whom Christ chooscd. They said, It was a Quaker- like answer. I told it was the words of Christ and his apostles. Bishop Paterson's brother, unknown to me, had a long reasoning with me, but, I think, not to truth's advantage. He told me, that the whole council observed, that I gave them not their due titles : at which I smiled, and made no reply. He said, I was ill to the bishop. 1 told, that I asserted the truth. He said, that he never took the covenant, and so could not be perjured. I answered, prelacy itself was abjured by the whole nation. He told me, that the whole council found, I was a man of great parts, and also of good birth. I replied, that, for my birth, I was related to the best in the kingdom, which I thought little of; and for my parts they were small; yet I trusted 60 much to the goodness of that cause for which I was a prisoner, that if they would give God that justice as to let his cause be disputed, I doubted not to plead it against all that could speak against it. It was cast up to me both at the council and here, that there were not two hundred in the nation to own our cause. I answered at both times, that the cause of Christ had been often owned by fewer. I was pressed to take advice ; I answered, I would advise with God and my own conscience, and would not depend on men, and refused to debate any more, since it was to no purpose, being troublesome to me, and not advantageous to the cause. At the council, some said, I was possessed with a devil ; some one thing, some another. The chancellor said I was a vicious man : I answered, while I was so, I had been acceptable to him ; but now, when otherwise, it was not so. He asked me, if I would yet own that cause with my blood, if at liberty ? I answered, both our fathers had 25G TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. owned it with the hazard of their blood before me. Then was I called by all a murderer. I answered, God should decide it betwixt us ; to whom I refer it, who were most murderers in his sight, thev or I? " You have an account, as near as I can give, of what passed among us. Be you, and desire all others to be, earnest with God in my behalf; for I am weak, and cannot stand without constant supplies of the graces of his Spirit, O ! I am afraid lest I deny him : I have rich promises, but I want faith. Pray and wrestle in my behalf, and in behalf of the rest. And show this to my friends in that cause with me, especially D. K. Let all lie before the Lord, "that he would show us the cause of lus anger against us : and let me know, with the first occasion, who of us were slain. Commend me to all friends : and let none stumble at the cause, because of this. It was often in my mouth to almost all, ' that if we purged not ourselves of the public and particular sins among us, God would break us, and bring a delivery out of our ashes.' Let none murmur at what we should think our glory. And let ministers and others be afraid to be more tender of men than God's glory. And however it be a stumbling to some, let it be a token of the love of God, to bis church, to you, and all that love his truth. Pray for the out-lettings of all the graces of God's Spirit to me, and all the rest. I have need of patience, submission, humility, love to, and zeal for God ; hope and faith above all, without which I am but a frail worm, and will fall before these enemies of mine, inward and outward. And thus recommending you to his grace, who hath bought us with his precious blood, and remembering my love to all friends, I am, yours in our sweet Lord, and Sympathizer in our afflictions : — « DAVID IIACKSTON." " P. S. You may let others see this, but have a care to keep it ; because I have no double, cmd it may be all 7ny testimony. Send nothing to me, for I am fully seen to, and have met with kindness from all sorts ; only friends have not liberty to see me. My love to you and all friends. I said to Clerk Paterson, that I should have 6een Mr. Cargill's papers, before I had answered anent them."* 2. To a Christian Lady. Tolbooth of Edinburgh, July 28th, 1 680.— Madam, The bearer shows me, your ladyship desires to know what I mean by the Acban J mentioned in my other; which I shall explain: and alas! that J hare such a wide field to walk in, when I name such a thing ; for I know not how to find out the man that is free of the accursed tiling among us, for which Cod is contending against the land; especially against such as would be must free of the public sins, and most downright fur (led. Only, I desire both to reverence, and admire the holv wisdom and loving kindness of God, that 18, by these dark-like dispensations, purging his people, that he may bring * Cloud of Witnesses. DAVID HACKSTON. 257 forth a chaste spouse to himself in Scotland. These are tokens of his fatherly love : and I fear a delivery, while we stand guilty of such things, as are so open whoredoms against our married husband, might rather be looked upon as a bill of divorce, than joining again in a married relation. And first, I must explain the national sins, according to the light God hath bestowed upon me, out of his free grace, who is not tied to any, but chooseth and revealeth himself to whom he will ; and often glorifies his free grace, in making use even of the greatest sinners, as I confess I have been one : which national sins are contained in our national decrees. "And first, the whole land is become guilty of idolatry, as it is established by the acts of supremacy, especially in the act explana- tory ; wherein all the declarative glory and prerogatives of Jesus Christ are given to the king ; — which is fearful idolatry, in ascribing that which he hath purchased with his precious blood, and received from his Father, as his gift, and hath reserved as his peculiar glory; giving this, I say, unto a creature, whom, by this blasphemous decree, we have set up in the room of Jesus Christ, as governor and absolute head and judge in all ecclesiastic affairs : and by the same decree, all acts and laws contrary to it are rescinded, and the whole word of God, contained in the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments, are a law contrary to it, and so by this are rescinded. Now, besides this sin of idolatry ; by the act rescissory, all other acts, oaths, covenants, and engagements, that the lands are lying xinder, sworn to God, and in his name, are rescinded, and declared null : and in contempt of God, to whom, and in whose name they were so solemnly sworn, and so often renewed, are burnt by the hands of the hangman, through several places of these cove- nanted kingdoms. This is a legal perjury and breach of covenant, unparallelable in sacred or profane history. Besides, in contempt of the presence of God, seen at the meetings of his people convened in his name, they have declared them rendezvouses of rebellion : and by another act, have accounted it presumption for a minister to preach without doors; — thus contemning the call of Christ ; whereby they set themselves above God. I could instance many horrid things acted and done by them, in their prosecuting the design of having that idol of theirs fixed in the usurpation of the prerogatives of Jesus Christ ; yet not doubting but your ladyship knows many of them, I shall for brevity's sake omit : only, the land is filled, from the one end to the other, with innocent blood, shed on that account ; and with other terrible abominations, detestable among Turks and heathens: I think in God's righteous judgment, these men are given up thereto, for the upfilling of the measure of their iniquity, that he may be glorified in the stroke of his justice upon all ranks, which is fast hastening, and that inevitably. " But next, to mention who are guilty hereof; I know not how to do it ; only I may say, I know none can be called free, and a freeing of any, or ourselves thereof, is but a hardening ourselves against God, and a defending sin against him, who is a ' swift witness, and will not be mocked, but will bring forth the hidden things of No. 18. S 2o8 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. dishonesty to light.' And therefore, not to mention the idol of the Lord's jealousy, or those that are prosecuting his wicked commands under him, or prelates and their adherents, I judge, — and I fear, God will esteem all guilty of these foremen tioned sins, that have any way owned any of these, after their wickedness was discovered, and much more, such as have hy their personal deeds homologated these wicked decrees, and that either by paying cesses for strengthening them in their down-bearing of the meetings of God's people for his worship, met in opposition to these wicked decrees, which is their consent to, and contribution for, the strengthening them in all their wickedness against God, — or yet by subscribing any manner of bonds to them, which is, an acknowledging them in that relation wherein they stand, and are designing to fix themselves, when they are pursuing, taking, imprisoning, and letting them out on these bonds again. For, their end in all their prosecutions of this nature, is to confirm themselves in this usurpation of the crown of Christ, as head of the church : and a subscribing any manner of bond prescribed by them, is, and will be, in the sight of God, an acknowledging them as head of the church, in the several stations wherein they have stated themselves ; — the king as head, and they as factors under him, prosecuting his will, and putting in execution his commands ; and an acknowledging any other head, any manner of way, over the church, is directly a denying of Christ before men, in his kingly office, which is a plain denying of him, and hath sore threatenings annexed thereunto. "Icould mention many other circumstances, wherein this generation has touched the accursed thing, and has bowed the knee to that Baal-like idol of the Lord's indignation and anger ; but I shall only mention besides these two, a third, of some who have appeared in arms against God, for, and in company with his enemies. Now, that way of giving and taking satisfaction for these sins, which some are for, I cannot consent to : for first, these sinful practices being practices immediately against God, and the first table of the law, no satisfaction to man can be sufficient. I close not that door that God hath opened in mercy to the really penitent, but, I say, real evidences that God has forgiven, should be, before a joining with such in society. I know the gospel should be preached to all, that they may repent, — that being the means God hath appointed for conversion, when men have sinned : but Oh ! when men after light fall into these things, and others counsel and advise them to such things, fearful shall their doom be, if God prevent them not in his mercy ! Now, madam, there were some such among us ; and, as I have observed, God has still punished that party that has been appearing for him, when they have taken in, and joined with, the men of these abominations ; and has, as it were, laid by such as have complied with the time's apostasy, — I doubt not, — reserving them to the general stroke he is threatening the whole lands with. O that one and all were making their soul's interest sure with God ! " Madam, I shall not mention the several steps of apostasy and defection from God in these lands, in complying one way or other with the stated enemies of the living God, to the strengthening theiu DAVID HACKSTON. 259 in their usurpations of Christ's crown and privileges, and hardening them in their sin, in shedding, so many ways, so much innocent blood, and their other wicked courses : neither shall I mention that idolizing of men that is among us, to the provoking of God, to let, yea, cause them fall : neither that selfishness that is among us in our appearances for God, which cannot away with a holy, spotless, and jealous God, who ' will not give his glory to another.' Oh ! that one and all were mourning for, and acknowledging our own and the land's guiltiness in these things, and were seeking brokenness of spirit, which is a sacrifice well-pleasing to God, that God might be reconciled to U3, and set up by his Spirit, — his standard ; and gather in his own people thereto ; and might let out his Spirit to one and all that are called by his name. I doubt not but God will save a remnant, but it will be of such in whom his free grace will be glorified, and not of the great ones, that have not rendered to the Lord, according to the talents he bestowed on them. Remember me to my fellow- prisoners, especially such as are keeping their garments clean of these pollutions ; and be earnest with God in my behalf, that he would keep me standing, by bis free grace, — in this trial, — in patience, humility, and godly fear. And I am, madam, your ladyship's, in all humility, in Jesus Christ : — « DAVID HACKSTON."* 3. To his Christian Friend N . " July 28, 1680. — Dear and Christian acquaintance, My love being remembered to you and all friends in Jesus Christ ; these are to show you and all others that I know and love the truth, as it is this day owned by the smallest handful that pretend thereto ; and that I was yesterday before the lords of justiciary. They charged me with several things. I declined the king's authority as an usurper of the prerogatives of the Son of God, whereby he hath involved the lands in idolatry, perjury, and other wickednesses : and I declined them as exercising under him the supreme power over the church, usurped from Jesus Christ ; who, in carrying on their designs of confirming themselves in their usurpations of the crown of Christ, had shed so much innocent blood throughout the land : and that therefore I, as an owner of Christ's right, and his kingly office, which they by their wicked decrees had taken from him, durst not, with my own consent, sustain them as competent judges ; but declined them as open and stated enemies to the living God, and competitors for his throne and power, belonging alone to him ; whereupon, I was dismissed, and at night my indictment to compear to-morrow before an assize, was intimated. Therefore I entreat you will, (for I know you have been moying with God,) — cause other faithful friends set time apart, and inquire the Lord's mind concerning me ; and be earnest with him in my behalf, that he will glorify himself in me. You may send your letter to with a sure hand, who will give it to me. Wherever Mr. D. C. is, — acquaint him with my case, or send him this line ; for I know the * Cloud of Witnesses. 260 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. mind of God is with him ; and desire him to write to me. I think, I dare not misbelieve, but when fears assault me, I think there is a voice saying to me, Fear not. Let none stumble at our cause, because of the late dispensation ; it is God's cause, which was and is in our hands, though he has punished us with his fatherly chastisements, because of sin amongst us. * Every tree that bringeth forth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.' But, that which decayeth and goeth backward, is laid by as useless. John Pollock has been in the boots, but I am informed, he is not discouraged, but is likely to be well again. My wounds are very sore, but, blessed be God, he keeps me in a good temper, both of body and mind. I am kindly enough used, wanting nothing. I recommend you, and ail the faithful, to the protection of him, who is the almighty God, and ever- lasting Father. No more, but rests, yours in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ : — « DAVID HACKSTON."* 4. To his Sister. " Loving Sister, — I received yours, and the other with it, both to my contentment and satisfaction : it makes me afraid, that the eyes of many should be on me. Let all look to God ; I am frail, but Christ is strong : I have his promise of through-bearing, and assurance that he should honour me in his cause, before this. Lie low before the Lord, and let others that are yet faithful be earnest on my behalf; and do it in faith : ' the prayers of the faithful avail much.' Have you nothing, and tell all friends to have nothing to do with such, as have ado with those that are sitting in that seat, and exercising that power, which belongs alone to Christ. The stroke of the Lord's anger is ready to be poured forth ; and those that have received greatest talents from God, and have made that use of them, to strengthen enemies' bands by bonds, or otherwise owning them, — shall be most remarkable in the 6troke ; and shall not be honoured to testify for Christ, despised Christ, robbed Christ, contemned Christ, by this generation. Remember me to all relations and friends : and give warning to all to flee to Christ's truths and interest. If the free grace of God be glorified in me, ought not all to praise him ? ' Christ came not to call the righteous, but sinners.' Many of this generation think they have so much grace that they cannot sin ; but I must tell them, grace doth not warrant from sin, and they may so think of it. " Sic Sub— DAVID HACKSTON." II. ARCHIBALD ALISON. [Besides the worthy Author of the preceding letters, there wore two other individuals taken at Airsmoss, of whom Archibald • Cloud of Witnesses, t Ibid- ARCHIBALD ALISON. 261 Alison was one. He seems to have belonged to Evandale in Lanarkshire — a district of country in which the supporters of the Covenant were botli numerous and respectable. With his com- panion in suffering, he was brought before the Justiciary on the 4th of August — tried and condemned to be executed on the 11th, or according to other accounts, on the 13th of that month, in the Grassmarket of Edinburgh. This sentence he underwent accord- ingly. The following Testimony to the cause in which he suffered he left behind him.] " There have been many such sights seen in this place of execution, 6ince the year 1660, for this interest and cause, for which I have received the sentence of death ; and here I am in your presence to lay down my life this day ; for which I charge thee, O my soul, and all that is within me, to bless and magnify the name of the Lord, who can perfect his praise, and bring a testimony out of the mouths of babes or sucklings ; yea, before he want some to seal his testimony, even if it were from the beasts of the field, he will not want, as in Balaam's days, the dumb ass speaking with man's voice, gave a testimony against the madness of the prophet Wherefore, unworthy as I am, I am come here, and beg your ear and attention, — ye who are spectators and auditors — if the Lord shall permit me to speak a few words, and I shall be but brief. " There are many come here this day to hear and see me lay down this tabernacle of mine, that hath various ends, but our Lord knows you all and your ends both : it is true, God is my witness, that I judge myself the unworthiest person of any that have lost their blood for this honourable cause. He has been pleased to take a testimony from noblemen, gentlemen, ministers, and poor ploughmen lads, and tradesmen of several sorts, which is a token for good, that he has yet a kindness for these covenanted lands. And I bless the Lord with all my heart, that ever he called me with his heavenly calling : I bless the Lord, that I have a life to lay down for his sake ; glory to the Lord, that I shall have blood and wounds in his cause. " But to come more particularly to the purpose in hand, the articles of my indictment were these : — First, they charged me with rebellion, for joining with these they call rebels, and declared enemies to the king, and enemies to all good government : for my own part I never called them so. I declare here where I stand before him who will be my Judge within a little, my design in coming forth with arms, was to hear the gospel preached truly and faithfully, and I know it was the design of that poor handful to defend the gospel, and to keep up a witness and testimony against the abounding corruptions that this deed is filled with from end to end, and to plead with the Lord that he would not make a total removal therefrom. Yea, I heard Mr Richard Cameron say : — 'My friends, we are not to compaie ourselves with Gideon's three hundred men, no, not at all; our design is to have you examined, how ye are, and what ye are ; to choose two or three of the foot, and two or three of the horse, that are found fittest qualified for elders, to try your principles, to try your life and 262 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. conversation, and to have yon being Christians. Our number was more the last day, and we gave them free leave to go home, and only but a few handful to stay ; for we design not to fall upon any party of the forces, except they be few in number, and oppose us in keeping up the gospel in the fields, for I am persuaded that one meeting in the fields has been more owned and countenanced by His presence with His people, than twenty house meetings, as they are now bought ; and therefore make no strife among yourselves about officers, because they are but men ; yea, I think there is not a man among you all meet for it ; we are not meet to be a minister to you, only we are to wait till the Lord provide better ; and ye that are not satisfied to stay in defence of the gospel, good-morrow to you, whatsoever ye lit-.' And so I thought it was rational and warrantable both from the word of God, and our solemn vows and covenants, which you and the whoh,> land are engaged unto. — Now, ye see what was my motive to joi\ with that handful, and in this I have peace, and on this ground I lay down my life. There is a second motive I had, for which I thought myself bound to own that persecuted cause and interest of my blessed Lord and Master, Jesus Christ : I being about two years ago in Carrick, and hearing the precious gospel of Jesus Christ ; in these glorious days, the shining of the countenance of our Lord was discernibly seen there, both upon his ministers and people ; I though it my duty to mark it. The Lord did so soften and animate my heart at that time, that I made it my work how I might win to clearness how to state myself, being among the deceitful indulged ministers, and finding several places of scripture calling me out from them, as that known scripture, ' If the Lord be God, follow him ; but if Baal, then follow him. Come out from among them, my people, and touch not the unclean thing,' &c. ' Touch not, taste not, handle not, which are all to perish with the using.' I thought it was dreadful to be halting between two opinions. On the other hand, I had some scriptures concerning the cross that attends pure religion and undefiled. The Lord who has called me here to-day, to seal these truths, wrought with an irresistible power on my heart, that good word of his in the xviii. Psal. 46, 47, 48. verses, ' The Lord liveth ; and blessed he my Hock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God that avengeth me, and subduetb the people under me. He delivereth me from mine enemies : yea, thou liftest me up above those that i i- e up against me : thou hast delivered me from the violent man.' This makes me rejoice. ' The Lord of hosts is on my side.' ' The God of Jacob is my defence,' &c. O so strongly as this binds and obliges me to suffer, and count all joy now to go up this ladder ! And I bad occasion to be at several other meetings, I bless the Lord for it : I bless the Lord that ever lie made choice of me. who v miserable sinner, to lay down my life for his cause : and so I die BOt by constraint or force, but willingly at his command. " There is another clause in my indictment, and sentence of death. They say, that I walked up and down the country, murdering, destroying, and oppressing the subjects. But. I say. I did never niind the like. And so they have (as they have done to many a ARCHIBALD ALISON. 263 one) assized and sentenced me wrongously ; for I did never mind to murder or rob any man : therefore I am clear to charge them guilty of my blood, and to give my testimony against them, as murderers of the servants and people of God, in their being about the service and worship of God, as I was. " In the next place, I believe that all the scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the word of the eternal and ever living God, given by Divine, inspiration ; and that every duty commanded therein ought to be obeyed and performed upon the greatest peril and hazard, and that every crooked and false way should be avoided and guarded against, whatever be the seeming advantages which may accompany the embracing of it, under the pain of being led forth with the workers of iniquity, when he shall pronounce peace on his Israel. 2dly. I give my witness and join my adherence to the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, National and Solemn League and Covenant, with our Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engage- ment to Duties. 3dly. I adhere to the Church-government by general assemblies, synods, presbyteries, and kirk-sessions, according as it was established in the year 1648. 4thly. I give my testimony to that faithful declaration at Rutherglen, the 29th of May, 1679. 5thly. I adhere, and give my testimony to the declaration at Sanquhar, June 22, 1680, together with the paper gotten at the Ferry upon Henry Hall, June 3, 1680.* 6thly. I give my testimony and set to my seal to all the former testimonies sealed by the blood of them who have been murdered on scaffolds, in the fields, and in the sea, from the year 1GG0, to this day; and by all the imprisonments, and banishment of exiled and wandering ones, and by all the spoilings and robbings, oppression, stigmatizing, scourging, and booting, and other horrid cruelties, which have been committed by the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. " On the other hand : — 1st. I enter my protestation before the Judge of all, both living and dead, before whom I am to appear within a little time, against all the encroachments made upon the prerogatives of our Lord Jesus Christ, particularly against Popery, Quakerism, and Prelacy, and all their underlings, and the joiners with them ; and against all supremacy that is contrary to the word of God ; and against all Erastianism ; and against both the indulgences first and last, and all the joiners with, connivers at, and supporters of it ; and against the silence in watchmen at this day, in not giving faithful warning, according to that in Isa. lviii. 1. ' Cry aloud, and spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet, show Israel their sins, and the house of Jacob their transgressions ;' — and against her ambiguous and dark applications, so that the sin of the times is not touched, lest they irritate the magistrates, and bring themselves in hazard of our Lord's cross ; which was an evil creeping in long ago, which the assembly condemned in the ministers ; and ordered them to be suspended, if they did not amend ; and seeing no humiliation for such a great sin, they were to be deposed. 2dly. I enter my protestation against all * Commonly called the Queensfcrry Paper, and drawn up by Mr. CargilL 264< TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. those who have declared themselves opposite to our Lord Jesus Christ, and have displayed a banner for Satan ; not only tolerating, but acting and committing all manner of abominations, and horrid cruelties in things civil and ecclesiastical. 3dly. I enter my protestation against all declarations, proclamations, bonds, cess, and militia money for keeping standing forces with a displayed banner against our Lord ; and against all profanity, looseness, and lukevvarmness, and all the backslidings of the Church of Scotland, since our entering into covenant with God to this day. " Now, Sirs, I have given you but a short hint of my faith and principles ; and also of the motives which moved me to join with the serious seekers of God ; and also the- grounds of my indictment, and sentence of death : also some little glance at the corruptions of the times. I have here joined my testimony to the sufferings of the people of God, and I have entered my protestation against some open sins, which are obvious to all who have not willingly yielded them- selves to work wickedness. O ! it is but little that I can say ! it would take a long summer day to rank them up, and not win at them all : for my part, I am but ignorant, my capacity can but reach to little things. It may be that ye will take but little notice to what the like of me says, but I cannot help it. Now, as a dying man, I leave all these things to your consideration, if this prelatic and indulged party be the party, to be meddled with, and owned, pleaded for and defended ; what think ye of them that have gone before us ? What think ye of Argyle, and Mr. Guthrie, that were men of understanding ? What think ye of Mr. Kid, and Mr. King, and that gentleman that Buffered last at the cross ?* Nay, what think ye of religion and the cost of it ? What think ye of heaven, and glory that is at the back of the cross ? The hope of this makes me look upon pale death as a lovely messenger to me. I bless the Lord for my lot this day. I shall come shortly to a close, only I beg leave to speak a word to two or three sorts of folks ; and I think, all may be comprehended under these three. I entreat you take heed ; I wish I may not be a stumblingblock to any, that is looking on me this day. ' Blessed is he,' says Christ, ' that shall not be offended in me, and my followers.' Theirs* sort is the seekers of God ; I have a word to you : ye have kirk and state upon your top ; ye get leave to weep a long night, and have none to comfort you: and if you cry, 'Watchman, what of the night ?' the watchmen are drunk and fallen asleep, they cannot tell. 'Can these dry bones live? Lord, thou knowest.' Ye are seeing the godly cut off, one way and another; ye are hearing them that have the root of the matter in them crying up a sinful union ; and ministers will not tell you what is your duty or danger. O my dear friends, cast not away your confidence ; ye must conn- through many tribulations ; but there is a begun heaven for you at night. ' Seek ye the Lord, ve meek of the earth : ye shall be hid in the day of the Lord's anger.' There is no persecution in heaven, where our Lord's enemies shall never come : 1 shall not take upon • i. c. Mr. Hackston of RatbQlet ARCHIBALD ALISON. 265 me to say, who of them will not come to heaven ; hut this I may say, if they come, it will be more than ordinary humiliation they must have : as it is said of Manasseh ; that ' he humbled himself greatly before the Lord God of his fathers.' Friends, give our Lord credit ; he is always good ; but O he is good in a day of trial, and he will be sweet company through the ages of eternity. c There is none like the God of Jeshurun, that rides upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. And underneath are the everlasting arms, and lie will save his people.' And secondly, I have a word to say to you that are godly ; but alas, you have wronged the cause ; for which, I fear, ye have lost the countenance of God, and will not get it again in haste ; ye have ' waxed fat and kicked ;' ye have flung at God (so to speak), ye have said ' a confederacy' with enemies, for a false peace ; ye have been crying peace and union with the indulged, because they are godly men. I say before the Lord, that ye, and these godly men, have most basely betrayed the kirk of Scotland ; ye shall go to heaven in a fiery chariot, ye shall hardly get leave to suffer but go away in a stink, for your complying and shunning the cross. Thirdly, a word to the ungodly. O ye atheists and ungodly magistrates, full of perjury and bloodshed, ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter. The blood of the Lord's martyrs, that has been shed these eighteen or nineteen years within this city, will he charged home upon you, as well as upon the assizers. Ye counsellors, your work will be rewarded. Ye criminal lords, remember, ' the saints shall judge the earth,' and shall shortly be in equal terms with you ; and they shall stand upon mount Zion with the Lamb, and give their consents against you; and shall shortly cry, ' Hallelujah, hallelujah,' to your condemnation. And therefore I obtest you, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye will desist from your wicked courses, and lie in the dust, and mourn for all your abominations ; ' Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.' Ye ignorant and profane drunkards, swearers, and sabbath breakers, repent, or else ye shall likewise perish. And now, I take my farewell of all the serious seekers of God for a short time : and you that are calm, prudent professors, I leave you under process till you repent, for casting off Christ and his cross, and for ' bringing up an evil report on the good land,' and for your wronging of the cause. And ye rulers, farewell for evermore, without repentance and deep humiliation for wronging of Christ and his people. Return my soul unto thy quiet rest ! Farewell all created comforts in time : and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into thy hands I commit my spirit. « S'c sub :— ARCHIBALD \LISON"* * Cloud of Witnesses. 26*6 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. III. JOHN MALCOM. QJohn Malcom was the other of the Two who, along with Mr. Hackston, were taken at Airsinoss. He was by trade a weaver, . and belonged to the parish of Dairy, in the Stewartry of Kirk- cudbright. Along with his companion, he was charged with having been at Bothwell-bridge and Airsraoss, in arms, which they judicially confessed, and were sentenced accordingly. " They died," says Wodrow, "in great assurance, and with comfortable hopes of well being." He left a Testimony to the cause for which he suffered, and it is as follows :] " I desire the audience of you, who are here spectators and auditor?, to hear some words of a dying man, ready to offer up this taber- nacle in your sight, who would have it among my last wishes, that you would consider your ways and your doings, that are not good, and not harden your hearts as in the provocation ; for, ye have to do with a holy God, who is quickly about to come in flaming fire, to take vengeance on all the ungodly profane persons, who are living at tase in Zion, and rejoicing in the afflictions of the people of God. I would obtest you, in the bowels of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you would break off your pernicious ways, and make peace with God while he would make peace with you, lest ye be destroyed in the overflowing flood of his wrath. There has been flockings and gatherings to see others, who are gone before me, that have been wonderfully countenanced and owned with the evident presence of God, — convincingly helping some to go through the jaws of death, rejoicing and looking profane on-lookers out of countenance, — and have given their testimonies against the abominations committed in the land. And I am come hither, who am the unwortbiest of any that have gone before me. Now, before I come further, I would ask vou, what you think of religion ? What think you can it be, that makes men go to death with so great peace and sweetness ? Ye have heard what malefactors have had to say. Think ye not it strange, that a rational man can enter upon eternity, leaving such a testimony as ye have heard ? And, I hope the Lord will help me in less or more to be faithful and free in leaving my testimony in the sight and presence of him, who is the sovereign Judge of all the earth, before whom I must stand in a short time. " The cause of my coming here this day is, because I was found with that poor persecuted handful, who are the people that were singly adhering to the honour and glory of God, — now when he is threatening to bring in his sore plagues upon this apostate church, that has 'played the harlot with many lovers;' — for which he will bring on indignation, wrath and pain, upon many. But this is ground of encouragement to the seekers of God, (1.) That he is keeping- up a party in the land, that see it their r his can B and interest, and shall 'overcome through the blood of the Lamb, and by tie- word of their testimony, who are not loving their lives unto tho death ;' to contend for his cause and interest, for. If hath JOHN MALOOM. 2G7 said, Ezek. vii. 16. ' But they that escape of them shall escape, and he like the doves upon the mountains, mourning every one of them for his iniquities.' Now, I seeing and considering upon the one hand, what treacherous dealings are hatched up among the ministers and professors in this poor church, and on the other hand considering what tko Lord had done formerly, I thought I was convinced in conscience, — and from respect to the honour of God, which I had hcforo mine eyes, and the good of my own soul, I was constrained by an influence of the Spirit, bearing in that word upon my heart, which we have, 1 Kings xviii. 21 — ' And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions ; if the Lord be God, then follow him ; but if Baal be God, then follow him.' The Lord determined me to join myself with that party, and I do not repent it this day. I count it my duty, and no sin nor rebellion. I think it my credit to serve such a noble master: and indeed I wonder at his condescendency, that ever he sought service from such a wretched sinner as I have been, who lived a stranger to him all my days ; but O wonderful love ! O wonder at the matchless acts of the Lord's condescendency, and incomprehensible ways with me ! that he has made choice of such a poor, weak, frail, pickle of dust as I am ; and has led me out and in, and has brought me to this place of execution, to give my testimony to his work, cause and interest ; and has passed by the eminent, wise, and prudent in the land, and has made choice of such a feckless nothing as I am ; but blessed be his glorious name, that will have his word made out, that ' out of the mouth of babes and sucklings, he can perfect his praise.' (2.) And this likewise is ground of hope to you that are weak, and cannot venture on suffering, being sensible of your own weakness ; * to the weak he increaseth strength.' And this is another ground of hope, that he takes the blood and wounds of poor weak things to seal his truths. " It cannot be expected that I shall be very formal in what I say, I being no scholar, nor yet old in experience. And besides, after 1 had received my sentence, I was taken out of a private room, and put in the irons among bad company, except two days before this. The ground of my indictment was, 1st, that I am against the king's forces, and fired upon them under the command of Earlshall. I declare, I intended not to resist, but being put to it, in defence of the gospel, and my own defence, I did resist them to my power. 2dly That I had been with that party in the months of April, May, and June. I was but two days with them, intending no other thing, but to hear the gospel, and for this I suffer, I bless the Lord, < not as an evil-doer,' but for my duty : for ye know we are all bound in covenant, both kirk and state, according to the coronation oath : the covenants were owned and sworn, both by the supreme magistrate, the nobles, gentry, and commons of all sorts. The Lord did wonderfully shine upon this land, so that it became the glory of the whole world ; the fame cf it went abroad, and was renowned through the nations. I have heard that if a stranger of another kingdom had come into a church of this land, there was such a frame 2G8 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. of spirit among the people, that the stranger would have thought that they had been all saints. The church, then, was ' fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners.' But we have not been content with these days : then the swearer was bound up from oaths, and the drunkard's throat ran dry, ' iniquity stopped her mouth.' The Lord was with his people in those days : the gospel was successful : and yet I can say, there have been as great days of the gospel in the west of Scotland, in the foresaid months, in the fields, as were in Scotland, since it was Scotland. J am sure, the gospel preached by Mr. Richard Cameron, especially, was backed with the power and presence of Christ ; as much of Christ and heaven were found, as finite creatures on earth were able to hold, yea, and more than they could hold ; the streams of tlie living waters ran through among his people at these meetings, like a flood upon the souls of many, who can witness, if they were called to it, that they would not have been afraid of ten thousands : ' the shout of a king was heard among them ;' the fruits of it, I am hopeful, shall appear after this. All the troopers and dragoons in the three kingdoms will never get that fire of love that is kindled in the breasts of some in that country quenched ; it will never be quenched ; it will not rot. The fathers will be telling the children of it, when they are old men, who are not taken away from the wrath that is coming on, to avenge the quarrel of a broken covenant ; they will be telling, ' that in the year 1680, there were as great days as there are now, (when there were prelates through these lands) upon the mountains up and down this west : it was then that I got the zeal of God upon my soul.' And they shall say, ' who were they that preached in mosses and mountains, and not in the kirks or houses? did not all the godly ministers, when the apostate prelates were in the land, go out and witness and testify against them, with their lives in their hands ?' And the fathers will say, ' Know, my children, they had run well for a season, but they wearied, and yielded up the church's liberties to a tyrant king, of the name of Charles : and he set up the prelates, and they made the land full of curates under them ; and after that, some that stayed off a while, then turned council curates, and these council curates beguiled the rest of them, and Erastiamsm was universal ; but the moderate-indulged in judgment, would have silenced Mr. Richard Cameron from preaching, but the Lord had said to him, ' go, and I will go with thee ;' and so he was wonderfully helped. Indeed the Lord countenanced him after that, and deserted them, and he died a martyr, and had his head .set up upon a port, beside other three of his brethren ; and many that wrote againsl him ami had him in derision went away with a stink.' They will have this to say, and tell to the young ones yet unborn ; ' the righteous man shall be had in everlasting remembrance.' Indeed, my friends, if any such be hearing me, I may say, truly a greal man in cur [srael fell at Airsmoss the 2 2d of July, 1680. And now. it" 1 were Bel at liberty, with a provision that I were not found with If*. Donald Cargill, whom I pray the Lord may keep from sinning, 1 would yet JOHN MALCOM. 2G0 again join with that persecuted party, although they should use me, as they did that eminently worthy gentleman that suffered before us. So I am not in the dark how and for what I suffer. I am clear that I was in my duty, and I have peace in it since, and I grow still clearer in it, glory to his name : for it is true that after I got my indictment, and received my sentence, 1 wanted the countenance of God ; for I never knew that the Lord loved me, but since that time ; but I was never in the dark about the righteousness of the cause : I knew it would bear a suffering unto blood and death. And now, I am clear of my interest, and clear as to the grounds that I am laying down my life for this day. I could wish that every hair of my head were a life for his sake, and his persecuted cause. I die in 'the faith of the true protestant religion, in doctrine, discipline, and worship, as it was received in the year 1638, and in the year 1649. I join my adherence to the government of this church, as it was reformed from popery, prelacy, Erastianism, and supremacy. And I join my cordial testimony to the church's laws and statutes at that time, as she was governed by general assemblies, synods, presbyteries, visita- tions and sessions ; and to days of humiliation for sin, solemn days of thanksgiving in receipt of mercies bestowed, and censures for trying out persons of erroneous principles, either ministers or private persons. I adhere to the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagements to duties, the National and Solemn League and Covenant, and the Protestation at St. Johnstoun. 1 join my testimony to and approba- tion of these papers at Queensferry, the 3d of June 1680. I adhere to that faithful testimony at Rutherglen the 29th of May, 1679. I join my testimony to that last testimony or declaration affixed upon the market cross of Sanquhar the 22d of June, 1680. I witness my testimony to the late appearance at Airsmoss the 22d of July, 1680, where the Lord's worthies fell. Likewise I witness my testimony, and set to my seal against that horrid murder of that eminently worthy and famous, godly gentleman, David Hackston of Rathillet. Likewise, against all the blood shed in the fields, scaffolds, and the sea, these nineteen years. I enter my protestation against popery, quakerism, supremacy, Erastianism, indulgences first and last ; and against arbitrary power over civil and ecclesiastical matters, further than the bounds appointed by the word of God. Likewise, I witness my testimony against the pleaders for union, siding, joining, halfing with usurpers of Christ's crown, silence in watchmen, and all their contrivances, impositions, instructions, or limitations, they put upon the young men to be licensed, prescribing a rule to them, to order their ministry so and so, — their papers and pamphlets they have put on lately, to lead men over to that woful indulgence, under the fair pretext of union, which is dreadful underhand dealing, to bring the people under the shadow of the Lord's adversaries. I enter my protestation against the national declaration put forth in the year 1661, and all their declarations since, and all their bonds and oatlra imposed upon the Lord's people. Likewise, against the paying of cess and militia money ; and against their imprisonments, stigmatizing, 270 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. booting, and burning with fire matches, fining and confining, robbing and spoiling, banishment, oppression, rigour of masters of tolbooths. And because of that mistake, that they say in my indictment, that presbyterians, and I amongst the rest, had cast off all fear of God, and are against all good order and civil law ; I declare I adhere to kingly government, but not to perjury and tyranny, turning upside down church and state, contrary to the word of God, our covenants, and the laws of the nation; and contrary to the declaration at Dunfermline, the coronation oath, and the acts of general assembly, mid acts of parliament, ratifying presbytery, and abjuring this prelatic hierarchy, which is now established, and presbytery rescinded. And, J bear my testimony against those that have been, and yet are pleading for the favour (as they call it) of the Act of Indemnity, after the murdering of Mr. King and Mr. Kid, who were executed that day the proclamation was read over the Cross, the 14th day of August, 1679 ; and against their justiciary courts, to insnare and impannel the poor people of God in the west of Scotland. " I shall draw to a close shortly ; but I might (if I had time) enlarge further upon these. I will say only this to you, who arc looking upon me this day, that my lot is hard, but I bless the Lord for it ; ' The captain of my salvation was made perfect through .suffering.' No man has wronged me by counsel or advice ; so I am persuaded that the cause is the Lord Jesus Christ's cause, and he will own it. ' And whosoever touches any of his people, touches the apple of his eye. For he sends none a warfare upon their own charges,' and in his own time ' he will make inquisition for the blood of all his saints,' because • it is right precious in his sight.' And when he makes inquisition after their blood, and searches them out that troubled his people, I would not be the king of Britain, nor a coun- sellor, prelate, or malignant, for a world : and whatever I be, yet I am persuaded, they have the blood of his dear saints in their skirts, which are this day under the altar, crying, ' How long, O Lord, holy and just, wilt thou not avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth !' You got Mr. King's advice on the scaffold, to be more sparing of shedding more blood ; for within a short time, he told you, he would be on equal terms with you that judged him guilty of death : but that doth not warn the rulers of this kingdom. Do not think that I am quarrelling for the taking of my blood ; no, it is love to your souls that obliges me to speak thus. O what can be expected, but that the Lord lias his sword furbished for blood, and he will have a day of nobles' blood! The Lord has been smiting and wounding his church and people, and blood has touched blood. Pentlandhills hath touched Mr. Guthrie's blood; and Bothwell touched IVntland; and the drowned in the sea touched Bothwell ; and Airsnioss the drowned in the sea ; and our blood toucheth that which was spilt the 22d of July last : 0 that at last ye would he persuaded to desiBtj and spill no more blood ; O that the Lord himself would stop the effusion of more innocent blood, if it may stand with his honour. But if any more be for his honour and service ; Lord, keep thy people when thev are called to it, to say with David, ' Here am I, let him do to me as seemeth him good.' JOHN MALCOM. 271 " I am also apprehensive, that the Lord hath a great sacrifice of the bodies of multitudes, and that he will give the flesh and blood of many to the fowls of the air ; and he minds to give the fowls and birds a feast of flesh and blood. O Scotland ! wilt thou never be wise, until thou be betrayed into the hands of thine enemies'? Truly, I think it is incredible, that this land will get leave to pass long, and not be swept with the besom of justice : the Lord is really angry with this land : for I know no person, no not one, but he has just ground of controversy with. It is astonishing to me, to think on the sparing mercies of God towards these lands. For my part, I am glad that he calls me away after this manner, for which I desire with my soul to 'less him, for his kindness to me, in taking this method and way with such a wretched sinner as I am, who deserves nothing but wrath, and only wrath ; but glory to the riches of his grace, who ' came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief : he is a noble High Priest indeed. I must draw to a close ; I entreat your patience a little, and I shall say but these three or four things shortly. 1st. I would entreat you that are strangers to God, make haste and flee unto God for your life, — from this consideration, that all who had union and communion with God are now landed in glory, have died in the faith of it, that there are glorious days coming, and that the Lord will reckon with his enemies, and pay them liberally, for all the wrongs done to his cause and people. ' And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall punish the host of the high ones, that are on the earth, and the kings of the earth, upon the earth ; they shall be gathered together as prisoners are gathered into the pit, and ehall be shut up in the prison, and after many days they shall be visited ; then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord shall reign over mount Zion and Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.' You may read it at your leisure, in the 24th chap, of Isaiah, from the 21st verse to the end. There is anothei word in the xxxvi. of Job, 18th verse : it is a word of advice, given by Elihu to Job ; * Because there is wrath, beware lest he take you away with a stroke ; then a great ransom cannot deliver you.' 2dly. It is my comfort this day, that my enemies are God's enemies. It is the allowance he bestows on poor things, in the following of their duty ; — though they have not much knowledge in religion, nor great experience, yet if they be faithful in the little, he helps them to be faithful in much. Ye know he says, ' Because thou hast been faithful in what I committed to thee, have thou rule over five cities.' I know, that it is commonly reported, that they have not much grace that adhere to this persecuted way ; as I take in myself among them, who never had great gifts, nor parts, nor heart experience, — yet he has told me, since I received the sentence of death by men who are the Lord's sword, ' That faithfulness in this juncture of time, in not denying his name, shall be an excuse for many infirmities.'* Among all the strong * This sentiment will probably appear to the pious and reflecting reader to be inconsistent with right views of the Christian system. The Editor is con- strained to confess that it docs appear in this light to him. It must readily 272 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. contenders, none get the prize but the sincere man, the resolute man, and they who are determined, as Esther was, to go, though it should cost them their life. And this is the time that the people of God should be at holding and drawing, rugging and riving, or ever the enemies of our Lord possess his crown, and bruik it with peace. And this, I must add to these that are biassed, I shall be a dying witness against ministers and professors that made it their work to brand and clothe that faithful minister and martyr of Jesus Christ * with odious names and notorious lies, in calling him a Jesuit, and saying that he received the Pope's gold, and that he was a great favourite of the duke of York, a declared papist ; whilst I know, and many eminent Christians know, that lie hated him as a limb of Satan ; and also they said, that the troopers had commission to pass him by, rather than any man, even after the declaration came out, to give 5000 merks for him dead or alive. Go and lie in the dust for what you have said of him ; and what you have said of Mr. Kid ; I bless the Lord that ever I saw his face, that ever I heard him preach. 3dly. Give me leave to say this much ; — I am afraid the apostasy of Scotland, the neutrality and formality that is among both ministers and professors, have shaped out this church and land of Britain, in length and breadth, with the church of Laodicea, whom the Lord threatens ' to spue out of his mouth,' as a loathsome thing, and then he will have pleasure in his Zion. Yet ye see, he is snedding down a Guthrie, a Welwood, a King, a Kid, a Brown, and a Cameron, and the like of a Henry Hall, and a Robert Dick, that were contending for the truth, and for restoring the privileges of the church : and these were counted disturbers of your sinful union with the enemies of the Lord. Lay it to heart ; now their blood is shed for the cause, and ye are not free of it ; but ye can wipe your mouth, and say, ye are innocent! Remember that, in the fiftieth psalm, and 18th verse, ' When thou sawcst a thief, thou joinedst with him ; and this the Lord hath seen, and kept silence :' remember and mourn for it, ' lest he tear you in pieces, when there is none to deliver.' The court favour is too short a covering, it will not hide you : therefore as a lying man, I warn you as from the Lord, ' Consider your ways and your doings, that have not been good,' and cast yourselves out of the court favour, otherwise I declare ye shall not get the favour of God. 4thly. If ye will set about some days of humiliation before the Lord, and take with you your sins, and the sin of crying up this Hatty liberty, which is the price of blood. ' If ye will return to the Lord, then return with all your heart ; for he is merciful and gracious, and repents him of the evil that he threatens, neither will he give way to his anger.' occur to every one who gives a moment's thought to the subject — that man, of himself, cannot procure, or merit forgiveness For the slightest deficiency l>y any exercise of patience, and fortitude, however extraordinary ; that, being at the very best, nothing more than his duty. The person here alluded to was most probably Richard Cameron, whom the greater part of his brethren in the ministry were inclined to regard n» animated by a zeal without knowledge, and of whom, it is not Impoaelble, some might cherish still harder thoughts, as specified in the test JOHN MALCOM. 273 He did so to mo ; I no sooner began to look to him, but bo made me welcome, and put me to work, though I be but young, and know nothing : he was tender of me, he took me to Both well -bridge, to own his cause ; and I had many temptations to stay ; what from my mother, and from one hand and another ; but I durst not for my soul stay behind. I thought it my duty to join myself with that party against ;ll|» Lord's enemies, and the Lord was good to me there many ways ; he covered my head in the day of battle, and suffered not one hair of my head to fall to the ground, and he suffered many better than me a thousand times, to fall on all hands of me : so I thought then I held my life of him : and the Lord brought me to the Grayfriars' church- yard, though I came almost naked, yet he mounted me better then ever I was before with clothes, and wonderfully provided for me beyond many others. I bless the Lord, my mother's sickness did not keep me from Bothvvell-bridge ; and when I was in the Grayfriars' church-yard, I was threatened with death by the Justice-general, who swore a great oath, that I should die if I would not take the bond I told him, as it was true, that many better than I had been hanged ; but I was brought out of his hand ; and the Lord took me to the sea, and did deliver me from the ragings thereof, when he suffered many better to lose their lives.* And when he laid his hand upon me by • Our martyr here refers to an event the most deeply tragical perhaps, in its consequences, of any that took place during the whole course of the persecution in Scotland ; viz. the loss, partly by shipwreck, arid partly by the inhumane conduct of the sailors, of about Two hundred of the prisoners taken at the battle of Both well, who refused the proposed bond. After detaining them for about two months within the Grayfriars' church-yard, the council resolved to banish them to the colonies. With this view, they entered into an arrangement with one Paterson, a merchant in Edinburgh, who undertook to transport them accordingly. This arrangement was not completed till the month of November, when the prisoners had been about five months in confinement. Of the circumstances that followed, we give the following detail from Wodrow, which, though somewhat long, cannot but be perused with interest by every person of common humanity: — " Upon the lath of November 257 of the prisoners were taken out of the Grayfriars' church-yard, early in the morning, before any of their friends knew of it ; and for any thing I can find, they had no previous intimation of it given to themselves. Yea, such was the cruelty used, that 30 of them who were dangerously ill, of distempers contracted by their hard usage, were hurried away with the rest, and no pity shewn them. " They were carried down under a guard to Leith, put aboard a ship lying in the Road, and continued twelve days in the Road before they sailed. The barbarity executed upon them in the ship cannot be expressed. They were stowed under deck in so little room that most part of them behoved still to stand, to give room to such as were sickly, and seemingly dying : they were penned so close, that they almost never got themselves moved, and were almost stifled for want of air ; two hundred and fifty-seven of them being pent up in the room which would scarce have contained a hundred, — many of them frequently fainted, being almost suffocated. " The seamen's rudeness, and inhumanity to them was singular : when lying in the Road, not only did they binder their friends to see them, or minister to their necessities, but they narrowed them very much in the bread they ought to have had, and allowed them little or no drink, though the master had con- tracted to give both : to that pitch were they brought, that divers of them were forced to drink their own urine to quench the extremity of their thirst. No. 19. T 274 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. sickness, he made me to be favoured by all my enemies : be healed me, and brought me home ; and then he called mo out to hear the gospel ; for which I desire to bless him, and within a little while I shall praise him for it. " The Lord was so seen amongst his persecuted handful there, that he did engage me to join with them who were hazarding their lives upon the fields for him. I was at that late engagement, and the Lord took some work off my hand there ; and has brought me to this placet this day, to lay down my life for his sake ; and this is the last combat I shall have ; I shall work no more : I must take my leave of you all, and so rest in his love. I go where f all tears shall be wiped away ;' where * the servant is made free from his master,' — to the land whore ' the inhabitants shall not say, they are sick.' Now, be not discouraged at the ways of God's providence to me ; for I can assure you, the cause is his own, and he will own it. ' For lo, thine enemies shall perish.' I would have every one of you seeking the favour of God : for ye will have ado with it at death and judgment : the greatest persecutor or malignant will have Bore missing of His favour in that day. O seek him in time ! and the Lord help his poor young " 'Tis with much truth then, that I find one of themselves, James Corsan, a pious serious person, in some letter of his, dated Leith Uoad, complaining to his wife and friends, ' that all the trouble they met with since Both well was not to he compared to one day in their present circumstances ; that their uneasiness was beyond words ;' yet he owns, in very pathetical terms, ' that the consola- tions of God overbalanced all, and expresses his hopes that they are near their port, and that heaven is opening for them.' I am told there were fourteen thousand merks collected for their use by honest people at Edinburgh, and put in the hands of some to buy clothes and other things for them ; and somewhat ■was to be given to each of them, that might relieve their necessities when in America ; but I don't hear it was so well employed for their behoof as it might have been, and not much of it was ever suffered to come to them by the master and seamen : the most part of them never came to need it. " Upon the 27th of November the ship sailed from Leith, and met with very great storms. Upon the 10th of December they found themselves off Orkney, in as dangerous a sea as is perhaps in the world. They came pretty near the shore, and cast anchor : the prisoners fearing what came to pass, entreated to be set ashore, and sent to what prison the master pleased ; but that could not be granted. Instead of this, the captain, ivho, by the way, I am told, was a papist, caused chain and lock all the hatches, under which the prisoners were. " About 10 at night the ship was forced from anchor by a most violent tempest, driven upon a rock, and broke in the middle. The seamen quietly got down the mast, and laying it 'twixt the broken ship and the rock, got ashore; yet so barbarous were they, that upon the cries of the poor men they would not open the hatches, though, 'tis probable, had this been done, most part would have got ashore. But so far from this was the popish master and his men, that I have many concurring informations, some of them from persons present, that they hindered them from getting up upon the rock, and struck at them. And yet this villain and his men were never called to an account by the council, though the matter was notourly known ; and was as directly murder as if their throats had been cut. However, about forty, some say fifty, got hold on boards of the ship, and came ashore, and so about 200 were lost, or rather murdered.' Wodrow's History, v. ii. It seems that among the 6fty who thus escaped from this melancholy catastrophe was John Malcom. His name accordingly is to be found in the account of the persons banished, in the Appendix to the Cloud of Witnesses. JAMES SKENE. 275 wrestling people well through their trials ; the Lord help them to be faithful, and to endure to the end ; for they have the promise of being saved. Join with his people and cast in your lot with them, and do not stand on the other side; let his cause be your cause in weal or wo. O noble cause ! O noble work ! O noble heaven ! O noble Christ, that makes it to be heaven ! and he is the owner of the work : 0 noble Mediator of the new covenant ! O noble Redeemer, who is powerful to help in time of need, and will help such as trust in him I There was never one that trusted in him that came to loss, he made them always up, sometimes with an hundred-fold in this life, and heaven after. " I lay clown my life, not as an evil-doer, but as a sufferer for Christ. 1 shall say no more, but a word or two. One is anent that which some would be informed in, Whether I took the bond that was tendered to the prisoners ? I acknowledge, there was a supplication drawn up, containing two articles : one was, craving the benefit of the act of indemnity : the second was, that I should not lift arms against the king, or any in lawful authority : but because it was not authority only, but lawful authority, it was not granted. And, at that time, there were pains taken by some persons of note, who persuaded me to take the bond as it was tendered by the bloody council. Indeed it ath been a thing heavier than the sand to me, and hath made me groan. I think for that, and for many other private failings, the Lord did not give me his countenance ; the Lord pardon that, as I hope he will, that I should have put my hand to a pen, and blackened paper in that supplication : but for the bond, I bless the Lord, I did not subscribe it. The second thing I am reputed guilty of is, that I supplicated for a delay some short time, and that I called it rebellion that I was at Airsmoss. Indeed I subscribed no such things : but it was only this, that it might please them to grant us some more time, for we were in confusion, because of the shortness of the time ; we desired some more time, that we might get our soul's case laid to heart, and our peace made with God through Jesus Christ. I shall say no more, but wish that ye would all seek repentance in time, before it be hid from your eyes. I recommend my soul and spirit to him, ' that is able to save to the uttermost all that come to him through Christ ;' and desire to take my leave of all created comforts. Farewell all relations, farewell world, farewell sin. Welcome Christ, welcome heaven, and glory for evermore. « Sic Sub— JOHN MALCOM."* IV. JAMES SKENE. £Mr. James Skene was brother to the Laird of Skene in Aberdeen- shire. It was but lately that he had begun to attend upon the gospel, as preached in the fields, but being informed against, he was * Cloud of Witnesses. . " 276 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. apprehended as a hearer of Mr. Cargill, in the month of November, 1680. Indeed, this fact, which he confessed, together with his expressed opinions in favour of the insurrections of Bothwell-bnd^e, | and Airsmoss, and of the Sanquhar and Queensferry declarations, | constituted the whole of his crime. Accordingly, on the 22d of } November he was indicted for ' owning the rebels at Bothvvell, and Airsmoss, the Rutherglen and Sanquhar proclamations, and the i excommunication at Torwood ;' and being found guilty on his own confession, was sentenced to be hanged on the 24th of that ■i month. At his own desire, however, his execution was delayed till the 1st of December. His " last words " consist of several letters to his friends, besides his proper testimony. In both, there occur expressions that certainly cannot be defended, and in reference to these, we insert the notes by which the original editor V of the Cloud of Witnesses has attempted to explain them.] 1. His Letter to his Brother. " Dear Billy, — To satisfy your desire, I send you this line, to let you know, that when I came before the council, (York and Rothes being there, two bishops, viz. Burnet and Paterson, the advocate, clerk Paterson, Linlithgow, and many more, sitters, and standers, Dalziel the general, being porter, walking proudly up and down, not as a servant) none was admitted to come in with me. I saluted them all civilly and kept off my hat, because they kept off, that they might not Bay that I was a Quaker. Rothes asked me, Was I at Bothwell, or Airsmoss ? I answered, I was at home in the north both these times. They asked, if I did own Sanquhar declaration, and the testimony at Rutherglen ? I told them, I did own them both. He asked, Did I own the king's authority? I said, in so far as it was against the covenant and interest of Christ, I disowned it. He asked me, Thought I it not a sinful murder, the killing of the Arch-prelate ? I said, I thought it was their duty to kill him, when God gave them oppor- tunity ; for he had been the author of much bloodshed. They asked me, Why I carried arms? I told them, it was for self-defence, and the defence of the gospel. They asked me, Why I poisoned my ball ? 1 told them, I wished none of them to recover whom I shot. He asked me, Why I carried a dirk ? I told them, they might ask Mr. George M'Kenzie, if it was not our country fashion ; and he presently told the chancellor that it was so. They asked, if I knew Cargill ? I said, it was my comfort I knew him. Then they reproached him, and me for conversing with him. I said, I blessed God, he gave mo sweet peace in it. They asked, Would I kill the soldiers, being the King's ? I said, it was my duty if I could, when they persecuted God's people. They asked, if I would kill any of them f I said they were all stated enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the declara- tion at Sanquhar, I counted them my enemies. They asked, if I would think it my duty to kill the king? I said, he had stated himself an enemy to God's interest, and there was war declared against him. I said, the covenant made with God was the glory of Scotland, though they had ua thankfully counted it their shame. And in direct terms, JAMES SKENE. 277 1 said to the chancellor, I have a parchment at home, wherein your father's name is, and you are bound by that, as well as I. They asked, Why I called the chancellor, Sir ? I said, Sir, was a title for a king, and it might serve him. The chancellor asked, if I knew his royal highness ? ' I never saw such a person.' York looks out by (for he sat in the shadow of Bishop Burnet) and said, Why did I wish the king so ill ? I said, I wish no ill to any ; but as they were in opposition to God, I wished them brought down : and he spake no more. The chancellor said, Would I not adhere to the acts of parliament of this kingdom ? I said, I would not own any of them which were in opposition to God and his covenant. Mr. M'Kenzie said, if the king were riding by in coach, would you think it no sin to kill him ? I said, by the Sanquhar declaration there was war declared against him, and so he needed not put that, in question. So Mr. M'Kenzie came out by to the bar, and said, I know your relations and mine are sib ;* be ingenuous in all that is demanded of you, and I will save you from torture. I said, Sir, I know you, and ye know me and my relations ; I have been as free and ingenuous as I could imagine, because I reckon it my credit, and my glory, to give a full and free confession for my blessed Lord's interest, that is reproached and borne down. They asked me where I saw Cargill last ? I said, I met him last in the West Bow, to my comfort. They asked me, Who were the owners of the house ? I said, I really could not tell them, I knew them not. They said, Would I know the house ? I said, Yes. They said, Would I show it to some whom they would send with me ? I told them I was free in what concerned myself, but to hurt any else, I could not mar my peace with God ; but if they were advertised to go out of the house, I should show it to them. Then they desired me to go my ways. The general opened the door, and rounded in my ear, Ye must go down with some soldiers, and show them that house. I said, I will not do it to hurt any ; these indwellers must be advertised to flee the house first. " Then I was ordered to the guard, which was of Linlithgow's soldiers, which took me, and walked (after Archibald Stewart and John Spreul, who were examined) to the Tron, and back to the council-house of the town : I being alone, and only six soldiers with me. I took me to prayer, and was comforted ; and then sent money for meat and drink ; and then worshipped in public with the soldiers. At night, a person from J kindly wakened me, and brought me bread and ale, and sugar, and some confected carvey. After that, I was carried to a committee, where were present the chancellor, Hatton, Paterson, Justice Clerk, Wigtoun and Linlithgow : and they showed me two letters of mine to Mrs. Simpson, wherein I owned the declaration at Sanquhar, and told I would do much to persuade many that it was just, from Mr. M'Ward's advice that was given to the prisoners. I owned the letters, and told them, I did what I could to dissuade professors from paying them the cess, which they * i. e. kiudred. 2,78 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. ordered for bearing down the gospel : at which they laughed. The chancellor said, why did I not call him lord ? I told him, were ho for Christ's interest I would honour him. Then he said, he cared not for my honour; but he would have me to know lie was chan- c ell or. I said, I knew that. He said, I was not a Scotsman but a Scots beast. At which Wigtoun gloomed at him, and he laughed. He then rounded to me, that he would be my friend, would I be ingenuous. I told him, I wished him no ill. They asked me, what Mr. William Alexander was it that I wrote of ? I said, Mr. Paterson the bishop, and Mr. Ross at Glasgow knew him, and persecuted him unjustly ; I then related to them how it was. Paterson said, I told that which I knew not to be truth ; he pitied me. He said to the. chancellor, ' certainly I forgot to write.'— I was before the justiciary court, where my confession was read, and after I read it again, and told them, I thought it my honour to subscribe to it. I assented to all that was recorded by the clerk ; I owned it, and counted it my honour so to do. The justice clerk, Hatton's son, being there, said, he pitied me, I being a gentleman ; he knew my friends. I said, were I an earl's son, I would esteem it my honour. I desired them to canvass well what they did, for they would be pannelled before God for it. He said, I might* prepare for another world. I said, I hoped the Lord would prepare me. " Now, dear Billy, I have given you an account of the truth, as I confusedly remember ; but I entreat you take all the praise you give me, and put it upon my Lord, for I am but a poor, simple, sinful worm : it is from him I had this courage. Wigtoun and the Justice Clerk, desired me to show them that house, saying, that I was free enough in all except that ; and if I were obstinate, I might belike get the boots. I said, let them do with me what they pleased, in what concerned myself I was free, but to do hurt to others I would not, to bring them under their wrath ; I would not mar my peace with God so far. The general said, he would parole to me, that the indwellers of the house should be advertised. I said, I would not have his parole. The chancellor boasted * me for denying his parole. I said to the chancellor, I was a gentleman that had blood relations to his relations, the earl of Mar's mother and I being sisters' bairns. He saidj he was sorry I was so related. I said, the cause I v. K i there owning honoured me ; and I would it befell my friends. So this, I hope, you will not too critically reflect on my cor.: writing, since I am in haste ; ye know, it may be, I may be cited before these bloody men this forenoon. I will not order for my funeral till I know my sentence ; I may po?sil>ly be not allowed a burial. My Lord comforts me, and I leave all on him to hear me through this storm, through the valley and Bhadow of death. Dear Billy, bid all ye see of our serious friends help me with their prayers, that I may be helped of the Lord to be faithful unto the death : and that he will give mo the faith of assurauce, that I shall enjoy my * i. e. scolded. JAMES SKENE. 279 Lord's love through all eternity : the want of this clouds me much, I am so unworthy a wretch. I am, dear Billy, your unworthy friend, and loviug brother, « JAMES SKENE." " Tolbooth of Edinburgh, November, 1680.* P. S. I told the chancellor, the cause was just, for which the king and others were excommunicate ; though I was not there, yet I adhered to it."t 2. His Letter to Three Friends.^ " Dear Friends, — The Lord having dealt so graciously with me, in wonderful free love, as to bring me to the love of himself, his truths, and despised interest ; as that he engaged me in a particular covenant with himself, which, by his honouring me to make me a prisoner to evil men for his despised interest, he has evidently confirmed to me ; that he accepted of my bargain with himself, when most unworthy and wretched ; though many times, by reason of a prevailing body of sin and death, I provoked him to cast the bargain ; yet still by new obligations he engaged me to renew it. My mercy has been great, that providence ordered some time my coming south, where most suffering has been for our Lord ; and for that reason, most light has been given to professors here, that they might see what was clear duty in these trying, tempting, and backsliding times. And whenever the Lord helped me to see our covenant obligations, which are the glory of Scotland, I was serious and zealous, ye know, to impart to all of you, whom I was acquainted with : the Lord always making my love to him to abound, I thought no travel ill-wared,$ or any hazard too great, on any occasion, whereby I might propagate his despised interest among you. You know, how much I have contended with you for paying of that cursed cess, ordered by the convention of estates, for bearing down the gospel ; as I was honoured to witness against it at a committee on Saturday last at night : you are not aware how you bring the blood of saints on your heads, by this obedience to the stated enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ : your opposing of that which was, and is the judgment of the most tender professors, in withdrawing from indulged ministers, and from these ministers that favoured- them, and so did not, nor would not declare against the indulgence as a sin, that most heinously and rebelliously dishonours * This letter, as given in the Cloud of Witnesses, is dated thus : — " From my Lord Jesus' house, which he has made a sweet palace, 'wherein he shews me his wonderful free love, the close prison above the Iron-house, iu the High Tolbooth of Edinburgh, November 1680. + Cloud of Witnesses. J This letter, as given in the Cloud of Witnesses, is introduced with the follow- ing title : — M Another letter from Mr. James Skene, to all professors in the shire of Aberdeen, especially Mr. William Alexander, Mr. William Mitchell, and Mr. John AVatson, my dear acquaintances. Being the last testimony for the interest of Christ from Mr. James Skene, now in close prison for Christ's interest, in the Tolbooth of Edinburgh." § i. e. ill-spent. 280 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. our blessed Lord as head of the church, and set up a tyrannous usurper in his place, — was a particular I much contended with many ol you ; in my hearing you pleading for a sinful union with these who have conspired to dethrone our blessed Lord. Some of you opposed that which was an honourable testimony for our Lord at Rutherglen, and that declaration at Sanquhar, and the testimony or covenant that was taken at the Queensferry, calling those rash and inconsiderate, whom the Lord called out to be valiant contenders for his truth and interest, which is now contemned hy a wicked apostate generation, and to seal all of them with blood : by all these the Lord has been calling his people to come from among Babel's brood; — its cursed brood, who by many subtle Satanical ways, — what by Prelacy, Quakerism, Arminianism, Latitudinarians, and indulged ministers, and ministers, and professors, that love so their quiet, that they will not declare against, and decline that usurping traitor on the throne, Charles Stuart, and all the cursed crew of pretended magistrates in Scotland, — have forfeited their right of government, as appears by their wicked and unparalleled apostasy from that Solemn League and Covenant, upon that foul pretext, that we are not in a probable capacity to extirpate them, or put them out of office. When in our place and station, we give our witness against these usurpations, we 60 far contend for God, and witness for his trodden- down and despised interest, and testify our unwillingness, that our Lord should totally give up with this poor land. O ! this hath been many times a sad heart to me, ye have looked more to the credit of men than the glory of our great Lord God. I fear this testimony be unacceptable and hazardous to you to maintain, because of that they call treason in it ; but ah ! there is so much done to advance a mortal creature, a stated enemy to Christ, a furious, hasty, cruel murderer of God's saints, there is fear of disowning of God, and a palpable denying of him before men, when you own tyrannous oppressors. Your estates you cannot part with ; your credit, and pleasures, and your quiet in the world you will not part with : you will rather imagine arguments to cheat your- selves in defending your practices that are clear breaches of covenant: if your too great carnal love to the world did not blind you, and your unwillingness to quit your life for Christ, which soon will come to an end, however, with less comfort, than you would certainly have, when you adventure all for our blessed Lord. < As for you, Mr. Alexander, I may say, I have found you willing, on good information, to be for tender cleaving to your dear Master, and on bad information, making it a question, if it was duty to dethrone the pretended king ? which Mr. T. H. and Mr. K. M. opposing, biassed you from that principal duty ; — by which we are singularly known to be true covenanters, and leave those that are blind, and follow our dear Master in the duties he calls his people to ; and bo will own them, and I bid persuaded he has owned them who have owned him in this duty. You did quarrel at field-meetings, • — enemies ordering against them, and consenting that house-meetings be enjoyed ; but here is your testimony, when you keep the fields, — you declaro that our Lord's church has liberty to keep her meetings JAMES SKENE. 281 and ordinances where she pleases, and ought not to bo at the arbitrement of men. " To Mr. Mitchell I say, I have had a great esteem of you as a true lover of piety ; and I doubt not, the Lord has sealed your ministry sometimes, and some witnesses of it I have known : but, O Sir, what a fearful snare are you in, by complying with curates in hearing them, and taking both sacraments off their hands ! Oh ! if ye quit not all carnal love to the world, to credit, and friends, that will oppose your coming off, the hazard is great ; — the Lord may rank you with them that have opposed the rising of his kingdom : however, I am sure, he will make you mourn for it, and I doubt (if ye shortly come not off from that accursed crew) that the Lord will send you a sorer trial, than sufferers for him meet with. " To Mr. Watson, I write this as my last testimony ; O how unfaithful is his ministry ! he dare not, for fear of losing his ministry, declare against, the heinous breach of covenant by all the pretended magistrates in the land. I grant your clearness as to other things was much one with my own. O Sir, quit men as they quit Christ's way and interest, else you will never be clear in truths, as the Lord lets out light, and increaseth it. And this is most dreadful, to be so ensnared to walk in darkness, and so be in opposition to our blessed Lord ! O let love to the Lord Jesus Christ assuredly overcome you, and then admiring of men, and cleaving to them who are out of Christ's way, will be no small matter, but a heinous sin. Oh ! will you adventure your salvation on it, to cleave to them who are reproaching our Lord, his people and interest, by mixing in with the cursed curates ? That person ye cleave to, draws on him the guilt of all the saints' blood that is shed in maintaining His interest and covenant, whose judgment ye cannot decline, he being Judge of all the world. Ye may say much more, every one of you that know me : I was many times negligent of a tender walking, by seeking of settle- ment, and if that had been my lot ye had not heard of this testimony. You know every one of you, this testimony I gave you formerly ; even when with you, I many times wished from my heart the Lord would not order a settlement to me among you. My heart was broken with your lukewarmness and indifferency. And this I testified to several of you, and I rather choosed, I said often, to be a sheep- keeper in the south, where I might be encouraged in godliness, than to live in pomp and ease at home, with an ill conscience ; and when I came away last, I was sorry at my purpose of leaving Scotland, when I heard all were agreeing to apostasy, in my judgment then, from our best covenanted God ; and I was determined for Ireland then, being ill-informed of every one of the kingdoms, there not being a people tenderly owning the covenant in Ireland, but all some way owning the usurper Charles Stuart ; but in poor Scotland, here in the south, I found a poor handful, and about one faithful minister, whom the Lord called out, viz. Mr. Donald Cargill, to be his messenger to his people, and give witness against the apostasy of ministers and professors. Even those who were great lights in the land are now in obscurity, and avowedly reproaching our Lord's interest and people, 282 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. whom yet the Lord will clothe with shame, and make their peace they boast of, and quiet sleep, to their great confounding. As for the call I have, to suffer, I found it my only peace to quit thoughts of Ireland, that I might not be involved in their guilt of denying to have our Lord Jesus Christ to be king over them. Of that poor party I find, only, for maintaining his prerogative royal, to which I am joined, Mr. Donald Cargill being the only faithful ambassador our Lord has in Scotland, I following the ordinances on Friday last, being as well armed for defending the gospel and myself as I could ; — beyond expectation, a party of Linlithgow's soldiers is sent out to my lodging, and not dreading danger in the daytime, I thought our persecutors had never heard of my name ; I was apprehended, and now at last brought hither to close prison, the Lord having honoured me to give an ample testimony before the council and lords of justiciary, for my wronged Lord Jesus, and supposing I must seal it with my blood, I leave this testimony to you, my friends and acquaintances in Aberdeenshire, and subscribe it, November 17th, 1680. « JAMES SKENE."* 3. His Letter to a Fellow-prisoner, N . " Much honoured friend in Christ, — I give it under my hand, I have no cause to rue my sweet bargain. His cross is easy and light yet ; and that which is most terrifying, I hope he will make comfort- able. O lovely Lord ! what could make him to choose me to suffer for him I what is all the world to me if his honour be at stake ? If his honour be advanced by my death, O happy me ! I have often- times wished a suffering lot. I heard and saw so much of God's goodness, that I thought the cross and comforts of Christ could not be separated : and I have no reason to complain ; the Lord is oft the joy of my heart, that I am forced to wonder at it ; leaving further troubling you, hoping you will be as good as your word. Be much in prayer, for these two or three days. It is likely on Thursday next I will need no help of prayers, being come to the immediate vision of my Lord, to see him as he is : I will be stupified, as it were, and amazed at it. If his merits were not of infinite value, I might question, what would I do ? But he has promised, ' that I shall reign with him.' "JAMES SKENE."t 4. Another Letter to the same. " My dear friend in Christ, — I received your*:, encouraging me to hold on in my blessed Lord's way, which he hath pathed to me. I am not unmindful of you, as I can ; and I desire you to pray, that none may offend at the Lord's interest for me, there being a willingness • To this letter the following note is appended in the Cloud of Wtne sses : — " From my delectable prison, in whieh my Lord has allowed me his pearo an l presence, and oomforted ne with that, 1 sh:nl nign with him eternally, for I am hU, and bought with his precious blood." — Cloud of 'Witnesses. f Cloud of Witnesses. JAMES SKENE. 283 on my part to suffer, though justly they cannot condemn me ; for they offer me a delivery, if I would submit to the duke's and council's mercy ; but it is often evidently seen, that the • tender mercies of the wicked are cruelty.' I find no liberty to deny my Lord for fear of death : I hope he will make up my loss in himself. All I can desire of you is, to pray much for me, that the Lord will own me, for his own cause, before the adversaries, and in my dissolution. I wish the Lord to comfort his people, and tenderly own his despised interest. Mr. Carstairs said, ' He was ashamed of that principle we maintained ; and that we were not sound presbyterians ; and wished the Lord might preserve him from the like.' I am no whit troubled at this, I bless my Lord. They would have me conferring with him : I said, 1 would not notice him if he came near me. Tell my friend, I would have written, but had no time. I wrote yesternight to him. I need both your helps, by supplications, and strong cries to the Lord, to carry me through the valley and shadow of death. I must leave hero ; wishing the Lord to bear you up under all trials. I thought you should have been in eternity before me ; but now I think, I shall leave you in the vallies, when I shall arrive at the blessed harbour, I am, dear friend, your well-wisher, and Christ's prisoner, "JAMES SKENE. " P. S. A double of my confessions you may have from a friend whom I shall desire to send it to you. I got my summons for eternity with sound of trumpet yesternight; and my indictment with five shouts of the trumpet, and pursuivants in their coats, at seven of the clock, was a grave sight ; but my Lord helped me not to be afraid at it, since all was from him."* 5. His last Speech and Testimony^ " Dear people, — I am come here this day, to lay down my life for owning Jesus Christ's despised interest, and for asserting that he is a King, and for averring that he is head of his own church, and has not delegated or deputed any, either pope, king, or council, to be his vicegerents on earth. Since my blessed Lord Jesus Christ has in his love engaged me by a particular covenant, in his own terms, to renounce and resign myself to him, in soul and body, — assuring me by his word, and testifying his acceptance of my resignation by his holy and blessed Spirit, — promising to redeem me from all sins, giving me assurance of a saving interest in himself, — and now having called me in his providence, contriving this my suffering, by permitting his ungodly enemies to apprehend and take me prisoner, — having wickedly plotted my taking, in my going on the way to attend what the Lord had to work on my soul by his preached gospel ; — to give a testimony for his covenant, interest, and people, that are reproached and borne down by a perjured, God-contemning generation, and to " Cloud of Witnesses. f Of this speech, it is said that he intended to " have delivered it on the scaffold ;" from which we may infer, that, in point of fact, he did not deliver it. 284 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. seal my sufferings and testimony with my blood, I most willingly lay down my life for his interest. I leave my testimony to the National Covenant, and the Solemn League and Covenant, which are founded on the Scriptures, the word of God, which are written by the prophets and apostles in the Old and New Testaments, which has Jesus Christ, the blessed object of our faith, for the chief corner stone of the building. I also leave my testimony to Mr. Donald Cargill's paper taken at the Queensferry, called a New Covenant, according as they agree to the true original copy. " I adhere to presbyterian government, and the whole work of reformation of the church of Scotland, the Confession of Faith, the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, consulted well, and written by the Assembly of Divines, except that article about magistracy, when ill expounded, in the 23d chapter,* because our magistracy is but pure tyranny, exercised by the lustful rage of men, yea, rather devils in the shape of men, whom God has permitted in his holy and spotless wisdom, for a trial to his people, and a snare to some others, to oppress, tyrannize, and blasphemously tread under foot his truth, interest, and people ; yea, that article is expounded in the National Covenant, where we have vowed to the almighty God, not to maintain the king's interest, when he disowns the covenant, and well settled church government by presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies of the church of Scotland. I adhere to the testimony for the interest of Christ at lUitherglen ; at which time the wicked acts of parliament, and the blasphemous declarations, by which they have sworn to be enemies to the interest of Christ, were solemnly burnt. I adhere to the Sanquhar declaration, whereby we that were true presbyterians did depose that tyrant, Charles Stuart ; who is head of malignants and malignancy, from his exercise of government as to us : and we do no otherwise than the people of Libnah, 2 Chron. xxi. 10. 'The Bame time, also, did the people of Libnah revolt from under the king of Judah, because he had forsaken the Lord God of his fathers.' And this practice is not so gross that I own, in declaring against that monstrous tyrant on the throne of Britain, as many conjecture, if seriously folk would consider the injustice practised in civil matters, by himself, and all his adherent inferior magistrates (yea, inferior tyrants, for he is the head and supreme tyrant), that no poor man that has a just cause, if he be not as profligate and wicked as themselves, can have justice; and his usurpation in ecclesiastic matters, — which is too great a task for any on earth, since they must take upon them to dethrone our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, ' who is given to be head over all things to the church, ' Eph. i. 22. Psal. ii. 8. You would canvass the justice of disowning his authority, which to do, you are engaged by oath to God, he overturning the whole work of itforma- * F,et none mistake this sentence, U if this worthy gentleman thereby disowned that unshaken principle of the protestant religion, that ** inffdelty or difference in religion does not make void the magistrates' jnsl ami legal author- ity;" for it is plain he rejects only the raise sense thai was thin pal upon it, t<> mal • it n argument for defence of tyranny and arbitrary power*— -Chud qf JAMES SKENE. 235 tion, which was the great ground of his enthronement in Scotland, — to maintain the Covenant and work of reformation. His wicked burning of the Covenant, and Causes of God's Wrath, is cause enough to me, to disown his authority, which is so maintained by perjury ; Ezek. xvii. 15 — 19. 'Shall he break the covenant and prosper?' Consider likewise his oppression, in ordering military forces to oppress God's people, to obstruct, impede, and hinder the worship of God, the ordinances in houses or fields, and compel them to join with a cursed crew of prelates, curates, and some indulged ministers. Yea, his tyranny is so great, that he ordered an host of armed men in the year 1678, to itivade a peaceable country in the west ; who robbed, stole from, and oppressed poor people, for no other reason, but because they would not pollute their consciences, and be subject to prelacy ; — which erastian government he has contended for, these several years, and kept up in this land. If there were no other cause of his rejection, these might suffice to justify any, who were engaged by God, having time and place to cut him oft": for, by the law of God, murder, adultery, and oppression, are punishable by death, and kings are not exempted, far less tyrants, that are lawfully excommunicated. But to these horrid impieties is added, the shedding of the blood of poor innocents, which aggravateth his guilt ; so that though the Lord should make him penitent, he deserves death by the law, according to which, • blood cannot be expiated, but by the blood of him who shed it.' For confirmation of what I have said, see Ezek. xxi. 25 — 27. read also Ezek. xliii. 9. ' Put away the carcases of your kings far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of you for ever.' Consider how our fathers contended for truth, and must we lose what they have gained ? Ah 1 this atheistical generation of perjured, adulterous, and bloody powers, are ripe for God's vengeance ! I give my testimony against the cursed persecuting soldiers ; the blood of God's saints is on their heads, and mine is laid on them, — especially sergeant Warrock who apprehended me ; my blood is on the justiciary,* who subscribed to my sentence, and on the fifteen assizers, James Glen, stationer, being clerk ; and on the chancellor, and on Mr. George M'Kenzie, who pleaded for my condemnation ; and Thomas Dalziel who ordered my taking ; and upon Andrew Cunningham who condemned me ; and upon all ^.the rest who are accessory in the least thereto : yea, the privy council are to be accountable for my blood ; and my blood is on the head of Mr. J — C — who condemned my testimony against these bloody tyrants, asserting me to be a Jesuit.-j- I leave my testimony against receiving * These and the like sentences, which may possibly be met With in some other testimonies, ought not to be mistaken, as the effects of a revengeful ungospel spirit, but rather as a simple declaration of their b*ing guilty of blood in condemning them, to serve as a warning to the persecutors, not to proceed further in these wicked courses, and to waken them to repentance, if possible, for what they had already done; and is much paralleled in its nature with that of Jeremiah, in bis apology before the princes, chap, v, 15.