liiiiiH;,!*^;:

YALE
UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

THE

WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

M.DCC.XXnL— M.DCC.XXXI.

VOLUME THIRD.

THE WODROW SOCIETY,
INSTITUTED MAT, 1841,
FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE WORKS OF THE FATHEES AND EARLY
WRITERS OF THE REFORMED CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

THE

CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

REY. ROBERT WODROW,
MINISTER OF EASTWOOD, AND AUTHOR OF THE HISTORY OP THE
SUFFERINGS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.

EDITED FROM MANUSCRIPTS EST THE LIBRARY OP THE FACULTT
OP ADVOCATES, EDBSTBUEGH,
BY THE
REV. THOMAS M'CRIE.

VOLUME THIRD.

EDINBURGH:
PRINTED FOR THE WODROW SOCIETY.
M.DCCC.XLIII.

EDINBCaOa PRlSTIHa OOMPAHY, SOOTH ST DAVID STREET.

PREFACE

TO

VOLUME THIRD.

On completing the Third and last Volume of this Correspond
ence, the Editor begs to state, that the whole has reached a size
considerably beyond what was at first anticipated. This has been
owing chiefly to its having been considered necessary, for the
elucidation of Wodrow's Letters, to introduce so many of those
from his correspondents, in the form of entire copies, or of large
extracts. It was intimated in the Preface to Volume First, that
Wodrow's Letters were given, in that Volume, exactly as they
stood in his own Collection, without selection or abridgment.
The same rule has been observed, with some slight exceptions,
which have been noticed, in Volume Second. It was found im
practicable, however, as the work advanced, to adhere rigidly to
this plan, without either swelling the Correspondence to a bulk far
exceeding the present, or excluding altogether the letters of
Wodrow's correspondents. In the Third Volume, therefore, more
especially towards the close, several of Wodrow's Letters, which

VI PREFACE.
appeared of less importance, or the substance of which had already
been given in others, have been omitted. The reader has more cause
to regret the omission of many of the letters of Wodrow's friends,
of which it was impossible, within reasonable bounds, to give more
than a specimen. Several of these, particularly those relating to
Foreign Churches, and to the Subscription Controversy in L-eland,
contain a mass of information, highly valuable to the historical en
quirer, though, for the purposes of general interest and edification,
it would require to be digested and arranged in some methodical
order. Without presuming to anticipate the judgment of the public on
the general character ofthe Correspondence now completed, theEdi-
tor raay be allowed to remark, that, besides opening up an iateresting
page in the ecclesiastical history of our country, of which little is
known, and gratifying our natural curiosity to see how the events of
which we have read, were regarded and spoken of by those who
lived at the time when they happened,- — these letters afford evi
dence of the honourable estimation in which the Historian of the
Sufferings of the Church of Scotland was held by his contempora
ries. That his ministerial abilities were highly appreciated, may
be inferred from his having been so frequently inyited to occupy
larger spheres of usefulness. Pie received calls, at various periods,
to Glasgow, Stirhng, and Renfrew ; but such was his attachment
to his flock, and such his desire for leisure to prosecute his literary
labours, that he preferred to the last the quiet seclusion of East
wood, a small parish in the neighbourhood of Glasgow. In this re
tirement, however, he was far from leading the life of a recluse.

PREFACE. Vll
While his time was principally occupied with the assiduous dis
charge of his ministerial duties, and while his heart was mainly
bent on the great task of winning souls, and the promoting of true
piety, (of which there is pervading evidence, though no ostentatious
display, in his Correspondence,) he found leisure to devote no small
share of his attention to the affairs of the Church and the public
interests of truth. We find him in regular and confidential corre
spondence with some of the best and the greatest characters of his
day — consulted by his brethren on the weightiest questions of
ecclesiastical policy — and addressed by all of them in terms indi
cating the warmest attachment to him as a man, and the highest
esteem for him as an author. He seems to have been a diligent
attender on Church Courts, and particularly on the General Assem
bly, whether he was sent as a member or not ; and it may be here
noticed, that his Letters written from the General Assembly,
though addressed to his wife, were evidently meant for the infor
mation of his father-in-law, Mr Patrick Warner, and his friend.
Lord PoUock, who were prevented by age and infirmities from at
tending that Court, and were written, in all probability, with the
view of being afterwards made use of.
The sentiments of Wodrow on the various questions and parties
of his time it is not difficult to discover, as he takes no pains to con
ceal them. That he was not without his own errors, prejudices,
and weaknesses, is abundantly evident, — so much so, indeed, as
hardly to require pointing out ; but it is presumed that no candid
reader, mainly anxious for information as to facts, however much
he may dissent from his statements and opinions, can fail to ad-

vm PREFACE.
mire his prevailing candour of judgment, simplicity of mind, and
benevolence of heart.
Some of the details and dissertations in these Letters must ne
cessarily prove tedious and uninteresting to many of our readers ; it
would, however, betray very narrow views ofthe useful and important
in matters of history, to judge, by this standard, of the usefiilness
and importance ofthe facts thus brought to light. The public have
of late shown an extreme anxiety to be put in possession of the
-materiel of history ; and they have, therefore, less reason to com
plain, if, while we gratify their wishes in this respect, the historian
should find more to his taste in these volumes than the ordinary
reader ; and if so much of the information they contain should be
less fitted for the amusement of the present, than it may be forthe
benefit of future generations.
July, 1843.

CONTENTS

VOLUME THIRD.

Letter page
I. Wodrow to Rev. Mathew Wood. Earl of Rothes. — Patrick
Walker. — Wodrow's History, . . 1
II. Wodrow to Rev. Mathew Crawfurd. Life of Alexander Hen
derson, . • . . 4
III. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. A. Henderson's Life and
Writings, • . , .5
IV. Wodrow to Mr WiHiam Hog. M'Ward and M'Main. —
Mr Hog's Answers, ... 7
V. Wodrow to Dr J. Stevenson. Trochridge's Letters and Lord
Loudon's Papers, ... 8
VI. Wodrow to Rev. Robert M 'Bride. Messrs Masterton and
Mair. — Mr Hepburn's Call to Edinburgh, . 9
VII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Controversial Writ
ings in Ireland, . . .10
VIII. Wodrow to Rev. David Brown. Episcopal Meeting-Houses.
— .Settlements in Presbyterian Churches. — The M'Mil-
lanites, ... 12
IX. Wodrow to Professor John Simson. Dr Ferguson and the
Irish Non-subscribers, . . .15
X. Wodrow to Mr Samuel Smith. Subscribers and Non-sub
scribers, . . , 16
XI. Wodrow to Rev. Cotton Mather. Wodrow's History. —
Mather's Writings. — News, . . 18
XII. Benjamin Colman to Wodrow. Baptism of Rabbi Judah
Monis, . . . 21

X CONTENTS.
Letter page
XIII. Wodrow to Rev. Benjamin Colman. Wodrow's History. ,
— Inoculation. — Mr HoUis, • .23'
XIV. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. With a Memorial of
Alexander Henderson, . . 28
XV. Wodrow to Rev. Mr GUbert Kennedy. Dr Ferguson
and the Confession of Faith, . . 35,
XVI. Wodrow to the Honourable Colonel Upton. The Colo- \
nel's Services in behalf of the Church in Ireland, 37
XVII. Wodrow to Rev. Wihiam Livingston. Enclosing the
preceding Letter, . . .39
XVIII. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Rare Book. — Mary j
Queen of Scots, . . . 40 !
XIX. Wodrow to Rev. Robert Black. Compend of Wodrow's
History. — News, . . .41
XX. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assembly,
1723, No. 1, . . .43
XXI. The same to the same. No. 2, . . 44
XXII. The same to the same. No. 3, . .46
XXIII. The same to the same. No. 4, . .49
XXIV. The same to the same, No. 5, ¦ . 50
XXV. The same to the same. No. 6, . .52
XXVI. Wodrow to Rev. John Evans. The Proceedings of the
General Assembly, . . . 53
XXVII. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Life of Cardinal La-
rea, and Maule's MS. . . 55 i
XXVIII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Macknight. Queries of Sub
scribers in Ireland, . . 56
XXIX. Wodrow to Rev. William Livingston. Answer to the I
foregoing Queries, . . 58 1
XXX. Wodrow to Rev. Mathew Crawford. Attacks on Wod- '
row's History, . . .61
XXXI. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Maule's MS. ib.
XXXII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Non-subscribers. — Wodrow's
History.— Biography, . 62
XXXIII. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Bruce's attack on
Wodrow's History. . , qa
XXXIV. Lord Grange to Wodrow. Biography.— Distinguishing
ExceUence of the Scots Worthies, . gg
XXXV. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Scottish Biography, gs
XXXVI. Wodrow to David Earl of Buchan. With Account of
the Irish Synod, . . ^q

CONTENTS. XI
Letter page
XXXVII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Macknight. Bishop Gadderar, 70
XXXVIII. Mr Masterton to Mr WiUiam Macknight. Colonel
Upton and the Irish Non-subscribers, . 71
XXXIX. Wodrow to Rev, WiUiam Macknight. Anent the pre
ceding Letter, . . 74
XL. Wodrow to Mr John Erskine. Sympathy under Colo
nel Erskine's Bereavements, . ib.
XLI. Wodrow to Rev. Benjamin Colman. Hebrew Letter
of Rabbi Judah Monis, . . 76
XLII. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. Irish Church
Affairs, . . .77
XLIII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Same Subject, 79
XLIV. Wodrow to Rev. Gilbert Kennedy. Mr Kennedy's
Sermon. — Episcopalian Meeting-Houses, 81
XLV. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Practice as to
Subscription in Scotland, . . 82
XLVI. Wodrow to Lady Pardovan. Monument to Steuart of
Pardovan, . . .86
XLVIL Wodrow to Mr Thomas Aikman. Works on Church
Government and History, . . ib.
XLVIII. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. Manuscripts and
Pamphlets, ... 88
XLIX. Lord Grange to Wodrow. Manuscripts and Pamphlets, 89
L. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Reply to the Foregoing, 90
LI. Mr Masterton to Mr Macknight. Irregular Doings of
the Non-subscribers, . . 92
LIL Wodrow to Rev. William Macknight. The same
Subject, . . .94
LIII. Wodrow to Colonel Erskine. Complaintsof the Times, 95
LIV. Wodrow to Rev. George Chalmers. Gadderar and the
Usages, ... 96
LV. Wodrow to Colonel WiUiam Maxwell. Settlement of
MrAinslie. — Scottish Biography, . . 98
LVI. Wodrow to Rev. John Anderson. Bishop Burnet's
History. — Scottish Biography, . . 101
LVII. Lord Grange to Wodrow. MiUar's History. — Calder-
wood's MS. History and Papers, . 104
LVIII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Calderwood's Papers, 106
LIX. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Burnet's History, 107
LX. Wodrow to Colonel William Maxwell. Burnet's His
tory. — Collections of Lives and Coins, . 108

XU CONTENTS.
Letter page
LXI. Wodrow to Rev. John Evans. Burnet's History, 110
LXII. Wodrow to Rev. Robert Black. OfMrGowan, 112
LXIII. Wodrow to Mr G. Stewart. Proposals of Mr Bruce's
History, . . .113
LXIV. Wodrow to Rev. Mathew Crawford. Burnet and
Bruce, . . . ib.
LXV. Wodrow to Lord Grange. MS. Life of James Mel-
viUe, ¦ . . -114
LXVI. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Wright. Registrating
Lands for Non-jurancy, . .116
LXVII. Wodrow to the Eaii of Buchan. Cockburn's Re
marks on Burnet's History, . . 118
LXVIII. Wodrow to Mr G. Stewart. Mr Bruce's Attack, 119
LXIX. Wodrow to Rev. James Boece. On the Loss of an
only Son. — Abjuration. — Sir James Turner, 120
LXX. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Macknight. Presbyterians
in Ireland, . . . 122
LXXI. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assem
bly, 1724, No. 1, . . 123
LXXII. The same to the same, No. 2, . . 124
LXXIII. The same to the same. No. 3, . . 126
LXXIV. The same to the same, No. 4, . . . 127
LXXV. The same to the same, N^o. 5, . . 129
LXXVI. The same to the same. No. 6, . . 133
LXXVII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Irish Pres
byterian Affairs, . • . 140
LXXVIII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Calderwood's MS. His
tory — Irish Affairs, . . 143
LXXIX. Wodrow to Lord Grange. I\Ir Nevin and the Irish
Presbyterians, . . l-tS
LXXX. Wodrow to Rabbi Jehuda Monis. Pious Congratu
lations and Advices, . . . 149
LXXXI. Wodrow to Rev. Cotton Mather. Death of Mather's
Father, and of Wodrow's Father-in-law. — MiUar's
History, . . .152
LXXXII. Wodrow to Rev. Jphn Warden. Warden on Bap
tism. — Singing of Psalms, . 155
LXXXIII. Wodrow to Professor Hamilton. CoUier.  CoUins.
— Calderwood. — George Buchanan, . 156
LXXXIV. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. The Non-sub
scribing Controversy, , .159

CONTENTS. Xlll
Letter page
LXXXV. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Irish Pres
byterian Affairs, . . 161
LXXXVI. Wodrow to Rev. Andrew Crawford. Mr A. Stewart.
— Success of the Gospel in Ireland, . 164
LXXXVII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Calderwood and the Mel-
viUes, . . . 166
LXXXVIII. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Collection of Scot
tish Papers, . . . 167
LXXXIX. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Lives of the Reformers.
— Irish and English News, . ib. "
XC. Wodrow to Professor Hamilton Irish and English
Church News, . . 171
XCI. Wodrow to Lord Grange. English Dissenters. — An
tiquities.— Kirkton's MS., . .173
XCII. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. Wodrow's and other
Histories, .... 175
XCIII. Wodrow to Rev. Alexander Archer, Hamilton. On
Breach of Promise of Marriage, . 177
XCIV. Wodrow to Rev, Benjamin Colman. Proposed Elec
tion of Colman as President, . . 179
XCV. Wodrow to Rev. Edward Wigglesworth. Episco
pacy in America. — Theology in Scotland, 182
XCVI. Wodrow to Rev. John Cumming. Cumming's Writ
ings. — English and Irish Arianism, . 185
XCVII. Wodrow to Rev. Andrew Gray. Rymer's Represen
tation. — Arian Club, . . . 188
XCVIII. Wodrow to Professor Hamilton. Various Publications, 190
XCIX. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assem
bly, 1725, No. 1, . . . 191
C. The same to the same, No. 2, • . 192
CI. The same to the same. No. 3, • . 194
CII. The same to the same. No. 4, . . 195
cm. The same to the same. No. 5, • . 197
CIV. The same to the same. No. 6, . . 199
CV. The same to the same. No. 7, . ¦ 203
CVI. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. The Royal Present.
— New Publication, . . 206
CVII. Wodrow to Mr James Anderson. Life of Mary
Queen of Scots, . , 209
CVIII. Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Livingston. Death of
Colonel Upton. — Subscriptions in Scotland, 211

XIV CONTENTS.
Letter page
CIX. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. Subscription
Controversy, . . • 213
ex. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. Malt-tax. — Mob in
Glasgow, . . • 215
CXI. Wodrow to Mr John M'Main. Animadversions on
Wodrow's History, . . .218
CXII. Mr John M'Main to Wodrow. Reply. — Severer Treat
ment threatened, . . 219
CXIII. Wodrow to Bev. Cotton Mather. New Publications.
—Scottish News, . • .222
CXIV. Wodrow to Rev. Benjamin Cohnan. News. — M'Main
and the Cameronians, . . 225
CXV. Wodrow to Professor Hamilton. Wodrow's iU Health.
— Lord Barrington, . • 228
CXVI. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Biography.— Patrick
WaUier and M'Main, . . 229
CXVII. Wodrow to Rev. Principal Stirhng. BlackwaU's Sa
cred Classics, . . • 232
CXVIII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Calderwood's MSS.—
Bruce's Life. — Simson's Errors, . . 233
CXIX. Wodrow to Mr Macknight. Subscription  Profes
sor Simson, . . . 237
CXX. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Erskine of Dun. — Death
of Ridpath. — Warriston's Diary, . . 238
CXXI. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assembly,
1726, No. 1, . . . 240
CXXII. The same to the same. No. 2, . 241
CXXIII. The same to the same, No. 3, . .242
CXXIV. The same to the same. No. 4, . . 244
CXXV. The same to the same. No. 5, . . 247
CXXVI. The same to the same. No. 6, . . 249
CXXVII. The same to the same. No. 7, . . ib.
CXXVIII. The same to the same. No. 8. . . 257
CXXIX. The same to the same. No. 9, . . 258
CXXX. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Simson's Case. — Calder
wood, . . .260
CXXXI. Lord Grange to Wodrow. Reply.— Dr Clarke, 261
CXXXII. Wodrow to Rev. Samuel Semple. Henderson's pre
tended Declaration. — And his Remains, 262
CXXXIII. Wodrowto Lord Grange. Calderwood's Papers.  Sim
son's Case, . . _ 265

CONTENTS.

XV

Letter page
CXXXIV. Wodrow to Rev. Benjamin Colman. Matters in
Scotland and New England, . . 267
CXXXV. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Election of Rector in
Glasgow CoUege, . . 270
CXXXVI. The same to the same. Simson's Case, . 272
CXXXVII. The same to the same. Lives of the Reformers. —
Simson's Affair, . . 273
CXXXVIII. Wodrow to Professor J. Loudon. BaiUie's Antidote
against Arminianism, . . 276
CXXXIX. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Proceedings of Commit
tee on Simson's Case, . . 277
CXL. The same to the same. Simson's Violence and iU
Temper, . . .282
CXLI. The same to the same. Simson's Case  Assembly
Records.— MS., . . 283
CXLII. The same to the same. Simson's Case. — Examina
tion of Witnesses, . . 287
CXLIII. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assem
bly, 1727, No. 1, . . 290
CXLIV. The same to the same. No. 2, . 292
CXLV. The same to the same. No. 3, . . 294
CXLVI. The same to the same, No. 4, . . 297
CXLVII. The same to the same. No. 5, . . 298
CXLVIII. The same to the same. No. 6, . 303
CXLIX. The same to the same. No. 7, . . 311
CL. The same to the same. No. 8, . 317
CLI. Lord Grange to Wodrow. Simson's Case, . 321
CLI I. Wodrowto Rev. James Kirkpatrick. Scottish Bio
graphy, . . . 322
CLIII. Wodrow to Mr Henry Newman. Society for Pro
pagating Christian Knowledge, • 324
CLIV. Cotton Mather to Wodrow. Reflections on Old Age.
—Mather's Works, . . 326
CLV. Wodrow to Rev. Cotton Mather. Death of Princi
pal Stirling and Mr MitcheU, . 328
CLVL Wodrow to Rev. Benjamin Colman. Wodrow's Per
sonal and Family Concerns, . . 330
CLVII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Simson's Case. — New
• Work on Popery, . . 332
CLVIIL Wodrow to Rev. WiUiam Macknight. Simson's
Case, • . . 336

XVI

CONTENTS.

Letter CLIX. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assem
bly, 1728, No. 1, .
CLX. The same to the same, No. 2,
CLXI. The same to the same. No. 3,
CLXIL The same to the same, No. 4,
CLXIII. The same to the same. No. 5,
CLXIV. The same to the same. No. 6,
CLXV. The same to the same, No. 7,
CLXVI. The same to the same. No. 8,
CLXVII. Wodrow to Rev. Mr Samuel Mather. Death of
Dr Cotton Mather,
CLXVIII. Wodrowto Rev. Thomas Linning. Simson's Case
before Presbyteries,
CLXIX. Wodrow to Rev. WUliam Macknight. Same Sub
ject,
CLXX. Wodrow to the Laird of Earlston. Scottish Bio
graphy. — Remissions for Heresy,
CLXXI. The same to the same. Decline of the Church of
Scotland,
CLXXII. Wodrow to Rev. Mr WiUiam Livingston. Domes
tic Affliction. — Irish Dissenters. — Simson,
CLXXIII. Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, from the General Assem
bly, 1729, No. 1,
C LXXIV. The same to the same. No. 2,
CLXXV. The same to the same. No. 3,
CLXXVI. The same to the same, No. 4,
CLXXVII. The same to the same. No. 5,
CLXXVIII. The sameto the same, No. 6,
CLXXIX. The same to the same. No. 7,
CLXXX. The same to the same. No. 8,
C LXXXI. Wodrow to Rev. Abraham Taylor. State of Mat
ters in the Church of Scotland,
C LXXXII. The same to the same. Communions at East
wood. — Doctorial Degrees. — Dr Watts,
CLXXXIII. Wodrow to Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman. Irish Dis-
senters.^ — Edinburgh University Degrees,
C LXXXIV. Wodrow to Rev. Mr Hugh MaxweU. ' Case
of Mr Glass.— Wodrow's Call to Renfrew. 
Simson,
CLXXXV. Wodrow to Dr James Fraser. The Assembly
vindicated from the Charge of Persecution,

337 339 341
345353365 374388396397
406410
412 413415416 421
422427428
436 445446
451 455

458

461

CONTENTS. XVU
Letter page
C LXXXVI. Wodrowto Rev. Charles Masterton. Account of
Proceedings of the General Assembly, 464
CLXXXVII. Wodrow to Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman. Subscrip
tion Controversy. — Patronages, &c., . 466
C LXXXVIII. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Gloomy Views of the
Church of Scotland, . . 468
C LXXXIX. Wodrow to Rev. Abraham Taylor. Waterland
and Clarke, Tindal and Deism, . 470
CXC. Wodrow to Colonel Erskine. Death of Wodrow's
Son, Alexander, . . 472
CXCI. Wodrow to Lord Grange. Simson. — Proposal to
nail down Patronage on the Church. — Profes
sor CampbeU's Pamphlet. — Glass and Archi
bald, . . .473
CXCII. Wodrow to Rev. John Lawson. Designs of Repon-
ing Mr Simson, . • 477
CXCIII. Wodrow to Rev. John Warden. CampbeU's Essay
on Enthusiasm, . ¦ 479
CXCIV. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. Mr WiUcs.
—Death of Mr M'Crackan.— " Wildnesses" of
Mr Glass, &c. . . . 481
CXC V. Wodrow to Rev. Abraham Taylor. Proceedings of
the General Assembly, . . 483
CXCVI. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. Same Subject, 486
CXCVII. Wodrow to Rev. Abraham Taylor. New Publica
tions, . • . , 490
CXCVIII. Wodrow to Rev. Charles Masterton. The Doxo-
logy and Lord's Prayer. — Interdict on Glasgow
Presbytery, • • 493
CXCIX. Wodrow to Rev. Mr John Lawson. Settlements
Jure Bevoluto. — Another Interdict, . 495
CC. Wodrow to Sir Thomas Gordon. Settlements
Jure Bevoluto, • . 497

APPENDIX.
Order on the Treasury for L.I05 to Wodrow for his History, 501
Index, . . • • ^^^
VOL. III. *

NAMES OF PERSONS

NOTICES ARE GIVEN IN THIS VOLUME.

Page
Buchan, Earl of, ..... 69
Campbell, Professor Archibald, .... 476, 480
Cumming, Kev. John, D.D., .... 185
Glass, Rev. John, . . . • . 458
Livingston, Rev. William, . . . . 140
Masterton, Rev. Charles, . . . .159
Taylor, Rev. Abraham, D. D. , . . . . 446
Upton, Colonel, . . . . .211
Walker, Mr Patrick, . . . . .2
"Wigglesworth, Kev. Edward, D.D., .... 457

CORRECTIONS.

Vol. i. p. 323, Note.
" Several of the Episcopalians refused the oath." It has been stated, that " none
ofthe Scottish Episcopal clergymen, if Tve except one at Glasgow, ever took the
oath, though they all took the benefit of the Toleration." — Siruthers' History 0/
Scotland, vol. i. p. 149. ^ P. 205.
A note might have been inserted here contradicting the absurd rumour to which
"Wodrow refers, of Mr M'Millan and his friends having correspondence with the
Jacobites ; but it was deemed quite superfluous to take any notice of reports so
utterly groundless as this. Lockhart hints at such a thing, (Papers, vol. ii. p. 212,)
but his story is alike destitute of proof and of probability.
Vol. ii. p. 238, Note.
It has been suggested that Wodrow's meaning in what he says regarding Mr
M'Millan's death has been misrepresented in the note ; and that all he intended to
say was, that he would be glad to hear whether the report was true or not. In
whatever sense his language may be understood, it is certain the report was un
founded, Mr M'Millan having survived Wodrow many years.
Vol. iii. p. 33, line 4 from foot.
Wodrow is mistaken in stating that Mr G. Hutchison was one of the Scottish
Commissioners to the Westminster Assembly. It may be a mistake for G. Gillespie.
P. 97.
It is stated in the note, when referring to the Scots Liturgy prepared by Falconer
and Forbes in 1765, that " this is the Liturgy presently m use among the Scottish
Episcopalians. It is uot meant that this is the only Liturgy in use among them,
but that this Liturgy is in use among them, and that it is the Liturgy about the use
of which so much controversy has lately beeu raised in that communion."

xxu

CORRECTIONS.

P. 216.
It has been suggested, that there must be some mistake in Wodrow's calculation
as to the amount of the Excise, and that instead of L.5500 he should have written
L.55,000. In the Articles of Union, the Excise is stated at L.33,500. — De Foe's
History of Union, p. 124. P. 218, line 4.
For Mr Woolston's read Mr WoUaston's. The names are sometimes confounded;
but it is well to distinguish Thomas Woolston, a Deistical writer, who wrote against
the miracles of our Lord, from William Wollaston here meant, the author of " The
Religion of Nature Delineated," — a curious and very abstruse work, being an at
tempt to prove the truth of religion on mathematical principles.

ERRATA.
In such a work as the present, which contains so many allusions to names and facts of an old
date, it is extremely difficult to attain correctness ; and after all his pains to discOTer and
correct mistakes, the Editor feels that he needs the indulgence of the reader for those which
may remain. Several of the following Errata are rather suggested corrections on the
original Manuscript where obviously incorrect.

VOL. I.

P.

1.

for

read

48,

3, n. from foot.

Isle of Man,

Isle of May.

66,

12, 71 

1793,

1693.

68,

3, 

Excise Customhouse-

Excise and Customhouse-

officers,
officers.
85,
3, 
Strickthraiu,
Strickathrow.
144,
17,
[method,]
[middle course.]
158,*
19,
the House of King and
the King and House of
Lords,
Lords.
162,*
16,
loss nor fortune,
loss of fortune.
188,*
2,
should not hinder.
should hinder.
205,
14 
talk,
task. i
304,
3, n.
A., J., and L., [Archi
A., I., and L., [Argyle,!
bald, John, and Lorn,]
Ilay, and Loudon.]
348,
2, 
A. J. Pa.,
A. I. Pa., [Ayr, Irvine,
Paisley.]
389,
2,
ciyiovs.
xyiois.
416,
9,
dilectus,
delectus.
p.

1.

430,

16,

472,

15, 16,

479,

3,

487,

10,

508,

13,

508,

16,

561,

6, 1

586,*

17,

4,

2,

11,

18,

66,

2,

70,

21,

100,

21,

113,

3,

124,

1,

153,

2,

163,

3,

181,

8,

210,

1,

246,

7,

255,

7,

262,

11,

268,

4, ».

268,

5, n.

275,

14,

282,

11,

284,

17,

306,

3,

341,

11,

446,

14,

462,

6,

470,

14,

475,

13,

489,

3,

510,

4,

from foot.

522, 12,

CORRECTIONS.

xxiu

Sot

reaA

Boystak,

Boysack, ( Carnegie of Boy-

sack.)

Papistanum,

Papistarum.

no Jurors,

Non-Jurors.

they inight go far. A.

they might go far, A. M.

M. and R., it's said.

and R. It's said.

weakness,

meekness.

nothing.

the thing.

[Kilmartiu-Glassary,]

[Kilmichael-Glassary.]

Maphet,

Moffat.

VOL. II.

de Scavans,

des Sgavans.

Dr Frankins,

Dr Frankius.

hour.

honour.

as top,

a stop.

left.

right.

thes tench,

the stench.

intentions.

intrusions.

[your,]

[that.]

not to tolerate,

to tolerate.

Triennial,

Septennial.

College,

CoUeges.

frightens me ; then,

frightens me more than.

Eusseth,

Eossyth.

Little EUies,

Little Airies.

we e ought.

were thought.

to o.

to observe.

coronation with,

coronation oath.

Stairs,

Stair.

infirms tate.

infirm state.

Knolls,

KnoUes.

who thinks it belowthem,

who think it [not] below

them.

Rigo,

Vigo.

have.

be.

[accompt,]

[estimate.]

ours.

yours.

Sermons,

Sermons.

the Duke of Montrose,

the Duke of Montrose's

depute,

depute.

beidle.

be idle.

XXIV

CORRECTIONS.

p.

I.

fm-
read
606,
13,
from foot.
1644,
1664.
606,
8,
slips.
ships.
611,
6,
1651, VOL,
, ni.
1561.
32,
1,
his.
this.
82,*
12,
happy,
unhappy.
112,
4,

slip.
ship.
142,
18,
jus quesitum.
jus quesitum.
276,
8,
judicially.
judiciously.
373,
7,
Summus Deus as the,
Summits Deus as to the.
THE

WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER I.
EARL OF ROTHES. — PATRICK WALKER. — WODROW'S HISTORY.
To Mr Mathew Wood, Minister at Edi-nburgh.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had not yours of the 19th till yester
day, which is the ordinary fate of letters by private hands ; there
fore, I stiU like to have mine by post, and so I send mine this way.
I long to hear what your Presbytery did last day, and am sorry for
any heat at such an unseasonable time.
I am heartily glad you have writ down what you remember as
to the late excellent Earl of Rothes. I wish Colonel Blackader and
M.v Clow may help you with their additions, and whenever you
allow any to see the account, I'll put in for a share. I have not
been more affected of a long time with any thing of that nature
than I was with the verbal account you gave me of it at Edinburgh.
Nobody has been so kind as to give me an account of the excep
tions taken at my book, though I have publicly desired to be set
right wherein I was wrong. I do not doubt but there may be se
veral things wherein I may have been misinformed ; but I hope
there is nothing I have wiUingly erred in.
VOL. III. A

2 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
I hear no more of Mr Bruce's large Answer. In May, at Edin
burgh, I heard one Patrick Walker' was about to print somewhat or
other about the Sufferings, and take some notice of my History. I
shall be very glad to see that period set in a better light than I
was capable to do. I mind, before Mr Webster's death, he spoke
to me about one of that name, and twice at his appoiatment I
came to his house to have met with him, but he never came. I

' Patrick Walker — the well-known and eccentric author of the Lives of Peden,
Cameron, Cargill, &c., which, after having circulated far and wide through Scotland
in the shape of Chapman Tracts, have been lately collected and published under the
pompous title of Biographia Presbyteriana. Of his early history little is known.
Wodrow does not seem to have been aware, when he referred to him as above, that
he was the person mentioned in his History, vol. iv. p. 47. " July 22d, (1684.) I
find Patrick Walker, a boy of eighteen years or under, before the coimcU. He con
fesses he was present at the murder of Francis Garden, (Gordon,) one of the Earl
of Airly 's troop, and refuses to discover his accomplices." Walker, in his own ac
count of this affair, seems to be indignant at Wodrow for " transmitting his name
under the notion of a murderer ;" but he studiously avoids saying by whom the fatal
shot was fired, and leaves the impression that he was Gordon's executioner. Indeed,
it seems to have been clearly a case of self-defence. He followed at one time the
occupation of a packman or pedlar, but towards the close of his life, he appears to
have adopted a wandering life, travelling about the country, mounted on a little white
poney, gathering old stories, and circulating his own productions, with other religious
tracts, among his early acquaintance. It is difiicult to say to what religious party
Patrick Walker belonged. He was evidently no friend to the " M'Millanites," who,
he says, are " quite wrong designed, and should be called Hamiltonians, after Robert
Hamilton, who was the only man that led them in these untrodden, dangerous paths
of positive disowning of the State and separation from the Church ;" and he freely con
demns their "overstretched consequences," "they making no difference betwixt our
present condition, and our former period of tyranny and defection." — (Biogr. Presbyt.
vol. i. pp. 1 19, 230.) — He was, however, a strenuous defender of the old Cameron
ians, who disowned the civil government when it had degenerated into " tyranny and
oppression ;" and he protested, with singular zeal, against all " right-hand extremes
and left-hand defections" both in Church and State. His writings, along with many
shrewd remarks and much curious information, exhibit a species of craziness, in the
constant reiteration of some favourite dogmas, and in the miconnected rhapsodical
style of his narrative. Walker's attack on Wodrow, of which our author speaks
above, did not appear till the year ] 727, when he added to his Life of Cameron, " Re
marks upon twenty-eight gross Misrepresentations and groundless and scandalous
Reflections in Mr Wodrow's History, and Answers thereto.'' These remarks refer
chiefly to the opinions expressed by Wodrow, and do not affect, in any material point,
the veracity of the historian.

WODROW TO MATHEW WOOD. 3
desired what information he had to give, but received nothing.
SiQce, I have heard no more about him. Pray send me all the ac
counts you have of JMr Bruce or Walker, and give me the ex
ceptions you hear of at as great length as you can. I shall still be
ready to yield to better information. And as I believe some wiU
be displeased with what I have written, so it is some comfort
to me, that some very good judges are satisfied with the book in
general ; and I hope it may be of some use in England, where I
hear severals of rank have read it, and are better pleased than I
could well have expected. I have accounts from the Prince and
Princess, who have read much of the first volume. The late Earl
of Sunderland had read much of it. Six or eight of the Bishops
have got it, and Sir Peter King has read it, and is better pleased
with it than it deserves. However, send me all your accounts of
it from Edinburgh.
Severals have spoke to me about abridging it, and I wiU not be
averse firom following my brethren's advice in this matter, if once
I could think what is fit to be put in an abridgment, though, indeed,
I am weary of writing on this subject, as you'll easily believe. Mr
Grierson, and, I think, some other of your brethren, were speaking to
me of this when last in town, and I shall be glad to have their
thoughts as to what is proper to be put in an abridgment ; for, in
deed, I cannot yet form a scheme to myself on this, but what would
stiU be too large for common people. I am. Rev. Dear Brother,
yours, &c.
January 2, 1723.

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER IL
LIFE OP ALEXANDER HENDERSON.
To Mr Mathew Crawfurd.
Rev. Dear Brother, — ^I had a letter lately firom London, ac
quainting me that a gentleman there is upon a design to give an
account of the lives of the most eminent persons of the last age, in
Church and State ; and he wants memoirs for the life of IMr
Alexander Henderson. He desires to be informed of his family and
extract ; the time and place of his birth ; where he studied ; by whom
he was ordained ; what his motives were to leave the Episcopal
Church; what book itis wherein Mr Gillespie confutes his pretended
recantation of Presbytery; with all that I can give about him.
I hope you wUl be in case to gather up some hints as to the three
first, of which I can give little or no account. His reasons for leav
ing the Episcopal Church may be easily known. I do not mind
any thing of Mr Gillespie's which reiutes his alleged recantation.
I remember there is an act and declaration of the Assembly about
the reproaches cast oil him, and I have a pamphlet since the Revo
lution in vindication of him. If there be any of his relations alive
about Edinburgh, you will get some hint from them. I'll be glad
of a copy of the inscription on his stone in the Greyfiriars', with
every thing you can send me about him. Principal Hamilton and
Mr Robert Stewart, whom I kindly remember, wiU, I doubt not,
be in case to give you some accounts about him. I have a good
many original letters of his. The gentleman who desires this ac
count seems very inclinable to do all justice to his memory. He
has pubhshed the Life of Mr Hales of Eaton last year, or the year
before. I am yours.
Jan. 3, 1728.

wodrow to JAMES FRASER.

LETTER IH.
A. HENDERSON'S LIFE AND WRITINGS.
To James Fraser, Esq.
Dear Sir, — I answered all your last next post after I received
it, save what concerns Mr Henderson ; and, lest you should sus
pect I have forgot this, though I have little material as yet to write,
I thought it proper to give you a hint of what I have done and am
a-doing. His family and younger years I can give but little ac
count of, but have written to my acquaintances at Ediaburgh and
Fife to make inquiries, and send me what they can gather.
1 am forming a short memorial about Mr Henderson, which you
may expect as soon as I have returns from those I have written to ;
and if they be slow, as too many are in matters of this nature, I
shaU send you any thing I can gather Irom the papers I have, and
afterwards transmit what I receive from others.
Meanwhile, let me acquaint you that when I came to inspect
that paper I wrote to you of, quoted on the back, " Mr Henderson's
Last Paper to the Kang," and compare it with the printed confer
ence, I find that it is printed there, and has been wrong quoted ;
and it is so far firom being the last, that there are two or three on
each side after it. We have a tradition, how well grounded I
know not, that Mr Henderson made a return to his Majesty's
last paper; but, when the conference was printed, this was not
insert, that in decency his Majesty might have the last paper. I
fancy this tradition has led somebody in a mistake thus to mark
the paper on the back.
I do not mind any book of Mr Gillespie's wherein he confutes Mr
Henderson's pretended recantation. The General Assembly, 1 648,
wherein Mr Gillespie did moderate, emitted a declaration, which

b THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
you may have the copy of if you want it, wherein they condemn
the pretended renunciation of Mr Henderson as a false, scandalous,
and forged paper. But for any thing of Mr Gillespie's, in particu
lar, if there be such a paper or passage in his books, I have not
observed it.
All I can give you further at this time, is a hst of what of his I
have in print and manuscript. In print I have his Sermon before
the Assembly, 1638, on Acts v. 32, Svo ; Govemment and Order
of the Church of Scotland, London, 1641, 4to; his Discourse
when the Solemn League and Covenant was taken at London,
September 25, 1643, 4to; his Fast Sermon before the Commons,
on Ezra vii. 27, December 27, 1643, 4to ; his Thanksgiving Ser
mon before the Parliament, on Matt. xiv. 21, July 18, 1644, 4to;
his Fast Sermon before the Lords, on John xviii. 36, 37, May 28,
1 645, 4to ; Papers betwixt King Charles the First and him at New
castle, 8vo, 1649. And I think I have read somewhat, printed in
vindication of Mr Henderson, in the answer to Dr HoUingsworth's
Vindication of King Charles the First, printed at London since the
Revolution, which, if you have not, I shall search for here.
In MSS. I have papers said to be his Instructions about Defen
sive Arms, 1639; Directions as to Voicing in Parliament, 1639;
Answers to some Propositions in Defence of Episcopal Govemment
about that time. Indeed, most of the public papers emitted that
and next year were formed by his pen. These are all I have, save
several of his original letters, 1641, 1643, 1644, 1645.
I long very much to hear from you, with all your news firom the
learned world. Let me know what new books and pamphlets are
on the file, and the latest accounts from the Society for Propagat
ing Christian Knowledge, and the Missionaries in the East Indies.
I would gladly know who is said to be the author of a paper I get
weekly, the " Saint James' Journal ;" it is written with a great deal
of life. Accept of my thanks for all your favours, and write fre
quently to. Dear Sir, yours, &c.
Jan. 11, 1723.

WODROW TO WILLIA3I HOG.

LETTER IV.
M'wARD and M'mAIN. — MR HOG'S ANSWERS.
To Mr William Hog, Merchant in Edinburgh.
Dear Sir, — Receive Mr M' Ward's letter, which you may read
to Mr M'Main ; and he will see that I have cited faithfully what I
have printed out of it. I had no other view in printing the ab
stract firom it, but if the authority of so good and great a man as
he was, might have any weight with Dissenters, to let them see
his thoughts of the evil and hazard of separation. I had no mind
to revive our debates about the Indulgence, and so was not con
cerned in that place, with Mr M'Ward's severe innuendos upon it,
and them who embraced it. The same reason makes me decline
countenancing Mr M'Main's publishing this present paper of Mr
M'Ward's, since I cannot see to what good purposes it can serve.
However, I am glad to hear Mr M'Main is assured it's the original
he hath.
Receive also Mr Hog's Answers,' for which I return you thanks.
It was the very best account you could give me of that affair. I
heartily sympathise with him, and regret the loss of the Church of
Christ by the death of his worthy brother.^ It's a very peculiar
loss to me, who was favoured with very useful letters from him. If
you have occasion, let his sons know how much I lament their and
my loss, and how readily I would serve them in any thing in my
power. Give my humble duty to my Lord Grange, whom I am glad to
' " When he was in town, 1 got the enclosed copy of his Answers to the Synod
Queries to be given in to the next Synod, which return me after perusal." — {William
Hog to Wodrovt.')
2 The Rev. Thomas Hog of Rotterdam.

8 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
hear to be recovered from the iudisposition I heard he was under
in harvest. I had several thoughts of writing to my Lord to de
sire his thoughts as to the method of a Biography, in case I should
ever come to digest the papers and materials I have, and may fur
ther receive. But I was hindered by my uncertainty as to my
Lordship's health, and now, I fear in session time he wUl be throng.
When my Lord has done with your copy,' if you send it to my
Lord PoUock's lodgings sealed and directed for me, it wiU come
perfectly safe. I was guessing by the delay of Mr Hepburn's af
fair that it would go to the Commission. I am, &c.
Jan. 14, 1723.

LETTER V.
trochridge's letters and lord LOtTDON's PAPERS.
To Dr J. Stevenson at Ayr.
Dear Sir, — I was not unmindful of yours of August the 28th ;
but have not been since at Edinburgh. Now, you'U see that MS.
in Dr Sibbald's printed catalogue.
When I was at Irvine in October last, I was a-coming to you,
but one knows not when you are at home. Had I met with ybu I
would have begged a view of Trochridge's'' Letters and Epistolary
Dissertations, which, no doubt, will contain many curious things.
It may be, perhaps, too much to desire them this length with a sure
hand, whom I would cause caU at you. This I must leave entirely
to yourself.
I Mr Hog's MS. copy of the Life of Mr Thomas Hog of Kiltearn. See vol. i. pp.
188, 190, ofthis Correspondence.
> Probably Robert Boyd of Troohrig, Principal of the College of Edinburgh.

WODROW TO ROBERT M'BRIDE. 9
If you have any occasion, pray forward the putting in order my
Lord Loudon's papers ; for I am sure there are there some curious
things Httle known. I have set Mr Falside on this, and I hope
you will join your interest, at least to separate the private family
papers from those of public and general concern. I am. Dear Sir,
your affectionate cousin, and humble servant, R. W.
January 14, 1723.

LETTER VL
Messrs masterton and mair. — mr Hepburn's call to Edin
burgh.
Io Mr Robert M'Bride, Minister at Ballymon-y, Ireland.
Rev. Dear Brother,— Having the occasion of one in this
iieighbourhood coming to Belfast, though I have little to acquaint
you with, I send this to the care of Mr Smith, mostly to crave an
account of affairs with you since I heard from you. It's a satis
faction to us here to hear that Mr Masterton is transported to
Belfast, and we are grieved to hear of Mr Mair's tampering with
the Estabhshed Church. I wonder you wrote not to me of that
affair. Pray let me know how it stands now. The Lord grant
us grace to be fixed, stedfast, and unmoveable ! It were hard to say
this is a native consequence of any particular set of men's way ;
but I cannot help thinking that a modest and peremptory adhering
to principles, a sincere fair owning them, and holding by sound
forms of words, through the Divine blessing, is the safest way to be
kept from wavering, and being carried away by every wind of doc
trine, and the many temptations ih this loose and unsettled time.
There is a new flame breaking out at Edinburgh. The magi
strates, council, and several of the elders, with some of the mini
sters, have carried a caU for Mr John Hepbum, (old Mr Hep-

10 the wodroav correspondence.
burn's son,) to a vacancy there. The plurality of the ministers and
elders were for Mr Smith of Cramond, and yet the council cast the
scale for the other, and the Presbytery have declined to concur
with the council, and remitted the matter to the Commission, and
the magistrates and caUers have appealed to the Synod. The dif
ference betwixt Mr Smith and Mr Hepburn is too plain to be insist
ed on. However, this affair is making a great deal of noise.
At your leisure let me have aU that is going among you. I think
you promised me some pamphlets and papers when you were here.
I would willingly see a copy of the discipline proposed some years
ago, and have copies of any curious manuscripts relating to Church
affairs you have ; and whatever charges you are at in copying I
shaU wilUngly refund. Pray send me every thing you have or
can procure as to the lives of ministers, ecclesiastical affairs, and
remarkable providences. Give my kindest respects to your mother
and brother, Mr Gilbert Kennedy, Mr Lang, Mr Masterton, and
aU brethren of my acquaintance ; and write fi-equently to, Rev.
Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, Jan. 15, 1723.

LETTER Vn.
controversial writings in IRELAND.
To Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick, Ireland,
for present at Edinburgh.
Rev. Dear Sir, — Yesterday, when I came home, I had yours
and Mr Smith's, with the Apology for the Northern Ministers,'
' This tract was published this year by Mr Masterton, under the title of " Apology
forthe Northern Presbyterians in Ireland." It contained a reply to Mr Abernethy's

wodrow to WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 11
which I set myself presently to peruse, that I might dispatch it
without loss of time by this post, that Professor HamUton might
have it as soon as possible ; and I enclose it with this to our friend,
Mr GUbert Montler.
You'U easily guess I have but glanced it over, though with a
great deal of pleasure and satisfaction. It's in my opinion the very
best paperl have seen on your affairs, and handles the subject of sub
scription with a great deal of accuracy and solidity. It's a fuU and
complete Answer to the Seasonable Advice, which I stUl took to be
the most dangerous performance on the other side. It's done with
that Ufe and spirit, and yet free from severity and keenness, that is
ready to mix in with debates of this nature, which cannot but re
commend it to impartial readers. Two or three things I noticed
in it of very Uttle consequence, of which I shall talk with you
when it pleases the Lord we meet again, and then write to Mr
Masterton with you. The passage, pp. 16-20, about one argument
in Mr Dunlop's Preface, I leave to the remarks you will probably
receive fi-om Professor HamUton. Mr Masterton wrote to me last
summer a hint, which I find here enlarged, upon Mr Dunlop's argu
ment firom the nature of societies, which, in his opinion, proves too
much. I cannot say I am so ripe upon that subject as to answer
the difficulty Mr Masterton moves. But the Professor, no doubt,
will give his opinion upon it ; and if you think proper to commu
nicate it with Mr Robert Stewart, Professor of Philosophy, who

" Seasonable Advice to the Protestant Dissenters in the North of Ireland ; being a De
fence of the late General Synod's charitable Declarations,'' which was first printed at
Dublin in 1722, with areoommendatory Preface by the Rev. Nath. Weld, Joseph Boyce,
and R. Choppin, as from an anonymous but judicious author. In 1724, Mr Abernethy
wrote a vindication, entitled, " Reply to the Rev. Mr Masterton's in Defence of the
Seasonable Advice to Dissenters in the North of Ireland, with a Postscript by the Rev.
Messrs Weld, Boyce, and Choppin, iu Vindication of their recommendatory Preface
to the Seasonable Advice.'' The disputes between the Subscribers and Non-sub
scribers gave rise to numerous tracts on both sides, as similar differences had done in
England. " This paper war is, by all sober and thinking men, looked upon as a pre
lude to further mischiefs, and even to an open rupture, unless God, in infinite mercy,
prevent them, and vouchsafe to heal our bleeding wounds." — {Letters io Wodrow, vol.
XX. No. 153.)

12 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
has had his thoughts much upon this subject of Confessions, and on
whom you may entirely depend, he wiU give you his sentiments
with all freedom. I give my kindest respects to them both, and
the Earl of Buchan if in town, and Colonel Erskine.
As to the printing of this paper, my thoughts are that it is very
fit for the press, and may do a great deal of service ; but then I
am not so far acquaint with the precise terms of your last General
Synod's Act, as to know how far printing on this subject is dis
charged for peace sake, nor with the circumstances our Rev.
Brother wiU be in when he comes to settle at Belfast, which may,
perhaps, render it unseasonable for him to renew the debates in a
public raanner. These I must entirely leave to your own considera
tion ; only I shaU be sorry if the particular circumstances of your
bounds make it necessary for ministers and weU-affected people to
lie under the misrepresentations and obloquy the Non-subscribers
scatter about, without answering, and deprive us of so useful and
well-formed an apology as this is. I give my kindest respects to
Mr Smith, and expect to hear from you as oft as you can. I pray
the Lord may support you under the fraUty of yom* health ; and
am yours. Feb. 5, 1723.

LETTER VIU.
EPISCOPAL MEETING-HOUSES. — SETTLEMENTS IN PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCHES.  THE M'MILLANITES.
To Mr David Brown, Minister at Peterhead.
Rev. Dear Brother,— It was with a particular pleasure that I
received yours of the 16th of January this week, after so long in
disposition you have been under, and some prayers and many fears

WODROW TO DAVID BROWN. 13
among your friends about the state of your health. I pray for the
sanctified Improvement of this rod to you and your people, and the
confirmation of your health, and much success in the work of the
Lord. May it be good for you to bear the yoke in your youth ;
and may you have strength and a spirit fitted to the place and
time your lot is cast in. PecuUar difficulties have peculiar promises
and assistances ; and If we be not wanting in our dependence we
wiU find this. Our good Master sends none a warfare upon his
own charges. I am glad to find you are not without some grounds
of comfort amidst many discouragements. Observe carefiiUy the
day of small things, and press after more.
I am grieved to hear of the vast number of meeting-houses you
teU me of. We were in hopes the Rebellion would have eased you
in part of that burden ; but it seems growing. Let me know
which of them use the EngUsh Service, and whether generally, as I
suppose they are, they be Non-jurors, with every thing relative to
the state of your Synod and neighbourhood, the growth of Popery,
the measures taken by the Popish priests, and every thing you
would desire to know were you here. I heard but sorry accounts
of Mr Clarehugh, and never expected any other than what you
teU me of Mr Hunter.
Nothing of the debates with your uncle, nor his answers, has
come to my hand, save a sheet and a half in foUo, he was pleased
to give me at the Assembly. AU other things in the debate wIU
be most welcome. I wonder much my book has any converts In the
North, especially among the ladies ; one would think it's not calcu
late for them, and that its bulk would fright them. I shaU be glad,
however, if it be of any use anywhere. Most of the Bishops In
England have got It, and the Low Church Is better satisfied with
it than I could have well promised myself. The Princess has done
me the honour to read over the first volume, and the Prince has
read most of it. They make me believe from London that it may
be of some use among the English, who are very much strangers
to our affairs. If so,, whatever rude treatment I may have from
our Scots Jacobites, I hope to be the easier. They are busy I hear

14 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
at Edinburgh gathering up materials for recrimination, which will
not be an answer to me. But it becomes me to say nothing tlU I
see their performance.
Very little offers from this country that I can think of worth
your while. You'll have heard aU our vacancies are suppUed;
and at last we have got Paisley planted with another minister.
Our settlements are turning extremely vexatious, and too much
by our differences among ourselves, and some striking in with par
trons. Glasgow is happily settled with Mr M'Laren, and his voice
answers much better than was expected. Poor Eaglesham is miser
ably rent, Kilmarnock Is not like soon to settle ; Glasserton is lately
vacated, by honest Mr Borland's death. Old Mr Hepbum is ar
dying, and they say presses union and peace much. Prcestat sera
quam nunquam. The M'MUlanites are much disjointed among them
selves. Gilchrist is dead, and Taylor traversing the country,
swearing all he allows to baptism never to hear any of the estar
bllshed ministers ; but he wUl never make any hand. This Is the
shortest sketch of our affairs I can think of.
¦ At London, the debates betwixt Subscribers and Non-subscribers
are reviving, and in Ireland things are in very lamentable circum
stances. I hope by my next to be in case to give larger accounts
of their state. I have almost now wearied you ; and I don't use to
scribble so long. But as I was fond to hear firom you, so if s a
pleasure to me to write to you again. I remember aU your relations
and all brethren of my acquaintance. Be sure to write often to
me by post, when private hands offer not, and send aU pamphlets
that are a-going. Great grace be vrith you ! I send this in that
your sister may write on the other side ; and am your affectionate
brother. Eastwood, Feb. 8, 1723.

WODROW TO JOHN SIMSON. 15

LETTER IX.
DR FERGUSON AND THE IRISH NON-SUBSCRIBERS.
To Mr John Simson, S. T. P. Glasgow.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had a letter a day or two ago from
Mr Gilbert Kennedy, wherein he desires me to thank the Princi
pal and you in his name, for the declaration in his favours sent over
last spring. He has Uttle on their affairs, being In haste, and refers
to Mr WiUiam Livingston, who hath been with you. Only he
sends me the copy of a part of a letter of Dr Ferguson's,' and desires
me to communicate It with the Principal and you, and earnestly
desires our judgment concerning the article the Doctor objects
against. You'U see the Doctor does not repeat the words of our
Confession themselves faithfuUy, and both as it stands in our Con
fession, and as he turns it united, it contains the doctrine of aU
Christians I know of, save the Nestorians, for I doubt if the Soci-
nians and Arians ought to be so called.
This letter makes me fear the Non-subscribers have somewhat at
bottom against some of the articles of our Confession. And if they
would speak it out, this would be much more generous and fair,

' The part of Dr Ferguson's letter referred to is as follows : " I see your people
have not cast off their pharisaical zeal for the traditions of the fathers, more
than the great truths of the Gospel. The Confession (they are very little judges
of) is their Great Diana, to which the Scriptures must yield. The Bible shall be
my foundation, and no confession of fallible men, especially such large ones, with some
very abstruse notions as ours, of 1 70 articles, and above a thousand different proposi
tions ; some vain philosophy, as Chap. viii. art. 2, where 'tis averred that the two
distinct natures are perfectly united without composition. Make any zealot unriddle
me that, before I subscribe that notion or untruth to be the confession of my faith. Se
veral other such I could give, but this may suffice to cool the temper of any hot
zealot that neglects the Bible." — {Letters io Wodrow, vol. xx. No. 175.J

16 the wodrow CORRESPONDENCE.
and liker honest men, than to keep us at long weapons, and fight
ing in the dark about Subscribing and Non-subscribing. This is all
that offers to me in the general.
I don't question but the Principal and you wUl give your opinion
on that article ; and certainly it wiU be strengthening to our brethren
to have our sentiments on what casts up among them. If you send
it to me I shaU transmit it, being to write to him in eight or ten
days. You have the copy of the letter and objection enclosed.
Send me aU your HoUand news, sinoe P. P, went over. I am
yours. Feb. 8, 1723.

LETTER X.
SUBSCRIBERS AND NON-SUBSCRIBERS.
To Mr Samuel Smith, Merchant in Belfast, for present at Edinburgh.
Dear Sir, — ^I have yours this post, with the enclosed prints
from Belfast, printed since you came thence, and am very much
grieved to think on the consequences of Mr KUpatrick and Mr
HaUiday, their open appearing against your new erection, after, as
I take it, they had yielded to that settlement, at least, had been
overruled in the General, and, I suppose, the Particular Synod, who
concurred in this new erection. And now, just upon Mr Master-
ton's settlement there, by the unanimous act of the committee of
the General Synod, to appear in such a manner, looks to me Uke
an insulting your judicatories, and to have a great deal more in It
tending to schism, than any thing I can observe In the people who
sought that new erection.
The author of the Letter to a Minister in Scotland I know not ;

WODROW TO SAMUEL SMITH. 17
but people will be ready to lay it at Mr Kilpatrick's and Mr Hal-
Uday's door ; and be who he wIU, he takes no little freedom with
the Church of Scotland, by his Innuendos, and some very rough
and pretty positive expressions, that we are unseasonably med
dling with your affairs in the North of Ireland. And it's a won
der to me how our last Synod's Act at Irvine has escaped a fling.
There seems to me, in both the papers, to be plain misrepre
sentations of facts, as I have had them represented with you in
Ireland ; and a vast noise is made of a flame raised at Glasgow
when you were last here, which I am a stranger to.
These things, with the most undue liberty taken with your cha
racter, make me of opinion you ought to vindicate yourself, and
set matters misrepresented in a true light ; and as soon as ever
you hear that copies of these papers are spread at Glasgow, where,
I am of opinion, they wUl soon cast up, though I have not yet heard
of them, to have some short paper ready to be printed, and not tUl
then. For, If it were possible to bury these matters, it were much
to be wished ; but, indeed, I fear things are past that, and I am
sorry for it. These prints give me a more melancholy view of
your affairs at Belfast than any thing I have yet seen ; and I can
not but aUow myself heartily to sympathise with the Rev. Mr Mas
terton, under the difficulties he is like to have to grapple with
among you ; but I hope the Lord wUl support him under them.
Give my kindest respects to Mr Livingston. I am glad of
what you write. I see some precautions are taken In one of the
papers against his coming over, as well as yours, though he is not
named. I have Mr M'Bride' s, and shall talk with you at meet
ing ; and am, tUl then, and ever, yours most affectionately.
Feb. 18, 1723.

VOL. in.

18 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER XL
wodrow's HISTORY. — MATHER's WRITINGS. — ^NEWS.
To the Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D., and Minister at Boston.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — Yours to rae, ofthe date January 1st, was
more than ordinarily welcome. Since you honoured rae first with
your correspondence, I was never half so long without the benefit
of your letters. The last I had from you was dated May or June
1719. How uneasy I was under so great a loss I shall not express ;
but the pleasure of seeing yours again makes me forget my uneasi
ness In part, though still it raust be a sensible mortification to me
that I want so many of your letters as you teU me you have sent
in that time.
Your favourable opinion of my History gives me much satisfac
tion, after aU the toU and pains I have been at in coUecting the
materials of it. Our most gracious Sovereign King George has
done me the honour to receive the copy I presumed to send him,
and was pleased to say he would read it. Their Royal Highnesses
the Prince and Princess were pleased each of them to accept of a
copy, and have caused acquaint rae that they have read the first
volume, and will read the other. May the Lord, who has helped
me through this tedious work, make it of some use to state the cir
cumstances of this Church, and our worthy confessors and martyrs,
to persons of their Influence !
I most heartUy thank you for the kind offer you make, to pro
cure a request for my book In America. I have printed but a
very few copies beyond what were subscribed for, and what I de
signed for my friends, whom I presumed to put in with the sub
scribers. Forgive me, Dear Sir, when I add, that you surprise
me a Uttle in what foUows, when you desire to know the price of

WODROW TO COTTON MATHER. 19
the books, that you may remit the money. Allow rae to say, you
have forgot the obligations you have been laying on me year by
year, and oftener, now since the 1709 or 1710. By my putting in
your name among the subscribers (for which, I think, I had your
allowance) I never designed you should pay for my book. Be as
sured I am not altogether so insensible of the uncommon ties you
have laid me under. I wish I had had somewhat of more worth
to have sent you. It was an uneasiness to me, that I could not
send over a copy likewise to your venerable parent, as was my
duty ; but at that tirae, when the ship came off, I could not pro
cure one at Glasgow, and so took the liberty to desire you to com
municate the copy I sent you to him ; and now it's too late to do
It, for the first volumes are all disposed of. Pray give my most
humble duty to him, if yet aUve; and let him know how fond I
would be to have his judgment of my History, and once raore to
hear from him before he get to heaven.
We were very rauch alarraed and grieved when, by the London
prints, we found eight or ten of the ministers of New England (as
they were pleased to magnify the numbers) were conformed to the
Church of England. It pleases rae to hear that only the treach
erous rector is gone to England.' Those offences and defections
raust be ; and I persuade myself holy Providence has great end to
accomplish by them. You'll please to continue your accounts of
these apostates.
As soon as I saw your Christian Philosopher advertised at Edin
burgh, I got it, and read it with much pleasure. You have, indeed,
joined Christian and the PhUosopher to great advantage, and I
1 It would appear that at the new College at Newhaven in Connecticut Colo
ny, Mr Timothy Cutler, the Rector, who was distinguished for his learning and
popular talents- as » preacher, suddenly declared hiraself for the Church of England,
and denied the validity of Presbyterian ordination. He brought over to his views
one of the tutors, and they went over together to London to receive orders. His
example and influence also unsettled the minds of several ministers, which excited
great alarm. " But the most of the few apostates," says Dr Mather, " have reconciled
themselves to their offended churches." — {Letters to Wodrow, vol. xx. Nos. 28 F.
and 29.)

20 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
heartily thank you for your many religious and judicious improve
ments you have raade In a subject that was still a <!rage^yov to me.
I have seen nothing from America upon the Arian controversy,
save your excellent letter to Mr Bradbury pubUshed.
It's time I should thank you for the valuable packet of American
productions which attend your kind letter. It's but eight or ten
days since I had thera, and last week I was at Edinburgh, so I
have not yet got through them. The Princely Convert Is what
makes me long for further accounts, frora your useful correspond
ence with the pious and learned Frankius. Your Relation from
Tercera Is very entertaining. Your NIshraath-chajIm contains
raany new and enlightening raatters, which wiU be matter of
thought and inquiry. Your Advice to a Son I design very soon
to put into the hands of my eldest, if once he were a Uttle more in
case to take up the solid and strong reasoning in it. The Right
Way to Shake off a Viper has been of use to me under somewhat
of late that has befallen me. And I particularly thank you for
your father's Legacy. I see he is stiU bringing forth fruit in his
extreme old age. May the Lord bless it, and yet give some more !
My Lord PoUock came west ¦with me frora Edinburgh on the
16th ; and I communicate some of yours to him ; for which he re
turns you thanks, and gives his kindest respects to you and your
parent. The rest he shaU have when I next wait on him. May
the Lord long preserve that worthy person !
Since my last, very little offers from us in this Church. We en
joy much peace and Uberty, when our neighbours in England and
Ireland are fighting one with another, and too many (alas ! even
among those of whom better things raight be expected) against the
truth, the great and fundaraental truths. We have a very great
share In the amazing decay of real religion, which gives too much
ground for your affecting apprehensions about us. We have much
ground to fear a determined consuraptlon and a long controversy,
unless preventing blessings and glorious sovereignty interpose.
Continue to pray for us, as we do for the dear churches with you.
Our Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge in our High-

BENJAMIN COLMAN TO WODROW. 21
lands and Islands goes weU on ; new schools are frequently set up,
and raany of those who sit in darkness are much enlightened. Our
God is wonderfuUy appearing, in discovering, and, in part, disap
pointing, the dreadful .plots formed against us. But, alas ! we are
not bettering, but sinning more and more, and have much reason
to fear the heaviest of judgments. Allow me to beg the favour of
your letters, and aU your accounts you can send me from your ex
tensive correspondence ; extracts firom which, by your amanuensis,
would be a great favour, with your thoughts continued upon the
present aspect of providences, and the state of religion through aU
the churches.
May the Lord continue you long at useful services for leaming
and religion, and bless your daily designs and efforts for doing of
good and great things ! I am, Rev. and very Dear Sir, your most
affectionate brother, and most humble servant.
March 18, 1723.

LETTER XIL
BAPTISM OF RABBI JUDAH MONIS.
Benjamin Colman to Wodrow.^
Rev. and Dear Sir, — Mrs Erskine has staid so long since I
sealed up mine to you by her, (a large letter and two packets,)
that I ara obUged to write to you again ; though I have nothing
new to Inforra you of but of the baptism of a learned and pious
Jew, a fortnight ago, at Cambridge in our CoUege HaU, by Mr
Appleton, the reverend pastor of the church there. He is a
great master and critic in the Hebrew tongue, a most ready scribe,
and truly didaxrixpg, most apt to teach and communicate his
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xx. No. 28.

22 THE WODROW CORKESrONDENCE.
knowledge. His name is Rabbi Judah Monis, in the thirty-fifth
year of his life, a very sober man, and of good conversation. His
knowledge is great in the Holy Scriptures, both of the Old and
New Testament, and also In the writings of the Rabbles. He both
speaks and writes the Hebrew with a perfect ease and readiness,
and his writing is even as the print. He wrote out the Books of
Moses for a synagogue in Holland sorae years ago, and has so
journed with us here several years, and been gradually convinced
and enlightened by study and discourse. He made a large dis
course to us before his baptism, wherein he answered the argu
ments and objections of the Jews against our Christian Faith, and
then solemnly professed his own beUef in Christ, as the true Mes
siah, and the dedication of himself unto him as the alone Saviour.
Mr President Leverett, the head of our coUege, required me to
open the solemnity with prayer, and to give the audience a dis
course upon the occasion, which I did from these words of our
Saviour, John v. 46, " For, had ye believed Moses, ye would have
believed rae : for he wrote of rae." Mr Monis has already wrote
two treatises on the Divinity of Christ, and on the doctrine of the
Trinity. He writes but broken EngUsh. But he has also turned
the Assembly's Catechism into pure Hebrew, which I think was
never done before ; and he seems to be much set on doing some
thing considerable for the conversion of his nation by the will of
God. I thought, Sir, that it would not be unacceptable to you to be
informed of this rare and singular occurrence among us ; and, in
deed, you require me to inform you of every thing that may at any
time be extraordinary.
Mr Monis has taught more Hebrew here this last year than has
been learned, it may be, these twenty years before ; for we have
no Hebrew Professor ; but our tutors teach a little of it to their
pupUs, according to the raeasure of theii- own knowledge. How
far he raay be used araong us, or what may be in the womb of
Providence, time must show; but many of us ai'e not without much
hope.

WODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 23
When you pray for the conversion of that once beloved people,
as I beUeve you daUy do, I ask a remembrance for Mr Monis,
whom you wUl put among your Christian brethren, with. Rev. and
Dear Sir, your affectionate brother and servant,
Benjamin Colman.
Boston, New England, April 10, 1722.

LETTER XIH.
wodrow's HISTORY  INOCULATION. — MR HOLLIS.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman, Minister of the Gospel at
Boston.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I am now run very much in your debt,
and shall scarce be able to discharge it for a long time. Your two
most valuable packets came to my hand towards the end of last
summer, and, by their direction, I found they were by Mrs
Erskine. But the letters which came with them I had not tlU Janu
ary 1723 ; whether they were mislaid, or what was the matter, I
have not yet learned. And about eight days ago I have yours in
December, with not a few productions of yours and your brethren,
which are highly acceptable to me.
In a day or two after I had your last, I was obliged to go into
Edinburgh to the Commission of our Assembly, which took up last
week, and this day I hear the ship that brought yours leaves us
again in a day or two. I would not wilUngly miss her, and have
only time almost to acknowledge the receipt of yours, and return
my hearty thanks.
It was Mr StirUng's loss that he was so Uttle at Boston, at least
with you; and I am much obliged to you for your kind concern in
him, had he given you opportunity to show it. His exceUent
father has been laid by from public work for some months. He is

24 the wodrow correspondence.
now, blessed be God, better ; indeed, for wrestling and usefulness,
we have none almost that come up to him.
I ara glad my book has come safe to your hand. I was ashamed
to send it in sheets ; but raany times I ara so put to it by the hasty
saUIng of your vessels, that I cannot do what I would, and I chose
rather to send It naked than miss the occasion. It's some satis
faction to me that I was in case to send you any thing of mine
(though it's a coUection, and little of it I can caU mine) in return for
your far more important and useful performances ; for I must stiU rec
kon those the most useful that most nearly concern the great in
terest of souls. And upon a fair balancing of accounts, I cannot yield
to you the debt Ues on your side. I have got beyond you, indeed,
a little in bulk, but that's a poor matter. However, I'U stIU put
in for a share in what comes from your hand and your friends,
not on the score of debt, but the friendship you have been pleased
to aUow rae.
Your favourable opinion of the History is what Is very satisfying
to me ; but I stiU suspect my friends overlook my weaknesses fi-om
the regard they bear to the general scope of the work, which Is
certainly useful, could I have raanaged as I ought. It happens
that your sentiments and those of my enemies for once agree, that
it has given a wound to the cause of Prelacy. And though you
are pleased with this, yet the people of the other side are extremely
angry with me, and are very busy making up a large work (as they
give out) in answer to it, (if recrimination deserves that name.)
When it's published. It's time enough for rae to speak of it.
Our debates with some of our brethren, that affect to speak too
near the Antinomlans, are not yet at an end ; though our last Gene
ral Assembly, by a very large act, stated that matter very fully
and plainly. Our next Assembly is yet like to have some further
trouble from one of them ; the event of which I must leave tlU May
next, when they sit again.
I am glad my hint as to this led you in to give me so large an
account of the disturbance made at Boston on the matter of inocu
lating, which I wonder much how people who have any reflection,

WODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 25
and are in case but to cast up a comraon account, and balance the
difference in the deaths among the Inoculate to those not inoculate,
can stand out against clear evidence of fact. You'll be pleased to
see the exact calculations of Mons. Jurlne, and another I have for
got, upon this head, in the Philosophical Transactions of December
last ; and I doubt not tut they will reach before this.
The Lord's goodness In putting such a great and good work in
the heart of Mr HoUis ' to your College, and using you as an Instru
ment in it, is matter of joy to me and several others, to whom I
have communicate that noble benefaction. May the Lord render
to him blessings sevenfold ! But I don't observe that some of that
society are improving so great a benefit as they ought to do, in the
alterations they are making of the reasonable and just methods
of managing the common affairs, which I am sorry for, and it bodes
not weU. However, you may have peace in the good you have
done, and your reward shall be with the Lord.
You wUl be sorry to hear that divisions soraewhat of akin to
yours have been for sorae tirae in the University of Glasgow, where
the regents and other masters, under pretext of ralsraanagements,
' " I do not know whether I wrote you last year of the great favour of God to our
College, in the bounty of one Mr Thomas Hollis of London, merchant, to it ; in the
obtaining whereof, God has been pleased, principally, to use my poor hand for the
greatest part. He has sent over to us such sums of money as that already has ap
pointed ten poor students, pious and diligent, and devoted to the ministry of Christ
in his church, (no dunces or rakes ever to be nominated or allowed,) annually to re
ceive each ten pounds a-year, to assist them in their studies. To this hundred a-year,
so devoted, he has added eighty pounds per annum, for a Professor of Divinity, to
read public and private lectures on positive and controversial divinity ; the private so
often every week as to go through the courses within the year. The overseers of the
College (who are the Governor, Council,, and the Ministers of Boston, Cambridge,
Charlestown, Watertown, Dorchester, and Roxburgh) have ordered it to be known by
the name and style of the Hollis Professor in Harvard College. Our benefactor is
one of the best of men, a Baptist in judgment, yet in stated communion with the Con
gregational church meeting at Princess Hall, London ; a most pious and devout
Christian, and of a truly catholic and generous soul. He allows the treasurer of the
College ten pounds per annum for making up and sending over his accounts every
year. I hope. Sir, we shall have your prayers for this foundation, that it may be
blessed of God, and for our dear and gracious founder, whose heart God has so en
larged and inclined." — {Colman to Wodrow.)

26 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
which is not your case, by the Principal and others, of which they
have given no proofs, make great outcries. They are so far broken
among themselves, and lead in (quite wrong) the scholars to their
parties, that, with the utraost regret I write it, that learned society
are losing that reputation they once had among us. It is a very
dismal sign when breaches get in among the fountains of learning.
I pray God they never come to any height with you !
Your other letter takes me off this melancholy subject, and again
and again I thank you for it. Nothing has offered to me, these
many years, that has been more refireshing than your account of
dear Mr Monis, to whom I give my most affectionate remembrance.
The Lord be with him, and strengthen hira to do great things for
His name, and the interests of Christianity, and his own brethren
according to the flesh ! This is a providence I hope may have a
train of consequences yet unknown to us foUowing it. I thank you
for your discourse at his baptism, which Is the only thing in your
last valuable packet I have yet read. I have coraraunicate your
account with a good many brethren, whose mouths are fiUed with
praises and prayers for our Christian brother ; and, indeed, I am beg
ging prayers for hira at all hands. If he shaU publish any thing, I
know you wiU send it rae. When I am upon this pleasant subject,
I remember a fault I was guUty of, in not sending a copy of my
dear and worthy friend, the learned Mr Jameson, his Spicikgia
^gyptiaca, last year save one, when it was published a little before
that great man's death. I know not how It feU out of my mmd
to send you the book ; but, If you have it not already, I know It
will be acceptable ; and if Mr Monis has not seen it, pray com
municate it with him. Had I another, I would have sent one to
him ; and I'll be fond to have his sentiments upon a book whose
subject he Is so well acquainted with.
I ara grieved for the unthankful and most irregular carriage of
Mr Sturgeon. I heard some account of his unsavoury carriage
when a student at Glasgow some years ago, if he be the same
youth, (as I think he is,) and that he was stopped in his licentia-
tory trials for some immorality ; but I can't be distinct in matter,

WODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 27
for I only transiently learned of the thing. But he was not of
good report ; and now it seems the Lord has left him to discover
hiraself araong you, to the reproach of religion. I wish you had
had raore of an established order and govemment, and that none
were received without full and particular testimonials from the
places whence they come.
We had the account of the defection at Newhaven in our pub
lic prints, which grieved us much ; but it's not so IU as we had it
represented, though lamentable enough. By a letter from London
about a month ago, I find that apostate Rector has given an open
challenge to our brethren there to defend our ordination ; and
some of thera gave theraselves the trouble of a meeting with him,
and found him Ignorant and erapty in his own cause, In a surprising
measure, and a perfect braggadocio ; but you'll have no doubt bet
ter accounts than I can give you thence.
Pray return my hearty thanks to worthy Mr Wadsworth for his
valuable papers. I beg a room In his affection and Interest at the
throne of grace. Nothing at present offers to me published here,
otherwise I would have sent it, save a few communion serraons of
Mr Halyburton's, which I present to him. It's posthumous, and
comes not up to some other of that great raan's works. I was im
portuned to send you over his book on Natural ReUgion, which,
if there be any room to dispose of araong you, I'U be glad of it ;
but shaU send none of them tlU you order. Indeed, the risk of
sending thera, and the discount betwixt your money and ours, and
the unfrequency of occasions of returns, raade me not much in
liking with the proposil ; but at his relict her desire I did pre
sume to make it.
I again thank you for your accounts of good and more trouble
some things in New England, and have scarce left roora for any
thing from Scotland to you. Indeed, blessed be the Lord, very
little afflicting offers. We enjoy, through the goodness of God,
much peace, and many glorious advantages. But we are under a
melancholy declining state as to vital religion. Our meeting
houses increase in the northern parts by the Toleration. But if the

28 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Lord will, after our next Assembly, I shaU be in case to give you
what is a-going, if a ship offer. Let me beg the continuance of
your entertaining correspondence, with aU your remarkables. Par
don my haste, and continue the share you have allowed rae in your
love and prayers. The Lord's grace and spirit be with you and
your famUy, whose preservation I bless the Lord for; and am,
Dear Sir, yours in raany ties.
March 18, 1723.

LETTER XIV.
WITH A MEMORIAL OF ALENANDER HENDERSON.
To James Fraser, Esq., London.
Dear Sir, — I am ashamed I am so long In writing to you ; but
the true reason was, that in the winter-time I am generaUy taken
up in parochial work among ray people ; and, being of late pretty
rauch abroad, I had not tirae tlU this week to put together what I
have heard and read about Mr Henderson ; and, tiU I could send
you soraewhat, though it's but very little, I was out of countenance
to write to you.
I have yet had nothing frora ray friends at Edinburgh and Fife
about him, and am put off tlU May, when the Assembly sits. Mean
while, I send these lame hints, which I hope to enlarge afterwards,
as I get Information.
By my last, which I hope reached you, I sent you a Ust of what
I have of Mr Henderson's In print and manuscript. If any ex
tracts from these can be of any use, you'U command them.
This is ray third to you since I have had any from you ; though,
you raay guess, I ara longing to hear from you. I know things of
the nature of mine are not soon got done with great men; but,, as

MEMORIAL OF ALEXANDER HENDERSON. 29
soon as you bring it to any bearing with my Lord Townshend,
you'll please to let me know, with aU your news from the learned
world, and what further you have to acquaint concerning the fate
of ray History in England, and, particularly, when I may have the
pleasure of seeing you In Scotland. This coraes under my Lord
Buchan's cover from. Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
March 22, 1723.

" MEMORIAL ABOUT MR ALEXANDER HENDERSON." March -20, 1723.
Mr Alexander Henderson was homanno [1583,J of parents of
good esteem, and descended from the faraily of Fordel (Henderson)
in Fife, an old faraily and of good repute, represented (at least
some years ago) by Sir John Henderson 6f Fordel. Very early
he discovered his inclination to learning, and uncommon ability for
it. When at the study of the languages, he was observed much to
exceed his fellow-students. He studied Philosophy at the Univer
sity of St Andrews, and there was made Master of Arts ; and
in a very little time after his graduation, he was advanced to be a
Regent or Professor of Philosophy in that University, and taught
phUosophy about eight years with no little applause. It was then
not unusual, and, if I mistake not, there was some regulation
formed about it, that Professors of Philosophy, after eight years'
teaching, if found qualified, were to be licensed to preach the Gos
pel ; and after that they were ordinarily advanced to the holy raini
stry ; and not a few of the ablest and gravest of the ministers of this
Church were such as had for some time taught in our universities ;
and a succession of learned men this way were, year after year,
coming into the ministry,
Mr Henderson all along directed his studies so as he might
serve God and his generation this way. And when he left teach-

30 the wodrow C0RRESP0>; DENCE.
ing in the university, he was very soon settled minister in the pa
rish of Leuchars, two miles frora St Andrews.
Whatever proficiency Mr Henderson had made In learning, and
however great his gifts were at his first entry into the ministry, he
used to acknowledge afterwards to his bosora fiiends, that he was
hitherto much a stranger to the life and power of godliness and
real piety, and to own that great man, Mr Robert Bruce, was the
instrument of his conversion. The occasion of which was this : —
Mr Bruce's fame was very great, and Mr Henderson had heard
much of him, and turned raore than ordinarily desirous to hear him
preach. He happened, some time after Mr Henderson's ordination,
to be invited to assist at the dispensation of the Sacrament of the
Supper somewhere in Fife, and Mr Henderson went to hear him,
but privately, and as much under disguise as possible. I have
heard it reported by old rainisters, that Mr Bruce, happening to
handle at that time the 10th chapter of John, insisted a Uttle upon
the verses 1st and 2d, when introducing himself to the 3d verse,
and that what he said upon thieves and robbers coming in not by
the door, but some other way, proved not a Uttle alarming to him.
Whatever be In this, Mr Bruce's sermon was made singularly use
fill to him, and after that time he fell into the serious and earnest
study of piety, and becarae a burning as weU as a shining light.
The raore he was exercised to vital serious reUgion, the more he
fell into a dislike of raany things common at this time in the Church
of Scotland. Corruptions in doctrine, and no small tendencies to
Popery and Pelagianism, were getting in araong the most noted of
the inferior clergy. The Bishops dipped themselves [in]to the af
fairs of state, followed the politics, and pursued after cIvU posts
and offices. Mr Henderson, with many other pious and faithful
ministers, groaned under these corruptions, and, after bearing testi
mony against them In aU raethods they could reach, kept frequent
raeetings for prayer and wrestling.
When a uniforraity with the hierarchy and cereraonies of the
Church of England was very near accomplished, and the Canons

MEMORIAL OF ALEXANDER HENDERSON. 31
and Liturgy imposed upon all rainisters without exception, Mr Hen
derson, in the year 1637, was among the first who presented a pe
tition to the Privy Council for reUef from the burdens imposed.
Without any previous concert, and perfectly unknown one to an
other, four of these petitioners raet at Edinburgh, araong whom Mr
Henderson brought that from Fife, and this was the first public
step to that great revolution in the year 1637 and 1638.
Upon the delays and various turns the petitioners met with from
the Council and managers in Scotland and England, those who
were appearing for reformation and the liberties of the nation,
found themselves under a necessity of frequent meetings at Edin
burgh. In these, comraonly termed The Green Tables, composed of
Commissioners from shires and burghs, and considerable nurabers
of the nobiUty and ministers from different comers, Mr Henderson
bore no small share, and had a chief hand in drawing the declara
tions, advertisements, protestations, informations, and other public
papers emitted at that time.
In the year 1638, when the King was prevailed upon to caU a
General Asserably at Glasgow, such was the value every body had
for Mr Henderson, that he was unaniraously chosen Moderator of
that Assembly, where he had a large scene to exert his prudence
and other abUities, necessary to one in that chair at so critical a
juncture. When the methods that Assembly took proved disagreeable to
his Majesty and those about him, who were for running things to an
extreraity, and a breach betwixt the two nations seeraed alraost
unavoidable, armies being raised on both sides, and the King come
the length of Berwick, Mr Henderson was pitched upon, by reason
of his known wisdora and capacity for managing difficult affairs, to
wait upon the Comraissioners who were sent to attend his Majesty
and his councU at Berwick. The matters now in debate very much
concerned ecclesiastical affairs, and it was not unreasonable that a
minister of his loyalty and prudence should be with the Comrais
sioners sent to treat upon those and other matters. And whatever
injurious consequences are drawn by some, from Mr Henderson's

32 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
being named to go along with these Commissioners, as if his were
a going out of his line as a minister, and what did not become one
who had so much blamed the Bishops for intermeddling with po
litics and civil affairs ; yet these are groundless, and might easily
be taken off were this a place for it. In the conferences with his
Majesty and the English Comraissioners, when he was called to
give inforraation as to what related to the Church, he acquired
very much reputation, and was extremely useful to bring matters
to a bearing betwixt the two nations.
Yea, such was the value both sides had for this great man, that
when the Asserably raet again with his Majesty's Commissioner, he
(the Earl of Traquair) very much urged that Mr Henderson should
again be chosen Moderator ; and notwithstanding matters at the
former Assembly were carried in manner the Earl was not so fond
of, yet he gave hira the highest encoralums. But the Commission
er's proposal was not fallen in with, lest it should be a handle to
bring in constant Moderators, one of the first steps towards Epis
copacy in Scotland, and for other reasons.
Again, in the year 1640, when the treaty betwixt Scotland and
England had been for sorae tirae In dependence at Newcastle, and
was transferred to London, Mr Henderson, with Mr Robert BaUlie
and some others, was sent up there to give just accounts ofthe pro
cedure of the ministry and Covenanters in Scotland since the 1637,
where he behaved so faithfully, wisely, and zealously, as much re
commended him to leading raen on both sides in England, and he
continued at London part ofthe 1641.
Next year he was again sent up from Scotland with the Chancel
lor and others, who went up to compromise raatters betwixt the King
and the English Parliament. But things were come to such a
height in England that peaceful methods were not hearkened to.
In the year 1643, Mr Henderson was pitched upon, with Mr
Samuel Rutherford, Mr Robert BaUlie, and Mr G. Hutchison, mi
nisters, to be commissioners frora the Church of Scotland to the
Assembly of Divines at Westminster. There he bore that part as
was very much for the reputation of those who sent him ; and I am

MEMORIAL OF ALEXANDER HENDERSON. 33
informed that Mr Henderson had a chief hand in drawing up the
Confession of Faith and Catechisms, and particularly the Directory
for Worship and Ordination,
Mr Henderson being so much busied in that great work, con
tinued at London tUl the year 1646, when the King returned to
the Scots army. The Commissioners frora Scotland waited upon
him, and he and Mr Henderson entered into a reasoning by inter
changing papers upon Episcopacy. The papers are printed, and
speak for themselves. I have heard It frora old rainisters, who lived
at that time, Mr Henderson gave a return to the King's last paper
that is printed ; but, by concert, copies of it were suppressed, that,
in decency, the royal disputant might have the last word. The
King expressed at that time an uncommon esteem of Mr Henderson
for his leaming, piety, and solidity.
At Newcastle, Mr Henderson, through the long fatigue of busi
ness, and advancing years, turned sickly, and chose to come down
by sea to Leith. From thence he carae to Edinburgh, and In a
very few weeks got to his reward, for the services he had done to
religion and Uberty. I am weU informed of a very remarkable pas
sage a few days before he died. Upon his return to Edinburgh he
was invited to dine with his good friend Mr, afterwards Sir James
Stewart, after Lord Provost of Edinburgh, and was extremely
cheerful and hearty at dinner. After dinner was over. In conver
sation, he asked Sir James, If he had not observed him raore than
ordinarily cheerful ? He answered, he was extremely pleased to
find him so well as he was. AVeU, said the other, I am near the
end of ray race, hasting home, and there was never a schoolboy
raore desirous to have the play than I ara to have leave of this
world ; and in a few days (naraing the tirae) I will sicken, and at
such a time die. In my sickness I will be much out of case to
speak any thing ; but I desire you raay be with rae as much as you
can, and you shall see all will end well. All fell out as he had fore
told. I think it was a fever he fell into, and during much of It he
was In much disorder ; only when ministers came in he would de-
VOL. III. c

34 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
sire them to pray, and all the time of prayer he was stiU, composed,
and raost affectionately joined. And, at the time he spoke of, he
died in the Lord, with some peculiar circumstances extremely af
fecting to Sir James. This I had firom a person of honour, who
heard Sir James more than once relate it.
He was very honourably buried in the Greyfiiars' Churchyard,
where a raonuraent was erected to his memory. I have elsewhere
given account of the orders given, in the after times of fury and vio
lence, to rase the inscription upon his piUar, to which I refer you.
He was never married, and so left no posterity. I am ashamed tq
give so lame an account of this extraordinary person ; but tiU I have
further time to make Inquiry, this is aU that offers about him.
I have already sent you my sentiments upon that spurious paper
published after his death by his enemies, and have Uttle to add to
the pamphlet I referred you to as to this.
Only a passage or two more anent Henderson comes to my me
mory, upon reading over what is above. That sermon of Mr Bruce,
before hinted at, was not only the occasion of his conversion, or the
discovery of this to him, but an inlet to take up the evUs in Prelacy ;
and graduaUy he was brought to quit that way, and take the first
public opportunity of testifying his dislike of it.
While he and many other ministers were groaning under the
corruptions got and getting into the Church, they used fre
quently to meet in Fife, for prayer and conference, Mr James
Wood, afterwards Professor of Divinity at St Andrews, was
educate in the Episcopal way; and, by his leaming and great
abUities, in case to say as much in the favours of Episcopacy
as the arguraent was capable of He came to Mr Henderson
and visited him firequently. Mr Henderson, after his close observa
tion of his learning and parts, took him with him to one of their
raeetings for prayer and conference in the neighbourhood, where
generally the Lord, at that time, very much countenanced his ser
vants, with a suitable effusion of the Spirit. Mr Wood was much
affected with what he was witness to, and, in returning with Mr

WODROW TO GILBERT KENNEDY. 35
Henderson, owned there was a singular measure of the Divine pre
sence, far beyond what he had been witness to ; and that his affec
tions and inclinations to join himself with them were much moved ;
but added, his judgment was not yet satisfied, whioh behoved to be
before he could leave the way he had been educate in. The other
owned this highly reasonable, and referred him, for fiiU conviction,
to Mr Calderwood's Altare Damascenum, upon reading of which
Mr Wood owned that his reason was fuUy satisfied ; and, from that
time, he left the prelatical sentiments.
I find, likewise, from very good hands, that during the sitting of
the Assembly at Glasgow, Mr Henderson, notwithstanding of the
vast fatigue he had through the day, yet, with some other mini
sters, used to spend the night-time, at least a great part of it, In
meetings for prayer, and conference upon raatters then in depen
dence ; and that those meetings were remarkably countenanced of
God ; and that the Marquis of Argyle, and several others who
sometimes joined in them, dated their conversion, or the know
ledge of it, from these times.

LETTER XV.
DR FERGUSON AND THE CONFESSION OF FAITH.
To the Rev. Mr Gilbert Kennedy, Minister at Tullylish.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours of November the 7th last
from Mr Smith, and have done him all the service in my power
for the design he has in hand. I wish more could have been done,
but I hope what is done may be of use.
I communicate the copy of the letter subscribed V. F.' to those
' Victor Ferguson, M.D. Seep. 15.

36 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
you desired me. The Principal and Professor give you their kind
est respects, and would have written In a joint way with me our
sentiments on the objections made against the Confession; but
this week, to which they delayed this raatter, the Synod met, and
Mr Smith and Mr Livingston were just leaving us in haste to be
horae. In short, there appears to them or me very Uttle in the
objection. The citation is unfair, and hot in the words of the Con
fession, which agree with the coraraon opinion of the Reformed
Churches ; and the insinuated contrariety in the expressions hath
been a thousand times answered. However, in this we are pleased,
that the gentlemen on that side begin to deal fairly and fi-ankly,
and let us see where their objections Ue, and keep not in the clouds
against confessions in the general.
I heartUy thank you for your account of the moving stone. It's
an odd fact, and I beseech you let me have aU the singularities of
this kind that offer.
You have the sympathy of friends here ; and I hope there are
not a few who have your affairs very much at heart. Sir Living
ston wIU give you a fuU account how matters are with us. And I
persuade myself his coming over here hath set your affairs in their
true light. To hira I must refer you, having ordy time to beg you
may write as oft as you can, and particularly after your next Synod,
by post. I pray the Lord may support you, and be eminently
present with you in your Master's work; and am. Dear Brother,
yours most affectionately.
April 6, 1723.

WODROW TO COLONEL UPTON. 37

LETTER XVL
THE colonel's SERVICES IN BEHALF OF THE CHURCH IN IRELAND.
To the Honourable Colonel Upton, at Upton Castle,
Sir, — I have had the pleasure of conversing oUce and again with
your minister, Mr Livingston, upon the state of matters in the
North of Ireland, of which I ara sorry he has no better accounts to
give. Forgive my rudeness in presuming, when writing to him, to give
you the trouble of this from one who wants the honour and benefit
of personal acquaintance with you, and yet for raany years has en
tertained the greatest value for you, upon accounts which might
seem flattery to signify to yourself.
I bless the Lord, who has helped you to make vigorous appear
ances for the sinking interests of religion and the valuable concerns
of liberty ; and cannot but esteem the stand yon make for the Dis
senting interest in the North of Ireland, which, in my opinion, was
still upon the same Scriptural bottom with the Church of Scotland,
to be an appearance both for real religion and true liberty, which I
wish, in this loose age, be not turned to licentiousness.
It grieves rae rauch, Sir, to hear of the opposition you meet with
in so good a cause ; and I venture to say, you want not a good
many in this country who heartily bear burden with you, and pray
and hope God wIU stand by you, and support you.
Another reason of my presuming upon this address to you, is a
letter I had last week from your much respected friend. Colonel
Erskine of Carnock, wherein he teUs me he was to have written to
you by Mr Livingston, but some way or other was hindered, and
promised to send by an occasion coming to me his letters to you.

38 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
That person is not yet come, otherwise I had carefuUy sent the
Colonel's letter with your worthy minister. But as soon as it
comes to me, I wUl forward it by some sure hand.
The interests of Presbyterians in Scotland are so closely chained
to those of the Dissenters in Ireland, that, when writing to you, I
have presumed to send you a book I have lately pubUshed on the
state of our affairs from the Restoration to the Revolution, which I
hurably beg you please to receive firom Mr Livingston, (to whom
I directed it,) as a smaU token of the esteem I have for you. When
you have leisure to look it over, I am ready to think you may
meet with some new proofs of the Antichristian temper of our
Scots Prelates, and the vile methods used in that period against
many excellent persons of all ranks.
It's a book I can scarce call mine, except a Uttle labour I was at
in collecting of the materials, and placing them under their differ
ent subjects and periods ; but the principal papers and vouchers I
flatter myself may be worth your perusal. I wish I had had more
time and better abilities to have put them in order.
It's now abroad, and, Uke other books, must have its fate. I shall
only say, I had not ourselves in Scotland only in my eye in writing
it. We know the facts generaUy ; but I designed it for the infor
mation of our neighbours in England and Ireland, who, I doubt,
are pretty much strangers to the barbarity of that period.
I ask pardon for this address firom so mean a hand, and most
heartUy pray for the best blessings on your worthy famUy. If
there be any thing in this country wherein I can serve you, please
to lay your commands upon your most humble and faithful servant.
Eastwood, April 6, 1723.

WODROW TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, 39

LETTER XVIL
ENCLOSING THE PRECEDING LETTER.
To the Rev, Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-
Patrick, Ireland.
Rev. Dear Brother, — ^I have been thinking a Uttle upon the
motion you made this morning, and have sent both my volumes,
directed to you, to Mr Smith's care. I cannot satisfy myself fuUy
about the expediency of making a present of them to the Colonel.
It looks so much, in this country, like an author putting his books
off himself, when in a strait to dispose of them, which I believe you
know is not my case. Could I take the sarae liberty with the
Colonel as one might do with his equal, and were I not really ap
prehensive he would give himself more trouble than the matter
deserves, I would be under no difficulty. The Colonel is a person,
as I told you, I once had a mind to put in araong ray subscribers,
and who certainly should have a book of the nature raine is of ;
but this I would not venture upon ; and my inclination is yet
under the former apprehensions, that you keep the books to yourself
rather than put the Colonel upon the lock,' and send me their value
in transcribing of papers relative to history and providences, such
as Mr Andrew Stewart's, and Mr Adaur, senior and junior, their
papers, which you'll soon be in case to do, and keep up the en
closed to the Colonel. However raptim I have written it, and
left it open to you to peruse, and act as you see cause, in the
greatest sincerity I can say, that if you think Mr Upton wUl re
ceive the book frankly, without putting himself to the trouble of
' Difficulty, dilemma.

40 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
returns, such is ray real esteem for the famUy of Upton, and such
I think ray obligations are to this gentleraan for his appearances
for our common interests, that, were it far more valuable than it is,
I would send It him. Great grace be with you ! Write soon to
yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, April 6, 1723.

LETTER XVIH.
RARE BOOK. — MART QUEEN OF SCOTS.
To Mr James Anderson, Writer to the Signet, Edinburgh.
Dear Sir, — You have not been so kind as to signify to me how
your affair goes at London, and how far the managers for the town
of Edinburgh have prevaUed or fallen short, though there are not
many of your friends who count themselves more deeply concerned
in this affair, or rather the advancement of what concerns our
country and learning, as well as what is justice due to you, than
I reckon myself. However, I shall make no complaints ; but go
on to what I know you wiU aUow me in.
I have, since I saw you, faUen upon an extract from a book which
is pretty rare, " Vita Vincentli Laurel SRE Cardinalis Montis Re-
galis, quarto, Bononla3 CIO 10 IC," which extremely pleases me.
Very probably you may have this book, and it's much if it has es
caped your industrious dUigence. But, in case you have it not,
you shaU have a copy of what concerns our affaii-s in it.
In my opinion, it's a noble voucher for much of Buchanan's ac
count of the Lord Darnley, and the Queen's unhappy concern in
his death. But the passage that touched me most, and brought
you to ray thoughts, is what concerns the Queen's disponing of
England, frora her son to Philip of Spain, a day or two before her

WODROW TO ROBERT BLACK. 41
execution, of which I venture to send you a copy, in case it should
have escaped you, though, indeed, I must make an apology for this
supposition ; and I ought scarce to put the case, that any thing wUl
cast up to me that you have not already. Such as It is, I know
you'U accept as what I would contribute to help forward your ac
counts of these matters, were any thing In my power.
You'll oblige me by giving aU your discoveries and accounts from
the learned world, since I parted with you, and a particular ac
count of your health, which I pray God may preserve for his glory
and the service of your country. I am. Dear Sir, yours most
affectionately, R. W.
April 10, 1723.

LETTER XIX.
COMPEND OF wodrow's HISTORY. — ^NEWS,
To Mr Robert Black, Roiterdatn.
Rev. Dear Brother,- — I received the two journals for Sep
teraber and October 1722, and these are the last I have. I had
likewise the two first Fasciculuses for the six voluraes of the Biblio-
theca. Continue still to send both as they come. I like the Fascicu
luses very weU. There are raany things In thera that are not to be
met with elsewhere, and, for my share, I wish the coUection may
go on. I'll expect, by the bearer Mr HUl, what is further publish
ed of both, and whatever else you shaU see proper to send that is
pubUshed of late.
As to the compend of my book, I wrote to you before that I still
thought it iraproper it should be drawn by me. I am sorry you
can fall on nobody to make any abstract of it. If Mr Paisley can

42 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
find as much time, I should be glad he could get it done, as I spoke
to him ; but I have not heard from him since he left us.
When the second volumes came over to you, I had not a glid
ed copy on the back to send to the Pensionary at hand, and, in
deed, it was out of my head. You have never writ to me whether
he had received my letter or the first volume ; and I fancy he Is so
much thronged with pubUc affairs, that he wiU not have leisure to
take any notice of my book when he gets it.
As to the imperfect copy, you may send it over here ; or, if it be
only one or two sheets wrong, take them out and send them over,
and I shall send over the sheets, or another book to you. These
imperfections faU in through the negligence of the bookbmders,
and there is no help for them. I think I wrote of this once or
twice before to you.
The removal of your worthy colleague, when I heard of it, af
fected me very rauch, and wiU be a sensible loss to you and the
people. I wish the Lord direct you to one to supply his room.
Matters here continue in peace ; how, I cannot say. Our fears
are mercifiiUy disappointed as to the plot ; but the Jacobites are
still uppish and restless, and our parties and party work are but
little abated. We have had a great bustle this winter about Mr
Peter Haddin, his being admitted a Lord of Session, of which no
doubt you'U have heard. They talk as if that debate were to be
brought to the Asserably next week, where the Earl of Hopetoun
is Commissioner, by an appeal from the Presbytery of St Andrews,
whence he is chosen Coraraissioner ; but I hope people wiU not be
so foolish as to involve the Church in a debate of that nature.
The affair of the Marrow will come in to the Assembly by Mr
Gabriel WUson's affair. What turn it takes, you shaU hear after
the Assembly, if the Lord wUl. The meeting-houses are growing
much in the North, and a spacious one is built at Aberdeen for the
EngUsh service, by contributions frora England. We have multi
tudes of very horrid murders faUlng out of late. Last week. Sir
James Campbell of Lawers was murdered at Greenock, by one

WODROW TO MES WODROW. 43
CampbeU, when sleeping, without any provocation. A week or two
before, a soldier murdered a poor man at Hamilton, and the lady
of Gogar Mains was most barbarously murdered, near Edinburgh,
by her own husband. The process at Glasgow anent Mr Hervey,
of which, no doubt, you have fuU accounts, was ended by the
Synod, I wish their heats in that place were at an end. You'U
perhaps have heard of worthy Mr Francis Borland's death this
winter ; but I doubt if you have heard of Mr James Trail's death
at Montrose, and old Mr John Hepburn. I mind no other things
among us. I hope these hints wiU prevail with you to give me all
that is agoing with you in Church, State, and Universities ; and
I am yours. May 1, 1723.

LETTER XX.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1723.'
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No, 1.
My Dearest, — I have very Uttle to write this raorning, but that
I am extremely weU, perfectly free firom my cough. When the
Assembly rises, I shaU give you a hint of their procedure. I hear
Uttle news, and have been so throng with my booksellers and others,
that I have been Uttle upon the street these two days. The House
of Peers are close upon the plot, but what will be the issue is not
known. There is not much in the report fi-om the Lords. The
plotters have acted with that cunning, as to keep themselves out of
the lash of the law. And it's said that when the Abbot Du Bois
made the first full discovery, some conditions were required in
favour of the bishop, which are the occasion of this lenity. That
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xvi. Nos. 31-37.

44 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
prime minister is not upon the Pretender's lay, and therefore the
more regard is had to his opinion. You have things as I hear
them. The Assembly met tliis day. We had a good sermon from Mr
Mitchell, preached on Rom. xiv. 19, " FoUow the things that make
for peace," &c. He had, you may be sure, a good serraon on the
head of peace, and sorae very seasonable advices at the close.
AVhen the Assembly met, the commissions were gone through.
We have a general convention of the burghs ; six or seven more
than formerly ; and they say that circular letters were written by
the town of Edinburgh to aU the burghs, and that some are threat
ened to have their stent-roU heightened in August next, If they come
not in and vote, as is proposed. Mr Sraith and Mr Black both
were on the list for moderator. Mr Smith was voted by twenty-
seven votes. The King's letter is in comraon form, very kind and
obliging. The Comralssioner's ' speech was very obliging. He
takes notice that this was the first pubUc post ever he was in, and
it was a pleasure to him to be employed first in such a relation to
the Church. Then the committees were named.
We have no news I mind of, but that the King speaks of going
abroad. I am your own.

LETTER XXL
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No. 2. May 10.
My Dearest, — I have little this day to acquaint you with. In the
forenoon the Assembly met for prayer, when Mr BlackweU, Mr
David Walker, the minister of Kirkliston, Mr David Anderson, and
Mr Jaraes Guthrie, were called on to pray. Principal Stirling and
' The Earl of Hopetoun.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 45
Principal BlackweU are to preach before the Commissioner, who
keeps a great table, and every body likes him. In the aftemoon the
Answer to the King's Letter was approven by the overtures, and a
motion made for an address of congratulation upon the conspiracy,
and a committee appointed. In the bUls, Mr Gabriel WUson's long
papers were read and rejected, as fuU of complaints and hard words.
His case, as before the Commission, is transmitted. They say
Lord Charles Ker is dead at the Bath, and Sir John Swinton here.
The Jacobites are still uppish In the North, and Popery and disaf
fection increasing. Our matters wiU open out to-raorrow by the
Instructions, which I shall write, if I have any tirae. I ara, blessed
be the Lord ! very well, and long to hear how you and ours are.
In case I forget, desire Mr Montgoraery or Mr Stark to think on
half an hour for the Sabbath, after I come home, In case I win not
horae tlU Thursday or Friday. But I'll labour to be horae as soon
as possibly I can end my affairs with the booksellers and Mrs Wat
son. 1 remember aU with you and in the West. Grace be with
you In body and spirit ! God has been our help, and I hope will
be. May 1 1 .
This day the Assembly met. The Answer to the King's Letter
was unaniraously voted, and an address upon the discovery of the
conspiracy drawn by Mr Alston, which Is florid enough. Monday
is appointed for Mr WUson's affair ; Tuesday for Edinburgh affair,
as to the coUege meraber. This, with the nomination of the Cora
raission, and Synod-book revises, was aU done this day.
I have yours, for which I thank you. I shall write as oft as pos
sible. I keep my room, and can't be better in a room and landlady.
I shall speak to Mrs Stewart about the cambric ; and am in perfect
health. Write much to your own.
Be not fashed If you miss a letter ; for I am soraetirae not master
of my time. Pray take a care of yourself; and see if you can en
gage Mr Stark or Mr M. for the afternoon. In case it be Thursday
before I come.

46 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
LETTER XXn.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 3.
May 13, 1723.
My Dearest, — Yesterday we had an excellent sermon from Mr
James Stirling, on " We are set for the defence of the Gospel ;"
and, in the afternoon, from Principal Blackwell, on " Glory to God
In the highest," Luke ii. 14. This forenoon, the Committee of
Overtures are upon the Commissions, about which there are de
bates, and there seems to be a general dissatisfaction vrith the
Burghs' Commissioners, there being, they say, about thirty-eight,
or more, than ordinary. What wiU be done in this, I know not.
All will be sustained for this time. The Instructions complain
rauch of the growth of Popery since the last Assembly. Lord
Charles Ker, they say, is not dead. The House of Peers have not
extended the tax upon the Papists and Popish Recusants to Scot
land, by thirty votes. In the afternoon, the Assembly are to be on
Mr Wilson's affair. I shall write afterwards what is done. I must
write by starts, as I can.
This aftemoon, Mr Wilson's affair ' came in, and took near five
hours, as every thing does from that quarter. There was some de
bate how the matter stood before the Assembly. In the heat of
the controversy about the Marrow, this Sermon of his was preached,
and the Synod did think he had taken several ways of expressing
hiraself from that book, and drew up several articles of errors and
calumnies on the government. Church, and particular ministers. It
seems the Synod, at least a good part of it, were tolerably satisfied,
save as to three points : — That the law of God, as to the believer, is
divested of its penal sanction ; that evangelical repentance does not
' For a detailed account of Mr Wilson's process, in its different stages, the
reader is referred to an account of the Marrow Controversy iu the Christian In
structor, vol. i. pp. 78-82. The Serraon referred to was entitled " The Trust,'
and has been frequently reprinted, being much admired for its fid^ity.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 47
go before pardon ; and that the nature of faith takes in assurance.
These three the Assembly only restricted themselves to, as what
was referred to them. Mr WUson pressed much to have the other
part, concerning his calumnies and other things, taken in, but that
was not yielded. Mr Wilson read his answers, and explained him
self upon these three points, and owned the threatening of eternal
punishments were of great use to believers, though they could
never be inflicted. As to repentance, he shuffled a little, and did
not seem to understand that so fully ; but, indeed, that was not so
much in his sermon, as he was drawn in to express himself not so
safely in his answers to the Synod. The last point seeraed to be
pretty much waived, he declaring he was perfectly of opinion with
our Confession and Catechisms as to faith. In short, the raatter
was referred to a large Coraraittee, — Mr MitcheU, Principal Stir
ling, Principal Haddow, Professor Anderson, Mr Alston, Mr Logan,
and four or five of his Synod. The ruling elders declined being
named in that Committee, as being a point of doctrine. May 14, 1723.
This day the Assembly met at ten of the clock, and till three of
the clock they were upon the case of the Commissioner from the
College of Edinburgh, his being chosen by the masters of the Col
lege, or the magistrates and council joining with them. The mat
ter, as you know, came in by an overture from the Coraraission,
that none had the power of choosing from that University to the
Asserably but the raasters. The parties were called, and the town
of Edinburgh appeared by two of the council and two lawyers.
The Professor and Mr Stewart appeared without a comraission
from the rest of the members, and declined appearing against their
honourable patrons, but declared, in their own narae, and all the
masters save one, that they were desirous to have the matter de
termined by the Assembly. The lawyers objected, that it being a
contested right, if there were no parties appearing against them,
the matter should drop. This occasioned a long reasoning of two
or three hours, I cannot pretend to resume the arguments. It

48 the WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
was aUeged, for the town, that their right was a clvU right,
grounded on Acts of Parliament and their prIvUeges, and without
there were parties contesting this right, they being in constant pos
session, It could not be entered on by the Assembly. Upon the
other side It was urged, that It was an affair cast up in the Assembly
by controverted commissions ; that the last Asserably had referred
It to the Coraraission ; the Coraraission had given an overture on it ;
and there was no need now of contesting parties ; yea, it was what
concerned, necessarily, the constitution of the very Assembly Itself,
and what was founded neither on Acts of Parhament nor the Town's
Charters, but on the Assembly's Acts, who had granted powers to
societies to be represented there. At length it came to the vote ;
Proceed at present upon this matter, or Not, notwithstanding of the
difficulty cast up ; and it carried by 70 votes. Proceed. When the
parties were called In, Balile M'Aulay, In name of his constituents,
protested, that since the Asserably was to go on, they might with
draw, it being a point of civil right belonging to the town, and took
instruments, and withdrew. The Advocate, Mr Hadden, my Lord
Cullen, and others, had long speeches upon this protestation. It was
represented as an attack on the constitution of the supreme court,
a charging it with Erastianism, &c, Affleck and ray Lord Grange
endeavoured to smooth the protest, but at length it issued in this,
that the clerk should not record the protest ; and the town were
allowed to appear before a committee the Assembly named. If they
pleased, and to withdraw their protest ; If not, that the committee
should be ready to give In an overture to the Assembly, what cen
sure [ought] to be inflicted on those members of the Church who
protested against the Supreme Ecclesiastical Court. That com
mittee is just now raeeting. Then the Asserably came to the mat
ter itself, read the Town's representation, though the Committee of
BUls had refused It, and approved the Commission's overture. We
had long and learned speeches frora the Advocate and Lord Grange,
who almost only spoke on that side ; and when the Assembly was
almost outwearled, at length it came to a vote. Approve or Not.
Before the vote, it was declared, that by this vote the Asserably did

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 49
not approve commissioners coming either firom Universities or
Burghs, and it carried, Approve the Commissioners' overture — 53
Not, 103 Approve, I think you have enough for this day, and I
have not time to read it over. I am your own.

LETTER XXIIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4. May 15.
My Dearest, — This day the Assembly met in the forenoon, and
spent their time on a transportation of one Mr Garshow, minister
in Anworth, Colonel Maxwell's parish, to Kirkcudbright. The
comraon people seem not so rauch for him, and he did not appear
averse from going, and was transported. I should have told you
that, before the minutes were read. Bailie M'Aulay, who had en
tered the protest, came in, and desired liberty to withdraw his pro
test, which, being concert before in the committee, was allowed,
and no minute was to be of it. I ara glad to find a pretty general
aversion fi-om commissioners for burghs to the Assembly, and I flnd
the Justice-Clerk and some others are very much against advocates
appearing before our Church judicatories, as what loses time, and
involves us in most tedious debates. But this is such a juncture,
as no amendment of what is in use must be proposed. In the
aftemoon, the Committee of Instructions met, and had the affair of
a fast before them, and it was urged by some few, and some warra
reasonings about it ; but the committee rested in the general usual
instruction to the Commission. It was urged much, that without
special and plain causes in Providence calUng to these solemn tiraes,
neither Church nor State ought to appoint them. May 16.
This day the Assembly met in the forenoon, and the Commis-
VOL. Ill, D

50 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
sion-book was disapproven, or rather not approven, in the matter of
Mr Russell's reposition, and the Presbytery of Edinburgh being
found parties by their reference. An objection against the New
Edition of the Confession of Faith, for want of the Solaim League,
and that with the Confession. This is referred to the Committee of
Overtures; and a committee appointed for Mr Hepburn's affair to
preface it. Mr John Chambers is again loosed fi-om Duffus, and
sent again to Campvere ; and the Synods meet, in order to name
the committee for naming the Commission. I have no news.

LETTER XXIV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 17, 1723,
My Dearest, — I have been so throng this day vrith my book
sellers, that I was not in the Assembly in the forenoon. I hear
there was a considerable debate about Burghs coming to the As
sembly. In the report of the committee for Commissions, it was a
part that the Commission from the burgh of Rothsay should be re
jected, because of some informalities, and the rest sustained, the
Assembly stUl reserving that matter to further consideration. This
was objected against by some, but very strongly argued by others.
They were terraed auxiliary forces ; and it was observed of late that
they were brought up upon particular views, and notice was taken
of the cu'cular letters wrote by the town of Edinburgh to bring
them up. However, the clause was continued. This, with the re
port of the committee for public accounts, was aU done in the fore
noon. In the afternoon the affair of the town of Edinburgh's call
to Mr Hepbum came in. A committee has been meeting on that
these two days, and has postponed the general concerns of the
Church more than ever I saw. They reported they had dealt

WODROW TO MES WODROW. 51
'twixt parties for peace, but with little success. Then the commit
tee read their overture, in which they were not unanimous. It was
ordering the Presbytery of Edinburgh to attest the caU to Mr Hep
burn, and in case the Presbytery of Dunfermline should vacate that
parish, that they should not settle it again without the concurrence
of the Synod of Fife. This was not gone into ; so the Assembly
then entered into the cause, and the first question was, who were
parties ? The Presbytery of Edinburgh and the Commission, in
March, making them parties, were heard at full length, and terrible
long speeches, where the merits of the cause, the strengthening the
hands of the Marrow brethren in Dunfermline, giving them the
vote, by taking away Mr Hepburn, and giving them occasion to
license young raen favouring the new scheme, were entered on.'
At length it carae to a vote about eleven at night. Approve the
Commission in making the Presbytery of Edinburgh parties by
their reference, or Not ; and it carried Not, by twenty-two votes.
This looks not so favourable to the transportation ; but how that
wUl go, wiU appear to-raorrow.
' This is one evidence, among others which might be mentioned, of the zeal displayed
by the Church Courts to prevent young men being licensed or ordained who held fhe
views of the Marrow men. The Presbytery of Dunfermline consisted of fourteen pa
rochial charges ; one of the charges, viz. Aberdour, was vacant, four of the incum
bents were valetudinary, or in a dying condition, and four held the Marrow doctrine.
If Mr Hepburn, therefore, were transported, the Marrow men, supposing the valetu
dinarians absent, would equal the ministers who held the doctrine of the Church, and
raight soon acquire a majority, and be able to plant vacant charges with men of their
own stamp. This was the ground of the opposition made to Mr Hepburn's transla
tion to Edinburgh ; and to prevent this was the design of the Assembly's decision,
that, in the event of Mr Hepburn's tran.slation, the parish of Torryburn should not
be planted, but with the advice and at the direction of the Synod of Fife. " The dis
position of the judicatories,'' says Ralph Erskine, " too evidently appeared whenever
any student or candidate was supposed to be tinctured with the Marrow, that is, a
gospel spirit. There was no quarter for such ; queries upon queries were formed to
disoourao-e them, and stop their way, either of being entered upon trials or ordained
into churches ; while those who were of the most loose and corrupt principles were
most favoured by them. These things are too notour to be denied ; and these were
some of the sad and lasting effects of the foresaid Acts of Assembly, [Acts concerning
the Marrow,] and the sad occasion of planting many churches with men that were
little acquainted with the gospel, yea, enemies to the doctrine of grace."

52 the WODROW CORRESPONDENCE. May 18, 1723.
This day the Assembly met, and the public accounts were or
dered to Ue on the table. The Commission, with their powers,
were named, and I am sorry I am named among them. I was not
named from the first noraination, but brought in frora the committee.
* * * * * * * '
I have left the Assembly insensibly, and have only time to add,
that the affair of Edinburgh came in, and the town, who seemed
dashed by yesterday's evidence, seemed wUUng to come in to what
they were averse to before ; and so, after long debates, and much
needless confusion, the overture from a committee was read and
approven by a vote, that though the Presbytery of Edinburgh had
reason to decline at that time, yet now they should concur with Mr
Hepburn's caU, and in case the Presbytery of Dunfermline vacate
that place, they do not plant it again but with the advice and di
rection of the Synod of Fife. The Assembly are not like to rise
till Tuesday.

LETTER XXV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrmv, No. 6. May 20.
My Dearest, — Yesterday Mr Wiseman preached in the fore
noon, on PhUip. ii. 15, " Walk as the sons of God," and lectured on
the fourteen verses. In the aftemoon, Mr M'Derment preached on
Jer. xviii. " If I buUd up," &c. This day the Assembly met at
four. The affair of Lochmaben, and two other calls, and one irre
gular marriage of one Mr Ramsay, and some other things, were re
mitted to the Commission. Some very good overtures, if put in
practice, against Popery, were passed, and Synod-books were taken
in. To-morrow the Assembly is to rise, when you shaU have a hint
at what passes. Margaret Peady, Mathew Brown's wife, died of

WODROW TO JOHN EVANS. 53
an iliac passion on Sabbath morning. Blackhouse seeras past aU
recovery, and I expect to hear of his death before I leave this place.
May 21.
This day the Assembly had the Synod-books, and some references,
to the Commission, Then the committee made the report about
Mr Gabriel WUson. It contained a reproof and prohibition, which
I shall not resume. Mr Wilson did not please [reUsh] the sentence,
and though he owned the facts in the act, yet he would have been at
a speech, after his reproof, on which the Moderator desired him to
reraove ; and he adhered to the paper given in by the twelve breth
ren. Thus this matter is at a close. In the censures of our Synod
the act against lawyers was opened, and the Advocate and my Lord
CuUen opposed it. And it was delayed tiU aftemoon, and I wish
it come not In again. The Assembly rose this night. I am yours.

LETTER XXVL
THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To Mr John Evans, at the Golden Fleece, at the South Side of
PauVs Churchyard, London. Edinburgh, May 18, 1723.
Dear Sir, — The Assembly was opened with an exceUent ser
mon by Mr Mitchell, — " FoUow the things that make for peace,
and that edify." Mr Smith of Cramond was chosen Moderator.
The town of Edinburgh, and several others, struggled hard against
this choice, and Mr BlackweU was set up in opposition to him ;
but in vain, and the chair could scarce be better fiUed. We have
very lamentable accounts of the growth of Popery, and the in
crease of disaffection from the North ; and unless the civil govern
ment more effectually put to their hand, our ecclesiastical remedies

54 THE WODROW C0RRE.9P0NDENCE.
vrill be of little force. What the Assembly wiU do further on this
important matter, I know not.
You know the dispute that has been between the magistrates of
Edinburgh and the masters of the CoUege, about the choice of a
member to the Assembly as patrons, which power they say is
lodged In the community. They pretend to join in fuU councU
with the masters, and, consequently, have the choice of the mem
ber to the Assembly In their hand, being thirty-seven thereby to
ten or twelve. This affair was remitted last Assembly to the
Commission, whose overture was read, bearing that none save the
masters of the University had right to choose a member. The
town made no sraall struggle against this, and pretended their
charter bare them to this. But it was soon found that a right to
this raatter was not to be looked for in charters and acts of parUar
ment, but in acts of Assembly, and common acceptation of the
words. The right of universities themselves was matter of debate,
but that was waived, and by no rules the town councU can be in
cluded in the university, who, by acts of Assembly, are allowed to
send up a member to the Assembly. Thus, by a vast majority, the
Commission's act was approven, and made a rule in time coming.
Another affair, that took up much time, was the caU to Mr John
Hepbum frora Torry[bum] to Edinburgh. One side ofthe ministers
are not so much for that transportation, because of the circumstances
of the Presbytery of Dunfermline. When Mr Hepbum is taken
from that Presbytery, there being four representors there in favours
of the Marrow, and some others they have interest with, they fear
that such as favour the Marrow may have a vote' in that Presby
tery. Comraittees were appointed to converse parties, and try if
the good town would faU from the caU. When that would not do,
the Presbytery of Edinburgh are ordained to concur with the call,
and the Presbytery of Dunfermline ordered not to plant that parish
but at the direction and by the advice of the Synod of Fife.
Little other matter was before the Assembly save Mr Gabriel
WUson's affair, which was begun before you left us, and so I need
' That is, a majority. See p. 51.

WODROW TO JAMES ANDERSON. 55
say Uttle of It. He was charged with three points of unsound doc
trine ; that he had preached the law was divested of its sanctions
as to believers — that repentance is not necessary to justification- -
and that assurance is in the essence of faith. He seems so to ex
plain himself that I suppose he wIU be passed with an admonition,
and engagements in time to come.
I have ordered a copy of Mr Dunlop's Sermons to be sent you,
with some coraing up to London. Write firequently by post.
Send Mr Brown's Letters and Reynolds', and every thing in your
present unhappy debates. You know my Athenian temper ; gratify
it as oft as you can, I have only time to add that I am yours.