— Cloud of Wit nesses. •f The person here referred to was Mr. John Carstairs, himself a sufferer for presbyterian church government. It is certainly on all hands to be re- 286 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. that accursed traitor, James, Duke of York, and all papists, Quakers, prelates, curates, latitudinarians^ indulged ministers, and their favour- ers,— the Hamilton declaration, and other papers and actings, directly or indirectly against the truth. I leave my testimony against the lukewarm professors, who write and speak grievous things to reproach the truly godly, and who keep silence when God calls them to give a free and full testimony for his despised covenant, and whole work of reformation, against a treacherous, backsliding, and adulterous generation. And as in this place, or any other of my papers, I could not have designed God's enemies, any otherways, than by their pretended offices ; thus far, dear people, I crave your liberty, and let none think, that thereby I own them in the least point. " Likewise, whereas my sufferings were delayed, the Lord, in whose presence I must appear ere long, knows what a soul grief it is to me to remember it. When the day I was sentenced to die for my dear Lord's interest, came, I — vainly expecting that my relations that were great in court, who had seen me, should have procured a reprival for me, but being disappointed, a fear of death surprised me, — hearing that all were presently making ready for my execution ; and then my carnal relations almost weeping on me, engaged me, by their insinuations, to supplicate that bloody crew for it myself. A carnal well-wisher drew it up in these terms : ' James Skene, prisoner, earnestly desires your lordships to grant him a reprival for some days, till he canvass these things he was sentenced for, with learned and godly men ; and your lordships' answer.' After I subscribed it, a great confusion and horror of spirit fell on me ; I went to prayer, wishing in my heart it were not granted ; but such was my trouble, I could not say any thing but nonsense. My heart was afflicted sore with this straitening, and the more when the reprival was granted. I thought, I having shifted the cross, my Lord might deny me that credit again, and put a worse on me in requital of my slighting him. I judge the Lord left me thus to slip, to humble me ; and that he hid his face to make mo exemplarily punished for untender carrying under his cross, which he had chosen for me, — to warn others under the cross, that they should be circumspect and zealous for keeping from being polluted with any compliance with the defections of the times, that they may have a cleanly suffering. From this backsliding I recovered not, for two days after, but found it sad for my soul ; — the Lord hid his face from me : but now my God has had compassion on me, and this time of the eight days reprival, he has preserved me gretterl that Mr. Skene should have employed such strong and oflensiv language in reference to so good and worthy a man. And therefore we conceive it prop«T to quote the following very satisfactory explanation of the matter in question, from Wodrow's History. " Mr. Carstairs himself came to some trouble about this time — disowned Mr. Skene's tenets, and owned the king's authority. In charity, I shall believe that Mr. Skene was informed that the Rev. Mr. Carstairs had said [as above alleged] ; but the same charity, and Mr. Caftttira' known tenderness and temper forbids nio to believe he said so. Some ignorant person had informed Mr. Skene of this, and thereupon hi ItttMi his blood upon .Mr. Carstairs as well as the Duke of York, and other perse- cutors,"— YuL li. JAMES SKENE. 287 from such a backsliding, when the devil by his emissaries has had much arti6ce to turn me aside from the way of the Lord. Yet I will say this far, — all I have done was not in order to own that wicked council as lawful rulers : but my life being in their tyrannous hands, I thought I might then desire as much favour of them as of a robber, that had the dagger at my breast; an do so. We said, Why did he not debate these things with men, and not with lassies ? for, we told him, we never studied del He said again, Thought we all the ministers wrong f. Wie ansn They were Wipng, and forbade him t<» put OS to it. t> :■ ak of ISABEL ALISON'. 305 ministers' faults ; for if he knew what we had to say of them, ho would not urge us. So we desired to be gone. And lie said, ' If ye come to calm blood, desire me or any of the ministers to speak to you, and ye may tell the keepers and ye may have them :' and there was a surgeon among them, and the goodman of the tolbooth said he might draw blood of us, for we were mad. We said, ' Saw ye any mad action in us ?' This is all we can mind at present." * 5. Her dying Testimony. " I being sentenced to die in the Grass-market of Edinburgh, January, 1681, thought fit to set down under my hand, the causes wherefore I suffer. I being apprehended at Perth, in my own chamber, by an order from the council, and brought to Edinburgh with a strong guard, and there put in prison, and then being examined first by a committee, and then by the criminal court ; the manner of my examination was, 1st, If I conversed with David Hackston and others of our friends ? Which I owned upon good grounds. 2dly, If I owned the excommunication at Torwood, and the papers found at the Queensferry, and Sanquhar Declaration, and a paper found on Mr. Cameron at Airsmoss? All which I owned. Likewise I declined their authority, and told them, that they had declared war against Christ, and had usurped and taken his prero- gatives, and so carried the sword against him, and not for him : so, I think, none can own them, unless they disown Christ Jesus. There- fore let enemies and pretended friends say what they will, I could have my life on no easier terms than the denying of Christ's kingly office. So I lay down my life for owning and adhering to Jesus Christ, his being a free King in his own house, for which I bless the Lord, that ever he called me to that. Now, in the first place, I adhere to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. And likewise I adhere to the Confession of Faith, because according to the Scriptures ; the Larger and Shorter Catechisms ; and our solemn Covenants, both National and Solemn League, as they were lawfully sworn in this land ; and I adhere to the Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties ; I adhere likewise to these fore-mentioned papers, and to the excommunication at Torwood, they all being according to the Scriptures of truth, and so both lawful and necessary. Likewise I adhere to the Rutherglen Testimony, and to all the testimonies of our worthies, who have suffered in Edinburgh, and elsewhere. In the next place, I enter my protestation against all the violation done to the work of God these twenty years bygone. First, the burning of the covenant made with God, and the Causes of God's Wrath, and the thrusting in of prelates into the Lord's house, contrary to the word of God, and our sworn covenants. I leave my testimony against popery, which is so much countenanced at this day ; against the receiving that limb of Antichrist the duke of York. Likewise, I leave my testimony against ail the blood shed both on * Cloud of Witnesses, No. 21. X 306 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. scaffolds and in the fields and seas ; and against all the cruelty used against all the people of the Lord. And, I leave my testimony against the paying of that wicked cess, for maintaining these profane wretches, to bear down the work of God. I leave my testimony against all unlawful bonds. And likewise against the shifting of a testimony, when clearly called by the Lord to give it. I leave my testimony against profanity of all sorts, and likewise against luke- warmness and indiflerency in the Lord's matters. I leave my testimony against the unfaithfulness of ministers, first and last ; — their silence at the first; — when their Master's work was broken down, for '.he most part they slipped from their Master's back, without so much as giving one word of a testimony against the wrongs done to him, and now are become a snare to the poor people in going to hear the curates, and poor things following their example are ensnared ; — my finding the sad experience of it, brings it the more into my memory. Yet, notwithstanding their being convinced of their error in this, many of them carry now, as if they rued that ever they came forth to the fields to proclaim their Master a free King in his own house : and now they are fallen in under the shadow of the sworn enemies, and alas they are become profound to lay snares ; yea, ' they are a trap upon Mispeh, and a net spread upon Tabor !' Oh, for the sad defection both of ministers and professors in Scotland ! it is like, our carriage may make many of our carcases to lie in the wilderness, I leave my testimony against the indulgences, first and last, and against all that comply therewith, or connive thereat. I leave my testimony against the censuring of worthy Mr. Cameron, or any other whom God raised up to declare the whole counsel of God, and to witness against the evils of this generation. I fear when God makes inquisition for blood, ministers' hands will not be found free thereof. " As for charging my blood on any particular person, I cannot, for I have never gotten the certainty of what hath brought me to tho stage ; but if any have done it willingly, I leave it to God, and tin ir own conscience. But I may warrantably charge it upon all the declared enemies of God within the land. c' And 1st, I leave it upon the bloody council, that sent an order to take me, for they are guilty of it. 2dly, The sheriff-clerk of Perth, and those that were with him when he took me, are guilty of it: the sheriff-clerk of Kinross, and the men that guarded me, are likewise guilty of my blood : and I leave my blood on Sir Ge< Mackenzie, and the rest of that bloody court ; and I take the Lord to witness against them, whether or not it was on easy terms, that they offered me my life. They said only, they would not trouble me with their bishops • but 1 said, that supremacy Was as evil as prelacy. And they said, that I behoved to say, that the king was not an usurper, and pass from all my former confession, and that it was my duty to obey authority. I told them, that they were sworn enemies to ( ii d, so that it was impossible to obey God, and them both ; so I told them, I would not retract an hair-breadth. They said, thought i t fer thai he was our lawful king? I said, yes; for he entered into ISABEL ALISON. 307 covenant with God, and with the land : bnt he hath broken and cast oil' that tie, and bath exercised so much, both tyranny and cruelty, that I had just ground to decline him, and them both : then they bade my blood he upon my own bead ; but I told them, they would find it on their heads, for it was fcr my owning of Christ's kingly office, that they put me to suffer, say the contrary who will. Now, I bless the Lord I am free from Jesuitical principles. The Scripture is my rule, and when ohedience to men is contrary to obedience to God, I am clear to disown them. " I leave my testimony against Mr. Riddel, for his obeying these wicked men to ensnare us, and to hold out to us, before these accursed enemies of Christ, that were seeking our lives for our adhering to the truth, — that it was all delusion that we held. I many times rued that I bare so well with him ; and now I hear, that he denies that which we wrote. But if ye will believe me, who am in a little to appear before God, there was nothing added, but rather wanting: I wish the Lord may forgive him. * I bless the Lord, what strikes against myself only, I can very heartily forgive ; but what strikes against God and bis truths, — I leave that to God, who is the Judge of all. " Now, I would only say this to you, who are seeking to keep your garments clean, ' be sober, be vigilant, for your adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.' And as I would have you be zealous for the truth, and not to quit one hoof; so I would have you labour against a spirit of bitterness: beware of self; and be more ready to mourn for the slips of others, than to make them the subject of your discourse ; and labour to make earnest of religion, for I find there is need of more than a good cause, when it comes to the push. O the everlasting covenant is sweet to me now! And I would also say, they that would follow Christ, need not scare at the cross, for I can set my seal to it, ' his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.' Yea, many times he hath made me go very easy through things that I have thought I would never have win through. He is the only desirable master ; but he must be followed fully. Rejoice in him, all ye that love him, ' wherefore lift up your beads, and be exceeding glad, for the day of your redemption draweth nigh.' Let not your hearts faint, nor your hands grow feeble. Go on in the strength of the Lord, my dear friends, for, I hope, he will yet have a remnant both of sons and daughters, that will cleave to him, though they will be very few ; 1 even as the berries on the top of the outmost branches.' As for such * It would appear from this, that the preceding document had heen written sometime previous to the above Testimony, and had been submitted to Mr. Riddel's examination, or at least, that he had been informed of its contents. That there should have been some slight discrepancies between him and our martyr, as to what passed in the conversation which they had held, is not wonderful. There might be inaccuracies on either side, without any breach of honesty or sincerity. And certainly her situation at the time that the above statement was written, as soon about to enter upon eternity, formed a sufficient guarantee against any imposition on her part being practised willingly, 308 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. as are grown weary of the cross of Christ, and have drawn to a lee- shore that God never allowed, it may he, ere all he done, it will turn like a tottering fence, and a howing wall to them, and they shall have little profit of it, and as little credit. But what shall I say to the commendation of Christ and his cross ! I hless the Lord, (praise to his holy name,) that hath made my prison a palace to me ; and what am I that lie should have dealt thus with me ! I have looked greedily to such a lot as this, hut still thought it was too high fci me, when I saw how vile I was ; hut now the Lord hath made that scripture sweet to me, Isa. vi. 6, 7. * Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, — And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, lo this hath touched thy lips, and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.' O how great is his love to me I that hath hrought ma forth to testify against the abominations of the times, and kept me from fainting hitherto, and hath made me to rejoice in him. Now I hless the Lord that ever he gave me a life to lay down for him. Now, farewell all creature comforts ; farewell sweet Bible ; farewell ye real friends in Christ ; farewell faith and hope ; farewell prayers and all duties ; farewell sun and moon ; within a little I shall be free from sin, and all the sorrows that follow thereon. Welcome, everlasting enjoyment of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, everlasting love, everlasting joy, everlasting light ! Sic sub— ISABEL ALISON." • " Edinburgh Tolbooth, } Jan. 26, 1681." 6. Her Last Words. Being come to the scaffold, after singing the Ixxxiv. Psalm, and reading the xvi. of Mark, she cried over the scaffold, and said, " Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous ; and again I say, rejoice." Then she desired to pray at that place, and the major came, and would not let her, but took her away to the ladder foot, and there 6he prayed. When she went up the ladder, she cried out, " O be zealous, sirs, be zealous, be zealous I O love the Lord all ye Ids servants ; O love him, sirs, ! for in his favour there is life." And she said, " O ye his enemies, what will ye do, whither will ye fly in that day ? For now there is a dreadful day coming on all the enemies of Jesus Christ. Come out from among them, all ye that, are the Lord's own people." Then she said, " Farewell all created comforts; farewell sweet Bible, in which I delighted most, and which has been 6wcet to me since I came to prison ; farewell christian acquaintances. Now, • into thy hands I commit my spirit, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost I" Whereupon, the hangman threw he; over, f * Cloud of Witnesses. t dead of Witn MARION HAIIVIE. S09 VIII. MARION HARVIE. [[This person, it would appear, was still more humble in station than the preceding witness to the truth. She was only about 20 years of age, a servant ! and belonged to Borrowstounness in Linlithgowshire. Being apprehended when on her way to sermon, she was immediately ensnared by the questions put to her. When sisted before the council, they had nothing to lay to her charge but what she owned ; viz. her being at field conventicles. When asked about the Sanquhar Declaration and Queensferry Paper, she knew nothing about them ; but being read with a view to ensnare her, she owned them, as being in her opinion agreeable to the Scriptures. When empannelled before the Justiciary, she in addition to this, disowned the king's authority — said it was lawful to kill the Archbishop, and approved of the excommunication of the king and his counsellors by Mr. Cargill. And notwithstanding she refused to sign her declaration, and protested her innocence of any actual crime, she was, as already noticed, found guilty of treason, sentenced on the 21st, and executed on the 26th of January 1681. The following papers exhibit her views of the cause for which she suffered.") 1. Account of her Answers before the Privy Council. " They asked first, ' How long is it since ye saw Mr. Donald Cargill?' I said, ' I cannot tell particularly when I saw him.' They said, ' Did you see him within these three months ?' I said, ' It may be I have. ' They said, Do ye own his covenant ?'* I said, ' What covenant ?' Then they read it to me ; and I said, I did own it. They said, do ye own the Sanquhar declaration ? I answered; yes. They said, • Do ye own these to be lawful ? I said, ' Yes ; because they are according to the Scriptures, and our covenants, which ye swore yourselves, and my father swore them.' They said, ' Yea; but the covenant does not bind you to deny the king's authority.' I said, ' So long as the king held the truths of God, which he swore, we are obliged to own him ; but when he brake his oath, and robbed Christ of his kingly rights, which do not belong to him, we are bound to disown him, and you also.' They said, ' Do ye know what ye say ?' I said, ' Yes.' They said, ' Were ye ever mad ?' I answered, ' I have all the wit that ever God gave me ; do ye see any mad act in me ?' They said, ' Where was you born ?' I answered, ' In Borrowstounness.' They asked, • What was your occupation there ?' I told them, ' I served.' They said, ' Did ye serve the woman that gave Mr. Donald Cargill quarters?' I said, ' That is a question which I will not answer.' They said, • Who did ground you in these principles ?' I answered, ' Christ by his word.' They said, 'Did not ministers ground you in these?' I answered, ' When the ministers preached the word, the Spirit of God " This was the Queensferry Paper as it was called, which was found upon the hody of Mr. Henry Hall when killed at that place, and which, as being composed by him and containing his sentiments, was frequently styled ' Mr. CarguTs Covenant.' 310 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. backed and confirmed it to me.' They said, ' Did ye ever see Mr. John Welsh ?' I said, ' Yes ;' my soul hath been refreshed by hearing him.' They asked, if ever I heard Mr. Archibald Riddel ? I answered, ' Yes ; and I bless the Lord that ever I heard him.' They said, ' Did ever they preach to take up arms against, the king ?' I said, * I have heard them preach to defend the gospel, which we are all sworn to do.' They asked, if ever I swore to Mr. Donald Cargill's Covenant ? I said, ' No ; but we are bound to own it.' They sail, 1 Did ye ever hear Mr. George Johnstoun ?' I said, • I am not concerned with him ; I would not hear him, or he is joined in a confederncy with yourselves.' They said, ' Did ye hear the excommunication at the Torwood ?' I said, ' No ; I could not win to it.' They asked, ' If I did approve of it ?' I answered, ' Yes.' They asked, ' If I approved of the killing the lord St. Andrews ?' I said, ' In so far as the Lord raised up instruments to execute his just judgments upon him, I have nothing to say against it ; for he was a perjured wretch, and a betrayer of the kirk of Scotland.' Then they asked, what age I was of? I answered, 'I cannot tell.' They said among themselves, that I would be about twenty years of age, and began to regret my case, and said, ' Would I cast away myself so ?' I answered, ' I love my life as well as any of you do ; but will not redeem it upon sinful terms ; for Christ says, lie that seeks to save his life, shall lose it.' They said, a rock, the cod and bobbins, were as fit for me to meddle, with, as these things. Then one of them asked, when the assize should sit? and some other of them answered, on Monday. Then they asked if I could write ? I answered, ' Yes.' ' Will you subscribe,' said they, ' what you have said ?' I answered, ' No.' They bade the clerk set down, that I could write, but refused to subscribe. Th?n they asked, if I desired to converse with one of our ministers ? I said, 'What minister?' They said, ' Mr. Riddel.' I said, ' What would ye have me to do with him ?' They said, ' He might con- vince you of that sin.' I said, ' What sin ?' They said, * The sin of rebellion.' I smiled, and said, if I were as free of all sin, as the sin of rebellion, I should be an innocent creature. They asked, if they should bring Mr. Hiddel to me? I said, it was an evidence he was not right, since they had him so much at their will. And I told them, I would have none of their ministers. This is all I can remember, at this present." * Account of her Answers before the Justiciary Court. " First, I was brought and set in the panncl, with the murderers, and they read over my indictment, and asked me, if I did confess with these things? I answered, yes. Then they read Sanquhar Declaration, and asked, if I owned it ? I answered, yes. They read that paper which they call the New Covenant, and asked, if 1 owned it? I answered, ' Yes.' Then I protested they had nothing t:> say against me, as to matter of Let: but only because I owned Christ and his truth, and persecuted gospel, and members, of which ye have hanged some, others you have beheaded, and quartered quick. * Cloud of Witnesses. MARION HARVIE. 311 To that they replied nothing ; but called the assizers who had no will to appear, till they were about to line them, and then tliey came forward. One of them said, lie did not desire to be one of the assize, but they would have him. He bade them read our confession ; for he knew not what they had to say against us. They bade him hold up his hand, and swear that he would be true, and he could not, but fell a trembling. The advocate bade the assizers look if 1 had any thing to say against them. I said, I knew none of them, but what were all bloody butchers together. And when the assizers were set in a place by themselves, I said to them, ' Now beware what ye are doing, for they have nothing to say against me ; but only for owning Jesus Christ and his persecuted truths ; for ye will get my blood upon your heads.' So that man that fell a trembling before, desired them to read my confession to him, and they read it. And after that, the advocate had a discourse to them, and said, ' Ye know these women are guilty of treason.' The assize said, ' They are not guilty of matters of fact ?' He said, < But treason is fact ;' and taking himself again, he said, ' 'Tis true, it is but treason in their judgment : but go on according to our law, and if ye will not do it, I will proceed. And when they had read my confession, they had set down, that I had said, the ministers had taught me these principles, I said, ' That is a lie, and it is like the rest of your lies ; for I said, that it was Christ by his word, that taught me.' They answered nothing, to that, tmt said, would I own the rest of my confession ? I answered, ' Yes.' The advocate said, ' We do not desire to take their lives ;' for we have dealt with them many ways, and sent ministers to deal with them, and we cannot prevail with them.' I said, ' We are not concerned with you, and your minsters. The advocate said, ' 'Tis not for religion that we are pursuing you : but for treason.' I answered, ' 'Tis for religion that ye are pursuing me ; for I am of the same religion that ye are all sworn to be of: but ye are all gone blind. I am a true presbyterian in my judgment.' So they put the assize into a room by themselves, and removed me without the guard into another room, then they read this delay till Friday at twelve of the clock : and I charged them before the tribunal of God, as they should answer there ; for, said I, ' Ye have nothing to say to me, but for my owning the persecuted gospel.' " * 3. Her dying Testimony " Christian Friends and Acquaintances I being to lay down my life on Wednesday next, January 26th, 1681, I thought lit to let it bo known to the world, wherefore I lay down my life ; and to let it be seen, that I die not as a fool, or «>n evil- doer, or as a busy-body in other men's matters : no, it is lor adhering to the truths of Jesus Christ, and avowing him to be KArg- in Zion, and Head of his Church ; and the testimony against IM ungodly laws of men, and their robbing Christ of his rights, and usurping his prerogative royal, which I durst not but testify against ; and I bless his holy name, that ever he called me to bear witness against the sins of the * Cloud of Witnesses. 312 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. times, and the defections of upsetting ministers and professors. 1st, I adhere to the holy and sweet scriptures of God, which have heen my rule in all I have done, in which my 60ul has been refreshed. 2dly, I adhere to the Confession of Faith, because agreeable to the scriptures. 3dly, I adhere to the Larger and Shorter Catechisms. 4thly, I adhere to the covenants, National and Solemn League, and the work of reformation. 5thly, I adhere to all the faithful testi- monies, which have been left by our faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, either en scaffolds, or fields. 6thly, I adhere to the papers found at the Queensferry, on Henry Hall. 7thly, I adhere to the declaration at Sanquhar, and the testimony at llutherglen, and the papers found on worthy Mr. Richard Cameron. 8tbly, I adhere to the excom- munication at the Torwood. Othly, \ adhere to the excommunication of the bishops, and their underlings ; and I die in the faith of it, that the Lord hath ratified that in heaven, which his faithful servants have done on earth, as to casting out these traitors to God out of the church. And now, 1 desire to bless the Lord for my lot : ' my lot is fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly heritage.' " * I leave my blood upon the traitor that sits upon the throne : then on James duke of York, who was sitting in the council when I was examined the first day. And I leave my blood on the bloody crew that call themselves rulers. And I leave it on James Hender- son in the Northferry, who was the Judas that sold Archibald Stewart and Mr. Skene, and me, to the bloody soldiers for so much money. I leave my blood on sergeant Warrock, who took me, and brought me to prison. I leave my blood on the criminal lords, as they call themselves, and especially that excommunicated tyrant, George Mackenzie, the advocate, and the fifteen assizers ; and on Andrew Cunningham that gave me my doom ; and on that excommunicated traitor Thomas Dalziel, who was porter, that day when I was first before them, and threatened me with the boots. " I give my testimony against the burning of the covenants, which were solemnly sworn by the three nations, with uplifted hands to the great God of heaven and earth. I leave my testimony agaiust all the bloodshed and massacres of the Lord's people, either on scaffolds or in the fields. I protest against banishments and finings, and cruel murderings, especially the inhuman murder of worthy David Hackston ; I leave my testimony against the paying of the cess, employed for the bearing down the preaching of the gospel, and the taking and killing the poor followers of Josus Christ. I leave my testimony against the professors that say, this is not the truth of God for which I Buffer, and call the way of God, delusion. I have my testimony against Mr. Archibald Riddel, who became servant to the bloody lords, and made it his work to make me deny Christ, and betake myself to the ungodly laws of men, and call the troths of God, delusions, which 1 am to seal with mv blind: and I rejoice that ever he counted me worthy so to do. O ! I may say, ' what BID I, or what, is my father's house, that bo should have called me' ' nd< ret ... I th 1 1 1 jt pi) with the pot Hon gtvtn i:i Not« i . 284,— < . W. MARION HARVIE. 313 out, to seal his truths with my blood ? Which truths, both ministers and professors have counted it prudence to disown and deny, for which, the land will he to mourn and sorely to smart, ere all be done. I leave my testimony against Mr. John Blair, that said, I had no more grace than his staff had, and was witness to my sentence, that day I got it ; and his wife, who said, I had no more grace than her old shoes; as if grace were not free, and as though Christ had not enough to give me. I leave my testimony against both ministers and professors, that have joined themselves in any of these courses ot defection with the enemies, and are fast in their camps. " I leave my testimony against popery, prelacy, quakerism, and indulgency, and desire to mourn for it, that ever I joined with them in hearing them, or any of those that connive at them. I leave my testimony against all Jesuitical principles, although our professors say, that I adhere to them ; I deny it, and I take God to be my witness, that I hate all opinions that are contrary to the sound truths of God. And since ever God called me to follow his persecuted gospel, it was still my desire to stick close by him, and the rule he has set down for poor siuners to walk hy. And it was always my rejoicing to serve him, and to act and do for his truth, and to vindicate it. And many a sore heart I have had with them, in vindicating his truths, when they have been denying them, and casting dirt in the faces of the faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ ; and I desire all these that are endeavouring to contend for Christ and his truths, that they would be faithful in their witnessing for him, and eschew the least appearance of sin. For I, a dying witness of Christ, obtest you, as you will answer, when you Btand before him in the day of your appearance, that ye be faithful in owning him, in all his truths, and not yield a hoof to these ungodly, perjured, bloody and excommunicated traitors, and tyrants ; for there is much advantage to be had in faithfulness for Christ ; and that I may set to my seal to the truth of. And I think Christ is taking a narrow view of his followers at this time ; for there are few that yield a hair- breadth of the truths of God, that readily win to their feet again ; but go from one degree of defection to another. " And again, I desire to bless and magnify the Lord, for my lot, and may say, ' he hath brought me to the wilderness to allure me there, and speak comfortably to my soul.' It was but little of hirn I knew when I came to prison ; but now ho has said to me, ' Because he lives, I shall live also :' and he has told me, ' I am lie, that hath blotted out thine iniquity, for my own name's sake.' Kind has he been to me, since he brought me out to witness for him. I have never sought any thing from him, that was for his glory, since I came to prison, but he granted me my desire. For the most part, I have found him in everything, that hath come in my way, ordering it himself, for his own glory. And now I bless him, that thoughts of death are not terrible to me. He hath made me as willing to lay down my life for him, as ever I was willing to live in the world. And now, ye that are his witnesses, lie not afraid to venture on the cross of Christ. • For his yoke is easy, and his burden is light.' 314. TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Fur many times liavo I been made to think strange, what makes folk cast at the cross of Christ, that hath been so light to me. that I found no burden in it at all, he bore ine and it both. Now, let not the frowns of men, and their flatteries, put you from your duty. Keen up your societies, and the assembling of yourselves together : fur there is much profit to be found in it. Many times bath it been found comfortable to me, to hear of the few in Scotland, in which Christ was delighting ; and that there was much love to God's glory, and zeal for his honour amongst them. Now, be humbled, and lie in the dust, and never give over crying in behalf of the church, which is so small, that it can scarcely be discerned, — never give over till he appear ; for I think he is near at hand. O watch, and double your diligence, and ' hold fast til! he come, and let none take your crown, for he is good to the soul that seeks him.' If I were to livo again, I would let that perjured crew see, that I should be more guilty of that which they call rebellion, in serving my lovely King and in acting and doing for him and his glory, if he called me to it . and it is my grief, that I have not been more faithful for my master Christ. All his dealings with me have been in love and in mercy. His corrections have been all in love and free grace. O free love ! O ! I am oft made to wonder, what it was that made him take a blasphemer to witness for him and his truths. I may say, ' I am a brand plucked out of the fire :' I am a limb of the devil plucked out from his fire-side. O ! I am made to wonder and admire at his condescending love ! Now I leave my testimony against Jean Forrest, for saying, that I am going to the grave with a lie in my right hand, and charging my blood on my own head. O, my friends, ' come out from among them, and touch not the unclean thing.' It will never be well, till then; be a separation from sin. I bless the Lord that ever I heard Mr. Cargill, that faithful servant of Jesus Christ; I bless the Lord that ever I heard Mr. Richard Cameron, my soul has been refreshed with the hearing of him, particularly at a communion in Carrick, on these words in Psalm lxxxv. 8. ' The Lord will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints ; but let them not turn again to folly.' Now I leave my testimony against all the back- sliding ministers, who, when I began to hear the gospel, preached the same truths, which I am to lay down my lile fur at this tune; but now they are joined in a combination against God, and for the most part, are all at the enemies' will , for when I got my sentence, the bloody traitors promised to bring any of our ministers to us, when before them; and 60 this gives me ground to Bay, they air become their servants. " Now the Lord knows, I have a sore heart to mention t! things: but when I 6aw 6ome of them there, and they (fining us any of the rest, it gives me ground to set it down with a sure heart Now what shall I say ? 1 havo Binned against Him, and I am guilty of the defections, for which my carcase must lie in the wilder and not see the King come home to his habitation. Hat < ' ! I am content, and heartily content, that he gives me my soul for ■ pwy ; and well it is for me, I think myself nut behind. 'O my luvc I 0 my MARION HARVIE. 3J5 lovo ! 0 my love ! My altogether lovely Christ ! — The common report through the country is ; That I might have had my life on very easy terms ; but I could have it on no easier terms, than the denying of my Lord and Master Christ. First, They asked, if I would retract my former confession, and particularized all the papers I had owned before, and if I would not call Charles Stuart an usurper and the devil's vicegerent: I told them, I would not go back in any thing, { for ye have nothing,' said I, ' to lay to me but for the avowing Christ to be King in Zion, and head of his own church.' And they said, they did not usurp Christ's crown : but I said, they were blinded and did not see. They said, there was but a few of us of these principles. I said, they had all the wyte * of it, and it was most bitter to us, that our ministers had spoken against these truths. And indeed I think they had not been so cruel to me, were it not for these ministers. And so, I think, our ministers are not free of our blood ; for when they spake against us and the way, it hardened these bloody traitors, and emboldened them to take our lives. " I leave my testimony against them, for they have caused many poor things to err from the way of God, and many have made ministers their rule, and so the blind have led the blind, and both have fallen into the ditch together. And some think and say, ' O can we quit so many godly ministers ?' We dare not quit them ; but I assure you, ye shall get a share of the wrath and stroke, which God hath prepared for these backsliders and betrayers of their trust. *' Now, farewell, lovely and 6weet Scriptures, which were aye my comfort in the midst of all my difficulties ; farewell faith, farewell hope, farewell wanderers, who have been comfortable to my soul, in hearing them commend Christ's love. Farewell brethren, farewell sisters, farewell Christian acquaintances, farewell sun, moon, and stars. And now welcome my lovely and heartsome Christ Jesus, into whose hands I commit my spirit throughout all eternity. I may say, few and evil have the days of the years of my pilgrimage been, I being about twenty years of age. " MARION HARVIE. " From the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, the Woman-house on the east side of the prison, January 11th, 1681." -J* 4. Her Last Wtoeds. This martyr, though both young in years and of the weaker fax, was so singularly assisted of the Lord in his cause, and had such discoveries of his special love to her soul, that she was nothing terrified by her adversaries. When she was brought from the tolbooth to the council-house, to be carried to her execution, — as she came out of the tolbooth door, several friends attending her, — she was observed to say with a surprising cheerfulness and air of heavenly ravishment, " Behold, I hear my beloved saying unto me, Arise, my • i. e. Blame. f Cloud of Witnesses. 316 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. love, my fair one, and come away." And being brought to the council, bishop Paterson being resolved, — seeing he could not destroy her soul, — yet to grieve and vex it, said, — "Marion, you said, you would never hear a curate, now you shall be forced to hear one ;" upon which, he ordered one of his suffragans, whom he had prepared for the purpose, to pray.* So soon as he began, she said to her fellow- prisoner Isabel Alison ; " Come Isabel, let us sing the xxiii. Psalm ;" which accordingly they did, — Marion repeating the Psalm line by line, without book, — which drowned the voice of the curate, and ex- tremely confounded the persecutors. Being come to the scaffold, after einging the lxxxiv. Psalm, and reading the iii. chap, of Malaehi, she said, " I am come here to-day for avowing Christ to be head of his church, and King in Zion. O seek him, Sirs ! seek him, and ye shall find him ; I sought him and found him, I held him, and would not let him go." Then she briefly narrated the manner how she was taken, and recapitulated in short the heads of her written testimony, saying to this effect ; " I going out of Edinburgh to hear the per- secuted gospel in the fields, was taken by the way with soldiers, and brought into the guard ; afterwards I was brought to the council, and they questioned me, if I knew Mr. Donald Cargill ? Or if I heard him preach ? I answered, I bless the Lord I heard him, and my soul was refreshed with hearing him, for he is a faithful minister of Jesus Christ. They asked if I adhered to the papers gotten at the Ferry? I said, I did own them, and all the rest of Christ's truths. If I would have denied any of them, my life was in my offer ; but I durst not do it, no, not for my soul. Ere I wanted an hour of His presence, * This fact gives us a very characteristic idea, not only of the Bishop himself, but also of the period when such outrageous insolence and wan- ton cruelty were practised with impunity, and under the colour of justice and of law. But this was not the only circumstance -which was calculated to disturb and annoy these humble sufferers, in their dying hour. " I am informed," says Wodrow, " they were executed with some three or four wicked ■women, guilty of murdering their own children, and other villaniea ; which, was very grievous to them. One of the Episcopal ministers of the town, who waited upon the others to the scaffold, railed bitterly upon the sufferers, and assured them they were on the road to damnation, while, without any evidence of peni- tence, he was sending the other wicked wretches straight to heaven." " How- ever," it is added, " they were not commoved, but sang some suitable psalms on the scaffold, and prayed ; and thus died with much composure and joy !" Indeed, it is impossible to reflect on the conduct of these female martyrs without a mixture of admiration and pity, — nor upon that of their persecutors, both lay and clerical, without the strongest feelings of indignation and contempt. Throughout the whole of their examination and trial, as detailed in the above d icuments, their behaviour was marked by a propriety ana decorum above their station; — whilst that of the .Managers, in some instances, displayed a levity and coarseness, at once inconsistent with the dignity of a court and the rank of councillors. " The language of these sufferers," says a distinguished historian, still alive, "is such as might be expected from unlettered fen but it is such as does not disgrace the common people of Scotland. The inquisitorial interrogatories of the court discovered, tlu.t they had imbibed one or two opinions of an extravagant and dangerous nature ; but their manner of ing these was sober, and even dignified, compared with the behaviour of their judges and accusers." WILLIAM GOUGAIt AND OTHERS. 317 I Lad rather die ten deaths. I durst not speak against Him, lest I should have sinned against God. I adhere to the Bible and Con- fession of Faith, Catechisms and Covenants, which are according to this Bible.' The most of her discourse was of God's love to her, and the commendation of free grace ; and she declared, she had much of the Lord's presence with her in prison, and said, " I biess the Lord the enare is broken, and we are escaped ;" and wiien she came to the ladder foot she prayed. And going up the ladder, she s;ud, " O my fair one, my lovely one, come away ;" and sitting down upon the (adder, she said, " I am not come here for murder, for they have no matter of fact to charge me with, but only my judgment. I am about twenty years of age ; at fourteen or fifteen I was a hearer of the curates and indulged, and while I was a hearer of these, I was a blasphemer and sabbath-breaker, and a chapter of the Bible was a burden to me ; but since I heard this persecuted gospel, I durst not blaspheme, nor break the Sabbath, and the Bible became my delight." With this the major called to the hangman to cast her over, and the murderer presently choked her.* IX. WILLIAM GOUGAR AND OTHERS. [These Three persons — William Gougar, Robert Sangstcr, and Christopher Millar, were, as they inform us, natives of Stirlingshire ; to the inhabitants of which, their Joint Tcstimony-f- which follows is specially addressed. — Millar, the last of them, was tried on the 2d of March, in company with another individual, who was afterwards pardoned. He acknowledged his being in arms at Bothwell, and declared it to be, in his opinion, lawful to rise against the king in defence of the Covenant ; and was found guilty accordingly. — It was not till the 8th of the eame month, that Gougar and Sangster were impannelled. But, as in the previous instance, they were indicted for treason in the common form, and their confessions adduced in proof. The first acknowledged bis being at Bothwell- Bridge, and refusing the bond ; and also that he was at Torwood ; that he owned the Excommunication by Mr. Cargill, the Sanquhar Declaration and the Queensferry Paper, and that he thought it lawful to kill the king's servants as being enemies to Christ. The second, in like manner, owned the Bothwell rising and the Torwood Excommunication — disowned * Cloud of Witnesses, f There are extant particular testimonies of these three martyrs, but because it is doubted, that they may not be genuine, but vitiated by John Gib, or some of those that were tainted with his errors, therefore they are here omitted. And, moreover, whereas some are suspicious, that these three martyrs themselves, or at least the two last, were in some danger from the errors of John Gib ; yet, in regard that it was not upon any such account they suffered, but for testifying against the ecclesiastical supremacy, they ought to be recorded among the rest, bs dying witnesses for Jesiw Christ. — Cloud of Witnesses. 318 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the king's, authority, and declared it lawful to put him and his servants to death, as being opposed to God. They were accordingly brought in guilty, and the whole Three were, in conformity with their sentence, executed on the 11th of March 1681.] " The Lord in his holy providence having singled us out of that shire to seal his controverted truths with our blood, we could not but leave a line behind us, (we being Stirlingshire men), to let you know where- fore we are come here this day, to this place of execution ; that it is for adhering to that which ministers and professors are disowning. And the Lord seeing it fit to honour us beyond others, now, in this day of defection and backdrawing from the truth, we tell you, that it is truth we are to suffer for. Although ye condemn us in it, and say that we have a hand in our own death, yet we durst not, for our 60uls, do otherwise, or else we would have been sure of the broad curse of God on us and our life both. You may think that it is a novelty of our head that we are brought hither for ; but if any of you had that love to the Lord, that you seemed to have once a-day, you would count it your duty, as well as ours, to contend for the sweet troths of God, when you see him so wronged, and his rights so usurped and taken from him, who was both sweet and kind to poor things at hill-sides, and especially among you of that shire. O Sirs ! you may take sliame to you, for all that you have done against the honour of God, that have seen his goings so stately among the meetings of his people ; that will not contend for lovely Christ. O ! do you not think that a sad day will come on you, for joining with God's enemies, who have broken covenant with him, and shed the blood of the saints, and trampled on the honour of God, and ye will not fear to join with them for all tho blood they have shed, you will still go on with them ; and though you profess that you have love to the Son of God, and that your zeal for the Lord God of hosts is not abated, yet you will go on with them, and bond and comply in paying of cess and militia-money to maintain a party against God and his work, which once in a day you were forward to maintain, and would have ventured your life in the maintaining of it against all the Lord's enemies. You may justly take shame to yourselves, for your preferring the things of time to the sweet cross of lovely Christ. O Sirs ! what think you will your doom be, that have done so much against the honour of a holy God ? Indeed, you may look out for wrath, and that of the saddest sort. " Now, as dying men we tell you, that there are sad days abiding you, for what you have done against the honour and glory of God, if ye get not speedy repentance. Therefore, as you would answer in the great day, make conscience of what ye do. Remember that you will count and reckon for all that you have done, and will be reckoned as guilty of the blood of the saints as the worst enemies amongst them all. Therefore, as dying men, we charge you to take with guilt, or else it will be worse for you. O Sirs! fear the Lord's wrath, and fall to and mourn for what you have done. O cry mightily for repentance, or else you will get Judas's reward. For you are the persons that betrayed the Son of (iod, and expelled him out of your coasts. You WILLIAM GOUGAR AND OTHERS. S19 were thinking that he was iike to prove a costly Christ, and therefore yon of that shire would consent to banish him away from among you. You would not hear of a field preaching for fear of hazard. C) Sirs ! take it to consideration, and lay it to heart what a hand you have in banishing Christ and the gospel out of Scotland ; and we are sure it was not your parts to have done so. No, no, it was not your part to have given lovely Christ such an affront ; the sweet days that you have had Ions since might have made you give royal Jesus better quarters, though you should go to the gibbet for it, and lose your gear. For, vour doing as you have done is a denying of him before men J — Take it as ye will, we must tell you, as in the sight of a living God, before whom we are now to appear, and get our sentence for all that we have done, — you are the only shire that has denied lovely Christ quarters ; for, he sent an offer to you to the Torwood, and ye would not hear it. Well, it is likely there are many of you that will never get another ; there are some of you that would not go to hear, but forbade others td go, and thought it was not duty to go ; and some of you "were at that preaching and made a bad use of it. O remember, Sirs, you have rejected Christ. We tell you it, as dying men, you will count for it ere it be long, for our Lord did not send the gospel to the Torwood for nought, but it will accomplish that for which it was sent. O Sirs, be afraid and tremble, for judgment is at the door, and indeed your sentence will be sore to abide, it will be more tolerable for open enemies in the day of judgment than for you. We are afraid, when we think what judgments will be on you shortly, for considering what pains has been taken on you of that shire, and how tender the Lord has been of you, in training you up for suffering, and has given you trials, and you have endured them ; and he has taken them off again, and given you sorer trials, and he has delivered you out of these. It had been better for you that you had been at that preaching though you should have gotten the gallows the very next day, than to have done what ye did, and that you will find ere it be long. " O what of bis kindness have you met with at such places ! You dare not say, ' That he hath been a barren wilderness, or a land of drought ' to )7ou. Testify against him if he was not kind to you, so long as ye abode by him he abode by you, and he was tender of yoir so long as ye kept faithful to him ; but after ye turned into the enemies' camp, then he turned to be your enemy, and fought against you, and in all you do God will be seen to be against you. You may thrive in the world, but it will be a dear thriving to you, you will get the wrath of God with it. But ye have done with thriving in the worship of God. Indeed there are many of you that hold your life no more of God. Remember we tell you of it, who are within a few hours of eternity. Now, it is like you will not notice what the like of lis say, but will allege that we are dying as fools, and have no Presbyterian principles, but notions ; but we say the contrary : we say, we are not fools as to that, however the world may think and look on us as such: we say, we have Presbyterian principles, and are Presbyterians in our judgments, and will make it appear that we die as Christians, and aa those that ov^n the truths of God. and are standing to what ministers 320 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. once taught us ; although this day, they are turned to the contrary, and •jondemning 119, and saying, — that we have nothing but notions of our own heads, that make us do such things, but they will not find it so in the day of accounts. " And 1st, you may say, that it is not a Presbyterian principle to cast off magistrates. We grant with you ; but where are the magis- trates ? Indeed they were once placed such ; but they cast out themselves when they brake the covenant, and set up a cursed supremacy, insulting over the Lord's inheritance ; and when they have dime that, we think they are no more to be owned as magistrates by Presbyterians ; but to be cast off and witnessed against ; and when it come3 to that part of the play, do ye not think that it was our part to contend for truth ? O Sirs ! do ye not believe Jesus Christ to be the eternal Son of God, and ' that all things were made for him and by him, whether they be thrones or dominions, or principalities or powers ?' What is not his ? And that by free gift and donation, by an eternal decree intimate to us in the ii. Psalm, where, in- a more- particular manner, he is declared to be King in Zion, and all the heathen promised to the enlargement of his kingdom. O Sirs, do ye not believe that Scotland became his with its own consent, as the product of that decree, and the fruit of his intercession and purchase ; and that he allows no authority to be owned and subnrtted unto in Scotland, but only so far as they keep the line of subordination to the Son of God ? Or do you believe, that Scotland should have no other magistrates, but such as should be of God's choosing, — ' Men of truth, able men, fearing God, hating covetousness ;' and that the land was bound by covenant to have such, ' under the pains contained in the law, and danger both of soul and body in the day of the Lord's fearful appearance to judgment?' We believe, many a man's wit in that day shall be counted foolishness. Then if this be a ground, we are sure ye must say, That day that Charles Stuart was crowned, perjury became national ; only professors as to this point were free. " Do ye think, we would without perjury and treachery to God, own Charles Stuart's authority any longer, when he held not his authority as of God ? But it being manifest, that in Middleton's parlia- ment, he disclaimed that title to authority, we think, we were bound to witness our loyalty to another, and that we were freely absolved from obedience and fidelity to him then, and could not own his authority without gross perjury; — he declaring, he would have no homage upon account of the covenant, — would ye not count him a distracted man that would cleave to him upon that account whether he would or not ? Yea, and whoever does it, we know they will find themselves fools. Do you believe) that in the day that, that covenant was taken, any within the nation was not bound to perform and prosecute it, and that God would punish the destroyers of that covenant? Do ye think that the Act, explanatory of the supremacy is not a plain renunci of die word of God, the law of nature, the covenant, and human society, and setting up devilism and confusion, — without a full, free, and 1 testimony to the contrary? We are Burethat every public co/, oant requires public repentance. We think, there can 001 WILLIAM GOUGAR AND OTHERS. 32i absolved without this, for in express terras our Lord says : * "Whoso- ever denies me before men, him will I deny before my Father which is in heaven.' Now there should not only be a testimony given, but a walking according to it afterwards. O Sirs, would ye have none to witness against the abominations of this day r" Indeed you are all mistaken, for our Lord will not want witnesses to witness for him, however few and feckless they be ; yet ' He will make, the things that are not, confound the things that are.' O Sirs, think ye it not a sin, to join with them that have rejected the living God, and will not have him to reign over them ? Do ye not think it duty, to protest against them that are trampling our Lord's glory under foot ? O Sirs, do not you think yourselves guilty of breach of covenant, that have connived at these men, that have their hands reeking in the blood of the saints, when you are strengthening their hands in the doing of it ? We think you guiltier than these wretches, — because ye join with them in sin ; whereas, you should have protested against them in the committing of such acts. We wot well, if ye read the Bible, ye will count yourselves as guilty as they are, and the guiltiest of the two ; for it was your part to have contended for the truth, and stood in defence thereof, unto the losing of lives and liberties, and all that you had. The Lord has cast them off, and yet you will do what in you lies to hold them up, who shed the blood of those who were once in a day your dear brethren. It may be, you will say, That Samuel knew that Saul was rejected of God, and yet he did not cast him off? We answer, He did what lay in his power to get him cast off; for he went and anointed David in his stead, and durst not do it publicly, but secretly for fear of Saul ; neither did Samuel converse much with Saul after that. Next you say, That David's heart smote him, for taking, and cutting off the lap of Saul's garment, and said, ' That he would not stir the Lord's anointed.' Now, we say, he had two reasons that we have not. 1st, He had that reason, that he was the Lord's anointed. 2dly, It was his own particular quarrel ; because he was to reign in his stead. So we say, that Charles Stuart is not the Lord's anointed, neither is it our particular quarrel, but in defence of the gospel, and in so far as he is an enemy to God and the way of salvation ; which is sufficient ground to cast out any person out of the church, and witness against him in defence of the gospel, unto the losing of life, liberty, and all other things. And believe us as ye will, we do not think them Christians, that will not contend for lovely Christ and his sweet truths, in witness- ing against this bloody excommunicated traitor, and disowning them as rulers, seeing they have disowned ' the Just and Holy One,' and are trampling on his sweet truths, and would never have them to rise again ; but would have the stone sealed, that there might be no rnore mention made of the honour of God. And you have a deep hand in this, because ye are not faithful and free in witnessing for his despised glory : and if ye will not do it, ' Delivery to the church shall come from another airth,' and you shall be destroyed ; for he will be up again in spite of all your hearts, and he will make your fears and theirs both come on you; for he will make inquisition for all his truths ; and when he comes, indeed we would not abide the reproof that you No. 22, Y S22 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the professors of Stirlingshire will get, for all the gold in Europe ; there will be no excuse heard then ; your wife and children, or lands, will be no excuse ; for he hath told in express terms, that ' Whosoever will not forsake all, and follow him, cannot be his disciple.' Wife and children, houses and lands, must all go for him ; and you must take up his cross daily, and wander through at his back, — it may be, hard be- stead, with a borrowed bed, and a borrowed fire-side, — and live upon providence : we wot well, there are some of you that can say to youl sweet experience, that you never lived better than on God's providence, although now ye have rejected and betaken yourselves to the world. Have you done so? well you may be doing; but ere long you will rue it. Remember, we told you it, when we were going into eternity, that you would meet with much wo and sorrow, for what you have done against the honour of God, if you repent not. " 2dly, You say, It is not a Presbyterian principle to own the party that is jeoparding their lives for the honour of God, and witnessing for his despised truths, that this day is so abused and nicknamed by you and others : but we say, it is, and maintain it to be, a Presbyterian principle, to own that despised party, for they are the party that are only designing the glory and honour of God, and have no other view before them but his sweet truths, which are dear to them ; and they will quit with life and liberty, before they quit with an hoof of truth ; which has been made out by their valiant sufferings. O but truth has bean sweet and dear to them ! They have not counted their lives dear unto them on the account of it. They have cheerfully gone to the scaffold for truth, and have been honourably carried through, and the Lord's presence seen in their through-bearing ; as we hope, shall be made out on us, ere it be long : also they study to spend their time and Btrength for God. When all other means have failed them, they study to keep up that mean of reading, singing, and praying, as the Lord will assis-t and help them ; although the indulged and their consorts have a great envy at them, and do what they can to get them off the earth ; for they are the main actors in taking of that poor party ; and all is, because their practices condemn theirs ; — although they take the Scrip- tures for their rule, and study to walk, so as they may get God's approbation in the day of accounts. " 3dly, You say, It is not a Presbyterian principle, to own those papers, that our worthies have set out, or the work that they have done, which many of them have sealed with their blood : but we Bay, that it is a Presbyterian principle ; because all that thev did was agreeable to the word of God, and our covenants. For, consider these papers when you please, you will find them consonant to the Scrip- tures, and just and lawful for Presbyterians to own ; and say the contrary who will, we do not think them Presbyterians, nor yet COT** nanters, that will not own them ; for there is nothing in them, but what wc will with all our hearts seal with our blood as Presbyterians, and as having these principles. u 4-tlily, You say, It is not a Presbyterian principle, to confess nil theso things : but we say, it u a Presbyterian principle. to oonfeea and avouch him and His truths, before this adulterous generation: QOW WILLIAM GOUGAR AND OTHERS. 323 when the quarrel is thus stated, we should not put them to prove what is truth. Stephen made a free confession of his faith, and so have all our worthies. And now, seeing we own these things, and they being the controverted truths of the day, and the Lord calling us to own and maintain them ; we never thought it our part to smother and hide them, but with courage to avouch them, to the losing of our lives in the quarrel ; — we seeing our dearest Lord's truths trampled on, and a pack of you that seemed to be fair before the wind, for owning of truth, and witnessing for him, — never so much as putting to your hand to help ; but turning your back on truth, and the way of God. Indeed we fear, that ye shall never be honoured to witness for God any more ; it is like, you care not for that honour ; but we tell you, that you will rue it, when you will not get it mended ; and remember we tell you it here, as dying witnesses for truth, you will meet with as sad a judg- ment as ever a shire met with ; — if you repent not, your judgment will be unparalleled for your denying him before men. " We are come here this day, to witness freely and faithfully against you, and all others, for their complying with the enemies against the word of God. And we say, as in the sight of a living God, you will count for it ere it be long. O ! but we think it a sweet thing to be honoured this day to contend for truth, and to be ' overcomers by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of our testi- mony.' Indeed we are called to it, ' to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints.' And we think, if we had not been free and faithful, before these bloody wretches, we would have held our life no more of God ; — if we did not speak for his truths before them, when he bade us speak. For, he sought a proof of our love to him, and his nick- named despised way, and to poor Zion, whom no man is seeking after ; and think you that we durst hold our tongue and not speak, when he bade us ? Indeed, our life was not dear to us, when his truth came in question. We might have gone away with our life, and the broad curse of God upon it, to go with us ; if we had denied him at thi3 time, we would have held our life no more of him, of whom we held it all our days ; and now that we might cheerfully lay it down at his command and bidding : for this we knew that devils or men could not stir a hair of our head, without our Lord's determination ; and therefore we are the less afraid of what they could do. " And now, as dying men, we charge you not to speak of that poor party, that this day is so reproached and spoken against by a party of them that are called ministers and professors. O take shame to you altogether ; and as you will be answerable, in the day of accounts, we tell you, not to have a wrong thought of them, for all the reproaches that can be said against them : for they are a godly people, and have much of His mind. And if you go on with enemies, and others that have turned their backs on the way of God, go your ways ; but ' it were better that a millstone were hanged about your neck, and ye cast into the midst of the sea,' than that ye should speak at such a rate as ye do. For do you and others reproach as you will, they design nothing but the honour of God, and have the Scriptures to be their rule, and to walkas becomesthe gospel, and they study a holy carriage : 324 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. although there be many among them that have an unsuitable carnage, by reason of whom ' the way of God is evil spoken of :' yet the way of God is not a hair the worse to be liked. It may be there is a Judas among the twelve ; and what of that? We say, the rest are not to be cast at for all that, seeing they keep the truth. We know there are many of you that say, that we do not keep by the Scriptures ; but we declare the contrary ; for with all our heart, we set to our seal and testimony to the Holy Scriptures, which have been sweet to us ; and our testimony to the National and Solemn League and Covenant, and to the Confession of Faith, as agreeable to the word of God, and to the Catechisms Larger and Shorter, and to all that our worthies have done in the defence of the gospel : we join our hearty testimony to all their appearances in the fields, both first and last. " And we protest against all the actings of the enemies against the Lord's people in all their proceedings, both first and last, and every thing that they have done against our worthies, when they were in defence of the gospel ; and we abhor and testify against Popery, Prelacy, Quakerism, Erastianism, Indulgency, and all the connivers with them, be they who they will ; and against Jesuitish principles, which you say we hold, which sect we most basely abhor, and give our testi- mony against all such erroneous sects and principles ; we give our testimony against all you that say we have such principles, and that we have got new principles and new light ; and we say the contrary, and declare, that we hold by those principles, which ministers did teach both you and us to stand to in the defence of, until we had lost our lives and all in that quarrel. Now, you that say such things of us, we exhort you to repent, or else you will meet with a sore day of wrath, for it is not a light thing to speak of sufferers as you do : there- fore we obtest you, in the bowels of Jesus Christ, to be sober in your speeches against that party, and make a right choice, and fairly side yourselves, and come out from among the tents of the wicked, and be separated from among them, and join yourselves to the poor suffering remnant, and be not at ease now in the day of Zion's trouble. Do not think that you will enjoy your ceiled houses and your warm firesides in such a day as this. If you be single for God, he will have you out from all these things, and denied to them all, for ' wo to him that is at ease' when Zion is in trouble, and is not concerned in all the afflictions of Joseph ; you must either now get a wakening, or else you will got a wakening when the wrath of an angry God comes on the land for sins. " Indeed, Sirs, we think, that religion has not cost you much heart- work. We think, you have not been at much pains in seeking God, for as fair a shew as you seem to have. Indeed when the gospel was in its parity, and many seeking to preachings, the Lord seemed to he kind to you, and you seemed to have much love to him, and his despised way, and you seemed as if you would have ventured your life in the defence of the gospel; but when we would have looked ibrangfa you at preachings, and going to them, and coming from tin in. it would have made some of us a sore heart to see your uncono trnedtu - unsuitable carriage, even among you that seemed to be heads of them. WILLIAM GOUGAR AND OTHERS. 325 Aiid when we would have been in some of your companies, either coming or going, your talk did always smell of the world, and so is come of it. O ! repent, and come out from among your lusts and idols, that you are so wedded to, and take hold of a Mediator and seek the Lord with all your heart. O you, town of Stirling, and the shire, repent, for sentence is past against you for what you have done, although it be not put in execution yet; but it will be put in execution ere long, if you repent not. Though the Lord is seeing it fit to take us away from the evils which are coming on this land, for breach of covenant, and a slighted gospel ; we tell you, it may be, you will find it when we are gone, it is better to endure all torments that devils and men can inflict on you here, than to endure one drop of the wrath of an angry God, that will be poured out without mixture on all ranks, that have not the work of the day upon their spirits, be they who they will, ministers or professors, indulged or not indulged; for if they be not taken up and concerned with the case of the church of God, this day, as it is stated, He will come and reckon with them all, and count them all turners aside, and ' will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity, when peace shall be on Israel.' Therefore we would desire you to have a care, and look well about you what you are doing, and beware of speaking against that party, s " There are some of you that say, they are of bloody principles. You should beware of speaking these thiugs ; for the contrary is known, that they are not murderers, nor have any such intentions, as some of yourselves know, although ye be speaking the contrary ; for you never beard of their killing any, except it was in defence of the gospel, and their own defence. " Likewise you say, that we are cursers and criers for vengeance on the land. Now, we must not stay to argue this out, we being this day to lay down our lives, but we think any that has tender love to the Son of God, and his cause, cannot but be grieved to see ministers and professors so avowedly betray the truth, that is sweet and dear to us, yea, dearer than our lives ; and when we think on what ye have done to the sweet truths of God, we cannot but pray against your courses : and as for any thing ye can do to us, we heartily forgive you ; but the wrongs ye have done to a holy God, we cannot get them borne, for they are weighty to us. If it were our enemies, we would bear with it, but when it comes from the like of you, we cannot get it borne. Truly, Sirs, we think ye will embrace Popery ere it be long : your entertaining of that excommunicated Duke of York, a professed Papist, says, that you would do more yet. There was not one of you all in town, or shire, that moved your tongue against him, but, as if you had been all professed Papists, you let him come in among you, and kindly entertained him ; we leave our testimony against your so doing. " But we break off, having no more time, and request you to take these things to your consideration, and lay sin to heart, and mourn bitterly before the Lord, for what you have done. We here obtest you to come off these ways of yours, and make conscience of duty, as in the sight of a holy God, before whom you must shortly appear. Slightnot time, for it is precious; wrath is at the door: Oh! makehaste, 326 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and lay these things to heart, and study to have a more tender respect to the honour of God. We desire to leave it on you noAv, when we are going into eternity, that you would mind your engagements and vows to God. And so we bid you farewell, and bid you mind the poor groaning kirk that we are to leave behind us, which was dear to us. Now, we bid farewell to poor desolate Zion, and pray the Lord may mind her case. Farewell all things in time, and welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. « Subscribed at the Iron-house, a) WILLIAM GOUGAR. little before tve went out to the\ CHRISTOPHER MILLAR. scaffold, March 11, 1681. ) ROBERT SANGSTER." It is remarkable, that this martyr, William Gougar, had a little paper in his Bible, which he minded to throw over the scaffold ; but when he was taken into the council-house with the other two, it was someway got by the murderers, who having read it, commanded the executioner to tie him straiter than ordinary, so that he could scarcely go up the ladder, and afterwards they stopped him from praying. When he was upon the ladder, he began to speak, and said, " I am come here for owning Christ to be Head and King in Zion," whereupon they caused to beat the drums, seeking to damp and astonish him, that they might trample upon his conscience ; and when they offered him his life, upon condition he would own the king, he replied, " I will own none but Christ to be King in Zion." Then they said, "Will ye not retract any thing, Sir?" He answered, " No, no ; I own all, I adhere to all." Upon which they immediately called the executioner to throw him over, which he did incontinent, not allowing him to recommend his spirit to the Lord.* X. LAURENCE HAY. [This Martyr was one of three who were executed on the 13th of July 1681. He was by trade a weaver, and belonged to the shire of Fife. He was charged with no act of rebellion. But having, with his two companions, joined a society which had been instituted for prayer and conference — they were indicted for having signed and published a paper agreed upon by that society, and entitled} " A Testimony against the Evils of the Times." In this paper they disowned the king and all the ministers of the Church, except Mr. Cargill. Being found guilty of treason, they weie condemned accordingly ; and the following Testimony is said to have been left by the above named individual.] "MKNand Brethren, — Having by serious consideration, joined in giving a testimony against the enemies of God, and all that havo joined with them in any thing which tended to tho overthrow of the * Cloud of Wit ii LAURENCE HAY. 327 work of reformation ; — for which, I am come, in your sight, to lay- down this life of mine, which I engaged to do in that testimony, through His strength, if he called me to it, — because it was according to the word of God, and the covenanted reformation ; and seeing, I engaged in the strength of the Lord to seal it with my blood, and now he in His holy and wise providence has put me to seal it ; although I be the fecklessest and unworthiest of all that society, — I here in your presence, with all my heart, set to my seal to it with my blood, as was promised at the end of the paper. And, if all the hairs of my head were men, having lives, I would think them all little enough, to seal the cause of my dearest and sweetest Lord Jesus, who has been sweet and kind to me, in carrying me through every step of the work, which he put into my hand. O love him, Sirs ! O but he is worth the loving ! O but he has been kind to me since I was apprehended ! For, he told me then, that Satan would cast some in prison, that they might be tried ; and he bade me ' be faithful to the death,' and he promised me ' a crown of life ;' and he hath helped me since to fulfil the conditions, and hath also given me a right to the promise. And this was all my desire, ' That the trial of my faith might be found precious, to the praise of his sweet name :' that his cause might not be wronged, nor his ark get a wrong touch by me. And herein, he hath heard my desire, according to that scripture, ' He will hear the desires of the humble, and the expectation of the poor will not be lost.' For, ' lie keeps the covenant with thousands of them that love him, and keep his commandments :' and his commandments are not grievous, but ' his yoke is easy, and his burden light.' And he has said, ' He that forsaketh wife, or children, houses or lands, for my name's sake and the gospel's shall receive in this life an hundred fold, and in the world to come, life everlasting. And he that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me.' " Therefore, dear friends, give not over to contend for his borne down truths, that this day are in debate betwixt him and his enemies in covenanted Scotland, according to that scripture, — ' Contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints.' O contend, contend, and give not over; for 'he will arise for the oppression of the poor, and for the sighings of the needy ;' for he will have an opportunity to be about with all his enemies, and he is weary witli forbearing. Therefore, trust in the Lord, ' trust in him at all times :' for f they that trust in him shall not be ashamed ; for they shall stand in the gate unashamed to speak unto their foes.' O Sirs ! give him much credit ; for he hath disappointed me of my fears, in that wherein I feared appearing before men, and helped me to stand before them ; so that I had no terror or amazement, more than they had been the meanest of creatures ; although I cannot say, that I have fought the good fight,' as that eminent apostle said ; yet I can say (praised be God) ' He hath given me the victory through Jesus Christ my Lord,' over principalities ; and hath confirmed me, that neither death nor life, nor any creature, shall separate me from the love of my sweet Lord Jesus Christ ; who is love- worthy, praise- 328 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. worthy, worthy to be feared and honoured ; who in his absolute sovereignty, set apart poor me, to give a testimony for his glorious and honourable work of reformation, < who am less than the least of all 6aints,' but he is an absolute Lord, and ' shows mercy to whom he will show mercy, and whom he will he hardened) ; and he keeps the souls of the faithful and plentifully rewards the proud doer.' " Therefore, being called to suffer this day, in this place, for the following of my duty, and for that in particular, — in giving a testimony against the dreadful, defections of these times, by the means of these backsliding ministers, who have left our sweet Lord Jesus, with his back at the wall, and his poor flock ' scattered upon the mountains, as sheep having no shepherd.' But, dear friends, comfort yourselves in this, that in his own time, ' he will search his sheep, aud find them out;' although, alas.! I fear lest they shall be sorer scattered than yet they are : but wait on him ; ' for he that shall come, will come, aud will not tarry. And, his reward is with him, and his work is before him. And, the Lord whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant.' But, O dear friends, labour to be ' stedfast and unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord. And, give all diligence to make your calling and election sure ; and if you do these things, you shall never fall. Aud, commit the keeping of your souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator : for, he is able to keep that which is committed to him, against that day, and present it spotless before the Father ;' — although, alas ! I was loath to adventure, or to credit in his hand ; out now he hath discovered to me, that he is the best hand that I can venture on ; and has gained my consent, and has become the surety for me of a better covenant, ' well ordered in all things and sure.' " Therefore, considering my engagements to him, I leave my testimony to the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, and the version of the Psalms in metre, and to the work of reforma- tion, Covenants National and Solemn League, the Solemn Acknow- ledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties, the Causes of God's Wrath, the Confession of Faith, as being conform to the Scriptures, and the Catechisms Larger and Shorter ; I give my adherence to all the faithful testimonies given by the worthies, to the maintenance of the work of reformation, from the year 1660, until this day, either by their appearances in the fields, or on scaffolds, or in the seas ; I adhere to the Sanquhar Declaration, the Torwood Excommunication, and the papers found at the Ferry, and to that joint Testimony given in the shire of Fife, by that society, whereof I was a member, though a worthless one, and I adhere to all things contained therein, because they are according to the Scriptures. And, I give my testimony to the faithful preaching in the fields, and to the keeping up of societies, and Christian fellowships, commanded in the word of God; 'not forsaking the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner «>t some is, and so much the more as you no the day approaching ;' especially now when bis glory is at stake, which is of more worth than our souls ; and when men are seeking to get his work razed, and the name of Israel blotted out. that it may be no more in remembrance. LAURENCE HAY. 329 " Likewise, I leave my testimony against all those, who have joined with the declared enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ, both ministers and professors ; and against all those, who maintain anj principle contrary to the word of God, especially those who deny the authority of the Scriptures, and all the work of reformation, and have razed the fundamentals of true Christianity ; some of them the Lord has given up to strong delusions, to believe lies, and to deny Jesus Christ to be the Son of God, and to maintain new lights, in meddling with the decrees of God, which his word never approved ; ■ — and against every one of their principles. Likewise, I leave my testimony against all who brand us with an implicit faith ; which, one declared to myself in my hearing in the room below where I was a prisoner ; whom I questioned, if he durst in conscience say, that I lived by an implicit faith, or the example of others ? So he said, that there were some in the room with me that had been murderers of others who had suffered. And I told him, that the xv. Psalm reached him a very sad reproof, ' for speaking evil against his neigh- bour :' and also I said, ' We speak what we do know, and testify what we have heard.' And I declared, that I had seen no such thing of any that was in the room with me ; but you have wronged (said I) God and his cause, by shifting his cross, and therefore you will not stand to wrong your neighbour. " And as for our being branded, that we hold our principles of men, and are dying to please men, — I altogether abhor such aspersions, for I hold my principles of none but of God and his word ; and that which carries the sway with me, is the controverted truths of Jesus Christ ; — they are at this day in debate betwixt him and his enemies ; especially his kingly office, on which I dare venture life and liberty, and my salvation also, because the Father hath declared him to be ' King on his holy hill of Zion by an unalterable decree ; and there to reign till all his enemies be brought under his feet.' Therefore, as I have left my testimony against all who cast such aspersions on me, or any other who have suffered in this manner ; I leave my blood also, to witness against them, who will adventure to do it, whether enemies or pretended friends. Likewise, I leave my testimony against the encroachments made upon the rights of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the privileges of his church, by that usurper Charles Stuart, and all the bloody crew under him. Likewise, I leave my testimony against that excommunicated traitor the duke of Monmouth, for his appearance against the work of God and his people, joined for the defence of the gospel and interest of Jesus Christ, and all that joined with him. Likewise I leave my testimony against that avowed Papist, York. Also, I leave my testimony against that designed parliament to put power in his hand. Also, I leave my testimony against those abominable wretches that sat in these associ- ations and falsely accused and sentenced me to death, and against these fifteen assizers who gave me my sentence, and against that wretch called the clerk, and Andrew Cunningham who gave me mv doom. Likewise, I leave my testimony against all who have joined with the declared enemies, whether ministers or professors, especially 330 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. in the shire of Fife, who have delivered up the Testimony to these abominable wretches ; — particularly Balgrumma and Vederstar. Like- wise, I leave ray testimony against Popery, Prelacy, and that woful Erastian supremacy and indigencies, first and last, which have been the ' dagger, the haft whereof hath gone in after the blade,' and hath wounded the Church in the innermost part of the belly, and the dart that has stricken her through the liver. O ! how sharp are the Wounds of a friend ! They go down ' to the innermost parts of the belly. If it had been an enemy, I would have borne it.' And it is evidently seen that our Mother- Church hath been, and is this day wounded in the house of her friends ; — for which, the Lord will sadly reckon with all such as have done so, if they do not repent and mourn for it. Likewise I leave 4ny testimony against all them, that are any way instrumental in bearing down our poor Mother-Church, either by appearance in arms, or furnishing of others for that effect, by paying of cess or militia-money, or any other way, homologating the acts, or strengthening the hands of her declared and avowed enemies. " Now, dear friends, being straitened for want of time, I am forced to draw to a close ; only, desiring you to be earnest in con- tending for the broken-down work of reformation, that this day is brought very low : but be not discouraged, although his ark be tossed this day upon the waters, like the poor ship in the midst of the sea, and the poor disciples afraid lest they should sink, and the Master asleep (as it were) upon a pillow ; yet go to him and cry, ' Master, Master, save us, else we perish ;' for he is easy to be entreated, and he likes well to have his poor people coming to him in the time of their distress ; for ' he is a present help in the time of need, a God rich in mercy, and near to all that call upon him in truth.' But, O dear friends, beware of backdrawing, fur he hath 6aid, ' If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him ; and he that putteth his hand to the plough and looketh back, is not fit for the kingdom of heaven ; but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.' Be not ashamed of him ; ' for, if any man be ashamed of him, or his words, of him also will he be ashamed before the Father and the holy angels.' O dear friends, the more that ye see a perverse generation crying him down, be ye the more at the work of crying him up; for he is well worth the commen- dation of all that can commend him. O dear friends, 'in all things ..et him have the pre-eminence, and count all things loss and dung that ye may win Christ ; and press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ; looking unto JestlS) who is the author and finisher of our faith ; who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is Bet down at the right hand of the throne of God. Strive to enter in at the strait gate ; for many shall seek to enter in, and shall not l>e able.' Now friends, beware of sinning, and beware of snares ; tor they are at this day very thick and many; but our God has promised that he will not suffer his poor people ' to be tempted above they are able, but will with the temptation make o wav that they ANDREW PITILLOCH. 331 may escape.' So I bid you all farewell ; desiring you to be kind to my wife and children when I am gone ; farewell sweet Bible by bis blessing ; farewell sun, moon, and stars ; farewell meat and drink ; farewell all created comforts and enjoyments, wherewith I have been abundantly supplied ; farewell my dear wife and children, — the Lord be better to you than ten husbands, when I am gone ; farewell mother, brethren, and sisters ; farewell sweet societies, and preached gospel, whereby I have been begotten by the seed of the word ; farewell sweet prison and reproaches for sweet Christ and his cause. And welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; welcome, everlasting life, and the spirits of just men made perfect. Lord, into thy hands I commit my spirit. "LAURENCE HAY."* " At the Iron-house, July 13, 1681." XI. ANDREW PITILLOCH. [[Andrew Pitilloch was a land-labourer, belonging to the parish of Largo, in Fifeshire. He was the second of the three, who, as already noticed, were executed together on the 13th of July 1681. The third, by name Adam Philip, has left no Testimony. The ground on which they were condemned has already been specified. The Paper in question being produced on the trial, they acknow- ledged having signed it. Of this Paper Wodrow observes, that, judging by the citations from it contained in their process, it " was very wild, and seemed to savour of Gib and his delusions." It may still farther be stated, that in addition to suffering the ordinary sentence of death, these three persons had their heads severed from their bodies and affixed to the Tolbooth of Coupar/] " Men and brethren, — Wherefore are you come here this day? will you tell me, if it be your intention, to be edified by the words of a poor thing, witnessing for my lovely Lord Jesus Christ ? And if that be your intention in your coming hither, it is well : Now, when I am going off time, to bid farewell to you all, O that I could commend my lovely Lord Jesus and his sweet cross to you. O Sirs, will you come ' taste and see that God is good.' You will never do better, than come and see ; for, since the Lord honoured me to be his prisoner, he has let me know nothing but love ; he has made my prison no prison. O Sirs, ' All his ways are ways of pleasant- ii ess, and his paths peace.' And his cross is sweet and easy ; although, worthless I cannot commend it to you. But, O Sirs, scare not at the sweet cross of royal and sweet Jesus ; but contend for him and his noble cause, for I can assure you, I had never such a 6weet life as I have had since he brought me to the like of these trials. O sweet indictment I O sweet sentence, for my lovely Lord I O sweet * Cloud of Witnesses, 332 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS' WORTHIES. scaffold, for contending for the cause, covenant and work of reforma- tion ! O Sirs, quit all for holy Jesus, for I can promise you that you will never die better, than for contending for King Christ. Indeed, Sirs, ministers and professors, as they call them, say, That we are dying as fools, and giddy headed professors ; but glory to his holy and sweet name, that has made it out to my soul that it is otherwise : and now, that my conscience doth not condemn me, how dare any mortal creature condemn me ? O friends ! what is the reason that you will not take him, who is the ' chief among ten thousands, and is altogether lovely,' and without compare ? ' There is no spot in him.' O prefer him to your chief joy ! There are many of you who have preferred other things to him. O fear and tremble for wrath will be upon you very suddenly ! O be afraid, for our Lord has said, if you will not quit all for him, you cannot be his disciple. And so you have neither part nor lot in our sweet Lord ; you may read the x. of Matt, from the 16th verse to the end. O Sirs, go not with the Indulged, nor yet side with them ; cleave to the Lord with all your heart, and be not put off with any but himself. O he is sweet to be with : O his way is sweet to keep, but I cannot commend him to you ; his sweetness is without compare. O take him, and be restless till ye get him to • your mother's house, and to the chamber of her that bare you.' Pray much for your Mother- Church, that ministers and others have wronged : I witness and testify against them, for their unrighteousness, both first and last. 1st, For leaving their kirks, without a public Testimony against enemies, at the incoming of Prelacy. 2dly, For their conniving at one another's sins. 3dly, For their leaving the fields when there was so much need of preaching to poor things; when wrath and judgment were coming on the land, they did not set the trumpet to their mouth, and give the people a faithful warning. They say, we have cast them off, but they are mistaken, for they have cast themselves off, by changing their head ; and the Scriptures have cast them off, and I cannot join with them. I would with all my heart have a ministry ; but I would have it according to the word of God ; — men that will ' preach in season, and out of season,' whether people will hear, or whether they will forbear ; that will be faithful in preaching against Bin of all sorts, and will hide nothing of the mind of the Lord; but they that do play fast and loose in the matters of a holy God, and will not witness against enemies; I own none of these, but I leave my testimony against them for their unfaithfulness. They will preach to poor things to stand for God and his truths and not to yield a hair for the saving of their lives; and yet, they yield and comply themselves; and when they come before enemies, never a word of a testimony before them, but pass the sworn covenant and work of reformation in silence, and for fear of their lives will not hit them on the sore. Indeed they will wale* their words so, as they may not give their enemies offence. You condemn us, because we do that, which onte a day you would have accounted it your honour to do ; and say, that • i. e. Choose or select. ANDREW PITILLOCH. 333 we are all distracted, and have distracted notions in our heads. And say you so ? Wilt thou tell me, man, if thou thinkest that a distracted notion, to confess the covenant and work of reformation ? But you will say, it is not for tliat, that I lay down my life, but for the subscribing of that paper : — and I do think it well worth the sealing with my blood ; and will you tell me what could we do less ? You ran away p.nd left the work, and the enemies were carrying all before them ; and we durst not but leave a testimony against them. My heart was like to bleed, when I saw enemies carry the day, and robbing the Lord of his rights, his crown and kingdom, and not so much as one to move their tongue against them, and say, that is ill done that they have done. I leave it to God and your own conscience, whether or not it be duty to contend for truth this day, when it is so much neglected. I leave my testimony against you and your hearers, and the joiners with you, aye and until they repent. I bid you repent and come off. and witness for the Lord ; and if you will not do it, as sure as God is in heaven, he will be about with you ; escape who will, ye will not escape ; for it is like he will begin at the sanctuary. Take warning in time, I leave it on you now, when I am going into eternity ; for, I am persuaded, this is the way to the kingdom of heaven ; for the Lord hath confirmed it to my soul, and hath made my life a sweet life to me. O read Isaiah xli. for it was sweet to me when I was taken, — and O that I had as many lives to lay down for him as there are hairs on my head, I would think them all too little ! 0 what is my life ? Nothing in comparison of his glory. O wo to you, idle shepherds, for ye deceive poor things ! • If it were possible,' 1 think, ' ye would deceive the very elect ;' you take God to be your witness, that ye are in his way yet, and have not quit one hoof; but your practice condemns you. You may read Malachi ii. 1 — 3. ' And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you. If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory to my name, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings : yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.' Therefore, ' behold I will corrupt your seed, and spread dung upon your faces, even the dung of your solemn feasts, and one shall take you away with it.' Matt. vii. 15, 16. ' Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves : ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles ?' And that xxxiv. of Ezek. ver. 2. ' Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds of Israel, that do feed themselves, — should not the shepherds feed the flocks.' I leave my testimony against them that say, We hold our principles of men, and that we die for pleasing men ; but it is not so, for I never thought that little of my life as to lay it down for the pleasing of any ; for it is a most base aspersion of some, cast on us, because our practice con- demns theirs, and they can get no other thing to brand us with but that. And glory to the Lord, the contrary is seen both by our practices, and our through-bearing : and it is made out, that we hold our principles of none, but of God and his word. 33* TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " I leave my testimony against the four men in the Canongate tolbooth, or any other that join with them, for wronging the holy and sweet Scriptures. Some brand me with this, that I am of their judgment ; which thing I exceedingly abhor and detest, as the mire in the streets : and I count them guilty to death, for wronging of the Scriptures. If we had judges in the land, that were for God, they should not live. 1 leave my testimony against that tyrant on the throne, and all his underlings ; and, I say, it will never be right with our land, ' till Haman and his ten sons be hung up before the sun.' I leave my testimony against them that rule as judges; and I leave my blood on the assizers, doomster, soldiers, and all of them, and all that acknowledge or aid them as magistrates, ay and until they repent. I leave my testimony against all enemies of all sorts ; and against all sorts of compliance in less or more, and against all that has been done against the work of God these twenty years bygone ; against the test, and compliance with, or compearing before God's enemies in less or more. I leave my testimony against the ministers and professors in Fife, for the wrongs they have done to my lovely Lord and his sweet cause ; and my head shall be a standing witness against them, and preach to them from Cupar tolbooth, aye and until they repent. As for any thing that they have done to me, I freely forgive them, and pray that the Lord may forgive them. I leave my testimony against all them that will not hear Mr. Donald Cargill, and own him as a faithful minister of the gospel, and none but he is faithful this day. I leave my testimony to the holy and sweet scriptures, winch, many a day I have been refreshed with ; I bless the Lord, that ever I could read a line of them. Now, I adhere to the faithful preached gospel, and to all that our worthies have done, which I need not particularly mention here. " And you that are the people of the Lord, O be ye busy and improve your time, and make use of your Bibles, while you have them, for it is like there may be a bonfire made of them yet, as well as of the Covenant. And covenant with Him and contend for him to the utmost of your power ; for, I have found more of his sweet love, in contending for him, than ever I got in prayer, or hearing the word. O his sweet work ! let it not slip through your fingers. Jt is like ye will have sad days of it, when I am gone. Popery is begun, and it is likely to overspread the whole land, and there is none to move their tongue against it, although the land be sworn in 6olemn oath against it. O Sirs! 'lift up your voice for the remnant that is left.' Fast and pray, cry and weep, let not the apple of your eye cease, the wrath is like to be great, that will overtake us. O cry, that the days may be shortened, lor the elect's sake, lest no flesh should be saved. O look out for sad days, dear friends ; it may be you will get the saddest stroke that ever a poor land was trysted with : ye may read through the Scriptures, and ye will find what judgments followed such sins, — pestilence, sword, and fnmine. — . which, ye may look for. I leave it on you, that ye be not alack- banded, for it may come to that, that ' the tender and delicate women ANDREW PITILLOCH. 335 may eat their own children for straitness, in the siege.' It is to be feared, that the plagues that are coming on Scotland, for a broken and burnt covenant, will make their ears to tingle that hear of them ; but I will not be to see it. The Lord is taking me away from the evil to come, which was often my desire ; for the sad hearts that ministers and professors have made me, with their complying and wronging his glory, made me oft wish to be away ; and now it does not trouble me to lay down my life in your presence this day. O it is sweet to be a sufferer for truth ! I wonder what doth ail the generation to scare at him or his sweet cross ; for there is no cause of rueing or wearying, for all that is come. There is a beauty in holiness. O ! commend him, Sirs ! O bless and praise him that ever he honoured such a wretch as I am, to be a martyr for his sweet truth ! O sweet honour he puts on poor things ! O Sirs, cast in your lot with the suffering remnant that this day is in the furnace. Sink and swim with his church. O prefer Jerusalem to your chief joy ! But O be persuaded to come and taste of his goodness : This is the way, although the whole world should condemn it. It will not be the learned clergy, or great heads of wit, that he will honour with carrying on his work, for they have all denied him. There are none of the ministers that will witness for him, nor yet any that the Lord has bestowed great parts on; their .wit leads them by the cross, and beyond suffering. They will not suffer if petition- ing will do it, or hiring of advocates, or learned speakers ; they can put in petitions, and say, They never intended the death of any man, but in the defence of their life ; but never a word of the defence of the gospel, the work of reformation, or the sworn covenant. Nay, if they had done that, their life would go. But they were bound by covenant to own and maintain religion against Popery and Prelacy, Quakerism, Indulgence, and whatsoever else is contrary to sound doctrine, with their lives in their hands ; and to quit with all ' for the faith once delivered to the saints.' And though they never mention a word of all this, yet they will say, they came clearly off. But I say, now when I am going into eternity, that God's wrath will be on such a liberty, and God will count with them for what they have done against his honour ; for there can none come clearly out from among their hands, that are once before them, without wronging his glory. O fear and tremble, Sirs ! you that get the favour of God's enemies, and yield your conscience to the lusts of men. I leave it on all persons, now when I am to appear before my Judge, that they do nothing but what is according to the holy and sweet Scriptures ; take them to be your rule, and go no farther than they allow you. They do not bid you petition enemies for your liberty, nor yet hire advocates. " Now, my advice to you that are taken prisoners, is, that you seek no favour of God's enemies ; black not paper with them, in good, cheap, nor dear ; stand for your sweet Lord, with your life in your hand ; own and avouch him to be ' King and Head of his own church. Count not your life dear unto you, when it comes in competition with truth. And now, as for you that are the poor 336 TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. seekers of the Lord, O act faith on him, give him much credit. Live as brethren, dwell in unity ; let peace and truth be among you ; but good Lord, let never peace be without truth. Keep up fellow- ship and society meetings ; for my soul hath been often refreshed in the fellowship of the saints. O stand for your despised Lord, and his wronged glory. " Now, I being straitened for want of time, it being short, I forbear, and bid you ' be strong in the Lord, and the power of his might.' Now, farewell my dear friends; farewell holy and sweet Scriptures; farewell sun, moon, and stars ; farewell sweet reproaches and crosses for my sweet Lord Jesus ; farewell all things in time, reading, praying, and all duties ; farewell my dear wife, the Lord be to you better than ten husbands. Glory be to his great name, that made me so sweetly to submit to his will, whatever he trysted me with. Farewell mother and sisters, and all relations ; farewell all my Christian acquaintances for a while ; farewell sweet society in Fife, the Lord's blessing be on you all. And now, welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; welcome sweet company of angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect ; welcome everlasting songs of praise. Now, into thy hands, holy Father, 1 commit my spirit. Sic sub— ANDREW PITILLOCH."* XII. DONALD CARGILL. [Tew names are so prominent in the history of the Scottish persecution as that of Donald Cargill. He was born in the neighbourhood of Aberdeen, in 1610, and was sent to pursue his studies for the ministry at the University of St. Andrews. Having at length received license, he was called to the Barony Parish, Glasgow ; and in this situation remained till the establishment of Prelacy in 1662. Ahout this period he became particularly ohnoxious to the dominant party in the state ; and henceforth his life was one of continual jeopardy and peril. After having frequently escaped, in the most dangerous circumstances, he was apprehended in January 1669. Upon this occasion, however, he was liberated by the interest of his friends ; and during the ten years subsequent, was diligent, as opportunity offered, in preaching the gospel in the fields. He was at the battle of Bothwell, and received several wounds ; and having sided with what is generally styled the stricter party among the Presbyterians, he afterwards united with Richard Cameron, in preaching against the Indulgence and other contested points. He is especially famous for having excommunicated the King and his principal officers, in the year 1680. In October that year, a reward of 5000 merks, was offered for his person ; and in the following summer he was apprehended at St. John's Kirk, Lanarkshire, by a party of dragoons, under the command of Irvine • Cloud of Witucstes, DONALD CARGILL. 337 of Bonshaw. What followed may be easily conceived. He was brougbt before tbe Council and examined, first on the 15th, and then again on tbe 19th of July, 1681. On the 26th of that month be was, with some others, tried by the Justiciary, and being found guilty, was executed on tbe following day.]] 1. His Testimony. " This is tbe most joyful day that ever I saw in my pilgrimage on earth ; my joy is now begun, which I see shall never be interrupted. I see both my interest, and His truth, and the sureness of the one, and the preciousness of the other. It is near thirty years since He made it sure. ; and since that time, (though there has fallen out much sin, yet) I was never out of an assurance of mine interest, nor long out of sight of bis presence. He has dandled me, and kept me lively, and never left me behind, though I was oft-times turning back. O He has showed the wonderful preciousness of bis grace, not only in the first receiving thereof, but in renewed and multiplied pardons ! I have been a man of great sins, but be has been a God of great mercies. And now, through his mercies, I have a conscience as sound and quiet, as if I bad never sinned. It is long since I could have adventured on eternity, through God's mercy and Christ's merits ; but death remained somewhat terrible, and that is now taken away ; and now death is no more to me, but to cast myself into my husband's arms, and to lie down with him. And however it be with me at the last, though I should be straitened by God, or interrupted by men, yet all is sure, and shall be well. I have followed holiness, I hav.e taught truth, and I have been most in the main things ; not that I thought the things concerning our times little, but that I thought none could do any thing to purpose in God's great and public matters, till they were right in their conditions. And O that, all had taken this method, for then there had been fewer apostasies. The religion of the land, and zeal for the land's engagements, are coming to nothing, but a supine, loathsome, and hateful formality ; and there cannot be zeal, liveliness and lightness, where people meet with persecution, and want heart-renovation. My soul trembles to think, how little of regeneration there is amongst the ministers and professors of Scotland. O the ministers of Scotland, how have they betrayed Christ's interest, and beguiled souls ! ' They have not entered in themselves, and them that were entering in, they hindered.' They have sold the things of Christ, and liberties of his church, for a short and cursed quiet to themselves, which is now near an end : and they are more, one and at peace, with God's enemies, after they have done all their mischiefs, than they were at first, when they had put hand to them. And I much fear that though there were not one minister on all the earth, He would make no more use of them ; but there will be a dreadful iudgment upon themselves, and a long curse upon their posterity. " As to our professors, my council to them is, that they would see well to their own regeneration, for tbe most part of them has that yet to do ; and yet let never one think, that he is in the right exercise of true religion, that has not a zeal to God's public glory. There is a No. 23. ' Z 333 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. small remnant in Scotland, that my soul has had its greatest comfort on earth from. I wish your increase in holiness, number, love, religion, and righteousness ; and wait you, and cease to contend with these men that are gone from us, for there is nothing that shall convince them but judgment. Satisfy your consciences, and go forward ; for the nearer you are to God, and the further from all others, whether stated enemies, or lukewarm ministers and professors, it shall be the better. My preaching has occasioned persecution, but the want of it will., I fear, occasion worse. However, I have preached the truths of God, to others, as it is written, ' I believed, and so I preached ;' and I have not an ill conscience in preaching truth, whatever has followed ; and this day I am to seal with my blood all the truths that ever I preached : and what is controverted of that which I have been professing, shall ere long, be manifested by God's judgments in the consciences of men. I had a sweet calmness of spirit, and great submission as to my taking, the providence of God was so eminent in it ; and I conld not but think, that God judged it necessary for his glory, to bring me to such an end, seeing he loosed me from such a work. My soul woidd be exceedingly troubled anent the remnant, were it not that I think the tine will be short. Wherefore hold fast, for this is the way that is now persecuted. " As to the causes of my suffering : the main is, ' Not acknowledging the present authority, a3 it is established in the supremacy and explanatory act.' This is the magistracy that I have rejected, that was invested with Christ's power. And seeing that power taken from Christ, which is his glory, and made the essential of the crown, I thought this was, as if I had seen one wearing my husband's garments, after he had killed him. And seeing it is made the essential of the crown, there is no distinction we can make, that can free the conscience of the acknowledger, from being a partaker of this sacrilegious robbing of God, and it is but to cheat our consciences, to acknowledge the civil power, for it is not civil power only that is made of the essence of the crown : and seeing they are so express, we ought to be plain ; for otherwise, it is to deny our testimony, and consent to this robbery."* 2. His Last Words. After he was come to the scaffold, — standing with his back towards 'he ladder, he fixed his eyes upon the multitude, and desired their attention ; and after singing a part of the cxviii. Psalm, from verse 16th to the close, he looked up to the windows on both sides of the scaffold with a smiling countenance, requesting the people to compose themselves, and hear a few words that, he had to say, "which, (said he) I shall direct to three sorts of folk, and shall endeavour to be brief. First, all you that are going on in persecuting the work and people of God, O beware, for the Lord's sake ! and refrain from such courses, as you would escape wrath eternally, which will be a torment far beyond what we are to endure by the hands of cruel and bloody murderers."' Upon this the drums were beaten, at which he smiling said, "Now yo * Cloud of Witnesses. DONALD CARGILL. 339 see we have not liberty to speak, or at least to speak what we would ; but God knowetb our hearts. But, 0 ye that are called ministers, and professors of the church of Scotland, who are wearied in waiting upon the Lord, and are turned out of his way, and run into a course of gross defection and backsliding ; truly, for my part, I tremble to think what will become of you ; for either you shall be punished with sore affliction, I mean, in your consciences, because of sin, or else you shall be tormented eternally without remedy, which shall be shortly, if mercy prevent it not, which, I pray God, may be the mercy of all these to whom he has thoughts of peace. All ye that are the poor remnant, who fear sinning more than suffering, and are begging for his returning to Scotland to wear his own crown, and reign as King in Zion, in spite of all who will oppose him, whether devils or men : I say to you that are thus waiting, wait on, and ye shall not be disappointed : for either your eyes shall see it, or else ye shall die in the faith of it, that be shall return, and ' if you suffer with him, you shall also reign with him,' which reign shall be glorious and eternal. I come now to tell you for what I am brought here to die, and to give you an account of my faith, which I shall do as in the sight of the living God, before whom I am shortly to stand. First, I declare I am a Christian, a Protestant, a Presbyterian in my judgment, and whatever hath been said of me, I die testifying against Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and all manner of defection from the truth of God, and against all who make not the Scriptures, which are the word of God, their rule, that so they may commend Christ and his way to strangers, by a holy and gospel conversation. The cause for which I am sentenced to die here this day, is my disowning of authority in the unlawful exercise thereof, when they, instead of ruling for God, are fighting against him, and encroaching upon his prerogatives, by that woful supremacy which my soul abhors, and which I have testified against since I was apprehended ; and now again, I disown all supremacy over the consciences of men, and liberties of Christ's church." Whereupon, the drums were again beaten, and he kept silence a little, and then said, "Of this subject I shall say no more ; only I think the Lord's quarrel against this land is, because there has not been so much heart-religion and soul-exercise among either ministers or professors, as there seemed to be, when the land owned Christ and his truths. I wish there were more true conversion, and then there would not be so much backsliding, and, for fear of suffering, living at ease, when there are so few to contend for Christ and his cause. " Now, for my own case, I bless the Lord, that for all that hath been said of me, my conscience doth not condemn" me ; I do not say, I am free of sin, but I am at peace with God through a slain Mediator ; and I believe that there is no salvation, but only in Christ ; and I abhor that superstitious way of worshipping of angels and saints, contrary unto the word of God ; as also I abhor the leaning to self-righteousness, and Popish penances. I bless the Lord, that these thirty years, and more, I have been at peace with God, and was never shaken loose of it ; and now I am as sure of my interest in Christ, and peace with 340 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. God, as all within this Bible, and the Spirit of God, can make me ; and I am no more terrified at death, nor afraid of hell, because of sin, than if I had never had sin ; for all my sins are freely pardoned, and washed thoroughly away, through the precious blood and intercession of Jesus Christ ; and I am fully persuaded, that this is His wav for which I suffer, and that he will return gloriously to Scotland, but it will be terrifying to many ; therefore I entreat you, be not discouraged at the way of Christ, and the cause for which I am to lay down my life, and step into eternity, where my soul shall be as full of him, as it can desire to be. And now, this is the sweetest and most glorious day that ever my eyes did see. Now I entreat you, study to know and believe the Scriptures, which are the truths of God, these I have preached, and do firmly believe them. O ! prepare for judgments, for they shall be sore and sudden. Enem'ws are now enraged against the way and people of God, but ere long they shall be enraged one against another, to their own confusion." At this the drums were beaten a third time. And then being taken to the north side of the scaffold, he stood a little, during the time that one of the rest was singing. And then being carried to the south side of the scaffold, he prayed. Thence he was brought to the east side of the scaffold, and then he said, " I entreat you prepare presently for a 6troke, for God will not sit with all the wrongs done to him, but will suddenly come and make inquisition for the blood that has been shed in Scotland." Then he was commanded to go up the ladder, and as he set his foot on the ladder, he said, " The Lord knows I go up this ladder with less fear and perturbation of mind, than ever I entered the pulpit to preach." And when he was up, he set himself down, and said, " Now I am near to the getting of my crown, which shall be sure ; for I bless the Lord, and desire all of you to bless him, that he hath brought me here, and makes me triumph over devils, and men, and sin ; they shall wound me no more. I forgive all men the wrongs they have done to me, and pray the Lord may forgive all the wrongs tliat any of the elect has done against him. I pray, that sufferers may be kept from sin, and helped to know their duty." Then having prayed a little ivitliin himself, he lifted up the napkin, and said, "Farewell all relations and friends in Christ; farewell acquaintance, and all earthly enjoy- ments ; farewell reading and preaching, praying and believing, wanderings, reproaches, and sufferings. Welcome, joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Welcome, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; into thy hands I commit my spirit." Then he prayed a little, and the execu- tioner turned him over praying.* Because this dying testimony and last speech are but short, which was occasioned through want of time, and the persecutors' severity, who took his larger testimony from him the day before he died, (paper and ink being conveyed to him secretly, by a cord through the win- dow, the night before his death,) it is thought proper to subjoin these following letters of his (they being all of public concern), to gift a more full discovery of the testimony which he held : and particularly, • Cloud of Witnesses. DONALD CARGILL. 3 God's work, cause, covenant, and people. 4thly, I leave my testi- mony againt all that contribute of their means, for the downbearing of God's works and people, and upholding his and their enemies, — seeing it is so expressly against the Covenant, and they in that case being called to suffer, and not to sin, (to which practice is annexed a gracious promise ; — ' He that loseth life, lands, goods, or relations, for Christ's sake, and the gospel's, shall receive an hundred fold in this life, and in the world to come life everlasting,') — and against nil that otherwise waste and abuse them to God's dishonour) but only using this world, as not abusing it: for, all within the nation I dedicated and given awav by Covenant to God, and this being often renewed, calls all men to be tender of the oath of God, and see how they administer their stewardship'; for to him they must be account- able. But, alas! for that account, which many of them have to make. 1 leave my testimony against the rendering up the power of the kirk and stale into the hands of malignants. 1 do really tl they have been all dreaming, or wilfully or wickedly sinning againtt ■ [i '>■ o! ilr ir own conscience*. Well, God btth di toeni WILLIAM CUTHIL. 361 since, in an ugly manner ; and now they sin more and more : they hold fast deceit, they refuse to let it go, and will not return. It is the old professors and ministers, I mean, in a special manner ; hut more particularly the ministers : for when the time was to speak, they held their peace, and slipped from their Master's back, without so much as testifying against the horrid sins then committed ; and did never to this day make up the hedge, and build that which they brake down : and, as I am informed, a great part have been dreadful compliers with, and conformers to the sinful courses of this aposta- tizing generation; — yea open persecutors of their more godly and faithful brethren, ministers and professors ; and now, they are the greatest opposers of the work, and persecutors of the godly, both under hand, and to their faces ; and instead of edifying and binding up the weak, strive to break all they can, especially when they are among the enemies' hands. In the last place, I bear my testimony to the cross of Christ, as the only desirable up-making and rich lot of the people of God this day in Scotland. O it is the portion of poor things, who desire to seek God, and design honestly in the land ! I think, they want a good bargain of it that want it ; and I think they want nothing that have it, and get leave to carry it heart- somely, and His presence under it. I would advise you all to take it on ; I dare say thus much for your encouragement, that it is easy and sweet. There is no better way to carry the cross right than to cast all our care upon Christ, and trust him for all things, and use our single endeavours in the matter, and speak what he bids us, and obey his voice in all things. Now, I declare I hate all ungodliness. Now, farewell all things, wherein I have been troubled with a wicked world, and evil heart of misbelief, — a subtile, powerful, and malicious devil, — and tempted with a company of men, who have shaken off the fear of God. Now, welcome, Lord Jesus, into thy hand I commit my spirit. Sic sub— WILLIAM THOMSON."* XV. WILLIAM CUTHIL. [William Cuthil was by profession a seaman, and belonged to the town of Borrowstounness, in Linlithgowshire. He was condemned like the others, chiefly if not wholly, on his own confession. He was apprehended, it seems, by some of the Earl of Mar's men, armed with a dirk and a pair of pistols. This was enough to create suspicion against him — and having, when examined, stated it as his opinion, that the king deserved death for breaking the covenant, and that those who killed the primate, had the fear ot God before their eyes — he was found guilty, condemned, and executed, with the four preceding witnesses, on the 27th of July, ib81. h may just be added, that the five individuals who were * Cloud cf Witnesses, C6"2 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. thus in one day brought to the scaffold, suffered in the order in which we have here arranged their Testimonies, and that the heads of (he three first were placed on the Nether Bow, and those of Cuthil and Thomson, on the West Port of Edinburgh.] * " I here, as one ready to step into eternity, and one of the subjects of a kingdom covenanted to God, and one of Christ's sufferers, enter my protestation, and give in my testimony against all that hath been done against Christ's reigning, and the thriving of his kingdom in Scotland, since the beginning of the work of reformation. And more particularly, against all the several steps of backsliding : a«, " 1st, The admitting Charles Stuart to the exercise of kingly power, -j- and crowning him, while they knew he carried heart enmitv against the work and people of God, and while in the mean time there was so much of his treachery made known to the parliament, by his commissionating James Graham earl of Montrose to burn and slay the subjects of this kingdom, that would not side with, or would withstand him in the prosecuting of his wickedness; which is recorded in the Causes of Wrath, and the Remonstrances of the gentlemen, ministers, and commanders attending the forces in the West, in the year 1650. " 2diy, Against the unfaithfulness, connivance and compliance of ministers, and others, at the wickedness perpetrated in the land during the time of Cromwell's usurpation; for, as I am informed, few testified against him, for trampling all the interests of Jesus Christ under his feet, in giving a toleration to all sectaries (whereof the abominable and blasphemous quakers are a witness, whose religion is nothing but refined paganism at the best, yea, I think it is much worse) which was to set up their thresholds beside Chris's, and their altars beside the Lord's, in a land covenanted to God, never to Buffer the like, and lying under the same bonds. " 3dly, Against the Public Resolutions, for the bringing in mabgnants to the places of power and trust; which have been the rod in Gods hand above the heads and upon the backs of God's people, ever since they lusted after them ; and now, I suppose, tliev are convinced (at least some of them) that God hath given them on finger-ends for it : but we have not seen them confessing before and his people, in public, (for it should be as public a^ the sin * This Testimony having a largo preamble, wherein he gives his private opinion concerning some things tlicn in debate, which do not relate t<> the causes of his suffering, and which are of no use now — these vain janglinga and unprofitable strifes of words being Ceased — and his opinion about them not being a testimony for the truth, nor espoused by any of the godly a> ■ head of suffering or contending for; the saoowngcra of this work have thought fit thai the preamble be passed by, and the testimony itself only published. — ( of Witnessa. t This ought not to be understood of the planner of his coronation, a I is owned by all Presbyterians to have been most consonant to God's woid, *fid tbe national constitution of Scotland, but of his disposition and practice, wltleh was too evidently contradictory to the sacred engsgernenta he came under.— Cloud of WitiMssa. WILLIAM CUTHIL. 363 was) that ' they have added this sin to all their other sins, in asking them a king, whereas the Lord was their King.' "• 4th ly, I bear my testimony against that unparalleled practice of ministers, in quitting their charges ; and that, which doth mot e aggravate their guiit, at his command, who had no power to act, nor right to he obeyed, neither in that, nor yet in civil things ; for they he had unkinged himself; and their going away without almost ever a testimony who should have been the main men that should have told the people what to do. Oh and a. as, for that practice ! Yet they were put away without being convicted of any crime done against him ; but is it not against presbyterian principles, that a king should depose ministers of the gospel, tho' he had a just right, all that time, to rule the civil state? For it was without controversy that he had imprisoned some of Christ's ministers, without being ever summoned, or treated by any legal procedure, (as Naphtali records,) and usurped the ecclesiastic officers' seat to depose the rest of them. " 5tl.ly, I hold it as one of the causes of God's wrath against the land, and one of the causes of God's breaking and scattering that poor handful of men at Pentland, that renewed the covenant at Lanark, and did not keep his interest out of it ; for it only binds us to its maintainers, not to its destroyers. " 6thly, I bear testimony against the procedure of the ministers, when they came to the fields again after Pentland, because they did not first begin with public and private fasts, and make up the hedge and gap for the church of God in Scotland : and then only preaching to cases of conscience, and not catechising the people, nor informing them in the duty of the day ; but did let them pay curates' stipends, and other revenues of that nature. But I think, they were engaged to God under the pain of losing soul and body, in the day of God's fearful judgment, to tell the people to chase them out of the land. Seeing prelacy was abjured and cast out like an abominable branch, as it was, — were they not worthy to die the death, that would, against so much light, defile God's land with that abjured abomination ? But forsooth, to this day, they must be fed like birds in a cage upon the fattest in the land, and the spoils of Christ's crown. " 7thly, I bear my testimony against that course carried on by the ministers ; their conniving at, countenancing of, and complying with these indulged, that have quit Christ, and taken on with another master. O the treacherous dealers have dealt very treacherously ! Yea, they were open persecutors of the really godly, thereafter for their faithfulness, and were about to stop their mouth, and to makfe that indulgence the door, by which all the ministers were to enter into their ministry. " 8thly, I bear my testimony against their treachery at Bothwell- bridge, in stopping the drawing up of the Causes of God's Wrath, and keeping a fast day, and changing their declaration ; and in hindering the purging of the army : and to mend all, they raised the ugliest clamour and report among them that minded and spoke honestly and truly, that could be. " 9thly, I bear my testimony, against their treachery at Edinburgh 364> TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. when a proclamation came out to tho view of the world, blaspheming God's true religion, and declaring that all that belonged to God was due to Charles Stuart, which is the plain sense of the act ; and they eat in an assembly, and voted for a liberty coming from him to preach by ; though the very same day that that was proclaimed, two of their more worthy and faithful brethren were murdered ! ! I think this people are grown like brute beasts. O how much pomp and jovialty was that day, in rejoicing over the ruins of the work of God and his people, yea, over himself ! There was first a scaffold made on the east side of the cross, and a green table set down on it, and two green forms ; and then the cross was covered ; and about twelve hours of the day, the pursuivants, and lyon-heralds, and lyon king at arms, and eight trumpeters went up to the cross, and fourteen men on the foresaid scaffold, seven of them with red gowns of velvet, and seven with black, and then that act was read, and at night the bells were ringing, and bonfires burning. O I think it was a wonder, that God made not all the town where such wickedness was acted against and in despite of him, to sink to the lowest hell. " lOthly, I leave my testimony against them, for running away and leaving God's flock after Bothwell-bridge, when they had drawn them to the fields : the Lord be judge this day between them and his flock, and let their sentence come out from before his presence, and let his eyes behold those things that are equal. O their skirts are full of the blood of souls ! They say, the people hath left them, but it is more evident than that it can be gainsayed, that they have left the people. Does not the Scripture 6ay, that they who are in the watchmen's place, should warn the people when they see the sword come ; and have not the ministers of Scotland had the first hand in all these courses of backsliding ? Should they be pure with unclean hands, and the unjust balance (so to say) and the bag of deceitful weights? Well, their sins are known to be no more sins of weakness, but sins of wickedness ! " llthly, I bear my testimony against them, because they did not join with their brethren in the work of the day, in preaching to the people in the fields, with Mr. Richard Cameron and Mr. Donald Cargill. And will ye tell me, although there were never one to open their mouth in that thing, does not the work of the one confound them to silence, and the work of the other justify and plead for them? But there is one thing, I have learned from the practice of ;ill this people, and God's dealing with them. They have sought their own, and one another's credit, more than God's, and he hath discovered their wickedness in their ugliness. 12thly, I bear my testimony against their obstinacy, in refusing to return and amend their manners. They held fast wickedness, and refuse to let it go, and that against the light of Cod's word, their own consciences, their vows and engagements to God, the cries of b|oo ran ding to our God's and our own rights. This paper I leave as my li'stimony, and formed and deliberate thoughts; and request all to hear with faults of weakness, especially when the sword of the adver- sary is above a man's head. Now, farewell world, and all things in it \ Welcome Lord Jesus Christ, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Sic suh— WILLIAM CUTHIL." * XVI. ROBERT GARNOCK. [This man was born in Stirling, of decent and pious parents ; and being educated in the principles of the Church of Scotland, fre- quently attended on the ministrations of its? outed ministers. lie. thus became an object of suspicion to the supporters of prelacy, and being apprehended (though no charge could be brought against him) was with difficulty liberated by the interference of a friend. He still, however, persevered in his nonconformity, which he evinced by refusing to pay cess and by attending on conventicles, and , having been present at one which was dispersed by the military, in the neighbourhood of Fintry, on the 18th of May, 1679, he was taken while returning to Stirling that night. He was, stson after sent to Edinburgh with some others, and confined with the prison- ers taken at Bothwell ; and having steadily refused the bond, he was at length taken out of the Church-yard and put into the iron house of the tolbooth. There, he was kept till October 1st, 1681, when he was, for the second time, brought before the council ; and having disowned their authority, and that of the king and his government, he was indicted with five others to stand trial on the 7th, and not- withstanding their solemn protestation to the contrary, they were brought in guilty, sentenced, and with one exception, executed on the 10th of that month. Here follows his Testimony.] Mex and brethren, — I, having received a sentence of death from men, for adhering to the truth, against Popery, Prelacy, Erastian- ism and Indulgences first and last, and all that was contrary to sound doctrine — am now to leave a line behind me, as the Lord will help me to write, and to tell you, That however this generation may con- demn me, as having a hand in my own death, I declare that it is not so ; for I die a Presbyterian in my judgment. For I considering, how solemnly Scotland was bound to defend truth against all encroach- ments made thereon, with their lives and liberties, and how thev of this nation had so easily broken their vows and engagements ; and then seeing through the scriptures, how deep covenant-breaking draws, * Cloud of Witnesses. No. 25. 2 B 370 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and what a great and heinous sin this is in the sight of God, — could do no less than give in my protestation against all their proceedings, in their hell-hatched acts, that were so contrary to the word of God, and our sworn covenants ; and it is for that, that I am come in your presence this day, to lay down this life of mine ; for which I bless the Lord that ever he honoured the like of me with a gibbet and a bloody winding-sheet, for his noble, honourable and sweet cause. O will ye love him, Sirs ! O he is well worth the loving, and quitting all for ! O for many lives to seal the sweet cause with ! If I had as many lives as there are hairs in my head, I would think them all too little to be martyrs for truth. I bless the Lord, I do not suffer unwillingly, nor by constraint, but heartily and cheerfully. O but the Lord hath taken great pains on me, to train me up for this great work ! i bless his holy name, that ever he counted me worthy of such honour ; his love hath been to me beyond many. I have been a long time a prisoner, and have been altered of my prison : I was among, and in the company of the most part who suffered since Bothwell ; and was in company with many ensnaring persons, tho' I do not question but they were godly folk ; and yet the Lord kept me from hearkening to their counsel. Glory, glory be to his holy and sweet name. O but it is many a time a wonder, how I have done such and such things ! but it is he that hath done it : he hath done all things well, both in me and for me ; holy is his name ! O if I could get my royal King Jesus cried up, and all the world down ! O will you fall in love with Christ ! friends, — what ails you at him, and his sweet cause ? I can assure you, he is no hard master to serve. 0 he is lovely ! ' He is white and ruddy, the chief among ten thousands.' I desire none of you to think, I suffer ' as an evil-doer, or as a busybody in other men's matters ;' or, that it is out of blind zeal, that I am come here this day : no, for it was after serious consideration that I did it, and after great weights and pressures. It was great grief of soul to me, to see my Master's truth so wronged, trampled on and abused by a God-daring generation, and none to speak for him. And now my Lord is highly honouring me for that ; glory to his great name for it ; — for, he hath honoured me, and my neighbours with irons, and the tliieves-hole, which were sweet and refreshful to us ; and then honoured us wonderfully to go in before these hloody men, and get our sentence*. " Our interrogations are known ; — I have not time to write them. But I disowned them, for disowning the Covenant, and adhered to my protestation given in against them : and now am 1 come to the Gallowiee, to lay down my life, and to have mv head cut, off, and put upon a port! It is known, how barbarously I have been used by them, and how honourahlv BUch a silly wretch as I am, hath heeu carried thro' : glory be to His sweet name for it. Indeed, it was tlie bargain betwixt Christ and mv soul lung since, that thro' his strength 1 should be for him, and at his bidding, whatever piece of work he put into my band ; and he promised, ' that his grace should lie sufficient forme;' and -that bis strength should he .Men in my weakness ;' and that go whitlnr I would, he would go with mo, — ' thro' lire and ROBERT GARNOCK. 371 water,' — the flames would not scorch me, nor the ' waters overflow me.' O take him, Sirs ! for ' he is faithful who hath promised,1 and he will perform. Now, as a dying martyr for Christ, I would leave it on all of you to make haste, and prepare for strokes, for they are at hand ; and do not think, that they will not come, hecause they are delayed. No, He will come, and that ' as a thief in the night,' and will surprise many of you, if not all : ' watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation.' I would not have you secure, but take warning in time, before his wrath break forth. He hath waited long on Scotland's repentance ; it is like, he will not bear much longer. Do not sleep, as do others, but rise, make haste, ' get on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand.' It is dangerous now to be out of God's gate; it is not good siding with God's enemies: it will be dangerous to be found in their camp. I would not be in their stead for all the gold of Ophir, who have saved their lives with prejudice to the work and people of God. I would have them take warning. They say, they have done nothing, but what was lawful and right ; but they commit transgression, and (with the whore) wipe their mouth, and say, ' they have done no evil.' Indeed they may put off men so, but they will not get God and their own consciences put off. They need never go about the bush, for I see not how any that are faithful, being once brought before them, can win honestly off; for if ye will but say, ye disown their authority, then your life must go. For they had as little to lay to my charge as to any, yet I could not win off with a good conscience, but to the gallows I must go ; and glory to His great name, who hath honoured me ; or that ever he gave me a head to be set on a port, for his sweet name and cause. Now, as for what I own or disown, I being straitened by reason of the want of time, cannot get it set down here ; and another thing I see, that martyrs' testimonies are of no value, and very lightly esteemed. " I give my testimony to the holy and sweet Scriptures, Covenants, Confession of Faith, which are according to the Scripture, Catechisms Larger and Shorter, the Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties, and to all that our worthies have done, in defence of the gospel, at Pentland, Loudon-hill, Bothwell-bridge, and Airs-moss ; to llutherglen Testimony, and Sanquhar Declaration, Ferry Papers, and Torwood Excommunication, the Fife Testimony, D ie, K le, and P s Protestations, and all that hath been done in defence of the gospel, wherever it hath been done. And I, as a dying martyr for the truth, give my testimony against all the encroachments on our Lord's rights, in less or more, — as Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and Indulgences first and last, and all that side with them. And I, as a dying witness for Christ, desire friends to the cause of Christ, to beware of them ; ' For, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. They will neither enter the kingdom of heaven themselves, nor will they suffer others to go in thereat.' Beware of their fair speeches, for they and the devil thought to have made me break with my lovely Lord Jesus Christ, that noble bargain betwixt him and mv soul. 0 ! but the professors of this generation 372 TESTIMONIES OE THE SCOTS WORTHIES. are evil and bitter against the sweet way of the Lord, and bis poor people. " Next, I give my testimony against all the enemies of God, and all that join with them, in paying cess, locality, militia-money, or whatever is for the strengthening of their hands. And now, I leave it again on you, that ye would not brand me with having a hand in my own death ; for I could not get my life saved, unless I had taken upon me all the blood of the people of God, and owned that as lawful authority which had taken away my dear brethren's lives ; and said, that it was just and right what they had done. And indeed, they seek no more of any, if they will but own them in what they do. They think, they are right enough in taking away our lives, when they who are called presbyterians own them, and their tyranny, to be authority. And now, when I am to go away, I would have you to lay to heart how deeply, owning of them draws, and how much of the wrath of God ye draw on you, in so doing. O Sirs! I would have you beware, and look what a weighty business it is ; and ' obey God rather than man.' I bless the Lord, I am this day to step out of time into eternity ; and I am no more troubled than if I were to take a marriage in the earth, and not so much. I bless the Lord, I have much peace of conscience in what I have done. O ! but I think it a very weighty business for me to be within twelve hours of eternity, and not troubled ! Indeed the Lord is kind, and hath trained me up for this day, and new I can want him no longer. I will get my fill of love this night ; for ' I will be with him in paradise, and get a new song put in my mouth, the song of Moses and of the Lamb ;' I will be in amongst ' the general assembly of the first-born,' and enjoy the sweet presence of God and his Son Jesus Christ, and ' the spirits of just men made perfect :' I am sure of it ! " O dear friends, I would, as one going to eternity, obtest you, that you make good earnest in religion, and be restless until you get a clearness of an interest in Christ ; for it is a dangerous time to live in the dark. I would have you consider what a weighty business it is, to deny the Lord of glory before men. There has strange things of this nature fallen out, in this our day. O ! look to yourselves, I would entreat you, to be for God, and he will be for you; confess him, and he will confess you. As good soldiers, endure hardness ; wax valiant in suffering. Resist unto blood, for it is the cause of God, that is at stake. O 1 there are none of you lamenting after God ; ah ! is there none of you that hath love to the Lord, and will take part with him, against all his enemies? () ! but it be sad to see you with such whole hearts, and so little grief among yon, for the robbery that the Lord of glory is getting. I declare, my Buffering is nothing; but, when I Ree you who are professors, what an unconcerned people ye are, it makes my soul bleed to see you in su< li a frame, when the church is in such a condition. I wish the Lord may help poor young ones, that are brought up under you with the want ol the gospel. O for the gospel back again to Scotland 1 Oh for one faithful minister in all the land! O but the barred be great, and no CERT G A KNOCK. 373 the labourers few ! As for my part, now when I am going into eternity, I declare, I see not, nor hear of a minister in all Scotland, who is at the duty the Lord calls for, at ministers' hands, in preaching against all sorts of sin : ' in season, and out of season, rebuking reproving, and exhorting.' As for my part, I cannot join with them who are not so. " Now, my Lord is bringing me to conformity with himself, and honouring me after my worthy pastor, Mr. James Guthrie ; although I knew nothing when he was alive ; yet the Lord hath honoured me to protest against popery, and to seal it with my blood ; and he honoured him to protest against prelacy, and to seal it with his blood. The Lord hath kept me in prison to this day for that end. His head is on one port of Edinburgh, and mine must go on another. Glory, glory to the Lord's holy and sweet name, for what he hath done for me. O set days apart, and bless his holy and never-enough- exalted name, for what he hath done for me. O Sirs ! his cross hath been all paved over with love all along, and it is sweeter now than ever. O will ye be persuaded to fall in love with the cross of royal Jesus ! O take him. Will ye be entreated to come and taste of his love ! O sweet lot this day, for me to go to a gibbet for Christ and his cause ! I think the thoughts of this do ravish my heart and soul, and make me to fall out in wondering, that I am within so few hours of that endless joy, that paradise, among these flowers and trees, that are on each side of that ' pure river, clear as crystal,' where the tree is, that ' bears twelve manner of fruits, and the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.' O that I could leave this weight upon you ; yea, with as great weight as it lies on my spirits, to see how few of you are travelling to that land. O be much above, and be here as strangers ; I mean, in respect of conformity to this world, though hated of it, and studying to live the life that our Lord hath commanded in his word : and ' suffer affliction with the people of God, rather than enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.' Now, I bless the Lord, I am not as many suspect me, thinking to win heaven by my suffering ; No, no : I know there is no winning of it, but through the precious blood of the Son of God. Now, ye who are the true seekers of God, and so the butt of the world's malice, O be diligent, and run fast ; time is precious : O make use of it, and act for God, contend for the truth, stand for God against all his enemies. Fear not the wrath of men. Love one another. Wrestle with God, mutually, in societies. ' Confess your faults one to another ;' pray with one another ; ' Reprove, rebuke, exhort one another in love.' Slight no commanded duty ; be faithful in your stations, as ye will be answerable in the great day 1 " Now, having no more time, I bid farewell to you all. Farewell holy and sweet Scriptures, wherewith I have been refreshed many a day. I would have you read much of them, and pray over them to the Lord, that ye may get hi3 blessing with, and the right use of them. O ! make use of your Bibles, my dear friends, so long as you have them. Seek not counsel from men. Follow none further than they hold by truth. Now I request you have a care; this 374 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. land is like to come under great errors. Now, farewell sweet reproaches for my lovely Lord Jesus, tho' onco they were not joyous, but grievous, yet now they are sweet ; I bless the Lord for it. I heartily forgive all men, for any thing they have said of me : I pray, that it may not be laid to their charge in the day of accounts. As for what they have done to God and his cause, I leave that to God and their own consciences. Farewell all Christian acquaintances and relations, father and mother, brethren and sisters; farewell sweet prison for my royal Lord Jesus Christ ; it is now at an end : fare- well all crosses of one sort and another; and so farewell every thing in time, reading, praying, and believing. Welcome eternal life, and the spirits of just men made perfect ; welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into thy hands I commit my spirit ! Sic sub ROBERT GARNOCK. * XVII. PATRICK FORMA N. [Of the history and character of this individual, we have no par- ticular account. He seems to have belonged to the parish and town of Alloa, but how or upon what occasion he was appre- hended, we have no means of knowing. He was on the 1st of October, along with Garnock and other four, sisted before the council ; where he confessed that a knife had been found upon him with this inscription, " For cutting tyrants' throats ;" and being asked, if it was, — to kill the king, he answered, " if the king be a tyrant why not cut his throat ?" He then proceeded to disown the government, and having adhered to these sentiments before the justiciary, he was forthwith condemned and sentenced along with the rest, to be executed on the 10th of October, 1681. Then' was this additional cruelty exercised against liim, that his right hand was ordered to be struck off before execution. His testimony is as follows.] " I thought it fit, being sentenced tc die within three days, to write this testimony, to show you, that I die not as a fool ; and 1 declare I am in my right mind, and not prodigal of my life, as Borne allege, but I love life as well as any, and would do as much to save it ; but when my life conies in competition with the truths of Jesus Christ, I date not buy it with the denial of the smallest truths (if nny may be called small) but know, that the least of the truth-, i re of greater moment than the whole world, and the inhabitants thereof. Now, therefore, do not asperse me when I am gone, with not b a presbyterian ; for tho' in great weakness, 1 am a presbyterian, both in profession and practice, tho' my failings be many. Ci 1st, I believe there is hut one God, Father, Son, and i ' ; one Redeemer, one way of salvation, — and that it i.~ thf • CloU'l of Witn< PATRICK FORMAN. 375 Jesus Christ, according to that word, John xxiv. 6. ' Jesus saith unto them, I am the way, tho truth and the life; no man cometh uuto the Father, but by me.' And likewise, I leave my testimony to the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments ; and my soul desires to bless the Lord, that ever they were in our mother tongue. My soul bath been refreshed in conversing with them, when the Spirit of the Lord has backed them ; but I knew likewise, they are but a killing letter without the Spirit: yet this I would advise you, as a dying martyr for Christ, to search the Scriptures, and seek the Lord's mind in them ; for there are none noble, but those who search the Scriptures ; and O that I could recommend them to you, as they have been sweet and refreshful to me ; yea, they are as a garden of sweet-smelling flowers ; in them are cures for all diseases, and remedies for all distempers ; yea, they commend themselves, they need none of my commendation. Make good use of them, while ye have them ; for if idolaters get their will, they will not be long amongst you ; I pray the Lord may prevent it. " 2dly, I leave my testimony to the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties. I bear my testimony to the National Covenant, and Solemn League and Covenant. Likewise, 1 adhere to all the faithful testimonies that have been given for the truth, since the year 1638; especially that Sanquhar Declaration, and Rutherglen Testimony, and the papers found on Henry Hall at the Queensferry, called the New Covenant ; and to the lawfulness of Torwood excommunication, and all the testimonies of the martyrs, who are gone before me, according to truth, both in fields, on scaffolds, and in the seas ; and likewise I leave my testimony to that poor persecuted remnant that are yet left as berries on the tops of the utmost branches, — wandering about, — being desolate, afflicted and tormented, — groaning under the sad yoke of tyranny. O Lord, deliver them in thy own way and time ; and encourage them now when there is no encouragement from men, and their eyes cannot behold their teachers. And now, my friends, I tell you, being within few hours to step out of time into eternity, that ye beware of casting aspersions on any of the Lord's people, for owning their duty, which is — avowing and declaring Jesus Christ to be King in Zion, head of his people, and only Lord of your consciences ; and declining all powers which are contrary to and inconsistent with our Lord's kingly power. And now I declare, I own magistracy, as it is an ordinance of God ; and offered my willing subjection unto them ; but when the magistrate becomes a tyrant by overturning the whole law of God, and the just laws of the nation, he or they being once covenanted to the contrary, then, I think it my duty, as I am bound by the Scripture, and our Covenants, and my own conscience, — to show, in my station, — my dis- like of the wrongs my lovely Lord and Master is getting ; for, as the Scripture declares, ' there are no powers but of God, and the powers that be, are ordained of God.' Then consequently, that power cannot be of God, that murders the people of God ; otherwise ye must say that the Lord is the author of evil, which were horrid Masphemv 376 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Now therefore, my dear friends, suppose that they will take away our lives, under the name of treason and rebellion, (as they have done to our brethren these twenty years) yet it is not so, but for religion and loyalty to our Lord aud Master, and to every ordinance of man, — as it is consistent with the law of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, as ye would be answerable at the day of our appearance, when we shall stand naked and bare before the Judge of all the earth, speak not against us, lest ye be reckoned amongst the fighters against Jesus Christ ; for I declare, I have owned nothing, but that which is the duty of the whole nation, as well as mine. And I doubt not but the Lord will reckon with this generation, ere it be long, for maintaining that throne of iniquity these twenty years. " And now, I declare, as a dying man, that it is but justice that is come upon this poor nation ; for when the Lord set them free from that yoke of bondage they were lying under, by that old tvrant Charles I who designed to cut off the Lord's people, (which he put in practice, in murdering the Lord's people in Ireland, by the hands of the bloody papists, and thought to have done so to England and .Scotland, but the Lord prevented him, and put a stop to his tyranny, by suffering men to take away his life, and causing his family to be banished) — and brake the yoke off our neck, and became our Lord, King and head ; — we soon wearied of the Lord, and cast him off, and said, ' we will have a king to rule over us, like the nations ;' and ye may judge, whether he has reigned Saul-like or not ? And I doubt not but he shall be taken away in wrath, because he was given in the Lord's anger; and tho' his time has been a groaning time, vet his end shall be terrible, and the people shall find the smart of it, as the children of Israel did, when they fell at Gilboa. Friends, look for sad days, when we are gone ! O therefore, I entreat you, as ye would tender the glory of God, and desire the salvation of your own souls, — mourn for the wrongs ye have done to the glory of God, in your owning of that tyrant, who is the malignant's head and god. And now, I am sure, ye are left without excuse, if ye will not cast him oil"; and they who will say, he hath power over civil matters, must say, God is unjust, and lie is the author of evil, which were horrid blasphemy. " The matter of my condemnation is, because I will not yield to their iniquitous laws, and call tyranny — authority, and a constitution of wickedness, — a constitution of God ; which I dare not, for my soul, have the least thought of. And now, my friends, 1 am to die for protesting against popery, and the inbringing of that papist the Duke, to defile the Lord's land ; and declining their power, because they had murdered my brethren these twenty years, and testifying against all the wrongs my lovely Lord and Master hath gut. Therefore, I charge you, to beware of speaking against me, or any of my brethren ; for my head and mv right hand shall he a witness against you, who shall condemn ns; whatever I have been, I am now highly honoured to witness for Christ's cause. And now, my dear friends, I must tell you, that grace is free, and I am a debtor to fn and I am as a brand plucked out of the fire ; yet my Lord hath lored PATRICK TORMAN. 377 me with an everlasting love. And I bless the Lord, I am in my right mind, and havo hatred against no man's person, but in so far as they arc fighting against my God, and plotting against his holy child Jesus ; but as it is written, Psal. ii. 9. ' Thou sbalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potsherd.' I leave my testimony against Charles Stuart, for his breach of covenant and for his setting forth that hellish act of supremacy, — whereby, he rescinded the law of God, and the just law of the land, that he might murder the Lord's people. I likewise leave my blood upon him, and these bloody counsellors, justiciary and assizers — because they take away my life, and the lives of my brethren, without a shadow of law or justice ; for there were none of us guilty of action or crimes, and the protestation we gave them, shall be a standing witness against them. Secondly, I leave my testimony against prelacy, because they have taken upon them the place of Lords, which is proper to none but Jesus Christ ; for we have but one God, one Lord, one Saviour and Master, &c. and they have our blood upon their heads. I leave my testimony against all the pro- ceedings against the Lord's people, for their murders in the fields, and in the sea, and on scaffolds. I leave my testimony against the bringing home of that tyrant, Charles Stuart, after they knew that he had broken all bonds that could bind men, and was no more to be believed ; I likewise leave my testimony against the Duke of York, and against the reception of him, first and last, because they knew he was a professed papist, and was seeking nothing but the lives of the Lord's people, as his actions declare ; first, he behoved to havo a draught of these five men's blood at Magus Muir, and next, of Mr. James Skene, John Potter, Archibald Stewart, and the rest of our brethren since ; O bloody wretch ! he is filling himself drunk with the blood of the saints ; and when he was declared Viceroy and High Commissioner, as they call him, he behoved to have a draught of blood to sit down with, viz. of that faithful minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. Donald Cargill, and the other four ; and then they sat down to their parliament, for enacting these hell-hatched acts, placing Charles Stuart and his succession, for their god, and that they call law and authority, for their Bible. And now, when they have taken their breath, they must have our blood to slake them. I leave my testimony against the parliamenters, and my blood upon them ; I am sure they will find it and my brethren's, lying heavy upon them. I likewise leave my testimony against bonders, cess and locality payers, for strengthening the hands of these wicked ruffians, the troopers and soldiers, who destroy the Lord's people. Now therefore, dear friends, I warn you, as you would fly from the wrath to come, shake yourselves of these things, if so be there may be hope ; it may be if ye be serious, ye will be hid in the day of the Lord's anger ; take warning, and fiy from the wrath that is to come. " Likewise, I leave my testimony against the unfaithfulness of the watchmen of Scotland, for they have not fed the flock, but fed themselves. Therefore I, as a dying man, must tell you, that it will be a wonder, if ever ye be honoured to be faithful, tor your turning S73 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. your backs on your Master, — when all men are set against him ; and your seeking to save your lives, — when the Lord is calling you to suffer, rather than to yield, or quit one hair of the truth. Ye think nothing to call tyranny, lawful magistracy, and by that ye say, that all the martyrs, who have suffered under tyranny these twenty years, have suffered justly ! If that word be true, — ' there is no power but of God,' — then certainly Charles Stuart's power must not be of God, for his unheard of murders, perjuries and adulteries. Now I say, those who call him a magistrate, they say, that God is the author of sin, which is horrid blasphemy ; and I think, there are few ministers in Scotland, who are free of that horrid sin, and are not in some sort guilty of their brethren's blood ; for ye are an upcast to poor sufferers. Now therefore, I advise you to repent, for I shall wish you no wrong. I might say much to that purpose, but I shall forbear, only I desire the Lord may forgive you, for your lukewarmness, neutrality, indifferency and sinful silence, where there is none to speak for Jesus Christ. And now, I advise you that are his people, to take warning from me as a dying man, not to join with them, till their repentance be as visible as their sin hath been. O seek teachers from the Lord ; for he will not want ministers, when he hath an errand to send them. Wait on the Lord, for he doth all things well. Now, my dear friends, who desire to live godly, look out for tribulation and affliction, and the scourge of tongues, and the envy and malice of devils. The ministers will reproach you and condemn you, and the worldly-wise professors will advise you to run at leisure, and not condemn the godly for their failings : it is true, I grant the godly may fall and rise again ; but alas ! their apostasy in denying their Master, and defending it, will be found very hard and terrible, in the sight of the Lord. " Now, I must not tarry, being surprised with shortness of time, having the king of terrors to grapple with. Only this I say, (my dear friends) make haste, get your peace made with God, and in your stations contend for him ; labour to have nothing before your eyes, but the glory of God, and ye shall undoubtedly get employment of him : make it your main work to seek the Lord. And now, that I am to step out of time into eternity, I bless the Lord for the way be hath taken with me; for all that I have met with, hath been in loving-kindness ; and I can say, that from my experience, be hath been kind to me in my wanderings and imprisonments ; irons and stocks, have been made sweet to me ; yea, evil company hath been made useful to me. Yea, these antiscripturists were made instruc- tive to me; for I saw these four men (I mean John Gib and bis tollowers) were once as fairly on the way, by appearance, as any 1 knew; but I see gifts are not graces, and now, 1 think, they were hopeless; and i advise none that tender the glory of God to meddle with them; for they are turned horrid blasphemers, and dealers <>f the Scriptures. Beware of them; for I have no timo to give you I particular account of ttiem. "Now, my (tear Friends, farewell, — with whom I have been refreshed many times : the love of God be with you, and carry you DAVID FAIRIE. 379 through. Farewell holy Scriptures, wherewith I have been comforted ; farewell praying; farewell sweet imprisonment ; farewell sweet stocks and irons for Christ's sake ; farewell wanderings and sweet reproaches for my Lord's sake ; farewell sun, moon and stars ; fare- well day and night ; farewell all created comforts I Welcome death ; welcome gallows, for Christ's sake ; welcome eternity ; welcome angels ; welcome spirits of just men made perfect ; welcome praises that shall never have an end. There I shall rest through all the a^es of eternity, in Immanuel's land. Welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into thy hands I commend my spirit. Sic sub.— PATRICK FORMAN."* XVIII. DAVID FAIRIE. [This was another of the four persons, who were tried and executed, in company with Robert Garnock. He was dealt with in precisely the same way as the two preceding witnesses for the truth. His confession before the council hears, — " That he disclaimed the king's authority, — that he calls him a tyrant, — asserts that it is lawful to kill murderers, and says the king is a murderer, because he has murdered the people of God." He suffered with the rest, at the Gallowlee, on the 10th October, 1581. — His testimony follows.] " Dear Friends, — I desire to bless the Lord, that I am sentenced to be a martyr for Christ and his cause, by wicked men, whose actions prove what they are ; yet glory be to the name of God, that this day, I do not suffer as an evil-doer, but for the testimony of the truth, in owning Jesus Christ as head in his church, yea, in the church of Scotland ; and not only so, but covenanted to be so, as he was with the children of Israel, in the sight of the nations ; which covenant, made betwixt Jesus Christ and this land, I bless the Lord, that, by his strength, I have been enabled to own, before all these accusers of mine, especially the bloody committee, the bloody council, and the dreadful bloody assizers of the people of God, and givers of their sentences of death, — all instituted by Charles Stuart, — who was once by his profession, and by his oath, an owner of that covenant. Now, the grounds of my sentence are to be seen in my interrogations before the committee, council, and justiciary so called : at which I was asked, If I owned my former speeches ? I said, What I had said, I had said ; but in case that any might think, that I had heart malice at him whom they call king; I told them, I wished neither him nor them, nor their souls, any more evil nor I wished my own ; but since he had broken the covenant with God, and turned out all our ministers, obtruded prelacy on the church, and overturned the whole work of reformation, I could not own him as a kinjr, and them as judges, seeing he and his emissaries were proceeding to bring in Popery into the land ; and I • Cloud of Witnesses, 880 ' TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. disowned them as my judges ; and told them. There was a day coming wherein they and I would be arraigned beforu a judge, ere it was long, and receive righteous judgment, and that I in that day would bo a witness against them for their unrighteous sentences against the people of God, and their unrighteous proceedings against us, to take away our lives for owning and adhering to the word of God, and our sworn covenants. And when I was asked again the same questions, I answered, What I had said, I had said ; for I had said as much as would be for the wo and sorrow of all present, except those that were penitent. Now, let men judge whether or not it becomes any to own Charles Stuart as king, and them as judges, seeing they have broken the covenant, and overturned the work of reformation and shed so much of the people of God's blood ; and not only so, but also have made a Duke, popish by profession, heir to the crown, to bo the door whereat they may receive Popery into the land. For I think there are none, but in some measure they allow Popery, that will not witness against, and withstand him and them in their proceedings, especially that black test, which that wicked parliament hath put forth, amongst all their other proceedings, these twenty years, against God, his work and people ; — whereof the overturning our ministry and thrusting in of Prelacy, — the unlawful acts of indulgence first and last, the killing and murdering of the people of God, in fields, and scaffolds, and seas, in one place and another, — are a witness. O the great witness, that is, and will be standing against the said Charles Stuart, and his unlawful council and parliaments, and all their proceedings I The Lord in the second commandment threatens his wrath against the children for the fathers' iniquity, unto the third and fourth generations of them that hate him ; and if the Lord visit not the successors of this generation aforenamed, with dreadful judgments, I am mistaken ; yea, and all these that join and comply with them, either ministers or professors, I mean the indulged, and all these that bond with the enemies, or give them clats of gear* for their liberation, when they are brought to prison upon the account of owning the truth ; or in any manner of way to acknowledge them as magistrates ; I say (without repentance) I see no way that they can miss God's wrath. " But I think, I need not insist much on these subjects , for all the warnings they have gotten (which are many) by ministers and professors, one way or other, especially on scaffolds, since Mr. James Guthrie to this day, have not been effectual ; their actings prove them to be more hardened in their sin than when they began. Therefore, I think it seems, that the Lord will either give them no more warnings, or else take them shortly away, or both : indeed he may give them more warnings, but if ever they do the most part of this generation any good, I greatly question, I mean those whom I have named ; far I think, with several others who are gone before me, and are going off the st,!g.\ Vll> 1'AlKIi * Cloml of 'W'itn JAMES STJSWAJiT. 385 XIX. JAMES STEWART. £The case of James Stewart may be esteemed remarkable, even in the period to which it belongs, for the degree of tyranny and severity which it displays. He was a young man (might almost be termed a boy, for his years,) of good and serious dispositions, and so far as appears from any thing brought against him, had never been charge- able with offending even against the laws which were then in force. He had come, from the west country, where he resided, to visit a relative who was then in prison. This person, by some means or other, effected his escape while he was in the room ; upon which h© was immediately carried before the council. Here some ensnaring questions were put to him, and his answers to them, compelled by the most shocking threats ; and upon these answers, an indictment was raised against him. The result may easily be conceived. He was found guilty — the sentence of death passed on him — and executed with the other four, on the 10th October, 1681. His testimony follows.]] u Dear Friends — I being in prison for Christ, and his persecuted cause, though some may say otherwise, and that upon the account of my taking ; but I do not care what they say — for I have had, and yet have great peace in my sufferings — but some will be ready to say, That it was an — imprudent and an unsure action, and so might have been forborne — and suppose it be so, it is not the head of my suffer- ing, for it was not that upon which I was staged, — for I was presently staged for the truth, the next day after I was taken, being brought before a committee ; — though indeed I was not so free as I should have been. There is a passage, Acts xxi. of Paul's going up to Jerusalem, which, some say, he might have forborne, but more especially his going up to the temple, and doing these things which are according to the law ; he might, I say, have forborne this, and walked consonant to his former practice, doctrine and writings : but though his going to the temple was the occasion of his taking, yet not the head of his sufferhig; so, I say, though that which I did in relieving my brother, was the occasion, yet my suffering was stated on another head. But I cannot see, how it is as ye say ; for I seeing it my duty, and finding opportunity, had a clear call for all that I did. And besides all that, we being bound in covenant to defend and maintain one another, we are bound as well to relieve one another out of prison, when there is a probability seen. But I need not stand much in making this out, it being the way that the Lord took to bring me to my suffering ; and I am heartily content with my lot, and desire with my soul to bless him for it. Though I was dreadfully aspersed when that bond of liberation was offered to us, (for though some had clearness to take it, yet I could never have thoughts of taking it in peace ; and I bless the Lord who kept my hand from it), it was neither strength nor sharp- si^htedness in me that withheld me from yielding to the temptation ; but the Lord hath shewed himself graciously favourable and kind unto 26. 2 c 336 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. me. now when I ani set up like a beacon upon the top of an hill, and the eyes of many being upon tone, and all are Wondering at me, and calling me distracted, and saying, I am a fool, but (the Lord be thanked) I have all the senses that ever I had, though distressed, yet I despair not. Neither am I suffering as a fool ; for I know assuredly, this is the way to obtain the promise. There is nothing in it meri- torious, I confess ; for all my suffering, he may put me into hell ; but I say, the suffering of reproaches and the scourge of tongues, is a symptom or mark of his way, when it is for his sake, Matth. v. 11. ' Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and speak all manner of evil against you, and persecute you for my name's sake.' It is for his name's sake that I am suffering, and this confirms me of it, Matth. x. 22. ' Ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake ; but he that endureth unto the end, shall be saved.' " Now, it is for Christ's kingly office that I am suffering ; and this being the main head on which my suffering is stated, even that great truth, viz. Jesus Christ is king and head of Zion, I desire and charge you to beware of misconstructing my sufferings, and saying, that I was suffering for disowning of authority, and declining of judges ; for it is not so ; — I being a presbyterian in my judgment, and owning both magistracy and ministry, according to the word of God, and as he hath ordained them : but if Charles Stuart's authority be according to the word of God, I am mistaken. If he be exercising his power, to the terrifying of evil-doers, and the encouraging them that do well, 1 die in an error. I say, beware of your judging, for I am a presbyterian in my judgment, and a member of the church of Scotland, and am to seal it with my blood. " I adhere to that blessed transaction between the Father and the Son, — that holy device devised from all eternity, — the Father to send his Son, and the Son to come and satisfy divine justice, and so redeem lost man. I adhere to all the Scriptures of the Old and New Testan which are all standing in force until this day, and obligatory upon us, except the ceremonial law, with a part of the judicial, which is now abrogated and abolished by our Lord's coining. — Ik; being the end of the law. I adhere to our glorious work of reformation, Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Acknowledgment of and Engagement to Duties, though they be abused; nd misconstrncted by many. And 1 adhere to the Sum of Saving Knowledge, wherein is held forth the life and marrow of religion. I adhere to all tile monies that have been given. Mr. Guthrie, Argyle,an ton, — they gave in their testimony according to th s li :!it that the Lord them ; and I do not condemn their testimony, times the Lord gives more light than ::: other times; ■■ >> i; cannot be said, that we contradict ov disown their testimony, though it pleased the Lord, throu h continuance <-.:' tim ■. I »re Hsfht of the abounding abominations that i growing and sbdundi this generation; and bo whatever they omitted throa that light, which it. hath pleased the Lord .<» let txs -■ diction. I adhere to the Ruthergfofl and Sanquhar D adhere t« . found upon Mr Kichard Camera noss JAMES STEWART. 387 July 22, 1680. I adhere to the Papers that were found at the Uueensferry upon Henry Hall. I adhere to any writings that are according to the word of God, for truth is truth, come by whom it will. Now, as a dying man, I adhere to all these things. I have received an unjust sentence from men, for owning and adhering to the same, and for protesting against the inbringing of Popery, to defile the land. And likewise, upon these accounts, I disown Charles Stuart to be my king and sovereign : First, because of that hellish Act of Supremacy, and that Act Rescissory, whereby they have overturned and wrested all the laws, acts, and constitutions of the land : for in the foresaid act, be assumeth thai unto himself which belongs properly to our Lord and Master, and says, That he rules over all things both spiritual and temporal ; and then, when he hath made himself supreme over all things, he rescinds the laws that are of God, and sets up other laws to satisfy his own lusts, in murdering, killing and destroying the Lord's people ; and this is the reason why I disown him : and like- wise his dreadful perjury and blasphemy in his covenant-breaking. I decline them as judges, for the opening a door there to Popery, which they have done, by receiving that popish duke in among them, which I protest and leave my testimony against ; — it being contrary to our engagements to suffer papists to dwell amongst us, and to have a professed papist to usurp over us, — it being repugnant to our principles. I leave my testimony against Prelacy, — it being a limb of that anti- christian whore of Rome. I leave my testimony against all the abominations of this generation, as blaspheming of the holy name of the Lord, drunkenness, stealing, whoring, sodomy, and all manner of uncleanuess. I leave my testimony against all indifferency and lukewarm neutrality in our Lord's matters. I leave my testimony against the indigencies first and last, as having a greater hand in breaking of the church of Scotland, than all the enemies living in it could have done ; for they sold their Master's truths, and gave away their pleasant things with their own hands, and so came in under Charles Stuart, and took him for their head, and have cast off their rightful head Jesus Christ ; Eph. i. 22. ' And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church.' Wo will be unto them, for what they have done to the poor kirk of Scotland. 1 leave my testimony against silent and unwatchful minis- ters. Remember, there are many taken away, and it is to be feared, in their iniquity ; and do ye think that ye are free of their blood ? Ye may look what warning ye have given, and if it be faithful ; then ye may say, that ye are not guilty. But there is not a minister this day, who dares say, he is at his duty. They refuse to give counsel when asked at, as I myself can witness ; for when that liberation was granted, I sent to one of them, and charged him, as I judged him faithful, to tell me his mind, which he refused ; and said, silence might serve for an answer, I was not suffering for truth. But I heartily forgive him, and all men, what they have done to me, as for my own particular ; but how they have reproached Christ and his way, it is not mine to forgive them. " O the ministers of Scotland rue become fieht and treacherous 388 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. persons, as well as revolters ; they are become ravening wolves ; so I cannot see, how they have not unministered themselves. If Abiathar was turned out of the priest's office for leaving David, and following Adonijah ; how much more ought the ministers of Scotland, for leaving of him, who is the true head of the church, and choosing Charles Stuart for their head ? It is not long since they were preaching that to he sin, which they are now practising. I have no doubt, but ere long there shall come out fire from Abimelech, and destroy the men of Shechem, and fire from them, and devour him. And ere long, Mr. Donald Cargill, and Mr. Richard Cameron, their names that now stink, among ministers and professors, shall have a sweet smell ; and those that calumniate and asperse them, their names shall go away with a stink, and fly away with a smoke ; but I am sure, that that now glorified martyr Mr. Donald Cargill's name shall last from generation to generation ; and he shall have cause to rejoice in his king, head, and Master, who is Jesus Christ, — when those who condemned him, shall not know where to flee for shelter, and shall be weary of their head, king, and master, — who is Charles Stuart ; and ivhat, brethren (disaffected as they were) did cast upon him as a shame, was his glory and decorement. He was of a high heroic spirit, and was free of a base and Simonian carriage. He was a man hated of his brethren ; but the great Elijah in his time was so. Time and tongue would fail me to speak his commendation. He was the man who carried the standard, without the help of any visible : but he had the help and assistance of his Master, at whose command he was aye wandering here without residence, yet knew of one above, and had full assurance of his dwelling-place. " I leave my testimony against uplifting, or causing uplift, cess or excise, or any thing, for the maintaining that tyrant, or any of his emissaries ; — it being for nothing, but maintaining these ruffian troopers and soldiers, who are kept for nothing, but to suppress and bear down the gospel, and banish it out of the land. I leave my testimony against all declaration -takers and bonders, especially the taking that bond of liberation as they call it, of the date of August 5, 1680, as far as they were convinced it was sin, — a3 some of themselves said it was. I leave my testimony against that test, and all the rest of their proceedings, and acts of parliament. I leave my testimony against jailor- fee paying ; it being an acknowledgment of their tyranny to be lawful, whicl) how unjust it is, / have a proof among others ; for that night I was before York, and the rest, being October 1, 168 1, — I being examined by Sir George M'Kenzie, — York and Mr. William Paterson coming unto me, when I was silent, and would not answer to some things they asked at me, — he threatened to take out my tongue with a pair of pincers, if I would not: and he held him as a witness against me. And though I told him, that be was a judge the other night, ami — "would ye hold him as a witness against ns before your justiciary ! yet they did it; which w;.s neither according to law nor reason — If there were no more but that passage, it proves them to be unjust judges, as there are many worse than that is. I leave my testimony against the mounting of militia, and uplifting of money for bk hervice. JAMES STEWART. 389 i leave my testimony against every thing that may strengthen his hands, or weaken the hands of the people of the Lord. " Now I desire you, (as a dying man, who am within forty-eight hours, or little more, of eternity), to disown Charles Stuart to be your king and sovereign. I charge you so to do, as you would have peace with God ; for I never knew what true peace was till I did it, and took Jesus Christ for my king and lawgiver. This is not — that I disown kings or kingly government, — for I own both ; but when their actions are such as his are, and a covenanted king as he was, we cannot in conscience yield to him ; for he hath murdered the Lord's people oui brethren : and when we acknowledge even his civil authority, I cannot see what way we are clean of their blood, it being by a shadow of law and authority that he takes awav their lives, and so we cannot own him in that ; and to own him in ecclesiastic matters, I think there will be none so absurd, as to say, we should do that, he having nothing to do in church matters : he only received the sceptre in his hand, to be a hedge about, and to defend her against all opposition ; and now ye may see how he hath destroyed her, instead of defending her. I give you it in short, and desire you to ponder and consider it, and ye will not find me so mad, as many of you say I am ; for I am not prodigal of my life, neither have I a hand in my own death ; for I love my life as well as my neighbours, and it is as dear to me as any of yours is to you ; but, when it comes in competition with my Lord's truths, I dare not seek to save my life with prejudice thereunto. Neither am I wearied of my life, though it is true indeed, there is nothing here to be coveted, that is not enough to weary one, neither am I wearied of it ; therefore I charge you, that ye do not brand me with aspersions when I am gone. I leave my blood on all the assizers, who after we had given in our protestation against all their proceedings, both in their council and justiciary, and told them, That it was for no action that we were suffering, but only on the matters of conscience and judgment that we were pannelled ; yet notwithstanding our charging them with our blood, they most unjustly took away our lives. Do not think this flows from a spirit of malice, spite, bitterness, or revenge ; for I desire to bless the Lord, I am free from the spirit of bitterness or revenge : but they take away my life without and against any just law ; I cannot get it passed. Do not think that I am an enthusiast, and take on me a bare impulse of the spirit for a call to suffer on, — or the word as it lies literally, for a call, — for it is not so ; — I having desired and used some endeavours, (though it has been in great weakness I confess, yet I dare say, in some respect, my desire to the Lord about it hath been sincere,) that he would help me to get his word and my own conscience consulted, and try the word by the spirit, and the spirit by the word ; — for it is but a dead letter without the spirit. And likewise my blood is lying, and will be heavy on that popish Duke. And I will not say but the Lord will permit him to usurp the crown of Scotland, but the blood that he hath got to welcome' him home to it,andtosatisfyhisown lust, — will weigh him down from' the throne ; but indeed, I fear, that he get his design drawn to a great length, and get the ark carried away, even to yourapprehension,outof 390 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Scotland ; but remember the Philistines carrying away the ark, and the men of Bethshemesh looking into it, how the Lord smote them : and so I think, when they have got the kirk banished and destroyed, and the witnesses all killed, when they will look on the church as- carried clean away, and thereupon shall turn secure, — will not the Lora be avenged on them, and charge them with all the blood they have so heinously shed ? But indeed we have deserved no less than the Lord's leaving of this land, and to give them into the hands of our enemies : but as long as there is no appearance of a better church in the whole world, ye need not fear that the Lord will enhance Scotland's right of a church to any other. He suffered the children of Israel many a time to fall into, and lie under the hands of their enemies ; but he never forsook them altogether, until there came a better in their place. Likewise, my blood is on all these parliamenters and counsellors, these of the justiciary, as they call it. " Now, dear friends, I am going to eternity, ere it be long, from whence I cannot return ; and as a dying man, I give you warning, and bid you take heed what you are doing. Be tender of the glory of God, and take no unlawful gate to shun suffering, nor sinful shifts to come by the cross. But when there is a cross lying in the way, see that ye seek not to go about it ; and venture upon suffering before sinning : for he never sent any a warfare upon their own charges. If any knew the sweetness of a prison, they would not be so afraid to enter upon suffering ; ye would not join with the Lord's enemies as ye are doing. O dear friends, take warning now, for it is a question if ever ye get any more warnings of this kind : for it is a sad juncture that your lot and mine is fallen into ; but now I am goinir away home. D ! the Lord is kind to me, who hath honoured me so highly, and is also taking me away from the evil that is to come : for, indeed I think, there are sad days abiding poor Scotland. O sirs ! be busy, and venture all upon him, and put all in his hand ; and whatever you have been, let not that scare you ; if you have been a great dinner, I say, let not that hinder you from coming to him, and closing with him ; for the greater sinner you be, the more free grace is magnified in reclaiming you. 1 may apeak this from my own experience ; for I was as a brand plucked out of the fire : and he hath brought me through many difficulties, temptations, and snares, and made my soul escape as a bird out of the cunning fowler's iu-t, and brought me to a prison at length, to suffer bonds for him. He made all things 6\veet to me, the company sweet to me, even bad company; he made reproaches sweet. I have been made to wonder at his kindness and love to me- wurd; and now he hath brought mo this Length, without being afraid what enemies can do to me. and that is a great confirmation to me of true love, that — perfect lo Out fear. Now, He is faithful, into whose hands I commit my spirit ami soul, and he will keep it against that day. " Now when lam going, — fare well all friends and Christian aoquain- timers; farewell sweet and holy Scriptures, wherewith my soul hath been refreshed ; farewell r ',and praj iogi farewell in meditation; farewell sun, moon, and stars; farewell all ereated JAMES STEWART. 391 comforts. Welcome death ; welcome sweet gallows, for my sweet and lovely Lord; welcome angels ; welcome spirits of just men made perfect ; welcome eternity ; welcome praises ; welcome immediate vision of the Sun of righteousness. Sic sub.— JAMES STEWART."* There suffered also at the same time and place, one Alexander Russell, whose testimony differing nothing in substance from the rest, and being in some things not very conveniently expressed, — is not thought necessary to be published at large ; only these heads in it are remarkable : — First, He declares, That for the space of fourteen years, while he heard the curates, he was a person given to all manner of licentiousness — keeping company with the profane, drinking, swearing, sabbath-breaking, and reproaching the people of God. 2dly, That at the first field-preaching ever he heard, — to which he went merely out of curiosity, — it pleased the Lord to convert him. 3dly, That the means of his being called out to the help of the Lord's people at Bothwell, was the death of three of his children within ten days' space, — which extraordinary providence impressed his heart so, that he durst not sit God's call, to that work. 4thly, He confessed his having taken the bond for living orderly (as it was called) and with great remorse acknowledges his failings, in that he took not opportunity to confess that sin publicly. All the other heads do coincide with the testimonies of the other four who suffered with him. — Cloud of Witnesses. XX. ROBERT GRAY. [[Robert Gray was an Englishman, belonging to Northumberland, and had been apprehended, (upon what pretext is unknown,) about ten months previous to his trial and death. He was executed on the 19th of May, 1682. On the 13th of that month, he was brought before a committee of council, and having acknowledged the follow- ing letter to John Anderson, — then prisoner at Dumfries, — as expressing his sentiments with regard to the king and his government, — was forthwith brought to trial on the 17th, and condemned to be executed, as above, on the 19th following, at the Grassmarket of Edinburgh. The injustice of his sentence appears in this : — not only that he was guilty of no overt act of treason, but merely, of hold- ing certain opinions, which Ids judges, or rather persecutors, were pleased to call treasonable, — but also that he was not a Scots subject, and therefore, injustice not amenable to Scots law.f] " Cloud of AVitnesses. f It may not we think be improper, by way of illustrating this somewhat singular and interesting case, here t.> insert, Mr. Gray's Confession, Examination, and Indictment, as giTen in Wodrow : — HM CONriv.SSlCN. "Edinburgh, May 13th. — I Kobert Gray acknowledge, I did write this 392 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. 3. His Letteu to John Anderson. 'Dear Friend, — I received yours, and. am ni'acli refreshed to hear of any in this day, that is holding by the truth, and is helped to witness against the wrongs done to our Lord and Master, which is the main thing that we are called to at this time, by which God is glorified, and which shall bring peace to us at the end of the day. As in answer to that, — about owning this tyrant in ecclesiastic matters, — I hope, it is without all doubt and debate, with all the zealous exercised letter, but am not acquainted with the man to whom it is directed ; only I wrote this, having received one from him. — (Signed) Robert Gray." HIS EXAMINATION. "Follows your examination before the committee: — Edinburgh, May 1", 1G82. — Robert Gray being called before the lord chancellor, and committee of council appointed for public affairs, and interrogate, if he knew John Anderson prisoner in Dumfries, he declared he did not know him, but had writ a letter to him, and that letter being produced, he owned the same, as he hath testified by his subscription at the end of it. Being asked, if he thought of the king and government, as is expresl, in that letter, he said he did, and he owned that as his judgment; and being asked, if he thought the king a tyrant, he said he had ■written so, and owned he had writ this letter to John Anderson, as his duty to his brother. — GEORGE Gordon, Chancel." HIS INDICTMENT. " Robert Gray, prisoner in the tolbooth of the Canongate, you are indicted and accused, that albeit by the laws of this and all other well governed nations, the crime of treason is punishable by death, and confiscation of all estate, heritable and moveable, and particularly by the 12th act, pari. 8th, Jam. VI. — the declining of the king's authority and royal power in any case whatsomever, either spiritual or temporal, — is treason ; but much more, the calling him a tyrant, and declaring that his subjects ought not to obey him, and that he ought not to he owned as king, — is the highest degree of treason and lese-majesty. And by 2d act, 2d sess. 1st pari. Char. II. Whoever shall contrive any bodily harm against the king, or endeavour to put any restraint upon his person, or to deprive, depose, or suspend him, from the style, honour, or kingly name of the imperial crown of this realm, and shall by writing, printing, or any advised speaking, declare such their treasonable intentions, they shall be adjudged as traitor*. And by 4-3d act, pari. 2d, Jam. I. and 83d act, pari. 6th, Jam. V. the crime of leasing-making against the king, and his people, and his parliament, is punishable by death. And by the 10th act, 10th pari. Jam. VI. to declaim, or speak, or write, any purpose of reproach or slander of his majesty's person, 6tate, or government, or to deprave his laws and acts of parliament, is punishable by death. Yet true it is, that you the said Robert Gray, having shaken off all fear of God and respect to his majesty's laws, did most treasonably write a letter upon the 18th of April last, to John Anderson, prisoner, also, for treason, in the tolbooth of Dumfries, wherein you did declare our present sovereign, the best and most merciful of kings, to be a tyrant, and that therefore he ought not to be owned as king. Likewise, you did by that letter, incite his majesty's subjects not to obey him, and did deprave the late act of parliament made for taking the test, calling it the black test, and destructive of all the work of reformation. And you being called before the lord chancellor, and a OOfnmittM of council, upon the l.'ith of May instant, you did, of new, again not only adhere to the said letter, and all that was in it. hut did, of new, commit the foresaid crimes, by declaring that you owned all the*e principles, atid that it was a duty upon you to write so to your brother, who was in prison. — Of the which treasonable crimes, you, the said Robert (.nay arc guilty, and actor ; — which being found by an assize, you ought to be punished with the forfeiture of life, lands, and goods, to the terror of others to commit the like hereafter." t ROBERT GRAY. ; S93 Christians in Scotland, that he should not be owned at all in it; — what- ever the timeservers, that will sail with any wind that blows, do, we are not concerned; — who are like Esau, who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage. And as for owning him in civil things, to me it is very clear, now as matters are stated, that he should not be owned: in a word, for his breach of the civil law, his pardoning and setting free murderers and bougerers, and murdering of poor innocents, and making his will a law, and placing none in public trust but those that have taken that black test, utterly to disown the whole work of reformation; with which way, I cannot meddle directly or indirectly, without saying a 'confederacy,' with them. There might be more said upon this head, if time would permit ; but I think this, with what our late worthies did — in casting this tyrant off, and out of the church, — might give full satisfaction not to own them in any thing, — seeing they have acted for the devil more than ever ; and it has prospered more in their hands than formerly. Indeed, if we consult men at this time in the matters of godliness, no wonder we be in the dark ; but O beware of that, and fly to the holy word of God. Beware of looking out at any back-door, or halting betwixt two opinions ; for of a truth there is a halting this day, that will not be approved of God, in meddling with this malignant party, directly or indirectly. It is a thousand to one if they see it. As anent Barscobe, and Major Lermont, they got their sentence on Friday last, to die on the 28th of this instant, and other two, Hugh Micklewraith and Robert Fleming, got their sentence on that day too, and should have died on this Wednesday last ; but they have got a remission to the 28th day, and it is reported, that Barscobe and the rest have offered to take the test, and they have sent up to the tyrant on that account, to save their lives ; and as for John M'Clurg and R. N. there is no word yet, what they will do with them ; I shall give you an account after- wards. My soul is grieved to see the treachery that is used in the matters of God among the prisoners, and their seeking sinful shifts to shun the cross of Christ. O dear friends, seek to be kept steadfast, in the day of trial. Now, I can say no more ; but leave you in His hand, who has brought you to the trial, and can carry you cleanl through it. I rest, your fellow prisoner and friend, — Robert Gray. 2. His Testimony. Men and brethren, — I have got my sentence of death from m who are unjustly taking away my life, merely for adhering to my principles, and have no matter of fact to prove against me, but only adhering to the truths of Jesus Christ, and testifying against theii sinful laws and actions, which my indictment will testify. They take away my life for declining their authority, and calling Charles Stuart a tyrant, and speaking against their test, that they have made to overturn the whole work of reformation, in calling it the Black Test. Now, many may condemn me, and no doubt do, in my writing that letter to John Anderson, whom I own as my brother in Christ, * Cloud of Witnesses. 