LETTER XXVIL
LIFE OP CARDINAL LAUREA, AND MAULE's MS.
To Mr James Anderson, Writer to ihe Signet.
Dear Sir, — ^Your kind letter came to my hand by my Lord
PoUock's servant. Since, I have been abroad at two sacraments,
and tUl this day could not make acknowledgments. I cannot faU
on the collations of Spotswood, and stiU entertain some hopes you
may faU on them on some of your tables. In case neither you nor
I can faU on thera, I'U be obUged to you for a copy. When you
have done with the extracts frora Cardinal Laurea's Life, you'll
please to send them ; and whatever you think [fit] to favour me
with, from your vast treasure of extracts, [send] to ray Lord
Pollock's lodgings, and they will come safe to me every week. I
think myself and the world Indebted to Mr Stuart for his frank and
vigorous going on with your useful and great work, which It pleases
me to hear is in so rauch forwardness. The charges will be vast ;
but I hope you and yours will be in the issue no losers, whatever
vile treatment such a noble work has met with. With the great-

56 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
est pleasure I give you the title, beginning, and end, of R. Maule.
His title Is, De Antiquitate Genth Scotorum.^ He begins : " Ego
semper in ea ful sententia, quod ea Brittanlae pars quae Scotia nos-
tris, prlscis vero Albin dicitur, prima habitata luerit ante earn quae
ad raerldiera est, quae nunc Anglia, quondam Brittania. Hibernia
colonos suos habuisse priusquam vel Scotia vel AngUa humane ge-
neri inoluissent,"
My copy is in quarto, sraall and close write, consisting of 699
pages. It's aU written with one hand save the margins ; and some
rasures and pretty large additions on the margin by another hand.
It ends, " Et hsec sunt quae de quarta ista periodo dicenda duxl,
cum quse et ego volumen clauditur.
" Finis quarto Junii 1610, ad Fanura Andrese."
You'll oblige me to write frequently to me by post. I am writ
ing, however, to Mr James Davidson, and enclose yom-s to him,
being in some haste, which I would rather write in than delay any
longer to acknowledge how much I am, Dear Sir, yours in the
greatest sincerity and affection.
Eastwood, June 11,1 723.

LETTER XXVIIL
QUERIES OF SUBSCRIBERS IN IRELAND,
To Mr William Macknight, Minister at Irvine.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours with the enclosed, which I
return, to come to you by the post to-raorrow, being to be at onr
Presbytery.^ Mr Livingston's queries corae unluckUy now, when
' Maule's MS. History, alluded to here, and more fully in a letter of Wodrow,
dated March 3D, 1730, is unfortunately amissing. It was gifted to Wodrow by Sir
Robert Sibbald. The Latin is evidently bungled in the transcription, which is in a
younger hand.
" Mr Macknight had sent to Wodrow a letter he had received from Mr Livingston,
Ireland, giving an account of a meeting of a few Non-subscribers in May, held at
Castleupton, with a view to consider what ought to be done in their circumstances.

WODROW TO WILLIAM MACKNIGHT. 57
we are so throng at Communions, and can neither meet one with
another, nor have time almost to think on them. I do not see how
any thing we can write can reach our brethren before the Synod
(which I reckon meets this week) rise. However, I shall endeavour
to-morrow morning if I can, before I go to the Presbytery, to write
a scrape to Mr Livingston, to which you'll add what offers to you
in yours. But I ara of opinion we can say very little till we have
accounts how matters go at their Synod, and what shape raatters
fall into. And I think you should desire thera to write over full
accounts of matters to us as they stand at and after the Synod ;
since, as I take it, it's not abstract general questions they need our
opinion in, but the present circumstantiate case in the North of
Ireland, which we can only know from our accounts thence.
You should have had mine from Mr Livingston, had there been
" They expressed great satisfaction,'' says Mr Livingston, " to hear of the Brethren's
good disposition towards us on your side ofthe water, and blessed God for it, resolving
that such an opportunity shall not be neglected for seasonable advice in all time to
come. " It was their unanimous opinion, that the Non-subscribers are inveterate enemies to
all subscriptions, and other tests of orthodoxy in human words, and that although
as yet they had not thought fit to declare so much in so many words, yet it could be
proved upon them, by undeniable conviction, and probably by their own confession ;
and that in a private way they are leaving no stone unturned to propagate that
principle, and make proselytes with some ministers, and among the people.
" This now being the unanimous opinion of our raeeting in relation to the Non-sub
scribers, the following queries were proposed, viz  1 . Hath not the Non-subscribing
principle (in the sense aforesaid) an evident and direct tendency to open a door for
error in this and other Churches ? 2. What raay be the best expedient to suppress
that principle, to obstruct the propagation of it, and to prevent the pernicious effects
hereof amongst us ? 3. Whereas it is the opinion of many of our ministers and people,
that the best and only effectual expedient will be to make an entire breach of com
munion with the Non-subscribers, shall, therefore, suoh an Overture be proposed to
the General Synod ?
" We did not think it proper to come to a final resolution in relation to the queries,
because we wanted some of our number, viz., Mr Hutchison, the two Kennedys, Boyd,
and poor Robin M'Bride, who was in a pleurisy at the pomt of death, and recovers
yet but very slowly. We appointed another meeting at Dungannon the day before
the Synod, which is Tuesday next." He concludes by requesting the advice of Mr
Macknight, Wodrow, and other trusty brethren, which, though it would be too late
for the Synod, raight be of great use afterwards — {Letters to Wodrow, vol xx. No.
192.)

58 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
any thing in it ; but he just refers me to yours, and to the pamphlet
you send me, which he says Mr Smith wiU send me, (however, I am
in your debt for it, and I beg you send what you receive from Ire
land to me.) He is stIU of opinion that the Non-subscribers are
against all Church authority, which I am very rauch persuaded of,
and teUs rae he is rauch worse in his health, which I am sorry for.
I pray you may have much of the Divine presence at your sacra
ment ; and am. Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
June 18, 1723.
I leave mine to Mr Livingston open, that in yours you may add
to it.

LETTER XXIX,
ANSWER TO THE FOREGOING QUERIES,
To the Rev. Mr William Livingston, Mi-nister at Temple-Patrick,
Ireland,
Rev. Dear Brother, — By the last post I have yours of the
13th instant from Mr Macknight, with yours to him, and a copy of
Mr Clerk's answer to the Society's Letter to him. UnhappUy It
falls in that Mr Macknlght's Communion is next Lord's day, and I
am to be abroad at another Comraunion, and it does not appear
practicable that any return can possibly come to you before your
General Synod be up. However, I would not faU without any de
lay to make any return the shortness of th e time I have this morn
ing could aUow me, (being just going abroad,) though, Indeed, any
thing [that] offers to me is not worth writing.
I am entirely of opinion that the Non-subscrlbing principle has a
natural and necessary tendency to looseness and the opening a door
for error, and a raiserable corruption in the holy ministry, and the

WODROW TO AVILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 59
covering all sorts of corruption and error already got in. I may be
mistaken, but could never yet comprehend any plausible reason for
Non-subscribing, but some real dislike at the doctrine declared in
the confession or articles to be subscribed ; and in my poor opinion
it would be much fairer and more manly to declare that than to
quibble about subscribing under pretence of human phrases, impo
sition, and such threadbare pretexts that have been exposed a hun
dred times.
What may be the best expedient to suppress the principle, ob-
stmct the propagation, and prevent its effects among you, is a query
of a larger extent than I dare now enter on. Your answer to me
does not a Uttle depend on the circumstances of things among your
selves. And, by the way, you'U easUy perceive that the larger ac
counts you give us of matters with you, we wiU be the more In case
to give our opinion as to your circumstantiate case ; and after the
General Synod, when we have the detaU of your reasonings, and
know what shape the things in dependence faU in, you shall have
with all frankness ray poor opinion.
As to the expedient proposed, of an entire breach of communion
with Non-subscribers, aU I can say at present is, it's a proposal
would be very ripely considered before it be concluded, which I
know I need not caution you about. Several things would appear
to me necessary, or at least seasonable, to be done as to your Non-
subscribing brethren, before this last remedy be gone into, for the
sake of the dissenting interest in general. Could a door be shut
against the spreading of the principle, and persons of loose princi
ples coming into the ministry in tirae to come, and the few that set
up for pretended Uberty brought to own their subjection to Church
judicatories, and some other things attained, I would rather wish,
if a breach must be, it came rather upon their part than yours. But
I must write very much at random on these things, tlU I have as full
and particular accounts of the reasonings on both sides, and state
of things, both as to ministers and people, as you think proper to
send.

60 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
This Is all at present that offers upon the three heads In yours.
I hope Mr Macknight, if his present throng aUow him, may write
to you raore largely. MeanwhUe, I am impatient for the accounts
of your Synod, whora I pray the Lord may direct, and better ac
counts of dear Mr M'Bride, whom I hope the Lord wUl preserve
for further service. Give him ray best wishes, and to Mr Master-
ton, whose papers I have got from the Professor about a fortnight
ago, and he told me he was to write his remarks to himself. I shaU
send them, with any few reraarks I have, which are very insignifi
cant, with the first sure hand he shaU direct rae to. Indeed, at
present our throng of sacraments is such, and my own hasting on
before harvest, that I can get little thing else minded. TeU Messrs
M'Bride and Masterton how much I long to hear fi-om both after
the Synod.
I am much surprised to find my two volumes are not come to
your hand, and begin to fear they may have lost their way. That
day you and Mr Smith left me, I wrote a letter to Colonel Upton,
and enclosed it in one for you, and sealed up both In a cover for
Mr Sraith, desiring him to forward them and my two books to
you, and sent all in to Glasgow to my bookseUer, who put up the
two volumes directed for you, and the second volume directed for
Mr M'Bride ; and, as Mr Smith desired, aU were put in the hands
of Mr M'E wen's servant, to be sent with a sure hand to Belfast, to
Mr Sraith's care. Mr M'Ewen's servant wrote to me he had re
ceived all, and would send them according to direction. This Is
all the account I can give you ; but I shall cause Inquire fiu'ther
about them, and write to you by my next. MeanwhUe, I am
anxious to know if they be yet come to you.
I heartily sympathize with you under the recurring of your In
disposition, and pray the Lord may support and recover you to his
service, and be with you In It. Pray write frequently, and send all
that Is published on your unhappy debates. I have just glanced
Mr Clark's last performance. His manner of writing seems not se
rious, as the importance ofthe argument calls for; but I don't see

WODROW TO M. CRAWFORD AND J. ANDERSON. 61
how these gentlemen wiU answer his reasonings he mixes with his
tart way of saying them. I am. Rev. Dear Brother, yours most
affectionately. Eastwood, June 19, 1723.
Give my humble duty to Colonel Upton, and kindest respects to
Mr G. Kennedy, and teU him I long to hear from him.

LETTER XXX.
ATTACKS ON WODROW'S HISTORY.
To Mr Mathew Crawford, Professor at Edinburgh.
Rev. Dear Brother, — ^You have almost quite forgot your pro
mise to write to me. I got (June 19) a pamphlet. Bishop Sharp's
Life, the preface of which is leveUed against me. I don't observe
much in it needs a reply, and incline to say nothing tUl Mr Bruce's
large work appears. Let me know who is given as the author of
the Life and Preface, and if Mr Bruce's large work goes fast on.
I am, Dear Brother, yours, &c.
June 29.

LETTER XXXI.
maule's MS.
To Mr James Anderson.
Dear Sir, — I have been with some sort of impatience longing
to hear from you, since my last, wherein I sent you some account

62 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
of my MSS. of Maule. You'U probably have done with the extracts
from Cardinal Laurea, and if you have faUen on the collations of
Spotswood send them. But pray favour me with somewhat from
your most valuable MSS. as to our Scots affairs. Let me know if
you have fixed any time for going to London, and how all goes there,
and If I raay hope to see you in case I corae in to town in August.
When- you go to England I promise myself a volume or two of your
quarto MSS., which wUl be most entertaining. One of them will
corae In good season with the bearer, who is a sure hand. But I
prescribe nothing. I am. Dear Sir, yours.
June 29, 1723.

LETTER XXXIL
NON-SUBSCRIBERS. — WODROW'S HISTORY. — BIOGRAPHY.
To the Right Honourable my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — Having the occasion of Mr MaxweU, my Lord Pol
lock's cousin, his coraing to town, I could not but make my acknow
ledgments for the many favours your Lordship was pleased to do
with me when last with you. I ara rauch hindered in coUatlng my
copy of Mr Blair's Life with your corrected one, by the throng of
sacraments at this time in the country, and the approach of ours in
this place In the beginning of August. But if your Lordship want
the volurae I have, let rae know, and I'U haste it in.
I have had letters frora Ireland some weeks ago ; but they con
tain little considerable. The General Synod there raet last week,
and in a few posts I expect accounts of what they have done. To
wards the beginning of May, one ofthe Non-subscribers went over to
London, to take the opinion of the ministers of the like sentiments
there before the meeting of the Synod. Their affair was to be be-

wodrow TO lord grange. 63
fore the Synod, both by an appeal by Colonel Upton, and a com
plaint tabled against Mr M. Clerk, a minister, for a pamphlet where
by the Non-subscribers thrak themselves wronged. The result of
both I shaU raost wiUingly communicate with your Lordship when
it comes to hand.
Besides the attack I have from Mr M'Main, last week I had an
other from the Episcopal side, in a preface to Bishop Sharp's Life.
I do not perceive rauch in it that needs a present answer, and so
resolve to wait Mr Bruce's larger work, and another (If they be
not fhe sarae) I ara threatened with in that preface.
MeanwhUe, I am entertaining some thoughts of putting the many
scattered papers I have in manuscript and print, and the larger ac
counts of the Uves of Christians and ministers, into some kind of
order. I am much persuaded we need some history of remarkable
providences, and of the Uves of eminently religious and useful noble
men, gentlemen, and ministers, and private Christians in this
Church. Such a design would be too great a project for one man,
especiaUy of my narrow capacity ; yet I incUne to essay to put what
I have coUected for some years, somewhat nearer together than
they are, that at least I may lay somewhat of a foundation for others
to work upon in a history of this nature. But I'll very rauch want
your Lordship's directions as to the raethod and the shape and or
der they should be cast in, at any leisure hour you have to think
on this matter, when I'U be glad to have the pleasure of a Une by
post. I ask pardon for this freedom I take, and presume to give
my humble duty to your lady and chUdren ; and am,: my Lord,
your Lordship's most humble and very much obliged servant.
June 29, 1723.

64 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

LETTER XXXm.
bruce's ATTACK ON WODROW'S HISTORY.
To Mr James Anderson.
Dear Sir, — Yours of the 25th of June came not to my hand
till ten or twelve days after its date, and since I received it have
been without intermission taken up with preaching at communions
and fasts before them and for the weather, that tiU this day I have
not had time to answer any of ray friends' letters ; and I begin with
yours, for which I return you my most unfeigned thanks, and for
Mr Bruce's Ul-natured preface against me.
Hitherto I have only glanced that performance, and observe very
little ia It that requires any present answer. It's more pleasure to
rae than I can express, that I find your thoughts of that unmannerly
paper so much agree with those which offered to me when I looked
it over. There are a few facts that are advanced without any proof,
which I am able, I think, evidently to disprove ; — that Bishop Sharp
threw up his commission when at London, and some particulars as
to the Bishop's raurder, and the depositions thereanent, which are
not to be met with in the records, as the writer of his Life seems
to own ; and yet Mr Bruce blames me that I have not printed these
depositions. The charge of insincerity in my citations is what I
would be most uneasy at. If he had any way supported it. My
own heart does not at aU conderan me in this matter, and I am
very sure it's impossible to raake It out. He has not given himself
leave to observe that, in the introduction to the first volume, I ex
pressly advertised the reader that I had only roora to give an ab
stract of the Letters ; that I had left out some warm passages re
lative to the unhappy debates 'twixt the Resolutioners and Pro
testers, which I incUned to bury ; and some other things which I

WODROW TO JAMES ANDERSON. 65
believe will justify me in the eyes of any candid reader. But this
matter may be brought to a very short and fair Issue ; and if the
gentlemen of that side wiU insist, they shall have the whole of the
letters pro and con,, and near a hundred more that have come to my
hands, since I published my book, that wiU help to finish the im
perfect lines I have given of the black character of Bishop Sharp,
whom still I acknowledge to have been a person of uncommon abi
lities and parts, and wanted only some more probity, truth, sin
cerity, and stability, to have made him one ofthe greatest men of
that age. However, if my friends, who are much better judges
than I can allow myself to be in these matters, advise me, I at pre
sent incline to be silent, till Mr Bruce publish his large work in
two folios, and give him, and any others who shaU find cause to
quarrel what I have writ, leave to produce all they have to say,
which I shall then consider with aU the calmness and disinterested
ness that becomes one who, as far as he knows himself, has nothing
in his eye but the truth. And I hope I shaU never imitate thera in
their scolding and uncivU way they are pleased to treat me, which,
in my opinion, does themselves more hurt than me. Forgive me
for entertaining you so long upon this subject. I just signify to
you ray present views of things, that I raay have your riper
thoughts. It pleases me to hear your singularly useful work at London is
going on so well, especially the abbreviatures, which I still thought
will be of vast use for understanding our old papers. I shaU bring
in my Maule, if I get in about the middle of August, as I design,
or if any sure hand offer sooner, you may expect it. Whatever
else is in my little collection, call for it as if it were your own. By
no raeans can I faU upon the various readings of Spottlswood, and
will be obliged to you for a transcript, and any of your MSS. you
can spare, when my Lord comes west, which wiU be the day after
the Session rises. However, now that you have laid down a way
of writing by post, with our friend G. Montler, let me hear that way
as soon as you please ; and let me know If I may have any hopes
of seeing you in this place, and when you think of going for Lon-
VOL. III. E

66 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
don. That will much determine my coming east, where I have
nothing more attractive than Heriot's Work. My humble duty
to your family and son at London. I am. Dear Sir, yours most
affectionately. July 17, 1723.

LETTER XXXIV.
BIOGRAPHY.  DISTINGUISHING EXCELLENCE OF THE SCOTS
WORTHIES.
Lord Grange to Wodrow '
Sir, — -This forenoon I enquired at Lord PoUock how I might
send a book to you, and was weU pleased to find that an occasion
presented so soon, when at my coraing horae I got your letter of
the 29th June lying on ray table. I retum you, with my hearty
thanks, your manuscript concerning Messrs Dickson, SempU, &c.
Pardon me that the other about Mr Maule does not accompany it.
I hope I shaU soon return it to you. You need not at aU hasten
yourself as to Mr Blair, &c.
I suppose you are a member of the Commission, and I wish your
sacrament raay be over soon enough to allow you to attend it. I'll
be very glad to learn what is doing among om- dissenting brethren
in Ireland. The differences p,mong them, and likewise among the
English Dissenters, affect me sensibly. Perhaps they touch one
the more, because it would seera that the woeful disputes (at least
in England) were ushered in with some such debates as are now
araong us, &c. If so, raay the Lord stop the parallels going
farther I
Your letter first informed me of that Life of Bishop Sharp, which
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 125.

LORD GRANGE TO WODROW. 67
I'll read so soon as I get tirae. I think you are In the right not to
write paraphlets in answer to every trifle as it coraes out against
you. When that party have published all they intend to say, you
can, raore agreeably to yourself as well as to your readers, refute at
once every thing that needs to be noticed in the scattered remarks.
I'm persuaded that those who indeed relish what concerns the
reality and power of godliness, will be very much pleased with a
just account of those who have been erainent for religion in our
nation since the Reformation ; and during that period our country
has scarcely been eminent for any thing but religion, and I know
not any country which. In that blessed period, has been so remarkable
for it as om-s. I vrish I could teU for what good thing we are now
remarkable in the world. May the time retum ! You have accounts
In your collection, which, I humbly believe, a real Christian would
read with rauch savour and feeling, (but more intimate,) and with
rauch edification as to several parts of his Christian warfare, as an
experienced soldier and statesraan reads the memoirs of a Casar,
a King WiUiam, or of any others who had the true spirit of their
calling. Perhaps every passage may not be fitly published to all
the world, which will make the memoirs frora which you publish
still valuable. And were it not for this reason, the earnestness I have
for sorae years been possessed with, of gathering up every thing 1
can get of this kind, would be at an end, by the hopes you give rae
of printing accounts of those worthies. In the Uves of eminent
churchmen and others, which are frequently published with applause
in England and elsewhere, I meet with accounts of an eminent phi
losopher, historian, critic, or theologue, &c. ; but except the dry,
general, and almost common-place tattle of the writer, set off per
haps with good language and rhetoric, I meet with nothing of the
Christian. Though many of our people have been exceUently
learned, yet I doubt their distinguishing excellency above most of
their contemporaries lay in the Christian part ; in that soUd, expe
rimental reUgion, access to God, and coramunion with him, &c.,
and in those signal instances of his favour and countenance where
with they were honoured. I know that to write such accounts is

68 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
not to write to the taste of our times ; but so rauch the worse for
our times; and neither do they relish what is most valuable In such
persons as those. But Wisdora is justified of her children. That
God may be with you, indeed, and in a special manner guide you
In this good undertaking, is the hearty prayer of. Rev. Sir, your
faithful and most humble servant, James Erskine.
Edinburgh, July 2, 1723.
Mr G. WUson has not yet sent me those MSS. of Lord Warris
ton's. I have therefore written to him for them, and when I get
them, they shall he sent to you with the first opportunity,

LETTER XXXV,
SCOTTISH BIOGRAPHY,
To the Honourable my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — According to my promise in the last, I presume to
send you this by post, which I only had yesterday from Belfast.
I am expecting fuUer accounts of the procedure of the General Sy
nod very soon, which I shall either transmit to you, or bring with
me. If I get into the Comraission, when I hope to bring back your
raanuscript ; and if I corae not in, then very soon after, if the Lord
will, I design to be in Edinburgh.
Your last of the 2d Instant was more than acceptable to me,
and I humbly thank your Lordship for It. The difficulties in such a
work appear very great, though the more I think of it, its necessity
and usefulness appear the raore ; and it wUl be sometime before
I can satisfy myself as to the method itself, or ranking persons and
particular things about them. These things I would be fondest of,
and to serious persons would be raost savoury, perhaps wiU be

wodrow TO THE EARL OF BUCHAN. 69
raost difficult to put in any order for pubUc [view] in such a miser
able age as we are faUen into. I have pretty large accounts o f
sorae, and but lame ones of others, and raany desiderata after
which inquiry must be raade. I'U be fond to have your thoughts
more fully at your leisure as to matter, raethod, order, and every
thing that offers in such a design ; and am, In some haste, ray Lord,
your very much obUged and raost humble servant;
Eastwood, July 22, 1723.

LETTER XXXVL
WITH ACCOUNT OF THE IRISH SYNOD.
To the Right Honourable David, Earl of Buchan,
[David, fourth Lord Cardross, son of Henrys third Lord Cardross, and
nephew of Colonel Erskine, was born 1672, and succeeded his father
In 1693. On the death of WiUiam, eighth Earl of Buchan, he suc
ceeded to that title. He was sworn a Privy CounciUor, April 1697,
and on the accession of Queen Anne was continued in the Council,
and appointed one of the Commissioners of Exchequer, and Governor
of the Castle of Blackness. His Lordship was opposed to the Union
with England, and entered a protest, January 7, 1707, against the
change of the right of Scottish Peers to sit in Parliament, from a
constant and hereditary right to an elective One ; in consequence of
which he 'fras deprived of the offices he held under Government. He
was a staunch supporter of George I., and the Protestant succession.
At the time of the RebeUion of 1715, he joined the Duke of Argyle.
He was repeatedly chosen to represent the Scottish Peerage in the
British Parliament. He died on the 14th of October 1745, in the
74th year of his age. — {Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, vol. i. p. 277.)
—Ed.]
My Lord, — Knowing your Lordship's concern in Colouel Upton,

70 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
and his affair in dependence before the General Synod of Ireland,
and hearing you were come down frora Parliaraent, I thought it
would not be unacceptable to your Lordship to have the copy of
the first accounts I had of the Synod last post only. I'U be fond
to know what is becorae of Mr Fraser. I presumed to write to
hira last under your Lordship's cover, but have not heard since
frora hira, nor anything of the matter I wrote to you of. I fancy
somewhat has faUen In hindering Mr Fraser writing about it, and
other things I expected to hear of frora him ere that time. When
your Lordship has a spare moment, I'll be fond you'U let me hear
of him, and that you lay your comraands upon, ray Lord, your very
much obliged and raost humble servant.
July 22, 1723.

LETTER XXXVII.
BISHOP GADDERAR.
To Mr William Macknight, Minister at Irvine.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I thank you for the enclosed, which I
return again by this post, and yours of the 19th, and long for the
next, which I know wUl be raore fuU. I am pleased matters have
gone as I perceive in general they have. If I get any thing, but
I expect most through your hands, I'U be sure to send it.
Very little offers from any quarter at present. I hear from the
North that Bishop Gatherer ' has been a second time there propa-
' This Gatherer, or Gadderar, was a person who came from England, calling him-
self a Bishop, (though his right to this title was much suspected by some oi his own
brethren,) and begun the schism about the Usages, which issued in a separation from
the old Bishops, who died out without leaving any successors.  {SiemUHght's Prin
ciples, &c., p. 278, &c.)

CHARLES masterton TO WILLIAM MACKNIGHT. 71
gating his high-flying Popish notions of real presence, middle state,
&c., from Bishop Campbell's book, of the propagating of which you
heard at the Assembly ; that he has diaconate and presbyterate
great numbers in this second visit ; that there is no little breach
among that party on this score. And Bishop FuUartoun sent a
monitory letter to the Episcopal clergy In Aberdeen, Moray, &c.,
discharging thera to countenance Gatherer, or hold coraraunlon
with him. This he was the rather inclined to do, that some people
of distinction at Edinburgh undertook to prove that Gatherer is
in pay from and concert with the Papists abroad ; that after he has
paved the way by these doctrines above, he is to return and preach
some things yet nearer Popery, though these are pretty near it. I
am yours most affectionately.
July 22, 1 723.

LETTER XXXVIIL
COLONEL UPTON AND THE IRISH NON-SUBSCRIBERS.
Mr Masterton to Mr William Macknight. '
Belfast, July 12, 1723.
Rev. and Dear Brother, — I wrote to you lately by one Robert
Duncan of this town, signifying my eamest desire to correspond
with you and Mr Robert Wodrow, but received no answer.
Our Synod convened third Tuesday of last month, and, first and
last, during our being together, we had as Uttle satisfaction as for
merly since our divisions commenced. Though we continued to
gether twelve days, we got nothing done to any satisfactory purpose.
The trial betwixt Colonel Upton and the Non-subscribers con
sumed almost our whole time. Colonel Upton had accused the
Non-subscribers of holding principles which open a door to error, at
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xx. No. 194.

72 the wodrow correspondence.
the Sub-Synod in Belfast last January, and for proof of his charge
adduced the paper called The Vindication, ' as containing the prin
ciple of the Non-subscribers, and desired the said paper raight be
judicially read. Colonel Upton also signified to the Synod, that he
had broken coramunion with the Non-subscribing rainisters, upon
the score of the principle mentioned. The raerabers of the Synod
being for raost part either Non-subscribers or their abettors, deter
mined against Mr Upton that he had not proved his charge, and
¦voted their adherence to the Charitable Declarations.^ From which
sentence Colonel Upton appealed to the next General Synod.
When the affair came to be tried at the General Synod, the first
thing that was tried was the appeal, and It carried by a great ma
jority bene appellatum. The Non-subscribers gave great disturbance
to the Synod by their veheraent and tedious speeches, so that we
were not likely to get any thing done. The next thing debated
was the raethod of the trial of the raerits of the cause. Mr Upton
proposed, first, to prove the high Non-subscribing principle of con
demning aU creeds and confessions in human words as tests of or
thodoxy, to be contained In the paper called The Vindication ; and,
in the next place, to fix The Vindication upon the Non»subscriblng
ministers. The Non-subscrlbing ministers raade violent opposition
to the method of trial, and aUeged It was most unjust, and that Mr
Upton ought first to fix The Vindication upon them, which they de
fied him to do. But the Synod voted that Mr Upton should be
allowed to go on in his own method, while the Non-subscribers pro
tested against It, and declined answering any thing to what was
alleged by Mr Upton against The Vindication, i. e. the pamphlet
called so. After the Synod was tired out by the tedious harangues
of the Society, who used aU possible arts to inveigle the Synod, and
to postpone the trial, a great part of the Synod being gone away,
they came to four resolutions to the purpose following : — 1. They
condemned the high Non-subscribing principle above raentioned,
1 This was " A Vindicaticn ofthe Fit.'-hUcrians in the North of Ireland, Sub
scribers and Non-subscribers," published and recommended, in 1721, by Victor Fer
guson, M.D.
2 Passed in the Synod of 1721. J

CHARLES MASTERTON TO ^WILLIAM MACKKIGIIT. 73
as tending to open a door to error In this Church. 2. They con
demned The Vindication as containing the said principle, and pro
nounced the abettors and disposers of the said pamphlet disturbers
of the peace of this Church, without fixing the paper upon person
or persons in particular, because that part of the process was not
tried. 3d Resolution pronounceth the raethod of adraitiing intrants,
by allowing thera to make their own confession of faith in their own
words, 4as dangerous to this united Church. 4th Resolution defers
the further trial of the process aforesaid to the next General Synod.
There seemed to be a disposition toward a rupture with the Non-
subscribing rainisters ; but, by the want of time, and the Influence
of menacing letters from Dr Calamy In London, and Mr Boyse in
Dublin, the Synod came to no conclusion about it.
The Non-subscribing ministers use uncommon Industry to blacken
the conduct of the Synod, and single out some merabers as the butt
of their prejudice, viz., Mr Upton, Mr GUbert Kennedy, rayself, as
Moderator, &c. The congregations of the two Non-subscribers In
this place are so disposed to beUeve the odious representations of
the Synod's conduct, raade by their two ministers and Mr Winder,
a dissenting rainister in Liverpool, of Non-subscribing principles,
who attended the Synod, that the third congregation and I are
rauch more raallgned by our neighbours than formerly. I wish the
Church of Scotland would think of any expedient for assisting
those of their own princiiiles here, against those whose charity I
may say is cruel. Please to transmit this, as soon as you have
perused it, to the Rev. Mr Wodrow, with my affectionate respects,
and acquaint him that I expect he wUl write to rae by the first op
portunity, and send me a paper of raine by a sure hand, well sealed.
I hope to hear from you soon. When the copy of the Synod's rai
nutes comes to me, I design to write to you further. I wish what
I write now be legible, being in some haste. Pray for this poor
Church, and particularly for, Rev. Dear Brother, your affectionate
brother and servant,
Charles Masterton.

74 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER XXXIX.
anent THE PRECEDING LETTER.
To Mr William Macknight, Minister at Irvine.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours of the 22d, with the en
closed from Mr Masterton, yesternight, which was the more wel
corae that it carae so soon. To-morrow I ara to be abroad preach
ing at a fast, and I write this night to corae to you by post, that
it may be as soon as possible. Our sacrament here is to be the
second Sabbath of August, when I expect your concern and sym
pathy ; and 'twixt this and that time, if I can have as much time, I
shaU write my remarks, and a letter to Mr Masterton, and send
you his paper unsealed, that you may peruse it ; but, indeed, I doubt
much if I shaU have so much time ; but the week after (if the Lord
wUl) you raay expect it. I wrote to you in my last, that the pro
cedure of the Synod was very satisfying to me. I cannot yet win
worthy Colonel Upton's length of breaking communion with the
Non-subscribers ; but there may be more in their peculiar circum
stances than I know of. I am. Dear Brother, yours most affec
tionately,
E.W.
Eastwood, July 23, 1723.

LETTER XL.
SYMPATHY UNDER COLONEL ERSKTNE'S BEREAVEMENTS.
To Mr John Erskine, Advocate.
Dear Sir, — I had yours, with an account of your worthy mo
ther's lowness, and in an hour or two one from Mr Dinwoody, ac
quainting me of her removal. WhUe, by communions and other-

WODROW TO JOHN ERSKINE. 75
wise, I have been hindered to write to you. It was only this week
that I heard of your exceUent sister's death, which I own struck
me most sensibly ; and I cannot but signify to you, and your dis
consolate father, by your hand, ray most tender sympathy under such
breaches upon breaches. I know he has abundance of good friends
about hira that can suggest, and with greater advantage, any thing
that can offer to me. It's my eamest request that the Comforter
may be sent to him. I know his affectionate temper, and how near
the hand of the Lord has touched him. In two of the raost tender
places ; and hope he wiU be jealous of himself, lest he exceed. It's
my comfort, on his behalf, that more than ordinary providences
have more than ordinary supports ; and it's my eamest supplication
those may be given him ; and a sweet balance, yea, an overbalance,
in sweet communion with God through Christ ; and the clear views,
that when he has served God and his generation, he is to raeet with
those excellent ones of the earth, now inexpressibly happy and
glorious, never to part, yea, with Christ, which is best of all. May
this sharp trial be sanctified to you aU, and to your farailies, and to
dear Davie, whom I most kindly remember. I presume to send my
kindest respects to Mr Lesly ; he has lost what only God can raake
up, and I pray he may there have and find his portion. My own
loss is more than I shaU at present speak of; but that of the public
and multitudes is what, in these cases, sometimes makes me silent.
I design, after our communion, the second Sabbath of August,
to see your father. I will raind what you said when I spoke of this
to you, that you did not know what changes raight be ere then In
your famUy. If your circurastances allow, It will be a pleasure to
see you here. However, write to me, before or at that time, and let
rae know how your father and all of you are ; and where he Is to be
at Ciilross, or Edinburgh, towards the middle of August or end of it.
I thought the [contents] of my last letter about Irish affairs
would not be unacceptable to you and your father, whora I again
raost tenderly reraeraber. I ara, Dear Sir, yours in all the syrapathy
I can, July 23, 1723.

76 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER XLL
HEBREW LETTER OF RABBI JDDAH MONIS.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman, Minister at Boston.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yom-s of the llth of June by Cap^
tain Brodie, and hope, before he saU, to write to you at more length.
I have also your valuable packet, with Dr Rabbi Monis' letter. ' My
Hebrew is rusted, and there are some words for which I must con
sult the Dictionary, which I have not time for at present, for your
letter came just the day before the dispensation of the Sacrament
here ; and I write this the day after, being caUed next day to go to
Edinburgh to a meeting of the Coraraission of the last Assembly.
And the bearer, Captain Ferguson, favours rae with a Une signifying
he is to saU In two days, so that I have only tirae to thank you for
your accounts of raatters with you, and to return ray kindest thanks
to Rabbi Monis. I dare not undertake to write in Hebrew ; ahd
since he has not the Latin, I shall be at a loss how to make a re
turn, unless he make a shift to understand ray EngUsh. I commu
nicate some parts of his letter I understood to Principal Stirling,
and six or seven rainisters who were helping rae at my sacrament,
who aU have him most kindly remembered ; and, indeed, our prayers
for him and his letter were accented by his letter, which is like
Athlas' print. The Rabbinick, I fear, I shall not be able to master.
The Lord confirm and refresh his soul, for he has much refreshed
and comforted us, by his coming under the Messiah's wings. The
mouths, I assure you, of many are full of praises in Scotland for his
conversion, and he has the prayers of thousands. I design to write
¦ The Rabbi's Letter, in Rabbinical Hebrew, Wodrow has preserved, but the
reason' he assigns for not answering it may suffice for not insertmg it here.

WODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 77
at more length to you by the next occasion. Nothing of iraport
ance at present offers to rae frora this country. Only I would not
miss this occasion of signifying how rauch I am in debt for yours,
and to beg you continue your prayers for me, this people, and the
Church of Scotland. Great grace be with you ! I am, in haste.
Rev. Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, August 12, 1723.

LETTER XLIL
IRISH CHURCH AFFAIRS.
To Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast.
Eastwood, August 19, 1723.
Rev. Dear Brother,. — I am in your debt for the accounts of
your last Synod by Mr Macknlght's hands, and am glad of the re
solutions you have c«me to. It's hard to judge of the effects of
things, be they never so well laid and designed, in an age of such
looseness and Ucentiousness as we are fallen Into. But what you
have concluded appears to rae the most proper expedients at this
juncture ; and I pray the Lord may bless them for preservation of
truth and purity, and, if possible, for putting a stop to your present
distractions. You need sympathy, in your present circurastances at Belfast,
and in part you have it. I hope as your day Is, so shall your
strength be. I do not observe that plain open dealing, and a firm
attachment to professed principles, is ordinarUy one of the worst
ways of dealing, even with enemies and observers. May the Lord
conduct and lead you to such measures as, with wisdom, you may
walk in a perfect way !
By Mr Livingston I signified my opinion of your papers, in an-

78 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
swer to the Seasonable Advice ; and the returns you have from Pro
fessor Hamilton, and other friends at Edinburgh, may supersede any
remarks of mine ; and, indeed, very little offered to me on reading
them through. I think any show of argument in that paper re
comraended fi-ora Dublin, is raore than taken off by you. When
you handle the practice of your exceUent predecessors in Ireland,
I wish you would, from the records of Presbyteries, and other pa
pers in that tirae, labour to state the raatter of fact of their sub
scribing the National Covenant, which Is, indeed, a Confession of
Faith, as I suppose you raay easily do, at least it was our practice
here ; and I suppose Presbyterian ministers in Ireland, before the
Restoration, carae very near us in their practice. The remark you
raake on Mr Dunlop's reasoning, in ray opinion, wants not ground,
and he lays his argument a little too large ; but you'U have, no
doubt, frora Edinburgh, the sentiraents of those who know his opi
nion In this matter. The exceptions of the Presbyterian people
with you against the Non-subscribers vrill, 1 fancy, be one of the
raost gravelling parts of your papers to those gentlemen ; and what
reply they can give to thera Is beyond my reach. But how far It
will be fit, on the whole, to publish them, depends so much upon
your present circumstances, that I cannot aUow rayself to judge
anent the expediency. If there were any roora to hope that your
hearts were allaying, I would not be much for rankling matters.
But If It be proper any thing further be printed on this unhappy
debate, without the least corapliraent to you, 1 like your papers bet
ter than any thing I have seen.
There is nothing here I can think of worth your notice. Our
Jacoblte meeting-houses In the North are very much growing ; and
last week the Commission addressed the Lords Justices on this
head. Pray let me hear frequently from you, and lay your com
mands on. Rev. Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Send me aU your pamphlets.

WODROW TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 79

LETTER XLIIL
SAME SUBJECT.
To Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick, Ireland.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I thank you for yours in July, by Mr
Macknight. The proceedings of your Synod are very acceptable
to us here, and, for my share, I heartUy approve of thera. I was
at Edinburgh last week at the Coraraission, and endeavoured to
convene some brethren to discourse on your affairs. All I can say
is, they approved of the conduct of your Synod. What foUows is
only to yourself, that you may, in tirae coming, take the more care
of your letters. When I talked at first with Professor HamUton,
I observed a Uttle dryness which I had not noticed before. In a
little, I asked if he had heard from you since the Synod. He told
me he had, but that there were copies of the raeraorial directed for
hira going through the town three weeks before yours came to his
hand, and asked me if I had a copy of the raeraorial. I told him I
had a letter from you, and let him see it, which he told me was the
same with his ; and asked rae ifl had sent a copy ofit to ray L. G.,
[Lord Grange,] or Mr G — t, [Gusthart.J I told hira I had not, nor
showed it to any of thera. He seemed to retum to his old temper
when I assured him I had given no double of it ; and told me, he
could not understand the raanageraent of Mr Montler, for he had,
it seeras by raistake, given Mr Gusthart his memorial, and that co
pies of it were going up and down the town some weeks before he
himself had received it ; and when he challenged Mr Montler, his
answer was, that he believed I might have sent in a copy of It to
my Lord Grange, and the doubles might come from that. I as
sured him again that was false, and had not communicate a copy
of it to any, and had seen none of that side. This is a little com-

80 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
raentary on what I was hinting to you at our first raeeting ; and it
will be very proper you endeavour to have accounts conveyed more
cautiously. And because our sides continue, and you judge it ne
cessary to keep in with both, I only propose, whether It may not
be proper to send what comes to the Professor, &c., some eight or
ten days sooner, than to the other, or at least prevent the commu
nication of what goes to Edinburgh, directed to the Professor, to
the other side. I need not tell you, it's not fit I should be seen in
this. You'll scarce think what a dryness this Incident bred as to
me, tin I had, and weU it was I could, vindicate myself of communi
cating yours.
You know how matters stand at Edinburgh ; and I am of opi
nion, that what comes to Mr Gusthart and my Lord Grange would
come as well direct to Colonel Erskine, as immediately to them
selves ; and it might perhaps come as well from Colonel Upton to
them. I have yet the happiness to be in tolerable liking with the
Professor, notwithstanding of this incident; and whatever you
send to Irvine,- if you order so, I shaU send to the Professor ; and
what you send by post, let Mr Montler be cautioned to give to
none but to whora it's directed.
I hope by this time my books and letters in March are come to
hand, for they were sent sorae weeks ago to Mr Smith, by Mr Mac
knight. I long much to have the papers you are causing tran
scribe for me. I am extremely pleased to hear Mr M'Bride Is re
covering. Pray write frequently to me, and send all your pam
phlets. Give my most hurable duty to Colonel Upton. I send with
this a letter to Mr Kennedy, which you'U transmit to him when
you have occasion. I am yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, August 19, 1723.

WODROW TO GILBERT KENNEDY. 81

LETTER XLIV.
MR KENNEDY'S SERMON. — EPISCOPALIAN MEETING-HOUSES.
To Mr Gilbert Kennedy, Minister, Tullylish, Ireland.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours of the 3d of July only last
post. It has certainly been mislaid. I thank you for it, and sym
pathise with you under your maltreatment for your Sermon.' I
fancy you'U be obUged to publish it for your vindication, and then
I hope to see it. For my share, the procedure of your Synod Is
most acceptable ; it's the best you could do. The Lord hiraself
interpose and heal the many evUs among you. I wrote lately to
Mr Livingston of Temple-Patrick my opinion of the queries he
sent on your affairs, which I doubt not he would communicate. It's
but guesses we can give at this distance ; but we desire to have
your circurastances much at heart. Pray miss no occasion of writ
ing to me.
I was at Edinburgh last week, where we had several settlements
of parishes, now much encumbered with patrons, before us. But
the main thing before us was a terrible increase of Episcopal meet
ing-houses in the North ; ten or twelve set up since May. These
' Mr Kennedy had, during the time of the General Synod in June, at Dungannon,
preached a sermon on these words, " See that ye love one another," in the hearing
of the Non-subscribers, which was found fault with. " The Sermon," says he, " was
censured by them in the Synod as railing. They never so much as spoke to me, or
told me that they were offended ; but, from the notes taken from my mouth by one
Mr Simson, accused me, and threatened to print it, without allowing rae the liberty
to review and consider what 1 had said ; to such a height matters are now come.
What the event will be, I know not ; but that God rules in the raging of the sea,
and stilleth the noise of its waves, and the tumults of the people." — {Letters to
Wodrow, vol. XX. No. 189.)
VOL. III. F

82 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
rendezvouses of disaffection concern the civil governraent so much,
that we judged it proper to address the Lords Justices on this oc
casion. What redress we shall have, I know not. The Lord be
with you In your work, and support you in your difficulties. My
kindest respects to all my old comrades with you. I am, Rev.
Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, August 19, 1723.

LETTER XLV.
PRACTICE AS TO SUBSCRIPTION IN SCOTLAND.
To Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick, Ireland.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours this day without date, but, by
the matter of it, I perceive it's about the end of September, which is
exceeding welcome. That incident of the spreading of that memo
rial I hope will be forgot ; and I shall not be wanting in any thing
in my power to cultivate your correspondence with friends there,
and remove mistakes. However, It was very happy that our friend,
Mr Gusthart, should have given out copies of the memorial. You,
as to your writing to ray Lord Grange, I think I hinted before that
that branch of correspondence would do as well to be managed be
twixt Colonel Upton and Colonel Erskine, who wIU communicate
whatever Is needful to my Lord. The inforraation you have is very
just, that the last naraed is perfectly at variance with your friends
at Edinburgh. Could I allow myself to believe the reports spread
of him, I should have very Ul thoughts of him ; but In charity I
cannot. This far is owned by his enemies, that he is a great man,
and certainly a person of as great abilities as we have in Scotland.
Whatever you think proper to communicate to Colonel Erskine or

wodrow to WILLIA>[ LIVINGSTON. 83
him, you may send It to me, and I shaU take care of it. But as
matters stand at present, I think Colonel Upton may write to the
Colonel. It pleases me to hear that at length my book has come to your
hand, and I am glad any thing you have read of It satisfies you.
It's like to raise a terrible storm, from the Episcopal side, upon
me. They threaten three folios against me, and are rauch fretted.
I expect no quarter from them, and shall be silent tUl I see what
they have to charge me with. You have my mind fully about the
books I sent, and I leave the raatter entirely to you. I hope you
received raine to the Colonel.'
I had a short Une from Mr Masterton, by the Commissioner from
Carrickfergus, who has a collection appointed for him through this
Synod ; but the multitudes of these collections make them turn to
nothing. I was much longing for the accounts of the Coraraittee
at Dungannon, and thank you for the hint you gave the about Mr
HalUday's challenge, and Mr Frank's acceptance, and long to hear
the issue. But I was expecting to hear a complaint tabled before
that Coraraittee, of that singular step of caUing the people together
at Belfast, and reading the Synod meetings to them, and harangue-
ing against them.^ This is as odd a treatment of a Supreme Judi
catory of Christ -as ever I heard of, and such an unmannerly appeal
to the people, as, in my opinion, deserved the Committee's serious
consideration. Besides, it appears, by any view I have of it, to have
been very unfair and ungenerous to talk against the Synod, In a
place and company where nobody was to answer them. Had I
been In their case, I would have invited the Moderator of the Sy
nod to have been heard when they made her a party and pannel.
1 Colonel Upton.
* " Mr Kirkpatrick and Mr Halliday convened their congregations, and read over
the Synod's minutes ; and Mr Kirkpatrick, in a discourse of four hours' length, con
demned the conduct of the Synod, and exposed every step they took against the
Non-subscribers, as notoriously partial and unjust. This unusual piece of manage
ment has made great noise, and very much increased the flame in this place," [Bel
fast.] — Masterto-n, to Wodrow.

84 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
This had been material justice ; and I am persuaded he would have
been too hard for them.
The story you are Informed of, as from Mr Wright, has no
foundation at aU,' and I fancy it has its rise from what I wrote to
you about the Episcopal Ministers in the North going in to Popery.
Upon inquiry at Glasgow, I find that the Professor has not got
any MS. account of your last Synod, and he has no account of your
affairs but what he has from you by me. I am very much longing
for the MS. you are about to cause transcribe for me. Pray let It
come as soon as you can.
The query you propose to me about our practice here before the
Restoration, and In our suffering times, requiring a subscription,
and assent to the Confession of Faith,^ is what I am sorry I can
not give you that satisfaction that I incline to, since my inquiries
have not led me to any exact view of our practice as to that. If
this may be of any use to you in your present circumstances, I'U
endeavour to be more particular in my after accounts, if the Lord
will, and shall raake sorae inquiry anent it, if you desire me. At
present what offers to me is this : — Our National Covenant, you
know, is properly a Confession of Faith against Popery, and ac
cordingly was sworn and subscribed by aU ministers and intrants, till
Prelacy came in 1610. Then the Articles of Perth were urged, and,
as I think, though I cannot be positive about it, the conform clergy
were urged to sign them, at least they did swear and sign the Oath
of Canonical Obedience. When, in the 1636, our new Canons were
fraraed, it was designed they should be signed by aU ministers and in
trants ; but this was happily prevented by the second Reformation,
' " I was told by a sensible man, lately from Kilmarnock, that some Presbyterian
ministers iu the North are going in to the Popish tenets. He said he had his infor
mation from the Rev. Mr Wright, who, from the character I have of him, I believe
would not report such a thing without good intelligence."  (Livingston to Wodrow.)
1 "I would gladly be informed of one thing concerning the Church of Scotland,
and I know no hand so proper as yourself, viz., if, in the licensing of candidates, and
ordination of ministers, any subscription or assent was required to the Westminster
Confession of Faith, or the doctrines contained in it, before the Restoration ; and
likewise if any such subscription or assent was required in their private admissions
and ordinations during the time of the persecution." — {Livingston to Wodrow.)',

WODROW TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 85
1637 and 1638, which youknowbegan with swearing and subscribing
the National Covenant, and that with the explanation of the Assem
bly at Glasgow, declaring that Episcopacy was renounced in that co
venant. This continued to be the Confession of this Church, in con
sequence, as you know, of the Solemn League and Covenant, 1643.
Whether that Confession was then formaUy signed, and ministers
and Intrants required to give their explicit assent, I cannot so well
inform you ; but of this I can, that tUl the Restoration, the National
and Solemn League and Covenant were still subscribed by intrants ;
and the Solemn League and Covenant binds down to that unifor
mity of doctrine, &c., that was to be agreed upon by both churches,
and, consequently, was a material subscribing of it when approven
by the General Assembly. In licensing and ordaining sub cruce,
I cannot be positive whether there was a formal subscription ; but I
know there was a verbal assent required to our doctrines contained
in the Westminster Confession ; and the ministers, 1690, who
framed the act for subscribing the Confession, were just the suffer
ing ministers in the period 'twixt the Restoration and Revolution.
This is all that offers to me at present.
Pray write frequently to me, and send me aU that passes. We
hear you are to have a day of prayer and fasting on account of
your present differences, November 5, but you write nothing to me
about this. My kindest respects to Mr Masterton, Mr M'Bride,
Mr GUbert Kennedy, and aU other brethren of my acquaintance.
I am troubled to hear that your bodily infirmities are not lessening.
The Lord support you, and continue you at his work ! I am. Rev.
Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, Oct. 29, 1723.
P. S. — Give me a history of your parliament, especially as to
what relates to Presbyterians in the North. We have a story
spread here by the friends of the Non-subscribers, that your Synod
would have gone greater lengths against Non-subscribers than they
did, had they not got a message frora the King threatening the re
moval of his royal gratuity for the Dissenters. Let me know if
there be any ground for this.

86 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER XLVL
MONUMENT TO STEUART OF PARDOVAN.
To Lady Pardovan.
Dear Madam, — I spoke to my Lord PoUock anent putting up
a monuraent In remembrance of your husband, and he gave his con
sent most frankly that a marble inscription should be placed in the
outside of the wall, directly answering to the place where Pardovan
lies, signifying that his corpse is depositate within, with whatever
you shaU be pleased to put on it. And, indeed, after I have
considered this matter, were it my case, I would rather choose to
have the inscription without than within the waU ; and, I cannot
but think, this is better than a little head stone of marble within.
So, if you please, you may order the stone from HoUand, as I
think you were speaking, and advise with your friends upon the
inscription to be cut upon it. As soon as I come to town, I shall
wait on you. Meanwhile, I thought it my duty to acquaint you
with my Lord's consent, and to beg you'U stiU believe me to be,
Dear Madam, your very rauch obliged and most humble servant.
Eastwood, Nov. 2, 1723.

LETTER XLVIL
WORKS ON CHURCH GOVERNMENT AND HISTORY.
To Mr Thomas Aikman, at the Ross.
Dear Sir, — I had your obUglng letter about eight days ago,
and delayed to make a return tUl I could send you that volume of
ray paraphlets which some time ago you desired to see. Please
now to receive it, and caU for any other you please. I have got

WODROW TO THOMAS AIKMAN. 87
them aU bound up and titled now, and ready for ray friends' use.
— The two books you write me of, I have them both. The Apolo
gy for, and Vindication of, the Oppressed Presbyterians, &c., 1677,
is writ by a predecessor of raine in this parish, Mr Hugh Smith.
He was a man of very great success in his work in this place. He
was. In his opinion, against the Indulgence, but he was also against
the Separation, and unhappy heights that afterwards were run to
upon that head.
I have likewise Thorndyke on the Primitive Government of
Churches, with sorae other of his pieces. He is one of the writers
that rim to the heights, which afterwards turned so fa.shionable in
England, and his thoughts are Iraproven by Dr Hicks, and our modern
Tory writers. Dodwell, you know, follows him in giving up the Scrip
ture times to us ; and whUe they yield us this, they yield much, if
not aU ; for then we must turn to the maze of antiquity, and every
thing is left at an uncertainty ; and, which is harder in my opinion,
the Scripture is no longer the rule of govemment in the Christian
Church, and so is uot a sufficient rule, at least for our practice, in
the most important matters. And giving, but not granting, that
the Apostles, at least John, the last of them, did appoint overseers
and bishops ; this Is stiU but a supposition and hypothesis of theirs,
and raust be proven ; and aU the proofs they bring are from writers
two or three hundred years after John, which contradict themselves
and one another. Thus, we are sent a wandering, and, instead of
having God's wUl as to the government of his house conveyed to
us in the certain channel of his own written word, we must go, I do
not know where, to look for it. But I check rayself, considering I
write to one who knows these things as well as I.
I know of none that have written a connected History of our
Church since the 1625. Spang, in " HIstoria Motuura In Scotia,"
gives an account of the Revolution 1637, 1638, and 1640; and
Bishop Burnet, in his History of the Dukes of Harallton, draws our
History some way down to the 1650, as you know. Mr Bruce, I
am told, in his answer to me, is about to draw down our History
from the Reformation in three foUos, the last whereof is principally

88 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
to refiite what I have written. You'U oblige me by letting me
hear frequently from you, and giving me an opportunity to make
some smaU returns for the nmny favours you have done to. Dear
Sir, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, Nov. 11, 1723.

LETTER XLVHI.
MANUSCRIPTS AND PAMPHLETS.
To James Fraser, Esq., at Grangehill, near Forres, Moray.
Dear Sir, — It was with a great deal of pleasure I received yours
a post or two ago, with the account of your safe arrival at Grange-.
hill. You owe me no thanks, I am sure, for seeing you at Edin
burgh and Glasgow. It was my great loss that I had so Uttle of
your company. I have not forgot the transcribing Mr Kirkton's
MSS. ; but I am In some pain how to get it done for you. My
two writers, that used to transcribe for me at Glasgow, are dead
since I saw you, I ara in quest of another, and shall use my best
endeavours to have it for you against you come south ; but I have
not yet faUen upon one whose hand satisfies rae.
I have spoken to two or three of the masters of the CoUege at
Glasgow about your collated Spottlswood, which they aU seemed
pleased Avith. Professor Simson, who gives you his service, de
sires you may write me an attested account of the collation of it
with the manuscripts, and where the manuscripts are In England,
to be a voucher to it, and, as far as I can see, the Library there
will take it at your rate.
Your pamphlets are very entertaining, and the most part of the
six volumes are what I want in my large coUection, which consists
of near four hundred volumes folio, quarto, and octavo ; and, since

LORD GRANGE TO WODROW. 89
they bear no connection with those at Edinburgh, I'll give what
ever price you set on them. We shall settle this at meeting, which
I very much long for.
I can think of very Uttle to entertain you with from this place.
I am going through my MSS., and raaking sorae kind of collections
for a Scots Biography of ministers and others ; but whether I shall
ever be able to bring anything of this to a bearing, I know not.
From Edinburgh, I find Mr Bruce is going on In his large work
against my History, and proposes to print three folios. It becomes
me to be silent, tUl I see what he has to advance ; but it's more
than I can guess what he can advance in defence of that black
period I describe from undoubted vouchers.
I have not these pamphlets you left with Mr Chambers, and
will be fond to see them. We hear that Duke HamUton is to go
up this winter to Court, and that is all the news I can think of
from this barren place.
Pray write frequently to me, and give my most humble duty to
GrangehUl and his lady. I am, Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
Nov. 11, 1723.
I have ordered our carriers, which go to Edinburgh weekly, to
caU at Mr Dunbar's shop for " Beza's Histoire de France," or any
thing you send me too bulky for the post.

LETTER XLIX.
MANUSCRIPTS AND PAMPHLETS.
Lord Grange to Wodrow.^
Sir, — The person I employed to transcribe Mr Maule's Life,
which you lent me for that purpose, was too slow ; yet I had re-
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 1 35.

90 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
turned your copy sooner had I found an occasion. My old friend,
Mr Reid, minister of Stevenston, being to pass by your dwelUng,
I take the opportunity of returning it to you, with my hearty
thanks for your favouring me with it.
It is an inconveniency that raen who, like you, are curious In
making such coUections are liable to, that their acquaintances prove
troublesome by asking to borrow those pamphlets and MSS. which
can hardly be found elsewhere. I do not Uke to be in the class of
the troublesome ; but your coramunicative temper wUl, I hope. In
duce you to pardon rae for ranking myself once raore in that tribe.
You told me that you have in print an old ExpUcation of the Na
tional Covenant. I have often inquired after it since you told me
of it, but could never faU upon it. If you would please to aUow
me to have it for a few weeks, I would carefiiUy restore it ; and
this I wIU always reckon an additional favour conferred upon.
Rev. Sir, your faithful, most hurable servant,
James Erskine.
Edinburgh, Nov. 16, 1723.

LETTER L.

REPLY TO THE FOREGOING,

To my Lord Grange.

My Lord, — I had yours of the 16th, with Mr Maule's Life, from
Mr Reid. Anything from me to your Lordship cannot deserve
thanks, since I ara so far in your debt for much more valuable thmgs
you have been pleased to coraraunicate, that I know not when I
shaU get out of it, especially since I still must be further in, when
anything coraes to your hand that raay help on ray coUections.
It is then a pleasure to rae that I have anything that your Lord
ship wants to see. That Explication of the National Covenant I

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 91
spoke of was in manuscript, as far as I remember, at least I have
one in pretty old write, as far as I can guess at least about the
1638, if not before the 1600, which I shall send in, if your Lordship
desire, by the first sure hand.
But, in case I may have forgot the printed pamphlet you teU me
I spoke of, I have sent your Lordship a Ust of aU my pamphlets,
and books, and manuscripts, according as they are classed in ray
catalogue of subjects, which cost me much pains to form out of ray
paraphlets, which I have now got bound up, in sorae more than
three hundred volumes. If there be any of them that hits what we
were talking of, please to pitch upon it, and I'U send in the volurae
it's in to you.
If your Lordship has got any new additions to your exceUent
coUection relating to our history, or diaries, or reraarkable provi
dences, I'll be fond to hear of them ; with aU other accounts of raat
ters you have the leisure to give to, my Lord, your Lordship's very
much obliged and most humble servant.
Eastwood, Nov. 22, 1723.
P.S. — I do not yet hear that Mr Bruce has begun to print his large
work against ray book. Only I am told he is going on writing.
I ara beginning my rude design of collections as to our biography,
with a draught of my father's Life ; and ara gathering up some of
his remains from his loose papers. He had some very uncommon'
thoughts about the law of nature and other subjects, of which I
would be fond to have your Lordship's thoughts ; but I fear Session
time is a wrong time to ask this favour. As soon as I know of any
leisure you have, I presume to communicate them with you. I
have sorae hopes of getting a copy of Mr Calderwood's large His
tory this winter, I know not if it be a thing to be asked of my
Lord Polton, to have the liberty of coUating It with the original
In his hands. Forgive all these little things I give you the trouble
of, and lay your commands on me.

92 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER LL
IRREGULAR DOINGS OF THE NON-SUBSCRIBERS.
Mr Masterton to Mr Macknight.^ Belfast, Nov. 12, 1723.
Rev. and Dear Brother, — I received yours by a woman who
came from Irvine the other day. Our Committee met the 3d Thurs
day of last October. They ordered the Presbytery of Belfast to In
quire into what was done by the Non-subscribers, ministers of that
place, in reading and animadverting on the minutes of last Synod.
When this came to our Presbytery, the Subscribing members, who
are stiU the smallest number, were for appointing a Committee of
the Presbytery to examine into this affair ; but the Non-subscribing
raerabers aUeged the state of inquiry mentioned by the Committee
was ambiguous, viz., whether the two ministers of Belfast had not
unduly reflected upon the General Synod ; for if they said that the
Synod had erred, and done injustice to the Non-subscribers, that
was no more than asserting the Protestant principle, that Synods
and CouncUs are fallible ; and, therefore, the only state of inquiry
(said they) must be, whether these two ministers gave a trae nar
rative of what passed at the Synod, pro and con. This state of in
quiry carried by a plurality of voices. Mr Fraser and I dissented.
Mr Kirkpatrick proposed that he would make his defence upon the
plea of exculpation, i. e., he would prove by good evidence that he
had not misrepresented facts at the Synod. This was also charged,
but I still excepted against the state of inquiry ; but the day was
appointed the last Wednesday at two aftemoon, when Mr Kirk
patrick (for Mr Halliday spoke very little) repeated all that he
had said , in July, before a vast audience in this town, and the
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xx. No. 67.

MR MASTERTON TO MR MACKNIGHT. 93
audience was no smaller last Wednesday, and when he had ex
posed the Synod to the last degree, as unjust in aU their conclu
sions, under pretence of giving a trae narrative, he caUed upon his
witnesses, which were mostly his own and Mr HaUiday's people,
and asked them, if his narrative now and before was not true and
just. They aU answered that it was just. As I remember, Mr
Kirkpatrick spoke with little interruption for nine or ten hours >
bitter reflections were cast upon several members of the Synod, and
especiaUy myself, for my caUing the committee. It carried in the
Presbytery that they had exculpated themselves, which, according
to the state of inquiry, was true enough; for they said no worse (I
beUeve) of the Synod at home, than they said to the Synod them
selves, for which reason, I desired that my exception against the
state of inquiry might be recorded along with my vote, which was
accordingly done, though not one member joined me, and so the
exculpation carried, which occasioned a great triuraph to the Non-
subscribers. Thus our condition stands in a most doleful plight,
and I expect no better while Non-subscribers and Subscribers con
tinue in Synods and Presbyteries. Time doth not aUow me to add
more tiU I hear from you. Please to communicate this to Mr Wod
row. There was a general fast appointed for our present divisions;
that appointment was made by last Committee, and has been or
wUl be observed accordingly. Which, with wonted respects, is
from, Rev. Dear Brother, your affectionate brother and servant,
Charles Masterton.
If it was possible to obtain what is deficient in your collections
for my congregation, there is great need for it ; though we are very
thankfiil for what is done.

94 THE WODROW correspondence.

LETTER LH.
THE SAME 'SUBJECT.
To Mr William Macknight.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I thank you for yours of the 22d, with
Mr Masterton's. Receive Mr Masterton's enclosed, which gives a
new vidimus of the temper ofthe Non-subscribers ; and It seems, had
they the plurality, as they have In the Presbytery of Belfast, they
would be as imposing and hectoring as any, for all their loud com
plaints against imposition and outcries for Uberty, I am still of
the mind their treatraent of the Synod was unaccountable as well
as ungenerous ; and this last step of repeating aU again appears to
rae to be, if I raay use a Scots proverb, as scorning the Kirk, and
a plain insult on Synod and Coraraittee. It's impossible, I think,
they could conceive the Committee's mind to be that they should
react their insults on the Synod. At least I suppose the Committee
had no great question about the agreement betwixt what they said
at Dungannon and Belfast ; perhaps they might guess they could
say little worse at Belfast than they had said In face of Synod.
But the question Is plain, whether it was fit, in an appeal to the
people, to repeat their harangues before the Synod, and so raise a
flarae, and twenty other obvious consequences. However, I wonder
the Committee, considering the state of Belfast Presbytery, remitted
the inquiry to them, or If to thera, that they did It in a general way,
without particular Injunctions and directions what and how to In
quire. But I trouble you with these obvious things. Give my
kind respects to Mr Masterton, and tell hira how rauch I sympa
thise with him, I had his print from Glasgow ;' but did not know
' His « Apology for the Northern Presbyterians in Ireland," which was printed at
Glasgow.

WODROW TO COLONEL ERSKINE. 95
It came from Mr HemphUl. I wish I had seen him when at Glas
gow. I have got about fifteen shiUings more for Belfast, and the
deficients are ordered to bring it in against next Presbytery, Con
tinue your accounts to, Rev, Dear Brother, yours most affectionately,
Nov. 23, 1723.

LETTER LIIL
COMPLAINTS OF THE TIMES.
To Colonel Erskine.
My Dear Colonel, — I have yours of the 2d, and am grieved
to hear of your son's illness, &c.
The Duke of Orleans' death Is like to have great consequents,
and though they speak of Bourbon's being on the same lay, yet I
know not what to look for.
My last letter from Ireland I send you with this. Mr Boece
has lost his only son, a student of divinity, of good abilities. I
have heard from him since, but he is not able to write, and has the
same distemper of the flux his son was iU of, but does not yet ap
pear to be in hazard. His son died most Christianly, and in a rap
ture of divine light, towards the beginning of October,
I heartily regret our present dead, divided, and lamentable cir
cumstances. You give the only reason of our sparing. Let us
adore sovereignty in it, and lay our account with the worst, if we
shall go on, and meanwhUe wonder at the mercy In our lot. There
has been much sickness and death by the flux in this country since
harvest, greater than ever I saw. Profanity is dreadfuUy increas
ing at Glasgow, and vile woraen inviting men to wickedness in the
very streets. Provost Bowman is dead, and raatters are in very sad
circumstances with the youth In that city. Write frequently to

96 THE wodrow correspondence.
me. The Lord support and comfort you, under his way to you !
I am. Dear Colonel, yours, &c.
Dec. 4, 1723.

LETTER LIV.

gadderar and the usages.

To Mr George Chalmers, Principal of King" s College, Aberdeen, for
present at Edinburgh.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours, December 3d, last post
save one, and thank you most heartUy for the enclosed paper of
Mr Gatherar's.' It's not worth your whUe to have my remarks on
It ; but, indeed, to me he appears pretty just in his reasonings from
the principles he goes on, and I don't see how the Bishop of Edin
burgh, as sometimes he caUs him, wUl easUy evite them, unless he
a little more openly declare the ancient usages to be modem Po
pery, and come off a Diocesan Prelate's being the centre and prin
ciple of unity, and frankly own the Old Scots Prelacy, which I
know was once his opinion, in opposition to the EngUsh usages and
cereraonies. I wish you could procure rae a copy of the circular letter, if
there be any raore in it than Mr Gatherar takes notices of; and
pray faU not to send rae all your further accounts of this affair from
Aberdeen, and aU other reraarkables.
I thank you for your news. I doubt a little whether the pre
sentee will be acceptable to aU the masters of Marischal CoUege.
' " Meantime, 1 have sent you the enclosed manuscript, which is a copy of the an
swers by Gaderer aud his brethren in the North, returned to Bishop Fullarton for
his presuming (o give directions to those not under his jurisdiction." — {Principal
Chalmers to Wodrow.")

WODROW TO GEORGE CHALMERS. 97
Favour me with another letter before you leave Edinburgh, with
all your novels. I am so much for reformation and amendments,
as essential to real conviction and repentance, that I pass all former
omissions ; only, I am as clear for perseverance,
I send you on the other side my last letter from Belfast, which
you may communicate with my Lord Grange when you see him,
and do me the favour to thank him for his, last post, and tell him
I'll send in the MSS. he desires by the very first sure hand; and
humbly beg he may procure me the favour of Calderwood's MSS.
from my Lord Polton. I shall write to my Lord at more length
when I send in what he desires.
When you return to Aberdeen, youll mind Rabbi Monis* Letter,
and the two pamphlets ; and give my respects to Mr Gordon, and
my cousin, D. Warner, who is unaccountably backward to write,
I am, Dear Brother, yours most affectionately,'
Dec. 11, 1723.

' " The Usages mentioned in this letter were imported from England by Gadderar
and others, and consisted of the following innovations : 1 . Prayers for the dead.
2. Mixing the wine in the Eucharistic cup with water. 3. Praying for the descent
of the Holy Spirit upon the bread and the cup, in virtue of which they become tho
spiritual and life-giving body and blood ; the priest having previously to this offered
them up as symbols of the sacrifice of our Saviour. 4. Making intercession, in
virtue of the bread and cup thus made to become the body and blood of Christ, not
only for the living, but also for all the faithful departed this life." These Usages
led to most unseemly debates among the Scots Episcopalians, which issued in a schism.
The old Bishops who adhered to the English Liturgy soon died out, leaving the schis
matics to propagate themselves and their principles, which they have done in pretty
regular succession to this day. The Usages were afterwards embodied into the
old Scots Liturgy, (Laud's,) by Mr Falconer of Leith and Mr Forbes of Edin
burgh, two ofthe Usage Bishops, in an edition ofthe Comraunion Office, published by
them in 1765, in conformity with the instructions of one Rattray, who was a violent
advocate for the innovations. This is the Liturgy presently iu use among the Scot
tish Episcopalians  Skinner's Eccl. Hist. ii. p. 622 ; Sievewright's Principles, p.
169, App. No. 2.

VOL. III.

98 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER LV.
SETTLEMENT OF MR AINSLIE. — SCOTTISH BIOGRAPHY.
To Colonel William Maxwell o^ Cardinnes, at Bardarroth.
Dear Sir, — I had yours of the 9th. It's a satisfaction to me,
after all the toU I had in collecting the Sufferings of this Church,
that you and many others, whose judgment I value, are not dis
pleased with it, when it is printed. I am, they say, to be answered
by Mr Bruce, in three large folios. How he wiU be able to dis
prove the facts that I have advanced, I do not yet see. But it be
comes me to be silent till that work appear. Mr M'MiUan's party,
on the one side, and the Episcopal people on the other, have at
tacked me in two or three pamphlets, wherein I do not observe
much strength of reasoning; and resolve, before I make any retum,
to wait the coraing out of his larger works.
Upon the receipt of yours and Ardwell's, I went in to Glasgow
yesterday, but raissed Mr Ainslle ; but find every body to whom
I speak about him give him a very favourable character ; and cer
tainly you may very much depend upon Mr M'Laren's opinion of
him, who is a good judge.' I have had a general acquaintance of
Mr Ainslle for several years, and never knew any thing to his
disadvantage. But, since you are pleased to put me on giving you
information about him, and I love stUl to give any recommendar
tions desired from me from as much personal knowledge as I can
have, I have invited him out to preach with me on Sabbath come
eight days, when I'll have some occasion to talk with him ; and
after that I shaU write by post, to Mr Martin's care, what offers to
me, which is aU at present I can say on this subject,
' Mr M'Laurin of Glasgow, the celebrated author of the Sermon on Glorying in
the Cross, Sec.

WODROW TO COLONEL MAXWELL. 99
I have heard, indeed, that Mr Wright was not active as to his
settlement at Kilmarnock ; but having never conversed with any
who knew how that matter stood, I can give you nothing save my
own conjectures, I never heard that Mr Wright had ever any
personal objections against Mr Ainslle. He (Mr Ainslle) was
urged by the famUy of Kilmarnock upon the Session. Whether
the Session at that time had their eye upon another, or whether
they were not fond of having one that was in the family, and on
that score pushed on them, or whether his voice did not answer
their large church, I cannot tell you. There are a hundred small
things faU in, in the case of a corapetition of rights, and In a large
Session, that hinder settlements. And Mr Wright, I believe, re
solved stiU to be entirely one with his Session, and that they
would jointly act as to his coUeague. But, as I said, I never heard
of any thing that Mr Wright objected [in] Mr Ainslle. This is
all I know in that matter. '
I hear, and I was expecting some complaints, of omissions In
the History of our Sufferings, and I doubt not but there is some
ground for it ; though the charge does not fall on me, since I hope
I have omitted no famUIes nor persons the accounts of whom came
to my hands. Indeed, I could not but wonder at the negligence
of many concerned, who, though they had abundance of time to
send them to rae, yet neglected this. However, if I be spared,
there raay be yet a tirae to supply some defects this way, and cor
rect some names and circumstances I niay have mistaken or been
misinformed about. And, therefore, I wish, especially in the South
and in Galloway, where there was a very broad scene of suffering,
some pains might be taken yet to supply defects, and to set me
right wherein I may be wrong.
I have been for raany years making coUections for a Biography,'
' The idea of this work was first suggested to Wodrow by a conversation he
had with his father, some time before the old man's death. They had been conversing
together about the distinguished ministers ofthe Church of Scotland during the Re
formation and after that period, when Wodrow's father, after narrating to him some
striking accounts which he had leceived from godly ministers, said, "Robin, Iam

100 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
and the Lives of many noblemen, gentlemen, ministers, and Christ
ians, with a history of the Lord's remarkable providences to this
Church, remarkable deliverances, judgments, conversions, answers
of prayer, and the like, well attested. Whether ever I shaU be
able to bring such a collection to any shape and bearing, I cannot
say; but I wish some pains were taken by ministers and weU-af-
fected gentlemen, in different corners, to gather up what can be
recovered, or they have observed relative to those. It's in my
opinion both a sin and a shame that the Lord's singular ways with
this Church, and many particular persons in it, should be buried ;
and I know none in the South [to whom] I could make the pro
posal with so much advantage as to yourself; and I doubt not the
ministers about you — Mr Monteith, Messrs T. and WiUiam Camp
bell, Mr Ewart, Mr T. Kennedy, Mr Robert Ferguson, Mr WUson,
Mr Anderson of Kirkmaiden, to whom I give ray kindest respects,
and others who do not offer to me just now, wiU be able to afford
many materials for so good a design.
For instance, what possibly can be recovered of the great Mr
Rutherford in your parish, his manner of preaching, his success, his
interview, of which I have heard, with Bishop Usher ; what can
be recovered of worthy Mr M'CleUand, of whom Mr Andrew
very much persuaded that the Lord hath stooped to manifest himself in as singular
a manner, in behalf of the Church of Scotland, and to multitudes of Christians and
ministers in it, if not in a more peculiar manner than to any of his churches since the
primitive times ; and yet all this, his goodness and grpce, is in a great measure un
gratefully buried by us ; and there is no account of the Lord's way with particular
persons, save a few scraps in The Fulfilling of the Scriptures; nor of his remark
able providences and appearances in this church, recorded and transmitted to pos-
terity." He added, with much serious concern, " 1 have many omissions and failings
in my former Ufe to lament over ; but there are not many things more grievous to me
than my sinful neglect of setting down in write, what I have had occasion to hear
from old ministers and Christians, concerning the Lord's singular way with them and
this church ; for 28 years before the Revolution, Presbyterian ministers had not many
public opportunities of preaching, and spent much oftheir time in conversation, one
with another ; and there I had opportunities to hear many remarkable things, which
I fear now will be utterly lost." " And he advised mo,"' adds his son, " in my youth,
to set down what I happened to hear from good hands, and well attested of this kind,
whieh advice I have in part followed." — {Life of Prof. Wodrcvi, pp. 3, 4.)

WODROW TO JOHN ANDERSON. 101
Cameron promised me some accounts, but now is at better work,
and his remarkable life and strange death. 1 would fain have
aU the accounts that can be had of Marlon M'Naught, of which
Mr Blair and Mr Livingston write in their Uves. I know there
was an exceUent set of religious gentlemen and worthy ministers
in the Shire and Stewartry before the Restoration, and under the
suffering times; and I hope many remarkable providences may be
recovered since the Revolution, beside the diaries and weU at
tested accounts of those before it. I presume to lay this matter
before you, and hope, on consideration, you'U think it worthy of
some pains and search ; and I am persuaded ministers wiU join
with you in it.
Forgive me this long scroll, which is not my ordinary, and give
my wife's and my humble duty to your lady and family, I am.
Dearest Colonel, in the greatest sincerity, yours most affectionately,
Eastwood, Dec. 19, 1723.

LETTER LVI.
BISHOP Burnet's history, — Scottish biography.
To Mr John Anderson, Minister at Kirkmaiden.
Rev, Dear Brother, — I had not yours of the Sth of November
tiU two months after the date, and yet by post, which I wonder at.
However, when it comes, it's very welcome, as yours still are. I
am satisfied my book does not displease you. I had nothing save
complaints in the general, as to the list of fines, and mostly from
the South, All corrections will be acceptable, and I may have oc
casion to publish them, if I live, as also additional accounts of suf
fering persons and famiUes omitted by me, Mr Brace, I hear, is in
sisting in his large work against me, to consist of three foUos, but

102 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
is not yet begun to print ; but vast pains are taken by the Episco
pal clergy to fumish him with materials. I ara of opinion Bishop
Burnet's History of that period I have described wiU yet more
gall that side than what I have written. As far as I have yet read
of him, there is no interfering 'twixt us ; and in his secret history
he discovers multitudes of facts which I had no knowledge of,
which wiU, In my opinion, confirm very much what I have said, and
expose that horrible period. The Bishop spares nobody, and sets
up very much for impartiality ; and, indeed, I have a high opinion of
his candour ; only in some circumstances I see he has been misin
formed, as no doubt I have been ; but he gives no vouchers, except
for the private passages he relates. But I'U be so vain, almost, as
to say my book will be a voucher for him; and he is one ofthe best
seconds I could have desired.
As to the Biography, I want not many thoughts about it; and
since I saw you, I have put my manuscript and papers in such an
order as I am now tolerably master of them ; and I have many
scraps here and there that relate to Uves and remarkable prori-
dences. But whether I shaU ever look to the press, uiUess It be in
my own necessary defence, I cannot say. However, I do resolve,
if the Lord will, to put what I have In as good order as I can ; and
am this winter writing my Father's Life, which has led me out to
several things I was not thinking of; and wiU be fond to have aU
the accounts from your bounds that you can gather, of which I
have written to Colonel Maxwell lately, and desired him to com
municate what I wrote to you with other brethren in your Synod ;
and if materials come up to rae, this will much direct me what use
to make of thera. But really, when I think on the private temper
of too many of my brethren, and their llstlessness as to any thing
of a public nature, I want not some melancholy views. I had too
much occasion to observe this in the History. of the Sufferings,
when, for all the pains taken by Assembly and Commissions to get
informations, aU that came up to me from aU the ministers in the
Church was within twelve sheets of paper ; and I believe there
might be six or seven of these from Galloway.

WODROW TO JOHN ANDERSON. 103
I thank you for your Ust of ministers in Kirkmaiden. Had I
such from every minister, which were very easy, since the Refor
mation, it would be a great help to a Biography, and useful for other
purposes. You have singularly obliged me with your account of Mr Gordon.
I heard of him some sixteen years ago in this country. Mr WU
liam Lindsay of Dundonald, whose judgment had great weight
with me, had a high opinion of him for piety. Before I give you
my poor thoughts upon him, I would have some of the many facts
you have heard of him, with which you say you can fill some sheets,
for saving his great knowledge, and his telling somewhat done in
America, I do not observe you come to particulars. Pray send me
all you can gather, and let me know if he is stiU In your bounds, or
where he is. I shaU mind to talk or write to Dr Stevenson about
him. I mind nothing from this country to gratify you with, in return
to yours. The affairs of Ireland are stIU more and raore melancholy ;
but you Ue near it. The divisions among the Episcopal clergy in
the north continue, of which, if you have not the accounts, I shall
give you them at more length by my next. Send me all remark
ables before your judicatories, remarkable providences, account of
the state of the separatists, your accounts from Ireland. Give my
kindest respects to aU the brethren of your Presbytery of my ac
quaintance, and write more frequently to me. I wish you much of
the Lord's presence in your work, and aU its branches ; and am.
Rev. Dear Brother, yours most affectionately. I send this direct
to Stranraer, having no other way I can think of.
January 20, 1724.
P. S. — The only passage wherein I observe Bishop Burnet differs
from me, in point of fact, is what I am reading this night, p. 234,
where he aUeges the first rising before Pentland, in the parish of
Dairy, was premeditated, and not the effect of heat and hardship,
which he owns the Whigs gave out and printed; but says, the story

104 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
was made to beget compassion. All the proof of which that he
brings is, that when afterwards the report of hardships in the coun
try was made to the Council, and particularly from that parish,
there was entire silence as to that, and he read the report. I have
published the report, I suppose he means in Sir James Turner's busi
ness. But there were many reasons why the particular hardships
in Dairy that begun the rising could not faU under the inquiry
made anent Sir James Turner, far less the report. However, I
wish you may put Colonel Maxwell, Mr Boyd, and others, upon
getting aU the vouchers can, at this distance, be had to verify my
account, which will, I think, be found fact in aU its circumstances,
and no story coined to breed compassion.

LETTER LVIL
Millar's history. — calderwood's ms, history and papers.
Lord Grange to Wodrow}
Sir, — ^I am much beholden to you for your letter of November 22,
and the list annexed to it of books, pamphlets, and MSS. concern
ing the covenants. I have some of those which are in print. I'U
be obliged to you if you allow me, for a small time, the use of the
MS. entitled, A short Clearing of the Popish Errors in the Con
fession of Faith, with a Commentary on the National Covenant.
If any thing come to my hand that I conceive may be of use or
agreeable to you, on any of the subjects of your collections, I wUl
not fail to acquaint you. I often Avlsh that business of a different
nature aUow me to be more in the way of hearing or inquiring about
such things.
I seldom hear your adversary Bi-ucc mentioned ; and, so far as
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 136.

LORD GRANGE TO WODROW. 105
I can learn, he is in small esteem even among some of his own
party. The late account of Archbishop Sharp is said to be his.
In my opinion it is a poor piece. He bestows great praise on that
man, and yet narrates such facts, as show him to have been a base,
time-serving, treacherous feUow. If he proceed thus in his other
book, he will go a good way in anticipating the work of any who
would answer it,
I have not yet got much i-ead of your neighbour Mr Millar's
book.' I like the design of it, I would humbly think it a proper
and useful following to it, to handle the decay of Christianity in
certain countries, with the springs, occasions, and furtherance of it ;
and the rise, progress, and present state of Mahometism, A learned
man, acquainted with the Oriental History, and with the History
of the Christian Church, especiaUy some time after the taking of
Constantinople by the Turks, might teach us a great many useful
things in treating of this subject, and have occasion to vindicate
Christianity from the calumnies and objections, not only of the
Turks, but also of some of the latest Deists, and of the Socinians
and Arians, whora I suppose one could not miss to notice, when
writing of the decay of Christianity and growth of Mahometism,
The history of Christianity and Heathenism completes not the ge
neral history of the principal reUglons, nor gives the reader a satis
factory view of the present situation of religion in the world, when
nothing is said of Mahometism, with which so very many are de
luded. If you think such a work would be useful, and that Mr
Millar could prosecute it successfuUy, your giving him the hint
might perhaps set him about it,
I'm glad to hear that you are writing your Father's Life, and re
vising his papers. Your offer to communicate to me his thoughts
upon the law of nature, &c., is a favour that I value very much.
Lord Polton says, he has a copy of Calderwood's large History,
in three volumes folio, on which is written, that one volume for
' His Lordship refers to a " History of the Propagation of Christianity and Over
throw of Paganism. By Mr Robert Millar, Minister of the Gospel at Paisley."
Edin. 1723, in two vols.

106 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
the press should be collected out of them. He knows not whether
this be the original copy. You would judge better of that. He
appears wUling to lend you it ; and if you please I'U endeavour to
get it from him, that I may send it you. He says, that from this
were the copies transcribed which he gave to the libraries of Edin
burgh and Glasgow. He stIU tells me of a large chestful of Mr
Calderwood's papers which fell into some people's hands, against
whom his (Lord Polton's) father raised a process for them. But
his Lordship seems not to know what became of the process or
papers. I'U do what I can to stir hira up to inquire after them
more earnestly than he has done hitherto. I am. Rev. Sir, your
most humble and faithful servant.

James Erskine.

Edinburgh, Dec. 5, 1723.

LETTER LVIIL
calderwood's papers.
To the Right Honourable my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I blame myself very rauch that I have not answered
your last, which was extremely acceptable. The reason has been,
I wanted a sure hand to send that MS- explication of the covenant
which you wanted to see, and no other thing of importance offering
from this country, I did not presume to trouble you tlU I could find
a hand to send the book, which comes by Mr James Anderson's
hands to your Lordship ; and I have only an account this night, late,
of his wife's returning to Edinburgh to-morrow early, so that I have
no time to say any thing about other things. I sent a copy of my
last accounts of the lamentable and growing differences in Ireland,
upon the proceedings of their last Synod, to Principal Chalmers,
and desired him to communicate it to your Lordship, which, no

wodrow to JAMES ANDERSON. 107
doubt, he would, if my letters reached him before he left Edinburgh.
If it's not come to your hand, I shall send it by post ; and, it may
be, some further accounts, which I expect every week from the
particular Synod of Belfast, which was to sit there in the beginning
of this month.
In my last, I had almost forgot to return my raost humble thanks
for procuring me the favour of a loan of ray Lord Polton's Calder
wood. I have now got four volumes of It, (and the rest are doub-
Ung,) and long to have that which is the fountain whence the copy
at Glasgow was taken. I'll guess, by some original letters of Mr
Calderwood's in my hands, if ray Lord's copy be written or cor
rected by Calderwood. I presume earnestly to beg the favour of
a loan of them from my Lord Polton, and shaU undertake for their
safety, and to retum them at his Lordship's call. If your Lordship
procure them, and send them to my Lord Pollock's lodgings, they
wUl come safe to me. I have only roora to subscribe myself, with
all possible respect, my Lord, your most humble servant.
Jan. 22, 1724.

LETTER LIX.

BURNET 8 HISTORY,

To Mr James Anderson, Writer to the Signet, Edinburgh.
Dear Sir,— I have been entertained these eight days with
Bishop Burnet's History of his Own Time. You may be sure I am
pleased to find very little interfering with me. He is bloody in
his characters, and wUl draw down the whole posse of Tories on
him. I only wish he had given some more of his vouchers, and not
suffered all to lean so much on his own authority ; which, though

108 THE WODROW CORRESI'ON DENCE.
it's of the greatest weight with me, yet wiU not be so with every
body. I am not yet half through. It's a lively, masterly book. I
am yours. Jan. 24, 1724.

LETTER LX.
BUKNET'S history. — COLLECTIONS OF LIVES AND COINS.
To the Honouralle Colonel William Maxwell of Cardinnes, at
Bardarroch.
Dear Colonel, — I have yours ofthe 16th of January by the
bearer. I wrote in yesterday with him to Mr Ainslle, whose
answer to your reverend Presbytery wUl no doubt come with this.
Any thing I could do to give you ^nd the parish a character of the
young man, is what does not merit your acknowledgments. If he
corae to you with a Divine blessing, and your way be cleared to
him, and his to settle among you, I shall heartUy rejoice.
My back friend, Mr Bruce, has now another and heavier author
to deal with than I, Bishop Burnet in the History of his Own
Times. Had that book been published before mine, it had saved
me much trouble, and I would not have chose to come after so
masterly a pen. Allowances must be made for his education
and known opinions, and the informations he had of Presbyte
rians, few of whom he knew personally. But, bating these things,
he differs very little in facts from what I have advanced, as
far as I have yet read him, save in one point, wherein I am of opi
nion he wiU be out ; and you'U be in case to help me to further
vouchers, and that is, he aUeges the beginnings of the rising before
Pentland in the parish of Dairy were not incidental, and from Sir
James Turner's barbarities, but from a prior concert, I have given

AVODROW TO COLONEL MAXWELL. 109
a large account of that matter from the papers I had, and suppose,
upon further inquiry, it will be found agreeable to truth. The
Bishop makes those times yet blacker, if possible, than I have done ;
and sets down a vast number of private springs of affairs I was ig
norant of, and many passages of secret history never before known.
He wants vouchers, indeed, and has no public papers insert to sup
port what he says ; but unless it looked like vanity, I would say
that my book wiU be a voucher for him ; and' his, in my opinion, sup
ports mine in the most important passages of it ; though I am very
sensible I ought not to offer at any comparison with the brightest
historian of this age ; and had the Bishop's History been published
before mine, I shoidd either have suppressed my book, or referred
very much to him. But the world will easily see there could be no
concert. Very probably, the Bishop's History will extremely inflame the
Tories, and I may expect my blows from them jointly with him.
So, by aU means let me have all the corrections, additions, and
further accounts of the sufferings of persons and famUies in your
shire and Nithsdale. The ministers you name wUl give aU the as
sistance they can.
I am glad my proposal of collections for a Biography and a History
of Providences has your approbation. It's certainly a necessary
and usefiU work, wherein we have already lost a vast deal of mate
rials by delays, or rather a sinful neglect. I am now so far acquaint
with myself, I hope, and the difliculty of writing and publishing,
that I see my unfitness to do any further that way. But I earnestly
wish a beginning were given to the design, by making collections of
materials in different corners, and preserving and recovering as
much as possible ; and what is sent me I shall labour to preserve
with what I have already on that head, and bring things as near a
shape as may be ; and though nothing should be published, yet this
may be materials to work upon.
So, pray send me aU you can gather as to Mr Rutherford, Mr
M'CleUand, whose letter to Lord Kirkcudbright 1 have, and some
other letters also of his ; and beseech Mr Ewart, whom I most

110 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
kindly remember, to gather aU he can about him ; and write to Cap
tain FuUarton, and recover all that can be got about his gracious
grandmother, M. M'Naught; and send me what you get at your
conveniency. The ministers whora I named, and those in Niths
dale, will, I am persuaded, give their assistance, though I wish we
were all more active in what concerns the public interests and con
cerns, where there is too rauch slackness,
I'U be very much obliged to you for one of every kind of your
old coins. They will be a considerable accession to my collection
of about two hundred of old Scots coins, and some Roman ones.
My wife and I give our humble duty to your lady, and the Lady
Castle-Stewart. I remember your son most affectionately. Let
me hear as frequently from you as may be. You see I have cut
you out abundance of troublesome work, for which you'll forgive
me. I am. Dear Colonel, yours in the most sincere affection.
Jan. 25, 1724.

LETTER LXL

BURNET S HISTORY.

To the Rev, Mr John Evans, Minister of the Gospel at Deal, to the
care of Mr Evans, Golden Fleece, south side of PauTs Churchyard,
London.Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours of 4th of December in due
time. One reason of my not writing sooner is, that I might be In
case to teU you I had read Bishop Burnet's History of his Own
Time ; and since his period is precisely the same which I have de
scribed in the suffering part of it, I was the more concerned to see
it ; and now, when I have read him tc the 1685, you may be sure I
am satisfied. There are no differences 'twixt us, save what may be

WODROW TO JOHN EVANS. Ill
easUy accounted for, nor any as to facts of any importance. I have
kept much by vouchers and public papers ; the Bishop gives the
same things from private information, and lets us into the secret
history and hidden springs, which he had occasion to know more of,
I think, than any other in that time. These I neither knew, being of
mostly before I was born ; neither durst I have published, without
vouchers, on my poor authority. I am so vain as to think the pub
lic papers I have advanced (I speak as to our Scots affairs) wUl be
vouchers of what he has written, and what he has published from
personal knowledge ; and the informations he has had from persons
of the highest character will very much strengthen my relation, and
some few passing reflections and observes I presuraed to make en
passant. His characters are generally very just, as to Scotsmen,
though I doubt sorae wUl reckon thera severe. He has exposed
the blackness and iniquity of these tiraes in Scotland in a most
touching and masterly way ; and though I know he has been mls-
inforraed in some lesser things, (as probably I have been likewise,)
yet it's impossible to convell the material facts he has set down.
In short, had his History been published before mine. It had saved
me a vast deal of pains, and I should very much have referred to
him, had I written at all. But now the world wiU see there was
no coUusion, and I hope have other views of our affairs in that
period than they had. And you may be sure I am pleased that I am
seconded by one ofthe finest writers in Europe, and ofthe other side
too, a person every way indeed superior to me, save in principles,
which I must stUl reckon better than his. But our difference in
these, I hope, is a proof of both our impartiality as writers ; and,
save in that respect, I shaU never offer at any comparison with so
great a man.
I resolve to leave the other side for the resolutions of the Synod
of Ireland, which I send you, since you desire it ; since the Synod
matters are no ways better, but rather worse, of which more by my
next, if you desire it. I have the discourse on preaching, recom
mended by Mr Watt, and like it well. Let me know what that
good man is doing since your last. I did not hear of these lectures

112 THE WODROW CORRE,SrONDEiVCE.
of the nature of Mr Boyle's, in which young Mr Calamy Is con
cerned, before. If any sermons at them be pubUshed let me know.
Mr Calamy was so kind as to see me here. If you see him, give
him my thanks for it, and ray best wishes. Send me the state of
the differences at London ; all your news from abroad, the settle
ment in the East Indies, the University of Halle, &c. You know my
temper, I have nothing from Scotland worth whU'e, We are in
much peace, but religion dwindling away sadly. Pray write fre
quently to me, especially as to the state of religion, I heartUy pray
you may have great success attending your labours ; and am. Rev.
Dear Brother, yours most affectionately,
Eastwood, Jan. 31, 1724.

LETTER LXH.
OF MR GOWAN.
To Mr Robert Black, Minister at Rotterdam,
Rev. Dear Brother, — Give my humble duty to the Rev. Mr
Gowan, your neighbour, at London. I don't know whether it was
he, or another of that name, I knew a little of at Glasgow, about
twenty-five or thirty years ago. But I remember his exceUent fa
ther, the author of the Logicks, kept a close correspondence with
my father, and there was a peculiar friendship 'twixt them. What
I have of Mr Gowan's, when in Ireland, on Presbyterian ordination,
and the large character Mr Paisley brings me of him, makes me
foud to continue this friendship that was betwixt our parents. If
that worthy person will let me know by post or a sUp, wherein I
can serve him here, I would be very fond of it ; with all his accounts
of the present state of the reformed churches, and learning, and new
books, in which I hear he Is very much seen. PU be far from

WODROW TO G. STEWART AND M. CRAWFORD. 113
grudging the postage of a letter, either from him or you. I hear
the affair of a coUeague to you, Mr BaUlie, is before our next Com
mission. I am yours.
Jan. 31, 1724.

LETTER LXm.
PROPOSALS OF MR BRUCE'S HISTORY.
To G. Stewart, Bookseller, Edinburgh.
Sir, — I thank you for Mr Bruce's Proposals, which I had last
post. He undertakes a good large field, and I shall be heartUy glad
if he set matters in a just and fair light, from records and pajiers
that wUl be good vouchers. Real truth, and true matter of fact,
should be acceptable to every honest man, and shall be, if I know
myself, to me ; and I'll certainly, if I be spared, take his book.
I am longing for Doctor Cockburn's Reraarks on Bishop Bumet,
who, I see, confines himself much to Scots affairs. I am. Sir,
yours, &c.
Eastwood, Feb. 12, 1724.

LETTER LXIV.
BURNET AND BRUCE.
To Mr Mathew Crawford, Edinburgh.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have read Bishop Burnet's History.
I see he confirms the accounts I have given, and we differ very
VOL. III. h

114 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
little. But his characters are bold, and some of them without
ground ; and he is out in some circumstances. I wonder what has
led hira to speak so disrespectfully of King William. I think him
unjust to the late Advocate. But few escape his satire. Pray let
rae have people's sentiments on his performance, and your own.
At length I ses Mr Bruce's Proposals. He undertakes much, and
I am expecting a very partial and unfair representation of matters,
if he go on as he has begun in the two pamphlets he has published.
He seems very fairly to proclaim himself a partyraan in his Propo
sals, ifl do not mistake him. Send all your accounts from your
town and college, from North and South ; for I have heard nothing
almost all this winter. I ara, yours, &c.
Feb. 15, 17-24.
P.S. — I hear Mr Bruce gives it out that he has Mr BaUUe's Let
ters. I thought that had been prevented. Let me know if Ma
thew BaiUIe has given him them, and when Mr Fraser Is expected
from Grangehill ; and if there be any thing of importance to be
before the Comraission in March. Send that manuscript of Mr
James Stirling's you have, which he desires me to get fi-om you to
my Lord Pollock.

LETTER LXV.

MS. LIFE OF JAMES MELVILLE.

To my Lord Grange.

My Lord, — I had yours of the 12th last post, and am extremely
in your debt for your care about Calderwood's manuscripts, and
return my most humble thanks to Lord Polton for the loan of
them. As soon as I come east, I'll wait on my Lord, if in town,

wodrow to lord grange. 115
as I am bound by this obliging favour, and make my acknowledg
ments to himself. I do not doubt but the box will come to me in
a day or two hence, by Lord Pollock's carrier.
MeanwhUe, having the occasion of a young man coming from
this to my Lord Pollock's family, I could not but acknowledge
your Lordship's goodness In this matter.
Mr James MelviUe's Life I have never before heard of, and I
am glad so valuable a remain of so great a raan is In your hands.'
He was a nephew, or first cousin, of Mr Andrew Melville ; and, if
I have not forgot, was processed with Mr Welsh, Mr Andrew Mel
ville, Mr Forbes, &c., at Linlithgow, 1606, for their keeping the
day appointed for the Asserably at Aberdeen. However that be,
he was one of the most sufficient ministers then in Fife, and a per
son of great piety, learning, and zeal. I have his manuscript His
tory from the Reforraation to the 1610, consisting of about thirty
or forty sheets, containing several principal papers that I have not
observed even in the large Calderwood, which I'll send your Lord
ship, when you please to caU for It. I am extreraely fond to see
Mr MelvUle's Life, when your Lordship has perused it. It wUl be
no small accession to the Lives I have already.
And, when on this head, I presume to signify to your Lordship,
that since my last I have ended ray Father's Life, with the papers
I design as an Appendix to it. It raay be about twenty or twenty-
four sheets. And I ara of opinion Lives read the better, and raay
be the raore useful, when raixed with sorae of the remains of the
person, when worth the preserving. And I have, with my last
letter from Ireland, enclosed a fragment of ray father's upon the Law
of Nature, which I ara sorry is imperfect ; but I have some other
large papers oLhls on that subject, together with some transient
remarks of his on scholars and learned raen, which, it raay be, ap
pear to rae of more importance than really they are, because my
father's. ' The MS. of this work Lord Grange had received from Lord Polton.

116 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
It becomes me to be very sUent as to Mr Bruce's work' tUl I
see it ; but if he write that History in as unguarded, loose, and un
mannerly a way as his Behemoth and Preface to Bishop Sharp's Life,
it will not be much for his reputation, nor of the party who em
ploy him. I see he is to take Bishop Burnet in task ; and, indeed,
the Bishop has confirmed many of the accounts I have printed, and
is an adversary of far greater name for Mr Bruce to grapple with
than I ; and I am content I have so masterly a writer, (though, in
some of his characters, very keen and severe,) sorae way to stand
betwixt me and the stour, so to say.
I wish I knew wherein I were capable to make any retum for
the many favours you have done to, my Lord, your Lordship's very
much obliged and most humble servant.
Eastwood, Feb. 15, 1724.

LETTER LXVI.
REGISTRATING LANDS FOR NON-JURANCY.
To Mr William Wright, at Kilmarnock.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yom-s of the 13th, and am glad
Mr Paisley's call avUI be harmonious.
As to the other affair of registrating your lands upon your Non-
jurancy, I wish I were in case to give you advice in it ; but It de-
' " Proposals are published here [Edinburgh] for printing by subscription, A
History of Scotland, chiefly as to Church affairs, from the Reformation till the Re
volution, by Mr Alexander Bruce, advocate, an author by no means equal to the
work. But they say there is a club about it. If I be rightly informed of the per
sons, it will probably, in every sense, be a malignant piece. The Proposals bear,
it is to be collected from Mr Robert BaiUie's Letters, Records of Parliament, Coun
cil, General Assembly, and its Commissions, Particular Narratives, &c."  {Lord
Grange io Wodrow.)

WODROW TO WILLIAJI WRIGHT. 117
pends so much on points of law, that it's above my reach. Your
disposing to a qualified person seems the safest way. But then I
imagine that he or they must be fully invested with a legal right
to your estate ; and then the difficulty will be as to the back-bond
they give to you, unless you can fall on a person you can trust,
without any legal re-conveyance. But lawyers can only direct
you here.
The arguraent against your registrating frora informing rogues,
I own is strong. But I do not see but both you and I lie open to
those people for the L,500 ; and we are convict of a transgression
already, by our names not being In the Sheriff books, or others ap
pointed by law, so that the only difference seems to be by registrat
ing they know we are worth so much.
I have not heard what my brother-in-law, or Colonel Campbell,
are to do. I fancy they wait the procedure of the present Session
of Parliament, of which I know nothing save what Is in the Edin
burgh Newspaper.
The last point is what is coraraon to all In our circumstances ;
and, considering your age and superior abilities to me, it's what I
ought rather to seek advice in than offer any to you. Had you
stated the difficulty, however, you should have had my thoughts,
such as they are. I can now only tell you what has been my prac
tice. I never saw it my duty to preach in public on the subject of
the oaths, save only in time of our heats, to guard people, the best
way I could, against schism and separation. In the 1708, before It
came to ministers' doors, I did speak upon that subject in private to
our gentlemen that spoke to me on that head ; and all our resldent-
ing heritors, I think, spoke with me. Of late, the feuars who are
now reached spoke to me, and I have given them all the acts re
ferred to and imposing that oath ; and desired them seriously to
ponder them, and labour to understand the terms of the oath, and
consider its importance, and propose their difficulties, if they have
thera, and proralsed to give them what I have heard pro and con.
upon these. Such as have not come I have not sought after ;
neither have I stated any difficulties to them. 1 do not find our

118 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
people are like to fall in with, but will submit to double taxes if
they come, rather than ta ce an oath they think contains matter
above their reach. I am, yours most affectionately.
Feb. 17, 1724.

LETTER LXVH.
cockburn's REMARKS ON BURNET's HISTORY.
To the Right Honourable Earl of Buchan.
My Lord, — Since your Lordship allows me the liberty of writ
ing to you, I presume to trouble you with this, though I have Uttle
of any importance or worth yom- whUe.
Matters in Ireland continue In great confusion betwixt Subscrib
ers and Non-subscribers. I have nothing since my last to Colonel
Erskine, which I believe he would communicate with you before
you went up to Parliament.
I'll be glad to know the tenor of the act at present in depend
ence as to the oaths upon Scotland ; for, though I hope I shaU not
personally be concerned in It, having no lands nor money upon
heritable security, yet several ministers and others I am concerned
in may be comprehended under it.
No doubt, your Lordship has read Bishop Burnet's History. I
am much pleased there is no difference betwixt hira and me as to
facts, and that he has indeed confirraed most of the facts I have
advanced. I wonder how the illegal and harsh procedure against
my Lord Cardross has escaped him. His characters are generally
bloody and severe, and raany of them, I suspect, may be trae. I
see he Is raislnforraed as to some lesser circumstances.
I am fond to know if his second volurae be printing, and how
soon we may expect it ;' and when your Lordship's leisure allows,
' Burnet's History was first published in two volumes folio ; the second volume
did not appear till 173/5, eleven years after the publication ofthe first.

WODROW TO G. STEWART. 119
I'd be glad to have the sentiments of people at London upon It.
I see, about ten days ago in the London prints, a pamphlet, entitled,
" Some Free and Impartial Remarks on PubUc Affairs, especially as
to Scotland, occasioned by Dr Burnet's History. By Jo. Cock-
bum, D.D. Printed for T. Warner, at the Black Bow, in Pater
noster Row." *
I reckon myself someway concerned in what is published against
the Bishop ; for in most things as to Scotland, I must stand and
fall with him ; and, therefore. If it be not too much presuraptlon, al
low me to beg the favour your servant would call for that pam
phlet, and that your Lordship please to send it at two or three times,
(for I doubt it wUl be too bulky at once,) under your cover, to the
care of the Postmaster at Glasgow. It wiU be a singular favour.
This liberty I take needs a long apology ; but, indeed, I have
none save your Lordship's goodness, I should be glad of every
thing your Lordship sees fit to coraraunicate to, my Lord, your
most obedient and faithful servant,
Feb. 17, 1724.

LETTER LXVHL
MR bruce's attack.
To Mr G, Stewart, Bookseller.
Sir, — If Mr Bruce write in the style and manner of the Behe
moth and Preface to Bishop Sharp's Life, I am of opinion he wiU
gain little reputation by his large work. The Billingsgate in the
one, and looseness In arguing in the other, wiU not suit the character
of an impartial history, and perfectly spoil his account of matters.
But, being so nearly concerned, at least in the latter part of his
work, it becomes me to be sUent tiU It appear. I am yours.
Feb. 25, 1724.

120 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER LXIX.
ON THE LOSS OF AJiT ONLY SON. — ABJURATION. — SIR JAMES TURNER.
To the Rev, Mr James Boece, Minister at Campbeltown,
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours frora Jaraes Craig, who
told rae about a fortnight before he came over that he was coming ;
and I promised to write with hira, but he did not call, or. If he did,
I was abroad. Indeed, I was In a strait to write to you, after so
sore a chastisement from your Father, in the raost tender part, other
wise I would have writ when I spoke to Mr Stirling ; and I still
think it unfit for rae, such a stranger to what I ought Indeed to
know as to the Lord's dealings with his people, that are singular to
write much about, especially to one of your experience and stand
ing. But it's my earnest desire, that the Comforter, and that
anointing whereby believers know all things, may be with you —
that He who has the tongue of the learned may speak a word in
season to the faint and weary soul, and that his consolations, that
are not small, may be with you. Dear Sir, you know better than
I, that It was to an apostle that Christ said, " The things ye know
not now, ye shall know hereafter ;" and that the Priests under the
Old Testament were, by a particular law, guarded against excesses
upon the death of their relations. I do not incline to put you In
remembrance of the occasion of your downcastlngs at present. I
reraember Jacob would not have the meraory of his sorrow for his
wife kept up, and altered Ben-oni to Ben-jamin ; and I shaU only
observe, that now that you have all the moral evidence you can
wish for of the Lord's grace In, and goodness to, your son before
he took him to himself, it may be sorae way satisfying to you to
consider that he is removed now only from the evils that are grow
ing among the youth of his age ; but evUs, that if I do not mistake

wodrow to jajies boece. 121
his temper, he might have had sorae peculiar temptations not to
resist ; and now he is happy and eternally above them.
As to the re-imposition of the oath, I know no measures taken
by ministers for evading the penalties. The governraent, as far as
I know, have no suspicion of any Presbyterian ministers that have
hitherto stood out, and this re-lmpositlon Is not designed against
ministers, but heritors ; and It's said, that It was against the mind
of the Court that it was extended to Scotland, and I am very much
assured, that, in the execution, the governraent will make a differ
ence 'twixt friends and enemies. I hear of no ministers In this
Synod included in this last act, save Mr Williara Wright at Kil
marnock. No other Non-jurant, 1 hear of, has any heritage or heri
table security for their raoney. It was my opinion he should regi-
Btrate ; but, by advice from lawyers, he is not to reglstrate, but to
dispose his lands to a friend, who has or will qualify. I shall be
sorry if you be in his circumstances, and certainly the same method
wlU be safest. For gentlemen, I hear of none that have reglstrate,
save Crawfordsburn. But they are in no strait save that of double
taxes, which Is uncertain ; but rainisters' case differs, because In law
they are delinquents, and an informer may put in for the L.500.
This is aU I know of this matter.
I have read Burnet's History with rauch pleasure. He gives yet
a blacker account of Scots affairs than I have done, and confirms
what I have said almost In every page, and differs In no facts at
all (save trivial circumstances of Pentland and Bothwell) frora me.
What he delivers upon hearsay and information, in a masterly and
charming style, I have vouched from public papers and records.
In short, I am sure he wUl please you, abating sorae allowances
must be made for his education, and his being a prelate, and his
unaccountable character of King William, and some Uttle things
on Presbyterians, and a palpable mistake as to Gowrie's conspiracy.
Pray continue your endeavours to get a loan of Sir James Tur
ner's papers frora Mr TurnbuU. If he will not part with thera, your
remarks on our times are just and savoury to rae. I have nothing
of late as to the state of religion or the churches of Christ abroad.

122 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Pray continue to write frequently, and direct rae to a way how to
send mine. Send rae all your remarkables as to Providences, and
the Lives of Ministers and Christians In your bounds ; for I am much
pressed to give an account of the Lives of our erainent Ministers
and Christians, and reraarkable Providences ; and If you come to
the Asserably, give rae some nights of you. I have a load of letters
on rae, and do not use to write so long, and yet have much more
to say, had I tirae. But pray write often and at length, and con
tinue your sympathy with me and mine. My wife remembers you
and Mrs Boece, and so does Colonel Erskine, who writes frequently
to me to know how you are. I am. Rev. Dear Brother, yours
most affectionately.
Eastwood, March 2, 1 724.

LETTER LXX.
PRESBYTERIANS IN IRELAND.
To Mr William Macknight.
Rev. Dear Brother, — When I was in Edinburgh at the last
Commission last week, I spoke to brethren there about the state of
matters In Ireland, and our brethren's pressures there ; and, to influ
ence them the more, I took in with rae Mr HaUiday's Reasons,'
(which I had a loan of,) and Professor Hamilton glanced it, and Mr
Sraith. You will be pleased to hear that they have a deep con
cern for our brethren there, and desired me to signify to Mr Liv
ingston that they much wonder that he has not written to them.
Mr Smith, in particular, desired me to acquaint Mr Liringston
' This work of Mr HalUday's, published this year, was entitled, " Reasons against
the Imposition of Subscription to the Westminster Confession of Faith, or any such
human Tests of Orthodoxy ; together with Answers to the Arguments for suoh Im.
positions."

wodrow to MRS WODROW. 123
that he has not heard from him since June or July ; tliat since he
has had any letter frora Irelanl he has written to Mr Livingston
twice ; that he has sent near a sheet of paper in answer to the
three queries which were sent over, and wrote a large letter since,
in September or October, and gave thera both to Mr Montler, ac
cording to direction. He professes the greatest earnestness to con
tinue the correspondence. In short, anything like a mistake upon
the incident that happened is entirely off, and I wish our brethren
in Ireland may not fail on their part in writing. Pray send this, or
the substance of It, to Ireland as soon as raay be ; and since I am
apprehensive letters on both sides have miscarried, I wish they raay
lay down a safer way in time to come, and let thera send over to
you, If they see good, and what you send to rae I shall take care of.
I see very little in Mr HaUiday's book but harangues out of the
road, which I wish they may answer in short, and without follow
ing him In his maze of words ; and. In my opinion, they need little
assistance frora us in this work. However, as soon as they send
over any copies frora Belfast, I shall take care to transrait them to
Edinburgh. The Coraraission had nothing of great Iraportance be
fore them. I am, yours most affectionately.
March 19, 1724.

LETTER LXXL
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1724.'
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 1.
Edinburgh, May 15, 1724.
My Dear Peggy, — I came safe here yesterday about six, and
stay with Mr Robert Stewart. Yesterday Mr Smith opened the
Assembly with a good sermon, which was not weU heard. I hear
' Inserted among Letters to Wodrow, vol. xvi, No. 120.

124 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
nothing singular in the King's Letter, or Commissioner's speech,
save the last was long, and full of expressions of kindness to the
Church, which are all the mends for his last dissolution of the As
sembly without a day. The leet for Moderator was Professor Ha
milton, Principal Wishart, Mr Linning, Mr Gilchrist. Principal
Wishart was added to the Moderator's list by Mr Linning, and
was carried about 105 to Principal Harallton, who had 65. The
Moderator, after his choice, had a long speech. * » » « *
Duke Harallton waited on the Coraraissioner, and, in a very so-
leran way, raarked the votes for the Moderator. The Earls of Mor
ton, Annandale, CassIUIs, and others, were in the Coramlssloner's
train. I mind no more, but my kindest respects to my Lord and
his family.

LETTER LXXIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 2.
Edinburgh, May 16, 1724.
My Dearest, — I have but very little to write, since I wrote yes
terday by the boy. We had the draught of the answer to the King's
Letter before the Committee of Overtures, where it, at length,
passed unaniraously. But the first draught was like to make a con
siderable noise. It was formed by the Moderator, and not laid before
the sub-comraittee. When brought in to the committee for it, the
expressions with relation to the King sending the E. of S.' to be
Coraraissioner were rauch higher than usual ; whereas, considering
the last tirae he was on the throne, an excess here was the less to
be gone Into. When this came to be known there was a consider
able grumble, and a good many declared flatly they would not vote
it. This produced another meeting of the sub-coramittee, where
It was smoothed, and brought just to the repetition of the King's
words in his Letter. Some say yet it wants that life that uses to
be in those letters. However, it probably wUl pass.
1 The Commissioner was James, Earl of Findlater and Seafield.

WODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 125
The Assembly is like to have little before them, save the affair
of Lochmaben, whereon no sraall heat seeras to appear against the
Commission. And, considering that the Commission will not vote,
the Earl of Annandale reckons hiraself sure to overturn Mr Carlisle's
settlement. But a few days will discover that. They talk of an
overture to be brought In for laying aside both. The Earl has
printed his case, as 1 am told ; but It's not yet published.
They say soldiers are sent in to the south to keep the peace of
that country. The Presbytery of Kirkcudbright have published a
paper from their pulpits, exhorting to peace, and complaining of the
irregularities of the people, and the irritation given by the gentle
men enclosers.' I write this In the morning. If anything offer this
day frora the Asserably, I shall write in the afternoon.
Mr Hunter of Ayr and Mr Thoraas Davidson are to preach to
morrow before the Commissioner. I hear the publishing of Mr
Hepburn's testimony is disowned by his son, and the deed of some
mountain people. This day the Assembly approve the Answer to
the King's Letter. Mr Thoraas Paterson had a speech upon the
clause relative to the Commissioner, that the Assembly had aU
reason to be satisfied with the King's choice, since he was an ex
cellent judge, but wished the Asserably might consider if the ex
pressions used in this case had been used to other Commissioners,
whora he would not incline to reflect upon. The Moderator an
swered, that they were used in former cases, and the matter was
hushed, and the vote harmonious. The Coraraissioner had a speech
upon his being desired to transmit the letter, — that he would do it,
thanked them for their kind expressions as to him, and said he
would do all in his power to make everything easy in the progress,
and the issue comfortable. A committee is appointed for the Com
mission book, and another for the Instructions ; Synod books are
' In the preceding year, the practice of enclosing lands for agricultural purposes
was introduced for the first time into Scotl.and. The immediate consequence was,
that multitudes of poor cottars, dispossessed of their small plots, cast out unmerci
fully to starve, and distracted by the cries of their wives and children, rose tumultu-
ously in Galloway, and destroyed the enclosures.

126 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
given out ; a letter of thanks from the Synod of Lithuania for ap
pointing bursars. I am your own.
The dyke-breakers, they say, are increased to upwards of a
thousand, and have been very tumultuous this week, especially
Tuesday last.

LETTER LXXIIL
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No. 3.
Edinburgh, May 18.
My Dear, — ^Yesterday the serraon was, forenoon, by Mr Hunter
in Ayr, on Heb. ill. 15, " While it's to-day, hear his voice ;" his
lecture, Isaiah xxvi. 8 — 13. We had a grave solid discourse by Mr
Davidson in the afternoon, on Isaiah xiv. 24, "In the Lord we
have righteousness and strength." This day the Overtures were
upon the form of a licence transraitted to the Assembly by the
Coraraission, raade up of the clauses of Acts of Assembly, the ne
glect of which was made a nullity. This alarmed Mr Linning very
rauch, and It was raostly through his influence remitted to Presby
teries, to send In their remarks on it, against next Assembly. The
Instructions have nothing raaterial, save a general cry upon the
Commission, and new limitations to be put upon it, from the Synod
of Argyle, because Mr G. D. was left out last year ; the Synod of
Moray, and some neighbouring Presbyteries, upon the account of
the Commission's procedure as to Mr John Ramsay ra March last ;
the Synods of Merse, because Mr Ramsay was kept on, and Mr
Gandy turned out ; and the Presbyteries of MIddleble, Penpont,
Lochmaben, and Galloway Presbytery, because of the affair of
Lochmaben. What the Assembly will do ¦\>Ith them, I know not.
If a door be opened, as to the Commission, I am apprehensive it
will draw deeper than we apprehend. The Assembly sat this after
noon, and had little before them but private affairs ; Dr NlcoFs

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 127
petition for New York recommended ; a new erection ordered In
Tyrie ; Mr BailUe refused to go to Rotterdam, and the Assembly
signify so much to the Consistory. This is aU I mind. The re
ports spread of the King's indisposition I hope are groundless.
The levellers go on in the south ; they are increased, have thrown
down Baldoon Park quite, and killed fifty-three Irish cows, just iu
terras of law, which I believe wiU fright the gentlemen as much as
anything. These cattle raay be all kUled by any who flnd them,
and their bodies given to the poor. May 19.
This morning the Committee for Instructions met, and went
through what relates to Popery, disaffected meeting-houses, both
which were referred much to the Commission. There are some
hopes of getting a new law made, that may make probation against
Papists easier, and a fund to prosecute Papists on. There are
prayer-books printed with the Pretender's name in thera. Bishop
Gatherer declares the Church of England schisraatics, and all that
support not their suffering Prince, the Pretender, in a state of dara-
nation *#»*«**«********

LETTER LXXIV.
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4.
Edinburgh, May 20, 1725.
My Dearest, — Yesterday at five [p. m.J the Assembly met,
when the affair of Crossmichael, In GaUoway, came In. It's a com
petition betwixt two probationers, Dick and Falconer. The Synod
laid aside both, and the sentence was reversed merely for want of
support by the members of that Synod, who made a very poor ap
pearance. I mind little more, but the tabling of the affair of Loch
maben, the bone of contention in this Assembly. Heat enough
appeared in it in the entry, and the question carae in, who were

128 THE WODROW cokkespondexce.
parties? That was laid aside, andaU parties concerned cited to at
tend Thursday.
This day. In the morning, the Committee of Instructions met,
where Mr Druraraond had a long stated speech for a regulation of
the Commission, according to many instructions come up on that
head. Mr Linning and Sir Jaraes Carapbell, and some others,
joined in that side, and proposed the noraination of the Commis
sion by Presbyteries, and the Assembly to approve them when
come up. This, it was said, would prevent constant members, (of
which not above eight are pretended,) and assert the equality of
representation, and retrieve the sinking interest of the Commission.
Professor Hamilton, Mr Chalmers, and some others, answered pretty
largely. At length the King's Advocate' carae in, and had a long
and pointed discourse. He showed that a Commission thus named
would be a new Assembly, not a Commission ; that the Assembly's
approbation would not alter the nature of it ; that It would be a
new judicatory ; that we have the connivance of the King for our
Commissions ; but if their constitution were altered and brought to
this channel, we were not to expect it. Several warm speeches
were made, and it was urged to sub-comrait it, at least in order to
put it into a shape to reason on. But that was not yielded, and it
was said not to be ripe, and adjourned till next diet, when any per
son who pleased was aUowed to put his thoughts in write, and give
in to the Committee. This is one of the boldest attacks on our
constitution for these raany years, and I wish the Assembly may
extricate themselves well out of It. The Coraraissioner is much
alarmed, as I hear, and it's he that can best bring the cry against
the Coraraission to sorae period.
In the afternoon the report of the Committee for visiting the
Commission book was said to be ready, and called for. One ofthe
Synod of Moray complained he had not been called before the report
was finished, as they had promised. Upon a complaint In the case
of Mr J. Ramsay, against the Commission's procedure, it was moved
they should yet meet and concert that. The Commission urged to
1 The Right Hon. Robert Dundas of Arniston.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 129
be heard at the bar upon what they had done, and the Synod desired
it ; but that was not allowed. The affair of Lochmaben was ex
cepted. So the committee were appointed to meet. Then came
in Mr M'Cormlck's affair, one of the ministers of St Andrewsj on
whom a young woman in St Andrews alleges a promise of mar
riage, and if he virould not marr jr, threatened she would accuse hiin
of fornication. The Presbytery had adjourned to Eastfer Wemyss,
where the woman had fled because of a mob threatened, upon which
Mr M'Cormick appealed to the Assembly. He Is reputed iniio-
cetit, but the magistrates are for Mr M'Cormlck's succeeding to
the eldest minister, and Principal Haddow for Mr D. Anderson's
coming there, that his brother-in-law may go to Falkland ; and
this story is trumped up or taken hold of to mar that transpor
tation. It's remitted to the Presbytery, and appeals aUowed
from the Synod to the Commission. An act ordering such as are
disorderly at communions to be censured was passed, and an act
against Popery ; and then Mr M'  's call to Cumbernauld^; from
an Irish parish, was allowed by the Assembly. It was said there
was no hazard of the Assembly's dispensing with their own acts as
to Irish places. May 21.
This day Lochmaben affair comes In at nine before the Assfernbly.
We have spent tUl near three of the clock oli Lochmaben, and are
scarce entered. We meet again at five. There is nothing in the
letters. Mr Halden has gotten his post.

LETTER LXXV.
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 22, 1724.
My Dear, — Iti tny last I gave you no account of yesterday's
long meeting of the Assembly upon Lochmaben, from nine id three,
and from fire to ten at night. And now, when it's past, I can scarce
VOL. III. I

130 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
say they are come to the merits of the affair itself, neither can I
pretend to give any account of the long pleadings on both sides ;
for it requires a much better memory than mine to resume such
long work, and one harangue loses the former to me. After some
debate as to the manner of the Assembly's entering on that
perplexed and complicated affair, it was agreed, in the entry, that
the Assembly should hear aU sides, and what they had to say, be
fore they deterrained who were parties in the cause. And so
the complaint of the Presbytery, and the part of the parish who
were for Mr Bunckles, against the Comraission, were read ; to which
3Ir Sraith, Moderator of the Commission, made an answer, viva
voce, in about an hour and a quarter, which was owned by all, even
the other side, to be one of the best discourses, and best said, of ahy
that has been before an Asserably. The lawyers on both sides were
heard for the parties ; in aU which, not only the Commission's pro
cedure, but that of the Presbytery and Synod, were fuUy heard.
Mr Wightman, who seems to be the spring of all this debate, was
heard, and appeared to be out in two or three important facts he
advanced. In the aftemoon. Sir James Stewart, too, a member of
the Commission, made a speech against it, for which he was severe
ly checked by the Advocate, who had a speech upon the Commis
sion's power, and their actings, for about an hour and a half, which
to me seeraed unanswerable, and was very severe upon the Presby
tery's actings. Then the actings of the Synod pro more at Dum
fries, where eleven turned out near twenty-eight in their Synod, on
pretext of being parties, were heard on both sides ; and then Mr
Mitchell had a long speech, but little was left to him by the Advo
cate and Mr Smith. The procedure of the Synod of Dumfries, joro
re nata, and their committee In settUng Mr Carlisle, was delayed tlU
this day at nine. This affair Is of no great importance to divide
the Church, as it's like to do, and seems to be what is insisted on by
one side, to give a thrust to the present set of people in office, under
the King, and have a thrust at the Comraission, and the whole rea
sonings ran against all commissions of Assembly.
This day the Assembly met at nine, and continued till two. The

M'ODROW TO MRS AVODROW, 131
Synod of Dumfries were heard, and the Coraraittee and the mino
rity, who outvoted the raajority, and the Presbytery of Lochmaben.
At length the Assembly, parties being removed, entered on their
method, which took a long tirae ; and, in ray opinion, the Comrais
sion had a right to vote, but that was not granted. And after the
reasoning, the vote came, Consider the Commission's procedure, or
the State of Lochraaben. One would have thought that they should
first have considered the raatter on which the Coramission went,
before they had considered the actings thereanent. However, it
carried by a strait vote by seven. Consider the Commission, with a
reserve that the Presbytery, the Synods, and settlement, should be
considered. In the afternoon, the Assembly had a very needless
loss of time, whether the Moderator of the Coramission should be
heard ? The Moderator of the Assembly, pro tempore, proposed that
he should be heard, which it seems he did not desire, but was
standing in the area. Upon this a flame rose, and In the flame, Mr
Smith desired but one word, and he would end it. This heightened
the flame, being, as was thought, contrary to a resolution yester
night, that parties should not be heard. It run to such a confusion,
that the Coraraissioner interposed, and very kindly exhorted the
Assembly to unity and harmony, and promised thera as rauch tirae
as they pleased to sit, and desired it, as a favour, that Mr Smith
might be heard, and the Commission not concluded in a vote till
fully heard. Upon this, the Assembly unanimously heard Mr
Sraith, who, after he had thanked the Coraraissioner, signified he
came in to hear the rainute ; that he had no design to speak ; but
when the Moderator, without his desire, had been so kind as to propose
he raight be heard, and the Assembly appeared so violently against
this, he craved to be heard, to put an end to their trouble, by telling
them he had nothing to ask, and wondered that such a heat should
be. On this aU calmed. Indeed, this is a proof what need the
Assembly have both of a Commissioner and a Moderator, and se
veral raembers in, that know the forms better than most now in the
Assembly. And I never saw such confusion as this day, and the
reason was, because the Commission being out as parties, the re-

132 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
maining members did not well know the usages of the Assembly,
and the Moderator, Mr M. Reid, had no raanageraent. Then the
Asserably reasoned upon the actings of the Commission for some
hours, with pretty much calmness. The matter was pretty much
opened, and I thought the Coraraission fully vindicate In their not
exceeding their powers. But at length, about nine, the question
was put, Whether the Coramission had exceeded their powers in
their actings as to Lochraaben in August and November ? and it
carried. Exceed, by thirteen votes, sorae say thirty. The plurality
of rainisters in both votes approved the Comraission. But the Sy
nods of Argyle, Moray, and Merse, that thought themselves In
jured at the last Coraraission, with a few others, as Mr Brown of
Abercorn, Mr Lookup, Mr Orr, went over in this question. Sav
ing this Incident, I ara of opinion the bulk of this Church are just
where they were.
As to the greater question by far, not yet come in, about the re
gulation of the Coraraission in tirae coraing, they say the Commis
sioner has interposed with Mr Drummond, whom some name the
Moderator, with the velvet coat, to desist, since it's such an alter
ation in our constitution in Church that cannot be gone into, irith-
out other instructions than he has. How far this is true, or what
influence it will have, a few days wUl now show. May 23.
This day the Assembly met, and the Moderator was called on
to pray, by a private concert, with the Commissioner. Whether
through mistake or design, I cannot tell, since Mr Reid was chosen
Moderator in Lochraaben, he concluded the meeting, and prayed
next day, and so on since Wednesday. It was objected that the
Moderator had not power so to do, tUl the merabers were called In,
and the Moderator, Mr Wishart, called to the chair. This was
done without debate ; and then sorae papers read about the calls,
&c. ; and then Mr Glass proposed an overture, which the Advocate
went into, being aUowed to speak, and the Commissioner backed
from the throne in the King's narae — that a new trial should be
made Avhom the people were for ; and it was promised in the King's

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 133
name, that he would be for the person the Christian people were
for. The only debate was, whether the Presbytery should be
judges, or some adjoined ; so a committee was named— -Mr Glass,
Mr BlackweU, Mr Primrose, Mr Brown, Aberoom, and two others,
to bring in an overture on the whole. Thus, this unhappy affair
ends, as Mr Carlisle's friends think, to his advantage. The Instruc
tions met at five. I have no news. Forgive escapes. I have not
time to read over this.

LETTER LXXVL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 6. May 26, 1724.
My Dear, — After I wrote on Saturday, the committee met in
the afternoon. The Assembly had committed the affair of Loch
maben to some ministers and elders, Mr Blackwell, Mr Hunter,
Mr Glass, my Lord Kimmergam, and Sir Gilbert Elliot of Minto,
and some others. When they came to meet, Sir Gilbert asserted,
in the Advocate's name, that he was content to pass both the no
minees, Mr Carlisle and Mr Bunckles, and leave the people to their
free choice ; and my Lord Kimraergam asserted the same in the
Earl of Annandale's name ; and so it was proposed that the matter
should be left to a new choice of the people, according to what
had been reasoned in the Assembly. But then, considering the
flame in that country, it was proposed by the elders that the As
sembly should lay aside both the caUs, and declare both the rela
tions dissolved ; or, at least, Mr Bunckles' not good, and the other
dissolved, and exclude them two for the time to come. This was
alleged to be what the Advocate was content with. Against this
it was urged, that this would not be to give the people their free
choice, since they were certainly for Mr Carlisle ; and it would in
volve the Assembly in disannidling a call that was, according to the

134 THE WOD]?OAV CORRESPONDENCE.
rales ofthis Church, as Mr Carlisle's was, and would be liable to a
new flame. But for peace sake, it was still urged both should be
excluded. The ministers stood rauch at this, particularly Mr Black-
well, who, when concluded by the mind of the meeting, desired
liberty to declare his dissent frora the overture in the Assembly.
And thus they say the overture is to be transmitted ; but how It
will take, this day must determine ; for raany are of opinion, the
Advocate wUl not stand to what was deUvered in his name.
The other coraraittee was that of Instructions, where the affair
of the regulation of the Coramission was handled, which Is indeed of
far greater importance. Sir James CarapbeU, Mr Linning, and
Mr Drummond, were for new regulations, and they urged that Com-
raissions had been of great hurt soraetiraes to this Church ; that
many were constantly upon it ; that the representation was not
equal. In the general it was answered, that Commissions In King
James the Sixth's time were not regulate as now; that If members
come up, it was impossible the Commission could be raore danger
ous than an Asserably, being just the same numbers and represen
tation, save the supernumerary members, which the other side al
lowed, that is, the Nobility, Lords of Session, Advocate, and Jus
tice-Clerk ; that the cry against the Commission was only from
some particular places, which were disgusted at the choice and
acting of the Commission last year. Then the regulations came to
be spoke of. 1. That Presbyteries should choose the members of
the Commission. That was scarce tenable, because it was a pre-
llralting the Assembly, and made It a new Asserably, not a Com
mission, and against the liberty of the Assembly. 2. That the
Commission should be just the members of the Assembly turned to
a Coraraission, with the supernuraeraries. This was easUy an
swered, and what was scarce insisted on. 3. That the committee
for choosing the Commission should be limited to the leets given
by Synods at the Assembly. This was shortly answered, that then
[there was] no need of a coraraittee, and they raight as well give
them to the Assembly ; if the committee had not power to alter,
why were they under their consideration ? And it was impossible

WODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 135
that the Commission could be named in so numerous a Court as
the Assembly is. All these Mr Linning quitted as not tenable,
and proposed a fourth, which Avas not in the instructions from
Presbyteries, but he aUeged It was the sura and substance of them
aU ; that the Committee of Assembly, for nomlnatlDg the Comrais
sion, should be made up of one out of every Presbytery, chosen
by the raerabers of the Synod at the Assembly, because the pre
sent way, by three named out of every Synod by the members
here present, was most unequal ; for instance, three frora the Sy
nod of Ross and Galloway, and three only from the Synod of Glas
gow and Lothian. To this it was answered, that that nomination
of members would be better made forthe Assembly's Coraraittee by
Presbyteries, than by the Synod members met at the Assembly.
The proportion of elders in that noraination was a thing likewise
to be settled, and would take tirae to state. But the main thing,
though not so plainly, yet spoke to. Is the opening of that act
about the Coramission, and making any alterations at aU ; and were
It not for this, I think this last proposal perhaps would be given
way to. But, besides, that if once the act were opened, it's scarce
to be said where the araendraents would end ; and that act was
raade when the old Presbyterian rainisters were aUve, and now, for
twenty-four years, it's found to be the way least liable to difficul
ties ; and every difficulty imaginable wUl be answered by the mem
bers of Comraission their attendance ; and that It's necessary that
some who know the Church's affairs, and are reaUy of greater effi
ciency than others, should stiU be raembers, providing they be
freely chosen, and the Commission still accountable; and frora this
no hazard results to this Church ; but much disorder would ensue
if they were left out, as I am sure I have seen these three or four days
past, when the Commission were out of the Assembly as parties.
Besides all these I saw, one great thing to be considered is
our present state since the Union. It may be remembered, that a
design was formed in the end of the Queen's reign to deprive us
of Commissions, and to question the legality of that Court, our
enemies knowing that, by taking away the Commission, our As-

136 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
semblies, which cannot sit long, could be of very Uttle use to us ;
and the only argument that prevaUed Avas, that the Sovereign had
owned Commissions as lawful Courts, by receiving addresses and
sending answers, and giving the civU sanction to their acts ; and
that, by the Union act, our privUeges, as weU as judicatories that
Ave had at that time, are secured by law to us, and under privUeges
and judicatories the Commission, then and since aUowed as above.
Is comprehended. And to make an Innovation in the constitu
tion of this Is a raatter of the very last consequence to this Church;
and, though the King would allow, of which we have no assurance,
is what we ought not to ask, tiU it be ripely considered, and laAvyers
advised with, not only here, but at London, how far it may affect
our constitution, and destroy that judicatory. This is the sum of
what passed on Saturday, as far as I mind. There was no conclu
sion corae to, but all delayed tiU next meeting. I hope a right
nomination of this Commission, the putting In of Mr Drummond
and Mr Linning, and sorae others that were left out of the last
Coraraission, wUl a little calm our heats as to the affair; and, in
deed, I thought last year there were too many changes made at
once in the lists given. If persons' morals be fair, I would have
some on both sides taken in, tiU the flame abate a Uttle,
Yesterday, Mr Gilbert Anderson lectured before the Commis
sioner on Romans xii., and preached an excellent Gospel sermon on
Psalm xciv. 8, " He that planted the ear, shall he not hear ?' He
had some things about divisions and siding Avlth state parties, as
unsuitable to ministers In judicatories.
This day, Monday, the Coraraittees met at ten. The act re
quiring all rainisters and elders to subscribe the Formula, 1711, was
to be transraitted as an overture to Presbyteries. The command
ing officer of the army here Avas applied to, to give orders against
the profanity of the army. In the afternoon, the Assembly met
after four ; then adjourned tUl five, because the sub-committee
about Lochmaben were obliged to meet again. When the Advo
cate came to toAvn, he positively declined Sir GUbert Elliot's decla
ration in his name, and asserted he had said only, if the Assembly

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 137
forced the laying aside, he would submit. They had a meeting be
fore the Commissioner, AvhIch ended In the sub-committee's raeet
ing, and leaving out what they had put in on Saturday, laying aside
both, and now the people may choose any they wUl. The Assembly
had the Commission book and approved It. There was a little strug
gle about iV' r John Ramsay's affair from the Synod of Moray, but
It was overruled. Then a collection for Arbroath was recommended ;
and a mortification of L.IOOO raade by a Scotsman, Raining, or
Renwick, to the Asserably, or their deputes, for a school, school
master, and other things ; and L.1200 raore if his youngest
daughter decease before twenty-one years of age. The Asserably
made it over to the Society, who are to be accountable every year.
Then the affair of Lochmaben came in, and the overture was read
and approven, laying aside both the calls, and declaring both rela
tions void and nuU, and aU that passed in these calls, and leaving the
future choice to the people, and the Presbytery to go on to a speedy
settlement. The procedure of the Presbytery was declared irregular
and hasty, and they to be reproved, and the Synod exhorted to
peace, and burying what is past, and the protests deleted that were
not inserted in the registers. Then the Synod books were ap
proven. I forgot that the Coraraissioner produced the King's re
tum to the Assembly's Answer, declaring how acceptable it was.
The Synods met and chose the Committee for the Commission,
The Advocate was thrown out by the members of the Synod of
Lothian, and Mr Hugh Dalrymple put in by one vote.
This day, Tuesday, at eight, the Committee of Instructions met
and waived the affair of the registration of the Commission, and
transmitted the overture from several Presbyteries, that persons
who join in communion with the Church of England should not be
members of judicatories. This wiU take time to ripen. They had
many other private things. The Assembly met at eleven, and passed
several things transmitted to them — an overture about the Pres
bytery of Kirkcudbright, their warning against the leveUers, that
they be cautious in what public Avamlngs they give, and show the
people their sin in their irregular raeetings ; and went through the

138 THE WODROAV COnUESPOXDF.iNXE.
rest of the Synod books at four. The Coraraittee for the Commis
sion met and turned out Mr Smith, the last Moderator, from the
Comraission, and brought in their nomination, a pretty singular one
indeed. At six, the Assembly met, and the nomination of the next Com
mission was read, after which the Advocate had a speech, very
pointed and severe, as to the new Commission nominated. He said,
there were several things appeared in the nomination that showed
the particular spirit of a party ; that the things that were reckoned
grievances, and loudly complained of, were just fallen into by them
selves ; that of the six raembers of a Presbytery (Edinburgh) five
were thrown out ; that the Moderator of the last Commission, for
whom the Assembly would aUow him to have a peculiar honour,
(Mr Smith,) since he owed a great deal of his education to him,
was left out, which wanted a precedent. These, he said, were
reasons he could not well get over In voting. Not Approve ;
but he had stronger reasons against this nomination, and he thought
the liberty of the Assembly was directly infringed by this nomina
tion ; for the burghs were brought in to this Commission, twenty-
six more than used to be ; and the next Assembly the whole sixty-
seven burghs might be brought In, which he took to be a matter of
that consequence as the Assembly ought to provide a remedy. He
noticed that the supernumerary raerabers were put in among the
ordinary members, when it answered their purpose that nominated
them, and others of them were reserved to their own room, just
according to the sides they were supposed to be of, which was a
new discovery of a party spirit. This was answered by Mr Hugh
Dalrymple : — As to Mr Smith, he had no right to be in, by being
Moderator. As to the Presbytery of Edinburgh, they had held
out many of the eldest members from Commissions and Assemblies,
and, therefore, they had put in those. As [to] the burghs, they
were to be regarded as having appeared for the Reformation, and for
their good affection to Presbytery, It was likewise objected by the
Advocate, that several members for burghs were brought in to the
Commission who had no representation in the Assembly, which was

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 139
contrary to all forms ; and there could be no legal evidence that they
had signed the Confession, &c. ; and a member's saying so did not
evidence this. To this he was answered, these were but few. Mr
Walker, in the Canongate, raised an objection against the nomina
tors themselves, that representatives for burghs ought not to be in
that committee, since, according to the act of Asserably, they were
not members of Synods, as is required. He pointed at Mr Drum
mond and Mr Hugh Dalrymple, who were both frora burghs, and
yet were the great nominators of the Commission. To this It was
answered, that the Assembly had corae over that, by approving the
Committee in the forenoon, and now it was not corapetent to raake
the objection. At length the vote was stated. Approve or Not,
and there were about eighty Approves and seven or eight Nots. I
scarce ever saw such a durab vote. Two parts of the Asserably
were Silent or Go on ,- and had these voted Not, as certainly they
were Not, the noraination of the Comraission had been cast. In
short, the former year there were stretches in throAvlng out raera
bers from the Coramission ; but this was the best modelled Com
mission for one side that I have almost ever seen. To-raorrow the
Assembly rises, and I suppose wiU have nothing but ordinary forms.
May 26, 1724.
I have given a large account ofthe procedure of the Assembly till
their last meeting. In short, the great debate was, and a poor de
bate it was, whether Mr D. and Mr H. Dalrymple, or the former
managers, shouM have things In their hand. And it's very plain,
party humour appears in very great measures, which will undoubt
edly weaken our reputation in this Church. A great deal of strict
ness Avas pretended as to the Coraraission ; and yet the very same
things before loudly complained of were practised by Mr D. Dal
rymple and Mr Linning, when they got the power in their hand.
But what most stunned me was, Mr LInning's appearance against
the act for regulating licences to probationers, which I think gives
the greatest handle to bring in insufficient raen to the Church ; and
we may be assured patrons wUl stUl pitch upon these in settlements.

140 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
I am well Inforraed, from the first hand, that the raatter of the
King's grant of L.500 more to this Church is in a good way of
forwardness. Mr Walpole has consented, and the King has re
mitted it to the Treasury ; and I am told that the Commissioner,
in his speech to-morrow, is to intimate so much to the Assembly,
And Mr Smith's influence with the Advocate, and his dUigence
when last up at Court, is the spring of all this. I hear it noticed
that the Advocate, in his pleadings before the House of Peers, has
brought himself to speak very slow, for as quick as he speaks In
this country. I am yours.

LETTER LXXVn.
IRISH PRESBYTERIAN AFFAIRS.
To the Rev, Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick, ',
Ireland.^
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours of the 22d of AprU, and
Brother Macknlght's of the 24th, at the same time. The meeting
of our Assembly being just the day after I received them, I delayed
to answer till I came home from Edinburgh. With some difficulty
I procured a meeting of our friends there, Mr Smith, Mr Mitchell,
Mr Craig, Mr Robert Stewart, and Professor HamUton, who sent
me their retum to yours by this day's post. Yours to Professor
HamUton is not come to his hand, but that to Mr Smith is. I
can assure you they all have your case very much at heart, and
all the umbrage is over ; and they, as you see by the enclosed, incline
to alter the channel of correspondence, and to send what they write
by me, and I am to send all by Mr Macknight to you. I find them
' Mr Livingston is said to have been a relative of the celebrated John Livingston.
He was ordained in Temple-Patrick, March 30, 1709 ; resigned the active duties of
the rainistry in 1755, and died at Temple-Patrick, September 1, 1758. A Sermon
of his on the death of Mrs Upton of Castle-Upton has been printed.

AVODROW TO AVILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 141
very nice that no other than those you knoAV of be adraitted to this
con-espondence, and they do not so much as know of Mr Mac
knlght's being privy to it, except as the transmitter of the letters,
though I use stiU the very same freedom with him that I do with
you, and send aU open to him, because I knoAV you aUoAV of this,
and he and I have no reserves at aU. It will be proper you
wi-Ite a full account of the proceedings of your Synod as soon as
possible, and Avrite as often, either by post or otherwise, as you find
proper, and I shall take care to transmit all safely to Edinburgh.
I wish some of Mr HaUiday's papers had been sent over, as you
made us expect, from Belfast. Fnil not to send Mr Abernethy's
Answer to Mr Masterton, and every thing on both sides, as soon as
they come out. I glanced at Mr HaUiday's performance in March,
and comraunicated it with Professor Harallton. He and I both
were of opinion there was very little new or straitening in it ; and
having it only in loan, I waited tlU I should have it from you or
Mr Masterton, when I designed to have given you what offered on
it. But, indeed, you are at no loss, for his reasonings are so gene
ral and loose, that you need no assistance to an answer^
The enclosed contains the substance of what passed in our short
conversation at Edinburgh, and the joint sentiments of aU there, so
that it wUl be very needless for rae to add anything to the two
queries you sent to Mr Macknight and rae. However, that you
may see my readiness to communicate whatever occurs to rae upon
anything you propose, the first proposal is, to oblige all your
ruUng members to subscribe the Assembly's Shorter Catechism, be
cause the Non-subscribing ministers and some elders speak dimi
nutively of sorae doctrines. I take it for granted, that by your act
1705, all rainisters and elders that sit in judicatories are obUged to
sign the Confession of Faith. Now, as far as I have observed,
there are very few doctrines in the Catechism but what are in the
Confession. You wiU consider, then, how far any small difference
here wUl counterbalance the difficulties that will result from the e-x-
tendlng your subscription at this juncture, to anything not formerly
used, which, without some very evident necessity, does not appear
so very advisable. The Non-subscribers, no doubt, avUI make a

142 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
loud cry after they have come up to the terms of your pacific act,
that you are enlarging the matter of subscription, and ask when and
where you wiU end ? If the Confession do not satisfy, neither wiU
the Catechism. Besides, tlieir friends In England will very pro
bably raake yet a louder complaint. As to your second proposal,
that all members of Presbyteries and Synod sign their acknowledg
ment, that Presbyterian govemment is agreeable to the Word of
God, &c., I am of opinion such a Formula as we have appointed
by act of Assembly, 1711, of which I would send you a copy, but
you have it in the Abridgment of the Acts of Assembly, Is of very
great use ; and I cannot perceive any hazard of proposing a volun
tary subscription to it, or another form equivalent, with the words
of the Confession of Faith, chap. ill. sec. 3, as you propose, to
aU that are already in office, and in time to come to require it
of all new intrants. To me, indeed, there appear diflScultles in
enlarging the terms of subscription upon members whora you
have already taken in to your judicatories, except in a voluntary
way, because they have a kind oi jus quesitum, and have come up
to the terras of the society, when they entered into it, and may
complain of new terms which they had not under their view when
they joined being imposed upon them. But as to intrants in the time
to come, it's fair and just, and If they be not wiUing to enter upon
these terms, they must abstract from you, and blame themselves.
However, you wUl best knoAV circumstances among you, and whe
ther it will be fit such a proposal be first transmitted to all your
Presbyteries, to think upon and ripen, against the foUoAvIng Synod,
as we do here in cases of public standing rules ; though I own you
have the less need of this, that your general synod Is not a delegate
meeting, but all your rainisters are present. This is what occurs
to rae, and Mr Macknight will add w^hat he thinks proper.
I heartUy thank you for the account of raatters in your parha-
raent. Let me, at your leisure, have the present state of Papists
among you, and what influence the late regulations have upon
Papists ; what their numbers may be ; and if Priests, &c., be stUl
coming araong them ; if they be fuUy disarmed ? &c.
My obligations to the Rev. Mr A. Crawford are extremely great

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE, 143
for transcribing the MS, (I suppose of Mr Andrew StcAvart) for
me, and I wish I knew what return to raake to him. You raay be
sure I am a little impatient tUl it come to me.
I had Bishop Burnet's History from London In the end of last year,
and read it with much pleasure ; bating his flings at King William
and the Presbyterians, sometimes, and extemporary prayer, and two
or three facts he is out in, it's an excellent, masterly performance.
Pray give my dearest respects to Mr Masterton, Mr M'Bride,
Mr GUbert Kennedy, Mr Lang, and all other brethren of my ac
quaintance. I would wUUngly have written to each of them ; but
what I write to you, you will coraraunicate. Tell thera I expect
to hear from them at and after your Synod, and long for their ac
counts and yours. I give my most humble duty to Colonel Upton.
I am yours, &c.
June 2, 1724.

LETTER LXXVIIL
calderwood's MS. HISTORY. — IRISH AFFAIRS,
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I reckoned myself at a very great loss that I want
ed the benefit of your Lordship's conversation when at Edinburgh,
during the Assembly. Since that time, I hear you are safe return
ed from London, and could not but take the occasion of one coming
to my Lord PoUock's to retum you my humble acknowledgments
for the pleasure I have of coUating neajr three volumes of the ori
ginal manuscript my Lord Polton has done me the favour to aUow
me. Our Communions are throng at this season, and the History
is large ; but I shall make all the dispatch I can, and either bring
back, or send with a sure hand, this valuable remain of our Scots
History.

144 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
I am sorry to observe the last volurae is wanting, there being
only four sent by ray Lord Polton to you ; and I find, at the close
ofthe last, this note. This History followeth in another volume which
beginneth at the year M.D.XCVL, and continueth till the death of King
James the Sixth. The three volumes I have gone almost through
are perfect and entire. How this fourth volume, which is in worse
case, will be, I cannot say tUl I come to it ; but I am in pain to think
that the last volume is not sent, and want not my fears that it Is
amissing, since, had it been in my Lord Polton's hands, I can scarce
conceive but may be he would have sent it with the rest.
My copy, which is in five large folios, has a gap 'twist the 1595,
where the original ends, to the 1607 ; and then I have a volume of
624 pages, from the 1607 to King Jaraes' death. I ara hopeful the
copy In the College of Glasgow has this gap, though I have not
had occasion to Inquire of late, so that this valuable History wUl
yet be made up. But If the other volume of the original be in my
Lord Polton's hands, I hope your Lordship vrill yet get it from
hira. If by this time your copy of Mr James Melville's Life be finished,
I'll be very fond of it. By the glance I had of it from Mr Hog, it
appears a very valuable manuscript, and there may be some others,
not rauch observed, where this was.
It's too great presumption for rae to desire any account of new
books, or of the state of the Arian controversy, and other things
among the Dissenters, which, no question, your Lordship would
have when at London ; and I have no excuse but my own Athe
nian temper, and the freedom your Lordship has been so kind as to
allow me to use with you. When your Lordship has any spare
moment to aUow this way, it wUl be a singular favour.
The General Synod of Dissenters in Ireland meets to-moiTC»w,
where it's to be feared the heats among them wUl come to some
head. Their state continues very lamentable, from the constant
endeavours of the Non-subscribers to strengthen themselves. The
body of the people there are upon the brink of breaking communion
with the Non-subscribers ; and several things of late have faUen out

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 145
that inflame their differences. Those, if your Lordship has not
had better accounts since I had the honour to wait on you, AvIth
what I expect after the Synod rises, I shall take care to send you
by post. Meanwhile, I am, in the greatest sincerity, my Lord,
yours, &c.
•lune 15, 1724.

LETTER LXXIX.
MR NEVIN AND THE IRISH PRESBYTERIANS.
To Lord Grange.
My Lord, — Last post I had letters from Ireland, with some ac
counts of their last General Synod, which met at Dungannon, June
16th. I expect larger accounts afterwards. MeanwhUe, the hints
I can now give I hoped would not be unacceptable. The Synod
sat, as generaUy they do, two full weeks ; and their whole time
almost Avas taken up in warm debates with the Non-subscribers,
which was the great subject of debate ; last Synod, as your Lord
ship knows, was soon over. The Colonel [Upton] was necessarily
kept at Dublin upon some public business, and sent his excuse for not
waiting on the Synod, which was sustained. The Non-subscribers
craved that his charge against them might be dismissed ; but that
Avas not yielded, and they protested. But the affair which took up
raost of their time was the case of one Mr Thomas Nevin, minister
at Down, Avhich would take longer tirae to deduce from the printed
letter he has pubUshed than is worth your Lordship's time. In short,
Mr Nevin, for several years, has been a violent opposer of Confes
sions, — human compositions, as he calls them, — and subscribing to
them. In a public company, December last, he was giving his
reasons against subscription, aud advanced one from that paragraph
VOL. IIL K

146 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
of our Confession, which aUows the magistrate power to punish
blasphemy. This power he thought in many cases was hard, and
he said he would not yield that the Jews should have been put to
death for denying the Deity of Christ. This is the state he himself
gives of the matter ; but the afiEidavit which he himself publishes gives
no reference to the case of the Jews. But the witnesses swear that
he said that it was not blasphemy to deny the Deity of Christ.' How
ever, Mr Nevin thought fit to pubUsh a letter of his upon the affi
davit that had been given against him in a crirainal process before
the CivU Judges, and he vindicates the best way he can what he
said at that time. This paper of his was put in the hands of the
members of the Synod by himself, that day they met. It contains
many expressions in it very bitter and unbecoming a minister, and
the gravity and Importance of the subject, particularly one which
seemed a resUing from the declaration made by the Non-subscribers
in the Synod, 1721, of their belief of the eternal Deity ofthe Son
of God.^ In short, it's an unguarded, provoking paper, which one
' " That brother [Mr Nevin] for some years past hath had a very active hand in
our debates against creeds, confessions, and tests of orthodoxy, and not from under
some suspicions in relation to the supreme Divinity of our blessed Saviour. He had
used too much liberty in conversation, by- disputing on the wrong side of the question,
insomuch that one Eckline, a gentleman of the Established Church, accused him
openly of Arianism, for which Mr Nevin brought a ^vrit of defamy against him, and
the suit is now in dependence before the next assizes. In the meantime, a few weeks
ago, there was an affidavit made before a justice of the peace by three deponents that
Mr Nevin had, in conversation with them, said that it is no blasphemy to say that
Christ is not God. As soon as Mr Nevin got this affidavit, he wrote a letter in his
own defence, directed to a neighbouring minister, [Mr William Smitii of Bailee,] al
leging that their conversation at that time being about the magistrate's power in
suppressing error and blasphemy, his words aforesaid were understood only in rela
tion to the Jews, and of that particular sort of blasphemy which comes within the
sphere of human laws, and exposes man to capital punishments j in which sense, there
fore, it is not blasphemy in a Jew to say that Christ is not God. This letter, with
the affidavit, Mr Nevin printed some days before the Synod, brought it along with
him, and dispersed it amongst the ministers the first day ofthe Synod." — {Letters to
Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 91.)
' At this Synod an overture was brought in, asserting the absolute and eternal
Deity of Christ and the Holy Ghost ; aud that any under the authority of the Synod,
who should deny the said article of Christian faith, should be excluded from Christian
coEimunion with them ; and every minister vvho should deny the said fundamental doc-

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 147
would think was designed to insult the Synod, and adapted to
make them think he was an Arian. A complaint is tabled upon
that printed letter the first day of the Synod, and a committee ap
pointed to hear him, and bring in what they thought culpable in
his letter. To-raorrow they brought in their reraarks, which he
craved a copy of to raake his repUes. His repUes were very long,
six or seven sheets of paper, and fuU of bitterness and petulance.
He was supported by the whole Non-subscribers with great keen
ness. An overture was made. In the entry, that he should make a
voluntary declaration of his sentiments as to the proper Deity of the
Son of God to the Synod ; but this he decUned, and instead of that,
brought in his prolix answers, which still gave more and more
ground to suspect him In that great matter. After long and tedi
ous disputes upon every article of the Remarks and Answers,
wherein the Non-subscribers exerted theraselves at great length in
his defence, at length, after going through the articles and an
swers, and Mr Nevin's declining the declaring his sentiments on
that iraportant truth, the Synod carae judicially to require a per-
eraptory declaration from him. His brethren, the Non-subscribers,
complained heavUy of this, as imposition, inquisition, &c. How
ever, at length, it was demanded, and he, with great peremptorlness,
refused to give it. Upon Avhich the Synod came by a vote to declare
that Mr Nevin should not be allowed rainisterial coramunion, nor
be any longer entertained as a raember of their body, till such time
as he should satisfy thera of his soundness concerning the suprerae
Deity of Christ. The Non-subscribers protested, and declared they
Avould keep coramunion AA'lth him.
By this time, I fear, I have wearied your Lordship. The case of
our brethren In the North of Ireland is very lamentable, and, as far
as I can see, if raatters come to a rupture, the Non-subscribers wUl
force it on theraselves. The press there is also sweating Avlth pam-
trine should be deposed. The whole Synod went into this overture, except the mem-
bers of the Belfast Society, who said that they heartily believed the foresaid article
of faith, but denied that any Synod or Council had authority to impose that or any
other article of faith. — {Letters io Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 147.)

14,8 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
phlets on this unhappy debate. It's scarce worth while to give
their titles.
I have scarce left room for what it was my duty to have begun
Arith, my hearty thanks for yours of the 30th June. I shaU be
sorry if any distant view I may have of trying to do what I can for
recovering, as much as may be, of the remains of our Christians and
Ministers, shall any way hinder any thing of that nature by any
proper hand. I am more and more impressed with the necessity of
a work of this nature ; but the difficulties in it wiU not be few, and
it's certainly a work of time and labour. It wIU be a loss, if the last
volume of Calderwood be lost. I hope you AviU continue your pains
to recover it, and what else my Lord Polton may have, unobserved,
and send me Mr Melville's Life, when ready.
When your Lordship's leisure allows, I'U be fond of every thing
you'll please to favour me with from England, where I am sure you
would meet with much, in conversation and otherwise, that would
be singularly useful to me. Forgive me this tedious letter ; and
aUow me to subscribe myself, my Lord, your most humble and very
much obliged servant,
July 15, 1724.
I have heard nothing how far Mr Brace is advanced in his large
undertaking.

AVODROAV TO JEHUDA MONIS, 149

LETTER LXXX,
PIOUS CONGRATULATIONS AND ADVICES,
To Rabbi Jehuda Monis, at Harvard College, New England.
Rev. Dear Brother and Learned Christian Rabbi, — ^When
I had the singular favour of your letter dated June 5, 1723, by the
hand of my reverend and worthy brother, Mr Colman, last year, it
Avas sorrowftd and painful to me that I could not make a retum by
that ship, and I presumed to desire the Rev. Mr Colman to make
my excuse to you, which I hope he has done.
And when the opportunity of another ship returned this year, it
Avas particularly pleasing to me, that I should be in case Avith my
OAvn hand to express my best wishes to you.
Yours, in the holy and pure tongue in which the lively oracles of
God were committed to your fathers^ was what was most welcome
to me. You write so fairly and beautifully, that the reading was
easy to me, though some abbreviatures stopped me a little. The
Rabbinical copy of your letter was a little harder to me, having
for many years been unaccustomed to that study,
I am not able to correspond with you In your own language, and
would be ashamed to write, though I could, to one whose hand is
so beautiful and equal to print ; and it's a pleasure to find, by yours,
that you understand the EngUsh tongue.
Permit me, dear brother, for my OAvn part, and in the name of
many others here, to bless the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, your fathers, and our God, Avho hath enlightened your mind,
and brought you from the mistakes and prejudices of your educa^-
tion, and led you to profess your beUef and subjection to the Mes
sias, whose day Abraham saw and was glad. Allow- me, with aU
my heart, to welcome you into the shadow of the wings of Jehovah,

150

THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

our righteousness, where you are come to trust, in whom aU the
seed of Israel shall be justified, and in whom they shaU glory.
I persuade myself, learned and dear Rabbi, that this is from the
inward and firm conviction of your mind, wrought by the Spirit of
Christ, the breath of the Lord's mouth, who raade the host of the
heavens, the same Spirit who was on our Redeemer, and anointed
him, whose work is to show him to us and glorify him. May the
same power of God keep you, through faith, unto salvation !
I almost envy you the pleasure you have, and I hope shaU have
more and more, in comparing the Old Testament and the New,
with greater distinctness and clearness than we who are much
strangers to the holy idiom and force of the Old Testament ; and
thence you'll wax stronger and stronger In the firm faith that our
Jesus is the Messias. Of him Moses spake, and to him gave aU
the prophets witness. In him you have righteousness and strength,
and to him men shall come. AU your springs are in him ; he is
the fountain of Israel. May you be rooted and built up in him,
and established in the faith, grounded in love, and complete in him !
You desire the prayers of ministers and Christians with us, and
I assure you you have them most heartUy. Since we have heard
of your faith in our Lord and Redeemer, innuraerable prayers and
praises too have been hurably offered to Hira who sits on the throne,
and the Larab, on your behalf, in secret, in private, and in several
places in public.
Comfort us, my dear brother, with the accounts of your being
built up in our raost holy faith, and your being in the grace that is
in Christ Jesus, strong, stedfast, and immoveable, always abound
ing in the work of the Lord ; your labour shaU not be in vain In
the Lord.
The crooked serpent who deceived our common parents in Eden
is an adversary that goeth about seeking whom he may devour.
Resist him, dear brother, stedfast in the faith ; and commit your
self, in the way of well-doing, to the faithfid Creator. You know
whora you have believed, and to whora you have committed the
good thing, who is able to keep it to that day.

WODROAV TO JEHUDA MONIS. 151
You know much better than I, learned Rabbi, and regret It with
a more piercing corapassion than I am capable of, that some of your
nation, who have given up their names to Jesus, have left him, and
returned to the first prejudices of their education ; and there have
not been wanting Instances, even in our own tirae, of lanaentable
leaving of our glorious Redeeraer. Far be it from me to entertain
the least suspicion of you this way. God forbid ! I have elsc
Avhere given an instance of one of my own nation that raade de
fection from our holy religion, to the errors of your brethren accord
ing to the flesh. But we all need, when we stand, to take heed lest
we fall. Permit me to be jealous over rayself, with a holy jealousy,
and to assure you I entertain none of you, but hope that your path
shaU be like the morning light, which shineth more and raore to the
perfect day. As your sweet and royal singer of Israel says, " But
as for me, thou upholdest me in mine integrity, and settest rae be
fore thy face for ever. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from
everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Araen."
I cannot conclude without expressing ray utmost concern for your
dear nation, dear to us GentUes, as from whom our Redeemer, as
concerning the flesh, Christ, came, who is God over all, blessed for
ever, Amen. Your faU has been our rising, and hoAV rauch more your
fulness ? We believe, that if God hath concluded all in unbelief, he
wUl have mercy on them all. We pray for this ; we long for It ;
and that happy time avIU be as life from the dead to us. And we
hope the tirae is not far off, when, in the place where it was said of
your own beloved people. Ye are not a people. It shaU be said of our
dear elder brethren, Ye are the children of the living God.
Yea, Ave humbly plead that your enlightening in the truth as It is
in Jesus, and the conversion of some others of your learned breth
ren in HoUand, which we hear of, may be the first fruits ofa great
harvest ; the little handful of com that is cast into the earth, that
shaU grow up and shake like the trees which are In Lebanon.
My Dear Brother, I know much is in your heart to do for your
nation, yea, it's in your heart to build a house to the Lord, and
promote the Redeemer's kingdom. May he strengthen and furnish

152 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
you for great services to him, and the people beloved for the fathers'
sake ! The blessings of Abraham, now come on us Gentiles, be upon
you, even the promise of the Spirit, through faith ! May the arms
of your hands be made strong by the hands of the mighty God of
Jacob, ^ven the God of your fathers, who shaU help you I The
blessings of your Father be on the head of ray brother, on the croAvn
of the head of him who Is happily separated from his brethren !
So prayeth, my dearest brother in the faith which is in Christ,
yours raost affectionately.
Eastwood, July 23, 1724.

LETTER LXXXL
DEATH OF Mather's father, and of avodeow's father-in-law.
— Millar's history.
To the Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D., and Minister at Boston.
Rev. Dear Sir, — By Captain Ferguson, to whom I am in
debted for many valuable packets from you, I have yours of the
1st of May, which was rauch longed for. A good whUe ago, by our
London prints, we were here afHicted with the removal of your ex
cellent and now glorified father, one of ray most venerable and most
valued friends, if I may put myself in so high a rank. I know he
allowed me, and the two letters I had frora him I keep by me,
among my y-ii/j^riXia, as proofs of it. He was drop-ripe for heaven.
May his mantle faU on us, even a double portion !
I was expecting such an account of him as your Parentator ; it
became such a son to give such a father a memorial, and raise up
the name of the dead. Bear with rae in complaining of its short
ness, and in wishing for yet a larger account of so valuable a per
sonage. You have done me too much honour in taking so public notice

WODROAV TO COTTON MATHER. 153
of my History, and the expressing your friendship for me in so
kind a manner in your Father's Life, makes this an obligation which
I shaU never be able to repay. The lovers of the name of Mather,
Avho are of equal extent with aU good men who have heard of them,
and seen what God has enabled them to do, will reckon unworthy
me among their friends, which is more by far than I deserve. May
the Lord preserve you to your parent's years, and strengthen you
to fiU up his room in the Church, and to do yet more and more for
pure and undefiled religion 1
This Church is in your debt for your favourable opinion of us.
Continue your prayers for us and concern in us. May the Lord
graciously create a defence over us, and strengthen what he has
wrought for you and us !
Your reraarkables in your Father's Life were the more acceptable
to me, that I have been drawing up my Father's Life from loose
scrawls of his he left behind hira, this last winter. I don't knoAv
if ever I shaU publish any more than I have done ; but if ever I
come any length in my Biography and Collections concerning the
Lives of our eminent Ministers and Christians in Scotland, my
Father's Life will bear some part. He was a good, great, and sin
gularly useful person in this Church. In April last I lost another
parent, my wife's father, Mr Patrick Warner, the eldest minister in
this Church for many years, and just about your father's age, going
in his eighty-fourth year, a holy raan of great leaming, and one of
the most powerful wrestlers I ever knew. New England had a
share in his prayers, and you are at a loss, as w^ell as we.
My Lord PoUock is at present at Edinburgh at his public work.
He is now towards the end of his race. He Avas born January
1648, and so about nine years younger than your father. I have
stUl his orders to remember you most affectionately. In eight or ten
days, I hope to put your Parentator in his hands, which I am
sure wiU be most acceptable.
As soon as your Christian Philosopher comes to Edinburgh, you
may be sure I would not want it. Whether it is in our CoUege

154 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Library, I know not. I thank you for it, and the heart-Avarming
remarks in it.
There Is nothing reraarkable from this Church I can mind of
worth your notice. I send you a second collection of some sermons
of the late excellent Halyburton. Pray favour me with your latest
accounts from your beloved Glaucha and the University in Halle,
and the East Indies Missionaries, and the state of things among
you. The God of your fathers be remarkably with you and yours, to aU
generations ! Pray miss no occasion to let me hear from you, I
am, Rev, Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
July 29, 1724.
P. S. — ^While I am writing to you, my worthy and learned neigh
bour, and dear brother, the Rev. Mr MUlar of Paisley, who has
lately pubUshed a valuable and large History of the Propagation of
Christianity, desires me to introduce him to you, and send you a
copy of his book. You have his own letter enclosed and his books,
which I'll venture to say are worth your perusal, and above any
testimony of so mean a hand as mine, Mr Millar and I now have
had neighbouring charges for near twenty years. He is a serious,
dUIgent, and laborious minister, and his book AviU show his acquaint
ance with learning, in most of its valuable branches, I am glad to
be employed once in sending you what I can say" is worth your
whUe, and again repeat my best wishes, and seek the continuance
of your prayers and friendship.

AVODROAV TO JOHN AVARDEN. 155

LETTER LXXXIL
WARDEN ON BAPTISM. — SINGING OF PSALMS.
To Mr John Warden, Minister of the Gospel at Gargunnock.
Dear Brother, — ^About eight days ago I have the present of
your Essay on Baptism, which was very acceptable; and I shall
only in return give my best wishes that It raay, through the bless
ing of God, be made remarkably useful for the interests of practi
cal religion, and the revival of the decays in relative godliness. I
never had any difliculty about it's publishing, save Its bulk, which
puts it beyond the reach of country people, who need an essay of
this nature raost, and yet never buy, and scarce ever read, any thing
that goes beyond your Widow's Mite.
I have been long under the thoughts that sorae short essays
should be printed on the most common and ordinary duties of
Christianity, and they wiU follow weU from you, after what you
have done upon the two sacraments. The duty, that sublime and
heavenly exercise of singing psalms, is what I am afraid is as ig
norantly and^perfunctoriously gone about as any part of our wor
ship, I would likewise have somewhat upon parents' education of
their children, and both the matter and method of that duty set
before them. Your hand is In, as folk say to me as to your [my]
History, and your style plain, easy, and adapted to thir practical
subjects. If you can entertain any thoughts upon these necessary
subjects, you shall not want anything I have on them, or can com
mand. I have some thoughts of publishing an Essay of worthy
Mr James Ferguson's on Singing of Psalms ; it will be but two or
three sheets, but am not yet determined.
I have no news, unless it be the lamentable state of Ireland,
where the flames are rising, and papers publishing in shoals. Our

156 the AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
old con-disciple, Mr GUbert Kennedy, has pubUshed a Vindication
of their Synod against HaUiday's Reasons against subscription.
He is a little keen, but the subject needs it, and is very large.
Pray let me have a long letter from you after your Synod, Arith a
full account of every thing that is going ; and at length, some time
or other, make good your resolution of staying a night or two here.
I am. Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, Oct. 3, 1724.

LETTER LXXXm.
COLLIER. — COLLINS. — CALDERWOOD. — GEORGE BUCHANAN.
To Professor Hamilton, Edinburgh.
Rev. Dear Sir, — ^As soon as the above from our friends in Ire
land comes to hand, I send it by post as the surest and safest Avay.
When you and others concerned in [it] think fit to raake a retum
to this and the forraer, I shaU do my best to get it safely conveyed.
I take this occasion most heartUy to thank you for your last,
(Sept. 19.) The report of CoUIer's attempt with the Patriarch
of Constantinople' is very probable, and designed, I,^ancy, to con
tinue their ordinations, for which they are not yet ripe to go to
France. I know not whither they wiU turn next, unless it be to
MoscoAV, where it may be they may meet with better quarters, if
the Czar's resentment against our King continue.
' Wodrow refers here to the correspondence, into which the Usage Bishops, with
Jeremy Collier, the historian, at their head, attempted about this time to enter with
the Bishops of the Greek Church, and which ended in smoke  (See Skinner's Eccl.
History, vol. ii.)  Finding that their ordination was repudiated by the old Bishops,
who adhered to the Pretender as the source of their jurisdiction, their object wajta
connect themselves with some Apostolic Church, to sanction their usurped orders.
The Greek Church would have nothing to do with these Usagers, from whom the
present Scots Episcopalians are descended.

AVODROAV TO PROFESSOR HAMILTON. 157
I wish the Bishop of Lichfield's Answer to CoUins be well done.
It's but lately that I have got CoUins, who has cunningly enough
laid his attack against prophecy ; and yet I see little in him but
what has been again and again answered, even in our systems, and
anti-Socinian writers. However, I fear his unlucky turns he gives
things, and his partial and disingenuous representations, have a sad
influence upon our gentry and cursory readers, who undervalue
systems and other books, where what he advances has been taken
off. The preface is a refining on Locke's Letters on Toleration.
What you send me as to our affairs is aU news to me, and I beg
you'll continue to allow me what's a-going. Our Synod had no
thing but our common affairs before them, of which it may be you
have accounts from other hands. The unhappy state of the Presby
tery of Ayr breeds us much trouble, and they have appealed from
us to Assembly on our prosecuting the Assembly's Letter to us, as
to their bursar ; but I hope they may cool against our next Synod,
and take up their appeal. Indeed, we ought to be separated from
them, and turned to two Synods. We have appointed a day of
thanksgiving and prayer for the remarkable turn in the weather
this harvest, which has been as favourable as I have noticed these
twenty years.
Pray continue your accounts from London, when your leisure al
lows you, and send what comes from Mr Calamy, who, I hear, is
concerned in a lecture set up last year at London, in imitation of
Boyle's Lectures.
What you communicate this way, raust corae purely on the foot
of charity and your coramunicative temper, since I can pretend to
no returns from this retired comer. I have now finished my coUat
ing of the original copy of Calderwood's large History, with a copy
I have in six large folios. This is a most valuable collection of
papers, rather than a digested history, and contains a great many
papers and letters, I beUeve no where else preserved. The printed
copy is a very lame compend, tiU the 1596, where it turns larger;
but the original being lost after 1586, 1 can say less about it.
I met with a passage in it which is scarce worth troubling you

158

THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

[with, J were it not to be a spur to my friend Mr Stewart to go on Arith
his design for vindicating George Buchanan, who, it seems, got little
thanks from his pedantic pupU for his care about him. The author
had been giving an account ofthe proceedings ofthe Assembly, 1592,
and their articles ordered to be presented to the King by some oftheir
number, and then adds : "The brethren who were appointed to pre
sent the articles unto the King went to him upon Wednesday, the
24th of May. The King was hot against the ministers for speaking
so freely In the pulpits against him and his nobiUty, and defending
Mr Knox, the good Regent, and Mr George Buchanan ; and said
he could not be defended but by traitors and seditious theologues.
They repUed soundly and calmly. Afternoon, Mr Andrew Mcl-
vUle was so eamest in defence of those worthy men, that the Chan
cellor said that was not his errand to come for. Mr Andrew an
swered, he would take no discharge at his hand, nor at the hand
of any subject in Scotland, in that raatter, except his Majesty.
The King found fault with Mr George Buchanan's book, De Jun
Regni, and with sundry other things in these worthy men. Mr An
drew answered, 'These men set the crown on your head.' The
King said it came by succession, and not by any man. Mr An
drew replied, ' They were the executioners and Instruments, and
Avhosoever informed hira sinistrously of those raen, were neither true
to him nor the common weal.' The King said, Mr Knox caUed
his mother a whore, and alloA\'ed the slaughter of Davie in her
presence. Mr Patrick GaUoway said, If a King or a Queen be a
murderer, why should they not be called so ? After supper, Mr
Robert Bruce and Mr Patrick Galloway were called for, at which
time the King was somewhat colder in conference. On Thursday
the 25th, he promised to the Coraraissioners of the Assembly, that
the acts against the Kirk should be annuUed. Mr David Black,
preaching in the Little Kirk, May the 28th, in presence of the
Chancellor, said, The slaughter of Davie, so far as it was the work
of God, was aUowed by Mr Knox; and no further."
This large work gives a pretty distinct account of Knox's His
tory, and the first printing of it, and of Mr John Davidson's His-

AVODROAV TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 159
tory, in a letter of his own to King James ; and a great many other
things both as to the persons and writings of our Reformers, and
their successors.
I'U be impatient tUl I see the Critical History of England. I fear
he meddle Uttle, in a five shillings book, with our Scots affairs. It's
time now to ask your pardon for so long an interruption from bet
ter employments ; and with my eamest requests for all your accounts
of Synod and Commission, when they sit, and what you have from
abroad and from the learned world, to subscribe, Rev. Dear Sir,
yours, &c.
Eastwood, Oct. 12, 1724.

LETTER LXXXIV.
THE NON-SUBSCRIBING CONTROVERSY.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast.^
Rev, Dear Brother, — I have yours of the 16th of September
on the 10th instant, for AvhIch I return you thanks. You have my
' The Rev. Charles Masterton was a licentiate of the Presbytery of Liolithgow,
and came over to Ireland in the year 1703. He was ordained to the pastoral charge
of the congregation of Connor, in the county of Antrim, on the l7th of May 1704,
and continued there for eighteen years. When Mr Halliday was settled in the first
Presbyterian congregation in Belfast, aud refused to sign the Westminster Confes
sion of Faith, a considerable number of his hearers withdrew, formed the third con
gregation, and called Mr Masterton from Connor to be their first minister. He was
accordingly installed in that important charge in the latter part of the year 1722.
He continued to be a very active and influential minister in Belfast for about twenty
years, and an able defender of the doctrines of grace against the Arian party. He
resigned the active duties of the charge about the year 1 745, and died in Belfast on
the 15th of July 1750. He published two sermons, one of them his farewell db-
course to the congregation of Connor ; two pamphlets connected with the Non-sub
scribing Controversy ; and a small but excellent little work, which has been fre
quently reprinted, on the Doctrine of the Trinity.

1 60 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
poor thoughts upon the accounts from the Presbytery in Mr Living
ston's business, which are not worth repeating. Pray continue
your accounts of all that passes, by every occasion that offers, to Irvine
or Glasgow, and I am ready to think you will have many.
You ought. In my opinion, to answer Mr Abernethy's Defence
of his Seasonable Advice, ' and I wish it raay be as short as pos
sibly you can form it. His style is fuse, and reasonings, as far as I
have read, pretty magisterial, and Ills tums irritating ; and. If you fol
low his large paper, vLara mdag, your answer avUI sweU terribly. I
suggested my thoughts last year as to the publication of your Apo
logy, and yet cannot help wishing that your debates from the press
being a little sopited, the first new appearance had not been upon
your side ; and I see Mr HaUiday makes a pretext of its publica
tion for printing his pamphlet. I imagine Mr HeraphUl, of whom
I have no acquaintance, pushed the printing of it. Our brethren
at Edinburgh, as far as I know, were of the same sentiraents ; not
but we had aU an entire satisfaction with the paper, but doubted of
the expediency of printing any further tUl the Non-subscribers
made another attack. But now it's necessary you should give an
answer, which, in as far as I have read, wUl not be very difficult.
The truth is, I have as yet read only forty or fifty pages of it. It's
but about a month since I had seven or eight papers from your
presses aU at once, and being at present taken up in coUating the
large History of Calderwood, in six folios, with the original, I have
the less tirne to spare. And, really, Mr Abernethy is so prolix and
minute, and his letter so small, that I weary. I wish you may set
him right in several facts, wherein, if my inforraation be good, he
is out ; and notice particularly his account of the Non-subscribers'
carriage at the time of making the pacific act, which confirms me
in the opinion I had formerly inclined to entertain, that your Synod
went a little too far in that concession, especially if what he says
' This production was entitled, " Reply to the Rev. Mr Masterton, in Defence of
the Seasonable Advice to the Dissenters in the North of Ireland ; with A Postscript
by the Rev. Messrs Weld, Boyse, and Choppin, in Vindication of their recommend
atory Preface to ' The Seasonable Advice.' "

AVODROW TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 161
of the reasonings of the Belfast Society at that time hold. But I
am sure you need no remarks I am capable to make ; and sufficient,
and, I apprehend, too rauch, matter of a reply wUl offer to you.
We enjoy a calm here at present. The Lord grant we improve
it weU ; and nothing remarkable offers that I can think of. I wrote
several weeks ago to Mr Macknight, that young Mr MUlar, who was
with you, flatly denies the story that some with you give out of him,
I fancy the occasion of the mistake is the opposition that was made
against re-subscribing the Confession of Faith, which was proposed
in one of our Committees of Assembly, 1722, if I mind right, and
dropped without a vote. But that is a quite distinct question from
¦subscribing, which none among us ever opposed, that I know of,
and they would soon be taken up if they did. Your aunt is very well,
I expect her to stay some days with my wife, in a week or two, and
shall put her in mind of her promise to send you my book, I think
it's not so proper for you to answer Mr Kilpatrick's Scripture Plea,'
AvhIch seems to me very open to an answer ; but you'U have oc
casion, in your return to Mr Abernethy, to give him a material
answer. Pray write frequently to. Rev. Dear Brother, yours, &c.
Oct. 14, 1724.
I thank you for the last Synod minutes, which I suppose come
from you. I see not perfectly with what view Mr M'Bride entered
his mind as to the grand vote, as it stands in the minutes.

LETTER LXXXV.
IRISH PRESBYTERIAN AFFAIRS.
To the Rev. Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours of the 22d of September,
as your former, after your last Synod, with the enclosed to our
' " Scripture Plea against -a, fatal Rupture and Breach of Christian Communion
amongst the Presbyterians in the North of Ireland."
VOL. in. L

162 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
friends at Edinburgh, both which I instantly transmitted ; and when
their return comes I'U forAvard it to you by Mr Macknight.
My opinion, upon the whole you give, as in your two last, is not
worth your whUe. And, indeed, aU we can do almost here is to
sympathise with you under your present unhappy circumstances,
from a set of contentious men who first provoke and buUy the
Synod in print, and then dispute every inch of ground and Uttle
forraality as pro aris etfocis ; and when you exert that power Christ
has given you upon the most importantoccasions, and plain caUs
for preservation of purity and peace, they raise one of the most un
reasonable cries of imposition, and what not. For my share, I can
not see that your Synod could have done less than they did, Arith-
out being blame-worthy. A bare reftisal to hold communion is
none of our censures ; and I fancy, in such a case, our Assembly
would have gone into a sentence of deposition. But I avUI not
blame your lenity. You know your circumstances best, and what
is most proper to a tolerated state.
The procedure of the Presbytery of Down, I mean the minority
of ministers, is the plain road they naturaUy feU into ; and if any
thing prevaU with the Non-subscribers and their favourers, to think
with more temper and less affectation of a boundless latitude, It will
be their people's deserting them. Your people are better natured
thau many here, who leave ministers upon far less provocations
than a refusing to sign our Confession, or to give a declaration of
their sentiments as to Christ's Deity, This Is all that offers upon
what is passed. As to future events, I hope Providence wlU so
state things, as your way wiU be clear. May your strength be as
your difficult day is !
You have singularly obliged me by sending from Mr Crawford the
papers of Mr Andrew Stewart, I receive from Mr Govan of Mains.
I could do no less than express my grateftd sense of his goodness
to himself, which I hope you wiU transmit to him, with ray humble
duty. The third part, of which I was most fond, ends abruptly.
I take it for granted, Mr Stewart wrote no more than is sent me,
for which I am heartily sorry. Pray let me know how this came,'

WODROW TO AVILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 163
and if it may be suppUed from any other papers among you. I
reckon the account of the Scots in Ulster, and the wonderful suc
cess ofthe Gospel there, before the RebeUion and Massacre, 1641, to
be a branch of our ecclesiastical history of this church, upon the
matter ; and I see Mr Stewart has been a close observer of things,
a solid reasoner, and of great learning, and seen in our antiquities ;
which makes me extremely regret that I have only two leaves I
think on what I was so desirous to see. However, I ara very
thankful for the valuable present I have received.
I have transmitted aU your accounts to Mr Macknight. I'll be
fond to know what becomes of Mr Orr's at Comber. If I mistake
not the person, he was licensed by our Presbytery some few years
ago ; and if he, aU his new light has come to him in Ireland, for
whUe here there was nothing extraordinary about hira.
Upon reading over your letter again, I begin to hope there raay
be a sheet or two yet to come to me of Mr Stewart's papers, which
wiU be most acceptable. But it may be I mistake your iiarrative.
My copy has only two leaves and a side of the third chapter, as to
the state of things after the settlement of the Scots in Ulster. I
could wish there were twenty sheets to come, thotigh I were to pay a
shiUing for the sheet. You wiU set me right here by your next.
Pray give my humble duty to Colonel Upton. I shall not fail to
let his friends, ray Lord Buchan and the Colonel, [Colonel Erskine,]
know of his welfarei Write frequently to, and lay your cora-
mands on. Rev. Dear Brother, yours, &c.
Oct. 14, 1724.

164

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER LXXXVI.
MR A. STEWART. — SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL IN IRELAND.
To the Rev, Mr Andrew Crawford, Minister of the Gospel at
Cajrnmoneif, near BelfaM.
Rev. Dear Sir, — I am favoured with yours of the 7th of Sep
tember, with the valuable papers of the Rev. Mr Andrew Stewart,
on the state of the Church in Ireland, from my reverend brother,
Mr Livingston. You have extremely obUged me in communicating
with me so valuable a remain of so great a man, as I see by look
ing over these papers your uncle has truly been. When Mr Liv
ingston told me of these papers, I presumed to desire him to use
his interest with you to get rae a view of them, because I reckon the
settlement of the Scots in Ulster, and the wonderful progress of
the Gospel about the Six-mUe- Water, is a branch on the matter of
our Church History, as to which I have been for some years coUect
ing. But I could never have had the confidence to have asked this
favour, had I iraagined you would have taken the trouble to write
over these papers with your own hand. This, indeed, makes your
kind present doubly welcome to me, and I wish I knew what re
turn I can raake for so much labour as you have been at, and
wherein I can be useful to you here.
I'll be extreraely fond of as full an account of the worthy Mr
Stewart as you can send me, though I am ashamed to put you to
any farther trouble ; and of his father, of whora, ifl remember, there
are some hints in Mr Robert Blair's Life, and Mr Livingston's.
Both he and his father come directly in upon a design I have had
for sorae time in my view, if the Lord continue health and strength
with me, and that is, to gather what I can as to the lives of our
eminent Ministers and Christians in this Church, and of the Lord's

AVODROW TO ANDREW CRAWFORD. 165
remarkable providences towards them, and by them, for the good of
souls. And the wonderful appearances of Providence in your first
settlement, and the remarkable success ofthe Gospel about the Six-
mUe- Water, and aU the accounts you can favour me with as to the
first eminently countenanced Presbyterian Ministers in Ireland, and
their successors, to the Restoration, wUl be a very necessary part
of that work. My Ufe and labours are in a better hand than mine
own. And whether ever I shall be able to bring this design to
any bearing, I know not ; but I'll endeavour to put what papers I
have, and ray brethren send me, in such an order, as ifl be not able
to finish such a large and yet necessary work, I hope it will be
easier to others after me to finish it.
The papers you send me are abundantly legible, and a very con
siderable addition to my collections. Allow me. Sir, since you, by
your goodness, embolden me to beg you'U go on to favour me with
all you can possibly send rae as to the lives of your faithful and
useful ministers in Ireland, especiaUy those who were a sort of
apostles, if I may say so, in the first settlement, and down to the
Restoration ; and hint at the Lord's reraarkable providences, singu
lar conversions, answers of prayer, remarkable preservations, ac
complishments of promises, and threatened judgments, of Ministers
and Christians, their lives, diaries, &c. I the rather request for this
that, to my great sorrow, your uncle's valuable papers have very little
upon the third chapter, which I was particularly fond of. I know
my brother, Mr Livingston, will join with you in his endeavours
this way.
I would fain hope that a weU vouched account of remarkable
providences, and the exemplary and useful Uves of our eminent
Ministers and Christians, through the Divine blessing, might be use
ful for the reviving of decayed piety and zeal, and advancing the
life and power of godliness, and taking us off hurtful contentions.
I beg the continuance of your prayers for me, and beg the Lord
may preserve you long to be useful, and be remarkably present
with you in his work. Again I return you ray unfeigned thanks
for your valuable papers, and beg you'll lay your comraands upon.

166 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Rev, Dear Sir, your very much obUged and most affectionate
brother and servant,
Oct. 14, 1724.

LETTER LXXXVn,
CALDERWOOD AND THE MELVILLES,
To my Lord Grange,
My LoRD,^^Having the occasion of my Lord PoUock's return
ing to Edinburgh, it's my duty to send ray acknowledgments of
your many and undeserved favours. I am not quite done Arith
Calderwood's MSS. I wish .the last volume could be recovered
in the original, which is two good large ones in my copy. In a
Uttle time, I design to give you the trouble of a rade draught of
Mr Calderwood's Life, which I have very near finished. As soon
as I can get it transcribed in a better hand than this, it shall be
sent in, that I raay have your opinion upon the form and manner
of it. Next, I incline to try what I can do as to Mr Andrew and
Mr James MelvUle's Life, and wiU be fond to have the MSS. of
Mr MelviUe's your Lordship was pleased to promise me. If it can
come west with my Lord PoUock's servants, it will be soon at me.
Our accounts from Ireland continue melancholy enough. I Arish
your Lordship may have got my last, with some hints of the pro
cedure of the last General Synod. When your leisure permits, it
wUl be an honour to receive your commands, and whatever you
shaU please to communicate to, my Lord, &c.
Eastwood, Oct. 31, 1724.

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 167

LETTER LXXXVHL
COLLECTION OF SCOTTISH PAPERS.
To Mr James Anderson, Writer to the Signet, Edinburgh.
Dear Sir, — ^I send with the bearer Maule's MSS. I am almost
tempted to give over my requests of hearing from you.
A notion has been in my head for some time of a CoUection of
Scots Papers, as Rushworth has done for England. I find a great
many in Calderwood's Large History, whieh I have lately been
coUating Arith the original, from 1558-1624. I know you have
many others; and, from that time tiU 1660, I have a good store.
When you favour me with a line, I'll be glad to have your thoughts
of it, with aU your novels ; and am, in haste, saving quarrels, yours.
Oct. 31, 1724.

LETTER LXXXIX.
LIVES OF THE REFORMERS. — IRISH AND ENGLISH NEWS.
To my Lord Grange^
My Lord, — I am now in your debt for two, the one in Novem
ber, and the other with Mr MelvUle's MSS. and my own, which I
received only two days ago ; and, indeed, it put me to the blush,
when I reflected that I had not made my acknowledgments for so
kind a letter as the former was. I know your Lordship's tirae is
precious, and I'll not spend it in ray poor excuses. I A\'as causing

168 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
transcribe Mr Calderwood's Life ; and two youths that used to
write for me being dead lately, I have not yet got it written out;
and I was waiting on my brother-in-law, his coming into Edin
burgh with your Lordship, and my Lord Dun's assistance, to put
an end to the differences between him and the Earl of Egllntoun,
and he wait on my Lord's caU. I wish now he may stay tiU I get
both Calderwood and Mr John Davidson's Life transcribed, which
I am hoping for in two or three weeks ; and they shaU come by
him. It was my duty (in some respect) to begin with Mr Calder
wood's Life, since I have from him considerable materials for the
rest in his time. Your Lordship has obUged me, by signifying to
my Lord Polton that I was essaying his Granduncle's Life, though,
indeed, his Lordship, to whora I ara extreraely obUged, has very
little to expect from any sraall hints I can glean up at this distance,
but a proof of my good inclinations to recover as much as I could
of that great man. I hurably thank you and ray Lord Polton, for
giving me some hope of some more of Calderwood's papers. I
have scarce had time to glance at Mr MelviUe's Life, having been
abroad yesterday and this day. I begin to stagger a little in ray
thoughts about the History your Lordship returns rae with it, and
suspect another than Mr MelvIUe may be the Avriter of it. The
style of the Life, which is undoubtedly Mr MelviUe's, and that
History, seem at first sight to be a little different. When I com
pared them at first, I began to suspect what I sent you might be
the second part of Mr Melville's Life, since what you send me
comes but to the 1600, and Mr Melville lived tiU the 1613 ; and
Calderwood's MSS. give a large account of his death at' Berwick
in 1612 or 1613, with a sweet account of his expressions on his
death-bed. But, by the glance I have given it, it does not appear
to be written like his Life. I hope, in a Uttle, to make a better judg
ment as to this, when I have read it over, and compared the pas
sages cited out of Mr Melville's Observations, by Calderwood and
Petrie, As far as I can guess, there must have been another vo
lume of his Life during the last twelve years of it. However,

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 169
this is a valuable record as far as it goes ; and your Lordship may
have the pleasure to reflect, that its preservation is in a great mea
sure owing to you.
I have formed my first draught of Mr Robert Bruce's Life,
which is sweUed very much ; and, with the vouchers of it in the
Appendix, may be near twenty sheets, and Mr John Welsh's, which
may be about eight or ten sheets. This is all the length I am now
come. Several of the most important parts of our History in these
times come necessarily in upon these great men, who bore a share
in the weighty transactions of that period ; and from Calderwood's
MSS. and other writers, I endeavour to set them in the justest
hght I can. And, in comparing Calderwood and Spottlswood, and
. other papers of that time, I ara surprised to find such palpable
disingenuity and unfair dealing in the Bishop's smooth and cunning
History. When he speaks of these good and great raen, he art
fully misrepresents their words, picks out sentences and broken
periods, and puts them together, to expose them, as I perceive by
Calderwood, who gives what passed at fuU length.
These things lead me out sometimes beyond my Inclination, and
yet I cannot but notice them. In short, I see our Biography would
employ several hands, and profitably, too, in my opinion. And any
thing I can do will be but very little. However, I am proceeding
slowly the best way I may.
Very Uttle has come to my hand from Ireland since the Synod.
Mr Nevin has made several attempts to be received into the Pres
bytery, but in vain. He made a declaration of his sentiments on
the Trinity in the words of our Confession, but declined to express
himself in those of our Lesser Catechism, equal in power and glory.
His defences before the Synod are by this time printed, and I ex
pect them in a few weeks. He is to raake an attempt to be re
ceived a member of the particular Synod in Belfast. This month,
I hear the Non-subscribers are sending over sorae of their young
preachers to London, where Dr Calamy and the Non-subscribers
ordain them indefinitely, and they retum ordained ministers.
This is a practice that may quickly affect others, as well as the

170 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
rainisters in Ireland. It grieves rae to hear that grave symptoms
of this infection are spreading among us. I hope we are in this
country, at least as to ministers, free. I know not how matters
stand in the east. Principm- obsta was never more applicable than
in thia case.
What the MS., you are pleased to teU me you have about our
govemment and worship since the Reformation, may be, I cannot
guess ; but your account of it, and its ending about the 1 630, makes
me conjecture it may be Mr WiUiam Scot of Coupar, his Apologe-
tical Narration, which I have a copy of; and It's a very valuable
reraain. If your Lordship send me the first paragraphs, with any
hint at the method he takes, I shaU soon compare it with my
copy. I thank you for your hints about Mr Watts and Bradbury. The
first, in his Dissertations, speaks with uncommon warmth In favour
of comraunion with the Arians ; and he writes so much, that he
cannot take much time to consider it. I have got Mr Shields'
Life, the preface to which is a repetition of what Mr MfMain hath
told once or tArice in print before. When Mr Brace's large work
coraes out, which I do not hear is yet gone to the press, I shall
consider the thrusts I have from both sides. To be sure, by this
tirae I have wearied your Lordship ; and it's tirae to conclude, with
my hurable desires to hear any thing you judge proper for me,
when you have a quarter of an hour to spare to, my Lord, your
very much obliged and most humble servant.
Jan. 5, 1725.

AVODROAV TO PROFESSOR HAMILTON. 171

LETTER XC.
IRISH AND ENGLISH CHURCH NEWS.
To Professor Hamilton.
Rev. Dear Sir, — ^Yours of the 16th was extremely welcome,
containing a great many of our own little affairs, which I did not
know ; and your accounts from London are curious, and most ob
Hging. I ara truly ashamed to ask the continuance of them, be
cause I weU know your load of letters, and other business ; but I
leave the time to your leisure, and when It happens you have half
an hour to spare, there's nobody you write to shall be niore thank
ful, because few or none can make so poor returns.
I I had sent this by post, by which road I stIU incline to have yours.
But Mr MaxweU coming east to-morrow, I thought Mr Nevin's
trial might be acceptable to you, which Is too bulky by post. I
had it but two or three days ago, and rather glanced than read it.
It gives me a more melancholy prospect than even I had before of
the state of Ireland. I would fain hope several facts in It are mis
represented, and aggravated. The Non-subscribers seera to have
put the full force of their cause in their Reasons of Dissent ; and I
wish we may have answers to them well formed. Mr Nevin does
not here appear so mean a man as I have had him represented,
though, even in this, his laboured appearance, there is a great deal
of bluster and loose reasoning. It's an odd way that their Synod
suffers the reasonings to be taken in characters, and this method
of pubUshlng reasonings of that nature by the party himself I hope
AnU be considered, as what naturaUy cannot but be with a bias, espe
ciaUy when he writes with so much keenness and virulence. And
as fiicts are here represented, one would think the Synod might
have taken raethods less liable to exception, in sorae of their steps.

172 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
You'll observe what stress they lay upon our forms in Mr Simson's
process. But I hope, when we hear the Synod, they wiU take off
the most of the objections, sorae of which, as they stand here, ap
pear a Uttle strained; and I am sorry so few voted in this important
affair. Pray let not thir hasty thoughts of mine hinder you to
favour rae with your reraarks upon this trial, which, as soon as you
can conveniently peruse, you may return by post, where I have the
favour of getting paraphlets of this bulk firanked, when given in
open to Mr WiUiam Reid in the post-office. I hear of none of
thera In this country as yet, though I fear we have them too soon
to corrupt our youth ; and, therefore, the sooner you return it, I'U
get it communicate the sooner to some of our brethren at Glasgow,
none of whom have seen it.
When this paper came to my hand, though I was about to have
written to Ireland, and to have signified your approbation, as hinted
in your last, yet I chose rather to delay tUl brethren with you have
time deUberately [to consider] and make a return to the last ac
counts you received from Ireland. Though I see nothing unsafe
in what you aUowed me to send as the opinion of a few, yet, per
haps, you'll agree with me, that It may not be improper to delay It
tiU you and they agree in what raay be proper to send them deU
berately. And, in my poor judgraent, it were to be wished you
could meet as soon as may be, for our brethren in Ireland stand
much in need both of advice and syrapathy. If you have occasion
to send the trial to Mr Sraith, whom I kindly remember, and he
can return it to you in eight or ten days after you have perased it,
pray let him have it, that he may have the better views of the state
of things, and let hira know how glad I'U be of his remarks upon
it. I have nothing from any of our brethren in Ireland this long
time. This pamphlet comes to me another way.
Mr Morison is fairly in to Le Clerc and Pere Simon, and I am
sorry Bishop Chandler drops strict inspiration ; if true, as I doubt
it may be, since multitudes of the English writers seem to be going
that way, which gives rae melancholy views, and I am of opinion

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 173
is a very IU vay of dealing Avith Collins and the Deists. I have
'S. C's Essay. It was at first, to make the Deists read it, given out,
as I was told, (about the 1716 or 1717,) to be written by Collins, but
they soon found the mistake, and bought up most of the copies that
came from HoUand, and suppressed them. When I read it five or
six years ago, I was extremely pleased with some of his reasonings;
but in some places he Avas so abstract and out of my duU way of
thinking, that I could not reach him. I thought, upon infinity,
he was running into Sir Isaac Newton's notion of infinite space
being the divine sensorium, or what is said to be his ; but, indeed,
many times I lost him. The paraphrase on the Colossians you
write of, I suspect is Pierce's ; at least I was informed from Lon
don he was printing on it.
AUow me to long for your accounts of the lecture at Old Jewry,
only when you have leisure to send them, and any other ac
counts you have ; and to subscribe myself. Rev. Dear Brother,
yours most affectionately.
Jan. 25, 1725.

LETTER XCL
ENGLISH DISSENTERS. — ANTIQUITIES. — KIRKTON's MS.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — ^It's merely the occasion I have of Mr MaxweU's
coming in that brings this trouble to you, and not that I have any
thing worth while since my last. In every one of your Lordship's,
pa,rticularly the last, of the 7th, you lay me under so many new ob
ligations, that it would take too much of your valuable time, even
particularly to acknowledge them.
I stiU took Dr Calamy, whatever reasons he may give for his ab-

174 THE AVODROW correspondence.
sence at Salters' Hall, the day of the unhappy dlffeiaBnce, to be a
vigorous Non-subscriber ; and those in Ireland who stand for our'
Confession have found him so in more instances than that men
tioned, particularly in one, a threatening to get a stop put to the
King's Bounty. The place (for I have it not by me even now)
where Mr Watts, in his three Dissertations, to me seeraed to be for
communion with the Arians, is at the end of the preface. His Logic
I have not read save a very little. The passage you point is pretty
odd, and of akin to some flights he falls sometiraes to. I shall be
extreraely careful not to raention any thing your Lordship pleases
to hint to me. We are faUen to odd tiraes indeed, if a concern for
what I thought we had beeu perfectly agreed about raust be im
puted to party views. God hiraself pity our case !
By the passages you send rae, your Lordship's MS. juraps exactly
with raine ; so I have no doubt it's Mr WUUam Scot of Coupar's
Apologetical Narration, which, in my opinion, is extremely well
done. I humbly thank you for your kind offer to send it to me.
I have Mr Gordon's Proposals frora my Lord PoUock's servant. I
vrish the two first parts be weU done. The third lies a little off
ray gout. I had a letter from him, dated at Aberdeen, and made a
return to a friend of mine who sent It me six or eight weeks ago.
Mr Gordon was informed I had some Roman Scots Antiquities,
and desired me to send them in to some friend at Edinburgh, that
he might see them. It's very little I have In my small coUection
worth his AvhIle, and most of what I had I coraraunicated with Sir
Robert Sibbald, who has given thera in copperplates. Besides a
coin or two found in Graham's Dyke, a stone securis, which, whether
Roman or Scots, I know not ; a sacrificing spoon, a fragment of a
Roman urn, found at Arthur's Oven, a marriage ring, are aU I at
present mind. If Mr Gordon happen to be in this country, where
I don't know if he has observed any remains of the Roraans on the
west side of Clyde, as I iraagine there are some, he shall see any
thing I have. I am ashamed to trouble your Lordship with these
things, were it not that I fancied Mr Gordon, by coraing south,
raay have missed my return, and hath given your Lordship the

WODROAV TO JAMES FRASERv 175
trouble of sending me his Proposals. If I be mistaken, I am the
more In your Lordship's debt for sending them. He is weU paid,
and I wish he may do his work weU.
Your Lordship's care in dealing with my Lord Polton is ex
tremely kind) and you may be sure I am with some greediness
waiting for my Lord's return from the country.
From the hint I had many years ago, that the pamphlet of Mr
Welsh's Life, printed 1703, was written by Mr Kirkton, and some
passages in his MS. History, and the accounts I have had of his
searches into our Scots History, I carae to take up a fancy he had
written sorae things as to the lives of our Scots Divines ; and appUed
to his grandchUd, the Lady Monktown, in this country, to know if
there were any papers of his in her father's (his son's) hands, and
she wrote to me they were aU in Jerviswood's hands ; and many
years ago I had (through Mr Bannatyne, nainister, then at Lanark)
Mr Kirkton's original manuscript history from Jerviswood. Aud
so I am persuaded if he has left any more than his history, it's in
Jerviswood's hands ; and I presume earnestly to beg your Lordship
may use your endeavours to understand from Jerviswood what MSS.
Mr Kirkton, his uncle-in-law, has left either of his own or of others.
Forgive me aU these repeated troubles. You allow me so much to
presume on your goodness this way, that I believe nobody gives
you so much fashery as, my Lord, yours, &c.
Jan. 25, 17-25.

LETTER XCIL
wodrow's and other histories.
To James Fraser, Esq.
Dear Sir, — I had, perhaps, written sooner to you, were it not
that I know you need not be put in mind of my Uttle affair in de-

176 the AVODROAV CORRE,SPONDENCE.
pendence ; neither do I now give you the trouble of this, from the
least incUnation to think you have forgot that matter. I persuade
myself, if anything could have been done in it, you would have ac
quainted me ere this time. But I know weU great people take
much onwaiting and patience in little matters of this nature. And
though difficulties fall in, and the King's gracious orders, which,
indeed, I never looked for, should never take effect, I adore Prori-
dence, and hope I shaU be easy. This I am sure of, I shaU never
have his Majesty or you to blarae for it.
I do own I ara a little fond to know if ever the King has had so
much leisure as to look on my book. I think you Avrote to me, the
Princess had read some of the first volume, and it raay be his Royal
Highness the Prince may have glanced at it ; and I can say, be
side, the honour and pleasure I had in ray bound duty to send
them a book that concerns this part of his Majesty's dominions, it
wiU be a great satisfaction to know that they have any information
from it of the vUlanies of a persecuting. Popish spirit, that raged in
this poor country during the times I describe.
The excellent Bishop Burnet, I don't question, they have read;
and though I cannot but hope my Appendix, at least, wUl vouch
him in many things, yet it's a pleasure to me to think that his
History wUl open the eyes of England more than ever as to our
Scots affairs ; and had his book been published soon enough, he had
saved me much labour.
Pray let me know when we may expect the Bishop's second volume.
I hope he will speak with some more temper and decency of Pres
byterians in Scotland since the Revolution than he has done of us
before the]Restoration. But I can forgive several things he says with
out ground of us, through misinformation, for the sake of the many
truths he has told. The Critical History of England has done him
justice, and is a sturdy, honest Whig, and justly lashed Clarendon
and Echard, though I see he has a blunder or two In our Scots
affairs ; which is our own fault, for we have not given the world any
fuU account of them.
Mr Brace, who has printed Proposals for his Impartial History,
has not yet begun to print. I hear he has finished his papers ; but

AVODROW TO ALEXANDER HAMILTON. 177
he runs so very high, that his own people incUne to smooth and
take him down a little, before his book is published.
I am going through my original letters and other papers, the
list of which you saw, and dashing down things as to the lives of
our remarkable learned raen and ministers ; but whether ever I
shall bring anything of this nature to a bearing, I cannot say. Pray
give my humble duty to the gentleman, your friend, who sent me
the specimen of the Life of Mr Hales of Eaton ; and let me know
when we raay hope for his designed work.
I'U be fond to hear what new books and paraphlets are publish
ing with you, and aU your news from the learned world, which you
are so perfectly acquainted Arith. If you knew how much I value
your letters, you would now and then favour rae with what is going
when you have leisure, though by this time you may know what
lean and poor returns you must expect from this retired place.
I only hear yesterday that our friend, Mr Anderson, is come up
to London. Pray reraeraber me kindly to him, and teU him hoAv
much I long to hear from him.
I have no answer from the College about the copy of Spottls
wood of yours that I have. They all say they will take it, but
put me off tiU money come in. I'll soon go in, and put that mat
ter to an end, and if they embrace not the reasonable offer at L.S,
I'll take care very soon to send it to London with the first sure
hand. I ara. Dear Sir, yours, &c.
Feb. 3, 1725.

LETTER XCIIL
ON BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
To Alexander Archer Hamilton,
Dear Sir, — Your brother's letter of the 4th, and yours of the
12th, puts me on a hard task. The matter is quisquous enough,
VOL. Ill, M

178 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
and the manner of proposing it is general and unclear ; whereas,
one would need all the circumstances, before they can give their
opinion in a case of this nature. I should know the terms of Mr
Arnot's promise, if only a proposal of raarriage, which leaves room
for retracting, or an absolute promise, and if in write, which draws
deeper ; and yet, even in that case, there seems roora for retiring,
upon after discoveries — which leads rae to the other thing which
your brother leaves In the dark, and says only that he came to
know things that made him think he could not Uve comfortably
with her. It seeras plain enough, that promises, not sinful in them
selves, and gone into hastUy, and through inconslderatlon, when
they infer only hurt to us, and not sin, do bind ; and casuists ga^
ther this fi-om those two places of Scripture, Psalm xv. 4, "He
that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not;" and Pro v. ri.
1, 2, " If thou be surety, thou art snared with the words of thy
mouth." But the advice In the following verses, to use all means
to be freed by those that can free them of the promise, is certainly
the way to be taken in this case. You see, unless I had then a
fuUer vieAV of circumstances than I have, I can only talk at rovers
in it. This case, as proposed, appears to me in two shapes ; either
as to Mr Arnot's part, or as to the part of judicatories when it
coraes before them in this affair. As to Mr Arnot's part, I sup
pose he is at an issue, and determined not to marry, from the dis
coveries he has had since his proraise ; and if he has found his
proraise not only hurtful, but sinful, in the matter of it, I think
he needs be In no strait. The case is plain, an unlawful promise
does not bind. If it be only views of inconveniences that foUow,
I own it's harder to me to determine what in conscience he ought
to do ; but I suppose this is not what your brother wants my opi
nion in. As to the part of judicatories, I think the Presbytery are
in the right road, at least as a judicatory ; but they wiU consider
whether any thing might be proper to be done in a private way,
for putting a stop to this vexatious process, by dealing with the
woman and her brother, who, it seems, is a minister, to let this
business faU ; and certainly aU methods ought to be taken this way

WODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 179
that are possible, and the inconveniences of marriages with reluc-
tancy, and especiaUy in Mr Arnot's circumstances, should be in
sisted on. If no private dealing AriU do, then the woman cannot
be hindered to give in her complaint ; and in that case she must
prove his promise, and the Presbytery must judge of the relevancy
of his after discoveries, which have made him alter his resolution.
If they find the proraise given absolutely, he should, in my opinion,
be rebuked for his rashness in giving it, and his rebuke recorded, if
it wiU please the woman. And, if he insists that he reckons it was
sinfiil, and the going on a plain inlet to sin, which I believe he wiU
do, after his rebuke, the Presbytery may give their judgment in
this complex case, that the woman ought not to Insist. And the
opinion of superior judicatories, the Synod or the Committee of
Overtures at the Assembly, or the Comraission, raay be taken
where there are lawyers and coramissars, who understand thir
matrimonial cases better. But, considering Mr Arnot's former Ul
ness, this raatter would [should] be softly handled ; and the woraan
and her brother look like cruel and inhuraan, as well as foolish
people, in violenting the good man in this matter, if there be no
more than I know of. I ara yours.
Feb. 15, 1725.

LETTER XCIV.
PROPOSED ELECTION OF COLMAN AS PRESIDENT.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman, President of Harvard College,
Cambridge, New England.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — When I was writing to you on Satur
day by Mr Coulter, yours of the 7th of December came In to me,
which made me delay tUl this day, that I raight have your reve
rend Professor's letter, which would have been highly welcorae ;

180 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
but as yet it's not come to ray hand, though I am told it's come to
Glasgow. But the person that has brought It by sea from London
Is out of the way, and Mr Coulter's goes off early to-morrow, so
that I must want the pleasure of writing to Professor Wiggles
worth till another occasion offers. MeanwhUe, you'U make my ex
cuse to him, and thank him for the valuable favour he has done
me, in beginning a correspondence vrith one who can make him
poor returns, of which you have now several years' experience.
I was agreeably surprised in January, by finding mention made
of you In our London prints, as chosen President in your CoUege,
in roora of Mr Leverett. And now, when you give me the state
of this matter, I partake with you in your sorrows and difficulties
that throw up in this remarkable turn of your Ufe.' I know some
what of the heart of a stranger in thir cases, having been under
two processes of transportation, one to the toAvn of Glasgow, and
next to the town of Stirling. In both, the affections of my people,
and my own unfitness for and aversion to pubUc posts, made rae do
my utmost to continue where I ara ; and our judicatory refused
the desired transportation. I heartUy syrapathise with you under
the stretch and rack you have been under in this competition of
rights, and hope and pray that the Lord may send forth his light
and his truth to lead and guide you.
In ray opinion, the prophets ought to be subject to the spirit of
the prophets ; and I cannot but regret the narroAvness of the con
stitution among you, that churches should pretend a dominion over
those that ought, by our Lord's rule, to be their guides and gover
nors; and In the nature of things, as weU as by our Lord's institution,
ought to judge of what Is for the public interest. By no rule that
' " Shall I let you know that the corporation of the College have chosen me into
the place of the worthy head, [President Leverett,] lately taken from us. Mr Pro
fessor [Wigglesworth] has, it may be, had too much a hand herein. You well said
in yours to me, that those who least thought of being chosen might be. It has so
happened, and I am under very great clouds. My dear people now let me see that
they love me. Yet they speak calmly and resigningly." — {Colman to Wodrow.)
Colman declined to accept of this situation in consequence of the weak state of his
health.

AVODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 181
I can think of, parties can be good judges in their own cause ; and
I see not how competing claims among you can be brought to an
issue, save by the interposition of the magistrate, which I take to
be against the Congregational principles.
By this time, I hope your settlement in the college is perfected,
and I earnestly pray that you raay be a long and great blessing
there. My friend, Dr Mather, it seems, is disappointed In his ex
pectations, and you know his way better than I. He is a good and
useful person ; but you'U bear AvIth his peculiarity and freedoms
that he uses when in a pet. The electors and you differ in your
thoughts, and I Incline, as we Presbyterians are accustomed, to go
in with the majority of votes, and believe they have been well
guided in their choice of you ; and I hope you shaU find that the
Lord has chosen out for you this part of your Ufe.
I remember Mr Monis most affectionately, and rejoice in his settle
ment In a raarried state, and the door opened to him to live com
fortably, in case he continue not in the college, where, I think, If pos
sible, he should be kept, I'd be fond of sorae of his essays on some
ofthe subjects you once wrote to me of; and if he publish any
thing, I know you'U send It me.
The Bishop of London's letter is just and kind, and I hope will
have good effects. I ara troubled to think on the hardship of any
brethren with you, by the growing fall of money ; and bless the
Lord for the success of your army against the Indians,
When I ara got this length, your worthy Professor's packet
coraes out to rae frora Glasgow by an express, which obliges me
to break off, that I raay acknowledge tbe benefit of it ; for which I
have but little time, the ship being to sail to-morrow.
Indeed, there is nothing remarkable with us since my last, that
I can think of, though I had more tirae. My answerer, Mr Brace,
has not begun to print his large work ; but they say it's ready for
the press. Kothing is published this winter araong us. Pray con
tinue your accounts with all the opportunities that offer to Scot
land. You'll be persuaded, TU be a little Impatient till I hear what
the Upper-House does in your affair, and the Issue of your Gover-

182 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
nor's coraplaint. I fancy your occasions are frequent to your great
benefactor, Mr Thoraas Hollis, that worthy and excellent person,
from whom it seems this packet comes. And, when opportunities
to Scotland don't offer, he may send your letters to me by post.
Assure yourself I'll not grudge the postage. And if you send
packets with them, I shall cause some of our merchants, who go up
frequently to London, once in the two months, caU at his lodgings
for them, when you acquaint me how to find thera. Great grace
be Arith you and yours ! I am. Rev. and Dear Sir, your affection
ate, obliged, brother and servant.
March 29, 1725.

LETTER XCV.
EPISCOPACY IN AMERICA.  THEOLOGY IN SCOTLAND.
To the Rev. Mr Edward Wigglesworth, Hollis Professor of Divinity
at Harvard College, New England.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — Yours, with your valuable present of the
Sober Remarks, the Modest Proof, and Mr Dickinson's Defence,
come to rae just when I ara writing to your worthy friend, the Rev.
Mr Colman, and when my tirae is limited by the saUing of the ship
for Boston to-morrow ; so that you must accept of my general ac
knowledgments for so great and undeserved a favour ; but you raay
be assured they are both sincere and hearty.
It's a singular pleasure to me to begin a correspondence with
one who deserves so well at the hands of aU lovers of the truth as
it is in Jesus, as you do ; but it grieves me that I shall not be able
to make the returns I would wish. By this time, Mr Colman might
have known me better, than to have made you expect any thino-
alraost worth while from such a hand as mine ; though I shall ever
own his goodness, in being the occasion ofthe advantage I justly
promise myself frora your obliging letters. But, above aU, I humbly

WODROW TO EDWARD AVIGGLESWORTH. 183
reverence the kind Providence of our common Lord and Master.
May he make us useful for his glory, the interests of truth, and one
another !
I must now, for want of time, waive any thing on the controA'crsy
you send me.' The former edition of your book did appear to me,
at first riew, a Uttle unequal in the style, though the matter was
exceUent, and made me quite overlook it, thinking with myself that
the same pen is not alike at all times ; if I might presume to judge
of others by myself. But now you let me in to a better reason for
this. When I have again looked it over, after reading the Modest
Proof, you shall have my thoughts most frankly on all, Mean
whUe, I'U humbly expect what comes abroad In the progress of this
controversy, Mr P. Barclay's Persuasive, as far as I know, was
not pubUshed in Scotland. We have many of those people that
pubUsh their virulent pamphlets In England and Ireland. Had it
been going in Scotland these twenty-five years, I imagine it would
not altogether have escaped rae.
I would Arilllngly gratify you with a larger account of the stated
business of our Dirinity Professors among us in Scotland, had I
time for it by this ship, as I have not. My worthy father was Di
rinity Professor at Glasgow, till he got to heaven, 1707 ; and his
method I could give you at sorae length. But I choose rather to
give you a hint at present of our Professors since ; though there is
no great difference, save in the systeras on which they prelect. Mr
Simson reads Markius' Little Compend, so does Professor Hamil
ton at Edinburgh, and explains it In Latin once a week, so as to
throw it in a Session of the CoUege. The rest ofthe days are taken
up in the various discourses of the students' exegeses In Latin ; after
which there are public disputes, where the Professor presides ; ho-
mUIes, lectures, Presbyterial exercises, and catechetical discourses.
' " I perceive by your letter to Mr Colman, which he was pleased to oblige me
with a sight of, that he hath (without my knowledge) sent you some remarks of mine,
upon an Episcopal pamphlet, published and spread last year in this country. I per
ceive, also, that you are desii ous to see the pamphlet I made my remarks upon I
have, therefore, sent you the whole of that controversy, so far as it hath proceided
yet amongst us." — {Wigglesworth to Wodrow.)

184 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
This is the general business In our divinity halls here. If you want
any more particular account, I shall labour to satisfy you upon any
thing I know of the methods in the Protestant universities abroad.
But it Is probable you'll have accounts frora these better than I
can pretend to.
We have nothing in print as to our forras in Universities. As
to our Church forms, I know nothing gives so fidl an account of
our practice as the coUections I sent over to Mr Colman some years
since. That book is turning a Uttle scarce ; but, if you want one
of them, I'U endeavour to procure it. We have our old Books of
Discipline, of which no doubt you'll have copies, and our Acts of
Assembly, AvhIch corae out every year, and are now turning bulky.
There Is a little thing written by our great Henderson, 1640, under
the title of the Order, Discipline, and Government of the Church
of Scotland, reprinted at the Revolution, which, if I can faU on a
copy of it, I shall send, since it gives a short riew of our constitu
tion pretty distinctly. But It's like you may have it in your
library. I ara humbly of opinion that you wUl find it necessary to come
in to raeasures for widening your raethods in New England, that
In some things appear to need this, and If I can in any raeasure
be helpful to you in coraraunicating any thing in ray power, you'U
find me most willing ; though, indeed, I ara much a stranger to
your way, except In so far as I have glanced many years ago some
of your Congregational writers, after the first settlement In New
England. You'U oblige me the raore the oftener and raore fuUy you write
to rae; and when occasions do not offer directly to us, ahy of your
friends at London will easily give in yours to the post-office, which
wUl come safe to rae, by the direction you use on the back in your
first, and you raay persuade yourself I'U not grudge the postage.
I earnestly wish you much of the Divine presence in your im
portant station, and that the Lord may long eraploy you Arith
much success to poUsh many shafts for his use. I beg your pray
ers for this Church and my flock and family ; and am, with my

AA'ODROAV TO JOHN CUMMING. 185
most unfeigned thanks, for your undeserved favour of yours. Rev.
and Dear Sir, yours most sincerely and affectionately.
March 29, 1725.

LETTER XCVL
cumming's AVRITINGS. — ENGLISH AND IRISH ARIANISM.
To the Rev. Mr John Cumming, Minister of the Scots Congregation
in Founders' Hall, at his Lodgings, Hanover Court, Grub Street,
London.^ Rev. and Dear Sir, — I have been for a considerable time pas
sionately anxious of the benefit of a stated correspondence Avith
London ; a favour one In ray retired circumstances can scarce ex
pect, unless it be from a person of your generous temper, niio wUl
deal purely In charity, and without any expectation of returns
worth your while. There Is none I would have so soon pitched
upon for a favour of this kind as yourself, had I been master of so
much assurance. How my dear friend Mr Gray came to presume
on your goodness this way, without the least motion from me, he
is best able to tell. I can guess at nothing but his knowledge of
my Athenian temper, and your comraunlcatlve teraper. If he has
made you to hope for any thing In return from a barren place, save
the utraost gratitude and good wishes, and our Inconsiderable
transactions here, I fear you'U be much disappointed.
You haA'e, Sir, laid me under obligations I shall never forget by
your frank offer, by my friends to maintain intercourse with rae by
' Mr Ciunming received the degree of D.D. from the University of Edinburgh
in Noveraber 1 728. He died the following year, as appears from a notice of that
event by Dr Calamy : " There died this year, (1729,) September 7, Dr John Cum
ming, minister of the Scots Church at Founders' Hall, Lothburgh. He left a wife
and several children in very destitute circumstances, but God raised them up many
friends. His funeral serraon was preached by Jabez Earle, D.D." — {Calamy's Life,
vol. ii. p. 524.) His writings are mentioned in the following Letter.

186 the wodrow correspondence.
letters, and send rae frora time to time what passes at London.
This, I assure you, was a very agreeable surprise to me by the last
post ; and what I humbly and greedily embrace. Though I want
the benefit of your acquaintance, yet, I dare not say I am alto
gether a stranger to Mr Cumming. It's eight or nine years ago
since I was agreeably entertained with your remarks on Dr Bent-
ley's Sermon, Nov. 5, where you have attacked the Doctor in his
own castle, to say so. In our proverb, and defeat him with his oavu
weapons, criticism, and in the Greek too, wherein he vaunts most ;
witness his project to give us another New Testament, ofwhich I
hear nothing these two years or raore. A Uttle after I had a Ser
mon of yours on the 5th of November, where I found more scrip
ture and just reasoning from it to please a Scots, I hope a Christ
ian taste, than in the Doctor's florid sermon. But, above aU, you
endear yourself to me and many others here by your exceUent share
in the unhappy debate after the Salters' HaU affair. I thank you
for your Sermon on Jude, 3d verse, and yet more for your Scrip
ture Consequences, against the material arguments in which Mr
Evans' has said so little in his second letter, and the debate was
turning so much personal, that, in ray poor opinion, you were in
the right to drop the controversy ; at least for any thing I have
since seen. I hope you are rauch better eraployed since than In
replying to any thing I could perceive in that second letter.
Somebody since either told me or wrote to me, that you had
some design to have defended Mr Dunlop's Preface to our Confes
sion, in Answer to the author of the Occasional Paper,^ but was hin
dered by the expectation of an Answer to that pamphlet from Scot
land. I wish you had not quit that good design ; for, though I can
see no difficulty we need to have from any arguments used by that
1 Dr Evans, the author of the well-known " Discourses on the Christian Temper."
A short Life of him is prefixed to an edition of this work by Dr Erskine.
* " The Occasional Papers were written by a Club composed of Mr Lowman,
or Lawment, Mr Grosvener, whom some suspect of Arianism, and Mr Evans. Mr
Lowman, a minister a few miles from London, is the author of the answer to Mr
Dunlop's Preface." — {Wodrow's Analecia, vol. iv. p. 128.) A coUection was made
ofthe " Occasional Papers," which commenced in 1716.

AVODROW TO JOHN CUMMING. 187
fuse and ill- natured writer, yet several things have fallen in amongst
us, which probably you'U know from better hands than mine, that
have hitherto stopped any thing of that nature ; and it seeras to
me no nearer, if not further off, than it was sorae years ago. How
far It were proper now to resume your thoughts on that subject,
when there seems to be some sopiting of the debates among you at
London, I ara at too great distance to give ray opinion. For ray
share, I would be glad to see any thing Mr Cumming would write
on the side of subscription.
Sure our brethren in Ireland need somcAvhat at present in de
fence of subscription. I take it for granted you have a full account
of the odd conduct of the Non-subscribers at the Sub-Synod In
January last, and the state of anarchy in which that raeeting dis
solved, otherwise you should have ray accounts frora Ireland. But
now they wUl be stale.
I hurably pray the Lord raay preserve us in this Church from
these unhappy flames, the warm opposers of Confessions have raised
to the wounding of the reputation of the English Dissenters, and
the breeding terrible confusion araong our brethren in Ireland. I
hear the opposers of Confessions allege they have friends in the
Church of Scotland. I hope it's otherwise araong the rainistry,
though I cannot proraise for aU. But this I cannot help thinking,
that such aniong us who have subscribed should, in the first room,
profess their conviction of their sin in subscribing, and acquaint us
with the grounds of their change, before they go over to the other
side. You see what a rambling letter you are troubled with. Pray
favour me AvIth the state of things with you at London, as to the
Deists, the Arians, the foUowers of Dr Clarke and Mr Whiston,
and your own debates among the Dissenters. You cannot want
matter enough to gratify one of the most unworthy of your friends,
— the state of real religion amidst aU your wranglings, and the un
happy errors that are breaking out, — the state of your Universi
ties, and all your accounts of new books, and the state of learning,
— the accounts you have from the Protestant Churches abroad, —

188 the wodrow CORRESPONDENCE,
the ItaUan CouncU, — the Jansenlsts In France, — In a word, what
ever you would wish to know were you here and I at London.
There Is nothing at present araongst us that I can think of worth
your notice ; but If you'U lay your coramands upon me, I'U essay
to answer them as I can. I heartUy Avish you much of the Divine
presence in your ministerial work among our countrymen, and
rauch usefulness for the interests of religion, pure and undefiled.
When you favour me with yours, direct for me, minister at East
wood, to the care of the postmaster at Glasgow. Allow me, my
famUy, and flock, a room in your prayers ; and believe me to be.
Rev. and Dear Brother, your very much obliged and raost affec
tionate
R.W.
March 29, 1725.

LETTER XCVn.
rymer's representation. — ARIAN CLUB.
To Mr Andrew Gray, at London.
Dear Sir, — I ara now in your debt for two letters. The two
books are acceptable. Mr Ryraer is far frora answering his pro
fessed design,' to reraove prejudices against religion, neither do I
think it possible to do it upon his principles. The Pelagian scheme,
Avhich he and all our modish writers give into, cramps them in deal
ing with adA'ersarles ; and to rae it appears unreasonable to expect
that Revelation can stand but upon its oavu bottora, and Scriptural
' He alludes here to Rymer's Representation of the Prejudices against the Chris
tian Religion. " He seems to remove those prejudices,'' says Mr Gray, " very in
differently, and I think the book tends rather to beget prejudices iu people's minds
than to remove them.''

AVODROW TO ANDREW GRAY. 189
principles must be defended in a Scriptural way, which is vastly
different from that of the Arralnlans. Mr ColUns handles his
point in a raore raasterly way, and though he has many innuendos
against articles and creeds, it's but Avhat we are to look for from
him. Let me know his profession and business. He raust be old.
If the sarae that corresponded with Mr Locke.
I can only make ray general acknowledgments for the instructive
particulars in both your letters, and in a particular manner for the
conversation at the Arian Club.' You surprise me with the ac
counts of Mr Ridpath. I took him to be another man than it
seems he proves in his old age. The King's bounty of L.1200 a-
year to the Highlands for schools, as I take it, is worthy of him
self, and wUl be for the interest of the Governraent. You have
added [to] your favours the opening a door for ray writing to Mr
Cumming, which I heartUy embrace, though I shall be able to
give hira poor returns from this country. Pray give him my kind
est respects and thanks. It's only his diffusive goodness and com-
' Arian Club — " I had an opportuuity last week to be introduced into a Society,
which meets usually once a week, and they go commonly under the name of the
Arian Club. Mr Whiston and Mr Emeleyn are constant members of it. They
meet every Tuesday evening at one Wright's Coffeehouse in Aldersgate Street ;
they meet by themselves in a private room in that house, and I got admittance to
the company by means of one Dr Scot, who is a clergyman of the Church of England,
aud a countryman of ours. He constantly attends this meeting, and is much upon
the Arian scheme. It was a very mixed company, consisting of people of different
employments, denominations, and opinions. There was present a son-in-law of Mr
Whiston's, Mr Emeleyn's son, who is a chancellor of law, a young man who preaches
to a dissenting congregation in the country, and several others, of whose particular
characters I could learn but very little. The conversation did not run much upon
the Arian controversy, but there were some there who were inclined to Deism, others
who owned themselves Socinians, and they started several objections against some
places of Scripture, in talking upon which, most of the time was spent that evening.
Both Emeleyn and Whiston did very strenuously defend the Scripture account of
things against the objections of the Deists and Socinians ; and Whiston particularly
spoke with abundance of warmth, and some seeming seriousness, about men's arro-
gancy in refusing to submit to Divine revelation, unless they were able to assign
reasons for it, and he said that he was against disputing with such people as were
always calling in question God's commands, and seeking a reason for them." — {Gray
to Wodrow.)

190 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
municative temper can engage him in a correspondence with so bar
ren a soil as this is.
The sacrament Is next Sabbath at Glasgow, where I wish there
be no feasting for strife. Mr Wallace of Moffat, Mr Talfalr of
Hawick, Mr A. Anderson, Mr Taylor of TiUicoultry, they say, are
to be helpers in the Laigh Church. Three of them are spoken of
as members of a club at Edinburgh, where creeds, &c., were not
much defended. Whether they come or not, I know not. Hmc
inter nos. The oftener you Avrite you'U find the more matter, and
the more you'll oblige yours.
March 30.

LETTER XCVIIL
various publications.
To Professor Hamilton.
Rev. Dear Brother, — You may be sure I ara longing to hear
frora you, though I have very little worth your whUe. Had I any
thing, you have a right to it. My last from Ireland you had, and
I have nothing since, save Mr HalUday's Answer to Mr Gilbert
Kennedy's Preface, where he seems to promise a large defence of
his Reasons of Non-subscription. We have the substance of what
can be said on that matter in the Protesters' Reasons you read In
Mr Nevin's case. I expect little raore till the General Synod In
June, (frora New England, see letters.) Our Synod had little
thing of importance before us last week. Mr Smith, a probationer,
presented to Cardross, is in a fair Avay, I hope, of settiement there.
We have in our Presbytery taken Mr Black on trials.
I had a letter from London lately, with some accounts of Whis
ton, which, perhaps, raay be a small entertainment to you.
I have lately got Rymer's Representation, &c., which it's likely
you have seen, and it's one of the oddest medleys of good and ill
things that I have seen. I have read Collins' Essay on the TAventieth

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 1^1
Article, which, bating his flings against the Confessions and Creeds,
seems to exhaust the subject, and exposes the Highflyers extreraely
weU, and seeras fuUy to prove that the Dissenters are not obliged
in law to sign the articles about governraent and Avorship. The
Religion of Nature, no doubt, you have seen, and I need not say any
thing about it. Indeed, were it not to draw better accounts from
you, I ought not to say anything ofthe books that come to my
hand, Avhich you have much sooner than I can pretend to. Pray
let me have what's remarkable in your letters since your last, and
a hint of what is to be before the Assembly. We knoAv not yet
who is to be Commissioner. I would gladly know the truth of
what Ave hear of the King's additional bounty to the Church and
the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. I hope, if the
Lord wIU, to have the pleasure of waiting on you at the Assembly,
but I'U be fond to have a hint at all your remarkables 'twixt and
then, which wiU add to the many ties I am already under. BeUeve
me to be, Rev. Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
April 13, 1725.

LETTER XCIX.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1725.'
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 1.
My Dear, — ^When I corae to the post-office to write to you, I
find a letter this post frora Mr Fraser, with an order for L.lOO from
the Treasury, which Is a surprise, and what I oavu the hand of Pro
vidence in, and hope he wiU help us to improve a Providence we
did not look for.^ It's well It came when I was here, otherwise I
had been obUged to come in.
I have no more time but to teU you that Mr Alstoun is chosen
Moderator. The King's Letter is extremely kind, and refers to the
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xvi. Nos. 231-237.
' The original order on the Treasury for this sum has been preserved, and may
be inserted in the Appendix as a curiosity.

192 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
Commissioner's instructions.' He, in his speech, signified the King's
having ordered L.IOOO a-year to the Church, (besides the L.500
a-year we had before,) for catechlsts and helpers in the North and
Islands. Mr WIshart's sermon was on 2 Kings U. 12, " The cha-
r ot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof," a very good sermon. I
am, with my respects to my Lord [PoUock,J and all the famUy,
your own.
Edinburgh, May 6, 1725.

LETTER C.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No, 2.
Edinburgh, May 7, 1725.
My Dearest, — I wrote to you yesternight In sorae haste, being
surprised with the King's warrant I wrote to you of. I shall now
give you a larger hint. Yesterday the Assembly was opened with
Mr WIshart's sermon on 2 Kings ii. 12. He took notice of some
general doctrines frora the words, and insisted a little on the vene
ration elder ministers ought to have frora younger, and raade some
pretty affecting reraarks on the advantages this Church at the Re
volution had frora the old rainisters then living, and then insisted on
the doctrinehehandled,thatduly qualified rainisters were the safety
and strength of a church and nation. He insisted upon the due
qualifications of rainisters from the case of Elijah, and named know
ledge, holiness, faithfulness, zeal, public spirit, erainency in prayer,
and some other things very sweetly ; and he proved the doctrine
from the interest such ministers had with God, for preventing, mo
derating, and removing strokes, and continuing mercies. I wish
he had taken in religious people, on which his Scriptures generally
' The Commissioner was Hugh, Earl of Loudoun.

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 1 93
ran, and his assertion would have stood In a fuller light, that the
safety and strength of a church and nation depended raore on thera
than on armies, navies, and councUs. In the improvement, we had a
hint at the King's good design of doing much for this Church,
pointing to his Royal Bounty, and a warm call to take heed whom
we admitted to the ministry.
The Assembly Is very full ; and after the choice of the Moderator,
Mr Jaraes Alstoun, raore harmoniously than I have seen for some
years, (Mr David Anderson of Aberdeen had about fourteen votes ;
Mr NeU Campbell two votes ; and the Moderator about 146,) the
Commissioner presented his Commission in common form, and then
the King's Letter, full of kindness. There is little singular but
comraendations for former unanimity, and a declaration of his de
sign to give a new proof of his kindness, in Avhich he had instructed
his Commissioner ; and In the close, he guards against some among
us who would divide and rent us. The Commissioner had a long
and handsorae speech, which, besides what is coraraon, bore that his
Majesty havinghad representations from former Assemblies and their
Commissions, of the ignorance and the hazard of perverting many
to Popery in the North and Highlands, was to give L.IOOO a-year,
to be made use of for settUng of helpers to ministers and catechlsts
in the large and Highland parishes, to be disposed of by this and
succeeding General Assemblies for these ends alone, and to be con
tinued during pleasure ; the accounts of which are yearly to be laid
before the Treasury of Great Britain, that his Majesty may see how
it's applied for the purposes designed. The Moderator made a very
handsome return, well worded. He took notice, in a particular raan
ner, of the Royal Bounty, and hoped that the good effects of so
charitable and Christian a grant would be one of the glories of his
Majesty's reign, and would be returned sevenfold on his head and
that of his progeny. The Coraraittees for answering the King's
Letter, for Overtures, BUls, and Comraisslons, were appointed.
The Assembly looks as if it would be harmonious, and things go
on comfortably.
This day the Assembly met at ten for prayer. The Moderator,
vol. III. N

194 the wodroay correspondence.
Mr WUUara MiUar, Mr Matthew Wallace, Mr John Muirhead, Mr
BlackweU, Mr David Anderson, prayed. Mr Chambers, Mr James
Dick of Carluke, preached before the Coraraissioner. Mr M'Laren
and Mr David Anderson preach before him Sabbath come eight
days. In the aftemoon, the Answer to the King's Letter came In,
and was approven without any alterations. Mr Matthew Craw
ford is Moderator of the Bills.
Mr M'Ewen comes home this week, and some say Mr Ridpath
Avith him. The warrant is come down this post for the Church's
L.IOOO.

LETTER CL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodroio, No. 3. May 10, 1725.
My Dearest, — I had not time to write to you any thing of
Saturday's procedure ; and truly there Avas so little remarkable,
that I Avas not In the house, but dispatching other business, which,
as far as I see, wiU keep rae till Wednesday come eight days at
soonest. The Answer to the King's Letter was approven unani
raously ; only one person, Mr H. Davidson, said his approbation
Avas StiU in a consistency vrith the pressing for a remedy to the
Church's grievances. Many of the grievances of the North are in
a fair way to be removed by the King's Bounty. The act for ap
pointing the Confession to be signed by all intrants, ministers,
elders, and deacons. Is like to carry in the Assembly. * *
This day the Committee of Instructions met, and did little, but
remitted several things. The Overtures had an overture approv
ing the Commissions. One from the Synod of Merse, where two
of the twelve Subscribers, or Marrow people, as called, Mr G. Wil
son and Mr H. Davidson, had a singular Commission, with a de
claration that they signed the Confession of Faith as agreeable to

A\'0DR0AV to MRS AVODROAV. 195
our old Standards, by which they meant the article of the National
Covenant that relates to their notion, as they think, about Assur
ance, and as explained in the Act of Assembly, 1647. It was
thought the design of this was to make a noise, and to be taken
notice of as to their adhering to their former doctrines, after the
Assembly's determination about them ; aud so it was thought
best to overlook it for this time, with a disapprobation of the form
of several Comraisslons, and to appoint a new forra of Corarals-
sions to be draAvn up ; to which, if Presbyteries and other Corarais
sioners do not conform, their Commission Is declared void In time
to come. There were overtures about the poor, about school
masters, and calls jure devoluto, read and remitted. In the after
noon, the affair of Morebattle was delayed, and another; and the
Assembly entered upon an appeal in a transportation frora Dun-
keld to KinclaA'^en, where the Presbytery Avere sustained in acting
according to the act, 1694, and refusing to concur with a caU, be
cause both parishes were In their bounds, and the disproportion
very plain. This Is a direct approbation of one great step com
plained of in the case of Mr Anderson's transportation to Glasgow.

LETTER CIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4. May 12, 1725.
My Dear, — After I had writ to you yesterday, the Committee
of Instructions met, and the matter of the Assembly's appointing
of a fast upon the affair of Thom Avas considered, and about four
hours were spent upon it. The reasonings upon it Avere long, and
at length it was agreed that the Comraission should appoint a fast
as soon as might be. It seeraed agreed on all hands that there
was ground for fasting ; that the Assembly had power, but the
difficulties cast up against it were, that in the North the fast could

196 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
not be kept without the civil sanction, to get which there was not
place ; that to appoint it in time of session, which, de die in diem,
raust sit by law, was IncouA'cnient ; that It was the sarae whether
the Asserably appointed it, or required the Coraraission to appoint
it ; that there was no need, neither was it proper to do It for pre
serving and asserting the Church's rights ; that when the transac
tions abroad opened up against the Coramission in August, mat
ters would appear plainer.
This day the Asserably raet at ten, and sat till after three, on a
settleraent of one Mr Strachan, in the Presbytery of Garioch, in
opposition to one Lisk, who was deposed sorae years since for
drunkenness, and reponed. The President and his friends Avere
thought to favour Mr LIsk, to be a precedent for "the Moorcock,"
Mr A. Mulr, his settleraent. But they were rauch balked, and had
but fifteen votes against near 150. At five the Assembly met
again, and the papers about Aberdeen were read, where the flame
is very great ; and they say the design of Mr OgUvIe's being
brought in Is to get out Provost Stewart, Gordon, and Fordyce,
the three that maintained the Revolution interest In that town.
The reasoning Is referred till to-morrow. This is all I mind. May 13.
This day the Assembly raet at nine of the clock, and sat tiU
about half seven at night. After such an unmerciful sedemnt, I
believe you do not expect I should write a detail, since I behoved
to take dinner, and at eight the post-office closes, and so I shall
only tell you that the Asserably, by a vote, carried by a consider
able plurality, that a new call be raoderate at Aberdeen, where the
magistrates and councU are to vote with the elders ; and the in
clinations of the people are to be tried, and aU laid before the
Presbytery, who are to act according to the rules of this Church.
I am yours.

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROAV, 197

LETTER CIIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 14, 1725.
My Dearest, — I wrote yesternight the issue the Asserably carae
to, after sitting about nine hours and raore. I shall now resurae, as
far as my memory serves me, though it's but very little I can mind,
after nine hours' debates. The Advocates, Mr Stewart and Mr Mur
ray, [spoke] on the side of Mr Chalraers, who had a call to Aberdeen,
by the raaglstrates and nine elders, and Mr H. Dalrymple, junior,
who appeared with B. Forbes for Mr OgUvIe, who had not a call ;
but eleven elders, Avhereof three are controverted, one for deserting
the Session twenty years ; another for being absent twelve years,
and concerned in a ship that carried over Popish boys to be edu
cated ; and a third for being at Carapbeltoun residing there. The
different sides frora the bar, both lawyers and rainisters, contra
dicted other in facts, the raost flatly I ever saw ; so that I pitied
those who were to vote in that matter. Mr Carapbell, rainister
at Aberdeen, had a raoving speech as to the inclinations of the
people for Mr Ogilvie, and was answered by Mr BlackweU, not Avith
out a decent denial of sorae of his facts. I fear such debates, in so
public a place as the Asserably, do our common concerns no advan
tage. About one of the clock, the parties were removed, atid the
merabers spoke. The generality of the rainisters seeraed to spealc
upon Mr Chalmers' side ; and against the Synod, who laid aside
Mr Chalmers' caU, so as to exclude the raaglstrates and council
from voting ; and that, as was said by virtue ofthe act of Assembly,
1649, lodging the call in the Session, exclusive of magistrates and
councU, and sustaining the three controverted elders. We had
three observable speeches from my Lord Grange, the Advocate,
and Grant of Easter Elchies. The two first were near an hour the

198 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
piece, and yet I did not weary. Mr M. CraAvford, a Uttle before,
had a speech agreeable enough to his office of History, wherein he
observed, the act 1649 was the only act in that time protested
against, by Mr Rutherford and Gillespie, on the foot that they would
have the power of caUing lodged In the body of the people ; and by
Mr Calderwood and Mr BalUle, who would have the power of call
ing lodged In the Presbytery ; and that act was never put In prac
tice; and the act of Parliament, 1690, abolishing patronages, was
not precisely a civil act, but an act of the Church with a civil
sanction ; for the Parhament framed that act by advice of the ge
neral meeting of rainisters ; and, indeed, It was their opinion.
To return to ray Lord Grange. He reasoned at great length
against the settleraent, by the calls of heritors and elders, and that
of raaglstrates in burghs. He said it Avas not our ecclesiastical law,
but the act 1649, which was directly founded upon the Book of Dis
cipline, B. 11., ch. 3d and 12th, which Avas signed and sworn to ; and
he declared himself absolutely against magistrates, as representing
the town, or heritors, except as heads of faraiUes. He said the act
1690 was repealed by that of the restoring of Patronages, and con
cluded In favour of the Synod of Aberdeen. The Advocate
answered In a clear, neat discourse, near an hour. Both must lose
extremely, by any hints I can give of thera. The Advocate said
many things against the act 1649, as what had no warrant, and
was rescinded. As to the act 1690, he urged it Avas what was the
use and practice of the Church, and had the force of a law by cus
tom ; that though i,-esclnded by the Queen, yet it's ratified by the
Union, with our other customs ; and this he reckoned the foot we
were to set this matter on ; and a foot that a posterior act of Par
liament could not easUy affect, if contrary to so solemn a treaty,
and raany other things ; and so that the magistrates and elders had
a good right to vote.
My Lord CuUen Avas of opinion, that the Act of Parhament,
1690, as to calling, was not rescinded ; that the directions In It to
heritors, magistrates, and eldcr!^, stood firm, though the legal right
continued uoav in the patrons to give the stipend. » * * * In

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 199
short, a previous question was put on the state of the question,
whether it should be Affirm or Not ? or Moderate or Approve ?
The last carried, and the moderating a new call was carried, as you
have heard in my last. In short, the matter to me seems to stand
yet in the magistrates and elders in Aberdeen ; and if they have
the plurality of the people for Mr Chalmers, as they say they have,
he may yet be settled there. Both sides spoke strongly for the
people's power of choosing their ministers ; only the debate was
whether per capita, every one by his vote, or by the eldership ? So
much for yesterday's Avork.