394 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. suffering upon the same heads in Dumfries prison ; — I do not much care what the time-servers say — but I hope, none of the zealous exercised Christians in the land that are concerned with the wrongs done to their Lord aud Master Jesus Christ, will do it ; — I having a right call to do what I did, he writing to me, and I giving him an answer, in which I have great peace, notwithstanding it has brought me upon the trial, and my God has owned me in it. And let such as will condemn me, mind that scripture, ' It is God that justifieth, ivho is he that condemneth ?' I bless the Lord, that ever I was honoured to testify against the wrongs done to my Lord and Master Jesus Christ, either by word or writing. O wonder ! what am I, that ever he should have chosen the like of me, who have been one of the vilest of sinners ! If the world had seen ma as he saw me, they would not have chosen me, no, not to have kept company with : but 0 wonder, that his condescending love has not only taken me to be i. servant, but to be one of the children of the family ! and has said to me, as in John xiv. 19. ' Because I live, ye shall live also.' He has chosen me, and not I him, John i. 15. Li. xlviii. iO. ' Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver ; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction, for mine own sake, even for mine own sake will 1 do it.' Nov/, I had his promise before ever I came to a prison, that he should honour me. As Psal. xci. 14, 15. ' Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him ; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him ; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him, and honour him.' Now, this is the ground upon which I have holdeta till now; I mean, when I covenanted with my God, to take him upon the terms of his offer. It is a year bygone, being the first week of May, 1681, since I personally subscribed my name to be the Lord's ; for before that, 1 played many times fast and loose with God, for which I take shame and confusion of face to myself, (which is my due) but since, I have been kept free of what formerly I was guilty of, though the assaults of Satan have not been wanting. I durst not look back, nor yet take my word again j but desired to act and contend for my Lord and Master Jesus Christ's rights, and not to quit them to any, which he helped and owned nie in. " O dear friends, all of you that are contending for Christ's truths, get once a. right in himself, and ye cannot then, nor dare not but contend for him : but while ye are in the dark about your interest, ye BBB never walk upon sura grounds ; but like a n-in walking in the lark, that has hopes of getting to his lodging, but knows not the way: and the thing that steals many of this generation off their feet, is. They £0 to seek the way from others that are also in the dark of it them- selves, and they seek the way from men, and follow the example of men, because they 1 Link they are godly men, and by their prai they think they bare the image of God; and because of that they follow them, and take their advice, and do what thev ilo, thinking they cannot, do wrong; but I am clear of it, thai is not the way of God in this dark day, to seek it from blind guides, and not from the tnitf guide Jesus Christ, ' who is given for a leader and 8 commander ROBERT GRAY. 395 to his people,' and ought to he led by none, nor have counsel from none but himself; for the Spirit of God says, Isa. xxx. 1. 'Wo to the rebellious children, saith the Lord, that take counsel, but not of me ; and that cover with a covering, but not of my Spirit, that they may add sin to sin ; and, walk and go down into Egypt, and have not asked at my mouth.' O but this is the very thing, that I have seen at this day, especially since I came to prison. O the treachery against God, which has been there, which was my only burden and grief, and made me weary of the prison, and desire to be gone ; they taking- counsel from men, and placing vile and unworthy men, to agent and plead for them in Christ's matters, and dare not trust him with it themselves ; and so it is no wonder, that he leave them, and they go a black gate. I take the walls of the Canongate tolbooth (which I was prisoner in nearly ten months) to be witness against the wrongs done to my Lord and Master Jesus Christ there, both before and since ; and I take the good maintenance they have had, to witness to their conscience at the great day of accounts. They had never reason to complain of wants, or to say, That our Lord was a hard Master ; and yet they wrong him, most treacherously and cunningly hiding from the eyes of the world their compliance with their agents ; and like the whore, wiping their mouth, and saying they have done no evil, and saying, they have peace. O but my soul trembles to think of that peace ! to seek peace with the enemies of God, and say, they have peace in it ! I'll not say, but ye may have peace at present, when ye got out of prison, because you are going borne to your idols and Delikhs whatever they be, either ycur wives or children, or lands or enjoyments ; but I will say this, that if ye have wronged the work of God for them, they shall be accursed to you, and prove a snare to you ; and then you shall see what peace you will have. Let such as have meddled, or are meddling with these perjured men, see that Scripture, — as auent their peace, Isa. lix. 8. ' They have made them crooked paths ; whosoever goeth therein shall not know peace.' And , I am convinced of it, that those that meddle with them directly or indirectly, when called to witness for truth, or staged thereupon, and ' yield to them in their desires that are sinful, shall break their peace with God, and shall hinder themselves to get the bargain made with him ; and if they have made it, it will be very much if the bargain stand, without drawing a new engagement, and deep mourning for the wrongs done to him : for our Lord is now taking a narrow look of Scotland, and seeing who did put the hand to the plough to carry on the work of reformation, to banish Popery out of Scotland ; and now he is seeing who is countenancing Popery, and this popish Duke, that has gotten in his foot in Scotland, — which will be the blackest sight ever poor Scotland saw: but, whoever of the nobles or gentry of the land is guilty, yet I will assure you, as sure as the Lord is in heaven, ministers, yea, Presbyterian ministers, are not free of Popery's coming into the land ; because they have not testified against it, who should have set the trumpet to their month, and have given faithful warning, and so they would have delivered their own souis and the souls of others, whereas now, poor thinjrs are ensnared ; but their blood will be 396 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. required at ministers' hands ; and ye that are old wily professors, that have taken the lee-side of the brae, and are advising others to do so, ye are not free of the innocent blood shed in Scotland, and the loss of poor souls ; because of your practice of seeming piety and holiness ; so ye blind their eyes, and what ye do, that are a godly man, in the town and country parishes, in going to hear the curates, that have taken that black test, or any other thing, — because ye do it to save your gear, they follow your practice ; but assure yourselves, the loss of their souls will be required at your hands, who are ringleaders in an evil course, be ye who ye will, in prison, or out of prison ; Our Lord is now near his coming, and is begun to tread upon Scotland's sea, and will within a little tread upon the necks of his enemies, and come and deliver his church, which I die in the faith of: but it will be a costly delivery. Now, I adhere and give my testimony to that glorious work of reformation, in reforming this land from Popery. And I adhere to the National Covenant, and Solemn League and Covenant, Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties. I adhere, to the testimonies of our worthies that have gone before, and these of late, that are so much condemned by the professors of this generation ; but this I will adventure to say, that those who are condemning them, whom God hath justified, shall never be honoured to give a testimony to the truths of Christ, and against his enemies. I adhere, to all the meetings and assemblies of the people of God, that have been m Scotland in defence of the gospel. I adhere, to Pentland, Dmmclog, Bothwell, and Airsmoss, where our worthies fell ; which blood (I die in the faith of it) shall have a glorious spring : which quarrel the God of heaven, the cove- nanted God of Scotland, will resent. 1 also adhere to and heartily join with the Rutherglen Declaration ; and I disown the Hamilton Declaration, because it took in the malignant interest. I adhere, to the Sanquhar Declaration, and Queensferry Papers, and the excom- munication at the Torwood, as lawful and right, in casting oft' Charles Stuart, and the rest of the malignant party : and it shall be seen within few years, that that party that the Lord stirred up for that use, was in their duty, and those that lay by, were not. 1 also adhere to and heartily join with that noble testimony given at Lanark, against that black parliament that sat last, to overturn the whole work of reforma- tion, and made that black Test, that has defiled the whole land, and made an open door for Popery to come into the land. I leave my testimony against all those that have taken it, or against those that have or may take favours from men, that have taken that Test especiallv, I leave my testimony against, prisoners, who being in upon the account of religion, do tamper anv way with these black testers to wrong tho interest of God. Wo, wo, wo, will be to them that give the enemy 6uch ground to say, we are but fanatics, and will do any thing before we lose our lives, which I myself heard some of them say. which was a grief to my soul, and did sting me to the heart. I leave my teMi- 1 mony against such professors and preachers, as CAD sit in such company, and bear buch talk, and not resent it ; it being an acquiescing in the ROBERT GRAY. S97 discourse to keep silence. I leave my testimony against all giving bond and caution, or petitioning the stated enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ. I leave my testimony against all these r.ess-payers, and doing any other thing that strengthens the enemies' hands, and against jailors' fees paying, for by so doing it says, we have done wrong to them ; which I deny that we have done any, but they have done to us. I leave my testimony against these ministers that sat in a presbytery against worthy Mr. Richard Cameron, — that highly honoured martyr 'of Jesus Christ, — and thought to have deposed him from his ministry. I also leave my testimony against that meeting that sat at Sundowalin Nithsdale, which I was a witness to ; ye will see it more fully spoken to in that paper of mine which was found at Kelso, which I own, and desire that it may be put in with this ;* that they may go together, and my indictment with the letter. I am called to set to my seal to the faithfulness of that worthy man's doctrine, viz. worthy Mr. Richard Cameron, who was the man the Lord made use of to establish me in the faith. I bless the Lord that ever I saw him, or was honoured to be in his company. I bless the Lord that ever I was in the com- pany of worthy Mr. Donald Cargill. I am likewise here to bear wit- ness to the faithful warning these two worthies gave, in Northumber- land. I likewise leave my testimony against the professors in Nor- thumberland, that ' came not out to help the Lord against the mighty ;' when I myself gave them warning, some of them mocked at me : for which, I will be a witness against them, at the great day of account. I leave my testimony against the giving bond to assizers or sessions,-]- or answering their courts. My work, while I am here, is only to witness against the sins of the times wherein I live, and the wrongs done to my Lord and Master. I leave my testimony against those four men that were prisoners intheCanongate tolbooth, — John Gib, and the other three that held his principles ; I disown, detest and abominate their principles, though some were pleased to brand me with them since I came to prison. I heartily forgive them, whatever they have said of me, as I desire to be forgiven of my Father which is in heaven, i Now, my time here is but short ; and I think it needless to write any more ; — the testimonies of the Worthies being so little valued by this generation, that nothing will do it but wrath and judgments, — that though an angel should come down from heaven, it will avail nothing ; for nothing I can see but wrath, wrath, wrath; judgments, judgments, sad judgKients, — coming on this land very suddenly ; but my eyes shall be closed, and I shall not see it, and well is this for me ; therefore I am content, and heartily content, seeing I get my soul for a prey. I have only a short word to say to the remnant of the Lord's people that is to be left behind, who only were my delight in the world : my soul trembles to think what was amongst you this day, especially those of you that were in one mind in contending for the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ ! Whatever has fallen out among you or any that have fallen back, seek to reclaim them, that they may be brought in again. • This cannot be done, no copy of tliat paper being found. — C, W; t By tessions, it is presumed he means quarter sessiont. 333 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Let self be done away, and partiality, — and let the Way of God be taken in time, for it will be but short that ye will have it: And think not that ye will wait for better times and opportunities : wait not for that, for ye have time and opportunity now, that ye will not have afterwards ; and if ye get uot together presently, you will meet with something shortly that will make you blyth to be together; and 'let those that think they are standing, take heed lest they fall.' Now those that have gone out from us, by complying with the malignant party, and pleading for Baal's interest, — I mean Charles Stuart's inter- est, and taking shelter under their wings, — I have less hope of them than any. If ye can set up your face to God, and say, that ye never durst ,*omply with these tyrants and usurpers, to wrong the interest of God for the loss of your life, or gear ; then I will assure you of your soul for a prey. Though ye have lost all that ye have in the world, your Children shall see brave days, and ye shall have all your wants made up, when ye shall get Christ himself. Now, I can stay no longer, nor take up my time any more ; for, my work is finished, and I have fought the good fight, and finished my course ! Strong have been the assaults and trials that I have had from the devil, by all sorts, — both ministers and professors; but my God hath helped me '.o withstand them, — for which, I bless his holy name, and desire to praise him while I am here. O let all the zealous godly in Scotland praise him on my behalf, that lie chose the like of me, who have been a vile sinner. Now, I am this day free of the blood of all men in the world. I desire to forgive all men the wrongs done to me, as I desire to be forgiven of my Father, which is in heaven. But for those who have wrongfully taken away my. life, simply for adhering to truth, and for no matters of fact, — for my part, I forgive them ; hut my God shall resent it, with the rest of my dear brethren's blood, that has been shed on fields and scaffolds. Now, farewell all creature-comforts in time ; farewell sweet societies of the Lord's people, that were mv only delight in the world ; farewell holy and sweet Scriptures, which only were my comfort in all my straits; farewell all friends and Christian acquaintances; farewell mother, brother, and all relations in the world ; and farewell sun, moon and stars ! Welcome scaffold, fur my sweet Lord Jesus Christ; wel- come gibbet ; and welcome heaven ; Welcome immediate presence of God, and his Son Jesus Christ, who only has redeemed me by his blood ; welcome anur,'ls, and the spirits of just men made perfect, where We shall never part again ! Now, Father, into thy hands ] commit my spirit, that is thine ! Now, come Lord Jesus Christ . come quickly and receive me hence to my resting place, where my portion is ! ROBERT GRAY."' II is Last Words. This worthy martyr coming out of the tolbooth, to the plai execution, wa« taken, as the custom is, first into the Towu-couucil- * Cloud of Vitnrgies, ROBERT GRAY 399 house; where, the town council desired, that he would purge the city of his hlood. And he told them, that judgment would overtake the city, for the innocent hlood shed therein, and hade them assure them selves of it, for it was without doubt. They said to him, that he had access to pray, if he would. He told them, that he had committed himself to God already. Then they said, if he had not freedom, they were there who would pray for him ; but he looking round, said, he was none whom he would employ, but he had an advocate with the Father. Then being brought from thence to his execution-place, — after a little discourse to the pretended magistrates of the city, some of them being present, — he sung the lxxxiv. Psalm, and read the xv. chapter of die gospel according to John, and after the reading thereof, he said to die multitude, "Sirs, ye should remember that that is the word of God, :;nd not of man, and that we are to follow no man further than he follows the word of God :" and said, if light had not come into Scot- land, they had been more excusable, but now they had no cloak nor excuse for their sin, and their wrongs done to God ; and because of despised light, and the despised gospel, there was assuredly great wrath coming upon them." And then he prayed; and after prayer, went up the ladder, and looking about to the multitude said, "Sirs, youare feeding your eyes upon me, but what see you upon me ? Surely you see not the wrath of God upon me : but if ye would look up to the heavens, ye may see the wrath of an angry God against yourselves." And he said, "I am brought out of another nation to own that covenant which ye have broken, and to seal it, and the glorious work of reformation with my blood. Which covenant, ye have not only broken, but ye have given it under your hands, that ye shall never own God any more, nor have any more of him !" And he blessed the Lord saying, "Glory, glory, glory be to his name, that ever he gave me a life to lay down for him, hi witnessing against his enemies, and the wrongs done my Lord and Master Jesus Christ." And said, "the Lord be judge between me and you, who have taken away my life, — which of us have been in the wrong to the other ; and assure yourselves there is wrath, sad wrath, hanging ever this city, for the innocent blood shed therein. But as for you, who sre the remnant of the Lord's people, 1 would say this to you, keep your ground, and beware of turning aside to one hand or another, and i will assure you, the Lord wiil prepare a Zoar for you. Cleave to truth, and cleave to one another, and as sure as God lives, ye shall yet glorious days in Scotland; for I die in the faith of it, that He is in his way, returning to the land ; but wo, wo, wo will be to those who ere enemies and strangers to him !" Then praying a little within him. self, — when some hade put him over, and others cried out, spare him a little! he cried, "I am ready." Whereupon the executioner threw him over. 400 TESTIMONIES OP THE SCOTS WORTHIES. XXI. JAMES ROBERTSON. . H James Robertson was a travelling merchant, and belonged t , Stonehouse, in Lanarkshire. In October 1682, being at Kilmar nock on business, he went to visit an acquaintance* who was then a prisoner; and while with him, he was without the least offence, appre- hended, and brought before Major White, who at that time com- manded in the district. Upon refusing the inquisitorial oath then usually administered, he was sent to Edinburgh, — was treated dur- ing his journey with the greatest cruelty and indignity, and when arrived, was sisted before the council. He answered to their en- snaring questions with much caution and propriety ; but yet an in- dictment was drawn, charging him with holding the opinion — that the insurgents at Pentland and Bothwell were not rebels ; and for this and similar matters of sentiment, he was with two other per- sons equally innocent, condemned and executed on the 15th of December following. — He left behind him the two papers which are subjoined.]] 1. His Examination before the Council. " Quest. 1. Is the king your lawful prince, yea, or not ? A?is. Since you have made your questions matters of life and death, ye ought to give time to deliberate upon them: but seeing I am put to it, I answer, — as he is ' a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well,' he is, or is not. Q. 2. Were Pentland and Bothwell acts of traitory ? A. They being in their own defence, and the defence of the gospel, they are not acts of traitory or rebellion, — self-defence being always lawful; which I prove by the Confession of Faith, in that article where- on ye ground yourselves, which is, That subjects may resist unjust vio- lence and tyranny. Q. 3. But wherein lies his tyranny ? A. If rob- bing the privileges of the Church be not an act of tyranny, I refer it to be judged. Q. 4. Is the king a tyrant? A. I refer it to his obli- gation in the coronation oath, and his present actings and practices, in robbing the privileges of the gospel, with the usurpation on the church's liberties, and the prerogatives royal of Jesus Christ, the anointed of the Father, in making himself supreme: and I refer it to persons at home and nations abroad. Q. 5. Was you at Bothwell- bridge ? A. Ye count it an act of traitory, and also rebellion, which is criminal: bear witness of it, and so make it evident. Q. (5. Ihcy said, 'purge yourself by oath, and so we offer to set you at liberty.' I answered, 'I will sav no more of it; for when I told the truth to some of you, I was not believed.' — One of them said, now I will try if ye be a man of parts. Q. 7- There was an act of parliament, when the Confession of Faith was made, declaring, that the king was supreme, and it was owned by the Presbyterians <>f that time. A. How could that be owned, seeing the Confession was owned And I called for tin- act, but it was not brought. Q. S. Was the bishop's death murder? A. When I am a Judge set on the bench, I shall pass sentence there- * Viz. John Fuilaj, the person, whose ToUmynv follows. JAMES ROBERTSON. 401 upon. Being1 questioned further anent it, I said, I have answered that already; I will say no more to it. Q. (J. Own you Lanark and Sanquhar Declarations? A. I cannot own any thing, till I see and consider it. Q. 10. Keep you your parish kirk? A. If the minister have ought to challenge me with, he may do it. Q. 11. Now as a test of your loyalty, will you say, 'God save the King?' A. Prayer ought to be gone about with composure and deliberation, and I am not in a composure for it. Q. 12. Would ye not seek a blessing if at meat? A. If ye were present ye would see. One of them said, these principles will condemn you. I answered, If I be absolved of God, it is the less matter though men condemn me." 2. His Testimony.* "Dear friends, true lovers of Zion's righteous cause, if I could speak or write any thing to the commendation of the covenanted God of the church and kingdom of Scotland, I have surely many things to do it for, 1st, That he trysted my lot to be in a nation where he hath setup his pure worship, whereas he might have let my lot be among the pagan and heathen nations that know nothing of the true God. Or, 2dly, He might have ordered it to be among those that are worship- ping Antichrist, that whore of Rome, that monstrous beast, that 1 sitteth upon many waters ;' whose sentence may be read, Rev. xiv. 9. ' And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his fore- head, or in his hand,' ver. 10. 'The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of his holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb;' ver. 11. ' And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name,' — so that, it is as sure as God is God, and the holy Scriptures are his word, ac- cording to which all men that have heard or seen it, shall be judged, having the sentence of absolution or condemnation past according thereto ; Rom. ii. 12. ' For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law; and as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law;' — so that, it is clear, that the first will surely perish, viz. all Infidels, Atheists, and Pagans, that know not the true God, nor his law. 'And as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law,' — so that, whatever vain hopes Papists may * Whether this testimony was actually delivered or not, cannot now be ascer- tained. It is stated by "SVodrow, however, that when its author began to speak on the scaffold, he was immediately interrupted by the ruffling of drums, and on his complaining of this, the Town Major beat him with his cane in a most bar- barous manner. " This abominable rudeness to a dying man," he adds " and the patience and cheerfulness of the good man in suffering it, was, I know, the occa- sion of deep conviction to some who were present, of the evil of persecution and prelacy ; and there are several yet alive who can date their first serious impres- sions of religion from seeing some of the persecuted party suffer; — as they them- selves have informed me." — Wodrow, Vol. II. j 27. 2d 402 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. have of being saved, living and dying Papists, or wnatever, charity* loose Protestants have upon that account to give them, they are as far from being saved in that unconverted condition, as devils which are eternally cast out of his presence. 3dly, I have him to bless for this, — that my lot is not in and among the corrupt Protestant churches abroad, — Lutheranisra, and other corruptions and abounding errors, both in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, sectarian, epis- copal, or erastian ; but in the reformed church of Scotland, where all these things have been cast over the hedge, as not plants of his plant- ing : and where Christ hath been owned in all his three offices, King, Priest, and Prophet ; though alas ! he may say of us, in a great measure, as to the church of Israel of old, ' I have planted her a noble vine, but how is she become a degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me !' In that day of planting, we could have sung that song, Isa. xxvi. 1. — 'We have a strong city, salvation, will God appoint her, for walls and bul- warks,' &c. Lam. iv. 11. 'The Lord hath accomplished his fury, he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.' Ver. 12. ' The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world, would not have believed that the adversary and the enemy should have entered into the gates of Jerusalem.' Ver. 13. ' For the sins of her prophets, and the iniqui- ties of her priests, that have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her:' Ver. 14. 'They have wandered like blind men in the streets. they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments,' &c. This may be our regret before God, as it is in the seventh verse here in this chapter, ' Her Nazarites were purer than enow, they were whiter than milk, they were more ruddy in body than rubies, their polishing was of sapphire.' Ver. 8. ' Their visage is blacker than a coal, they are not known in the streets ; their skin cleaveth to their bones ; it is withered, it is become like a stick ;' &c. And O ! how unnatural-like were it for the mother to let her child, the son of her womb, perish for lack of the breasts; were Bhe free of the child's blood, it perishing for want of its natural food? And O ! how many are this day perishing for want of the lively preached pel; ver. 3. 'Even the sea monsters draw out the bieasts, they give suck to the young ones ; the daughters of my people are became i like the ostriches in the wilderness.' 4 tidy, I have him to bless for this, — that I am not this day fighting against him in an open war a;-.;' so, bearing arms against him, his work and people, for there is no m or in me as of myself, than these that are deeplieet imbruing their hands in the blood of the saints. 5thly, 1 have him to bless for tbis, that ever he hath opened my eyes to see the mystery of iniquity that abounds and hath its scat in the heart, and also in sonic measure hath given me a 6ight of the remedy in the blood of Jems Christ, with hi> Spirit engaging me to himself", letting me Bee bin altogether pn - cious, making me see thai it is better to be ' a ^oor-keeper in the fa of God, than to dwell in the tabernacli 'Thou sba't guide me with thy counsel, rward receive i glory' Ver. 25. 'Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.' Gthiy, I have his ho'y JAMES ROBERTSON. 403 name to bless, that ever he made me to know any thing, how 6mall soever, of his controverted truth, viz. the privileges of his crown and kingdom, now when by their acts and laws they have taken his crown and sceptre, and royal robe, and settled the whole government of his house upon a man that is but a worm : but this I believe, — his decree will stand, oppose it who will ; Psal. ii. 6. ' Yet have I 6et my king upon pay holy hill of Zion,' &c. Isa. xlii. 8. 'Iain the Lord, lhat is my name, my glory will I not give to another, nor my praise to graven images,' &c. Now, is not that his declarative glory, which that usurper hath taken to himself? yea, he that ' leadeth captivity captive,' according to his royal word, will reclaim his own glory ; he it is alone that hath given Christ to be the sure foundation whereon all the building is fitly framed : ' That stone which the builders reject- ed is made the head of the corner.' Isa. xxviii. 16. ' Thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation : he that believeth shall not make haste.' Ver. 17. ' Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place. 7thly, I bless and magnify the holy name of my God, that hath called me to be a sufferer for his work and interest, counting it not my shame but a high privilege, and dignifying of me, when many, famous in this generation, have been denied of it, (though indeed most of this generation have brought up an ill report upon the cross, endeavouring by their practice to render it of none effect ;) but I have this scripture for my encouragement, 1 Pet. iii. 13—17. 'And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good ?' &c. 8thly, I have this great and glorious Prince to praise for this, and O 1 let all the true children of Zion laud and praise this praise-worthy God, that hath not only called me to bear witness to the truth, but hath helped me not to deny his name, titles and attributes ; for that is the thing that the enemies and usurpers of my lovely Lord's crown are seeking, to deny allegiance to him, f who is given of the Father to be a leader and commander to the people,' even he, ' on whose shoulders the government is laid,' committing the ordering of his house to faithful stewards, to order his affairs according to his own appointment in his holy word, and hath not left it to the prudence of men how learned soever. Gamaliel, that learned Pharisee and doctor of the law, erred in the exposition of the law, — not knowing Christ to be ' the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.' And seeing, these groat learned Rabbies erred every one in that which was the great and main end of the law, viz. Christ, ; to whom Moses and all the prophets bear witness ;' how much more shall they err, where it is left to their own wisdom (having no platform to walk by), as the maintainers of the prelatic hierarchy would be at. Solomon was as wise as any, yea the wisest man that ever was, or ever shall be, and he erred, having the rule of the law to walk by. Were not all the laws and forms of the house given by God to Moses, as well for manner of worship, as the matter thereof? " And further os to that which is so much pleaded for by this gen- 40 i TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. eration, — his authority in civil matters, — which, as matters now stand, cannot be given, neither will they have it without the other, (for by their acts of parliament they have made them equally essential to the crown : likewise there cannot be an authority without a foundation) — if any shall say, he hath it from that which he received at his admission to the government, as he entered upon the terms of the coronation oath ; to this I answer, he hath rescinded that, in and by the Act Rescissory in his first parliament; and when he annulled and rescinded that, from which he had his power and authority, he thereby rescinded his own authority also: so that from this he hath no just power, having oftener than once burnt the covenants, which were his coronation oath, ' without which he could not enter the government. If it Bhall be said, that the foundation of his power is built upon the test, wherein ' he is made absolute supreme judge, over all matters and persons, as ' well ecclesiastical as civil ; — that is so far from giving him a right, that it maketh him a complete monster, having one head and two bodies ; and if that authority should be owned by me, being a free-born mem- ber of the church of Scotland, which is Christ's mystical body, and in my baptismal oath given away to Him, and having given my oath of allegiance to him as King and Head of his own house ; shall I own that authority, without being guilty of lese-majesty against the King of Zion, and so, of the highest degree of sacrilege ? 2dly, I shall thereby deny my allegiance to God the Creator, under whom the magistrate should rule in a direct line ; he ruling by Ms own arbitrement, which is contrary to our obligations in covenant ; — we being bound in cove- nant to defend the civil rights and liberties of the crown and kingdom, as we are born subjects thereof. 3dly, That which they have done in condemning the true sons of the church, and subjects of the kingdom, to death ; which is open murder under the colour of law ; Now, that it is so, (those whom they have proceeded against being adherers to the word of God, which is the only rule of faith and manners, owning God as God, Christ as Redeemer, the Holy Ghost as Sanctifier, and they having nothing to charge them with, but their adherence to the true Christian principles, and they sentenced upon the same heads) — this must be the deepest murder. 4-thly, These being owners of the true reformed religion, and all the fundamental laws of the church and kingdom ; and they refusing to judge and sentence according to tho word of God, according to which all sentences of lite and death ought fo pass, as also refusing to judge according to the laws, as they receiv- ed them at their admission to the government, — which was, net to rule the law, but it to rule them, and they to rule the people according to chat law, and the people remaining in Bubjectioo to the law of God, mid the ancient and fundamental laws of the land, and the persons of lawful governors, being made treason: — this must certainly not only be a murdering of men, yea, true Christian men, hot also a murdering of justice. And thus the land is defiled with blood. Read the sentence of such, Numb. xxxv. 38. ' So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ve Bte; for blood, — it defileth the land; and the land cannot be ch I of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.' But such as are owning and pleading for this prciMtl uower, let JAMES ROBERTSON. iOC the end of magistracy be considered, Horn. xiii. 3. 'lor rulers ar jnot a terror to good works, but to tbe evil ; will tbou not then be afraid of the power ? do that which is good, and thou sbalt have praise of the same.' Ver. 6. ' For this cause pay you tribute also for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.' 1 Pet. ii. 14. 'Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent oy him, for the punishment of evil-doers, and for the praise of them that do well.' " Now, it is undeniably evident from what is aforesaid, that piety is suppressed, and iniquity nourished, and the sword in their hand used a^-ainst those that do most entirely cleave to the Scripture rule, and the sworn principles of the church of Scotland, and the ancient funda- mental laws thereof. Prov. xx. 8. ' A king that sitteth on the throne of judgment, scattereth away all iniquity with his eyes,' &c. Now I dare herein appeal to the sentence of all single, unbiassed, and judicious ! persons, whether or not the present exercise of their power be not both injustice and tyranny; for there is no public power in the land, but what is founded on perjury, sacrilege and tyranny, and exercised according thereto. And seeing it is so, ye that are owners of such a power, ye must needs be upon the matter, owners of all these ; com- pearing before their courts, and paying them tribute, placing advocates, and pleading your cause before such unjust judges : and more espe- cially such as are prisoners for the truths of the gospel, and so ought to witness a good confession for His trampled-upon truth, who was not ashamed to witness a good confession before Pontius Pilate, viz. that He was a king ; John xviii. 37. ' Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king ? then Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness, unto the truth.' " Now, ye who are charging me this day, and others of my brethren, sufferers for truth, to be guilty of self-murder, and so a breach of the sixth commandment; (which is very false, for self-preservation must . itoop to truth's preservation) — did our blessed Lord establish an advo- cate to plead for him ? did that valiant champion Stephen do it ? but was free and positive in asserting his testimony. Or did Paul do it ? Or can you shew me any such precept or practice from Scripture? Yea, consider the nature of witnessing, it proveth the contrary. But I prove such as do this to be actually guilty of the breach of the second commandment, which is, that ' Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image,' Exod. xx. 4. For as I have proved before, be is set up in Christ's room, and exerciseth authority in and by that abominable arrogated supremacy, and having intermixed things civil and ecclesias- tic, by their acts of parliament, — making them both alike inherent to the crown, and so cannot be owned in either without sacrilegious idol- atry, and so a breach of this commandment; as also of the fifth com- mandment,— which concerneth natural and civil parents, which are to be owned and obeyed only in the Lord, which cannot in the least alio of any man's being absolutely supreme, even in civil matters, it being the ordinance of God, and a lawful magistrate the minister of God, bound to dispense bis ordinance, according to the rule in the word. 406 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and according to the ancient laws of the kingdom : for in the obeying of lawful power, it is obedience to this commandment : so upon the contrary, the owning and obeying an unlawful power, (such as theirs) certainly must be a breach of it. And can any deny that to be an owning of them, to establish one of the members of their court, to plead for no other effect, but to hale men out of ihe true principles and practices of the true reformed chinch of Scotland, when the pan- nel is called by his lot, to witness for them and give a confession thereof, before such an evil and adulterous generation, — these being Christ's truths questioned ; and truth is himself, ' I am the way, the truth, and the life.' If any should object, and say, they are small things; to this I answer, No truth is small. Luke xvi. 10. 'He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much ; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much,' &c. And such as are supplicating the enemies, are guilty here ; for a supplication ought not, nor can be given in, but to a lawful power, and for a lawful thing. 3dly, Such are guilty, who are coming out of prison upon bond and caution, binding themselves to compear before their judicatories, at such a particular time, or at demand ; for we ought not to bind ourselves to compear or answer before a judicatory, but a lawful one, such as theirs is not ; so that such are actually guilty, but especially such who form- erly joined in declining them. This generation seems to be a generation in a great measure, given up to work all manner of wickedness with greediness, considering what profanity and robbing of God, mocking him and religion, insta- bility, and the giving away his and the church's due: Mai. iii. 7. ' Even from the days of your fathers, ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them : return unto mp, and I will return unto you, saith the Lord of hosts : but ye said, Wherein shall we return ?' ver. 8. ' Will a man rob God ? Yet ye have robbed me : but ve say, Wherein have we robbed thee ? In tithes and offerings.' ver. 9. * Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation,' &e. I am not to take upon me to speak any thing for future times, but this generation seems to have the marks and evidences of a generation of his wrath, fitted for judgment and destruction. Take these Scriptures as an evidence, Micah vi. 10. • Tor the statutes of Omri are kept.' Isa. xxiv. 1 — 6. ' Behold the Lord maketh the earth empty,' &c. Now read Israel's sins here, and compare them with Scotland's sins, and see if they be not parallel : and seeing it is so, what can be expected, but the punishments and plagues shall be parallel also, 1 can- not shake the thoughts of this off my spirit, but that there is a four- fold vengeance to be poured out upon this land. First, The vengeance of God, for the intrusions on, and usurpations of his sword, crown, sceptre, and robe royal. :2dly, A temple-Vengeance, which is not a small one, for the laying his sanctuary desolate. Sdly, A gospel-ventrcnnce, viz. for the slighting of the great anil rich otVrr of ("mist and salvation offered in such purity and plenty. 4thly. A cnvenan'-venireanre. for the great perjury and apostasy in the breach of, and falling from tin- prosecuting toe ends <;f these covenants ; which the Lord highly hau- oured this land with, to bring it into covenant with himself, and make JAMES ROBERTSON. 407 it Hcphzibah and Eeulah unto him, Isa. xxxiv. 5, 6, 7. ' For my sword shall be bathed in heaven, it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the people of my curse to judgment,' &c. Jer. xxii. 6 — 9. < For thus saith the Lord unto the king's house of Judah, Thou art Gilead unto me, and tbe head of Lebanon; yet surely I will make thee a wilderness, and the cities which are not inhabited,' &c. This land hath not only departed from God, in and by their own sinr., in refusing the rich offer of the gospel ; and breach of covenant ; but have homologate that broken and despised idol's sin, that hath overturned the work of refor- mation, by their owning of him now, when he hath taken the whole privileges of Christ's crown and kingdom to himself. And this I am persuaded of, that if there be a family in the Christian world, that comes under Amalek's curse, viz. ' With whom he will have war for ever ;' it is that family, called the Royal Family ; whom, I think, God is about to sweep off the throne, so that no root thereof shall be left to exercise in the government, Isa. xl. 23, 24-. ' That bringeth the princes to nothing ; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity,' &c. Now, as to the articles of my indictment, whereon my sentence of death is founded, is, First, The owning and maintaining, that it was lawful to rise in arms at Pentland and Bothwell-bridge : which I did with great cheerfulness and boldness, they being in their own defence, and in the defence of the gospel ; and took that article for proof in the Confession of Faith, that they have given out to be the confession of their own faith, professing to build that abominable and ridiculous test upon ; which shews, that they are ill builders, the building being so far off the foundation. But I refer you to the draught of a paper, which I drew as my testimony against that test ; which with the consent and advice of others, was affixed on the parish kirk door of Stonehouse: and I am of the mind, that this proof, as it did enrage them, • being like a wild bvdl caught in their own net ;' so it did give them no small damp. A second was, speaking treason (as they call it) and declining their authority, which consisteth in this. First, when asked, If their king, or rather their idol, were a tyrant ? I referred it to bis obligations in his coronation oath, to he considered with his present actings and prac- tices, with his usurpations upon the privileges of the church, and prero- gatives royal of Jesus Christ, ' who is the anointed of the Father :' and the refusing to say, ' God save the king,' which we find was the order that was used in and among the children of Israel, at the king's anoint- ing to that office ; and used in our own nation at the coronation. Now, this being only clue to a lawful king, ought not to be given but to a lawful king, and so not to him, being a degenerate tyrant: for if I should, I thereby had said Amen to all that he hath done against the church and liberties thereof, and to all his oppression by unlawful exac- tions, and raising of armies, for no other effect, but to deprive us of thn hearing of the gospel, and troubling or molesting the subjects, both in their consciences and external liberties, and also their bloodshed and murders made upon the people of God, and free subjects of the king- dom ; and so ' bid him God speed,' contrary to that in the second epistle of John, 10th verse. And seeing it cannot be given to any that 408 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. have thus used their power to a wrong' end, in such a measure and manner: so much less, when they have set him up as an idol, in the room of God Incarnate. And shall I pray, To hless that man in his person and government, whom God had cursed? for it cannot be expected, but that he shall be cursed, that thus ventureth upon the thick bosses of the buckler of God Almighty. "Now, I shall here give in short, an account of my principles, which I shall do, as in the sight of an all-seeing God, viz. I am a true Chris- tian, truly anti-popish, anti-prelatic, anti-sectarian, anti-schismatic, anti-erastian ; a true presbyterian, owning the true protestant religion, now owned and professed by the poor wrestling and suffering rem- nant in Scotland: and whatever men have said, or may say of me, I have lived, and now I die thus. " Wherefore, in the first place, I give testimony to the truth, fulness, and authority of the Scriptures ; and to all the truths contained there- in, and warrantable therefrom. 2dly, I bear my testimony to the way wf salvation through Jesus Christ; and that by his satisfaction the moral law was not abrogated, but fulfilled : and that the moral law is as binding on the Christian truly interested in him, this day, as it was i hat day when it was given to the children of Israel ; only the condem- natory sentence thereof loosed to all such as are believers indeed. 3dly, I bear my testimony to the work of reformation, as it was re- formation, as it was reformed from Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and other errors ; as it is contained in the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Covenants National and Solemn League, Solemn ,-t.cknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties, the Sum of Sav- mg Knowledge, Directory for Worship, the Causes of God's Wrath, drawn up by the General Assembly of this church, after the evil in meddling with that rotten-hearted malignant Charles Stuart, was seen. 4thly, I bear my testimony to the faithful actings of the remonstrants against malignants and the malignant interests, which are the very things this day contended for, by the true Presbyterians of the Church of Scotland. 5thly, I bear my testimony (not to go further back., seeing it homologates the rest) to that noble testimony given at Lanark, against that tyrant, and the test enacted by the late parliament ; which I could not but look upon, in the time of the carrying on of it, and yet doth, — that the remnant was therein owned of the Lord. 6thly, I bear my testimony to all the faithful testimonies of the martyrs that have gone before us, on scaffolds, in the fields, or in the seas. 7thly , I bear my testimony to all the appearances in arms, for the defence of the gospel. Sthly, I bear my testimony to the faithful manner of the delivery of the gospel, that hath been in the open fields, by the faithful and sent servants of Jesus Christ, exercising according to his OWll commission; preaching days, communion days, and fasts ; partir- ularly one bolden at Auchingilloch by three ministers, two of them now glorified, viz. .Mr. Donald Cargill and Mr. Richard Cameron; where the land's guilt was freely and faithfully discovered. Othly and lastly, I bear my testimony to the fellowship-meetings of the Lord's people, particular and ecncrnl, and mv BOIll hath many a time been refreshed in them. • JAMES ROBERTSON. 409 "Likewise, on the other hand, Heave my testimony against trie puhlic resolutions for taking in that malignant interest; for which this poor church is this day smarting, and feeling the weight of that tyrant's* hand, for such eager lusting after a king. 2dly, I leave my testimony against Hamilton Declaration, which is one and the same thing with the Resolutions. (1.) For taking in the foresaid interest, contrary to the land's engagements in covenant. (2.) For corrupting the army. [Jut my mind of this, with several other things, such as the excommunication, tyrant's interest, cess and locality, is more fully xpressed in a paper, entitled, ' Some few grievances, set down hy way of query ;' which was occasioned hy a minister preaching near the place of my residence, and some falsely accusing me for casting at ministers, and so at ministry: and to show that my hearing was not from any schismatieal design, but of conscience of duty, judging him deficient and faulty, in not being faithful, — I therefore drew my grievances to be presented ; and refer to this and the forementioned paper, as a part of my testimony against the wrongs done to a holy God in this backsliding age. 3dly, I leave my testimony against all unfaithfulness in ministers. (1.) For their dark and ambiguous manner of preaching, in not giving free, full, and faithful warning of the duty and dangers of our day. (2.) They either altogether leave off preaching, as if seeming and apparent hazard loosed them from that command, which is to preach in season and out of season, &c. Or turning the edge of their doctrine against the most faithful in the land, aud taking the faults and failings of the saints in Scripture, to defend them in their sinful, defective, conniving and complying courses; which is a wresting of the Scripture, for these are set down for our admoni- tion, not to split upon such rocks. And O I how many professors are guilty also in this matter, they cannot deny it to be a fault, viz. such and such things; yet they cannot state their sufferings on them. Now* undeniably, this is a presumptuous sinning, venturing upon it, because God is merciful ; this is a daring of him to his face. Surely David was not of this mind of it, Psal. xix. 12. 'Who can understand his errors, cleanse thou me from secret faults.' ver. 13. ' Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins, let them not have dominion over me,' &c. Numb. xv. 30. ' But the soul that doth ought presumptu- ously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproach- eth the Lord, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.' 4thly, I give my testimony against that erastian indulgence, and such as join with them, because they entered not by the right door, but by the order of the usurper, whereas Christ is the only door. John x. 1. But this I will say, that those who will not, and dare not take that usurper's portion, lest they be defiled thereby, ' their countenance shall outshine the other, and be fatter and fairer in the day when they are to be proved before the king,' Dan. i. 15. 5thly, I give my testi- mony against all the hearers of these abominable tested curates throughout the land ; so in particular against the corner of that land, viz. Kilmarnock and the country thereabout, where I was apprehended, which I was then persuaded of, and yet am, that it was so ordered, that I might in particular witness against them 410 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. for their compearing at courts, subscribing bonds, paying fines, which includeth in it an acknowledgment of a fault, building that which formerly they did destroy, and destroying that which formerly thev builded, and that according to God's word ; and these who formerly were leaders in the way of truth, elders and old professors, are now as active by example and advice in the present course, and so are a stum- bling-block to others. ' Offences must come, but wo to them by whom they do come; better it were, that a millstone were hanged about their necks, and they were cast into the midst of the sea.' O that ye who have formerly known the way of truth, would study more stability, and let not your liberty become a stumbling-block to others. 6thly, I bear my testimony against all profanity and profane persons, against all Atheism, and Atheists practical and professed ; not only such as deny the true God by profession, but even such as do it by practice, belying their profession : against all enthusiasm and enthusiasts, although these black-mouthed Erastian writers, are pleased to call the way that is now followed by the poor remnant, such ; yet my endeav- ours have always been to be both cleared in matters of truth and practice, according to the word and Spirit. But this I think, that the Lord is about to let this generation stumble, fall, and break their necks upon their own carnal wisdom, and each of them upon another : But mind this, ' That the world by wisdom knew not God :' for it seems, it is the nothings of this age, that he will make use of : * Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings he will perfect his praise' "Now, I would speak in short to three sorts: 1st, You that are Strangers and enemies to this lovely Lord, let your estrangement be done away ; break off your sins by repentance ; consider the hazard you are in, even of eternal wrath and scorching hell tire for ever. O this condescending love of God, that is laid out in this manner ! O ye that are enemies to bis interest and people, mind that justice, even wrathful justice, is ready to be poured out upon von ! 0 therefore come off! repent and turn in unto this so favourable and merciful a God : leave oft" your persecution, come unto him, ' there is mercy with him that he may be feared ;' and if ye will not return, then his wrath will be upon you to all eternity. 2dly, Ye that have sometimes known what it was to be in God's favour, and had much love and tenderness for him, his work and interest, cause and covenant, as it was reformed in this land, and now are fallen from your first love, O endeavour to have in mind the love of your espousals, when ye and Christ were hand-fasted : O consider aright what a great difference there is between your love, faith, zeal, tenderness now, in regard of what it was Therefore take a right look of matters, and weigh them aright in tb balance of the sanctuary, both as to your own particular case, and the case of his church ; and turn to him with speedy and unfeigned repent- ance ; for he that turns aside to crooked ways, 'shall be led forth with the workers of iniquity.' () therefore turn in time, lest 'repent- ance be bid from your eyes.' O! »ry of God. the good of your own souls, and the advantage of the church, if such an one as 1 may be so bold bs to invite yon, bow going out of time into eternity ; as ye would not be partakers of the plague.-, that are to come JAMES ROBERTSON. 411 upon such a generation, come off with speed. 3dly, You that are in good terras with God, and helped to keep by his way, break not your peace by turning aside to crooked ways, entertain love, keep and hold fast your integrity, in this day, when many have broken the bargain with him now when the language of many is this, ' These are hard savings, who can bear them ?' And now, that this is his language to you ' Will ye also leave me?' O! let this be the language of every ingenuous soul, ' To whom shall we go ? for thou hast the words ot eternal life.' Make sure salvation to yourselves, thereby ye shall be the more fit to follow him in this day, when he is casting forth his red flag, and marching. Many follow him when the white flag of peaco is flourishing ; but they are ill worthy of the sweet, who will not take part with him in the bitterest and sharpest sufferings ; for what is the greatest of sufferings that can come from man, coming upon his account, in regard of what he suffered for us, even the heavy wrath of God, which would have pressed us down to the pit through all eternity: and may not the consideration of this oblige you ? I can speak it to his commendation, that he can make the cross light and easy, for he will bear it and you both. And seeing everlasting arms are under- neath, have you not ground to expect that he will not let his own arm be crashed. He can strew the cross with roses. I dare, not 6ay that ever I met with a cross ; for when the strait hath been greatest, then he kythed his kindness most. O the rich manifestations that he giveth to the soul under the cross ! Yea, it is all paved with love. Who would not go through a sea of bloody sufferings with him and for him ? He is ' the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the vallies ; he is fair and ruddy, the cbi^f among ten thousand of thousands :' O ! who can describe him ? He is the only precious object, ' altogether lovely.' If he were seen and known, who would not love him ? he is both lovely and loving. The soul may solace itself in him, under the greatest of straits. Now, ye that have received him, walk worthy of him. O! who knows what is in love? 1 John iv. 17. ' Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judg- ment ; because as he is, so are we in this world.' How is that ? ' Though in the world, yet not of the world.' Ver. 18. ' There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out fear, because fear hath tor- ment : he that feareth is not made perfect in love.' Now, the reason of our love is, ver. 19. 'We love him because he first loved us.' Now, dear friends, ye that are helped to keep by him, think it not strange though the world hate you, it hated himself : ' He was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own.' Should Ave not be as pilgrims and stran- gers, travelling, seeking after an heavenly country ? There is a rest for the people of God, and to whom is this rest appointed but to the weaiy passenger ! " Now, I am given out by the enemies and professors, as being prodigal of life, and leading my two brethren to the death; but they are both false charges : for I have found more straightness and stedfastness in them, than I can find in myself. As for the other, I have so much of humanity, that I love my life ; but cannot redeem 412 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. it with the loss of my integrity, and denial of any of his precious truths. I durst not make a shift to have any favour of the enemies, nor to touch, taste, or handle with them, for their dainties are deceitful meat. And there is one scripture which at my first coming to prison confirmed me, Philip, iv. 6. ' Be careful for nothing : hut in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request* be made known unto God.' " Now, dear friends, encourage yourselves in the Lord, and stand fast in one spirit, striving together for the faith of Jesus: Let nothing damp your courage, zeal, tenderness, and faithfulness, for this so lovely a Lord ; and let brotherly love always continue. Beware of rocks, both on the right and left hand ; we have beacons set up for both, to our sad experience, in this poor church : beware of peremptoriness, passion, and pride ; for there may be, and I fear is, a spiritual pride, as well as a natural. Carry suitably to those who are without, and to them that are within. Endeavour to have an union in the Lord ob- tained, and entertained. Mix not the fire of true zeal with the wild sparks of carnal passion ; but let meekness of spirit, with a Christian, godly and faithful conversation, adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. The breakings of the remnant, I may warrantably say, have lien heavier upon my spirit, than all that I have met with from the enemy. And if ye will not get together, wrath will he upon you. O ! for that day, when they shall he made ' one stick in his hand,' when it shall be as in Isa. xi. 13. ' The envy of Ephraim also shall depart, and the adver- saries of Judah shall be cut off: Ephraim shall not envy Judah, and Judali shall not vex Ephraim.' Ver. 14, ' But they shall flee upon the shoulders of the Philistines towards the west, and they shall spoil them of the east together,' &c. And that scripture, * Suffer not sin upon thy brother's soul, hut in any wise reprove him.' Seek to reclaim them that are fallen : ' Ye that are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness.' Follow a gospel method, beware of self-seeking, And let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall,' &c. I am not here speaking to those that are going on in homologating these God-provoking, Christ-dishonouring, church-ruining, and laud- de>olating courses ; but to the wrestling remnant. " Now death is not a whit terrible to me, 1 Cor. xv. 55. ■ O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?' Ver. 56. 'The sling of death is sin, and the Strength of sin is the law.' Ver. 57. « But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ.' I think this is his language to me, Micah ii. 10 ' Arise ye and depart, for this is not your rest : because it is pol- luted,' &c. 2 Cor. v. 1. ' For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the. heavens." I "Now, as to his way with bis church, it is mysterious; ■ his way is in the deep, his paths in the mighty waters ;' but the thought* of this I cannot put off my spirit, hut that he hath thoughts of good and not of evil ; to give this poor church an expected end. But I am p«r- ■uaded of this, that he hath some Other wwk ado. before that he accom- plished, for falling from her firsl love, ami the great ingratitude for the JAMES ROBERTSON. 413 great and high privileges formerly enjoyed : But be not discouraged, nor sinfully anxious, neither about the church nor the remnant, but wait on God in his own way, and commit all to him, and he shall bring it to pass: it may come in a way least expected (I have no doubt about it) that his power, infiniteness, and sovereignty may yet appear. "Now, I declare I am free of the blood of all men, and though man had never public scandal to charge me with, yet I am one of the chief of saved sinners. And in respect of original, actual, and omis- *ional sin, there hath been as much guiltiness in me, as might and would have weighed down to the pit, the whole world ; but my lovely Lord hath shewed me warm blinks of his love. O for love to give to this lovely Lord Jesus, according to that scripture, l Come and I will tell you what the Lord hath done for my soul.' Upon the day before I received my sentence, I met with a great measure, and a full gale of the Spirit, wherein my heart was both melted and enlarged, winning near to him, both alone and with the rest; but a little thereafter going to him alone, I found him hiding, and heing sensible of it, my heart, in some measure, panted after him, yet absent ; so going to the word, I was directed to 1 John v. 14. ' This is the confidence that we have in him, that if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.' Ver. 15. ' And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him :' — which did in no small measure settle and comfort my spirit ; so meditating a little, and considering how these two could consist together, was an- swered thus ; ' because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.' And since, I bless Lis holy name, I have had great composure of spirit. " Now, according to my blessed Lord's command, I am not prepos- sessed with malice, or a spirit of revenge, but can bless wrhen cursed : As for these men that are unjustly taking away my life, not only con- trary to the law of God, and the ancient and fundamental laws of the land, but even contrary to their own law ; for what they are doing against me as I am in myself, I can freely forgive them and all others ; but as they do it against the image of God in me, and upon his truth's account, and so against himself, that is not mine to forgive, but I leave it to him to whom vengeance belongeth, to deal with them as may best glorify himself. Now, I rejoice in my lot, for it hath fallen to me in pleasant places, and I have a goodly inheritance ; I would not exchange it with the greatest monarch upon earth. O ! let heaven and earth praise him, sun and moon praise him ! O all the creation praise him, angels and glorified saints praise him, and my soul shall praise him through all the ages of eternity. Now, farewell all things in time, farewell holy Scriptures, farewell prayer, meditation, faith, hope ; farewell all true friends. Welcome heaven ; welcome Father. Son, and Holy Spirit ; welcome angels, and spirits of just men made perfect; welcome praises for evermore! Sic sub— JAMES ROBERTSON."* * Cloud of Wicnessei, 414 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. XXII. JOHN FINJ.AY. "This was the second in order, of the three individuals who were ex- ecuted together on the 15th December, 1682. He seems to have belonged to Kilmarnock or its neighbourhood, and was a prisoner in that town when visited by his friend Robertson ; on which occa- sion the latter was apprehended. He was tried and condemned for mere matters of opinion, as the following account of his examination will evince. " Being interrogated, whether it be lawful to rise in arms against the king, refuses to answer. Refuses to say God save the king, but says he loves the king as well as any person — confesses he was present at Drumclog, but without arms. Being asked if he conversed with Mr. Cargill within these two years — refuses to answer, otherwise than that a man is neither by the law of God nor man bound to have a hand in shedding his own blood." Such indeed were the several grounds of condemnation in the period in question. — For the reasons on which he held these opinions, the reader is referred to the following testimony.] "Men and brethren, — Showing you that I am condemned unjustly by a generation of bloody men, who are thirsting after the blood of the saints of God, and upon no other account, but for my being found in the way of my duty in the sight of God, (glory to his holy name for it, though gone about with many failings, much imperfections,) for ad- hering to Christ in all his offices, as Prophet, Priest, and King ; and for my following him in all his persecuted gospel truths ; — the articles of my indictment were, 1st, My keeping company with the per- secuted people of God, ministers and others, for which, with my whole soul, I bless him that ever he honoured me with such company ; and in token of his countenance he hath kept me in that company. 2dly, My being in company and converse with Mr. Donald Cargill ; (for which with my whole soul, I desire to bless and magnify the riches of his grace, that ever he conferred such company upon such a sinful wretch) and Mr. King, Mr. Richard Cameron, Mr. Kid, in par- ticular. 3dly, My refusing to call the bishop's death murder, which I durst not do, it being God's righteous judgment upon him. 4thlv, My not calling BothwelL-bridge rebellion ; it being in defence of them- selves and of the gospel, which is lawful in God's sight ; and therefore I durst not call it rebellion. 5thly, My triving meat, drink, and com- fort to the persecuted people of God : which 1 did willingly and with my whole heart; and herein I have sweet peine this day; as in Matt. x. 43. ' And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, lie shall in no wise lose his reward :' which he hath made out to mc abundantly to the full. (ithly, My being commanded to say. 'God sa\e the king! which I durst not do for my very soul | their bidding us to do it in the t'";t of our loyalty, t<> save him in his person and government, and authority, which if a perfect owning of him in all that he hath done, in his usurpation upon Chrittl pivroga- JOHN e IN LAY. 416 tives, and privileges, they having made him supreme head in all mat- ters and causes, civil and ecclesiastic ; which if I had done, it had been a flat denying of Christ, and a joining with him and them, I mean Charles Stuart, in all that they have done in overturning the glorious work of reformation in these lands, and all the wrongs done to the gospel and people of God in this day, which would have made me odious in the sight of God, and before the world ; from which I bless him, that he hath kept me ; as the scripture saith, ' Ho that is not faithful in little, will not be faithful in that which is much.' 7thly, Being asked, if I would not pray for the king ? I said, Yes. Do it then, they said. I said, according to the scripture. They said, he will pray for him as he is a man, but not as he is king, which is high treason and rebellion. Now, my friends, I being conscious to myself that my owning him as my king, was a casting off Christ Jesus who is head and King of Zion, and taking on with him, and so would have incurred the wrath of God, and homologated all the bloodshed, and all the horrid bloody abominations they have committed in the land, with avowed defying of the great God, — O who dare join with such avowed enemies of our God, and so cast off the society of the saints, and give the hand of fellowship to such bloody and man-sworn wretches, that is making it their whole work to root out godliness out of this covenanted land, that the name of Israel shall no more be made mention of : but they will be all beguiled, for Christ will reign till all his enemies be made his footstool. " 1st, I give my testimony to the sure word of God, which is the Scriptures of truth. 2dly, I give my testimony to the way of salva- tion through Jesus Christ, and that by his satisfaction. 3dly, I bear my testimony to the wor.. of reformation, as it was reformed from Popery, Prelacy, Erastianism, and other errors, as it is contained in the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms. 4thly, I give my testimony to the Covenants National and Solemn League, and solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, Sum of Saving Knowledge, Directory for Worship ; and to the Causes of God's Wrath, drawn up by the general assembly of the church, after their meeting with the rotten-hearted malignant Charles Stuart. 5thly, ! I bear my testimony to the faithful actings of the remonstrants against the malignant interest, that is the very thing contended for by the true Presbyterians of the church of Scotland. 6thly, I give my testimony, not to go farther hack, seeing it homologates the rest, to that notable testimony given at Lanark, against that tyrant, and the test intimated by the late parliament, on which I could not but look, in the time of carrying it on and yet do, that the remnant was owned of the Lord. 7thly, 1 bear my testimony to all the faithful testimonies of the martyrs, that have gone before us, whether on scaffolds, or on the fields, or in the seas. 8thly, 1 bear my testimony to all appearances in arms for defence of the gospel. 9thly, I bear my testimony to the faithful preaching of the gospel that hath been in the fields by the faithful and sent messengers of Jesus Christ, according to his own mission, preach- ing days, communion days, and fast days, by Messrs. Cargill, King, Kid, Cameron, and Douglas. lOthly and lastly, I bear my testimony 416 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. to the fellowship-meetings of the Lord's people, particular and general, my soul hath been many a time refreshed with his presence in com- pany with them. " Likewise I bear my testimony, 1st, Against the puhlic resolution- ers for taking in the malignant interest, for which this poor church is smarting, this day, and feeling the weight of the tyrant's hand, for such eager lusting after the king. 2dly, I bear my testimony against, Hamilton Declaration, which is one and the same with the resolutioners, for taking in the foresaid interest, contrary to the land's engagements in covenant. 3dly, For corrupting the army, and other things, such as the excommunicated tyrant's interest, cess, and all other impositions of that nature, for the down-bearing of Christ's interest, doing it against a holy God. 4th!y, I bear my testimony against indulged ministers, for their not coming in by the door, but by the mission of men, John x. 1. ' He that entereth not by the door into the sheep fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.' They being entered by the tyrant and not by the door, they are become men servants, and not servants to Jesus Christ, and so are become an Erastian party, which hath wronged our Lord and King more than the bloody prelatic party hath done these twenty years bygone, by their rending the church's bowels, and for dividing many a bosom-friend, to the great hurt of the gospel. 5thly, I leave my testimony against all corrupt ministers, sheltering themselves under their wings, strengthening the stakes of that plantation, and for their dark and ambiguous preaching, in not declaring the whole counsel of God. 6thly, 1 leave my testi- mony against all the enemies and wrongers of my Lord's glorious privileges and prerogatives, all in general. 1 leave my testimony against that bloody murderer John Reid, who murdered a woman in the town of New-milns, and now is carrying arms against Christ and his fol- lowers,— who took me, and confessed to me that he had not an order for it ; and against that party who carried me to Edinburgh ; and espe- cially Alexander Gemmil, my neighbour, who vexed me more than all that party, for he said 1 married folk and baptized children, and mocked me most dreadfully. " A line of advice to two or three sorts of folk. To you that are old professors and covenanters in the west of Scotland, and especially in Kilmarnock parish, what are ye doing ? Where are ye now, beside when ye swore the Covenant, and swore against Popery, Prelacy, and all that faction, side and party? How arc ye prosecuting the ends of that Covenant now, in the sight of God, and the oath of God, that ye 6wore with hands lifted up to the Most High, and before heaven and earth, sun and moon? O! my soul trembles to think what bad example ye are to the young generation, — ye who should have been as the he-goats before the flock, to train them up in the way of God, and the way of holiness and righteousness, and now ye are leading them just the contrary. Should ye not have been more tender of the blood of the souls of the young generation, than to turn your hack upon your profession, and turn in with the men of these abominations in all things? O fear the wrath of that God who has said, ' Shall any break the covenant and be delivered?' Now therefore, I desire, oi ye tender JOHN FINLAY. 417 your own souls, that ye would turn again to your first husband, for it was better with you than it is now. Next, you that are the young geneiation, men and women, what are ye doing? — are ye following the footsteps of your fathers in their courses of defection, joining in hearing these perjured curates, answering at their courts, joining in their worship with them, in their abominable and soul-destroying courses, contrary to the word of God, our solemn Covenants, and Con- fession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the order of the church of Scotland, in discipline, worship, and government — as they, ye, and I, are sworn, with hands lifted up to the most high God, which no power on earth is able to loose, or undo, or free from, any man, or woman, baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. O therefore, take heed how ye think to answer before the great sin- avenging God, before whom I am to appear within a little space, and before whom I and all the world will stand and be judged with righteous judgment S " And likewise, seeing that I dare not but show you my mind anent some persons and their carriage in this day of Jacob's trouble, when Zion is laying waste and plowing like a field : First, I give my testi- mony against these men called elders in my own parish, because of their complying with every course' of defection and abomination that comes alongst through the country ; — they being thought to be faithful elders in the time of the presbyterian government, and then turned elders to the curate Carnagie, and then turned elders to Mr Wedderburn, that indulged minister, and now are sessioners to this curate. And seeing this is true, that they have shewed themselves to be men of no principles, and the Spirit of God saying expressly, ' Med- dle not with them that are given to change ;' who can blame me to disown them ? " I give my testimony against John Boyd, called bailie of Kilmarnock, for his bloody courses in many things, and especially in his uplifting of the cess and bloody fines, and in oppressing the poor in their con- sciences, and laying on dragoons upon them most cruelly, which he did upon me four times ; I wish God may forgive him for what he has done in that matter. " Now, according to my blessed Lord's command, I am not pos- sessed with malice, or a spirit of revenge, but bless when cursed. As for these men that are unjustly taking away my life, not only con- trary to the law of God and the ancient laws of the land, but even contrary to their own law ; now for what they are doing to me, as I am in myself, I can freely forgive them, and all others; but, as they do it against the image of God in me, and upon his truth's account, and so against himself, that is not mine to forgive, but I leave it to him to whom vengeance belongs, that he may deal with them as he may most glorify himself. O ! if I could speak or write any thing to the commendation of the covenanted God of the church of Scotland, J bave surely many things to say, for that he trysted my lot to be in a nation where he hath set up his pure worship; whereas he mightjustly have let my lot be amongst Pagans, and heathen nations, that knew nothing of the true God. Or, 2dly, he might have ordered it to be . 28. 2 E 418 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. among those that are worshipping Antichrist, that wbore, that monstrous beast, that sits upon many waters ; whose sentence may be read in Jtev. xiv. 9. ' And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand,' Ver. 10. ' The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture, into the cup of his indignation ; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone, in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb ;' Ver. 11. 'And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever : and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.' And so, as sure as God is God, and the holy scriptures are his word, according to which all men that have heard or seen, it shall be judged, having the sentence of absolution or condemnation past accord- ing thereto, Rom. ii. 12. 'For as many as have sinned without law, shall also perish without law ;' — so it is clear, that the first will surely perish, viz. all Infidels, and Atheists, and Heathens, and Pagans, that know not the true God nor his law : ' And as many as have sinned in the law, shall be judged by the law.' And so whatever vain hopes the papists may have of being saved, living and dying papists, or whatever charity loose professors have on that head to give them, they are as far from being saved as devils, which are eternally cast out of his presence. 3dly, I have him to bless for this, that my lot is not among corrupt protestant churches abroad, Lutherans, and other corrup- tions and abounding errors, both in doctrine, discipline, worship, and government, Sectarian, Episcopal, or Erastian ; — but in the reformed church of Scotland, where all these things have been cast over the hedge, as not plants of his planting, where he hath been owned in all his offices, Prophet, Priest, and King, though he may say of us, in a great measure, as to the church of Israel of old, ' I have planted thee a noble vine, but thou art become a degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me,' &c. In that day of planting we could have sung that song, Isa. xxvi. 1. — ' We have a strong city, salvation will God appoint for walls and bul- warks.' Lam. iv. 11. 'The Lord hath accomplished his fury, he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.' Ver. 12. 'The kings of the earth, and all the inhabitants of the world would not have believed, that the adversary and the enemy should have entered the gates of Jerusalem.' Ver. 13. ' For the sins of her prophets, and the iniquities of her priests, they have shed the blood of the just in the midst of her.' \ er. 14. 'They have wandered as blind men in the streets, they have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments. This may be our regret before God, as in verse 7. ' Her Nazaritcs were purer than snow, they were whiter than milk, they were mora ruddy in body than ruliies, their polishing was of sapphire :' verse S. ' Their visage is blacker than a coal : they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaveth to their hones, it is withered, it is heroine like a stick,' fee, () how unnatural-like v.vio it for the mother to let the child, the fruit of her woinh. perish for lack of tl < I • ItS] were she free of the ehild's blood, it perishing for want of its natural food? JOHN FINLAY. 419 And O 1 how many are this day perishing- for want of the lively preached gospel : ' Even the sea monsters draw out the breasts, they give suck to their young ones ; the daughters of my people are become cruel like the ostriclies in the wilderness,' verse 3. And, 4thly, 1 have him to bless for this, that I am not this day fighting against, him in an open stated war, and so bearing arms against him and his people, for there is no more in me, as to myself, than these that are imbruing their hands deeply in the hlood of the saints. othly, I have him to bless for this, that ever he opened mine eyes to see the mystery of iniquity that abounds, and hath its seat in the heart : as also, in some measure, a sight of the remedy in the blood of Jesus, with his Spirit engaging me to himself, letting me see him- self, altogether precious, making me to see that ' it is better to be a door-keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the pleasures of sin for a season ;' Psalm lxxiii. 24. ' Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.' Verse 25. ' Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee !' 6thly, I have his holy name to bless that ever he honoured me to know any thing, how small soever, of his persecuted truths, viz. his crown, kingdom, and privileges, now, when many by their acts and laws have taken his crown and sceptre and royal robe from him, and settled the whole government of his house upon a man that is but a worm ; but 1 believe his decree will stand, oppose it who will ; Psalm ii. 6. ' Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Zion,' Isa. xlii. 8. ' I am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.' Now it is his declarative glory which that usurper hath taken to himself. Ay, but he that leadeth captivity captive according to his royal will and word, will reclaim his own glory : he it is alone that hath given him to be the sure founda- tion, whereon all the building is fitly framed ; that stone that the builders hath rejected is made the head of the corner, Isa. xxviii. 16. ' Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold I lay in Zion for a foundation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation; he that believeth shall not make haste. Ver. 17. 'Judg- ment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall over- flow the hiding-place.' 7thly, I bless and magnify the holy name of my God, that hath called me to be a sufferer for his work and interest, count- ing it not my shame, but a high privilege, and dignifying me, when many, famous in their generation, have been denied it, when so many are denying, and by their practice are rendering the cross of Christ of no effect. O my friends, bless and magnify your God for this, that ye are privileged with these things, and strive to walk worthy of him in your places, callings, and stations, and relations, as a husband, as a wife, as a master, as a servant, as a Christian ; study to have a blameless conversation, as becomes the gospel, as far as ye can, walk void of offence towards God and man. My dear friends, I have sweet peace in my lovely Lord ; he has made my prison become a palace unto me, and he has made me many a time to bless him for my lot, for which my soul shall praise him through all eternity. Therefore, my dear 420 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. friends, lot none of you think it strange, concerning the fiery trial, as though some strange thing had happened unto me, for it is in his holy wisdom he hath made my lot sweet; for he has made out his sweet promises unto me, one of which is of more worth than all the world, giving me the witness of his Spirit, bearing witness with my spirit that I have a right to them all. " Now farewell all things in time ; farewell holy Scriptures ; fare- well all Christian friends ; farewell prayer and meditation ; farewell faith ; farewell hope. Welcome heaven ; welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ; welcome angels, and the souls of just men made perfect ; welcome praises for evermore I Sic sub— JOHN FINLAY."* XXII. WILLIAM COCHRAN. [This was the other of the three individuals who were executed together on the 15th of December, 1682. It appears he belonged to Cairnduff, in the parish of Evandale. His examination before the committee was nearly of the same tenor as that of the two former. He seems to have been very cautious and reserved in his answers. Yet nevertheless he was brought in guilty. Being asked to say " God save the king," as a test and indication of his loyalty, he did not reply. The only additional proof adduced on trial, was the deposition of two soldiers, who declared that Cochran and Finlay had on some occasion, (perhaps Drumclog, at which the latter confessed he had been present,) taken their arms from them. With his two companions he was executed in the Grassmarket on the above-mentioned day, and left the following testimony.] " Loving Friends, — Seeing I am going off time into eternity, I think it fit now to leave my testimony to the truths of God. And, 1st, I own the Scriptures, and acknowledge them to be the only rule to the church and people of God at all times, and under all dispensations. 2dly, Jesus Christ to be the only Saviour of his people, and head of his church, and sole governor of his house. 3dly, I adhere to the covenanted work of reformation, Confession of Faith, and the Cove- nants and Catechisms : and I think it my great honour and glory, that I was born a member of that church, and desire to bear my testi- mony to all the privileges of that church : and also I desire to bear witness against all her enemies, especially against supremacy and prelacy, and all prelatic and Erastian courses, and against all joiners and compilers whatsoever with such like. " Now I desire every believer in the church of Scotland, to take a look how matters stand between God and their souls, in such a day as this; for it seems to inc. that that religion which would have done your turn at other times, will not do it now ; for his wav is now in the deepB, and ye would need to look where ye stand, when so many aro • Cloud of Witnem -. WILLIAM COCHRAN. 421 falling ; and see whether ye have made religion your only choice or not for except Christ be the only pearl of price to you, and his law your delight, ye cannot hold out ; for it seems to be a great work to be self- denied, and to part with all things, when they come in competition with the truths of Christ. Your going to kirks, and answering courts now, when they are founded upon perjury, and seated upon the ruins of the church, I cannot see, but it is a direct contradicting of the work of reformation, which we are sworn to maintain in its purity, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, (for we should not be divided directly or indirectly) and a joining with the enemies of the truth, when we should neither touch nor taste with the men of these abomi- nations. O look where ye are, and what will be the end, if mercy prevent it not ; when once ye are fanged in their snares, ye stand stoutly to the defence of it, and of these that join with them in these ensnaring courses. I desire you would look through the causes, why the Lord contends with this poor land, and leaves them thus to consume away unto dross, for the whole land is involved in perjury, for they are all joining together to destroy that which we were bound and sworn to maintain both in kirk and state. " Ye know that the land was given away to the Lord by covenant, and we, with all our substance, lives, and fortunes, sworn to defend it to the utmost of our power. O therefore consider where ye are now, you may date your perjury from the changing of the government, and the overturning of the work of reformation, and your being witness to it, and to the taking and beheading of Argyle and Mr. Guthrie, with- out eidier resisting or resenting it, which is astonishing to me to think upon, — for ye were bound to defend the lives of these two men, though all your lives should have gone for it ; I am put to wonder at Scotland's blindness. Ye may see your crowning and entering into covenant with Charles Stuart hath been a thing contrary to the will of the Lord, for he and all his predecessors have still been known to be in opposition to the ways of the Lord. It seems that the Lord is still contending with the land, and will contend, until he consume him and the land, because the king's sins become the people's sins, when not witnessed against and withstood. Now we know how he hath insnared the whole land by his acts, but especially his supremacy over the church, and intrusion on Christ's prerogatives ; and so many ministers being in the land, and yet have not witnessed against it, but have either kept silence, and thereby declared their unfaithfulness to the Lord, and the souls of them they were set over ; for the ministers ought to preach ' in season and out of season, and set the trumpet to their mouths,' and give the people warning of every sin, or else the Lord will require their blood at the ministers' hands. I fear the ministers of Scotland will be found very guilty of this ; they have not given the people, faithful warning against the hearing of the curates and indulged, for the people's testimonies lay partly in forbearing to hear ; for they were thrust in by the king's supremacy, and entered not in at the door : and the indulged have done more hurt to the church, than all the curates have done ; for they were looked upou to be godly men, and poor things not considering, but following them blindly, not looking to the 422 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. scripture, and the government of the church, and so have broken and divided the people. " And our noblemen and gentlemen, from whom other things were looked for, have deserted the cause to the stain of their memory to after generations. The ministers ought to have given the people warning, and not have been so tender of men when truth was so wronged : for the people (many of them) were like to have taken warn- ing; but we see that juggling with the Lord first and last hath been our ruin and wreck, and now we are brought to nothing, and our worldly wisdom is seen to be foolishness with the Lord. But I per ceive, within these two or three years, the Lord is beginning to let ns see our former ground again ; and I desire you his poor people to labour to win at it, and to hold in it, and to be as tender of one another as ye can, without sinning against the Lord ; for we will be all found guilty of the defection in less or more : therefore, I desire you to humble yourselves before the Lord, and to make conscience of mourn- ing and heart-brokenness and weeping ; for if ye had the sense of it deeply impressed upon your hearts, as I have had since I was a prisoner, and the heart-breaks that I have had both from one and another, but especially from mistaken friends, — ye could not but have wept with all your heart. But, dear friends, be not discouraged, but hold on ; for this way that I am now to suffer and lay down my life, is, and will be found at length to be the way of God. There is much need of tenderness of, and zeal for God's glory, and of watchful- ness ; for I find there are snares on all hands, and fear some of the Lord's choice people will be permitted to fall. And, likewise, I desire, dear friends, that ye would keep a spirit of sympathy with one another ; I fear your straits be but coming : and I desire, when ye fall upon debates upon the matters of the Lord, that ye would follow the methods of the Scriptures, and his Spirit there, and cease from your bitterness, one of you against another, ' For the wrath of man worker h not the righteousness of the Lord ;' but be humbled under tlie sense of the public sins that have caused us to be smitten with such sharp dis- pensations from the Lord. But I think Scotland's case is like i In- case of Jonah, who fled from the presence of the Lord, till he could get no further, and the Lord pursued him into the whale's belly, till he was forced to cry unto the Lord. O ! that ye would cry, and cry aright with broken hearts, and confess to the Lord, and forsake ! Lay it home to each one of yourselves in particular, as David did, when he transgressed Bgakist the Lord, and numbered the people. () that ye would plead with the Lord, and come in his mercy, and plead for the young generation, that have not sinned away the gospel, its we have done, and say to the Lord, What have these sill \- sheep done p 0 plead hard with the Lord, for I am persuaded he hath a kindness for Scotland; he is dealing with the hearts of some of the young gen- eration, and as yet he has heaped up a party contending for his • and will keep up some witnessing still ; yea, I think he will still keep a contending party for his work and truths, until he return tgUB 1 think the hopes of 1 his should encourage your hearts. M New, the main article of my indictment, upon which 1 have WILLIAM COCHRAN. 423 received my sentence of death from men, was, tliat I would not say ' God save the king,' v.'hich (as they have now stated him an idol in the Mediator's room) I could not do, without being guilty of saying Amen, to all that he liath done against the church and people of God, and true subjects of the kingdom, and the ancient and fundamental laws thereof ; and doing contrary to that in the second epistle of John, ver. 10. 'If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither hid him God-speed : for he that hiddeth him God-speed, is partaker of his evil deeds.'