LETTER CIV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 6. May 17, 1725.
My Dear, — After I sent off mine on Saturday, the Coraraittee
of Instructions raet, and what was agreed to on Thursday, as to the
Assembly's appointing a Comraission to indite a fast, was altered.
The Coraraissioner signified he was straitened in his Instructions
about appointing a fast by the Assembly ; and that, as I ara told, he
had talked about it, and the King desired time to consider it, and
promised to satisfy at the next Assembly, when he had thought on
it. They say that last Assembly the Commissioner had instruc
tions for a fast, audit was waived, and that he was so open-minded
as to signify so much to sorae ininisters. What truth there is in
these stories, I know not; but some pains were taken with Mr Al
lan Logan, my Lord Grange, Colonel Erskine, and some others
that had been, at ray Lord Grange's motion, for the Assembly's ap
pointing the Commission's inditing a fast, as equivalent to their
doing it theraselves, to faU from this. And in the forenoon, the
Comraission being Instructed to Indite fasts as they saw convenient,
(though, indeed, I see little difference,) they agreed that the former

200 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
motion should be dropt, and the thing run In its ordinaiy channel.
Mr Wilson, Mr Davidson, and Mr Noble, did not yield ; but want
ing the rest to support them, they were not much regarded. I must
add, that all present declared, that in the Commission they would
be for appointing a fast in the beginning of August.
When this was over, another instruction carae in, which made
a very warm debate. There A\'ere instructions from two Synods
of Fife and Stirling, that, unless the Act of Assembly, 1647, and
the Covenant, were put in the editions of the Confession of Faith,
the Assembly should declare them the deed of private persons, and
that the Church had no concern In them. To this it was objected,
that this was a censure on that edition, and that without a ground,
for it was not much spoken out about the Covenant and act 1647 ;
and next, that the friends of non-subscription would take this a
receding frora subscription, and a conderaning of the Preface. My
Lord Grange proposed to the first, that, in the Assembly's Decla
ration, a clause shoidd be added approving subscription, and de
claring it our aUowable practice ; and after that, declaring the edi
tion the work of private persons. To this a clause was added, sig
nifying the powers of the Committee were only as to correcting
this edition. My Lord Grange, Mr Logan, and that side, opposed
that, as what was not fact. When the powers granted to the Com
mittee were considered in the acts 1719, it was found that these
Avere only as to the correcting the edition ; and it was urged, there
was no need of declaring the edition a private deed, though It was
so, and behoved to be so, by these powers ; and so one might have
thought there was no need of any clamour what Avas in It, or what
was out. But the declaring of this might be of IU consequence,
because it would affect the Preface and Subscription. The one
side opposed this addition, and the other insisted ; and when not
granted, the overture, without It Avas transmitted without a vote,
to the Overtures, where I believe It wlU be opposed, and In the
Asserably also, unless it be coraproralsed. I offered In private,
that it should go to the Commission, which was proposed, and a
new clamour raised on this, that it would continue the flame. To

WODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 201
which the answer was, that the flarae avIU soon be stayed, by going
into Avhat was desired next Assembly. And it might be that the
act 1647, and Covenant, might be in the third volume. But in the
heat of the debate nothing would be heard. Hoav It will go on
Monday, I must leave till then. My landlord Is reflected on for
sticking ; and I believe, if he had not been Ul treated and fretted,
all had been easy, and both had been put In ; but Avrong raethods
have been taken. I Avish we raay get thera righted.
The plain state of this case, as far as I can gather It, is this : — •
I find some people, and It's said my Lord Grange Is the chief, are
displeased with the Preface, particularly sorae reasonings In It,
though the bulk of reasonings there, they say, are good. On the
other hand, the act 1647, which explains the Confession, and the
Solemn League and Covenant, are not printed. The first is not
taken notice of by the Act of Parliament 1690, ratifying the Con
fession of Faith ; and that and the Soleran League aud Covenant
are said to have been dropt by the raeeting of rainisters at that
time. There is a clause in the act 1647 that seems to restrict the
King from caUing Avhat ministers he pleases to consult with, which
some think not tenable ; and the Solemn League stands condemned
by an unrescinded act of Parliament. Noav, the Preface Is declared
to be the deed of a private hand, published by the gentlemen con
cerned In the correction of the Confessions. And It would be dan
gerous to say any thing that might seera a retracting of that Pre
face at such a juncture. To say that the Preface Is the deed of a
private person. Is to say what Is said by the publishers already,
and to say a thing that is needless, and raay infer a blot on the
edition. To say that this edition Is the deed of private persons. Is
to say a lie ; for all the rest Is precisely done by the Committee
appointed by the Asserably and Coramission ; and the advertise
ment restricts this entirely to the corrections that are named In the
advertisement. As to the act 1647, It's referred to in the title-
page ; and it raay corae in very well in the third volurae. The So
leran League and Covenant Is not yet corae in in the order of it ;
for the Commission's Committee did agree that the publishers

202 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
should begin with the Confession, Catechisms, and other things
published in the first volume, because of an act of Assembly order
ing these to be In every family ; and the second volume comes
down only to the year 1 639 ; and the third volume may have the
Solemn League and Covenant, though it be neither a Confession,
Catechism, Book of Discipline, under the head of PoUcy ; and it
may be published, though condemned by law, as weU as the Na
tional Covenant was published. I find Mr Mitchell and Mr MUlar
were against publishing the Preface in the Coraraittee, but the rest
yielded to it. Mr Dunlop would not suffer it to be published, un
less it were published with the Confessions for preservation ; and
Mr Stewart insisted on it as necessary to be published as a private
deed. And noAV his publishing it is what is quarreUed ; though
the Coraraittee did consent, save these tAvo, as he says.
Thus the facts stand, and the Coraraissioner Is extremely ear
nest that it raay not corae into the Asserably. How it will go, wlU
be soon seen now. This morning, at eight, the Committees met,
and before the Instructions, the publishers of the Confessions de
sired to be heard, and were heard. Mr SteAvart had a long dis
course, the substance of Avhat is above, and showed how inconsist
ent with truth the declaration made above, and offered to be trans
mitted, was ; asserting that there Avas nothing published by the edi
tors, but In an agreeableness to the Committee concerting what
was to be published, and hoAV It raay be pubUshed, and in what
order ; for Avhich he vouched them present, and was not contra
dicted ; though my Lord Grange put them to answer for them
selves, they were aU silent. He took notice of his being excommu
nicate from the Lord's table by Mr Darling, and by some of the
Marrow folk. He disclaimed any design of suppressing the act
1647. He said, he never heard the Avant blamed till an honour
able raember, my Lord Grange, did it ; that he had referred to it
in the title of the Confession ; that he had no editions of the Con
fession, with the Scriptures, Avhere It was published ; that it v/as
not published by the Assembly, 1690, when they required subscrip
tion ; that he had transcribed part of it in the third volume ; that

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROV,'. 203
It was too soon yet to take umbrage at the neglect of it ; that he
had little thanks for the pains he had been at. In short, an over
ture was agreed to transmit it to the Commission to inquire into that
matter, and declare what was of a private and Avhat of a pubUc
nature ; and aU agreed to this. The Assembly met at ten, and
passed an act about the disposal of the King's bounty, and an act
about the Form of Commissions to the Assembly, and remitted
many other things to the Commission ; and, after the Moderator's
speech to the Assembly, and the Commissioner's speech, the As
sembly closed Avith prayer, and singing the 133d Psalm.
May 18.

LETTER CV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrotv, No, 7, May 19, 1725.
My Dearest, — After I wrote to you yesterday, the Commission
met at four ; and we had the affair of Morebattle before us, which
took up till ten at night. The case Avas perplexed enough. After
Mr Simson's death, Avho was one of the twelve Subscribers in favour
of the Marrow,' the Duke of Roxburgh presented one to the parish,
and feU frora it. Then Mr Christie, a youth of very good character,
rainister at Slmprin, Avas presented, and gave his consent in the
terms of the act of Parliament 1719, if he had a call and consent
of the people, and the decision of judicatories. This, by the by,
Avas insisted on by my Lord Grange, with some warmth, as a raost
unaccountable thing in ministers or probationers ; and he observed,
that that act of Parliaraent requiring the ministers' consent to the
' Mr Simson of Morebattle was not one of the twelve Representers, though favour
able to their views.

204 the AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
presentation was designed to relieve the Church from the burden
of patronages ; It being thought by our friends that no minister or
probationer would give his consent to a presentation ; and, conse
quently, that the six months would expire, and the right fall into the
Presbytery's hand ; and so he complained loudly that we ourselves
were to blame for not going into what was the only method to re-
Ueve us from patronages, that is, standing out against accepting
presentations contrary to our principles ; and. Indeed, no other me
thod could be fallen on, save repealing the act. But to return to
Morebattle. After Mr Christie Avas presented, the Presbytery sent
a committee to try the Inclinations of the parish. The heritors
Avere for hira ; all the elders but one were against him ; the people
were very raobbish and irregular. Another coraraittee was sent,
and raatters stood as before ; and the people, impressed by the Mar
row people from many places about, continued to oppose. Thus
matters continued near a year. Then, upon the petition of thirty
heads of famUies and the heritors, the Presbytery met and resolved
to go on to take the steps necessary for the comfortable settlement of
Mr Christie there ; and the affair was brought before Mr Christie's
Presbytery of Chimslde, who unanimously transported him. The
Presbytery of Kelso served his edict, where Avas another mob; and at
his settlement the greatest mob of all, where Mr Pollock was struck,
and Mr Rarasay, and another. The appeal A\as not reneAved after
the first time ; and so regularly did not come before us but by a re
ference from the Synod. The vote was. Reverse the sentence of
the Presbytery of Kelso, or Not ; and It carried seventy-five Nots,
and eleven Reverse. There Avas certainly no call in the case, nor
could be, as in the case of Kilsyth, Kilsplndy, and others ; yet the
person being settled and unexceptionable, and the confusion In that
country moved us to come over that. May 19.
This day the Comraission met In the forenoon, and the affair of
Mr Archibald Muir, called " the Moorcock," came in, and after the
reasonings from the bar, the Coraraission entered upon the matter.

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 205
Mr Mulr undoubtedly had the people's consent as one man ; but it
was through malignant and Jacobite influence ; for he being de
posed for Jacobitlsra, that recoramended him. The Presbytery and
Synod, as one man, opposed him. The reasonings run, that the
Presbytery could not concur to settle a person in a Jacobite coun
try who was neither loyal nor prudent ; and they had a discretion
ary and judicatory power ; against which. It Avas argued, that the
Commission's act reponlng hira had purged him ; that judicatories
acting thus was a negative and an arbitrary power. Being put to
a vote, all the rainisters voted alraost for affirming the Synod's sen
tence, save a very few. Fifty-nine Affirms, and nineteen Nots.
In the afternoon, we entered on the fast, and appointed one, July
1, through the Avhole Church. The causes and act are pretty long ;
and the artful devices of raany to turn us from the form of sound
words are raade a cause, Avhich the Non-subscribers, I imagine,
wlU take very Ul.
On Thursday the Comraission met, and we had several of the
affairs of the North before us, particularly from Ross and Moray ;
and then the case of Mr Ebenezer Erskine in Portmoak his call
to Dunfermline ' was tabled. The people and magistrates were for
him, as was said from the bar unanimously. His colleague In that
place, Mr Drysdale, was against him. Several things were cast up
in the debate — that Mr Erskine was a Non-juror — that he was
against keeping of fasts and thanksgivings appointed by the King,
that he altered the day — that he was one of the twelve who signed
the Representation for the Marrow — that he had never signed the
Confession of Faith. To the flrst It was answered, that he had no
difficulty about the oath to the Sheriff, but his wife, a dying woman,
could not hear of it — that it was to satisfy his scrupulous people
that he had altered the day of the fast — that he was willing to
sign the Confession of Faith — that the Marrow affair Avas ended.
But I did not hear answers as to his preaching contrary to the mi
nister there, and other ministers, nor to what was objected, that,
though he had not signed the Confession of Faith, and the Presby-
' This is a mistake for Kirkaldy.

206 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
tery had not known but what he had signed it ; he brought a Com
mission to the Assembly bearing he had signed it, and when strait
ened at sorae expressions In It, he yet answered. Let those who
have signed it answer for them. On the whole, unanimously the
Commission did vote to affirm the sentence of the Synod and Pres
bytery In refusing to put Mr Erskine In the leet for a minister of
Kirkcaldy, though raaglstrates and elders and people were for it.
This is three deterrainations anent the discretionary power of judi
catories of refusing a call where people and heritors are unanimous,
alraost, in a call, Avhich some call a negative ; and, indeed, cases are
so various about settlements, that scarce one rule can be laid down.
I am yours.

LETTER CVL
THE ROYAL PRESENT. — NEW PUBLICATIONS.
To Mr James Fraser, London,
Dear Sir, — Yours of the 3d of May was equally surprising and
agreeable, with the warrant from the Treasury for his Majesty's
gracious present, to one of the raost unAVOrthy of his subjects that
ever had the honour to dedicate a book to him. As it was satis
faction enough to me to have his Majesty's allowance to inscribe
my History to the greatest and best Prince at this day upon the
earth, and by you humbly to present a copy to him, so I neither
expected nor desired any more ; and when you signify to me, that
my gracious Sovereign, without the least suggestion from any great
man, but merely from his own goodness, ordered my Lord Towns
hend to give rae L.lOO, I had the same thankful resentments that
I have now that the warrant is come ; but, considering the diffi
culties in getting thir small things expede amongst a multitude of
vastly more important matters, I must own to you I did not reckon

WODROW TO JAMES FRASER. 207
much upon it ; and as you were the first who put rae upon dedicat
ing this work to the King, so, next to his Majesty's gracious con
descension to notice so smaU a matter, I owe this present entirely
to you. The kind raanner of the warrant, and the King's being
pleased, with such incoraparable goodness, to express his satisfaction
with the author and the work, is what vastly increases my satisfac
tion In what I receive. And I could not but notice, that the
King's bountiful present to rae, and his royal gift of L.IOOO yearly
to our General Assembly, for the propagating knowledge In the
North, came the same post to Edinburgh, and I suppose the war
rants are dated the very same day. This is a trivial observation
to trouble you with ; but I could not but make it, as what heightened
my pleasure, and affected me very sensibly.
After ray acknowledgments to kind and Divine Providence,
which I humbly, and in the first place, adore, I can only wish, were
it worth the King's while, that he knew ray grateful sense of such
kind and undeserved goodness to rae. I have no way left me, that
I can think of, to express it, but In my earnest prayer, to the King
of kings, for his Majesty and his family, which I made some con
science of In secret and public, even before his seasonable accession
to the throne, when we were at the brink of ruin, and constantly
since ; and now, I were an ungrateful wretch, if this royal favour did
not quicken and accent my concern in thera.
Next to our gracious Sovereign, I owe ray most affectionate ac
knowledgments to you. Dear Sir, for your kindness in this affair.
I can easily believe, that had the present been to yourself, you had
not been at the half of the labour you have taken In the thing ; and
this brings me so much the raore In your debt. I AvIsh I kncAV
Avherein it were possible for rae to make any returns.
It needs an apology, that I have been so long in making my ac
knowledgments. The true reason was, that yours came to rae at
Edinburgh while our Assembly and Commission were sitting, and
I delayed Avriting till I came home, that I might send you a bill
for the L.S, 2s. as above, Avhich I had only yesterday. And I
could not think of writing to you tlU I got that. I hope you'U

208 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
easily find Messrs Leddington and Food ; and I am sure It wiU
presently be answered.
I heartily thank you for your accounts of books and learning,
I have glanced Winwood's Memoirs ; and besides the treaty betwixt
King Jaraes and Spain, 1596, which, by the way, I wish we had far
ther vouchers, I see not very much relative to our Scots affairs,
though I doubt not but there are many incidental things In the
letters, which I have not yet got tirae to peruse. Rapln's CoUec
tion, I hear, is raostly out of Ryraer, and wIU certainly be curious
and useful. The Bishop of Coventry's answer to Collins I have.
I beseech you continue your accounts frora the commonwealth of
leaming. Let rae know if your worthy friend, the gentleman who
gave us the Life of Mr Hales of Eaton, whom I most affectionately
remember, be going on in his designed Biography.
Little offers from this country worth your notice. The King's
bounty will be of great use In the North and Highlands. A com
mittee Is named for the management of it, and receiving represen
tations from Presbyteries concerning the state of parishes. And
no doubt the utmost care will be taken to make the noble gift an
swer Its design. Our Asserably was very harmonious, and had
little but the comraon affairs of transportations, and other things
that corae before that meeting, as the dernier resort of inferior judi
catories. The Answer by Mr Bruce to Bishop Burnet's and my History
is not yet in the press, though It is given out at Edmburgh that it's
ready for it. I shall say nothing till I see it. I wrote to you at
sorae length, Avhen I sent up your Spotswood of the divisions of
our neighbours at Glasgow, which hindered their keeping of It.
By ray next I shall acquaint you where to caU for It at London,
when It coraes, in case it be not delivered to you, as I hope it will.
I beseech you let rae know your receipt of this, AA'lth aU your
news from the learned world ; and lay your comraands upon me,
and let me knoAV wherein I can show rayself, Dear Sir, yours under
the greatest obligations.
Eastwood, May 25, 17'25.

AVODROW TO JAMES ANDERSON. 209

LETTER CVIL
LIFE OF MARY QUEEN OF SCOTS.
To Mr James Anderson, Writer to the Signet, at present at London,
Dear Sir, — When I am here at the Assembly^ I Want the
pleasure of the conversation of one of my dearest friends, and you'U
give me leave to say, Edinburgh is not to me what it useth to be
when Mr Anderson is out of it. However, It is a satisfaction to
me to think you are in a place where I doubt not you are ripening
matters for the pubUc service of your country, and I hope getting
somewhat done for yOur personal concerns.
Every thing that touches you, I reckon, nearly concerns me ;
and, therefore, when I observed a passage in a book, which no doubt
you know is printed here, but not yet published, of which I got a
view in a private hand, I thought it worth transcribing and com
municating with you. It's Pierre Le Pesant Sieur Du Bois Guil-
bert his Life of Queen Mary, translated by Mr James Frcebalrn,
or rather the translator's preface, (for the book you know Avell
enough,) which, if I mistake not, points at you, pp. 14, 15. Speak
ing of the Queen's accession to the murder of her husband) nnd cri
minal correspondence with BothweU, and the scandal cast on the
Queen this way, the Prefacer adds, " I am told we are shortly to
be regaled with a dish of this kind ; I cannot call it fresh, though
it be newly served up, since It's but the old one dressed up in
cleaner Uning, with the advantage of some pieces of the sarae kind,
lately raked out of all the kennels and coraraon stews in Britain. So,
here will be plentiful entertainment for gentleraen of the strong di
gestion; but as there may be some delicate constitutions in the
world, I wiU make a discovery to thera, which the industrious col
lector confessed to a friend of his in secret, — that he believed Le-
VOL. III. O

210 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
thingtoun and Wood, the Earl of Murray's Secretary, had a great
hand in the coraposure of sorae epistles, which are to be found In
the collection, and Buchanan equipt them with a French dress.
This friend is alive, and may be found, if inquired after."
This base propagating of secret history for scandal is mean and
wicked, and, indeed, below your notice. However, I thought you
would wish to know of it, when, as I ara told, in a few days, It's to
be published to the world.
I hoped to have seen the three volumes in quarto you have
printed, when I carae into town. But Mr Leech tells me you are
printing the Preface at London, and this must be sent down be
fore your excellent coUection be pubUshed here. As soon as they
are published, I proraise myself a great pleasure frora them.
Your tirae, I know, is precious, and I ara but in a hurry, after our
Asserably Is up yesterday, in a peaceable raanner ; and so I shall
only earnestly beg you'U let rae hear from you by post, with aU
your news from the learned world. I ara sure you have a large
field to coraraunicate frora London, where you have the best of
conversation, to one of the raost unworthy of your friends ; and I
beg you'U not altogether forget me.
I give my humble duty to our worthy friend, Mr Eraser. I had
his of the 3d of May, to my very great and pleasing surprise ; and
as soon as I have settled that raatter here, I'U write to Mr Fraser,
to whom I ara under inexpressible obligations.
May the Lord preserve you, and raake you useful to the inte
rests of religion, reformation, and liberty, and return you safe to
your country and fi-iends ; among Avhom aUow me to put myself,
and to assure you that I am, with the greatest sincerity. Dear Sur,
yours most affectionately.
Edinburgh, May 18, 1725.

AVODROAV TO AVILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 211

LETTER CVIIL
DEATH OF COLONEL UPTON. — SUBSCRIPTION IN SCOTLAND.
To the Rev, Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick.
Rev. Dear Brother, — Yours of the 1st of March was most
acceptable. I am sorry Mr Stewart's papers are unfinished.
They are valuable as they [are.J I would be fond to see his Diary,
if possible ; but send me as large accounts of the remarkable provi
dences as possible. I wish the Rev. Mr Crawford would send me
the further hints he promised rae, as to the rainisters of Ireland.
Yours ofthe 10th of June to Mr Macknight was exceeding heavy
to rae. It's needless to signify to you ray value for worthy Colo
nel Upton. Your loss by his death, which is very great, bulks not
with me In comparison of that of the public. I knoAv none would
have made such a hole as he. The Lord sanctify the stroke to you,
to the North of Ireland, and raake it up by much of his own pre
sence, which only can balance it.'
The idle story you have about some Comraissioners refusing to
sign the Confession at the Assembly is groundless. Mr Wilson
and Mr Davidson, two of the twelve Marrow brethren, have sub
scribed without any explication ; but their Commission to the last
Assembly was out of the road, and contained a clause of their ad
herence to it, as well as subscription, according to the National
! Colonel Upton, whose death is here so deeply lamented, was the father of Clot-
worthy Upton, first Lord Templetown. He served under King William in Flanders,
and was frequently member of Parliament for the county of Antrim. He was, as
may be seen from this Correspondence, a staunch Presbyterian, and warmly attached
to Orthodox principles ; he officiated as ruling elder in the congregation of Temple-
Patrick till his death. Castle Upton, his residence, adjoins the village of Temple-
Patrick, and is still the Irish family seat of Lord Templetown.

212 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Covenant and Old Confession of Faith, which they professed also
their approving of. I shall send you a copy of their Commission,
if you please. The Committee of Comraisslons blamed this, de
clared it informal, and, as is usual, that, with some other Com
missions with informalities, were waived at this time. But the As
serably brought in an act to prevent such novelties in time to come,
and passed it, prescribing a form of Commissions to future Assem
blies, with the clause of subscription to the Confession, without any
explications and senses.
The Overture last year, about elders and deacons their subscrib
ing, was approven by most Presbyteries, (aU but two, Haddington
and Edinburgh,) but because the Commissioner's lady was a-dying,
the Assembly were straitened in time, it was not brought in, but
restored to Presbyteries who had not sent up their opinion, to send
it up next Assembly, Avhen I doubt not it ¦will pass.
Our act for a fast, July 1st, this year, has a clause that directly
points at Non-subscription, and was unanimously approven the day
after the Assembly by the Commission. It Is in the petitory part
of the act — " That the Lord may preserve us in this land from the
danger of Deism and the Arian heresy, and other errors, drawing
aside from the grace and faith of Christ, and practical godUness ;
and likewise keep us from the subtUe arts of those Avho undermine
and lead off from the form of sound words received In this and
other reformed Churches, all which abound so much elsewhere."
I am yours.
June 28, 1726.

AVODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 213

LETTER CIX.
SUBSCRIPTION CONTROVERSY.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast,
Rev. Dear Brother, — When at Edinburgh in May, I had Mr
Macknlght's desiring an answer to the passage about the Marrow,
In the Appendix of Mr Abernethy's answer to you. I see very
little of arguraent, and somewhat of ill nature, in that passage ; and
as soon as I came home, I sent in the paraphlet to some friends at
Edinburgh, who agree with rae.
I do not question but you have already said all that is necessary
to be said upon that subject, though I wish you had, and I hope
by this time you have, the Acts of Assembly relative to these
twelve brethren, from which you'll easily see the words the Dublin
ministers put In the mouth of the objector, in a very unfriendly
manner in my opinion, not only to this Church, but to some import
ant branches of the doctrine of Christ, are altogether without any
foundation from the Assembly Acts.
In short, you'U easily see there is nothing of argument in what
the brethren adduce. Is it any strange thing that the twelve Mar
row brethren should adduce passages of our Confession for their
own support ? Do not Socinians, &c., act in the very same way
Arith Scripture, and argumentandi gratia, with Confessions ? No
thing is more common than differences of this kind as to the mean
ing of propositions ; and if the Assembly and the twelve Repre
senters differed as to the sense of some propositions in the Confes
sion, what can be Inferred thence ? What is put in the candidate's
mouth as to the Assembly's condemning some pages in cumulo,
seems no way to affect the question as to subscriptions. It is ob
vious from the Act of Assembly, that they do not condemn every

214 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
proposition in the pages they point at, but mark those pages only
as containing some propositions contrary to the truth stated in the
title of the Assembly's act, which the Asserably found contradicted
in the Marrow. As to the allegation that propositions in the Con
fession are taken in different senses by orthodox divines, the com
raon rule raust certainly take place, when the Confession is sub
scribed, that Is, those propositions are to be taken in the sense of
the imposers. And if the candidate scruple, your pacific act pro
vides a remedy. I only add, that one of the twelve brethren never
signed the Confession, which came to light only in May last. But,
for Avhat I know, he and the other Marrow brethren are for sub
scription. These general hints are not worth your perusal ; and I only send
them to let you see how ready I am to assist you, were there need,
as indeed there is none as to this passage. It's my opinion your
answer should be short. The truth Is, Mr Abernethy Is so tedious,
that I doubt If ever I read him fuUy. Mr HalUday's last paper
against Mr Kennedy is fulsome on such a head ; only he opens
out his scruples against the Confession, which is generous, and
much more manly than keeping in the clouds, and Avrangling about
Confessions in general. Send aU the pamphlets published on both
sides. The Lord be with you, and strengthen you in your difiicult
situation and labours, public and private. I am, yours most affec
tionately. June 28, 1725.

WODROAV TO DR JAAIES FRASER, 215

LETTER ex.
MALT-TAX. — ^MOB IN GLASGOW.
To the Learned Dr James Fraser, Doctor in Laws, at his Lodgings
in the Haymarket, at the Golden Angel, London.
Dear Sir, — ^I had yours of the 3d of June, which was extreraely
acceptable ; and I would have answered it long before this, if I had
had any thing worth troubling you with by post. But, having the
occasion of a worthy friend of raine coming up to London, who
earnestly desires to be introduced to the honour of your acquaint
ance, I greedily embraced the opportunity of giving you this
trouble. The bearer of this Is Mr Andrew Ross, Professor of Humanity
in the College of Glasgow, a gentleman that understands the bu
siness of his profession extremely well, and comes up during the
vacation to converse with learned men, and observe what raay be
of use to his country, In the raethod of teaching huraanlty in Eng
land. He will not be the less acceptable to you that he is a relar-
tion of my Lord Ross, your acquaintance ; and I persuade myself,
that you wiU point him to the learned gentleraen of your acquaint
ance at London, and give hira your kind assistance to get into con
versation with thera. This I can say for him, that he is of that
ingenuous disposition, that though neither he nor I shall ever be
able to raake any retum for your favours, yet I never kncAv hira
forget a favour ; and I am persuaded he will never forget yours.
As for myself, I am In so far In your debt, that you know It's long
since I have almost given over acknowledgments ; though I shaU
never want the kindest resentments, and your kindness to my friend
will add to ray score.
I have been for a raouth confined to my house, with a fit of the
sciatick, [sciatica,] which has laid me by from public work ; and the
present pain I am under hinders me from writing to you at the length

216 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
I would on the unhappy confusions in Glasgow, of which, by the ac
counts I see in the London prints, I see very unjust and false re
presentations have come up.
In a very few words, you shall have the view I have of the pre
sent state of things among us, in which I am troubled exceedingly,
with ill effects of the severities used, to the discontentment and
souring of the King's friends in the West Country, which is greater
at present than ever I saw it since the happy Revolution.
You know, Sir, how heavy a burden the raalt-tax is upon Scot
land, and the West in a particular manner ; and to let you see the
inequality In this betwixt Scotland and England, and, consequent
ly, how far it's contrary to our stipulated Union, I shaU only ob
serve what I am informed of by very good hands : — That the malt-
tax In England is calculated at L. 700,000 yearly, and the Excise
at L.2,100,000. In Scotiand, the Excise is calculated at L.5500,
and the malt-tax, though said to be L.20,000, yet is reaUy, at three
a bushel, fully L.55,Q00. Now, you'll see at this calculation, that
the raalt-tax is treble to the EngUsh malt-tax, even at three a bu
shel. In short, Sir, our barley, commumbu^ annis, is not ten shil
lings our boll ; and we have five shiUings and sixpence on every
boll of Excise ; and, by the malt-tax, you'U easUy judge how grar
vamlnous, yea ruining, this must be In a little time to us. I
heartily wish our great men knew our circumstances ; and I am
sure, for L.20,000, as they reckon it, they would never risk the
alienation of people's spirits from the best of Kings.
The malt-tax, and the disarming of the Highlands, are reckoned
by many here too rauch to do in one year upon poor Scotland.
But to return to our unhappy circurastances at Glasgow. The
Coraraissioners for the Custoras got the soldiers brought Avest, and
the mob, upon their coming, most vlUanously and wickedly spoiled
Shawfield's' house, which every body of any sense abhors and abo
minates as an act of horrid disorder. But you raay be assured of
it, that nobody of any fashion had, as far as I can leam, the least
' Campbell of Shawfield, their representative in Parliament.

AVODROAV TO DR JAMES FRASER. 217
share In that riot. The Provost did all in his power to prevent it,
but to no purpose ; for who can stand before a mob ? The next day
Captain Bushel, unprovoked, and without reading the proclama
tion, and contrary to his concert Avith the Provost, shot sharp-shot,
without the least care, to dispel a poor contemptible mob, not of a
hundred woraen and boys. Your accounts, I know, of this at Lon
don differ In each of these circumstances ; but they are false. Had
not the soldiers come, I beUeve there had been no mob In the least;
and when the captain carae to shoot sharp-shot, it AA'as a wonder
he and his two corapanies were not cut In pieces, for eight or ten
were killed, and about eighteen wounded, and the whole town got
together In arms. I send you enclosed the Magistrates' account
of this affair, which. In every part of It, Avas taken from persons
present. In eight or ten days the troops came west, and the Advocate,'
Avho carried very strangely ; and many go the length as to suspect
a design to raise another mob, and upon that of military execution
upon the town. Indeed, things looked this way, though I cannot
think a man of sense could have any such view. But, indeed, I
cannot account for his imprisoning the magistrates, refusing baU,
sending them under a guard to Edinburgh. These extraordinary
steps, without the least ground that we can learn of, are perfectly
beyond our comprehension. I am sure the magistrates were as free
of accession to the mob as those who live at London ; and it's im
possible that it can ever be landed on them, or any body of sense.
The Justice Court have liberate thera upon bail, and the Lords
seemed all of opinion their Iraprisonraent was Illegal and wrongous.
What troubles rae most Is, that such treatment of the town of
Glasgow, who are such hearty friends to the Government, and
have made such appearances at the Rebellion, and who, I am sure,
yet will venture their all for the King, is Iraproven by the Jaco
bites, and a disgust spreads insensibly at the adrainistration, greater
than I thought to have seen. I pray such raeasures may be fallen
upon as to calm people's soured terapers, and I hope they avIU.
' Duncan Forbes, Esq., who succeeded Dundas as Lord Advocate.

218 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
To leave this raelancholy subject, aUow me to beseech you to
continue your accounts from the learned world, with which you are
so well acquaint, and of aU new books and pamphlets. I have
read Mr Woolston's Religion of Nature. I am longing extremely
for the paraphlets entitled the Paradox, which you give me good
ground to expect from you. Pray spare rae not by post, and give
ray humble duty to Mons. Malzeaux.' I'U be fond to see his Life
of ChUllngworth, and of serving that worthy friend of yours and
mine. I am, Dear Sir, yours.
July 30, 1725.
I heartily congratulate you on your degree from Aberdeen.
Forgive, if there be any thing Avrong in the address ; if not, I'U
continue it when I write by post.

LETTER CXL
ANIMADVERSIONS ON WODROW'S HISTORY.
To Mr John M'Main, Schoolmaster, at the Foot of Libberton
Wynd, Edinburgh.
Sir, — I had yesterday a packet from the Rev. Dr Mather, at
Boston, in New England, and among sorae things, he sends me the
enclosed directed for you, corae to ray hand. It seems to be of
some Importance and haste, by his note on the back of it, and 1
knoAV no other Avay to direct to you than by post. I Arish it may
find its way to you.
You have seen proper, in three or four pamphlets and books, as 1
ara told, pubUshed by you, to attack the History of Sufferings I
pubUshed sorae years ago. I find nothing in what you have ad
vanced, but what I am of opinion I shall very soon set in its pro
per Ught, if the Lord please to spare me.
' M. Des Maizeaux, author of Historical and Critical Account of the Life and
Writings of William Chillingworth.

JOHN m'mAIN to AVODROAV. 219
I am heartily sorry, for the sake of truth, and your own sake,
that you have repeated more than once in print several Avrong
reasonings, misinformations, and mistakes, in point of fact,' At
tacks from the prelatic party were not very surprising to rae; but
I did not expect that persons of your profession would have dis
covered so much resentment against that History,
You may be the less displeased that I have taken no public
notice of what you have written, when you'U easUy observe that I
have not answered the several bitter and envenomed pamphlets
against me by the Episcopal side. I am waiting for Mr Bruce's
large work, which he caUs his Irapartial History, wherein I expect
the utmost he and his party have to say against ray book. When
I have the whole that both sides have to advance against me, it
wiU then be the most proper season for me to say what is neces
sary in defence of the truth.
Having no personal acquaintance Arith you, and this providential
occasion of transmitting this letter to you offering itself, I thought
it not improper to signify this much to you, to prevent your mis
taking my silence. I am. Sir, your real friend.
Eastwood, July 30, 1725.

LETTER CXIL
REPLY. — SEVERER TREATMENT THREATENED.
Mr John M'Main to Wodrow.^ Edmburgh, August 3, 1725.
Rev. Sir, — I received yours ofthe 30th past, enclosing one from
New England, whereby you've laid upon me an obUgation to gra-
' These mistakes might have been pointed out, particularly the erroneous con
structions which M'Main puts upon Mr M'Ward's papers, and the groundlessness of
his charges against Wodrow ; but it is hardly worth while.
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 166.

220 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
titude, which I acknowledge, and return you my hearty thanks for
your kindness.
Sir, you allege that, in three or four books and pamphlets said
to be published by me, I have attacked your History. I own I pub
lished Mr M'Ward's book, entitled Earnest Contendlngs, &c. 2.
Mr Renwick's Testimony against the Toleration, this I printed. 3.
His Life and Death, as written by Mr A. Shields. I know not
a fourth wherein any thing is advanced against your History, that
I published. In each of these there Is somewhat briefly, but very Uttle, by me
said anent your History, touching only at some passages and ex
pressions therein, which may afford an abler pen ground and mat
ter for a larger volume than either of these said books. And yet
the said two books and pamphlets, in the opinion of some, not
your antagonists, say more against your History, (though written
many years before it,) specially on these heads and points wherein
the Lord's cause and truth, and the faithful contenders for the
same, are wronged, to conciliate respect unto, and justify decllners
therefrom, and compilers with their opposites, than all that I or
any such blunt and obscure pen have done or could do. And yet.
Sir, because I like not dissimulation, I raust teU you, if you con
sider not what is said by the above three worthies, the authors of
these books, and that we can say or do nothing against the truth
but for the truth, I, and others too, do, and will see cause to say
much raore with particular application, In publishing the papers,
(whereof I have sorae store,) relative to BothweU affair, and the
consequents thereof, raore irapartially than we yet see done.
However, I shall (and I presume many others avIU) be glad to
see you set, in a true light, the good cause and testimony of that
suffering period, without any respect of persons, or partial bias
toward the indulged or other compilers. If this may be expected
from one of your station and involvements, it might also be ex
pected that you would employ your parts to refute much of your
own History, which yet Is rather to be wished than hoped. As to
what you signify, that I have repeated more than once in print se-

JOHN m'main to wodrow. 221
vera! wrong reasonings, raislnforraations, and mistakes in point of
fact, I know not the particulars. If you had been pleased to point
out these, or any of thera, I should either have showedmy authori
ties for the same, or else, being first convinced thereof, retracted
them. It was for the sake of truth, not of raen, or of private or
party interest, that I wrote any thing ; and If you show rae that I
have wronged the trath thereby, or that truth stands on your side,
wherein soever we differ, I shall hurably subrait and acknowledge
my fault.
I shaU not (as I think I did not) oppose anything you have
written, or shall write, against any error or extravagancy, Popery,
Prelacy, tyranny, or Erastianlsra. I rather think and complain
that you have been too sparing against the last three, and have so
far espoused the interest or complied Avith the practice of the last
of aU, that Uttle is said by you, or expected from you in your pre
sent course and circumstances, in favours of the truth, against that
pernicious and prevailing error.
I am hopeful. Sir, you will not take ray freedora In 111 part ;
which I could not well forbear to use upon such an occasion, that
I did not presume to expect, and which, if I had not used, you
might justly have charged me with flattery and dissimulation.
Sir, In regard I find great difficulty, at this distance, in getting
letters transmitted to New England, there being no packet-boat
that I hear of ordinarily passing hinc inde ; and, understanding that
you have sorae occasion to send answers to Boston, I raake bold to
desire and entreat you to admit of this piece of trouble, to send off
the enclosed with your OAm. Expecting your compliance with this
request and excuse for the trouble, I am, Rev. Sir, your much
obUged and humble servant, J. M'Main.
Sir, if no occasion of sending- off the enclosed offer in a raouth or
so, be pleased to remit unto John Millar, merchant in Trongate,
Glasgow, his hand.

222 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CXIIL
NEW PUBLICATIONS. — SCOTTISH NEWS.
To the Very Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D., Minister of the Gospel
at Boston, New England.
Rev. Dear Sir, — I had the great satisfaction again to hear
from you three or four days since, when I received your most wel
come letter of June the 15th, with a most valuable packet, for
which I do return you my kindest thanks.
Gratitude obliges rae to begin with the acceptable extract out of
my book, whereby you have comraunicated to the world some of
the sweetest things In it. In your Palm-bearers. I blush to see
your eulogiums of me In print, both here and In your Parentator, in
both which you express an esteem and value for me that I own I
never merited ; and yet cannot but rejoice to find that laborious
Collection of mine finds acceptance Avith one whom all wiU aUow to
be so good a judge. May the dying expressions of our witnesses
be of use among you in America ; and you'U have the satisfaction
of communicating their savoury raeraory, where otherwise it would
not have reached. This gives me also an opportunity of thankful
acknowledgments to the glorious God, for your recovery from that
sickness which gave you occasion to make that CoUection, which
I assure you I offer Avith the utmost seriousness ; and beg your
valuable and useful health may be confirmed and lengthened out
for many years, for much service to the Redeemer and his churches
everywhere. I am surprised to find your Parentator Is published at London,
In so Imperfect a way, especially when, if I have not forgot, it Avas
advertised in the English newspapers that this edition was sent
abroad by Dr Calamy. He can best say what has made him leave

WODROAV TO COTTON MATHER. 223
out what related to your regards to the Church of Scotland. His
last appearances against Confessions and Subscriptions show that
he is not wUlIng to have your good opinion of us, who own our ad
herence to those necessary hedges and preservers of purity in doc
trine, known in England. I'U talk with the booksellers at Edin
burgh, and see if I can get justice done to you and ourselves, in a
ncAv edition of the Parentator here ; and if there be anything you
think proper to be added to it, and said in your narae, I pray you
send it me with the very first opportunity.
There is no door I can think of, whereby your grand " Voix du
del a la France" may have access, whither it's designed ; but if
any offer, I'll be sure to send It.
It rejoices me to hear of the increasing and flourishing state of
the dear Churches with you in New England. May they for ever
be kept free of the woeful leaven of Arianism, which so much
spreads in England and Ireland ; where, I fear, the Established
Church may be reckoned among the most corrupted and unreformed
churches who have separated from Rome. Indeed, the looseness
in principle and violent opposition to the necessary and old com
posures of Creeds and Confessions, and the subscribing of them,
which of late has got In among too raany who profess to separate
from the corruptions of these Established Churches, frightens rae
more than anything I have been a Avitness to' in ray time. May
God prevent that leaven's coraing in among us ! We need your
prayers for this end.
I congratulate you on the fruitlessness of the attempts of the
Church of England against you, and pray that Providence may still
write fooUshness on their attempts. I hope your wars with the
Frenchlfled Indians shall at length end comfortably. I ara sorry
to hear of the Ul treatraent of your good Governor, and the hard
circumstances my brethren in a special manner are reduced to by
the rise of the value of silver.
My good Lord PoUock is not yet come to this place ; but I dare
say, when he comes, wUl be pleased to hear again frora you ; and
still lays on me to give dearest respects to you, when I write.

224 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Mr Miliar, my worthy co-presbyter, wUl no doubt be much
pleased with your valuable packet. I hear he is abroad. I Avlsh
he may come home before the ship retum ; he Is a laborious, faith
ful, useful raan, and If you have not a retum, I am sure it will be
uneasy to him.
Matters remain with us, in the general, much as in my last. Our
exceUent Sovereign has, last May, granted a valuable token of his
affection to the Church of Scotland, and appointed L.IOOO sterling,
yearly, to be remitted, to be made use of by our General Assembly
for maintaining of preachers and catechlsts in the North of Scot
land, among the large Highland and Popish places ; which, through
the blessings of Hira who has put this generous design In his Ma
jesty's heart, will be of very great use for the Interests of religion,
and the benefit of his own excellent Governraent.
People here are soured at the extending of the raalt-tax to Scot
land, which has not been exacted since our union with England ;
and several unhappy confusions and breaches of the peace have
fallen out of late, particularly at Glasgow, which, if the mild
management of the Govei-nment prevent not, is like to have its
consequences. People are too ready to fret at impositions of this
nature, which, Indeed, we cannot easily bear. We forget the great
blessings we enjoy under our exceUent King, and do not so much
observe harder things insensibly coming upon us, for which A^'e
need not blarae the best of Kings, but ourselves ; such as the con
stant flow of our raoney to England, the corruptions we got from
thence, and the general sending our youth of quality to England,
vrith other things of that nature, which frightens me much more
than our heavy taxes.
Pray faU not to let rae hear frora you by every opportunity, for
I have none but when ships corae from you. There is none of
your correspondents values your letters more than I, though I be
lieve [there are] few or none who can raake such poor returns.
And send rae aU your accounts of your affairs, and continue to
favour me with your A'aluable productions, and those of your worthy
brethren that come to your hands.

AVODROW TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 225
May the beauty of the Lord be upon the churches of Christ
Arith you I May a returning God and glory be your mercy ! May
you and we be retrieved from our sinking declinlngs in rital reli
gion; and may the glorious Redeemer preserve and strengthen
you long for great services, and bless you and yours with his best
blessings ! I am, Rev. and Dear Sir, your most affectionate brother
and servant.
August 9, 1725.

LETTER CXIV.
News. — m'main and the cameroniaNs.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman, President of Harvard College,
Cambridge, New England.
Rev. Dear Sir, — About three months ago I wrote to you and
worthy Professor Wigglesworth, by Mr James Coulter, merchant
in Glasgow, who was coming by New England to Boston, where
he left his famUy. I hope these are corae to your hand by this time.
I fear you have not heard of this ship corae in frora Boston to us
ten days ago, otherwise I would have had the beneflt of your letters.
However, I can omit no occasion which offers to write to you, even
when very little matter suggests to me.
At our last General Assembly In May, we had the honour and
pleasure of a very remarkable Instance of the royal bounty to this
Church. The King in his letter intimate the prorision he had made
in answer to representations sent up to him of the lamentable cir
cumstances of the remoter parts of this Church, where ignorance
and Popery very rauch abound, which he had left to his Coramis-
sloner to lay before us. The Earl of Loudoun, in his speech to us,
opened up the King's gracious favour more fiiUy, that his Majesty
VOL. III. P

226 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
had ordered L.IOOO sterling yearly, during pleasure, to be paid to
the Procurator for the Church out of the Exchequer or Treasury
here, to be employed by the Assembly and their Committees for
supporting of preachers and catechlsts, where they are wanted in
the Highlands and remote places in the north and remote isles.
This was received by the Assembly with the utmost gratitude and
affection, and next day a warrant came down In form.
As this royal grant Avill be of very great use to his Majesty's
Governraent, and the weakening of disaffection and Popery in these
remote corners, so, through the Divine blessing, it will be of vast
advantage to the interests of religion, and the good of many perish
ing souls. In our Highlands and Islands the parishes are extremely
large, some twenty, thirty, some more, miles in length. The Irish'
language is only there understood, and ministers who have that
language are hard to be got, and able to do little in such spacious
and intolerable parishes. This grant wUl be a fund for sixty or
seventy youths under the inspection of the rainister and Presbytery,
to preach and catechise on these wide parishes, and take pains on
the superstitious and ignorant inhabitants. I know you avIU join
with us in praising God for putting this good work in the heart of
our excellent Sovereign, and In prayers for a blessing upon the la
bours of those to be employed. The blessing of multitudes of soids
ready to perish corae upon the King and his famUy !
As we have mercy, so we haA'e judgment to sing of; and as you
are partaker of our joys, so I communicate some of our sorrows to
you. Since the union with England the malt-tax has been stUl im
posed ; but the gathering of it has never been essayed till this sum
raer. It's indeed a burden very grievous to us, and what the in
equality of our grain wUl not bear the half that England bears.
Our boll, or seven bushels, is in value, communibus annis, about ten
shilUngs ; the duty upon ale and this upon malt come near to six
shillings. You'll easily see that our barley wiU never bear more
than the half of its intrinsic value. The gathering of this tax has
created much dispeace and confusion through the country, and
' The Erse or Gaelic.

AVODROAV TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 227
especially at Glasgow, where the mob got up and overpowered the
magistrates and a few of the military, and spoiled Mr Campbell of
Shawfield's house, their member of Parliament, whom they blame,
though he denies it, as being active in bringing on the imposition.
The effects of this have been and yet are very gloomy. Several
people have been killed, and what the after consequences may be
we do not yet know. What grieves me raost is the souring of
people's spirits against the Govemment, and the best of Kings. I
hope the Lord wiU direct to such measures as may in part calm
matters, when his Majesty returns from Hanover.
No other thing offers, that I mind of, worth your notice. I am
very much longing to hear from you, and how matters are going as
to your governor, your college, and churches, with all remarkables.
I give my most humble duty to Professor Wigglesworth, and pray
the Lord raay every way strengthen you for the duties and difficul
ties in your station, as head of that learned society, I send my
most affectionate remembrances to Mr Monis, whose good circum
stances ril stUl be fond to hear of. Continue your prayers for this
Church, and the part of it I have the charge of, with your concern
in rae and my family and work ; and believe that I am. Rev. and
Dear Brother, yours most affectionately.
August 10, 1725.
P. S. To Dr Mather. — I took care to forward the letter you sent
me to Mr M'Main, from whom, last post, I received the enclosed.
He is a schoolmaster at Edinburgh, who, upon the Cameronian lay,
separates from us and all other churches upon earth. He has writ
some books and pamphlets, wherein he attacks the History of the
Sufferings, and printed a protest against King George coming to
our throne, because he hath not sworn our National and Solemn
League and Covenant, These high-flying wUd people deserve our
pity and compassion. Some of them seem serious and pious.

228 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,

LETTER CXV.
wodrow's ill health  LORD BARRINGTON.
To Professor Hamilton,
Rev. Dear Sir,— I had yours of the 21st of August, and though
in it you are so kind as to desire the trouble of my letters, yet it's with
a diffidence, suitable to the poverty of my funds, that I venture to
continue a correspondence so singularly instructive, on your part,
to me. Near these four months I have been much confined to my
house with the sciatick, which Is not Uke to leave me, and except
my friends let me know what is agoing, I cannot go around as I
use to do. Your accounts then of aU that you have, from your ex
tensive correspondence, wUl be raore compassionate and usefid than
ever, I had letters this sumraer frora New England, Vide. I doubt
by this time you are wearied with the paradoxes of this pious and
useful raan, otherwise I would add some other things he Avrites of
In his way.
This stricture of his, I know not well how, brings me in raind to
thank you for the account of Barrington's Miscellanies,' Somebody
' " Lord Barrington's Miscellanea Sacra, newly published, being an abstract of the
History ofthe Apostles, with four Critical Essays, 1. Upon the teaching and witness
of the Spirit in the first ages of Christianity, from which he draws a strong argument
for the truth ofthe Christian religion ; 2. The Difference between Apostles, Elders,
aud Brethren, Acts xv. ; 3. When Paul and Barnabas commenced apostles ; 4. That
the decree ofthe council, Acts xv., was only for the proselytes of the gate, not the
idolatrous Gentiles. He thinks he has found out three grand periods in the Acts of the
Apostles ; thefirst, from A.D. 33 to A.D. 41, wherein the Gospel was preached to
Jews only ; the second, from A.D. 41 to A.D. 45, in which it was preached also to the
proselytes of the gate ; the third, from 45 to 70, wherein it was preached to the
idolatrous Gentiles. This last, again, he divides into other three ; but it were too
tedious to repeat them, especially since the booksellers here wUl shortly have the
book." — {Professor Hamilton to Wodrow.) *

WODROAV TO LORD GRANGE, 229
or other told me, sorae time since, that Lord was the head of a party
in the House of Commons, termed the Whimsical Club. Whether
his advances on the Acts be the fruit of their conversation at that
club I know not ; but I would gladly see the book,
You'U have heard of our elections at Glasgow, The Revolution
party, as they caUed themselves last year, have carried their scheme
Arithout losing one foot.
Our Synod had nothing before them save Mr M'Ta^art's affair,
and ordered him to be settled at Glasserton. Mr Rowat was mode
rator. I long to have your accounts from aU our Synods this month, and
your Synod when it sits, and what is to be before the Commission,
where I shaU not be able to [be present] if I grow not better. I am,
yours most affectionately.
Oct. 8, 1725.

LETTER CXVL
BIOGRAPHY. — PATRICK WALKER AND M'mAIN.
To my Lord Grange.^
My Lord, — I had yours of the 3d instant in due time, and it
was more welcome than I can express. Your Lordship has touched
that subject that I was most fond to have your sentiments of, the
extraordinary communications and intercourses the Lord frequently
vouchsafed to these great men whose lives I am essaying to give
some account of. The reasons you bring for not concealing this
part of their Uves you set in so strong a light, that I am much en
couraged to hope there wiU not be such inconveniences In narrating
them as I once feared. However, my fears this way never hinder
ed me from collecting everything this way I could meet with, and
' Lord Grange's Letter, to which this is a reply, is printed in the Christian In
structor for 1827.

230 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
I determined with myself, when I began to dash down my collec
tions as to their lives, to set down these as I raet with them, with
the vouchers and satisfying evidence I could find at this distance,
and then subject all to better judgment than my own. Indeed,
there are difficulties as to the vouchers. Some of them are written
down by themselves, others by their contemporaries, others are
handed down by rainisters and others, and I ara of opinion, a fuU
judgment can scarce be made what is and Avhat is not to be pub
lished, till a considerable collection be made, and as much as may
be of this nature be put together, and the Avhole, with what vouch
ers we have for it, be seriously considered. And that will be a work
of time, Avhlch calls for raore and much better hands than mine.
However, as I ara giving a beginning, I incline to creep on, as my
health and other things allow rae.
I OAvn Patrick Walker's paraphlet last year on Mr Peden's Life,
containing a heap of singular things, without sufficient vouchers to
sorae of them, and others of them very different from what I have
frora, I thought, good hands, and sorae of them not in my opinion
agreeable to the spirit of Christianity, with a promise of a great
many other lives to come, gave me sorae thoughts of the danger of
pubUshlng rude and indigested things of this nature.
I heartily thank you for the reraarks you gave me on what I
have as to Mr Davidson. I shall carefully review anything that
may seera to be doubtfuUy narrated. I, indeed, thought I had
rather erred upon that Life on the side of peremptoriness. I re
member in his Life, (which I cannot at present look,) I have some
thing to this purpose, which, indeed, A\-ill come better In upon a
preface, that 1 could no more doubt of these extraordinary things
than I could that there was a scuffle at Langside, or that our As
semblies met at such times. However, I know my temper Is diffi
dent ; and if I have been doubtful in the time, I would probably ex
press myself according to my present thoughts. But then doubtful
things ought not to be published.
Make no haste AvIth Nevin's Trial. It's a blustering paper, and
contains the strength of that party. I have seen MarshaU on

AVODROAV TO LORD GR.\NGE. 231
Daniel some time ago, and thank your Lordship for the offer ; but,
indeed, I have not time to enter much on that epocha. Owen, I
thought, satisfied me much on it in his Exercitations. I'll be fond
of your Lordship's thoughts on the Lord Barrington's MisceUanies,
when you have read them.
As to that designed collection, as I guess by Mr M'  n [Main]
and others, of Authentic Papers, Short Pieces, as Warnings, Letters,
&c., as may give a true account of our Reformation In its different
periods, it's perfectly new to rae, and I can raake little judgraent of
it, till I know their periods, and the papers they design to publish.
I have long been of opinion, and sometimes wrote to some of my
friends about it, that there was no great difficulty to form Histori
cal CoUections for Scotland, since the Reformation, as Mr Rush-
worth has done In his period, by a CoUection of Authentic Papers,
and multitudes might be added, both in Church and State, that
have never yet been published. I own, this way of Avrlting History
is what I like best ; though it be diffuse and large, yet It's na
tural and just. And I think I could afford, and point where mate
rials are to be had, for as large a collection for Scotland as Rush-
worth. But these people's design seems to be restricted to our
Reforraation. I fancy they mean from the 1637 to the 1660 ; and
if so, I doubt if they have considered it fully, when they expect to
bring in the Warnings, Letters, &c., in a sizeable octavo, suppose it
be like their edition of our Confessions. I know not what funds
they have of the papers of those times ; but, if I mistakenot, the
paraphlets I have of these tiraes, and I want raany, would afford
two octavos and more, of Warnings, Declarations, &c. If their
design ran from our first Reformation, and they, as I imagine they
AviU, put in the public papers of their own side, in the suffering
times, which they have in part coUected In their second edition of
the Informatory Vindication, and other of their books, they wUl
find several sizeable octavos will not contain them. You see I must
write upon this subject in confusion, tlU I see their list. Only one
thing offers further upon this head, which I am afraid the person
I guess is concerned, wUl not be so proper for, and that is some

232

THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

historical hint at the particular incidents that were occasion of the
particular Warnings, Declarations, &c., without which they wiU
not be so inteUlgible at this distance. These, Indeed, ought to be
very short, but would take one who has a pretty ftiU view of the
thread of our history in his head. I heartUy go in with your Lord
ship's observations upon the subject, which are very just. The
work, in the general, is good and necessary ; and if I know myself,
differences of parties shaU never hinder me from contributing my
mite to any thing I think may be for the pubUc good. Neither
shall the contrary temper I found in those that separate from us,
when they were applied to for materials to the History of our Suf
ferings, nor their displeasure at what I have written, bias me here.
I hope stUl to be guarded by better principles. Indeed, it's hard
mixing in with self-wiUed and peremptory people. This is aU of
fers to me on this you are pleased to ask my opinion in. I am,
ray Lord, yours, &c.
Nov. 11, 1725,

LETTER CXVIL
blackwell's sacred classics.
To the Rev. Principal Stirling,
Rev. Dear Sir, — I have been agreeably entertained since
Monday, with reading over BlackweU's Sacred Classics, which I
return you, with thanks. I am glad any In this loose age are ap
pearing in defence ofthe Scripture style, majesty, and dignity, and
can bear with the author in his flight, that the Scriptures wIU be
part of the saint's entertainment in heaven. I am sure the great
things in them will. It's satisfying to me to find him so warm and
earnest for our Redeemer's Proper and Supreme Deity, which he

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 233
seems to love to Insist on, even when his subject does not absolutely
call for it. But I am sure the times do. The Lord, for his Christ's
sake, keep out from this Church looseness, or whatever raay tend
to lead that way, on this grand article of our holy religion. I
tremble at the thoughts of any thing this way, and know you do so
likewise. Were I able to visit you, it may be I would say more.
Receive my receipt for Knox's MS. I'll coUate it with my own,
ifl can get any body to read with me. I heartily sympathise with
you under your fraUties, and reckon myself caUed to this duty by
the remaining trouble, I have been for some time under, which is far
less than I deserve. I am yours.
December 22, 1725.

LETTER CXVIH.
calderwood's mss. — bruce's LIFE. — simson's errors.
To my Lord Grange,
My Lord, — ^Yours of the 12th I had, after I had given you the
trouble of one by Mr Warner. It brings me the hopes of more of
Mr Calderwood's papers, from my good Lord Polton.' I am be
ginning to flatter myself Mr Bruce's Diary, or his large collection
of letters from him and to him, which Mr Livingston says he saw,
and out of which Mr Calderwood has some of his best things about
Mr Bruce, may be that which my Lord has ; and if so, it will be a
rich treasure of Christian exercises and experiences, as well as of
important facts. I need not desire your Lordship to look after
' ' " He [Lord Polton] tells me, he bas fallen on more papers of his uncle's, and
hopes to get more still, and also something of Mr Robert Bruce's ; all which I am to
have from him, andwiU send you." — {Lord Grange to Wodrow.)

234 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
them and the other papers my Lord can recover. I hope from
them to put Mr Calderwood's Life in a far better shape than it Is,
from raany new materials they wUl afford ; and, indeed, he deserves
much at the hands of this Church ; and his History is the great fund
of materials for my poor Biography, which, if ever it come to any
bearing, this wUl be more owing to your Lordship and my Lord
Polton, than any other, at least as far as Mr Calderwood goes. I
cannot but blush when I consider how lame Mr Calderwood's Life
is. It was the first that I wrote, and is just a collection of what I
could gather about him. My Lord must raake great aUowances in
reading It ; and whatever further helps he is so kind as communi
cate shall be faithfully added. I presume to give ray most humble
respects to my Lord, and my most hearty acknowledgments for hife
undeserved favours.
The account your Lordship gives about Newhaven perfectly
satisfies me about my difficulty ; and I humbly thank you for the
inquiry you have made thereanent. That cu-cumstance gravelled
me, but now you have perfectly accounted for it.
I presume to send you Mr Robert Bruce's Life, which, specially
at the close of it, will let you see that I neglect not the extraordi
nary passages of these great men. I wish the write were better;
but I am at a loss for writers hereabout : I hope you'll get it read,
I raake no apology to your Lordship for sending these Lives just as
they fall from my pen. They must be carefully retouched, both
as to style and the transitions. Several additions come to my hand,
and things that fall in upon the Lives I have writ since, give light to
those I had scribbled before, I fear this throng time of the Session
be an 111 season to divert your Lordship with these va^egya. But
pray do not straiten yourself AvIth any thing I cast in, and please
dash down any thing that is proper for me to help,
I did not doubt but the melancholy accounts of P. S.' [Professor
' " If it were not so much talked here, [Edinburgh,] (and as I am informed by
sorae who regret it, lest it disparage the doctrine he was already called in question for,)
I would not mention any such report, and I do it only to yourself; but it is talked
here that your neighbour, Professor Simson, has discovered himself to be for Dr

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 235
Simson] would soon find the way to Edinburgh, and I am troubled
to think what noise they will make in England and Ireland, and in
what a light they will place this poor Church. But what is this to
the dishonour resulting from thence (if true) to the great God our
Saviour ? I freely own to your Lordship, this matter has affected
me more than ever any thin;^ I have observed since I could notice
what passed in this Church. I have been confined to this place
since October, and been nowhere abroad. It's but second-hand
reports I have ; and for several reasons I did not, nor do much, dip
Into Mr Simson's method. I am told, in conversatif" ^'^ denies
what his scholars report, and says he never taught any tlnngagainst
our Confession ; that he asserts the Son to be Summus Deus, the
Supreme God, of the same substance ¦with the Father ; that he
teaches his Proper Divinity and Eternity ; and yet he owns in con
versation that he does not think the Son's Independency, his Self-
Existence, and Self-Origination, consistent with his being begotten.
Inconstancy, and frequent changes in this foundation-article, are

Clarke of St Jgrnes's scheme. I heartily wish it may be a misreport ; and if not,
surely every one who loves our blessed Lord Jesus has cause to mourn for it. 1
cannot forget that the Commiitee of Instructions some years ago, when earnestly
urged to receive and transmit an instruction for expressly asserting and giving testi
mony to the Supreme Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ, refused to do it ; and to
evite it, crowded a word or two into the Act for Preaching Catechetical Doctrine, whieh
was indeed to elude the thing, and to give no express noticeable testimony to it. And
it was plainly so intended, as appeared from refusing obstinately to give it in another
way, and from the arguments then made use of. Since that time 1 have been parti
cularly afraid of a stroke to this Church from that great error. Not that I suspected,
or yet do suspect, some who joined in opposing that seasonable and useful testimony,
as if they were fallen away from the faith on that point. But I thought the refusal pro
voking to God ; and by letters from London, and things here, there was too much
ground to believe that the opposition proceeded from unwarrantable motives. It is dan
gerous, for pleasing great men and political views, to refuse to give honour to our glori
ous Lord Jesus, and to warn his people of seducers from him, when seasonably called
to it. It is much more so in a public capacity, and acting in the name of the Church
of Scotland ; and I cannot yet but think it noticeable that the words they slipt into
the Catechetical Act, though I believe they really meant them to express our Lord's
Supreme Deity, yet did it not, and left room for evasion, as if the Lord had refused
to accept of any testimony from those who refused him an express one." — {Lord
Grange to Wodrow.)

236 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
loudly charged upon him by his scholars. At first he taught for
twelve or fourteen years the ordinary doctrine with rauch zeal ; for
the two last years he seemed almost SabeUian, and upon every turn
censured Dr Clarke ; and this winter, they say, he is gone In In
several things to Dr Clarke's scheme. He hiraself, I ara told, says
that he, till of late, did not understand and like the Doctor, and
yet he stIU refutes the Doctor's (or rather Sir Isaac Newton's) no
tions as to God's nature, which he takes to be the foundation of aU
the Doctor's mistakes. That which makes this raatter the more
strange is, that he appears still weaker and weaker, and to be In a
dying condition, his flux recurring twice or thrice a-week to a great
height. The very first thought I had when I got the raelancholy
accounts, about the beginning of Noveraber, was, that his disease
had affected his head. Yet those who talked -with hira say he Is
connected and sensible to every thing he says, only brings in the
subject of Dr Clarke, the Fathers, and CouncU of Nice, in all con
versation. Of late, I hear that the ministers of the to-wn that con
verse with him begin to think that his head is really affected. The
low state of his health, and the exceeding weakness of his body,
(and yet he stIU teaches in the Hall,) are given as the reasons why
the Presbytery as yet have not had him judlciaUy before them.
Next week, I hear, they are to take this matter into their consi
deration. The Lord direct them !
This Is the state of that raatter your Lordship is pleased to Avrite
to rae on ; and you are the first ever I used this freedom with, and
what I write is only to you. This is a subject I don't at aU love
to say any thing of; and the more, that he succeeds my father, and
hath taken a quite different route from his way, and for other rea
sons I need not trouble you with. I desire to be found among the
mourners in secret for this and many other wrathlike tokens In our
present circumstances. I hear and understand not ; what shall the
end of all these things be ? I mind weU the remark you make on
the Assembly, 1720. As I took it, the members did not think It
seasonable to mix in with the English debates at that time, being
under no apprehensions of any hazard from ourselves. But your

WODROW TO MR MACICNIGHT. 237
remark is too trae, that the words cast in do not express what I
hope they Avere aimed at. The Lord pity us, and plead not his
just controversies with us, for the Man, his equal's sake ! I am, my
Lord, yours, &c.
Jan. 26, 1726.

LETTER CXIX.
SUBSCRIPTION. — PROFESSOR SIMSON.
To Mr Macknight.
Dear Brother, — Yours of 28th February was acceptable. I re
turn the inclosed. Give ray kindest respects to Mr Masterton,
and thanks for his distinct accounts. I wondered anent the Gene
ral Synod's overture anent yearly subscription to the Confession of
Faith. You knoAV our practice as well as I, and Mr Masterton is
perfectly right. Subscription of confessions, in my opinion, has far
fewer difficulties than re-subscription, which, without a process, at
least very plain grounds of suspicion of a departure from what is
subscribed) will be very difficult to defend ; and annual subscribing
Avould be both useless and hard, if not hazardous. I don't think
our brethren wUl find it proper to Insist upon this ; and I much
doubt if it be advisable In their present circumstances to insist upon
any thing at the next General Synod, unless the Subscribers be har-
raonious in it. A split in this juncture araong themselves is what
to me cannot be balanced by any advantage of a ucav regulation, be
it otherwise desirable, as I think yearly subscription Is not.
As to the other query about Mr Simson, I believe you know I
kept myself abstract in his former process, for reasons I beUeve wUl
satisfy you when you hear thera ; and in what has passed this win
ter I keep the sarae raethod, especially when confined to my house.

238 the AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
and have things only by report. I only wish your unbeUef be well-
founded. To-raorrow the Presbytery of Glasgow are to receive
written answers to written queries proposed to him. I am yours.
March 1, 1726.

LETTER CXX.
ERSKINE OF DUN. — DEATH OF RIDPATH. — WARRISTOn's DIARY.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I have not much from abroad since my last. See
Letters from Ireland. As to our affairs at Glasgow, of which I
never write save once to your Lordship, Mr Simson, on Wednes
day last, gave In his Answers in write to the Presbytery of Glas
gow's written Queries, in about a sheet of paper. I cannot give
any exact account of them, not having seen them. Only, I am
told he denies what he was charged with, and owns the Son's Pro
per Independency. One can make nothing of reports, unless they
agree with his precise words, in a case of this nature. They say
he is better in his health.
I am advancing slowly, as I best may, in my draughts of our
Lives. I have formed four or five more, and among them, that of
your relation, (at least I suppose his famUy was a cadet of your
Lordship's family,) John Erskine of Dun, who was a good and a
great man, and a firm opposer of corruptions. I thought to have
got it copied over and sent in to you, but I cannot easUy find
hands to write for me. I don't know if my Lord Dun, his direct
representative, as I am told, will find time to glance any thing of
this nature. If ever I should publish his great-grandfather's Life,
I would reckon it a branch of duty to offer my Lord the perasal of
the papers ; but it will be sorae time before I corae to entertain
thoughts of publishing any of them.

AVODROW TO LORD GRANGE, 239
If my good Lord Polton has found leisure to look out what he
made me hope for, I'll be fond of what he sends, with my Lord
PoUock's servants, I had a strong inclination to have ventured in
to the Comraission next week, and a greater to have come in this
week to the Sacrament. But the continuance of my trouble for
bids me. I bless God I am no worse. But though I durst ha\'e
ventured to ride so far, I can scarce see how my sciatick would per
mit rae to walk from a chamber to the church, I retain a grateful
sense of all your favours to, my Lord, your very much obliged and
most affectionate servant.
March 4, 1726.
P.S. — I see by the house papers Mr Ridpath is dead. I wish
means were fallen on to recover our Assembly Registers which
were in his hands, and which I was told he was to bring down
with him last sumraer to Edinburgh. He had got them, as I
heard, to make a little raoney of them here. But, in my opinion,
(your Lordship is a far better judge,) If they be our records, and
not copies, as was given out, they are the Church property, in
whose hands soever they be. Not that I would be against a gra
tuity to his poor widow, who, I believe, needs it ; but I fret to
think of our negligence in so important a matter. I wish some
care were taken to preserve the valuable papers that were in Mr
Ridpath's hands as to our Scots History. If I have not forgot, I
wrote to your Lordship before, that Mr Ridpath told me when here,
1713, that he had ray Lord Warriston's Diary in his hands, and
perused it with the greatest pleasure ; that besides rauch spiritual
soul exercise, it contained many valuable hints at facts, and the
springs of them, no where else to be found. To recover this, or
a copy of it from the Secretary, were my feet loose, and my health
served me, I would willingly make a London journey. Forgive
me, my Lord, for fashing you with thir things, as they come in my
thoughts. I know nobody has done, or can do, so much for re
covering our valuable remains as your Lordship.

240 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER CXXI.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1726.'
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 1. May 5, 1726.
My Dearest,— I have been dining with the Commissioner,^ and
am just going to the Committee for naming Preachers and Com
missions, and so I have only time to teU you that there is nothing
singular In the King's Letter or Commissioner's speech, or the re
turn. We had an excellent and very short sermon, that is, about
an hour, from Mr Alston, last Moderator, upon 2 Cor. rii. 8,
" But this treasure is in earthen vessels, that the exceUency," &c.
It was a most pointed sermon, and very solid and general. If he
had been a little more particular as to sorae things, sorae would
have liked it the better. The Assembly carae to the choice of the
new Moderator, and Mr Mitchell, though his daughter is a-dying,
was named by the Coraraissioner, and Mr WiUiara HamUton, Pro
fessor of Divinity, was concerted by a good many, because Mr Mit
chell has of late raade a particular turn, because he declined it, be
cause he was since Professor Harallton, and because those I speak
of are not for stiU being tied doAvn to one named by the Commis
sioner. The struggle run very near. As I reckoned it on my but
tons, Mr MitcheU had but one, and I am pretty sure he had not
two. However, it carried, and he had a speech as usual. The King's
grant for the second year of the L.IOOO was given in and read. I
am on two committees this night, and am Uke to be so throng that
you raust not be surprised If you want a letter sorae posts. I give
my service to my Lord and Mr Maxwell. Send this to them.
What is not worth their while is on the other side.
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xvii. Nos. 39-48.
' The Earl of Loudoun.

WODROAV TO MRS WODROAA'. 241
LETTER CXXII.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 2.
Edinburgh, May 6, 1726.
My Dearest, — This day the Asserably raet for prayer at ten of
the clock. The Coraraissioner had raore great raen attending hira
'^than usual on days of prayer. Mr WilUson of Dundee, Mr Wish
art, Mr John Hamilton, Professor Hamilton, and Professor Black-
Avell, prayed, and I cannot say but with sensible assistance. In the
afternoon, the Coraraittee of Overtures entered upon the Answer to
the King's Letter ; and there being nothing, save generals, all was
passed unaniraously. Our report fi-om the Coraraittee for Coramis-
slons took raore time. The last Act of Assembly was peremptory, that
Comraisslons were not to be sustained, except according to the for
mula transmitted last year. Six or seven were not according to it.
And we found that. In several of the Commissions, the attesting the
elders were qualified, according to Act of Assembly, 1722, was
oraitted ; and in sorae cases Ave found that ruling elders were sent
up who kept not faraily worship, as Culloden, and his brother, the
present Advocate.' We overtured that either the act might be
repealed or execute. In some Presbyteries, protests Avere taken
against attesting the elders to be qualified in all respects, and yet
they were named. This, after long debate, wherein some Avere for
castipg the Avhole merabers sent up contrary to the last act ; others
were for raaking examples of sorae of thera, and that for examples
to others ; others for caUIng the Presbyteries before the Asserably,
and rebuking thera ; — It landed In this, because the unqualified
members were none of them present, I raean the elders, that letters
should be written to the Presbyteries, with a rebuke to the Presby
teries, and assuring them they would not, after this, be sustained, If
their Commissions were not every Avay in terras of the act passed
' The celebrated Duncan Forbes, afterwards President of the Court of Session.
VOL. HI. Q

242 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
last year. It's stumbling to many that Mr Finlator comes in and
sits as a member of this Asserably ; and, considering bis present cir
cumstances, it's reckoned great imprudence in the Presbytery to
send him, and somewhat worse in hira to corae. Mr N. CampbeU
and Mr Matthew Connel are come in, commissioned by the part of
the parish of Cardross who oppose Mr Smith, to act for them. We
are like to have much litigious work before us.
Mr Gabriel Wilson is a raeraber of the Asserably. His commis
sion Is In form. He came in to the Coraraittee of Overtures, and
proposed the inserting a clause in our Answer to the King's Letter,
about Our grievances, and gave an Instance that this was done 1716.
To this it was answered, that that year the King's Letter had a
clause, and the circumstances of the time made it proper, we hav
ing raade application to hira for their redress. But now, there being
no part of the King's Letter relative to our grievances, and the
King having done soraewhat in order to remove them, there was no
need of inserting any thing in the Answer to the King's Letter on
this subject.

LETTER CXXIIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 3. May 9, 17-26.
My Dear, — Yesterday Mr WiUiam Stewart preached in the
forenoon before the Coraraissioner ; his lecture on Psalm Ixxxv,, and
his serraon on Hosea v. last verse, " I wiU go and return to my
place," &c., a raost serious and rousing sermon. In the afternoon,
Mr Patrick Cumming of Lochmaben, upon " Them that honour me
I wUl honour," a neat discourse, very pleasantly and distinctly de
livered. We are this day entering on our business. The instruc
tions contain not rauch remarkable ; only five or six Presbyteries
have instructions relative to Mr Simson's teaching, and our hazard

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 243
of error and refined Arianism, as some of them express it, — Perth,
Kirkcaldy, Coupar, Dundee, EUon, Deer. In the forenoon, after
we had classed our instructions, our committee met ; and after I had
read the class, Mr Allan Logan raoved that the case of Arianism,
and the hazard of this Church from it, might be first considered,
though not first in the roll, as being by far the most Important thing
before us. This was gone into, and the Presbyteries of Perth and
EUon, who direct us to inquire into the reports, were called on, and
they signified the reports related to Glasgow, and that they had
accounts frora Edinburgh and Aberdeen that Mr Slrason was gone
Into Clarke's scherae. Without farther dipping in the Public Cora
raittee of Instructions, this raatter was sub-committed to a com
mittee, the Moderator, Principals Wishart, Haddow, Chalmers, Pro
fessor Hamilton, Mr Allan Logan, Mr J. Alston, Mr R. W[odi-OAv,]
and the members of the Presbyteries of Glasgow, Perth, and Ellon,
with the President, Lord Grange, and some others I raay have for
got, to hear the state of this affair from the Presbytery of Glasgow,
what they have done, where it stands, and bring in an overture
thereanent. Thus this matter Is entered on ; where It avIU land,
the Lord himself direct, 1 do not incline this account go farther
than my Lord and Mr MaxAvell. Be concerned about conduct to
the Assembly at Cathcart, and put Mr Love in mind A^-e desire
prayers ; for I am of opinion Ave never had more need. The affair
of Popery came next before our Committee of Instructions ; and
besides the representations sent up in Noveraber upon the rabble
of Fochabers, and some others since, and a kind letter from the
Duke of NcAvcastle, promising the King's forward prosecution of
the Papists, who have fled frora justice, the Solicitor told us, last
post, he had particular orders to prosecute thera. At four the As
serably raet. Provost Carapbell's appeal from our Synod about Mr
Richardson was tabled, and the President and others moved a com
mittee might be naraed to take it up, so as the Assembly raight not
be further troubled with it openly. This was gone into. They say
they are to pass Mr Richardson with sorae small acknoAvledgraent.
Then Mr WiUiam Stewart of Inverness' transportation to Kiltearn

244 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
came in. The process was not long. He declared his wUlingness,
yea, desire, to leave Inverness, and that he had prevaUed with the
raaglstrates, Avho did not appear in the cause ; and so he was trans
ported. At night the sub-comraittee as to Mr SIrason's affair met.
We Inquired into the reports, found them aU land on Mr Simson ;
the Presbytery was called, the letter read, and, after long reason
ing, Ave agreed to refer it to the Presbytery of Glasgow, and desire
thera to go on in their inquiry, and to adjoin an Asserably commit
tee to thera, to be advised with and called for by the Presbytery of
GlasgoAV. But the nurabers, tirae, and manner of their choice, AriU
be matter of another raeeting, If not of more, of our sub-committee,
before it be ended. I see little in the letters this night.

LETTER CXXIV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodroio, No. 4. May )1, 1726.
My Dear, — Yesterday, in the afternoon, the Assembly met, and
the Coraniittee for raanaging the King's Bounty last year gave in
their report to the Assembly, that they had sent twelve ministers,
twenty-one probationers, and eighteen catechlsts, to preach In Po
pish countries,' some of them shorter, sorae of them longer; that
they had laid out L.895, or thereby, upon thera, according to the
instructions agreed upon, and there Avas L.25 of expenses to be de
duced for the royal grants passing, and sixpence per pound, Avith a
very sraall raatter to the cashier and clerk of their meeting, which
carae up, with a few incidental charges, to the L.IOOO ; that a small
balance was remaining, rising from the deflclencles of some who
had not been able to go out. With this they laid before the As
sembly a representation of the present state of Popery In these
countries, of about tAvo sheets, and the progress they had made,
particularly that one isle of many fiimilies Avere brought back to the
' Meaning districts of country in the Highlands and Islands.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 245
Protestant interest ; that their heritors, particularly the Laird of
CoU, joined heartily. The missionaries on the King's Bounty had
much success. They propose that a considerable number of neigh
bouring ministers be sent up for three raonths to the Synod of
Glenelg, and Strabogie, [Strathbogle,] and Abernethy, where Po
pery raost abounds, and that they preach and be raerabers of the
Presbyteries whither they come ; and that these, with the Protest
ant heritors in these bounds, raeet and consider the raost necessary
places where they are to labour. They Intlraate, likewise, that there
Is great need that more schools and catechlsts be appointed ; this
being of more use than any other thing alraost. And, therefore,
essays will be raade to get the King's gift extended to Protestant
schoolmasters also, which will be of vast use ; whereas It Is now re
stricted to ministers, preachers, and catechlsts. The Solicitor had
thanks given him to his diligence In the affair of the Fochabers
rabble. This day. In the forenoon, the Coraraittee about Doctrine raet,
and transmitted an overture, by way of act, to the Committee of In
structions, who raet at three in the afternoon, and several seemed
to be against a committee for Inquiring into this matter, jointly
with the Presbytery of Glasgow, as proposed by us in the sub-cora
mittee, but were for referring it either to the Comraission, which only
two raoved, to correspond with the Presbytery, or leaA'e it to the
Presbytery and the Synod In the ordinary course. In opposition
to this. It was said that that course would not Interest the Asserably,
which now had it before thera, nor be so soleran, or speedy, or pro
per, as that by a coraraittee to assist the Presbytery ; and that It
was raost proper that a raatter of that nature should have the pro
fessors of divinity and the learnedest of the Church to be the raa
nagers of It ; and that neither Presbytery nor Synod desired the
burden of this raatter upon thera without others ; and the ordinary
way of procedure in this raatter would delay It, Avithout doing any
thing In such an important and dangerous matter, till next Assem
bly; that this coraraittee being only to inquire and bring to a sen
tence, it was no infraction on the radical judicatories ; and that

246 THE AA'ODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
though an extraordinary course, which this was not, since it had been
used both in Mr Simson's former affair, in the Marrow, aud In the
yearly Instructions to the Comraission, to call before them any who
are suspect in point of unsoundness, since the 171 7, should be taken,
nobody would mistake It with relation to a public teacher of youth
forraerly under process, and whose doctrine had been already cen
sured. At night, the raatter being kept open to the Overtures, they and
the Instructions raet, and there, after long reasoning, the sub-com-
ralttee's overture was remitted to the Assembly Arithout a vote.
What I observed to make sorae difficulty, after the sub-committee
had agreed upon the overture of a committee, with theu- powers,
was the nomination, which was like to run into a channel which
would have brought such persons upon the nomination as might not
be so proper for an affair of that nature, and the fears some had as
to dissents and parties, in such a committee, and bringing in
things and manners of speaking on this tremendous head, that would
be additions to our Standards, if agreed to by the foUowing Assem
bly, when they approved of what was done by the committee and
Presbytery. The first way of nominating the committee was given
up, a provision added to the act and overture tying the procedure
doAvn to the Scripture and Standards ; and so amicably it was trans
mitted to the Assembly, and the nomination of a committee of
twenty-five, Avhereof eighteen are to be rainisters, was left to the
Presbytery of Glasgow their raembers here. Much depends on the
raerabers of the coraraittee to be named ; and if they be well
guided as to these, rauch of the procedure wiU depend on it.

May 1-2, 17-26.
This forenoon, our Sub-committee of Instructions had the affair
of a fast before them. We had but one instruction for it ; but It
seems the Comraissioner's poAvers leave hira at raore liberty than
formerly, providing the day be appointed by the King, that the As
sembly nominate the causes, and point out the season, and in open

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROAV. 247
Assembly appoint the fast. It was urged, that when we may have
the King's concurrence as to the day, we ought stUl to ask it, be
cause in raany places it wUl not be kept without this ; that last
year the Coramission, by immediate powers from the Assembly,
did name the day, and it's but decent to give the King the nomina
tion in his vice, and since continuing- and growing evils, and the
hazard of error and growth of Popery, caU for fasting, and the As
sembly has not appointed a fast in Assembly since the King's ac
cession. It's agreed we have one. Professor HamUton, Principal
Wishart, Mr Brand, and Lord Grange, are to draw the, act and
causes, and it's agreed that nothing we are not agreed in be insert
in the draught. My Lord Grange and Colonel Erskine are now
for leaving the day to the King.

LETTER CXXV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 12, 1726.
My Dearest, — ^I wrote to you this day, in the forenoon, and I
must do It generaUy, since our aftemoon raeetings exclude one from
thinking of writing any thing, till after nine at night. *****
* * * Mr WiUlson proposed that a scandal was like to arise from
legal preaching of morality, and sermons where nothing of Christ
was, and a coraraittee was appointed tojoin hira, Mr Warden, Pro
fessor HaraUton, and ray Lord Grange, and to bring in an overture.
«*»»*««*»** The Asserably went on to Mr Simson's
affair. The overture was read, and It was raoved that the manner of
nomination should be altered to sorae others than the Presbytery
of Glasgow. This brought along debate. It was only urged, that
in this shape it was agreed there should be a coraraittee, and if
this was opened, we behoved to go back to the question, if there

248 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
should be a coraraittee at all ? It was doubted, whether the As
serably could vote the overture tiU the nomination of the com
mittee. This was at length overruled, and before coming to the
vote, Mr Mathew Simson told the Moderator, that by a letter from
his brother, he had ordered him to signify to'' the Assembly that
he had heard that there were some instructions, importing his
teaching doctrines contrary to the Scripture and Confession of
Faith, and therefore he craved liberty to signify that he had taught
nothing contrary to these ; and that he had not broken the injunc
tions fqrmerly given hira by the Asserably, and willingly sub
jected hiraself to be tried by the General Assembly In any regular
method ; and that if he had not been brought low with sickness, he
would have personaUy attended upon this Assembly ; but he was
disabled, and for some days since his trouble was recurred upon
hira. Afterward the vote was stated, Whether Approve the over
ture of the Committee, or Delay. It carried Approve, by a vast
plurality. There Avas not above ten or twelve Delays. Indeed, se
veral were silent ; and I do not wonder at it ; for the consequences
of this are very aAvful and doubtful, go as it wiU ; and every body
almost complains, and prays for forgiveness to him, that has, vrithout
all reason, brought us on this unhappy lock, to do somewhat, the
matter being spread through all the church, and neighbouring
churches, and before the Asserably ; and yet we cannot positively
say what raust be the consequences of what we do. The members
frora the Presbytery of Glasgow decUned being nominators very
strongly, but now are overruled ; and I hope they wiU make the
nomination, at least now that the overture is agreed to, and if not,
the matter avIU be provided for some other Avay. ******

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 24 9
LETTER CXXVL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No, 6. May 14, 1726.
My Dear, — The Assembly has sat this day, (Saturday,) from
nine in the raorning tUl after ten at night, without rising. You'll
easily guess that I ara not to enter on particulars. About three of
the clock, by a vote, they disapproved the procedure of the Cora
mission as to Aberdeen settleraent, because of their not duly con
sidering the inclinations of the people, and for their too hasty pro
cedure. Then they carae to consider whether they should disannul
the settlement, and at ten of the clock, by a vote, carried Not re
scind, by twenty-three votes. The former was by fourteen. Thus
Mr Chambers' Is settled minister at Aberdeen, and this woeful affair
happily ended ; for had the Comralsslon's sentence been opened and
reversed after execution, our Coraraissions had been at an end.
And a certain side are highly disappointed.

LETTER CXXVIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 7. May 14, 1726.
My Dearest, — I Avrote a short time ago by post this night, and
now AvhUe the raatter Is In my head, I shaU give a short detail of a
long day's Avork, firom nine In the morning tlU ten at night, with
out the Commissioner's going off the throne. When the minutes
were read, the Comraission was approven unanimously in aU other
things, reserving Aberdeen, and received thanks, and Synods were
' This name is spelt by Wodrow indifferently. Chambers and Chalmers.

250 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
ordered to go aside at the rising of the Asserably, and choose
their noralnators for the Coraraission, nobody believing that it
would be dark before we ended. But so it was, and so the elec
tion is delayed tUl Monday. Parties were heard out on Friday
night, as to the Commission's procedure, and so Ave members of the
Comraission Avere reraoved. What passed in the members' reason
ing upon our procedure, I cannot tell, being out. Mr Gray, Mr
Hamilton, and others, spoke in defence of the Coramission, but In
vain ; the Comraission behoved to be run down as to their proced
ure, though, I believe, without breach of charity. The bulk of the
voters Avere deterrained before they came in, and were much si
lenced In point of reasoning. About three of the clock it was, by
a vote, carried that the Comraission should not be approven in
their procedure anent Aberdeen, especiaUy because they had not
considered the inclinations of the people, that Is, heads of famUles,
in opposition to town-councU, session, and communicants, the plu
rality of whora, as far as appeared to me, were for Mr Chambers,
and, because they had been too hasty and precipitant in deter
mining that settlement, when the Assembly was so near at hand.
The Assembly did not determine that the Commission had ex
ceeded their powers, nor that they had done wrong in supplying the
Presbytery's not concurring with the caU, nor in joining corre
spondents with the Presbytery in settling of JMr Chambers, and se
veral other important steps. The Commission submitted to the
Assembly's sentence, though they complained that they had not
given their mind so distinctly and particularly, by going through
the particular steps taken by the Coraraission, as to know wherein
they had done wrong, save in the tAVO particulars hinted. Then
the Asserably went forward to consider the settleraent of Mr
Charabers at Aberdeen, and whether, after disproving their pro
cedure, they should reverse the settlement of Mr Chambers there.
The Commission were called upon to speak to that point. The
complalners were heard against the settlement. Upon their part,
I reraeraber Uttle pleading from the bar, but what has been said
formerly as to the proceedings of the Commission upon the first

AVODROAV TO AIRS AVODROAV. 2.')1
head. The Advocate, Mr Hugh Dalrymple, aUeged that the Com
mission had AvilfuUy and knowingly transgressed the rule laid be
fore them In this raatter by the last Asserably, and their proceed
ings were consequently void and null, being a delegated power
and court. Mr Logan, a dissenter, had sorae things at the Cora-
mission's imposing upon the power of radical judicatories, and their
encroaching upon the constitution of this Church, and the rights of
people in choosing their pastors, because the call from heritors,
sessions, and comraunicants, was sustained, in opposition to that
from the plurality of famUIes. My Lord Grange spoke long, and
by far the best, and urged that the Commission being a delegate
court, and gone beyond their poAvers, the Assembly undoubtedly
had power to reverse Avhat they had done, and ought now to find
so much, and vindicate the rights of the Christian people, who
were here a majority, as to their elections. He noticed that unless
this were done, there was hazard that Commissions should as
sume a power to do iniquity, when they knew that their sentences
Avere not to be reversed, and that even when they Avere found to
have done wrong in their proceedings. He further urged, that
there Avas a nullity in their procedure, because their instructions,
though finally to determine, were, by the ordinary rules of the Cora
mission, to stand tUl disapproven by the succeeding Assembly,
which imported a power in the Assembly to rescind thera, which
they ought to do, because, in their procedure, they had not con
sulted the Inclination of the people, and heads of families. He
endeavoured to prove a nullity from their Avant of the concurrence
ofthe Presbytery, their going contrary to the power ofthe Christ
ian people, their taking the matter out of the hands of the Presby
tery of Forres, and some other things, extraneous, and In which
the Assembly had not found the Comraission to have erred, and
coraraitted iniquity in.
The raanagers of the Commission were next heard, the Mode
rator, Professor Hamilton, Principal Haddow, Mr Sraith, and Mr
Dundas, late Advocate. The Moderator shuffled the raatter, as in
his former appearance, though in this matter he spoke a little more

252 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
heartily. The rest, indeed, had no need of his assistances. Finer
appearances frora the bar I scarce ever heard. Professor HamiU
ton took notice that even when the Coramission had been disap
proven, the sentence still stood, and was never opened since the
Revolution. He instanced in the case of Mr Graham of Dunferm
line, and Mr Hepburn, and Mr Ingllsh of Kilsplndy. To enter
upon aU their pleadings would be endless. They noticed that
this was a matter of vastly raore consequence to the Church than
Aberdeen call, or a hundred raore ; that it affected the constitution
of the Comraission essentlally^ ; that in all supreme courts, when a
power was coraraitted finally to determine, though iniquity, error,
and wrong, was committed, yet, having power finaUy to determine,
the delegates might be censured, but what they did by a right
power stUl stood, till a new process on another foot was raised.
They granted, that In general cases, relative to the constitution
of the Church, or the doctrine of the Church, or in case of the
Commissions exceeding the powers given them, the Assembly
could reverse what they did ; but in private cases, where there
were parties concerned, whatever error was by the Commission,
and however they might be censured or disapproven, their sen
tence behoved to stand irreversible, in the nature of the thing,
and not from any want of power in the Supreme Court ; that
it were the highest unrighteousness and iniquity, after the As
sembly had given a jus tertii, a poAver finally to determine in
a private case, and the deterrainatlon was raade to open that
decision or reverse it ; that this Avould be to render Commissions
useless, to open a door for bringing in all causes determined by a
Coraraission anew before the Asserably, after they had clothed the
Coraraission Avith a power to act in their roora — it would ever load
Assemblies with work, and render all Commissions henceforth use
less. An Act of Assembly, 1721, I think, in the case of a petition
to rescind the sentence of the Commission about Mr Ingllsh, was
cast up, declaring positively that the petition could not be granted,
because the Assembly had given them power finally to determine.
In short, this was for the Assembly to contradict what they had

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 253
done, to give with the one hand and take with the other ; that if
the Assembly could rescind a thing done by the Comraission in a
private cause where parties were concerned, Avhere parties had bona
fide depended on the Asserably's powers delegated to others, then
there Avas liberty to appeal from the sentence of a Commission to
the next General Assembly, which had never been allowed since
the Revolution ; and the constant practice of the Church Is the
strongest proof of the sense of the Church, though there were not
rules as there are here. In short. It was strongly pled, that by
Christ's law we cannot judge In the nature of the thing, parte inau-
dita, Do A^'e judge a man before we hear him ? that Mr Chambers,
being noAV settled, the magistrates, (patrons,) town-council, session,
and communicants in Aberdeen, who had Mr Chalmers given them
bona fide by the Assembly's sentence finally to determine by the
Comraission, could not be deprived of hira, iior he torn frora thera,
unless they were cited here, which they neither were nor could be.
These things, rauch better said than I can express, were fully in
sisted on, and all the instances of Lochmaben, which was not a re
scinding the Comralsslon's sentence, but that of a Synod, and
KUsplndy, &c., shoAvn to a demonstration to be for, instead of being
against, the Commission. After this parties were removed. The
Assembly, after an hour's reasoning, came to the vote. Rescind the
sentence or Not, and It carried Not, by 23 or 27, even when the
Commission's members were out. This was mortifying to one side,
as weU as satisfying to others. Thus this woeful affair is ended, and
those who appeared for the Revolution in Aberdeen supported.
This is another Instance where the Lord has weU guarded our As-
sembUes in perplexed and party concerns, added to raany I have
been Avitness to, and I hope the peace of the town is rauch settled. I
hear there were warm speeches Avlthin doors before the vote. There
was littie, very littie left, in point of reasoning, to those who were
for rescinding; and so they run out upon the hazards of Commis
sions going wrong, which was more popular. To this It was answered,
that there was greater hazard of destroying thera ; and hints were
given of some considerable services done by Commissions since the
Revolution, particularly the Seasonable Warning. Mr Gabriel

254 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
WUson had prepared a written speech, and, araong other things,
said warraly that the Commission had betrayed the rights of the
Christian people. This drew a cry upon hira to caU him to the
bar, where he was once before for a speech he had upon the Mar
row.' This sticked his speech. Mr WUlison in Dundee made a
proposal before the vote, that if the vote carried Not rescind the
Commission's sentence, it should be marked that this should not be
a precedent, nor infer that after this the sentences of Commissions
should not be rescinded by General AssembUes. But that was
not gone into. The Solicitor, Mr Charles Erskine, who was but
lately raade an elder, and, I believe, never sat in any judicatory eccle
siastical, unless it was in a session, before, and from his unacquaint-
edness with forras, falls Into raany blunders, because he speaks very
much, and takes the direction of the Assembly almost In every
thing upon him, made 'several proposals, when it was feared that it
Avould carry Not rescind. He proposed that Mr Chambers should
be continued for a year at Aberdeen, and declared transportable by
the next General Assembly; that is, that after two years' trouble, all
done should be left open. But this Avas not yielded. After the vote,
it's said some of the warmest asserters of the Comralsslon's Iniquity
and powers of Asserably said without doors, when they heard how
it Avent, that this was a vlUanous vote and division. So that some
Avho appear for our powers in Assemblies, Avhen they go against
their Inclinations, can as rauch censure them as others.
' The conduct of the Assembly on this, as well as on the former occasion here re
ferred to, does not redound much to their credit ; nor does Wodrow appear to much
advantage in his way of recording it. On tVie former occasion, Mr AVilson, on at
tempting to speak, was put down by Dundas of Arniston, then Lord Advocate, who
said, " Not one word, not one word." Mr AVilson then said, " Moderator, seeing 1
have not liberty to speak, 1 adhere to the protestation of my brethren " "Then,"
says Patrick Walker, who seems to have been present, " there was a speaking among
the Long-heads about the helm, some saying, O insolence ! others saying. After all the
work about him, we have not gained the least ground of him. I would lather," adds.
honest Patrick, justly indignant at this injustice, " venture my neck before our Jus
ticiary Lords, where I would get clean pith and fair play for my life, than before such
Church judicatories ; for if I were opposite to the backsliding spirit of the day, I
would be sure to come off with loss." — Biog. Pres. See also Christ. Instructor for
1832.

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 255
May 16.
Yesterday, Mr WiUison lectured before the Commissioner on
Psalm xxil., and preached upon Psalm xiv. 4, " In thy majesty ride
forth prosperously." He had raany good things upon Christ's Di
vinity, and the hazard of error and Arianism creeping In upon this
age, and in his prayers was very particular upon that head. In
his sermon, pressing a concern for the public interest of truth, he
told us, out of the Church Historians, the account of an orthodox
Christian who had done a great service to one of the Arian Empe
rors. The Eraperor desired him to ask what he pleased and he
would grant it. The other gave in a petition that the Orthodox
might have liberty to meet separately frora the Arians. This put
the Eraperor in such a passion as he tore the petition, and yet, sen
sible of his obligation to the petitioner, desired him to ask any
other thing. The Christian gathered the torn petition up, put it in
his bosom, and said. If you wlU not hear me for my God, I wIU ask
nothing. But what was most noticed, because of what foUowed in
the afternoon, was, that when he Avas considering the hinderances
of the riding prosperously of Christ as a King, he gave us this as
one : — when the privileges ofthe Christian people to choose their own
pastors, founded upon the Word of God, (Mr Smith, in his speech
before the Assembly, had set them upon the natural rights of raen
and societies,) were encroached upon. Mr Nairn, rainister at An-
struther, preached in the afternoon, upon — " The Lord hath done
great things for us ;" and in the application he mentioned, among
the great things God had done for us, the freedom of our General
Assemblies, and the conduct of them hitherto ; and he said, that
this Assembly, he thought, was guided kindly in their procedure
hitherto ; and as to the election of ministers, he hoped this Church
would StiU keep her good acts ; and he took the liberty to declare
this as his opinion publicly, to prevent reflections and calumnies
upon their procedure. These seeming different views of persons
on different sides declared in pulpit, I ara afraid have Ul conse
quences. And I wish the great cry raade for the people's powers
in election, that is, of the raajority of heads of farailies, which is the
case noAv upon the carpet, (for, as I observed, the town-council,

256 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
session, and coinmunlcants, are in Aberdeen affair plainly for Mr
Chalmers,) draw not down further burdens upon us, and an enlarge
ment of the power of patrons, frora such as would rent us and tear
us to pieces. Thus this affair of Aberdeen stands. I Av-Ish to have
no more to write upon It.
This day, the Coraraittee for the fast raet and agreed upon it, and
it was transraitted the overtures. Another sub-committee also was
named, where I was, for nomination of the next Committee for the
King's Bounty, which was done. The Overtures have these and an
act against legal preaching and declamatory discourses, AvhIch was
remitted to the next diet. It's drawn by Messrs Warden, WUlison,
Mr John Curry in Fife, and my Lord Grange, and if it pass will,
I hope, do service. The Assembly raet at about 12 of the clock,
and agreed to the draught of the fast, where the day Is left to the
King's nomination, and he is desired to interpose his authority.
The new Coraraittee for the King's Bounty Avas agreed to, and many
particular affairs remitted to the Coramission. The Synod met for
nominating the nominators of the Commission. Our Synod met,
where Ave found a concert, I never observed before, by the Presby
teries of Ayr and Irvine, who out-voted us AvIth their ruling elders,
which they brought In, and carried Messrs Falside, M'Derment,
and Sir James Stewart, against Messrs Gray, Hamilton, and an
other. At the reading of the minutes, Affleck raade a raotion that
the rainutes were lame, and that it raight be marked that the As
sembly reserved poAver to alter all sentences of Commissions ; but
that was refused, because Instruments Avere taken yesternight, and
this was not added to the intimation. Mr Gabriel WUson moved,
that after error In the [cause of] fast, raight be added the prevalency
of Arianism in these lands ; but Avas not seconded, as Avhat Avas not
before us, and did not appear araong us, though we were Inquiring
into it. We had difficulty in this committee to [settle] the strait
betwixt some brethren that were for putting in the Covenants
more plainly than " by solemn engagements to God," and the pru
dence of this, it being to be sent to court. But my Lord Grange
and Colonel Erskine, who are now upon the Comraissioner's, and
shall I caU it the Court side, got matters easily calmed.

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 257

LETTER CXXVIIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 8.
Edinburgh, May 16, 1726.
My Dear, — This afternoon the Committee of Instmctions met,
and went through what reraained, principally raatters referred to
the Coraraission. At six the Overtures raet, where we had an Act
of Asserably proposed for restraining transportations from Highland
parishes to the Lowlands, ratifying aU the former Acts of Assembly,
and discharging them to be transported without the consent of'the
General Assembly, or declared transportable without consent of the
people. This was formed by my Lord Grange, upon Mr M'Innes
being declared transportable from a congregation in Braeraar, after
another year. Then an act against legal preaching was read, drawn
by those named above, Messrs Warden, WUUson, Mr John Curry,
author of the Jus Populi Vindicatum, bearing, that as the Assembly,
in the case of the Marrow, had asserted the obligation of the law,
so now they recommend the preaching of Christ, and discharge
legal preaching — that Is, recoraraendmg duties only on the powers
of nature and without grace, and neglecting Christ as our only
strength for performing, and the ground of our acceptance, in ser
raons, and recommending the preaching so usefully used in this
Church, by doctrine, reasons, and use. There was a clause added
in the first draught, guarding against loose and declamatory ser
mons, but that was dropped. Both these were transmitted to the
Assembly. Colonel Erskine renewed the proposal, that offence was
taken at Mr Smith's expression in his defence of the Comralsslon's
procedure about Aberdeen, that the people had a natural right to
elect their pastors, but the Scriptures ordinarUy brought to support
it were not directly to the purpose, and that Messrs Rutherford,
GlUespie, and Calderwood, did not teach this doctrine, that the
VOL. III. R

258 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
majority of the people (heads of famlUes, as distinguished from
Session and Town-Council, for that was the subject of the reason
ing) had not a right to call, and, therefore, that he should be called
to explain himself, and if found censurable, that he should be re
buked by the Commission. The Assembly had refused this. In
the forenoon Mr Smith was absent, and, therefore, the matter was
dropped. «*«*«»»•*

LETTER CXXIX.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No, 9. May 17, 1726.
My Dear, — This aftemoon, after I sent away mine by post, the
Coraraittee for noraination of the Comraission raet, where it was
brought in. It's Uke to be pretty much of such as opposed Aber
deen settlement. Mr Smith, Mr Rarasay, and a good raany others,
are out of it. The Synod of Lothian is generally on the other side,
and these wUl keep best. You AriU be glad to hear I am left out
of It. The raerabers frora our Synod are generaUy aU of one side,
Messrs Campbell, Johnston, and Menzles. There is a regulation
made, that the Comraission raeddle not with private causes except
at their ordinary stated meetings ; all the rest rans in common form.
The Asserably agreed to it, and to an act against transportmg
Highland ministers. The act against legal preaching was read,
and, after a long straggle, remitted to the Commission, to be amend
ed as to sorae expressions, which, indeed, I could not understand
the exceptions against ; and Presbyteries aUowed to take copies,
when agreed to at the Comraission in August, that their Presby
teries may be instracted about it next Assembly. It's a good act,
and I wish it had passed. AU agreed in approving the matter of
it. Then we adjourned tUl to-morrow, when little remains save

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 259
common form. One of the reasons for dropping this act at present
seemed to be, that it was draAvn up by such as were supposed to
be favourers of the Marrow, Messrs Warden, WilUson, Curry, &c.,
though I do not think any of them did favour it. And the word
legal preaching was not liked, though explained safe enough ; and
yet it's a word used in our former Church acts. But considering
the desultory haranguing way of preaching, and the not preaching
of Christ, and the spirit that is so common at this tirae among our
young preachers, and bright images, as some caU them, it wiU be a
pity if the Coraraission do not effectuaUy form the act, and I hope
they will. May 18, 1726.
This day the Asserably raet at eleven. We had little but forms.
The students at Edinburgh this year are 209 ; those at Glasgow,
59 ; at Aberdeen, 39 ; at St Andrews, 39. I have forgot the Pro
bationers' number. The Moderator had a speech, wherein he took
notice of the kindness of God In conducting the Assembly through
so many important raatters, and such a variety of business as uses
not almost to be before one Asserably ; that, whatever different
sentiments there had been ift-some things, yet there was a perfect
harmony as to the main and most difficult thing — the suppressing
the least appearance of error ; that our variety of sentiraents in
other things was of considerable use In our present state. The
Coraraissioner's speech was In coraraon forra ; only he took notice
that the King was extreraely concerned at the growth of Popery,
and gave particular attention to the Church's representations there
anent, and had given such orders to the forces, as it's hoped would
do much to check It In time to come, and had graciously ordered
prosecutions against Papists to be carried on at his expenses. The
Assembly closed Arith the 133d Psalm being sung.

260 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER CXXX.
simson's case. — CALDERWOOD.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I hear Mr Simson reckons the Assembly Act hard,
and an inquisition ; but, if a Church have not power to inquhe
Into the doctrine of her teachers, I know no power she has. What
shape this affair wiU faU Into before the Presbytery, Wednesday
next week, I cannot tell. I pray the Lord may guide them to wise
and faithful measures. They say he is much better In his health,
and it's probable may be at the next Presbytery.
I desired Mr Logan to send me his thoughts on what was most
exceptionable in Mr Simson's letter to the Presbytery, and an ab
breviate of the most glaring positions advanced by the Presbytery
in his former process. He said he would talk writh your Lordship
upon" it. If he has left any thing with you, it A\'ill be raost ac
ceptable, and your own thoughts upon the letter to the Presbytery,
at your leisure, will be a new favour.
Since I carae horae I have looked through Mr Calderwood's
Papers, turned raany of them out of their old folds, and laid them
as near the order of time as I could. Many of them are imper
fect and sadly crazed,' especially the oldest. I send my most
humble duty to good Lord Polton, and hope to make considerable
additions to Mr Calderwood's Life. If my Lord had leisure to
search, it may be, some thing might be found to make up the Im
perfections of these valuable remains. Permit me to mind your
Lordship to write to Jerviswood. Rattray's Paper 'wiU be accept
able, with any thing on these questions among the gentlemen of
that side. I am, my Lord, yours.
May 28, 1726. ' Creased or mutilated.

LORD GRANGE TO WODROAV. 261
LETTER CXXXL
REPLY. — DR CLARKE.
Lord Grange to Wodrow.^
Sir, — I acknowledge my fault in delaying so long to answer
yours of May 28th. Mr Spence tells me that thp Presbytery of
Glasgow has never yet sent in an attested authentic copy of Mr
Simson's Letter, as the committee appointed them to do, nor
do I hear that they have written to the moderator of the com
mittee. Nevin's book, with many thanks. Is hercArith returned.
Never did a book stick so In ray hands in the perusing. I found
little instruction in it, except as to the particular history of these
debates ; and I confess I wearied so rauch of it, that after divers
attempts, other books and business have always made me lay it
aside, and to this day I have not read it through. Mr Logan
spoke nothing to me about what you mention ; but after I got
yours, I Avrote to him of It. He wrote back to me, that other af
fairs had put It out of his head AvhUe I was in town, (and I left it
before him,) and that he has not yet got his observes reduced
into order. I ara told, and not by bad hands, that some are try
ing already to sense (as they call it) some of the oddest parts of
Simson's Letter, as, that Christ Is the Supreme God, cum grano
salis. Such sensing I take to be the art of teaching heresy or-
thodoxly. Rattray's Paper I have not yet fallen upon. I hope It
is not lost ; but if it be not, I have laid It soraewhere, which I have
forgot, and cannot yet find it. I am. Rev. Sir, your most hurable
servant, James Erskine.
Edinburgh, June 30, 1726.
A gentleraan lately from England teUs me that a book against
Dr Waterland is coming out under the name of Jackson, but re-
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxii. No. 4.

262

THE WODROW CORTIESPONI^ENCE.

vised by Whiston and Dr Clarke, especiaUy the last; that Dr
Clarke recants what he Avrote for his own way of signing the
Thirty-Nine Articles, and not beheving thera, and declares he
wUl not again sign them, which is the reason, says this gentle
raan, why he declines all further ecclesiastic benefices or pre
ferments. He says that all the EngUsh Bishops, excepting one
or two, whose names I have forgot, are of Dr Clarke's senti
ments. He himself seemed to be so too. He said that Christ
is not caUed the Supreme or Most High God in Scripture, and
that we should not speak of hira otherwise than the Scripture
does ; but he added, that aU the dispute about this was idle,
and raere subtleties. Strange ! that it should be caUed a subtlety
or idle, to inquire who he is that is the object of our worship and
faith ! The same person said that he reckoned the Epistle of Poly-
carp, and the larger Epistles of Ignatius, and sorae parts of the
Apostolic Constitution, as the raanner of celebrating the Eucharist,
to be holy Scripture, and by inspiration. This gentleman is not,
nor never was, Presbyterian. I mention this as an Instance of what
tenets are coming into our land ; raay the Lord keep thera out of
our Church ! Dr Clarke at first tried to reconcUe his doctrine to
that of the Church of England, by sensing the Articles. Now he
finds numerous supporters, and throws off the mask. The post
script is longer than the letter. It Is time to end it.

LETTER CXXXIL
Henderson's pretended declaration — and his remains.
To Mr Samuel Semple, Minister at Libberton.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I blame rayself that I have been so
long In fulfiUing ray proraise to you and Mr ElUot of London, who
spoke to me in name of the Rev. Mr Neil, who, it seems, Is forra
ing somewhat about Mr Henderson, who desired me to correspond

AVODROW TO SAMUEL SEMPLE. 263
with you on this subject. The throng of communions, and ray
parochial Avork, Is what really put this out of ray head till this day
it came in my mind, when you have not been so kind as to write
to me, as I think you promised to do.
It's a loss to me when I begin to Avrite you upon this, that I know
not precisely the subject these gentleraen at London would have our
help about, whether it be precisely the pretended declaration Mr
Henderson had palmed upon him after he was dead, or whether
they desire an account of what remains of his we have. I shall
touch at both to you ; and you'll knoAV probably better than I which
of them, or if both, these gentlemen desire.
As to the declaration pretended to be raade by him on his death
bed against Presbyterial governraent, and In favours of Episcopacy,
I had it once in ray hands in quarto, printed London, 1648, and it's
at present in our friend Mr James Anderson's hand. When I
glanced it over, the spurious paper appeared to rae to be very dully
written, two years or thereby after Mr Henderson's death ; at
least It did not appear tlU then. There Is nothing In the style that
in the least reserables the nervous, solid, sententious style of Mr
Henderson ; and it was certainly fraraed by some of the Scots Epis
copal scribblers, who had fled to England for shelter, and lived by
Avhat they could earn by their pen. As soon as it appeared, you
know the General Assembly, by their Act, August 7th, 1648, gave
a public declaration of the spurlousness of the pamphlet, and in
sert the strongest reasons that Ave can wish for, taken from his con
stant adherence to our work of Reformation to his last breath, and
that from witnesses present. I could add some things I have from
very good hands to the same purpose. But the declaration of the
Assembly is so authentic that it needs no support. This declara
tion (pretended) Avas, I suppose, reprinted by Dr HolUngsworth in
1693, In his character of King Charles the First. At least (for I
have only the answer to it) he is severely taken to task for his im
posing a spurious paper on the world, by Ludlow, In a printed an
swer to hira, quarto, 1693, which I have, where he brings some
good reraarks from the style and the Assembly's Act, and the in-

264 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE-
scrlptlon on Mr Henderson's monument, both which he hath print
ed at length to expose this imposition. I mind no more I have
seen upon it, unless It be the editor of Mr Sage's, (one of our Scots
Episcopal clergy at London I have heard Mr Gray [speak of,] )
8vo, London, 1714, publishes two letters of his, one containing an
idle story of Buchanan, and the other anent a verbal declaration
raade by Mr Henderson to Mr R. Freebairn. No doubt you have
the paraphlet, and it can bear no faith, being published by a name
less author, who may have forged it for Mr Sage ; and, though It
should be genuine, and Mr Sage's, It depends both on Mr Sage's
and Mr Freebairn's authority and meraory, and that which is
higher, Mr Freebairn's father's memory ; and some circumstances
in the tale look a little chUdlsh, and can never be laid in balance
•with the contrary accounts given by the General Assembly. This
is all I mind I have met with as to the spurious declaration.
As to Mr Henderson's remains in print and in manuscript, if our
friends at London want an account of them, I shall give you a
hint of what is In my hands. Beside his Parhament Sermons,
printed at London In quarto ; and his valuable Essay upon the
Govemment and Order ofthe Church of Scotland, quarto, 1640 or
1641, which I can vouch to be INIr Henderson's ; andhis Discourse
at the takuig of the Covenant, quarto, London, 1643; and the
Letters which passed betwixt him and the King on Episcopacy, In
which, out of decency to the King, he is aUowed the last word,
though Mr Henderson, as I am weU informed, sent an answer, and
kept a copy of it, to the King's last paper ; I have in MS. Mr
Henderson's Sermon at the Excomraunlcatlon of the Bishops, 1638;
his Instructions about Defensive Arms ; Dfrections about Voicing
In Parhament, 1639 ; Answe rso some Propositions in Defence of
Episcopacy, with some original Letters of his to Mr Douglas. If
these hints can be of use to you or the gentlemen at London, it
will be a particular pleasure to. Rev. Dear Brother, yours most af
fectionately, R- Wodrow.
Eastwood, July 4, 1726.

AA'ODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 265
P. S. — Dear Brother, — You'U oblige me extremely if you'U write
me all your accounts of literature and new books, and discoveries
you have from England and elscAvhere, in your learned correspond
ence ; and, particularly, I hope you'U let me know what you have in
your valuable coUection of manuscripts, and scarce books, and para
phlets relating to the lives of our Reformers, learned men, mini
sters, and Christians since ; Messrs Knox, Willock, Gray, the Mel-
vUles, Pollock, R. Boyd, Durham, Gillespie, Rutherford, and hun
dreds of others I need not narae to you ; their original letters,
memoirs, &c. Pray send rae a list of any thing you have this way.
You may command what I have. I am, again, yours,
R. W.

LETTER CXXXm.
calderavood's papers. — simson's case.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — Having the opportunity of Mr MaxAvell's coraing
in, as his duty is, to wait on my Lord PoUock horae, I could not
but signify the deep [sense] I have of your goodness and singular
favours to me. I have gone through my good Lord Polton's pa
pers, though I cannot say I have perused almost any of them, and
sorted them the best way I couM. I found what I was extremely
pleased to find, in the bottom of the chest, the volume that was
wanting in the Original Calderwood, that is, the 5th volume, from
the 96th to King James his death, which I'll take special care of,
and have laid Avith the four other volumes my Lord favoured me
with loan of. The Glasgow copy, and a copy which now I have
got from the CoUege. of Glasgow (it was designed for poor Mr
Ridpath) in exchange, were very incorrect, especially in this last
part, and I hope this shall set us right. The pleasure of that use-

266 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
ful work being yet preserved in the original, Avas more than a ba
lance to some disappointments I raet with in going through the rest
of the papers, where I have not yet met with what I hoped for.
Though there are several things which wdU be of no small use to
me, I hope, in the lives of our Reformers and their successors, and
several scattered hints as to Mr Calderwood himself, and a great
many papers which are in the large History, Yet the bulk are first
draughts and coUections, and imperfect papers sadly crazed, of
which little can be made. I would fain hope that, if fiirther search
be made, sorae other papers may be faUen upon, that may make up
many of thir that are incoraplete ; and Avhen my Lord Polton, to
whom I repeat my most humble acknowledgments, finds leisure,
he may happen to faU on them. Meanwhile, I hope from these
to give some tolerable account of the great Calderwood. Since my
last, Avhlch I doubt not you received, I had a short line from Ire
land In the time of the Synod, which I shaU transcribe, that your
Lordship raay have aU I yet know in this matter. In a Uttle time
I raay be in case to give you larger accounts ; and you'll find it on
the other side, 1 have sent a dozen of Mr M'Bride' s pamphlets
to Mr James Davidson to sell, which give a tolerable view of mat
ters before the Synod sat down. If your Lordship have glanced
Nevin's case, it may come with my Lord PoUock's servant when
he comes west ; there being some things in It which are like to cast
up among ourselves ; which brings rae to acquaint your Lordship
that nothing Is yet done at Glasgow as to Mr Simson. In the end
of May he went to the country for his health. In June most of
the ministers of Glasgow were out of toAvn at the goat-mlUr. Last
week the Presbytery met, and appointed their committee to have
theu- remarks on his letter ready against theu- first meeting, the
first Wednesday of August, and Mr Simson is writ to be present
at that day. I pray the Lord may direct all concemed in that Ira
portant matter.
If it shall happen to be the occasion of your Lordship's being m
this country, if your other affairs allow you, it wlU be a peculiar
pleasure to me to see you here, where I hope I shaU be in case

AVODROAV TO BENJAMIN COLMAN, 267
to entertain you for sorae time, though not as I could wish, yet I
am sure the best way that I possibly can. I shall not have the
pleasure of Availing on your Lordship at the Commission, since the
harvest wUl oblige us to have our coraraunlon, if the Lord will, on
the 14th of August, when I wUl stand in need of much syrapathy
and concern. Were it not for this, though I be not a member, I
might probably have been at Edinburgh, since riding 1 find agrees
much with my trouble, AvhIch I am not altogether free of, Mean
whUe, I'U be fond to hear from your Lordship at your leisure ;
and am, ray Lord, your very much obliged and most humble ser
vant,
Robert Wodroav,
July 19, 1726.