* And also, ye know, that taking of the name of God in our mouths, is a part of worship, and so a worshipping of their idol ; for before our faces they said, That he was king over all persons, and over all causes ; which is putting him in God's room. But they sentenced me, because they said that I disowned authority, which was a diving into the thoughts of my heart. Now, in obedience to what my Lord hath commanded, I can freely forgive, as I desire to be forgiven, any thing that is done to me, as I am in myself ; but what hath been done against me upon the account of truth, and so striking against God, I am not to set myself above him, but I leave that to Himself. Now, I have great satisfaction in ray lot, and I rejoice that he hath called me to it, and I bless him that I have been all along helped to join with his despised work and people. And now many are pleased to say, That I had not * The reasons here given by the present witness for refusing to say God save the king may lead us to observe, once for all, that the sufferers for the cause of religion and of liberty in the period in question, were not actuated by such nar- row views and unfounded prejudices as the defenders of prelacy and the apolo- gists of persecution would have us to believe. It appears that the same test was put not only to Cochran, but also to his two companions and fellow-sufferers ; and besides these to many more, to whose cases it is needless at present to refer. Now it cannot but strike every impartial reader, that if on the one hand it was superstitious and absurd in the sufferers to refuse pronouncing the words in ques- tion, it was no less absurd and superstitious in their persecutors to insist upon them doing so. And yet the condescension of the government in this matter is greatly lauded, and the obstinacy of the sufferers condemned by the writers we have alluded to ; " and," observes Wodrow, in reference to the present witness, ■• it is said with a great deal of triumph that these persons might have had their lives upon the easy and fair conditions of praying for the king, and this is mightily magnified as an instance of the lenity of the period. This plain honest man gives a very distinct answer to this." And after quoting the words as above, he continues, "these were the sentiments of the poor serious country people who suffered, and when they had this view that praying for the king was really an approbation of all now done, it will not appear so narrow a point on which they stated their sufferings, as at the first it may seem, and the prela- tists represent it, especially considering the poor countr)'- people's ignorance and education. And these bloodthirsty men were so far from endeavouring to instruct and convince the paunels, that they even essayed to ensnare them, and pro- posed their queries so, as the poor men could scarcely miss concluding that their saying U>d save the king was an approbation of what was done in his name. 'I hey required this as a testimony of their loyalty, as we saw in James Robert- son's case. So that this piece of reproach may very justly be turned over upon the managers, who had no matter of fact, no act of treason or rebellion, to charge many of them with, but endeavoured to ensnare them with captious and double- faced questions, and then took away their lives, upon the poor people's being unwilling to approve the wickedness of the time." — Jf'od. vol. ii. 424. TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. been apprehended as a prisoner, if there had not been some of the suffering people of God frequently ahout my mother's house ; which is a commanded duty, much commended by Christ ; ' If any man give a cup of cold water to a disciple, in the name of a disciple, he shall not want a disciple's reward.' Therefore seeing it is such, let none offend at such a work, who look upon themselves as members of that body ; what mav follow, leave in the Lord's hand, who doth all things well ; and nothing can harm his people, being found rightly in the way of their duty. Now, as to those who count the pure way of truth a wild principle, I count it a greater mercy to he wild from the way of sinning, than to be tame thereunto ; as, alas ! most of the generation are. " Now, farewell all true friends in Christ ; farewell holy and sweet scriptures ; farewell sinning and suffering. Welcome heaven and the full enjoyment of God through all eternity. Sic Sub.— WILLIAM COCHRAN."* XXIII ALEXANDER HUME OF HUME. £The execution of this excellent and worthy gentleman is strongly reprobated by Wodrow as constituting " a flaming instance of the rigour of the period." He had been apprehended on an accusation of having held converse with the party, who took the castle of Hawick, in 1678, and was brought to trial on the loth of Novem- ber. It being on all hands acknowledged, however, that even this trivial misdemeanour was not proved, he was acquitted by the criminal court. But as an excuse for detaining him in prison, lie was required to take the Test, which he refused.f And shortly * Cloud of Witnesses. •f The oath here alluded to was that imposed by the parliament, in 1681.— Though made professedly witli the view of supporting the protestant ascen- dency, by excluding all enemies to it from places of power and trust, it soon came to be employed as a general test of loyalty, and all who refused to take it became suspected by the government. It was little wonder that, it should have been refused by all true Presbyterians; for whilst it implied the renounce- ment of all Popish errors, it acknowledged the king's authority in all mutters, whether civil or ecclesiastical, asserted the unlawfulness of all resistance to his power, upon any pretence whatever, and denied the obligation of the Solemn League and Covenant. Now. passing over the flagrant inconsistency of its several parts, it is obvious that no rational and Conscientious Presbyterian could have hesitated a moment to refuse it, nor was there any other course left for Mr. Hume to pursue. Though acknowledging the king's authority in temporal i tors, he could not but feel himself bound to disavow it in things spiritual} id though perfectly willing, as may be supposed, to swear adherence to the pro- testant interests, it was not to he expected that he should with the same breath deny i he obligation of the National Covenant, — the great bulwark reared by his fore- lathers, nut only against Popery, but also in support of Presbytery. He there- fore preferred death to perjury, and though confessing the temporal authority of the king, was as thoroughly opposed to his tyranny against the church. IS .my oi the other sufferers in the period in question. — For some farther particulars relative to his trial and death, the reader is referred t.> Tht Scott ll'.rtt. is given of the Father to be a leader and commander of his people ; La. xxviii. 1G. ' Thus Mitb the I-ord, i.Miold I lav in Ziou for a foundation, JOHN NISBET. 431 a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner-stone, a sure foundation, he that believeth shall not make haste.' Ver. 17. ' Judgment will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and waters shall overflow the hiding place.' But this may be our complaint, Lam. iv. 4. ' The tongue of the suck- ing child cleaveth to the root of his mouth for thirst, the young children ask bread, and no man breaketh it unto them.' Ver. 3. — ' The daughter of my people is become cruel as the ostriches in the wilderness.' Mai. ii. 8. ' But ye are departed out of the way, ye have caused many to stumble at the law : ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the Lord of hosts.' Ver. 9. < Therefore have I also made you contemptible and base before all the people, according as ye have not kept my ways, and have been partial in the law.' For now it is with the land as it is in Ezek. xxiv. 7. ' For her blood is in the midst of her, she set it upon the top of a rock, she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with dust.' Ver. 8. ' That it might cause fury to come up, to take vengeance : I have set her blood upon the top of a rock, that it should not be covered.' Ver. 9. ' Therefore thus saith the Lord, Woe to the bloody city, I will even make the pile for fire, great.' For the iniquities of a land, many are the judg- ments thereof ; therefore we had need to mourn, for we will all be found guilty of the sins of the land, in less or more. It makes me to tremble, to think of Scotland's unfaithfulness in all ranks, for as it is with the people, so with the priests, for all have wandered out of the way, and followed their idols, especially the sins of the corrupt rulers ; Micah vi. 16. ' Fot the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels, that I should go far from my sanctuary ; therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.' Lam. iv. 11. < The Lord hath accomplished his fury, he hath poured out his fierce anger, he hath kindled a fire in Zion, it hath devoured the foun- dations thereof.' Ver. 14. ' They have polluted themselves with blood, so that men could not touch their garments.' Now his glory is trampled under-foot ; but lie hath said, Isa. xlii. 8. ' 1 am the Lord, that is my name, and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.' " Now, is it not his declarative glory, which that usurper hath taken to himself? Yea, but he that leadeth captivity captive, and giveth gifts unto men, will reclaim his own glory, for ' the government is laid upon his shoulders,' Isa. ix. 6. Eph. i. 22. ' And He hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head of all things to his church.' Now, I being a free-born member of the church and kingdom of Scot- land, and joining with all the fundamental laws thereof, and they refusing to judge and sentence me according to that law, — that must without doubt be murder : and further, they refuse to judge according to the scriptures which is an higher wickedness. O what will come upon Scotland, for the high abominations committed therein ? Surely, it cannot but meet with odious judgments. Isa. xxxiv. 5. < For my sword shall be bathed in heaven : behold it shall come down upon Idumea, and upon the peopJe of my curse to judgment.' For 1 see nothing appearing in this land but defection from the way of truth ; 432 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS "WORTHIES. for there is no public power now in the land, hut what is founded upon perjury, sacrilege, and tyranny ; Ezek. xxii. 6. ' Behold, the princes of Israel, every one were in thee, to their power, to shed blood.' And compare Scotland's sins with Israel's sins, in that of Ezekiel, and see if they be not parallel. And seeing they are so, what can be expected, but that their punishments and plagues shall be parallel also ? For there are few mourning for all the abominations done in the land " Now, these are charging me with self-murder, (which is a breach of the sixth command,) which is very false : for self-preserva- tion must stoop to truth's preservation ; and further, I have that much of humanity, that I love my life, but cannot redeem it with the loss of my integrity ; but I prove that such as do these things, which they would have me to do, are actually guilty of a breach of the second commandment, which is, ' Thou shalt not make unto thyself any graven image.' For, I cannot say, but it is a worshipping of images, to yield to them in these things, — now when they bav? seated them- selves in Christ's room : therefore, I exhort you all, to be ware of join- ing with them in their sins, lest ye partake with them in their plagues, — now when they have made it manifest, that they will have no king but Charles Stuart; wherefore, I think it is our drty to cleave to Christ : we must either quit Christ or Charles. Indeed, there is some folk pretend to keep both ; but I defy any, if they be called to a public testimony, but they must either quit Christ or Charles : for they will not have the civil law without the er clesiastic ; so 1 cannot see how they can be owned in either ; for by their acts of parliament they have made them alike inherent in the crown : and shall that authority be so owned by me, being a free-born member of the church of Scotland, — which is Christ's mystical body, — without being guilty of high rebellion against God ? And further, he having broken all obliga- tions, which was the tenor by which he entered into the government, and without which he could not have entered into the government, the covenant being the coronation-oath ; which he hath not only broken, but made it death to all that speak: of them. And further, having seated himself in the Mediator's chair of state, which is onousrh to denude him ot authority, even in civil matters. If it shall be said. The land 1ms given him that supremacy, and so cannot take it from him again : to this I answer, Every individual person in the land bath imt given him that ; and therefore is free to reject him upon that head, when they are called to it. But 01 the sin of Scotland is great in departing away from God ; for Scotland hath slidden back like a backsliding heifer, for they declare their sin like Sodom, they hide it not ; the show of their countenance witnesses against them. But, however, it will be well with those that keep their raiments clean ; for ve will find enough ado when il cometh, although ye should luc Christians twenty \ears ; therefore alight not time when ye have it ; for if death come upon you. it will no1 he easy : hut well is that soul that can sav upon good grounds, That Christ is all in all to it ; but the woridlv-inindedncss, and slavish fear of tie- eeuera- (ion, makes their practice declare to the world, that Christ Ls not JOHN NISBET. 433 worthy the suffering for, otherwise they durst not adventure to forsake him, who is altogether lovely ; for he will hid none go his errands upon their own charges. " Now, as to the articles of my indictment, upon which my sentence of death is passed, they are chiefly these. 1st, My owning as lawful, my rising in arms at Bothwell-bridge, which I did with great cheerfulness and boldness, — it being self-defence, and in defence of the gospel ; for my own part, the only end I had before me there was, the glory of God, if I was not deceived ; therefore, I could not think it rebellion, or unlawful against God, although the laws of men be against it, who have set themselves in opposition to all the commands of God. 2dly, It was my disowning the curates to be faithful ministers, which I did very boldly ; and they said, if I disowned the curates, I disowned all authority, which may testify, that they have set themselves in Christ's stead. 3dly. My owning Mr. Donald Cargill, Mr. John Kid, and Mr. Richard Cameron, to be faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, which I did, and I bless the Lord that ever I heard them, and I set to my seal to the faithfulness of these men's doctrine. 4thly, My not praying for the king in his person and authority, which I durst not do, it being a perfect owning of him in all that he hath done. Some may object, and say, that I am against the scriptures in this, because in several places in the Old Testament, we find, that the kings of Israel were anointed to that office by the Lord, and obedience to them there- upon enjoined. But this was only done to lawful kings, and so could not be to ours, he having set up himself in the room of God incarnate. And we may justly say, as the children of Israel said, 1 Sam. xii. 19. ' For we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king ;' because we follow him in things contrary to the command of God. And should I pray for that man, to preserve him in his person and government, who hath thus ventured upon the thick bosses of the buckler of God Almighty ? If one should object, and say, These are small things : to this I answer, No truth is small ; Luke xvi. 10. • He that is faithful in that which is least, is faithful also in much ; and he that is unjust in the least, is unjust also in much.' " Now, I shall give an account of my principles, and I shall do it as in the sight of God. I am a true Christian, truly an ti- popish, anti- prelatic, anti-schismatic, anti-sectarian, anti-Erastian, a true Presby- terian : and whatever many have said of me, or may say, thus I have lived, and so now I die. Now, 1st, I close with Christ in that way of redemption, which he hath purchased, for the redemption of sin- ners ; 1 Tim. i. 15. 'This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.' Ver. 16. ' Hovvbeit, for this cause I obtained mercy.' 2dly, I give my testimony to the followers of the holy scriptures, for they are the rule that men are to walk by, and they declare the revealed will of God to men, anent man's salvation. 3dly, I give my testimony to the work of reformation in the church of Scotland, and I bless the Lord that I was born a member of that church ; but chiefly against popery, prelacy, and quakerism, and inde- pendency ; and, finally, from under all the errors of the church. 4thly, 29. 2 f 434» TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. I give my testimony to the Confession of Taith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Sum of Saving Knowledge, Directory for Worship, the order of the church of Scotland. 5thly, I give my testimony to the divine worship, discipline and government of the church of Scotland, hoth hy kirk-sessions, presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies. Gthly, I give my testimony to the Covenants, National and Solemn League and Covenant. 7thly, I give my testimony to the faithful act- ings of the protestors, called remonstrances, against malignants and malignant interests, which is the very thing this poor church is con- tending for, this day. 8thly, I give my testimony to all the faithful testimonies of the people of God, that have been given for that noble work, whether on scaffolds, or in the fields, or on the seas. 9thly, I give my testimony to the faithful actings of the last martyr ; although this generation is calling sin a duty, and duty a sin, because of hazard ; for if this generation get leave to go on in their pernicious ways, they will not believe that there is a God in heaven to punish such sinners and sins as are committed in the land. Mai. iii. 9. ' Ye are cursed with a curse ; for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.' " Now, 1st, I witness my testimony against the public resolutioners, for bringing in the malignant party to places of power and trust, for which this poor land is smarting, and bearing the weight of their hands to this day. 2dly, I leave my testimony against that act of supremacy, and the act rescissory by which two they have overturned the whole work of reformation, both in kirk and state. 3dly, I leave my testi- mony against the unfaithfulness of ministers, both indulged, and others, who are sheltering themselves under the wings of those who have declared themselves enemies to all godliness : and I wonder how they can say, they are even- down for God, yet never one of them is troubled, be troubled who will ; for before my face, one of these ministers said (viz. Mr. Anthony Shaw by name,) he prayed, Gad save him from the man that would not pray for the king in bis person and government ; to whom I said, magistrates ought to punish evil-doers : ' indeed so he doth,' said he. 4thly, I leave my testimony against the wrOngen of day lovely Lord's crown, all in general. 5thly, I leave my testimony against the hearers of these perjured curates, throughout the land ; but espe- cially in that corner of the land, to wit, Kilmarnock, for their going to kirks, subscribing of bonds, paying of fines, which includeth in it the acknowledgment of a fault, which I deny we have done, but tliv have done it to us ; and yet never a watchman to testify against it I Gthly, I leave my testimony against paying of the cess, or any other thing that may strengthen the hands of evil-doers : Isa. Ixv. 11.' For ye are they that prepare n table for that troop, and that furnish a drink-offering unto that number.1 k' Now I will speak a word to three sorts of folk : 1st. To von that are strangers, enemies to my lovely Lord, let your estrangedm N I i done away, fly to him, ere he break out in fury againsl you, O con- sider how near yon are to the destroyer, if ye fly not unto him : and it you fly in unto him be will abundantly pardon. Therefore. I cntr. at, that ye would turn from your evil w;iv. and leave ofFyOOT persecution, and lee to hiui, for there is mercy with him that lie may he fcnredl JOHN NISBET. 435 and if ye will not turn, wrath will be upor you to ail eternity. A second sort, are those that formerly have known God, and now are fallen from their first love : O consider your former ways, and turn again to your first husband, lest there be no space to repent ; for all the ways that ye have taken to get past trouble, will not hide you from him who is the great sin-revenging God ; and he will bring all your sins, and your compliance, to stand witness against you ; therefore delay not repentance, for ye will find death have enough ado, with itself. A third sort, are those who desire to walk in his way, and to keep them selves from the crying wickedness of these times. O stand fast in the faith ; for there is no other burden laid upon you, but ' hold fast till he come.' O for that day when ye shall be made one stick in his hand, and have fervent charity among yourselves ! — and • Let him that stand- eth, take heed lest he fall,' for ye will find enough ado with it, when death comes ; therefore let the main thing be your study, and get once that made sure that cannot be taken from you ; for ye have many enemies to fight with, if ye get through, for the way to heaven is very strait : for it is no wonder Satan seek to tempt poor Christians, when he essayed to tempt our blessed Lord and Master. Let none of you think it strange, concerning what hath befallen me, for it is in his holy wisdom he hath carved out my lot, such ; and i have been made to bless him for my lot. O ! study to wrestle against your own cor- ruptions, which are very heavy to me sometimes, but his love hath been great in bringing me out of the state of nature, and hath brought me to see my own weakness, and also hath given me a sight of the remedy, for which my soul shall be made to praise him throughout all eternity. " Now, my dear friends in Christ, study to walk blameless in all manner of conversation, as becometh the gospel ; let your light so shine before the world, that they may be ashamed that shall accuse your good conversation in Christ : for now ye need not think, if ye keep the way of God, but ye will have many enemies, both within and without, therefore seek strength from him who is able to give it : ye need not think, that all the stock of grace that a man hath, will be sufficient when the trial comes, if there be not fresh supply, given in the time of need. O ! wrestle with him, that ye may be hid in the day of his wrath, that seems to be poured out on this genera- tion, for their great treachery and departure from God, — the breach of his laws, and subjecting to the laws of men ; but my eyes shall be closed, that I shall not see it, and 1 am well content, seeing I get my soul for a prey, — then I shall have no loss. " Now, as for His way with his church, it is mysterious to me ; but this I think is a token for good, that he is taking some to witness for his despised and trampled-upon truths, and he will keep some witnessing still, until he return again : but indeed I think it seems it is but very few that will see him return again in this generation. Now, death is called ' the king of terrors,' but I think it is not so with me ; 1 Cor. xv. 55. ' O death, where is thy sting ? O grave where is thy victory ?' 2 Cor. v. 1. 'For we know if this earthly tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eterual in 436 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the heavens : for which we iong earnestly, to he absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord, which is far better.' " Now, I declare I am free of the hlood of all men ; and although men have no public scandal to charge me with, yet by original and actual transgression, I am the chief of sinners ; but His love hath been great, the manifestations of his presence hath been great also ; for Satan hath not been wanting to assault, but yet glory to His name, who hath resisted him, and hath not permitted him to get his will. Now, as my last words, I recommend it to all, to be tender one of another, without sinning ; and be in earnest with God, for ye will find death will have enough ado with itself ; therefore delay not repentance, lest he come when ye are not aware. Now, as for these men that are unjustly taking away my life, only for adhering to the truth, and for no other end ; — now for what they do to me, as I am of myself, I freely forgive them and all others, and especially these blinded soldiers, that do what they do ignorantly (some of them) ; but as they do it to the image of God in me, that is not mine to forgive ; but I leave to him, ' to whom vengeance doth belong,' that he may do with them what may most glorify himself. " Now, my work is finished, I have fought the good fight ; I have finished my course ; henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteous- ness ; but let such as will condemn me read that scripture, Horn. viil. 33. ' Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect ? it is God that justifieth, who is he that eondemneth ? For my lot is fallen to me in pleasant places ; I have a goodly heritage ;' for I would not change my lot for the greatest man's upon earth. Men and angels praise him for this ; all the creation praise him ; O ! my soul shall praise him, through all the ages of eternity. " Now, farewell all true friends in Christ ; farewell Christian rela- tions ; farewell sweet and holy scriptures ; farewell prayer and medi- tation ; farewell sinning and Buffering. Welcome heaven ; welcome innumerable company of angels, and the church of the first-born, and the spirits of just men made perfect ; welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; wrelcome praises for evermore. Now, dear Father, receive my Spirit; for it is thine, even so come Lord Jesus. Sic sub JOHN NISBET."* XXVIII. JOHN WILSON. rjThis was a man of great integrity and worth, with no small share of learning and talent, lie was, !>y profession a Writer in the town oi Lanark, and having held a commission in the Presbyterian army at the battle of liothwell, lie was with many others condemned, though absent, to Buffer death as BOOn as be should be apprehended. At what time he was taken cannot be ascertained; but on the 17th of April, he was brought before the Council examined, and remitted to • Cloud of Witnesses. JOHN WILSON. 437 the Justiciary ; — by whom, notwithstanding his acute and able rea- sonings to the contrary, — he was at length found guilty. Previous to the reading of the sentence, he was urged to receive the Test, but refused ; and thus adhering to his principles, he was executed on the 17th of May, 1683. His testimony is contained in the fol- lowing Papers Q » 1. His Answers before the Council. " The chancellor said, We having called James Laurie, produced to him a letter wrote by you to him, wherein you reprove him for calling Bothwell, rebellion : he owned, That it had convinced his conscience, and said, That he was sorry for what he spoke ; and we produced him a letter supposed to he writ in answer to yours, which he denied ; — tell us, who wrote that letter ? John Wilson answered, I will not tell by whom, only it was not written by James Laurie. Q. Who is the lady mentioned in the end of the letter? A. I dare not burden my con- science to tell. Q. Do you own authority? A. What authority? Q. What think you of Bothwell ? Was it not unlawful to rise in arms ? A. I dare not say that it is unlawful ; for the confession contained in your Test says, Article 15. ' That it is a good work to defend the life of the harmless ;' and however God hath disposed of those people, yet I suppose the Lord will own those for defending themselves against those that sought their life, that hearing their neighbours who had been worshipping God, were in jeopardy of their lives, thought it their duty to rise for their relief. Q. Was Pentland, rebellion ? A. The oppres- sion of these poor people was such, that the then rulers condemned Sir James Turner for his cruelty. Upon this, one answered, That he knew, Sir James Avent not the length of his commission. Q. Was the bishop's death, murder ? 'Have me excused, gentlemen, I will not answer to that.' Being urged farther, he said, It being nothing concerning my salvation, I do not pry into it. Upon this they said, Did Bothwell con- cern your salvation ? To which he replied, There are none that engage themselves in service to God, but it behoves them to be at His call, and it being for saving the life of the harmless, I durst not sit God's bidding. Q. Are you a minister? A. No. They here alleged some of his letters importing so much : and being desired to read the place, they read somewhat about a call to some ministry, nothing relating thereto. Q. Will you not condemn the bishop's death, as mure'er ? A. I dare not, for fear God having justified some of these actors they should rise in judgment and condemn me. Q. Is there no othei way but to rise in arms against the king? A. I suppose you have read bishop Honeyman's answer to Naphtali, wherein he says, " A king may be resisted, in case he should alienate the kingdom to strangers :" and that being granted, religion being taken away, was as dear to us as any outward interest. One replied, The bishop got little thanks for that. Q. Think you it lawful to rise against a state that are not of your opinion ? Will ye go to Bothwell again ? These questions they gave him not leave to answer, but ordered him to be taken away, asking, if he was a Captain at Bothwell ? Which he assented to. 438 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. 2. His further Answers before the Council and Criminal Court. Being again examined before the whole Council, his answers, as detailed by himself, were as follows : — " Q. Was you at Bothwell, and a captain there ? I answered as formerly. Q. Is Bothwell rebellion or not ? A. No. It being for the defence of the harmless, who for hearing a preaching, and defending themselves, were in jeopardy to be cut olF. They replied, The preaching was done. I said as before, The confession of faith contained in your Test, says, ' It is a good work to defend the life of the harmless.' Q. Then you approve of the Test ; will you take it ? A. I am not speaking of the Test, but of the confess sion of faith therein contained. Q. Think you it lawful to rise against the Magistrate ? A. Will you condemn the reformation from popery carried on by John Knox ? One said, We are not come here to answer questions, but to ask. I said, The answering of that to me would be a full answer by me, to your question. Then said Bishop Paterson, The reformation was good, but the way of carrying it on was ill. A. That is a marvellous thing, to think God would approve the actors in such actions, and yet the method be ill ; and they to have a most solid peace in these actions, and to have such a mouth to defend it, as all the wits in their days could not be able to withstand, — as will be clear to any that read the History of the Reformation. O, said one, lie has read the History of the Reformation : ay, but you will not find it in Scripture, that the people may resist the prince ; for then they take the Magistrate's part on them, and therein declare themselves to be above their prince. A. The people resisted Saul, and would not let him kill Jonathan, (1 Sam. xiv. 45.) The Bishop said, The people were in the wrong. A. The scripture never condemns the deed. Then they again urged that rising in arms is unlawful. I to!d, again, that Bishop Iloneyman granted there might lawfully be a rising in arms, if the kingdom were alienated to strangers. The Bishop said, that would be a distracted act. Then they asked if the Bishop's death was murder? I answered, I would neither say it was, nor was not. Q. Do you own authority ? A. Authority may be taken several ways; 1. For the simple command of the prince. 2. For the more public command of the prince and people. 3. For a power, a prince may be clothed with, by a people. 1. For a prince's right to govern. And in the lirst two senses, since many both of the prince's edicts, and public acts of parliament) are directly against prcsbyterians and pivsl>\ teriau government, — to own it in these senses, I should deny myself to be a presbytcrian. In the third sense. since the people have clothed the king with the headship of the Church, I caDQOt own that ; because the eleventh article of the Confession of Faith, contained in the Test, says, * That office belongs properly to Christ alone, and it is not. lawful for man, or angel, to intrude therein.' As forthelasl sens* of authority, — bis right to govern, I have not wen through the denial of it. (}. 'Will you venture your life on ike&e things? A. My lite is in (bid's hand. Then they read "hat they had JOHN WILSON. 4S9 set down, that I was a Captain at Bothwell, and other things, stated imperfectly, which tliey desired me to subscribe, but I refused." On the 4th of May he was brought before the criminal court, when the advocate accosted him thus : — " Though, sir, you have been a rebel, and though ye have studied to draw that poor man Laurie to the gallows yet you see how merciful the king is to these men, (viz. four who swore the Test,) and there is place left to you for mercy, if you will not obstinately persist in your opinion." He answered, " I have neither done any deed, nor given you an account of any opinion, but what 1 have justified from the Confession of faith, which you have lately sworn ; from the ancient reformation, which ye cannot condemn ; and from the concessions of your own Doctor." " What ! (says Perth) will you justify your taking arms at Bothwell ?" A. Your own Test justifies the defence of the life of the harmless. The advocate says, All the indulged, yea, almost all the presbyterians condemn it. " Then," says he, " Will ye bond* before sentence, for there is no place left for the king's mercy after sentence ?" A. " I will not ; but remember, that one day, all sentences will be canvassed before the great Judge of heaven and earth."j- 3. His Reasons for the foregoing Answers. " When I was on my journey betwixt Edinburgh and Lanark, and several times before, having considered the bold testimony of Stephen, Acts vii. 51, 52. 'Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart,' &c, and Peter's testimony, Acts v. 30. ' Whom ye slew, and hanged on a tree :' and his desire that with all boldness they might make mention of the name of Jesus: and, lastly, that promise, Phil. i. 28. 'In nothing terrified by your adversaries,' &c. I say, considering these, I resolve to use the utmost freedom before the Council; but being come to this town, and having considered, that the council desired to pick such quarrels with any in our condition, as might give the least umbrage to the world of the justice of their dealing ; 2. Considering that by many professed friends we are judged imprudent ; yea, so far condemned, that they stick not to say, that we have a hand in our own death. 3. Their own public proclamations still bearing, That our design was not religion, but covetousness, — to possess ourselves of the government. For eviting of these, I resolved to be as cautious as I could, without prejudice to truth. So that taking my answers for defensive arms, out of the Test, which they had sworn ; from the con- cessions of their greatest doctors, and from the deed of their predeces- sor council, whereof some present were members, — I thought it had been a ridiculous thing to make me condemn that which they had ratified by an oath, their great doctor had yielded, and their predeces- sor council had approved. But that I might have God's approbation in demeaning myself so, and do what I did therein in faith ; I took that rule, 1 Pet. iii. 15. 'Be ready always to give a reason of the * i. e. take the Test. t Cloud of Witnesses, corrected and enlarged from WodroT?'s History, Vol. II. p. 299, et seq. 440 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. hope that is in you with meekness and fear.' And as I thought I had reason to bless God, that had guided my tongue so, that I was not a whit concerned either with shame or fear, so I came hack to prison tvith a heart sorry that I should have left these two questions of the Chancellor's unanswered, viz. ' Thought I it my duty to rise in arms against a state not of my opinion ?' In answer to which question, I thought, if ever I had occasion, I would have been punctual in telling them, the question was wrong stated ; for the right state of the ques- tion was, ' When a state destroys the true profession of godliness sworn to by the land, and persecutes the owners thereof.' The second ques- tion ; ' If I would have gone to Bothwell again ?' I thought if such a question came in my way, I would have told them, ' That I behoved to be at God's call.' And, likewise I was sorry that I had not been nimble enough to take opportunity, when the question anent authority was moved, to have testified against the ecclesiastical headship and sinful acts against God's church ; I say, my omission, occasioned through their confused asking, bred me humiliation after I returned to prison. " As to my second examination,* as I desired opportunity to testify against the headship of the church, and other sinful acts, destroying God's work, so I got opportunity, and so I discharged my conscience : but yet there was something left to exercise me with ; and that was, 1. When the bishop said, That it were a distracted act for the king to alienate the kingdom to strangers, that I said not, It was an act of more distraction to destroy religion. 2. That in citing the words of the eleventh article of the confession against the headship, I should have said simply, It was unlawful to presume to intrude on that office ; whereas the confession itself calls them blasphemers, and thereby mincing his word. 3. That when the bishop said, It were a Turkish way to carry on reformation by the sword, 1 had not opened their present practice and violence in pressing men's consciences ; and had said, since they looked upon conscience as so tender a thing, to beware of squeezing it so, by oppression. I know, I have an infirmity in answering off-hand, anent which I hope all God's people will observe the rule of bearing one another's infirmities : next, I am 6ure that the Lord hath not supplied me as to these answers, for my further exercise. As to the reason why I said, I could not see through the denial of authority in the last sense, (for though I could not see thro ugh it, yet it being such an abominable stating of themselves, in a contin na] opposition unto God and godliness, I scunnered to own it,) the reaa on that moved me to say, that I could not see through it, was, I desi re to tread the paths of our old reformers, who delayed the casting off authority, till they had a probable power to back it ; yet, afterward! considering his breach of covenant to us, and that deeds were done by that authority, that in any well guided commonwealth, would annul his right, — I thought I had worded authority ill in the last sense, and that • Mr. Wilson was at two different time* brought before the council, as may- be observed by the foregoing ]>:i])ers. In the first instance, he WM examined by a committee of seven or eight, and on the second occasion by the wlmlr council. JOHN WILSON. 441 it had been more proper, had I said, ' I could not see through the denying of obedience to such commands as were indifferent, or accord- ing to God's word :' aud indeed till God had furnished us with a prob- able power, I could never see through this ; and I am verily of that opinion, that we having lusted for a king, got him in God's wrath ; and that since we have entered into covenant with him, God will take his own way to take him away in his displeasure, and will not let it be by our hand : though I grant that his breach of paction to us looseth us, — our paction being still conditional, to own him in defence of reli- gion ; and my earnest desire is, There may be no difference among presbyterians anent this, for I have a strong opinion, that God will take that question out of the way shortly. " As for the Bishop's death, I could not call it murder, because of Jael, Ehud, and Phineas, their facts ; Jael using that expression, ' Turn in thither ; that there was peace between Heber the Kenite and Jaban ;' — Jael being of that family ; and whatever may be alleged against these extraordinary acts, and that to do such deeds is to take the Magistrate's power! I am sure Phineas was a priest, and it was none of his office to kill any man, and yet his fact is commended ! Next, Knox's preaching too, and abiding with the killers of Car- dinal Beaton ; and Calderwood's History, which was approved by the Assembly, calling them men of courage and resolution, whom God stirred up : next, the lord Ruthven and others killing a companion that abused Queen Mary by his ill- counsel, and yet approved in Knox's history : therefore if the killers of the Bishop, having a zeal against the blood-thirstiness of that wretch, and being deeply affected therewith, and with love to the brethren, (whom he, like a wolf, was seeking to have devoured, and had devoured,) slew him ; I durst not call it mur- der : but if the actors were touched with any thing of particular preju- dice or other by-ends, I am very confident that scripture, of avenging the blood of Jezebel upon the house of Jehu, — would not suffer me to justify it : so, not knowing the actors' hearts therein, I could neither say yea, nor nay ; but Christians should judge charitably. I forgot likewise to tell them, that the Bishop of Glasgow's laying down his gown, upon their making the Act Explanatory, might be an aggravation of my sin, if I should own the king's headship over the church; — which I had really resolved to say, but forgot."* 4. His Reasons for not asking a Reprieve. "Upon the 7th of May, 1683, being desired to petition, I answered, I could think upon no petition, nor arguments that could be accepta- ble with them, but such as were eitherdirectlyorindirectlya receding from what Iliad professed. The reason of my petition wasmoved thus: 1 . To seek a longer time til 1 1 was better advised anent my answers given to the council; to which 1 answered, — That would say to all the world, that for as tenacious as we were of our principles, yetwe might seem to call them in question; and it might say, that I was pressing with others to die on these principles, that death put me to a stand * Cloud of Witnesses, 442 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. anent myself"; and so I should give ground of hardening to enemies. 2. It was moved, that through my confusions since I came to prison, I should seek a reprival. To this I answered, I durst not slander Christ's cross, wherein every step to me hath been mercy and truth ; and my rebellious flesh needed no less (conform to my own acknow- ledgment to God) thau what was come to subdue it : and that I could not well see through that, fearing it would be bad company so near my death, that I firmly trusted all should work for my well-being; and to say that, were to contradict my conscience and God's goodness, and make me contradict my own prayer, viz., ' Let neither flesh nor spirit be moved and failed, lest enemies rejoice.' 3. That I should petition, that I might have a longer time, simply to prepare for eternity. To which I said, I could not do it in faith ; for ever since I came to prison, God has made me believe, that he who has begun a good work in me, would also finish it, and that he would perfect that which concerned me, according to his own word ; and however little a business this may seem in the eyes of the world, yet to me it imports my going to another airth, for the perfecting and finishing of this work begun by God. Then, if they refused it, they mii^ht taunt and say, Whatever confidence he had at his death, yet it is gotten of a very short space ; and if a reprival should be given, they might at my sentence say, if I believed my salvation, I was their debtor for it. And besides all this, I fear when I might come back to God for preservation, he should send me to the broken cistern I had been hewing out, Jer. ii. 13. And I know, if conscience permitted me to do it,'that enemies would think, — either be is lying, in pretending want of preparation, and so, it is the best time to hold to him, when he has committed sin ; or otherwise, they would think, I were speaking truth, and so say, — the only best way is to hold to him when he is tottering. " When all this is done, they came saying, 'Will you not seek your life ?' ' Yes,' said I, ' if I might without sin ;' so they desired me to con- sider in my mind, and after consideration to give in a petition. So, after consideration, finding nothing I could petition upon but that which would rather raise than abate their anger, and verily thinking my wife would be as soon in her grave as 1, and that the Council would lay her blood at my door, as not willing to seek a reprieve on her account, I petitioned, merely in respect of her case, being great with child ; — doing this, lest they should pretend ignorance, and my whole strain being to justify niv sufferings to their consciences, and the eyes of the unbiassed world ; and for what I did herein, 1 bless the Lord I did it in faith, and had solid peace therein ; that their ridiculousue.s*. in taking away my life, might occasion a stop to the taking away that of others, if possible."* 5. His Confekenxis with Sih W. Faterson. " Sir William, after some compliments MMnd Mr. Wilson to give in a petition, requiring some time to advise on his principles. ! Think * Cloud of Witnesses, as corrected and enlarged from Wodruw's History, p. L'oy, el JOHN WILSON. 443 you,' says he, * your principles so sure, and the rising in arms such a business, and so clear that you dare die therein ?' J. W. As to that business of defensive arras, I have long ere now convassed it to and fro. Sir W. What say yon to that of our Saviour — All that take the. eword shall perish by the sword ? and his reproving Peter in that defence, it being a most abominable murder to take away a man's life ? J. W. I find our Saviour in another place saying, sell your coat to buy a sword. Sir W. That is meant by the sword of the spirit. J. W That were a Quakerish tenet to deny all defence. Sir W. But what say you to my argument of Christ's reproving Peter at his death ? J. W. That action of Christ's passion was a determined thing ; where* fore he reproved Peter for desiring him to pity himself, and therefore he would suffer no defence whatever therein ; and he approves defence in so far as he says, suffer it this far, thinkest thou not that I could call so many angels, which to me imports, — if this were not a thing I must lay my account with, I need not want defence. Sir W. Think you yourself so well buckled therein, seeing there is so much difference among divines about it ? J. W. What divines ? Sir W. Protestant divines. J. W. That cannot be, for all the Protestants in Europe have wrestled from under the yoke of Popery by the sword ; and I am sure, if there had been any Protestant divines had so affirmed, Bishop Honyman — a man among you of the greatest learning — would have raked them up, but he is forced to confess them lawful in some cases ; and though your brother said that was a distracted act, yet I assure you, to me the act of undoing religion is far more unwise; and as I said to your brother, if I should condemn defensive arms, I would condemn most of the Protestants in Europe, and our worthy reformers, to whom, under God, we are obliged for so great a gospel light. Sir W. Though the reformation was good, the carrying it on was treason- able. J. W. If I should say or think so, I should look on them all a3 damned men, conform to the apostle, • He that does evil that good may come of it, his damnation is just.' Sir W. You must not think it a small matter to lay down your life on trivial things, and neglect your family, whose care lies on you ; and your not providing for them, makes you worse than an infidel. J. W. It is not tri vials but truths that are solidly grounded ; and as to the care of my family, since the Lord called me to suffering, lam commanded to leave them, or be unworthy of Christ. Sir W. You never make it out to me, but your blood and your family will lay at your door. J. W. No, Sir William, for mine is not a naked opinion, but grounded on that Confession of Faith you have sworn, — my Catechism, — to do all I can to save the life of neighs bours, and the word of God, — ' do judgment and relieve the oppressed ;' and since it is so, I dare not act against my conscience. Sir W. Will you approve of a multitude of men gathering, plundering, and robbing a country ? J. W. Sir, as for any such commission, I was both grieved and angry at it, and I wish such had not been among us ; but I hope fcbat could not be charged upon the generality, since they were known to be men of conscience ; and as for my own part, I used such dis- gracefully when I had any power. Mr. M'Gilligen was brought in at Sir William's desire, but said nothing. Sir William said he was sure 444 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Mr. Kirkton would not say with me. I said I knew the utmost Mr. Kirkton would go, was that the enterprise was foolishly carried on, but would never condemn defensive arms. Sir William asked me if death was not a terror to me. I said, no doubt once it would be a terror to all men, but whatever it had been, I had got submission to the Lord's dispensations. This is the sum of what passed, omitting some needless commendations of me. Sir W. added, think you all are damned that are of the Episcopal Church ? J. W. I have learned the Protestant doctrine better, than to think all are damned that are of the Popish Church. Sir W. Well then, may you not believe as we do and be saved ? J. W. No, for me to do but doubtingly, is damnation ; let alone, to do against my conscience. Sir W. Conscience should be well-informed. J. W. You see I have grounded it on what you have sworn, — my Catechism and the word of God. Sir W. Do not think the quiting of these things is the quitting of Christ, since there is no quarrel this day about the fundamental points of doctrine. J. W. Yes, sir, it is, for since I have taken Christ for a King and Prophet, if I contradict his counsel or command before man, I deny him ; and since I have evidenced the truth of what I have spoken, I dare not contra- dict my conscience."* 6. His Testimony. " Now, being called to lay down my life, which I do cheerfully, I do declare, I adhere to the Confession of Faith ; anent which, for exoneration of my own conscience, I am under a necessity to leave this caution, in reference to that clause contained in chap, xxiii. § 24. viz. That ' infidelity, or difference in religion, does not make void the magistrate's just and legal authority.' Though the composers having an eye to the Pope's scurvy usurpations, to dethrone protestant kings, and dispose of their kingdoms, under the notion of heretics, did put it iu : yet I could find no further proof for that in the scripture, but what only respects Christians scattered up and down in a heathenish empire ; and that it can be no prejudice against deposing a protestant king, who turns papist or pagan — since among people professing God, the idolater should die the death — for then it would seem to justle with Queen Mary's deposition in our ancient reformation : — designing offence to none hereby, but the satisfying of my own conscience. Also, I adhere to the work of reformation, former and latter ; and I think our catechisms well worded, for evading of errors. As also, to the Solemn Acknowledgment of Sins, in anno 1648, and Engagement to Duties ; Covenants, National and Solemn League ; and particularly to the government of the church by a parity of ministers, and subordination of presbyteries, synods, and general assemblies, according to the pres- liyterian way, as being the most exactly according to the word of God. and as tending most to the furtherance of purity and godliness ; and 1 profess myself a member thereof, as being reformed from prelacy and Lrastianisni. " 1 leave my testimony against the Indulgence, as making a breach • Wodrow's History, Vol. II. p. 2P9, ft seq. JOHN WILSON. 445 of the sweet unity, that should have heen among presbyterians, and as depending on tine magistrates as to the exercise of their office ; and for their overweening love of ease, and for being bound up as to the shew- ing of public duties, and reproving of public sins ; and for refusing the exercise of their office, to these without their parish, of marrying and baptizing, denying themselves thereby to be ministers of the church catholic, and declaring plainly thereby, they will follow the injunctions laid on them by men. Yet I advise all the godly to leave off hatred towards them, and to cherish any thing that may look like good in them. I leave my testimony against the paying cess, the payment whereof is a perfect test of the payer's adhering to the rooting out of conventicles, as the rendezvouses of rebellion, and acknowledging the king's grandeur over church and state, as it is presently established by the laws of this realm ; this being the very narrative and foundation of that act ; and I have found the indulged averse to condemn it, — the narrative of their license being somewhat sib thereto. But as to the other public burdens, such as the common revenue of the crown, or locality, (though 1 speak not this to justify myself, — these not being my tentations,) I desire a tenderness to be used to all such as have not clearness therein, in respect that the apostle seems to difference them, 1 Cor. x. 28. ' But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not.' " I leave my testimony against hearing of Curates, especially by professed presbyterians ; as being contradictory to the covenants, binding us to the uttermost of our power to the extirpating of prelacy. Our active power being stopped, our next should be to leave a testimony by suf- fering, and as being contrary to the rule of faith : for what presby- terian can pray for a blessing to that ordinance, where the chief dispenser is a blasphemer, by swearing the test ; wherein the headship of the church, Christ's prerogative, is sworn by them to pertain to a man : and as being expressly contrary to that scripture, John x. 5. ' My sheep hear my voice, but a stranger they will not follow, but flee from him.' And here, I think it not amiss to add the words of Philpot, that learned and godly martyr, respecting the joiners of the papistical church, — seeing the reason he gives, holds good here. ' We can do no greater injury to the true church of Christ, (whereof he is the only head) nor to seem to have forsaken her, by cleaving to her adversary ; and that God's jealousy in the day of vengeance will cry for vengeance against such, unless they cleave inseparably to the gospel of Christ ; and that there must be no counterfeit illusion with them in this ; and there must be no presence of the body there, — we being commanded to glorify God, as well in body as spirit.' These are his words imper- fectly, yet truly, as I remember ; and since the prelatical church has not Christ for her only head, the reasons hold still good. " I could heartily wish that all the serious godly, would leave off their joining with the indulgence ; for in respect (to my own view) it has been attended with a coldrifeness as to public sins, a gluedness to the world, and an infatuatedness as to approaching judgments ; and, lastly, being a countenancing of them in their compliance with enemies. But since I have little hopes thereof, I wish all the seriously godly to 446 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. be tender towards such, whose eyes we not enlichtened to behold the evil of it, and to restrict their witlidrawments to persons of their own number, who recede from what they profess ; since the end proposed by that rule (' withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly') .s ' to make ashamed,' it cannot be supposed to attain its end any where else ; and to study to do that which may be most edifying to al men, ' Let all things be done to edifying.' " I leave my testimony against that abominable Test, declaration, act of supremacy, and all other acts overturning the work of God, and against all the blood shed upon that account. M And next, I think no man coming before the council can acknow- ledge the king's authority simply, (considering that he is clothed with one of the royal prerogatives of Jesus Christ, viz. The headship of the church, wherein to intrude is blasphemy for man or angel,) unless he be guilty of giving him that usurped title. And this is the ground of my suffering, mainly, — for affirming Christ's headship over the church, to be His prerogative alone, which is the occasion of the brunt of the Ruler's anger. And herein I have a most solid peace ; for, Christ 6ays, he came to bear witness to that truth, that he was a King : and so I think that my sufferings are merely a part of Christ's sufferings. And though, some say, I might have been sparing as to this confession ; I say, 1 durst not keep up my lips, they themselves having that in the Confession of Faith, in their Test, which I affirmed, namely, That it is a blasphemy for man or angel to usurp this title ; — yet is the great heat of malice stated hereon : but there is no piece of my sufferings yields me more content. Nor can any Christian come before them acknowledging authority simply, without being guilty of yielding this, — it being declared essential to the crown, — as Mr. Donald Cargill well notes in his testimony. And I think that question of authority being propounded, — a man has a fair open door to witness against the encroachments on Christ's rights. I understand somewhat more of the mystery of this state than I did : and conform to my weak concep- tions, you may take it up thus : — " The king, having through straits abroad, been complimented, and probably supplied by Papists, lies under engagements to introduce Popery ; and for that effect, takes this method to overturn the hedge of church government and discipline, and turn out all honest-hearted ministers, and force people to a compliance with hirelings, to debauch men's consciences ; and, from one degree to another, to bring in Popery; but he being a man so addicted to pleasures, and (sometimes counteracted by parliaments,) loving MBe ; wherefore Papists practise to put him in mind of his engagement!, by aiming at his life. He finding himself in this strait, and being in straits through his Liveliness to court ladies, — these straits must be supplied by the king of Prance and the Pbpe ; and for requital thereof, the management of the govern- ment must be turned over to his brother, — who must have a cardinal, and some Jesuits to contrive the mystery of iniquity, and bring this land to Babylon. In order thereunto, state-men must bo set up, vJio are emulators of others, and men that studied to pick quarn Is with others, and thencomesa general mittimus from court, to act after such JOHN WILSON. 447 a method of cruelty : for the Jesuits know, where two contrary parties act this game, they will be sure, for fear of their places, to consent to go along to the utmost of cruelty. The next mystery is to convene the whole country by circuit courts, as guilty, — some of treason, some for one transgression, and some for another (the whole country being generally guilty by their law) and force them to rise in arms ; and then gather Papists, and take occasion to burn and slay all the country over. The Lord in his mercy take them in their own net ; but I fear Popery shall once overspread. And I am really of that opinion, that God shall root this race of kings, root and branch, away, and make them Zeba and Zalmunna-like, not only for taking God's house in possession, but also emitting in their last printed proclamation or indemnity, that they resolved to root out the seed of the godly, under the name of Fanatics. " My advice and humble request to ministers is, to be tender toward any this day that have zeal, though knowledge be not so great ; and to be less fearful of outward danger, and more active where persecution hath been hottest, where they may have any freedom. My advice to all professors is, to lay no imposition on ministers' consciences ; and that for the Lord's sake, they would study to take some in among tbem, that have light and judgment to withstand the flood of defection and Popery that is like to overspread the land. And again, I have another advice to ministers and professors, that where any have suffered for their consciences, they would be sparing to condemn them. " I come now to declare my first engagement with God, which was about ten years hence, which was through reading of ' The Fulfilling of the Scriptures,' and scripture truths therein contained, and the grounds of out-making thereof, which gave a check to my atheism, — which is naturally seated in aH men's hearts. The next was ' Gray's Sermons on Prayer ;' and the last, ' Guthrie's Trial of an Interest in Christ :' all which, God so powerfully laid home to my conscience, that I then covenanted with God ; and though at that time I could not get the faith of perseverance, yet I had a respect to all his statutes ; so that, the Bible was a most sweet book to me ; and I took up my whole time for near a year thereafter in studying religion, (the most pleasant time that ever I had in my lifetime,) yea, it was a burden to me to turn me to my necessary affairs in the world. I found religion sharp- ened me in all my natural parts ; yea, bring me, who was naturally a most anxious, fretting, grudging, creature, to such a calmness and serenity in cross providences, that I thought, — though there were neither hell nor heaven, — religion was a reward to itself. And I was so taken up With Christ's gracious condescendency, that his name was most pleas- ing ; yet durst I not draw a conclusion of assurance and perseve- rance,— yea, was put to question the wrork itself, upon account of the quality of my repentance ; but meeting with Guthrie's Trial of a Saving Interest in Christ, I found that sensibly swallowed up a law- work, in love ; but I found this, that there is not a more excellent piece of the armour of God, than the helmet of salvation, and which Satan is most busy with a Christian to keep off. I found likewise, as knowledge and grace grew, that presumption grew ; that is, that with 446 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. what I had gotten, I could walk alone : but that truth, ' Without me ye can do nothing,' was known to my sad cost. But after all this sweet time, — yea, I may say, most sweet time, — falling more and more engaged in worldly affairs. I found an impossibility to me to he instant in business, and fervent in spirit ; so that some throngs in these, abated that life which I had ; and accordingly as love grew to outward things, so decreased that power and life 1 had attained ; yet so all along, I find that God lias still been holding me by the hand : and I desire, with submission to other men's judgments, to say, I think a person falling in love with godliness, — covenanting with God, having a respect to all his statutes without exception, counting the cost, and seeing the cost of themselves incalculable, and believing that Christ, who was the author, will be the finisher of such a work ; I say, I cannot think that ever God will part with such, who do so covenant with him ; yea, it has been a comfort to me, when I could see no more of my interest in him, but that I said, ' Thou art my God.' And as I cannot conceal the loving-kindness of God, so upon the other hand, without compli- ments, as the words of a dying man, I look upon myself as the most worthless object that ever free love has paged and waited upon through the world, — compassed about with so many sins, and clothed with such a perverse nature ; but it is He with whom I made the bargain that makes crooked things straight, and rugged places plain. " Next, I advise all sufferers to beware of proposing to themselves, to do this and the other thing, for safety of life, which is sinful ; for if such a false mind be in folk, — ' God will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity ;' and they will not miss stumbling-blocks to be laid before them : I say this to them who have sinned, and yet continue in the furnace; I fear that be their doom, Jer. xxii. 10. ' They shall go from their native land, and return no more.' As for you that have tested, — that which has been a terror to me, may be now a terror to you; 'It is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, if they fall away,' &c. by putting Christ to open shame, ' to renew them to repentance.' As for unconcerned folk, I shall only say this, Think ye nothing of men's choosing death before life ! I know I have gotten Roman gallantry cast up to me, since I came to prison ; but for my own part, I could never hear tell, that it set up the head of it in the world, to face a gallows, since the word of hell became so rife in the world. But let me tell you this one thing, That though I have read of some Bingle ones dying for opinion, (not truth) yet could I never read of a tract of men, such as has been in Scotland these twenty-two years, laying down their lives for a naked opinion, so calmly, so solidly and composedly, with so much peace and serenity. As for my omi part, I am a man naturally most timorous, yet the Lord has made Bufferings easy. It might do you good to inquire into the cause of our Bufferings, so owned by God. Jt is a bad cause that is defended with swords, and beating of drums on sufferers. And, besides, tin- Lord has forced a testimony from the mouths of several of our (King adversaries, and from the mouth* of executioners and apprehendera. Yea, in this place, k on psalms which wen of clear application to themselves they would not buffer JOHN WILSON. Ud to be sung. And as to professed Presbyterians, — to many of yon for your unconcernedness, I am sure the Lord says, — Ye shall drink of another sort of a cup, that is brewing for you, — shun it as you will, by your compliance. As for our really concerned friends, I pray the Lord to protect you, and multiply his grace towards you. I am con- fident, when you are beneath the rod, ye shall rind it an ease to your own smart, — however great a lift you have taken of others' suffer- ings. 1 " Next, I say to all that come under the rod, let no terrors of men, nor temptations of Satan anent eternity, come into your mind ; but go to God with them, acknowledging your unworthiness of his protection and counsel, and you wMl find him faithful, ' not to suffer you to be tempted above what you are able.' It is no new thing to be assaulted with ' terrors without, and within with fears.' The Apostle, a most experienced Christian, wanted not this. I see a Christian to be a most passive creature in his own salvation ; yet there must be an All of diligence, otherwise the roaring lion will soon get advantages. And you must know this, that the sufferers have a large allowance ; and although, His own want not in their sufferings to the faith of adherence to him, yet ye must not think to sail that way in a bed of roses to heaven ; but that ye must have fire in your trial ; — I mean a deserting- God — as to apprehension : yet, wait patiently, and at length he will incline his ear, and you shall not want experience to say, ' For a mo- ment lasts his wrath.' " And now, I leave my dear wife, children, and sisters, upon the Lord, who gave me such sweet refreshing relations, and desire all the people of God to be kind to them ; and I bless the Lord he has ena- bled me to quit them to him : and though the Lord has made every one of them so sweet and so pleasing to me, that I have been forced to curb my affection with the bridle of religion ; yet herein I bless the Lord, he has given me heart to go through my cross, with forgetful- ness of all ; yea, to be most unconcerned to the tears and weeping of my relations. " And now, I leave all God's people, and others, with this, That his cross is beautiful ; yea, though I had had occasion of escaping prison since sentence, yet I durst not without a check of conscience have done it : and though I did petition, — yet there was (to me) two neces- sary ends therein : first, they designing to make me odious, that 1 would not seek my life ; and I desiring to make my suffering clear to their own consciences, to be unjust : and next, if any thing ailed my wife, 1 might lay her blood at their door. But I would advise all to beware of them, for there must be frequent consulting with God, and a reasonable judgment, to discern their snares ; it being their main design to ensnare. I advise any called to suffering, never to quit with the faith of adherence, and they shall not want the faith of assur- ance ; for since ever I came to prison, I saw and believed God's design to me was love : and having emptied me of all promises to sufferers, md of all my own righteousness, made me close with him, and take him for all, and believingly to rest on him, and to have recourse to him, for grace to supply necessity, and give me a believing of (though 30. 2 G 450 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. to me incomprehensible) < seeing liim as he is,' and knowing him even ' as I am known of him.* " Now I die, commending- to ail the people of God the duty of unity, conform to 2 Tim. ii. 22. ' Follow' peace with them that call upon the Lord with a pure heart.' And that, 1 John i. 7. ' If we have fellowship one with another, the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin.' I do not say this to make up an union or joining with these I testify against. Sic sub.— JOHN WILSON."* XXVII. DAVID M'MILLAN. f With respect to this individual, history has transmitted no particu- lars. It appears that on the 4th of May, 1683, he was, with some others, brought before the Justiciary, after having been previously examined by the Council. He was found guilty of heing in arms at Bothwell, and of judicially owning the lawfulness of joining with those who were there, and sentenced accordingly. He maintained his constancy even to the last, for the clerk of court, while reading the sentence, being stopped, — he was informed that after heing read out, it could not be recalled, and offered the Test; but his answer was, " Go on ;" — and when it was finished, being asked what he thought of it now, he said, it was very welcome. He died in company with John Wilson, on the 16th of May, 1683, leaving in writing an account of his examination, and a Testimony, which are subjoined.] 1. His Answers before the Council and Justiciary. When he was brought before a Committee of the Council, their queries and his answers were, " Do you keep the kirk ? lie answered he was taken out of it, not when hiding, but when retired to it for reading the Scriptures. Being asked who took him, and for what ; he answered, — Claverhouse, for being at Both well. Then he was questioned, Do you not count Bothwell rebellion ? No, answered he, it was in defence of the truth. Next he wras asked, Do you acknowledge law- ful authority ? He answered, he is not a Christian that does not so. But, added they, Do you acknowledge the present authority? Ans. In so far as he hath kept his engagements according to the word of God. Then he was asked, Will you take on to be a soldier, and go oversea? for if you abide here you will be banged. He answered, Being under your power now, I will not CM out mine own lot." Before the Justiciary his confession before the Council was adduced against liim, upon which he alleged that it contained some things which be had not spoken, particularly about the Bishop's death. "Well," said the Judge who presided, "Wbal say you to that now?" He answered, he had no judgment to judge such heads. He adhered t.. what he had said as to Bothwell ; and being asked if he had any thing of • Cloud of Witnesses. DAVID M'MILLAN. 451 say to the Assizers, be said, he knew none of them, " but betwixt you and them and God, be it." He was told there was yet room to renounce his ill principles that took him to Bothwell, by taking the Test. He answered, if he took it, it would not be willingly, and his heart would not come up, and so he thought it Lest to adhere to his right.* 2. His Testimony. " I bless the Lord that chose me to join with that persecuted party, with whom I joined for defence of the truth, and when many tied on horse, — I and my horse going away with the rest, — I shot him from me, and went back and joined with the standing foot, and there was pursued by some rider3, to whom I cried for quarter, who said they should give me quarter, and so felled me down to the ground ; and thereafter there came an Highland-man, and at about 30 feet dis- tance, shot two balls at me out of a musket, which hit me on the breast, and fell down on the grass without hurting me, — which was so great a marvel to me, that I durst not doubt of his providence since ; and then being far from friends, I was through His providence, cured of my wounds. And when I went home my friends said how will you live now, (having lost the power of my arms,) but blessed be He ever since, his providence has never left me without abundance. And I desire that godly love may continue amongst all the godly, notwith- standing matters of judgment. And I would desire every one to look first into his own sins as the great cause of this undoing of reli- gion. I desire all seriously to consider what price was paid for the church. And for my own part, I think it an admiration that ever he has honoured me with his cross ; and let none think ill of it. And I bless the Lord I ever heard field-preachings, for thereby God con- vinced me of sin, and stirred up a love to Christ. And when it was desired I might deny my deed, I durst not for that word, ' Keep the truth, and the truth shall set you free.' And that of Isaiah, ' For we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood we have hid ourselves, and the hail should sweep away the refuge of lies,' and that woe to the rebellious children, who take counsel, but not of God, and cover with a covering but not of his Spirit.' And I think, of the covenant tha^ was made with Levi, of peace, because of the fear wherewith he feared God, < That the rulers having no fear of God, nor intending peace, have no interest in that covenant.' And I durst not take man's counsel, because of that woe to the rebellious children that took counsel, but not of God. I desire every one to take heed when they stand, lest they fall ; for if folk begin to consult with flesh and blood and fetch - their steps, they will be fair to slip. And, labour to strengthen the things that remain, that are ready to die. For my part, I durst not meddle with petitioning for fear of the sinful snare therein, for they labour to mark them either in the forehead or hand,, that they part with. And that word comforted me, ' Thou hast a little strength, and hast not denied my name, and I have opened a door, and no man can shut it.' I could not argue for the truth as others, but I had • Wo1 row's History, Vol. II. p. 298. 452 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. never a look to go back, and never any wrong thoughts. Some said Bothweli was an ill contrived business ; but I loathed all such con- structions, of not onl yenemies, but also pretended friends, — which was a great grief always as I heard it. I see many that would have said, ' Am I a dog to do such a thing,' that run with the bulk, but let them mind that ' If any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him.' You that are Christians should not be idle, when they are undoing religion at this rate. And yet I think some pretended friends are as great enemies as the church has. Labour to mourn for broken vows, promises, slighted offers and opportunities, and a broken covenant. For when I take a back-look, I wonder at the Lord's long-suffering patience, considering a despised gospel, and considering his dealing with other rations. O mourn while he may be in terms of agree- ment with you, and pray that the Lord may return to his covenanted land, though your carcasses should fall in the wilderness ; and that he would be pleased to return to the following generation, who has not had the opportunity we have had. We have enough to account for, though we have not that posterity's blood on us. I have solid faith, though the world should turn upside down, it will be well with them that are at their duty. And I die in the faith that he will return again, for the Lord is most wise in his dealings ; he can bring things about for his own glory and the good of his people ; however difficult it may seem now. But I think, the Lord, for innocent blood, and other acts, shall sweep away the most part of the generation. I adhere to the Confession of Faith, to the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, to the National an! Solemn League and Covenant ; and I leave my testimony against hearing of Curates, paying cess, and against the indulgence. And now I bless him who made me see the odiousness of my sin, and naked- ness, and a white raiment from himself for a covering, and made me accept and close with him on his own terms. My soul shall bless him through all the ages of eternity.* DAVID M'MILLAN." XXVIII. JOHN WHARRY. [The case of this and the following Witness is somewhat singular for the injustice and cruelty displayed in it, — even in the persecuting period to which it belongs. With respect to their personal history, not even a hint has come down to us. It appears, however, that about the beginning of June, 1683, they had been journeying together, (each having a walking staff, ) and had Bat down to rest them- selves nearlnchbelly-bridge, a few miles to the north-east of (.ila^'iw. when they were discovered by some soldiers, who were in quest of a band of country people, by whom a prisoner hail been violently * For this short Testimony, (which In' beUevea has never before bMB pi ' - lished) the Editor is indebted to one of the Wodrow lnaritiMiijtts in the A K . - c«tes' Library, from which it WMCOpied exjnes-lv for this IFOl k. The UUc of the MS. is, Jae. V. i. 85, No.49 JOHN WHARRT. 453 rescued from them, on the previous part of the day. They were immediately apprehended as having been of the said party — brought to Glasgow — tried — and without the least evidence as to the identity of their persons,— on the mere presumption arising from their being in the neighbourhood, — condemned as guilty of relieving the prisoner, and executed on the 13th of the said month. John Wharry's testimony is contained in the following letter, addressed to his near relatives, shortly before his death.]] " Dear Mother, Brother and Sisters, — I beseech you, in the name of my sweet and altogether lovely, incomprehensible, matchless, pre- cious, beautiful, and glorious Redeemer, captain and conqueror over all his enemies, be not discouraged ; for, through his free love cast on me in black nature, who was born an heir of sin and wrath, I am now, by his blessed purchase, made free, by the laying down of his sweet life for poor sinners, of which I was one of the chiefest in the world, that I might get life eternal, — which is his own gift bestowed on me : and now, through his blessed hand of providence, — has made choice of poor unworthy me to be his prisoner ; who ordereth all things well to those whom he sets his love on ; and ' those whom he loves, he loves Unto the end.' I do not question his all -sufficiency : dear mother, do not you question it, but that he is sufficient to make me conqueror over my inward and outward enemies. O mother, bless the Lord that ever he gave you a son, and flesh and bones, to be honoured to be a sufferer for his precious name, truths, and interest, cause, covenant, and con- cerns, according to his own rule in his blessed word, which is contained in the Old and New Testaments, agreeable to all truths contained therein. O mother, will ye be entreated for his love's sake, to give me back again to him in a free-will offering ! O I am persuaded, that it would please my matchless Lord, and then it would fare better with me, and you both. O if ye knew what of the kisses of love and kind- ness I got, since I was brought to carts, stocks, and irons ! O unworthy I, that should be honoured with this ! O mother, I beseech you for his love's sake, that you do not repine, and thereby provoke the Lord to anger. O bless him, for making all things pleasant and delightsome, '•ofreshful and comfortable to my soul, and my brother's. I cannot express what love I have met with, since they apprehended me, and my brother. O bless him for dealing so with me. I beseech you, mother, be serious with the Lord, that what he hath begun, he may also perfect in us to his own glory, and for his own work in the souls of all that are within the compass of the decree of election of free grace. I cannot describe him, — he is incomprehensible, and he is with- out compare. O he is beautiful and glorious, strong and almighty, — powerful to break through difficulties, and to bring through his own elect : all which is necessary, and nothing less, that his own being cast in the furnace for the trial of their faith and patience, may be helped to endure ; for he knows well enough to purge away the dross and the scum of his own elect. O ! but some souls he plunges over and over ; to others he limits and permits their winnowing by Satan. O • but true faith, believing and casting all the weight upon the promises, 454 TESTIMONIES OV THE SCO'lS WORTHIES. will bring you to the accomplishment ; if ye endure with patience, he i« *he same always to poor sinners, to make them to conquer over all their inward and outward enemies, to those that have received him in the precious offers of the gospel, held out to poor sinners freely, and to poor me : and lie hath engaged my heart to fall in love with him, and to follow the blessed persecuted gospel, through good report and ill report, upon all hazards whatsoever, through bis strength. O ! bless him, all that is within me, that ever he made me to act faith on his great and precious promises, and also to trust to the faithful outmaking of them to his own in particular straits, and also to the church in general, in his due season, against all oppositions that can come from a tempting devil, and a wicked, conspiring, and desperate heart, and the wicked, flattering, deceiving, and bewitching world. O ! but these be three strong, arch, cunning, and subtle enemies ! I fear, if this ques- tion were asked at professors in the land, If they knew these ? they would answer, They knew them very well ; though I fear the con- trary ; and it appears much in our day and generation. Woe is to us ! where is this married land gone to, judge ye ? I bless him that he has made me his prisoner, though I be unworthy ; he has stooped low, and with his delicates has come to me in my irons and cords, in that chamber in Glasgow, with his own wine, apples, and flagons. O I if ye knew what a life we have here ; if ye knew the want of him ye would have longed for him, and would not have thought a prison, cords, stocks, irons, hard to bear, for his comely pre- sence, and refreshing of our souls. O ! glory to his blessed and everlasting name, whose loving-kindness lasts for aye ! O friends ! give all the praise to precious and lovely Christ. O friends ! wrestle and hold on ; use importunity with him for vour bleeding mother-church ; for it is not time to be slack. O pray for us, that we may get more and more of his support, that we may be strong in our Almighty God, who has done great things for his church, and is beginning to do great things for us in our prison. 0 ! praise him all ye people ; it may be nearer to the breaking of the day of our King Royal, than ye are aware. God has long been silent and conscience dumb amongst people. O be ye aware, that ye have not these two, when he arises to make war for all the wrongs he has sustained. We beseech you, in his own name, try whose ye are, what ye are, and in whose list ye are : know ye not, that true ' faith is the Mdistance of things not seen, but hoped for' in him, and will be made forthcoming to the sensible feeling of his own elect ? JOHN WIIAKK XXIX. JAMES SMITH. [After what is said in the foregoing article, as referring equally to both Bufferers, it is only necessary to add here — that the sniffle at relieving the prison! r having been seven-, and one of tfie boluier • Cloud ef Witnesses. JAMES SMITH. 455 killed in it, the crime alleged against these two men, was no less than murder ; but so far from this being brought home to them, there was not a single witness adduced to prove, that they had even been in the affray. The sentence, too, which was passed against them and executed accordingly, was in the last degree ignominious and severe. After being hanged at the Cross of Glasgow, they were carried in a cart to Inchbelly-bridge, and there hung in chains. " It is worth recording to the praise of His grace, for whose royal digni- ties they witnessed, that they endured all these hardships with a great deal of Christian magnanimity — even to the conviction of enemies." The Testimony of James Smith is also in the form of a letter, and is as follows.] " Dear Father and Mother, — I beseech you to forgive me all the offences I have done to you, for ye know it is natural to children to offend and grieve their parents. Now this I seek in His name, and for His sake, and I heartily forgive any provocations that my father has given me, as I am of myself ; and desire the Lord may take a dealing with your heart, O my father. Now, my dear father, seek the Lord, that your soul may live ; and make religion your main work, and let it not be a bye-business to you, but strire and wrestle to get time spent rightly in the fear of the Lord, minding always and at all times, that the eye of a holy and just God is upon you ; and be serious with God, and deal in earnest with Him, that He would help you to self-denial, — to be denied to all things beneath the clouds ; and study to get at mortification, and let your affections follow nothing further than ye can be mortified to it ; and be submissive to his holy will. Now the Lord himself persuade you to fall in love with lovely Christ : snd I desire the Lord may give you unfeigned repentance, and faith in Jesus Christ, and strength to stand out and resist these ensnaring courses, viz. locality paying, and the compearing at courts, and hearing of curates, and the like. Dear father, mother, brethren, and sisters, quit with me, and give me up to the Lord, who gave me to you. Give me up freely without any hankering and repining ; for he loveth a cheerful giver. I dare not say but he has been kind to me ; O matchless love ! O praise, praise him that ever he honoured the like of me with cords on my arms, and stocks on my legs ; — irons have been sweet and easy to me, and no trouble. Now hold up my case to the Lord, and doubt not of his faithfulness and all-sufficiency, for he is both able and willing, and he has said, ' In all your afflictions I am afflicted ;' and he carries his and their cross both, and he ■ sends none a warfare on their own charges.' John xii. 24. ' Verily verily I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone ; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.' And ver. 25. ' He that loveth his life, shall lose it ; and he that hateth his life in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.' And I can say upon good grounds, I am well helped of my lovely Master in all that I have been trysted with. I desire with all my heart and soul to bless and praise the holy name of my God for his love, and that ever he looked on the like of me, a poor sinful thing. O praise him, and rejoice with me, 456 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. that it is so well with me. Now, the' manner of my taking, was not surprising to me : I was not afraid, for I dare not question but the place, and also the time was come : glory to His name in so order- ing it. No more at present, but have my love remembered to you, and desire you to take up yourselves with your duty. Now I quit you all to him ' who is able to save to the utmost.' Be much taken up with the church's condition, and be not at ease in the time of Zion's trouble. My brethren, my advice to you is, to join yourselves in a vociety or fellowship meeting, in the strength of the Lord. Now my lovely Lord, give thy blessing to all thine, and pardon the sins of all the elect. Sic sub JAMES SMITH."* XXX. ANDREW GUILLAN. [This, according to Wodrow, was the only individual of those really present at it, who suffered, " precisely on account of the Archbishop's death ;" and even he was not actually engaged in compassing that event. He was by trade a weaver, and living iu the neighbourhood of Magus-Muir, — was called out on the occasion, to hold the horses of those by whom the deed was perpetrated. He seems to have been a serious, and for his station, a well- informed man. He was apprehended as a nonconformist, by the Curate of the parish, in which for some time, by way of concealing himself, he had resided in the capacity of a farm-servant ; and refusing to drink the king's health, he was first put into prison at Dalkeith, and afterwards removed to Edinburgh. As yet, nothing could be alleged against him, till he was artfully drawn into some- thing like a confession of having been present at the Archbishop's death. He was tried, brought in guilty, and condemned to have both his hands cut off at the foot of the gallows, hanged at Edin- burgh, his head fixed at Coupar, and his body hung in chains at Magus Muir : a sentence which was executed on the 20th of Julv, 1683.f] " My dear Friends, — Being here to die for my dearest Lord's pre- cious truths, I thought fit to leave this with you, as my last advice. Seek to do good to all in ycur day. Let your moderation be known unto all men. Study to be imploring your God, for there is sudden wratn pronounced from heaven against all that have been doing, or continue to do evil : for he hath said. Jer. x. 25. ' Pour out thy fury * Clouil of Witnesses. f '" After his body," says Wodrow, " had hung in chains for some timtv some people fame and took it down, for which the country about was put t» DO imall trouble. I find that la May, IG8-J-, the council granted a commission to the ear] of Balcarraa, to |iass sentence of banishment against the persons who took it down, as being owners of the Archbishop's murder." Wodrow, rol. II. p. 30 1. ANDREW GUILLAN. 457 upon the heathen, and upon the families that call not upon thy name.' We had need to know what we shall answer, when we shall come before him, with whom we have to do ; for he is a holy God, and ' a consuming fire to the workers of iniquity,' Wherefore, dear friends, study holiness in all manner of conversation; make it your earnest care to have your conversation as hecomes the gospel, and then he will he forthcoming unto you. My friends, I leave you with the Lord, who hath promised to be the God of his people. He is given of the Father to be a leader and commander to his people, and he will lead them. And I entreat every particular person, never to he at rest till they give away themselves personally in covenant to God, and promise through his grace, to be for him, and not for another. I leave you to him, who ' leads Joseph like a flock.' If you would have him speaking peace to you in your life, and in your end, cleave to the Son of God and his truths. And remember, if speedy repentance do not prevent, you will utterly ruin your immortal souls. Now, my dear friends, ye that are desiring singly to stand for God, hold on your way, and wait for the Lord, and quit not a hoof of the truth : he will be an up-making God to you, and he has promised to be a present help in the time of your need. " There is a great confluence come here at this time : I would wish with all my heart they would get good by it. I am come here to lay down my life. I declare I die not as a murderer, nor as an evil-doer ; although this covenant-breaking, perjured, murdering generation lay it to my charge, as though I was a murderer, on account of the justice that was executed on that Judas who sold the kirk of Scotland for 50,000 merks a year. And we being bound to extirpate Popery and Prelacy, and that to the utmost of our power, and we having no other that were appearing for God at that day, but such as took away his life, therefore I was bound to join with them, in defending the true religion, and all the land. Every man was bound in covenant, when he had sold the church, — they were bound, I say, to meet him by the way, when he came down from London, and have him presently put to the edge of the sword, for that heinous indignity done to the holy Son of God. But it is, alas ! too apparent that men have never known God rightly, nor considered that he is a holy God. O terrible backsliding ! they will not believe that God will call them to an account for what they owed to God : but assure yourselves, as he is in heaven, he will call every one to an account, how they have stood to that covenant and work of reforma- tion. I need say no more ; but I would have you consider, that in breaking the covenant, we have trampled under foot the precious truths of Jesus Christ. Now, being straitened of time, I must leave off writing. Where- fore, farewell holy Scriptures, wherewith my soul hath been many a day refreshed : farewell sweet societies with whom I have been, and whose company was so refreshful to me ; farewell my mother, brethren, sisters, and all other relations ; farewell all earthly pleasures ; farewell sun, moon, and stars. Welcome spirits of just men made perfect ; 458 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. welcome angels ; welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, — into whose hands I commit my spirit. Sic sub ANDREW GUILLAN."* The inhuman treatment this martyr met with ought not to be forgot- ten, as a pregnant instance of the hellish rage and fury of the persecutors, and of the Lord's rich grace, who wonderfully countenanced and strengthened him to endure the tortures inflicted upon him, with an undaunted braveness of spirit : for besides the tortures he suffered in prison, they ordered both his hands to he cut off, while he was alive : and it was observed by onlookers, though (by reason the executioner was drunk) he received nine strokes in cutting them off, yet he bore it with invincible patience. And after the right hand was cut off, he held out the stump in view of the multitude, saying, " As my blessed Lord sealed my salvation with his blood, so am I honoured this day to seal his truths with my blood." — C. W. XXXIII. JOHN COCHRAN. [ This was one of Three countrymen, who suffered together on the 30th of November, 1683. He was by trade a shoemaker, and belonged to the parish of Lesmahagow. With his two companions he was indicted in the xisual form, for treason, as having been in the rising at Bothwoll. They were brought before the council on the 26th; and their confession there emitted was all that was adduced as evidence at their trial, on the 28th of said month. They were, of course, condemned, — and two days after, hurried into eternity. " They were persons," says Wodrow, " from whom the government had nothing to fear, and their blood was shed (for what I can see) merely out of love of blood." It appears that John Cochran confessed his having been both at Drumclog and Bothwell-bridge, armed with a fork, and that he refused to own or pray for the king, or to give his opinion of the Archbishop's death. His testimony, in which the other two concurred, is as follows.^ " Being brought before the lords of Justiciary, they asked, Where I went in to the rebels ? I answered, I went in to the people of God, whom ye call so, at Drumclog. They asked, If 1 had arms ? I told them, I had a fork. They asked, If I thought it rebellion ? I said, No. And they said, What was it then ? I told them, It was in defence of the gospel. They asked, If I did own the authority ? 1 told them, As far as it did agree with the word of God. Then they asked, If I would pray for the king ? I told them, That prayer should begone about in decency and order. Then they asked, if I would say ' God *ave the king ?' And 1 refused. Then they said, Was I not bound to • Cloud of Witnene*. JOHN COCHRAN. 459 pray for him ? I told them, That I was bound to pray for all that were within the bounds of election. Then they said, Was the Bishop's death murder ? I told, I was no judge. Then they asked, If I was at Both well? I told, I was. They said, Was it rebellion? I said, No. Then I was taken back to prison again, and the irons laid on me : but blessed be the Lord, that was no discouragement to me ; for when the storm blew hardest the smiles of my Lord were at the sweetest. It is matter of rejoicing unto me, to think how my Lord hath passed by many a tall cedar, and hath laid his love upon a poor bramble-bush, like me. And O ! that I could bless the Lord for it, and say, ' Come all ye that fear the Lord, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul.' And now I am made to say, ' That the Lord doth all things well, and holy is his name.' And as for my part, I have good cause to bless the Lord, that ever I was a hearer of the persecuted gospel ; and however the world think of us, that our lot is hard in a world, yet remember, that he saith in his holy word, that ' whosoever will live godly, must suffer persecution ; and whosoever will not take up his cross, and follow me, is not worthy of me. And fear not him that can kill the body,' but said he, ' I Avill forewarn you whom ye shall fear ; fear him that can kill both soul and body, and cast both into hell.' And ' If judgment begin at the house of God, where shall the wicked and ungodly appear in that day, when he shall take vengeance on them that fear him not, and obey not the gospel ?' And now, alas ! I am afraid, that even much of the gospel amongst us, will be a witness against us ; for it was the judg- ment of Capernaum, that so many mighty works were done in it, and yet they believed not : and yet, for all that came upon it, it was said to be exalted up to heaven ; and then we hear of its being thrust down to hell : even so, I fear the having so much light will be the plague of our land : for it was once a praise to all the earth ; but now a mocking, even among the heathens. " And now as a dying man, I do heartily declare my adherence unto all the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments ; and preaching of that blessed gospel, by a faithful, sent, presbyterian gospel ministry. As also, I do, with all my soul and heart, agree with, and assent unto the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, the Sum of Saving Knowledge ; the National and Solemn League and Covenants, Directory for Worship, the Solemn Acknowledgment of public Sins and Breaches of the Covenant, and Engagement to all Duties, together with all and whatsoever is contained within the fore- said book. And likewise I do hereby heartily witness and testify against popery, prelacy, Erastkmism, heresy, and other errors, espe- cially quakerism, and whatsoever is disconform and disagreeable to the holy Scriptures, and these other sound writings above-mentioned. And likewise, I witness and testify my abhorrence and detestation of that abominable and blasphemous Test, which is now so violently pressed upon the people, tending to the destruction of their souls. Moreover, I leave my wife and six small children to the care and protection of Almighty God, who hath promised ' to be a father to the fatherless, and an husband to the widow/ — and my soul to God who gave it, for 460 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. wiiose cause I now willingly lay down my life: and now I bid fare- well to all earthly and carnal comforts. Farewell all Christian acquaintance : and welcome Father, Son, and Floly Ghost, into whose hands I commit my spirit ! Sic sub.— JOHN COCHRAN."