LETTER CXXXIV.
matters in SCOTLAND AND NEAV ENGLAND.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman.
Rev. Dear Sir., — ^Yours of the 23d of May came to me in good
time, and I find my debt growing to you. Your kindness to Mr
KeUy is what I shaU not be able to repay. It's done to the son
of a truly good and laborious minister ; and I hope the youth will
carry so as he may not be ashamed of the God of his fathers.
I am yet raore obUged for coraraunicating the hints I gave of
our decUnlng deplorable circumstances to the reverend ministers
who met at your house, and the share we have of your prayers.
I beg the continuance of them. We have a raeeting of eight or
nine rainisters in this neighbourhood upon thefirst Monday of each
raonth, to whora I use to coraraunicate the state of the interests of
Christ in New England, and you do not altogether want a share in
our poor concern. We have a good many ministers that usually

268

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

spend some time every Monday in prayer for our dear Redeemer's
interests, and particularly, on the first Monday ofthe month. In so
cieties up and down this Church ; and it's a peculiar pleasure to
think that our dear brethren in New England interest themselves
in us ; and when you know our stated times, though there is no
thing in the time, we beg your concurrence then, and at other
times. Indeed, our present circumstances caU for doubUng our cries.
Looseness In doctrine Is like to creep in, at least it's feared, among
some of the younger students and ministers ; and at our last As
serably, there were coraplaints tabled against Mr Simson, Professor
of Divinity at Glasgow, as if he had innovate In some points as to the
doctrine of the Trinity in his teaching. He, being under sickness,
wrote a letter to the Presbytery of Glasgow, which was not altoge
ther satisfying. Therein he OAvned that he had said the proposition,
Christus est summus Deus, is to be taken cum grano salis, and that
he had never taught Christ's Independency nor Self-Existence. The
Assembly^ hath appointed a committee to assist the Presbytery in
an Inquiry In what he hath taught. Nothing is yet done save six
queries proposed to hira, to Avhich he hath not yet given his an
swers. This is a melancholy subject I communicate to you, to
quicken your syrapathy with us ; and a subject I Incline to say the
less on, because he Is ray father's immediate successor, and other
things that make It not so proper for me to mix much. This mat
ter is but beginning ; and how It wUl end the Lord only knows.
He Avill, I hope, preserve and vindicate his own truth.
Every thing that comes from you is useful to me, and your Sa
cramental Discourses wUl be particularly sweet. Last Lord's day
save one we had the Supper In this congregation. I hope the Mas
ter of the ordinance Avas present, and his people comforted aud
confirmed. Lying near Glasgow, we have great numbers of com
municants and crowds of hearers. Sometimes we have eleven hun
dred or twelve, and ordinarily a thousand, at our tables.
I'll be very fond that your and your brethren's Course of Lectures
on Family Religion be published. Let not the modesty of some mar

AVODROAV TO BKN.T.VMIN COLMAN. 2G9
the rest. Our common Lord Inis given various gifts and graces,
and such as have lower measures, that is, think so, ought not to
stand In the Avay of the publication of a course of lectures, by their
overweening low thoughts of themselves.
The accounts of your University are most pleasing to me. I
have written twice to worthy Professor Wigglesworth, and would
stUl write had I any thing that offered worth while. I have a high
esteem of President Wadsworth,' and was refreshed with his Ser
mons, and Treatise on the Ten Comraands, you sent me. Mr Monis
I still reraeraber, and ara fond to have whatever he publishes.
Somebody tells rae there is soraewhat of his printed, a discourse he
had at his baptlsra. This, if true, or any thing else he had pub
Ushed, pray send rae, and give hira ray raost affectionate respects.
I bless the Lord who continues to incUne the heart of Mr HoUls of
London to continue his benefactions to you.
Pray continue your accounts of all things that are a-golng with
you In Church and State. I rgolee that the Lord is building up
your faraily. Mr Turel, who, I hope, Is now part of your family,
has a claim in ray poor cares. The Lord has blessed rae with ten
chUdren alive, and two whom he hath taken, I hope, to himself.
Let us mind one another, and aU ours at the throne, and the inte
rests of our glorious Redeemer. May he, by his Spirit, be assisting,
comforting, and upraaking to you! I am. Rev. Dear Brother,
yours raost affectionately.
August 22, 1726.
' Who was appointed to fill the situation of President in Harvard College, which
Dr Colman had declined.

270 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CXXXV.
ELECTION OF RECTOR IN GLASGOW COLLEGE.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — It was ray loss, that I had so little time to wait on
you when so near me at the visitation at Glasgow ; and yet a greater
that I had not the pleasure of some hours of you here among my
manuscripts, pamphlets, and other coUections, which I would have
pressed more had I thought you would have been detained tlU
Wednesday. Your peaceable visitation was the more pleasing at
Glasgow, that they were chagrined Arith the severer steps taken
last year by the great folk who sent away their magistrates prison
ers. By your restoring the boys to the choice of the Rector, they
are already beginning to brique and cabal ; and I believe tlU the
16th of the next month be over, their thoug^its AriU be much taken
off their studies. I have three boys there, whom I find It hard
enough to keep from mixing and turning partyraen, though the
eldest Is but about fifteen.
Long since, when in the Library at Glasgow, I glanced the star
tutes, and they are lame and confused enough ; but the circum
stances are prodigiously altered in 150 years ; and, if I remember, all
the matriculate members had liberty to join In the choice of a Rec
tor ; and some of my predecessors, ricars of EastAvood, Avere call
ed In. But nobody then came to the College tUl after twenty.
Our Universities stand much in need of reformation in many
thin O'S ; and I know no matter that deserves raore serious consi
deration, both from the Government and the Church, which, till
the Revolution was very careful about schools and colleges, than the
state of our youth, and the proper raanner of teaching, which, in

AVODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 271
our present state, I despair of seeing set on a right foot. For
give me for stumbling into this subject.
With this I presume to send the Laird of Dun's Life, as I pro
mised, which. If you have any spare time, I'll be glad you glance,
before you take the trouble to send it to ray Lord Dun. I wish I
had had fuller and larger materials to have forraed it upon, and will
be much obliged to ray Lord, If he will furnish me with any thing
he has this way, and make what corrections he fintls necessary
upon this rude- and first draught ; and allow me any papers or me
moirs- that raay bring Ught to that period.
You'll have seen Mr SIrason's last letter to the Moderator of the
Asserably and Committee. I have not seen a copy of it ; but by
the verbal accounts I have, it appears rade and shifting. The
Committee is ordered by the Assembly to meet before the Com
mission ; but I don't expect there will be a quorum unless they be
caUed by the Moderator. I see little heartiness in this raatter ;
and have some necessary business that calls rae to Ayr at the term,
being to receive sorae money, otherwise It's probable 1 would come
in. It wUl be a singular favour, if your Lordship have leisure, that
you let me know by post, as soon as this coraes to hand, if there
be any prospect of the Committee's meeting, and doing any thing
at this time. I really fancy this matter will be shifted off tiU next
Assembly. All your other accounts of matters among us, and lite
rature, will be raost acceptable to, my Lord, your most humble, &c.
Oct. 24, 1726.

272

THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

LETTER CXXXVL
simson's case.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — Finding the carrier that uses to come from this to
Edinburgh going off this day, I could not but signify my gratefiil
sense of your last letter of the 5th, and the favour of your conver
sation last week ; and acquaint you, that as I came through Glas
gow on Saturday, I have it from a good hand, that Professor Sim
son is come to the chapter De Trinitate, and in his lessons last week,
positively taught his scholars that the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, are not numericaUy the same in substance, neither are they
so specifically, but so of one substance as to be three distinct per
sons. Here is an answer to the first of the Presbytery's queries,
about which the greatest noise was made in his teaching. I Imar
gined your Lordship would incline to hear of this, and forgive this
hasty account. I'U soon return Rattray's protestation. I'U be fond
of Melville's Life, when you faU on it, and any thing you have to
send, and to hear from you by post at any leisure hour ; and am,
my Lord, &c.
Nov. 14, 1726.

WODROW TO lord GRANGE. 273

LETTER cxx?:vn.
lives op the reformers. — simson's affair.
To my Lord Change.
My Lord, — The chief thing makes me venture to give you the
trouble of this by post. Is to put your Lordship in mind to send
me your copy of Mr James MelvUle's Life, (by learing it at my
Lord PoUock's, direct for rae,) if you have fallen on it. I ara creep
ing on, as I may, in the lives of our Reformers and eminent Mini
sters. I have lately written RoUock's, and ara beginning Mr James
MelviUe's, and my good Lord Polton's copy (to whom I presume
to give my raost humble duty) breeds me such uneasiness in read
ing, as stops me much. I wish you have faUen upon it. I'll very
soon retum Rattray's Paper I have of yours.
You'U know how Mr Simson's affair stands before the Presby
tery. They have given their paper to him, showing the refer
ences their queries have to his Letter and the Confession of Faith,
which probably -wiU be come to Mr MitcheU's, our Moderator's
hands, according to the advice of the Committee. The advice is
reaUy confusedly minuted, and I think I objected so much when I
heard it read, as their letter to us was very general. I wish now
we had given our opinion approving the Queries ; though I think
the bulk of the members who spoke did plainly approve that man
ner of proceeding, as I am sure the Assembly's Act does ; and I
think the nature of things raakes it necessary. But I am truly
stunned at the falsehoods Industriously propagated, and confidently
asserted to be written from Edinburgh, by persons present In the
Committee, that the whole of the Committee save two, Mr L,
[Logan,] and Mr B — — nd,' disapproved of the Presbytery's pro-
' Mr John Brand, Minister of Borrowstounness.
VOL. IIL a

274 the WODROAV correspondence.
cedure, in the way of Queries ; that we all, save these two, de
clared against inquiring into Mr Simson's private sentiments;
particularly your Lordship is represented as speaking against this
way of inquisition into private opinions and sentiments, and for
want of better company I am joined with you In this ; and Mr Sim
son, depending upon his certain information, asserted in Presbytery
that the Committee were of opinion he ought not to answer their
Queries, yea, generally against the inquisltory raethod ; and when
Mr M'Laren contradicted this, and some others brought me In as
giving another account than he had, he continued peremptory in
his assertions, and insisted upon his explaining the propositions,
as he calls them in his letter, when showed him, but declined
answering queries, as agreeable to the Committee's advice and
minute, and craved that the Presbytery would give him all they
had to say in write, before he would return his answers. How
ever, the Presbytery went on in their own method, which they
thought (and he denies) to be the advice of the Committee, to
point out the references their queries have to his letter and our
Standards ; and he being absent In the aftemoon, they sent him
their condescendlngs In write, and required him to answer next
Presbytery day. They met again, December 8th, and he came to
them and insisted on his former request, to have all they had to
lay to his charge given him before he answered. But that not
beino- what would bear much reasoning, after some bickermg about
their former minutes, he promised, against their next meeting, Ja
nuary 4th, to bring his answers in write, which he hoped would
satisfy thera and the Avhole Church. A little time wUl let us now
see them. MeanwhUe, I am AveU informed that he has no design
to answer the queries, but Is to show that their queries are inconse
quential to the places referred to by them in his letter, and our
Standards. Thus that matter stands. In private he raUs at the
queries, and says he wlU never give way to the inquisltory method;
and that he hath the opinion of the most pious and most learned
ministers of this Church, dissuading him from answering the
queries. In short, he goes the length to say, such as have be-

AVODROAV TO LORD GR/i.NGE. 275
gun this inquisition with him shaU find they should have chosen
another than he to try their skUl on ; and they shaU see they have
mistaken their man ; and other expressions I love not to repeat.
What I wrote before of his teaching, that the Father, Son, and
Spirit, are not numericaUy one. Is stiU asserted by his hearers; and
that he brought in a definition Aristotle has of numerical oneness,
and appUed it to the subject before him, and showed the absurdi
ties which did follow. But then it's added, that ten or twelve
days after, when it may be he found what he had formerly said
began to be talked of, he came back to the subject of the Trinity,
and told his scholars he had some farther to say that escaped him
on that head, and then asserted the Divine Persons to be nuraeri-
cally one, in a sense different from the definition he had given ;
and in such a manner as his scholars did not understand hira. If
this be fact, it's either juggling or instability. I wish reaUy the
Presbytery had the advice of persons of judgment, what steps to
take next, upon his quibbling upon their references, and refusing
to answer their questions, whether to go on and take a precogni
tion of what he has taught, and tum their queries to hira to ques
tions to the students, with other things that will offer, or to caU
the Committee. I find the Non-subscribers in England are
mightily elated, and declare openly that Mr Simson and Mr W.
[Wishart] and others of sense in the Church of Scotland, are
now to raake a noble stand against the inquisltory method, and for
freedora and liberty. I'U be fond to have your Lordship's thoughts
on the whole.
I have some letters from Holland and London ; but I doubt not
your Lordship has much better accounts. Dr Calamy is printing
his Appendix to his Abridgment In two volumes, &c. Vide Letters
<^"'''- 1 am, my Lord, yours, &c,
December 23, 1726.

276 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

LETTER CXXXVm,
BAILLIE's ANTIDOTE AGAINST ARMINIANISM,
To Mr J. Loudon, P. P. [Professor of Philosophy'] at G,
[Glasgow.]
Dear Sir, — ^Receive Mr BaUUe's Antidote against Arminianism,
which you desire my thoughts of. I have it in MS., as he de
livered it in the Assembly at Glasgow, 1638. This I have [not
compared with the print, but suppose there are few differences,
save some citations on the margin. It appeared to me when I read
It, near thirty years ago, solid and plain, much adapted to its de
sign, the use of comraon people ; and to contain the chief points of
the Arminian controversy judlciaUy handled.
It hath of a long time been my opinion, that we are most In
hazard in this Church from the Arminian and Pelagian errors, both
as they are most adapted to our corrupted nature, indulge our sins
and sinful inclinations, and reaUy secure its interests in the soul,
and take us off the only proportioned reraedy prorided against it,
by landing us in self; as weU as they are the natural channel to
lead us to all other errors, whether Popish, Arian, or Socinian, yea,
at length downright Deism.
Sometimes I have wished some short, plain antidote against this
mother error were printed, so as it might be generally spread among
common people, and particularly the youth. Whether Mr BaiUie's
would, in all respects, answer such a design, I dare scarce deter
mine. It's the clearest and briefest I have seen. Were any thing
of this nature spread, I would be ready to give all the encourage
ment in my power.
My thoughts, perhaps too much, have been for some time off sub
jects of this nature, and roving on our history and biography, which
last I sometimes think, through God's blessing, might be of some

AVODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 277
use to let us see from whence we are faUen, if not to reA'ive some
concern about real reUgion, and instruct as weU as direct.
When your leisure aUows, and when you are not better taken up,
I'U send you in some of the first rude draughts of the Lives of our
Reformers. My great difficulty, if ever I come to publish any
thing this way, which I have no prospect of, AviU be to make a
judgment how far it "wiU be proper to publish some extraordinary
vouchsafements towards them, which are as well vouched as
moraUy we can expect things of that nature at this distance. I
am yours, December 29, 1726.

LETTER CXXXIX.
PROCEEDINGS OP COMMITTEE ON SIMSON's CASE.
To my Lord Grange,
My Lord, — ^Yours of the 7th came not to hand tiU Friday's
post. I shaU not say how satisfying it was. Your observe is too
just, that half work is little better than no work at all, and some
times it happens to be worse ; and in this case, Mr Simson, indeed,
improves our confused rainute, which, you remember, was formed
when we were late, and in a hurry, and was afterward to be con
sidered ; and next day we had not a quorum, and on Friday no
time ; this minute, I say, he improves In his protest, as a receding
from the method of queries, and quarrels the Presbytery for going
contrary to the Committee's advice, when they insisted on the
queries. The Presbytery took it In another sense, and I hope when
we meet we shaU explam it to them. The idle and lying stories
spread of our procedure last meeting, I think, should be remerabered
at our next,
I cannot teU how it comes, that the copies of the Presbytery's
references, and Mr Simson's answers and protest, are not trans-

278 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
raitted. Mr SIrason's answers are long and tiring ; and I cannot but
think they are before this sent to the Moderator. If they be not,
or if your Lordship still want thera, let rae know by the first post,
and I'll endeavour to send you a copy of both. I take the Uberty
to observe your Lordship speak of the 20th of March, as the day
ofthe Comraittee's meeting ; I hope it's but a mistake in the Avriting.
My letter from the Moderator bears the 15th of March, and so
does the letter to the Presbytery of Glasgow. I wish there be no
confusion in the day appointed, and hope there Is not.'
The Coraraittee of the Presbytery have not raade their report of
their precognition to the Presbytery as yet. And Mr Slrason made
loud coraplaints this day to the Presbytery, that delays were used,
and he was not acquainted vrith what his scholars had said ; and
that their precognition was kept so close. The Coraraittee told the
Presbytery, that they had gone through aU the scholars who had
corae before them, but severals were out of town, and they had
not yet come to thera ; adding, they were ready to lay their incom
plete report before the Presbytery, if they caUed for it. The Pres
bytery ordered thera to go on, and caU the students who were out
of town, and coraplete their report, if they could, against the next
Presbytery day, the 1st of March. The Professor complained
that then he would have very Uttle tirae to think upon the precog
nition, and prepare answers. However, the Presbytery adhered to
what is above, being unwilling to take an incoraplete report.
I am glad to find a matter of this nature is kept so close ; and, in
deed, there is not a whit of the students' declai-ations talked of at
Glasgow, that I could hear of; and the bulk of people there, and
perhaps every where, are ready enough to talk of matters of this
nature. Any thing I know of this matter I can, with the utmost
freedom, coraraunicate with your Lordship, because I know It wiU
go no further till once the report be raade.
The students appeared pretty bacliAvard, and desired copies of
the Interrogatories to be proposed to thera to think on ; and insisted
1 Wodrow and Lord Grange were members of the Committee on Simson s case,
appointed by the preceding Assembly,

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 279
some of thera, that they couldnot declare, after a year's teaching, the
ipsissima verba, and other delays. When proper answers were
given by the Coraraittee to these, a great number at different times
were examined. Most of them are young, raw lads, that, I believe,
do not reaUy understand what Mr Simson has taught. Others, I
imagine, till they be put upon their oath, will not declare what
they know ; and it was soraewhat surprising to find severals, upon
the interrogatories, declare they reraerabered nothing taught upon
these heads, even though we should raake allowances for the dis
tance of tirae, and difficulty of ralnding words. Severals of them
agree In this, that they observed a considerable difference in the
Professor's manner of teaching these two last years, upon the sub
ject of the Trinity, and his manner formerly ; but when urged to
come to particulars, they either could not, or would not, distinctly
explain themselves. The most material things declared, as far as
I can find, were : — One student said, that when the Professor, last
Arinter save one, was explaining the subject of creation, and speak
ing about Marck's' arguraent against the eternity ofthe world, viz.,
that If it were eternal it would be necessarily existent, he expressed
himself dissatisfied with the argument, and gave this reason, be
cause Christus est eternus, quamvis non existat necessario, or, quam-
vis non est ens necessarium. This is but declared by one, but the
lad seeras to be distinct in it ; and his causa scientice is, because, as
soon as he went home, he wrote down the words, and went to the
Professor in private, and discoursed about thera ; but received no
satisfaction frora him about the expression.
Another declared, when the Professor was speaking some things
about the Father's being Eons Deitatis, he (the student) objected
against some things spoken as derogating frora the Son's Independ
ence. To which the Professor replied, That if he took independence
in such a sense as includes the Father's personal property, then he
could not see how it was applicable to the Son. To which the
student answered. That take independence in what sense he pleased,
if it could not be applied to the Son, he thought that he could not
' John March, author of the Medulla Theologim, &c.

280 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
be necessarUy existent ; and, consequently, it might have been pos
sible he never should have had a being. To Avhich the Professor
replied. We know not these things, and these terms are very imper
tinent, and should not be uS'ed In talking of the Trinity.
Two of them agreed pretty near, that the Professor spoke of a de
finition of Aristotle, which was confused, and makes the numerical
essence the same with one person, and said, that in this sense the
unity of essence in the Trinity could not import the same nume
rical essence. They added, that the Professor did not deny one
numerical essence absolutely, (as far as they remerabered,) but with
a view to this definition of Aristotle. This was this present session.
Another declared he heard the Professor use the terms. Three
InteUIgent Agents ; but never Three Beings.
This is all I know of as yet. There are several of the students
as yet unexamined. What their declaration wiU produce I know
not ; but I imagine what is above Is most part of what is to be ex
pected at this time.
Thus I have laid before your Lordship aU I can depend on in this
matter, and you'U be able to judge what should be done, (though I
cannot say what wiU be done,) much better than I can. We are told
here, but with what truth I cannot teU, that the East country raem
bers are aU generaUy against questions ; and what is very fooUshly
termed the inquisitory method, I fear some may. I found some, Mr
Br. [Brand,] Mr Wishart,' and Mr Bannatyne,^ were not of these sen
timents in Noveraber; if they are changed, it's another point. I am
sorry for it. You'U find aU the raerabers of our Synod, unless It be one,
and perhaps not he either, are for the raethod of queries, and goingon
in the way the Asserably hath directed. The Presbytery of Glas
gow, save one minister and an elder, arejoint and unanimous for what
I know. They are rauch to be pitied, and need support and counte
nance. They are buUIed, and, I had almost said, abused to their
face by their pannel, and very much need your Lordship's presence ;
and since the Assembly hath laid it upon us, In a matter of the last
' Mr William Wishart, Principal of the College of Edinburgh.
' Mr James Bannatyne, one of the Ministers of Edinburgh.

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 281
Importance to this Church and all the Churches of Christ, and
which Is Infinitely more, what so nearly concerns the glory of our
Redeemer, I hope we shaU not want your assistance. Matters are
now come to aU the bearing they can be brought to ; and the As
sembly's procedure will very much depend on what they and we
do ; and, therefore, I hurably presurae to think your Lordship wUl
find yourself called to be with us. I'll be extreraely sorry if your
circumstances should prevent your being at the Asserably, and I
shaU hope that Providence raay order it so as you shall get both
attended in a raatter of this prodigious consequence. But I can by
no means think of your not being with us on the 15th of March,
when we need persons of your knowledge in law and forms of pro
cedure, to say nothing of your other abilities to yourself. In one
word, we need your countenance and weight, as I am sure we have
your prayers, as one deeply impressed with the present hazard of
the doctrine of this Church, and a true lover of the Redeemer's
Divine person and glory.
I'll be a Uttle impatient till I know this coraes to your hands,
and you'U not forget to let me know if you stIU want the papers
which have passed since November. I'U be sorry if Mr Logan be
not here, and I wish he may use his interest to bring Principal
Haddow with him. It's the least they can do to be present in
March, when they were not with us in November. And, indeed,
considering that we are to send the state of this matter to the
several Synods In March, and it's probable this wUl be our last
raeeting, TU be sorry if we want their assistance.
May I conclude with an hurable petition for myself, that you'U
please to acquaint rae what day you design to be at Glasgow, and
I'll corae in and be there, if the Lord wiU, when you corae ; and
could it answer your conveniency to favour rae with sorae little
tirae here, it would be a peculiar pleasure to divert, with my coUec
tion of manuscripts, coins, and other things, a person I am raore in
debted to in many respects than any other. Forgive me aU thir
freedoms I presurae upon ; and believe that I am, my Lord, yours, &c.
Feb. 15, 1727.

282 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CXL.
simson's violence and ill TEMPER.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I hope you had ray last, and would be glad to hear
frora you before I see you at Glasgow on March 15, which I hum
bly hope for, and the rather that I ara told several other of our
ruling elders are to be with us.
The report of the precognition is not yet made. I ara told there
is nothing new since my last, but some concurring declarations
anent the raost Important passages. This day, I am told that on
Wednesday last Mr Simson was extremely out of the teraper that
the report was not made, and alleged he should have knoAvn the
declarations' some tirae before the Committee met, that he might
have answers in readiness. I did not. Indeed, take precognitions
to eoncern parties so much as to be a kind of * * * by which judi
catories are to direct their own procedure. The Presbytery have
delayed taking the report, which is not yet completed, by reason of
the absence of sorae students, till Tuesday the 14th instant. Mr
SIrason's teraper is ruffled, probably by his bodUy indisposition, and
these two or three weeks, they say, he hath been soraewhat indis
posed, and this Is given as the alleviation of sorae Indiscreet words
he used, that this was an unfruitful work of darkness, and others I
repeat not ; though I have ground that he knows the raost material
articles declared against him. They say, also, that the Presbytery
being to appoint an exegesis to Mr Forbes, under a call named that
subject, Num Filius sit, equalis Patri, et Essentia, Independens, et
Necessarius ; these are the words as told rae, Mr Simson with
violence opposed giving the young man that subject, as what was
controverted and debated. It was answered, that aU subjects of

wodrow to loed grange. 283
exegeses are so by adversaries. To which he rejoined, that this ques
tion In these terms was controverted by some even In this Church,
and ought not to be prescribed. However, this Presbytery did pre
scribe It to Mr Forbes, I think, under a call to Kirkintilloch, or the
other under call to Cumbernauld.
I'll be fond to hear from your Lordship, if you have any time,
next week by post, and be extremely obliged by your thoughts on
the matter as It now is to be before us. I think Mr Maxwell al
lowed me his paper on the Solemn League and Covenant, after
your Lordship had done with it. I am, my Lord, &c.
March 4, 1727.

LETTER CXLL
simson's case. — ASSEMBLY RECORDS. — MSS.
To my Lord Grange, at the British Coffeehouse, London.
My Lord, — It's with a great deal of pleasure that I obey your
commands, in giving you hints of what concerns Mr Simson's affair.
Last week I sent, in the Solicitor's cover, the Presbytery of Glas
gow's remarks, which you desired ; and by this you'll receive the
Professor's letter to us, November 7th. The libel Is not yet put In
his hands ; but as soon as It is, and I can get a copy, I'll send It.
I could not send you so distinct accounts of what passed on the
22d as I wished, because no copy could be got of the Professor's
paper he gave In, and It was delayed till yesterday, and given hira
back. Neither yet can I give such an account of it as I would,
because In things of this nature I would stiU incline to give the
ipsissima verba, which I shall transrait to you when I get thera. Till
the paperitself come, please to take the following account, as far as
I reraeraber. "For as Ul as Mr Simson was Avhen you left Glasgow,

284 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
yet he grew so well on Sabbath the 19th, that he was in church aU
day. He taught on Monday and Tuesday foUowing, and was
brought, by the importunity of his relations, (as some represent it,
who are of opinion if he go to the Assembly suspended, that sen
tence wUl not be soon taken off,) to be raore sensible of his hazard
than formerly, and to take sorae measures for preventing the sus
pension. Accordingly, he formed that paper I Avrote of last, and
signed it, and sent it to the Presbytery. I heard It but read over
that day, and cannot pretend to resurae it, being very long. After
a long introduction, containing a regret that he was not able to be
present when his answers to the references were found not to re
raove the suspicion, he gives a prolix account of the SabeUians and
Arians, which, in my opinion, was both heavy, and had nothing to
do with the purpose in hand. The use he makes of all is to teU
the Presbytery that of late he had seen the need of quitting aU hy
potheses for explaining the doctrine of the Trinity, and of restrict
ing hiraself to the phrases In the Scriptures and our exceUent Stand
ards. This takes up near a sheet of paper ; and then, in the close,
he coraes to the oneness of the Divine Essence, and declared as his
private opinion that the same substance inight be common to the
Three Divine Persons ; and adds, that he is much surprised that he
should be suspected of denying the Necessary Existence of the Son,
while he had taught that he had all life in hiraself, and was mfinlte,
eternal in being, wisdom, power, holiness, goodness, and truth,
from which his necessary existence is a consequent ; and the like
may be said as to his Self-Existence, Independence, Supreme Diri
nity, and being the only true God. This, he hopes, wUl remove aU
the difficulties which have been objected against him. The Pres
bytery, as he desired them. If they were not satisfied with this paper,
returned It to him that day, and required him to be present on the
29th, to rive plain, clear, and direct answers. It was insinuate by
sorae, that if this did not satisfy, it raight be resuraed against next
day. Accordingly, yesterday he carae hiraself and offered his paper
signed to the Presbytery. It was moved, that before reading it, he
should be asked if he gave in this paper as his answers to the que-

AVODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 285
ties ? This was opposed by others, but carried by a vote. When
he was asked If he gave in that paper as his answers to the Presby
tery's queries ? he answered, that he gave in that signed paper as his
private sentiments upon the subject-matter of every one of the
Presbytery's questions. And this being minuted, his paper was
read. It's just what it was formerly, with the long out-of-the-way
introduction ; only he hath expressed his oavu opinion the oneness
of substance, and declared Christ's Necessary Existence, &c. in his
judgment to be a great consequence of his having aU life in himself,
&c. The Presbytery took the paper to consider tUl this day. What
they have done I have not yet got account.
Your Lordship wiU permit me to put you in mind to speak to
Jerviswood, if you can find so much leisure, as to Mr Kirkton's
papers, in his hands, I suppose. I know Mr Kirkton had a collec
tion of MSS. as to our Scots Ecclesiastical History ; and I have
some ground to imagine he had the second part of Mr James Mel
ville's Life in MS., and, it raay be, Mr Jaraes Carmichael's Me
moirs, and Mr J. Davidson's Diary. I think you were pleased to
signify to me that my Lord Polton imagined Mr Kirkton might
have some of Calderwood's papers. I heard frora others that Jer-
riswood had some curious papers about our History.
It would be a service to this Church if your Lordship could do
any thing to secure Mr Ridpath's valuable coUection of papers. I
remember there is somewhat in the Commission's minutes about
them ; and he made an offer of them to the Church before he died.
Your Lordship will know raore of this than I. It wUl be a pity if
they be squandered away, or come into hands that will make no
use of thera. He pretended to have our original Acts of Assem
bly, (as I hear Mr Archibald CampbeU, Lord Neil's son, pretends
his copy is likewise an original record, and hath raany valuable
manuscripts as to our Scots History,) and I know, by letters from
Mr Ridpath himself, that he had a coUection of Diaries, particularly
Mr David Hume's, of which I have one year. And, indeed, being
In some reputation after the Revolution, by his papers m defence of
this Church, he had great access at London to raake a considerable

286

THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

collection of Scots papers. It appears a matter of sorae importance
that they should be looked after.
I ara of opinion it would be a vast accession to our History, and,
which Is unspeakably of more consequence, to the Interests of vital
religion. If ray Lord Warriston's Diary could be copied. Mr Rid
path told me he had it in loan from Secretary Johnston, and said It
contained, besides alraost a complete history from the 1 637 to the
Restoration, the most wonderful Instances of Divine condescension
and comraunications ever he read. Were I in case for it, I would
reckon it worth my pains in riding to London to obtain a copy of
Warriston's Diary, and If any method can be fallen on to procure It,
I believe your Lordship wIU leave nothing undone to procure it.
Mr Robert TraUl, in his preface to Mr WlUiara Guthrie's Saving
Interest, printed 1715, tells the world he had a series of letters upon
soul-exercise, which passed betwixt his father and Mr Guthrie. My
relation to Mr Guthrie raakes rae, and much more the edification I
would hope to have from the spiritual intercourse of two so great
raen, more than fond to have copies of thera. I cannot propose any
methods for recovering them, unless some of the ministers of Lon
don could help to come at them. I ara sure I should grudge at no
charges to have a double of thera.
The known bookseller, Parkhurst, who died sorae twelve or six
teen years ago, had. In MS., the three voluraes of GUlesple on the
Covenant, and by his letter to rae offered to print it, if I would
procure three hundred subscriptions at half-a-croAvn, the book In
sheets. I wrote to hira I would do it ; and soon after he died. It
would be of use if the MS. could be recovered and printed. *
******* J auj
with the greatest sincerity, my Lord, your most humble and ob
liged. March 30.
P.S. — The Presbytery this day kept the Professor's paper under
consideration, without determining any thing about it further at
present, and put the libel in his hands, with a list of witnesses, and

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 287
cited him to answer upon the 12th of AprU. He required, consi
dering his health and business, to the 19th, which they refused. I
shall send a fuUer account as soon as I can get his paper. Mean
whUe, there is a difference like to faU in about the ipsissima verba ;
and some aUege that, according to the opinions of laAvyers, at the
last process the witnesses were restricted to the ipsissima verba, not,
indeed, of the libel, but what they heard. And if they cannot de
pone these. It's pretended they are judges and not witnesses ; and
this is alleged to be agreeable to your Lordship's and Sir Jaraes
Stewart's opinion at the coraraittee. I have rauch raistaken If it
was so. I would, for ray oavu satisfaction, gladly know the opinion
of lawyers, and yours, if you please, upon the case, as It was rea
soned this week among us in private : — " Supposing a person can
swear that he remembers such a proposition or particular doctrine
was vented, but cannot swear to every individual word or expres
sion, and the order of thera, though he raind sorae of the words, or
cannot swear to each of the words, is his deposition to be taken ?"
I was of opinion it was, according to our reasoning in the commit
tee. I wish I have not been raistaken.

LETTER CXLIL
simson's CASE.  EXAMINATION OF AVITNESSES.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — Yours of the 8th instant was most acceptable. I
am extreraely concerned that mine of the 24th hath been opened,
and I fear this must be the fate of the three other I have since sent.
I was perfectly easy, they being directed according to concert,
and each of them having half a sheet for a wrapper. There Is no
help for such incidents. My great concern is the fashrle this wiU
bring to two persons whora I so much honour. I folded them and

288 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
sealed them as well as I used to do, never dreading opening. I hope
this wUl not faU into such hands. I am in some pain that since the
8th, I don't hear of your receiving raine ofthe 30th of March, which
I am mostly concemed about, and that of the 3d. I am afraid I
need scarce write to you after this post, because you'll be (I hope)
returning to the Assembly. I can add nothing to ray former, but
that the Presbytery met on the 12th and 13th, and were put off
with dilators and idle objections against the libel, and gave the
Professor till the 18th to propound his defences. These were pro
duced on Tuesday the 18th, and are four or five sheets of sparse
Avrlte, yet not so long as I expected. I cannot pretend to resume
them, having only glanced them this day in the time of the deposi
tions. In short, as to the raain points in the Ubel, taken from the
precognition, he says he cannot think they wiU be proven, because
he never used these expressions, because they are contrary to his
sentiraents ; and if they be deponed, he raust think there is a mis
take in hearing, or he hath tripped at that time in speaking, and
used Christus for mundus, and creavit ior generavit, or some such trip.
As to the articles of the Ubel taken frora his papers, he explains
thera, and repeats much that he said In his answers to the Presby
tery's references. He seems, in his defences, to retract what he said
in his representation in answer to the queries as to the oneness of
number, and owns he taught they were neither numerically nor
specifically one. Besides these defences, he gave In general grounds
of exculpation, wherein he offers to prove that he hath taught agree
ably to the Confession, and declares hiraself in seeming sound ex
pressions, as to the most of the points libelled. The Presbytery
got over these long papers, which, indeed, I have scarce glanced,
and cannot weU resume, and found nothing in them to hinder them
going on to a proof. And so yesternight, the 19th, when I came In,
they were upon the flrst witness, who depones. In as far as I can
see, according to the declarations. This day I heard other three
examined, and they are precisely according to the declarations in
the precognition. I am apt to think that the rest wUl all do so ;
and sorae of them, as one already has done, will go sorae further

AVODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 289
upon oath than is declared in the precognition. There are three
depositions, agreeing that he altered his teaching these two last
years. There are two concurring as to the Professor's refuting
Mark's arguraent, and two agree that he said, Christus quamvis eter
nus, non tamen necessario existit. There is one deposition upon Deus
Pater est causa Dei Filii, ni supponamus, &c. With the cross ques
tions and other things, they have taken two or three hours to every
witness, and there is no helping of this. However, the Presbytery
resolve to finish the proofs, if possible, this and next week ; and I
believe wUl get through it, if Mr Simson fall not sick again among
their hands ; so that aU wUl corae in before the Assembly ; when
It's the earnest desire of all the ministers I have talked with, and
six or seven have earnestly pressed rae to beg it of your Lordship,
that, if possible, you be at the Asserably, though your Lordship
should not be down till the 8 th of May.
This Is a raatter of the very last consequen*. - to this Church ;
and never any thing of such Iraportance to the cause of truth and
the glory of God-Redeeraer was before our Asserablies. Your
Lordship, by being of the Committee, has it fully in your view, and
I hope nothing shall hinder you frora being present in a raeeting to
AvhIch you are chosen, and where. It raay be, there raay be a con
siderable appearance In favour of Mr Simson ; though it will be
strange to rae if the precognition now turned to a libel be proven,
as I now see It wUl, if any nuraber shall appear for his continuing
to teach ; and I shall reckon it a dreadful sign of Divine anger
already poured out on us. I hurably persuade myself I need not
insist on arguments for your presence at the Assembly. God him
self direct your heart and way ! You may depend on It, whatever
letters you see frora Glasgow as to changes In some persons there,
since the time your Lordship left that place, they are mistakes, I
shall not say misrepresentations. By the tirae of the Asserably, if
the Lord will I have the pleasure to wait on you there, I shall tell
you the whole ground of the stories, if I raistake you not ; and you
wUl see that these Avorthy persons are far frora being satisfied with
the paper given in in ansAier to the queries ; and, in ray opinion,
VOL. III. T

290

THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

rauch more is gained by it, such as it is, than could have been by
suspension in such circurastances. But I raust necessarUy break
off, with ray thanks for the hints you give rae as to Mr Watts, and
the country gentleraan who answers him, Avhom I highly value ;
and begging I raay yet hear frora you while you stay at London or
by the road. Pray spare not postage ; but direct for me,, to the
care of the Postmaster at Glasgow. If 1 find, by any from you,
that I may write what passes next week, I shaU be sure to write.
Meanwhile, I am, my Lord, yours, &c.
April 20, 1727.

LETTER CXLin.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1727.'
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No. 1. May 4.
My Dear, — This day the Assembly met. Mr MitcheU opened
the meeting AAdth a sermon on Psalm cxxll. 6, " Pray for the peace
of Jerusalem," where he was very particular upon the case before
the Assembly. He explained peace to be still in a consistency with
trath, and truth was to be preferred even to peace, and urged first
pure, then peaceable. He Insisted upon praying for peace with
God, and the reraoval of controversies ; for civil peace. In opposi
tion to Avar, and there noticed the present hazard, and princes
breaking through every thing sacred, and their ingratitude In
kindling a war at present ; and, after several other kinds of peace,
he came to that which was necessary for maintaining the purity of
doctrine ; and there he observed that, once or twice, (and he reck-
' Letters to AVodrow, vol. xvii. Nos. 196-204.

AVODKOAV TO AIRS AVODROAV. 291
oned that was all since the Reformation,) this Church was threatened
AvIth error, and by the zealous appearances, in a peaceful way, of
our General Assemblies, error was prevented. He said it was
plainer than he needed notice it, that at this time we were threat
ened with error ; that the last Assembly had found it their duty to
appoint an inquiry to be made Into it; that now a report was to be
made to this Assembly, and the whole to be judged by them ; that
they Avere not to be directed by him as to the case before them ;
only he craved leave to observe, thatthe subject-matter of their con
sideration was the greatest that possibly Could be before them ;
that the subject of the proper Deity of the Son was what. In all ages
of the Church, had been mostly attacked by heretics ; that In all
ages they put forth thelr^ utraost force upon this foundation truth ;
that the Church had be ^ vexed, by the mixing in the cunning and
fancies of men with th pure revelation of God; that the subject
of the Trinity was what Ave are bound to receive purely on the
authority of revelation ; that in this raatter we can have no assist
ance of reason, or any thing but revelation ; that this subject was
so delicate and tender, that he trerabled to speak of it ; and much
more to this purpose, delivered Avith much concern and gravity.
When the Assembly constitute, the Commission to Flnlater' was
read In common form ; then the King's Letter, wherein I observed
nothing singular ; only he recoramends unity and harmony at this
critical juncture. The Commissioner, in his speechj signified the
King's grant of the L.IOOO, and that he had the warrant to deliver.
He did not question but the Assembly, at such a tirae, when we
are threatened with confusions, would express their loyalty to the
King, and how much they were sensible of their safety and happi
ness under the present adrainistration, which I believe will lead
them to a direct address. There was a considerable struggle In the
choice of a Moderator. The Commissioner was at first, when he
came doAvn, as Is said, for Professor Hamilton.^ However, these two

' The Commissioner was the Earl of Findlater and Seafield.
2 Mr AVilliam Hamilton, Professor of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh,

292 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
days he hath given out himself to be for Mr Black of Perth.
Provost Druraraond and others seemed to be all for that choice-,
and the persons who seem raost against Mr Simson gave It out
that It was unfit to vote against Mr Black, because Professor Ha
rallton had been favourable to Mr Simson. I doubt a little if either
the Coraraissioner or some others were violently against Professor
Hamilton. Indeed, the Church being balked last year in their
choice, which was noticed in Assembly by Mr Ramsay, who ques
tioned whether Mr HaraUton was not reaUy chosen by the last
Asserably, which Mr Mitchell resented frora the chair, and said he
saw where that pointed, and that it was an attack on the sincerity
of the clerk. Mr Hunter of Ayr, Mr Robison of Dumfries, were
In the leet ; but all the votes run on Mr Harallton and Black. Mr
Hamilton carried it by nineteen, or, as the clerk had it, twenty-one.
Many thought It raost decent, that when a matter of doctrine was
to be before the Assembly a professor should be in the chair. His
patent for King's Chaplain is passing the seals. Seafield got his
Coraraissioner's office, to balance his charges of representing the
King in instaUIng the Duke of Harallton Knight of the Thistle ;
at least this is given as the reason of the change from the Earl of
Loudoun, My Heart, I ara very well. I can say nothing how the great
raatter wUl go. Continue instant in prayer. The Lord be with
your spirit ! I'll get little written the two next posts for our throng.
I am your own.
May 4.

LETTER CXLIV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, Nb. 2. May 5.
My Dear, — This day the Assembly met for prayer. The Mode
rator, then Mr Thomas Black, Mr John Scot, Mr Thomas Linning,

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 293
Mr Andrew Tate, Mr S. Semple, Mr T. BlackAvell, prayed. I
cannot say that liberty was altogether wanting, and, indeed, the view
of the great matter before the Assembly, as it required more than
ordinary application, so there was, I hope, more than common
seriousness. The four preachers were appointed before the Com-
missioner,^Mr H. Maxwell and Mr Jaraes Nairn, for the first Sab
bath ; Mr J. Taylor and another, for the next. In the afternoon the
Answer to the King's Letter was read in the coraraittee, and there
was some little debate about a reference to the Coraraission's address
to the King, and whether it was proper to Insist so rauch upon the
matter ofit, or to raake a separate direct address at this juncture.
At length it was agreed to as brought In, and it's pretty long. I
doubt there avIU be occasion of another direct application as to the
dreadful growth of Popery in the North, ofwhich the accounts are
most dreadful ; but these wUl be before us to-raorrow. There was no
more of any Iraportance. This night there were two raeetings In
private as to Mr Simson's affair. It's agreed to be tabled to-raorrow
in the Assembly, after the voting of the King's Letter ; and a com
mittee AvUl be appointed to consider the papers to be read before the
Assembly ; and I think all the principal papers will be read, which
AvUl take two or three sederunts. The Coraraissioner promises all time
to discuss that great affair. I believe the bulk of them will be printed
against Monday, to be in members' hands. The Lord direct, so as ex
tremities be not run to on any hand! I doubt I'll be so throng to-raor
row, that 1 must leave that day's procedure to my brother to Avrlte.
May 6.
This day some new commissions came up, and the King's Letter
was voted unanimously, and put In the Coraraissioner's hand. Mr
Simson's affair was tabled, and Mr Mitchell and Mr John Hamilton
appointed to bring In a list of what papers the Asserably were to
read, and he was allowed to be vrith them. Then the Synod books
Avere called for, on Avhich they are at present, when I write this,
Avhlch I cannot get read over. The Instructions meet at night.

294 THE AVODROW COKRKSPONDENCE.

LETTER CXLV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 3.
May, 8, 1727.
My DeaRj^I am perfectly weU; and I needed not begin with
this unless my letter on Saturday had not gone to the post-house,
after it was written, not through my fault, which only makes me
uneasy, because I fear you'll be uneasy. On Saturday we had the
Instructions, where there is not rauch of public eoncern. Several
applications for a fast, about grievances and Mr Slrason, and regu
lations on Students of Divinity ; but the bulk are for a share in the
public raoney and the King's Bounty. There is one of the most
lamentable representations I ever saw of the growth of Popery and
meeting-houses in the North, particularly Aberdeenshire, by Bishop
Gatherer and his Highflyers. There is a mass-house in Aberdeen,
to which the Papists go as openly as to Church, and near thu-ty or
forty meeting-houses set up, who pray not for the King, since the
last Assembly In short. In these bounds they seera already to be
under a Jacobite government, and they are uppish to a degree upon
the designs of Spain and Austria. There is no execution of laws,
and matters in such circumstances, as, If the cIvU government do
not eftectuaUy uotice them, things are Uke to run very deep. A
committee was appointed for that affafr, and they have agreed to
address the King immediately upon that head, and send a memorial ;
that is all we can do. Indeed, since the overlooking and sham
prosecution for the rabble, September Avas a year, the insolence and
keenness of Jacobites' meeting-houses and Popery is Intolerable,
and they are fretted by the King's Bounty, and exert theniselves to
defeat the design, and oppress and vex such as attend on mission
aries and itinerant preachers. I don't know if any Instance can be
given, that a government ever suffered such to enjoy a toleration

WODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 295
that pray not for the government, but for its enemies openly, and
In such terrible multitudes, that ministers are threatening to leave
their charges, as insupportable. Mr Logan said In public, that all
administrations, he thinks, are alike. •
On Sabbath, Mr H. Maxwell lectured before the Commissioner
on Christ's transfiguration, and preached on 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2, " Put
up prayer, siipplications, and intercession, for all men, especiaUy
Kings," &c., where he touched the state of the North at pre
sent ; argued against forms of prayer ; insisted against praying for
the dead, the raiddle state, and other of Mr Gatherer's and the
Highflyers' Popish notions. Then showed the unaccountableness of
not praying for the King In Protestants ; and could not but regret
that such who did not pray for hira were suffered to teach publicly.
Mr James Morison in Fife preached afternoon. Mat. xi. 30, and
had a plain Gospel sermon on the subraission to Christ's yoke.
This day the Coraraittee of Instructions met, where they began
on their work ; entered on the Church's grievances. That of tolera
tion was remitted to the state of the Committee for the North, who
have the representation a-forraing, to be sent to the King. In
short, not six or ten of aU that take the benefit of the toleration come
up to the terms of it, aaid this wUl be laid before the King. Patron
ages fell next. The acceptance of presentations by probationers,
iu a qualified Avay, was exclaimed against ; and a resolution sought
of the Assembly that Presbyteries should not concur with such as
accepted of a presentation ; an Act of Assembly, 1645, was Insisted
on, declaring such as accepted presentations guilty of Simony. This
was justly opposed, because In the face of law, and a law that was
designed to ease us of sham presentations, though some urged it
was a laAV that was made to ease us of patronages, under the views
that such were our principles, that we could not go in to ordalu
such as had accepted a presentation without a call and consent of
Presbytery. No Issue is yet come to, the time of the Committee
of Overtures being come. There, in the forenoon, the overture as
to calls tanquam jure devoluto was read, and remitted to consideration
of a committee. There are difficulties In it not easily got over. Aa

296 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
act allo-iving processes before judicatories to be printed, providing
persons' naraes are put to thera, was, I think, transmitted. An act
regulating distributing tokens at corara unions, levelled against some
abuses in the Merse, by sorae Marrow brethren, was read, and ended
in recomraending former Acts of Assembly.
In the afternoon, at three, the Assembly raet. I know not if I
told you before, that on Saturday Mr MitcheU and Mr HamUton
of Glasgow were appointed to consider what papers, in Mr Simson's
process, were to be read. They met Arith Mr Simson ; and he in
sisted pertinaciously on so many things to come, that they gave it
as their opinion, the shortest way would be to read aU papers with
out debating. So he was called. He complained the Presbytery
of Glasgow had injured him in not giving him a sight of their re
marks on his Answers to the References, and their remarks on his
Representation or Answers to the Queries. He charged the Pres
bytery with clandestine and unfair deaUng, and other high terms,
and craved that their merabers here raight not be aUoAved to judge
in the raatter. Mr Hamilton easUy answered aU his hard Avords ;
and at length he feUfrom his objections tUl the controverted papers
came in. This was none of the most cautious beginnings for him.
The Assembly entered on reading his process four hours. I hope
eight or twelve more wiU get through it. To-morrow we are to
have a print of his thirteen sheets of small print. Nobody can po
sitively say in what shape the raatter AriU turn. The Commissioner
wUl give fuU time for finishing it. To-raorrow, aU day, papers will
be a-reading, so probably I shaU have no more to write tlU Thurs
day's post.

WODROAV TO MRS WODROAV. 297
LETTER CXLVL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4. May 10, 1727.
My Dear, — ^I was In such haste in my last, that I forgot to tell
you in ray last what passed here as to Mr J. Millar, now entered
upon his trials before us. On Friday night I got notice that there
was a design to cast up the procedure of our Presbytery, in taking
him on trials, when the Synod had ordered us to correspond with
the Presbytery of Lanark, who had difficulties, and after the Pres
bytery of Glasgow had signified their dislike, and now that the
Presbytery of Ayr had written a third letter, and complain of us, and
get the Asserably to put a sist to his and Mr Pollock's trials. On
this we had a raeeting of our Synod members. Mr J. Millar of
Neilston engaged to stop at his public trials, that the Synod might
consider that affair before he was licensed. This would not satisfy
the Presbyteries of Lanark, Glasgow, and Ayr, unless he was sisted
altogether, and Ave went no farther till the Synod. Upon which It
Avas agreed that the raembers of our Presbytery should lay the facts
before our Presbytery, to be convened pro ne nata on Wednesday,
and get their answer, whether they would stop trials imraediately.
This was done, and we wait their return. This is an unexpected
turn to this affair.
On Tuesday, after I wrote ray last, the papers about Mr Slrason
being ended, the length of the last day of the Presbytery's raeeting,
when their answers came to be adopted to Mr SIrason's references,
and their ansAvers to his representation, Mr Simson complained, that
as to the first he Avas aUowed to see and answer, but could not a-et
them from the clerk ; that the second paper he had not seen till
yesternight. His lawyers, Mr A. Murray and Mr WiUiam Grant,
pled for him, that these papers could not be read tiU his ansAvers
were ready ; and he craved tUl Thursday, that the defendant should

298 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
still have the last word. To this it was ansAvered, that the Presby
tery were judges, not defendants ; that there was no party but Mr
- Slrason and the truth ; and yet to save tirae, and take away aU
clamour, he was allowed tiU Thursday to answer them, and so the
raatter stands. And we shall have no more of this affair till Thursr
day, and probably I'll scarce get writing, the Assembly will sit so
late. Then a transportation to Dunning frora Montrose of Mr Jo.
Couper, Mr Mathew's son, came in, and he Avas continued almost
unanimously in Montrose.
This day the Committee of Overtures met, and the Instructions.
An overture as to the poor, and restraining sturdy beggars, was read
and remitted to a committee. It's long, and I believe vriU not soon
be ended. Theyhad some lesser things before them. The In
structions went through several things, and insisted a whUe on a
fast. It's delayed tiU the business of doctrine be over. The Com
missioner is aUowed to grant a fast ; but the King raust have the
nomination of the day ; and so I believe those Avho are to push a
fast will not so much urge it. * * * *

LETTER CXLVIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 1'2.
My Dear,— I could not possibly write to you yesterday in the
afternoon,. the Assembly sitting tUl after eight. But I desired my
brother to write a short hint of the committee. Yesterday fijrenoon
the Assembly raet at ten, and a large report of the state of Popery,
and the distribution and success of the King's Bounty, was read;
then the Assembly went into a caU somewhere in the Synod of
Perth of no great concern ; but by reason of the lawyers' pleadings,
it was very long protracted, and without a vote the unanimous sen
tence of the Synod was affirmed. In the afternoon Mr Simson's
affiiir A\as tabled; the two papers not read formeriy were read, and

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 299
Mr Simson's answers to them, which I shall send to you, if I forget
not. The papers being all read, tbe Assembly came to remove
parties. At going out, Mr Slrason signified that he hoped still the
matter was open to consider whether the Presbytery of Glasgow
were to be his judges ; and he did not insist upon it at present, be
cause he thought it not of great moment, in this present case, Avhen
entering on the raethod of procedure. But the Assembly desired
him to propound what he had to say against their being his judges,
this being the proper place. Then his two lawyers, Mr Grant and
Mr Murray, pled upon that head. They offered to plead partiality
and Iniquity upon the Presbytery ; and Avhen Mr Grant Avas laying
out his plan for this, Mr Dundas Interrupted hira, and begged he
might not propound his declinature upon irrelevant grounds, which
were evidently irrelevant, and carae not up to the forms In advo
cations and civU courts ; that he should not enter upon tbe detail
of that Presbytery's procedure in small trifling matters, which,
though true as he laid them, Avould not be relevant for a decUnature,
After this Interruption, Mr Grant shortened, and coraplained only of
the Presbytery's taking In the first remarks on the Professor's an
swers, and their second answers to his representation, which he
alleged showed a keenness against Mr Sirason. The Assembly, all
Avho spoke, found the Declinature ofthe Presbytery as Judges In this
case was groundless ; that they Avere the Professor's judges ; they
Avere appointed by the last Assembly to inquire and bring the mat
ter usque ad sententiam ; that they were no parties, since the Avholc
they did Avas only to prepare and refer to the Assembly, Some
said, instead of being casten as judges, they should have the As
sembly's thanks for their pains and care. Nobody Avas of a contrary
mind, save Mr Alexander Robison. Some, Indeed, made a question,
Avhether' they could be judges on the relevancy, that they had
j udged ah-eady ? but that wasnot Insisted on, and several spoke against
It.- When this was intimated, Mr Simson was called in, and asked
If he had any further to say before they entered to the affair ? He
said, he had no particulars to insist on, tUl he had them pointed to
him, and had a pretty long discourse,- that he had endeavoured to

300 THE WODROW CORRESl'ONDENCE.
approve himself to God in teaching ; that he had endeavoured to
reraove aU the objections he had heard of against what he had
taught ; that, Indeed, he had taught nothing but what appeared to
him agreeable to the Scriptures and our Standards ; that he had
no opinions contrary to these ; and If he had had any, he Avould
have reckoned It his duty to have "communicated them with his
brethren before he had taught thera ; and if he could not have been
convinced by them, he would have thought it his duty to have left the
Church of Scotland in the peaceable possession of her doctrine, and
left her ; that in no point, that he knew of, was he ever, or is con
tradictory to the doctrine of his mother church ; that he had offers
of settlement in other places ; and had it not been for the love he
bore to the doctrine, Avorship, dIscIpUne, and government of his
mother church, he Avould have embraced them ; that In pulpit and
discourse, he had many tiraes expressed the contrary of Avhat ho
designed to say ; that what Avas Avitnessed against hira by some
young students was of this kind, and contrary to his constant sen
timents. And, on the whole, he craved that the Assembly might
call him, and suffer him to be heard in explaining any Avord or
phrases he had used, before they concluded any thing ; and sorae
other things I raay have forgot in once hearing. Being removed,
the Assembly Avent upon the method of procedure. Members were
averse to speak on this subject. The matter Avas divided Into the
queries and the Ubel. It was thought, generaUy, the libel was first
to be considered ; and the Committee proposed was appointed at
first, as It seeraed, to bring In their opinion In general upon the
method ; but then It turned to another shape, they were appointed
to go through the whole, and consider the relevancy and proofs,
and sum up the evidence, and report. It's a great trust. The
Lord direct them ! Some alleged that the Assembly should first
read the queries and libel, and go upon the relevancy In the open
Assembly, but that Avas not much urged. The Moderator named
the Committee, Mr MitcheU, Mr Jo. Hamilton, Mr Tho. Linning,
Mr A. Logan, Principals BlackweU, Haddo, and Chalmers, Mr
Robertson, Mr John MiUar, and Mr Currie of Monkland, M,'

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV, ."01
[Marquis] of TAveeddale, Lord Drumraore, Mr Dundas of Arniston,
Affleck,' and the Provost of Edinburgh, They raet this night, and^
are to raeet to-morrow, I doubt if their report come in soon, or if
they wUl soon agree ; and some wonder how the Moderator named
so many that are not reckoned very friendly to Mr Sirason. May 12.
This day the Assembly met In the forenoon at ten. We waited
tUl eleven for the Coraraittee ; and then Mr Slrason was not ready
to come, but promised to be soon present ; and the Assembly went
to the approbation of the Coraraission book, and the Committee for
the King's Bounty, and the counts ofthe public money. The Church
Is about L.300 sterling In debt. Mr GUlesple threw up the affair
of the new edition of the Confessions, as what the Coramission had
not ended as they ought. This was sopited, by referring It to the
Overtures. Some other lesser things were referred to the Over
tures and Commission, particularly a large representation from the
Society for Propagation of Knowledge, complaining that the last
collection for books was not gathered, nor young Intrants, and near
the half of the ministry, had not signed for that good work ; and an
act was ordained to be fraraed and presented to the Overtures
thereanent. The Acts of the Assembly since the 1697 were ready
to be lodged In the four public libraries ; and the report of the
Committee appointed yesterday was read, which Avas not what
sorae expected. It contained only a general directory how to pro
ceed in Mr SIrason's affair. There, I ara told, there were sorae who
proposed that the queries should be begun with by the Assembly, and
proposed by them to Mr Simson at the bar. Those were reckoned
friendly to hira Avho proposed this ; and it Avas said they were as
sured that he was ready to give direct plain answers to thera ; and
that would have answered this end, to prevent the entering upon
the libel, or at least have shortened it. But this was not gone Into
by the Committee, However, some persons who were said to have
^ ' Mr James Roswell of Auchinleck, advocate, the grandfather of tlie celebrated
biographer of Dr Sarauel Johnson.

302

THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.

been against queries as an inquisition, and made a great cry ao-alnst
them, are now obliged to come in to that method, which before was so
rauch spoken against; but that was overruled, and the considera
tion of his not answering the queries was reserved tlU the Ubel was
gone through. The report from the Committee to the Assembly
was, that the libel should be considered In Its relevancy, exculpa
tion, and proof; that the second and third articles should be be^un
with ; and the places in the prints were specified relative to each of
the articles. In the aftemoon the Asserably entered upon the libel
as to the second and third articles, about Christ's Independence and
Necessary Existence, which Is, no doubt, the chief part of the cause.
The Professor was heard on it, after the article, and the probation,
and exculpation, were read. He had a long discourse on them, and
repeated what he had said yesterday ; asserted that he had no con
trary opinion to the Confession of Faith as to Christ's Necessary
Existence, &c. ; that at the time of that discourse libelled he was
very Ul, and had opiates prescribed ; that he was not able to have
arguing and disputing ; that he thought the witnesses had mistaken
him ; that it was but once that he had said so ; that ahvays he had
taught otherwise ; supposing It true that was said, that It was only
spoken in a particular sense and meaning, restricted in a safe sense,
and so not relevant. His two lawyers Insisted much on the same
topics for an hour and a half, and, indeed, spoke little new frora
what is in the defences and papers in print ; only strongly insisted
that his renunciation, even supposing error, was a sufficient exculpa
tion. After the parties were reraoved, sorae members spoke upon
the relevancy. Mr Linning, Mr M'Laren, Mr Semple, spoke for
the relevancy, and insisted that he made the personal property of
the Father to be Self-existence and Necessary Independence, and,
consequently, robbed Christ in a sense of these perfections. Mr
M'Laren' insisted that all the persons were equal as to their per
sonal perfections, though not as to order ; that the subordination
of the persons was only as to their order, and not as to any essen
tial perfections, such as Necessary Existence ; that the terms Neces-
' Mr M'Laurin of Glasgow.

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 303
sary Existence, &c., though not directly In Scripture, were to be
taught as AveU as the Trinity, and many others ; that Necessary
Existence, &c., were included in Jehovah, attributed to Christ In
Scripture ; that heretics frequently spoke in a sound sense, but
contradicted themselves ; and many other things I cannot resume.
It being by this time near nine, it was raoved that this matter
should be delayed tUl to-raorrow, after they had been so long to
gether, and since they could not overtake the relevancy or proof,
so as to corae to an Issue; and so It stands till to-raorrow; when,
may the Lord direct ! for this is the very hinge pf the present cause.
I know not if I shall have tirae to write to-raorrow, since the As
sembly is like to sit late.

LETTER CXLVIIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 6. May 15, 1727.
My Dear, — ^I Avrote you a large account of the Assembly on
Friday ; an(} on Saturday they had an unmerciful sederunt, from
nine to four in the afternoon ; and, indeed, it was in sorae measure a
lost sederunt, for nothing was done almost, further than Avhat had
been in the matter agreed to on Friday night. In the entry of the
meeting the Professor compeared, without being called, and spent
another half-hour. He desired again that he might be called in
when any facts were advanced which were new, and craved yester
night's minute might be made so as to allow liberty. He told he
was informed' that it was advanced yesterday that he had denied
Christ's Necessary Independence, AvhIch he denied, and put it to the
proof. He complained that Mr M'Laren had said that he was con
demned for Arminianism, and rebuked for it, 1717, which he assert
ed was false. He renewed his declarations of orthodoxy. There was
nothing marked upon this, and Mr Logan gave him a public admo
nition that it was not for his Interest to insist much on Act 1717, and
so he was removed. Then Mr Dundas opened the debate. I did

304 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,
not observe much advanced, In point of argument, but Avhat Is in the
printed case, save that, with some keenness, Mr D, [Dundas] fell
upon Mr M'Laren, for what he said. Indeed, as I thought, a little
unguardedly, yesternight, as I think I hinted ; and he feU very foul
on a print, supposed to be Mr Williamson's, called Remarks on Mr
Simson's Case, In the title-page and preface whereof a dissent is
threatened. The Avhole of Mr Dundas' arguments run upon this
supposition, that heresy was to be the subsuraptlon of the Ubel,
and the punishment of heresy the conclusion ; whereas. It's only the
censures of the Church. The Lord Druramore, Mr John Hunter of
Ayr, (who reaUy speaks too often, and owns so rauch, and yet mends
not,) Mr A. Robison, Mr Mercer, and Mr Thomson of Melgle, were
aU that spoke against the relevancy of some of the articles now he-
fore the Assembly ; though Mr Dundas, and all that spoke on that
side, in the strongest terms OAvned their belief of Christ's Necessary
Existence and Independence, especiaUy the first ; and said that, if
that were denied or weakened, there was nothing of Christianity
left. On the first article now before the Asserably, about Neces-
s.ary Existence, there was little debate, at least among ministers, as
to the relevancy. But then, for tAvo or three hours, the speakers
spoke at random on both relevancy, exculpation, and probation ; and,
since, frora the bar, all the three had been spoken to, this Avas In
sisted on by Mr Dundas and that side, which was a vast consump
tion of time, and I imagine the protracting of this matter is in some
of their view. Perhaps I may be wrong. In this time, after Mr
Dundas his first speech, Mr M'Laren vindicated himself as to what
he said yesterday, and said, though he OAvned a superiority In order
as to our conception and revelation among the DIrine persons, yet
he asserted the equality of the persons as to personal properties m
power and glory ; that It was equally glorious to be begotten as to
beget ; and if any subordination and dependence, further than that
of order, Avere asserted, he could not but think it would land in a
dependent and Independent God. In the time of this speech, three
queries In print, on Mr M'Laren's speech, were distributed in the
House ; Avhen at length, [after] many speeches on the other side hy
Principal BlackweU, Mr Ramsay, Messrs M'Laren, Linning, Logan,

AVODROW TO -AIKS AVODROW. 305
Arch. Napier, Sarauel Scrapie, Mr MitcheU, and others I have for
got, Mr HaraUton moved the Asserably raight restrict theraselves
to the point of relevancy, and corae to an issue as to that. This oc
casioned much debate, and many haled in the exculpation and proof
as they inclined. But generally they carae afterwards nearer. Mr
BlackweU had sorae sweet enough reraarks on Isa. ix. 6, " A Child,
and the Mighty God and Everlasting Father." The great difficulty
was upon the Independency. AU owned it an essential attribute of
the Son ; but then, by sustaining the relevancy of Independency, as
laid in the Ubel, separately considered frora Necessary Existence, the
difficulty was raoved, (Mr Hunter carried it as to Necessary Exist
ence also, from a citation ofthe Council of Smyrna, but he was back
ed by nobody as to that,) that Owen asserted that the Son was de
pendent as to his nature and In creation on the Father. Van Mas-
tricht and others were named as asserting a personal aseitas or in
dependency ; and our Confession of Faith, and all Protestant Con
fessions, went not In to determine the question, whether the Son, as
to his personality, was dependent or not ; and It was Insisted that it
would be Iraproper the General Asserably should conderan those
great men by sustaining this as relevant. On this Mr Mitchell pro
posed that In sustaining the relevancy, the words, "- independent as
to his Deity,'' should be inserted, which would prevent that difficulty.
This was gone Into ; and because in this raatter of sustaining the re
levancy, the resolution of the Asserably would be the subject of re
mark and conversation to all Europe, both Protestant and Papist,
the framing it should be Avith the utmost care and exactness. It
was remitted to Mr MitcheU, Mr Chalmers, Mr Haddow, Arniston,
and others, to be brought In next diet. And so the Assembly dis
missed, after having sat frora nine to four in the afternoon.
This day the Assembly met at ten, and the report was brought
In frora the committee as to the state of the relevancy. Before
that was tabled, at the reading of the rainutes, Mr Simson craved
liberty to be heard on the rainutes, Avhen the clerk had put In what
I hinted as to Saturday's procedure, that he had coraplained that
he was asserted, in reasoning, to have denied Christ's Self-Existence
and Independence, and that he had been rebuked, 1717, for Armi-
VOL. III. u

306 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
nlanlsm, — both which were false. This was desired by Mr GUles
ple and others to be rased out of the minutes, since it was not fit
that every thing said by a raeraber, and complained of by the party,
should be noticed in the minutes. Mr Simson craved It might
stand ; after several warm speeches, that part of the minute was
rased out. Then Mr Simson craved that before the Assembly
came to enter on the relevancy, he might be heard on somewhat
new, not pleaded on that head, and gave in a long paper to the
clerk, which was heard. The substance was, that if the Assembly
should determine on the relevancy, they would add the phrases of
" Necessary Existence" and " Independence" to our Standards, con
trary to the Act of Asserably, [16]97,' against Innovations In Doc
trine tUl they were remitted to Presbyteries, and some other acts.
After this he had a long speech, half-an-hour or thereby, which I
ara not in case to resurae. He addressed himself to the passions
or affections of the Assembly, and signified that when a child,
he had no prospect of usefulness, and yet got health from God ;
that, 1725 and 1726, he was under the near views of death, and
longed to die, and yet was restored to teaching ; that m teaching
he had God's glory In view, and the Scripture doctrine as far as
he could gather it ; that he founded and gathered his notions
on the Trinity frora Dr Owen, as raost Scriptural; that (with
an oblique hint on the Presbytery) he was afraid that this
Church was running into SabeUIanisra ; that this was properly the
question with his brethren ; that he did not think we were in
hazard of Arianisra, but of running to SabeUIanisra or Soclnlanlsm,
In raaking the Three Persons modes and relations, and this made
hira assert thera InteUIgent agents and principles of operation In the
one God, adding somewhat I dare not be positive ra, that he did
not like the term numerical oneness of substance or principle, or to
that purpose, adding he was near sixty years, and had not long to
live, and did he differ from the Church in opinion, he would think
it his duty to leave them ; but he did not know that he differed
from the Confession of Faith ; and as he had acted and taught ivlth
' Commonly called the Barrier Act.

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 307
a view to eternity, so he expected his brethren would lay aside all
prejudices, and judge hira under the sarae views. This long
speech was tlraed reraarkably, before the Asserably entered on the
relevancy brought In by the Coraraittee ; and what effect it had,
wlU only be known by the Issue. The overture about relevancy
was read next. That, 1, His denying the Necessary Existence of
the Son, 2, That his saying, in teaching, that the Necessary Exist
ence and Independence of the Son, as to his Deity, were things we
knew not. 3. That he had taught they were philosophical nice
ties, things A\'e had no knowledge of, as in the libel ; only the word
" ambiguous" is left out. The first article of relevancy was agreed
unaniraously, and that raarked. There was some debate about the
sense of lohat we knew not. Some would have it to be the sarae
with raysterious, and above our coraprehension. But, generally, It
was thought to mean, to be no part of our faith. That sense was
urged to be added ; but sensing proportions was generally spoken
against as Improper here and dangerous, and the terras were to be
taken in the ordinary use of the words. There was upon the sarae
article a debate about the adjected word as to his Deity, as what
was needless, because not in the libel, and hazardous, because it
might perhaps be a new libel, at least called so by the panel. This
last was denied by all the lawyers ; and the first was thought need
ful to evite the conderanatlon of Owen and other divines. And
so, after about three hours' debate, the relevancy as to these two
articles in the terms above was agreed to Avithout a vote. I forgot
to mention the debate about the last article of the relevancy, the
terms. Some of the lawyers debated that the using or not using
of terms and words was not relevant to prove heresy. That Avas
answered by observing that censure, not heresy, was in the libel,
and that terms, especially such as are here, Necessary Existence and
Independence, were of vast importance in teaching and a teacher,
especially when denied by Dr Clarke and others. Thus the rele
vancy was ended.
In the afternoon, the Assembly sat from five to near eleven at
night. The Professor and his counsel, as the phrase now is, were

308

THE WODROW CORRESPOM DENCE.

heard on the excuTpation, which, as agreed In the forenoon, was to
be considered before the probation was heard, I mind little noAV
from the bar upon the exculpation, but Avhat is in the prints. The
great thing insisted on was, that the Presbytery of Glasgow had
refused to grant witnesses of exculpation, though sought by the
Professor, beyond the witnesses for probation. This, indeed, con
sumed three or four hours, which were spent in defences and excep
tions against the Presbytery of Glasgow, rather than the excul
pation. The case was. In short, — ^the Presbytery had delayed to
grant the Professor new witnesses of exculpation, different frora
those in the probation, before the sustaining of the grounds of ex
culpation, directly in the terms of the Form of Process. This was
objected against, and not the method in criminal courts ; but in this
they differ. But the truth is, aU the scholars, save those who were
last year, were cited both for probation and exculpation, and
examined by way of conjunct probation, as appears plain, and those
of one year's standing could never exculpate. Mr Dundas, my
Lord Druramore,' and Grant of Elchies, consumed three hours In
insisting on this. There was scarce one minister joined in this. It
being directly contrary to our Form of Process. The other grounds
of exculpation, that his continued tract of teaching according to the
Confession, and against the Arians, as inthe abstract, was an excul
pation of his teaching once or twice wrong, suppose proven, and some
others were reasoned on. But the first ground of the Professor's not
having had time and Avarrant to cite witnesses beyond those of proba
tion, and that he should yet get tirae to cite them, was mostly insist
ed on, as what entirely exculpated. But that was at length overruled,
and Vfhen a vote was demanded, the exculpation at length was given
up; and it was again agreed without a vote that the articles of ex
culpation advanced, were no way sufficient to elude the libel on
thir articles, reserving to inquire how far they might soften the
censure, when proven. The laAvyers almost only managed this
debate. The ministers at length spoke, and seemed pretty unani
mous, and so the minute runs as above. The proof comes to-
' Wodrow generally spells this Dunmore.

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 309
raorroAv ; the Lord direct In it ! Every inch is disputed, and many
hours are spent, especially by the lawyers, from the throne, and
some begin to fear that a design is to outweary so as nothing may
be done this week. A little time uoav wUl discover the event,
which I wish may be good. May 16.
This day the Assembly met, and Mr Simson and his counsel ap
peared at the bar upon the proof. I mind little new, but what
was In the exculpation, or, at least, better pled by the raerabers
lawyers In the Court. The Assembly restricted themselves to the
first branch of the articles they are on, found relevant that he de
nied the Necessary Existence of Christ. The witnesses are Boyd,
Duncan, Barr. The bulk of rainisters that spoke were for finding
Boyd and Barr relcA^ant, though two or three reasoned otherwise,
as Messrs Robison, Hunter, and Mercer ; but the plurality by far
were for finding the proof good. At length Mr Dundas had his
turn, and used the greatest force of expression to overturn the wit
nesses altogether. He argued frora the distance of time, two
years since, upon verba emissa, upon Avant of special tirae, so that
there could be no contests In this raatter, (both which were fuUy,
I think, answered,) — frora the youngness of Barr^ — frora the false
Latin he ascribes to the Professor In his oath, — frora an Inconsist
ency between Boyd's words, — frora Duncan swearing to the best
of his reraembrance ; and. In short, he endeavoured to cut doAvn
and expose all witnesses upon verba emissa as to error or heresy,
and to assert there scarce could be any proof of these but by write,
especiaUy if there were contrary, assertions, renunciations, and de
clarations at the bar. All this Is a strong proof of the necessity
of queries, which I thought Mr Grant, the Presbytery's Advocate,
allowed of in his reasoning, at which the Professor seeraed a little
displeased. In short, [he pled] his not getting all the witnesses for
exculpation he sought, and the contrary testlraony of those taken as
to his teaching according to the Confession of Faith for ordinary ;
and these three depositions being but one single instance of teach
ing. The trip In tongue' was scarce ever spoke of In this reason-
' A lapsus lingua, pled by Mr Simson.

310 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Ing. All these defences were spoke to by raany members pretty
distinctly — Messrs Blackwell, Scrapie, MitcheU, Haddow, Logan,
Mr J. Orr at Lanark, who justly observed, that the Presbytery's
refusing to answer queries to hira' was a great vidimus of his dif
fering from us in the matter ; and that assertions now at the bar,
and afterwards, are much weakened by his refusing to answer his
brethren's inquiry. Mr Peter Grant of Little Elchies answered Mr
Dundas, and took him up In some points of law, as to the time,
that it was libeUed in the Justiciary in this method, and as to his
distinction between legal and convincing proof, and Insisted strongly
that the words of depositions were to be taken In their plain mean
ing, and not sensed, and inferences put on them for probation,
otherwise, judges would run Into Impressions ; and he knew no
proof belonging to judges but legal proof. My Lord Drummore
answered him in a little ; but the subject was much exhausted,
and I don't think he reasoned very plainly. At length, about
three of the clock, this first, and, indeed, the great article, came to
a question. Whether, notwithstanding of the exculpation, this first
article Avas proven, and it carried, as I reckoned It, by 129 Proven ;
22 or 25 Not ; and about 19 Go on. The consequences of this
are evident.
I forgot to observe, that this forenoon the nomination of the
Commission was brought in. There was not one altered given in by
the Synods. Mr Smith Is in frora Edinburgh. From us, Mr Jo. Mil
lar, Mr R. W., [Wodrow,] and Mr R. MitcheU. What wIU be further
done In the afternoon at five, when the Assembly meets, I cannot
say. I think after this vote there will not be much long debates.
Not proven, Mr Mercer, Mr Robison, Mr Hunter, Mr Garrick,
Mr Bannatyne, Mr Anderson, Principal Chalmers, Mr Wilham
Hamilton, three or four in Merse, and sorae few others I forgot,
Arniston, Lord Drummore, Mr Jo. Sinclair.
The vote above, I am of opinion, wUl lay aside Mr Simson from
teaching. ' This is evidently a mistake for "his refusing to answer the Presbyterj's quenes
to him," whioh formed a great part of the dispute. See State of the Processes de
pending against Mr John Simson, p. 29, &c. Edin. 1728 ; The Method of Proceeding
by Queries Vindicated, |c.

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 3 1 1
LETTER CXLIX.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 7.
May 17, 1727.
My Dear, — I gave you- a^ pretty large account of matters in the
Asserably tUl yesterday at five of the clock, when the Asserably
met, and went on to the second article found relevant in the first
branch, whether the saying, Christ's Necessary Existence was what
we know not ? Before they entered on it the Professor's lawyers
desired it might be inserted In the minutes, that they had, in the
forenoon, required that the Assembly should observe that the Pro
fessor had not passed frora the general exculpation that the Pres
bytery had not aUowed the Professor all the witnesses he had de
sired for exculpation. The state of this I hinted at before. This
raised a great cry from the lawyers that It should be minuted, and
If the Assembly saw fit to deny it that they should do it ; now the
matter had been reasoned near four hours in the Assembly on Mon
day, and was at length faUen from by the judges. This was not
denied, but still insisted that It should be minuted. Mr HamUton
and sorae others were ordered to draw the minute as to this against
to-morrow. Then they went on to the second article, as to its pro
bation. There are three or four witnesses for It, as Is to be seen
in the prints ; but Mr Dundas, my Lord Druramore, and Easter
Elchies, jested on them, and insisted there was not the least proof ;
mostly because four witnesses of exculpation had deponed that it was
only question-ways. How do ye, or how do we know that ? which was
not the Professor's assertion, but a question, though three, and, I
think, more witnesses depone it as an assertion. We do not know this.
There fell in an incident as to Mr Hunter of Ayr, which shows his
ordinary keenness ; but raust speak three or four times every meet
ing, and raore than a quarter of an hour's length at every time. He
happened to bring in sorae similitude or other, as he uses very many,

312

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

and at first drew it frora the Oath of Abjuration, and the charging
of rainisters that had taken It with approving of the Church of
England. To this he compared some part of the libel AU this
passed, but within some few rainutes he drove on his sImUltude a
little higher, If In reasoning one should caU his Majesty King
George a rogue and villain, and when caUed to prove It, should as
sert he was of wrong principles. Upon this the Commissioner
rose and stopped hira, and directing himself to the Moderator, he
said. The member speaking, he beUeved, might have no Ul Intention
in what he said, but he was very needlessly and indiscreetly bringing
in the King, and if he acknowledged it was a mistake and lapms,
he would go no further ; if not, he would apply to the Assembly
to take notice of him ; on which he Imraediately asked pardon,
and acknowledged he was in the wrong, but " he was going to lay a
hypothetical proposition and infer treason." The Moderator, how
ever, though the Commissioner Avas satisfied, by the Assembly was
required to rebuke and admonish Mr Hunter, which was done, and
so the raatter was hushed. After some reasoning about words of
the same import, and some other objections made against the wit
nesses, it came to the vote. Proven or Not ; and it carried Proven
by a vast majority. Then the third article was read, whether his
saying. Independence as to the Deity was what we know not. This
Avas unanimously found Not proven ; neither could It be, because
the Avords, as to the Deity, were adjected in the relevancy, and so
the proof was lost, of design that the Church might not determine
the controversy about the independency or dependency as to the
personality, which evinced authors differ about. The fourth article
found relevant Avas delayed till to-morrow, it being about nine of
the clock. It's observed by some that my L. D. and Mr J, H.,'
the two keen advocates upon one side, the first transgressed against
God In the Asserably, by. In the heat of an argument, faUIng out to
a kind of — " Upon ray conscience, I think it so !" And the second
' Lord Drummore probably, and the talkative Mr Hunter, whose " similitudes
met with less mercy from the Venerable Assembly than his Lordship's " kind of swear
ing,"

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV, 3 1 3
against the King, The first begged pardon, and said, " He hoped he
was not swearing, and feU without thought to the expression," and
there was no more of it ; and the other was handled as above.
At night, in conversation as to the issue of this process among
six or seven of the leading raerabers upon one side of the question,
where I happened to be, we carae to agree that it were to be wish
ed, could It be attained, that this Asserably should put a final end to
this unhappy and raelancholy affair, as what Avould put it out of
people's mouths, and still the clamour and talk about It ; but then
It did scarce appear possible that this could be done In such a dis
tinct and accurate way as would be safe for the truth and the
Church, and so as to take In the whole that was in the field. At
the rate of the present dilatory and long management, we must sit
some weeks before we get through the libel, many articles of It, and
those of very great weight, being before the Assembly, as well as
the method of queries, which we all agreed behoved to be approven
and sustained. This being the state of things, and it being impos
sible to get through It so as to answer all the purposes of a deter
mination in so grave an affair, It was next considered what was to
be done. It seemed pretty plain that not a few Avere for a sentence
of deposition, but how that could be well founded on what was yet
judged, or what the Assembly at this time could overtake, so as to
justify the Assembly's procedure, and have the sentence distinctly
and solidly founded, appeared difficult. It was agreed that for pre
venting further damage to the youth, and raany other accounts ;
particularly, that probably It would be raost harraonlously gone
into, a suspension should be gone into, and a stopping his teaching
till next Assembly, and meantime either the Commission, (which
was not inclined to,) or rather a particular Select Coraraittee for
Purity of Doctrine, weU chosen, should be appointed by this Assem
bly, to go through and prepare what the Assembly could not over
take at this time, and meet as they should be appointed, and ripen
the whole against the next Assembly ; and that this should be pro
posed and carried with all the unanimity possible. This was agreed

814 THE WODROAV CORRESPONR^NCE.
to, and this, or soraewhat like this, probably, wIU be the issue of this
affair. This day the Asserably raet at ten, and sat tUl five. There
Avas an hour's debate about the minute I spoke of before, and
after the paper given In by the Professor, and that by Mr Ha
milton, were read, a short minute was agreed to, narrating that
the Professor did insist on the iniquity done him in not caUing all
witnesses for his exculpation, and craved they might be yet cited;
but [that] this being overruled by the Asserably, the motion was
rejected. Then the Asserably went on to the fourth article found
relevant, as I wrote forraerly, that In teaching he said the terms Ne
cessarily Existent, and Independent, were impertinent philosophical
niceties, &c. The former strait recurred here as to independency
as to the personal properties, and raany of the depositions relate to
the personal properties ; and so this article was remitted to a Com
mittee to consider and class the probation, and bring it In next
day. I believe the term Independency, for the former reasons,
will be dropped, and then aU wiU prove as sustained, and the wit
nesses AriU perfectly prove it. Then the Assembly went on to the
fourth general clause of the Ubel about numerical oneness. The
Professor and his lawyers were heard on the relevancy of this, and
the next, whether the subject of these perfections, &c. ; and they
added nothing I could observe to what Is in the prints. Then the
relevancy of these two articles carae to be considered by the As
serably. On the one hand, Mr Chalmers, Hunter, and two or
three more, alleged It Avas not relevant, because it was only a ques
tion whether the terra nuraerleal oneness should be used in teach-
ing, which was not used by our Confession, nor any other. On
the other hand, it Avas argued that the question was about reject
ing the term numerical oneness, and bringing no other In the room
of it ; and numerical as to the thing, one In nuraber was undoubt
edly In our Shorter, Larger Catechlsra, and Confession of Faith ;
that it was plain from the Professor's papers, that this rejecting
of the numerical oneness was to cover a distinction the Professor

AVODROW TO MRS WODROW, 315
insinuate of a Necessary Existence and Independency of the Father,
which did not belong to the Son and Spirit, and so they indeed
could not be numerically one in substance or essence ; that this
plainly led to a notion of three Godheads, substances or essences,
and exposed the doctrine of the Divine Unity, My Lord Dun
more and E, Elchies, and four or five more, kept up the debate
about five hours. At length, when they would not agree to sus
tain this article relevant without a vote, as they had done the rest,
which my Lord Dunmore only hindered, It was put to the ques
tion. Sustain or Commit to a Coraraittee, and carried by a great
majority. Sustain this article relevant. This is all done this day.
The Coraraittees raeet at night. The Lord direct to-raorrow ! and
I hope the Assembly may rise on Friday, which, for what I see,
AriU be the soonest. So you may send word to Mr Pinkerton
that it will be late on Saturday before I can be home, and if the
Commission meet, whereof I am a raeraber, I know not but I raay
be kept tUl next week. So be not uneasy though I corae not
home. I am perfectly weU. May 18.
Yesternight the Committee of Instructions met. The Presby
tery of Lanark propounded a raost dreadful and atrocious case for
advice. Some Aveeks ago, one ChanceUer and sorae others carae
to that height of rillany, as Is said, as to baptize a dog, and use
the words of Institution. Ten witnesses are cited, nine examined',
and depone negative. The persons blamed acknowledge some
circumstances of pouring water on a dog, but deny the using the
words. The tenth witness it's expected can depone somewhat con
siderable, and yet the question is, being but a single Avitness,
whether he ought to be sworn, and what wIU be the effect of his
oath. The Committee seemed to be for swearing the witness, be
cause, if he deponed, he might lead to further means of probation ;
and, at least, in this single witness, the Presbytery would have oc
casion to deal with their conscience, and without this witness his
deponing they behoved to continue under scandal. The Commit-

316 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
tee remitted a fast to the Commission ; and the affair of the Con
fession of Faith, as to the Covenant in the Third Volume, was re
mitted to the Commission, and a draught of an Act was agreed
to about students of Divinity, especiaUy their entering on trials;
that, according to Instructions frora Presbyteries, all acts of As
serably be renewed, that they have testiraonials to the ministers or
Presbytery where the CoUege is as well as to Professors; that
none be adraitted to be enrolled without testimonials from Presby
teries ; that if a Presbytery give their opinion that a student
should not pass trials Arith reasons, it should be stopt till next
Synod determine.
At night I was with the forraer meeting, Mr M., Mr L., Mr B.,
Mr H., P. D., B. N., Mr R., and we agreed on the former pro
posal to be proposed this day in Assembly by Mr M., which he
did after reading the minutes ; and in case it was gone Into, we
agreed upon a list of thirty to be a Committee for Purity of Doc
trine. This day the Asserably raet at nine, and there was a Uttle
squabble about the minutes. The Avord " specificaUy one" was put
into the minutes, and it was declared that what the Assembly sus
tained relevant was, that he had denied that the persons were nume
rically one, and giving no other sense in roora of numerical. The
report as to the fourth proposition of the third and fourth articles
carae in, and was, that the Professor had taught that the Neces
sary Existence was irapertinent, &c., was proved, and as to the
Independence of the Deity, It was not proved. This was remitted
to the Coraraittee, of which I shall speak next. After the minutes
were over, Mr MitcheU rose and raade the proposal, that since It
was irapossible the Asserably could overtake the whole of this af
fair, a Coraraittee should be named to consider what was past, and
what was yet to come, and bring In an overture as to the whole.
This Av«s gone into without debate ; and the former Committee,
Messrs Logan, Chalraers, Principals BlackweU, Haddow, John
Harallton, Jo. MUlar, Jo. Curry, Dunmore, P. of Edinburgh, Mr
Mitchell, and Moderator, was agreed to. They are yet sitting,

WODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 317
and I doubt If the report be made this day. They will either go
in as above, on a present suspension, and [or] that this matter be re
mitted to the Presbytery of Glasgow, and Messrs Mitchell, Harall
ton, and Haddow, joined to them, as I hear. But I doubt if this
last proposal carry. I am yours, &c.

LETTER CL.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 8.
Edinburgh, May 19, 1727.
My Dear, — In my last, I gave you sorae account of the com
mitting of the great affair concerning Mr Simson. The Coraraittee
I named were ordered to withdraw, and the Assembly went on vrith
their ordinary work, none of which alraost could be overtaken tiU
now, since the affair of Mr Simson was at the beginning preferred
to aU others ; and partly by the nature of the thing, and partly by
the long defences and dilators made by Mr Simson his lawyers,
and partly by the long speeches raade by two or three lawyers
from the throne, and six or seven ministers upon one side against
a vast raajority, this affair was protracted, as I have observed to
you. The Synod books were gone through In coraraon form, and
some other things from the bills of no great importance were
passed. In the forenoon, the Committee agreed to suspension for
the present. There was a debate, whether the Committee to be
named for Purity of Doctrine should be empowered to take off the
suspension on application from hira ; but that was waived, because
the Committee would not have yielded that point, nor would the
Assembly have gone Into It, as appeared plain enough. However,
this censure was last In the report. Then It was unanimously
agreed to remit the whole remaining to be done by this Assembly,
If they had had time, to a Committee. In the meanwhUe, a Com
mittee was agreed to. In the afternoon, at four, the Committee

318 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
about the North met for an address to the King, which was
finished. The Committee of Overtures met at five, and transmit
ted several acts to the Assembly. An act was brought In by a
raeraber about planting of parishes, being a branch of the overture
in dependence about calls and planting jure devoluto, which was
that for preventing heats and divisions as to settling of parishes :
If the third part of the electors were dissatisfied and dissented, the
Presbytery should not go on, but refer to the Synod, or caU one
pro re nata. But this being popped in to the Committee at the
close of the Asserably, and not being thought ripe, tUl who were
electors was settled. It was sent to the Coraraission, that is, sunk.
The Assembly raet at six, and the report of the Committee about
Mr Sirason was called for. Before that was produced, Mr Sunson
desired to be heard, and gave in a signed paper containing his sen
timents for his own vindication upon the three heads found proven,
— Necessary Existence, • Independence, and numerical Oneness.
Had he given in this before to the Presbytery, raatters needed not
run so high ; but he is, as sorae remark, too Uke King Charles the
First, who made raany concessions, but generaUy they came too
late. There was nothing spoken on It. Then the report was taken
in. Principal Stirling desired that the rainutes of the Presbytery
raight be read, containing the University's protestation m the Pres
bytery, allowing thera judges In this affair, but protesting for the
preservation of their liberties ; wdiich was done, and he adhered to
it, and took instruments. It was said, if the University had used
their poAvers they raight have prevented aU this, at least much of
it; but no public notice was taken, only the protest received.
Then the report was read ; remitting to the Committee and sus
pending. Messrs Linning, Logan, Hog, and Black, and some
others, moved that a clause might be added, that the Assembly
did not reckon suspension an adequate censure for what was proven
and gone through already by them ; but because of want of time,
and tho gravity of the work, and tlU the matter were ripened, they
went Into this. This was said to be In the act already on the mat
ter. It being for the Interim only. They and several others de-

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 319
clared, they thought "stopping his mouth," as the Apostle's sentence
is, and deposition was the proper sentence, but for harraony they
went in. Indeed, had the question been Suspend or Depose, even
on what Is past, I doubt the last had carried. Then it was agreed
to unanimously, and none spoke against it. After some discourses
on the time of meeting, and numbers and quorum, it was raoved
the committee to take this before them might be naraed, and the
three members from Glasgow, Messrs Mitchell, Haddow, and the
Moderator, were made nominators, with an order to put in them
selves, and ordered to withdraw, and turn the overture to an act,
and add the time, place, powers, &c., and fiU up the nomination ;
and so, after the Asserably had given their thanks to the Presby
tery of Glasgow for their dIUgence and care, and to the Coraraittee
last year, which was done verbally to the members, and ordered to
be recorded, they Avithdrew, and In two hours brought in the act
as It stands. Thus this great affair is ended this year. And the
Committee Is twenty-six ministers and eight elders, and, save two,
the members are what were agreed on in the raeeting I wrote of;
and In their room Messrs CraAvford and M'George are ; and, in
deed, save six or seven, they are not reckoned to favour the one
side of the debates we have had, and I hope it will be seen to be
so. This is aU could be done. The trath is vindicated by the sus
taining the most important articles relevant, and Mr Simson is
found guUty as to Necessary Existence and Numerical Essence ; and
aU that have spoken have owned these great truths, and Mr Sim
son hath verbaUy owned most of them, and much plainer than ever
formerly ; so that, on the whole, I hope the Lord hath not alto
gether left his servants in this difficult matter. Several other acts
were passed ;— an act for a new collection to the Society for Know
ledge ; and many things were remitted to the Commission, and to
morrow the address to the King about Popery comes in, and a few
other small matters, and the common forms at the close.

May 20.
This day the Assembly met at ten. Professor Shnson was called,

320 THE WODROW CORUESPONDENCE,
not being present yesternight, when his sentence was agreed unto;
and this day we were told that he was gone home to Glasgow by
eight of the clock, which was, I believe, what he was strongly
raoved to by bis friends, who, in ray opinion, by the pushing things
too far, and misrepresentations of raatters to him and others, have
done him and his cause very much hurt. But it seems he took
another course, which was. Indeed, better for himself. According
ly, Avhen called, he compeared. The Moderator Intimated the act
of Asserably to him by word of mouth, and read the committee
naraed to prepare his affair against next Assembly ; and then spoke
to this purpose, that he heard the issue the Assembly of this Church
had come to, and he needed not, he hoped, direct him to take this
matter out of the hand of God ; and he did not doubt but It would
be very affecting and awful to him ; and he was of opinion, that
it should be raatter of his deepest humUIation. Mr Simson an
swered, that he desired to take all he raet with out of the hand of
a holy and gracious God, and particularly this present sentence ;
that he had formerly expressed his concern for the peace of this
Church, and that he was resolved rather to submit to leave the
country than do any thing that would disturb the peace of the
Church ; that he had the deepest value for the judicatories of the
Church, and would submit to the decision of this Assembly. The
Moderator had cited him to wait on the Committee and the next
Assembly. As to his attending the Coramittee on Monday, their
first diet, he hurably conceived that they could do little but agree
on their raethod of procedure ; and if there were absolute need of
his presence, he would postpone every thing to It ; but. Indeed,
both the uncertainty of his health, and the circumstances of his
family, hindered him from staying any longer ; and, unless it had
been to show his regard to the venerable Assembly, he should have
gone off early this morning. The matter he had In view was his
Avlfe's being brought to bed of a son on Wednesday, of which he
had accounts only by Thursday's post. * *

LORD GRANGE TO WODROW.

321

LETTER CLL
simson's case.
Lord Grange to Wodrow.^
Sir, — I have had one or two from you since I came from Eng
land, and also Woodward's book retumed to me. Excuse my not
acknowledging it sooner. I bought not many books at London,
and those I did buy are in a ship not yet arrived at Leith, I have
not time to write much, and some things I might say are better for
conversation, which I hope to have with you at the next Commis
sion. You and your friends, I humbly think, ought not to faU to
attend it. There is good reason to apprehend that some intend to
push for a sort of ambassade from the Kirk to the King, and for
that purpose, and that they may be the ambassadors, are to con
vene aU their forces. If this obtain, I am of opinion that you raay
as well send men to persuade the court that men of sense and breed
ing do not think ill of Simson's, and other new schemes, and that
they are only opposed by odd out-of-the-way people, and that these
things will at length, and easily take In Scotland as elsewhere. I
do assure you there is great danger in this, as I believe I'U satisfy
you at raeeting. Our friends at London expected an account of
SIrason's affair in print, frora some good and honest hand among
us, since his account of it was reprinted there. His people have
since printed here a second edition of it with additions. If nothing
be printed on the other side, (and with due care and accuracy, so as
may be weU read both here and in England,) I am persuaded Sim
son's way wUl gain great advantage at home, and stiU more in Eng
land, where it imports the truth in general, and the Church of

' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxii. No. 16.
VOL, III,

322 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Scotland very particularly, to have that raatter right understood
and judged of. When you corae to tOAvn, I ara sure I can satisfy
you of this llkeAvise, and that If sorae of you about Glasgow do it
not, none else will. It is already too long delayed. Is not Mr
M'Laren one good hand for it ? I beg my hurable service to him ;
and I am, very faithfully, Rev. Sir, your raost humble servant,
James Erskine.
Edinburgh, July 2'2, 1727.

LETTER CLIL

SCOTTISH BIOGRAPHY.

To the Rev. Mr James Kirkpatrick, Minister at Belfast.
Rev. Dear Sir, — ^I have been making some coUections for a
considerable tirae upon the Lives of our Ministers and eminent
Christians In Scotland since the Reformation. It's undoubtedly a
loss to the interests of real practical vital reUgion, that, save some
few scrapes, we have little or nothing of the Uves of a great many
very eminent persons the Lord raised up In this Church, whose
labours in the work of the Gospel were remarkably blessed. Per
haps It's a piece of my weakness, and yet I ara not singular In it,
that no part of History affects rae more than biography, when
tolera,bly written. And could we recover well attested accounts of
Ministers and Christians in the forraer periods, and the Lord's way
with them, and his directing and countenancing them in his ser
vice, I Avould fain hope it might be, through the Divine blessing, of
use for the reviving the languishing interests of piety In our day,
and Avould not be without adA'antage to us, who labour in the holy
ministry, under more light, perhaps, than was vouchsafed in some
of the former ages ; but, alas ! I may say of rayself, vastly short of
their painfulness, love, life, and success they had. I have formed

AVODROAV TO JAMES KIRKPATRICK. 323
the first rude draughts of the lives of a good many of our first Re
formers and Ministers to the Union of the Crowns, 1603, and am
making collections and gathering materials as to others down to
this time. You know better than I that Messrs Livingston, Blair,
Curmlngham, and several others, carae over to Ireland, and were
there from the 1632, or thereabout, tlU the 1639. I believe you had
Provost Stewart, and Kennedy, and some other of our erainent
Christians pretty much with you, and many reraarkable conversions,
confirmations, and sensible outpourings of the Spirit, In and about
the Six-mUe Water, and much success attending these, Mr Josiah
Welsh, and others, their labour. Mr Adair, Mr Andrew Stewart,
and others, I need not narae to you, down to the 1660, and even
to the Revolution, are persons who naturally would corae in, in a
work of this nature. I have Mr Blair and Mr Livingston's Lives,
and the hints there make me very much long for fuUer accounts
from Ireland. There is none I know of in the North of Ir6iand
that hath had so much occasion to meet with things of this nature
as yourself, and your great pains in your excellent account of the
loyalty of Presbyterians, no doubt, would lead you to papers
and narratives which give no smaU light to the lives and actings
of the Scots ministers in the former period ; and I doubt not but
you'll have not a few remarkables handed down, relative to Mini
sters and Christians, from the reverend old Ministers and aged
Christians alive twenty or thirty years ago, which no question you
would carefully preserve. Forgive, then, my application to you for
the favour of coraraunicating what you judge proper for helping on
any poor CoUections I am making this way. This address, I own,
needs an apology from one who has so little of the happiness of
your acquaintance, though I cannot altogether call rayself a
stranger ; since, though probably you'U have forgot me, it's I be
lieve upwards of thirty years since I had some of your acquaint
ance at Glasgow. 1 flatter myself you wUl approve of the design
of gathering what can be recovered of the worthies In our fathers'
days, and that is all the excuse I can make for this trouble I pre
sume to give you. The Rev. Mr Masterton, to whom I presume

324 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
to enclose this, has frequent occasions to write over to his relations
in Glasgow, and wUl transmit any thing you favour me with. I
heartily pray for much of the Lord's presence with you, and his
blessing on your labours in the work of the Gospel ; and am, Rev.
and Dear Sir, your affectionate brother and hurable servant,
R. W.
Sept. 18, 1727.
P, S. — -Any Lives, Letters, Narratives, Public Papers, Diaries,
and well vouched accounts of Conversions, and remarkable Provi
dences, Dying Exercises, and Expressions of Ministers and Emi
nent Christians ; and whatever you judge proper for giving light to
the temper, actings, and useftilness of these worthies, wUl be very
much obliging, and raore than acceptable to rae.

LETTER CLHL
SOCIETY FOR PROPAGATING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE.
To Mr Henry Newman, Seci'etary to the Honourable Society for Pro
pagating Christian Knowledge, to be left at Saint Dunstan's Coffee
house, London.
Dear Sir, — I was equally surprised and pleased with yours ofthe
19th instant, wherein you acquaint me with the honour the honour
able Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge have been pleased
to do me In choosing me one of their corresponding members. It's
hard for me to guess how so great a favour comes about to a per
son in my circumstances, and so far below the notice of that worthy
body. Sorae friend or other of mine hath, from an excess of charity
to rae, given rae a 'character Avhich I Avdsh I may deserve. You
Avill please. Sir, to return my raost hurable acknowledgments to the
Society, and to acquaint them how willing I am to my sraall power

WODROAV TO HENRY NEWMAN. 325
to contribute my mite to the excellent purposes they have with so
much success, for so long a tirae, been engaged In.
This I am persuaded of, that men and Christians cannot be en
gaged In a better work than to promote knowledge, and now, in
the time of the end, to offer their help to the accompUshIng that ad
mirable promise. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall
be increased. Charity schools, under good regulations, cannot fail
to be a general blessing, and bring down upon such as are instru
mental In them tlie blessings of many that are ready to perish, both
as to body and soul.
I cannot altogether refuse, that endeavours everywhere towards
such extensive usefulness have had my best wishes, for several
years, when I had the accounts of thera. Now, I reckon myself
under some nearer ties to adore the Divine goodness, and raake ray
.humble acknowledgments to Almighty God, for his gracious coun
tenancing the Society's essays for his glory ; and carefuUy to ob
serve for my own quickening to my duty, that ifs good to have it in
our heart io build a house unto the Lord; and I reckon it my un-
¦ doubted duty humbly to pour out my supplications for a Divine
blessing to accompany aU the laudable endeavours of the Society
in time to come, and to stir up praying persons of my acquaint
ance to join Issue with me in this work.
It's vrith the greatest pleasure I know that so vast and useful a
work, for the common interest of our dearest Redeeraer, as the fi
nishing of sixteen thousand Psalters and Testaraents In Arabic, for
the use of the Christians scattered up and down the Turkish do
minions, is finished. May the blessing of God accompany thera !
You may believe, I'll be extremely fond of your next, and the
packet you design for me. Your letters will stUl come very safe
by post three times a week ; and with the advantage of being three
or four weeks before the carriers can bring them. But for any
larger packet you please to send, with any small books, practical
tracts, or pamphlets, we have a very sure way how they can come
once a month to Glasgow, and my house lies within two miles of
it, and that is by the Kendal carrier, who sends what is left for

326 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
him very carefuUy. What packets you favour me with direct to
me, to the care of the Kendal carrier, at the Castle Inn in Wood
Street, to be forwarded to Mr James Tennant, merchant in Glas
gow. That carrier is answerable for every thing that is booked
and given him. Or, if it be nearer your lodgings, and raay be
any ease to you, you raay direct your packet for rae, to be left at
the house of Mr Robert Fead, in Prince's Street, near the Royal
Exchange, to the care of Mr Peter Murdoch, merchant In Glas
gow. Please to accept of my humble returns of duty to yourself in
particular, and let me know what your honourable Society expect
frora their corresponding members, as their proper work. There
are few could have been pitched [upon] more unfit, though, I'll
venture to say, there are few raore wiUing than. Dear Sir, your
most hurable servant,
R. W.
Eastwood, Dec. 27, 1727.

LETTER CLIV.
REFLECTIONS ON OLD AGE. — MATHER's WORKS.
Cotton Mather to Wodrow.^
My Invaluable Friend, — The arrival of some vessels from
Glasgow, without bringing rae a line frora you, or a word of you,
raises In rae sorae uneasy apprehensions. But I AriU not let sUp
the opportunity which uoav offers, to let you knoAV that I stUl am
what I hope you also are.
The vast benefits of coraraerce are what raankind In general uoav
feel, and own and celebrate. We cannot sit at our tables, but the
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxii. No. 145 — This was Cotton Mather's last letter
to Wodrow. That eminent minister died February 1728, in the sixty- fifth year of
his age.

COTTON MATHER TO AVODROAV. 327
mstances of the benefits are sensible, and afford a copious therae
unto us. But you wIU allow me, that the Epistolary commerce Is
a sort not the least beneficial. And of what I enjoy in this way,
that which you favour me withal gives me not the smallest enter
tainment and satisfaction.
In the 27th chapter of Leviticus, I observe that the estimation
for an head between twenty and sixty years old Avas fifty shekels ;
but after sixty the estimation presently sunk to fifteen shekels, not
a third part of what it was before. Though, according to this esti
mation, your friend should not be a third part worth so much as
he was a little above three years ago, yet he is of the persuasion
that. In old age, we must labour to be as useful as we can. The
Orientals have an unhappy maxira, that old age is to he reckoned no
part of life. But I have read of stIU bringing forth fruit in old age ;
and certainly so to do Is to live. I have cause to lie doAvn in much
confusion, from a just reflection on my great and long unfruitful-
ness. But yet, after I have had opportunities to bring forth some
little fruit, particularly by the way of the press, In my younger
years, the glorious Lord allows rae still. In ray old age, to bear
something that raay be of some little use among his people. I say,
my old age, because I have now outlived that which they foolishly
caU The Grand Climacterix.
I had once a simple fancy, that if I should arrive to see three
hundred and sixty-five pubUcations of poor treatises, which my shal-
loAV pen should have elaborated, this number would be the period
of my Ufe, and finish all that I have to do. But lately, looking on
my catalogue, I found the number was arisen to three hundred and
sixty-nine ; though the preparations, which the sovereign wisdom of
, Heaven orders to lie by unpublished, are much more bulky, and
weighty, and wealthy, than any of those that have been yet exhi
bited. It remains, then, that I know not the day of my death ;
but I would keep working and waiting, and hoping and rejoicing,
and looking for the raercy of our Lord Jesus Christ In eternal life.
A few of the number aforesaid (some that are just now published)
I now humbly tender to your acceptance.

328 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
My country affords little that is worthy to be laid before you as
a matter of inteUigence. We enjoy peace. Our Churches have
rest, and are edified and multiplied.
But because you asked me about our Tranquebarian brethren,
and expect from the West Indies an account of what is done in
the East Indies, I have enclosed a short extract of the last letters I
have received from the exceUent missionaries.
I pray make my remembrances acceptable to our never-to-be-
forgotten Lord of PoUock. The world (I say not our world) ripens
apace for the diluvium ignis ; my short Essay upon which you
have seen. But I don't expect any other effect of that Essay on
the worid than what would add materials for the continuation of
Petrus Licetus's Book, De Hujusce Seculi Ccecitate.
May our glorious Lord continue you stUl many years an usefiil
servant of his kingdom, whUe it continues yet but in the con
dition of a little stone, and give you a recorapensing lot when It
shall appear in the condition of a great mountain! Lord Jesus, come
quickly ! I am in Him, Sir, your affectionate brother and servant,
Co. Mather.
Boston, N. E., Nov. 30, 1726.

LETTER CLV.
Death of principal Stirling and mr Mitchell,
To the Rev. Cotton Mather, D.D., Minister at Boston,
Rev. Dear Sir, — I am in pain to hear from you, having had
nothing since your son's letter, to whora I give ray raost affection
ate respects, which I had in August last. By that, I found your
God and Father had chastened you with a sore fever, which was
very grievous to me. The accounts of the confirmation of your

WODROAV TO COTTON MATHER. 329
health, after such a stroke, wiU be raost welcorae. I hope your
good Master hath singular services for you, and hath by this visi
tation been widening you for thera, as well as your reward.
In the beginning of October last, worthy Principal Stirling, our
exceUent and now glorified friend, got to his reward, after a long,
languishing, and, in the end, a formed paralytlcal distemper. He
died In much comfort, after some clouds. He was a serious and
tender Christian, one of the best of our preachers, and a great be
nefactor to the CoUege, though not very well treated by some of
that Society. I have lost a dear and useful friend, and this poor
Church hath a great loss. In September before, Mr WUUam
MitcheU, ' one of the ministers of Edinburgh, was taken from us
on the road to London, whither he was sent, with two other, to
congratulate King George the Second, and condole with hira the
death of his father, in name of the Church. He was one of our
chief men, and singularly useful raany years.
These are but raelancholy accounts to entertain you with ; but I
hope they wIU move you to the more syrapathy with us, when the
pUlars are taken away. Principal Stirling's post was last week
supplied by Mr NeU Carapbell, minister at Renfrew. He has none
of the greatest encouragement In his entry to that once flourishing
Society, which is at present torn with parties, too open to be con
cealed. You wIU readUy know that our last Asserably went as far as
they had tirae in Mr Sirason, Professor of Divinity, his process,
and found as rauch of his Ubel clearly proven as to suspend him
from teaching and preaching tiU the process be brought to an end
next Assembly. W« need your prayers very much for conduct.
I fear the novelties and imprudence, to say no more, of Mr Simson,
who was married to a niece of Principal StirUng's, as well as joint
Professor vrith him, brought that good man to his grave in sorrow.
This I only signify to yourself.
I Mr Mitchell became the leader in the General Assembly, after the death of
Principal Carstares.

330 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
I was, ever sinoe our epistolary correspondence, fond of hearmg
from you ; but I ara now anxious, not having any thing save your
son's, whom again I thank, from you these two years. Please to con
tinue all your accounts ofthe state of things with you, the state ofthe
Gospel among theTndlans, and your accounts from the East Indies,
and the University of Halle. Pray continue your suppUcations
for this poor Church. We are in hazard of corruption many ways.
Our best ministers and Christians are fast taking away. My good
Lord PoUock Is now turned weak, and not able to attend his station
this winter. He is going in his eighty-first year, and remembers
you affectionately. I coraraend myself and my eleven children to
your particular concern ; and am, with my prayers for you and aU
yours. Rev. Dear Sir, yours.
Feb. 12.

LETTER CLVL
wodrow's PERSONAL AND FAMILY CONCERNS.
To the Rev, Mr Benjamin Colman, Minister at Boston.
Rev. Dear Brother, — Having the occasion of Captain Max
well coming to Boston, I could not but send you my best vrishes,
and beg the favour of your useful letters, as often as any occasion
to Scotland offers. Our distance, and the faUure of trade AvIth New
England, makes these more seldom faU in ray way than I could
AvIsh, When I want this pleasure, you and yours, and the dear
churches of Christ under your care, are frequently on my heart.
I persuade myself, I and my famUy and flock have an Interest in
your supplications. I have now been towards twenty-five years
in the pastoral charge In this place. My people are growing on my
hand, several hundred, near double to what they were Avhen I
came among thera. I thought I had the Lord's call to corae

AVODROW TO BENJAAIIN COLMAN. 331
here, and have resisted two designs of transportation, one to Glas
gow, another to StirUng, places both too public and conspicuous, in
which I have had rauch peace since. I have a loving and respect
ful people ; it's tirae now to think seriously of dying among them.
At first, I thought I did not altogether labour in vain ; but these
several years I perceive not that success I desire to be at. 1 leave
all my coraplaints on rayself where they ought to lie. The Lord
hath given rae thirteen children, two of thera he hath, I hope, taken
to himself I have three boys near passed their course at the col
lege, and my heart trembles for them in this loose age. I bless the
Lord, hitherto they are restrained from many iUs, and soraething
Uke the beginnings of seeming seriousness in sorae of thera, and in-
cUnations to literature. But unsanctified learning Is a terror to me.
Pray for thera when you corae near to God's seat.
But I fear I trouble you with my little concerns. I know the
care of aU the churches is upon you ; and the state of things with
us is very cloudy. Prayer is restrained, loose principles are fast
coming in, our standard-bearers are fast falling. Worthy Princi
pal Stirling, at Glasgow, died October last, and, in Septeraber,
Mr WUliam MitcheU, one of the ministers of Edinburgh, a chief
man in this Church. Few are coraing up to fiU their room. I
hinted in ray last at Professor Simson's unhappy process. It
came before the Assembly in May last, where three articles of the
Ubel were sustained and found proven, that he had taught Christ
was not Independent and Necessarily Existent. They had not
tirae to go through the rest of the libel, and committed it to a
committee to prepare for the next Assembly, and, in the mean
time, suspended Mr Simson from teaching and preaching tUl
next General Assembly. Mr Simson aUeges that the witnesses,
his scholars, have mistaken his words, or that there has been a
lapsus lingua, and declares his faith as to these admirable truths
pretty strongly ; but this happened not tUl after the proof was over,
and aU along he declined to declare his sentiments in answer to
questions put to him on these august subjects. The Lord direct
the next General Assembly ! You wiU probably have his printed

332 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
case from London ere this reach you. The answer to it is too long
delayed ; it will be printed at the opening of next Assembly, when,
if the Lord spare me, I shall send it and the case, if it be not come
to you.
We have no other thing of importance. You raay be sure yours,
with full accounts of aU raatters with you, as they were always, so
now, after so long delays, wUl be raost acceptable. I give my most
affectionate remembrances to Professor Wigglesworth, and the Rev.
Mr Wadsworth, May the Society they have the care of be blessed
and prosper ! I have only this day got a view of Rabbi Monis' two
or three discourses, printed in vrith your Sermon at his Baptism,
which I had from yourself, I have not glanced them, but expect
pleasure frora thera. Has he published any thing since ? Give him
my dearest respects, I think you raade rae hope for an account of
the success of the Gospel araong the Indians, by the minister of
Martha's Vineyard, if I have not forgot. What has become of our
Scots renegado, whora Professor Wigglesworth hath so exceUently
taken to task, and the other abettors of ceremonies and Jacobitlsra ?
You know my Athenian temper, and what wiU answer it. Great
grace be with you ! My humble duty to your son-in-law, I am,
Rev, Dear Brother, yours most affectionately,
Feb. 12, 1728.

LETTER CLVIL
simson's case. — NEW AVORK ON POPERY,
To my Lord Change.
My Lord, — Yours of the 1 Sth carae only to rae yesterday. It
seems Mr Maxwell hath been come off before It came to my Lord
Pollock's lodgings, and It Is now come to rae by the longer way of
the carrier, who coraes once a week.
It was extremely welcome, especially that It gives me the pros-

AVODROW TO LORD GRANGE.

333

pect of your being at the Coniraittee and Asserably. I cannot say
but there is a sad restraint on prayer in this country ; yet, where
we have our few raeetings, I dare not but own I see a particular con
cern as to error, and for conduct to such as have the affair ofthe purity
of doctrine coraraitted to thera. I am both ashamed of myself, and
extremely pleased with some of our country elders in our meetings,
when I find them pouring out their souls In very fit petitions,
backed with Scriptures and arguments surprising to me in this
matter, and frequently I go away with a bosom full of convictions.
Oh that they were more lasting ! For ray own share, though I ara
lamentably bound in secret, yet my light has led rae to caU on my
people In public to wrestle for conduct and faithfulness to such as
have, and are to have, the matter of doctrine so nearly concerning
the glory of Jehovah Jesus among their hands, and frequently make
it one article of the public addresses in this place, and I hope seve
ral join heartUy with me in It. For this I ara blaraed, especially
at communions, but hitherto I have had peace as to this part of my
conduct. I have glanced the Scriptural Inquiry into the time, raanner, and
consequences of Antichrist's ruin. I suspect it's written by a person
In this neighbourhood, of ray acquaintance ; at least, it looks like
some papers of his I saw eight or ten years ago, though he has now
altered several of his calculations. There is not rauch in it but
what I have read ; only I think here what he has is pretty clear
and distinct, and shortly and seemingly scripturally said ; but the
Scriptures he goes upon have been otherwise explained by severals,
and he does rauch go In to establish his application of them.
Neither Is It to be expected from him, if I be not out in the guess
as to the author. For my own share, I am no way a proper judge
of such performances. But, if the author be for sending his thoughts
abroad, I see no great hazard. Greater men than he or I have
been raistaken upon this subject. Governor Bumet, now in New
England, comes pretty near his period, but settles much better
the beginning of the 1260 years. I doubt this writer has not seen
him, otherwise he would have borrowed sorae raore supports from

334 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
him, Dr Mather, likewise, goes rauch the same way. I cannot,
indeed, bring rayself to any deterrainatlon in this matter, and a
little doubt If it be agreeable to the manner and ends of that sweet
book of the Revelation, that we should positively know the precise
time of the fall of Antichrist till it corae. There are several disad
vantages of positive calculations In this raatter, as to the general
interests of religion ; but I soraetiraes think that writings of this
kind have some benefits attending thera also ; and this, in my poor
opinion, is short and grave, if I could bring rayself to think that
any thing positive In this affair hath that gravity and modesty this
awful subject deserves ; and If it do no good, I hope will not do much
hurt, and such as pervert things of this nature against rehgion in
general will not much read it, and perhaps It may be of some use
to others. This is what offers to me upon an overly reading of it.
I shall bring it with me, if it please Proridence I get in to the
Coraraittee. And that brings me to give you a hint of what is going here
since my last. After the queries were formed, which are eight or
ten of the raost exceptionable assertions In ISIr Simson's printed
answers to Mr Webster, and letters to Mr Rowan, turned In the
form of a question, whether, since 1717, he had taught so and so;
and to the scholars, whether they had heard hira teach so and so.
The Presbytery ordered their clerk to go to Mr Simson, and warn
him to attend upon the 8th of February, and give an account of
his teachlnff. Mr Simson told the clerk he would not attend, that
this was no formal summons, not in write, nor had he ten free
days. The clerk told hira, the Presbytery sent hira in cirillty to
hira, and, out of tenderness, read him the rainute, I think, as his
warrant. But Mr Sirason declined to corae. However, he Avas
called, the suraraons sustained, and a written suraraons ordered to he
sent to hira against next Presbytery day. Meanwhile, a committee
was appointed to take a precognition of the students, which is now
finished, save two or three preachers out of town. Sixteen are
exarained, and their declarations wUl be laid before the committee
in March. I need only tell your Lordship, that the declarations

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 335
are very plain, and concurring as to eight or nine of the queries :
and all agree that, without giving any caution, he used stUl to re
fer to his printed Answers to Mr Webster. That raatter, and his
continued tract of teaching the most exceptionable passages in his
Answers and Letters to Mr Rowan, Is as full as can be.
I have also seen the first draught of remarks upon the Preface
to his printed case, which please me very weU ; and I hope by this
time they wIU be corapleted, save those on the law part of his
case, which we very earnestly request for help in, and are longing
much for. I think this will be fit to Ue asleep tlU the opening of
the Assembly, when it will be proper they be ready to be deUvered
to members and published. Mr Simson has lain very quiet aU this
vrinter. We only hear he is very busy ia his Letters to influence
the choice of favourable raerabers of the Assembly ; and I hope
others wUl not be idle in their endeavours to have faithful and ho
nest members chosen. I can say very Uttle of my hopes of such
from several Presbyteries in this Synod. We hear a talk, what is
in it I know not, that Earl of Marchmont is to be Coraraissioner.
This wUl be a disappointraent to Mr S[Irason,] who, they say, ear
nestly wishes Earl of Loudoun. Mr MitcheU's and Principal Black
weU's death I fear be now felt in raerabers from the North.
I have letters from New England full of accounts of the awful
earthquake there, which I shall bring with mc, if my frailty and
the weather suffer me to come to Coraraittee, as I design, if the
Lord Avill. I pray for much of the presence of God at your sacra
ment at Edinburgh, and rauch access to the exalted Redeemer, for
his appearing for his own name's sake. That your Lordship may
have a sensible share is the earnest prayer of, my Lord, yours, &c.
Feb. 28, 1728.

336 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CLVIIL
simson's case.
To the Rev. Mr William Macknight.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I came home from Edinburgh only on
Monday's night late. If you'll corae to rae next Monday, all night
we shall talk over the subject you write of. In short, our Cora
raittee for Purity went through the Ubel about Mr Simson's teach
ing or venting errors on the Trinity, and found the remaining parts,
which the Asserably and we in November had not got through, re
levant and proven, save the 6th and 7th articles, which we found
relevant, but transmitted the proof as it stood to the Assembly.
The 6th article Is about three InteUIgent Beings. To this we found
two witnesses, but at different times, the one In teaching, the other
in private conversation. The 7th article is, Deus Pater fuit ante
Deum Filium, &c., and there is only one vritness. We entered on
Mr Simson's teaching since 1717, and from the precognition and
declarations of fifteen witnesses, taken before the Presbytery of
Glasgow, which are very plain, upon all the most exceptionable
points prohibited by Asserably, 1717, we forraed a second libel
as to his breach of that act, put It to his hand, and cited him and
the witnesses to another raeeting of the Coraraittee at Edinburgh,
9th of April. The proof seeras to be exceeding plain. The Com
mittee then will, I suppose, hear his exculpation, and judge it, and
examine some witnesses who are at Edinburgh; and probably refer
the examination of such witnesses as are at Glasgow to the Pres
bytery there. And so all may be ready for the Assembly.
We next entered upon his refusing to answer queries, and found
that he had disobeyed the Act of Assembly, and refused to give a
declaration of his faith A\'hen required ; and, in so doing, had done

WODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 337
what was in its nature eversive of the discipline of this Church ;
and gave it as our opinion, the Assembly should provide in time to
come against ministers or professors declining to give a fair account
of their faith, on a.fama clamosa, or when justly suspected. Lastly,
we ordered the whole of the process, ab initio, to be printed by the
clerks, for the use of the next Assembly. I am. Dear Brother,
yours, &c.
Eastwood, March 27, 1728.

LETTER CLIX.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1728.'
Wodroio to Mrs Wodrow, No, 1. May 2.
My Dear,— This day Professor HaraUton opened the Assembly
¦irith a sermon on James ill. 17, " The vrisdom that eometh down
from above is first pure," &c. He handled religion under the
notion of wisdora, and then the characters of wisdom in the text.
He seemed to restrict purity to freedom from interaperance aijd
lust. Last year, upon the sarae occasion, it seeraed explained in
another way, though both are consistent. " Without partiality " he
explained righteousness In judgraent, and wrangling. He seeraed
to make all these characters so necessary as there could be no reli
gion without them, and took them for irritant clauses. He insisted
half an hour on the improveraent very seriously — that rainisters
should preach that wisdom with its characters, and that they should
practise it themselves, and especially in judicatories. Here he
entered upon the subject everybody knows Is before the Asserably,
the matter of the Trinity, which more than once he asserted to be
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xviii. Nos. 55-63.
VOL. III. Y

338 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
a ftmdamental of our faith, and what ought, with the greatest zeal
and earnestness, to be looked after ; and added, that this was con
sistent with all due regard to private and personal rights, and God's
service could not possibly be promoted by any personal real injuries.
Where this looks I need not say. I am persuaded the support of
our doctrine needs no personal injuries to promote it.
Then after reading the Commissions frora Presbyteries, the first
wholly, the rest only the naraes and dates ; and then the leet for
Moderator was Mr Wishart, Mr Moncrief of Largo, Mr WlUde,
these the Moderator naraed. Principal Chalraers added Mr James
Smith. The votes ran upon Messrs Wishart and Smith, and Mr
Wishart carried by eighteen votes. Many in the North, Lothian,
the Merse, and sorae in Fife, were for Mr Sraith. The West seera
ed to carry Mr Wishart. This vote is not any trial about the
main affair; f6r P. Peady, and B. Mohtgomery, and the elders
about the throne, save Arniston and Sir John IngUsh, and a few
others, who readUy wUl differ from the rest who voted for Mr
Wishart, voted all this way. Then the Commission in coraraon
form was read ; and the King's Letter in the ordinary style, with
some hints about its being the first of this nature, and assurances of
protecting inviolable the Presbyterian Church in Scotland. Then
the Commissioner's speech. None of them take any notice of this
affair of the process about error. Then the Moderator had his
speech, very long and warm. He touched the train of providences
since the Revolution, enlarged in an encomium on the late King,
and the loss In his death, and commendations of the King, He
concluded Avith a hint at the affair of doctrine before the Assembly,
and assured the Commissioner that it was with much trembhng and
fear that the Assembly were to enter on that awful subject, and
yet being met in the name of Christ, the Head of the Church, and
under the protection of the Governraent, they were sensible it was
their undoubted duty to contend eamestly for the fiiith, tfec, in all
proper ecclesiastical raethods, and he hoped that though it was of
no small intricacy, yet relating so nearly to the glory of God and
honour of the Redeemer, he hoped he who had promised to be with

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 339
his servants to the end of the world would not leave them. Then
the ordinary coraraittees Avere appointed.
I have no time to read over what I write.

LETTER CLX,
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 2.
My Dear, — ^Yesterday the forenoon was spent In prayer as
usual. The Moderator, Mr Flint, Mr Charters, Mr WiUiam Stew
art, Mr Smith, and another, prayed. In the afternoon the Com
mittee of Overtures and BiUs met. The Committee for the Au-
swer to the King's Letter brought in an Answer. They represent
ed that they, when thinking on the King's Letter, were of opinion,
that this being the first meeting of the Assembly after the King's
accession, it was proper and decent that a humble address of con
dolence for the late King's death, and congratulation for our pre
sent King's accession, should be drawn up, if the Committee of
Overtures were of that sarae opinion ; and that it was proper this
address should go along with the Answer to the Letter. This was
gone into, and then the Answer to the Letter was read, wherein
there is nothing singular I mind. It passed vrithout any consider
able amendments. A question was raised by Mr Alston, whether
the Coramittee for Overtures could meet again betwixt the Assem
bly to receive the draught of the address, or adjourn themselves to
another diet ? That was overruled, and the Sub-committee was
ordered to meet that night and forra an address, and bring it In
this morning to the Overtures at nine of the clock.
I forgot to tell you that the Asserably at their first raeeting or
dered, having it represented to them that the Committee of the
last Assembly had finished their work as to Mr Slrason, save the
advising the proof and summing up the evidence, they were of new
appointed to raeet in the intervals of this Asserably, and complete

340 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
what they had not time for. And so we met on Thursday even
ing, and the depositions on the last libel were committed to Mr
Smith, Mr Hamilton, Mr Anderson, and me, to class under the
articles of the libel. This was a labour that took some time. How
ever, we got it ready against yesternight at six, when the Commit
tee for Purity met again, and I read the class of the depositions
against and for Mr Simson, and this day is appointed for the Cora
mittee to raeet at three, for the summing up the evidence and ad
vising the proof.
This day the Assembly met, and had the Answer to the King's
Letter read, and then the Address of condolence and congratular
tion, approven by the Committee. This last was formed by Mr
Alston. Both of them passed vrithout any amendment, and are
smooth and easy. Nothing very remarkable is in them. The
commission from the burgh of Dunbar to Dechmont, my Lord
Pout's son, is rejected both by Committee and Assembly, as
not attested in terms of the act. This Is the first commission I
ever saw rejected. The magistrates in it promise to stand by
what he does, and mention nothing of the Scripture and Confes
sion, In short, it has been senselessly drawn by some notary, and
was as fooUshly given. The magistrates are not so weU with Mr
Logan, their minister, and Presbytery, as were to be wished, and
it's pity, for they are right they say, and for the Revolution. The
Committee for rerising the Commission book and for Instructions
are named, and they are going on Synod books. I have left them
to write this, because it's probable I'U get no more written this
day. May 4, 1728.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 341
LETTER CLXL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No, 3. May 6.
My Dear, — Upon Saturday at four, our Committee for Purity
met in the Assembly-House, for summing up the proof of Mr
Simson's second Ubel. Mr Simson's advocate appeared, and signi
fied Mr Simson was a Uttle indisposed, and very throng in prepar
ing his papers for the Assembly, and could not wait on us. On
which my Lord Dunmore urged we should delay. It was an
swered, there was no time to delay now ; that Mr Simson was
present by his advocate, and judges might find the proof without
presence of parties. Then my Lord urged very hard, that it was
of no use, nor decent to the Committee, to find the proof, when the
Asserably, who had reserved the judgment to themselves, were
sitting ; that our summing up the evidence was what might be
ranversed by the Assembly ; and, therefore, he moved we raight re
fer the whole to the Assembly. Such dUators we have been teased
with, and I believe the Assembly wiU get their share of them.
It was answered, that it was by no raeans indecent to follow forth
the Assembly's order, and to bring our inquiry usque ad sententiam,
which could not be done without suraralng up the evidence ; that
this saved the Assembly time, and prepared ; that by this reason
ing, that the Assembly could overturn what we had done, and so
it was needless, the true consequence was, that there should have
been nothing done, and aU left to the Assembly. Principal
Chalmers joined my Lord in this, and no other. This being over
ruled, we went on the proof, and read over the class formed yes
terday, and then the original depositions, both as to probation of
every article and proposition of it, and as to Mr Simson's exculpa
tion, both which we had classed. When these were seen to agree,
we reasoned upon each article, whether proved, and whether his

342 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
exculpation took off the proof. There was no great difficulty In
any of the articles of the libel ; all of them, save that about ratio,
and that about serving God with a prospect of happiness, were
most fully proven. As to the third about ratio, we found that
it was proven, that he had used terms, used by adversaries in
an unsound sense, though he explained them in a sound sense,
which comes under the prohibition of the act 1717 directly,
and, consequently, is a breach of the act. As to the 7th article,
that, without a prospect of happiness, we could not, and there
fore would not, serve God, we found one witness proving the
expression llbeUed, and in his defences he had defended the teach
ing of it very strongly, which we reckoned a confession at the bar.
And we found a concurrence of witnesses on this article, on a
stronger expression, that raan's happiness Is his chief motive in re
Ugion, or serving God. The rest are aU very fully proven beyond
contradiction. Thus we have ended our work, and are to signify
to the Assembly, that we are ready to lay our report In ourmuiutes
before them, when they shall please to receive It, In aU this we
were unanimous, for ray Lord DuUraore soon left us. Mr Craw
ford was not with us, nor Professor Hamilton, he being on the In
structions, to which none of us could go, without retarding our
report to the Assembly. We sat tlU after ten of the clock, that
we might be ready against Monday for the Assembly, and are not
to meet again. The Lord direct such as have It now before them !
Yesterday Mr WUUam Stewart of KUtearn preached before
the Commissioner In the forenoon, with great seriousness and affec
tion. He lectured on 2 Thess. I. 1-12. There he touched upon the
unanimity necessary in ministers, and especiaUy on the glory of Christ
as a judge. He had sorae things, too, against a raan's happiness being
his chief end and motive. He preached on verse 12th, " That the
name of the Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you," to wit, by
God's fulfiUing the work of faith with power, where he inquired why
Paul spoke of the name of Christ, and not of God the Father, and
answered, because what is said of one ofthe Divine Persons belongs
to all ; because that the Father is now only knowable in Christ, and

AVODROW TO MRS WODROW. 343
glorified in him ; because the Father's great design in the work of
redemption was to glorify Christ. He next showed how the fiiffiUing
of the work of faith glorified Christ, and applied aU In an Infer
ence or two, the misery of such as wanted faith, and did not glorify
Christ, the mercy of such as did, and the duty of all. At the close,
he addressed the merabers of Assembly, to glorify the name of
Christ in aU that they did. He said, raany were saying. What
would they do ? He would not pretend to say what they would do,
neither presurae to say what they should do ; but he would tell
what he hoped they would do, assert the foundation doctrine of the
Deity of Christ, and that their sentence would be such as the name
of the Lord Jesus should be glorified. In the afternoon, Mr Gaudy
of Earlstoun preached on 1 John v. 12, " He that hath the Son
hath life." He gave us an account who this Son was, for about a
quarter of an hour, in Scriptural expressions, very weU laid to
gether, Prov. viU., Is. ix,, John i.. Col. ii. 3, and the rest was prac
tical. This day the Assembly met at three, and Principal Haddow
and Mr Anderson, after the reading of the minutes, acquainted the
Assembly that the Committee for Purity had their report ready
whenever caUed for, and it was their opinion that ^the Assembly
should take it In as soon as possibly they could. It was presently
caUed for. The clerk acquainted the Assembly, that at the ap
poiatment of the Committee, he printed the whole state of the
process ; that the whole minutes and report were there, and he de
clared he had omitted nothing but sederants and raere forms. On
which the Assembly went in to read the printed state, and the
clerk compared it with the minutes in write. It was urged that
it was to lose so much time, and so indeed it was, to read over the
whole, since the Assembly was to go over the whole again. How
ever, raany of the members incUned to have the whole read, that
they might have a general view of the thmg ; and it was yielded ;
so the whole of the Committee's procedure as to the remaining
part of the first Ubel was read over, which took up three hours or
more. After aU was read, Mr NeU CampbeU gave in a written

344

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

protestation In his own name ; in his speech he signified that it
was raatter of sorrow to hira, and he doubted not to the whole As
sembly, that a Professor of Divinity, so long in the Church, and
reraarked for his leaming, should stand at the bar of the Assembly
under a Ubel of error ; but it Avas a great satisfaction to him that
this cause was to be judged by the judicatory on earth he wished
raost to determine this affair ; that for himself he entirely sub
jected this matter to the Assembly, but he begged liberty to pre
sent a protestation, as his predecessor had done, and was received,
that the determination of the Assembly might not affect the just
rights of the university to judge their members as such. Mr
Stirling, in his protestation, had insert his owning the Assembly's
power of judging in the protestation ; Mr CarapbeU deUvered this
only in words. My Lord Justice-Clerk raoved, that since we had
two protestations given in In this process, the Assembly might de
clare their power of judging merabers of the university in point of
error, and recorded. This was backed by Mr Smith, and several
other members. My Lord Grange, and the President, and Mr
Alston, had speeches, aU asserting the Asserably's right, but reck
oned licet protestare ; and that the Assembly, by judging, asserted
their right in fact, and Mr Hamilton joined them ; and Mr Sim
son's being at the bar was the most effectual asserting of the As
serably's power. And so, after some debate, the protestation was
received in common form ; and the Asserably went on to setde
their raethod where to begin. Sorae raoved they should begin
where the Committee began. The President moved that a Com
mittee should be appointed to consider In what method to enter on
this matter. Many of the merabers of the Assembly complained
they had not read the state printed, and could not conclude where
it was proper to begin. So the raatter was delayed tlU to-morrow
at three of the clock. The raembers were desired to read the
book, and there are no Coraraittees to raeet to-raorrow, that mem
bers may know and read the state of the affair. I fear to-mor
row some hours be spent on the method of procedure. * *

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 345

LETTER CLXIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4. May 8, 1728.
My Dear, — Yesterday at three we raet, and fell straight where
the Assembly left last day. The minutes, when read, I found
took in Principal Campbell's speech, owning the power of the As
sembly to judge of him, and members of his Society. It was ex
pected that there should have been a considerable struggle as to
the method of the Assembly's procedure ; but it was well matters
were otherwise ordered. We had discourses without doors, that
the merabers of this General Asserably were very different from
the last ; that one Act of Assembly might be repealed by another ;
that this Assembly could not be precluded by the votes of the last
Assembly ; that at least aU the procedure of the last Assembly be
hoved to be read over, before this Assembly could be precluded
by what they had done. Perhaps these were rather arguments
that some of us were forming to ourselves, in order to be ready to
give pointed answer to, in case they should cast up, than reaUy in
design by any, and it's not unfit that the worst should be consider
ed, and raade ready for in point of arguing. The greatest diffi
culty I could forra was, to make the supposition that the last As
sembly had come in to a sentence that Mr Simson had been leased
by the Committee, and had assoilzied him, could not this Assem
bly have taken up the matter and processed him anew ? was
there no remedy? and if so, why may not this Assembly find
that the last raalversed, and alter what they had done? These
are points I ara exceedingly pleased we had no occasion to come
upon. It's hard to adjust the powers of a Supreme Court. We
had no collateral instance to be any thread to us save the House of

346 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Peers among our neighbours, and the case of the Lords of Session,
when we had a Parhament. The last now is not In being. As to
the House of Peers, it Avas found that nothing once passed there
can be recalled, except by way of an Act of ParUament passed
by the two Houses. How this stands I cannot say. But what
seeraed to satisfy was this; we distinguished between an Act
of Assembly, that no doubt can be repealed, and a sentence of
Assembly, or a judgment given forth In a particular case, which, If
It should be alterable In a Supreme Court, there would be no end
of business possible. And the nearest instance we could come
at was in the Commission, AvhIch acts by an Assembly power, and
yet though the Asserably disapprove of the procedure ofa Commis
sion, they have not opened their sentences ; though some instances
were pretended even of that. And the Asserably has passed an act
that no Commission shaU alter any thing done at one meeting In
another ; and that seems to ran stronger as to an Assembly. How
ever, none cast up these things in the Assembly, and with much
calmness, it was agreed in the entry to take this affair directly up
where the last Asserably left it, and to proceed In the order that
the Coramittee for Purity had gone on, unless the Assembly should
find cause to do otherwise, upon further looking into it. And so
the pannel was called and appeared ; had a long speech, partly by
word, and then by a long paper, which he gave in to the clerk.
Mr Simson resumed what he had said before the last Assembly,
that he had not once thought different from what he took to be the
general sentiments of the Church of Scotland in the Confession of
Faith, and according to the Scripture, upon the Trinity; that if he
was conscious of a different opinion from them, he would have left
them and gone to sorae other place, where he might enjoy his
opinions, and not create further trouble. But it was not so, and
he supposed the Church and he differed only on manners of expres
sion ; that he was under much weakness when the things hhelled
were emitted ; that he was sensible he sometimes, through weak^
ness of body, lost the thread of thinking, and other things to this
purpose. Then he came to declare his sentiments in Necessary

WODROAV TO MRS WODROW, 347
Existence ofthe Son, and I thought, indeed, expressed hiraself raore
strongly than formerly, and to me seemed to assert the Necessary
Existence ofthe person ofthe Son, as well as his Essential Necessary
Existence, in the terms of the Confession of Faith, and said he did
not know how to assert it more plainly than he did, and would be
obUged to any who would tell him where their scruple lay, as to
any further satisfaction they desired of hira. But I wiU not pre
tend to repeat what I heard only once read on so nice a head.
They say we are to have It to-morrow in print. If so, I shaU send
a copy of it. When this was given in, the Assembly ordered it to
be received, and sorae said it raight be afterwards considered upon
the alleviation ; but all declined speaking much on it, and it did
not appear to satisfy many, when now, as it were, it's forced from
him. Then the Assembly went on to the next part ofthe libel at which
the committee began — that Necessary Existence and Independence
were terms impertinent, not to be used in the Trinity, and the de
positions were read. The pannel was heard on the proof, for the
Assembly last year had voted the relevancy. Mr Murray, Mr
Simson's advocate, and himself, were heard at great length, where
I observed [nothing] new that had not been pleaded before, last
year, and before the committee ; that it had been but once spoken ;
that the whole chain of the discourse was not fully known ; that it
might be a wrong hearing, or the Uke. Then Avhen they had done,
Mr Simson desired the Assembly, since he had no pursuer nor altera
pars in this matter, raight allow hira to stay stUl and hear what Avas
reasoned, and promised not to speak tUl all was over, and then not
tUl aUowed, and urged our kind aUowing him In the committee to
be present in all our reasonings, and hearing hira after aU ; that his
health was such as did not aUow him to go frequently in and out.
This was long reasoned on, and it was said, on the one hand, that
Mr Simson should be, ex gratia, aUoAved this, since the coraraittee
had done so, and there could be no harra, and he would be In case
in many cases to give the Asserably light. On the other hand, it
was said that the committee had some reason to do this, because

348

THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,

they were but preparing this matter for the Assembly, and they did
weU to hear all, and him last, that they might the more ripely give
their judgment to the Assembly ; though, perhaps, Mr Simson had
not iraproven this aUowance as became him, and had frequently, by
speaking and whispering, diverted and consumed our time; that to
allow the party to be present when judging was an innovation, and
would presently be drawn in practice by all other judicatories, and
could not be done, being a point of discipline, tiU renoitted to Pres
byteries, and their sentiments were had; and that he might be
called for to clear any point when the Assembly was needing it.
At length this raatter came to the vote, and carried Remove him, by
nine votes as the clerk, fifteen as another had it. Many were Go
on. This vote seems to be as favourable a question as can well be
put for Mr Simson, and though carried by a scrimp majority, yet
seems to give a vidimus of this Assembly I did not expect so soon.
However, nothing can certainly be determined from it. Then he
Avas removed, and the Assembly entered on the probation, and It
was clearly opened up by several of the committee. At length our
Moderator, Mr Hamilton, opened on it, and complained, that by
reason of his absence, he did not so weU understand the proof of
this article. He found the words indeed proven, but conceived
they might be detached words, and only part of a sentence, and
unless we had the fidl conversation, it was hard for him to satisfy
himself, so as to be found proven ; and referred to what was pled
from the bar, that if eight witnesses deponed somewhat relative
to a conversation, that a man had said it was lawfiU to kill his
neighbour, without mentioning In self-defence, and two witnesses
mentioned at the same time that he added in self-defence, he would
incline to hope that what was said was not criminal ; that the in
dependency behoved to be restricted as the Assembly had done.
Mr Walker (James) took him up, and observed that the cases were
not paraUel, and that Professor Hamilton had not touched Neces
sary Existence, which was the main thing in this, and what was
clearly proven as weU as Independence. Mr Alston, Mr G. Logan,
and every minister almost that spoke, agreed that his saying that

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 349
Necessary Existence was a term impertinent, and not to be used in
speaking of the Trinity, was fuUy proven. But there remained a
difficulty, that the Assembly had not sustained Independency but
as to the Deity of Christ, relevant, and yet had not cast to that
clause here, and since the proof was plain as to Independency as
well as Necessary Existence, which here without the former addition
was sustained relevant, [ought they] not to sustain the whole relevant ?
My own opinion was, that the Assembly had last year sustained it
relevant to infer censure if Mr Simson denied the doctrine, that the
Deity of Christ was Independent, waiving the debate about the Inde-
pendentia Essensialis and Personalis ; and did not at aU deny the Son's
personal Independence, but would not determine it. But on this
article, when it was about terras, they did not cast to the addition
" Deity," because it was not fit to call the terms impertinent, since
many used them, and very fitly. And the term may be retained in
talking of the Trinity, without dipping into the modus, which is not
fit to determine indeed. However, this was not cast up, and the
Assembly waived the term Independency as the last Asserably had
done, and declared they did not enter upon that matter, either on
the one side or other. Several members declared their opinions,
that Christ, as a person, was Independent ; and Mr G. Logan spoke
strongly on this, and a young raan, Mr John Forbes, from the
north, spoke well to it frora John xiv., " The Father is in me, and I
in the Father ;" Christ was in the fountain, and the fountain was in
him, and he that saw him saw the Father. Then after a long
speech of Lord Druramore, pretty foreign, it was agreed that the
article, after dropplngof Independence, was proven. As to Necessary
Existence, several said, (who are reckoned friendly to Mr Simson,)
that unless he revoked that expression, he ought to be most highly
censured, and I beUeve a revocation and recantation is in view.
The Assembly went on to the next article — that these terms were
phUosophical niceties. This behoved to be dropped, though the
committee had sustained it, (and I stiU think right,) because, in
the one deposition, and they are but two. Independence is mentioned,

350 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
and l)y yesterday's resolution dropped. Then in the nature of the
former resolve the Assembly came forward to consider, as the com
mittee had done, Mr Simson's aUeviations to the articles as proven,
viz. the second, third, and fourth. This the committee incUned to
have left to the close, but Mr Simson and his friends urged that it
should be taken In before we went on the numerical oneness, and
we yielded. On this Mr Simson was heard, and three very long
papers of his were read. At the close, Mr Dundas of Arniston
moved that the alleviations should be delayed tlU aU the first Ubel
was over, and then considered as to the censure, w^hen that carae,
since he could have no notion of judging alleviation tiU he knew
the censure, since soraewhat raight be good to aUeriate, for instance,
higher excommunication, that would not deposition, &c. This was
gone into, and the Assembly adjourned to the afternoon.
In the afternoon, at five, the Assembly met, and entered on the
fifth article about numerical oneness. The Professor and his lawyers
were heard from five to eight at night, against the proof, and for an
exculpation. Then the members spoke at a great length on the
proof and exculpation. On the one side, Mr Haddow, Mr HaraUton,
Mr Allan Logan, Mr John Gray, Mr Ogilvy, Mr James Smith,
my Lord Grange, Affleck, and several others, were heard on the
proof and exculpation, and were clear that it was proven, and
no exculpation relevant. On the other side, Mr Alston, Mr Har
milton, Mr G. Logan, the President, my Lord Drammore, and
some others, opposed this ; and the subject being exhausted, a vote
was proposed. But differing on the state of the vote, and it bemg
after eleven at night, it Avas delayed tUl to-morrow, with this reso
lution, that the Assembly should enter first upon the state of the
vote. I cannot deduce the arguments used on aU hands at any
length. The lawyers at the bar had misstated the article sustained
relevant and to be proven very rauch, and it took some time to set
it right, which was done at great length. The article is, that he
gave It as his own opinion, that the three persons of the Trinity
are not said to be numerically one In substance or essence. The
lawyers made objections, (and the members on the one side espe-

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 351
cially did not much but repeat what was said from the bar,) that
there was a dropping of things on which the proof depended in the
Ubel in the sustaining the relevancy, that is, of his denying them
to be specificaUy one ; to this it was answered, that that was no
error, and therefore weU dropped. That the relevancy restricted
the article to teaching this as his own opinion, whereas one witness
only proves that. To this it was answered, that one vritness was
plain as to the very words, the rest imported his own opinion most
plainly, since he said that the three persons were not numerically
one, and gave reasons for it, which is the strongest way of declar
ing one's opinion, and, indeed, aU teaching without giving a caution
is teaching as one's opinion. That he taught only in Aristotle's
sense of nuraerical. To which it was said, that the witnesses naraed
In the report do not bear that ; that Aristotle raeant nuraerical of
things as weU as persons ; that his notion of nuraerical wUl, if true,
cast persons. In short, it was raade very plain that he had rejected
numerical oneness, and put no other in its stead ; that nuraerical
oneness Is the only notion of oneness we can possibly have ; that that
being laid aside, there is no other. There was sorae debate about
'o/MtKSiov, and the Socinians using the term numerical oneness ; and
Dr Stilllngfleet was brought in speaking In terms rauch the sarae
vrith Mr Sirason, and it was answered, that that book of his was
none of the clearest ; and Spanheim was noticed to counter him.
Dr Calaray's assertion was explained by Principal Haddow, as not
relating to this subject we were upon. And Cromwell's words In
the trial of Bishop Laud were cited, " If the Archbishop think as
we do, why does he not speak as we do ?" His own answers bear
ing that he carefuUy distinguished between numerical oneness of es
sence and substance was much insisted on as a confession that
he rejected nuraerical oneness of substance, while our Standards
make the three persons the sarae in substance, which, if possible, is
stronger than one in number. A strong proof was brought from what
is proven already in the Ubel, he hath been found to deny Neces
sary Existence of the Son, and so possibly, in the nature of the
thing, cannot own the Father and Son to be one numericaUy, since

352 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
the one is necessary, the other not so necessary. And Mr Gray
noticed that the innovators owned a oneness in principle and
other respects, while the Son and Spirit were maintained to be of
an inferior nature. But the term " numerical" is what chokes them.
Mr Simson's owning numerical oneness in his declaration, May the
18th last, was much urged as exculpatory. But It was observed
this was when at the bar, and before a sentence, and did not affect
his teaching formerly, which was the case now ; that even in that
owning there seems to be a back-door ; that he refused to answer
this ; that he had declared and given reasons why he had rejected
that term, and at length comes to use it ; that he Is so variable, we
know not what to make of declarations. The exculpation from his
rejecting this good way of speaking "numerical," because adversaries
used it in an Ul sense, was exposed, even by Mr Alston, for this rea
son, that if adversaries should shelter themselves under a wrong
sense of any term in our Confession, they raight this way bring us
to part vrith our Confession. In short, every minister that spoke
disapproved of his rejecting the term " numerical," and some that
spoke for him prefaced with heavy complaints against him for
darkening terms, and sensing things so as to take off the students
from the ordinary way of speaking among approven writers. And
yet I fear this article wiU be voted out to-morrow. Thursday, May 9, 1728.
This day the Assembly met at ten, came to state the vote, and
after some reasoning upon the state of the vote, and whether the
Form of Process required to go on exculpation or probation first, it
was found that only exculpations that affected the whole, such as
alibi, were to go first, and that, where the substance of thehbelwas
proven, there were to be only aUeviations to be considered. The
proof was, in the nature of the thing, to go. before exculpation, be
cause exculpation supposed somewhat to be proven from which
there was exculpation ; and tfcis was the method of the Assembly
last year. Mr Pitcairn of Dysart had a long and moring speech
about the hazard of division on nice points, and moved that this

AVODROW TO MRS WODROW. 353
intricate process might be laid aside, and the Professor called to
the bar, and caUed to answer queries. This was too late, and was
not backed. Mr Stewart of Kiltearn had a warm and serious
speech on the danger of the plague of error, and the Professor re
fusing queries, and standing out against all pains, and was for the
vote. Proven or Not. Another state was proposed, Consider the
exculpation or Not. The first state of the vote carried 85 to 60.
Then the second vote was stated, Proven or Not, and carried Pro
ven 87 to about 48, and 30 Go ons. This is a little unexpected,
and gives us another view of the Asserably than sorae had. I am
yours.

LETTER CLXIIL
V/odrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 10, 17'28.
My Dear, — Yesterday the Asserably raet In the afternoon, and
after the relevancy and proof, the pannel craved to be heard on
the defences. It was urged he had not been heard before, and it
was hard if he should be cut off by point of forra, whether It was
for exculpation or by any other narae. So it was agreed he should
be heard. Mr Grant was heard near an hour, and pled with a
good deal of earnestness that Mr Simson might be exculpate from
the charge of disowning the unity of the Divine nature, from the
evidences arising frora the proof of his teaching orthodoxy, and from
the charge of error arising from his teaching the proposition proven.
Here the Assembly could not easily miss faUing into pretty rauch
of the forraer reasonings, of which I have already given account,
and I shaU not resume them. The speakers were Mr W. HamUton,
Mr Alston, Mr G. Logan, Mr Goudy, and sorae others. On* the
VOL. III. y

354 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
other side, Mr Haddow, Mr Smith, Mr J. HamUton, Mr Alexander
Anderson, Mr M'Intosh, and elders. Lord Grange, and Affleck ;
the President was not In ; Mr Dundas was in, but did not mix ; Lord
Druramore, and BaUlie of Monktown, who Is frequently interrupted
and laughed at, and has reaUy exposed himself I mind little now
advanced for Mr Simson. AU seemed to own that he was in the
AVrong to cast the term numerical essence ; but we had large speeches
as to his orthodoxy in teaching the Confession's terms, that there
was a debate in Athanasius' time about the imo. h'SMraeti and the
rgiic, imarageg, and that was applied to the case that both sides
explained themselves weU and soundly, and Athanasius reconciled
them, and there was no more of it. It was urged that then they
had no Standard as we have ; it was answered, they had that of
the Council of Nice. It was replied, that they did not reject terms
generaUy used. As to the other defence, that the words proven
were only denied in Aristotle's sense, and that of the schools, which
was brought very low, that it was only a mistake in Mr Simson at
best ; it was observed, that the fault was in applying Aristotle's
sense of numerical to the Deity, and in applying, as the argument
would go, Aristotle's definition of person to personal unity, which
was quite wrong, and raost unsafe ; that rejecting both specifioal
and nuraerical oneness was a leading the students to some middle
oneness which was neither of the two ; and this was supported by
Mr Simson's distinguishing between the Divine Substance and the
Divine Essence, which looked Uke a nostrura there. In short, it
was urged, that his rejecting the numerical oneness, as applied
even to creatures, was rejecting the phrase every body knew and
assented to ; and oneness in number, according to our weak concep
tions, abstracting from the Incomprehensible manner where the
mystery lies, behoved to be the same with the oneness In number
In creatures ; that we must express our notions of oneness in number
by the very same word we use as to creatures ; and so Mr Simson a
declaration of numerical oneness, Avlth the exception of that among
creatures. May 18, 1727, was a subterfiige, and though It had been
without that, could not exculpate from teaching wrong before. In

WODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 355
short. It was urged, that there was very little even of aUeviation in
any thing propounded against the proposition relevant and proven,
since It was a rejecting a good term, and the rendering this mystery
dark and dubious, and shaking the students' belief of it. One in
stance was brought of a minister's handling the question, There
are three persons in the Godhead, and should say that they Avere not
numerically three — that this and person, and the Covenant of Works,
in the proper sense of lawyers, and justification by the righteous
ness of Imputation, were school terms, and we are not to use them ;
and join this with refusing to explain himself on these heads when
suspected, and shifting frora one time, and judicatory, to another,
and at length condescending to come into these terms when fright
ened with a sentence, would not this be censurable ? By ten at
night the subject was exhausted ; and the Assembly carae to agree
in this, that after hearing the defences offered by Mr Sirason, they
found there was no exculpation of the article proven, but some
things for alleviation, which they reserved the consideration of till
they came to the censure. This was agreed without a vote. To
morrow they enter on the queries. Since Saturday last the As
sembly hath had no Committees sitting, which I never saw before ;
but this case of Mr Simson takes up all the time, and there wUl be
agoing through It, at least, as near as can be before other things
corae in. It is probable there wUl be acknowledgments and re
tractions, and recantation of all that Is proven, if these wUl satisfy
to continue the suspension. But whether that will be yielded I
do not know. The Lord guide all well !
This day the Assembly raet at ten, according to the Assembly's
appointment, to consider the overture of the Committee. The mi
nutes were read ; and, as the matter was at first stated, I thought
there Avas Uke to be Uttle or no debate. It was declared, and Is
most plain from the nature of the thing, that that overture about
Mr Simson's answering the questions relates to Mr Simson, and
contains no general rule further than a precedent wUl go. Yet, as
Avas noticed on Monday, several raembers in concert together, Mr
W. Hamilton, Principal Chalmers, Messrs Smith, Alston, and some

356 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
others, who all, save Mr Smith, seem inclined to support Mr Sim
son, together with Mr Robert Dundas, whom Professor HamUton
brought in, and he joins the President and Drummore in this, made
a motion that they were intimidated by the last clause of this over
ture to the Assembly to speak freely their votes, lest, upon z, fa-
ma clamosa, brethren might be brought in as guUty of error and
heresy from their reasonings ; and therefore they would have this
overture considered apart. This was as awkward and forced a way
of coming to a purpose as ever I saw, and I am afraid, indeed,
may have Ul effects, and make it suspected that aU this proceeds
from one person's having differed from the Committee about one
word, conduct, which was rejected, and just grounds put inthe room
of it ; at least this seeraed intimate in Mr Dundas's long speech.
This inflaming debate about a subject, which by no means can be
determined in all the extent of it, without a subject in particular
before the determiners, was forced by the elders In on the Assem
bly, and the rainistry, (the ])luraUty of Avhora by far, and of the
gravest and peaceablest, excepting the younger sort, and a good
many whora I have heard called mockers and risores,) were against,
and declined by all means to come in. Yet, by all means, and under
the pretext of peace and love, too, the Assembly raust be brought
upon it, and brought to conclude, when I may say only two mem
bers or four, three on one side, and one on the other, were heard ;
and raultitudes of others were not allowed to be heard, nor the sub
ject at all spoken to. Indeed, I never saw such a hasty and forced
vote as this was. After an hour's debate upon the method of en
tering upon this subject, and whether to hear Mr Simson and his
lawyers upon it, as Indeed concerning hira, Mr Alston, without
allowance of the Assembly, broke In upon the general considera
tion of the subject, pointed, as he thought, at In the reason or mo
tive the Committee give for censuring Mr Sirason, (without deter
mining the censure,) — " And that it will be the raore needful, duly
animadvert, &c., to prevent disorders, and the spreading of danger
ous error, through not questioning persons about whom there is a
just suspicion, or f ama clamosa." This, he and others argued, was

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 357
the laying down of a rule, that all who were uuder just suspicion
ani fuma clamosa, or either, might be questioned, or have queries
put, to them. ITe began his speech with a declaration, (and all,
save Mr Dundas, seemed to express the same sentiment, who were
on his side of speaking,) that he was for putting queries where
there was any overt act, giving occasion for them either word or
write ; and he thought queries were a very necessary occasion of a
person's vindicating hiraself, and a kindness done to hira ; but that
If a person were so foolish as to refuse or neglect this raethod of
his own vindication, he saw no censure he was liable to, but that
of a fool and raadman, that neglects that proper raethod for his own
vindication. He run out at sorae length on the Iniquitous ques
tions in the late times put to people. Mr Smith followed him, or
spoke soon after him, with more softness, and said he was for ap
pointing this day for considering the overture, since he heard the
fears and jealousies raany brethren were irapressed with, that they
were In hazard by somewhat included in that overture, which, in
deed, looked properly to Mr Simson's case ; that he thought the
reason or motive added to the overture was of a more general as
pect than Mr SIrason's case ; that the proper way to enter on It
was to speak on the grounds of fear and intimidating that those,
who had craved and carried this diet for considering them, had ;
and. Instead of these, he gave us some few of his arguments against
queries, without just grounds, and upon afama clamosa, as he de
scribed it ; and thought the present divided circurastances of this
Church, wherein Presbyteries were divided in their sentiments,
and might be In such a situation as to have their horns In the side
of some of their brethren, might actively raise afama clamosa up
on a minister, and vex hira, and cause hira run through all the ju
dicatories. This he declared he did not raean of the case of Mr
Simson, but other cases ; and proposed that the last words of the
Committee's overture above might be dropped and overlooked.
This overture was pretty near agreed to. But It seeras sorae raem
bers behoved to be more plain and strict, further, and the over
looking of it, in consideration of the raatter properly before thera.

358 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Avould not satisfy, but raore raust be done. So Professor Hamil
ton had a long speech, where he said he would speak with much
freedora and liberty. After owning his being for queries to mi
nisters, when by word or write they had given just cause, he run
out upon fama clamosa, as Mr Alston had done, as not a good
ground, unless supported, and as tittle-tattle, &c., which every body
owns. Then he run out on the iniquity of the late times, In put
ting questions and inquiring into people's opinions ; but what he
raostly insisted upon was censure, annexed to refusing of queries.
He said he raeant not to reflect upon the late Acts of Assembly,
annexing suspension to Mr Simson's refusing queries, (and yet this
was what he struck at,) but thought it hard that persons should be
pressed with authority and arguments drawn from that which there
was no answering ; and he thought there was no general Synod
infallible ; and then caUed in question the citations in the pamphlet
published yesterday. The Method of Queries vindicated from the
Synod of Dort, and aUeged that Arminians were willing to an
swer queries, and there Avas no doubt about this ; the Divines
Synodlcal, and the Foreign Divines, differed a Uttle on that point,
and the States ordered the Arminians to be censured for obstinacy ;
but that answering queries was not the raatter ; aU of these directly
contrary to the places there quoted. Then he insisted at great
length to show that the tendency of the overture was to breed
dispeace, and create divisions In the subjects to King George, (in
the entry of his speech, either he or some other declared, they be
lieved the Committee had not this view in the overture,) and
he thought that was ill service to the GoA'ernment, and contrary
to the liberty and privileges we so happUy enjoyed by and since
the Revolution. All the proof I could observe he brought for
this Avas, that as long as there were different sentiments, one
Presbytery raight find opinions erroneous, and another Presby
tery not, and this might create a flame, which he supported
from the different instructions, that come frora different Presby
teries to the Asserably, on different points of doctrine. Some
body, Mr Goudy had observed before, and he feU in with It,

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW, 359
and repeated It, that this way of questioning, without just ground,
Avas the way to draw out debates and errors in a church, when a
person had peculiar opinions, which he kept to hiraself, and spoke
and taught as others did ; and yet upon being queried, especially
on censure, he vented them, and they were spread up and down.
But, in the meantime, no notice was taken of the secret spreading
of errors, and undermining of truth, against which there is no pro
vision In this case. He concluded with the tendency of the over
tures being against the law of the King of kings, love and charity,
where we had a harangue upon love and forbearance. This speech
I am very sorry for. Several little pIckerings were,
Mr Hamilton of Glasgow took up Professor Harallton, in short,
but a pretty strong way. He noticed, that he owned queries, on just
grounds, very proper, and he thought he considered the fama cla
mosa only on one side ; that In sorae cases there might be a fama
raised without ground, and there was no help for it, during the
wicked state we are in. But if questions were not allowed, he was
of opinion it was impossible to a man to have a vindication ; and
were he innocent in such a case, he would crave an inquisition and
queries to be put to hira. As to what Professor HamUton had in
sisted chiefly on — the annexing of a penalty to queries, he said
that there was nothing of that In the overture ; It was indeed in
the Act of Asserably, and he thought that the P. of Glasgow had
been safe under the authority of a rule, but now he found they
were not, and that what was done so lately and deliberately was
now impugned, and where the end of that would be he did not
know ; that the overture could not be wire-drawn to that In the
general, since it was directly founded on the Act of Assembly,
against which now, it seems, all was directed, and not at the over
ture, which was necessary, on supposition the act constituting thera
was right. Every body, alraost, saw Mr HaraUton strack the Pro
fessor home here ; but the great and pitched battle foUowed.
My Lord Grange took up the debate, and insisted, I believe, near
an hour, in a very distinct discourse, which I cannot pretend to
resume ; it's but scrapes I can give. He began by observing, that

360 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
the Committee had acted according to their powers, and might
have been censured, if they had not given their opinion on what was
committed to them ; that their opinion was upon Mr Simson's case, and
no raore ; if they had given a reason that was now wire-drawn to
be the subject of a question, and stated debate in the Assembly,
when they had the great point of doctrine before thera, they were
not to blarae at all for It, but others. The reason was, he thought,
good, and that there was nothmg In law or liberty against It ; how
ever, the throwing off of queries might pave the way to licentious
ness ; and any thing that had been yet spoken in vague and gene
ral declamations, that were not applicable to anything, (when the
necessity of queries on overt facts and just ground was stiU
yielded,) did not prevail AvIth him to think there was anything In
queries contrary to liberty or law, unless we' were to have a new law,
as, in another case, Ave are like to have a new gospel and way of
salvation palmed upon us. He began Avith the Form of Process,
which established the prosecution of scandals, and he thought er
ror was one upon a fama clamosa ; that it provided against aU
hazard by requiring the judicatory to inquire into the grounds and
raisers of the^ama; that fama clamosa was not stories, and clash, and
tittle-tattle, as it had been called, but quite another thing ; that It
was by the best lawyers raade a ground of civil processes, especially
in the modus per inquisitionem, and gave many instances, and refer
red to Matheus De Crlrainibus and Danhonderus, and others ; that
fama clamosa was not that Avhlch the raob believed, not street talk,
but defined by lawyers what grave and discreet men believed,
or were offended at, or raised a suspicion necessary to vindicate an
other's reputation from ; that judges raight err ; that It might rise
on wrong grounds for which there Is no help ; but if judges erred,
by subordination of our judicatories there was redress, and that tlH
it carae to the Asserably ; that all he had heard speak owned the
necessity of putting questions on overt acts, and conduct, and just
suspicion raised by these, so he reckoned the main thing really
given up ; that what had been said of taking up persons on just
suspicion, and putting questions to them, was contrary to law and

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 361
Uberty, and the Revolution establishment ; this he conceived by
no means to be true, whatever clamour had been raised upon it,
that among the Romans it had been used — -that in all places where
the canon law was followed it was owned — that in HoUand, where
liberty Avas run pretty high, It was used to put queries, and If they
were refused, to go great lengths — that In Britain it was what was
secured to the Church of Scotland by law, though he believed that
elsewhere this might be called Presbyterian Inquisition araong our
neighbours— that it was directly laAv In England, a Secretary of
State could take up a raan from the street, and bring hira before
the Council, and exaraine him and Imprison him, put questions of
fact, and if he refused to answer, It was followed with censure
enough — that even a justice of peace raight by law apprehend a
man on suspicion, and examine, though Indeed on his peril. If It was
without just ground. This he supported by Hawkins' Pleas of the
Crown, and other writers. He added, he thought that the (Church
had as good a right as a society to question, and question upon cen
sure on suspicion, as the civil magistrate had, if not a greater — that
the magistrate had only a poAver as to the bodies and estates, and
had no power as to opinions, if not vented to disturb the public
peace ; and there was the difference between the super inquirendis
m the Claira of Right, justly now barred, which related to opinions
on points of governraent and other things that were in the breast,
and to SAvear on what they heard, and the Session's determination
in Sir Jo. Cochrane's case, which he declared he thought tyranny.
But the Church had a law of faith, and were a society that had a
right to inquire into the faith and belief of such with whom they
worshipped God, and into their sincerity in joining with them in
the standards by law established ; and faith and belief being the
bond of the Church, he thought that that only could be Inquired on
suspicion by queries upon opinions ; and here he sufficiently ex
posed Professor HamUton's arguraent frora love and charity, and
said there could be no love where there were just suspicions of un
soundness in the faith and of error, and this was Indeed by destroy
ing of truth to create jealousies araong peaceable subjects — that It

362 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
was happy for us We were deUvered from tyranny, and he hoped
Ave were not In hazard of It, but rather of an abuse of Uberty, and
of very great wantonness and licentiousness. Then as to the cen
sure to be added to refusing answering questions, though that was
quite out of the present question, and drawn in quite beyond the
overture, he Avas of opinion, that in vain had the Church or State
any power to inquire or put questions, If they had no power to cen
sure the contraveners for obstinacy and refusal.
Mr Dundas of Arniston took my Lord up in another hour's dis
course, when Ave had been together four hours and more. I cannot
either resume hira, though very plain and clear, and I no doubt
wrong thera both In ray telling what they said. But what he ob
served was in substance, that he would not debate the power of a
supreme judicatory ; they were not tied down in extraordinary cases;
and he Avas for the supporting the Assembly's Act in this extraordi
nary case, and had nothing to say about the Secretary's taking up on
suspicion, though he doubted that was practice rather than law.
The bounds of suprerae power, in extraordinary cases, he thought
could not be well determined ; but he Avas by no means for doing
any thing, as the overture included, by Presbyteries and inferior
judicatories as to questions ; and he much doubted if the method of
queries was to be used at aU, save at the direction of a supreme
court, and in extraordinary cases, (and. Indeed, the overture relates
only to Mr Simson's case, Avhich is one of these ;) that fama
clamosa he thought by lawyers was understood of common report
of the mob or people ; that the regulations added by my Lord
Grange he questioned ; that he thought there were some things
pointed at In the overture beyond even the inquisition, who he be
lieved were tied up to rules ; that in Holland, where liberty was pre
tended, there Avas the greatest tyranny any where, except in Popish
countries, and torture was yet law there ; and several other things
I have forgot. By this time we were all wearied. He observed
further, that he could not easUy think that the Church, as a society,
had a right to inquire, by question, into people's breasts and opinions
in suspicion ; that if a man doubted, as every one who reasoned

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 363
closely Avould do, and happened to speak of his doubts, it was hard
to take him up, and censure him, and church tyranny ; that, indeed,
before a man be received to a church, they have right to be satisfled
of his soundness, but after he is received without overt acts, he
ought not to be quarrelled for his opinions, if not vented. My Lord
Grange had insisted on the Scripture named in the paraphlet, the
reason of our hope and confessing before men, only by naraing them.
Mr Dundas [said] he left them to the ministers. But Mr D. said
they did not convince him, and he thought Christ's declaration,
that he was the Son of God, was not answering a query, but pecu
liar to himself, Avho carae to the world to declare the truth ; that
Judas, though he believed he was unsound all his days, had never
queries put to hira to discover his sincerity.
These two learned lawyers seeraed each to say they did not differ
much, and would very soon agree, which put us all in hopes the
matter raight be agreed to. But then sorae warraness rose among
ministers, about the stating either a question or a resolve of agree
ment. It was moved that this matter should be referred to the
Committee of Overtures, and they to bring in an overture on it, to
be transmitted to the Presbyteries before any rule be passed, or if
that Avas not gone into, to delay this raatter to another Diet, since
it really was not reasoned, but by three on one side, and one upon
the other, or rather only by the tAvo lawyers. But that would not
be yielded to, though it was declared that many had not spoken
upon it, who had several things to say, and ucav, and they offered
either to say them now, were it not wearisome, or at another Diet,
or before the Coramittee of Overtures. But nothing Avould satisfy
but a vote at present ; and It was pretended these were but ways of
preventing a vote, after the subject was exhausted, when, indeed,
It Avas not exhausted. And another vote was cast up. Lay aside
the reason offered at the close of the Overture, reserving Mr Sim
son's case entire, tiU the Assembly consider the censure, and re
mit to the Coraraittee of Overtures to bring an overture for pre
serving the Purity of Doctrine to the Asserably ; and both votes,
or the state of the vote, was put, and the last state carried 96 to

364 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
87, by nine votes, and that was agreed. This Is thought to be a
dropping of the raethod of queries In processes of error, with a
censure annexed, though the raethod of queries Is owned by all,
except Mr Dundas, but the censure or penalty not to be added.
But I am sure the Assembly did not fully take this sense, neither
is It declared, but only supposed in the vote, as the general method
is not declared, but only forced in upon the Committee's Overture.
I doubt the narrowness of this vote, and the grating of members
in it, will not prove much to Mr SIrason's advantage In the great
cause. The Committee of Overtures raet and reasoned on the mat
ter of an Overture, and seemed all to agree to queries to be put for
preventing of error, without annexing a penalty, which Is just the
Comraittee's Overture, who did not condescend on censure ; and
it was sub-committed. How It wUl be worded by them I cannot say
till afterwards. It seems agreed, that in rejecting the Committee's
Overture, the Assembly has [not] established any new rule, (neither
can they till it go to Presbyteries,) excluding questions even with
censure, but things are just as they were Arithout or before this vote,
which, indeed, was losing a whole day ; only, we that were present
had the advantage of hearing the raatter reasoned by lawyers. May 10.
This day the Asserably raet at ten, and went through the Sth,
6th, and 7 th articles of the libel, about the substance of the per
fections, intelligent beings, &ni Pater est prior causaliter, Sfc. ; found
them all relevant, but not proven, just as the Coraraittee had on
the raatter done. Yet being connected with the forraer articles,
and one Avitness or two in different places, though it does not amount
to a strong proof, yet it leaves an ill opinion of Mr Simson's Avay
of teaching on the Trinity ; and Messrs Alston, Smith, and other
merabers on that, declared so, even though a fuU proof had not
corae up. Then the Assembly came to consider the proof from
the papers, and the lawyers declared they had not had time to con
sider this part of their work, not thinking the Asserably could reach
It, and begged it raight be delayed. Accordingly, It was delayed
tUl the aftemoon at four. Many pressed It might be delayed till

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROAV. 365
Monday, but that could not be yielded, because of the shortness of
time we now have. The Asserably cannot easily sit longer than
Wednesday, because rauch must go to the Comraission, and can
not sit after Friday easUy. I wish, In the hurry, that now things
will be In, no hasty nor rash conclusion be gone Into.
At four of the clock the Assembly met, and read the article of
the libel drawn frora Mr SIrason's papers and writings, and heard
his advocates and himself upon the relevancy of all the three pro
positions, which took up three hours almost. Then, as to the pro
bation, the lawyers pleaded they were not ready, and their papers
were just a printing, that they might be in the hands of the mem
bers of Assembly on Monday. It was now near eight of the clock ;
and it was agreed to delay this raatter till Monday at nine of the
clock. A petition for a coUection to the Inflrmary of the Royal
Physicians, and a bar put upon other coUections for this Assembly.
We have not had a Coraraittee alraost this week.

LETTER CLXIV.
PVodrow to BIrs Wodrow, No. 6. May 13, 17'28.
My Dear, — Yesterday, in the forenoon, Mr Rouat preached be
fore the Commissioner. He lectured on Psalm cxxv., and preached
upon Acts Ix. 32, " The Churches had rest, and walked in the fear
of the Lord, and comfort," <S;c. He had very good things, and did
not meddle at aU, almost, but very generaUy, with what is before
the Assembly. However, his successor in the afternoon, Mr
WItherspoon, fbUowed not his example. His text was, " Contend
earnestly for the faith," and those who heard him say he explained
very softly, and much overlooked earnestness, and pressed, which
are good things, moderation and charity, and showed this contend
ing is not about manners of speaking and AS'ords of different mean-

366 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
ings, and it may be, people Avho are raistaken may be the same at
bottom. Such as preach now are sure to be mistaken by one side
or other, and It's no desirable province. I did not hear Mr WIther
spoon, rainister at Yester, but went to the Tron Church to hear
Mr Charles Owen, rainister at Warrington, In England, who is
corae down to the Asserably. He preached on Dan. il. 32, " The
image of gold." 1 shall not resume his serraon. His flrst was pretty
long, and he brought in every ^thing of a public nature Into It,
prayed for our Suprerae Lord George the Second, and Queen Ca
roline, the Prince, &c., and very affectionately for the Assembly.
He told us his text had a political view to the four monarchies, and
a moral view ; and the serraon was raostly aUusive and aUegorical.
He told us the Image in the text, the head of gold and feet of irsn
and clay, represented man in his primitive state ; soul, the head of
gold ; body, clay ; where he had some taking and beautiful similes
and practical application, in which he was warm and pathetic. The
image led us next to raan in his fallen state. Adara was the head
of gold, and our corrupt nature the feet of clay. He asserted the
coraraunication of sin from Adam as a head, but did not speak of
the covenant. He observed, when a child was brought to the
world, a candle was lighted that was to shine to eternity ; but
then sin and death carae, and parents should consider chUdren and
the younger sort as a proof they were going off the stage. Next,
the iraage led us to the various ages of raan's Ufe ; youth A\-as a
head of gold, a precious tirae, and addressed himself to the youth
warraly and suitably ; old age Avas part Iron and clay. Then the
image led us to the moral state of raan ; a fair profession and hypo
crisy was like a shining head and feet of clay. Next, the Image led
us to primitive Christianity, which was the head of gold, and there
he run out in the shining lives of Christians, and showed that now
we were coraparatively part iron, the iron age, and worse part clay ;
that a heathen would be long araong us before he knew our God
frora our practice. Lastly, it led us to the Reformation from
Popery, and our decays and declinlngs frora the Reformation. He
observed our first Reformers Avere called Puritans, and justly, and

WODROW TO MRS AVODROW, 367
how is our pure gold become dim ; that he thought himself now
happy, that he was now on that spot of ground where, perhaps, refor
mation was carried to as great a length, if not greater, than any
where else, and he observed here a glorious appearance against
Popery, and hoped the Lord would continue it with us. But he
could not [but] observe, that in many Protestant pulpits, for many
years, there was not one Avord for raany years, a hint that the Pope
was Antichrist ; but too great a going back to the whore of Baby
lon ; that, even in sorae Protestant Churches, there was a worship
very Uke the Image in his text. He ended all with some Inferences
— that we should labour to be like heads of gold in purity and holi
ness, and shining religion, and insisted on loving of our enemies,
and other shining parts of Christianity, He pressed sincerity, from
the unmixed solid nature of gold, and said there was no religion
vrithout sincerity ; that it was not so much a grace as the blood that
rans through the veins of every grace. He pressed peace and unity,
and said it had been the glory of this church ; and, lastly, an un-
mixedness frora the clay of this world. He was short, not three
quarters, and his last prayer was but five or six sentences. He had
short notes in his Bible, but deUvered raost gracefully, and kept
his Bible soraetiraes closed, sometimes open In his hand, and some
times laid It down. He had a good deal of grave, affectionate
pathos In his delivery.
It is time now to come to this day's proceedings in the As
sembly. * * * » * * Then Mr Simson and his laAvyers
were heard for the third Diet on the proof of the article of the
Ubel, from the Professor's own papers. Mr Grant spoke as well as
the matter would bear, and very gracefully, near two hours. What
he insisted on M'as afterwards pled by merabers, and answered,
and, Indeed, lawyers will not readUy hit on what wiU not be bet
ter reasoned on a point of this nature by raerabers. When parties
were removing, Mr Allan Logan desired Mr Simson raight recon
cile a passage In his letter to the Presbytery of Glasgow, and an
other in his papers, that seeraed to contradict [each] other, — the
matter and modus of the oneness of God was a proof of the Tri-

368 THE AVODROAV CORUESPONDENCE.
nity, and yet the matter and raanner Avere not revealed. This Mr
Slrason explained by distinguishing betAveen the raatter of the
divine perfections and modus of the personal relations, and I
thought rid himself In sorae respects. But Mr Smith proposed
somewhat that was very cutting from p. 61, in ^ the beginning of
Mr Simson's Answers to the Presbytery's Remarks, wherein Mr
Simson says that there Is a sense of Necessary Existence made use
of in the argument against Atheists relative to the personal pro
perty of the Father, his being of none, not to be attributed to the
Son In its highest sense. This he said he had not observed, and
wished he raight explain It ; for It did not seem to be true in our
arguing against Atheists, which behoved to go on reason and ab
stract frora revelation, and personal property of the Father, and
seeraed to suppose a higher and lower sense of Necessary Existence
araong the persons of the Trinity. This was one of the strongest
proofs the Committee had adduced, and had been exceedingly
laboured by the lawyers, who did not understand It so well as other
points. They had coraplained of the Committee, their stating this
proof by curtailed words. Inferences, and stretches, and In papers,
to the Presbytery, and not In teaching ; though from the bar they
owned that aU in his papers in process was what they did not de
cline as proof. Mr Simson thanked Mr Smith for his kindness in
casting up the place, (it was much the same on the matter with
Mr Craig's Query, though in another shape,) and pretended to ac
count for it thus — (avc will soon, I believe, get it In print) — that In
the argument with Atheists, the Necessary Existence of the First
Cause who was of none, was urged as a good proof, and that being
of none, was taken for the principle and origin of all being and per
sons whatsoever. Mr Smith declared he Avas not satisfied with
this answer, since that Avas essential Necessary Existence, and not
personal, and desired Mr Slrason to give any of those authors who
used Necessary Existence In dealing AvIth Atheists as the personal
property of the Father; and, secondly, to declare whether he thought
If they used It as the Father's personal property, soundly or un
soundly. As to the first, he said Pictet used the terra so against

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 369
Atheists. But in the afternoon he was read, and no such thing
was found, and most writers on Christianity in the general. As to
the second question, he said he knew not how far it was compe
tent for hira to declare his opinion, whether they used the term
soundly or unsoundly, lest he should reflect on the authors that
had used it, and declined, adding, he thought that, if it was so
used, whether soundly or unsoundly, the term was ambiguous, and
It was enough to him to caution the students not to take it in a
sense that agreed to the personal property of the Father. Then
my Lord Grange put another question to him. What particular
writers raade use of Necessary Existence as the Father's personal
property, either in a sound or unsound sense, so as that it was not
appUcable to the Son ? All we heard produced were Dr Clarke,
and Mr Jackson, who replies to Waterland, whioh every body saw
Avere not sufficient to raake the word arabiguous, so as the stu
dents needed be [at any loss] about it in the way UbeUed. Mr
Alston repeated Mr Smith's question again to Mr Simson, some
thought with a design that he might rid himself; but either he
could not or would not.
In the aftemoon, the Assembly met at five, and Mr Simson gave
in his answer in writing to Mr Logan's and Mr Smith's difficulty,
and It was read. Next the lawyers brought a passage of Daraasus,
added to the end of the Helvetic. Confession, adopted by the Church
of Scotland, which seeras to say that the Son is begotten by the
necessity of nature. But it was shown after they were removed,
that that was not at all to be understood of any necessary existence,
but of the Divine nature, in opposition to fate and coaction. The
passage is cited in some of Mr SIrason's papers, and Is not horae to
the purpose at aU, However, this is aU adduced, after he was
three times before the Coraraittee caUed to produce any one ap
proven writer, who spoke of necessary subsistence, in a sense only
agreeable to the Father's personal property, which he stiU waived ;
and Damasus, Dr Clarke, and Jackson, are all brought, but cjuite
beside the intent. Then the Assembly came to judge ofthe rele
vancy and proof. Professor Haddow spoke a little, and stated
VOL. III. 2 A

370 THE W/)DROW CORRESPONDENCE.
what they should consider relevancy and proof. Professor Ha
milton spoke next, and seemed to think that the proof was lame on
the main thing, which was, that Mr Simson had said the terms
might be rightly taken, in a sense only competent to the Father ;
that it may be, that it actually was, by some writers taken, he did
not see relevant, if so be the terms were ambiguous. Mr A. An
derson next opened up the proof of this, as stated by the Commit
tee at great length, and showed the groundlessness of the objections
from the bar, against the proof, from the letter to the Presbytery
of Glasgow, the answers to the references, and to the Presbytery's
remarks, and very strongly from the deposition of the witnesses.
Mr Gaudy spoke long against the relevancy and proof, and adduced
passages from the ancients, Athanasius, Eusebius, and others, where
in self-existence, or ayinnrog, was taken for the personal property
ofthe Father, and Summus Deus, independency, which was waived,
and the title of the only true God ; and referred to Potavius and
Sandlus for raore, and cited Dr BuU, Bishop Pearson on the Creed,
for taking most of these, as Included In the personal property of the
Father, and read many citations from Greek and Latin ; and since
authors had taken the terms so, they were ambiguous, and the
students raight be warned to take thera in a sense consistent with
the Father's property. He did not see that Mr Simson had given
this sense as what he approved ; but had said In aU senses, save
that peculiar to the personal property, they were applicable to the
Son. This was the great appearance frora that side, but not
one word of Necessary Existence, which was the main [thing]
quarrelled. One Mr Sinclair succeeded him, but to no great purpose, that I
could perceive. Then Mr Gray spoke pretty strongly, that the
Professor, when challenged, on rumours, that he taught Innovations,
had written the letter to them, where the first proof was, and cast
up the ambiguity complained of In these terms, and was the first
broacher of it himself, to their surprise, and certainly adopted that
sense, and did not tell what that sense was In A\'hlch It did not
agree to the Son, further than that sense that agreed to the per-

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 371
sonal relation ; that he had heard a great deal of the Fathers cited
and read ; that if a systera of divinity were drawn up, from the un
guarded expressions of the writers, from the second century and
dowuAvards, we would have a hotch-potch of errors, worse than Dr
Clarke's ; and thought this was very censurable and proven.
Mr HaraUton of Glasgow spoke next very clearly, and observed,
that these terms were at first used in a sound sense by the Fathers,
and on the incoming of heresy IU senses were brought in ; that at
the Reformation most of the Fathers' wrong expressions were laid
aside, and Christ was owned as auro ©so; ; that Curcelleus, Eplsco-
plus, Vorstius, and other Arminians, brought in again the iU use of
these words to the Protestant Churches ; that though they were not
used as to the personal property by any almost, but such as run
into Arrainlanlsra, yet they were adopted by raany English writers
of great narae In the ill sense ; that hitherto we had been happUy
free frora Arrainianism, and were in possession of the right use of
these terms, without the ambiguous sense and the dangerous mean
ing from the restriction of thera to the Father's personal property ;
that Mr Sirason was the first who interrupted this Church in the
safe use of these terras, and thus darkened thera, and gave the stu
dents no suitable caution against the wrong use of thera ; but left
them at an uncertainty, and stUl insinuate the iU and unsound sense
of these terms. Mr G. Logan observed that the main term was
Necessary Existence ; that it's already proven that Mr Slrason has
denied that, and, therefore, was for passing this article, being of
less moment than what was already over. But to this it was said
that that proof was by witnesses, this script [written] by Mr SIrason's
OAvn papers, and the Church Avas to guard much against the IU use of
terms, especiaUy in so high a matter as this ; and that in aU the
witnesses for exculpation, not one had proven he had taught Neces
sary Existence ; yea, he himself owns he abstained from it and the
other terms.
Principal Haddow carae next, and insisted much on the passage
in Mr Simson's Answers to the Remarks about Necessary Existence,
being in the arguraent Avith Atheists, taken for the Father's per-

372 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
sonal property, and In a sense not belonging to the Son. He argued
that Necessary Existence, in reasoning vrith Atheists, behoved to be
essential Necessary Existence, for reason knew no other but revelar
tion, which was no argument with Atheists ; that, therefore, there
was a higher essential Necessary Existence competent to the
Father than to the Son, acknowledged by Mr Simson ; that the
evasion that God the Father was, as " of none," the principle and
origin of aU persons and things, was contrary to the Confession of
Faith, which says of God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, [that he] was
infinitely perfect, and the fountain and original of being and perfec
tion,, and in the next section comes to the personal properties, the
Father's being of none, which was directly contrary to Mr Simson's
passage. My Lord Grange foUowed, In a long but home speech, where he
showed that this article libeUed could not but be relevant, that Is,
inferred censure ; that Mr Simson had, as his own opinion, given
the sense of Necessary Existence to be taken as the Father's pro
perty ; that he was the first that said so ; that he had produced no
other saying so ; that Dr Clarke hiraself had not said so in terms ;
that all the passages cited by Mr Gaudy were, and many more, In
Dr Clarke, and read them as his vouchers for what was his opinion,
which we aU knew was heretical ; that Mr Simson had acted direct
ly contrary to the Larger Catechism in this matter, that says all
the divine perfections belong to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
notwithstanding of their personal properties ; that Mr Simson says
Necessary Existence, &c., are not to be attributed to the Son m
the sense in AvhIch it's taken for the Father's personal property;
that In teaching and saying to the students that these terms raay
be taken, and were taken by Bull, Pearson, &c., in a sense not dis
agreeable to the Father's property, was his adopting of this wrong
sense, and inculcating it on the students in [such] a manner as ap
proved of that wrong sense ; that it was undermining this great
article, and relevant and proven, and highly censurable ; that the
English writers being all professedly Arminian, and having de
parted from their own Articles, could be no aUeviation, but should

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 373
have been rather cautioned against than adopted, and the students
cautioned against the wrong sense. Mr Smith spoke last, that he
was unsatisfied with Mr Simson's declarations on this matter ; that
he had certainly injected scruples most needlessly into the students,
and misled them in this great matter ; and he concluded the article
both relevant and proven. Professor HamUton, a little before, had
owned he was shocked at the passage above, as to Necessary Exist
ence. The subject now by eight at night was exhausted, and very little
said on the other side, and strong things from all quarters for the
relevancy and proof A vote was going into, but it was proposed
the Asserably raight agree without a vote. The terra Independ
ency was waived, and Mr Alston moved that Self-Existence, being
near Independency, might be dropped as very near, and what some
sound writers as Dr Owen and Waterland had used, as some way
pecuUar to the personal property, and so what came not in here so
well, the article running raost on that. This was amicably agreed
to, with a declaration that the Assembly fully approved, and as one
man beUeved the properness of the terms Independency and Self-
Existence to aU the three Persons, yet being terras by sound authors
restricted sometimes to the Father's personal property In one sense
as to the eternal incomprehensible generation of the Son, the man
ner of which was not to be dipped into, though Mr Simson in the
forenoon had very unguardedly spoken of the difference between
the generation of the Son and that of animals ; and so the article
was sustained relevant and proven, as to the terms Necessary Exist
ence, Supreme Deity, and the only true God, and these declared
applicable to the Son every way as to the Father. Mr AUan Logan
said he could not digest a profane man's expression, which was
most profane, that Summus Deus as the Son's Supreme Deity was
tp be taken cum grano salis. The third article of this last branch
of Self-Existence being an English term of art, upon this agreement
was dropped. Thus the first libel is got through, and to-morrow tUe
Assembly go upon the alleviations, and censure on the whole. The
Lord direct them I I fear a breach upon this, when they are very
unanimously got through the Ubel.

374 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE. May 14.
This forenoon the Assembly entered on the alleviations. The
lawyers pled about two or three hours, and Mr Simson at the bar
purged himself from all heterodoxy as to Necessary Existence,
and declared, in answer to a question from Mr G. Logan and Mr
Alston, very orthodoxly, and as they would have him. How far
this vrill go to impress the Asserably I know not ; but if he be as
soilzied or returned, there will be a breach.

LETTER CLXV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 7. May 15, 17'28.
My Dear, — I had no tirae yesterday to write to you. In the
entry of the forenoon's sederunt, we had the lawyers pleading
the alleviation to the second and third article about Christ's Ne
cessary Existence. The other, as to the nuraerical oneness, was
pled to before, and found not to exculpate, but to alleviate, and the
alleviations to be considered when the Assembly came on the
censure. I observed Uttle new in the lawyers' pleading. Their ar
gument generally run against any weight to be laid on the wit
nesses, three against twenty-seven, the distance of time thirteen
months, dubiety of witnesses, and Mr Simson's having proved that
he taught the doctrine in the Confession of Faith, which were all
considered upon the relevancy and proof, and if they proved any
thing they proved too much certainly, that there was no proof, which
the Asseml ly overruled. The lawyers brought a proof from Relnerus
upon the Prosecution of Heretics, who was Inquisitor-General,
that heretics Avho had heresy proven only by oath of Avitncsses,
raight purge themselves, by a solemn oath on the Gospels, that they
did not, do not, and never wIU, maintain the heresy sworn against
them, providing that grave men come and join with them, and
swear they do not think thera guilty, and know their testimony is

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 375
to be depended upon. The Earl of Argyle's case was pled upon his
giving an explication of his sense and the hardship of the case ex
posed. They forgot to add, that though he was not aUowed to explain
his sense, yet the Episcopal clergy, several of them, were allowed to
explain the test. There were sorae authorities advanced of here
tics, — Arius before sorae general councils, particularly Eusebius
of Nlcoraedla, who had a renunciation offered hira, and refused it,
and was conderaned ; and Eusebius of ParaphUia, who first joined
the Arians, and retracted what was wrong after proven, and was
exculpate. We easUy saw where this was pointing. Accordingly,
Mr Logan of Dunbar put a question, and gave it in write to Mr
Simson, as what stuck with him rauch, and he desired to be cleared
in, whether he owned that the Son of God was begotten by na
ture. In opposition to fate and coaction ? This he desired to be
cleared to hira, that he might be free to judge of the alleviation,
since he could not help fearing that Mr Slrason, considering
raany expressions, and his constant reservation of a sense of Ne
cessary Existence, applicable only to the Father's personal property,
had sorae bias to Dr Clarke's Arian notion, the Son was begotten
by the Father's will and power, and so raight have been a creature,
and never had a being. Mr Alston proposed another difficulty he
had, which he wished Mr Simson would clear, whether Christ had
all the divine perfections, and Necessary Existence, In particular, as
a person, as the Son, In the same way the Father had ? You may
be sure the Professor was ready to give a raost satisfying answer
to both these questions, for I suppose they were concerted that he
might have roora to cleanse himself more ftiUy than he had done,
and help the scrape he had faUen into. In not answering Mr Craig's
question before the Coramittee. However, the Assembly would
not adopt these questions off-hand, but only aUowed them to be pro
posed by the merabers for their own satisfaction ; not that the As
sembly could not ask questions, but the questions were on such im
portant points, as without a full consideration of them, and how far
It raight be fit for this Church to enter upon these questions, that
they would only have thera the deed of private persons. How
ever, we got a sound orthodox meaning and answer to both In the

376 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
affirmative, and Mr Simson was allowed to give it in Avrite In the
afternoon. In the aftemoon the Assembly met at five. Mr Simson gave in
in write his answer, showing that he raeant what he had said, as in
cluding these — that it was his constant opinion, the Son, as Son
and a person, was possessed of aU perfections and Necessary Exist
ence in the same way the Father was, and that, by his generation,
which he believed to be by necessity of nature, in opposition to co-
action and fate, and this was what he had constantly taught and be
lieved ; and he also believed the oneness of these persons, and of the
Holy Ghost, to be nuraerical. You see this, which avc will probably
have in print soon, is Mr Simson's renunciation of aU, found proven
and relevant. His lawyers then gave In a petition, desiring that, in
the first place, the Assembly might determine Avhether Mr Sira
son had maintained any heretical opinions as to the Son's Neces
sary Existence, and that before aU other things, and find him either
guUty or Innocent of that fearful heresy laid to his charge ; and
then removed. The Assembly entered on the case. It was pro
posed that the clerk should read what was found relevant and
proven against Mr Simson, last Assembly and this, and the Assera
bly should consider the alleviations aUeged, and how far the cen
sure was to be appUed, On the other side, it was urged that the
Assembly should first give their opinion and interlocutor, whether
Mr Simson was a heretic now, and had maintained heretical opinions.
Professor Anderson said, that opinions and sentiments were not the
object of the Assembly's declaration, that what was before them,
and found relevant, aUeviate the censure, and what censure was
proper, Mr W. Stewart of KUtearn had a very warm and serious
speech, that he vrished the prophets and apostles, if possible, were
members of this Assembly, and they would soon determine the
matter. Paul said, if any man preach another gospel, let him be
accursed, though an angel; that Mr Simson taught another gospel,
and It Avas found proven that he had denied Christ to be Necessarily
Existent, Supreme God, the only true God ; that, therefore, he
should have the sentence of higher excomraunlcatlon pronounced ;
that all other sentences Avere short, and this might be blessed to

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 377
him, and was necessary to testify the Church's abhorrence. Mr
Lindsay of Bothkenner had two or three remarks of no very great
importance, and concluded with, " If any man love not our Lord
Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha." Mr Sraith and
some others raoved to state the debate, whether we should declare
Mr Simson was free of maintaining heretical opinions now. Lord
Drummore complained of the fulminations threatened, and alleged
that judges should not aggravate matters, but be as ready to have
Mr Simson vindicated, as to have him condemned, and then entered
on the aUeviations, and endeavoured to weaken the testimony of the
witnesses as above, and advanced little but what was spoke from
the bar, save that he showed that Mr Simson had not dropped " be
ing," as to the Son, as Mr Lindsay had said in his papers. Mr An
derson of St Andrews foUowed in a long speech, wherein he went
through what had been pled frora the bar about the witnesses, and
took it off pretty much. He observed that Mr Simson's grand
mistake seeraed to be as to the Father's personal property, which
he seemed to mistake much. In the Confession of Faith, It Is " being
of none," and not being begotten or proceeding. That the Larger
Catechism expressed It by begetting, in one word. Mr Simson, by
distinguishing and sensing being of none as somewhat different (as
he thought) frora not being begotten, had got in Necessary Exist
ence pecuUar to the Father's personal property, a notion of his
own ; whereas, the notions of Necessary Existence and being of
none were vastly different ; that he took this to be his proton
pseudos,^ though now he had explained it away. He went through
the passages in Mr Simson's first letter, his Answers to the Refer
ences, and his Answer to the Remarks and other papers, wherein
he stUl insinuates this unsound sense. He owned there was
some aUeriatlon in what the Professor had said this day; and
that he was come greater lengths this day than ever ; but he ob
served that this was when at a pinch, without any retractation
or declaration of sorrow for what was found relevant and proven ;
yea, he declared that the sound opinion was declared by him
I Radical error.

378 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
to be what he still believed and taught, Avhich was contrary to
what appeared frcra the proof and his papers ; that his declaration
of this to hira seeraed not rauch to alleviate the raatter, considering,
that after the ruraour rose, he had declared he had taught nothing
wrong, and Mr Stirling, by order, declared so much from him ; that
after that, he had not bettered matters much, refused to give an
swers to questions, and shuffled all along the process, had kept his
shift in his declaration before the last Assembly, refused to declare
before the Coraraittee ; and now at length he had come out with
[a declaration ;] that he was a person that was under restrictions hy
the act 1717 ; that, upon examination, he had been found to break
these ; that he owned he had altered his method of teaching on the
Trinity, and evidently had taught novelties and dangerous positions;
that his sincerity and fairness in his declaration, when contrary to
proof and print, that he had stUl beUeved and taught, as this day,
when a sentence was going upon to him, did very Uttle alleviate ;
though he owned even this forced strange declaration was to be
reckoned a victory to the truth at length, yet it did not, to hira,
much lessen the censure, since treason against the King, last year,
could little soften the matter, when loyal declarations were raade
last year, as another had observed.
Professor HaraUton spoke next. He considered the witnesses
much, and endeavoured to invalidate their proof as to guUt, which
I think is not the case after the Assembly hath had this before
them, and judged it. He said, that, indeed, he thought there was
a censure due to Mr Simson, for the things found relevant and
proven, but several things, when he balanced the weakness and de
gree of proof with the guUt relevant, stuck with him ; and he run
out on three being only against twenty-seven, and the distance ot
time, and one of them about Marck's argument a creatione he
thought not to the purpose, or nonsense, and read a passage, pled by
the lawyers before the last Asserably, frora Mr Simson's case. This
Mr Allan Logan took off, and proved the argument good from
eternity to Necessary Existence. Mr John Gray said some more
on this, and took notice that the greatest stress seemed to be laid
upon Mr Simson's alleviation from his teaching the sound doctrine

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 379
as in the Confession of Faith, In all the branches of it, by twenty-
seven witnesses, which to him had no great weight In it ; for it
might be true that he taught it In these words, and in the terms
that Mr Simson this day professed he believed and taught, though
against fact, that Christ possesses, as the Son, and by his filiation,
aU the perfections and Necessary Existence In the same raanner as
the Father, except as to his necessarily being begotten, which. In
deed, he was content to hear now acknowledged ; and yet. In the
meantime, he might be of Dr Clarke's opinion,' that the Son was
from the wiU and power of the Father, and as soon as begotten he
possessed Necessary Existence, and all other perfections, and yet
he would not be properly eternal ; and, indeed, I know not if yet
the application of his being filiated by the necessity of nature wUl
fully answer even that difficulty ; that Mr Slrason, perhaps, had said,
and the arguraent was the sarae, when the arguraent was urged from
Christ's eternal to his Necessary Existence, that that arguraent
was not good, because the decrees were eternal, and yet not neces
sary. This observation seeraed to be strong, and to affect many.
Then my Lord Grange spoke not so long as In the forraer debates,
but very strongly. He could by no raeans think the question was,
Whether Mr Simson was a heretic, or maintained heretical opi
nions as to the Necessary Existence of the Son ? He did not think
the Assembly were to determine as to his opinions, nor to pro
nounce hira a heretic, but to judge how far the unsound doctrines
taught deserved censure; that Itwas very certain damnable doctrines
have been taught, and that deserved censure ; that the explication
now given Avas somewhat and raore than ever given, which he re
joiced in as a victory to the truth, however forced and unnatural
it had been as coraing from hira ; but that though he was not for
the highest censure, yet he was for a very great censure, notwith-

' Dr Clarke maintained that " the generation of the Son of God from eternity (in
his sense of it) was voluntary and free, and not necessary ; it might have been and
not have been ; that in this voluntary act there was a communication of all the Di.
vine perfections to the Son, save Independency, Self-Existence, or Necessary Exist
ence; such as eternity, or being before all creatures, omniscience, omnipresence, and
other perfections, which lay the foundation of religious worship. ' — Wod Anal. v. 163.

380 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
standing of this declaration ; for it was good in the matter, but
imported a vindication of himself, that he had stiU beUeved and
taught, and it was his fixed opinion before, what he now declared,
which, in his opinion, was a back-door for Mr Simson to get out
at, and say he had taught right, and made no acknowledgment
to the Assembly, but in the sense of what he had ever taught and
believed, and so was at liberty to teach as he had done ; and should
the Assembly accept of this, it was an approbation of his vile
manner of teaching. He insisted long on what was vented by
him in his papers, and then on what is found proven by vritnesses.
He had thrown up the dubious sense of Necessary Existence to
the Presbytery, maintained it in his Answers to the References, and
in his papers given In to the Assembly, maintained that the deny
ing of Christ's Necessary Existence was a thing not relevant, that
is, not censurable, or the saying it was a thing we know not
was not censurable, because we had not the term in the Confes
sion or Scripture. This was such a vUe assertion, that It ought to
be renounced with the deepest humUity. As to the witnesses,
he observed three positive witnesses were aU required by the law
of God ; that twenty-seven negative did not weaken the proof by
them, especiaUy when others were easUy supposable to be Inatten
tive or taken up ; that several others besides the three were clear as
to the conversation, though they did not remember what passed,
but that strengthened the proof that such a conversation was ;
that three were enough to let us in to the circumstances, and we
had a full view how the conversation passed ; and it was not broken
sentences, but the detaU of the argument which was deponed ; that
the grossness of the expression was certainly no weakening the
proof, but a strengthening of it, because such an expression could
not be fallen into in an argument, but exproposito ; that it strength
ened the evidence of the three that deponed, and v^^as a thing could
not be forgot nor mistaken ; that a trip was Impossible, as the mat
ter stood in an arguraent, and that it's plain now Mr Simson un
derstood it as to the Father's personal property, and denied Ne
cessary Existence in that sense positively ; that the distance ot
thirteen raonths was no good argument; that the ipsissima veria

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 381
were out of doors, as Avhat destroyed aU evidence as to doctrine
and expressions ; that the dubiety of the witnesses was a strong
proof they were sincere and knowing witnesses, and deponed to
the best of their remembrance, which was not dubious, but a proof
of tenderness ; that he could depone In no other way as to what he
had said himself, or heard others say this day, unless he had at the
time written it down,
Mr Dundas, who came in this afternoon, answered my Lord
Grange, that the former Assembly could not conclude this Assem
bly ; that formerly he hesitated on the proof, and did still, notwith
standing, doubt of it ; that he thought it unsafe to conclude a man
a heretic for his words, when he had declared his opinion sound
afterwards. Then he ran out on the objections of the witnesses,
and said he could not think three balanced twenty-seven ; but pro
viding he Avas not declared to have maintained heretical opinions,
he was clear he was censurable, and highly censurable, but thought
he shoidd be vindicated from heresy, since he had declared his
soundness. He thought his declaration. In a consistency with what
he had taught and believed, was no raore than his not reraeraber-
ing what was proven against hira, and weakened in the proof by
twenty-seven, and a denial of the libel ; that his saying Necessary
Existence Avas a thing we knew not was not relevant, was only as
to the terms, not the thing, for he owned the thing now, and had
taught It In the terms of Scripture and Confession, and was no
more than a denial of the libel. My Lord Grange answered Mr
Dundas, and raaintained the Assembly could not in judgment,
though in acts they might, reverse what the former had done; that the
honourable member had lately been of opinion (in Aberdeen affair as
to Mr Chalmers) that the sentence and decision of the Comraission
could not be opened and ranversed; but that was then [old]
and this ucav. To be sure, this was raore when agreed by an Assera
bly ; that that was against aU law and reason, to be affirraed of a
suprerae court ; and then went on in defending the Aritnesses, and the
Professor's denying the thing that we knew not Christ's Necessary
Existence to be not relevant to be a gross thing, Mr Alston spoke

382 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
but little new frora what Is noticed, but was for finding Mr Simson
had not raaintained heretical doctrine, now that he had declared.
Mr Gaudy observed, that the witnesses deponed that he had refuted
all the branches of the Arian heresy. It was answered, that that
was a general [refutation,] and Dr Clarke's doctrine, the error of the
day, was not refuted, but encouraged by what Mr Simson had
taught and wrote. This is what I can reraeraber of the substance
of the reasonings yesternight, and I think I have given the sum of
what was materiaL The Asserably sat tUl after ten. A resolution
was raoved by sorae to agree to reason no raore, but come to the
state of a vote to-raorrow when we raeet ; but that was refused as a
preliraiting the Asserably.
* * * * * * «
This day the Assembly met at ten. Mr Sirason appeared at the
bar, and craved to explain what he had given in yesterday, and
gave it in in write. It contained a declaration that what he gave
in yesterday, though It referred to his papers, and seemed to be in a
consistency with thera, yet he desired it might be understood abso
lutely, and without the least restriction ; that he declared his sorrow
for his having used any unsound expressions, and for having given
offence, and did renounce any thing In his papers or otherwise that
had done so ; and was wlUIng further to retract whatever the As
serably thought fit to caU him to. His lawyers after this pleaded
it as a point of right that the Assembly should condescend on
what part of the libel he was guUty, and free him from Impugning
or denying the Necessary Existence of Christ. What was brought
for this landed only In a judicatory's agreeing to give the grounds
of their sentence, which every body owned. After parties were re
moved, some proposed, that now the Assembly might give their
opinion whether Mr Simson had pertinaciously raaintained heresy;
and others, that the Asserably should go in to the prayer, that is,
petition, for we raust have EngUsh terras, frora the bar. Mr
BaUlie of Monktown began the reasoning very Idly, and was fi-e-
quently interrupted, and at length a Uttle hissed at, and at last
stopped, as repeating what was said yesternight, without adding

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 383
any thing new. Mr Pitcairn moved that the lawyers, who had
given hira much light, had been heard, and he inclined to hear mi
nisters speak on the question, and spoke himself a little, and seemed
to be of opinion that his recantation had purged him of heresy.
Every body that spoke on that side seemed to own that Mr Sim
son had been rauch wrong, and was highly censurable, but now he
had retracted and recanted, and declared his sorrow for what was

Mr Charters spoke at some length ; that by his papers, and the
procedure of the last Assembly, he was convinced Mr Sirason was
guUty of denying the Necessary Existence ; that he was acquaint
with hira, and took hira to be a friendly, kind man, who would not
give the Church aU this trouble, if there had not been a change of
principle with him, and somewhat within signified by the words
proven ; that tlU yesterday and this day he did not doubt but he had
drunk In heretical notions ; that now he had recanted them — how far
that would go he did not know, but he was sure that the great ques
tion was. Whether, having once vented such opinions, he should
preach or teach any more ? Mr Alston succeeded hira, and owned he
very much agreed vrith Mr Charters, and thought what was proven
deserved censure, and by no raeans a sraall one ; that he was not
for sending him back (his meaning, though not expressed, was for
a year only) to Glasgow. Mr Smith spoke next, and justly distin
guished between what was In the process, and what foUowed yester
day and this day ; that as to what was in process, he thought the As
sembly last year, and the committee and this Assembly had found
that he had entertained of late unsound notions about the Trinity,
by what how he did not know, and went through the proof, and
answered the arguments to lessen it very distinctly ; that it was
certain he had now renounced it in very fiiU terms — how far there
might yet be somewhat under them he would not say, having only
heard his paper given in to^Jay, but conceived that what now cast
up did not hinder a proportioned censure.
Mr A. Logan said, that he agreed with Mr Sraith, and that he
resy was an opinion that was contrary to foundation-articles of re-

384 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
liglon ; that what was proven discovered Mr Sirason once heretical ;
that his papers now offered would say that he was not pertinaQlous,
he did not yet judge. Mr Gray was by no raeans for the Assem
bly's entering into the question, whether he had raaintained heresy
pertinaciously, because that was about words, but for confinmg the
question to what censure his fault deserved.
Mr HaraUton was much of the same mind, and thought nobody
would deny that he had retracted what was wrong, the manner and
time of which he left to the Assembly. My Lord Grange spoke a
little, that he rejoiced to hear Mr Simson's recantation; that he
thought It was a victory to the truth, and sufficient to satisfy the
world ; that such as had contended eamestly in this matter were
in their duty, and Avith good effect ; that one who certainly once
had been unsound and heretical had been brought to a recantation ;
that he hoped this would vindicate the method of the Church of
Scotland's procedure, and be a good copy to other Churches in so
ill a time ; that by no means he thought that Mr Simson had not
been pertinacious, though he owned that was now overcome, and he
thought very happily ; but he had fenced two years, refused to
give satisfaction at first, and his retractation had come out gradually,
and at length it was come after insolence to the Presbytery, As
serably last year, with whom no doubt what is cast up this day
would have had weight, and the committee and this Assembly, till
just coming to a sentence. However, we were to be thankful the
raatter was now come the length It was come. He observed a ge
neral, absolute retractation in this day's paper, and a Christian offer
to retract more, if the Assembly condescended. He instanced the
passage in the letter to the Presbytery, the Answers to Inferences,
and his Answer to the Remarks ; and other passages might be con
descended on, and he called particularly to retract them. If he did
not, then his general signified nothing. If he did, it was his own
further happiness ; and moved a coraraittee, Mr Haddow, Mr Smith,
Mr A. Logan, who were acquaint Avlth the passages, might draw
them out, and give them to him, and he retract them against the
afternoon ; and yet after aU, considering that once he Avas hereti-

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 385
cal, he was of opinion that this did not much to affect the censure,
for what was In process, as Mr Smith had observed ; but still that
he deserved to be deposed, though he might be reponed. But if
he was pertinacious, he thought. Indeed, the highest censure was
what he deserved.
Provost Druraraond spoke after him, and observed that he never
came In so melancholy to an Assembly as this raorning, and saw
that, as Mr Pitcairn had observed, if matters came to a vote, there
was Uke to be a breach and a dissent by merabers, the end of which
he could not see ; but noAv he thought we were coming to more
harmony, and every body was for censure, and waiving determi
nation as to his heresy, and moved the coramittee. When all
seemed agreed, Mr Pr. Harallton opposed the committee, as having
too great a trust, unless the places pointed to were agreed to by
the Asserably; and sorae others, Mr G. Logan and Mr Goudy,
moved we should rather come to the censure. This cast all loose ;
and it was proposed that Mr Simson should hear what passed, and
know the places objected, and that It should be left to him to do as
he saw cause. And so the Assembly adjourned, having done no
thing for two sederunts but received Mr Simson's papers.
In the afternoon, this day, Mr Simson took some time before he
brought in his paper ; and the report ofthe Coraraittee for the King's
Bounty was read, pretty long, containing most heavy accounts of the
progress of Popery and Jacobite meeting-houses, which Avas re
mitted to the Coraraission, and a representation and address seemed
to be agreed upon to the King as to both these, as fit in the entry
of the King's reign. Then a collection carae in for Mr Morison,
ordained catechist in Rathven, for a church and a manse, which was
agreed to. The Justice-Clerk and lawyers spoke for It. By this
time Mr Simson came In, and offered his third cleansing paper and his
last. It's but short, but fuller and clearer, and more distinct, than
any of his papers formerly ; so I fancy he has had help to it. I saw
Lord Drummore, Mr Gowdy, and sorae others, and the President,
came in a littie before. The tenor of it, in short, is, that finding that
brethren Avere not fully satisfied Avlth what he had given, he de-
VOL. IIL 2 B

386 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
clares that the argument frora eternity to Necessary Existence is
good. This relates to the passage about Necessary Existence in
Marck, and his argument. He declares he does not remember he
used that expression, that Christus non est ens necessarium, but ab
hors It, and utterly renounces It ; that he Is very sorry that he
omitted teaching Christ's Necessary Existence ; that he renounces
that passage, p. 61 — state about the arguraent against Atheists,
from any Necessary Existence not competent to the Son ; that he
Is sorry for his making the distinction, and renounces any Necessary
Existence as the personal property of the Father, and allows Christ's
necessary generation, as explained in the forenoon ; that he did not
mean that the thing was not relevant when he used that phrase, of
denying the relevancy of Christ's Necessary Existence, but only the
Avord, when not used In the Confession ; that he was sorry for his
saying, Christ was not the only true God and Summus Deus, with
any restriction, and renounces all other unsafe terms used by him ;
and Is sorry for the offence given to the Assembly, his brethren in
the ministry, and all the raembers of the Church of Scotland, by
his doing of these ; and resolves to abstain from these in time to
come, and will adhere to all this, and not alter. After this paper of
his, the lawyers gave in a paper of a short sura of the state of alle
viation, as pleaded and pled before the Asserably, where there were
some expressions that seemed to import that he had been stUl the
same in his opinions. This coming after the Professor's paper was
reckoned a renunciation of Avhat the Professor had given In. He
was required to own the lawyers' paper or not. He said only It was
what had been pleaded, but that did not satisfy. This looked like
somewhat of lessening what he had given In, and therefore It was
left to him and them to do as they pleased. The lawyers insisted
that it was their paper, and It was said it was his, since given In be
fore him, and he not disowning it, it AA^as to be received as his.
Whereupon it was taken back.
Then the Assembly came back to their former question, whether
to give judgment first, whether he Avas guUty or Innocent as to im
pugning, or disowning or denying the Necessary Existence of

AVODROAV TO MUS AVODROAV. 387
Christ, or to go on to the censure on the Avhole ? It was urged that
this declaration of the Assembly, that now he was sound, was just
to him, and what would raake our sentence look the better In the
eyes of the world. AU owned that for what appeared he seeraed
now to return to the faith from which he had departed, and to re
nounce the errors he had been under. But that was of little Im
portance. It was observed that his declaration about the numerical
unity wanted substance, and was a quibble ; that the Divine unity
was one numerically, and idem per idem ; that the dishonour put on
Christ by what he had taught or said, before his declaration of his
soundness, -was first to be noticed, that it might be noticed Avhen the
Assembly came to the sentence ; that if he had continued in his
unsound doctrine, he deserved excomraunication, but having re
nounced what was erroneous, the Asserably only deposed him from
the ministry ; and this Avould Include his vindication, and being at
present sound. Mr G. Logan said, that he thought his carriage
had been such as he should continue suspended and on good be-
hariour till next Assembly. At length Mr Smith proposed that a
committee should be named to form the censure, and draw up the
grounds of It, that. If possible, the Assembly raight agree to it Avith
out a vote. This was gone into by the Asserably, and the Modera
tor, Principal Haddow, Professor Harallton, Principal Chalraers,
Mr Gray, Mr HamUton, Mr Smith, Mr Alston, Mr AUan Logan,
President, Grange, Drummore, P. Drummond, were named on the
committee, and withdrew ; and the Assembly went on the Synod
books. They are to report to-morrow. The Lord guide them ! The
one side will be content to suspend him to the next Assembly ; the
other wlU insist that he be deposed ; and they are equal in the com
mittee. If they can agree, it's well ; if not, it must come before the
Assembly, and be voted ; and if he be not deposed, it's probable
there wUl be a dissent, and many joining in it, and an open breach.

388 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CLXVL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 8.
Thursday, May 16, 1728.
My Dear, — I signified that yesternight Mr Simson's affah was
sub-coraraitted, as I stiU thought it would be. The Committee
was one supernumerary for the favourable side to him, whether
through the Moderator's haste, or want of consideration, I know
not. They sat up till near twelve of the clock this morning, and
did not agree upon the censure to be proposed. They agreed
pretty well upon the narrative — That, whereas, by Mr Simson's de- _
claratlons of the 14th and 15th, (and he added to the Committee
a new one, as to numerical oneness. In essence or substance, which,
I believe, was omitted only in haste before,) Mr Simson and the
substance of the declarations is insert, it appears that he is now
sound in these great articles ; yet, whereas, by what was found rele
vant and proven before the last Assembly and this, he hath Im
pugned the great foundation-articles of our religion, and under
mined people's faith concerning them, and shaken their belief;
therefore, the General Assembly, to show their high dissatisfaction
and displeasure with such practices and conduct, and for the ho
nour of the truth — thus far the Coraraittee agreed. There Is a
clause, too. In the narrative, that though he had many opportuni
ties given hira of vindicating himself, and declaring his soundness
in these great points, he did not fall in A\'Ith them. But then the
Coraraittee differed as to the sentence, and brought in two diflTer
ent states of It to the Assembly, which they left to their determi
nation. The one was : — Therefore, (for aU runs as an Act of As
serably on the whole,) the Asserably suspend him from teaching
and preaching, and all other ecclesiastical office, power, and func
tion in this Church, untU another General Assembly see cause to

WODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 389
take off' this, learing to the next General Assembly stIU to do In
this as they see cause. The other state was : — And the General
Assembly, considering these and his vexatious wrangling through
the whole of this affair, do depose him from teaching, preaching,
and all other ecclesiastical function and office in the Church. The
Committee sat till about one this day, when they came into the
Assembly, who had yesternight and this day been upon Synod
books, petitions frora the Coraraittee of BiUs of lesser moment.
When the narrative was read, and the two different states, which
the Coraraittee would not yield to one another in, and several ex
ceptions were raade upon aU hands, it was wanted by some mera
bers In the Asserably, that, in the narrative, there was no notice
taken that Mr Simson had been 1717 convicted of error. That was
refused by others, and this was denied, that the Assembly then had
found him guUty of error. Then it was urged, that he was then
certainly laid under a prohibition to teach, as in the Act ; and that
it was found now that he had broken these prohibitions, and this
should be in fairness added to the narrative. It was answered,
that the prohibition was upon others as weU as on him ; and that the
second Ubel given was not yet judged, and there was no time to
enter upon it. Mr Smith spoke at sorae length, that this was aU the
Asserably could now overtake ; and that though sorae thought, and,
perhaps, It was not far wrong to reckon that he himself was among
the number of those that did think so, that Mr Simson, though
now he had declared himself sound, deserved deposition for what
was in the process ; yet, taking all together, as things now stand,
he thought. In prudence, and for peace and harmony, and consi
dering aU circurastances of things as they now stand, it were bet
ter, without a vote, to agree to a suspension, tiU another Assembly
should see reason to take it off.
Then several pretty warm speeches were made. A minister in An
gus, I think, said, that now there were two parties here, Christ and
Mr Simson, and Christ was In hazard to be wounded in the house
of his friends ; that he thought Levi tribe, that would not know
father or brother in this cause, should be our pattern ; that now

390 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
the honour of Christ was, upon the one hand, to be considered,
and Mr Simson's person and benefit ; and that, for his share, he had
rather fall with Mr Slrason than In the least any dishonour should
come upon our glorious Redeeraer. Mr Smith said, that he did
not think that was precisely the state of the matter before the As
serably, but rather put the case, that a father was both judge and
party with relation to his chUd ; the fault deserved the greatest
severity, but tenderness of a chUd that was guUty, and considera
tions as to the family In general, and the state of It, with acknow
ledgments and retractions, swayed to the side of clemency ; and
Instanced In Jacob, who was both judge and parent, and Simeon
and Levi had committed a crime that deserved death, yet he did
not Inflict It, by reason of the prudential considerations, but only
frowned on them, and at his death left them to be divided In Ja
cob, and scattered in Israel, and to have in their posterity an in
convenient and discontiguous habitation. Mr Ker, In Tevlotdale
or Dumfries, noticed the case of Eli as to his sons, that the Lord
was angry at EU, because he had [not] restrained them from doing
evU ; and desired a part of the Form of Process to be read, that
if ministers fell in fornication, or any gross immoralities, even
though penitent, they should be instanter deposed ; that he thought
the scandal of error was worse than that of fornication, and though
he did not see that penitency and repentance in Mr Simson he
wished for, yet he apprehended the case was parallel. Professor
Hamilton answered him, that the Forra of Process, In that very
chapter, distinguished between processes for error and immorality,
and Mr Ker seemed to make the rule In both the same ; and that
In that sarae place the Forra of Process directed, that if error was
fallen Into, then lenitives should be appUed, &c. ; but to that it
Avas answered, that It was lesser errors not spreading, whereas the
case Avas otherAvise. The Professor observed further, that If the
case were betwixt the glory of Christ and the person of Mr Simson,
none could be In any difficulty ; but he took the case to be, whe
ther suspension or deposition were the best raethods for promoting
this great end of vindicating the truth and glorifying Christ. He

AVODROAV TO MES AA^ODROAV. 391
thought both of them equaUy answered the end we had before us,
and there was much the sarae effect frora both as to the interests
of the glory of God and truth ; for, by suspension, Mr Slrason was
as effectually barred from doing further hurt as by deposition ;
that the one might be taken off by the next Assembly, if they
.found cause, as weU as the other. The, only difference was here,
that he knew no instance In CouncUs and Assemblies, that where
a person declared penitence, and showed himself In the faith, that
the highest sentence Avas gone Into ; that he thought deposition
Avas the farthest we could go, though he had not so fuUy re
tracted ; and that now the case was altered, and hoAV the justice of
the highest sentence, in case of a person's renouncing, would ap
pear In the eyes of other Churches, he did not know. He noticed
Christ's rebuke to John, &c., when they would bring fire frora
heaven. Mr Charabers followed hira, and owned deposition would
have been just two days ago, but, after what now was done, he
thought suspension should be gone into, and cited Peter's case of
denying his Master, and Christ's passing It, and coraing first to hira
after his resurrection. It was observed, that Peter was under a
temptation, did not deny Christ's Necessary Existence, that he
Avept bitterly, AvhIch was not here.
I forgot to add, that the lawyers at the beginning craved their
last word, and produced several citations from Councils, that upon
retractions there could be no deprivation; that heretics, when not
pertinacious, could not be deprived by the Canon law, and cited a
passage In Corvlnus, In the aniraadverslons on Mr Simson's case,
which they alleged wanted some words. But Lord Grange set that
matter plain, and explained It clearly of heretics, who, on the first
discovery of their heresy, recanted, and, from pride and quirks, did
not continue till they could do no better, which was far frora this
case. Lawyers urged that no Instance could be given of depriva
tion after renunciation and declared soundness, and endeavoured to
show that Mr Simson was not convicted before, nor faUen a second
time Into error. Mr M'Intosh reasoned on the narrative of the act
brought In, and said if the sentence were only suspension, he was

392 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,
afraid in the eyes of other Churches, the conclusion would be unequal
to the crime of impugning fundamental truths, shaking and under
mining them, and other gross things there, which could not well
ansAver so mild a censure as suspension, and would not satisfy
brethren, rior the offended people of God, nor other Churches, Mr
Anderson of Falkirk had a very affectionate serious speech, that
Mr Simson had taken up the tirae of four or five AssembUes with
his innovations ; that it was hard this matter should be stUl upon
the field ; that we saw no prohibitions would do with him ; that he
still grew worse ; that noAv the Assembly were acting in Christ's
name, and as tutors to truth, and if they did not depose such a per
son, he did not see how they acted as stewards ; and Avished every
one would lay their hand to their heart, and act as they would be
answerable, and moved a vote, Suspend or Depose ? How the vote
would go. nobody could weU say, I doubt Mr Simson would have
only been suspended, though others think it would have been de
pose ; it's certain It would have run very near, and had exceeding
ill consequences, A nd, therefore, when the Assembly were going
into the vote. Principal Haddow rose up, according to concert In
several meetings in private, (where I regret it that brethren on the
other side, perhaps trasting to their nurabers, did not show so much
inclination to conferences, and preventing a breach, as I expected,)
and signified that he perceived a great number of the Assembly,
and perhaps the plurality, thought the things found against Mr
Simson, notwithstanding of his renunciation, were so gross as de
served deposition. But he saw the consequences of distinguished
sides and a vote, and looked for a breach, unless the Assembly
would allow this process not to be thoroughly finished, and allow
that the plurality, or very many at least, were of opinion that the
censure should be deposition, and agree for peace, that for this time
it was agreed to suspend, and that the members who were for de
position, of which he owned he was one, should have Uberty to
mark their names, or give them in to the clerk In what manner was
best for the peace of the Church, as agreeing to a suspension at this
time, with liberty at the next Assembly to take up the process as

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW, 393
not concluded ; and If this was not yielded, he saw very dismal con
sequences In the Church — that Is, though he did not tell it out,
that aU the members who were for deposition (If not the plurality)
Avould enter their dissent, and a great raany ministers in the
Church would join In declaring themselves of the sarae sentiraents.
This was said just to be a voting of the matter, and equal to a A'ote,
and would not be granted, by the President, Druramore, Mr Dun
das, Justice-Clerk, (who did not speak in this matter,) Sir John
Ingllsh, Professor HaraUton, and others, who, indeed, did not speak,
but shoAved that could not be yielded, Mr D, Pitcafrn made a
speech for peace and unity, and that A^'e seeraed nearer than for
merly ; and declared against a vote, as what would lay a foundation
of a breach, like Protesters and Resolutioners, in the Church, of
Avhich he would never live to see the healing. Mr Anderson of
St Andrews spoke, and thought that the proposal was fair and
peaceable, and wished it might be gone . into without a vote — that
a great many members thought the demerit of the crirae deserved
deposition, but, pro hac vice, yielded for peace, and tiU the diffusive
sense of the Church were had on this great raatter,
Mr Alston proposed the committee might withdraw out of the
house presently, and he hoped they would agree In bringing in what
would satisfy all. This was opposed pretty rauch by those about
the throne just now named, and they seeraed very unwUUngly to go
into it ; but the Assembly were generaUy for it. And so they re
tired for two hours, (the Assembly stUl sitting,) and brought In rauch
the same narrative ; but on the whole, the Assembly testified their
high dissatisfaction with Mr Simson's practices and conduct, and
as an interim agreeraent and sentence, reserving what remained In
this process (the second libel and censure for refusing the queries)
to be further considered, when the Assembly shaU see fit to take up
this process, and declaring that many members of the Assembly
thought deposition the demerit of what was already foimd, and
ordering the whole process to be printed, and what this Assembly
had done to be added to what was printed by the committee, and
sent to the scA'eral Presbyteries, that they might retum their opi-

394 THE AVODROV/ CORRKSPONDENCE.
nion on It. And, in the meantime, as an interim sentence, the
Assembly suspended as above. When this came in to the Asserably,
Mr W. Stewart said, though there were none to protest against this
he would do it, and Mr Squire said he should not be alone. Whe
ther they were resolved on this extreraity, or inclined to Impress the
house, I don't know. Mr Logan said he had been stlU for peace,
and he was drawn In with rauch difficulty to this, under the pro
spect of getting his name marked AvIth others, and desired to know
If Presbyteries were to have the matter sent to them, and to make
returns to the Assembly. It was answered, that was what Avas in
cluded In the clause added. Then he said, that as, In the case of the
overtures, he had prevented a flame and yielded for peace, he would
now yield to show his readiness that way, and what the Moderator
had intiraated, that truth should be contended for and peace, but
without peace truth could not long stand, and besought his dear
brethren, who spoke of protesting, not to insist since the matter
Avas but an interim determination, and yet before the diffusive
Church ; and so It was agreed, without a vote very happUy, and Mr
Stewart raoved the Committee for Purity raight have the thanks
of the Assembly for their pains and faithfulness, and good serrices
done to the Church, which was done and given by the Moderator.
Mr Slrason was called In, the act read, the Moderator vrished he
might consider It, and that It raight be sanctified to him. He said
nothing, and was not cited to the next Assembly. Thus this un
happy affair Is over ; I hope comfortably, and to the advantage of
truth, with a great regard to the peace of the Church In those who
were raost against Mr Simson, and to the reputation of the Church
in the eyes of observers ; and, as far as I can see, we shaU not hear
any more of Mr Simson in public, and no difficulties are run to with
the King In the entry of his reign, who Avas made to beUeve that
this matter touched his prerogative ; and the truth receives a con
siderable victory by Mr Simson's renunciation, and a bar is put
on him that he cannot print In defence of his notions If he entertain
them. Some regard is shown to his person and family, and I hope
he will either demit or withdraw, and another wiU supply his room

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 395
better. I only add, that Mr Dundas, before the coraraittee went
out, said, that he could never be informed that an erroneous raan
was ever deposed for his heresy or opinion, If he returned to the
faith, by any Council ; that if the Church of Scotiand should do so,
he did not know what improvements would be made of it elsewhere,
and he did not know how she would be vindicated ; that unless he
entertained doubts whether Mr Simson were such as were to be
wished in his declarations of soundness raade to the Asserably, be
cause of his raany tergiversations and turnings, and unless he in
clined to see some further trial of his carriage, he could not have
gone In even to an interim suspension, as what he thought would
be too high when he was now sound ; and that this method would
tend best, in his opinion, to what we aU Intended, and perhaps as
effectually affect his benefice, which he loved not to speak of as our
church deprivation. I only notice further, that the ciders in the
committee, even Mr Dundas, appeared, as I am told, raore yielding
than several ministers, as Professor HamUton and Principal Chal
mers. After this matter was ended, a petition from Mr Chambers, P. at
Aberdeen, patron of the Old Town, for the settlements being refer
red to the Commission, came in. After some warm debate, the settle
ment being, as was whispered, designed for Principal Chalmers
himself, who Is to be called, against the inclinations of the town, to
be minister, in Mr Mitchell's roora, by a vote the Asserably refused
to grant its coming to the Commission, but left it to its ordinary
course. Then, after reading the Usts of probationers and students,
the minutes were read, and a coniraittee appointed to revise the
minutes. Then the Moderator had a long speech to the Commis
sioner In comraon form, wherein were compliments to the King and
Commissioner, and a particular remark upon the preventing of a
breach In this Assembly, and their harmonious close In this great
affair. The Commissioner had his speech in comraon form ; and
being uncertain of the issue of the Asserably, though all the rest
Avas written, when he came to that I think he delivered himself off
book, that after so much debate on such an affair, he was glad that

396 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
he had so peaceful and calm an Issue to represest to his Majesty,
which he would do, very rauch, he hoped, to the reputation of this
Church. Then, after prayer, the Moderator sung the 72d Psalm,
from verse 17th to the end. The House was thinner than usual,
the Asserably having sat frora ten to seven at night ; but I cannot
say but the Psalra was pertinent, and In singing it there was more
than ordinary sweetness. The Assembly dismissed with the bless
ing ; and the Commission was ordered to sit to-morrow at ten. I
am yours.

LETTER CLXVIL

DEATH OP DR COTTON MATHER.

To the Rev. Mr Samuel Matlier, Chaplain at Castle-William, New
England.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I am favoured vrith both your last In
April and May last, by the Dove sloop, which coraes into Glasgow,
and I thank you kindly for them. The melancholy accounts of my
heavy loss, [in the death of your] noAV glorified father, reached me
by the London prints In the beginning of May. I wUl not renew
your sorrow. The Lord sanctify this stroke to you and your sister,
to me, and all the churches of Christ ! A great man is fallen In
our Israel. Take him altogether, I do not know his equal left. I
enjoyed the inestimable benefit of his prayers (and he was a man
of prayer) now near twenty years, and of his sweet, useful, friendly
correspondence, and had the benefit likewise, now and then, of your
eminent grandfather's letters. I preserve thera both araong my
x£//xj)X/a. May a double portion of their spirit. Dear Sir, rest on
you I Assure yourself I'll be fond to entertain correspondence with
the Mathers. I love the narae, because of Christ eminently in
them. The oftener you write the more you'll oblige ; and I hope

AVODROAV TO THOMAS LINNING. 397
you'U oblige me by every ship you hear of coraing for Scotland. At
this distance (though we dally raeet at the throne) Ave must not
wait for one another's letters, but take all occasions Providence offer-
eth. I thank you for the justice you have done to your excellent
parent in your sermon, which Avas extremely acceptable. Go on ;
give us his Life from his papers. The Lord direct you in forming
it ! I long for It, and wiU be impatient tUl it corae. Let me also
be favoured with his Restitutus, his Sermon on Mr Thatcher, and
what was published after his Agricola, which was the last book of
his I had from his dear hands ; and I think I want little published by
him and your grandfather these twenty years. You see the freedom
I use. Let me know wherein I can serve you here. I ara sure you
have my best and warmest Avishes. I must break off. Yesterday
we had the sacrament of the Supper dispensed in this place. The
bearer comes for Boston to-morrow. You'll excuse ray haste ; and
believe that I ara. Dear Sir, your afflicted sympathiser, affectionate
brother, and humble servant.
August 12, 1728.
I had your father's last accounts from the East Indies. Pray
continue your accounts from New England, and give my affection
ate regards to your sister. Great grace be with you !

LETTER CLXVm.
simson's case before presbyteries.
To the Rev. Mr Thomas Linning, Minister at Lesmahago.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have been in conversation with sorae
brethren hereabout of late upon the subject, What Presbyteries
ought to do now, when the affair of Mr SIrason's doctrine lies under
their consideration ? You know better than I that this is an affair

398 the AVODROAV CORUESPONDENCE.
of the very last Iraportance to this Church. It's given out, upon
what grounds I do not know, that a design Is forraing to repone Mr
Slrason at the next Asserably, and to get as raany Presbyteries as
possible to give no Instructions at aU ; and others, where so much
interest can be made, to instruct their comraissioners to the next
Assembly that two years' suspension Is sufficient censure for his
offence, especiaUy after his retraction. In the meantime, to cool the
edge of some Presbyteries that will not readily be silent, and some
rainisters, till matters be past helping, it's given out that Mr Sim
son Is to give us no raore trouble, but will demit before the next
Asserably, and methods are taking to procure hira a pension and
corapetency to live upon. It Is hard to me to beUeve this story,
though I have nothing to say against any provision shaU be made,
providing the youth be no raore corrupted, and teaching error pre
vented. Indeed, I cannot help thinking the present rigorous
spreading of this story, if it be unsupported, as I fear it is, may be
designed to cool any further appearances from Presbyteries against
error, that Is deepller spread I doubt than we yet see, though we
see too rauch.
Now that the state of the process is corae to each Presbytery,
It were to be wished that raethods were concerted for our acting
vigorously, prudently, and, as far as may be, unanimously. We
seem to be In a very miserable case. Though the process be
printed, yet I question If one minister araong six wUl buy it or read
it. Hoav far Presbyteries Avill stay to read over their copies toge
ther I do not know ; and bow brethren and elders who are not ac
quaint with the process wUl give their judgment upon the Avhole,
I think I know pretty well : that Is, just as other views, and not
the weight of cause, ought to lead thera.
I ara very desirous to have your sentiments upon this subject,
and the raethod of procedure that should now be essayed in Pres
byteries. Your long experience uoav since the Revolution, and your
perfect knowledge of this affair, make you ripe to advise as to what
Is now fit to be done, without any compliment, Avhich you know is
not my Avay. Pray let rae hear from you with the first occasion

AVODROAV TO THOMAS LINNING. 399
you have to Hamilton, to Alexander Archer's, or to Glasgow, to
Mr Porterfield's.
That I may not seem to put work on others that I may only ease
myself, I'll take the liberty to communicate with you my present
raw thoughts upon this matter, that you may have the better occa
sion to set me right, and add what raay be proper. I wish we In
this Synod, where the unhappy beginnings of this and the other
process Avere, could be in case to raake sorae raore vigorous appear
ances than Ave have done, though, to be plain with you, I don't ex
pect rauch this way, unless It be from your Presbytery and Ayr ;
Glasgow, perhaps, and Durabarton ; and, therefore, when it shaU
be found proper to begin, I hope as rauch from your Presbytery as
any. And I hope in time you'll correspond with Mr Orr, Mr R.
Gray, Mr Charles Hunter, Mr J. Hepburn, and others, and con
cert matters, as you may easily do. To me It appears very needful
that brethren understand one another's sentiments on this import
ant matter in different corners, and a correspondence be fixed as
much as may be with Galloway, Dumfries, Edinburgh, Fife, Stir
ling, and the North, that, as rauch as may be, sorae joint course
may be taken. I expect as hearty appearances in other quarters
as in the west of Scotland, and If once we could concert raatters, I
shall not be wanting, as far as ray acquaintance reaches, to write in
concert with you and others. Indeed, I could almost wish a few
who know this affair, and are irapressed with the Importance of it,
could meet in some proper place, and spend a night together. But
as that wUl raake a noise, and is scarce to be hoped for at this
season of the year, when you and others are turning frail, I fear we
must concert as well as we can by letters ; and I Avish you raay have
your thoughts seriously on the affair, and write to the south and
Edinburgh, and Mr Logan, or whom you think proper, and press
returns as soon as may be.
You and they wUl consider how far some short Avaming (indeed,
I would not be for its being above half a sheet) of our present
danger, frora looseness in principles, error, and corruption, were fit
to be drawn up and printed, and spread among people. I am not

400 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
much for appeals to the people, and I know they want not incon
veniences, and would be very cautiously forraed. But we seem
deeply lethargic, and what I am most concerned In, is to haA'e them
stirred up to prayer at this juncture, and a deep concern for con
duct in this matter, and the Lord's interposal for preventing the
spreading of corruption among us. And I do not know but some
country elders that are in Presbyteries want to be quickened to
pray about a matter they are to act in.
But, perhaps, soraewhat farther were needful, if one kncAv how
it could be well done, and short enough ; and that is, a short state of
this affair In a sheet and a half ; for if it go beyond that, it wUl
scarce be bought by ministers, who I own need It not, if they
would buy or read the state of the process, or even the last Acts of
Assembly, wherein I would have an abbreviate of what is proven, of
what is found in the last Assembly, and some short hints of the in
sufficiency of the acknowledgments made by Mr Simson, of which
I may say raore just now, with references to the large state of the
process. I doubt the raost part of ministers and elders in the dif
fusive church, before whom this raatter now lies, need such a help
to judge. The two greatest difficulties I see here are how to get
this drawn as it should be, and then the hazard of printing against
such an abbreviate, by a man, or his friends, who have time enough
for papers of this sort, and art enough to set matters in a Ught most
for his advantage.
But aU this Is but preparatory to Avhat is the main thing I would
have as soon concerted as raight be, and that is, the materials of an
Act of Instructions from Presbyteries to their Coraraissioners to the
next Assembly, signifying their opinion, where It is the opinion of
the plurality, upon their perusal of the state of the process sent to
them. This I particularly wish you may spend sorae time in think
ing of. I know well enough that the most part of Presbyteries do
not give themselves the trouble to send instructions, and, except
upon the matter of the overtures, ours never sent any ; and I may
know the practice of Presbyteries as to this, and, generaUy speak
ing, even in matters referred to Presbyteries, one half of Presby-

WODROW TO THOMAS LINNING. 401
teries never send instructions. Care must be taken to prevent this,
which I imagine may be hard to do. Yet if pauis be taken to in
form brethren, I hope even this may be prevented. And, in ray
opinion, since the Assembly hath remitted this affaur to Presbyteries,
the next should have the sentiments of each Presbytery in write,
as they are ; and the numbers of such as are for reponlng him on his
retractation ; the numbers that are for laying hini aside from any fur
ther public teaching in this Church, and the Go ons and Non liquets,
too often hedgers and skulkers, should be aU transmitted to the
Assembly, that we may all be known what part we act in a matter
of this weight ; unless the minority are content to be sunk in the
plurality ; but if they are not, I conceive they have a right to de
mand their sentiraents, as to a public teacher of youth for the holy
ministry, for or against, it's equal [just] in this case, should be trans
mitted to the Supreme Judicatory and last resort,
I see inconveniences in this proposal, but I reckon it fair. And
to be free, it's the best method I see to prevent a greater evU than
sides in Presbyteries, that Is a fatal breach in the Assembly itself,
and a direct separation, I fear, both in word and sacraments, in case
of the continuance of a corrupt education of youth to the ministry ;
and I know not but it may have good effects on aU public teachers
in time to come.
The materials for such an act, or instructions from Presbyteries,
I would fain hope, wiU not be difficult to find. How we will agree
to them generaUy, is another question ; but I think pains should be
taken to have them fairly proposed and reasoned in every Presby
tery, If they be not gone into as to the substance, let every one
answer to his own conscience, and to a higher tribunal.
Every body who inclines to see, cannot but by this time perceive
the inconvenience and hurt to this Church, to the West of Scotland
in particular, to this Synod, the CoUege of Glasgow, the youth
who have been under Mr Simson, that evidently raust corae from
any further delays, and the continuance of matters any longer in
suspension, I hope the most, if not all. Presbyteries will agree,
that if Mr Simson wUl not ease us of any farther trouble by
VOL, HI. 2 0

402 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
leaving us, or deraitting, his process must be issued one Avay or
other. I have, and perhaps you also have heard, more than one of his
keenest defenders in our Committee for Purity declare they were
not for his teaching any longer in this Church. I ara told severals
through the Church, and these of no small name, think otherwise
now, and say, had it not been for one man, he should and would
have been replaced by the last Assembly. I differ from them, and
imagine, had a vote been, it would not have been so. However, if
the bulk of the ministry in Scotland and of Presbyteries be of
these sentiments, then he wIU be reponed, and they must answer
to God and raen for the consequences.
But I hope It win be otherwise. As I take it. Presbyteries are
now called upon to give their opinion, what the next General As
serably should do as raatters now stand. Perhaps you'U think my
sentiraents are, that he deserves deposition frora aU ecclesiastical
office and function, and had I been to vote in the last Assembly, I
really think it had been ray vote, and should this be what the plu
rality of Presbyteries go Into, you'll easUy guess, were I in the next
Assembly, I would not rauch oppose it. But In ourpresent broken
state, I ara for going into what raost probably we wiU be most
harmonious in, in a consistency with the safety of trath and the
youth ; and, therefore, I would be (where it's fact) for the act and
instruction to run somewhat In the very terras of the last As*
serably ; that although raany or sorae have declared that a sentence
of deposition is what comes up to what is proven, both as to teach^
ing of error and contumacy, In refusing to obtemper the Acts of
Asserably, in this and the forraer process, and the direct breach of
them as appeared at least plain to us, who were upon the trial of
the second Ubel; yet for the preservation of jointness and harmony
in the truth, as far as may be attained, and to give the greater weight
to our opinion from the unanimity of it, the Presbytery gives it
as their opinion, that at this tirae, the General Assembly should,
by their act, lay aside and declare they find it unraeet and unsafe
that Mr J. Simson bear the office of Professor of Divinity, or teach

AVODROAV TO THOMAS LINNING. 403
any more in the Church of Scotland, or bear any other ecclesiasti
cal office or function therein. You'U probably think I am too
soft and malmy' now, and it may be so ; and I ara but setting down
things as they come In my head, under correction ; and ray reason
for proposing this Is, because probably this raay unite aU that have
any concern for the truth In Presbyteries, and it being already
gone into, in point of suspension, raay bring the raost harraony at
the Assembly ; and it's what I think wiU take off most part of the
arguments that are drawn from his retractation, and an obvious
clamour that there is no new offence since the last Asserably ; and
to depose hira now would be to cast a slur upon the last Assembly,
though that raight be easily answered too. In short, I am for this
shape, till better Instructed, because I hope it will niost probably
carry through in our present pitiful circumstances.
This opinion, I think, should be supported, but very briefly, with
some reasons ; and the heads of thera I could wish generally agreed
on, and left to every Presbytery, where the opinion prevaUs, to be
put in their own words. What is found proven, and the pretty
strong expressions, I think, of the last Act of Asserably, in the flrst
part ofit, may be used pretty generaUy ; and they are so strong, that
one would [suppose] the Inference was to have been deposition'
rather than suspension. In the next room, sorae notice would be
taken of Mr Simson's retractations, which would be very carefully
worded. In this, Mr Simson's personal character cannot well be
missed, though as little as may be this way should be touched ; but
the meddling with it here seems, in some respect, lnerita.ble to us
that have been witnesses to his shifting and boutgates. His charac
ter does not corae up to that faimess and frankness that generally
he Is taken to have ; and facts are convincing enough to us who
are witnesses tothem. The difficulty is how to convince strangers.
Some things even In order to this might be cautiously and shortly
laid down, as that every body raust see, that had he had no difficulties
about the matter he now declares, and sentiments different from
this Church, he might have done it at first to the Presbytery, and
' Mild, mellow.