* At the same time also suffered upon the same heads of truth, and adhering to the same testimony, these two pious martyrs, John Whitelaw, and Arthur Bruce, who were interrogated upon the same things before the Council or Lords of Justiciary, and agreed with the foregoing martyr in every respect, and expressed in their testimonies the like satisfaction with their lot, and cheerfulness under the cross, and their adherence to the same principles, and abhorrence of the same errors. — C. W. XXXIV. GEORGE MARTIN. [It appears that this good man who had for some time practised as a Notary at Dailly in Ayrshire, endured with exemplary patience, a long tract of sufferings. He was apprehended towards the end of 1679, and for upwards of four years — remained under great i everities. He was for a great part of that time, day and night, in irons ; and mostly without fire and other necessaries, — even during the most inclement weather. Why he was so long detained in prison, we have no account. It was, however, not till the 18th of February, 1684, that he was brought to trial, after having been previously examined on the 11th of that month. He was found guilty, of course ; and that on the usual grounds of refusing to pray for the king, to renounce the covenant, to declare the rising at Bothwell rebellion, and the bishop's death, murder. He was executed, in pursuance of his sentence, on the 22d of February following — leaving behind him the testimony which is subjoined.] " My dear Friends, — After fouryears' and nearly four months' capti- vity and bondage, for this glorious and honourable cause of Jesus Christ, — for which I have been kept sometimes in bolts and fetters, night and day, without fire and other necessaries; and now at the end of the foresaid space, being sentenced to die, I thought it fit to signify to you why 1 was so sentenced, as the adversaries gave it forth : and it is thus ; I could not own nor allow of the king's authority, .is it is now established, nor pray for him in a superstitions and idolatrous manner, nor call the late prelate of St. Andrews', and the late king's death murder, nor Bothwell-bridge rebdUon, and abjure the Covenant: all which I refused, and could do upon no terms. " As to the first, I could not own nor allow of the present • Cloud of Witness***. GEORGE MARTIN. 461 government, as it is now established, because it is derogatory to the crown and kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ, in robbing him of his royal prerogatives ; ' in their setting of their threshold by his threshold, and their posts by his posts, and the wall between him and them, they have even defiled his holy name, by their abominations that they have committed.' Ezek. xliii. 8. And, Ezek. xliv. 6, 7, 8. ' And thou shalt say to the rebellious house, even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord God, O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations, in that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant, because of all their abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things : but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuaiy for yourselves.' ' Shall even he that hateth right govern ? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just ?' Job xxxiv. 17. Who durst do it and he guiltless ? and moreover, — ' Which say to the seers see not, and to the prophets, prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Get ye out of the way, turn aside out of the path, cause the holy One of Israel cease from before us,' La. xxx. 1 0, 11. And I cannot, nor dare not pray for him so superstitiously. 1st, Because it imports a set form of prayer, which is most superstitious, and that which is their dreadful design. 2dly, It imports idolatry, like unto the cry of the people made mention of, Acts xix. 34. who had a cry for the space of two hours, of that idol, ' Great is Diana of the Ephesians,' which was rejected by some of their own sort, with some kind of reason, though heathens, and much more ought it here. 3dly, Another reason why I cannot pray after such a maimer, is, I find when prayer is rightly discharged, and seriously gone about, in the manner, time, and place, as is warranted by the word of God ; God is thereby worshipped and honoured ; and if irreverently gone about, he is dishonoured, and his name profaned, and taken in vain, which is abomination to him, — which he saith, his enemies do, and for which he will not hold them guiltless. 4thly, I dare not pray so superstitiously for him, because I find Jeremiah expressly forbidden to pray for a people, not guilty of all the things that he is guilty of, though he be guilty of all their sins, and many others also. See for this, Jer. vii. 16. where it is said, ' Pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me ; for I will not hear thee.' Jer. xi. 14. ' Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them ; for I will not hear them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble.' And Jer. xiv. 11, 12. 'Then said the Lord unto me, Pray net for this people for their good : when they fast, I will not hear their prayer.' Psalm xliv. 20, 21. 'If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god ; shall not God search this out ; for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.' 1 John v. 16. ' If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, lie shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death ; I do not sav, that he shall pray for it.' I fear some 462 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. sins in this land have too near bordering with that sin. Innumerable scriptures are to this purpose, but these may suffice at present. Another thing makes me scruple, because they command no more prayers to be prayed, ' save unto thee O king,' Dan. vi. 7. And lastly, I dare not pray it, because all the profane profligate persons have it always in their mouth, especially when they are drunk ; and if 1 do what they do, I fear I go where they go : but blessed be the Lord, who has yet prevented me from the paths of these destroyers. Much of this was spoken when I was before them, and so I shall forbear to speak any more as to this question. " The next question is, in order to the prelate's death, Whether it was murder or not? Murder I dare not call it, more than Eglon's, Sisera's, and Balaam's deaths, but the just judgment of God for his fearful apostasy and backsliding, together with the horrid murders committed by him upon the saints and servants of God. The third is, That of the deatli of the late king ; whether it was murder or not? I am not much to meddle with it ; but the many thousands that were slain in England, — the horrid murder committed by the Irish in Ireland, and the dreadful slaughter of the protestants in Scotland, cause great thoughts of heart, that it was a fatal stroke. A fourth thing, Whether Bothwell bridge was rebellion ? which whether it was so or not, may appear, if ye consider our former engagements to that effect. And, fifthly, Anent owning and adhering to the covenants, — We answered publicly before the court, That in all the scripture it was warrantable, both to make covenants, and also to keep them, and that there was never a covenant so broken, but that which was punished by signal judgments and plagues by the Lord These were the answers to the indictment, whereupon the sentence of death passed, or for not answering to some of these questions ; for which I must lay down my life. And if this be not murder, let Christian nations bear witness, if ever the like was done in any Christian kingdom heretofore " But now being straitened for want of time and other inconveniences. I cannot say much more to you. Only, I leave it with you as my last advice, that you would endeavour to keep the way of the Lord sincerely, and not to meddle with them that are given to such changes, which alas ! too many plead for, and are given to this day ; and thai ye would not be so formal in many things, concerning godliness, and the work and worship of God Formality, it may be feared, will give manv a beguile, when it cannot be mended. As first, I beseech you, be more observant in keeping the Lord's day, in rising betimes in the morn- ing, and in spending the whole lime in worshipping God sincerely take heed to your thoughts, words, and actions. And when ye set a day apart, I mean of humiliation, give God the whole day, and DOtict what success ye have had, and how ye have found the work thrive ami prosper among you : and use less disputings even in things seemingly necessary: and be more in examination and edification both of your- selves and Others ; and believe that a well spent Sabbath will be helpful to spend the week well. And also, labouring to liave your COHT< tion aright through the week, will be a noble presage to begin the Sabbath. And what ye spare of tout ordinary diet, bestow it upon the poor and needy. There is this among many, who profess to be reli GEORGE MARTIN. 463 gious, which is odious, that they take well with it to be called religious, and yet they have little or no scruple to do wrong, and speak wrong of others, and towards them. I beseech you sin not, — though there were no eye to see you but God, — either by doing or suffering : you will never perform religious duties aright, till ye be at this, that ye dare do wrong in no kind to any. 'Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.' Alas ! it is sad to see and hear judgments and plagues multiplied, and sin so much increasing. O for more tenderness one towards another ! and of a spirit of meekness and zeal for God, give yourselves to be ever in prayer one with another, and for another : wrestle with him in behalf of his church, and ruined work now borne down ; and that he may return to the land, and pity his people ; and be importunate with him in this, lest the ruin thereof be found to be under your hand. I fear you may expect judgments to come suddenly upon this sinful land ; so that ye will think, happy were they that got away before they came : therefore so many of you as would in any measure escape the deluge of wrath, that is coming on this sinful generation, — keep clean hands, and be free of the sinful abominations committed therein ; and for witnessing against them, we are to lay down our lives this day. " And now as a dying man, and a dying Christian, I join with, and approve of all the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and New Testa- ment, both of threatenings and promises therein. As also I agree with, and allow of that excellent book, called the Confession of Faith, with the Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Sum of Saving Knowledge, Directory for Worship ; and particularly, I adhere to, and allow of the two Covenants, both National and Solemn League and Covenant, Acknowledgment of Sins and Engagement to Duties, with all others contained in the forenamed book. As also I do witness and testify my dislike of the breaches and burnings of these covenants, and of all other horrid abominations of that nature. And likewise I abhor and detest all compliance or joining with the enemies of our Lord Jesus Christ ; and more particularly, of bonding, bargaining, and informing, or putting them to do hurt, any manner of way, to any of the Lord's poor afflicted, borne down, wandering and distressed people. And in like manner I hate and detest all communing with, speaking favourably of, or eating or drinking with any such, except in case of necessity. And in like maimer, I testify my dislike of that dreadful, blasphemous, and abominable unparalleled test, and of all pretended magistrates and ministers, who have taken the same, and of all that meddle or join with them, or pay fines for hearing the gospel, or transact or colleague with any such, any manner of way, upon the foresaid account. And lastly, I hate too much covetousness in prisoners who are in a capacity to maintain themselves, and yet are burdensome to other poor, mean (though charitable) people. And I join heartily with the testimonies of our dear suffering brethren, who suffered either former- ly or of late. And likewise, I join my testimony to a faithfully preached gospel, by faithful, presbyterian, lawfully called and authorized ministers, and lawful magistrates placed and empowered, as is agreeable and Warranted by the word of God, and none other. And notwithstand- ing I be branded with not admitting of magistracy and kingly authority, 464 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. I do hereby declare and make it known to the world, that I ao ailow of lawful authority, agreeable and conformable to the will and command of God, the only lawgiver, as much as any man in my station in Scot- land, and account a land happy and blest, in having and enjoying such. " And now, being honoured to die for adhering to the truth, and to die this same day, being the 22d of February, 1684, — I do hereby forgive all persons all wrongs done to me, and wish them forgiveness, as I desire to be forgiven of God. And now, I leave all my friends and Christian relations to the good guiding of Almighty God, and bid you all farewell in the Lord : farewell all worldly enjoyments, and created comforts. And welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into whose hands I commit my spirit ! Sic sub.— GEORGE MARTIN."* Together with this martyr suffered John Gilrig, f wright in the parish of Hownam in Teviotdale, whose indictment was founded upon the same heads, and his testimony is much of a piece with his. He dies admiring and praising free grace, adhering to the truths of Jesus, and firmly trusting in him for salvation. — C. W. XXXV. JOHN DICK f/This distinguished martyr was a Student of divinity, and son to Mr. David Dick, Writer in Edinburgh. He was apprehended, and brought before the Council, so early as August 1683, and there- after tried, condemned, and sentenced to he executed, on the 28th of September following. Before the day arrived, however, he, with a number of other prisoners, made his escape from the Tolbooth- * Cloud of Witnesses. f The person here alluded to, is spoken of by "Wodrow under the name of John Kerr. Whether he is here called Gilrig by mistake, or that he was accustomed to assume both, names, we have no means &f ascertaining. The latter supposition seems to be favoured by the following statement from Wodrow. " I have," says he, " before me, two original letters signed John Gilrig, from the Iron-house, December 27th, 1683, which savour much of humility, self-diffidence, and meekness, — wherein he offers many solid grounds of support to sufferers, and presses them to observe provi- dences, and belie\e well of God. I doubt not but it is the same person here mentioned, and know no more about him than what is stated (as above) in the Cloud of Witnesses." And yet it appears th3t hp is spoken of under the name of John Kerr, as the following quotation from the registers renders evident. " .John Kerr refuses to own the king's authority. He says the king lays things on his subjects contrary to the word of God, and so he cannot own his authority ; — that Bothwell- bridge was lawful, as a defence of the truth. As to the bishop's murder, he says, it is not his part to judge. As to the late king's murder, he refuses to answer. lh owns the covenant, and adheres to the end of if. Ilefuses to sign." It appears that besides these two, and along with them, a third individual, by name .lames Muir, belonging to Cessford-Boat, WOS condemned, and n.ist probably suffered. The grounds of his indictment, and the nature of the evidence adduced a^ain-t him were precisely the same with those of the others, and consequently equally insafllcieut to infer the last penalty of the law. — Sec Wodrow, Vol. ii, pp. 3ti&,*S6ft JOHN DICK. 465 prison,* nor was it till the beginning of March, 1684, that he was retaken. Being, immediately after, remitted to the Justiciary, he * The account of this curious incident, ns given by Wodrow, will, though some- what long, give no small gratification to the reader. " It was upon the IGth of September, that Mr. John Dick and upwards ot 21< other prisoners, none of whom almost could ever have expected to come out of prison, but for execution, — found means to cut a window and get out. The circumstances accompanying their escape, were such as were truly remarkable ; and the more to be observed, that not one of them, save Mr. Dick, fell again into the enemies' hands. There was a sentinel in the street just below the window at which they got out ; whether for the security of the prison, or because the Earl of Linlithgow, justice -general, and colonel to the red regiment, had his lodg- ings just opposite to the tolbooth, — my informer cannot tell. The window was cross-barred with iron, and after they had cut one bar, they found the space not large enough to get out at, which cost them the cutting of three other iron bars, and this took them so much time and pains, that the matter was talked of among their friends, not only in the town of Edinburgh, but even at Glasgow, before they could get it accomplished ; yet it came not to the ears of their enemies, but which is yet stranger, as my author very well remembers, — it so happened that the first bar they cut fell from the window, which was on the third story, upon the street of the town, about nine of the clock at night, and continued laying there all night and next morning, — till about the same hour, a friend coming in to see them was sent down to the street, not so much as to look after the bar, (for that they did not so much as expect,) as to know if the want of it was easily perceivable from the street, and he found it just where it fell, and got it sent up to them, and they made a shift to fix it again in its place, till they had ended the rest of their project. They could not but wonder, that the street being so narrow there, and the Earl of Linlithgow's lodgings just opposite to, and on a level, with their window, a sentinel at his sentry, within a few paces of where the bar fell, and the bar being amissing for some hours, and they putting it again in its place, — they could not (I say) but with admiration remark, that they were not observed and hindered ; that night, likewise, they had also cut the beim of the floor above them, and made way for some of their fellow-prisoners, in that room, to get out with them. " When all was ready, and they just coming oat, two friends surprised the sentinel at the centry foresaid, threatening him with present death if he spoke one word ; and the fellow was not only silent at the time, but spoke nothing when he was relieved from his post, which gave them full time to shift for themselves ; and several of them were country people who knew not the town, and had no friends nor acquaintance with them to direct them how to dispose ol themselves, yet they all escaped : yea, it was affirmed, that one Miller, an Eaglesham man, wandering up and down and seeing a light in a house went to it, and knocking, a servant opened to him, and he most ingenuously told his circumstances : this happened to be the Bishop's lodgings, but the maid had the generosity to hide the man, till next day she told some of her acquaintance, whom she knew to be favourers of the sufferers, and they came and took care of him. This passage being fully verified to me, I thought it deserved room here. " No small noise was made about this escape. The Council could not be got to gather till the 20th of September, when I find, by the registers, a committee of their number was appointed to go to prison and call for the magistrates of Edinburgh and view it, and see what was necessary to be done for its security: they appoint, likewise, general Dalziel to call a council of war, and examine the behaviour of captain, lieutenant, sergeants, corporals, and sentinels, that night, and report. And January 223, next year, — I find a process before the council against the magistrates and town of Edinburgh. They are libelled for suffering Mr. John Dick. Adam Philip, George Atkin, prisoners for high treason, and about two and twenty others, criminal prisoners, — to escape. The town's lawyers are heard, and the magistrates assolied as being a casual and fortuitous escape, and the president is appointed to give them a reprimand and admonition to take heed to their prison in time to come." — Wodrow, Vol. II. pp. 289. 290. 31. 2 H 4C6 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. was ordered to be executed on the 5tli of that month, agreeably to his former sentence. He suffered accordingly — leaving behind him a very minute detail of his Examination, Trial, and Testimony, which together with his Last Words, have since been printed, and altogether, form a considerable pamphlet, — from which a few extracts are subjoined.] " My/h? assertion I have to vindicate, is this ; — that I own the Work of reformation, as the same is contained in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms, conform to the covenant against popery, prelacy, and Erastianism, and am resolved, by the Lord's strength, to bide by the same ; and to this I subjoin the inviolable obligation of the covenant, to adhere to these principles and practices. * * * " The second assertion I am to defend is, — that the laws overturning the presbyterian church and establishing episcopacy, particularly these three acts — To wit, 1st, The act rescissory, whereby at one dash the glorious fabric, sometime the glory of these nations, is overturned ; 2dly, The act of supremacy, and act explanatory of the same, whereby our blessed Lord is set by his chair, and a poor worm set down in his room ; Silly, That act called the Test, a hotchpotch of nonsense, lies, and contradictions ; — that these, and others of their nature, were null, and asserted principally, because contrary to express Texts* of scripture. * * * " The third thing I have in task, is to defend these assertions following; To wit, — that I own the Hamilton Declaration, and that when we were invaded or assaulted by any person whatsoever, in the exercise of our reformed religion and worship — upon that account, we were obliged to stand to our own defence : — that 1 own the lawfulness of field conven- ticles, and our being in arms to defend ourselves in case of being molested ; — and that I myself was ever ready to own and defend my brethren in arms when invaded, as baid is, and declaring that the invasions made against the Lord's people at IVntland and liothwel), they being then in the exercise of their religion, — were services done to the devil, and the resistance made by them in their own defence, was service done to God. Now, the sum of all these assertions is, that it is the duty of protestant reformed churches to stand to the defence of their reformation and religion : — especially with this consideration, that with their religion, they are also assaulted as to their privileges, — ns in the freedom of parliaments, and many other particulars, — which if time would allow I could enumerate ; considering especially, that this church and kingdom are obliged so to do, by a most solemn oath made to the ever living (iod, — they, their kings, their princes, and nobles, and the whole body of the realm ; — and that this oath stands still inviolate. • * * " And now, unto his Majesty our king, must 1 address myself, ami to all under him, from his brother the Duke of York, to all the eoun- sellors, sheriffs, justices, magistrate! of bOTOVghs, Mid members of parliament, since his majesty'a restoration, * * " Now, as to you all and Mindly, I declare in the . ntry of my address, as in the si^bt of Jehovah, whose I am, and before whom both you and I ere long, must stand miked and bare, to answer for all JOHN DICK. 467 we have done in the flesh, — that my design in this my address, next to the glory of God, the good and edification of his people, and conse- quently the advancement of his work, has been your conviction from the highest to the lowest, if possible. * * * " And now, to you great Sir, — for to you and all under you, who instigate you to, and concur with you in these soul-destroying practices, I am in the strength of Jehovah to remonstrate, — I address myself; — and in the first place, must take the liberty to tell you, in the name of my great Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, that it is not unknown to your Majesty, nor any of those to whom I address myself, jointly with you, that not only at your coronation, your Majesty and all under you, from the highest to the lowest but also before, — these whole nations were, and yet are, engaged in a most solemn covenant with the ever-living God, party contractor on the one hand, and your Majesty and all under you in these nations, from the highest to the lowest, on the other hand ; to the observance of which covenant, these nations and all in them, shall for ever be bound and obliged, from the highest to the lowest, while sun and moon endure ; neither is there any imaginable way of dissolv- ing the same, — especially considering, that therein our obligation being only to amend our lives, and to worship the Almighty God, conform to his own appointment, and to oppose ourselves, our lives and fortunes, to all courses and ways inconsistent with these ends ; — these being moral duties to which we were antecedently bound, as is the nature also of all the duties we are obliged to by these covenants. Now, great sir, the case being thus, I hope you will not judge yourself obliged to such as make this defence for breaking of these covenants, — that your Majesty was forced thereto, for indeed I look upon it as a great imputation upon your Majesty, (especially being styled Defender of the Faith,) to have been in any measure under either necessity or constraint, to have joined in a duty so absolutely necessary, and if there was any thing of force, where was the intimation thereof ? Sure 1 am, there was nothing thereof publicly to be seen, and yet giving but not granting it had been so, your Majesty and all under you, were inex- pressibly more obliged to the performance thereof, than were the people of Israel to the performance of that made with the Gibeonites, as may be seen above ; nor do I think your Majesty will think yourself obliged to them, who should for vindication of your breach of these covenants oiler this defence, that your Majesty is under covenant of a posterior date bound to the pope, and some of his creatures, to introduce popery, and to mancipate these territories to that antichristian yoke. If any such thing be, — as the carriage of the court, this considerable time, too loudly insinuates, sure I am, it were more for your Majesty's honour, and the glory of God, and the good of your nations, to break that covenant than to keep it, it being a covenant made against the Almighty, which by no imaginable pretence can be justified. But leaving these things to your majesty's consideration, and to the consideration of such as may, with you, be concerned herein, I must make bold to ask again, by what authority you came to dissolve this contract ? (yea, I may say, and that upon good grounds, as glorious a contract as ever was made on earth, 468 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. and while adhered to of as glorious effects,) I say I must make bold to ask by what authority this is broken? and unless you be so bold as to run yourself upon the bosses of the buckler of the Almighty, in refusing that which the Justice-clerk but faintly granted, (which the Lord avert,) I mean, unless you deny Jehovah to be supreme Lord and Master of heaven and earth, and all the kings and governors in the earth to be his deputies and servants. Now, we shall take it for granted, that these covenants stand still binding, and I am sure we have good ground so to do, for any thing we have either read or heard to the contrary. Then, great sir, must I, m the next place ask, how it comes to pass, that over the belly of these covenants Episcopacy and Erastianism (against which as to the unlawfulness thereof, and their inconsistency with the word of God, we have so many testimonies standing in record, not only in the word of God, but in human writings, drawn and founded thereupon, without the least satisfaction offered by our adversaries,) — come to be introduced amongst us, who besides the unlawfulness of the things themselves have this to say, that we have sworn with hands lifted up to the Almighty, not only never to join with, but with our lives and fortunes to oppose either ; — I say how come these not only to be intro- duced, but we by armed force hunted, harassed, plundered, tortured, and hailed to scaffolds, for no other reason, but our refusing ? Anent which — the unlawfulness of the things were to us sufficient warrant ; though we had not been in covenant, but much more being under the same ; as for my part, I can dream of no reason for introducing these, — being strangers in the church of Christ, not only in his own blessed time, and the time of the apostles who survived him, — but also for three hundred years thereafter. Nor do I ever hear or read that for any other use they were introduced but for Antichrist, that man of sin's exaltation ; — being made use of, — the one for his advancement in that damnable absolute supremacy of his, in the church, and the other for the same end, in the state, — and truly if this be the thing, it docs not a little confirm me in the belief of that second covenant you and your brother have made with the pope, which I mentioned a little above. * * * " Now let me obtest you all in the bowels of my blessed Lord Jesus Christ, if you have any respect to the glory of God, to the eternal well-being of your own immortal souls, to the well-being of your posterity, and to the peace and well-being of these nations, ul' which you are all members (though of different sizes,) in the fear of God, that you would lay aside your enmity against God, and follow that advice given in the second Psalm, from the 10th verse to the close. And that you may be the better helped to this, read and ponder well that whole Psalm, — not forgetting to pray over your meditations there* upon, and set some time apart for considering the greatness of the affronts you gave to Jehovah in all these acts and actions we bare been weakly hinting at, — considering therein, your unparalleled despite done to the Spirit of God, insetting yourselves so palpably against the Almighty, and setting up your mock laws against and above that unerring law of his, — I mean his blessed will revealed in his word, as JOHN DICK. 469 also the weight of the blood you have engaged your shoulders under, in executing these your abominable wicked laws, — which is nolessthan the whole bloodshed, since the blood of righteous Abel to this very hour. For this consider that passage in the 23d of Matthew, from the 29th to the 37th verse ; — the more faith fid you are, or any of you shall be helped to be in judging yourselves in this matter, the greater hope in your case. 1 pray God that none of you be so far left to yourselves, as offer to shift off this charge, which I am sure you shall never have ground to do till you have solidly answered all that is written in the word of God, for binding the same upon you, as also in the above- mentioned, and amongst the rest, — in this poor and feckless essay of mine, — which I declare as in the sight of God I have ventured upon, next to the glory of God, and the good of his people, with an eye to the everlasting well-being of the souls of one and all of you, even of my most inveterate enemy, Mr. Paterson, prelate of Edinburgh, as you call him. And because neither time will allow, nor is this so properly my task, — I recommend it to you for your help here, to consult the writings of our faithful divines, both in Britain and Ireland, where you may meet with what may afford you better help in this indispensable, necessary duty ; and whether I come speed or not, I must advise you also, even to consult in this matter such of your faithful ministers as are yet amongst us. I think it but reasonable you should essay this in the time of your health, which not a few of you have ventured upon at your death, fearing that then it may prove too late, for seldom is late repentance sure repentance. Now, if you shall be helped of the Lord to grant me this my suit, which is so much for the glory of God, the good of your own soul, the good of your posterity, and of the lands wherein you live, I do nothing doubt but ere all be done you shall find reason to bless the Lord, and to alter your sentiments not only of me, but of all who, with me, have been so tender of your souls as not to dare to harden you in your sinful courses, by concurring and going alongst with you in these so horrid abominations, — and shall not only think but find it verified upon your spirits, that we have been (that which we are indeed,) the only faithful and loyal subjects in these dominions, — endeavouring in our stations to render to the Almighty what is his, and to Caesar what is his, which is true loyalty indeed. For we dare not join with these that have in their rage against God, combined with his deputies against him, and if you shall be yet so far hardened as to refuse this my so useful, and to you, profitable advice, then must I come, in the third place, to remonstrate the hazard of your refusal, which cannot fail but to be upon this account the greater, — that you shall refuse a message as it were sent from the dead unto you, and so a greater step of God's infinite condescendency unto you. " Well, then, that in this matter I may be the more particular with you, — I shall obtest one and all of you, to consider what ye will do in the day of visitation, I mean in the great and terrible day of the Lord, (for as to particular visitations in time, it may be you have laid your count by them, and therein done foolishly enough too,) when our blessed Lord Jesu9 Christ (against whom ye have been raging these two and twenty years, and it mav be some of vou longer,) shall 470 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. set his throne in the clouds, and cause sound the last trumpet, — at the hearing whereof, all that ever had a being must answer and compear, and stand naked before our great King and head of his own church, (to whom the Father has committed the judgment,) and answer for what they have done in the flesh : which, — his coming, — as it shall be the joyfulest sight that ever the people of the Lord did see, — so to all tlie wicked it shall be the most dreadful and terrible day that ever their eyes beheld, and this the rather that they could never be induced to believe the same in time, so it shall be a dreadful surprisal to them. -* * " I say again unto you all, What resolve you to do in that great and terrible day of the Lord ? — when our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, for meekness and pleasantness to his people, but to all who shall be found enemies in that day, — the Lion of the tribe of Judah ; and a very terrible Lion shall he be. What are you resolved to do ? Can it be possible, that men who were created reasonable creatures, can have fallen upon so desperate a cure as this, I mean as to have unanimously resolved (upon the first hearing of the trumpet that day,) to leap quick into hell, and there to hide themselves ? Sure if this be the thing intended, it shall not only be a desperately mad, but ineffectual resolution also. What ! do you not know that thence also the Omnipotent arm of Jehovah shall easily bring you out? Dream not, I say, dream not of any escape ; for the interrogation here what shall you do, imports a very strong negation of all possible means of shunning that great appearance: where will you? — will not every individual one of you appear before that Lion, however averse you may be from it ? and I dare not but tell you, that to look upon his (to you) terrible countenance shall be more afflicting, more tormenting, more astonishing, more soul and conscience-wounding, than a thousand years' torment in hell 1 This I can assure you of, and this you shall never shun by any means imaginable : so, if ye be resolved to refuse my friendly exhortation and advice, I must here warn you before him to make ready to answer for all you have done in the flesh, and though to some of you the slighting of this my advice may be the last, yet, it shall not be the least of the challenges you shall meet with, that day. Now, I hope I have prevailed with the most part, if not all of you, to believe, that before this Lion you must come and look him in the face also, and before him answer for what you have done in the flesh, and having told you who is to be your Judge, for your farther fitting for that rencounter, I shall also tell you by what law you are to be judged, — even by the written word of God, wherein is contained our blessed Lord's revealed will, — that self-same law that yon refuse to he supreme ; and when my companion in tribula- tion and fallow-sufferer for Christ Jesus, George Lapsley,* called it the • Tn reference to this individual, who, it appears escaped altogether, after get- ting out of prison along with Mr. Dick, — it may he interesting to the reader to quote the following notices from Wndrow. lie appears to have heen tried, but not sentenced, along with Mr. Dick. " It seems at this diet, the court had not time M come to a sentence agninst George Lapsley, and I find no more about him, in the registers. He escaped JOHN DICE. 471 acts of parliament of heaven, pertinently enough, — yet some of your number in rage against our great Law-maker disdainfully did laugh, — . I say by this self same law are you all and every one of you to be judged : and however you may be so diabolically bold, as to contemn it now, you shall not then dare to whisper in the least against it I Now, having told who is to be Judge, and what the law by which you are to be judged, if you incline to know who are to be witnesses, we tell you — even your own consciences, with that great book of remembrance, the comparing of which together shall be as sufficient as millions of witnesses. Then for your assizers, — know you are to have the whole generation of the righteous, and amongst the rest, even these whom you in your rage against the Almighty have slain for the testimony of our blessed Lord and Master Christ Jesus, — whom you have not only renounced yourselves (as head of his church,) but also are raging in madness against all such as will not with you run into the same excess of riot. The diet of your compearance we have told you before. * * * " Now, having ended with our blessed Lord's enemies, I come to my last task, in this my testimony, which is to speak a short word by way of advice and exhortation to all my precious friends ; — under which with the rest of the prisoners, and was not again catched ; from an attested account of his sufferings, I give what follows: — He was for some considerable time, Miller in Linlithgow mil!, and, among multitudes of others, had a real change wrought on him by the gospel preached in the fields ; at Bothwell he was shot through the leg and made prisoner. When before a committee of the council, he was very bold in his answers to their interrogatories. Bishop Paterson attacked him first, and when he asked if he thought Both well-bridge, rebellion ; he answered, ' Sir, you are a perjured prelate, I will answer you do questions.' He did not refuse to answer the other lords of the committee, as appears by the following hints of what passed. Question, Wherefore are you in prison? Answer, For hearing the gospel. Q.. Do you go to church? A. No. Q. Wherefore ? A. Because they are not the sent ministers of Christ, and because of their perjury. Q.. Will you own the king's authority? A. According to the word of God and covenants, and no otherwise, which you have broken and burnt, and for which the Lord will be avenged. Q. Did you' write to Mr. Dick? A. Yes. Q. Who wrote the letter? A. I will give no account. Q,. Was the Bishop's death, murder? A. I am not concerned with his life or death either. Q. Was Hackston's death a murder? A. Yes, and all them whose lives you have taken these two and twenty years. Q. Was you at Bothwell-bridge? A. I will not accuse myself. Q. What thought you of it? A. I thought it duty and not rebellion, and all that were on the contrary party were in rebellion against God, and that ye shall find. Q. Did you converse with Mr. Welsh? A. Yes, and I bless God for it. Q. What book is that under your arm? (He had been brought in suddenly before the committee, when he had been reading the Bible in prison, and he had it with him.) A. It is the Acts of the parliament of heaven, and I charge you, as ye shall answer at the great day, when yon and I shall stand in equal terms, that you judge me accord- ing to what is contained in it. Q. Is it lawful to resist the king's forces at the field-meetings? A. Yes, the law of nature allows self-defence, and the word of God and our covenants, to stand to the defence of one another. " It was much after such bold answer* that he was not condemned ; and bad not the breaking of prison prevented it, no doubt, sentence would have been pronounced; but he escaped and lived a merchant in Edinburgh, many years a:tcr the Revolution." — Wodrow, Vol. II, pp. 311, 312. 472 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. compilation, I comprehend — all that love our Lord Jesus Christ, and wait for his coming, — all that have given themselves to him in a cove- nant never to be forgotten, — all that are keeping up the fight against their corruptions, and struggling in the strength of our Lord against a body of death, and, in short, all that are sincerely arting heavenward, whether such are a farther or shorter way advanced in their journey ; and to these and all such of whatsoever nation, country, tongue, or language, they be, whether at home or abroad, of whatsoever persuasion consistent with the foundations of religion ; and particularly to all under the cross, whether abroad in Hungary, France, Germany, or any other where, who are in the furnace, — or at home in these three kingdoms, and to you all and every one who, in the strength of our blessed Lord, shall be helped to run that race with patience, and finish your Christian course with joy, — I hope I need not use argu- ments to prove, that the day of the Lord which we have been speak- ing of above, which to the wicked and to the enemies of our blessed Lord shall be so terrible,' shall be to you the beginning of days, or rather the beginning of a day which is never to have an end, and that this day may be the more joyful to one and all of us, I shall obtest you all to join with me in the pursuance of these few Christian exhortations following. " And first, in general, let there be a cordial endeavour in the strength of our blessed Master (the more this be employed the better speed shall we come,) to strive against every sin without exception, to close with every commanded duty with delight. The more universal we be in either, the more sincere in our resolutions this way, the more dependency upon Christ Jesus we go on in this course, and the more self-denial and denial to all other airths we be blessed of the Lord with, — the better speed surely shall we come. " But, secondly, and more particularly, let us all unanimously concur in the endeavour after the cordial and sincere performance of these particular duties following : " And, first, — I would offer for your exercise that indispensable necessary duty of repentance, in exercising whereof, I shall offer these few Christian advices ; first, let us dig deep in this matter, and never rest till we come to the root, I mean original sin, and after Ave have dwelt by meditation upon the sadness thereof, let us, in the next place, take a view of all our actual transgressions flowing therefrom, — of our sins as well of omission as commission, — of our younger as of our riper age. — against the law as against the gospel, — these sins that thence cleave to us in our best performances, — not forgetting these sins called our own and the sins that do easily beset us, and all these, and many others, (which you may find out, by perusing great and reverend Mr. Durham upon the Commands,) not only as to ourselves every one of us for himself, but all of us for each other, and in a special manner be mindful of the public national sins, and that not only in the land, where you have your residence, but also all the world over; in sum, let every thing done to the dishonour of (iod, by whomsoever, be the object of your mourning before him. • • • " The second duty I propose for the object of our sincere endea- JOHN DICK. 473 vours, is, the fear and love of God. I bring these in together, the rather, that they are seldom, if ever, separate, as it is also with all the other graces of the Spirit,— though some of them may be at some times both more or less felt by the party himself, and more or less visible to others; and for our help here, let us dwell much upon the consideration of that mystery of love vented towards lost mankind, in that transac- tion held by the holy Trinity before the world had a foundation, I say, let the serious thought of that fountain — love whereby God so loved us, so loved us, — that God the Father was pleased to want the refreshful presence of the Son, and God the Son not only to want the most amiable and desirable company of the Father, but also to take upon him our nature, and come down and dwell amongst vis in the world, rendering himself, upon our account, liable to all the miseries of this life, (sin only excepted,) — even to death itself, and all for us : — and God the Holy Ghost, freely undertaking what was cut out to him for task by the Father and Son, in reference to the further manifestation of this mystery of love, — in applying the favour so freely bequeathed on poor lost mankind, and us amongst the rest : and sure I am, this, seriously dwelt upon and prayed over, can hardly miss to take effect, towards the warming of our hearts Godwards, and begetting in our souls a filial fear of doing any thing to the dishonour of that glorious God, who so loved us. * * * " The third thing I offer for the object of our sincere and cordial endeavours, is, the actual exercise of the grace, the noble and fountain- grace of faith, as also of patience ; these can also hardly be separated, since he that believes makes no haste. I doubt not to say it, that I hope there are not a few thousands in Britain and Ireland, who have these graces in the root and habit, who are too much strangers to the actual exercise thereof at this present time, and this is so much the sadder that there has no bit of the short and evil time, I have had in this world, — cried more loudly for the same. And do ye not think that our blessed, even our blessed Lord may very truly say to us, what he said to others before, in our case, — that he cannot do many mighty works amongst us, because of our unbelief? I doubt nothing but that there are many Christians in Britain and Ireland, and other places all the world over, that would willingly have our great Lord appearing in their behalf ; why is it then that we look so like a people under a combination to bind his holy hand, (to speaU so with holy reverence,) for though indeed our faith as it is our act, cannot merit at the hands of our blessed Lord that he should appear, yet it being a mean of his blessed appointment and a gift of his own giving, whereby in his holy Providence he disposes his people, and puts them in capacity to receive his favours, the least we are called to do is to importune the throne of grace, for the exercise thereof, and for our encouragement herein, let us not only read, but seriously consider that 11th chapter of the Hebrews, where we shall meet with a glorious company of believers, and of the special and great blessings attending their belief ; and with this we have added patience, that by our impatient thirsting, even after that which may be the object of our faith, we do not mar the work with our own hands. * * * 474- TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. " In the laat place, I come to propose for the object of our sincere and single endeavour, that we fall effectually about the preparing of ourselves, to meet our blessed Lord and Master, whether as to his coming for our delivery in time, or to judgment in that great day. For my own part, I am under a strong impression of our blessed Lord's being upon his way, and I am not a little persuaded, that his sword is already drawn, it is like I may have some differing from me here, — this I cannot help. There is another impression, I am now, and have been under for a considerable time, that his coming (considered complexly) shall be very terrible ; in this I expect I shall have very few godly differing from me ; I incline the rather to join this twofold preparation together, that the duties incumbent, in reference to both, are one. " The duty we would propose to ourselves herein in general, being to prepare to meet our God, of which these we hinted at before, being no small part, — we shall for our further clearness here, advise the laying aside of several things that may be impediments in this work. And, 1st, let us lay aside worldly mindedness. 2dly, Carnal fears. 3dly, Our own sins, and the sins that easily beset us. 4thly, Our mixing with the people of these abominations, a case very dangerous to be found in, whichever of the ways our blessed Lord come. 5thly, Let us lay aside the unchristian fires, Satan has kindled amongst us, whereby (forgetting that charity and brotherly love, so much inculcated by bur blessed Lord and Master,) we are rendered mutually incapable of edifying one another, reproving and advising one another, as of doing many other Christian duties incumbent. That I be not mistaken here, the Lord is my witness, I intend not that any should harden another in a sinful course, or that any should do any thing, whereby he may become sharer with another in his sins ; and I know, I have witnesses not a few in these lands, that can bear me witness, I have guarded airainst this, in no small measure, in the Lord's strength, myself: and whatever challenges I have either had from within or from without on this matter, have been rather for too much keenness, than too much slackness; for which, in so far as it has been sinful, I refuse not satisfaction in time and place convenient. I say is it not sad, that Satan has gotten so much advantage in this matter, that there are very few in the land, in capacity to be assistant to one another : and all this, through slighting the method prescribed by our blessed Lord in his word, in reference to offences, have men forgotten alto- gether, that they are in the body themselves? Or have these persons who are clear for separation upon every account, reckoned, what to answer to our blessed Lord and Master, whose answer to that ques- tion, How oft shall I forgive my brother, till seven, times? — was, ' I say not unto you, seven times, but ft rcnty-timrs sunt.' * * * " Now, let me again obtest you, dearest Friends, to make conscience ef these duties, as you have a respect to the glory of Cod, the good of his CSOSe, the good of your own souls, the conviction, (and if not attainable,) the confounding of enemies : and beside, what of advantages tliis* shall afford you at his coming, with deliverances in time, which shall neither be few nor small, — you shall undoubtedly find much consolation therefrom, at his great and last coming. • • * • JOHN DICK. 475 " And now must we halt liere a little, till the elect be gathered together ; — during which time let us vent our meditation of the differ- ence that will be betwixt the elect and reprobate ; the reprobate saying, ' Oh alas ! for ever, — yonder he is for the dishonour done to whom, we could never shed a tear;' the elect saying, 'Well's me, yonder he is upon the account of the dishonour done to whom I have had many a sore heart, and have shed many a tear.' The reprobate says, ' Oh ! he is yonder whom I could never either love or fear.' Says the elect, ' Blessed for ever be the sight, yonder he is who helped me both to love and fear him.' The reprobate says, ' Oh ! for ever, — yonder he is whom I could never be persuaded either to believe, or patiently to wait for.' Says the elect, • Rejoice, O my soul, for ever, yonder he is that helped me by his Spirit both to trust in and wait for him.' The reprobate says, ' Oh ! and alas ! yonder he is, towards the meeting of whom all the exhortations in time could never move me to make preparation.' Says the elect, ' Glory to his name for ever, he is there now, for meeting of whom he helped me many a day to be trimming my^ lamp.' Says the reprobate, * Ob, and undone for ever, yonder he is whom in his members I not only persecuted but murdered many a time.' Says the elect, ' Endless blessings on his ever glorious face, for whose sake he helped me to suffer persecution,' says one, ' and to be hanged on a gibbet, beheaded, or drowned,' say others, and so forth, of all the rest of the duties, the elect have been helped to perform, and against the performance whereof, the reprobate have been hardened, or rather have hardened themselves. Now, may we suppose the whole elect to be gathered together, and looking many a greedy look to be at him, then may we suppose our blessed Lord and Master by his omnipotent arm drawing them all up to him in the air: O glorious meeting ! a meeting without a parting, a meeting for joy inexpressible ; then shall they be set down on the right hand to receive their sentence, as the reprobate have done already in our paper, in the order of God's appointment they shall be last, as you may see in that 25th chapter of Matthew, out of which we drew their sentence, and then shall the sentence of the elect be pro- nounced, as follows in the 34th verse of the said 25th chapter of Matthew : ' Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you, from the foundation of the world.' " Now my dearest, friends, to answering my former suits, — which, as they are both your mercies and duties, so are they attended with such unspeakable advantages, as we have a little hinted at : I shall desire you yet to add two more. The first is, that one and all of you may with me, with our whole souls, sing and say, and say and sing, ' Bless, O my soul, the Lord thy God, and all that in me is, be stirred up, his holy name to magnify and bless.' Ihe second is, That all of us, with one soul, may cordially join in saying, ' Even so, come, blessed Lord Jesus Christ, come quickly. Amen.' Thus, with his whole soul, says JOHN DICK." 2. His Last Words. When he went «pon the 6eaffold, he beckoned to the multitude, beginning at the north side thereof; and so turning himself round, with 476 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. a smiling countenance, and looking not only steadfastly but eagerly, and stretching forth liis hands, he began thus : " The great confluence that are gathered together here, manifestly declares 'to me, that many, if not the great part of this multitude, expect and look for something more than ordinary, but ye may be disappointed. I nothing doubt but all of this multitude, at least the most part, know and have heard that I have had near six months' respite, more than was allowed me by men ; which time was granted me in the goodness and mercy of God through my escape, — which mercy, I mean this time that I have had since my escape, I look upon it to have been given me for these two ends, and in both these that God may be glorified. And, first, That having so much more time, I might have the liberty and privilege more fully to exhibit, and give in, my judgment. Secondly, That having so much more time, I might the better make ready, and prepare myself for that great work I have now in hand, — I mean death and eternity ; neither of which is terrifying nor damping to me, for which and all his other favours and mercies which he in the abundance of his goodness and riches of his free grace, bestowed on me, even on me who, while in a natural state, was as evil and abominable in God's sight as any here at this time, — I desire to bless, adore, admire, exalt, and praise the Lord, while in time ; for I know I shall shortly praise him without interruption or intermission. I say it again, — I bless him for all his mercies and favours conferred upon me, and not only this among the rest, but above all, next to that great one, that he made me his own by his purchase, and so became mine ; and although I have not kept all right as to him, yet he has kept all right as to me, and betwixt him and me all is right ; for besides his other mercies and favours he has condescended so much to dignify and honour me, as to crown all, in me, with martyrdom. " Now my dear friends in Christ, it is your assistance I crave in this exercise of praising, let me beseech you to join with me in singing to the praise of tliis, ' even my God and the God (if my con- solation and salvation, I say to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, let us sing praise from the beginning of the 2d Psalm ;" So, having sung that Psalm through, which he sang with great cheerfulness, some- times pointing with his hands to one airt, and sometimes to another, (especially, when he sang the Gth, 7th, and 8tb verses, his countenance 60 sinned, that it might easily appear, to judicious and pious spectators, that he was in an excellent frame, and in a special way to be helped, to sing praise to the Lord,) so having done with Bulging, he Said, with a pleasant countenance, " I nothing doubt but amongst tliis great con- fluence of people, there are many that are nearer and dearer to our exalted and glorified Lord Jesus Christ therefore I shall address myself to two sorts, and shall speak a short word to each of these, as providence and time shall allow me ; first I shall sneak to friends, secondly, to enemies. " As to you that are friends, I mean all such as are resolved to follow our blessed Lord fully through good report and bad report. (cost what it will.) I say according to the rule that be hath uiven in his word. 1 have three words of good news to tell you, Bfl the words JOHN DICK. 477 of a dying man. And, first, it ehall be well with the righteous, yea verily, it shall be well with the righteous. Now, in speaking to this, I would say two things, but do not mistake me, for I am neither a minister nor a preacher, for I am not going to preach, but only to give my last advice to those here, — which 1 shall do in a few words ; for neither do I desire to weary you, nor to speak much more, — the body being shortly to be caught up above the clouds, point- ing with his hand up to heaven, I mean my soul, which shall be immediately there. And, 1st, That you my friends may understand me, — the righteousness of none can make you righteous but that of Christ, and that imputed to you for righteousness : so, I say, ye must have a borrowed righteousness, even the righteousness of Jesus Christ imputed to you, and this is the way that ye must be righteous. I say, it shall be well with the righteous, the Spirit of God hath said it in his word, and that is better than an angel had spoken it from heaven, for we have a more sure word of prophecy, 2 Peter, I. ch. and 16th verse. But, 2dly, To be righteous, is not to sit down, nor rest satisfied, with what ye have attained, but to press forward to the prize, and so to walk answerably, to what ye have received, and to what ye profess, — not being satisfied with what ye are or may appear to be, in the eyes of men ; hut study by a holy and onward way, and walking in the sight of God, and all men, to shew that ye are the persons that have this righteousness imputed to you, and so labour to have your light so to shine before men, that ye may glorify your heavenly Father. Such as are thus righteous, I say, it shall be well with them. " Then a second word of good news I have to tell you, my friends, is this, that Jesus Christ is sitting at the helm of affairs, and whatever he will, he doth it, and there is none that is able to stop him when he worketh, and whatsoever his pleasure is, cometh to pass. This man thinketh he is working one piece of work, and a second man thinketh lie is working another piece of work, and a third man thinketh he is working his piece of work, and it may be all are working contrary one to another, as they think, and yet for all that, they are all working and carrying on His work, even when they think they are doing that which, at least some of them, would have done the quite contrary, so, I say, in all these, they are all working and carrying on Christ's work. Now, my friends, I exhort all of you, yea, 1 obtest you for Christ's sake, weary not of God, but wait on him and keep his way, I mean, tlie way appointed in his word, and trust him with his own work ; for, all that has been done, or shall ever be done by the actions of men to the contrary, yet his work is still carried on thereby; so lippen to God and ye shall not be disappointed. But a third word of good news that I have to tell you is this, that notwithstanding all the dark clouds that have been, and now are, I can assure you, that there are glori ous days coming to these covenanted lands, and I assure you, yea, I dare aver it, that they are nearer than you, at least a great part, even of the godly — do believe — I say it again, sirs, there are glorious days coming to these lands, and even to poor and filthy Scotland, and I am certain she is both poor and filthy enough ; — you and she are very near to one another, therefore, I entreat you, beware of unbelief and 478 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. impatience, and, as you would not keep back these days, beware of sin that may procure the rest. " Now, my friends, I have these few advices to leave with you, and, Jirst, I require you, to labour to make your foundation sure and right, I say, before you engage in profession. I entreat you, as a dying- man, — and take it amongst my last words, lay a founda- tion sure, for without this ye will never be able to do or suffer aright for Christ, when it comes to this with it, either sin or suffer ; I say, ye will never be able to suffer acceptably, if ye have not the foundation laid sure. Will ye know why it is, and from whence, it flows, that so many have made shipwreck of God, Christ, and a good conscience, in a day of trial ? and why so many have broken down that which once they builded, or, at least, seemed to be builders of, and are denying that which once they professed, and fighting against that which once they fought with and for, and so are fled from their ground? here is the reason, because they stood and built upon a sandy foundation ; therefore lay the foundation sure and right, if ye will stand it out in a day of trial : and that this may be thereby con- sidered, remember sirs, ye may meet with harder trials than this is, that I am meeting with, I mean in your eyes, for it is not sharp to me ; yea, the thoughts and fearful apprehensions of wliat trials others may meet with that I have, make me so much the more to be satisfied, and to rejoice in my lot. But, I say it again, sirs, lay the foundation right, and ye that will not lay it, nor make it your study to have it laid right, — I say to you, wait with your perfection, and profess nothing but what you practise. " My second advice to you is this, that having laid the foundation sure and right, ye would be still building and carrying on Christ's work, until it be perfected; — I mean, till your conversation in all things be suitable to the gospel, and answerable to that foundation built up, and rooted in your most holy faith; and in all your building, let faith, patience, and all other of the graces, be lively in exercise, that so your building- may go right on. " My ilrird advice to you, my friends, is this, — labour to love one another. I say, to all the people of God here and elsewhere, love one another, yea, labour to love one another more and more, and to bear with one another, and beware of needless and groundless sinful break- ing and divisions, 1 do not say that ye will join with any in sin, and combine against God and his Christ in sinful ways and courses, but labour to bear with one another, and strengthen, edify, exhort, confirm, and comfort one another, and this is the way to gain one another, and I am persuaded, that the needless, groundless, and sinful division, and breakings, that have been in the laud, have more wronged the cause interest, work, and people of God, than all that devils and men could have done. And has not the di i il had a special band in the break- ings and didsions of the herd's people, that thereby he might rout the same? therefore, in consideration and commemoration of these I1 fetudy unity and honesty in the Lord. u My fourth advice i, this labour to be rightly exercised and effected with, and in the consideration of what ha* procured the JOHN DICK. 479 depriving of what sometimes ye possest, especially because therebj God was offended, Christ wounded, and the Spirit grieved, and God the Father in Christ affronted by you, in not receiving his Son's offers in the gospel, and not walking answerable to the mercies received, and that you enjoy, and, notwithstanding, I would have you think little of what you have, but rather, and so much the more, that ye did so ill improve it when ye had it, improve what ye now possess ; I say it again, improve what mercies and privileges ye have, and labour to improve every opportunity, either of doing or getting good, remember that time is precious, and ye must give an account how ye spend and improve all other mercies that ye enjoy. " My Jifth advice to you is, — labour to be of a sympathizing spirit, and be more concerned with the glory of God, and with a suffering Christ in his members, and do not think you sympathize with him and yet be unconcerned in them, — I mean Christ's members; for,asympa- thizing with them shall be looked upon with and by him as a con- cernedness with and in him, and what ye do for, or give to one of them it shall be rewarded by him, — as if ye had done it to or for him, if ye be in him, and so walk in this and all other duties suitable to your being in him. Now, my friends, my last advice to you is this, labour, O labour, to be at the height of sincerity in all these and other duties, and so ye shall have peace in your latter end ; and now, my friends, that ye, and all the people of God, may be helped to this (let us pray to God, even my God,) yea, I say without vanity, he is my God, and so to him let us pray." Not being permitted to speak to the second sort, viz. the enemies, — he after having prayed, read the ninth chapter of Ezekiel. As he read he now and then looked up to the windows on both sides, but especially on the north side, where he espied many faces he knew, — making demonstrations with his hands and eyes, as he read, to the persons to whom these scriptures seemed most to be applied ; — and he then sang a part of the thirty-seventh Psalm, from the 29th verse. In In3 prayer, there was one passage much remembered beyond the rest, which was this, " O Lord, since thou hast honoured me to come here, to lay down my life for thy cause and interest, I pray thee, even be pleased to go up this ladder with me, and to lead me through the dark valley of the shadow of death, that is unknown to all naturally, and I know that thou wilt keep my soul in the down-coming thereof." " After that prayer, he calls for a drink of water, which was immediately brought to him, and he taking it in his hand, with a more pleasant countenance than he seemed to have before, says, " Make way, that I may win forward," pointing with his nand to the ladder. Then turning himself to Captain Graham, he said to him, " Sir, do me the favour to call in that gentleman," and also, " suffer him to come up to me, upon the scaffold," which was granted ; so, desiring such as were not concerned might be put oft' the scaffold, he with a smiling countenance turned to the people, and bowed to them all, — as he did when he went first up the scaffold. — and then to his father, who was also upon the scaffold with him ; and embrac- ing him very cheerfully, he gave him several kisses rounded some 480 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES- of his last advices to him, and so parted with him, saying, " Lord be with you my dear father." He then turned to his brother, who was also by him upon the scaffold, and after the same manner embraced him, and so parted with him in words to the same purpos as to his father, and with an exhortation, that he should amend his life, and forbear his idle company, but especially his ways with several others of that nature, — telling him the hazard thereof and encouraging him if he would follow his last advices. Then he turned to two gentlemen, who were also with him, and after the same manner, embraced, saluted, and parted with them. He then made another bow to the whole multitude, and so went up the ladder, and turning- his face to the north-east, he cried out, saying, " I am come here to-day, to lay down my life, which I do willingly and cheerfully, and am neither surprised nor terrified with death, or the manner of it : and here I do declare I would not exchange my lot with what the greatest king, prince, or emperor's enjoyments could afford me, and what I speak once, I sav it again, I lay down my life willingly and cheerfully for Christ and his truth, blessing him that ever I had a life to lay down for him ; yea, I am now no more troubled with or for death, than if I were to lie down in the finest bed that the earth could afford, with the most dear and intimate friend that the world could allow me, and here I do declare, that I do heartily and freely forgive all men, whatsoever they have done to, or against me, and pray that the Lord would forgive them. I forgive them that sentenced me to die here, first and last ; and I forgive all that apprehended me, first and last, or was any way accessory thereto ; and I forgive all that have brought me here, and are guarding me here ; and I forgive this poor man, pointing with his hand behind him to the hangman, who is to be my executioner. Now, I desire you all, especially you who pretend to be righteous, study to be sincere in the way of God, and in working out your salvation ; for, there are many who pretend to be godly, that know little of the life and power thereof ; therefore, I entreat you, — labour to know what is the power and life of godliness ; for there are many, if not the most part, who pretend to be righteous, that know least of it. I Boy, — be not satisfied with the shell, but labour for the kernel and marrow of religion. Now, my friends, remember, I tell you here upon the ladder, and as a dying man stepping out of time into eternity, that net- withstanding all the dark clouds that have been, and now are, yet there is a thicker and darker coming, and it is not far off yea, it is at hand. But, I say, trustin God, trust in God, and he will not disappoint yon, I say, trust in God whatever afflictions befall you, yet trust in God, and give him credit." At the hearing of these words, the bailie calls to beat the drums, and so they were beat a little, at which he looked down to the bailie, and said, "What, sir, do ye beat drums, because 1 desire the people to trust in God?" and bo the drumB were silenced. J hen he cried out again, "Trust in God, and ye shall be borne through, if once ye get in him, and keep in him. He then Bald, " I will sing a part of the 25th Psalm, from the Kith verse to the close, for i; has been many a time very sweet to me, and so I will snig it as my last song in I hall be immediately where mv heart shall be so tuned, pointing JOHN DICK. 481 with his band to bis breast, that I snail never be able to stop the melody and harmony thereof." Then having- sung these verses, he prayed, in which, among other things, he had this expression, " Lord, take a course with thine enemies, and those of them whom thou ha; a purpose of love to ; Lord bring them in, and let them see the evil oi their ways ; and those that are thine incorrigible enemies make the wheels of thy chariots go over their backs : and now, Lord, leave me not, and leave not thine to the evil of the enemies, hasten and return to thine heritage that is 1 ow in reproach, turn to thy church and people, for thy glorious name's sake. Thou knowest I dare say before thee and in thy sight, that I preferred thy work and interest to my very life, which, as I am a rational creature, is as sweet to me as another man's is ; yet I durst not purchase at any rate, to the preju- dice of thy truth, and so I lay it down freely and willingly." So, having called his father to him, " A word with you, sir;" and so, having spoken what he had to say to him, he again took his leave of him, delivering him a book to be given to another, and so parted with him : and perceiving his brother, (who was on the ladder with him,) trembling, he said to him smiling, and clapping him on the cheek, " What, sir, are you trembling ? for what, sir, are you afraid ?" The executioner hav- ing now put a napkin upon his head, and it being tied, and his brother offering to pull it over his face, he, (putting away his hand,) said, " Let it alone, I will draw it down myself;" so, he put his hands into his pocket, and took out the cover of his Bible, and putting the same therein he gave it to his brother, charging him, straitly to give it to his sister. Then he looked round about him, saying, — farewell all my friends in Christ," — pointing with his hand to some that he knew, both in windows and on the street. To one, (fixing his eyes upon him,) he said, " My dear Billie, the Lord be with you, the Lord be with you ; and having fixed himself upon a step of the ladder he said, — " I remember a passage of Abraham, who was commanded to sacrifice his son Isaac, lie having, in obedience to the command, brought his son to offer him up a sacrifice, reared up an altar, and Isaac said to him, " Here is the altar, and there is the wood, but where is the sacrifice ;" and then he said, (pointing to the gibbet,) " here is the altar," and then, pointing to the ladder on which he sat, '* here is the wood," and then (laying his hands on his breast,) lie said, " and, blessed be God, here is a free-will offering, and I will give it willingly and cheerfully, yea, I can say it here, even upon the brink of eternity, that these several years I have preferred the glory of God, the welfare and prosperity of the work and interest of Christ, and his people, to my own private and particular interest ; and I might have shunned such a death as this, but, God knows, I durst not do it. " And now, I know, yea, I am firmly persuaded, that my dear Lord, even my exalted and glorified Lord Jesus Christ, will carry me safely through this dark valley and shadow of death, and will receive my soul immediately after I go off' this ladder into glory, — where I shall ever be with him. Then he said again, (crying with a loud voice,) " now, when I can hardly get speaking for the rope about my neck, farewell all friends and followers of Christ, and again, I say, fare- 32. 2 1 482 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. well and adieu all earthly enjoyments ; — and so (having specified to the hangman a sign when he would be ready,) he prayed a little within himself, and when he had done, gave the sign, and at the giving thereof drew the napkin over his face, and cried out, " Farewell all friends in Christ, and into thy hands, O Lord, do I commit my soul." So he was turned over. And so ends the life of this faithful and now glorified martyr for Christ ; and to God the Father, Son, and hlessetl Spirit, be eternal praise and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.* XXXVI. JOHN MAIN. [This was one of Five men who were tried, condemned, and executed at Glasgow. He helonged to the parish of Old, or as it is sometimes called, West Monkland ; but besides this, we have scarcely another fact transmitted with regard to him. With his four companions in suffering, he was, on the 17th of March, 1 684, sisted before a Special Commission appointed to conduct such processes in the West, and after a trial, — which though embracing the same grounds with those belonging to that period, — was certainly remarkable for the gross and flagrant injustice which it exhibited, and the total want of proof to support the indictment, — he was with the rest of them sentenced to suffer death at the cross of Glasgow, two days after, viz. on the 19th of said month. This sentence was executed accordingly, but as is well shown in the following testimony, perhaps a more unjust one was never passed.] " It cannot be expected, every thing considered, that ye should have such a testimony under my hand, as ye have had from the hands of many that have gone before me: but seeing God in his infinite wisdom hath seen it fit to bring me upon the stage for truth, I thought myself bound and obliged in his sight, to testify before the world, my close adherence to his written word, and what is conform thereto. And 1st, I testify my adherence to the Bible, the Old and New Testament, as the only and alone rule of faith and obedience, I know, it stands not in need of my approbation ; but to let the world know, I die not as a fool, I think it my duty to assert my adherence unto it, declaring, that I take it for my only rule, rejecting the traditions of men as not canonical. 2. 1 testify niv adherence to the Confession of Faith, (saying nothing to that fourth article of the 2dd chapter, but only that it is miscoiistructed, and made qpe of far another end than ever the honest and faithful ministers of Jesus Christ had before them, when they gave tlieir approbation of the same,) and Catechisms Larger and Shorter, our Covenants National and Solemn League, Acknowledgment " This article, as already stated, Ikis been extracted from a quarto poaaablet, publish) (I an early as the year 1722. The testimony contained in it eras tbeeighl iuu( li Km long to be Inserted as a whole Into the present work, The above, however, teemed to be the meal Important and osefo] peeaigee, ami wtt gjl\ reader a pretty correct Idea of the general Hue of argument pursued in it. JOHN MAIN. 483 of Sins and Engagement to Duties, the Sum and Practical Use of Saving Knowledge. 3. To the work of reformation, as it was reformed from popery, prelacy, and malignancy ; even to that work, as it is a direct opposition to every sin, and a motive to every duty; and particu- larly to the remonstrances, protestations, and testimonies against the malignant party and malignant actions, — they heing found out to he inconsistent with, and contrary to the written word of God, and the sworn principles of the church of Scotland, and being found to he hurtful to Christian society, not only hy the effects of them, hut as to the nature and quality of them, even simply considered in themselves, hesides the bad effects aggravating them in the sight of the truly godly, and rightly zealous ministers and professors of this church. 4. To the faithful preaching of the gospel, upon muirs and mountains, and high places of the fields, and particularly the preaching down the sins of the time, and up duty. 5. I leave my testimony to the lifting arms for personal defence, and for defence of the gospel : for seeing that other means were failed, and an occasion offering for that, the law both of God and nature does warrant and allow the same. I need not go to quote scripture for the probation of it, since the whole scope of it runs in this strain ; and also ye may read several places of scripture, particularly and expressly allowing, yea, commanding the same, and many imitable scripture examples, where the people of God lifted arms against kings, as the people's resisting Saul. I testify to the lawfulness of that hostile defence at Pentland and Bothwell-bridge, and several field-meetings, where they were put to it by the violent and bloody assaults of their enemies. 6. In a word (for I study brevity, being necessitated) to all the faithful testimonies of the godly, given on scaffolds, and some other testimonies given in hostile manner, viz. The testimony given at Rutherglen, May 29th, 1679, and the declarations published at Lanark, in the years 1680, and 1682. I disown and testify against the declaration published at Hamilton, in the year J 679, particularly, because it takes in the interest of Charles Stuart ; for though he was once a king, he is now a tyrant, by his cutting the neck of the noble government established in this land, and overturning the main and fundamental conditions, whereupon he was constituted ; and it is notour to all in this kingdom, and I believe to part of our neighbour nations also, that he carries on a course contrary to the word of God, and light of nature, and destructive to all Christian and human society ; yea, a course that very heathens would abhor, even the thing itself, abstract from its aggravations. " I come now in short, (desiring ye may pardon escapes) to let you know what I testify against. And l^(not to go further back) I leave my testimony against many ministers, for their leaving their Master's work, at the simple command of usurpers, as if they had been only the servants of men ; and I declare my disapprobation, yea, my testi- mony against the sinful silence of ministers, after they have left the vineyard where their Master had placed them to labour, and their not acknowledging publicly their unfaithfulness; for which (together with their Other grievous failings) the Lord is this day contending with them. I know not what plagues are so sad as to be plagued by the hand of 431 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. God, by being laid aside from bis work ; I say, their unfaithfulness, in not standing in the way of the people, when they were so generally drawn away to hear curates. Mistake me not, thinking that I look upon the people as innocent, when I speak of the sins of tlie ministers ; for I see it my duty to testify against both, and there will not one of them excuse another : but remember that the ministers must account for the people who perish through their default. 2. Against ministers' tampering with that woful and hell-hatched indulgence, and more particularly, their accepting thereof. I testify against the actual accepters of it, and against a woful connivance in the non-accepters of the same ; and whereas there ought to have been an open testifying and protecting against it. I shall study to say but little ; but I die in the faith of it, That God shall send a clear discovery of matters, and these that have betrayed their trust, and have not been as they should and ought to have been, shall see and be ashamed ; but Lord grant that many may see the evil of their doings in time, and may mourn for the same, or otherwise it will be sad for them ; but every one sliall see first or last. But remember Esau, 'who found no place for repent- ance, though lie sought it carefully with tears.' 3. Against the ministers' woful yielding unto and joining with the malignant party and interest at Bothwell-bridge, and their woful yielding unto the usurpation made upon the prerogatives royal of our wronged Lord and Prince Jesus Christ, by their acceptance of liberty granted aftei Bothwell-bridge, and taking occasion to preach in houses according unto the liberty granted, refusing to preach without doors, notwith- standing the great necessity sometimes requiring the Bame, and many of them refusing to preach when any of the people stood without doors ; this was notourly known at the time, and I think it be not yet, forgot, and however it may be forgot by us, yet I assure you, it is not forgot by a holy God. I testify against their sinful silence, and not jeopard- ing their lives for their wronged Lord and provoked Master, especially at a time when Mr. R. C. and Mr. D. C. went to the fields. I I against their condemning of these two worthies in discourse and preaching, and also in their practice. In short, against every thing in ministers and professors contrary unto, or inconsistent with the presby- terian principles of the church of Scotland. -1. I leave my testimony against Popery, Prelacy, and Erastianism, and every thing contrary to the word of God, and particularly against quakeriBm, anabaptiBm, independency) and all sectarians, and whatsoever is not warranted 1 \ the Holy Scriptures. 5. Against the imposing of that cursed not that I call cess-lilting in itself unlawful ; but I call that cess unlawful, which was imposed bj a corrupt convention of estates who met at Edinburgh, in the year 1673. For BOme things that are in themselves lawful, are Bometimes so circumstanced, bi i! :;t they me unlawful; as sometimes the end of an action makes the action unlawful : 1 may give the cess for an instance of this : for the end of it (as themselves declare) was mainly to 1 ear down field and other innocent associations of the people ol disdainfully and wickedly called by them, rendesvonses ol reb< I which meetings all Scotland was bourn taiu ; but they ou^ht JOHN MAIN. 485 to have been in the places constituted for worship, anct would have been there, had bonds and engagements been conscientiously minded by all that were under them. O let not this perfidious generation think that they are loosed from the ties of these covenants ; for as sure as God is in the heavens he will make them know another thing, even that it in their power to rescind these covenants, and by going about so to do, they have brought much wrath upon themselves and their posterity after them, if they repent not. But oh ! do they not look like a generation of his wrath ? and, not to pass the bounds of charity, I fear they will be the objects of his wrath ; aud it will be a dreadful day, — see it who will — when the wicked shall be as stubble and tow, and the wrath and vengeance of God shall seize upon them as fire, and burn them up, for they will not escape. And 6. Against the payei'3 of the cess ; for it was a sad thing in a people, that should have opposed all courses of that kind, instead of opposing, to contribute to the carrying on of that very course, that they ought to have oppose::. O ! that they would consider, and lay it to heart, and set themselves to redeem time, misspent and abused time ! 7. And against locality and fines paying, seeing that it contributes to the strengthening of the adversaries' hands ; as for the locality, we may easily see it to be sinful, since they (the enemies) have imposed it for the maintenance of a party raised and kept up for no other use (as their daily practice declares) but to harass, rob, and spoil the poor people of God, for their close (O that it were closer) adhering to their sworn principles, and to kill them for not denying these principles. And as for the paying of fines, it should be considered, that these fines are imposed upon people for their duty ; and fines imposed by right and justice, ought always to be for transgression; neither can a fine be imposed by right, but for a transgression : so that by paying of these fines so imposed, we must be said either to yield active obedience to an unjust course, which we ought always to oppose, or we may be said to make ourselves transgressors, and these duties (in which we ought to venture life and fortune) to be transgressions. I say, one of these will consequently follow, if not both : but alas ! those things that are grievously sinful many ways, are become so habitual, that they are never noticed nor thought any thing of, nor will be, till God come in his power and great glory, to disclose the secrets of all hearts. 8. I leave my testimony against the people hearing curates, — basely leaving the way of truth, and following a course dishonouring to God, and destructive to themselves. Also, against the joining with the indulged and unfaithful ministers, vindicating themselves thus, ' That it is good to hear the word ;' not considering, that these ministers have so far gone out of the way of God, in the free accepting of that indulgence, as that they ought to be testified against, and when they go on obstinately in that crooked way, ought to be withdrawn from. It may be, some will say, That this is ignorantly reasoned ; but I fear, if they would search things narrowly by the Spirit of God, they would find, that God is not countenancing them in it. And also, that they ought to have given tar other sort of testimony against that course, than to have joined and gone alonjast with it. as far as their station would have 486 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. required ; but now the obstinacy of this generation is so great (and we have many sad evidences of this) that I fear, there will nothing convince them but the judgments of God, which has made me the less careful to write anything although I could, that might, being from the hand of a dying man, be any way convincing to them. " But as becomes one laying down his life for his royal and princely Master, Jesus Christ, — I leave my testimony against joining with them ; yea, against that which they call simple hearing, and this I have done to exonerate my conscience in the sight of a holy and jealous God ; and do declare, that if mercy in Christ prevent not (which will not be found but in mercy's gate, which is believing and repentance) they shall smart under the heavy wrath of God for their complying with such crooked and God-provoking courses. And I as a man laying down my life for the interest of my sweet Lord, do warn all and every one of them, who have joined with these evil courses, to fly from the wrath to come, which will be on this generation inevitable ; yea, I obtest you to flee from it, as ye tender the glory of God, and the good of your own souls. O flee from it by speedy repentance, and lay hold upon the blood and righteousness of Jesus Christ to that effect, and study to have your names scraped out of the black catalogue ot these soul-destroying despisers of that precious blood and righteousness, purchased for that end, — to take away the sins of all that will come, and by faith lay hold upon it, and to reconcile them to a provoked God. God's wrath is burning against the children of disobedience, and he has said , ' That such as turn aside to crooked ways, he will lead them forth with the workers of iniquity ;' and in another place he says, ' If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.' 9. I leave my testimony against the taking of that cursed Test, and the takers thereof, and I declare it to be a horrid wickedness, a God disowning, and a God-daring course. 10. Against compearing before their courts, and I declare it to be a thing inconsistent with a faithful testimony for truth at this time; it being (1.) An owning of that authority, founded upon that usurped supremacy over the prerogative royal of our Lord, which thing ought to be so far testified against, as not to own or answer to any court fenced in the name of Charles Stuart, because he hath quite forfeited his right to rule as king. (2.) It is a clear condemning of such as have suffered the loss of means upon that account, and these who have laid down their lives against the owning of that authority ; and let none think me foolish in adjoining my testimony to the testimonies of these, nor in my disowning of that authority. 11. Against the lifting of miliMa, and the paying of militia- money. 12. I testify against the proceedings of that abominable wretch John Gib, and these testimonies wrote by him in the name of others, as being a thing prejudicial to the interests of our Lord. " And now as to the articles of my indictment, they are all of them such things as cannot be made criminal. As to the first) viz. My making my escape out of the tolhooth I was doing it most innocently, doing hurt to no person, neither did I ever hear that it was criminal. As to the second, viz. That I had confessed that 1 wa- ;.t I < il.ivell- bndge, 1 cannot see how that can be made criminal, If 1 got but the JOHN MAIN. 487 las!.' of their own law, (if it be not abuse of language to call it law) and no further ; for all that were onlookers that day, could not be said to be in the action. As to the third, viz. My conversing with Gavin Wotherspoon* since Bothwell, whom they call a notorious rebel, but cannot prove him so ; neither can they show me that law founded on the word of God, which makes conversing with him criminal : and since they cannot upon sufficient grounds call him a rebel, what they say and do without ground, I do not see myself obliged to answer it ; for that rebellion that the law strikes against, is that which can be proved rebellion against powers acting for God, and so consequently rebellion against God. And sure I am, while a man followeth his duty (for it is merely for following his duty that they call him a rebel) he can never be said to be in rebellion against God. As to the fourth article, that I refused to call Bothwell-bridge rebellion, I would see the law that makes a man's silence, when interrogated, criminal. And also, as to the thing itself, who knows not, that it was mere defence ? And who can make it out to be rebellion against powers acting for God ? For as is before said, this, and no other, is the rebellion that the law of God, and the law of our nation, strikes against. And the fifth, viz That I said, the owning of the covenants were lawful. Who knows not that these covenants were once approved of as lawful, and solemnly sworn by the whole nation, and the Confession of Faith taken, and sworn unto as fundamentals of our religion ? And I deny (although by an act of a pretended parliament, they may pretend to rescind the same) that it was in their power to rescind or overturn such a consti- tution, until they had made the unsoundness of it appear ; and made it appear wherein another was better, and till they had been in case to set up a better in the room thereof. So that their so doing, was not a walking according to the will of God, but according to their own will contrary to the will of God, for the satisfaction of their own base lusts, and no ways showing themselves to be studying either the glory of God, or the good of his people ; so that these covenants remain binding to this day, and, I hope, shall be when they are gone, who so wickedly set themselves against them. As to the sixth article, That I would not answer if it was lawful, yea or not, to obey Charles Stuart ? It is only silence, which no law nor reason can make criminal. And as to my disowning his authority, as they say, they had only my silence also, which can never in law take away a man's life. As to my not asserting that the death of the late king was murder, I find they would have every one saying and attesting what they say and assert, whether they know it to be so or not. I leave my testimony, as a dying man, against all such implicit walking; and especially I testify against any laying hold implicitly upon the bare assertions or dictates of the enemies of God. And as to the prelate's death, I declare, as a dying man, that I think none can certainly judge that * This was a very eminent and zealous sufferer, who being forfeited of liis land and possession, for adherence to the. truth, suffered many hardships of persecution : but wasbrougnt through wiinout compliance, bejng stcdfast in the way of the Lord till his death, which was about two years since. 48S TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. action, if it was murder, or not murder. And who bgch not what these enemies to God, and his Son Jesus Christ are driving at, when they would compel men to assert things only for their pleasures, that no human understanding can judge of, — themselves who were the actors only excepted. And now it is notour to all persons of any capacity, and who will but use the light of nature, that there is no manner ot just sentence past against, or put in execution upon us ; but that we were murdered only for the satisfaction of men, who are worse than heathens. " And now this my testimony I heal with my blood, dying in the faith of the protestant religion, adhering to the presbyterian government of the church of Scotland, and witnessing against every thing that tends to the hurt thereof; exhorting every one who desires to be found of God in love, to settle and fix here. And let none fear to venture upon the cross of Christ : for I can say from experience, (glory be to him for it) that he has borne the cross and me both, or otherwise I could never have undergone it with so small difficulty. And the great reason of many fainting under the cross, is their laying so little weight on Jesus Christ, and so much upon themselves, and upon any bit of attainment they think themselves to have. O let every one study that holy art of independency upon all things besides him, and depend only upon himself. And now, I bid farewell to the poor remnant of the church of Scotland, and I leave them to God, and his good hand ; I bid farewell to friends and acquaintances ; I bid farewell to my mother, and commit her to God, who only can provide for her, things necessary both for soul and body ; I bid farewell to my two sisters, and commit them to God, who can be instead of all things to them, and can soon make up the want of a brother to them, — which jvant I think may be easily borne as the time now goes ; farewell praying and believing, reading and meditating : I bid farewell to all temporal things, mercies and crosses. V\'elcome gallows for the interest of my sweet Lord ; welcome heaven and everlasting glory ; welcome spirits of just men made perfect : welcome angels ; welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into whose hands I commit my spirit. Sic Sub.— JOHN MAIN." XXXVII. JOHN RICHMOND. [This was another of the Five persons who were executed at Glasgow, on the HHh of March , 1684. — I lis case was peculiarly severe. In conformity with the lawless mode of procedure then adopted, he was seized by the military on mere suspicion of his being B covenanter, while quietly walking along the streets of Glasgow, and upon his endeavouring to escape, he was pursued, overtaken, and most cruelly treated — though as vet they knew not even who he was. He was immediately carried to the Guard-house, his hands and feet bound together, and left for some hours lying upon the ground, bleeding of his wounds. Next day, he was commit;. JOHN UICHMOND. 489 prison, where, with the other four, he continued till served with an Indictment. He was accused of having been at Airsmoss ; but in proof of this, only one witness alleged that he saw him there ; and when cross-questioned, that witness acknowledged he was half-a-mile distant. Yet this, contrary to common sense, as well as law, was held as evidence ! — verifying the statement of Wodrow, that he and his companions were condemned " on as slender a probation as ever was sustained in any case." — He left behind him the following testimony."] " Now I am brought here this day to lay down my life, for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and the hope of Israel, which hope I am not ashamed of; and for owning that Christ is king, and head of his own church, for which I do thi3 day willingly lay down my life, and not by con- straint ; for if I would have acknowledged a mortal man to be supreme, I miglit have redeemed my life, viz. Charles Stewart — to be supreme over all causes civil and ecclesiastical, which belongs to no mortal man upon earth, but to our blessed Lord and Saviour, who is given of the Father, to be Head and King of his own church, which I prove by his own word, Col. i. and 18th verse ; 'And he is the Head of the body cf the church ;' Ephes. i. and 22d verse ; ' And he put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head of all things to the church ;' and also the 2d Psalm. "Now, I say, it is for the hope of Israel and as a witness of Jesus Christ, of whom I am not ashamed, but desire with heart and soul to praise him, (and my soul shall praise him throughout the ages of eternity,) and desire to invite all the creation to praise him, for he has taken me as a brand plucked from the fire, who was an heir of hell and wrath, and who also confirmed that heirship to myself by my actual transgressions ; but now, my sweet and lovely Lord and Redeemer, through his blood and sufferings, has redeemed me from the devil, the world, and the flesh, and has sealed to me by his Spirit bearing witness with my spirit, and confirming me by his precious word — which word is truth and the true word of God — that he has redeemed me ; and I shall be clothed with his righteousness, which is spotless and clean, and will make my soul as clean as if I had never sinned. " Now, I shall give you a short hint as the Lord shall assist me, of my principles; — what I am to adhere to, and also what I am clear to disown and testify against — as a dying witness of Christ. " 1st, I sweetly set to my seal to the covenant of free grace, made betwixt the Father and the Son, before the foundation of the world ; for the redemption of poor lost mankind ; — I say, of these who are elected, called, and chosen, sanctified and justified : — for which my soul blesses the Lord, that ever I heard tell of the same, and of a Redeemer. 2dly, I leave my testimony to the sacred word of God, viz. the Old and New Testaments, that they are the true word of God, and that there is life everlasting to be had in perusing thereof, with the whole desire of the soul through a Redeemer : — and without perusing and sincerely endeavouring to make it your rule, life, and manners, there is no life ; for our blessed Lord says, he came not to destroy the law hut to fulfil it. 3dly, I leave my testimony to the work of re forma- 490 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. tion in all the several steps thereof, as it was reformed from popery, prelacy, Erastianism, and all other errors, not agreeable to the word of God. 4thly, I leave my testimony to the Confession of Faith, the Sum of Saving Knowledge, Directory for Worship, the Catechism Larger and Shorter. 5thly, I leave my testimony to the Covenants, National and Solemn League and Covenant — that these lands were engaged to the Lord, (for which, Scotland may bless the Lord — that he brought them in covenant with himself ;) I say, to you that desire to own the same — I mean the poor wrestling remnant — make it your ground to plead with the Lord, that he may come back to these lands again; and also my testimony to the Acknowledgment of Sin, and the Engagement to Duty, and the Causes of God's Wrath. Gthly, I leave my testimony to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, faithfully preached by the faithful ambassadors called and commissioned from himself, in all faithfulness and boldness — in showing Jacob his transgressions, and Israel his sin — both before Bothwell, and since ; but few are found faithful since : it may be said of the most part from that time forth, that many went backward and Walked no more with him. Their names maybe written in very little bounds, that were found faithful ; — only these two, 1 desire to record, Mr. Donald Cargill, and Mr. llichard Cameron, and I desire to set to my seal, to the faithfulness of these two men's doctrine, and all their procedure in the work they were called in, and my soul blesses the Lord that ever I heard them preach. 7thly, I leave my testimony to all appearances in arms for the defence of the gospel, both before Bothwell and since, and also my testimony to the carrying of arms, for self-defence, and the defence of my brethren. 8thly, 1 leave my testimony to the Excommunication at the Torwood, drawn out by Mr. Donald Cargill. 9thly, I leave my testimony to the testimony given at Rntherglen, upon the 29th day of May, in the year 1679. lOthly, I leave my testimony to the declaration given at Sanquhar in the year . 1 lthly, I leave my testimony to the Testimony given at Lanark, on the 11th of January, 1G82 — by a party who were stirred up by the Lord, to witness faithfully for him against the bloody acts and laws of men, and especially the dreadful snare, land-destroying, soul- ruining thing, called the Test. 12thly, I leave my testimony against that declaration drawn at Hamilton, by a party of men, who loved ;he praise of men and the interest of men, more than the interest of our Lord and King — who will not give his glory and honour to no mortal man upon earth ; because it took in the tyrants' interest, and was carried on by them, over the belly of a poor faithful remnant that was amongst them; — but if God be God serve him, and if Baal be God serve him. 13thly, I leave my testimony to the eight articles, called the New Covenant, drawn by Mr. Donald Cargill, and taken of worthy Henry Hall, at the Queen's Ferry, 14thly, I leave my testi- mony to the fellowship and meetings of the Lord's people, for reading and singing of Psalms, and praying to the Lord, and wrestling for the poor church, and other duties incumbent on them in their place anil station, and to all their proceedings for the keeping up the remembrance of Israel: go on and slack not your hands seeing it is so warrantably, by your Master's royal word, viz. Mai. hi. and many more ; for JOHN RICHMOND. 491 my soul blesses the Lord, that ever he counted me worthy in the fellowship meeting of his people, I say, slack not your hands, for the Lord has accepted of your endeavours in keeping up the remembrance of Israel — making way to the poor young infants brought within his visible church, which the Lord made me sharer of, and is offering of himself to poor treacherous Scotland, if they will embrace. 15thly, I heartily with all my heart and soul leave my testimony to all the faithful testimonies of the faithful Cloud of Witnesses, that have been martyred for Christ and his truths. Now I desire before I quit the list of these that I have owned here — through grace to lay down my life ; — and the list of them is of more value than many lives. Now I shall give a short hint as the Lord shall assist of what I disown, that is done of men against the Majesty of heaven. 1st, I leave my testimony against popery and prelacy, and Erastian supremacy, and all that hierarchy. 2dly, I leave my testimony against quakerism, indepen- dency, anahaptism, and all other erroneous sects that are contrary to the word of God. 3dly, I leave my testimony against that tyrant upon the throne of Britain, and his present authority, for his breach of tho covenants — the covenants being the coronation oath, that he got the crown upon ; and for his overturning the whole work of God, in the land, by taking upon him to be supreme over Christ's Church, and to rule the law, and not the law to rule him; — and for burning these cove- nants, and for putting the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ out of the land, and for killing and plundering the Lord's people in fields, on scaffolds, drowning in the sea, banishing, plundering, oppressing, both in body and conscience. 4thly, I leave my testimony against all the upholders of that tyrant, directly by aiding, assisting, or pleading for him or for his interest — for he has openly and avowedly set himself against King Christ ; and these that plead for him who have taken the crown off our blessed Lord's head — I say they will be found pleading against Christ, Psal. 1. 18. ' When thou sawest a thief then thou con- sentedst with him, and hast been partaker with the adulterers.' 5thly, I leave my testimony against the oath of supremacy. 6thly, I leave my testimony against that bond that was taken in the Grayfriars' church- yard. 7thly, I leave my testimony against that bond called the Bond of Regulation, and against that bond and engagement to keep the Kirk, as they call it ; which is a binding to keep a place, put in it what they like, and it were even popery the next day, and I warn you of it, that you shall have it ere long, except the Lord wonderfully prevent it, I say, it is a binding to the kirk and not a following of our Lord Jesus Christ — for where is the house ye build to me, saith the Lord? 8thly, I leave my testimony against that bond, pressed by the Highland host on the west country. 9thly, I leave my testimony against that dreadful abominable thing called the Test. lOthly, I leave my testimony against all coming out of prison upon bond and caution, being a shifting of the cross of Christ and making themselves the prisoners of men, and not the prisoners of Christ, and yielding unto men while we are called to another thing, as it is said in the vi. ch. of the Rom. 16 ver. — • To whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are.' llthly, I leave my testimony against all compearances at their courts, because 492 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. they are unjust judges, and have forfeited their right ; and their judg- ment and sentence is contrary to the word of God, and is stated for the ruin of the church of God, and for oppressing the consciences of men, to sin against God. 12thly, I leave my testimony against all cess and locality, for the maintaining of the "enemies of God, to kill and murder God's people, and bear down the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, Isaiah lxv. 11. ' But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and a drink-offering to that number.' 13thly, I leave my testimony against hearing of curates, because they are the ministers of men, yea I may say rather of Satan, for the flourishing of his kingdom, for they are thieves and robbers, and not the true ministers of Christ, for they are not entered by him, and are set there for the maintaining of damna- ble heresies, viz. they preach another head of the Church, than our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. 14thly, I leave my testimony against all indulgences first and last, because they have rent the bowels of Christ's Church, by exercising their power and liberty, under that supremacy, yea and exercising the very function of their ministry by the directions of men, by receiving their instructions from men, and so are no more the ministers of God, but the ministers of men ; and there is this black effect that has followed and been the fruit of their ministry and preaching, that never one according to my knowledge that was indulged in their judgment got the length of a scaffold for the cause of Christ, but did yield and go on with the abominations of the times. 1 Stilly, I leave my testimony against these ministers who once appeared fair and went a good length in bearing up the standard and banner of our blessed Lord, but when the persecution rose somewhat hot then abiding by Christ, and declaring of his message, became out of season to them ; — they quit the Lord's commission and precept, by Paul, to preach the word in season, and out of season, and so soon as ever they saw the wolf coming, they ran and hid themselves, and suffered the poor sheep of Christ to be scattered, torn and destroyed, both in body and conscience : this I dare assert, they cannot say with Paul, They are free from the blood of all men, and have declared the whole counsel of God. ' Now as I said before, I am to lay down my life this day for the defence of the gospel at Drumclog, and for the defence of the gospel at Hamilton, and for hearing of Mr. John King preach upon the Green- hill end, being the east end of Galston Muir, and for being in com- pany with John Nisbet, and of all the four articles 1 am Dot ashamed this day; these being counted criminal by the enemies of my Lord, whose gospel standard I desire to defend, with life and fortune. I say, these being counted criminal — witnesses being led proved the same, and witnessed me to death. If these had been enemies 1 could have borne it, but it was mine acquaintance, mine equal, my guide, and WO took sweet counsel together, and went into the home of Cod together, l'sal. lv. 12, 13. >S> it v. as they that went a pood length, and were ;ilso deeply engaged as I was- — \ ea to defend my life, and not to have witnessed me to death; for what they have witnessed 1 am not ashamed of; but this I leave behind me my testimony a-ain-t them, JOHN RICHMOND. 493 and my blood will bo charged home upon them, and without repen- tance prevent it, both upon them and their posterity, and I set down their names that they may stand on record, and their names be known to aftercoming generations — their names being these ; John Loudon in Mill of Newmuis, John Paterson in Slacks, John Frame in Tonslen, James Connel in Bankhead. I set them down here, that their names may be a stench and ill savour to aftercoming generations, as apostate from the way of God, Demas-like, having forsaken the way of God, and chosen a present world, and now have not holden themselves there, but have become followers of the people of God to the death, by their en- gagement and oaths to the enemies — taking that hell-hatched thing called the Test. Now, as I leave my testimony to the truth of God in part so I have left my testimony against some of the prevailing sins of the time, and as I this day desire with heart and soul to adhere to all the truths of God, named, and not named, and I also desire with my whole soul to disown, detest, abhor, and loath all manner of sin, and de- fection, public and private, and I also leave my testimony against and disown all profanation, and loose living, and vain speeches, that are not for the use of edifying, and also against lukewarmness and lying-by as at ease in Sion, when she is in trouble — now when she is tossed upon the turbulent sea of affliction ; but O ! you that desire to have your portion and stock in that ship, I desire to leave this word of comfort, ' That the Master shall awake and rebuke the storm, and make it calm, that such a calmness has not been yet.' Look Isaiah xliv. from the beginning to the 9th verse; — and assure yourselves that his faithfulness will not fail, nor his promise come to nought, for this day I set to my seal to the faithfulness of his promises to poor me, and what concerned my salvation ; and oh ! how much more shall he not own his own inheritance and his poor church, which is given him of the Father, to be king thereof; and will he give that, that he hath purchased by his own blood and sufferings, into the hands of men ? No, ' Heaven and earth shall pass away, but one jot or one tittle shall not pass, till all be fulfilled.' Although that men be this day employing their power and strength for the down-bearing of the Church of God, yet all that burthen themselves with her shall be dashed in pieces, and the snares and gins they have laid for the poor people of God — they shall be taken therein themselves ; and although the whole generality, yea all except a poor and contemptible and afflicted remnant be joined hand in hand, to uphold the tyrannical power of a man — yet they and all that are against King Christ, shall be brought to ruin, Prov. xi. 21. ' Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not pass unpunished.' And, as for that abominable race and family, I mean the tyrant upon the throne of Britain, that race and that family shall fall under that command given from the Lord to Jer. xxii. chap, beginning at the 25th verse to the close, but especially the last verse, — ' Thus saith the Lord, write this man childless, a man that shall not prosper in his days, for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Israel.' " And now, my dear friends, I mean the poor wrestling remnant, or any who shall follow the footsteps of them hereafter, scare not at the 494 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. cross of Christ, though that the afflictions and bondage of his poor peo- ple shall be lengthened out, for I say, yet again the Lord shall come, and shall not tarry, to make good his promise, for the relief of his poor Church, for the Lord is not slack concerning his promises, as some men count slackness, but is long-suffering, waiting for the outcoming of his people, and their separating themselves from tlie people of these abo- minations ; and not only public abominations, but his people must be separate from every heart-idol, and every private sin — walking as in the, sight of a holy God, in all holy conversation, as the sons and daughters of the living God : — and also be encouraged to wait upon him, till he finish hi9 own work ; look that of the vii. of Mic. 8th ver. ' Rejoice not against me, O my enemy, though 1 fall I shall arise, when I sit in darkness the Lord shall be a light unto me,' and in the 9th verse, ' I wili bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me, and he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness.' So the poor church comforts herself under all the indignation and correc- tion she was under, that the Lord would plead her cause, and execute judgment for her; and then in the 13th verse, — 'Notwithstanding, the land shall be desolate for the fruit of their doings, therefore my dear friends wait upon the Lord, and weary not until he work his own work, for it is very likely that this land must be laid desolate, before lie comfort his people, and restore his church to her wonted privileges:' yea, and I say as a dying witness of Christ, that God's judgment shall be poured out upon Scotland, till it be laid desolate. " Now I shall say no more upon this head; my dear friends, hold fast till he come and be upon your watch-tower, and have oil in your lamps, that your light may be shining and your lamps burning, for the Bridegroom will come in an hour, when ye are not aware, and in a way that ye are not looking for. Now I leave my testimony against those called our Judges, and against those Assizers, both those that sat upon my brethren, and upon myself; — my blood and my brethren's blood shall be required at their hands ; and my blood shall be charged upon John Balfour, who took me, for he declared to me, that be Knew me by mv garb that I was one of the persecuted men, and so it was the ground he apprehended me upon — because I was a sufferer for the name of Christ. Now. as I am of my- self I can freely forgive them and all others for what they have done to me, and do freely forgive them, but as they have done it against the image of God in me. and in spite against hi- work, cause and interest, of Jesus Christ, that is not mine to forgive; I leave t/int tc hiiiiM-lf. And now, dear friends, I have little time — my sentence being passed upon the 17thdav of Match, at eight o'clock at night — to die the 19th day of the same, at two in the afternoon. And now this day I am to suffer martyrdom, and my head to be struck oft", and to be fixed upon the Tolhooth, lor the name of JtSUS. Now scare not at the cross of Christ, for <> ! if ve knew what 1 have met with since I came to prison — what love, what matchless lore, (mm my sweet mm] lo.-eiy Lord — ye would long to be with him, and ye would count it non-lit to go through a -ea of Mood for him : O 1 I invite y<\\ JAMES JOHNSTON 496 dear friends, to stick by the truths of God, and abide by him — that the name of Israel may not be rooted out ; but this I desire, to live and to die in the faith of it — that the blood shed and spilt in Scotland, shall have a glorious crop and vintage. And now as for the generality of this generation, or these backslidden and backsliding professors — I know not what to say of them; — but this is the language to me of their way, and I leave it as a dying witness for Christ — that these let, and will let, till they be taken out of the way. Now I leave my wife and my baby unto him who gave them unto me, I fully quit with them and leave them to my Lord and Master — who can make us meet above the clouds. Now, I take my farewell of you and all created comforts, and I am also willing, and more willing ten thousand times to lay them down at his call, than ever I was to enjoy them. Now farewell all friends in Christ, farewell all relations, farewell days and nights, fare- well sun and moon, and stars, fare wea suffering, farewell irons on feet and hands, farewell holy and sweet Scripture, which was the savour of fife unto life, to me. And welcome heaven and eternal life, welcome the company and souls of just men made perfect, through the blood of the Lamb 1 Welcome, welcome, and never enough welcom'd my lovely Lord, my Father and my Redeemer, and the Holy Ghost, into whose hands I commit my Spirit, for it is thine. Sic Sub JOHN RICHMOND."* XXXVIII. JAMES JOHNSTON. [[This was another of the Five individuals who were tried, found guilty, and condemned by the special commission at Glasgow. He belonged to the parish of Cadder, or, according to a different account, to that of Old Monkland. Little else is known with respect to him. He appears from his Testimony to have been condemned on the usual charges of having been at Bothwell, refusing to call it rebellion, disowning the King's authority, and denying the Archbishop's death to be murder. With his compan- 'ons in suffering, he died in much peace and comfort, on the 19th rf March, 1684.] " I being called by the good providence of God, to lay down my life for the trampled on interest, have thought it my duty to leave this short word of Testimony behind me, desiring that all persons forbear to accuse or reproach me, by saying that I die as a fool ; for I die not as a fool (for which I bless God), for I should never have ventured upon the cross, especially upon death itself, if he had not kept me to it. And I assert, it is a thing provoking to God to reproach any of his suffering people in such a manner, and let every one remember that God will avenge the wrongs of his poor people. ' And will not God avenge the wrongs of his elect, who cry to him day and night?' Yes he will do it; for they cry unto him day and night. Sometimes * This Testimony has been copied from a I umphlet published in 1722, entitled u The Last Testimony of John Richmond," &c 496 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. when they sleep their cry goes near before him. Bloodshed, oppres- sion, and cruelty, done to them, cry to him in their behalf, as if it were the cry of their own mouth. " Now I leave my testimony for the pure word of God contained in the Old and New Testaments. Also I feei it my duty to leave my testimony to the Confession of Faith, the Shorter and Larger Catechisms, and the Sum of Saving Knowledge. I leave my testimony to the Solemn League and Covenant, and National Covenant, the Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties. I leave my testimony to the work of Reformation, as being a reformation from popery, and from every thing contrary to sound doctrine. I leave my testimony for the faithful preaching of the word in houses and in fields. I leave my testimony to preaching against the sins of the time, the present course, and particularly the needless evil. I leave my testimony to Mr. Donald Cargill and Mr. Richard Cameron, and to their preaching in the fields, when the rest had forsaken their work. I leave my testimony to the people of God appearing in arms at Pentland and Bothwell-bridge. I leave my testimony to the people of God in Scotland, while disowning the testimonies written by Gib, in name of others. I leave my testimony to the remonstrance of the protestors, when testifying against the malignant party, who seek only their own things, and not the things of God. I leave my testimony to the lifting of arms as lawful, if called for; it behoves all men to distinguish when it is lawful, and when not ; and all the distinction I shall give of it, is only that the close adherence made at Pentland and Bothwell bridge was both lawful and necessary. " In the second place, I come to show you what I witness against, at my death. I leave my testimony against popery, prelacy, and Erasti- anisin of every kind, as contrary to the sounds doctrine of the word of God, and the sworn-to testimony of the Church of Scotland. I leave my testimony against the indulgence first and last, and against ministers who approved of that liberty at Bothwell-bridge. I leave my testimony against the divisions which they thus created, by treating with the malignant party, and joining their interest. I leave my testimony against the people for hardening them in their unlawful measures, by joining with and approving them. I leave my testimony against tin* people for hearing curates, and joining with the indulged, — declaring the indulgence to be disapproved by a holy God, and implying apostasy from God. I testify my adherence to the testimony given publicly and in an hostile manner, at Rutherglen, Sanquhar, and Lanark. I testify to the people of God bearing arms in self-defence, and defence of the gospel at several field-meetings, when they were assaulted by their enemies. I leave my testimony against the declaration published at Hamilton, mainly for taking in the interest of Charles Stewart, who is a declared enemy to God, to his Son, and to the interest and kingdom of his Son. I leave my testimony against the owning of that authority (so called) founded upon the supremacy. I know ibis matter is dark to some folk, but 1 know also that for several ends many folks have brought such matters to be debated, andao bave brought themselves into the dark about many things, and those God will not own to be sins of ignorance, but sins against the clearest light. JAMES JOHNSTON. 407 " With regard to the articles of my judgment, they are as follows, viz.. — Being interrogated if I was at Bothwell-bridge, I answered, only with agood design, which thing was never found criminal bylaw; and as to my witnessing, I got not justice. I declare to the world that they spoke not according to equity, neither was there any one sentence passed according to it. They witnessed against truth as will be made out at the great day of judgment, though it should never come to light till then. As to the second thing against me, my refusing to own the king's authority — What authority should I own but an authority according to the word of God? Moreover, I said nothing of it. I disowned Charles Stewart to be lawful king, but I assert that I owned that authority which was according to the word of God. Now this is clearly evident that I am murdered for not giving my assent to the owning of an authority not consistent with, nor according to the word of God ; notwithstanding all that they said against me ; for it is only opinion, which in law cannot be made use of, for taking away a man's life. Moreover, the thing itself is so far debated that when they themselves essayed to debate what I assert, they never were able to debate as to the king. I refused to call the late king's death murder. If 1 had answered any thing to it I would have been implicated in it, for I know not the nature of the action. Moreover, who knows not that kings are subject to the lawrs, and not the laws subject to the king? As to the fifth point, that I refused to call Bothwell-bridge rebellion, I was only silent also. And it is known to all, who will not shut their eyes and ears to the truth, that it was only the defence of religion, and the glory of God. As to the sixth, that I asserted the Covenants to be lawful, — it is of verity, and well known, that these covenants are national laws not yet rescinded, and such, as I, (for the satisfaction of my conscience,) and not only I, but the whole nation, are bound to assert. As to the seventh point, that I refused to say that the late bishop of St. Andrews' death was murder, I know not how any can judge of that action, nor do I know how you can make it criminal, — I only being silent, and refusing to assert cither one thing or another. With respect to all the other questions I remained silent, except the last, viz. that I asserted that it was lawful for me to defend myself against the king. Now suppose a king fall upon a person with a set of soldiers to kill him, would it be the duty of that person to let himself be murdered ; or may a king do what he will, without control ? I refused these heads of my judgment accord- ing to the law of the nation founded upon the word of God, and I am sure every one will say that I am falsely murdered on account of them ; and for other grievous sins God will shortly be avenged upon them. As for any thing that they have done to me, I freely forgive them, from the highest to the lowest. But as to what is done agains a holy God, I leave it to himself to judge in his own due time. But i evertheless, let it be considered that my blood lies at many of their doors. It lies at the door of all that are conformed to the present government, and particularly it lies at Charles Stewart's door, and the prelates and the members of the court called the Justiciary — at their door. Now, I bid you farewell, sweet cross, for Christ ; farewell my dear wife and children, farewell relations and acquaintance, farewell 33. 2 K ■193 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. praying, reading-, and believing, farewell all toil tuul trouble, and exter- nal exercise; farewell all created comforts, farewell sun, moon, and stars, welcome heaven, with all its glorious companions, welcome Father, Son, and Holv Ghost, into whose hands I commit my spirit. Sic Sub.— JAMES JOHNSTON."* XXXIX. ARCHIBALD STEWART. I [This young man, another of the Five who were executed at Glas- gow^ on the 16th of March, 16S4-, (of whom we have already given some account,) was scarcely nineteen years of age, when called to lay down Ins life for the covenanting interest. It appears he belonged to Lesmahagoe, a district which yielded, as we have seen, several victims to the intolerance and tyranny of the period in question. His Christian magnanimity when on the scaffold was observed by many. Among other moving expressions, he said, " I die not by con- straint but willingly ; and, this I can say, I am more willing to die fur my lovely Lord Jesus Christ, and his work and truths, than ever I was to live." " In short, all of them," says Wodrow, " died in a forgiv- ing temper, praying earnestly for pardon to their persecutors, and yet warning them of their hazard, if they continued in those courses without repentance. The Five lie buried with other sufferers, in the High church-yard, Glasgow." — The testimony of Archibald Stewart is imbodied in the following letter to his Chris- tian friends.! "My dear and loving friends and acquaintances, — You and I must take good night of one another for awhile ; but I hope it shall not he long ; for you know that the time that we have on earth lasts but for a moment ; and we are but as a flower that grows up in the night, and is cut down in the morning; like the shadow that tiers away, and is no more seen upon earth again ; even like Jonah's gourd, that grew up in a night, and perished in a night. Now you and I must peat, and take good (light, you of me, and I of you, as willingly, and with as great satisfaction, contentment, and submission to the will of our God, as if we were going to our sweet and comfortable fellowship-meetings, where our souls many times have been refit shed, with the fresh galea of the Spirit of our God, which indeed was. 1 1 it* life of our meetings ■ for had it not been the love that we bare to God and his ways, he world never have made our meetings so sweet to U3 ; so that the longer wo continued, and the oftener we met, the Lord made more of hit. i elf known to us, in giving us new confirmations of his love, and • 'lliis Testimony has not, s<> far as tin- Editor is aware, bun published before. lie copied it, with some difficulty, From an Old Manuscript, communi- cated tu him liy a descendant ef one at the Pour \\ be died along with .li.hm.tnn. Hi' n»n nit doubt of its authenticity anil genuineness but he feel's, from its muti- lated state that In souie instanced he may have copied it incorrectly as la hiOgiuuje, though he ihinhi (hat, i-. general, he has expressed ihq weaning. ARCHIBALD STEWART. 499 tokens of his kindness. Now, my loving friends, I am going to my Father's house, to reap the fruit of all these waking nights that you and I had together, when none knew of it but ourselves and our heavenly Father; and I die in the hope, that, we shall come ' to your P&thef and my Father, to your God and my God,' John xx. 17. to yonr Redeemer and my Redeemer, to reap the fruit of all these meet- ings we had together. O ! but that will be a joyful harvest-time ; I am now going to reap the fruit of all my reading, praying, singing, convers- ing, and meditating, and the fruits of all my trouble, toil, and labour. Instead of bitterness, I will enjoy sweetness, instead of trouble, rest, instead of sorrow and grief, joy and gladness ; ' For sighing and sor- row shall fly away.' I am going tc reap the fruit of my wounds, and all the reproaches that they have cast upon me ; I am going to reap the fruit of all my sinks and groans, especially these since 1 came to prison, where I have had very many of them. 1 am going to reap the fruit of my fetters, irons, and imprisonment, for my lovely Lord and Master Jesus Christ ; and 1 am going to reap the fruit of my unjusi indictment and unjust sentence. O ! but the fruits of these foremen- tioned things will be a weighty crown of glory within a little time upon my head, up at my Father's throne, ' when I shall go no more out, and come no more in, having the name of my God written upon my forehead, and the song of Moses and the Lamb put in my mouth ' to sing through all the ages of eternity ! M Now, dear friends, I cannot get him praised, for the riches of his free grace, freely bestowed on me. O ! I cannot get him praised for bringing my soul out of the pit of destruction, and for reclaiming my soid from the gates of hell. O my soul and heart, all that is within me, praise the Lord for his wonderful love to me ! and also, my soul invites all the works of creation to praise him for what he hath done to my soul ; for now I can say with David, from my own experience, ' Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soid.' And, likewise, I can say with David, Psalm xvi. 6. ' The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places ; yea, I have a goodly heritage.' And more than all, lie hath said to my soul, that he will cjuarrel no more with me for sin, for my God hath said to me, Isa. xliii. 1,2.' But now, thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, fear not ; for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee ; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.' And Matth. ix. 2. ' Son, be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee.' Now, all is sure and well Avith me, I am brought near unto God, through the blood of his Son Jesus Christ ; and I have no more to do, but to lay down this life of mine that he hath given me, and take up house and habitation with my lovely Lord and Master Jesus Christ, who purchased life and salvation to me by the price of his own blood and sufferings : O I but I have got an easy cast of it ; O ! but I am come well and easy to my purpose, of redemption, peace, and happi- ness. But, O I 1 cannot get him glorified ; and I will never get him 500 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. enough glorified, as long as my soul lived), and I shall live as long as he liveth, and that is life without end. " Now my dear and loving friends, it is but little advice that I can leave to you, how to order your life and conversation ; yet I shall leave you my last advice, as the Lord shall help me. As God hath once made you to accept of him, upon his own terms and way, hold fast by him, and claim a right ""to him, from his own promises and former loving-kindness, wherein he hath manifested himself to you. And although you be made many times to think, that he hath left you, when you are cast down, and under desertion, yet claim a right to him ; though you have destroyed yourself, threap kindness upon him ; and resolve with Job, that ' though he should slay you, yet will ye trust in him :' for you must not want your down-castings and desertions ; for all these things are given you for the trial of your faith. And you mav know something of this from experience, that we cannot guide our Lord's presence, when we get it ; — we are so lifted up, that he must cast us down again ; for our old bottles cannot bear with the new wine of heaven, none of us can be free of desertion ; for as long as we live in this earth, we are often under an Egyptian cloud of dark- ness. Spend much of your time in prayer and meditation, for I think, that in these is the life of religion; and spend time in Christian con- verse with any of your own judgment; and private prayer, as you and I did when we were together : and if you can get none, do your own part, and the Lord will make up all your loss, for he hath engaged to make up all your wants. Now, double your diligence, and make ready for the trial, for you will not get it shifted, if ye continue faithful to the end. I am not saying that the trial will take away your life : hut I am persuaded, you will come through difficulties, if the Lord see fit to spare you, to see the glorious days that shall be seen in Scot- land again, and to reap of the fruit of it. This will be a high honour, for they will be a happy people, that will be the remnant of the church. " Now, dear friends, hold fast, and let no man take your crown ; for it is ready at the end of your race ; run and never halt nor look back, till you obtain the prize. I have gotten the first start of you a little ; but, I hope, you will follow me, before it be long, and we shall meet again, and O ! what a joyful meeting shall it be? Study denied- ness to your life, and die daily, that death may not surprise you. " But I must forbear, my time is so short, that 1 cannot get all said here, that I have to say ; but what is wanting, himself make it up to you. Now I take my leave of you for a little time, hoping to meet again up above in our Father's house. I pray, that God's eternal blessing may rest upon you ; and wish you even as my own soul. Farewell in the Lord. Your dear and loving Christian friend, brother, and soul's wellwieher, ARCHIBALD STEWART.'* Glangow Tolbooth, MnivJi I5th, 1 «S t. Cloud of WitneM i. JOHN PATON. 501 XL. JOHN PATON. f/The name of Captain Paton of MeadcRthead, in Ayrshire, is familiar to every one wiio is at all interested in the history of his times. He was a small proprietor in the parish of Fenvvick, and having spent his youth in the profession of arms, was naturally regarded as a tit person to hold a command hoth at Pentland and Bothwell. Many anecdotes are told of his prowess, both on these occasions and else- where. He was for long regarded by government as a notorious rebel ; and being at length taken in April 1684, a reward of Twenty Pounds Sterling was ordered by the council to the officer who apprehended him He was forthwith indicted for treason, found guilty on his own confession, and sentenced to be executed on the 23d of April, 1684. He was afterwards reprieved till the 9th of May, " when he died most cheerfully, forgiving all his persecutors, whatever they had done to him." His testimony is as follows.] " Dear friends and spectators, — You are come here to look upon me a dying man, and you need not expect that I shall say much, for I was never a great orator or eloquent of tongue, though 1 may say as much to the commendation of God in Christ Jesus, as ever any poor sinner had to say. I have been as great a sinner as ever lived ; strong corruptions, strong lusts, strong passions, a strong body of death, have prevailed against me ; yea, I have been chief of sinners. I may say, on every back-look of my way, (though the world cannot charge me with any gross transgression this day, for which I bless the Lord,) O ! what omissions and commissions, what formality and hypocrisy, that even my duties have been my grief and fear, lest thou, a holy God, had made them my ditties, and mayest do : my misimproved time may be heavy upon my head, and a cause of desertion ; and especially my supplicating the council, who have, I think, laid their snares the closer to take away my life, though contrary to their own professed law. I desire to mourn for my giving ear to the counsels of flesh and blood, when I should have been consulting heaven, and to reflect upon myself, though it lays my blood the closer to their door, and I think, the blood of my wife and bairns. I think, their supreme magistrate is not ignorant of many of their actings, but these prelates will not be found free when our God makes an inquisition for blood. And now 1 am come here, desired of some indeed who thirst for my life, though by others not desired. I bless the Lord, I am not come here as a thief or a murderer, and I am free of the blood of all men, but hate bloodshed directly, or indirectly. And now I am a poor sinner, and could never merit any thing but wrath, and have no righteousness of my own ; all is Jesus Christ's, and his alone, and I have laid claim to his righteousness and his sufferings by faith in Jesus Christ. Through imputation they are mine, for I have accepted of his offer on his own terms, and sworn away myself to him to be at his disposal, both privately and publicly, many times ; and now I have put it upon him 502 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. to ratify In heaven ail that I have essayed to do oil earth, and to do away all my imperfections and failings, and to stay my heart on him. I seek mercy for all my sins, and believe to get all my challenges and sins sunk in the blood and sufferings of Jesus and his righteousness, and that he shall see of the travail of his soul ou me, and the Father's pleasure shall prosper in his hand. I bless the Lord, that ever he led me out to behold any part of his power in the gospel, in kirks, or fields, or any of his actings for his people in their straits. * The Lord is with his people while they be with him :' we may set to our seal to this, and while they be united ; and O for a day of his power in cementing this distempered age I It is sad to see his people falling out by the way, and of such a fiery spirit, — that look to be at one lodging at night, especially those who profess to keep by our glorious work of reforma- tion and solemn engagements to God, and to hold off the sin3 of these times. O hold off extremities on both hands, and follow the example of our blessed Lord and the Cloud of Witnesses in the 11th of the Hebrews. And let your way be the good old path, the word of God and best times of the church, for if it be not according to his word, it is because there is no truth in it. " Now, as to my interrogations, I was not char to deny Portland or Bothwell. They asked me, How long I was at them ? I said, Eight days : and the assize had no more to sentence upon, for the advocate said, he would not pursue for Pentland, by reason of an indem- nity, before the privy council. The council asked me, If I acknow- ledged authority ? I said, All authority according to the word of God. They charged me with many things, as if I had been a rebel since the year 1640, and at Montrose's taking at Mauchline Muir. Lord forgive them, they know not what they do. " I adhere to the sweet Scriptures of truth of the Old and New Testament, and preached gospel by a faithful sent ministry wherebv He many times communicated himself to the souls of his people, and tome in particular, both in the kirks, and since on the fields, and in the private meetings of his people for prayer and supplication to him. I adhere to our solemn Covenants National and Solemn League, Acknow- ledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, which became National. I adhere to our Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Causes of Wrath, and to all the Testimonies given by his people formerly, and of late, either on fields or scaffolds, these years bygone. — in so far as they are agreeable to his word, and the practice of our worthy reformers, and holy true zeal, according to his rule. I adhere to all our glorious work of reformation. Now, I leave mv testimoiy. as a dying man, against the horrid usurpation of our Lord's prerogative ami crown-right, — I mean that supremacy, established by law m these lands, which is a manifest usurpation of his crown, for he is gifell by the Father to be head of the Church, Col. i. 18, 10. « And be hi the head of the body, the rhureh ; — u ho is the beginning, the iirst-boni In m the dead ; that in all thion he minht have the pre-eminence. 1 Ot it pleased the lather, that in him all lulness should dwell.' And against all popery, prelacy, and Eiastinnisin, and ail that depends upon that hierarchy, which is a vokc that neither we nor our fathere were able to JOHN l'ATOX. 503 bear, which the poor remnant is groaning under tins day, by that horrid cruelty rending their consciences by tests and bonds, taking away their substance and livelihoods by tines and illegal exactions, plunderings, and quarterings, and compelling them to sin, by hearing, joining, and complying, with these malicious curates. Matth. xxiii. 13. ' Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites ; for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men ; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.' I leave my testi- mony against the Indulgence, first and last, for I ever looked on it as a snare, and so I never looked upon them as a part of the hopeful remnant of the church ; and now it is sad to see how some of them have joined by their deeds in the persecution of the poor remnant, and almost all, in tongue persecution. " Now, I would speak a short word or two, to three sorts of folk, but I think, if one would rise from the dead, he would not be heard by this generation, who are mad upon idols and this world. First, Those who have joined deliberately with the persecutors, in all their robberies and haling innocent souls to prison, death, and banishment. The Lord will not hold them guiltless ; they may read what the Spirit of God hath recorded of them in Jude, 11th verse, and downward, and Obadiah's prophecy. A second sort is, those who seem to be more sober and knowing, yet through a timorousness and fear, have joined with them in all their corrupt courses for ease and their own things ; do not think that these fig-leaves will cover you in the cool of the day ; it is a hazard to be mingled with the heathen, lest we learn of them their way. O, sirs, be zealous and repent ; seek repentance from Christ, he purchased it with his blood; and do your first works, if ever there was any saving work on your souls ; for he will come quickly, ' and who may abide the day of his coming.' O, sirs, the noble grace of repentance grows not in every field ; many could not get it, though they sought it carefully with tears. O work while it is to-day, the night draweth on, and it, may be very dark. The third sort is, those who have been most tender ; and, O, who of us can say, that we have out of love to his glory singly followed him : upon examination we fear we find it not so, but that we have come far short. We fear we find not him such as we woidd, nor he us such as he would. O we may say, ' From the crown of the head to the sole of the foot there is no place clean.' None can cast a stone at another; we are all wounds, bruises, and defilements. We must put this work upon him who is the fountain to wash foul souls, who ' breaks not the bruised reed, nor quenches the smoking flax.' Give him much ado, for we have much ado for him. O that there was no rest in our bones because of our sin. It is the Father's pleasure teat he should see his seed, and the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. O that he would make every one of us understand our errors, and seek after the good old path, followed in the most pure times of our church, and get in to our Lord Jesus Christ, by faith in his righteousness, by imputa- tion and virtue of his sufferings for sinners, and keep by him. There is no safety but at his back ; and I beseech you. improve time, it is precious when rightly improved ; ' For ye know not when the Master 604 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. calletb, at midnight, or at cock crowing.' Dear frieuus, tlie work of the day is great, and calls for more than ordinary. O be oft at the throne, and give him no rest to make sure your soul's interest. Seek pardon freely, and then he will come with peace ; seek all the graces of his Spirit, the grace of love, the grace of holy fear and humility. O 1 but there is much need of this and the promised Spirit. " Now, I desire to salute you, dear friends in the Lord Jesus Christ, both prisoned, banished, widow and fatherless, or wandering and cast out for Christ's sake and the gospel's, even the blessings of Christ's sufferings be with you all, strengthen, establish, support and settle you, and the blessing of him who was in the bush, which while it burnt, was not consumed, and my poor blessing, be with you all. Now, as to my persecutors, I forgive all of them ; instigators, reproachers, sol- diers, privy council, justiciaries, apprehenders, in what they have done to me ; but what they have done in despite against the image of God's name in me, — who am a poor thing without that, it is not mine to forgive them ; but I wish they would seek forgiveness of him who hath it to give, and would do no more wickedness. " Now I leave my poor sympathising wife and six small children upon the Almighty Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, who hath promised to be 'a Father to tlie fatherless, and a husband to the widow, and the orphan's stay ;' be thou all in all unto them, O Lord. Now, the blessing of God, and my poor blessing, be with them. And my suit to thee is, that thou wouldst give them thy salvation. And now fare- well wife and children ; farewell all friends and relations ; farewell all worldly enjoyments ; farewell sweet Scriptures, preaching, praying, leading, singing, and all other duties. And welcome Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. I desire to commit my soul to thee in well-doing. Lord receive my spirit. Sic sub— JOHN PA TON."* XLI. JAMES NISBET. [[This martyr, in common with another of the same name and family, whose testimony liocs before, belonged to the parish of Loudon in Aryshire. Having come to Glasgow to attend the funeral of the Five individuals who were executed on the 19th of March, he was recognized as ;t covenanter, and apprehended by a cousin of his own, an officer in the army, " so nnu h," as WodrOW observes, "does a hitter persecuting spirit break all the bonds ot nature itself, and get over the nearest blood relations." lie was forth- with examined and sent to prison, and having owned the lawfulness of the attempt at Drumclog and Bothwell, and refused to renounce the covenant, or to own the king's authority, he was found guilty of treason. After being condemned, be was offered hi- life upon con- dition of his acknowledging the King's Bupren acy over the ennrch; but as might be expected, he unhesitatingly refused. He mw • Cloud ot" Witnesses. JAMES NISBET. 505 thereafter very harshly treated, and so clo&'ley watched, that he with difficulty got liberty to write his testimony. He was executed at the Howgate-head of Glasgow, on the 5th of June 1684, and died in much peace and assurance.] " Now, I am brought hither this day, to lay down my life for the testimony of Jesus Christ, and for asserting him to be the Head and King in his own honse, and for no matter of fact, that they have against me. Wherefore, dear friends, and all true lovers of Zion's cause, if I could either speak or write any thing to the praise and commendation of my lovely Lord and princely Master, Jesus Christ, King and Head over his own church and people ; although the most part of the men of this generation is counting it death to call him so, yet I, as a dying man, live and die in the faith of it, that he shall appear to their confusion, and for his own glory now trampled upon, and lying so low ; for he has said in Isa. xlii. 8. ' I am the Lord, that is my name ; and my glory, I will not give it to another,' &c. Now, I am to lay down my life, and indeed I do it willingly, and not by constraint ; and I bless him, that ever he carved out my lot such, as to be a sufferer for him, who am such a poor unworthy thing : for if I would have acknowledged a mortal man to be supreme, I might have redeemed my life, viz. Charles Stuart to be supreme over all causes civil and ecclesiastic, as they have now set him up ; — which belongs to no mortal man upon earth, — and to have prayed for him. And shall I pray for that man in his person and government, who hath broken down the work of the Lord, ' and has laid waste the sanctuary of our Lord,' who was given of the Father, as it is said, Eph. i. 22. ' And hath put all things under his feet, and given him to be head over all things to the church ;' and in the second psalm. Now, I say, it is for the hope of Israel, and a witness for the name of Jesus Christ, of which hope I am not ashamed. Now, I invite all who love his name, and the welfare of Zion, to praise him, for I may set to my seal to it, that he is a good Master to all who will come to him ; for I may say, he hath been good to me, who has let me see a sight of my sins, and a sight of the remedy that he has purchased by his blood, and through his death to me, who was born an heir of hell and wrath by nature ; but glory be to his great name, who has made me free from my sin, and made me as if I had never sinned. O glory and praise be to himself. But what shall I say ? for heart cannot conceive, hand cannot write, tongue cannot express ! for surely, if I could say any thing to the praise and commendation of my lovely Lord Jesus Christ, I have many things for which to do it. 1st, For that, That he has not let me deny his truths and cause, and his persecuted work ; foi there is nothing in me, as 1 am of myself, but I might have been amount those that have displayed a banner against God, and have made the blood of his people to run in the streets, and have dy^ed their gai - ments with their blood. And, 2dly, That he lias carved out my lot to be in a land where he hath set up his pure ordinances, both in doctrine, worship, discipline and government ; for indeed he might have trysted it to have been among; those that are worshipping antichrist, that whore 34. 2 L 50G TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. of Rome, whose sentence maybe read, Rev. xix. 12. And if Charlea Stuart has not overturned his work, and corrupted the whole land, by overturning the whole fundamental laws, both civil and ecclesiastic, I leave it to any judicious person, that is not biassed and drawn away, by that woful Erastian supremacy, which is like to overspread the whole land. 3dly, That he hath given his word for a rule to walk by, which word is truth, and the true word of God. He has made me to walk by it, and it to be my rule ; and by his word and Spirit bearing witness with my spirit, making me spotless and clean, and I shall be clothed with those robes of his righteousness, which are spotless and clean. " Now I shall only give a short account of my principles, as the Lord shall assist ; and the Lord help me to get it done in truth and sincerity ; for there are many eyes looking on me ; the eyes of an all- seeing God, ' who is of purer eyes than that he can behold iniquity,' and the eyes of men who are thirsting for my blood. 1st, I adhere, and sweetly set to my testimony, to the covenant of redemption, betwixt the Father and the Son, made before the foundation of the world, for the redemption of poor lost mankind, I mean, of those who are elected, called, justified, and sanctified ; for which my soul shall bless the Lord that ever I heard tell of the same, and that ever I heard tell, ' that he came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.' 2dly, To the sacred Scriptures, that they are the true word of God ; and that there is life everlasting to be had in them, if ye will apply your hearts to search diligently, and pursue after them with a sincere and diligent seeking, with all the soul and heart ; and without sincere endeavouring to make it your rule, there is no life : for says our blessed Lord, ' I came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it.' 3dly, To the work of reformation as it Avas reformed in all the several steps thereof, from under popery, prelacy, and Erastianism, and all other errors whatsoever, not agreeable to the Scriptures, the written word of God. 4thly, To the Confession of Faith, the Sum of Saving Knrm- ledge, Directory for Worship and Discipline, and to our Cat» chisms Larger and Shorter, ithly, To the Covenants National and Solemn League, whereby these lands were engaged unto the Lord ; and Scot- land may bless the Lord, that ever he engaged her in a covenant with himself. I say, to you that desire to own the same, make it your u round to plead with the Lord, till he come back again to these lands, (ithly, To the preaching of the gospel of our Lord .Jesus Christ, as it was faithfully preached by faiihfui ministers, called Bad commissioned. and sent by himself; and also my testimony to the Acknowledgment of Sins, and Engagement to Duties, and the Caiws of the Lord's Wrath,, against this land this day : but, alas | it may be said, many have gone backward, and not forward ; the most pari of this genera- lion have refused to walk any more with him. ever since Bothwell, only these two, via. Mr. Donald Cargiil. and Mr. 1\ iehard Cann ■mn, which I desire to set my seal to the faithfulness of these two nun's doctrines, Gar my soul has been refreshed by them. And I set to my seal to all their proceedings and actings in the work they were called to, and my m>u! bleated) the Lord, that ever I heard them pivach. YtbJy, '10 all the appearing! in arms in defence of the gospel, and JAMES NISIiET. 50V self-defence, both before Bothwell, and since. Sthly, To the excom munieation at the Torwood, by Ml". Donald Cargill, as it is just and lawful, and will stand in force and record, ay, till repentance make it null, — of which there is little appearance. 9thly, To the Testimony given at Rutherglen, May 29th, 1679, the Declaration given at Lanark, June 11th, 1682, by a party whom the Lord raised and stirred up by his Spirit, and owned them in that work, to give a public testimony against that soul-destroying, and land-ruining thing, called the Test, although many in this generation be pleading for the lawfulness of it, and disowning the covenant which we are all bound to. O ! my heart trembles to think, what will come on this generation, for tbeir dreadful apostasy and departing from the way of the Lord. lOthly, To all the fellowship meetings of the Lord's people, for reading, praying, and singing of psalms, and all the other duties proper for, and incumbent upon them. I mean these that desire to wrestle and hold up the cause of his ruined work, and his poor suffering remnant, llthly, To the eight articles, called the New Covenant, taken at the Queensferry off worthy Henry Hall. " Now, as 1 have left my testimony in short to the truths of God : so I desire to leave my testimony against the defections of the timp, as the Lord shall help and assist. Therefore, I, as a dying witness, leave my testimony, 1st, Against popery and prelacy, which is so much countenanced and set up in Scotland this day, especially bv those who seemed to be most eminent, as it is in Gal. i. 6. 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ, unto another gospel,' &c. 2dly, Against quakerism, inde- pendency, and all other errors, which are not according to the word of God, and our solemn covenants and confession of faith. 3dly, Against the tyrant upon the throne of Britain and Ireland, for his tyranny, oppression, and bloodshed, and for overturning the laws, both civil and ecclesiastic, and not making the law his rule to be ruled by, but he ruling the law and not the law him ; which is not according to the •word, as it is in 2 Sam.xxiii. 3. ' He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God,' &c. Even against that tyrant, and all the upholders, aiders, assisters, and maintainers, of him. O what will become of this generation for their apostasy and departing away from God ? 4thly, Against the oath of supremacy, for the setting up of persons as supreme, and following and making them their rule, and not taking the word of God to be their rule. 5thly, Against that bond taken in the Grayfriars' kirk-yard, although there be many that denied it, until the Lord in his own due time made it appear, when the trial came to a greater length ; for he has said in his word, that ' there is nothing done in secret, but he will have it manifested in the light.' 6thly, Against the bond called the bond of regulation, for their bind- ing to walk according to the will of men, and not according to the will of God. Surely it is not according to the practice of the apostles, Acts iv. 19. ' But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God, to hearken unto you men, than unto God, judge ye.' 7thiy, Against the bond pressed by the .508 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. Highland host in the west country. O ! what may be said of this generation? It may be said, Ye have gone away backward from my ordinances, and ye have forsaken me the living God, and have hewed you out broken cisterns that can hold no water. 8thly, Against that land-ruining and soul-destroying thing called the Test. 9thly, Against all coming out of prison upon bond and caution ; whatever men may say of it, it is a complying with the avowed enemies, and a binding themselves to be the prisoners of men, and not the prisoners oi Jesus Christ. lOthly, Against all compearing at courts and paying of fines ; for it implies, that we have done a fault against ihem, and also it approves of those as just judges, that are imposing these things ; but ye may see what they are, — for there is no sober man will get leave to plead an action there. And can these be called judges, and owned as judges, who are grassators and land judg- ments ? llthly, Against all cess and locality, which is imposed for the down-bearing of the gospel, and for maintaining bloody and avowed enemies to banish Christ and his gospel out of the land, and to hunt, plunder, rob, spoil, and persecute the poor people of God; for in the very narrative of the act, it is set down for that end, and declared to the world ; see what is said against it. Isa. lxv. 11. ' But ye are they that forsake the Lord, that forget my holy mountain, that prepare a table for that troop, and that furnish the drink-offering unto that num- ber. Therefore I will number you to the sword,' &c 12thly, Against hearing of curates, because they are wolves and boars, thrust in upon the Lord's people to kill and destroy; and against the indulgence, first, and last ; and against the hearing of them, and joining with them, or pleading for them ; because they are not entered in by the right door, and tpach for doctrines the commandments of men ; therefore they are, in so far, not the ministers of Jesus Christ, but the ministers of met, as it is said .John x. 1. ' Verily, verily, I say unto you, He thai entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but cliinbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.' And against all ministers and professors, who are now lying at ease, when Zion is in trouble, and are shifting their duty for fear of hazard, and are sheltering themselves under the shadow of these avowed enemies, pleading in their favour, and have broken the poor people of God, and rent the bowels of the church; — and especially these who appeared once in the fields, to hold up a banner for our lovely Lord and Master Jesus Christ, 1 shall be a witness against them, if repentance prevent it not. " Now, ye that are the poor wrestling remnant, weary not of the cross of Christ, for he is a good .Master, and he sends none a warfare on their own charges, for he will own them in all that he earves out for them. O double your diligence, and give him no rest till lie come back again, as in Isa. lxii. 7. 'And give him no rest till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth.' 0 ! what will come of poor Scotland, for the horrid iniquities and abominations, perjury and bloodshed, and covenant-breaking? 01 Scotland's punishment will be sad ; but my eyes shall be closed! and I shall not see it, and I am well content. Seeing I gel my 80ul for a prey< Now I am afraid God will not know many of this generation that have gone such a dreadful JAMES NISBET. 500 Jength in defection and backsliding. But, O, what shall I say 1 I leave it to himself to do as be may most glorify himself, in preserving a seed and remnant to serve him. Now I die in the faith of it, that he has a seed whom he will have preserved when he sends forth instruments with slaughter weapons, that he has a party that he will set a mark on, as it is said, Ezek. ix. 4. ' And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that sigh and cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.' Now, I say, Weary not of the cross of Christ, although ye should suffer persecution, for he has said, ' In the world ye shall have tribulation, but in me ye shall have peace.' And, Q, but he taketh exact notice what is done to his people. Obad. ver. 13. ' Thou shouldst not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity ; yea, thou shouldst not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity ; nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity.' O but that is a sweet word, 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12. ' It is a faithful saying, for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him : if we suffer, we shall also reign with him : if we deny him, he will also deny us.' O, sirs ! lose not heaven for mammon, and your own souls for what ye can suffer here. It is true, none can merit heaven by their sufferings, but it is as true, that he has said, ' He that will not forsake all, and take up his cross and follow me, he cannot be my disciple.' Now, I know there will many brand me with self-murder, because I have got many an offer to go to Carolina, upon such easy terms. But as to that, I answer, self-preserva- tion must stoop to truth's preservation. There are indeed many of this generation who pretend to keep their present ease, and to be fol- lowers of Christ ; but I defy any, if they be called to a public testi- mony, but they shall either lose their present possession, or else that which is of more worth, even their immortal souls and everlasting salvation. " Now, as to the heads of my indictment whereon they have sentenced me to die, they are mainly these. 1st, My approving of Drumclog and Bothwell, and my being at Glasgow, — to be lawful and in defence of the gospel, and in self-defence, which both the law of God and nature allow. And, 2dly, For adhering to the National and Solemn League and Covenant ; and they declared before my face, that both tbeir king and council had disowned the covenant, and had taken it away by their acts of parliament ; and said, that they were both unjust and unlawful : and shall such be owned and adhered to, who have declared themselves against King Christ, and have broken his laws, and have seated themselves in the room of Jesus Christ, which belongs to no mortal man upon earth, and much less to him who is an usurper and a tyrant, I mean Charles Stuart ? And here I, as a dying witness, leave my testimony against that monstrous beast, for our Saviour calls Herod a fox, and says, ' Go tell that fox, I work to-day and to-morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.' 3dly, and mainly, my sentence was, That I disowned their authority : for since they had rejected the covenant, I was the more clear to disown them to be my judges, or governors over the land ; and they asserted it 510 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. treasonable, because I said, none of the people of God would say other- wise. And in plain terms, and direct words, I deny them to have any power to rale either in civil or ecclesiastic matters. Also these avowed enemies who are thirsting for my blood, charged me with going up and down the country, plundering, and murdering, and so by their law made liable to punishment, even to the loss of my life ; but [ declare, who am within a little to appear before the righteous Judge, that I never intended to wrong any man. And so it is evident they rake away my life upon the account of adhering to truth, and I bless the Lord, that ever he gave me a life to lay down for him, and that ever he counted me worthy to lay down my life for his persecuted truth. 0 matchless free grace, that is making choice of the like of me, and poor weak things to confound the strong, and the poor foolish things to confound the wise. " Now, there are three sorts of folk that I would speak a word to. The first is, these that have begun in the way of the Lord, and seem- ingly have gone a good length, and when the storm of persecution arose, for fear of the rough sea of trouble, have drawn back. O mind that word in Heb. x. 38. ' But if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.' And Rom. viii. 35. ' Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecu- tion, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword,' &c. and many more places of Scripture. A second sort, are these who are going on in rebellion against God openly and avowedly ; as ye may see in Fsal. ii. ' Why do the Heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing ? he that sitteth in heaven shall laugh, the Lord shall have them in deri- sion, then shall he speak to them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.' O poor Scotland, that was once married to the Lord, but now has provoked him to depart and leave it. and give a bill of divorcement, as it were ! O Scotland has sinned dreadfully, — what by covenant-breaking, bloodshed, lying, and swearing. Now a third sort are these who desire to keep their garments clean and unde- filed, with the abounding sins of this generation. Go on in the way of the Lord, and fear not what man can do, for he has said, ' Fear not them that kill the body, and after that can do more : but fear him who after he hath killed the body, hath power to cast into hell,' &c. 1 can set to my seal to it, that Christ is a good Master, and well worthy the suffering for. And now I can freely and heartilv forgive all men what they have done to me, as I desire to be forgiven of my Father who is in heaven ; but what they have done against a holy God, and his image in me, that is not mine to forgive them, but I leave that to him to dispose on as he sees tit, and as he may most glorify himself. Now I am to take my leave of all created comforts here ; and I bid farewell to the sweet Scriptures ■ farewell reading and pray- i 1 1 _T ; farewell sinning and suffering ; farewell sighing and Borrowing, mourning and weeping ; and farewell all Christian friends, and rela- •iniis ; farewell brethren, and si>ters, and all things in time. And welcome Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; welcome heaven, and ferer- lasting joy and praise, and innumerable company of angels and Spirits AIlTIlLlt TACQUET. 511 of just men made perfect. Now into thy hands I commit my spirit, for it is thine. Sic sub.— JAMES NISBET." " This martyr was so inhumanly treated, and constantly watched, that it was with much difficulty he got any thing written, and that only now and then a line, and hence some few repetitions which were in the manuscript were left out, which it is hoped will be liable to no misinterpretation." C. W. XLII. ARTHUR TACQUET. [The case of this martyr was, to a certain degree, peculiar. He was by profession, a tailor, in the town of Hamilton, and having joined the insurgents at Bothwell, with difficulty escaped from the disas- trous result of that unfortunate enterprise, and with many others was proscribed for the share he had taken in it. He was apprehended about the 18th of July, 1684, on his way from hearing a sermon by the famous Mr. Renwick. Having refused to tell who it was that preached on the occasion, and who were present hearing, he was ordained to be examined by the torture of the boot, and was with difficulty saved from it by a strong representation on the part of the surgeon in attendance, as to his inability to bear it without danger to his life. t The thumbkins were then resorted to, and this species of torture he bore without making any discovery. He was condemned in terms of the sentence formerly passed against him, to be executed at the Grassmarket of Edinburgh, on the 30th of July 1684, and suffered accordingly. "He died," says Wodrow, " most Christianly, forgiving his enemies, and owning all magistrates superior and inferior, in as far as they are conform to the word of God, and the covenants ; and are a terror to them that do evil, and a praise to them that do well." His testimony follows.3 " Being appointed to die in the Grassmarket, I thought it Avas a duty lying upon my conscience before the Lord, to leave this short word of testimony behind me, in testification of my close adherence to all these controverted truths, as they are all agreeable and conform to the written word of God. And now I desire to bless his name with my whole heart and soul for this, that ever he made choice of the like of me, such a poor, weak, feckless, insignificant thing as I am, in counting me worthy to suffer for his noble cause and controverted truths, his name, interest and covenant, now controverted and brought in debate by this God-daring, Christ-dethroning, and God-contemning, adulterous and bloody generation, wherein my lot is fallen. And this I can say, through his grace, I am well satisfied and heartily content with rav lot, that God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to carve out 512 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. unto me : and through his grace I am well helped to great quietness calmness and serenity of mind before tiie Lord, and a holy submission to what is his will towards me in this ; that if every hair in my head, and every drop of my blood were a life, I would willingly lay them down for my lovely Lord and Master Jesus Christ. Some will possibly say, that this is an untruth, and so cannot be believed by them, notwithstanding of all this. But whether it be believed or not, it is true : for I am not dying by constraint and unwillingness ; for this I dare say in his sight (my conscience bearing me witness) that I am a thousand times more willing to die this day for my lovely Lord and Master's noble cause, and controverted truths, than ever I was to live : and the truths of God that are so much controverted, are become more precious and clearer unto me at death, than ever they were here- tofore in my life ; as David says, Psal. xxiii. 4. ' Though I walk through the valley and shadow of death, I will fear no evil ; for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.' This I have been made really sensible of by my experience in all that I have met with, — that the cross of Christ has been all paved over with love, that it has been made to become like unto a bed of roses unto me ; and all that ever I have met with, first and last, has been made sweet and easy unto me, and no trouble in the least ; and that he has been a loving and a kind Lord unto me, and he has been as good as his word. This I can say to his commendation, and to the commendation of the cross of Christ, that he has borne always the heavy end of the cross himself, that to me it was no trouble in the least. O praise, praise to lhe riches of his free grace, for his matchless and unexpressible love that I have met with since I was brought to prison, and when I was sorest put at, and threatened with torture by thfjse cruel and bloody tyrants, the more of his love and kindness I did meet with. This 1 have been made really sensible of, when I was hardest dealt with, as David says, Psal. xxviii. 6. ' Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.' Ver. 7. 'The Lord is my strength and my shield ; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped ; therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth ;' for 1 have been well helped and owned of the Lord, and that in a very singular manner, that his presence has made my soul to sing and rejoice, through the greatest of difficulties and trials that ever I was trysted with ; and this is a sweet promise and noble encouragement for me, in Isa. xli. 10. ' Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for 1 am thy God: I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness,' Ver. 11. 'Behold, all they that ar* incensed against thee, shall be ashamed, and confounded : they shall be as nothing, and they that strive with thee shall perish.' Ver. 1~. • Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, even them that contend with thee: and they that war against thee shall lie as nothing, and as a thing of nought.' Ver. 13. ' For 1 the Lord thy Cod will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, hear not. I will help thee.' Which has been well made out unto me in all things that 1 have met With. For since I was brought to prison I have been well helped of the Lord, that the fear of hell, death and the BTave. and the far of all ARTHUR TACQ.UET 513 things is taken away fully from me, that I am not afraid to venture upon a gibbet for my lovely Lord and Master's noble cause, and for his controverted truths ; and this I am really persuaded of, that the truths of God were never so much controverted as now. But I am pure of it, that the truths of God, when they are most controverted, ought to be most zealously owned by his people. I may well acquiesce and assent unto Psal. lxxiii. 23 — 25. ' Nevertheless I am continually with thee : thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee ? and there is none upon earth that I desire besides thee.' This I dare say, as in his sight, (my conscience bearing me witness) that there is nothing in heaven or in earth so uesirable unto my soul as precious Christ : for I am confident and persuaded, that this is his language to me, ' Arise and depart, for this is not your rest, because it is polluted:' As Paul says, 2 Cor. v. 1, ' For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands,' &c. And as Paul says, 1 Cor. xv. 50. ' Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God ; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.' I can clearly say by experience, that through Jesus Christ, whom I desire to take for my King, Priest, and Prophet, and my only Lord and Lawgiver, I have been made more than a conqueror over death, hell and the grave, and all things in this life. " Now, to come to show you the only head that my sentence of death is founded upon by men, it is mainly for my being in a-rms at Bothwell ; which was merely in defence of ourselves, and in defence of the gospel preached, and standing to the defence of the covenant of God, which the whole of the land was solemnly sworn and engaged to, with hands lifted up to the Most High God, and so bound to Stand to the defence thereof; for which I am unjustly sentenced to death by men, of which sentence I am not ashamed this day, but counts it my only glory, honour, and dignity, whilst he passed by such tall cedars, which is a matter of wonder and admiration to me. But as he has said in his word, ' In nothing be ye terrified by your adversaries, which is to them an evident token of perdition ; but to you of salvation, and that of God ; for it is not only given you to believe, but also to suffer for his sake ;' so suffering is a gift not given to every one ; and I desire to bless his name, with my whole heart and soul, that he has counted such a poor thing as I am worthy of the gift of suffering. " Now, this is to let you all know, worthy and dear Christian friends, that are desiring to keep the way of the Lord, that there was not one word, of all they interrogate me upon, in the sentence of death that these bloody tyrants past against me, but only for being in arms at Bothwell-bridge. And let none think that I am sentenced to death upon the head, for which I was so cruelly threatened with torture by these bloody tyrants, which was, for being at the Blackloch, — and because I would not declare who was the minister, and what persons I knew. And thoutrh men have, by a permissive and limited power, passed a 35 ' 2 M M4 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. sentence of death against me, to take away my natural life,, this I know, and am persuaded of, that there is a Judge above, who has passed a sentence of life in heaven unto my soul this day, which shall never be recalled or reversed again, which is my only encouragement ; and this ^ie has promised to as many as believe in him, to { give them everlast- ing life : these that suffer with him, shall reign with him ; and these that be dead with him, shall live with him also :' as Paul says, in Rom. x. 9. ' if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart, that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.' ver. 10. ' For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' For the scripture saith, ' Whosoever believeth in him shall not be ashamed ;' which is my only comfort, and a noble sweet encouragement for me. And this he hath promised in his word, that 'he shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.' I have found by my experience, that the Lord my God has sweetly and gently led me through the greatest difficulties that I have been trysted with since he made choice of me to suffer for his noble cause. O if ye knew what of his love I have met with, and what sweet ingredients of the Lord's matchless love has been intermixed and put in my cup, ye would not be afraid to venture upon the sweet cross of Christ, which has been made sweet and easy unto me.*' XLIII. THOMAS HARKNESS AND OTHERS. T Thomas Harkness was one of three individuals who were executed together on the 15th of August, 1684. Being a resident of Locker- bane, in Dumfriesshire ; lie with his two companions, Andrew Clark- from the parish of Crawford, and Samuel M'Ewen, from Glencairn, belonged to a district of Scotland which has yielded many martyrs to the Scaffold. They were apprehended by Claverhouse and his party, in the parish of Closeburn, when sleeping in the fields, a few * Because the heads of truth this martyr gives his testimony to. ami the defec- tions he witnessed against, are much the same with the preceding testimonies; therefore to avoid all Impertinent repetition they are omitted, lie is both full and accurate, passing by nothing of the heads of sin and duty, which at that time were controverted: particularly (which hath not been met with in any of the former) he gives his hearty testimony to that faithful and called minister of Jesus Christ, Mr. James Henwick, for his holding up the fallen down banner of our Lord, and jeoparding his life in the open Gelds; although some are pleased to say, that he is not lawfully called and ordained to the ministry, hut that lie was admitted b\ the Erastian ministers of Holland ; such as Cocceians and Labadeans: but it is faith- fully witnessed, thai be was admitted without diem, and by the purest of the ministers of the church of 1 lollaml, according to the church of Scotland's discipline ami government, Covenants and t onfession of Faith. And he dies with a spirit < I meekness, declaring that he forgives his enemies all the wrongs they had done him. personally considered; though witnessing against the indignities which the; done to Christ, ami hi:u as a member of iliat body whereof I ' tiri-t is the bead. Ami whereas be was branded with disowning magistrates, he declares before God and the world, thai 1 wn i and allows of all magistrates, superior or inl i they are conform to the written word of God, and ous solemn covenants i they are ' a terror to i vil-doen . Mil :< I ; ;: •■ to tie in that do well. THOMAS HARKNESS AND OTHERS. 515 days after the rescue of the prisoners, at Enterkin-path, in which affair they were suspected of having a hand. Great severities were practised upon them. Being- wounded when taken, by the shot of the soldiers, they were not permitted to have their woum.'s dressed. In this state they were conveyed first to Lanark, and then to Edinburgh. When brought before the counsel, they firmly denied having been at the rescue of prisoners, above mentioned, but upon three of the soldiers, deponing that they had seen them, on that oc- casion and that the wounds they had upon them had been then re- ceived,— a statement which must have been obviously false — they were forthwith remitted to the justiciary court, condemned and ex- ecuted, on the very day on which they arrived in Edinburgh. The following short but interesting paper was left behind them, as their joint Testimony ; and there is added to it a letter addressed by one of them to a Friend, immediately after receiving sentence.] 1. Their Joint Testimony. " Dear friends and relations whatsoever, — We think it fit to ac- quaint you, that we bless the Lord, that ever we were ordained to give such a public testimony, who are so great sinners. Blessed be he that ever we were born to bear witness for him. And blessed be the Lord Jesus Christ, that ordained the gospel and the truths of it, which he sealed with his own blood, and many a worthy Christian gone be- fore us have sealed them. We were questioned for not owning the king's authority : We answered, That we owned all authority that is allowed by the written word of God, sealed by Christ's blood. Now, our dear friends, we entreat you to stand to the truth, and espe- cially all ye that are our own relations, and all that love and wait for the coming of Christ. He will come and will not tarry, and reward every one according to their deeds in the body. " We bless the Lord, we are not a whit discouraged, but content to lay down our lives with cheerfulness, and boldness, and courage ; and if we had a hundred lives, we would willingly quit with them all for the truth of Christ. Good news ! Christ is no worse than he promised. " Now we take our leave of all friends and acquaintances, and de- clare, we are heartily content with our lot, and that he hath brought us hither to witness for him and his truth. We leave our testimony against Popery, and all other false doctrine, that is not according to the Scrip- tures of the Old and New Testament, which is the only word of God. " Dear friends, be valiant for God, for he is as good as his promise, • He that overcometh, he will make a pillar in his temple.' Our time is short, and we have little to spare ; having got our sentence at one of the clock this afternoon, and are to die at five this day. And so we say no more ; but farewell all friends and relations. Welcoma heaven and Christ, and the cross for Christ's sake. " T. HARKNESS, A. CLARK, S. M'EWEN." 2. A Letter from S. M'Ewen to a Friend. " My dear friend, — I am this day to lay down my life, for adhering to the truth of God, and I bless his holy name that ever he honoured 51G TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. nit>, a poor country lad, having neither father nor mother to witness for him. And now I can set to my seal to all the truths in the Bible, Confessiou of Faith, Catechisms larger and shorter, National and Solemn League and Covenants, and all the protestations and declara- tions given by the poor remnant, agreeable to the same word of God. Though in much weakness, yet I love all that is for his glory, and desire you not to be discouraged, for I bless the Lord, I am heartily content with my lot. It was my desire, though most unworthy, to die a martyr; and I bless tile Lord, who lias granted me my desire. Now, this is the most joyful day ever 1 saw with my eyes. Farewell all earthly enjoyments, and friends in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ ; and farewell Glencairn, my native parish. Welcome my sweet Saviour, into thy hands I commit my spirit, ' for thou art he, O Jehovah, God of truth, who hast redeemed me.' SAMUEL M'EWEN." XLIV. JAMES NICHOL. [This was a very bold and zealous man, by profession a merchant, and belonging to the town of Peebles. Being in Edinburgh on business, he attended at the trial of the three preceding witnesses, on the 15th of August, 1684 ; and was deeply affected by the result. Thus excited he was, in the act of taking his horse, to proceed home, when they were brought into the Grassmarket for execu- tion. He waited and beheld their sufferings, unto death ; and upon leaving the bloody scene, exclaimed, in the bitterness of his spirit, within hearing of those around him — " These kine of Bashan have pushed these three good men to death, at one push, contrary to their own base laws, in a most inhuman manner." Upon this he was immediately seized and carried to prison ; and being, a day or two after, brought before the Council, and examined, was on the 27th of said month, remitted to the Justiciary. His own confession was the only proof of the crimes laid to his charge — namely, that lie was at Bothwell, and acknowledged the Sanquhar Declaration, and that published at Itutherglen ; and the Assize having found him guilty of treason, he was forthwith condemned, and on the same day executed, between two and four o'clock. His Testimony is as follows:*] • Along with Mr. Nichol, there seems to hscs e been tried, condemned an> Hamilton, and met with great severity when carried from thence t<> Edinburgh, from the soldiers, who took from him his \y\j, ; and he rode must of the wa\ with his hue Bhaven head, and his foot tied beneath the horse's belly. This good man, was distemperedi and much crazed in his judgment, for five years before he w.is taken, through a harp and seven- exercise of spirit, he had Ihth under. However, when upon any serious conversation, oral reading or prayer, his distemper was scarce am waj observable, but when out of these exercises, he was perfectly restless, wrote Utters and threw them out at the windows, and cast them t.i the ■ thai all in the prison observed it. His fellow prisoners cautl '1 him a> much as possibly they could, when he was railed before the Council. When there his am not out of the road j and when he came back from the Council and Justiciar) In- of the Lord't goodne to him, and - lid to hit Wlo I JAMES NICIIOL. 517 1. His Interrogations before the Council. " First, I was interrogated by two in a room privately thus. Q. Was you at Bothwell-bridge ? A. I am not bound to be my own accuser. I am not (said one of them) to desire you, but only say, upon your honest word, that you were not there. A. I am not bound to satisfy you, but prove what you have to say against me, and especially you, till I come before my accusers. Well, said he, I am one of them. Then I answered, I was there. Q. How came you to rise in arms against the king ? A. Because he has broken the Covenant of the Lord my God. Q. Was the prelate's death murder ? A. No, it was not murder. Q. Was Hackstoun's death murder ? A. That it was indeed. Q. How dare ye own the Covenant, seeing the king gave orders to burn it by the hands of the hangman ? A. Yes, I dare own it ; for although ye should escape the hand of men for so doing, yet ye shall all pay for it ere all be done, and that to purpose : as for me I would not do it for the whole earth. Then I was interrogated by other two, who asked some frivolous questions, which I baffled to silence. Then I was brought in before the bloody crew. What now, Sir, said they, do ye own the king's authority? A. I own all things that the precious word of God owns in less or more, and all faithful magistrates. Q. But do you not own king Charles also ? A. I dare not for a world, because it is perjury, for he has unkinged himself in a high degree, and that in doing all things contrary to the word of God and Confession of Faith, and Catechisms Larger and Shorter. Q. Know ye to whom ye are speaking ? A. I know I am before men. But (said one of them) ye are speaking to the chancellor and members of council, Sir. But, said I, I have told you already that he has unkinged himself, and so have ye degraded yourselves from being princes. Q. If the king were here, what would you say, Sir ? A. I know how I ought to speak to the king, if he were king ; Sir, is ordinarily said to him : and so to let you know that I am no Quaker, or erroneous in any thing-, but a pure Presbyterian, and of a gospel apostolic spirit, I call you Sirs, because ye are noblemen by birth, but not because ye are my judges. Q. Will ye not say, God bless the king's majesty ? A.I dare not bless them whom God hath rejected : ' If any man bring another doctrine than ye have received, bid him not God speed, nor receive him into your house,' 2 John 10. and Psal. xvi. near the beginning, says David, ' Their drink-offerings will I not offer, nor take up their names in my lips,' viz. them that hasten after other gods, and therefore I dare not pray for him. Q. And will ye not pray for him ? A. If he belong to been given to him in that hoar, who was a poor foolish creature, who had much lost the use of his reason. He was one of them who escaped out of the Cannon- gate Tolbooth, and would not have been known, if he had not himself told to the soldiers who were ranging up and down, that he had broken the Tolbooth. He was most barbarously used when sent back to prison, and his arms were tied, and his whole body miserably racked. This he bore with great patience. He said that extreme pain would be intolerable, if eternal, but he was now near the Crown, and rejoiced in the full assurance of it. " Next day he was carried before the Justiciary, and sentenced and straigh executed, with James Nichol. I have been the larger on this man's circumstances, because much of the power of God and rage of man, must be observed about him," Wodrow, Vol. II. pp. 3S7 — S. 518 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. the election of grace, he hath a part of my prayers : and also if he were a king that had kept covenant with God, I would give him a double share, and make mention of his name, but he is an apostate. (So, my friends, they looked still one to another at every question and answer). Q. How old are you, Sir? A. I am fifty-one years. Q. How dare you own the Covenants, seeing we have burnt them by the hand of the hangman ? A. Sir, I dare own them upon all perils whatso- ever, to the utmost of my power, all the days of my life. And with that they smiled, and laughed one to another, and to me, and said, my days were near an end. I said, I am now in your power, but if ye take my blood, ye shall take innocent blood upon yourselves ; as in Jer. xxvi. 14, 15. 'As for me, behold, I am in your hand; do with me as seemeth good and meet unto you. But know ye for certain, that if ye put me to death, ye shall surely bring innocent blood upon your- selves, and upon this city, and upon the inhabitants thereof.' And as for me, if ye take my blood, it is as innocent blood as ever ye did take ; for I did never wrong any man to this day. Q. Do ye go to the church ? A. I went ay to the church, where I could get any faithful minister to go to : but for your prelate's kirks, and Baal's priests, I never heard any of them, and I never intend to do, if I were to live an hundred years. But, said they, ye shall not live long now, Sir. Q. How do you prove by the Scripture what ye say against the prelates ? A. By man) Scriptures ; ' The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and they that exercise authority upon them, are called benefactors ; but it shall not be so among you ; but he that is greatest among you, shall be the servant of all :' not like your glutton, Epicurean, belly-god prelates, who are riding in coaches, in great pomp. But they would not suffer me to speak more, nor cite more places, but asked several questions, which 1 have not good memory of: only this word I said, concerning the tyrant. He was brought home by Mr. LiringStOO and others, and put into a nobler estate than any king in the whole world, crowned a covenanted king with the eternal God, to be for him, and to cany on his work and cause, he and his people ; which if he had con- tinued in, he would have been the greatest king in all lands and nations in the world, and would have been a terror to all the kings in Europe ; but now he hath made himself base, and a reproach to all the nations, so have all of you. And another reason why I dare not own him. or you either, is, because he and you have robbed Christ of his crown, although it be not in your potter to do it. They bade the guard take me away to the iron house, and put the irons on me, which they did r,u both my hands, so that I could write none till I got a mean to pat ; In m oil' the one hand. "Then on Tuesday they called me before them again, being ihe 19th day of this instant. Q, What say ye the day, do you adhere to all you said yesterday? A. I adhere to all and hail upon all perils what-oin- ever. . ' For he naith to Mos.s, (sir Hxod. xxxiii. li>.) I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy ; and I will have companion on whom I "ill havr compassion.' Ver. 16. ' So then it is not of him that willcth. nor of him JOHN NiSBET. 52© tbat runneth, but of God that showeth mercy.' 2 Thes. ii. 13. ' God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth.' Prov. viii. 30. ' Then was I by him, as one brought up with him : and I was daily his delight, rejoic- ing always before him. Rejoicing in the habitable part of his .iirth, and my delights were with the sons of men. Now therefore,' &c. to verse 36. Rom. viii. 29. ' For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called ; and whom he called, them he also justified ; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.' Ver. 35.,' Who shall separate us from the love of Christ ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, of peril, or sword ?' Ver. 37. ' Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors, through him that loved us.' Eph. i. 13. ' In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your sal- vation : in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise,' ver. 14. ' Which is t*~ earnest of our inheri- tance, until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.' 2 Tim. i. 9. ' Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling : not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began.' Tit. iii. 5. ' Not by works of righteousness which Ave have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.' Ver. 6. ' Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' 1 Cor. i. 9. ' God is faithful, by whom ye were called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.' Rom. iii. 24. ' Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ. Whom he hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.' And chap. iv. 6. « Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works.' Heb. ix. 14. 'How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit, offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.' 2 Cor. v. 19. ' To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their tres- passes unto them.' Eph. iii. 17. ' That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love,' &c. Gal. ii. 16. ' Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ; even we have believed in Jesus, tbat we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law shall no fiesh be justified. Rom. v. 17. 