404 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
raore than once to the Coraraittee, where he had oftener opportu
nities than once, yet stiU loved to be in the clouds and mist ; that
his retractation was plainly wrung out of him piece by piece, and
according as he was informed of the unsatisfactoriness of his conces
sions to the raerabers of the Assembly, and the reserves that were
observed in what he said ; that It was made when directly under
the prospect of a sentence against hira ; that there is nothing na
tural and free In It ; that there are In it no acknowledgments of
what is proven, and found proven against hira ; but rather a plain
lessening of the proof; that his professions of sorrow are only for
offence taken, and not given ; that his resolutions in time to come
are general and restricted, and, in one word, not to be depended on,
since all his fair engagements in the first process have been for
gotten, and the Church's injunctions not at all kept. This brings
me forward to the second libel, which the Assembly hath not had
time to consider. But the plain proof that appears there, yea, his
own confession, that he has not in many things departed from his
notions, in his Answers to Mr Webster, when he taught since ; that
the force of the Act of Asserably, 1717, hath been neglected by
him ; besides the grossness of some of the tenets, which It's evident
he hath taught ordinarUy since, after he could not but know how
dissatisfying these tenets were to this Church, particularly as to
their connection [between raoral seriousness and grace,] and several
other particulars, reason, and his phrases about God's glory ; aU
these would be shortly couched by Presbyteries, as reasons why
they cannot but think that so notable a person, whom no acts can
tie, yea, after the Church's declared dislike, he ventures upon yet
more astonishing novelties, on the tremendous article of the
Trinity, all of them flatly contrary to the prohibitions of the As
serably, 1717, should teach no more; that however now he be
throAvn In to speak in the terms ofthe Church of Scotiand, and the
form of sound words, yet he stood out as long as possibly he could,
and his plain discourses with his scholars, and others, were of a
quite other strain, and his free acknowledgments, under sickness
and in health too, as to his being shaken, at least dubious as to
some great points ; and his quite change in his manner of teaching

AVODROW TO THOMAS LINNING. 405
of late, owned by himself, and declared by his scholars, and his
sudden departure from his former sound way of expressing himself
on the Trinity, and declared dislike at the very hypotheses, expres
sions, and terms, which now he Is returned to at last, and that
during the process itself ;— all these declare him to be a lover of
novelties, and given to changes, and unsettledness in terms and ex
pressions, one great thing in teaching ; and rauch raore in opinions
and notions, especiaUy in raatters of such weight as are libeUed in
the first and second libel. All this evidently raakes hira unfit for
the charge of youth.
I ara not of opinion that aU these, with other things that might
be added, should be put at fuU length in the act and instructions
from Presbyteries ; but they raay be the subject of conversation and
reasoning there for the conviction of brethren ; and sorae general
branches of thera, better worded than I have tirae to do, raight be
formed and spread through the generality of Presbyteries, by letters
to some one brother who might be depended on to make right use
of them. Certainly only a few of the clearest, most unexceptionable,
and plainest reasons, should be made use of in the act, just as every
Presbytery find theraselves affected Avith the weight of thera.
Thus you have my thoughts raptim on this subject, only to draw
out your riper and digested opinion, what raethods are most proper
at this juncture. I hope you wUl let rae have your sentiraents as
soon as may be. Begin to prepare matters in your Presbytery, for
brethren's having a just view of this raatter of last consequence ;
and I wish you would form the draught of an act and instructions
for yourselves, and if once one honest, just, and weU worded act
were drawn up, who knows what considerable influence it would
have on other Presbyteries, when they see others In earnest ? Let
me only add, that the sooner somewhat be done, so much the better ;
the more wiU know of It when adoing, and brethren wUl be got
acquainted in distant comers. I wish you be able to go In to the
Commission next month, and, when there, converse with brethren
from all comers; and I scarce know better service you can do
than to meet with brethren who have our purity in this Church

406 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
at heart, and agree upon some general course to be taken. 1
hope, as to the substance, it wUl In part coincide with what is
above. Forgive this trouble. The Lord be with you under your
failures, and support you under old age and infirmities. And if
you be not able to go to the Commission, I wish you would write
in, to somebody you think proper, your sentiments, and desire their
return. Mind to send me Durham on Job, My dearest respects
to Mrs L, I am. Rev. Dear Sir, yours.
Oct. 30, 1728.

LETTER CLXIX.
SAME SUBJECT,
To Mr William Macknight.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours ofthe 25th of November,
and could not till now find as much time as to raake a return, which,
when it comes, is very little AVorth whUe.
As to your first query, which, In ray opinion, is the main hinge
of any thing like a difficulty In the case now before Presbyteries,
that Is, Mr SIrason's retractation, as you put it, whether a man, after
such a retractation, Is to be rejected as a heretic, I am of opinion is
much out of the field. A heretic Is a word and way of speaking
that needs no doubt a great deal of explication, and perhaps an ob'
stinate heretic needs more. I never resohe to break my bniln upon
either. I think it's plain enough that Mr Sirason has taught heresy,
and the Asserably hath found Avhat araounts to this. But whether
it's now heresy or pertinacious heresy, after a retractation, is In my
opinion a very useless question. I am, Indeed, of the mind that a
man who has taught unsound doctrine in the great truths of our
religion, and hath been suspended for it, should not be reponedj were
his repentance and declarations plainer than in this case, with the
utmost allowances that can be made. I should soon know what I
had to do, if a young student had the charge of my chUdren, and

WODROW TO WILLIAM MACKNIGHT. 407
had taught them to Ue, to equivocate, to commit wickedness, and
when he had stiffly denied aU, questioned my power to inquire
into his raanner of teaching, refused to answer ray inquiries
touching his teaching my boys, till I had proven aU against him,
and was just going to give ray opinion upon the whole, and re
tracted aU, and professed sorrow for what was past, and his resolu
tions to guard against these things in tirae to come. I'll assure you
1 would not trust ray children to him, If another were to be had In
the world, and even though I coxdd not have another, I would let
them read alone rather than continue under such a person. But,
indeed, this is too favourable a state, considering what passed In Mr
Webster's process, and the engagements he came under then. In
short, Mr Simson's retractation has no weight with me at all ; for his
reposition, considering his personal character, which would be the
last thing I would raeddle with, if the weight to be laid on any
deed of his did not, iii its very nature, depend upon it, in so far
that there is no passing it. In short, his inconstancy, variable
ness, and the raany turns and shapes he hath appeared in, make any
retractation, were it quite of a stronger nature than this, of no
weight with me. The plain shiftings and hedglngs I have observed
before the committee, and you could not miss noticing in the As
sembly, raake rae entertain a quite other opinion of his character
than frank and open, as he Is generaUy thought to be.
Every body, I think, may see if Mr Simson had had no difficulty
about the matters, which now he declares pretty frankly In Avords ;
had he had no sentiments different from this Church, he could have
made no scruple to declare his mind on them to the Presbytery
and Committee. But he stUl loved to be In the clouds In things
he now with open mouth declares. Y'^ou saw as weU as I, that
every branch of thie retractation was wrung out of him, and he
was near three days in the press before what we have came out.
Piece by piece it cast up, as he was informed of the unsatisfying
nature of his concessions to the members of the Asserably, and the
reserves they observed him to raake in what he said. Is there any
thing natural and free In It ? There are no acknowledgments of

408 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
what was proven against him, that I reraeraber, but rather an al
leviating and lessening of every thing. His professions of sorrow,
scrimp as they are, are for scandalum acceptum, non datum. His reso
lutions of bettering in time to come are general, and yet limited,
so as I know not what to make of thera. But supposing all were
otherwise, what can be made of them ? when he has so plainly
broke through all the bounds that the Church set to him for
merly, as we plainly saw, who were on the second Ubel, and you
may see from the state of the process.
This brings me to your second query, to which I answer very
shortly, that, in ray opinion, there Is enough found proven by the
Assembly in the first libel, to bar Mr Simson from teaching any
more. These three years I have been vritness to so many bad
things, in the tossing of proofs, vritnesses, and questions, of such
a tender nature, in public, that, for my own part, I am heartUy
wearied of it, and wish they were out of people's mouths, and off
the field ; and yet there are to me so raany gross things confessed by
hiraself, and fuUy proven by distinct witnesses, that I vrish heartUy,
such as have any doubts ofthe proof of the first Ubel, raight be satis
fied by the Asserably's going through our Committee's procedure
on the second libel, and either finding it proven or not. For my
share, I am so exceedingly grieved with the doctrine he hath
taught since the 1717, I think the unsavoury and pernicious doc
trine there instlUed into the youth, in any former period of this
Church alone, without the far raore weighty things in the second
libel, would have laid aside any minister or teacher in this Church.
Your third query relates to the second libel, which, if I am not
raistaken. Is not reraitted by the last Assembly to Presbyteries, and
first comes regularly before an Assembly, when they find cause to
take up the consideration of it ; which, indeed, I think they must
necessarily take before them, before they can take off the suspen
sion or repone Mr Simson. As to your query, the Assembly,
1717, did not at all raark out that  of the unsound passages In
Mr SIrason's Answers to Mr Webster. You know he printed them
himself, and continued stUl to recomraend his answers to his scholars

AVODROW TO WILLIAM MACKNIGHT. 409
whenever he had occasion to teach any of these subjects. The
Committee of Purity, 1716, went through Mr Webster's libel, and
classed the propositions in it to such as were debated among ortho
dox and sound divines, and such as were unsound, and went through
the probation as to both. The Assembly foUowed their comraittee's
method, and when they had gone through the controverted and
dubious propositions, came to enter upon those that were reckoned
erroneous, and came to that of the connection, as It's generaUy
termed, between moral seriousness and grace, and when entering
upon that, without going through the rest, it was judged safest to
end that unhappy affair by the general prohibitions in the act 1717,
which. In all the four branches of them, however now explained
away, had a plain reference to the propositions, about which sound
writers were not agreed, and yet the Asserably reckoned unfit to be
cast up in this Church, and those which were directly found to be
unsound. Now, as you'U see in our minutes, when the committee,
1727-8, were upon the second libel, it's fuUy proven that Mr Sim
son hath taught both the unnecessary things, ready to stir up strifes,
which were prohibited, and the connection and other things directly
prohibited and found among the unsound. When the Asserably
goes through our procedure, and finds, as I think they vrill, as we
have done, I believe it wiU be out of question that Mr Simson hath
broken all, and the youth ought not to be committed to the care of
one whom no bonds can tie, and who hath taught not only the dis
putable points when prohibited, but the propositions which the As
sembly, 1717, found among the undoubted errors, though no parti
cular condescension was made, (the affair being, as I said, inter
rupted in the very middle, and that out of regard to Mr Simson,
under promises to guard against those things in time to come, and
promises no more to teach any thing that might breed disturbance,)
save in the generals you name in the act 1717.
To end, after professions and promises to obtemper that act, he
hath aU along continued his former way of teaching, and ventured
on far greater errors upon the awful Trinity. And now, when
sentence is coraing on him, he comes in to the same hypotheses, ex-

410 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
pressions, and terms, he had declared himself unsatisfied with on the
doctrine of the Trinity. One cannot help thinking he is a lover of
novelties, given to changes, and unsettled in the very main points
of religion, and any settlement he is now corae to is from the fears
of a sentence.
Thus you have my sentiments with great plainness and freedom,
just raptim as they come in my head. I believe they can be of very
little use to you or those you speak of; but they are some of the
things that lie uppermost with rae, and are so weighty upon me, as
to one In such a post as the care of youth who have their eye to the
rainistry, that I think I shall never have any satisfying answer to
thera ; though, if I know rayself, I am wllUng to receive light, and
be set right in any of them I am mistaken in. I easUy foresee a fatal
breach in this poor Church if Mr Simson be reponed, which I am
persuaded I shall never Uve to see healed. The Presbytery of
Glasgow have talked over this affair, and reasoned upon it formerly,
and this week I hear of none but Mr Wishart, (Principal Campbell
was not with thera this week,) but are of opinion that the next
Asserably should lay hira aside. They have appointed a commit
tee to forra instructions to their Coraraissioners to the next Gene
ral Assembly, and to bring them in to their next Presbytery day ifi
January next. I am yours.
December 6, 1728.

LETTER CLXX.
SCOTTISH BIOGRAPHY. — REMISSIONS FOR HERESY;
To tlie Laird of Earlston, at his Lodgings, Edinburgh,
Dear Sir, — I have been frequently thinking on what you so
kindly coraraunicated to me in my last, as Avhat you had observed

AVODROAV TO THE LAIRD OP EARLSTON. 411
in the Register of Privy Seals, (if I reraeraber,) of a great many re
missions upon sentences for heresy, before the Reformation.
In a few weeks I hope to end the first draught of my introduc
tion to our Scots Biography. It's like to be very large. I have,
in the best raanner I could, drawn down the history of the state of
reUgion and learned raen in Scotland, in every century since the
first settlement of Christianity to the Reformation. I have glA'cn
a short sketch of the history of the Reformation abroad, and a larger
account of that of England, in as far as I think they had Influence
on ours in Scotland, and have met with a very (to me) surprising
paraUel between the sentiments, usages, and practices ofthe English
Reformers and our Scotch Reformers ; and now I am of opinion
that, bating the office of bishops, they agree in most other things,
and even as to national covenanting, which was the very first step
of our reformers. I have now very near finished the History of
our sore Sufferings before the Reforraation, and have, frora Calder
wood's manuscript and other accounts not in print, formed narra
tives (taking in what we have in print in Knox and Fox) of near a
hundred martyrs and confessors.
But I am persuaded I raight have great help on this subject frora
the reraisslons you told rae of in the above Register. It will be need
ful to go as far back as King Jaraes the First's reign, or even the
1400 ; but frora the 1500 to 1550, particular notice would be taken
of the remissions for heresy.
It's scarce possible for me to be so long at Edinburgh as to make
this search myself. I was humbly desiring you might take a
note of the remissions of this nature as you went through the Re
gister. I humbly repeat my request unto you, though it were to
be but an index to me, if I shaU find any time to look into them ;
and the persons' names and years, and the heads of the indictraent,
if they be in the remission, would make my work exceeding easy.
Forgive ray raaking such a proposal. I know your concern for
any thing of a public nature, especiaUy what relates to religion ;
and If you had any leisure to take notes this way, I should raake

412 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
the best iraprovement of them I could to enlighten this part of
history. I know your ancient famUy of Earlston were very early enlight
ened with the knowledge of the truth ; and I cannot but think
they would have a share in the sufferings and the Reformation.
I hear the New Testament was early, in EngUsh, among your ances
tors. Pray fail not to set down whatever you can coUect (even but
by tradition) this way, and send me.
Favour me, as soon as you can, with a Une by post, and as much
assistance as your leisure can aUow in this good work. Accept of
my best wishes to yourself and family ; and allow me to subscribe
myself. Dear Sir, yours raost affectionately,
Eastwood, Jan. 31, 17'29.
rU be glad of your news, and to know if you have any other
letters of Mr Rutherford's to your predecessors than are printed.

LETTER CLXXL
DECLINE OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND.
lo the Laird qf Earlston, at his Lodgings, Edinburgh.
Dear Sir, — Yours of the Sth instant was extremely acceptable.
I thank you for the just and proper advice you give me as to single
ness in the Biography. I agree Arith you in sentiments that we
are on the decline for raany years, and my searches Into the senti
ments and practices of our reformers from Popery lead me to begin
our decline before your date of the PubUc Resolutions. There
was too much eyeing of men even in our good times between the
1637-1649, and I cannot help observing blemishes even amongthe
Protesters themselves. I resolve, as far as light and facts wlU carry,

WODROAV TO WILLIAM LIVINGSTON. 413
to notice what appears blameable in the best ; though it's a ques
tion if I shall live so long as to carry the Biography down to the
Protesters and Resolutioners. Indeed, it appears to me that our re
formers, and their successors, down to the Union of the Crowns,
may put us all to the blush that have foUowed since ; and It Avas
some thoughts this way that their lives raight be useful for convic
tion and upstlrring that put rae on writing them.
I thank you for your offer of your old Bible. AU In the Saxon
character wUl be acceptable. I am. Dear Sir, yours.
Feh. 24.

LETTER CLXXIL
DOMESTIC AFFLICTION. — IRISH DISSENTERS, — SIMSON,
To the Rev, Mr William Livingston, Minister at Temple-Patrick.
Rev, Dear Brother, — I have yours ofthe 29th of March, by
Mr Macknight, It seeras mine to you have miscarried ; for, be
sides what I wrote in June, which I heard from you about, I wrote
since about November, I ara obUged, however, to your concern
for rae and good wishes.
My circurastances, at present, do not allow me to enlarge, neither
need I, considering Mr Macknight knows all I know, especiaUy as
to unhappy Mr Simson, My eldest son, of eighteen years, a boy
of excellent parts, and I hope pious, is very near death, and though
this situation would have made you pity and excuse rae, though I
had been silent, yet I could not but express my tender sympathy
(now when I need it so much) with the Protestant Dissenters in
the North, in the rueful circumstances you acquaint me with, which
is a matter of another weight than my poor afflicted family. The
Lord overrale this Providence for great ends, sanctify it, support

414 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
you and raany of my dear brethren with you, under your discou
ragements and pressures, and deliver frora thera with advantage.
You have, It seems, very foolish idle stories spread among you
as to our present state. We have no such views here. Heats have
been in some few Presbyteries, and some of our younger brethren
have discovered theraselves too rauch ; but I think such dis-.
coverles should be iraproven by us, and I own, are raatter of a deep
hurailiation, and forebode rauch evil, if grace prevent not. But
there are but three or four Presbyteries, as far as I can hear, that
give instructions favourable to Mr Slrason, and those not without
a considerable struggle. For my share, I ara surprised, with some
pleasure, there are not raore. The plurality, by far, are for deposi
tion, and all, save these three or four, for laying him aside from
teaching. It's no great riddle to know how these reports are raised
among you. We rejoice they are so Ill-founded. Pray for conduct
to the next Asserably. If my circumstances allovfr' me to be a wit-.
ness, you shall hear how raatters go. The Lord himself appear !
I ara extremely concerned to hear of worthy Mr Hutchison's
death. We raay hope his Answer wUl be reprinted. I am In
pain for Dr Masterton. The Lord preserve him ! Pray for us.
Mind rae and my family. Three of my children, besides my dying
son, are under affliction. O for sanctificatlon to them of my house I
Give ray kindest respects to Messrs M'Bride, Kennedy, Masterton,
and all brethren of ray acquaintance. You raade me hope for some
what about your Ministers and Christians. Grace, gi-eat grace be
with you I Believe that I am. Rev. Dear Brother, yours In affliction
and affection.
April 14, 1729.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 415

LETTER CLXXIII.
LETTERS FROM THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 1729.'
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 1. May 6, 1729.
My Dear, — I have not time to write at length this post. On
Sabbath there were two serraons preached before the Commissioner,^
by Mr George Logan in the forenoon, and a rainister in Fife in the
afternoon, Mr Monro, both of whora, it seeras, spoke favourably of
Mr Simson. This day the Asserably entered on Mr Simson''8 af
fair, and after reading the act of the last Assembly, called hira, and
then he was removed, and they debated four hours, whether he was
legally sisted before the Assembly. There was much said against
his being sisted by reference by Professor HamUton and the law
yers, who were generaUy against his being sisted ; yet, without a
vote, it was agreed he was before the Assembly, and the Assembly
resolved to go on in the affair. This he seemed to be dissatisfied
Arith when he came in, and denied some things the Moderator and
the Assembly thought he said at the bar, and gave another sense
of thera. However, the Assembly adhered to their resolution, and
he is to be heard to-morrow. The bulk of the ministers seem to be
for deposition. The event is yet uncertain. The Lord guide aU I
My service to my Lord.
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xviii. Nos. 231-238.
? David, Earl of Bupbsjn.

416

THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE

LETTER CLXXIV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 2. May 7.
My Dear, — I wrote a hint to you yesterday, but had no time to
give fuU accounts. The minutes of their procedure upon Monday,
which was taken up in Mr Wilkie of UphaU his transportation to
Dundee. The caU was unanimous, and five vacancies In that Pres
bytery, yet he was averse, and the Coraraissioner, one of his heri
tors, and so the transportation was refused by a great majority.
Yesterday the process about Mr Sirason came in, the first diet of
it. The act of the last Assembly was read. Then the report of
the Coraraittee of Instructions and Overtures was read about Pres
byteries' Instructions upon the remit to them. There are a great
many for deposition, and as many near for laying him aside from
his office ; only two for reposition. There had been many debates
in the Sub-committees, which I cannot resume, not being here.
The overture, on the whole, was to this purpose, that whatever re
gard is to be shown to the Instructions from Presbyteries, yet
every member in this Asserably Is at liberty to act according to his
own light, and Is not bound by Instructions to vote otherwise, and
that the Assembly take this affair Into their serious consideration, and
do as they find cause. I am sure the Assembly have now declared
themselves a free court, and that cannot be objected against them.
There was no reasoning in the Asserably upon this overture, and It
Avas gone into ; and Mr Sirason was caUed. He signified that he
Avas corae in, over raany difficulties, to be at hand, in case the As
serably wanted hira ; and though he might plead several things in
laA^' and equity, why he was not regularly sisted before this Assem
bly, yet, at present, he did not insist upon these. He was asked if
he had any thing to represent to the Assembly, now that they were

AVODROAV TO MRS AVODROW. 417
to take up his affair where the last ended. He said he did not know
what method they were fo take it in ; he did not think that they
could enter upon any thing noAv tUl he had had time to be heard ; he
took the last Assembly's sentence to be final, and that he had no raore
place here, not being cited, but to petition for taking off the suspen
sion; that he had a paper to lay before the Asserably, but It was not
ready. The Assembly caused remove him, after they had inquired if
he had obeyed the Assembly's sentence of suspension, which he said
he had done in the strictest raanner, and had a testlraony of his
colleagues to produce If necessary. After he was removed, Mr
Campbell, Principal, offered to produce the testimony of the Uni
versity In his favours. This was rauch opposed by Mr Linning,
Mr Logan, and others on that side. It was urged by thera, that
Principal Campbell had offered that paper to the Instructions, and
they refused it ; that If It was a representation to the Assembly, It
should come in by the Bills ; If It was instructions, it was a no
velty, and no instructions from the coUeges and burghs had ever
been received, and Mr Simson's affair was remitted to Presbyteries.
On the other hand. It was said that it was not known what was In
that paper, but it was offered as a voucher, to what Mr Simson said
Avas his obedience to the Assembly's act, and It should be read. It
was objected, that there was more in the paper. To that it was
said, the Assembly might stop any thing that was out of the Avay
when read. So, after an hour's being lost, it was read. When read,
it contained very Uttle, indeed, to vouch what the Professor had
said, but an attestation of his orthodoxy, and of their power to
judge doctrine, and a declaration, upon a paper given by Mr
Simson, of their being satisfied as to his orthodoxy. They own
the Assembly's power to judge their members, but declare they
think the suspension should be taken off. Several speeches were
made against the College's testimonial, and how unsuitable It was
to have been read. But the Assembly waived that, and came
to consider whether Mr Simson were legally sisted before them.
That debate turned much on the lawyers. The President, Solici
tor, Lord Drummore, Mr Dundas, spoke on one side. Before them,
vol. III. ' 2d

418 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
Professor HamUton spoke against its being before the Assembly
by a reference, and endeavoured to show that the Act of Assembly,
1643, comes not up to this case. He was answered by Messrs
Linning and Logan. The Form of Process, supposing that refer
ences sisted parties, was not so much observed as I thought It
might. The lawyers, generally speaking, insisted that in cIvU
courts there was no criminal but behoved to be cited ; that when
one parliament has a continued case that another parliament had,
the party should be certiorated ; that in case of a reference from the
Justiciary to the Circuit, there behoved to be a new citation ofthe
pannel. But it was not observed, that the Assembly was an an
nual court ; and they say a continued case before the Lords of Ses
sion needs no citation. But, generally speaking, they aU concluded
that Mr Sirason was present, not declining the Assembly, and
therefore Avas to be held as present, tiU the Assembly came to de
termine the case, and then this question was to be considered.
On the other side, among the lawyers, Affleck, TuUibody, Gordon
of Ardoch, Enterkin, and some others, spoke for his being here
regularly by the continuation of the affair. Principal Haddow
spoke at the close, and said It Avas not so honourable for the As
serably to go on tUl they knew If they had a party ; to delay this
question till afterwards was not decent ; and reckoned he was
cited by the reference, in comraon practice, he was caUed the first
day, and a letter wrote since to hira, which he owned the receipt
of, and carae in after it ; that if any thing was Avanting, it might
be now supplied at the bar by a direct citation. The Lords and
lawyers insisted a little upon the hastiness of the reference to the
Presbyteries, and Mr SIrason's not being able to be present at all
Presbyteries to which It was referred. On this Professor Hamilton
ahd touched. But to that it was answered, that there was no need
of Presbyteries having Mr Simson with them ; but the reference
brought him to the Asserably, who were only judges in this case.
After long reasoning, the Asserably shunning a vote, which such
who Avere against the Professor seemed to urge, agreed as I wrote
yesternight. So the Assembly formed their resolve, that, consider-

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 419
ing what had been intimated from the bar of the last Assembly,
(which takes in the reference,) and the Assembly calUng him for
merly, and writing to hira, and his submitting the affair to the As
sembly to judge therein as they saw cause, at the bar, they found
him regularly sisted, and resolved to proceed. This was intimated
to him ; he complained that he had not used those expressions at
the bar, that he could not but think his affair was ended. His
expressions were rased out ; though certainly he had them, or equi
valent words.
Thus you have yesterday's work. This day the Assembly met
at ten, and entered on reading their minutes. Upon the reading
of them, the abstract of the CoUege paper was cast in, that they
vouched his obedience to the Act of Assembly, and upon a paper
given in to them declared his orthodoxy. This was quarreUed, and
there were several speeches against the CoUege paper ; that it was
brought in yesterday irregularly as a voucher, and when read, much
more was found in it ; that the CoUege were not judges of doctrine ;
that no more should be in the rainute, if any thing at aU, but their
vouching his obedience to the Assembly's Act ; that the rest should
be left out. Mr Stewart of Perth moved that Mr SIrason's paper
given in to the CoUege should be read, upon which their testlraony
went ; that was opposed, and the rainute altered, and made only to
refer to Mr Simson's obedience to the Act of Assembly. This de
bate lost an hour. Mr Gray was like to turn keen, and said that the
Faculty of Theology might judge the doctrine, but not the Faculty
of the University ; that It was known many of the merabers of the
University, who had the honour of truth raost at heart, were not
there, and refused to join ; that he did not think any but the Dean of
Faculty and Principal, whom he excepted out of what he had said,
were judges, and that the regents and other members had no claim
to judge doctrine. The Principal urged that when Mr Gray was
Dean of Faculty, he had not caUed a Faculty ; in answer to that,
he had said that the Faculty had not done any thing for three
years in that affair. The matter was waived, and the minute cor
rected as above. Then they came to consider what to do next.

420 THE AVODROW CORRESrONDENCE.
The Moderator raoved that the Asserably should either state their
raethod of procedure first, or caU Mr Simson to see what he had to
offer. On this a debate rose, which of the two should be gone
iuto. I thought those who seeraed raost favourable to Mr Simson
Avere for calling him first. The other side therefore agreed on the
method ; and that it should be determined whether the former
Asserably had finished this affair or not. A vote was urged upon
that ; but at length it was agreed to call in Mr Sirason, and intl
raate to him that the Asserably were to enter on his affair, and
consider whether they were to go on to any further sentence, or
continue the forraer, or to make alterations, and were willing to
hear him on these heads. He was caUed, and Avas half an hour be
fore he came. He gave in a large paper, which Mr Paisley read,
full of submission, large declarations of his orthodoxy in the words
of the Confession and Catechisms, and his former declarations,
and sorae pretty sharp innuendoes of the prejudices rainisters had
taken up against hira, through the spreading of pamphlets against
him, and sorae soleran declarations and Scriptures pretty harshly
appUed. It's very long, and I believe wiU be printed soon, and
subjects all to the Assembly in the words of Jereraiah, and the
words of the Glleadites and others, Joshua xxii. Then he desired
the Asserably's words raight be explained, whether they were on
opening or recognoscing of the sentence of the last Assembly, and
he would give in his ansAver next diet. The Assembly told him
their resolve was plain ; these terras were not applicable here so
well ; and he was appointed to give in answers as far as he could
against five of the clock. May 7, Post Meridiem, 5 Afternoon.
This night the Assembly met. Mr Simson Avas heard to say
Avhat he had to say, upon the Assembly their going on to a fur
ther sentence, or continuing the former or altering it, upon the
head of Christ's Necessary Existence, and ended that head. Mr
Murrajr, his advocate, spoke some more than an hour and about a
half, and had nothing new I could observe, and did, indeed, on the

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 421
matter read the forraer pleadings that are in print, and had thera
in his hand. Mr Slrason followed him near an hour or more. I
observed as little new in him, but only sorae things — that he had
given satisfaction to the Church, not at the last, but as soon as he
could, (witness his letter to the Presbytery of Glasgow,) and that he
was right In refusing queries, because the Assembly had vindicated
him, and altered sorae of the queries as to Independence, &c.
After he was done, he craved to get leave to stay in as an Indul
gence when the Asserably reasoned. That was not agreed to, but
he staid in, and was overlooked. This kept us late, and to
morrow at ten the Asserably sits. And Mr Sirason Is desired to
shorten, and to end to-raorroAV.

b

LETTER CLXXV.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 3.
My Dearest, — ^I have nothing alraost to write from the As
sembly this day ; and yesterday's procedure you have a pretty full
account of, by a letter which I hope this night would reach you by
a private hand. This day the Asserably met at ten, and upon
reading the minutes, which were pretty fuU, as to Mr Simson and
his advocate's pleadings upon the second article about Necessary
Existence ; and yet sorae things were added to thera. Upon this, a
debate rose whether the pleadings of parties should be recorded more
than pleadings of merabers, and especially things that were already
in print. On the other hand, it was urged that the rainutes [other
wise] would be very lame and useless as to the design of thera, that
is, to be a narrative of fact. Upon this, it was resolved that the
subjects pled to should be named and no more. Another debate
arose about Mr SIrason's being present at debates ; he had foolishly
intermixed in the question about the minutes. Yesternight he
sought to be allowed to be present at the reasonings, and aUeged
the Assembly 1717 had aUowed hira, and which Avas true, that we

422 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
in the Cornmlttee for Purity aUowed hira. But it happened that
his desire was thrown out last year by a vote, and the Assembly
would not repea.1 what was done, Then he and his advocate, Mr
Murray, were heard on what remained on the second and third
articles. I observed nothing new, but reading what was before in
print, and in reasoning raore than once. Indeed, the cause is ex
hausted. In the afternoon the Assembly meet at five, when I
hope they wiU end their pleadings; and if the Assembly wui
through their debates among members to-morrow and Saturday,
it's as much as I expect. My duty to my Lord. I am, my Dear,
your own.
Mays.

LETTER CLXXVI,
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 4, May 9, 1729.
My Dear, — Yesternight the Assembly met at five, and heard
out Mr Simson and his advocates, their pleading upon the rest of
the articles, I observed nothing new but what is in the prints, un
less it was, which I may have forgot, a quibble about Christ's being
non Deus Supremus, and the Supreme Deity being attributed to
the Father, and not to the Son, which Mr Simson said was not at
all proved as UbeUed; and some expUcations of the numerical
oneness, as to a qualified relation to specifical oneness, and the
oneness of two or three, which was so thin, I could not fathom
it. Mr Murray ended the pleadings with a warm speech,
recollecting aU that had been pled, and addressed himself to
the passions and affections of the House. At the close, it was
moved, that Mr Simson should be indulged to continue in the
House, ex gratia, and we had speeches from Professor Hamilton,
Mr G. Logan, Mr Goudy, Mr Alexander Robison, Mr James Al
lan, Mr M'George, Principal Chalmers, my Lord Drumraore, the
Solicitor, and others on that side. The other side answered them,

AVODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 423
that the granting of this was an ill precedent ; it was unreason
able ; that when Mr Simson Avas needed to clear in facts, they
would caU for hira ; that what was urged that he might be pre
sent for his instruction was ill-grounded ; when his judges were to
advise on the sentence, they were to instruct one another, not
him ; that his proposal of sitting stUl, and at the close speaking if
aUowed, was of no use but to protract the affair. They desired the
matter, after an hour's spending on it, might be brought to a vote;
but aU along a vote is guarded against by the side who appear raost
favourable to Mr Slrason. Whether they dread their want of
numbers, or if it be that all that is done may be unanimous, I can
not say. And so Mr Simson was excluded, being present at ad
vising without a vote.
This day the Assembly raet at ten, and sat till three, and raet at
five, and continued tiU near ten. I cannot give a full detail of the
speeches, raany of them half hours, that I could wish. Ten hours
hearing is not for my faUing meraory. The Moderator called up
Mr Linning, who declared himself for the Assembly's going on to
further censure, and saw nothing in Mr Simson's defences at the bar
to hinder this. After him Mr AUan Logan was caUed, and declined
to speak as yet. Then Mr Alexander Anderson spoke, and was for
going on to a further sentence, but did not come to particulars.
He urged the words of the last Act of Assembly, which declared
several things reraaining, and that what Mr Sirason and his advo
cate had spoke from the bar, was so far frora reraoving the grounds
for favour, that they have increased. He alleged that Mr Simson
continued to impugn what the last Assembly had found relevant and
proven ; and that he had declared he never was of different senti
ments from this Church ; that he had no way changed his senti
ments, but was stiU of the same mind with this Church, He al
leged this weakened terribly all his declarations and renunciations,
and feU upon his speech, which I sent you ; alleged that in It he had
dropped what forraerly, about numerical oneness, he had declared,
though he there, indeed, repeats his former declarations, and in the
end of it compared hiraself to the Apostle Paul and David, and had
many harsh and ill-natured expressions of the Assembly and his

424 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,
judges. He was answered by Principal Carapbell, who declared he
had conversed with the' Professor, and had found him, as far as he
could judge, sincere In aU his declarations ; that his reasonings at
the bar were In self-defence, and not arralgnlngs of the procedure
of the last Asserably ; that his speech yesterday, he thought, was a
most orthodox one, and pleasing to aU he had spoke to ; with some
other little argulngs of this nature. Then Mr Craig was caUed
upon, who began with sorae reflections on the Presbytery of Glas
gow, whose harsh treatraent of Mr Sirason, and mutual jealousies,
had raised humour in him, and made hira to delay too long to give
his declarations ; that he was to be restored, having faUen, (which
word he thought was too softly translated, and was used for the sins
which Christ bore, and the greatest of sin,) In the spirit of meek
ness ; that he was of opinion the Assembly should go no further than
the last had gone. Mr WUliam Stewart in Kiltearn foUowed, and
considered the iraportance of this matter, and concluded that Mr
Simson should be deposed, and should enter into a course of repent
ance, and make public retractation of what was proven in the Kirks
of Glasgow ; and If penitent, that the Assembly foUowing inight
consider of his repentance on proper certificates ; if he did not re
pent and retract, that the Church should go on to a higher sen
tence, as one that does not hear the Church. He, I think, in
stanced the Asserably, 1638, who suraraarlly deposed the Bishops
for error, and, on non-corapearance, excommunicated them, I'U
certainly miss some of the speakers ; but, as far aa I mind, Mr
WUliam Stewart, minister of Perth, followed, and had a long and
very good discourse, modest and pointed. He complained much
of the defectiveness of Mr Simson's renunciations. He wondered
how ever It came In his raind not to teach Necessary Existence ;
that he had charged all the hypotheses upon the Trinity, as insuf
ficient to reraove the objections of adversaries ; that he had not re
nounced his refusing the Supreme Deity to the Son and Spirit ;
that, at the bar, he had yesterday declared he Avas of the sarae sen
timents with the Church on the Trinity, and ever was ; that he
could not connect these with what Avas found proven ; that he
wanted repentance and retraction of these, and could not but sus-

WODROAV TO MRS AVODROW, 425
pect but that there was sorae latent, if not worse,' errors concealed
under these, with raany other pointed things, Mr George Logan
of Dunbar followed, and aUeged Christ's restoring Peter, after a
worse fall than Mr SIrason's was, to his apostolical office ; and re
peated, they say, much of what he had In his lecture Sabbath last,
which Is to be printed. Then he signified how rauch he was satis
fied with Mr Simson's declarations, and told us he was the person
that led him to begin thera last year ; that his raaking thera so
late Avas owing to the treatraent of the Coraraittee, (sorae of them
he should have said,) who declared that his retractations now un
der a view of the sentence would not satisfy. Then, as to the nu
merical oneness, he alleged the whole current of Protestant writers
expressed themselves much as Mr Simson did, and were not even
for using the term nuraerical, but unicus and singular, and cited
Gomaras, Cloppenburg, Hombeck, and Cheynell, in England,
Then he urged the common topic at present, that there was not
one Council had ever deposed an erroneous person after he had
renounced his errors, and cited two or three instances. But, un
luckUy, they all afterwards, when received, fell back to their errors
and worse. He left other citations to Mr Goudy,' who, he said, was
better prepared, and dared, yea charged, any meraber of the As
sembly to show one instance of going on to censure upon a decla
ration of orthodoxy as Mr SIrason's. Mr Clow was next, and was
for going to a further censure. I forgot, too, Mr John Wilson of
Glencorse, who had a very warra and affectionate speech with
much seriousness, rejoicing, as he said, that Christ was preached,
whether in pretence or reality, and many professions of his con -
cern for the glory of Christ his Redeemer, which every body be-
Ued. He. ended with a remark, iU-founded, I doubt, that the As-
' sembly's Act last year declared that Mr Sirason had only subverted
some circurastantlal truth. Mr Jaraes Allan, a near relation of Mr
Simson's, made a speech in favour of Mr Simson ; Uttle new in it.
. ' Mr, afterwards Dr, John Gowdie, or Gaudy, as Wodrow sometimes has it,
(now anglicised into Goldie,) was first settled at Earlston, was transported to Edin
burgh in 1730, and became Professor of Divinity and Principal there. — (See Mor
ten's Annals, i. 319.)

426 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
He noticed that ministers were not to speak wrong for God ; that
Mr Sirason had renounced what was found error, and altered his
mind, which was the best repentance ; that undoubtedly he was
sincere, and his temper frank ; that no huraan consideration would
move him ; that the last Assembly's sentence was final, and not to
be opened.
In the afternoon the Assembly met, and it being argued upon
In the forenoon, that the Act ofthe last Assembly was final, by seve
rals. Principal Haddow and others urged, that before any other
thing the Asserably should deterraine whether the Act of the last
Asserably was so or not ; for, if it was final, then to be sure they
were losing time exceedingly. Several arguments were brought to
prove it not flnal ; and Mr A. Anderson appealed to Professor Ha
mUton, if that Avas not the very concession and midse,' yielded to
for peace last Assembly, that the sentence should be kept open.
He did not refuse it, but did not remember distinctly Avhat passed.
He said he was of opinion, the Act of the last Assembly was final
In one sense, and not in another. However, this declaration was
urged ; and, to shun a vote, it was yielded to be marked in the
minutes, that, notwithstanding of the Act of the last Assembly,
it was in the power of this Assembly to go to a further sentence,
or alter the last sentence, or lessen it. Then the reasonings of
members were resuraed, Mr Goudy being naraed, said he was
willing to hear others ; and so Mr Warden spoke, and was heard
with very much attention. He spoke with seriousness and short.
He was for going further, because of the atrocity of Mr Simson's
crime found proven. He insisted upon the Assembly finding him
to have taught things subversive of the Church, &c., and in trear
son against our King ; he did not think that it was in the power of
the judges in that case, on retractions and repentance, to stop an
adequate sentence. He alleged that the places of restoring one
fallen, and forgiving others injuries to us, carae not up to this
case ; that charity and forgiving did not relate to entrusting Avith
an office, or our A-^aluable interests, to one's hand that had misman-
' Medium, or middle course.

WODROW TO MRS WODROW. 427
aged. Mr Monro of Kelso answered him with much forwardness,
and insisted much on our Lord's restoring of Peter, as he dalled it,
to an apostle's office, upon his repentance, when he had coraraitted
a greater fault than Mr Sirason, and aUeged Christ's example in
this as a binding rale to restore Mr Simson to his office ; and as to
treason, he said it was an offence against the society, tad could
not be forgiven. Mr Warden answered him several things, that
Peter's fall was out of fear, under a temptation, with reluctancy, and
not applicable to this case. The other answered, that Peter's case
was much more aggravated than Mr Simson's, that he believed he
had no fear of a gibbet, but a poor damsel, (but he did not consi
der her backing,) and many other things which I wish had been
let alone. I fear iU use he made of aggravating Peter's sin to en
courage sinners in sin. Mr A. Logan took hira up, and gave many
differences between Peter and Mr Simson. So did Mr Linning.
Mr John Gray spoke next, and wished no reflections had been
made on the Presbytery of Glasgow ; that they were groundless.
He pointed at Mr Craig ; that the CouncUs advanced were to no
purpose, and many of them Arian CouncUs ; that it was our sta
tute to depose a minister for perjury, fornication, &c. ; that repo
sition after that was not soon, nor to the same office ; that malver
sation in public trust, in civil courts, was ordinarUy foUowed with
declarations of incapacity. He represented the hazard of youth and
error, and the IU precedent of this, if nothing further were gone
into. I have not now room to go on.

LETTER CLXXVIL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 5. May 10, 1729.
My Dearest, — I have not time this night to continue my ac
count of yesterd^'y's procedure, far less this day's. I shaU endea-

428 THE AVODROAV CORUESPONDENCE.
vour to do It the next post. I can only add, that the Assembly
went on in their reasonings this day frora ten to five at night, or
four. There are severals to speak. But a Coraraittee is appointed
to raeet this night, to see if they can prepare the way for the As
serably coraing to an Issue in this affair. I can only teU you the
Coraraittee consists of eighteen ; nine on the one side of the ques
tion, nine on the other. I cannot, and scarce have time to name
thera ; the Moderator, Professor Harallton, Mr G. Logan, Mr
Gaudy, Mr AUan Logan, Principal Haddow, Mr Rarasay, Mr A.
Anderson, Mr Dundas, Mr Solicitor, Colonel Erskine, P. Drum
mond, &c. They are ordered to bring the draught of an overture
on both sides. They must bring what they agree to. This is not
to corae In till the reasonings are over on Monday. And if the
Asserably cannot come In to it, it stands in statu quo. I shall only
add, that I ara pretty certain the plurality are against Mr Simson.
The Court are, I think, content to go ftirther than suspension ;
what It Is we know not ; sorae say that he be laid aside from teach
ing, but not deposed. Pray for the Asserably ; they are coming
to a choak. I am, with my respects to my Lord, yours most af
fectionately.

LETTER CLXXVHL
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 6.

May 12.

My Dear, — Now Ave are within some view of land, if some wave
toss us not back. However, I'll begin where I left. I ended with
Mr J. Gray his speech on Friday afternoon. May the 9th. To
hira followed Mr G. Logan a second tirae. He thought himself
touched by what Mr Gray had said on CouncUs and other things.

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 429
and repeated what he said about thera, raaintaining that the Coun
cils he naraed were not Arian Councils ; put again his arguraent
that it would be a reckoning ourselves wiser than all the Christians
before us if we should depose after sound declarations, and chal
lenged any in the House to give an instance of an erroneous person
being censured after a retraction, and turned a little warm. Mr
WiUison of Montrose foUowed, and gave a long narrative what
offence had been given by the pannel, and how he had put mini
sters and Christians in the utmost fear that the youth were cor
rupted ; he considered the errors in the procedure of Councils, and
might have added, they never had a person in the circumstances
vrith the pannel before them, and insisted for further censure, lay
ing aside frora teaching, at least. Mr Webster In Angus spoke
next, and observed sorae raistake in Mr Logan's History of Coun
cils, and a confounding Arius the Presbyter with Arlus the Here-
slarch, aUeged several Councils naraed were Arian CouncUs. This
brought up Mr G. Logan again in his own defence, who alleged
Arius the Presbyter was an Arian, and offered to vouch all his in
stances. Mr Boece of Kintyre foUowed, who declared his acquaint
ance AvIth Mr Slrason, his good thoughts of hira, his high esteem
of his father; but, since reading the process, he had altered his
sentiments ; that, considering what was found proven, he could not
see but the Church behoved to go further ; what that was he left
to the Assembly. Then the Moderator raoved that raany rainisters
having spoke, he might call on the honourable ruling elders, and
caUed up Mr Dundas. He spoke long, and after two days I can
not now resurae what he said. He thought Mr Slrason was staged
for heretical opinions, (which I take to be a general mistake, since
it's for teaching of error or heresy ;) that he had declared his dls-
beUef of these opinions, that now he was no raore to be held guilty.
He Insisted on the laraeness of the proof, and that now, indeed,
after declarations, there was no fault reraaining, and yet, perhaps,
he was more of the sentiments of those who Avere on the other side
of the question than they raight think, but could by no raeans enter
into deposition ; that the opinion of Presbyteries did not bind him ;

430 the wodrow correspondence.
that he knew somcAvhat how IU this would look In the eyes of the
Avorld, and our best friends abroad in England, Holland, and else
where, if the Asserably should run cross to all the practice of per
sons In aU the ages of the Church ; that he saw the arguments of
raost run upon suspicions and jealousies, which could never enter
to a proof, and ought not to be an arguraent Avith any judge, be
cause they could never be proved ; there is no answering of them,
and judges must go secundum allegata and probata; that we were
all agreed In the truths controverted, and the Church Avas safe In
the present state, since Mr Slrason coiUd neither teach nor preach.
Affleck foUowed him, and took notice of the act of Parliament
against blasphemy in King WUliam's tirae ; that it was for wordsj
the first tirae standing in sackcloth, the second tirae arbitrary pun
ishraent, and at length death. He insisted upon the offence given,
and the proof, and seeraed to be for further censure. By tlus time
it was near ten at night.
On Saturday, May the 10th, the reasonings continued from ten
to four at night. They are, indeed, much out of head. Mr Brand
began with observing, how backward Mr Sirason was to answer
questions, and give any satisfaction to the Church of his soundness
in the faith ; that he had proposed to him before the Committee at
Glasgow to give sound declarations and answers ; that this was his
opinion then, and Mr WUliam MitcheU's, and others, that had he
done so, the Church needed go no further, but he was infiexible.
He went on to consider the proof, the want of retraction and re
pentance, and was for further censure. Mr Mackenzie In Inver
ness had a grave, pointed speech, declared he was unacquaint with
Mr Simson ; had no bias ; that his declarations were not full ; that
the eyes of God were upon us ; that there were three interests to
be looked to now, the glory of Christ, the peace of the Church, and
Mr Simson's ; that he wished all could be preserved, but neither
could, without further censure. He observed that Deism was
growing, that Non-subscribing principles Avere prevaUing in England
and Ireland ; that even in Scotland error was gaining ground, and
papers and proposals handed about among them, to reconcile sub-

AVODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 431
scribing the Westminster Confession with Arian and Deistlcal prin
ciples ; that it was high tirae to provide against these dreadful
things, when, if we look above, below, on each hand, we were In
the utmost hazard. Mr GUlesple followed him. He was long and
slow. He declared himself Mr Simson's friend, coraplained of the
lateness, want of fulness in his declarations, and his contradicting
them by his lawyers at the bar since, by declaring he had never
changed his sentiments, and was still ofthe same opinion with this
Church. He Avas for further censure. Mr Jaraes Gordon in Ross
spoke next, and stated the Scripture rules of judging. Mat. xa'IU.,
and in Timothy, and about restoring Peter, and could not conceive
that to be a rule of judging in this case. Professor HaraUton
foUowed him, and spoke an hour and some more, from notes In
his hand. He endeavoured to take off all that was said against
Mr Simson ; he considered the rule we were to judge by proof,
not suspicion and jealousy ; he considered the earliness of his de
clarations about Necessary Existence, in his letter to the Presby
tery of Glasgow, Answer to References, and his Representation ;
that Mr  had too much scrupulosity in giving these answers
their proper name; for they were answers to queries. He had
some squints on the Committee for Purity, that they were not
biassed in his favour ; that repentance could not be expected frora
Professor Simson, because he was not convinced of guUt, and the
proof was such, and but once, and therefore he wondered repent -
ance was insisted upon. This was not a moving consideration to
many. He cast up a sermon of Mestrezat, Moderator of a Synod
at Charenton, In a serraon preached before the Synod, on John I.
1, 2 ; that he said the Logos was an act of the Divine raind, and
yet he was not censured. As to CouncUs, he said they were not
urged as an arguraent authoritative, but from the internal reasons
of their procedure, and the rules of righteousness they went by.
He cautioned against judging by surmises and fear; rejoiced in the
unanimous declaration of this Assembly, that they were at liberty
to judge with freedora, and thought the opinion of Presbyteries
should not be cast up, further than their reasons went ; that unity

432 the AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
was to be endeavoured, and as a dissent had been spoken of last
year, so he believed another side this year would give the reasons
of their sentiraents publicly.
The Mr Solicitor followed. He pressed unity, and went through
the proof as not coraing up fully. He urged that It was Intention
raade the crirae ; that was disclaimed ; that we are to beUeve sin
cerity in speaking tiU the contrary appear, otherwise all society and
coraraerce will fall. He ended with falling in Arith Mr J. Scot's
motion for a Coraraittee. Mr Scot had defended the Presbytery
of Glasgow, and said that Mr Simson had refused to them to give
the words of the Confession of Faith, by way of answer to their
Interrogatories. Principal Haddow foUowed the Solicitor, and at
great length, with much slowness, proved that Mr Simson's decla
rations came not up to what had faUen out in the proof and pro
cess ; that all his declarations seemed to be yet consistent with
some favourite scherae of three substances he had taken up, and
that led hira into his reserves as to the personal property ; that at
the bar upon Thursday he had given a new expUcatlon of nume
rical oneness, which he thought took in three substances; that,
though he had renounced three substances, yet he thought he
seemed still to reserve the notion, which was the foundation of his
scherae, and which he had owned in his answers in several places,
and brought Zanchius to support it ; that his declarations last year
and this at the bar were inconsistent, and, therefore, not satisfying ;
and he was for further censure. The Laird of TuUybody foUowed
hira, and had an exceUent discourse, and exceeding pointed. He
gave his reasons frora the atrocity of the crirae, the pannel as a
Christian Minister and Professor, as erroneous, and pertinacious,
not in adhering to the truth, but in declarations of his innocence at
the bar, after all that was proven, and after censure, 1717 ; and, in
teaching what is proven on the first libel, he had undoubtedly
broken that act, and so his case came up to a heretic after two
adraonltions. He insisted against Avhat Professor Hamilton had
said, that Mr Simson Avas absolved by that Assembly, and not con
demned, and read the act, and showed that in every point it was

AVODROAV TO lAlKS AVODROAV. 433
plainly broken. Upon these and many other pointed reasons, he
urged a further censure. Then Enterkin spoke in defence of the
proof and relevancy. He insisted that Peter's example was no
model to foUow ; that Christ's pattern Avas not to be urged there,
more than in what he did as to the woman taken In the act of adul
tery. His difficulty as to further censure was, that the King was
patron, and Mr Slrason one of his servants, and his Majesty was,
he thought, to be acquainted before a sentence, and he did not
doubt he would allow it. This was, as the Solicitor said to rae, to
take his ' trade off his hand ; but it was not regarded ; and a Cora
mittee urged and agreed to, as I Avrote on Saturday. If the reason
ing be resuraed, as I hope it wIU not, we have Lord Druramore,
and Principal Chalraers, and Mr Goudy, who has signified his
having a speech In readiness more than once, and raany others to
speak ; but I hope the Coraraittee will hit soraewhat that the As
sembly raay centre In. Their report Is not yet corae In, (Monday,
May the 12th, In the morning,) but they have agreed to a unani
mous declaration of the truth ; that Mr Simson deserves further
censure, (and If they add deposition, I believe all will be pretty
much satisfied ;) and, In the meantime, they declare that it's unsafe
that Mr Simson in any time hereafter teach Divinity In this Church,
or have the care of youth trusted to hira. This Mr Dundas, and
the Solicitor, and that side, have yielded to. It's thought, on the
one hand, that deposition at present raay bring in one as unsafe as
Mr Sirason, or raay be taken off next Asserably, if it be prepared
some way for It ; and the declaration as above will for ever close
the door. A clause is designed, but I know not if it will be got
through, that the Asserably or Commission be acquainted by Pres
byteries before they transport any person to be Professor of Di
vinity. Besides, this method will raake it the raore decent to pro
vide some subsistence for Mr Simson and faraily, which the Soli
citor says he hath in view in private ; whereas, if he be deposed,
nothing can be done till he be reponed. He declares he shaU never
trouble this Church in teaching again. And when preaching is
' That is, the Solicitor's.
VOL. III. 2 E

434 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,
proposed to be added, that Is Avalved, because already he Is sus
pended from teaching, preaching, and aU office, tiU another Assem
bly take it off. How the Committee end you shall hear. Thus
matters stand in the raorning. The Lord bring thera weU about !
Yesterday (Sabbath) Mr Mackenzie of Inverness preached in
the forenoon on Psalm cxxxii. 13, 14. He had a good sermon, and
many zealous, excellent observes, which I may afterward hint at.
He lectured on Psalm cxxii, Mr Paton in Haddington preached
in the afternoon upon " Be zealous,'' Sorae say he preached against
his text. He had a pointed, accurate discourse, and gave us the
nature of zeal, and its characters, so as to guard against extremities.
He was pretty safe, and held in generals, which I thought were just,
though he expressed them more upon his OAvn side than upon the
other. I have written enough for this morning, and fiUed the paper.
This [day] the Assembly should have met at ten, but it was near
to one before they raet. The Coraraittee feU into raany debates
about the wording of the overture, when the Sub-committee, Prin
cipal Haddow, and Mr A. Anderson, and some others, brought it in.
HoAvever, at length they agreed in the overture, save Mr AUan
Logan and Colonel Erskine. The overture I have hinted above.
It's softly enough expressed, and is the only midse I can see for
preventing of breach, and yet it's not like to be acquiesced unto
unanimously. The overture was read twice. The Marquis of
Tweeddale spoke first. It was the first time I heard him speak in
the Asserably. He excused his not being in the Committee, not
knowing he was a meraber. He said, on hearing the overture, he
thought it too rauch to corae into upon so lame a proof, after such
renunciations ; yet he would not oppose it, if It was what might be
for harmony. But if it was not agreed to, but a higher sentence
pressed, he would not be ashamed to have his name among a mi
nority, who behoved to give their reasons against deposition. Seve
ral others spoke for some hours, mostly against it as too low ; It
was urged that it was lower than deposition ; on the other side, it
was said, in their judgment it was stronger than deposition, and
could not be altered by another Assembly, being a declarative judg
ment of the Church, by way of compromise, in the time of different

AVODROAV TO MRS WODROW. 435
sentiments. I shaU afterwards give the abstract of the reasonings,
pro and COM., ifl can recover thera. By this tirae itwas four of the
clock, and it was raoved in private to delay it tlU to-raorrow, which
at length was gone Into, that merabers raight have tirae to think,
and a breach prevented if possible, and a dissent. Accordingly,
the Assembly adjourned tUl six, when we had but a thin House.
The Commission book was approven, except as to the parish of
Hutton, where a remark very strong was made, that the Commis
sion, by their decision, had acted contrary to our constitution, and
principles against patronages. That was reserved to be considered,
and a day appointed to consider it ; and the Synod were appointed
to choose the nominators of a new Commission. For our Synod,
Mr Gray, Mr M'Farlan, and Mr Scott of Stonehouse, were nomi
nated, Mr Wiseman only voted for Principal CarapbeU. This is not
satisfying to the Principal to be thrown out of the noralnators. If
I have tirae I shaU write what passes on Tuesday, but I fear I shaU
scarce have time.
May 13. — This day the Assembly met, under considerable fears
among ministers, and great hopes araong enemies, of abroach. But
through God's good hand, aU Is ended without a breach ; and the
enclosed overture was agreed to without a vote ; ' only a verbal dis
sent of Mr Boston of Etterick, one of the Marrow brethren, which
is not yet recorded, and I beUeve wUl not be pushed. I have not
time, having been with the Commissioner dining tiU six at night,
to enter on particulars. It's my opinion, and that of others, that
this declaration of the Assembly, of Mr Simson's being unfit, and
that it is unsafe [for him] to teach, is stronger, and can less be al
tered than a deposition ; and the suspension stands renewed upon
him. Send this and the act to my Lord. I have no news. Misa
LilUas is stiU very weakly, I think no worse.
' The conclusion of the Act is as follows : " Therefore, the General Assembly
did, and hereby do, ratify and confirm the sentence of the last Assembly, suspending
the said Mr John Simson from preaching and teaching, and all exercise of any eccle-
. siastical power or function, until another Assembly shall think fit to take off this sen
tence ; and also, give it as their judgment that it is not fit or safe that he be further
employed in teaching divinity, and instructing of youth designed for the holy mini
stry in this Church."

436 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER CLXXIX.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 7.
Edinburgh, May 14, 1729.
My Dear, — Yesternight I sent you the Act of Asserably anent
Mr Simson, and now that great affair Is over, and I have some
breathing time this raorning. Let rae, therefore, give what I had
not tirae to write Monday and yesterday. The Committee to
which Mr SIrason's affair was referred Avere, as far as I raind, the
Moderator, Professor HaraUton, Mr Craig, Mr George Logan, Mr
Gaudy, Principal Haddow, Mr Allan Logan, Mr Jaraes Ramsay,
Mr John Scot, Mr John Gray, and Mr Alexander Anderson,
Marquis of Tweeddale, Lord President, Dramraore, SoUcitor, Mr
R. Dundas, Colonel Erskine, P. Druraraond, and Affleck. On
Saturday, May the 10th, they met, and seemed pretty much to
agree upon the general heads of the overture as I wrote to you;
and it was sub-coraraitted to Principal Haddow, Mr Anderson, and
sorae others. On Monday raorning they had the draught laid be
fore thera, and were not like to agree for many hours on it. Colo
nel Erskine and Mr AUan Logan stuck much by a declaration In
the overture, that upon what was found proven Mr Simson de
served deposition. The merabers on the other side plainly de
clared they could not corae In to this, and would rather let it go to a
vote. Depose. Mr Dundas and the Solicitor had declared on Satur
day that they were pereraptory in It, that it was unfit Mr Simson
should teach any more in this Church. The Solicitor said, that he
had a view of providing Mr Simson sorae support to his family when
laid aside, and would not declare so much if he had not probable
grounds to get it accoraplished, and that, in event of the highest
sentence, Mr Simson could not be with decency provided for. Mr
Dundas went out of town on Monday to the country. On the
other hand, It Avas reasoned in the Coraraittee on Monday, that, con
sidering the situation of affairs in the CoUege of Glasgow, that the
Faculty had given him a testimonial, and found him orthodox, and

WODROW TO MRS AVODROAV. 437
he had an extract of it, he would continue teaching, notwithstanding
of deposition, by virtue of his right as a meraber of the University,
which he thought the Church could not take away from him, and
if any thing was done against him that way, he would tum this
affair to a civU channel, and table the proof of the witnesses, &c., to a
declarature before the Lords of Session, who would not judge of It as
the Church judged ; and If he carried not his point there, he would
carry it to the British ParUament, where he was sure to carry his
point. Whether all this was grimace and threatening I cannot tell,
but it had Its weight to raake rainisters fear a deposition would not
provide so weU for the main point, the purity of doctrine and teach
ing in that University, as a declaration in the terras of the act,
which are, indeed, like the Parliament's declaring a person incap
able of public trust. Besides, there appeared another hazard of the
Faculty's choosing Mr W.  or Mr C.  ' of Larbert,
who are not very acceptable. This was not, however, spoken of
in the Coraraittee. Had I been to give the other side of this mat
ter, I think several things raight have been said ; that Mr Simson
would not have continued to teach on deposition ; scholars would
not corae to hira ; Presbyteries would have deraurred upon receiv
ing such ; neither Court nor Parliament would have espoused a man
who was branded with this censure ; and it's probable the College
of Glasgow will not corae into Mr W. or C, but rather to another
less exceptionable than either. I ara ready to think the great view
that this present shape of the overture was gone Into was the fears,
indeed, of one little better than Mr Slrason his getting in on pre
sent deposition — the equal security, If not greater, that ministers ap
prehended from the incapacitating declinature, as from deposition —
and the great regard the bulk of ministers had for the Earl of
Buchan, Coraraissioner, who was, indeed, under no liralting instmc
tions, but was in difficult enough circumstances, had a breach been,
as there would certainly have been reasons against deposition given
' Probably Mr William Wishart, one of the ministers of Glasgow, son of Principal
Wishart, and afterwards himself Principal of the University of Edinburgh ; and Mr
Archibald Campbell, afterwards Professor of Church History in St Andrews, who
was processed for heresy before the General Assembly in 1736,

438 the WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
in by Professor Hamilton, (as they say, and as he said in pubhc,)
and others of that side, who were merely for continuing the sus
pension, and several for reposition. In the event of a vote of de
position, the Earl of Buchan's eneraies at Court would have been
pleased, and laid the breach of the Church upon him. But cer
tainly a breach was by aU just raeans to be prevented, be on the
throne who would. Thus raatters stood, in the raost inward views
of this matter that I can comprehend.
The Coraraittee, about one of the clock on Monday, brought In
their overture, on which no araendraents were raade at aU. When It
was read we had many speeches, which I cannot now resume. The
bulk of the members spoke upon the necessity of going higher than
the overture, considering the great scandal given, the instractions
from Presbyteries, the hazard of a flame in the Church, and that
most part of ministers, and the fearers of God, were for a deposi
tion. The persons favourable to Mr Simson, as far as I remember,
scarce mixed in to this the reasonings this day. Mr Allan Logan
declared himself for deposition, and, indeed, the overtm-e when read
did not so generally please, because it was beUeved, before it was
read, that a declaration was in it, that Mr Simson deserved deposi
tion, and, instead of that, there were only mutual declarations of
raany, on the one hand, and others on the other, for mUder mea
sures. It was generaUy reasoned by those who were for deposition,
that there was no more in the overture but a continuance of the
suspension of last year, and another Assembly might take off that,
and no doubt they can take off deposition. They urged also the
Form of Process that tied doAvn to cutting off, if the error was
spreading, and in important matters, and urged much the deposing
of ministers for fornication. However, some of the raost remarkable
on that side spoke for the overture, as Mr M'KenzIe, Mr Potter,
Mr WiUiam Stewart of Perth, Mr WUlison, and some others. It
was soon perceived that this overture was like to split those who
were for further censure, and upon their splitting. It was a consider
able hazard, but the other raerabers who were for reposition, or a
bare continuing of a suspension, raight carry their point ; and this
was now what was to be carefully guarded against, and, indeed,

WODROAV TO MRS WODROW, 439
here was a great strait. Deposition now would scarce carry by a
vote in case put to it, and there was a very great hazard of losing
the declarature of his being unfit, &c. And when I considered this
I moved in private to Principal Haddow, that the reasonings having
been three hours, it was proper to delay this affair tiU to-morrow,
that the brethren who were for further censure might meet together,
as they usuaUy did, at the Eagle this night, and consider what was
to be done in this very critical juncture, and to guard against a
split araong ourselves. He went into it, and I acquainted the Mo
derator in private, who was wlUing it should be proposed, and it was
moved and gone into. At night, about eight, we raet near a hun
dred of us, ministers, and mostly raerabers. There the case was pro
posed, and amendments were offered to the overture to keep us
united. The raore warm side, Mr Logan, Mr GlUespie, Mr William
Stewart, Inverness, Mr Boston, reasoned against all amendments,
and were peremptorily for a vote of Assembly, Mr M'Kenzie, Mr
Gray, Mr Ramsay, Mr Potter, Messrs M'Laren, Flint, MUlar,
Gusthart, myself, and others, were for considering how far this over
ture, if unanimously carried, might answer the end, and brethren
might be satisfied so as to come to harraony. We gained Uttle
ground for some time, the other side threatening a dissent. Thus
we were choaked with threatenings of breaches and dissents on all
hands, from Professor HamUton, &c,, on the one hand, and Mr
AUan Logan and Colonel Erskine on the other, and it raay be, (at
at least I wish it be so,) we were driven to the proper raidse, and it
was said the breach would be safer on their side than on ours, who
were for the truth. We staved off things as well as we could, and
though at length most of those who were for a vote to depose left
us, yet one considerable point was gained, and that was the con
vincing of most part that were for further censure, that deposition
was not the fit state of the vote, but acquiesce and harmony if pos
sible in the declarature. We were late together, tUl near one of
the clock. On Tuesday morning, May 13, I went down to Mr
Logan and Colonel Erskine, and reasoned in private against a dis
sent, if the vote should be Acquiesce or Not, I cannot say I had
any great hopes they would yield ; Mr Gordon at Cromarty, Mr

440 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE,
Boston, Mr WiUiam Forbes, Gordon of Ardoch, and TuUybody,
(but that was wronging hini,) were said to join Mr Gillespie, Mr
Grant, Mr L., &c.. In a dissent. Indeed, when we raet at ten, we
met under great fears of a dissent, and yet we were told, and I be
lieve on good grounds, that Mr Simson was to come in to the bar,
and desire the Assembly to clear or purge him, and either depose
him or vindicate hira. However, he came not. Thus for once our
warmer brethren (undesignedly) were working Mr Simson's work,
and joining Issues with him as to the state of the vote.
The amendments proposed yesternight I forgot to give. They
were not raaterial, save that, instead of stating the different opi
nions, that after them the Assembly would declare he deserved the
censure of deposition, yet for peace sake this declarature was gone
into. But that would never be yielded by Professor HamUton,
Mr G. Logan, and that side. I raoved In our meeting that the
Assembly should declare he deserved further censure, and then go
to the declarature, but that was not understood, at least our warmer
brethren would have nothing but deposition. It was further moved,
by way of amendment, that the sentence might be extended to
other Churches, which was out of the road, and, instead oi further,
it should run to all time coming. There Avas little in these amend
ments, and so, when the Asserably met, few of them, save a de
clarature that Mr Simson deserved deposition, were proposed, and
that was knocked down as a throwing out of the overture, which
was said to go on condescensions on both sides, and in this shape
there was none to those who were for milder courses with Mr Sim
son. But to corae to the speeches and reasonings yesterday, ira
raediately before the passing the act. They were. Indeed, aU de
cent and grave, as all along In this Assembly, (which, however, by
the other side Is reckoned the warmest ever Ave had.) I never saw
more decency and decorum kept in speaking, and more abstaining
from personal hints and attacks. Mr Brand began a most serious
discourse for harmony and jointness In this great matter, observed
the weight it would give to our actings, and the hazard of giving
the least occasion to the beginnings of a division ; the inconve
niency of a vote, lest persons, according to their votes, might get

AVODROAV TO MRS AA'ODROW. 441
characters of Slmsonlans, Antl-SIrasonlans, It may be Arians, or
Seml-Arlans ; and concluded for acquiescing In the overture with
out a vote. Mr M'George followed hira, some time after, and de
clared he was on the mild side, but did not urge a vote. Mr
WUUam Stewart in Ross declared he had been for the highest sen
tence of excomraunlcatlon, and had come down to deposition, and
he could not well go below that. The Presbytery of Glasgow
were called on as knowing the state of this affair, and having had
It so much before them. Mr Scot declared that their instructions
were for deposition, but he was of opinion that the declaration was
equal to it as to teaching, and was for it, and hoped to satisfy his
brethren, Mr Gray said, that the overture answered all the valu
able ends proposed In this process, Mr Tate pressed unity and
harmony with tears, I thought, .<ind represented the hazard of a
breach at this juncture and In this affair, Mr G, Logan spoke
against the hints that were made, that the declaration was as high
or higher than deposition, and said he did not think so. He no
ticed that even the declaration was Avhat he was not for, but carae
into for peace. He thought the proof deserved a rauch milder
sentence. Hovvever, In that case, what the Asserably acquiesced
in he would lay his hand on his raouth, and say no raore. I thought,
but I may be wrong, that that side were for opening the overture,
and would not seera much displeased If It had not been gone into.
Mr Curry of Kinglassie thought the declaration about doctrine was
not strong enough nor full enough, and raoved that Necessary Ex
istence should be put in. It was answered by the Moderator, that
it was better in by the general " Supreme, Proper Deity ;" that there
was not the least difference as to doctrine araong us ; and, if parti
culars were entered into, It would be endless to declare upon them.
My Lord Dramraore had a speech not very seasonable, (sorae
thought it was for breaking the overture, but that Is harsh in one of
his station,) that he would not have merabers to think that the de
claration on the sentence was as high a censure as deposition, which
was a public disgrace, far less that it was a higher sentence ; that he
took It not so, and would never be for it in that sense ; that it was
not designed so by the committee, but as a safe raidse. The Soli-

442 THE WODROAV COliRESPONDENCE.
cltor followed hira a little sraoother, but somewhat looking the same
way. Somebody observed the coraraittee were not agreed on the
sense of the overture, and that it would be hard for the members of
the Assembly to acquiesce. Mr Stewart of Perth very handsomely
interposed, and said he did not think the declarature a higher sen
tence than deposition, but he was of opinion It was a stronger bar
against error, in our present circumstances, than deposition. This
was a call to the two lawyers to explain, which they did, with high
eulogiums on Mr Stewart, and strong declarations that was their
meaning. Drummore added, that if the overture was acquiesced
In, he thought aU should stand in the support of the Church and
Avhat was done, and this would effectually stop aU writing and
pamphlets, which, in his opinion, was to be done. The Solicitor
added, that the Supreme Judicatory and aU judges had power to
mitigate the punishment of panels, providing the great ends were
answered ; and he was for mitigation, though he thought this way
the purity of doctrine and peace of the Church were best secured.
Then Mr Boece spoke for the overture, and Mr Thomas Linning.
Mr Allan Logan gave sorae hints he was not for it. Mr Craig
spoke for it, and Mr Bannatyne, at Edinburgh, said he was for the
overture, and cited a Council at MUetura, I think,- that, after the
deposition of a bishop, on his giving satisfaction as to his ortho
doxy, restored him to his office as bishop, but restrained him In the
exercise of it, lest that he should fall back to error, and lest scandal
shoidd be taken, which he thought very appUcable here. He was
at distance, and I did not fully hear him. Then Mr GUlesple
spoke a little, and said he was not satisfied with the overture. He
thought the sentence in it was not adequate to what was found
proven, and did not secure the purity of doctrine, (with some apo
logies that he was Mr SIrason's relation ;) yet if the Assembly was
for acquiescing, he did not think he Avas bound to enter his dissent,
but only declared that for himself he could not be satisfied with it.
Mr Logan (Allan) declared pretty strongly he was not for the
overture, but for present deposition ; but whether he Avould dissent
he did not yet know ; he had shoAvn how rauch he was for peace,
with truth. Colonel Erskine declared much in the same method,

WODROW TO MRS AVODROW. 443
and did not urge a vote upon it. Mr Boston, one of the twelve
Marrow brethren, declared with modesty that he would not speak,
sensible of his own weakness, but that he was pressed in conscience to
speaL He thought the sentence far below the desert of the crime
proven, would not answer the ends proposed, nor the instructions of
Presbyteries, (his Presbytery was not for deposition,) nor satisfy the
fearers of God ; and asked Uberty to dissent in his own name and
any, if there were any, that did adhere to it. The Moderator coaxed
him, — if it be not an iU word, — and told hira that he beUeved he
would not incUne to tear out the bowels of his raother, and desired
hira to pray and think before he took the burden of a step of that
nature on hira, that raight be the beginning of a breach in this
Church. He answered, he appealed to God that he had not tear
ing in his riew, but, before the vote, desired it raight be marked
that he was against that sentence, and read, as a part of his speech,
a few short reasons, which are hinted above. The Moderator beg
ged of him not to insist on that. He answered, if there was tirae
after to give in his dissent, he would do so. And the Moderator
declared there was no precluding him afterwards, if he should insist
on it before the Assembly rose, since in due time he had moved it,
but he hoped he would not at all Insist on second thought. Mr
GiUespie took him up, and declared he was of the same judgment
with him, but could not think of a dissent for the consequences of
It, and begged him to withdraw his dissent and think on it, especi
aUy since he was not precluded ; but aftervvards, if the overture
was not found to answer the end on trial, or If any thing were done
to support error, he and many others would join him regularly in
remonstrating to the Church. But he hoped it would not be so.
Mr AUan Logan said there were a set of men in this Church that
supported this unhappy, corrupt creature, Sirason, and if they did
go on to give way to corruption, he would oppose them, and that
pubUcly ; but he was not for dissenting pubUcly at present, especi
aUy that the Assembly had not closed the door. So the Moderator
declared the Assembly acquiesced in the overture; and though
some few had declared they were for going further, yet the Assem
bly went into it without a vote. Then Mr Sirason was called in.

444 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
Meanwhile, a collection was ordered in the House, by a recommen
dation frora the BiUs, for one Mrs Margaret Guthrie, In great straits,
and highly comraended for piety by the rainisters of Edinburgh, a
descendant of the Laird of Guthrie.
When Mr Simson came in, the Moderator told him his affair had
been long before the Church, and now they were come to a sen
tence, and he would hear It read by the clerk. After reading, the
Moderator told hira he was very sorry that the Assembly were
obliged to corae to what he raight think a harsh sentence, but they
could do no less. He hoped he would take it as out of the Lord's
hand, and behave accordingly. Mr Sirason appeared dissatisfied/
and in a fret, and they say was going away without giving any
answer, but after some steps he retumed and said, (see Letter to
London, yesterday's date,') that he took it out of the hand of his j
heavenly Father, wished It might be sanctified to him, complained
of errors In paraphlets against hira, worse than anything proven
against him ; declared he was stUl, and is of the same opinion Avlth
this Church, in point of doctrine, and prayed what was done to
hira might not be to the prejudice of this Church, and went off.
The Asserably closed, and adjourned tlU six, when I was not pre
sent, but Principal Chalraers' settleraent at Old Aberdeen came In,
and they heard parties, and entered on the reasoning, but did not
end It, but referred it tUl this day. In the afternoon, yesterday, I
was caUed to a meeting with Mr Boston, to prevent his giving in
his dissent, which they say Is to be subscribed by many hands ;
but I don't believe It. Mr M'Laren, Mr GUlesple, Colonel Erskine,
Mr Charles Erskine, Mr Brown of Abercorn, with as many of the
Marrow brethren as are In town, Mr Hog, the Ersklnes, and Mr
WlUIarason, Gabriel WUson, and KUfargle, and some others, met.
What wlU be the issue I know not, but I thought we softened him,
and let hira see he had done what was competent for a member of
the Assembly to do ; that he was alone In his dissent, and If, after..
wards, a testimony against corruption were necessary. It might be
given In a regular way. I forgot to observe, that Mr G. Wilson
' He refers to a Letter to the Eev. Abraham Taylor of London, giving an ac
count of tho Assembly's proceedings, which is omitted.

WODROW TO MRS WODROAV. 445
craved leave to speak, not being a member, before the overture was
acquiesced to, and turned to an act. Mr Logan (AUan) said he
was not for dissents, nor much speaking now, but did not oppose
his speaking, and aU the Marrow brethren, on such a subject as
this. Professor Hamilton was for Mr Wilson being allowed to
speak. He declared, he not being a member, would not speak till
he were aUowed, and being aUowed, would speak but a sentence or
two. And he said he could not conceive this sentence adequate,
and it neither answered Presbyteries' instructions, nor the expec
tations of the fearers of God ; that he feared it would open a door
to let in corruption to the Church, and craved leave to bear testi
mony against it. No answer was given, and the Moderator took
care members should not make any replies to him or Mr Boston.
fJThls is a new practice, and the case extraordinary. What is done
this day I shall hint at night. I have written this In the morning,
before I go out, and am wearied vrith it. Pardon haste and hurry.

LETTER CLXXX.
Wodrow to Mrs Wodrow, No. 8.

"J

Edinburgh, May 15, 1729.
My Dear, — ^I had not time yesternight to acquaint you with the
proceedings of the Assembly yesterday. I was little in the House.
They had been on Principal Chalmers' affair, wherein the Corarais
sioner's daughter. Lady Catherine Fraser, is concemed, and the
whola day yesterday was spent on it, and they are stIU to be on it
this day, at nine of the clock. It is a most litigious affair, and
many indecencies in it. What turn it takes, I do not know. It's
not probable the settleraent of the Principal wIU be overturned, at
least no instance I raind of this, but Lochraaben, since the Revolu
tion. The nomination of the Coraraission is made. I am not a
member, which you'll be glad of. Our members are, Mr J, MiUar,
Mr H. Hunter, Mr P, MaxweU, Mr Smith is a member, Mr
Boston came In, and signified he would not insist in marking his

446 THE WODROAV CORRESPONDENCE,
dissent. The affair of Renfrew will certainly go to the Commis
sion, I doubt, in August. Mr Simson is more and more displeased,
they say, with the Assembly's act. He is prosecuting some of the
printers for printing a pamphlet which he says contains calumny
on him, I have no news. If I get not off this day, I hope to come
off to-morrow, so as to be home on Saturday, and shall send this
by post. I ara in perfect health. We have had great rains here
Tuesday and yesterday.

LETTER CLXXXL
STATE OP MATTERS IN THE CHURCH OP SCOTLAND.
To the Rev, Mr Abraham Taylor,^ to be left at the Amsterdam Coffee
house, near the Royal Exchange, London,
Rev. and Dear Sir, — ^It was vrith a great deal of pleasure I re
ceived your kind letter of the 31st of May yesternight. You have
done rae a greater favour than I could have weU asked. In begin
ning a correspondence with one who is very unworthy of your
notice, and from whom you can expect very poor returns. But
such as I can send you from this retired comer, PU be most willing
to make.
This, in my opinion, is a junctui'e wherein such who love the
' Mr, afterwards Dr, Abraham Taylor, was Theological Tutor of an Independent
Academy in London. His father, Richard, was a distinguished minister among tlie
Dissenters. The son was also a man of note, a good classical scholar, and an able
divine. He took an active part in the theological disputes of the day, and left behind
him several volumes of a doctrinal and controversial kind. " It was the remark of a i
Scotch divine, when expounding the words, ' Moses' face shone, and he knew it not,
that ' It was a braw thing for a man's face to shine, and him not to ken it.' Dr
Taylor possessed learning, but he knew it ; and this knowledge proved the source of
much misery to its possessor." — {Bogue and Bennett's History of Dissenters, vol. in.
285.) Dr Taylor was in the practice of administering corporal correction to the
students under his inspection. He does not, however, suggest the propriety of
adopting this mode of correcting the " pertness" or " unsafe luxurianoy and latitude
of the young men, of which Wodrow here complains.

WODROW TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 447
truth and the peace ought to speak often one to another, and when
we have Uttle else but coraplaints to make, aU which we leave upon
ourselves, to pour them out in one another's bosoms, and before the
Lord Redeeraer. I embrace the kind opportunity you have been
pleased to alloAV me of writing to you with very much thankfulness.
It's but too plain Mr Simson, in his teaching and more private
conversation, was pointing towards things of the most dangerous
consequence, especially in the perilous times we are faUen to. I
sometimes think both formerly, and in this last process, he was
stopped short ; and before he had fuUy brought his schemes to the
bearing he would have been at, was interrupted. Yain man will
be wise, though he be bom like an ass's colt. Instability and un-
fixedness, with a foolish inclination to advance somewhat new and
convincing, to such who pretend to solve aU difficulties in our holy
religion, frora philosophy and reas6n, I fear have led hira to very
unwarrantable ways of thinking and speaking. For my share,
though it had not been so clearly as we have it in revelation told
us, that the truth makes us free, I think the nature of things
might have led him to believe that the closest adherence to truth,
Arithout hedging and yielding to adversaries, is the shortest way to
be free from the seeming difficulties that attend it. In ray small
reading, I have never observed any advantage gained upon the ad
versaries of the trath, by the methods of hypotheses and explicatory
schemes ; though, after all, I see very little new this way Mr Simson
hath advanced, and I doubt your proper Arians, and other enemies
of Jehovah Redeemer, can have but very raean thoughts of what
he hath pretended to advance for their satisfaction.
Now that the process is at an end, we very rauch want your
prayers, that our youth, who have got a raost unhappy turn, by
being indulged too much by these methods, in unwarrantable ways
of thinking and speaking of the great doctrines of Christianity,
may be brought to greater modesty and self-diffidence, and reclaimed
from that pert and bold manner of teaching sacred things, I fear too
many of them are fallen into. This temper is too much growing
among our students, who have their eye to the holy ministry ; and
our young gentry, merchants and others, who have a little reading,

448 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
are got into a most unsafe luxuriancy and latitude. In their talking
upon these subjects. The evil, I fear, is further spread, and spread
ing among us, than Is yet observed.
That which frights rae raost Is our dreadful faUing away, as to
practical, vital, and exercising religion. We have the truth, and
God hath enabled this Church hitherto to make some stand for It;
but, alas ! we do not receive the love of it. We have a name to
live. Pray, dear Sir, that He who hath the seven spirits may
strengthen the things that remain, and are ready to die, I am not
among the eldest of ministers ; but about twenty-six years ago, when
1 entered upon that awful work, we were in a pleasant situation as
to practical, relative religion, by Avhat we are at present. Our
parties, our lamentable debates upon several heads that have cast
up, together with our sleeping under so rauch light and prosperity
as we have enjoyed — these have opened the door to such decHn-
ings and departures frora the Lord, as woidd make your heart
bleed over us, did you know our present languishing state of late
years. But, verUy, the Lord of Sabaoth hath left us a remnant, and we
have yet a considerable nuraber, who are sighing and crying, and
desire to be found standing In the gap, and raaking up the breach.
We have some very promising young men entered Into the mini
stry, though I own my fears and damps are greatest from some
others of quite other character. The burden of patronages on this
Church Is like, as It Is raanaged, to prove ruining to us ; and if God
prevent not, it's like to be a door, at which a new and time-serving
ministry, dipt in party, are like to enter. Our communions in this
season of the year, up and down the country, though we have some
indecencies and irregularities at thera soraetiraes, yet they are times
of prayer, and refreshing from the presence of God. I hope a
'vvork of edification is carried on, somewhat of love and holiness re
vived ; though conviction and conversion work by the word, plenti
fully preached at such times. Is under a sensible restraint. In
short, Zecharlah's prophecy comes much in ray mind, it's neither
light nor dark. May the Ijord grant, that in the evening time it ,j
may be light I We take It as a token for good, that with such har-

WODROAV TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 449
mony and unanunity, considering our parties and different views,
we have got this unhappy matter of Mr Simson ended.
The accounts you favour me with, of matters with you, are very
acceptable, though melancholy enough. I ara not at aU surprised,
that downright Athelsra, and the most unaccountable attacks upon
our holy religion, succeed Arianism in the various shapes it hath
appeared among you of late. I am afraid the steps of defection are
but very short from the doctrine, relative to the grace and Spirit of
Christ, to duect attacks upon his person ; and these must Inevitably
land against the whole of revelation, which centres in God-Re
deemer, and, in the nature of things, as weU as the awful depth of
pivine judgment, Deism and Atheism must corae in as an over
flowing flood. It grieves rae to the heart to hear of the frightful
advances these evils are making among you, as well as the Esta
bhshed Church. May we hope, that, when there is scarce faith
upon the earth, Christ wUl appear, and act for his own narae's sake ?
Dear Sfr, you have reason to be thankful to God for his assist
ing you to make so noble a stand against these prevailing errors.
I have, before I had the pleasure of writing to you, or any prospect
of any share in your acquaintance, essayed to bless God on your
behalf. I incUne to say raore of your remarks on Mr Watts and
your Scripture Doctrine of the Trinity than perhaps is fit to be
said to yourself. At least, should I give way to ray real sentiraents
in writing to you, you raight jealouse rae of flattery in my first ad
dress, which, however, I don't take to be my weakest side. I have
seen no more of yours save these two, and I humbly pray God
may make them as useful to others, and sweet, as I hope they have
been to pae, and preserve and enable you for much further service
t,o your Lord arid Redeemer, at a time when we need the most
earnest appearances for our foundation truths. K you haye printed
any thmg since, I'll be fond to hear of it.
You have exceedingly obliged me with your hints from abroad,
and I beg you'll please to continue them. I hear sometiraes from
Utrecht, but very seldom from Germany. I am honoured, for these
good many years, with the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman'^ correspond-
VOL. Ill, i! P

450 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
ence frora Boston. Your accounts from New England are fre
quently earlier than ours here. Our brethren there are deeply
concemed for us in our present struggles for the truth. It pleases
me to know, that the Lutheran divines are beginning to write In
favour of our fundamental and comraon truths. I wish they would
drop their warrath and violence against our brethren, who differ
frora thera. In Germany, and spend their fire upon our common ene
mies. They are In the right, in naming the modish innovations and
opposition to creeds and confessions, Theologia Indifferentifica. We
have an old Scots phrase, that soraetiraes I cannot help applying
to thera — They love elbow-roora. And this is certainly at bottora
of their eagemess against forms of sound words. I am sorry to
hear these gentlemen's libertinism is spreading so much In Switzer
land, and that neighbourhood ; but am not surprised at aU at It, after
what I have heard and read In the writings of Messrs Turretlne,
Werenfeld, and Osterwald. No doubt, we shaU have the post^
humous works of Dr Clarke, calculated to the taste of his admirers,
as I see Mr Whiston and others are noAv sheltering themselves
under the great name of Sir Isaac NcAvton. MeanwhUe, they are
scarce of a piece Avith their own professed irapartial searches after
truth, when they raake so much noise of great names, and herd
as rauch under them as they pretend we do under John Calvm
and Knox.
By this time, I fear I have raore than wearied you. You will
soon see what poor entertalnraent you are to expect from this
quarter; but let not this hinder you frora favouring me with your
accounts of matters. You lie in the road of every thing that Is a-
going, not only in England, but In all the churches of Christ ; and
I'll only presume to say, that though you could have scarce pitched
upon one more unworthy of any trouble you'U give yourself, or
unfit to give you returns, yet you shall find few raore thankful than
I. And If any thing offer here, any way worth your notice, you
may expect to know it. Meanwhile, when you have a leisure hour,
give me the pleasure of hearing from you, what you think proper
to give rae, as to the state of religion and literature, and new books

AVODROW TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 451
and pamphlets, and every thing as to the state of doctrine and
learning, and the Reformed Churches abroad. Let rae know If Mr
Fancourt has published any raore but his eight letters, which I
wish to see a well-written answer to. He is a bold, and yet a
smooth writer, I never heard of till last year, and I fear his writ
ings do a world of mischief, without a tiraeous antidote. He pushes
the connection betwixt moral seriousness, and what he miscalls
grace, to its full height of downright Pelagianism.
Permit me now to end your first trouble, with my best wishes
for much of the Divine presence to you, and a rich blessing to at
tend your labours from the pulpit and press. I am. Rev. and
Dear Sir, your most, affectionate brother, and faithful, hurable ser
vant, R. W.
Eastwood, June 7, 1 7'29.

LETTER CLXXXIL
COMMUNIONS AT EASTWOOD  DOCTORIAL DEGREES. — DR WATTS.
To the Rev. Mr Abraham Taylor, to be left at the Amsterdam
Coffeehouse, behind the Royal Exchange, London.
' Rev. Dear Sir, — I raay be asharaed to pretend to answer your
last of June, now after seven or eight weeks. There are several
excuses I might make for my silence, which I don't Incline to spend
your time vrith. J would willingly have our letters put oft" the
bottom of ceremony, and humbly beg you raay not wait returns
from me, unless there be something in particular you want to be
informed of, in which case, I shall not fail to give you any satisfac
tion In my power. But whenever [there occurs] any thing of Im
portance, or that you would wish to know, were you here, and I
where you are, then let rae hear frora you. This I ara sure of, did
you know how barren a country this is, as to any thing that can be

452 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
entertaining, you wiU not wonder at my sUence. It's not so, I knoAv,
with you, and you wiU be seldora at a loss for what avIU be useful
to me.
One reason why I did not sooner make ray acknowledgments
for your last, which was very acceptable, is, that last Lord's Day
save one we had the Sacrament of the Supper dispensed in this
congregation, and for some time before I catechise my people, and
explain some of the principles of Christianity in that method caUed
catechetical. Our coraraunions in the country are aU crowded in
the summer time, and what by work at horae, and assisting my
neighbours frora May to September, I am generaUy overburdened.
We have many Irregularities in the celebration of that holy ordi
nance that cannot be yet rectified, at least not soon, especiaUy here.
I lie In the neighbourhood of the city of Glasgow, and we have
confluences and raultitudes. Perhaps I may have about three hun
dred of my ovvn charge who are aUowed to partake, and yet we
Avill have a thousand, sometiraes eleven or twelve hundred at our
tables. I ara obliged to preach In the fields a Sabbath or more some
tiraes before our Sacraraent, and a Sabbath after It. We must bear
what we cannot help. Araldst our irregularities, we Avant not a
mixture of good tokens. The people are attentive, and many of
the younger sort I hope receive the love of the truth, and there is
somewhat like a spirit of prayer and wrestling on our fast days
before our coraraunions, and raore of it appears in our meetings for
prayer in Societies. Join with me in praising God for his good
ness to us, and pray for grace to Improve It, and walk AVorthy of It.
You desire to know the cool thoughts of Mr Simson's friends as
to the sentence. I have been little abroad since May, and have
heard nothing but that he Avants not some that AvIsh him to be re
poned. I Avas a little surprised to see his name at a testimonial of
a Student of Divinity, notwithstanding of his suspension, with
S. T. P.' at It. I can say little of this, which to me appears bold
enough, till I Inquire what can be said in his defence. You have
oneof his friends, Mr W. [Wishart,] minister at Glasgow, at London
' Sanctis Theologia: Professor, — Professor of Divinity.

AVODROAV TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 453
this summer. If he act as openly after the sentence as he did be
fore, no doubt he wiU Increase the resentments of those for the in
different way at our procedure.
For my share, I cannot account for the doctorial degrees given
aU to Non-subscribers by the CoUege of Edinburgh,' for some wIU
scarce aUow that Society the narae of a proper University. That
is a question of powers I shaU not pretend to judge in ; but if they
AvlU assert their power by dispensing their honours, I wish they
had made a better choice. We are not so rauch surprised at it
here, though sorry for it, when we know the sarae gentleraen who
send abroad their compliments at this rate, some raore than a year
ago, subscribed a paper protesting against the Assembly's power of
judging Mr Simson's teaching, because he was meraber of a Uni
versity. You wiU guess ex ungue leonem, and see how hardly this
Church is used, when their actings are reckoned ours. Indeed,
our Universities are exceeding low, by what they have been In
Scorl.ind ; ii'^d I am afraid the Church of Scotland raay have too
much reason to repent the little care they have taken of those noble
seminaries of learning. I would not be understood, as if we had
not some valuable and worthy men in our Colleges ; but it's raatter
of mourning to me that persons of another character, especiaUy in
' Dr Calamy has named the persons who were thus dignified about this period 
Mr Jabez Earle, Mr John Evans, Mr Isaac Watts, Mr William Harris, Mr John
Comyng, (or Cumming, Wodrow's correspondent, who, however, was a firm Sub
scription man,) Mr Benjamin Grosvenor, and Mr Samuel Wright. Jabez Earle sent
to his friend. Harris the following lines on occasion ofthis academical distinction : 
" since dunces now are Doctors made,
As well as meu of skiU,
What does the title signify ?
rU teU thee, honest Will.
" The same as trappings to a horse,
Which, be he fleet or jade,
Not for his own, but rider's sake,
So wondrous flue is made.
" So, when our Universities
Doctorial honours give,
•Tis not our merit they decLire,
But their prerogative." Br Calamy's Life, vol. ii. p. 613.

454 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
a tirae of party and division, get in where they ought not to be, and
when they have wrenched theraselves in, talk as If no power upon
earth, save the Sovereign, had any thing to do with their doctrine
and teaching, and treat rainisters and Church Judicatories In a
raanner I love not rauch to think on, lest I lose my temper.
When I was lately forraing a rude draught of our Reformer Mr
Knox's Life, I raet with a passage In a letter of his to the General
Asserably — it was his last, not long before his death — which appear
ed pretty reraarkable to me, and I fancy you'll not grudge my tran
scribing it, when I am upon this raelancholy subject. His words
are : — " Albeit I have tane ray leave, not only of you. Dear Breth
ren, but of the whole world, and all worldly affairs, yet remamlng
in the flesh, I could not nor cannot cease to admonish you of things
Avhich I know to be most prejudicial to the Kirk of Jesus Christ In
this realra. Above all things, preserve the Kirk from the bondage
of the Universities. Persuade them to rule themselves peaceably,
and order the schools in Christ. But never subject the pulpit to
their judgraent, neither yet exerapt thera from your jurisdiction,"
&c. This letter bears date August 5, 1572.
To retum frora this rarable your hint led me to, accept of my
thanks for the valuable hints in yours. I am, indeed, afraid Mr
W  ts be another Mr B  r to the Independent bretljren.' I
know not what l;o make of his last Sermon in his third volume on
the Trinity. He gives, and takes away what he seems to give. I
thought Collber was printing the same way. You promise in your
next to say more of him. I wish Mr MiUar success In his observes
on Fancourt. I see in the advertisements last month Animadver
sions on Fancourt's Letters ; but it's not yet come down here.
Our Coraraission of Asserably, which raet last week, had Uttle of
raoraent before thera. Settlements of parishes are what take up
rauch of their tirae. Our State little parties mix in, where one
would think there were little to say, with most of our settlements.
' He means, I think, to express his fears that Mr, afterwards Dr, Isaac Watts,
would prove to be another Mr Richard Baxter to the Independents, byleadingthem
into error. AA'atts was fond enough of his own novelties, but, though claimed bythe
Arians, there is not sufficient ground for supposing that he ever abandoned the ortho
dox creed.

WODROAV TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 455
We hear that a worthy nobleraan, the Earl of Rothes, Is like to
get a rich match near you. There is another of our peers, whose
friendship I have the honour of, who, I hear, has lost a match de
signed for him, with whom he should have had thirty thousand
pounds, raerely because the lady is strict Church of England, and
cannot think of living In our church. He is, as it were, a Confessor
for us, and, indeed, deserves a fortune. I wish a good match to hira,
but am no raarriage-maker. Pray, at your leisure, favour rae with
every thing you judge proper, and when your dead time for books
and literature ia over, let me have what is going that way, and aU
that offers from the Foreign Churches and learned men. AUow
me a share in your prayers. May you be assisted by your Master
in aU your labours and designs for the public service ! I am. Rev.
Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, August 21, 1729.

LETTER CLXXXHL
IRISH DISSENTERS. — EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY DEGREES.
To the Rev. Mr Benjamin Colman, Minister at Boston.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — It's about six weeks ago that I was fa
voured with yours sent by Mr Barry, and ara glad of the good cha
racter you give of hira while In New England. He Is yet at Lon
don, and not come to Glasgow, his business keeping him there. I
heartily thank you for all your kindness to him.
This coraes by a vessel not coraing directly if at all to Boston,
but the person who bears it preraises to send it to you in a few
weeks after he arrives in Pennsylvania, having frequently occasions
coming to Boston. Indeed, our ^hips directly coraing to you are so
rare that I am glad of an opportunity any way, to keep up so use
ful a friendship as yours is.

456 THE AVODROAV CORRESPONDENCE.
I am pleased to hear frora London that Mr Belcher is naraed In
Governor Burnet's room, and hope that Providence shafl open a
door by hira, who Is one of our own, for putting an end to your un
happy heats, Avhich have bred me some anxious thoughts, as not
seeing where they could land. No doubt, you'll let me hear how
things cast up on his arrival.
The poor people from Ireland undoubtedly need your pity and
protection; but their minister raust certainly be impradent and
zealous without knowledge, to overlook the mirusters and preach
against thera. It's an instance of folly I scarce ever had the pa
rallel of. I doubt It's sorae of those that have come from Ireland
that have carried their heats, which had weU nigh consumed them
at horae, to the Synod of Pennsylvania. It's but mere guess, and
I shall be glad to find it otherwise. We have here a copy of their
Act about Subscription, which I know not well what to make of
The state of the Dissenters in Ireland is lamentable enough.
The great nurabers of thera who have of late come over In shoals to
America have alarmed the Government. This weakens the Eng
lish Interest, and strengthens that of the Irish Papists. This was
thought raight have been a very proper season to get somewhat
done for the easing our brethren's grievances there, especially the
scandalous abuse of our Lord's ordinance by the sacramental test,
which was one considerable incitement to thera to come to America.
The north and south. Subscribers and Non-subscribers, agreed to
make an application to the Parliaraent now sitting In Ireland for
the removaPof that burden. It was thought proper, however, to
advise with their friends at London. For what reason I cannot
tell but they advised to waive this proposal. This is done, and the
tirae is not yet corae to build the Lord's house.
As to our own affairs, I have Uttle to acquaint you with. We
have not a word as to Mr Simson since the Act of Assembly which
I sent you. I vrish we never have that affair again on the carpet.
That severals among us appeared for lenity Is very true; but I
hope there are none who are of the sentiments charged on him.
The degrees of Doctors of Divinity conferred by the CoUege

WODROAV TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 457
of Edinburgh, which sorae Avill scarce allow to have the powers
of a University, though they have long claimed them, to the Eng
Ush ministers, all upon one side, as is said, and scarce a Subscriber
among them, is not very pleasing to many. But I ara sure. If they
shall in their next granting of degrees bestow thera on Professor
Wigglesvvorth, they wlU bestow thera on a most fit person.' In ray
sentiments, I reckon him a doctor afready. Pray give him ray raost
affectionate respects. It is ray loss that he hath not leisure to let
me hear from him now and then, as he once made me hope he
would. I remember Mr Monis. I have lately got his Discourses
printed after his baptism, where there are fine remarks. I ara ex
ceedingly pleased with his reraark on Deut. iv. 6. What is be
come of his Hebrew Grararaar ?
I send you a paper upon our workhouse for the poor in Glasgow,
with a letter to the Rev. Mr Cooper, in answer to one from him
which came in Mr Barry's packet. The worthy minister who sends
it knew no way to send it but under ray cover to you. I know you
wUl take no trouble of it. Some of Mr Cooper's serraons you sent
me have raised a very great value for him, and I most affectionately
remember him. Let me end with ray best wishes to you, your fa
mily, flock, and country. Continue your syrapathy with. Rev.
Dear Brother, your raost affectionate brother and servant.
Jan. 30, 1730.

' Mr Edward Wigglesworth was the first Professor of Divinity in Harvard Col
lege. The University of Edinburgh some time after this conferred on him the de
gree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr Holmes describes him as " an eminent theologian,
and distinguished for his learning, humility, and piety." He died 1765, aged 73.
The University of Edinburgh also conferred on Mr Colman the same degree  Life
of Calamy, vol. ii. p. 514.

458 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
LETTER CLXXXIV.
CASE OP MR GLASS. — WODROAV'S CALL TO RENFREW. — SIMSON.
To the Rev.. Mr Hugh Maxwell, Minister of the Gospel at Forfar.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours without date two or three
posts ago, for which I am indebted to you. Were I a member of
the Commission, I would see you In March next, God willing ; but
since I ara not, I shaU coraraunicate the contents of yours with
our brethren hereabout, and do ray best endeavours that as many
raay corae up as raay be. I hope to prevaU with your friend,
Mr P. Maxwell, to come In, and It may be some others of our mi
nisters frora this Presbytery.
The delays and off-puts in the raatter of Mr Glass' are what I do
not understand. In my opinion, (tlU further informed,) your Synod
ought to be supported in what they have done, and our disclplme
preserved ; otherwise we raust inevitably run into confusion. The
soft raeasures we are running fast into, in processes with ministers,
will be iraproven to disadvantages In other cases. I know no differ
ence between their irregularities and ImmoraUtles and those of
others, but that they are raore aggravated, and have more and more
extensive effects than in cases of persons not clothed Arith their
character. ' Mr John Glass, minister of Tealing, the celebrated founder of the Glassites, a
sect analogous to that of the Sandemanians in England. He began to propagate his
opinions in 1727, and in 1729 pubUshed his " Testimony of the King of Martyrs,"
whioh was, in fact, a treatise by Dr Owen, given in a new form, without due ac
knowledgment. He advocated Independency, (in a higher strain than Owen, whose
sentiments latterly were in substance Presbyterian,) attacked the Confession of Faith
and the Covenants, condemned national churches, and adopted the kiss of chanty,
community of goods, with a variety of other crotchets ; and having proceeded to in
troduce several disorderly practices, he was deposed from tbe ministry. AVith all
his antipathy to Presbytery, no man gave more annoyance'to the Church Courts ;
and with all his horror of Establishments, he clung, with singular tenacity, to his be
nefice J compelling the Assembly to drive him out, and then complaining of his ex
pulsion as an injury. Mr Glass was a man of considerable talents, though thus sadly
misapplied. He died in 1773.

AVODROW TO HUGH MAXWELL. 459
It Is (I find In conversation) urged that nothing Is laid to Mr
Glass' charge but his being of the Independent opinion ; and that
it wIU look very Ul in the eyes of our brethren of these sentiments
in England and New England to depose a person from the ministry
only for this. No doubt, your Synod have considered this, and can
account for it. That scarce appears to me to be the question be
fore the Commission ; at least not so much as this. Whether to re
pone him without repentance and acknowledgments, when you have
already deposed hira, and he neither owns your authority nor the
Church's in her Asserablies and Commissions. But even as to your
sentence, (If I have not wrong views of It,) It doth not properly run
upon Independent principles. Nobody has a greater value for sorae
of these principles than I, and no doubt there have been brethren of
that opinion whom all the Reformed Churches do and ought to
esteem. As I take it, your Synod have deposed him for his dis
orders in what they think a Scriptural, regular, and well constituted
Presbyterian Church ; his departure from her, his contumacy and
divisive courses, and venting and spreading schism and innovations
in a peaceable and united society, contrary to his solemn vow and
subscription. I am of opinion, (under correction,) that Dr Owen,
the Mathers, and other pious Independents, would never approve
his practices. Had any of them been alone in a Presbyterian
Church, and happened to change their sentiments towards Indepen
dency, I persuade myself they would have sought conference, mo
destly propounded their arguments, free from the airs he gives
himself, and if they could not convince others, they would (as the
first Independents, or rather the first Presbyterians, we may call
them, did about the 1630) have departed to another society, where
they might enjoy their freedora.
You need make no apology to me as to the affair of Renfrew,
and your not being there. As I was never consulted in that mat
ter, so I declare to you I never had an inclination to leave this
place, and am too old now to love changes. I am only sorry the
principles of the Church are so rauch rejected and deserted, though,
as to my personal case, I am pleased that it is gone as it is. They

460 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
say it's .to be before you at the Coramission by an appeal from Ayr
Presbytery, who would not receive the call, as wanting our Pres
bytery's concurrence.
You hear more at a distance of the intrigues for Mr Simson's re
position than we who lie near hira. Since the Assembly there
hath been a profound sUence tlU of late ; we hear that the Principal,
who teaches the bursars, or rather hears their discourses, once or
twice a-week, should have lately told the students in the haU that
he v/as sorry they were so little waited on, but it was not his office;
but he hoped that the next Assembly would take off the sentence
frora the late Professor, and he would next session teach them to
better purpose. This is so unlike the smaUest measures of pru
dence, that I cannot believe it tlU I Inquire fiirther about it, whjch
I have not done. My Lord is as well as a man entered into the
eighty-third year of his age can be expected to be. Mr Maxwell,
and his lady and children, are well. He hath another son, and is
at present at Edinburgh. My Lord reraembers you kindly.
I'll be glad to hear from you once before the Commission, with
all you know further about Mr Glass. It's fit we should know cir
curastances here at a distance. We have sorae stories here as If Mr
Glass and his corapany were bringing in sorae surprising novelties,
as the holy kiss, saying Araen, the use of the Lord's Prayer, &c.
But we know not what to believe. If he be upon the foot of in
novations, and setting up for the head of a sect, and being noticed
for his singularity, (of Avhich I fear there are too plain presump
tions,) I wonder he produces not what there is abundance of ground
for, were we to foUoAv the very early practice of some Christians,
that is, the giving the Eucharist to infants. So far he is m the right
(if he would be singular) not to Innovate in doctrine, since there
are so many innovations there that it would scarce render him sin
gular. Pray write soon and often to. Dear Brother, yeurs most
affectionately. Eastwood, Feb. 11, 1730. '
Remember me kindly to all brethren of myacquaintance.

WODROW TO JAMES ERASER. 461

LETTER CLXXXV.
THE ASSEMBLY VINDICATED PROM THE CHARGE OP PERSECUTION.
To Dr James Fraser, London.
Dear Sir,— I am favoured with both yours of AprU the 14th
and the llth ; and if you knew the pleasure and satisfaction I have
to hear from you, I ara very sure you would oftener write to rae.
You may believe rae when I say, I cannot with any patience
think on the spirit of persecution ; and did I think our Church
were to be charged with it, I should be exceeding sorry. I ara
humbly of opinion they are not. I ara sure they have shoAvn an
other spirit to Mr Sirason than that temper you so justly com
plain of. It's not matter of opinion that is insisted on, but mat
ter of public teaching. Every sincere person ought to be borne
with, reasoned with, and tolerated, if his opinions do not break
the public peace, and affect practice, and the duties we all agree
in. But the case, in my opinion, is quite otherwise in a pubUc
teacher, who ought not, without allowance of the Society, to bring
in innovations, and things that break the public peace. But what
I blame In a public teacher raost is instability and unfixedness ; and
you observe very weU, that his speech and declaration is hyper-
orthodox, and what it may be, Dr Whitby, and perhaps even Bi
shop Bull, would scarce have corae up to. Whatever my own opi
nion be in those things is quite another case. But were I a public
teacher of youth, and happened to alter my sentiments frora the
Society who set rae to teach, I would coraraunicate my new dis
coveries to them. If I could convince thera that ray discoveries
were right, I had gained ray point ; If not, I would not disturb,
but retire elsewhere. I assure you, that Is far from the case here.
Mr Simson professes to be the same with the sentiraents of the

462 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
Society where he is a teacher, and you see his professions In his
speeches and declarations, which you'U own go high enough, and
yet In teaching and conversation he differs frora these. This at
best is instability. His sincerity I leave that to Him who knows
our heart. I never judge any further of sincerity than actions dis
cover It, and leave every man to his own conscience, and God who
made him. And under all this going and coming has the Church
persecuted him ? Have they not let him enjoy his salary these four
years without teaching ? Did they not go in last year to the midse
agreed on, out of tenderness to him, and that he might enjoy his
stipend another year, tUl he were taken a care of? and yet It seems
he complains of persecution. Forgive my freedom I take this way.
I am persuaded, had you fuU information, you would not charge us
with persecution. Orthodoxy and unorthodoxy raust be judged by
the Bible, and where a Church and Society are united, it's not every
whim that takes a raan In the head, though he have fathers and
first writers, who we know were just as infaUible as we are, on his
side, and as raany against him, that must rent and disturb a So
ciety, and set us all by the ears ; and if a raan pretend to be of
the sarae sentiraents vrith a Society, and yet does act inconsistently
with thera, I raust be aUowed to think, tiU I alter my notions
about liberty and the nature of human Society, that he is unfit to
be a teacher, till he can bring up the Society, in which and for
whom he teaches, to change their thoughts, and be as unstable as
himself Pardon me for insisting ao rauch on this subject ; I am
sure I take no pleasure in it.
It pleases rae to hear Mr Oldralxon has had so much assistance
from you. When I get him read over you shall have ray poor opi
nion. You have not told me the gentleman's business and station.
He is a lively, entertaining writer.
I have not seen Chubb's papers. I heartily thank you for your
allowance to collate your Acts of Asserably with ray copy. I shaU
communicate the discoveries I make to you. If worth your while.
Your accounts of Mr Anderson confound me. Whom shall we
trust ? I could have ventured any thing I had In his hand. He

WODROW TO JAMES FRASER. 463
has been certainly either another man than I took hira to be, or
under sorae fearfiil faUure or weight.
I am pleased to hear what you signify as to Mr Gibson, his
giving a connected account from the 1560 to the Union of the
Crowns. The paper I send you is a valuable paper in that period,
and you may coraraand any thing I have that way. I would fain
see Dr Tlndall's piece in quarto. His Rights of the Church had
much Ufe in it, though he laid about him, without due distinguish
ing between Papists and Protestants, and Moderate and Highflyers
among Protestants. The two principles he lays down raake rae
expect the less frora it. If the B. of London raanage him as closely
as he has done Woolston,' he wiU demolish him ; but I iraagine
Tindall Is not capable of writing in so rambling wild a way as
poor Woolston. With all my heart, I congratulate you on your
reaching 85 years. I pray God preserve you, and continue your
health and usefulness. Believe that I am. Dear Sir, your most
humble and affectionate.
April 21, 1730.
P.S. — ^When you ftiUy consider the harmony with which the last
Assembly went into their Act on Mr Simson's affair, and it was
that which such as in profession were most friendly to him went
into, yea proposed, I hope it will not be found to be persecution,
especiaUy if you raake a difference betwixt a man's opinion and
sentiments, wherein I own great latitude is to be allowed, and pub
Uc teaching in a Church or Society. But I will not enter upon
this dispute.
The enclosed is written by a boy of mine, 70 years younger
than you ; and, if I had not collated it with the original, would
have needed greater aUowances than your letter. Pray give my
humble duty to the Earl of Marchmont, and ray thanks for per
mitting rae to put this in his cover.
April 22, 1730.
'' Woolston had, the preceding year, written a scurrilous piece against the mi
racles of Christ, for which he was sentenced to a fine of L.lOO, ard one year's im
prisonment. Dr Calamy says it was " the opinion of many that that method of pro
ceeding might have been waived, considering that he had been reckoned many years
to be out of mind by such as knew him bett."— Calami/' s Life, vol. ii. p. 525.

464 THE AVODROW CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER CLXXXVL
ACCOUNT OF PROCEEDINGS OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had last post yours to Mr Macknight,
with the very odd passages of Mr Colville of Drumraore, his cate
chetical exercises, for which I heartily thank you. No doubt, you
will let us know the issue of this charge of error. Mr Macknight
Is not able to write himself, being under a course of medicine,
which I pray the Lord raay raake useful for his health. He leaves
It on rae to give you accounts of our last Asserably, which I very
cheerfully do, though the trouble In ray family (having a child near
death, and two others indisposed) oblige rae to give my hints
shorter than otherwise I would do.
AVe were well delivered from the attacks fi-ora Mr Simson and
his friends. The Commissioner apprehended that attempts would
be made, even for his reposition to the ministry, which would raise
new heats, and therefore signifled his aA-ersIon to that matter's
coming at all before us. I am not sure, however, but these appli
cations may be made to an after Assembly, when raatters are riper
for it. There were sorae atterapts fi-om another quarter to get an
Asserably act raade as to the doctrines irapugned by Mr Simson.
But it came no further than a Coramittee, the generality inclining
to do nothing that might bring Mr Simson again on the carpet, and
thinking that the three last Asserablies had practlcaUy and sufli-
clently [defended] the doctrines Mr Simson had Impugned, they
made no raore of It. Sorae atterapts Avere made to have the Com
mission's deposition of Mr John Glass, in March last, opened, and
a demission from his ministry accepted. But these came to no
bearing, and he stands yet deposed. I was called home before the

AVODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 465
Assembly rose, and I hear that at their last diet they raade a re
commendation to mitiisters to preach against the errors that prevaU
at this time, but I cannot give you the precise terras in which It
runs. The Assembly's time was spent In some litigious appeals lying
before them. The settleraent of Renfrew was the flrst, and Mr
M'Derment, rainister at Ayr, Avas refused to Renfrew. There were
many debates about Principal Chalmers his settlement in Old
Aberdeen. It was as warm an affair as ever I saw before us. In
the end the Principal's settlement there by a Coraraittee of the
Synod, in opposition to the Presbytery, and, as Is said, the best
affected part of the parish, was affirraed. The settleraent of the
parish of Hutton by Mr Waugh, the King's presentee, who had few
or none of the parish or heritors for hira, carae in by way of com
plaint upon the Coramission, who had consented to and advised it.
The story Is too long to tell you. In the end it was put to the vote.
Reverse the sentence of the Coramission or Not. It carried Not
Reverse, by four votes only. A dissent was offered by ten or twelve
members, who thought this affected our constitution, and the
settling of rainisters against the inclinations of the people. But the
dissent was refused to be raarked by a vote. Two or three other
affairs were deterrained, and the rest before us sent to the Corarais
sion. This is the shortest view I could think of. We had a very wild
sermon preached before the Coraraissioner, Sabbath was eight days,
by a young man, Mr Telfer, wherein he laboured to prove these
times better than the former. It was taken notice of in a Com
mittee on the morrow ; but it was thought best that the way to
censure it was to despise it, and pity the man's folly. We will be
fond of the account from your General Synod. I hope your own
health is better. May the Lord preserve you, and bless your labours
In pulpit and press I I give my kind remembrance to Mr M'Bride,
Mr Livingston, Mr G. Kennedy, and other brethren of my acquaint
ance. T reraeraber your faraily. All your friends here are in ordi-
VOL. III. 2 G

466 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
nary. I am, in the greatest sincerity and affection, Dear Brother,
yours, &c.
June 1, 1730.

LETTER CLXXXVIL
SUBSCRIPTION CONTROVERSY. — PATRONAGES, &C.
To the Rev, Mr Benjamin Colman, Minister at Boston.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — Yours of the 28th of September came to
me, with an intimation the ship stays in our river of Clyde but a
day or two. I thank you for it, and the papers that accompany it.
I did not know that the unhappy questions about subscription and
private judgment were entered the pulpit and press in America ;
but it pleases rae that they do not affect you in New England. Our
burnings In England and Ireland this way are not thoroughly
quenched, and there has been nothing- in my tirae which has ren
dered our brethren in England raore cheap in the eyes of their
observers than their unhappy breaches on these heads. Subscrip
tion to our Confession of Faith, Its being required by our Revolution
Parliament, keeps us free from these flames.
I must wait tUl your next letters, before I can know the conse
quences of your Governor's return. MeanwhUe, I pray that the
kind Providence that hitherto hath directed all Avell may appear. I
am glad to find our Irish brethren are recovering from their first
wrong steps, and their rainister is acting raore brotherly and Chris
tianly. It's good to be on the mending hand. We have much
reason to pray earnestly for intrants to the ministry, and our younger
brethren. The longer I continue in this awful work, I see more
need to cry, " Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk !"
The diligence and success of the Professors in your CoUege puts

WODROAV TO BENJAMIN COLMAN. 467
me to thankfulness to the Father of lights. It's one of the matters
of the greatest importance that our universities flourish. I wish I
could give you the Uke accounts of ours ; but we are at present
under a cloud ; parties and divisions are got in most unaccountably,
and our College discipline slackens. Since May last, I have not
met vrith Principal Campbell ; he has been very little at home. In
the summer, and tiU the College meet in October, he generally is
in the country, and nothing done till the masters gather from the
recesses they take. I am of opinion the acknowledgment the Prin
cipal designs for you should come from themselves, and not from
my dunning them. I stand in some regards in your stead, as the
canal from you to them, and you'U believe I'U do nothing to my
knowledge unfit. I vrish not to be wanting to put them in remem
brance. They are not free from our common divisions, and may
be the event wUl not corae up to your deserving, and ray wishes.
What happens you shaU know.
Worthy Mr Cooper is raost happy in Mr M'Laren as his corre
spondent. I know none hereabouts that would fiU a dirinity chair
better than he. But I know not if we shall be so happy as to have
such men as he to fill our vacancies. I send my most affectionate
regards to Mr Cooper.
Let us continue our remembrance of one another, our famUIes,
and flocks. I hope the care of all the churches Is in some measure
upon us. I pray for the blessings of the Covenant on your young
Samuel, and aU yours and the coming age.
Our last General Assembly in May had nothing about Mr Sim
son. Whether there are any designs that he should teach again I
don't know. He enjoys his salary, and the youth are without a
teacher.' The circumstances of his declarations were so dissatisfy
ing, and like a necessity laid on him, that many cannot see how he
can be further useful in that station, where the tmst is so great, and
one of the fairest character hath abundance of difficulty.
' Mr Simson was never restored to his office, but enjoyed its emoluments till his
death, which took place in 1744; the duties were, in the meantime, performed by
Principal CampbelL

468 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
The Assembly had nothing of any importance before them. We
are, year after year, vexed with litigious debates with patrons and
parties, as to settUng of ministers. This is what at present is matter
of very great trouble to aU our judicatories, greater and lesser, and
I am afraid wiU have very Ul effects on serious reUgion, Pity us
and pray for us.
Mr Robert MiUar, my neighbour, the author of the Propagation
of Christianity, hath published his History of the Old Testament
Church, in a large folio. It's but corae to hand this day, and
appears to be a large and laborious collection of what hath been
written on that subject, Avith a large dissertation annexed upon the
conversion of the Jews. I doubt not but it wIU be of use to
younger students, who have not leisure to consult the writers he
has used.
I have only time to add, that I long to hear the state of things
on your Governor's arrival, and aU occurrences with you. Some
time since, you raade rae to hope for a book that was publishing
about the progress of the Gospel araong the Indians, by a pastor
of Martha's Vineyard, if I have not forgot. That is a subject I am
fond of. Great grace be with you, and all that love our Lord in
sincerity I I am. Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
Sept. 24.