'For by one man's offence, death reigned by one, much more they which receive abundance of grace, and of the gift of right- eousness, shall reign in life by one Jesus Christ.' John vi. 37. ' All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me ; and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out.' Ver. 39. ' And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which lie hath given me, I should 62G TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. lose nothing, but should raise it, up again at the last day.' Rom. xiv 17. ' For the kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but righteous- ness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.' Chap. viii. 1. ' There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.' 1 John v. 13. ' These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.' Eph. iv. 23. ' And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.' Philip, iii. 9. ' And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.' Ver. 10. ' That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conform- able unto his death.' Rom. vi. 4. ' Therefore we are buried with him by baptism unto death, that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father : even so we also should walk in newness of life.' Prov. iv. 18. • But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.' Philip, i. G. ' Be confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.' Psalm lxxxix. 33. ' Nevertheless, my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.' Rom. v. ' There- fore being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.' 1 Pet. i. 5. ' Who are kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time.' Rom. viii. 17. 'And if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, thiit we also may be glorified together.' Chap. i. 1G. ' For I am not ashamed of tin- gospel of Christ ; for it is the power of God unto salvation, to every one that belie veth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.' Col', i. 29. ' To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.' Matth. xi. 29. ' Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart ; and ye shall find rest unto your souls.' Psalm lv. 22. ' Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee ; he will never sutler the righteous to be moved.' 2 Cor. x. 4. ' For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds.' Fsabn lvii. 2. ' I will Cry onto God m Wrt high; unto God that performed ail things for me.' l'rov. xxvii. IS. ' He that covered) bia bibb, shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them, shall have mercy. Psalm lix. 16. ' But I will sing of thy power: yea. I will Bing tlomd of thv mercy in the morning; for thou hast been my defence an.' refuge in the day of my trouble. I'nto thee, () my Btre will 1 sing: for c '. ' These were they which were not denied with women, for they are virgins ; these are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth, these were redeemed from among men, being the first fruits unto God, and unto the Lamb.' Ver. 5. ' And in their mouth was found no guile ; for they are without fault before the throne of God.' Jude ver. 3. ' Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation ; it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you, that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.' Eph. vi. 10. ' Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.' Ver. 11. ' Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.' Ver. 12. ' For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in nigh places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand. Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness. And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye sliall be able to quenc all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.' " And scare not at his sweet, lovely, and desirable cross ; for although I have not been able, because of my wounds, (that 1 received at my taking) to lift up or lay down my head, but as I was helped, yet I was never in better case all my life ; he has not given me one challenge since I came to prison, for any thing less or more; but on tne contrary, he lias so wonderfully sbined on me with the Bense of his redeeming, strengthening, assisting, supporting, through-bearing, pardon- ing, and reconciling love, grace and mercy, that my soul doth long to be freed of bodily infirmities and earthly organs, so that 1 may (lee t<- his royal palace, even the heavenly habitation of my God, where I am sure of a crown pur on my head, and a palm put in my hand, and :> new song put in my mouth, even the song ol and the ' JAMES REN WICK. 535 that so I may bless, praise, magnify, and extol Iiim for what he hath done to me, and for me. Wherefore I bid farewell to all my dear fellow-sufferers, for the testimony of Jesus, who are wandering in dens nnd caves. Farewell my children, study holiness in all your ways, and praise the Lord for what he hath done for me, and tell all my Christian friends to praise him on that account. Farewell sweet Bible, and wanderings and contendings for truth. Welcome death ; welcome the city of my God, where I shall see him, and be enabled to serve him eternally with full freedom ; welcome blessed company, and angels, and spirits of just men made perfect. But above all, Welcome, welcome, welcome our glorious and alone God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, into thy hands I commit my spirit, for thou art worthy. Amen. Sic sub JOHN NISBET."* XLVI. JAMES RENWICK. [[This eminent martyr was the last who suffered publicly at this trying period of the history of the church. And it has been generally admitted, that the sacrificing of this worthy, was one great mean in the hand of providence, of bringine; to a close the barbarous deeds of the times, and checking the bloodthirsty dispositions of those who swayed the sceptre of power. From the very commencement of Ins public career, he wa9 persecuted and hunted from place to place, with all the rigour and hellish fury that malice could suggest — and it was only from his anxiety to do good to the cause that long before the time he suffered he did not lay down his life, which was rendered sufficiently miserable by the persecutions of his enemies. After about four years of cne continued series of privations, he was discovered in Edinburgh, by a tide-waiter who overheard the pious man at his devotions, and suspecting it to be Renwick gave the alarm, and had him seized. He was then hurried to prison, and henceforth tried and executed, in the Grassmarket, 17th February, 1688. The first of the following testimonies he drew up in the name of " some persecuted ministers of the gospel," but having been very soon there- after seized, he admitted it his own composition, and as it bore out his sentiments more fully than could be expected for him, to prepare after he was imprisoned, he left it as one of his own testimonies.] 1. His Testimony, written before his Imprisonment. " It was ever reckoned the renown of the church of Scotland, though now brought very low, and like to be lost as a prey in the dragon's mouth, that Christ's conquest of that land which the Roman legions while heathenish could not subdue, among the first-fruits of the Gentiles. And when overcome, and long over-run by Roman locusts when antichristian, his glorious outstretched arm did emancipate and redeem his inheritance from the bondage of Antichrist, unto such a 536 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. pitch of reformation iu doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, that it became a pattern to other churches, and had this prerogative above them all, that at once and from the beginning, nothing was left unremoved or unreformed, that ever flowed from the man of sin : and every part of the reformation was regulated by the measuring line of the sanctuary, the word of God : and not only established by righteous and laudable laws ratifying the same, with the sanction of the penal statutes against the enemies thereof; but confirmed with the strictest engagements to preserve and promote it, in the national and solemn league and covenant, whereby Scotland became the inheritance of the prince of the kings of the earth, by manifold and undoubted rights, by his Father's grant, by his own purchase, and by our own solemn surrender and dedication by covenant ; whereof ever since he took infeftment, he hath continued his possession, and maintained his title by the testimonies of his witnesses against all invasions thereupon, through all the periods of this church, which also hath ever been reputed the glory of this reformed and covenanted church, that nothing- was ever attempted against any part of her reformation, but was faith- fully witnessed against by ministers and professors, from time to time : especially from its first establishment, and abolition of popery, no essay could ever be made to introduce, or procure the toleration of any of its superstitious fopperies, but the zeal of the Lord's wituesses was found to flame against it, with a peculiarity of fervour. " It was never known in Scotland, before this last fatal degeneration, that ever a favour could be obtained to papists to practise their idola- tries, without a resolute protestation against it ; much less was it ever heard, that the open profession of it, should not only be allowed with- out control, but applauded in the congratulatory addresses of some called Protestants and Presbyterians, for a toleration declaredly designed to introduce it. The addresses of Protestants on such an occasion, used to run in another strain. There is one dated May 27th, 1561, presented to the council, ' Showing that honesty craved them, and conscience moved them to make the secrets of their hearts patent ; which was, that before ever these tyrants and dumb dogs empire over them, they were fully determined to hazard life, and whatsoever they had received of God in temporal things : and that these enemies of God might assure themselves, that if the council put not order to them, they should shortly take such order, that they shall neither lie- able to do what they list, neither yet live upon the sweet of the brows of such as are no debtors to them.' Nor were ever wanting in their warnings and witnessings against the least remissness in zeal against Papists, or any tendency towards favouring them: as* when the mis- chievous Mary, returning from France, set up the mass but ID her own family, the godly at that time gave plain signification that they could not abide, that the land which God by his power had purged from idolatry should in their eyes lie polluted again, and that idol lie suffered again to take place in this realm. And a proclamation being then emitted in protect the queen's domestic servants that were Papists, there was not wanting a peremptory protestation against it. Thai if any of her sei shall commit idolatry, say muss, participate therewith, or take the defence JAMES RENWICK. 037 thereof, in that case this proclamation should not be extended to them, nor be a safeguard to them in that behalf, no more than if they commit murder; but that it may be lawful to inflict upon them the pains contained in God's word against idolaters, wherever they might be apprehended without favour. Mr. Knox had such an impression of the danger of such a toleration, that he counted it a joining hands with idolatry. And declared that one mass was more fearful to him, than if ten thousand armed enemies were landed of purpose to suppress the whole religion, for, said he, in our God there is strength to resist and con- found multitudes, if we unfeignedly depend upon him ; but when we join hands with idolatry, it is no doubt, but both God's amiable presence, and comfortable defence will leave us, and what shall then become of us ? Therefore in the reign of king James VI. upon the discovery of the plots of the popish lords conspiring with the king of Spain, who yet favoured by the king's indulgence, it was resolutely declared by Mr. Davidson, that it savoured much of defection in those days, that such notorious rebels to God, and the country, should be so treated with ; and that a door should not be opened to God's enemies. And when a convention in Falkland was consulting to call home these conspiring traitors, Mr. Andrew Melvin thought it his duty to go thither uncalled, and when rebuked by the king for his boldness, took the confidence to charge him and the estates in the name of Christ and his church, not to favour Christ's enemies whom he hateth, nor go about to make citizens of these who have traitorously sought to betray their city and native country, with the overthrow of Christ's kingdom. And to challenge them with treason against Christ, his church, and the country, in that purpose they were about. Afterwards when the covenanted reformation was upon the ascendant, and meeting with multifarious assaults from all hands, how impartiil and uniform the witness of the faithful was against the toleration of pernicious errors, the warnings and testimonies of the general assemblies do evidence beyond contradiction. And after the invasion of the sectaries, the testimony of sundry ministers of the gospel in the provinces of Perth and Fife against their vast toleration is yet in the hands, and recent in tiie hearts of these that desire to retain former principles : besides the many writings of truth's champions against it, which are yet on record. This hath been the constant tenor of the testimonies of the witnesses of Christ, ever before this woful and wretched catastrophe, which casts an indelible infamy on the shameful security, and stupidity of the present generation — that having received such an excellent testimony, deposited and transmitted to us through a continued tract of witnessing* and wrestlings of our worthy ancestors, now to let it slip and slide through our feeble fingers. Whereby as we have forfeited the honour of being esteemed the offspring of such heroes, (while we not oidy suffer and consent to, but congratulate and applaud the introduction and establishment, at least do embrace and close with that which is introductive of idolatry and tyranny, popery and the slavery, they built with so great expense) so we may fear the curse of posterity for interrupting the propagation of so excellent a testimony to succeeding generations. When they shall read the fiVltering and fawning 37 2 0 538 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. addresses of this age to, and of their so hasty and hungry embrace- ments of, ensnaring and destructive favours, from an antichristian tyrant, so palpably designed for, and so properly and natively tending towards the undermining and overturning of the reformation, they will disdaiu and disown such for their fathers, with indignation at their memory, for such disorderly and dastardly yieldings. < O ! let it not be idld in Gath, nor published in the streets of Askelon,' that the ministei s are bo far- degenerate. Alas ! all that hear of them will hiss at tl.em for this, that as liny had been silent and omitted a seasonable testimony against abjured prelacy, and blasphemous supre- macy, when these were introduced ; so now also even when this mystery and conspiracy of popery and tyranny twisted together in the present design of antichrist, had made so great a progress, and was evidently brought above board : so except what was endeavoured in a protestation emitted at Sanquhar, May 28th, 1685, (which here we homologate) the generality were left to forego this opportunity of a testimony also, to the reproach of the sometimes renowned church of Scotland. Yea, the very rabble may arise in judgment against them in that they testified their detestation of the first erection of the idolatrous mass ; and some of the soldiery, and such as had no pro- fession of religion, suffered unto death for speaking agajinst popery, and the design of the king, while the ministers were silent : and some of the curates, and members of the late parliament, made some stickling against Papists, while the Presbyterians, from whom might have been expected greater opposition, were sleeping in a profound submission. Wherefore, though we be very insignificant nothings, and therefore both uncapable and unworthy to aim at supplying this vacancy of a testimony, and dare not aspire unto the presumption of thinking to fulfil it, with any proportion to the moment and merit of the matter of this case of confession ; yet considering the weight and worth, profit and price of those truths, now committed to us to testify and suffer for; our indisputable duty as ministers and members of this church ; the indispensable obligation of our holy covenants ; the imminent dangers, imminent on the land, apparently inevitable, if not prevented by giving and taking tir.ious warning : we cannot, must not, dare not forbear to offer our mite of a testimony, for the present preeiotlS word of our Lord's patience, and the covenanted reformation of Scotland, in doctrine, worship, discipline, and government ; and against all the injuries, insolent indignities, and audacious encroach- ments, done unto, and made upon the same, by which God is highly dishonoured, the throne of his glory affronted, the kingdom of his Son undermined, and many souls dreadfully involved in the guilt of this confederacy against him. And so much the more confidence we have, and necessity we find, to prompt to this undertaking, that both this duty is abandoned by others, and Imposed upon us by reason of the still continuing and growing persecution incessantly pursuing US, with- out relenting, notwithstanding others are flattered with prctcei • (•leniency, and tenderness to conscience, which \< both encoiiragin engaging to us to maintain this testimony lor which we sutler, and uemg so sequestered from others, and sepafVM ( we say not from the JAMES RENWICK. 539 benefit, but- from the snare and curse of this toleration by the late proclamations against us, we take the more boldness, and have the more advantage to speak our minds, that what we say, as it is not by communication with others, so it cannot endanger any but ourselves. And for what danger we may be exposed to upon this so honourable account, we are not careful in this matter : our God is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and if not, we think it rather a matter to be ambitious of, than of shame or fear, to be endangered thereupon. " The present invader of the regal power, in his proclamation of the 20th of February last past, 1687, hath by his sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, which he requires all his sub- jects to obey without reserve, granted a toleration to papists, to quakers, and to moderate presbyterians, under certain restrictions and limitations. In which proclamation the moderate presbyterians are tolerate only to meet in their private houses, and only to hear such ministers who accept of this indulgence, and none other (whereby all adhering to old presbyterian principles and protestations against such a vast toleration are excluded, and such admitted to be heard who have receded from them) who are thereby obliged to say or do nothing contrary to the peace of h's reign, seditious, or treasonahle, under the highest pains these crimes will import, — and consequently must not declare that part of the counsel of God, which concerns his antichris- tian enemies, but consent that faithfulness to Christ be reputed a crime. Nor are they to presume to build meeting-houses, or to use out-houses or barns, but content themselves with the confinements whereunto they are restricted in preaching the gospel. In the mean- time, all preachers, assisters, and connivers at field-meetings are to be persecuted according to the utmost severity of the laws made against them. Nevertheless, all laws or acts of parliament, customs or con- stitutions, made or executed against any of the popish way, are suspended, stopped, and disabled, and consequently all the legal establishments of the protestant religion are unhinged so that they shall be in all respects as free as any protestants whatsoever, not only 1o exercise their religion, but to enjoy all offices, benefices, &c. which he shall think fit to bestow upon them in all time coming whereby he may put in any popish priest, in any parish church, when he pleases. Wherein also he claims a power of racuating and annulling heritable rights and by that same power may invade men's heritable properties, when he is pleased so to exert his absoluteness and of casting and discharging all former oaths : and in place of all, substitut- ing a new one, wherein he requires all his subjects, or such of them as he or his council shall please, to swear that they acknowledge him to be rightful king and supreme governor of the three realms, and over all persons therein. Not over all causes, for the ecclesiastical supremacy is restored to antichrist from whom it was borrowed, and for which there is no use at present, absolute power may do the turn as well as this, that they hold it unlawful for subjects on any pretence, or for any cause whatsoever, even though he should command his popish Janizaries to massacre all protestants, which is the tender mercy and 5i0 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. burning fervent charity of papists, to rise in arms against him, and that thev shall never practice, or assist the practisers of the same. Also, that they shall never resist I119 power, nor oppose his authority to his person, which is the compend of all the former oaths, and further com- prehends an engagement to justify all his personal administrations, though never so outrageous, as acts of lawful authority ; but upon the other hand shall to the utmost of their power, defend and maintain him, his heirs and successors, in the exercise of their absolute power and authority, against all deadly. Where they are to engage not only to own his power, paramount and transcendant to all law divine and human, and to mancipate their religion and reason with all their religious and civil liberties, to the lustful rage, and unbridled will of a tyrant ; but if he should erect the formal and direct worship of devils, and bring ail their necks under the bow-string, they must neither resist it, nor contradict it, but upon the other hand actively concur with him, in doing all his will to the greatest excess of riot ; and must become executioners of their fathers, mothers, wives, and children, if it shall please him to put forth his absolute power in that exercise : for herein he claims, and hereby is given a power to command what he will, and obliging subjects to obey whatsoever he will command, to obey absolutely, without reserve of conscience, religion, honour, honesty, or reason : which proclaims him in whose name the proclamation is emitted, the greatest tyrant that ever lived in the world, far surmounting all the lust, impudence, and insolence of any Roman, Sicilian, Turkish, Tartarian, or Indian tyrant, that ever trampled upon the liberties of mankind. " But he found this, proclamation was not well approven, because of the palpable odiousness of this oath ; therefore, to mend the matter, in a letter to the council (dated March 31st, 1687, the supreme law at present) he granted to all that should desire on these terms, the benefit of the said indulgence, without being obliged to take the oath, during his pleasure only, or so long as the council should find them behave themselves regularly and peaceably, without giving cause of offence to him. or any in authority or trust under him. By which none of the former restrictions are taken away (the oath only excepted) but further explained, that they shall not only say or do nothing contrary to the peace of his reign, seditious or treasonable, but that they behave them- selves regularly and peaceably, without giving any cause of offence to him, which comprehends lesser offences than sedition or treason, even every thing that will displease a tyrant, and a papist, that is all faith- fulness in seasonable duties or testimonies. But taking to his con- sideration that some may easily put such interpretations upon his fore- said proclamation as may discover his drift and design ; and lest his different procedure in this project with England and Scotland should make his pretences to conscience lie suspected of treachery ; therefore he hath fallen on a more plausible way, and given forth a more smooth proclamation, of the date the 'iSth of June the same year, BUperatTUCted upon the Former, in which are further explications but not taking off el former restrictions (except the oath) seeing he further declares, that by the Bamc sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, JAMES RENWICK. 541 1 e suspends, stops, and disables all penal laws. And to the end that by the liberty thereby granted, the peace and security of his govern- ment, in the practice thereof, may not be endangered — that his tyranny may be secured in the peaceable possession of all his encroach- ments upon our religion, laws, and liberties, in the practice of this toleration — he gives his subjects leave to meet and serve God after their own way and manner (every way which is their own, and according to their model, if it be not in Christ's way) in private houses, chapels, or hired places, so that they take care that nothing be preached or taught, which may any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from him or his government, and consequently no faithful warning must be given of the sins, duties, or dangers of these times, or testi- mony against the wickedness of this toleration, or the wickedness of the tolerator, by any that accept it, for these would be interpreted to have a tendency to alienate from the government. And that their meetings be held suitably to this commenced confederacy with antichrist, who here requires of all who take the benefit of the present truce with him, and binding to the good behaviour and publicly all persons freely admitted to them, which is for the informing trade, that Jesuits may have access to observe and delate how the instructions are kept. And that they signify to some of the next privy counsellors, sheriffs, &c. what places are set apart for the uses, with the names of the preachers (whereby they af i restricted to the terms of a formal bargain, and must have their lease and license for every place of preaching, and no persons are admitted, but such as give up their names, excluding hereby all that for any measure of faithfulness in duty are obnoxious to their wicked laws) in the meantime field meet- ings are strictly prohibited, and all laws and acts of parliament are left in full force and vigour against them ; for which now he says after this favour, surpassing the hopes, and equalling the very wishes of the most zealously concerned, there is no shadow of excuse left : which may hold too true of some, who by this acceptance discover their hopes and wishes, and zeal to be bent upon peattf rather than truth, ease rather than duty, and their own things rathe, than the things of Christ : but as for us, it some way answers our fears, and corresponds with our jealousies ; and therefore while others are jealousing under the shadow of such a bramble, we think it matter of mourning, not because we are excluded from the benefit of it, but that so many are included in the guilt of it, and exposed to the curse of it; and do look upon it as a seasonable and necessary testimony for the cause of Christ, and the interest of the protestant religion, and the laws and liberties of the country, all overturned and subverted by this toleration, to keep our meetings as in former times in the open fields, whither his tyranny hath driven us. But these who are carrying on wicked designs know not what cour.se to take as most effectual for gaining their ends, and do change their methods so oft as they change their thoughts about the means most, apparently successful : so he hath again thought fit to give out another proclamation of the date the fifth day of October, the foresaid year, declaring not only that all persons, preachers, and hearers that are 542 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. present at any meeting in the open fields (which are their greatest eye- sore, because the rights of the crown and kingdom of Christ are there pleaded, asserted, and vindicated) but also all dissenting ministers who shall take upon them to preach in houses, without observing the fore- said directions, as are prescribed by the late proclamation, shall be also prosecuted with the utmost rigour and severity that their laws will allow. Which directions are that nothing be preached or taught among them, which may any way tend to alienate the hearts of the people from this absolute and incontrollable monarch or his government, and that their meetings be peaceably, openly, and publicly held, and all persons freely admitted to them ; and that they do signify and make known to some one or more of his privy counsellors, sheriffs, stewards, bailies, justices of peace, or magistrates of royal boroughs, what place or places they set apart for these uses, with the names of the preachers. And to make all sure, he requireth every one of his foresaid officers, to whom such intimation shall be made, to send to the clerks of the privy council, once every month, the names and surnames of the preachers, and the times and places of their meetings. In all this unexpected clemency (as he terms it) not satisfying himself with what he hath delivered against field meetings, in the foresaid proclamations concerning them, he giveth out yet another of the date the 18th of October last, against such meet- ings, calling such assemblies for the worship of God rendezvouses of rebellion, authorizing all officers, civil and military, to apprehend, secure in firmance the persons of some ministers, and for encouragement, ensures them the sum of £100 sterling for each of these ministers: a goodly price, wherewith not only they, but their master and message are prized, and put upon some, who ever since the first of these proclama- tions have been so unhappy as to be innocent of these things laid to their charge, being out of the kingdom, and so out of capacity to concur in that duty of carrying and following Christ's standard in the preached gospel, indispensably required of all his confessors thai an' in it. Which as it proclaims the manifest impudence of those lies, where- with the proclamation is stuffed ; so it may provoke all who are touched with zeal against the indignities done to Christ, and would be accounted among his faithful witnesses, against the present antichristian design, to an ambition of exposing themselves to the reproach of such lying mouths, the greatest honour of the servants of Christ. " Having now in this delineation of the foresaid proclamations, already discovered somewhat of the obvious iniquity of the present design against the covenanted reformation, we shall now proceed to offer our testimony for the same against the present attempts to ruin and raze it. And therefore in the first place, testify against the tolera- tion ; and next for the obligation of our covenants, and the necessity and expediency of keeping our meetings in the fields, the suppression of which being one of the wicked designs of the toleration, that sus- pends other laws, but leaves all in force and vigour against these. M But ere we begin with the fust of these, that we may clear the matter, prevent mistakes, am! preoccupy objection-, we must prcmit : 1. That lawful magistrates are placed in the commonwealth by Cod, ivernorof the whole world, to be a terror to evil-doers, and JAMES UElsWICix. 513 a praise to them that do well ; so they ride not for men, hut for God, witli whom is no iniquity : hut as tyrants and usurpers have no more interest in this than robbers have in the authorization of rightful pro prieties ; so where magistrates are lawful, and acting- lawfully, they will find it their duty to he a terror to these evil doers who are now toler- ated, and a praise to them who are now persecuted. 2. We cheer- fully subscrihe to that article of our Confession of Faith, chap. 23. § 4, That infidelity or difference in religion doth not make void the magis- trate's just and legal authority, nor free the people from the due obedience to him : but we think it no way inconsistent therewith to say with Naphtali p. 2G. prior edit. Let the words be considered, and we are confident, that no sober man will think the acknowledgment of just and legal authority, and due obedience, a rational ground to infer that tyranny is thereby either allowed or privileged. Further, we grant all that is in the Confession, viz. Dominium non fundari in gratia ; yet this we assert, that a prince, who not only is of another religion, but an avowed enemy to, and overturner of the religion established by law, and intending and endeavouring to introduce a heretical, false, blasphemous, and idolatrous religion, can claim no just and legal authority ; but in this case, the people may very lawfully decline his pretended, usurped authority. For though infidelity or difference of religion, does not make void authority where it is law- fully invested with consent of the people, and without encroachment on their religious and legal liberties ; yet it may incapacitate a person, and lawfully exclude him from authority over a Christian people, having the reformed religion established by law, and confirmed by solemn and national covenants, both according to the laws of the land, which do incapacitate a papist of all authority, supreme or subordinate ; and by the oath of coronation, which obliges all lungs at the reception of their princely authority, to make their faithful promise to maintain the true religion of Christ Jesus (by which ever since the framing of that oath, was meant only the protestant religion) and shall abolish and gainstand all false religions, &c. And consequently must not so much as tolerate popery, which no papists can engage, or be admitted to swear, according to the word of God, winch foibids expressly to set a stranger over us, who is not our brother, Dent. xvii. 15. : Which includes as well a stranger of a strange religion, as one of a strange country. This is not our notion only ; it is asserted by Dr. Guild in his exposition 2 Sam. v. 1, 2. Observe 5. p. 104. We infer the general rule of the election of magistrates, as well in regard of his qualities and form of election, as of the end wherefore he is to be elected. As for his qualities, 1. He must not be a stranger in birth, much less in religion, but must be of a conjunction natural and spirit* ual with them whom lie governeth, otherwise there can be no sympathy nor symbolizing between them. 2. He must be able to govern, which is called here to lead out and in. Next, the form of his election should be by common and voluntary consent, according to the constitution of the state, and oath or obligation of right administration, . the rule whereof should be the law of God, and positive constitutions of the realm, and last, the end should be to feed the people, caring that they 514 TESTIMONIES OK THE SCOTS WORTHIES- be spiritually fed with the food of life, and temporally, that they be not spoiled or bereft of their means of the life corporal ; to be their guider, protector, father, patron, and to have a regard to all necessities, as the good pastor hath to his sheep, and the father to his family. And before him, it is affirmed by famous Mr. Knox, whose four propositions as they are to be read in the account of his life, before his history in quarto, and prosecuted in his second blast, we shall here insert. 1. It is not birth only, nor propinquity of blood, that maketh a king law- fully to reign over a people professing Christ Jesus, and his eternal verity, but in his election, the ordinance which God hath established in the election of inferior judges must be observed. 2. No manifest idolater, nor notorious transgressor of God's holy precepts, ought to be promoted to any public regiment, honour, or dignity in any realm, pro- vince or city, that hath subjected themselves to Christ Jesus and his blessed evangel. 3. Neither can oath or promise bind any such people to obey and maintain tyrants against God, and his truth known. 4. But if rashly they have promoted any manifest wicked person, or yet ignorantly have chosen such an one, as after declareth himself unworthy of regiment above the people of God (and such be all idolaters and cruel persecutors) most justly may the same men depose and punish him, that unadvisedly before they did nominate, appoint, and elect. And besides we are to remember, the practice of these venerable divines, that penned that excellent Confession, how avowedly they pro- fessed, and prosecuted, and animated, and encouraged, the parliament to an opposition to the then king, abusing his authority to the detriment of religion and liberty, and to the obstruction of reformation : and the declared principle of the general assembly of this church, when they refused to concur in that unlawful engagement, for restoring of Charles the I. till security were had by solemn oath under his hand and seal, that he should for himself and successors give bis assent to all acts and bills, for enjoining presbyterian government, and never make opposition to it, nor endeavour any change thereof, July ult. 1(MS. sess. 21. And when they refused to admit Charles the II. to the exercise of his power, e.vcept he should take the covenant, as it is to be seen in their seasonable and necessary warning, July 27th, sess. :27ih, IG49. And in the Act of the 'West Kirk, August 13th, 1650, wherein they declare that they will not vavh him nor his interest, otherwise than with a subordination to God, and so far BS lie own, and prosecutes the cause of God, and disclaims bis and his father's opposition to the work of God, and to the covenant. Bv all these it is evident, that our renowned reformers, were not men of such a prin- ciple, as that people were bound to own, obey, and maintain a tyrant against God and his truth: and that neither the authors of our Con- fession of Faith in England, nor owners thereof in Scotland, did erer understand thai article so. as that a malignant enemy to our covenanted reformation, let be an idolatrous heretical enemy to the Christian religion, could be capable of bearing rule, or owned to be a ruler over the Lord's people in Britain and Ireland: and that could ground the entile loyalty BuperstTUCted upon it by the citizens ami inhabitants of Edinburgh and Canongate, that give oul themselves to be of the JAMES RENWICK. 545 byterian persuasion, and professed by them iu their address io the person and government of such an one as the Duke of York. 3. It is the right and duty of magistrates to use an imperative, coercive, and cumulative pow^r about church matters, in commanding ministers to do their ministerial duties, prescribed unto them, by their only Head and Master Christ ; in restraining idolatry, superstition, error, and profaneness ; in giving to the ambassadors of Christ their protections, and add their civil sanction to just and lawful ecclesiastical decrees And it is the duty of ministers to grant unto the magistrate all the foresaid power, and to be thankful to Go J, and grateful to them, for the benefit of the right exercise of it : and to pray for them, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. But for usurpers to assume to themselves a sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, to reverse their constitutions, tolerate idolatry, and allow meetings for gospel ordinances only with restric- tions to persons who may preach, places where they may preach, and matter what they shall preach, cannot be allowed by any, who dare not have a hand in betraying the church, and yielding to all such encroachments on her liberties : and to pray for the prosperity of tyrants, that we may be enslaved in our religion and liberty is a wicked thing. 4. It is indeed the honour of kings, and happiness of people, to have true, humane, and Christian liberty established in the common- wealth ; that is, liberty of persons from slavery, liberty of privileges from tyranny, and liberty of conscience from all impositions of men, consisting in a freedom from the doctrines, traditions, or the command- ments of men, against or beside the word of God, in the free enjoy- ment of gospel ordinances in purity and power, and in the free obser- vance and establishment of all his institutions of doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, in subordination to the only rule of con- science, the revealed will of its only lawgiver Jesus Christ. When this is ratified as a right, by the sanction of approven authority, and countenanced and encouraged as religion by the confirmation of laws, approving whatsoever ix commanded by the God of heaven, to be dona for the house of the God of heaven (which is the full amount of all magistrates' authority) then we are obliged to accept of it with al' thankful acceptation : but such a liberty as overturns our rights, our privileges, our religion, and tolerates it only under the notion of a crime, and indemnifies it under the notion of a fault to be pardoned, and allows the exercise thereof only in part, so and so modified, cannot be accepted by any to whom the reproach thereof is a burden, and to whom the reproaches of Christ are in esteem, in such a day, whea even the hoofs of Christ's interest, buried in bondage, are to be con- tended for. What liberty this may be to some consciences, it is none to the tpnder, according to the rule of conscience. 5. It is certain a magistrate ought to restore what right or liberty he hath robbed from the church, if it be the same liberty restored that, was taken away. Yea, we concede, if a magistrate shall grant a simple permission and liberty to the ministers of liie church, to exercise all the parts of their office, without any encroachment upon any kind of power seated in churches judicatories, and having no sinful tendency, ministers xa&y 38 2 P 546 TESTIMONIES OV THE SCOTS WORTHIES. lawfully improve it for the advancement of tlie kingdom of Jesus Christ : but this is so far from being the same that was taken away, that no part of it is restored a3 it was robbed, but so defaced and depraved with antichristian and tyrannical modifications, that none that adhere to Scotland's reformation, can receive it, as a part of that liberty wherewith Christ hath made them free. G. As it is ministers' duty, by virtue of their commission and charge from Christ to exercise all the parts of their office fully and freely, whether magistrates will or not ; so if we might have liberty so to exercise our function, in a freedom from civil restraints, we would willingly take and improve it. Yea, as we abhor the continued persecution against us, not eo much for the wrongs we sustain by it, as for the wickedness thereof; bo we detest: the extending of it against any for religion or conscience sake, or the offering violence to any man's conscience, and in a safe sense could allow that principle, which he would make the world believe to be his, who now seeks to withdraw all consciences from the true and only rule of it, that it ought not to be violated, or (as it is said in the English declaration) ' forced in matters of mere religion ; or that invincible necessity ought not to be used against any man on the account of his persuasion.' If his constant encroachments upon our lives, laws, and liberties, and all our interests as men and Christians, besides the hnoivn bloody tenets of papists did not manifest the impu- dence of this lying pretence, and if it were not notorious that even since this pretended liberty, many have been banished, imprisoned, and pursued, merely for conscience sake. And it must be great blindness not to see, and great boldness willingly to wink at, that double faced equivocation, in matters of mere religion, or using invincible necessity; by which he can elude when he pleases all these flattering promises of tenderness, by excepting at the most necessary and indispensable duties, if either they be such, wherein any other interest is concerned, besides mere religion ; or if the troubles sustained thereupon be not altogether invincible necessities. Hence the plain falsehood and double- ness of his assertions, as to what is past, may give ground to conclude his intended perfidy in promises of what is future. But to accept of a liberty clogged with encroachments upon the liberties of Christ's free kingdom, or either formally or interpretatively, directly or indirectly, to give way to a toleration of false idolatries or false ways of worship, is odious to all that know the rule of conscience. Though conscience is not to be forced either to religion or irreligion ; and religion is not to be propagated by force ; yet the open efforts and overt-acts, and pro- pagation of irreligion, atheism, idolatry, blasphemy, &c. ought to be restrained by force, and every person pretending to conscience, con- strained to give outward respect to the lawgiver and rule of conscience. And what liberty is either intended, or docs natively tend to tolerate what is dishonourable to God, or destructive to conscience, cannol be embraced by any who are tender in keeping a conscience void of offence towards God and man. H These things [/remitted : we come in the next place to declan testimony against the toh ration. ; h as it is simply and complexly considered, JAMES 11ENWICK. 647 11 First, Considering it simpV, we cannot but, testify against it. " 1. In regard that it doth palpably cross and contradict the will of God, revealed in the scriptures of truth. " 2. The commissioners of the general assembly did plainly and fully witness against the toleration that was in the bud, anno 1649. And the reverend assembly of divines at Westminster, have in the Larger Catechism, in the exposition of the second commandment, reckoned the toleration of false religion amongst the sins forbidden therein. And in. the Confession of Faith, chap. xx. § 4. asserted that such opinions or practices as are contrary to the light of nature, or the known principles of Christianity, or destructive to the external peace and order which Christ hath established in the church, they may be proceeded against, by the censures of the church, and by the power of the civil magistrate. And chap, xxiii. $ 3. That it is the magistrates' duty to take care, that the truth of God be kept pure and entire, that all blasphemy and Heresies be suppressed, all corruptions and abuses in worship and dis- cipline, prevented or reformed, and all the ordinances of God duly settled, administered, and observed. " 3. In regard that a toleration is utterly repugnant unto, and incon- sistent with, the indispensable oath of God in the national covenant very expressly condemning it, and more particularly the solemn league and covenant : it is not the way to maintain (nay cannot consist with maintaining) reformation, to carry on a uniformity to extirpate heresy, superstition, schism, profaneness, and whatsoever is contrary to sound doctrine, and the power of godliness ; to free our souls from the guilt of other men's sins, to make the Lord one, and his name one ; all which we are engaged and sworn unto in the presence of Almighty God, the searcher of all hearts, with a true intent to perform the same, as we shall answer at the great day, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed. " 4. In regard of the sad and sinful effects that it produceth, such as the growth and increase of heresy, superstition, and error, the profaning the Lord's day, the contempt and casting loose of church discipline, the subversion of souls, the offence of the godly and faithful : instead of reformation, deformation ; instead of the power of godliness, vain jang- ling ; instead of love, bitter heart burnings and jealousies ; instead of union, schism and division ; instead of peace, contention and strife ; and instead of government and order, anarchy and confusion, as it is elegantly held forth and evidenced by the ministers of Perth and Fife in their testimony. The General Assembly of our church, in their declaration and exhortation to their brethern in England, say, what is liberty of conscience, but liberty of error, scandal, schism, heresy dishonour of God, opposing the truth, hindering reformation, and seducing others. And the ministers of the county Palatine of Lancaster in their harmonious testimony against toleration, subscribed by them March 7th, 1647, do fitly add, that a toleration is the putting a sword into a mad man's hand, a cup of poison into the hand of a child, a letting loose of mad men with fire-brands in their hands, an appointing n city of refuge in men's consciences for the devil to flee to, a laying of the stumbling-block before the blind, a proclaiming liberty 548 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. to the wolves to come into Christ's fold to prey upon hi3 iambs, a toler» ation of soul-murder (the greatest murder of all other) and for the es- tablishing whereof, condemned souls in hell would accurse men on earth. CoulJ it be to provide for tender consciences, to take away all con- science : if evil be suffered, it will not suffer good : if error be not kept under, it will be superior. In fine, let any read Mr. Durham in his excellent treatise of scandal, particularly Part III. chap. ii. pp. 146, 147, and they will see how lie hohleth forth the toleration and suffering of error, to be a thing most hateful in itself, most hurtful in its conse- quences, and most displeasing to Christ : for if error (saith he) be an evil that thwarteth, both with God's holiness and truth : and hazardeth so many souls, (for never a plague hath so destroyed the face of the visible church, nor carried so many souls to hell, as error hath done) then the suffering of it cannot but be hateful to him who loveth his church. There is no way whereby the devil reproacheth ordinances, and the word, more than by this, by turning them to the quite contrary end, as if he would outshoot tlie Lord in Ins own bow, (which is abominable to mention) and invert his own means, and turn his own weapons upon him, and suffering of this is a conniving at his design. There is no way by which the devil may so get in on Christ's ser- vants to seduce them, as by this, as in the epistle to Thyatira is clear. And can there danger come so nigh Christ, and he be not displeased with what strengthened their snares. This i\o equal, yea, in some respect, prefer the devil to him, so far as in us lieth, and so cannot but provoke his jealousy : for so the devil hath liberty to vent his lies with truth equally : and there being many lies, though there be but one truth, lie hath by this more doors opened to him than the gospel hath. This doth make even the truth, ordinances, and religion itself, to be thought light of: when all these have toleration, it is on the matter a proclaiming an indifferency to be in these things ; than which, nothing can more reflect on the jealous God, who in his word putteth such a difference, and showeth such detestation at indifferency. This bring- eth huge confusions on the church : for, if these errors and cor- rupt teachers prevail, they cany souls after them and destroy them • and ought that to be thought light of? If they prevail not, yet thev cross, afflict, and offend them ; and so prove a snare and burden to them of whom the Lord is tender. Toleration doth either account little of error, as being no hurtful thing, and so there can be no esteem of truth ; or it doth account little of the destruction of souls ; both which must he abominable. Error dotli not only break God's law. but doth teat h others to do so; and suffering thereof musl be a maintaining of teach- ers to transgression and rebellion againsl the Lord. "Next, we witness againsl this present toh ration complexly consid- ered. In respect of the grantor, considered either as to morals, or religion, or relation. He is to all considering men. a person of that character, whose dainties are not to be desired ; and that when be speaketh is net to be believed : for there are Beven abominations in his heart, IVov. x.wi. 25. His plots and practices in his known BCCPI to the burning of London, 1666 ; in the popish plot, discovered 1 in the murder of the Larl of Essex, do give some specimen of hi* for- JAMES ItENWICK. 549 tner craft and cruelty, and of what further he may he suspected to in- tend as meritorious to atone for such villanies, to wit, the extirpation of the Protestant religion ; than which, in the esteem of Papists, nothing can be more meritorious: and for which he hath deserved to forfeit all' trust with men of knowledge and conscience. He is known of all to be an excommunicate Papist, and a sworn votary and vassal of Anti- christ, and enrolled hi the society of Jesuits ; and, therefore, being in his principles professedly treacherous, yea, obliged to be both treacher- ous and truculent, by that religion, he cannot be trusted in the least, concerns, let be those of such momentous consequence, without a stupid abandoning of conscience, reason, and experience. When both that, known principle, that no faith is to be kept to heretics, espoused by- all Papists, does to them justify all their lying dissimulations, equivo- cations and treacheries imaginable ; and that Lateran canon, that enjoins kings to destroy and extirpate heretics under the pain of excommunication, does oblige him to be cruel to Protestants, by him esteemed to be such. Besides that in his relation he cannot be looked upon as a rightful or righteous magistrate, by any that understands and considers the institu- tion, constitution, characters, and boundaries of that sacred ordinance, and knows by what dreadful and detestable means he usurped that place, who can say a confederacy unto, make transaction with, or take any security from such a granter, that expects the benefit of the Lord's sanctuary, Isa. viii. 12, 13. If it was the Shechemites' sin and shame to strengthen naughty Abimelech, and strengthen themselves under the shadow of his protection, Judges ix. 9. much more must it be to take protection for religion, as well as peace, from a man of cruelty and treachery. " In respect of its design : which he himself expresseth to be to unite the hearts of his subjects to him in loyalty, and to their neigh- bours in love : which is tp incline and induce them Ly flattery, to law- less loyalty, and a stupid contented slavery, and mane them actively co-operate, in setting up, and settling his tyranny in vhe undisturbed possession of all his usurpation: and to incorporate them with Babylon: for, who are the neighbours he would have them unite with in love, but the Papists, against whom all the lovers of Christ must profess irreconcilable enmity. But in the sense and sentiments of all sound and zealous Protestants, the design of the work and worker is to get onto himself an acknowledgment of all his blasphemous absoluteness, and to advance it over ail laws, in a way which will be best acquiesced in by the people, till he be so strengthened in it, that he fea.'s no control ; to get all the acceptors, one way or other, to operate with him in his popish and bloody ends : to get our penal laws against the subjects and promoters of Antichrist's kingdom, with the less contra- diction, stopped and disabled, which by this esteemed gracious grant, and grateful acceptance of it, he hath already effectuated. And now. by the same measures, he is encouraged to achieve the total rescinding and repeating of them. In the meantime his drift is very visible, and palpable to increase differences, divisions and animosities amongst Protestant? ; 10 hire these Presbyterians, whom he calletfi moderate, to commend his clemency, while he is exercising it in pillaging, 550 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES, plundering, hunting, apprehending, stigmatizing, banishing, and killing other conscientious nonconformists ; to stop the mouths of Protestants with this morsel of liberty while he is filling all the places of power and trust, with men devoted to his way, by taking off the penal laws, disabling them, and then when all power is in the hands of bloody Papists, none shall dare to mutter against the setting up of the public masses. And finally, he designs to infatuate the body of the land, and lull tliem asleep, by this intoxicating opium ; or at least to lay them by from all opposition, till he undermine and overturn the Protestant religion, and establish popery and slavery, which he intends either to accomplish by these smooth flatteries, by peace to overturn truth, and by getting the laws against the popish repealed, to make way for rescinding these for the Protestant religion; or rendering them secure, as the Zidonians who dwelt carelessly, to make his bioody massacring attempts upon the whole body; and what he intends to do with the whole, if they come not to the full length of compliance, may he seen in his outrageous beginnings with the west of Scotland, the old butt of his malice, which as sometimes he hath expressed his desire, so now it seems he designs to make a hunting field. We mav see through the tragical history of former ages, what wicked and hellish design the men of his character have had, in their protestations and proclamations of pretended favour. It is known how Julian the apostate, amongst other devices he used to root out Christianity, gave a toleration to all the different professions that were among Christians, whereof there were many heretical in those days ; and he commenced ♦his cursed contrivance, by calling home the orthodox bishops, whom Constantius banished, that the church might be embroiled by a civil war of contention among themselves, as Sozomen observes, lib. 6. And in the meantime conniving at, and encouraging the lawless out- rages of barbarous heathens against them, which they thought tiiev were well enough authorized, in knowing it would please the emperor. So the massacre of Paris was carried on with the king's marrying hi3 sister to the king of Navarre, a famous Protestant prince, and with many public and solemn protestations of favour to the Protestant "hurdi, while in the meantime they were plotting how to maseaevi ♦,hem, whereunto he was instigated by Jezebel his wife, though he was forwaid enough himself, his genius leading him that way, and which was curried on by the duke of Guise, as the main leader of these murderers, who still cried out, (which was all the law and reason he used, (or instigating these bloody ruffians to that hellish outrage.') courage, my fellows, this is the king's command ; it is his express will ana pleasure.' And after butchering the famous Coltga) went through t lie streets (at the tolling of the royal bell, which was the sign of that horrid perpetration) killing :\ll Protestants, without distinction of age, sex, or quality, SO that in the space of two homy, or thereabout, ten thousand were cruelly put to death in that ftUfh The like villauy was committed through the reel of France, mid flio carrying on of the present and almost unparalleled persecution thoJOi with the tyranny and treachery of that bigot arbhrarianj alter *o many laws and ftdicte feeeminrfy securing the Prnt^stants against u I fears, JAMES RENWICK. 551 may let us see what may be expected of those princes who devote themselves to the lust and rage of popish orders. We have also a recent instance of the cruelty and treachery of the fiery duke of Savoy, against some of the relicts of the old Waldenses in the valley of Pied- mont ; who promised them the enjoyment of their religious and civil liberties, if they would lay down their arms ; but after he had got them spoiled of their outward defence, catched many thousands of them, and killed them in prison with hunger and cold. And as the duke of York doth affect much the absoluteness of the French monarch, so we may expect no better of him who can do, and undo, by virtue of his declared prerogative, being as absolute over promises as over laws, than that he shall trace the steps of his falsehood, treachery, cruelty, Romish zeal ; that so we may have an instance of Babylon's deceit and rage acted in Britain and Ireland, which may make other instances not to be remembered. They are blind who do not see, and stupid who have not the sense of the dreadfulness of these designs of this tolerator, which he thinks to accomplish by this toleration, unto which it is very subservient, and which cannot be counteracted, but very much strengthened by this acceptance of it. " In respect of the fountain, from whence it Aoavs, and is given forth, it is a despotical and arbitrarian domination, outvying, and sur- mounting the height of Ottoman tyranny. It proceeds from, and is refounded on the leviathan of sovereign authority, prerogative royal, and absolute power, which all are to obey with reserve. A lawless power, making all laws void, needless and useless, and tyrannical,— - claiming a power to tyrannize when he pleases ; a power destructive of the people's liberties, under which the people cannot be secured in the possession of any thing they have in the world ; a power invading the incommunicable prerogative of. the Universal King, who only is absolute, whose glory is to have his will for the rule of his power, a power expressly condemned as tyranny in scripture, which, in a word, cannot be better named, nor represented under a better notion, than that which the famous and faithful Mr. Melvin calls it, the bloody gullie of absolute power, as he inveighs against it, in the assembly, 1582. This is the fountain and foundation of this toleration, by which, indeed, the name and common profession of the Protestant religion may be for a time suffered precariously, until his pleasure shall be to command the establishment of Popery, which then he will expect must be complied with without control. But all avouched adherence to old Protestant and Presbyterian principles is here interdicted ; so all tha tenure that Protestants have for their religion, is only the arbitrary word of an absolute dominator, whose principles oblige him to break it, and his absoluteness to disdain to be a slave to it. Howbeit, it cannot be denied, that the acceptance of this grant, declaredly proceed- ing from such a power, and professedly requiring the acknowledgment of it, in the acceptance does imply the recognizance of this power that the grantor claims in granting it. " In respect of its conveyance, and that is through the conduit of the most apparent means of establishing popery, and subverting pro- testantism, by stopping and disabling all these, penal laws and statutes 552 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. enacted against Papists, and leaving in force, nil laws made against lionest Presbyterians, the most true and faithful Protestants, and stopping none of the most cruel of them, but emitting more and more barbarous edicts against them. What mean can be more effectual to destroy our reformation, than to suspend all laws against any that shall attempt the utter subversion of it, and ratify all wicked acts against such as would most avowedly assert, or own the obligation of all sacred bonds to preserve it ? Hence, as he hath presumed by absolute power, to suspend all laws, made for the protection of our religion, so by the same, when he will, he may repeal all laws for its establishment. And these who approve the one, by such an accept- ance, cannot disallow the other : and so by accepting this lawless and law subverting liberty, they make themselves guilty of the palpable breach of the national covenant, where the laws are contained, which this toleration suspends, and dreadfully accessory to all the sad effects of this undermining all the legal bulwarks of our religion. " In respect of the nature and extent of it. It is toleration, which is always of evil, for that which is good cannot be tolerated, under the notion of good, but countenanced and encouraged as good. Therefore it reflects upon our religion, when a toleration is accepted, which implies such a reproach ; seeing it is not ratified as a right, nor encouraged as a religion, but tolerated under the notion of an evil to be suffered. And such a toleration as makes the professors of Christ partners in the same bargain with Antichrist's vassals, and sets up the ark in the place, and under the same place with Dagon ; and the devil's threshold by the Lord's threshold ; and whereby a sluice is opened to let the enemy come in like a flood, none lifting up a standard against them. Since it is a toleration not only of archbishops, bishops, and curates, but of all quakers and papists, reaching all idolatry, blasphemy, heresy ; which to accept, is contrary to scripture, our Confession of Faith, and Catechisms, as was showed above; and clearly inconsistent with the principles of the Church of Scotland, with the Covenants, National and Solemn League, where we are bound 'to extir- pate popery, &e. preserve the reformation, defend our liberties, and so never to accept of a toleration, in its nature and tendency, subversive of all these precious interests we are sworn to maintain.' " In respect of its conditions, limitations, and restrictions, by which all the kinds of power that Christ hath seated in his church, is invaded, invalidated, and evacuated. As, Jirst, The dogmatic power thereby ministers are to judge of truth and error, in point of doctrine, according to the word of Ciod only : this key is extorted out of their hands, for according to the foresaid proclamations, nothing may be taught by the moderate Presbyterian ministers, in their tolerated meetings, that can be interpreted by the court to have any tendency to alienate the hearts of the people, from this incontrollahle tyrant or his government. Now, by virtue of this condition, that they may not doctrinallv discover unto people the affronted wickedness of this unparalleled prerogative; they may not show the iniquity of the laws, nor warn of the evil thereof j they may not testify against the introduction of popery, nor Umm means that give an islet unto it ; they may not once mention any JAMES RENWICK 55S wicked design, in all tTiis course of a cursed toleration ; they may not teach the obligations of the covenants, neither witness against the breaches thereof expressly, nor reprove the public sins of the time, nor warn of the dangers thereof, nor exhort them against compliances in particular with any course established by law : for all this may be interpreted by court expositors, to have a direct tendency to alienate people's hearts from the man, and his government. According'y Mr. Hardy is apprehended, imprisoned, and proceeded against, for giving conscional testimony against the taking off the penal laws and statutes, which would be thought could not have offended any protestant. Second, The dictatic power, whereby the courts of Christ are to dis- cern the circumstances of the worship of God, as time, place, &c. for order, decency, and edification, according to the general rules of the word : this power is invaded, for now the places of worship are deter- mined in the royal proclamations, which must be made known to some of the court patrons on whose warrant they are to depend. What may be the hidden design of this intimation we know not ; we heartily wish and pray, it may not be to do with them, as Jehu with the priests of Baal. In the meantime, field meetings for the worship of God, which have been signally countenanced of the Lord, are severely inter- dicted ; whereby the word of the Lord is bound and bounded ; and by the accepters' consent to such a model, the bloody laws against preach- ing in the open fields, where people have freest access with convenience and safety, are justified. The manner of meeting is also restricted to be in such a way, as the peace and security of the government may not be endangered ; and they that be peaceably and publicly held : yea, it is expressly required in the proclamation, Oct. 5th, that all who shall preach, by virtue of this royal grant, at any time, or in any place, make intimation of their preaching, as to time and place, to some one or more of the next privy council lords, which shall be sufficient for them, during their abode only : whereby they not only are engaged to keep the peace with antichrist, or his lieutenant, in all their meetings, and not only to give accession to all his clandestine censures, to observe how they keep their instructions ; but formally must mancipate their ministry, and the freedom of its exercise, to a dependance upon the license of his trustees: which is not only a formal bargaining wiih tho enemies of truth and godliness, but a becoming their servants ; and so a forfeiting the honour of being esteemed, while they continue so enslaved, the faithful and free servants of Christ : especially considering how as to the matter of their preaching also, they involve themselves in such inconveniences, that either they must forbear some part of the coun- sel of God, and decline the testimony of this day, or else expose them- selves as a prey to the lust of enemies, who hereby have brought them into a hose net. Third, The critic or corrective power, which the courts of Christ have to censure delinquents, and absolve the penitents, accord- ing to the word of God, is also invaded and made void ; for not only doth this toleration rob the ministers tolerated, and the accepters, con sent to be robbed of that power of impartial censuring those scandals that are tolerated thereby, and all that make themselves guilty of complying with the same, or have been involved in sinful scandalous compliances 554 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. with wicked courses formerly, such as taking of sinful oaths, subscrib- ing of sinful bonds, paying of sinful exactions, and other scandalous breaches of covenant ; nor dare these that are free of them censure or remove from among them their guilty brethren, and so remove the clean from the unclean : but also invades arid usurps this power, form- ally, in investing the tolerator with authority to inhibit, and discharge some ministers the exercise of their office, whom the standing laws of this church do authorize, and to allow others whom the word of God and constitutions of our church, require to be laid aside, and suspended from that-function. Fourth, Finally, the oxousiastic power of trying, sending and authorizing office-bearers in the church, is made useless and void by this tolerator ; however an allowance is pretended to keep assemblies, and send out ministers to answer the people's call, neither are these assemblies lawfully constitute of, nor free for all that have right to sit there : nor is their mission of ministers, nor the people's call, of any significancy or value, except intimation be made to this exotic power, of their names that are to officiate under this toleration, and they be found such as please the court patrons, which is the worst of patronages that ever burdened this church. Hence, if a minister were never so lawfully ordained, never so blameless in his personal deportment, never so formally appropriate to a particular flock, he cannot exercise his function, in any place unless the next privy coun- sellor, sheriff, &c. give their allowance. They will, forsooth, have the judging whether he be so qualified or not ; and if he have not the new conditio sine qua non, that only qualification of them that are to be tolerate, moderation, in the court sense, which is nothing but loathsome luke-warmness in the things of Christ, and court loyalty to a vassal of antichrist ; which is disloyalty to Christ ; he can have no liberty to exercise his office. " In respect of the manifest and manifold scandal of it, we cannot hut witness against the acceptance thereof, so offensive to the genera- tion of the righteous, so dishonourable to God, di graceful to the protestant religion, and prejudicial to the interest thereof. As we would not be accounted unfaithful to Christ, yea, hetravers of our native country, and compilers with the design of antichrist, who hath always mischief in his heart, and intends this as a preparative, for inducing and enforcing all that are hereby lulled asleep, either to tako on this mark, or bear the mark of his fury hereafter. " Next, as we must testify against the accepters of this toleration, who must be interpreted to take it nH it is given, with consent to the sinful impositions with which it is tendered ; against which there is no access for a protestation, consistent with the improvement of it, being granted and accepted on these very terms, that there shall lie no pro- testation : for if there be, that will be found ' an alienating of the hearts of the subjects from the government,' which by that proclamation ivould he reflected upon. So in a particular manner we must testify gainst the addressers for it, who have formally said a confederacy, and DOtogratulatml the tolerator for this toleration, and all the mischief* he is machinating and effecting thereby; esuerially, se> ling ihev have pre- sumptuously taken upon them tn nend their pddrews ' in the Rtfl JAMES RENWICK. 555 all presbyterian ministers,' we think it conceras all honest men, zealous Christians, and faithful ministers of that persuasion and denomination, in honour and conscience, to declare to the world, by some public testimony, that they are not consenters to that sinful, shameful, and 6candalous conspiracy, with which all Avill be interpreted consenters, that are not contradicters, and charged with the guilt of it, that doth not, make the resentment of it notorious. We cannot express with what honor and sorrow our hearts were filled, to see an address in the name of all the presbyterian ministers in Scotland, and another from the inhabitants of the city of Edinburgh and Canongate, who call themselves of the presbyterian persuasion, we say, we are filial *with wonder, that they should assume to themselves the name of presb - terian ministers, and give out their addresses in the name of all, and that it was at their desire ; when as the contents of it are clearly con- trary to presbyterian principles, by justifying an antichristian usurper, in undermining religion and approving the abrogation of the national covenant, confirming the laws now disabled, by thanking the tolerator for opening a door to introduce popery, which we are sworn to extir- pate, by consenting to limitations and restrictions upon the exercise of their ministry, by accepting of a bounded toleration, wherein idolaters and heretics have the greatest share, contrary to our Confession of Faith, therefore, we testify against these addressers, 1. Because of the ground for which they address. What can they allege for this ? It is either for the liberty granted to the exercise of their ministry, or else the toleration complexly considered. If the former, then suppose they had got a full and free liberty, it would have been but what was due ; and to thank a man for giving what is not his own, seemeth to insi- nuate a recognizing a power to him to withhold it : but now their liberty is loaded and clogged with sinful and scandalous conditions, which is little ground of thanks. If the latter be said, then they give their con- sent to set up Popery and Quakerism, for these are also tolerated. Also, it is not to be passed, that there is nothing in all the proclamations concerning this toleration in the least protested against by the addressers; so we cannot see how they can free themselves of congratulating their clement benefactor, for all the woful evils in the foresaid proclamations that respect their imaginary favour, 'more valuable to them (as they say) than all earthly comforts.' 2. Because of the sinful and shameful defi- ciency of the addresses, they speak not a word against the openly designed introduction of popery ; no resentment of the eversion oi civil and religious liberties ; no representation of the wrongs sustained under the grassation of the two brothers ; no protestation against the invasion made upon the power that Christ hath seated in the course of his church, and, consequently, upon his own incommunicable Head- ship : not a word of the covenants; but they are passed over in silence, as if they were ashamed of them : they say nothing of the reformation v, hereunto we once attained, and were solemnly engaged. 3. Because of their lawless and illimited loyalty. This is professed by the foresaid ministers, * To his excellent, to his gracious, and to his sacred ma- jesty : loyalty not to be questioned, an entire loyalty in doctrine,' which is in effect disloyalty to Christ, in not observing their instruc- 556 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES tions received from him, but keeping silent at the wrongs done to him, and not declaring against the invasion of his open enemies : ' a resolved loyalty in practice,' whereof also tlie inhabitants of Edinburgh and Ca- nongate will have him assured. This is no less than betraying religion and liberty, in lying by from any active testimony and opposition to the open destroyers of both. ' A fervent loyalty in prayers,' which we shall not now insist upon, being to speak of them afterward. This loyalty of theirs is not a Christian loyalty, or profession of subjection for conscience sake to a minister of God for good, who is a terror to evil doers ; nor a Presbyterian loyalty to a king as it is qualified in the National and Solemn League and Covenants ; but a stupid subjec- tion, and absolute allegiance, to a minister of Antichrist, who gives liberty to all evil men and seducers ; a loyalty to a tyrant in his over- turning religion, laws, and liberties, and protecting and encouraging all iniquity.' 4. Because of their foulsome flattery : we need not instance how the ministers in their address say, ' From the deep sense they have of his majesty's gracious and surprising favour, finding themselves bound in duty to offer their most humble and hearty thanks to his 6acred majesty, the favour being to them valuable above all earthly comforts:' and how the inhabitants of the city of Edinburgh and Canongate express themselves, ' we cannot find suitable expressions to evidence our most grateful acknowledgments of your majesty's late gracious declaration. The matter were less, if they did not speak a lie ; for they 6ay they are allowed the free and peaceable public exercise of their religion. Peaceable and public it is, they know not how long; free it is not, for their ministers are bounded with sinful restrictions, as is shown above. And again they add, ' Could we open our hearts, your majesty would undoubtedly see, what deep sense and true zeal for your service, so surprising and signal a favour hath imprinted upon our spirit,' &c. This is worse than flattery. We say we need not adduce particular instances of their adulation, for their whole strain is a rhapsody of flatteries more becom- ing sycophants and court parasites, than ministers and professors, that give out themselves to be of the Presbyterian persuasion. 5. If tie addresses were only stuffed with flatteries it were less ; but we cannot conceal our horror and astonishment at 6ome expressions, which are equivocations inconsistent with ingenuity: the ministers 'bless the great God, who hath put this in his royal heart :' which must either be understood in that sense, where it is 6aid, Rev. xvii. 17. 'God hath put it in their hearts to give their kingdom unto the beast ; 'which they durst not express to him whom they address, neither dnrsl they bless the Lord for it with application to him : and to say this with such a reserved meaning, were odious to Protestants, and all honest men. Or, if they be ingenuous, then they bless God for putting it in his heart to project all this wickedness, discovered in the design, tendency, and nature of this popish toleration ; which is not. far from blasphemy, to make the Holy (hie the Author of that which he hath declared his de- testation of in his word. They further express their resolution, ' by the help of God, so to demean themselves, ;is lug Majesty may find cause rather to enlarge than to diminish his favours towards lln-m :' JAMES RENWICK. 557 which upon the matter is either a double equivocation, or else it must be understood, they resolve to demean themselves so, as that a zealous Papist shall find cause to enlarge his favours to them, and shall not find any cause of displeasure at them. They know what he maketh criminal against others, to wit,their teaching the obligation of our cove nants,the lawfulness of defensive arms, their testifying against the en- croachments made upon the kingly power of Christ, and against the taking off the penal statutes that concern Papists, and the like pieces of faithfulness: and, consequently, they resolve they shall be as unfaithful and silent ministers as ever pleased a Papist; for if they be faithful, they may be assured, he will find cause to diminish his favours towards them: now to purpose this by the help of God, comes very near blas- phemy. The citizens of Edinburgh and Canongate, do engage 'to eontinuestill in theirprayers,forblessinghis person and government;* and show by what argument they plead for it, to wit, that * by the God of heaven, kings reign, and princes decree justice.' Which with appli- cation to the person whom they address is absolutely impertinent, other- wise to bring it forth as. adulatory equivocation, with a reserve that they intend only to offer that general proposition in these, without ap- plication to him ; in the meantime, making him believe they assert the divine approbation of his government : or else it hath the appearance of blasphemy, to extend that proposition to him, which they cannot do, except they turn it thus, ' by the Lord tyrants reign, and usurpers decree justice ;' which to say, according to the Lord's will, as that seriptnre must be understood, were a blasphemous indignity to the Holy One, with whom such a throne of iniquity can have no fellowship, whereof the possessors are set up, but not by him, and he disoWneth them. Because the ministers in their address, disown these who avouch an adherence to the covenanted reformation, and avow an opposition to Anticknstian usurpers (which they call promoting disloyal principles and practices) humbly beseeching the tolerator not to look upon such as any of their confederacy. They needed not have been so solicitous upon this hsad, for all that abide in the principles and practices of the church of Scotland, would count it a sin and a scandal, laying them obnoxious to the displeasure of the holy and jealous God, and a shame- ful reproach, exposing them to the contempt of all of whom they might expect sympathy, to be reckoned of their association, who have thus betrayed the cause and the country. 2. His Testimony the day before his Suffering. " My dear friends ;n Christ, it hath pleased the Lord to deliver me into the hands of men ; and I think fit to send you this salutation, which I expect will be the last. When I open my heart upon it, before God, I dare not desire to have escaped this lot ; for no less could have been for his glory and the vindication of his cause on my behalf: and as I am free before him of the profanity, which some, either naughty, wicked, or strangers to me, have reported, that I have been sometimes guilty of; so he hath kept me from the womb, free of the ordinary pollutions of children, as these that have been acquainted with me through the tract of my life, do know. And now 558 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. my blood shall either more silence reproaches, or more linen them itr judgment : but I hope, it shall make some more sparing to speak of those who shall come after me ; and so I am the more willing to pav this cost for their instruction, and my succeeders' ease. Since I came to prison, the Lord has been wonderfully kind to me, he hath mad*: his word to give me light, life, joy, courage, and strength ; yea, it hath dropped with sweet smelling myrrh unto me, particularly these passages and promises, Gen. xxii. 12. latter part of the verse, ' Foi now 1 know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son.' Neh. viii. 10. latter part of the verse, ' Neither be you sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.' Job iii. 17. ' Thme the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary be at rest.' Ver. 18. < There the prisoners rest together, they hear not the voice of the oppressor.' Job xxiii. 10. 'But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.' Ver. 11. ' My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined.' Ver. 12. 'Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips, I have esteemed the words of his mouth, more than my necessary food.' Ver. 13. 'But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doth.' Ver. 14. • For he per- formeth the thing that is appointed for me : and many such things are with him.' Psal. cv. 19. ' The word of the Lord- tried him.' ifuke xxi. 12. ' But before all these they shall lay their hands on you, and persecute yon, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons being brought before kings for my name's sake.' Ver. 13. 'And it shall turn to you for a testimony.' Ver. 19. 'In your patience possess ye your souls.' Heb. xii. 23. ' To the general assembly and church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, and to God the judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect.' James i. 12. ' Blessed is the man that endureth temptation : for when he is tried, lie shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.' 1 Pet. v. 7. ' Casting all your care upon him, for he caret It for you.' Ver. 8. ' Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour-' Rev. iii. 8. ' I know thy works: behold I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it; for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.' Ver. 10. ' Becaus ■ thou hast kept the word of my patience, 1 also will keep tliee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.' Ver. 11. 'Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.' Ver. I 2. ' Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God and lie shall go no more out : and I will unite upon him the name ol my God, and the name of the city of my God, which ia new .bin Balem, which cometh down cut of heaven from my God'; and I will write upon him my new name.' Rev. xix. 20. 'And the beast WfcS taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles liefoi i him, with which he deceived them that received the mark of the I i and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of lire burning with brimstone.' Ver. 21. 'And the ivmuai .; J A WES REN WICK. 559 were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the hoi'se. which sword procecdeth out of his mouth : and all the luvvls were filled with their flesh.' And many otlier scriptures. " O what can I say to the Lord's praise ! It was but little that I knew of Lim before I came to prison ; I have found sensibly much of Lis divine strength, much of tLejoy of his Spirit, and much assurance from Lis word and Spirit concerning my salvation ; my sufferings are stated upon the matters of my doctrine, for there was found with me the sum of my last two sermons at Braid's-craigs, which I wrote after I preached them ; the former whereof was upon Psal. lxvi. 10. ' Be still and know that I am God ; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.' And the latter upon Heb. x. 38. * Now the just shall live by faith : but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.' And so I was examined upon the application made therein unto the sins of the time : all which 1 owned once and again, as it is to be seen in my indictment: and I being tried, and an assize set, I adhered to my former confession explicitly; so my sentence of death was drawn forth, upon these Leads : " First, Because I could not own James VII. to Le my lawful sovereign. • " Secondly, Because I taught the unlawfulness of paying the cess, expressly exacted for the suppressing the faithful and free preaching of the gospel. " Thirdly, Because that I taught that it was the people's duty to carry arms at the preaching of the gospel, now when it is persecuted, for defending themselves, and resisting of unjust violence. " I think such a testimony is worth many lives, and I praise tLe Lord, for his enabling me to be plain and positive in all my confessions: for therein I found peace, joy, strength, and boldness. I Lave met With many assaults in prison, some from the indulged party, and others from 6ome of the prelatic ; but by the strength of God, I was enabled to stand, that they could neither bow me, nor break me. I was also assaidted by some of the popish party, (I suppose they were some of the ecclesiastic creatures,) but they found none of their own stuff in me. I told them, after sundry debatings, that I had lived, and should die an enemy to their way. However, some that knew me not, reproached me with Jesuitism. I was pressed by sundry to seek a reprieve, and my answer was always, that I adhered to my former confession, and if they pleased to let that appointed time of my death stand, let it stand ; and if they pleased to protract it, let them protract it; for I was ready and willing both to live and die; howbeit there came a reprieve for eight days, but I had no Land in it. They still urged, would I but say, that I desired time for conference with some persons anent my principles: I answered, that my time was in the Lord's Land, and I was in no hesitation, or doubt ahout my principles myself; I would not be so rude as to decline conference with any, so far as it might not be inconvenient for me in my present circumstances, but I will seek it with none. I have no more to say on this head, but my heart doth not smite me for any thing In the matters of my God, since I came to prison. And I can further say to his praise, with 560 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. consciousness of integrity, that I have walked in his way, and kept his charge though with much weakness, and many infirmities, whereof ye have been witnesses. " Now, my dear friends in precious Christ, I think I need not tell you, that as I have lived, so I die in the same persuasion with the true reformed and covenanted, presbyterian church of Scotland ; that I adhere to the testimony of the day, as it is held forth in our Informa- tory Vindication, and in the Testimony against the present toleration ; and that I own, and seal with my Mood all the precious truths, even the controverted truths, that I have taught. So I would exhort every on" of you, to make sure your personal reconciliation with God in Christ : for I fear many of you have that yet to do ; and when ye come where I am, to look pale death in the fare, ye will not be a little shaken and terrified, if ye have not laid hold on eternal life. 1 would exhort you to much diligence in the use of means, to be careful in keeping up your societies, to be frequent and fervent in secret prayer, to read much the written word of God, and to examine yourselves by it. Do not weary to maintain, in your places and stations, the present testimony; for when Christ goes forth to defeat antichrist, with that name written on his thigh and on his vesture, King of kings and Lord of lords, he will make it glorious in the earth : and if ye can but transmit it to the posterity, ye may count it a great generation- work. But beware of the ministers, that have accepted of this tolera- tion, anil all others that bend that way ; and follow them not, for the eun hath gone down upon them. Do not fear, that the Lord will cast oft' Scotland ; for he will certainly return again, and show himself glorious in our land. But watch and pray, for lie is bringing on a sad overthrowing stroke, which shall make many say, That they have easily got through, that have got a scaffold for Christ; and do not regard the present sufferings of this world, for ' they are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed.' " I may say to Ids praise, that I have found his cross sweet and lovely unto me, for I have had many joyful hours, and not a fearful thought since I came to prison ; he has strengthened me to brave man, and face death, and I am now longing for the joyful hour of my dissolution ; and there is nothing in the world that I am sorry to leave but you : but I go to better company, and so I must take my leave of you all. Farewell beloved sufferers, and followers of the Lamb ; farewell Christian intimates : farewell Christian and comfortable mother and sisters : farewell sweet societies ; farewell desirable genera! meetings ; farewell night-wanderings in cold and weariness for Christ ; farewell sweet Bible, and preaching of the gospel ; farewell sun, moon "And stars, and all sublunary things ; farewell conflicts with a body of sin and death. Welcome scaffold for precious Christ ; welcome heavenly Jerusalem ; welcome innumerable company of angels ; wel come general assembly, and church of the first-born; welcome crown of glory, white robes, and songs of Moses and the Lamb ; and abovu nil, welcome, O thou blessed Trinity, and one CJod! O eternal One t I commit my soul into thy eternal rest. Sic su)>.-~JAMES RENWICK." JAMES RBNWICK. 561 3. His Letter, to his Christian Friends. " My dear friends m Christ, I see now what hath heen the language of my reprieve, it hath heen, that I might he further tempted and tried ? and I praise the Lord, he hath assisted me to give further proofs of stedfastness ; I have heen often assaulted by some popish priests ; but the last time they came, I told them, I would debate no more with such as they were, and that I had lived and would die a protestant, and testify against the idolatries, heresies, superstitions, and errors of that antichristian way. But yesterday I was cast into a deep exercise, and made to dwell under an impression of the dreadfulness of every thing that might grieve the Spirit of God. I found sin to be more bitter than death, and one hour's hiding of God's face, more insupporta- ble. And then at night, I was called before a part of the council, and the chancellor produced the Informatory Vindication, and asked if I knew it : I answered, I know it. And being interrogated, I confessed that I had a great hand in writing of it : they pressed me to tell my assistants : I told them, they were thoso whom they persecuted ; but would satisfy them no further. They also urged me upon pain of torture, to tell, where our societies were? who kept our general correspondencies ? and where they were kept ? I answered, though they should torture me, which was contrary to all law, after sentence of death, I would give them no further notice than the books gave. I was moreover threatened to tell my haunts and quarters, but I refused to make known to them any such thing : so I was returned to prison. Such exercise as I had was very needful for such a trial ; and I would rather endure what they could do unto me, than hare dishonoured Christ, offended you, and brought you unto trouble. — But I hope, within less than three days, to be without the reach of all temptations. Now I have no more to say : farewell again in our blessed Lord Jesus.'' 4. His Last Words upon the Scaffold. Before he went out of the tolbooth, he was at dinner with his mother and sisters, and some Christian friends, when the drum beat the first warning to his execution ; which so soon as he heard, he leapt up in ravishment of heavenly joy, saying, ' Let us be glad and rejoice, for the marriage of the Lamb is come :' and I can say in some measure, ' The bride, the Lamb's wife, hath made herself ready.' And till dinner was over, he enlarged upon the parallel of a marriage, and invited all of them to come to the wedding, meaning his execution. When he was come to the scaffold, the drums being beat all the while, none of the distant spectators could hear any thing that he said ; only some very few, that were close by him did hear it, whereof one has collected Use following account : he delivered himself to this effect : " Spectators, or (if there be any of you) auditors, I must tell you, I am come here this day to lay down my life for adhering to the truths of Christ, for which I am neither afraid nor ashamed to suffer ; nay, I bless the Lord, that ever he counted me worthy, or enabled me to suffer any thing for him ; and I desire to praise his grace, that lie hath not only kept me tree frora the gross pollutions of the time, but also from 39 2 Q 562 TESTIMONIES OF THE SCOTS WORTHIES. many ordinary pollutions of children ; and such as I have heen stained with he hath washed me from them in his own hlood. I am this day to lay down my lite for these three things. 1. For disowning the usurpations and tyranny of James duke of York. 2. For preaching, that it was unlawful to pay the cess, expressly exacted for hearing down the gospel. 3. For preaching, that it was lawful for people to carry arms, for defending themselves in their meetings for the perse- cuted gospel-ordinances. I think a testimony for these is worth many lives, and if I had ten hundred, I would think it little enough to lay them all down for the same. " Dear friends, spectators, and (if any of you he) auditors I must tell you, that I die a presbyterian protestant. I own the Word of God as the rule of faith and manners. I own the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, Sum of Saving Knowledge, Directory for Worship, &c. Covenants, National and Solemn League, acts of general assemblies, and all the faithful contendings that have been for the work of reformation. I leave my testimony approving the preach- ing of the gospel in the fields, and the defending of the same by arms. I adjoin my testimony to all that hath been sealed by blood, shed either on scaffolds, fields or seas, for the cause of Christ. I leave my testimony against popery, prelacy, Erastianism, &c. Against all profanity, and every thing contrary to sound doctrine ; particularly against all usurpations made on Christ's right, who is the Prince of the kings of the earth, who alone must bear the glory of ruling his own kingdom, the church : and in particular, against the absolute power usurped by this usurper, that belongs to no mortal, but is the incommunicable prerogative of Jehovah ; and against this toleration flowing from that absolute power." Upon this, he was bid have done. He answered, •* I have near done." Then he said, " Ye that are the people of God, do not weary in maintaining the testimony of the day, in your stations and places ; and whatever ye do, make sure an interest in Christ ; for there is a storm coming that shall try your foundations. Scotland must be rid of Scotland, before the delivery come. And you that are 6tranger9 to God, break off your sins by repentance, else I will be a witness against you in the day of the Lord." Here they caused him desist. Upon the scaffold he sung a part of the ciii. Psalm from the beginning, and read the xix. chap, of the Revelation. And having thus finished his course, served his generation, and witnessed a good confession for his Lord and Master, before many witnesses, by the will of God, he yielded up his spirit into the hands of God who gave it. inn: U4U DATE DUE **23> | GAYLORD PRINTED IN U.S.A.