LETTER CLXXXVIIL
GLOOMY VIEWS OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTL-iND.
To the Honourable my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — During the tirae of Session I had Uttle to write,
and I know your throng since August. I did not know (till of late)
that you were in town, otherwise it may be you had got the trouble
ofthis sooner by some weeks.

WODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 469
When I took not the liberty to write, I cannot deny but in some
measure your Lordship and your famUy concerns have lain rauch
on my spirit. The affecting and heavy crosses and afilictions you
have been under have been matter of some supplication ; were I
capable of that sympathy I owe to you, you should have it. This
is a time of trial and probation, and my cry for you is, that, when
you are tried, you may be brought forth as the gold. The Lord
knoweth how to deliver you, and I do not question but your eyes
are towards him.
You have sometiraes allowed me to write to you what hints of
things come to my hand, and it's a pleasure to me if I can inform
you of any thing you would wish to know.
Our Synods are now drawing on, and I wish we could know the
schemes of Mr John Simson's favourers, that sorae raore care may
be taken in the choice of the merabers of the next Asserably than
was last year. The youth especially in this Synod are quite ne
glected ; perhaps better so than under wrong teaching. The Col
lege, it seems, are easy, provided Mr Simson have his salary, and
the Church is silent. I know not but In a little time the Presby
tery of Glasgow may be so modelled as to petition for his reposi
tion, at least to the ministry. The Lord pity us !
I reaUy know nothing through the [Church] since the Assembly,
and scarce have any heart to inquire. I expect to hear of little but
party work, and compliances with patrons, and great men, and
sides. I hear of nothing of raoraent to be before the Coraraission,
and am weary now of our ecclesiastical meetings. This winter, if
my health (which is now declining) permit rae, I hope to bring
down the Biography towards the 1637, when a new set of raen
cast up. If any thing useful for rae have come to your hands of
late. It will be welcome, with any thing you judge proper to com
municate with me. I am, my Lord, yours most affectionately.
Sept. 24, 1730.
P. S. — ^My Lord PoUock has been with us at our Comraunion,
and in church every Sabbath since. It's a wonder to see hira so

470 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
weU when pretty near 84. We observe greater number of com
municants at our sacraments this season than we have seen for
merly. We had near eleven hundred.

LETTER CLXXXIX.
WATERLAND AND CLARKE, TINDAL AND DEISM.
To the Rev. Mr Abraham Taylor, at Deptford.
Rev. and Dear Sir, — ^Yours of the llth of July came tlme-
ously to hand. I would wUlingly hear oftener from you than I do.
Long breach of Intercourse breeds forgetfulness in me, though I
trust not in others, and I beg you may remember me when you
have not opportunities and leisure to write, which I wish may be
more frequent.
I thank you for your hint of worthy Dr Waterland's debate with
Dr Clarke's friends. Indeed, I do not perceive how controversies
with the Arians, Pelagians, and Semi-Pelagians, can be managed
with advantage, save upon what is called the Calvinistic scheme. I
wish Ave had Waterland's papers here, forthe same notions are getting
in to the heads of some of our young preachers, that moral duties
are rauch preferable to positive, and the main of religion is relative
to Society, and relative duty betwixt man and man, at which I am
not surprised. When our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit are left
very much out of Christianity, It raust settle in raorality and mere
heathenisra. Mr Watts' admirers, who are for turning out of
our pulpits the iraportant truths of Christianity, (which, I fear, they
mean by speculative matters,) wiU land, I fear, in the same sink of
GentUisra. I see little of argument in old Tindal. He sets the dignified
writers, who are generally Pelagian, by the ears, and faUs not to
make the best of them he can to support Deism, and destroy Re-

AA'ODROW TO ABRAHAM TAiLOR. 471
velation. I have been wondering this dozen of years that the
Deists did not thus improve your famous English Doctors, Tillot-
son, Scot, Clarke, &c. Perhaps this may open sorae of their eyes,
and lead them to defend reUgion and revelation in a more tenable
way than by giring so much to what they call reason and natural
powers, and very few of them explain what they mean by these
terms ; so that I do not at aU wonder that the Deists make terrible
improvements of thera. That one general concession, now too fre
quently made, that a revelation is rather a matter of conveniency
than necessity, In our present state, and a thing to be hoped for,
and very useful and advantageous when given, and what may be
hoped for, though it seems, by Avhat they speak half out, we may
do tolerably without it, cannot fail to be turned against us.
It seems mine to Mr Bradbury are not acceptable, at least his
retm-ns corae not to rae. I wish your printer would send doAvn
some copies of your Essay on Faith and Serraons to Edinburgh.
I have written once and again, and cannot find they are in the shops
there. We hear many reports of the crowded auditory Mr Wishart has
at London.' It's a considerable change from what he had in this
neighbourhood. It pleases me to hear that you are Uke to have more leisure at
Deptford. May the Lord preserve your health, and furnish you
for singular services in this dark day !
All is hushed as to Mr Simson. Whether under this sUence de
signs are forraing for restoring him, at least to preaching, I cannot
teU. The youth are neglected, and our judicatories are taken up
with litigious debates with patrons, and our state parties, in settUng
congregations. This was the sum of what was before our last As
sembly, and I thought it needless to trouble you with thera. Let
me be favoured Arith yours as frequently as you can ; though I can
make but very sorry returns. Let us frequently reraeraber each

' Mr, afterwards Principal, Wishart, was settled in London, first as minister of
the Old Jewry, and afterwards at Founders' Hall.

472 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
other at the throne of grace. I am. Rev. Dear Brother, yours
most affectionately.
Sept. 25.

LETTER CXC.
DEATH OF wodrow's SON, ALEXANDER.
To Colonel Erskine.
My Dearest Colonel, — I have yours this post, and am glad
to hear again from you, when you forget me so much, and I have
so few neA\'s. I am glad to hear of your lady's being better. I pray
and hope there will be a good account of her and her chUd. You
and she have ray poor concern. My dear Sandy died on Thursday
raorning, when the Comraission was sitting. We have good hopes
he Is changed for the better, and that Is our great comfort. He
was lovely in his life and In his last hours, and gave a pleasant ac
count of the Lord's goodness towards him. Indeed, they are happy
that are got off the stage with clean garments. I am eamest to
see what the Synod of Ross have done, and you must send me a
copy of it as soon as you please, and the rather, that since the
Commission, as I hear, would scarce read our letter, we may think
against our next Synod upon somewhat (if others be of my opinion)
which it's like the Assembly will please to read. And I wish that
other Synods would have it also under their consideration ; as also
that care be taken In the choice of members to the General As
serably, lest a reposition be upon design, though all is sUent here.
I mind nothing else here, save our surprise at Mr Campbell of
Larbert's bold pamphlet ; and we wonder the Presbytery of Stir
ling doth not call him to explain himself at least, and retract some
surprising expressions. Write to me, if you can, before you leave
Edinburgh, and frequently from Culross. I am, with my best re-

WODROAV TO LORD GRANGE. 473
spects to your lady and Mr John, Dearest Colonel, yours most af
fectionately. Nov. 23, 1730.

LETTER CXCL
SIMSON. — PROPOSAL TO NAIL DOWN PATRONAGE ON THE CHURCH.
— ^PROFESSOR Campbell's pamphlet  glass and Archibald.
To my Lord Grange.
My Lord, — I hear your Lordships are to have a recess from
your toilsome work for eight or ten days, and therefore venture to
give you the trouble of this, though I have but very little of im
portance to coraraunicate. Perhaps you'll be more at liberty to
favour me with any thing that is a-golng, than when the Session
is sitting. Indeed, I know very little since the Asserably. My
incUnations were to have been at the Commission last month, but
the case of my faraily did not allow me. My son Alexander, about
sixteen years of age, died when the Commission was meeting, not
without some comfortable evidences of a begun work of grace In
his soul.
There seeras to be reason to apprehend Mr Sirason designs an
application to the next Assembly, in what shape I don't know. I
was inforraed lately by a valuable minister, with whom he had a
long conversation for some hours lately, that he remains just as for
merly, as haughty, and as much on his own vindication as ever.
He aUeges he has the whole knowing, learned, and sensible mini
sters In the Church for him ; and does not, after all his acknow
ledgments and retractions, stick to say that he is persecuted and
egreglously wronged by this Church. He frowns upon all who
have differed from him, and never discovers the least appearance of
any sense that he hath done any thing amiss ; and he and his friends
are extremely angry that they did not,«push the last Assembly to

474 the WODROAV correspondence.
take off the sentence he lies under, and are positive, had it been
moved, it would have carried In his favours. Indeed, I doubt they
are not much out In this, and I know to whora, under God, we are
obliged to,' that the Earl of Loudoun did not humour him in aUowing
it to be brought In.
No doubt, he and his friends are not idle, and doing their
utmost to prepare matters against the next Asserably ; and such
as are on the side of truth ought to be apprised of this, and on
their guard. There is soraewhat to be said for the taking off the
suspension as to preaching ; that the process related entirely to his
teaching ; that in his sermons he was not blamed ; and that by his
being fixed in a congregation the Church wUl be rid of his Uni
versity teaching. The answers to these are not very difficult ; but
this matter, I fear, is not to be deterrained by fair reasoning, and,
therefore, I would wUlIngly know your Lordship's opinion, what
may be the most proper measures to be taken to prevent the busy
endeavours of hira and his side to get a raajority for him at the
next Assembly. Probably it wUl not be proposed to restore him
to his teaching, but only the taking off the sentence of suspension
as to preaching; though I beUeve he and his friends have face
enough to go further. I know not weU how far the Assembly's
declaration that he is unfit hereafter to teach youth in this Church
will go. I knoAV how It was pretended to be raeant, when that
midse was gone into, 1729 ; but how it wUl come to be explained
and interpreted I cannot tell. Even the opening of that sentence
is not a sraaU step to reverse It, and the taking off the suspension a
pretty wide step to his restoring to teaching. I am sure his preach
ing itself and sitting in judicatories wUl be the beginning of many
evUs in this country, which, perhaps, others at a distance wiU not
at first feel, but it raay come to be felt by all the Church. But can
the suspension itself be In any decency taken off, when he con
tinues as rauch upon his own vindication, and as rimlent upon
what the Church has done, and take no pains to give the least
' Lord Grange is the person here meant.

WODROW TO LORD GRANGE. 475
satisfaction for the offence he hath given, yea, defends all he has
done, and does not insinuate the least sense he has been in the
wrong, and even insults and reproaches the Church for what they
have done ? But supposing he should be taught better when he
comes into Edinburgh, and make pretty full professions, I would
wiUingly know, if by all rules, and in point of justice, the second
Ubel must be discussed before the suspension itself be taken off.
That, in my opinion, does nearly relate to his preaching, and he can
not easUy preach the Gospel vrithout mixing in what he himself
hath owned and vindicates in his Answers to the Second Libel. I
wish such as set up upon the foot of prudence and peace of the
Church would consider whither the opening and discussing the se
cond Ubel wUl lead us, and Avhat new ferment and wranglings it
AvIU necessarily bring us to. Indeed, were we sure of good judges,
I wish the second libel were dipped into ; but there is my difficulty.
I am but losing your time with these things. It would be very
useful to me to have your thoughts on the whole, and upon what
may be proper to do to prevent the next Assembly's taking up this
affair, which, in all the shapes I can think of, wUl prove at best ex
tremely hazardous to the Church, and I fear end in a breach of mi
nisterial coramunion. I wish, at Edinburgh, there were a general
correspondence begun, and ministers and others were written to
and acquainted with our danger, and pressed to take care of the
ensuing elections to the Assembly ; and if any thing can be done
timeously above for preventing of a new application by Mr Simson,
which, if our statesmen be not on a design to raise new broils and
confusions in this Church, they wiU see is the best way to preserve
peace and quiet.
We are dunned with the accounts of a design on foot to nail
down patronage and presentations upon us raore straitly. We have
been so obsequious already to presentations, and done raore than
perhaps the law requires, that I own there is ground to look that
many wUl go into every thing that can be proposed. But pray
what is it that is to be further done ? I can scarce see what further
can be done than the law, and our going perhaps beyond it, has

476 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
already brought us under. However, it seeras there are letters from
great naraes at Edinburgh, threatening further clauses as to presen
tations. May I ask hoAv Mr CarapbeU at Larbert is received at St An
drews ? Is he sertled there ? I wonder that the Presbytery of Stir
ling has not called upon him to explain or retract some passages in
his late pamphlet on Enthusiasm,' and wish the University of St
Andrews might inquire Into that matter a little. That pamphlet, I
own, is a very odd preface to his setting up to be S. T. P. in Scot
land, and I think, joined with the Seasonable Remarks on Mr Sim
son's sentiments from his own papers, raight alarm this Church
against any atterapt for reponlng Mr Slrason, and engage St An
drews College and Presbytery to be cautious whom they admit, to
whorasoever others see proper, to give a little to the salary. But I
hinted sorae things, as to Mr CarapbeU, in a former letter to your
Lordshlp. You had likewise any thing since my last, which is come to my
knowledge from New England and Ireland. I wish these have not
missed you, when I ara told you were in the north country. By a
letter I had last week, I find worthy old Mr M'Crackan is dead, and
one Alexander, an English Dissenter, is come over to Plunket Street
meeting-house in Dublin. He Is a Non-subscriber, but hath written
pretty well against the Arian hypothesis. I have the copy of a letter
wrote by a minister in Ireland to Mr J. Glass, to reclaim him from
his wUdness ; but I don't think it will have any influence. I should
be glad to know how his and Mr Archibald's^ case and foUovring
stand. We hear very wild stories of their kiss of charity and confes
sion of sins, and sending out tradesmen, gifted brethren, to preach,
' This was one of the treatises for which Professor Campbell was processed before
the Assembly of 1736. The Assembly dismissed the process, declaring that they
were satisfied that Mr Campbell had " a sound meaning" in the several propositions
which they had under their consideration.
' Mr Francis Archibald, minister of Guthrie, had imbibed the same opinions with
Mr Glass, on account of which he was first suspended, and refusing to submit to this
sentence, was afterwards deposed. Both he and Mr Glass, however, were subse
quently restored to the ministry, though not to their churches.

WODROW TO JOHN LAWSON. 477
but what to beUeve I know not. Mr Smith was keen in March for
Mr Glass's deposition. I knoAV not how he acted in Mr Archibald's
case in November, which, to me, does not seem easily to be knit
with the Commission's procedure in March. It seems your profes
sion of Divinity at Edinburgh is not yet disposed of. We reckon
the present Professor is to be Principal.
I hope some papers that may be helpful to rae in our Biography
wUl be corae to your hand, since I had the happiness to wait on
you, particularly L. Nisbet's papers. We have a carrier that in
winter coraes sometimes to Edinburgh, a very eminent Christian,
and a man of good sense. If your Lordship have any MSS. or
papers, or any new thing in literature that is bulky for the post,
I'll cause him to call for any thing you have for rae. One can de
pend entirely on hira.
Forgive ray tediousness. I have not heard from Mr Taylor since
I gave you a hint of his last, in September, if I reraeraber. When
your Lordship has any leisure, it will be exceeding welcome to hear
from you by post. Meanwhile, I am, my Lord, yours most affec
tionately. Dec. 16, 1730.

LETTER CXCIL
DESIGNS TO REPONE MR SIMSON.
To Mr John Lawson, Minister at Closeburn, near Dumfries,
Rev. Dear Brother, — You'U see by this that I have no raind
our intercourse should faU on my part. Perhaps I may have the
pleasure of seeing you at your friend's reception in Renfrew, the
second or third week of January. The matter even requires
that I should give you trouble betwixt and then. By the best
information I can have, Mr Simson designs to apply (In what

478 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
shape I knoAV not) to the next Asserably. The least that will
be asked will be the taking off the sentence of suspension as to
preaching. No doubt, he and his friends wUl not be idle under
such a view, and you avIU agree with rae that such as are con
cemed for the preservation of the purity of doctrine should be
on their guard Avho comes to the next Assembly.' It's said, (and
I believe not without reason,) that, had Mr Simson applied to
the last Assembly, he had got a favourable retum, and this raises
his hopes of the next. I wish it may be AveU considered what
tendency the taking off of the suspension may have, and how
far it will pave the way even to his being restored to teaching ;
likewise, of how little consequence any restrictions laid on hira,
in this event, wIU be, considering the deference he paid to the
restrictions laid on him, 1717, as appears in the Comnuttee's
procedure in his Second Libel. It wiU also be considered, no
doubt, what divisions and new j anglings this attempt, if It
succeed, will be followed with. The Second Libel, one would
think, must be discussed in the Asserably, and that will not be an
easy matter, and bring things on the carpet Avhlch I vrish our wise
prudent rainisters would consider the consequences of. In short,
I don't see but in the issue this project raust land in a stated rent
in this poor Church. I vrish rainisters then in your bounds would

• A number of Wodrow's Letters, written about this time, which we have omitted,
were sent as circulars to ministers in various parts of the counh-y, suggesting, as he does
in this letter, that, in consequence of the reported design of Mr Simson to apply to the
ensuing Assembly for the removal of the sentence of suspension, all their influence
should be exerted, that members firm for the preservation of purity of doctrine should
be chosen, and that they should correspond with one another, in order to be
united in their measures. He says to one correspondent — " We should undoubtedly
send up to the next Assembly persons firm in this matter, for we see that instruc
tions, when almost universal, can be some way got over. Though I am for continuing
of these also, yet the great matter is sending of right men." To another he says —
" I wish brethren that stand for the truth may be upon their guard, since I am as
sured pains will be taken to get members chosen who may favour his reposition. "
These endeavours to secure members attached to the doctrine of the Church were so
far successful, that Mr Simson made no appHcation to the Assembly, persuaded that
he could not succeed in his object.

WODROW TO JOHN WARDEN. 479
frequently meet, and consider what is proper to be done before the
next Assembly, and communicate what appears to be present duty
to their brethren here and elsewhere. One thing that should
quicken us aU is the strange lengths that another S. T. P., Mr
CampbeU, in his Essay on Enthusiasm, is gone. No doubt, you'U
have seen that pamphlet, and Mr Haddow's good paper, proving
Mr Simson's errors from his own papers. Let me know brethren's
sentiments with you, and caution your- friend not to appear with
keenness, if his light lead him, as it's said it does, for a removal of
Mr Simson's suspension. It wUl be a loss to him if he do so.
Write often ; and believe that I am. Dear Brother, yours.
Dec. 16.

LETTER CXCm.
CAMPBELL'S ESSAY ON ENTHUSIASM.
To Mr John Warden, Minister of the Gospel at Gargunnock.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I think you and I shall wear out of ac
quaintance. Allow me to begin with a complaint that you was at
Glasgow some time, and saw me not. I think I was never within
two mUes and a half of Gargunnock but I saw you. I hope you'U
make up this fault, by frequent remembering me and mine under
breaches, when no eye sees you. I find there vrill be an applica
tion by Mr Sirason and his friends to the next Assembly, in what
shape time will discover. It wlU be for removing the suspension
as to the preaching at least, and more if the. elections be favour
able. It's now if ever necessary that firra, honest men be sent up,
that brethren correspond, and communicate light one with another,
as to present duty. I know you and most of your Synod stand
for the truth, and I bless God for it ; but aUow me to ask if you

480 the wodrow correspondence.
have made any inquiry concerning one of your neighbours, who
very early styles himself S. T. P., his strange and bold assertions
in his paraphlet on Enthusiasm. I have been longing to hear
that the Presbytery of Stirling had caUed him to explain himself
upon what gives so much offence, and prevaUed with him to re
tract what, in ray opinion, hath a visible tendency to destroy his de
sign against the Deists, and weaken our argument against them, as
well as to destroy our doctrine, as to the Spirit's work on the souls
of his people, and many other things I need not insist on to you.
This new attack on our doctrine, yea, the vital practical part of
Christianity, I hope, wUl let us see that the leaven is spreading,
and it's too early to retract what the Church of Scotland hath
done as to his feUow S. T. P. I'll be glad to know Mr Camp
beU's defences of the odd and bold saUIes in his book,' and the fa
vourable senses he puts on the most shocking expressions In his
preface, p. 1 and 2, p. 8, and many other places, and what your
Presbytery say in your defence for not making an Inquiry, accord
ing to the Acts of Asserably, into what is pubUshed by one of
your number. I hear he is gone to St Andrews to present his pa
tent. Pray let me know his reception there, with aU your news.
Take timeous care of the raerabers of Assembly. Let us mind
one another, and Avrite frequently. I am, with respects to yours,
yours most affectionately.
Eastwood, Deo. 17, 1730.
' Professor Campbell, in this Discourse on Enthusiasm, among other remarks of a
similar kind, says, p. 2, that " many in the world look upon those manifestations,
which they think they have of the nature and excellencies of God, as supernaturally
communicated to their minds;'' but "itis evident, beyond all reasonable dispute,
that all such events may possibly have come about in a natural course and series of
things, without any more immediate interposing of the Divinity, than there is when a
man opens bis eyes, and beholds the sun in its glory at noon-day." He affirms that
" an extravagant conceit of being peculiarly blest with such supernatural comnluai-
cations from heaven makes up the very life and soul of enthusiasm ;" and speaks of
" consulting the throne of grace, and imploring light and direction, " &o., as " terms
of art," much used by enthusiasts  Pp. 4-10.

WODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 481

LETTER CXCIV.
MR WILKS. — DEATH OF MR M'CRACKAN. — " WILDNESSES " OF
MR GLASS, &C.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had yours of the 1 9th of November,
about a month after the date, and the bearer calls again for an
answer this night, when I was not looking for him.
Mr Wllks' Essay on the Being of God I heartily thank you for.
It's pity a gentleman should write in so cramp a style, as to need a
Dictionary at the margin and the foot of the page. However, he
writes in earnest, as far as I have glanced him, and has several
very good, and some of thera uncoramon, remarks on the conduct
of Atheists, and the opposers of religion. I fear his cramp, Latin
ised way of expressing himself, hinder the book to be read.
Worthy Mr M'Crackan's death affects me much. He was ray
father's friend, and I had the advantage of his letters raore than
twenty years. He was a firra, honest Scots Presbyterian, and
though he has served God and his generation long, it's reaUy a loss
when such are reraoved.
I have yours to Mr Glass ; I have no reraarks to raake on
it ; but though I take it to be your duty to write to hira, and per
haps in such soft and gaining terms, yet I fear he Is so stiff and
self-wiUed, soraewhat more of salt wotdd have been as effectual. But
I fear Uttle wUl prevaU on him now. I have kept your letter, lest
any thing cast up here in his paraphlets, of which he never wearies,
that I may do you justice. But, if you want it, I shaU send it at a
call. The poor man is still going on In his wildnesses, and comi
cal things are talked of his public rebukes, for defects and excesses
In the Christian kiss he has introduced to his raeeting. He is ad
vancing tradesmen to the ministry, and turning out the soberer mem-
VOL. III. 2 H

482 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
bers of his congregation with much iraperiousness, because they
cannot see those gifts and qualities he, it seems, finds in the igno
rant people he wIU make ministers of, who, they say, exceedmgly
expose reUgion in their probatory discourses.
It's a pleasure to me to hear you are no worse in your health.
Be careful of It. The Lord preserve and increase it. I had the
Primate's Charge, and sent it to Mr Erskine. He writes, I sup
pose, by the bearer, and so I'll but repeat things. I remember
Messrs M'Bride, Kennedy, Livingston, and Lang, and am glad to
hear of their health.
As soon as I got yours about your son Archibald haring but a
very overly acquaintance Arith Mr Wishart, and havuig never written
to him, or heard from hira, I communicate what you write to Mr
Hamilton at Glasgow, once his colleague, and desired him to write
upon that affair, Avhich he seemed wiUing to do, or to employ some
other, as intimate witH hira as he, to do it. But I doubt nothing
will be done, or needs this way, since of late we hear he is to leave
London and corae to Scotland, because of his wife's health, which
Is exceeding bad at London ; and some say she is already come
doAvn. If this hold, I doubt there is sorae raore under it. You
may reckon every thing In my power for you or yours.
Worthy Mr Luke, I fear, is a-dying of an asthma. You know
what heavy crushes he has met with In his chUdren, and these
stuck to him. He Is indeed better these few days, but I have little
hope of his recovery. His death wUl be a very great loss to that
place. I forgot almost to tell you, that in all probabUIty we are lUce to
have a new attack frora Mr Slrason and his party next Assembly,
for taking off his suspension from preaching ; and if the choice prove
what they reckon favourable, I doubt a push wiU be made for his
being reponed to teach. That will undoubtedly throw us to con
fusion. Pray for us, and a good choice of members to the As
sembly, and conduct to thera.
I raind nothing new, unless it be Mr Francis Hutchison's in
augural oration, which receive frora the bearer, and, when you

WODROW TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 483
have perused it, send it to Mr G. Laing, if copies be not corae
over, as it may be they are. Write much and often to, Rev. Dear
Brother, yours most affectionately.
Jan. 6, 1731.

LETTER CXCV.
PROCEEDINGS OP THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
To the Rev. Mr Abraham Taylor, Minister at Deptford.
Rev. Dear Sir, — Yours by Mr Randie's servant was exceed
ingly welcome, and I designedly put off the time of ray writing tiU
the time of the Assembly, when I thought you would incUne to
hear from rae. We are for a while rid of Mr SIrason's importunity.
This Assembly, indeed, doth not seem to have been for his purpose,
and so we have had no trouble from hira. However, thousrh I ara
far from being for personal hardships on him for his opinions, yet
I cannot but regret that while he enjoys the salary, the youth in
the west of Scotland are entirely neglected, and have no teacher in
Divinity. Upon this subject, there hath been a proposal from the Synods of
Fife, Perth, &c., that the Assembly should give a seasonable tes
timony against the growing infidelity and errors at this day. This
paper needs to be weU digested, which is not easy in so large a meet
ing as the Assembly. Besides, I know not if we shall entirely
agree in several expressions that some may incUne to have brought
in. And I am very sorry to teU you, that so necessary and season
able a work as this wiU probably be put off for want of tirae. Per
haps it may be referred to the Commission, but that vriU be a
material dropping of it ; for the Commission wiU not probably
enter upon it.
Save private causes, as transportations, &c., with which I wIU not

484 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
trouble you, there has been no raore of importance, except an act
about planting parishes when they happen to fall into the hands of
the Presbytery, before our General Asserably. I know not if
you'U be so well versed in our forras as to settleraent, as to under
stand rae if I should enter into a detail of it. It was upon the plan
agreed to at the Revolution, which, though a civil act, was worded
at the directions of the rainisters who had suffered. In short, the
power of caUlng rainisters Is lodged In the hands of the heritors and
elders who are to propose the man to the congregation ; and if
they disapprove him, their reasons for so doing are to be laid before
the Presbytery, who are the last resort.' This plan Is recommended

' It was agreed that the overture of this Act should be transmitted to Presbyteries
for their consideration, whether it should be tnrned into a standing Act, and that, in
the meantime, it should have the force of a law. " It's probable," says Wodrow, " that
by the opposition the North country ministers made to it, that it may not he passed
to a standing Act next Assembly. To me, indeed, it's hard to determine whether one
method will fully answer in point of expediency to the South, where the heritors are
not openly disaff'ected, and the North ; but it seems necessary that some rule should
be fixed." — {Analecia, vol. vi. p. 297.) At the Assembly in May 1732, it was found
that 18 Presbyteries had returned no judgment concerning the overture; that 12
were for it, but only upon condition of several amendments ; that only six were for
it as it stood ; and that 31 were decidedly hostile to it. At the same Assembly, two
representations of grievances, the one signed by 42 ministers, and the other hy 1 700
of the Christian people, were offered to the Assembly, in which, among- other things,
they remonstrated against the above overture. But the Assembly refused to hear these
representations, and though the great majority of Presbyteries gave their judgment
against the measure, yet the Assembly, in direct opposition to a fundamental and
standing law, commonly called the Barrier Act, which requires that overtures in such
cases should be rejected, not only converted it into an Act, but refused to restrict the
right of voting to such heritors as resided within the parish, or were members ofthe
Church of Scotland ; and also refused to mark in their minutes a dissent from thia
Act, and a protest against it by several ministers and elders, members ofthe Assem
bly. There can be no doubt that the disregard of the rights ofthe members of the
Church displayed in this Act, and the unreasonable procedure of the Assembly in
refusing tbe marking of dissents and protestations against it, was what immediately
gave rise to the Secession. Wodrow, it appears, had various objections against
this Act. " It needs,'' says he, " great amendments, some of which were reasoned,
and pretty much agreed upon in Committees of the Commission, which had the Act
for settling tanquam jure devoluto under consideration, as has been said. There it was
Bgi-eed on, that special regai-d should be had to heritors that attended on ordinances,
otherwise certainly it will be a great hardship on well-affected heritors. And, fur-

WODROW TO ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 485
to be used before the jus devolutum corae into the Presbytery's
hands, and afterwards. It lies hardest on our Northern brethren,
where the heritors are disaffected, and wUl stIU act. But It was
thought we should have somewhat In the roora of patrons. If we
should be quit of them, of which Indeed we have but little prospect.
This is a short hint of what was done In the Assembly.
It's high time I should make ray thankful acknowledgments for
your valuable present of your three Sermons and your Essay on
Faith. I have not time here to read your Essay on Faith. When
I get home, and have that pleasure, I make no doubt but I'll be
much satisfied with it. Meanwhile, I can assure you It finds rauch
acceptance with several very good judges here. One, In particular,
an advocate, and very pious gentleman, who borrowed it whUe I
am here, tells rae his soul hath been much refreshed with it, and
blesseth God who hath led you to write upon this subject. I
am longing for your Funeral Sermon on the death of your coUeague,
and your Confession of Faith, which I know will be a judicious
abstract of Christian doctrine. I cannot pretend to raake a return
to you for what you send rae. But pray let rae know If you have
the History of our Sufferings I wrote some years since. If you
have it not, I'll send it by Mr Randle upon the first occasion. I
have got all your father wrote, and promise myself ranch edifica
tion by reading his Essays and other treatises. When you write
next, let me know if it was your father who was in Scotland Avitli
Mr BosweU, 1706. Mr Shaw, now Lord Barrington, v\'as In their
company, and I had some acquaintance with that Mr Taylor at
Glasgow. He was a grave, judicious raan.
I am entertained a little with Varia Sacra ; written, they say, by
Sir R. EUis, who, I am told. Is a friend of yours. It Is a prodigi
ous coUection of critical leaming, well applied for giving light to
ther, it was there agreed, that heritors and elders should act in two separate bodies,
and that heads of families, in ease of a difference between these, should be taken in to
make the balance. Many other regulations would be needful to make ; but I doubt
this is scarce a time for it ; and I see some leading persons are not fond of rules.
Power is sweet, and such who get it in their hands are not_willing to part with it." 
{Ibid. vol. vi. p. 300.)

486 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
the Holy Scripture. He hath sweet and just thoughts on baptism
for the dead ; but it is miserably misprinted.
AUow rae to rejoice in your ordination to the ministry, and to
present my supplications to God-Redeemer to pour out his Holy
Spirit upon you, and give you many seals and crowns. Let us
wrestle with and for one another, in these evU days, when our dark
ness looks like an evening darkness ; but in the evening time it shaU
be light. I thank you for your sympathy under family rods. I
need it, and look up for sanctifying power to come along vrith them.
Foster is a vile writer. I see no warmth in Dr Waterland but
what the subject requires. I have read him with pleasure against
Dr Sykes, who runs fast to Deism and Socinlanlsm. The Lord
preserve the Doctor for much further service ! He hath done much
already, and I hope more is in reserve. I shall send what is written
against Mr Sirason, by Mr Randie's means, to you. Permit me to
beseech you to write what Is a-going to me by post. You have our
worthy friend, my Lord Grange, with you. I offer him my dutifid
respects. Pardon the hurry I am in, and my bad hand ; and be
lieve me to be. Dear Sir, your most affectionate and obUged brother.
Edinburgh, May 15, 1731.

LETTER CXCVL
SAME SUBJECT.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Belfast.
Rev. Dear Brother, — I have yours ofthe 21st of April, from
my brother Mr Macknight, this night, and thank you for the copy
ofthe depositions in ColvUle's case. You raust gratify my Athenian
temper by sending rae what is a-going. I presume to hope you'U
continue to send whatever you find proper, and you would vrish to

WODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 487
have communicated if you were here and I there. It were unjust
and unfriendly in me, if I did not with cheerfulness send you our
account of matters, though they are not very iraportant ; and I wish
I had more vigorous appearances to acquaint you with ; but these
are scarce to be expected from this Church, tiU the Lord be pleased
to put a stop to our sensible declinlngs, frora time to time.
Our Assembly met May 6th. Professor Hamilton, last Modera
tor, preached from 1 Tim. i. 15, " This is a faithful saying," &c.
There was not much remarkable, but some flings at a persecuting
spirit. There was a letter from our worthy clerk, Mr Dundas of
PhiUpstoun, signifying his indisposition, and in four or five days we
had an account of his death. His room was soon supplied with Mr
WiUiam Grant, son to my Lord Cullen, by an unanimous vote.
You need not be told what a great loss this Church will be at by
the loss of this good and worthy gentleman's death, whose name
will be for ever savoury in this Church. The vote for Moderator
ran between Mr Smith and Mr Williara Millar, and Mr Sraith
carried it by a small majority. He had been left out in the first
election by the Presbytery of .Edinburgh, as is said, by his own
desire, and Professor Hamilton's party ; but when the Commissioner
came down, eight or ten days before the Asserably, he was chosen
in the roora of a brother who raade his excuse in order to be chosen
Moderator. I doubt if he had been chosen without the Commis
sioner's weight. Mr Smith Is failing, and not so vigorous as for
merly, and his passion sometimes discovers itself. However, Pro
fessor HamUton and he seera now to be joined, and it's believed he
wUl go to the chair, and Mr Harallton avUI be Principal. This vote
of the Assembly, together with vigorous instructions from Presby
teries against Patronages and accepting of them ; for an act against
the prevalent errors of the times ; for limitations of the Comraission,
and their meeting at Glasgow and Aberdeen ; with a good many
against Mr Simson and others of that strain, from Fife, Stirling,
Angus, and especiaUy from the North, for indeed they have any zeal
and concern that is among us ; these things, I say, raade Mr SIrason's
friends think this Assembly too warra for moving any thing about

488 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
him ; though it's said in town that there was a petition from the
students at Glasgow, that is, a few whom he and the Principal could
influence, that the Assembly would provide a remedy for their want
of teaching these four or five years. In the Committee of Instruc
tions and Overtures, we had very few speeches against patronages
and acceptation of presentations ; but all landed in a general instruc
tion to the Coramission about the Church's grievances, their re
dress, and an act of the Assembly, which is the only act made
this year, about settlements of parishes. It enacts just In the terms
ofthe Act of Parliament, 1690, placing the election and choice In
the heritors being Protestants and elders, representatives of the
people, the person to be proposed to the people, to be approven or
disapproven by thera, and the disapprovers are to give In their
reasons to the Presbytery, at whose judgment and determination
all Is to be concluded. A clause Is added, recomraending It to all
ministers, preachers, and merabers of this Church, to give no en
couragement to settlements upon any other plan but this. This act
took up raost of our time ; though this was the plan foUowed by
our Scots law, yet we had not taken It in by any ecclesiastical deed.
It was said that this would let all our friends know what we would
agree to in roora of patronages, and being our plan before patron
ages, it was gone into, but not with harmony, severals being of
opinion that heritors, as such, have no power of choice, especiaUy
non-resldlng ; and the brethren in the North, where the heritors are
disaffected, coraplain rauch of It, and would have had In a clause,
heritors of our communion, or that a special regard should be had to
heritors who join in ordinances. But that could not be got In. The
act binds till next Asserably, and is reraitted to Presbyteries to
send in their opinions upon it. There was a push made for a warn
ing against error ; and in the plans proposed for it from Fife, Perth,
and Angus, there was a particular specification ofthe errors charged
on Mr Simson ; but there was not tirae, and raany of our directors
were willing there should not be time, to ripen it in our committees ;
and it was remitted to the Coraraission, where I can almost foreteU
what vvill be done about it, namely, nothing at all. I mind no

WODROAV TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 489
more of a public nature that A\'as on the carpet. The Commission's
actings. In settling Balfron, almost on a mere presentation, were
disapproven, but the person settled continued. Their conduct was
not approven In their reponlng Mr Archibald to the ministry, after
the Synod of Angus and Mearns had deposed him, and yet they
had declared him no longer minister of Guthrie. He joins Mr
Glass, who was deposed for the sarae frregularitles by the Synod,
so that it is hard to say what Mr Archibald's case is. The Synod
has deposed hira, the Coraraission hath reponed hira to the ministry
in general, and the Assembly doth not approve of what the Com
mission hath done, but leaves matters to stand as they are. Such
mazes Ave are sometiraes brought unto by our various sentences. I
mind no more we had before us but transportations and settlements
In the North ; and a good raany others referred to the Coraraission,
particularly one, which was the only one which the Comraission took
in on May. The Synod of Perth had suspended Mr Andrew
Burgh, preacher, for accepting a presentation to the parish of
Foulis, simpliciter, and without any reserves, and for refusing to own
presentations to be a grievance, though at length, indeed, he raade
some acknowledgments they were a grievance. This came before
the Coramission, who declared the suspension null, because the
matter was referred by the Presbytery to the Synod only for advice,
and not decision, and so reraitted it back to the Presbytery. But
It is thought the Presbytery will also suspend hira, this being the
only instance we have had of a siraple acceptation of a presentation .
We had a little scufile the last diet of the Assembly about reading
of serraons. One, Mr WiUIara Armstrong, had read his serraon
with a very IU grace. He is a young raan in the Presbytery of
Penpont, who was named upon the faUure of another who had been
appointed, that sets up for oratory ; but I never heard less, nor saw
so much hamraering and Indecency in delivery.' Many raerabers,
' Young men were now generally nominated to preach before the Commissioner.
On this Wodrow remarks : " In their nomination of preachers, they continue to no
minate, as has beeu ordinary these several years, mostly young men who boar the
narae of bright ^ouths, and oratorial preachers. This is a considerable change

490 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
in open Assembly, testified their dislike of this Innovation, and the
matter was passed over. By this time I have wearied you. I mmd
Uttle raore reraarkable. You'U forgive the confused account. I
have only tirae to thank you for the inforraation you have given of
things with you, and long for the accoimts of your Synod this
month, and that of the Non- subscribers, and the Issue. We long
for the answer to the narrative and remarks on Mr Hutchison's
well done paper. I thank you for your sympathy'; and I am, with
kind respects to aU brethren of ray acquaintance, yours most
affectionately. June 2, 1731.

LETTER CXCVIL

NEW PUBLICATIONS.

To the Rev, Mr Abraham Taylor, Minister at Deptford, Kent.
Rev. Dear Brother, — Yours of the 2d of May came to me
in due time. I heard of the scherae in sorae people's heads to ease
us of Confessions and public Forraulas, which, if ever it come to a
bearing. It wIU ruin us. The Lord forgive them, open their eyes,
and disappoint their designs. We are not yet ripe for such a de
sign, though, indeed, ripening faster than persons who do not
know us think. I'U be fond of all you hear fm-ther about this. I
within these few years ; for, twenty years or more, since I kept Assemblies, none but
the older graver ministers were set up to preach before the Assembly and Commis
sioner. What tbe motives are for this change I cannot divine. I am sure it's not
a prudential step, and looks as if the leading men who have the direction of this
raatter were wearied of the older ministers, and their way of preaching, or are in
clined to please the vitiated taste of those about the throne, and inclined to set the
new way of preaching and haranguing against zeal and other things, as a pattern to be
followed by other ministers, or that they are afraid if others were named, they would
perhaps touch on some things that are not modish and complaisant enough for this
time," — {Analecia, vol. vi. pp. 282, 283.)

wodrow to ABRAHAM TAYLOR. 491
thank you for your hints from Italy and HoUand. I was a sub
scriber for RIdgley ; and, since the case stands as you tell me, I
vrish my name had been in Dr WIshart's room, though it's very
Uttle worth. However, I have written to my bookseller to see It
be added to the second volume. It's a solid, judicious, useful work.
You gave me a lamentable account of Mr Christopher Taylor. I
have now the pleasure of aU written by your exceUent father. In
what I have glanced, I see a vein of solidity, gravity, and attach
ment to revelation, which is turning unfashionable araong your
EngUsh writers, who are generally either full of loose harangues,
or light and fanciful, or verging towards Pelagianisra. I thank
you for your preface to his book on Justification. Some passages
from Italy are new to rae, and very sweet. I'll be somewhat im
patient tiU the two voluraes of your and your brethren's lectures
on the evangelical truths be published.
It's a pleasure to rae to find that you have not ray History of
the Sufferings. I have left a copy of it in sheets with Mr Randie,
who acquaints me he hath an occasion coming to London pretty
soon. I would have caused bind it, but he persuades me it would
craze in the sea carriage, and that it's better to send it in sheets.
It cost me labour in coUecting what is in it, and, indeed, the raain
proofs from our records are what can never be answered by the ad
vocates for persecution and slavery. I have the vanity to say, in
jest, to my friends, that I am a voucher to Bishop Burnet's facts,
hearsays, and assertions, in some things. Indeed, he needs sup
port, and goes much on his own weight and authority, which was
too much for me to offer at ; and it's a way of writing I don't much
like where facts can be vouched.
Had it not been to accompany this small present, which please
accept as a token of our friendship, probably you had not heard
from me so soon, when reaUy nothing offers since my last. You
have stlU matter enough to entertain me, and the oftener you write
I'll be under the greater obligations.
Whatever you leave for me at Mr Hott's shop, when he hath
any occasion he will send it to Edinburgh to Mr Randie. And

492 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
when I have any occasions straight from Glasgow, as sometimes In
the spring and sumraer we have, I shall write to Mr Hott, who,
I see, is your printer, and inquire if any thing be left there for me.
But let our letters ordinarily corae by post, because that gains
six or seven weeks. This comes to you by Mr Randie, who pro-
raises to send It under his cover.
May our God-Redeeraer, your kind Master, who hath hitherto
helped you, stUl vouchsafe his gracious presence ! May you always
be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus ! Pray for us, and
let us meet frequently in heaven, though we should never see one
another's faces here. I am. Rev. Dear Brother, yours most affec
tionately. June 14, 1731.
p. S. — I am much pleased with Mr Slevwrlght's Remonstrance
to the Clergy. I am told he Is an acquaintance of yours. He has
my hearty acknowledgments for it. He has sorae fine tums In It.
I bless God that such young raen are coming up. His motto,
1 Cor. ix. 16, pleaseth rae. I fear heavy woes are come and com
ing on many for their departure frora the Evangel and Gospel
truth. But I corafort myself here that Christ and his truth wiU
be last on the field of battle, and would fain hope for a morning
after this evening darkness coming and come upon us. Send me
hints of all the valuable books and pamphlets you hear of; — who it
is that writes The Strength and Weakness of Hwrnan Reason, He
hath sorae good things, but raistakes the question, and upon the
matter gives up the truth. If the terms reason, rule, sufficiency,
and actions, were rightly explained, all the mist of loose reasonings
would be at an end.

WODROW TO CHARLES MASTERTON. 493

LETTER CXCVm.
THE DOXOLOGY AND LORD's PRAYER. — ^INTERDICT ON GLASGOW
PRESBYTERY.
To the Rev. Mr Charles Masterton, Minister at Belfast,
Rev. Dear Brother, — It is stUl a pleasure to hear from you,
and yours of the 25th of August coraes to rae this night. Though
I have little time, I must answer it now, lest it should faU by, and
not be minded afterwards In ray present hurry.
The book you raention I have. It's long since I read it, and
have rauch forgot his arguments. As I reraeraber, he runs upon
singing what was called the Doxology, and not upon ending prayers
with an ascription and adoration of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
This last was early used ; and, if I am not mistaken, hath been
generally used In all ages of the Church. It's pretty generally
used amongst us at this time, and In all Reformed Churches, and
is grounded on the Apostolical pattern, the inscription to their
epistles, and direct doxologles in the New Testament. You know,
as Mr Whiston first discovered his Arianism by a dUatlon of one
of his printed doxologles at the end of his serraons then printed,
so, in the course of his debate, the ancient doxologles in the first
three centuries were strongly urged against him, and very justly.
He falters sadly in his answers.
But Mr Edwards' debate was precisely upon singing glory to the
Father, &c., which, with the repetition of the Lord's Prayer at the
conclusion of the public prayer, was brought in after the Restora
tion by the Prelates. The controversy with the Presbyterians at
this time, if I raistake it not, was precisely, whether or not any
thing was to be sung in public worship save David's Psalms, and
other Scriptural songs. In this view, I do not remember Mr Ed-

494 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
wards advanced any thing that, when I read him, shook me
much. About the 1700, I fell Into acquaintance with Mr Edwards at
Glasgow, and had the favour of some letters from him. He was
a grave, learned man, and pretty curious in our natural history.
He particularly gave hiraself to architecture, and Uved by furnish
ing gentleraen and nobleraen with plans for buUding houses. He
had likewise good knowledge of improving land, and things of that
nature. I ara not at present very ripe about the practice of singing the
doxology, since the Reformation in Scotland. That the use of the
Lord's Prayer in public worship, as weU as reading the old forms
of prayer in the Book of Coraraon Order, continued tlU the 1638,
I do not much question. The manner of their being left off be
tween the 1638 and 1660, 1 am told by old ministers, that it was not
by any Assembly's act, as Mr Edwards says, but by a gradual dis
use, pretty much before the Assembly's Dfrectory, 1646, and
generally after that. I have been told by ministers who Uved in
those days, that an act of Assembly was once proposed for laying
aside the Lord's Prayer, the old forms of prayer, and probably the
doxology also ; but Mr Calderwood, and some other old ministers,
opposed it, that is, the laying them aside by a formal act ; and so
they were insensibly let fall into disuse. This is aU I raind at pre
sent as to this matter. If it be of any use to you, I shaU search a
little more narrowly my papers about it.
We, in the Presbytery, have received a very surprising thmst
from the Town of Glasgow, when planting Port-Glasgow with a
minister, by a Gospel call, i. e., a slst from the Lord Ordmary on
the BIUs, with orders to appear before them, and answer a biU of
advocation. We are going on notwithstanding ofthe sist. I have
sent a memorial to Mr Macknight upon that affair, and if he
can get It transcribed and sent to you, it will give you a full view
of this new trial.' ' See next Letter.

WODROAV TO JOHN LAWSON. 495
Mr CampbeU's pamphlet I wrote of before ; I wiU be very glad
of your observes on it. I mind no more but my best wishes unto
and my desires to hear frequently from you. I am, Rev. Dear
Brother, yours most affectionately.
Sept. 8, 1731.

LETTER CXCIX.
SETTLEMENTS JURE DEVOLUTO. — ANOTHER INTERDICT.
To the Rev, Mr John Lawson, Minister at Closeburn,
Rev. Dear Brother, — I had one from you about three months
ago, and I beg your excuse that I answered it not sooner. I have
no way to send mine but by post. And we have been pretty
throng about Port-Glasgow affair, which hath put other things out
of head. Besides, ray wife's being brought to bed of a son brings
me new avocations.
You seera to fear the consequents of the last act of the General
Assembly anent settleraents jure devoluto. Till I be better In
formed, it appears to me to be aU that then could be got. We
need much more, indeed ; and our brethren in the North, where
heritors are disaffected, think it bears hard on them ; and I reckon
they wUl send up instructions against it, generally speaking, next
Assembly. I am of opinion aU Presbyteries and Synods should
have it, and our general case as to settleraents, on their heart ; but
to what purpose I can't say, seeing addresses are fruitless, except
for a testlraony; and it's not in the King's power, though it be his
incUnation, to reUeve us ; and, till our Scots members be prevaUed
on to yield, I expect nothing but ftirther encroachments.' How-
' To elucidate Wodrow's sentiments more fully on this subject, we subjoin
the following extracts :  " To begin with patronages, and our other grievances,
there were instructions from many Presbyteries to address and take all proper

496 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
ever, avc should communicate light to one another, and keep close
correspondence. I pray you, then, let rae hear what you are
thinking of as proper In your bounds.

ways to have the Church freed from them. This has been a long continuing instruc
tion for twenty years, and nothing done upon it, save in the 1715 and 1718, when
the clause about acceptations was added. The Commission hath been every yair em
powered to make addresses, in order to removing the Church's grievances ; and after all
the reasonings this year, this landed likewise in that, and in the act about Settlements,
of which afterwards. We were, as we have heard upon March, threatened with new
pressures, and the tying tbe yoke harder about our necks, last Session of Parliament ;
and that was made a handle of to keep us quiet, lest a new law should be made ;
whereas it may be, had a wise appearance been made by this Assembly in a modest
manner, to show the government how much we groan under the burden of patronages,
this would effectually have prevented further impositions, unless the leading men at
court incline to have the peace of the Church broken, which is scarce supposable.
What many ministers fear is, that such countenance is given by Commissions and
General Assemblies to settlements by patrons, and such favour is shown in the
more public actings of the Church, by the influence of some ofthe leading ministers
at Edinburgh, and the ruling elders there, to every case wherein a patron is con
cerned, be the people and Presbytery never so averse, and the man never so un
worthy or unacceptable, that the Court, who take their rules from what passes at
Edinburgh, may readily judge that patronage is turning easy to us, and no longer a
burden, lu conversation and reasoning on this head, I find it observed, that if we
be in earnest to have patronages removed we are in the wrong channel. We make
a bustle at our Assembly about addressing the King, who, indeed, has it not in his
power to help us, except when the Parliament is sitting. Our address is out of head
till next Assembly, and so nothing is done. If our Scots Members of Parliament
be not brought over to favour us in this matter, all addresses to King or Parliament
are idle things. Our road, then, would be for the Assembly to appoint persons in
every Presbytery to deal with our Scots Members of Parliament in the time of re
cess, when they are here in Scotland, and to bring them to be sensible ofthe hurt that
law brings to the Church, and how it sours people's tempers, and is the occasion of
breaches of the public peace, and really alienates the common people, not only from
the establishment in the Church, but the civil government, which bears so hard upon
them in their religious concerns, and the choice of their ministers, nothing than this
being dearer to them. And then, when matters are prepared this way, the Com
mission in November, before the Parliament meet, ought to address the King, and
some of our Members apply to the Parliament iu a regular way for redress ; and, if
need be, ministers should be sent to London who are in earnest to have this griev
ance helped. This is the only feasible way, to my apprehension ; and, indeed, could
we prevail but with the two brothers, Argyle and Hay, there is but little question
but all tho rest would come into it. How to prevail with them is the difficulty. But
this is plain, were they in earnest, there would be little or no stop from the English
Jlembersof Parliament." — {Wodrow's Analecia, vol. vi. pp. 288, 289.)

AVODROAV TO SIR THOMAS GORDON. 497
You'll know what passed in our Presbytery before your last to
me. Wednesday last, when an unaniraous caU to Mr D. B. [David
Brown] came before our Presbytery, Ave had a third from the
Lords given us by the Magistrates of Glasgow. This gave us no
new light, and we reckoned it another undue encroachment upon
us, when at our Master's work, and so went on to concur with the
caU, and take the lad upon his second trials. What the conse
quence AvlU be is in God's hands. We incline to settle him before
the 5th of November, tiU Avhich we are sisted, if nothing fall out
that we don't foresee.'
This Is all I raind. Write often to. Dear Brother, yours raost
affectionately. Sept. 27.

LETTER CC.

SETTLEMENTS JURE DEVOLUTO.
To Sir Thomas Gordon of Earlston.
Dear Sir, — ^I had yours of the 4th of November by Mr Warner,
who is exceeding pleased with the happiness of your acquaintance.
' See p. 494  The szs^here spoken of was, itis presumed, what is now termed an in
terdict. The following similar case, which occurred a few years after, may illustrate
this ;  " In 1739, a vacanfy happening in the New North Church of Edinburgh, by
the death of Mr Smith, Principal of the College, the common council of the city,
revolving to oppose Dr Wallace's translation from the Now Greyfriars, obtained, on
a bill of suspension presented to the Lord Ordinary on the Bills, a sist or temporary
stay of execution, of an Act of the Presbytery of Edinburgh, translating him to that
collegiate charge. The sist was formally notified to the Doctor ; but, knowing the
settlement of a minister to be a matter purely spiritual, in which the ecclesiastical
courts have an exclusive jurisdiction, he did not hesitate about the part it became him
to take on the occasion ; and, without minding the injunction issued by the temporal
judge, he proceeded in discharging the duties annexed to the office, conferred upon
hun by the Presbytery, of minister of the New North Church."— (Mbrreii's Annals, i.
p. 303.)— No notice is taken of further proceedings in either of these cases.
VOL. IIL 2 I

498 THE WODROW CORRESPONDENCE.
I was hoping for your reraarks on the introduction. I am sure you
wanted not matter in such a great heap of things. I don't expect
to be In Edinburgh till the Assembly, If I live so long, and, Indeed,
I ara wearying of our Church judicatories, though once they were
ray pleasure to wait on. But our darkness is an evening, and, 1
fear, a growing darkness.
You have much obliged me with the memorial on the last Act of
Assembly. I have glanced it, and that Is all. I doubt the writer,
as I, would have many things that wIU not be got In our present
Assemblies. Many of his exceptions were thrown up In the Com
mittees when that act was a forraing. A clause complaining of Pa
tronages was once In the act, Protestant heritors was aU that could
be got, and It's what the ministers at the Revolution were satisfied
with. The act runs rauch on the plan of the act of Parliament
1690, and the constant practice of the Church tUl .1710 or 11, when
Patronages came in. To exclude heritors as the fixed (at least the
most fixed) part of the parish, and come back to the 1649, wIU
scarce bear at this time of day I fear. I vconder what the excep
tions are against elders being representatives ofthe people. I have
still thought this agreeable to their divine Institution, though I am
far frora wishing the people to be excluded in a caU. It's exceed
ing hard, and it will take tirae to settle this raatter, and, Indeed, I
see no great inclination In many to have It settled, but rather to
have things left loose. Indeed, we are in a very 111 situation, when
we haA'e a law In our teeth, (and raany will scarce complain of It as
burdensome,) to forra acts of this nature. I wish several things in
it were bettered, and people would corae In to thera. .But I wish
also we had things wherein we can agree settled. Thus vou have
ray thoughts at the first vIcav of the paper raptim.
Mr Grant, when here, did desire the Introduction to read at
Neilston, and I told him It was in your hands. I did not think he
would have any leisure at Edinburgh to glance It. Pray give him
my kindest respects, and tell hira, If he can think of reading it in
Session time he raay have it from you. Beg hira to raake his re
marks, and send it rae by John Trail, wheu he has got through it.

WODROW TO SIR THOMAS GORDON. 499
If he cannot find time for this amusement and diversion, he shall
have it when he comes west next summer.
You'U oblige rae by letting rae hear from you Avith aU your news
by post. I am. Dear Sir, yours most affectionately.
Nov. 8, 1731.

END OP THB CORRESPONDENCE.

APPENDIX.

ORDER ON THE TREASURY FOR ONE HUNDRED
GUINEAS TO WODROW FOR HIS HISTORY.'
(See page 191.)
Geoege R.
Trusty and weU-beloved, we greet you weU. Whereas our trusty and
AreU-beloved * * * * Robert Wodrow, Minister of the Gospel in
Glasgow, did, some time since, dedicate and present unto us his History
of the Persecutions in Scotland, from the Restoration to the Revolution,
consisting of two large volumes in folio ; now, we being minded to testify
our esteem of the said author and his works, by bestowing on him some
mark of our favour and bounty, in consideration thereof ; our wiU and
pleasure is, and we do hereby authorise and empower you to issue your
Avarrant to the Receiver General of our Revenues, there to pay, or cause
to be paid, out of any monies that are or shall be in his hands for the
u,se of our civil government, unto the said Robert Wodrow, or his as
signees, the sum of one hundred and five pounds as of our royal bounty,
for the consideration aforesaid, and for so doing, this shaU.^be, not only
to you, hut also to our said Receiver General, and to all others that shaU
be concerned in passing and aUowing the payment upon his account, a
suflBcient warrant. Given at our Court at St James's, the 26th day of
April 1725, in the eleventh year of our reign.
By his Majesty's command, R. Walpole.
To our trusty and weU-beloved, our Chief Baron, and the
rest of the Barons of our Court of Exchequer in Scot
land. George Baillie.
Charles Turnee.
William Yonge.
George Dodington.
' Letters to Wodrow, vol. xxi. No. 25.

INDEX.

INDEX.

Aberdeen, disputed settlement there be
fore the General Assembly, iii. 197, 249,
250-254.
Abernethy, Rev. Mr, of Dublin, iii. 10,
160.
Abjuration Oath, a copy of, i. 15.3; its
imposition in Ireland, 70, 91, 154,
155; inconveniences from ministers not
swearing it, 254-257 ; methods of pre
serving harmony among ministers of
different practices, 258-260 ; method of
preserving harmony among the people,
260, 261 ; what the General Assem
bly ought to do about the oath, 261,
262; on swearing it with an explication,
269-273; representation of the Assem
bly's Commission against, 280, 298 ; in
structions from Presbyteries about, 282 ;
conference in the Assembly about, 285,
288 ; petition of Society people against,
289 ; proposed explication of, 308, 309 ;
state of opinion in the Church as to, 310,
311 ; reception ofthe oath in the East
of Scotland, 321,322; its reception in
the West, .323 ; anticipated rigorous exe
cution of the penalty, ib. ; hostility of
the people to, 328, 336 ; remarks on
a draught of reasons for refusing, 353-
3.56; a second draught of ditto, 371-
374, 641-646 ; " The oath no ground of
separation," 419, 420; act for prevent
ing separation on account of the oath,
452—457 ; the oath not generally fallen
in with by the Episcopal party, 478 ; pro
duces coldness of aflection among mini
sters, 479 ; proposed re-imposition of, ii.
22, 23, 50, 53-61 ; amendments on the
oath in Parliament, 62, 63 ; difficulties
as to the oath, 83, 84, 96, 97 ; memo
rial against, 105, 111 ; impolicy of re-
imposing, 163; determination of Govern
ment to re-impose, 246 ; new form of the

oath, 408-410, 418,4.30; passing of the
bill for the new form of the oath, 430.
Addison, Mr, a preacher, i. 481, 529.
Ainslie, Rev. Mr, iii. 98, ^9.
Allegiance, Oath of, queries respecting, i.
647, 648; answers to queries, 615-621 ;
difficulties as to swearing it and sub
scribing the Assurance, ii. 103, 104,
108-110.
Alphen, Professor Van, ii. 13.
Alston, Rev. James, chosen Moderator of
the General Assembly, iii. 19.3, 240.
AmericT, attempts of the Church of Eng
land there, i. 626 ; Irish and Scotch mi
nisters in, ii. 424.
Anderson, Rev. John, notice of, i. 34, 35,
36 ; revises Wodrow's History, 623 ;
his call to Glasgow, ii. 343, 344, 378,
379, 382, 383 ; his letters on overtures,
522; his death, 554.
 Rev. James, son of the preced
ing, attempt to call him to Glasgow, ii.
622. Mr James, General Postmaster

for Scotland, notice of, ii. 287, 288.
Rev. Mr, of St Andrews, his ap

pearances before the General Assem
bly in Mr Simson's second process,
iii. 377, 423.
Angus and Mearns. the Synod of, their
act for a fast condemned to Ihe flames
by the Justices of both shires, i. 432,
433 ; act of the Synod respecting Mr
Simson's case, ii. .345-34-8.
Annandale, Marquis of. Queen's Commis
sioner to the General Assembly, i. 21.3.
Antiquarian Curiosities, i. 172, 173.
Antiquities, ii. 344; iii. 174.
Archer, Rev. Mr Edmond, his sermon be
fore the House of Convocation, i. 1 97-
203.
Archibald, Rev. Alexander, of Barry, tried

506

INDEX.

before the church courts for observing
the Pretender's thanksgiving, ii. 175-
Archibald, Rev. Friincis, of Guthrie, im
bibes Mr Glass's opinions, iii. 476, 488.
Arjiyle, Archibald, Marquis of, his speeches
at the Assembly 16-38, i. 115; the means
of his conversion, iii. 35.
 Duke of, his amendment on the
Bill restoring Patronage, i. 277,304;
Commander-in-chief of the King's forces
during the Rebellion, ii. 85, 86, 88, 99-
10:^, 129; party spirit of the Squadron
in General Assembly against him, 184,
186.
Arian emperor, anecdote of, iii. 255.
Arianism prevalent in England, ii. 391,

421, 425, 428, 498,50.3,504; iii. 189;
and in Ireland, 2^3 ; instructions
from Presbyteries to the General Assem
bly respecting the prevalence of, 242 ;
condemned in an act of fasting by the
General Assembly, 212.
Arnot, Kev, Mr^ his breach of promise of
marriage, iii. 178, 179.
Assembly. See General Assembly.
Athole, Duke of, Queen's Commissioner
to the General Assembly, i. 274, 276,
279, 449, 550, 559.
Auchterarder, Presbytery of, i. 1 17 ; their
proceedings against Mr Craig, and the
General Assembly's conduct toward
them, ii, 269, 270,271.

B.

BAir.LIE, Rev. Robert, Principal of Glas
gow, his Woiks, ii. 630 ; his Antidote
against Arminianism, iii. 276.
 Robert, Esq., of Jerviswood, faith
less conduct of the Privy- Council on his
trial, ii. 45.
 ¦ — George, Esq., of Jerviswood, son
of the preceding, some account of, ii.
606, 607.
 Rev. Robert, sent to Court by the
Commission of the General Assembly
to oppose the Patronage and Toleration
Bills, i. 302, 307.
Balfour, Sir James, his Annals, i. 120, 121.
Bannatyne, Rev- Dugald, his house burnt,
i. 178.
Baptism, Act of the General Assembly
concerning, i. 283 ; private baptism, ii.
367, 369, 370; case of alleged baptism 6(
a dog brought before the General Assem
bly, iii. 315.
Barclay, Rev. George, his account of Arch
bishop Sharp's fipst sermon at St An
drews after he was made bishop, and of
his own hardships during the persecution,
i. 439, 440.
 Rev. Robert, of Inverness, his call
to London, i. 219; petitions for an act
of transportability, 226; his petition re
fused, 230.
Barrington, Lord, his IMiscellanea Sacra,
iii. 228.
Biography,advantages of, and rules for writ
ing, ii. 589-591.
Bishops, on giving the title of Lords Spiri
tual to, i. 588-590.

Bishop-;' rents, proposal made at the Re
volution to apply them for the mainte
nance of the outed clergy, i. 597 ; re
newed, 598.
Black, Rev. Robert, of Lesmahago, differ
ence between him and his colleague, Mr
Linning, i. 480, 481, 490, 522, 523,
524, 585 ; his transportation to Rotter
dam, ii. 36 ; notice of him, 69, 70.
 Rev. Thomas, of Perth, ii. 231;
chosen Moderator of the General As
sembly, 578, 640.
Blackader, Rev. John, errata in Wodrow's
History concerning, ii. 626, 627.
Blackwall, Rev. A., his Sacred Classics,
iii. 232.
Blackwell, Rev. Principal Thomas, D.D.,
notice of, i. 137, 150; preaches before
the Queen's Commissioner, 234 ; sent
up to Court to oppose the passing of the
Toleration bill and the restoration of
Patronages, 302, 307.
Boece, Rev. James, of Campbelltown,
notice of, i. 332, 645, 646 ; death of
his son, iii. 95, 120.
Boreland, Rev. Francis, his death, iii.
43.
Boston, Rev. Thomas, of Etterick, his ob
jections to the Act ofthe General Assem
bly condemning the Marrow of Modern
Divinity, and Remarks on them, ii. 551-
554 ; addresses the Assembly on the
subject, 585 ; dissents from the sentence
of the General Assembly pronounced on
Mr Simson, 1729, iii. 435, 443.
Bourignianism, i. 169, 572.

INDEX.

507

Boyd, Rev. Mr, his sermon on ordination
by Presbyters, i. 70.
 Rev. Principal Robert, his Letters
and Epistolary Dissertations, iii. 8.
 Rev. William, presents two papers
to the first General Assembly after the
Revolution,!. 40; dispenses ordinances
among the Cameronians after Renwick's
death, i. 51.
Bsadbury, Rev. Tliomas, Notes of his Ser
mon preached in the Old Church, Edin
burgh, ii. 182, 183.
Brown, Rev. David, of Belhelvie, notice
of, ii. 220.
.— — Rev. John, of Abercorn, notice of,
ii. 373; takes the Oath of Abjuration,
512.
Bruce, Rev. Robert, of Edinburgh, his
firmness in the matter of Gowrie's Con
spiracy, i. 469; the means of Alexander
Henderson's conversion, iii. 30 ; his con
ference with James VI., 158; Wodrow's
Life of him, 169,23.3.
 Mr Alexander, Advocate, his Behe
moth, and attack on Wodrow's History,

ii. 647, 658 ; iii. 61, 6.3-65; rumours of
his projected History, 89, 98, 101, 105 ;
Proposals of his History, 113, 1 14., ] 16.
Buchan, David Earl of, and Non-jurors,
ii. 207; notice of, iii. 69; King's Com
missioner to General Assembly, 415.
Buchanan, Mr George, his History of
Scotland, i. 37, 38 ; James VI. 's opuiion
of him, iii. 158.
Burgh Elders, their sitting in the General
Assembly disliked, iii. 49; their utility
discussed in the Assembly, 50 ; why
they were first admitted into the Assem
bly, 138.
Burman, Professor Francis, ii. 13.
Burnet, Dr, an Episcopal minister at Aber
deen, i. 215, 218, 219.
 Bishop, letter of introduction to,
i. 590, 602 ; his sentiments on Pa
tronage, ii. 329; the History of His
Own Life and Times, iii. 102; discre
pancy between his and Wodrow's His
tory, 103, 104; Wodrow's opinion of
his work, 107-109, 111, 118, 119, 121,
178.

C.

Caddel, or Calder, Mr, curate, i. 305, 475.
Cadogan, General, ii. 102, 129, 180-182,
184-186.
Caesar, Rev. Jo. James, his petition to the
General Assembly, i. 5, 7.3.
Calamy, Edmund, D. D., is present at the
General Assembly, 1709, i. 5; his ser
mons against the Cevennes, 90 ; offers
to examine Wodrow's History, ii. 4.31,
519, 520 ; notice of, 435 ; he and Non-
subscribers in England ordain Irish Non-
subscribers, iii. 169 ; is a vigorous
Non-subscriber, 174; republishesan im
perfect edition of Dr Cotton Mather's
Parentator, 222, 22.3.
Calderwood, Rev. David, his opinion on
kirk-sessions, ii. 556, 571 ; Wodrow's
collection of his MSS.,672;his MS. His
tory, iii. 107, 144, 157, 166, 167, 266;
Wodrow's Life of him, 168, 234, 260.
Cameron, Rev. Andrew, ii. 257; iii. 101.
 Rev. Richard, i. 51, 87.
—— — of Lochiel, his burial, i. 547.
Cameronian Pamphlet, Answer to, i. 122-
126.
Cameronians, a considerable number of
them in Wodrow's parish, i. 46 ; theii

origin, 50, 51 ; Wodrow's prejudices
against them, 63, 64, 84 ; iii. 227.
Campbell, Rev. Archibald, Professor of
Ecclesiastical History, St Andrews, his
errors, iii. 473, 476, 478-480.
¦^— ^— Rev. Neil, Principal of the Col
lege of Glasgow, gives in his protes
tation on the rights of the University
to judge their own members, iii. 344;
lays before the Assembly, 1729, the testi
mony of the University of Glasgow in
Mr Simson's favour, 417; advocates
leidency in Mr Simson's case, 424.
Canaries, Dr James, notice of, i. 209.
Cargill, Rev. Donald, breaks off from the
rest of the suffering Presbyterians, i.
51 ; his opinion as to the differences
among Presbyterian ministers during the
persecution, 87.
Carolina, barbarities of the Indians in the
colony of, ii. 149, 150.
Carpenter, General, ii. 86
Carstares, Rev. Principal William, his ser
mon at the opening of the General As
sembly, and notice of him, i. 1, 2; is
chosen Moderator of the General As
sembly, 213; his opposition to patron-

508

INDEX.

age, 214; is sent up to Court lo oppose
the Toleration bill, and the restoration
of Patronage, ,302, 307; his conduct in
reference to the thanksgiving fur the
peace with France, 1713, 478; is again
chosen Moderator of Ihc General As
sembly, ii. 28 ; his depositions concern
ing Baillie of Jerviswood, 45; his death
and character, 157, 158, 168, 172.
Cevennes, account of, i. 90, 170.
Chalmers, Rev. George, Principal of
King's College, Aberdeen, i. 232, .391 ;
his intended settlement in the parish of
Old Aberdeen, iii. 395.
Chamberlain, Mr John, his Lives of Emi
nent Men, ii. 660.
Chandler, Bishop, drops strict inspiration
of Scripture, iii. 172.
Christ, value of knowledge of, i. 96.
Church, prospects of, ii. 150, 151.
•  Government and History, Works
on, iii. 87.
 History, MSS. on, iii. 88.
 of Scotland, Vindication of, in an

swer to a Cameronian pamphlet, i. 122—
126 ; lamentations of her low state, 390 ;
date of her decline from the Second Re
formation, iii. 412; low state of religion
in her, in Wodrow's time, 447, 448.
Churches abroad, reflections on the state
of, i. 630, 6.31; account of, ii. 18;
queries respecting, 9-12,21.3, 214, 215,
301-306, 605; answer to queries, IS
IS, .35-2, .353.
Civil Magistrates, remarks on their power
to appoint fasts, i. 129-1.32, 134, 135,
141, 144, 147.
Clark, Rev. James, of Glasgow, ii. 375.
Clarke, Dr Samuel, proceedings of the
Lower and Upper Houses of Convoca
tion against hira, ii. 78, 79; a more
dangerous abettor of error than Dr
Whiston, 428 ; his scheme of doctrine
embraced by Professor Simson, iii. 235,
236, 262 ; his opinion as to the genera
tion of the Son, 379.
Cleic, Jean Le, ii. 7, 17.
Cocceians, prevalent in Holland, ii. 5, 6 ;
their opinions, 14, 15 ; the policy of
magistrates of Utrecht in regard to them,
352.
Cocceius, Professor John, of Leydon, his
opinions, ii. 5.
Cockburn, Curate, sets up his meeting
house at Glasgow, i. 341 ; those of the
old Episcopal way refuse to join v/'ah
him, 361,362; his character in Glas
gow, 375, 376; curious anecdotes of

him, 400, 404, 405, 421, 431, 438,
442 ; rabble pull down his meeting
house, 563, 564.
Collier, Mr Jeremiah, the historian, cor
responds with the Bishops of the Greek
Church, iii. 156.
Collins, Anthony, remarks on his Dis
course on Free-Thinking, i. 411, 412;
his publications, iii. 157, 17.3, 191.
Colman, Rev. Benjamin, D.D., of Boston,
notice of, ii. 283, 284; his Essay on
Inoculation, ii. 665 ; his sermon at the
baptism of Judah Monis, iii. 22; is
elected Presidentof Harvard College, 180.
Commission of the General Assembly,
remarks on restricting its power, i. 23.3 ;
instructions from Presbyteries to the
Assembly for the regulation of, iii.
128; proposed regulations of, 134, 135,
136; design, in Queen Anne's reign, to
abolish it, 135; nomination of, 138,
139; its powers discussed in the Ge
neral Assembly, 250-254.
 for visiting the University of
Aberdeen after the RebeUion, proceed
ings ot; ii. 211, 212.
Commissioners of the Church sent to con
gratulate King George I. on his acces
sion lo the throne, ii. 27.
Commissions of members to the General
Assembly, objections to several, iii. 241,
340.
Common Prayer Book, the abolition of in
1645, i. 201.
Communions, or observance of the Lord's
Supper, act of the Presbytery of Edin
burgh concerning, ii. 540, 547.
Confession of Faith, overture for renewing
subscription to, ii. 652.
 edition of, objected to for wanting
the act of .\ssembly, 1647, and the Co
venants, iii. 200, 202 ; the subject
brought before another Assembly, 301,
316.
Countryman's Letter to the Curate, criti
cisms on, i. 36-.39.
Coupar, Rev. Patrick, notice of, ii. 218.
Covenant of Redemption, i. 108 ; Sinaili-
cal, ii, 14-.
 National, old explication of, iii.
90 ; breach of National Covenant pro
posed in the General Assembly tO be in
serted in the causes ofa fast, 256.
Craig, Mr, preacher, refused an extract of
his licence, for not giving satisfaction as
to his orthodoxy, ii. 269.
Crawford, Rev. Malhew, of Eastwood,
proposals to publish the MS. History

INDEX.

509

of, i. 98; criticisms on it, 100-10.3,
112, 113; some account of it, ii. 311.
Crawford, Rev. Mathew, Professor of
Church History in the University of
Edinburgh, supposed intrigue to settle
him at Kilwinning, ii. 390, 394 ; his
opinion ofthe Act of Assembly, 1649,
as to the calling of ministers, iii. 198.
Creeds and Confessions, opposition to, in
Switzerland, iii. 450 ; opposition to, in
England and Ireland. See Subscribers
and ^on-subscribers.
Criticisms on Rom. iii. 3-8 verses, i. 108-
111.

Cross, Mr John, merchant, Glasgow, i. 107.
Culdees, ii. 280, 313.
Cullen, Lord, his opinion ofthe Act, 1690,
as to the calling of ministers, iii. 198.
Cumming, Rev. John, of London, iii. 185,
186.
Currie, Rev. John, of Haddington, chosen
Moderator of the General Assembly, i.
2 ; his sermon at the opening of Assem
bly, 136; his call to Edinburgh brought
before the Assembly, 139.
Cutler, Rev. Thomas, Rector in New Ha
ven College, Connecticut, America, joins
the Church of England, iii. 19, 27.

Dalrymple, Sir David, created Lord Ad
vocate, and little expectations of service
to the church from him, i. 18, 20, 69,
79, 80, 277.
Danish Missionaries, ii. 427.
Davidson, Rev. H., his commission, de
claring the sense in which he signed the
Confession of Faith, iii. 194; subscribes
the Confession of Faith without any ex
plication, 211.
Defoe, Daniel, his History ofthe Union,
i. 108 ; his Memoirs of the Church of
Scotland, ii. 54-2.
Dialogue betwixt a Minister and Two of his
Elders on the Abjuration Oath, remarks
upon, i. 265-267.
Discipline, Books of, ii. 610-612.
Disjunction of parishes, ii. 36, 41.
Divided state of the people in Scotland, i.
30.
Divinity of Christ, iii. 262.
Doucat, Mr, the presentation to Burnt
island, and scandals of, brought before
the Assembly, i. 457-459.
Doxology, disuse of in Church of Scotland,
iii. 492.
Drummond, Rev. Mr, of Crieff, proceed
ings of the Presbytery of Perth and
Auchterarder against, ii. 398, 399 ; es

timate of his creed and talents by an
Anti-Marrow-Man, 452 ; commence
ment of his process before the Synod of
Stirling, 465; account of this process,
507, 508.
Drummore, Lord, his appearance in the
General Assembly, iii. 312; favours
Mr Simson in his second process for
error, 377.
Dull, the General Assembly give a sist to
the settlement of a minister in, i. 451,
452 ; he is settled by the Presbytery,
notwithstanding the Assembly's sist,
460 ; the Presbytery reprimanded by
the Assembly for so doing, 486.
Duncan, Bishop, i. 196.
Dundas, Mr John, of Philipstoun, notice
of, i. 71, 72; his death, ii. 486.
-^^ — Robert, of Arniston, ii. 189 ;
his appearances before the General As
sembly, in Mr Simson's second process
for heresy, iii. 362, 381, 395.
Dunlop, Kev. M^illiam, Professor of Di
vinity and Church History in the Uni-
versity of Edinburgh, his Memoirs of
William Guthrie, i. 23; bis death,
4-71; ii. 554; his sermons, 676; his
Preface to Confessions of Faith, iii. 186,
201, 202.

Eastwood, communions at, iii. 452.
Echard's Historyof England, ii. 616, 617.
Edinburgh, debates between its University
and Magistrates, respecting the election

of a commissioner to tl.e General As
sembly, ii. 642; iii. 47, 48, 54; Doc
torial degrees of the University of, 453,
456, 457.

510

INDEX.

Edwards, Rev. John, D.D , ii. 165.
Elder, Rev. Mr, his case of scandal brought
before the Assembly, i. 220-22.3, 226,
229, 230; remarks on receiving his oath
of purgation, 237, 238.
Elders, on the office and qualifications of,
i. 179.
Emlyn, Rev. Thomas, ii. 565.
Enclosures of land, introduction of, in Scot
land, violently resisted, iii. 12.5, 1.37.
England, melancholy state of matters in re
ligion there, iii. 449.
 New, state of the churches in, ii.
148, 149; Irish Dissenters in, iii. 456.
English Service set up through nearly all
the North of Scotland, i. 30 ; remedies for
counteracting the progress of, 24.3-250 ;
doubts as to applying to Government on
the subject, 249 ; interest of the King to
discountenance it 571.
Episcopacy, its extravagant pretensions
in unchurching all other Protestant
churches, i. 202; remedies for counter
acting the progress of, 243-250.
Episcopal challenges, i. 157.
 ' intruders put into the pulpits of
Presbylerian ministers during the Rebel
lion, ii. 93, 120, 124': obliged to con
ceal themselves after the extinction ofthe
Rebellion, 210; proceedingsagainst thein
in Ihe North, 226, 227.
 ¦ meeting-houses in Aberdeen, ii.
228 ; increase of them in the North, iii.
1.3.
 ministers, project to present them

to the parishes of Scotland, i. 404;
their not praying for the Queen, 4.36 ;
proceedings against them for their con
cern in the Rebellion, ii. 125, 141, 220,
Episcopalians, Presbyterian persecution of,
i. 205, 208, 209, '^14; their disaffection
to the Revolution Government, 210; fa
vour the Rebellion, ii. 92, 125, 147.
Erskine, John, Esq. of Dun, his Life by
Wodrow, iii. 2.38, 271.
— — — llev. Ebenezer, addresses the Gene
ral Assembly on the Marrow Contro
versy, ii. 585; his call to Kirkaldy, iii.
205.
 — ¦ The Honourable James. See
Lord Grange.
 Colonel John, of Carnock, no
tice of, ii. 65—67 ; his exertions in be
half of Non-jurant Presbyterians at Court,
207 ; Wodrow's high opinion of him,
281, 285, 286; gives in a Memorial to
the members of Parliament against the
civil places of Churchmen, 402, 421-
423.
 Mr John, of Carnock, Professor of
Scots Law in the University of Edin
burgh, and eldest son of the preceding,
notice of, ii. 349, 350.
 Mr David, son of Colonel Erskine,
religious advices to, ii. 465, 466.
.^— — Mr Patrick, son of Colonel Erskine,
his marriage, ii. 279, 285, 366, 367,
369.
Evans, John, D. D., of London, a Non-
subscriber, iii. 186.

F.

Farquiiaii, Rev. J.imes, ii. 224.
Fasting, duty of, i. 39-2. 393; difficulty
of procuring the civil sanction to fasts
since the Union with England, 142;
papers, on causes of a fast, brought into
Commiitee of General Assembly, 14.3;
debate in Assembly on appointing a
day of fasting, 22.5, 226; case of mem
bers who observed not fasts appointed
by magistrates, brought before the As
sembly, 231, 232; a fast day appointed
by the Assembly wanting the civil sanc
tion, 59, 60 ; umbrage taken at the ap
pointment of fasts by Government with
out consulting the Church, 60, 61 ; com
plaints of the want of a court to corre
spond with the Church, and give the
civil sanction to fast and thanksgivinsj

days, 573, 601, 606; on anniversary
fasts, 198, 199; on the appointment of
a fast by the Assembly and Government,
iii. 199.
Ferguson, Victor, M. D., his opposition to
Confessions of Faith, iii. 15, 35, 36.
Findlater and Seafield, James Earl of.
King's Commissioner to General As
sembly, iii. 124, 291.
Finlayson, Rev. Mr, of Kilmarnock, his
death, i. 105.
Fleming, Rev. John, of Perth, ii. 231.
Flint, Rev. John, i. 315, 316.
Fordoun, settlement ofa minister at, i. 4.34.
Foreign Churches. See Churches abroad.
Foyer, Rev. Archibald, Mr Wylie re
fuses to sit in Presbytery with him, i.
120.

INDEX.

511

France, suffering state of the Protestant
Church there, i. 137, 450 ; state of as to
the interests of the Church, ii. 282, 420,
421, 460.
Francke, Augustus Herman, a German
Divine, his schools, ii. 151, 690, 691.
Fraser, Dr James, of London, notice of, ii.
384; his interest in Wodrow's History,
541, 544, 574, 587, 592.

Frederician University, ii. 358.
French prophets, their appearance in Edin
burgh, i. 169.
 Protestants, i. 4.
Fullarton, Bishop, of Edinburgh, i. 196,
.361, 376; iii. 96.
Funerals in Scotland, according to the
English Form, i. 79, 82.

G.

Gadderak, Bishop, introduces the schism
among the Scotch Episcopalians about
the Usages, iii. 70, 71, 9b, 127.
Galloway, Rev. Patrick, his conference
with James VI., iii. 158.
General Assembly, proceedings of in 1709,
i. 1-14; in 1710, 136-152; in 1711,
213-2.38 ; in 1712, 274-300 ; in 1713,
448-461 ; in 1714, 549-558; in 171.5,
ii. 28-42; in 1716, Ifc4-I94, 200-205;
in 1717, 25.3-'272; in 1718,375.384;
in 1719, 441-449; in 1720, 52.3-5-36;
in 1721, 576-587; in 1722, 637-654;
in 1723, iii. 43-55; in 1724, 12.3-139;
in 1725. 191206; in 1726, 240-259;
in 1727, 290-320; in 1728, .337-396;
in 1729, 415 446; in 17.30, 464, 465;
in 1731, 482-489.
George I., his accession to the throne, i.
563, 565, 629 ; on his taking an oath
appoinied by the Act of Union, for secu
rity of the Church of Scotland, 568 ; on
sending up Commissioners from the
Church, to congratulate him on his ac
cession, 569. »-
Germany, suffering Protestants in, i. 450,
454; Protestants there, adopting the
forms of the Church of England, ii. 460.
Gib, Rev. John, notice of, i. 4.3.
Gilchrist, Rev. IMr, of Dunscore, his po
pularity from his strenuous opposition to
the Abjuration Oath, i. 365 ; the As
sembly order his excommunication, ii.
266; his death, iii. 14.
Gillespie, Rev. George, of Edinburgh, iii.
4, 5, 286.
 Rev. George, of Strathmiglo, ii.
411.
Glammis, Lord, buried after the English
form, i. 79.
Glasgow, Earl of. Queen's Commissioner
to the General Assembly, i. 136.
 usage of General and Particular

Sessions there, as to calling ministers, ii.
380.
Glasgow and Ayr, Synod of, their proceed
ings with respect to the Abjuration
Oath, i. 317; appoint a day of thanks
giving, for George l.'s accession to the
throne, i. 585 ; pass an act about bap
tism, ii. 540.
 University of, visitation of, ii.
342 ; dissensions in, 362, 677 ; iii. 25,
26; election of Rector in, 270.
Glass, Rev. Mr, of Tealing, notices of, iii.
458, 459, 460, 481. .
Glenlee, Lord, i. 94.
Gordon, Rev. John, of Old Deer, ii. 223,
224.
Govan, Rev. John, ofCampsie, notice of,
ii- 419.
Gowan, Rev. Mr, introduces innovations
among the Irish Presbyterians, i. 70.
Gowdie, Rev. John, D. D., notice of, iii.
425 ; his appearance before the General
Assembly in Mr Simson's process,
370.
Grange, Lord, (the Honourable James
Erskine,) notice of, ii. 588; his reason
ing in the General Assembly on the Acts
1649 and 1690, concerning the settle
ment of ministers, iii. 198; his speech in
the Assembly on the powers of the Com
mission, 251 ; his appearances before the
Assembly in Mr Simson's second pro
cess, .359-361, .372, 379.
Gray, Rev. John, of Dollar, his speech be
fore the General Assembly in Mr Sim
son's second process, iii. 378.
Greenshields, Mr James, sets up the Eng
lish service at Edinburgh, i. 68, 69.
Grierson, Rev. James, chosen Modera
tor of the General Assembly, ii. 444,
526.
Grievances of the Church come before the
General Assembly,!. 29.3; these enume-

512

INDEX.

rated, 570-576 ; methods to be taken
for their redress, 576-583 ; memorial
of, 592-602 ; general suggestions as to
means for removal of, 607-61 1 ; Com
missioners sent to represent them, 621,
622; representation of, transmitted to
the Committee of Overtures, ii. 34, 35,
.36, 40, 41 ; leading men in the Church
indifferent about their removal, 170 ;
are reasoned on in Assembly's Commit
tee of Overtures, 177, 179, 192, 203;
obstacles to their removal, 195, 196,

198, 199 ; discussed in Assembly's
Committee of Instructions, iii. 295.
Gusthart, Rev. William, ii. 245.
Guthrie, Rev. James, of Stirling, i. 68;
Wodrow's anxiety about collecting ma
terials for his Life, 177, 179.
 Rev. William, Mr Trail of Lon
don's Preface to his Work, and Memoir
of his Life and Character, i. 22, 2.3, 97;
Wodrow's inquiries respecting him, 85 ;
ii. 161, 162; iii. 286; criticism of the
published Memoirs of, 589, 591.

H.

Haddow, llev. Principal, of St Andrews;
his correspondence with Mr Hamilton,
i. 45, 439 ; his active share in the Mar
row Controversy, ii. 532, 584 ; his
speeches in Mr Simson's second process,
iii. 371, .392, 4.32.
Haldane, Mr, of Gleneagles, ii. 165.
Halliday, Rev. Mr, of Belfast, his opposi
tion to subscribing Confessions of Faith,
ii. 602; iii. 16,8.3, 92-94, 122, 156,
160.
Halyburton, Rev. Professor Thomas, of St
.Andrews, his w(irk on Natural Religion,
ii. 602; iii. 27.
Hamilton, Sir Robert, his extreme opi
nions, i. 1 14 ; iii. 2.
 the Duke of, his death, ii. 68.
 Rev Alexander, of Airth, notice
of, i. 45; his correspondence with Prin
cipal Haddow, 439 ; cited for examina
tion on the Marrow Doctrine, ii. 537 ;
his Catechism, 539, 568.
 Principal William, D.D., notice
of, i. 276 ; sent to Court about the
Church's grievances, ii. 232, 2.33; is
chosen iSIoderalor of the General As
sembly, iii. 292, 337; is favourable to
Mr Sim^^on in his second process for
heresy, 348, 358, 370, 378, 390, 391,
431 ; his sermon at opening of Assem
bly, 486.
— — — . llev. Mr, of Glasgow, his speech
in Mr Simson's case', iii. 371.
Harley, Mr, afterwards Earl of Oxford, i.
228.
Hart, Rev. James, of Edinburgh, notice
of, i. 359, 360.
Henderson, Rev. Alexander, his work on
" Government and Order," ii. 522 : iii.
185; collections and inquiries about
him, 661, 680; Life and Writings of,

4, 5, 6, 29-35, 264 ; his pretended de
claration for Episcopacy, 263, 264.
Hepburn, Rev. John, notices of, i. 66, 76,
289, 376,486,497; ii. 37, 274; iii. 14,
43, 125.
 Rev. John, son ofthe preceding, his
call to Edinburgh, iii. 8-10, 50-52, 54.
Highland Clans, pension to, i. 526, 537.
History of the Church of Scotland, MSS.,
and materials for writing a, ii. 309-315.
Hog, Rev. James, of Carnock, notice of,
i. 23—26 ; criticisms on his Notes upon
the Spirit's Operations, 105-108 ; his
Essay on Enmity, ii. 3 ; his appearance
in Blr Simson's first process before the
General Assembly, 191; obnoxious to
the Moderate party in the Church, 508 ;
his answer to queries by Synod of Fife,
iii. 7.
 Rev. Thomas, of Kiltearn, inquiries
respecting, i. 166; notice of, 188, 189,
190.
 or Hoog, Rev. Thomas, of Rotter
dam, notice of, ii. 506, 507; his death,
iii. 7, 42.
 Mr William, merchant, ii. 546.
Holland, state of the Churches in, ii. 217,
352 ; a sanctuary to our suffering fore
fathers, 599.
Hollis, Mr Thomas, his liberality to Har
vard College, America, iii. 25, 269.
Honert, Professor Taco Hajo Van den,
his opinions, ii. 13, 14.
Hopetoun, Earl of, King's Commissioner
to General Assembly, iii. 44.
Hombeck, Mynheer, Pensionary to the
States of Holland, ii. 550.
Humby, Liird of, his sudden death, i.
446, 447.
Hume, Rev. David, ii. 292.
Hunter, Rev. Mr, of Ayr, iii. 312.

INDEX.

513

Ilay, Lord, ii. 87, 111.
Innovations, Episcopal, in Scotland, i. 84.
Inoculation, disturbance at Boston un ac
count of, iii. 24.
Interdict on Glasgow Presbytery, iii. 494,
496; on Edinburgh do., 497.
Invasion of Scotland by French fleet, i. 48 ;
fears of another, 78, 139, 140.
Inverness, account of ministers in that
Presbytery taking the Abjuration Oath,
i. 377.
Ireland, innovations in the Presbyterian
Church of, i. 70, 7 1 ; imposition of Ab

juration Oath in, 154, 155; Reasons of
Non-jurorsin, 1 58- 162; laws against Dis
senters in, 161, 162 ; most Presbyterian
ministers there take the Abjuration Oath,
191, 192 ; number of Protestants and
Papists in, 401 ; prosecutions for Non-
jurancy, 484 ; Presbyterian marriages
in, 484, 485 ; ecclesiastical state of, ii.
47, 212; success of the Gospel in, iii.
164, 165; Scotch ministers in, 323; op
position ^to Confessions of Faith in, ii.
389, &c. See Subscribers in Ireland.

J.

jACOsn-Es, i. 447, 547, 551 ; ii. 212, 224,
36-2, 428, 643 ; iii. 294.
Jameson, Professor William, of Glasgow,
notices of, i. 470-472 ; ii. 541 ; iii. 26 ;
his " Sum ofthe Episcopal Controversy,"
174, 472-476.
Jansenlsts, ii. 6, 7, 16, 360, 393.
Johnston, the Honourable Jaraes, notice
of, i. 433, 434.
Jurant ministers, on sitting with them in
church courts, i. 327-331; feelings of
the people against them, 328, 34.3, 351,
358, 361, 377, 378, 382, 396, 479, 487,
497, 498 ; they asperse Non-jurors, 379 ;
on elders acting with them under a pro
testation, 382, 383 ; on their employ

ment by Non-jurors at sacraments, 396,
399, 410 ; people sitting under their
ministry, under a testimony against the
Oath, recorded in session-books, 490,
495 ; mutual recrimination of Jurants
and Non-jurants, 499 ; methods for in
creasing mutual confidence and har
mony, 499, 500 ; proposed means for
removing the stumbling of the people at
Jurant ministers, 500-520 ; terras Ju
rant and Non-jurant found fault with in
General Assembly by Queen's Commis
sioner, as illegal, 557.
Jure Devoluto, overture about planting
parishes, iii. 318, 483, 484, 487, 488,
494, 495, 496.

K.

Kennedy, Rev. Gilbert, of Tullylish, his
sermon before the General Synod in
Dungannon quarrelled, iii. 81; his vin
dication of subscription, 156.
Kettle, case of Mr Meldrum's presentation
to that parish brought before the Geue
ral Assembly, ii. 189, 190, 192.
Kilpatrick, or Kirkpatrick, Rev. Mr, of
Belfast, his opposition to subscribing
Confessions of Faith, iii. 16, 83, 92-94,
161.
Kilsyth, case of a presentation to that pa
rish, and settlement without the form of
a call, i. 384, 397, 4^4.
VOL. III.

Kirk-Sessions, account of overtures on, ii.
69.3-695 ; overtures brought before the
General Assembly, iii. 533, 634 ; excite
jealousies among the elders and people,
548, 550, 554, 555, 557; defence of
the overtures, 561-566; objections to
them, 567, 568-573 ; not turned into
acts, 580.
Kirkton, Rev. James, his History, iii. 173;
his MS. Collections as to Scots Eccle
siastical History, 285.
Kirk. Treasurer of Edinburgh, warm de
bate about, i. 220.
Koclman, Rev. James, notice of, ii. 43.
2 K

514

INDEX.

L.

Lang, Rev. Mr, of Crawfordjohn, i. 149.
Langlands, Rev. Mr, i. 83.
Laud, Archbishop, his death compared to
that ofthe Saviour, i. 201.
Lauder, Rev. Mr, his vindication of the
Abjuration Oath, i. 358, 369.
Laurea, Cardinal, his Life, iii. 55.
Laurie, Rev. Mr, of Closeburn, falls into
scandal, i. 119.
Legal Preaching, iii. 247, 256, 257, 258,
259, 470.
Lesmahago, outrage at, i. 430, 431.
Leverett, President of Harvard College,
America, iii. 180.
Lhuyd, Mr Edward, notice of, i. 32.
Lindsay, Rev. William, of Dundonald,
iii. 103.
Linning, Rev. Thomas, of Lesmahago, no
tice of, i. 40, 86 ; difference between
him and his colleague, Mr Black, 480,
490, 522, 584; ii. 21, 36.

Lithuania, Synod of, ii. 645.
Liturgy, English, introduced by Green-
shields at Edinburgh, i. 68, 69 ; used in
burying the dead, 77; popular among
the gentry, 79.
Livingston, Rev. William, of Temple-Pa
trick, notice of, iii. 140.
Lochmaben, disputed settlement there
brought before the Assembly, iii. 130-
1.33, 136, 137.
Logan, Rev. Allan, notice of, i 76.
Lothian and Tweeddale, declaration of
loyalty by Non-jurant ininisters of that
synod, i. 344, 345.
Loudon, Hugh, Earl of. King's Commis
sioner to General Assembly, ii. 638 ; iii.
192, 240.
Louis XIV., his character and death, ii.
¦68, 91.
Lutheran Divines, iii. 450.
Lutherans, ii. 623.

M.

M'BaiDE, Rev. John, obliged to leave his
charge, for refusing the .Abjuration Oath,
i. 191, 192; writs issued against him,
19.3 ; his work, entitled *' Sample of Jet-
Black Prelatic Calumny," 417 ; remarks
on it, 424, 425 ; account of him, 482,
483 ; has the prospect of being impri
soned for Non-jurancy, 484 ; obliged to
hide himself, 529 ; continues a deter
mined Non-juror, ii. 47.
 Rev. Robert, of Ballymony, Ire
land, son of the preceding, misrepresen
tations of, ii. 654, 655.
M'Cormick, Rev. Mr, of St Andrews, iii.
129.
M'Cracken, Rev. Alexander, of Lisburn,
notice of, i. 29 ; his papers on the
Abjuration Oath, 174 ; obliged to leave
his charge, for refusing the Oath of Ab
juration, 191, 192; writs issued against
him, 19.3; goes to London to represent
the grievances of Irish Presbyterians,
310; imprisoned, 529; gives an ac
count of his prosecutions, 540, 541 ;
consolatory letter addressed to him, 542;
continues in prison, ii. 48 ; his death,
iii. 481.

MGregor, Robert Roy, i. 547 ; his doings
in Fifeshire during the Rebellion, ii. 115,
116; his flight frora Fife, 117, 118;
his character, 135.
Mackie, or M'Gie, his induction to the pa
rish of Balmaghie, and reception there,
i. 177 ; is rabbled at afuneral, 219; re
presentation of the case to the General
Assembly, 222.
Macknight, Rev, William, of Irvine, no
tice of, ii. 631.
M'Laren, Rev. Mr, is transported to Edin
burgh, i. 221.
.^^ — or Maclaurin, Rev. John, is trans
lated to Glasgow, ii. 676 ; a good
judge of character, iii. 98; his speeches
before the General Assembly in Mr
Simson's second process for heresy, iii.
302, 303, 404.
M'Main, Mr John, schoolmaster, notices
of, i. 87 ; ii. 684, 685 ; proposes pub
lishing M'Ward's paper on the Indul
gence, iii. 7 ; his preface to Shields'
Life, 170; his animadversions on Wod
row's History, 818-221 ; his principles,
iii. 227 ; his proposed collection of pa
pers on the Reformation, 231.

INDEX.

515

M'Millan, Rev. John, deposed by the Pres
bytery of Kirkcudbright, and joins the
Cameronians,!. 51; preaches in Wod
row's neighbourhood, 76, 178, 341,
42.3, 424, 521 ; his " Protestation," &c.,
in which he declines the authority of the
judicatories of the Established Church,
111; his case brought before the Gene
ral Assembly, 232, 233 ; and remitted
to the Commission, 235 ; Wodrow's pre
judice against him, ii. 238 ; his zeal,
274.
M'Millanites, pretended squabble of some
With officers of justice, i. 65, 66 ; di
vided araong themselves, iii. 14; dissa
tisfied with Wodrow's History, 98. See
Cameronians.
M'Neil, Mr, a preacher, joins the Camero
nians, i. 52, ill.
M'Ward, Rev. Mr, his paper on the In
dulgence, iii. 7.
Mair, Rev. George, notice of, i. 76 ; his
call to Closeburn, 119, 142, 177, 231,
234.
^—^ Rev. William, of Oyn, case of his
transportation to Kincardine, i. 142.
Maitland, Rev. James, suspended for not
keeping the thanksgiving for George L's
accession to the throne, and for not pray
ing for him, ii. 33.
—-^ — Rev. John, suspended on the same
ground with the preceding, ii. 33.
Malt- Tax, a great burden on Scotland, iii.
216; mob at Glasgow, on account of,
216, 224, 226.
Manuscript Acts of Assembly, i. 74;
Church manuscripts, ii. 307, 308.
Mar, Earl of, ii. 72-76, 85, 91, 99, 101.
Marriage, on breach of promise of, iii. 177-
179.
Marrow Controversy brought before the
General Assembly, ii. 527 ; propositions
extracted from the Marrow of Modern
Divinity condemned by the Assembly,
529, 531, 532; many are stumbled at
that act, 546; petition for repealing it,
581-584; Act of Assembly 1722, on
the Marrow doctrine, 638, 639 ; debate
about reading the papers ofthe Marrow
Men, 645; they are called before the As
sembly, 646, 648, 649 ; report ofthe sub
committee on their Representation, ii.
651 ; fear of a breach on account ofthe
Marrow doctrine, 652 ; debate about
censure to be inflicted, and the censure,
653 ; behaviour of the Marrow Men after
this, 654 ; their being suspected of Anti-

nomianism, iii. 24, 257 ; were friendly
to subscription of Confessions, 214.
Mary Queen of Scots, iii. 40, 209, 210.
Masterton, Rev. Charles, is translated to
Belfast, iii. 9 ; defends subscription of
Confessions, 10, 11, 16, 17; notice of,
159-
Mather, Cotton, D.D., notice of, i. 386,
387 ; commendation of his works, 388 ;
his interest in the Church of Scotland,
530; his publications, ii. 278, 360, 425,
458, 459, 460, 502 ; iii. 19, 20, 181, 327,
328 ; his high opinion of the Church of
Scotland, ii. 501, 502; his death, iii.
396.
^-.—^ Increase, D. D., notices of, i.
531 ; ii. 363, .364; of one of his ser
mons, 422; andsomeof his works, 457;
his death, iii. 152.
Rev. Samuel, son of Increase

Mather, his treatise (, ii. 498, 499.
Maule, Mr, Professor of Humanity, St
Andrews, his MS. volume, iii. 56, 62.
Meldrum, Mr John, his presentation to
Kettle brought before the General As
sembly, ii. 189, 190, 192.
Melville, Andrew, his conference with
King James VI. iii. 158; Wodrow's
Life of him, 166.
 James, nephew of the preceding,
Wodrow'sMS. Lifeof, iii. 1 15, 166, 168.
Menzies, Rev. Professor John, of Aber
deen, his character and declaration at his
death, ii. 221, 222, 223.
Millar, Rev. Robert, of Paisley, his His
tory of the Propagation of Christianity,
iii. 105, 154.
Miller, Mr Patrick, surgeon, i. 94.
Ministers, deaths of, ii. 27.
Mitchell, Rev. William, chosen Modera
tor of the General Assembly, i. 137 ;
his sermon at the opening of the As
sembly, 213; is again chosen Mode
rator ofthe Assembly, 550; his call to
Aberdeen, 557 ; his sermons at opening
ofthe Assembly, ii. 28, 186; one ofthe
Commissioners of the Church sent up to
Court, i. 621 ; ii. '232; is again chosen
Moderator ofthe Assembly, 254 ; his ser
mon at opening of the Assembly, iii. 44;
is again chosen Moderator of the As
sembly, 240, 290, 291 ; his death, 329.
, llev. Mr, of Lumphanan, ii. 223.
Modest Answer to Mr LInning's Letter,
i. 119.
Monis, Rabbi Judah, his baptism and char
acter, iii. 21, 22, 26; his Hebrew

516

INDEX.

letter to Wodrow, 76 ; Wodrow's reply
to it, 149-151 ; his marriage, 181 ; his
discourse at his baptism, 269.
Monktown, dispute about the settlement of
a minister there, ii. 448, 628.
Monro, Dr Alexander, notice of, i. 209.
Monthly meetings for prayer, iii. 268.
Montrose, the magistrates, gentry, and
people there, favourable to the Pretender

and Rebellion, ii. 120, 1.30, 140; out
rage on a gentleman travelling from Ar
broath to, ii. 142.
Morison, Rev. John, barbarous treatment
of, i. 216.
Muir, Rev. Archibald, of Garvald, sus
pended for scandal, &c., ii. 529, 5.30;
iii. 196, 204, 205.
Murder, shocking, ii. 253.

N.

Nairn, Rev. Mr, of Anstruther, his ser
mon before the King's Commissioner,
iii. 255.
National Covenant, i. 117; iii. 78.
 Covenants, the breach of moved
to be inserted in an act of a fast, i. 143,
145-148.
Neal, Rev. Mr, his History of New Eng
land, ii. 495.
Nevin, Rev. Thomas, of Down, opposes
subscription to Confessions of Faith, iii.
145-147, 169, 171.
Newton, Sir Isaac, supposed to incline to
Dr Clarke's opinions on the Trinity, ii.
392 ; his notion of infinite space, iii.
173, 236, 450.
Noailles, Cardinal De, ii. 7.
Non-jurancy, penalty for, and reasons for
not enforcing it, i. 323 ; registrating
lands for, iii. 117, 121.
Non-jurors, or Non-jurants, resolve to con
tinue preaching, after incurring the pe
nalty for Non-jurancy, i. 332; antici
pated prosecution of them, and advice
for escaping the penalty, 33.3, 334 ; loy
alty of Presbyterian Non-jurors, 335,
336, 337 ; ii. 477, 481, 482 ; some of
them introduce the subject of the oath in
to the pulpit, i. 340, 343, 350, 354, 365 ;
correspondence between Non-jurors, 343,
348 ; overture anent their carriage, duty,
and safety, 346-348, 351 ; summonses
of several of them, .349; remarks on
drawing up general reasons of Non-
jurancy, 363, 364 ; difference of opinion,
366 ; suggestion as to the choosing of
Non-jurors for the General Assembly,

and a Non-juror for Moderator, 379 ;
meeting of Non-jurors, 422; rumours
of extremities against them, 429; sit in
the Assembly after incurring the penal
ty, 461 ; a few of them separate from
judicatories, 486, 631 ; some of them
take the Oath of Allegiance before the
magistrates of Edinburgh, and subscribe
the Assurance, ii. 94, 95 ; doubts as to
the propriety ofthis, 96, 97, 147; Non
jurors' address to the King on the Ab
juration and declaration of loyalty, 103,
J 06, 230, 23 1 , 687, 689 ; rigorous mea
sures purposed against them, 205, 207;
Non-jurants of Fife and Perth agree
upon a form of an Oath of Allegiance
and Assurance, 411; Non-jurants after
thenew form of theoaih in 1719, ii. 449;
reasons of continued Non-jurancy, 450,
464; design of prosecuting Non-jurors,
453, 454 ; orders sent down for their
prosecution, 475, 476 ; the Squadron
blamed for their prosecution, 477 ; evil
consequences of prosecuting them, 478 ;
proposed declaration of loyalty by them,
486 ; remarks on a draught of a loyal
address by them, 492, 493 ; reluctance
of magistrates in general to prosecute
them, 510 ; the Sheriff-depute of Stir
lingshire an exception, 513; English
Government incapable of estimating
the principles of Presbyterian Non
jurors, 511.
Non-subscribers. See Subscribers.
North, character of many ministei's in, ii,
210.

O.

Old Age, reflections upon, iii. 327.
Old Deer, rabble there, at the settlement
of Mr Gordon, i. 218,226.

Old Dissenters. See Cameronians.
Osburn, Professor, of Aberdeen, his death,
i. 215.

INDEX.

517

Ouchterlonie, or Auchterlonie, Bishop, i.
223, 224.
Owen, Rev. Charles, of Warrington, an

account of his sermon in tlie Tron
Church of Edinburgh, iii. 366, 367.

P.

Paisley, Rev. John, his case of Trans
portation, i. 177; notice of, ii. 243,244.
Pastoral election, iii. 257.
Patronage, rumour of an address to Parlia
ment by nobility and gentry, for the re
storation of, i. 77 ; attempts to restore,
84 ; discussion on the subject in the Gen
eral Assembly, 225 ; design to restore
it denied by the Court, 228 ; amendment
on the bill restoring it, in the House of
Lords, 275, 277, 304 ; Representation of
the Commission of the General Assem
bly against it, 279, 280 ; the Bill passes
the Commons, 281 ; instructions from
Presbyteries against Patronage, 282 ;
Commission's procedure with regard to
it, approved by the Assembly, 295 ; As
sembly's Address on the subject, 300 ; ac
count of the passing of the bill, .304 ;
the Commission's Representation to Par
liament against it, 307 ; fears of inju
rious consequences from this bill, 370,
37], 414 ; ii. 286, 370, 371 ; complained
of as a grievance of the Church, i. 575,
576, 596 ; helped on the Rebellion, ii.
90; substitute for Patronage, 232-234;
Actof 1719, on Patronage, 276 ; iii. 204 ;
essay upon, ii. 317-341 ; fears of the
law being made more stringent, iii,
475.
Patrons in the North, complaints against, i.
278 ; their pitching on insufficient men,
iii. 139; Church courts striking in with,
14; litigious debates with, 467, 468.
Perizonius, Professor, ii. 17.
Persecuted families, several instances of
their being bettered as to their worldly
circumstances, ii. 608.
Persecuting fatnilies afterwards ruined, ii.
608.
Personal covenanting, i. 22.
Pestilence rages in some foreign parts, and
apprehensions of, in Scotland, i. 67, 69,
¦ 77.
Physician, his advantages in studying the

evidences of Divine wisdom in the human
frame, i. 95.
Pierce, Dr, iii. 173.
Pitcairn, Dr Archibald, his process against
Rev. James Webster, i. 163; consulted
as to the Pretender's health, 280; his
death and character, 437.
Planting of vacant Churches, opposition to,
by disaffected persons, i. 216.
Plenderleith, Rev. Patrick, his death and
character, ii. 3.
Pollock, Lord, (Sir John Maxwell of Pol
lock, Bart., Lord Justice- Clerk,) i. 319;
ii. 281 ; iii. 153, 469.
. Sir Robert, notice of, ii. 405.
Pontavus, Professor, ii. 13.
Popery, fears as to the restoration of, i. 78 ;
its growth in the North, 138, 139, 229,
458, 527, 559, 560; ii. 529, 584, 586;
iii. 53, 243, 259, 293, 294 ; work on,
ii. 467, 468, 500; iii. 333, 334.
Popish mass celebrated in the Canongate,
Edinburgh, ii. 640.
.^— — priests, great number of them come
to Scotland, i. 341.
Prayer, Lord's, and old forms of, disused
in Church of Scotland, iii. 493.
Prelatical Aggressions, i. 477.
Presbyterians, their sufferings from 1660-
1688, i. 207, 208, 211, 212.
Presbytery, designs of Queen Anne's Go
vernment against, i. 304.
Presentations, question as to, i. 345 ; re
marks upon, and complaints of Presby
teries going in too far with them, 362,
363 ; duty of the Church in reference
to, 380, 381 ; probationers' acceptance
of presentations exclaimed against in
General Assembly, iii. 295, 488, 489.
Pretender, his illness, i. 275, 284; his
designed invasion of Scotland, ii. 70,
71 ; proclaimed in various parts of Scot
land, 74, 85.
Providences, reraarkable, i. 239, 240, 409,
416 ; ii. 244.

518

INDEX.

Q.

Quakers, i. 90.
Queries as to Foreign Churches.
Churches abroad.

See

Quesnel, Paschasius, a priest of the Ora
tory, ii. 6, 7,

R.

Rabbles in England, i. 138.
Rabbling of Presbyterian ministers and
Presbyteries at ordinations, i. 571.
Ramsay, Rev. Mr, i. 83.
Reasons of Non-jurors in Ireland, i. 158-
16-2.
Rebellion in 1715, coramencement of, ii.
67, 70, 7 1, 72 ; proceedings of the re
bels, 73-75, 112, 118, 120, 121, 1.32-
135 ; progress of the Rebellion, 85-87 ;
causes of, 89, 90 ; inhumanity and bar
barities of the rebels, 93, 113, 136-138;
conduct of the clergy in Angus and
Mearns during the Rebellion, 123; they
exercise discipline towards those concern
ed in, 123, 124, 127, 128, 14.3, 144;
Established ministers hostile to the Re
bellion, 126; state of the country after,
129-131; apprehension of rebels, 143,
146; general account of the Ilebellion,
154-156; state to which the leading re
bels were reduced, 166 ; the General
Assembly addresses the King on the sup
pression of the Rebellion, 172; debate in
ihe Assembly whether the Duke of Ar
gyle should be named in the Address,
178-180, 201, 202; debate about adding
General Cadogan in the Address, 185,

186, 201, 202; lenity of Governraent to
the rebels, 282; another Rebellion pro
jected, 355-357 ; it is defeated, 461;
another projected, 644, 647.
Reformers, Scotch, their preference of the
worship and discipline of Geneva, i. 39.
Renwick, Rev. James, his Life, i. 51, 86-
88.
Revolution settlement of religion, i. 128.
Riddel, Rev. Mr, writs issued against, i.
193.
Ridpath, Mr George, i. 209, 210 ; suggests
improvements on Wodrow's History, ii.
290-294 ; his death, iii. 239, 285.
Roell, Rev. Herman Alexander, his opi
nions, ii. 7, 17, 353.
Ross, Lord William, notice of, ii. 413, 414.
 Mr Andrew, Professor of Humanity
in the College of Glasgow, iii. 215.
Rothes, Earl of, King's Commissioner to
the General Assembly, ii. 29, 165, 254,
376, 443, 524, 578; his death, 640,
641, 642; iii. 1.
Royal grants to the Church, iii. 140, 192,
193, 224, 225, 226, 244, 245.
Ruling Elders. See Elders.
Rymer, Mr Thomas, ii. 55.

Saoheverel, Dr Henry, his zeal and in
fluence, i. 192.
Sacramental Test, ii. 157; iii. 456.
Schism and Occasional Acts, repeal of, ii.
420.
Scotland, state of religion there after the
Revolution, i 47-49 ; unsettled state of
public affairs both in Church and State,
544546.
Scots Worthies, their distinguishing excel
lence, iii. 67 ; remarkable parts of their
History, 229, 230.

Scott, Rev. William, of Coupar, his Apo
logetical Narration, iii. 170.
Scottish Episcopalian Bishops, the Usages
debated among, iii. 97; their descent,
156.
' Clergy, Anti-jacobitism of, ii. 19,
102.
Scrimgeour, Mr, Professor of Divinity in
St Andrews, ii. 453; is suspended by a
royal visitation, 586.
Secret Committee, ii. 32.
Semple, Rev. Gabriel, of Libberton,

INDEX.

519

his History, i. 98, 99; ii. 293, 311,
312.
Septennial Parliaments, bill for introducing,
ii. 196.
Sermons, reading of, discussed in Assembly,
iii. 489.
Sharp, Archbishop, anecdote of, i. 439;
Life of, iii. 61, 63.
Sheriffmuir, battle of, ii. 99.
Shields, Rev. Alexander, joins the Revolu
tion Church, i. 40 ; a preacher araong
the Cameronians, 51 ; his Life of Ren
wick, 86-88.
Shrewsberry, the Duke of, i. 138.
Sibbald, Sir Robert, notice of, i. 171, 172.
Sievwright, Mr, his Remonstrance to the
clergy, iii. 491.
Silesia, Churches of, i. 137.
Simson, Rev. Patrick, notice of, i. 14, 15;
ii. 243.
^— ^ Rev. Professor John, i. 251 ; his
tenets, ii. 1 ; Mr Hog publishes against
him, 3 ; his first process for heresy be
fore the General Assembly, 31, 34, 38,
39, 158, 17.3-178, 180, 181, 186-188,
203, 256-269, 691-693; his conduct
after the termination of his process, 272 ;
Tumours of his denying the Supreme
Deity of Christ, iii. 234, 2.35, 238; his
case again brought before the General
Assembly of 1726, 242, 244 ; it is re
mitted to a Committee of Assembly and
the Presbytery of Glasgow, 245-248;
his letter to the Presbytery of Glasgow,
260, 261, 268; teaches that the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit, are not numeri
cally the same in substance, 272 ; pro
ceedings of Presbytery of Glasgow and
Assembly's Committee in his case, 27.3-
281; his violence and ill temper, 282;
his paper given in to Glasgow Presby
tery, 283, 284 ; the libel put into his
hands, 286 ; his defences and examina
tion of witnesses, 288, 289 ; his case
before the Assembly of 1727, 296-320 ;
has friends at Court, 321 ; the concern
his case excited among the religious
people, 333 ; proceedings of the Com
mittee for Purity of Doctrine, 336 ; his
case comes before the Assembly of 1728,
3.39-395 ; is sent down to Presbyteries,
397-410 ; plurality of Presbyteries are
for his deposition, 414; his case before
the Assembly of 17-29,415-446; what
led hira into his errors, 447; suspected
intrigues to repone him, 459, 469, 471,
473, 474, 477, 478 ; General Assem
bly vindicated from the charge of per

secution in his case, 461, 462, 464;
not restored, 4.67.
Sins of ignorance, i. 26-28.
Skinner, Rev. Blr, Episcopal minister of
Brechin, his deposition, i. 80, 82, 83.
Smith, Rev. Hugh, of Eastwood, iii. 87.
— — — Rev, Mr, of Cramond, intention to
translate him to Edinburgh, iii. 10 ;
chosen Moderator of the General As
sembly, 44, 53; his sermon at opening
of the Assembly, 123; his appearance
before the Assembly, 130, 131, J 38,
383, 390 ; again chosen Moderator of
Assembly, 486.
Mr Samuel, merchant in Belfast,

iii. 16, 17.
Snell, Mr, ii. 165.
Society for Propagating Christian Know
ledge, i. 6, 72, 73, 98, 99, 324, 325.
 for Propagating Christian Know
ledge in the Highlands and Islands, iii.
20, 21.
Spence, Mr Nicol, ii. 608.
Spotswood, Archbishop, his History, ii.
313, 630 ; iii. 88, 169.
Sprat, Dr Thomas, Bishop of Rochester,
ii. 45.
Squadrone Volante, ii. 88, 172, 182, 201,
207, 277.
State of religion in Wodrow's bounds, i.
50-59.
Steedman, Bev. Mr, his last sermon, and
death, i. 446.
Steele, Sir Richard, his work on the State
ofthe Roman Catholic Religion, &c.,
ii. 77-81, 161.
Steuart, Walter, Esq , of Pardovan, i.
308; ii. 382,463; iii. 86.
Stewart, Sir Jaraes, Lord Advocate of
Scotland, deprived of his office, i. 18 ;
notice of, 19; his death and character,
446, 448, 449, 452, 455; mistake con
cerning him in Echard's History of Eng
land, ii. 617.
 Sir James, Bait, son of the pre
ceding, notice of, ii. 42.
. Professor Robert, notice of, i.
17.
, Rev. William, of Kiltearn, his
sermon before the King's Commissioner,
iii. 342 ; his speech in Mr Simson's
second process, 376.
_^— Rev. Andrew, iii. 164.
Stirling, Rev. James, of Barony, severe
animadversions on his conduct as to the
Abjuration Oath, ii. 455, 456 ; his char
acter, 594, 596.
_— — ^ Rev. Principal John, notice of,

520

INDEX.

ii. 160, 161 ; his sermon before the
King's Commissioner, 377 ; his death,
iii. 3s;9.
Subscribers and Non-subscribers in Eng
land, ii. 675; iii. 14, 20, 187, 22.3, 275,
466.
— — — and Non-subscribers in Ireland, ii.
597, 602, 631, 632-6.37, 666; iii. 15,
16, 20, 56-63, 71-73, 92, 93, 122, 141,

142, 145-147, 162, 171, 172, 187, 214,
223, 466.
Subscribers and Non-subscribers in Ame
rica, iii. 466.
Subscription, practice as to, in Scotland,
before the Restoration, and during the
persecution, iii. 84, 85 ; re-subscription,
237.
Sutherland, Lord, ii. 168.

Taylor, Rev.' Mr, excommunicated by
the General Assembly, ii. 266 ; conti
nues preaching, 274 ; iii. 14.
.^— . — Rev. Abraham, D. D., notice of,
iii. 446, 449, 484, 485.
Telfer, Rev. Mr, his wild sermon before
the King's Commissioner, iii. 465.
Thanksgiving day appointed by Govern
ment forthe peace with France, 1713,
reasons for not observing it, i. 461-470;
not observed generally throughout the
Church of Scotland, 477 ; not generally
observed by the Episcopal party, 478,
535, 536 ; thanksgiving day for the sup
pression ofthe Rebellion, ii. 167, 176.
Theology in Scotland, in what manner
taught, iii. 18.3.
Thomson, Rev. James, of Elgin, his ser
mon before the Queen's Commissioner,
i. 29.3.
Tindal, Mr, tho Deist, iii. 470, 471.
Toleration of Episcopalians — . Episcopal
clergy address the Court for, i. 77 ; is
granted, 276, 279 ; General Assembly

address against, 280, 300 ; instructions
from Presbyteries against, 282 ; Com
mission's procedure with regard to,
295, .302 ; reasons of Presbyterians* op
position to, 302 ; bishops and their de
pendants against the bill granting the,
303 ; complained of as a grievance of
the Church, 573, 574, 593 ; ii. 286 ; iii.
295 ; contributed to the Rebellion, ii.
89, 90, 163.
Trail, Rev. Robert, of London, his Preface
to Mr Guthrie's Saving Interest, i. 97,
605; ii. 161, 162; iii. 286.
— — Rev. William, of Boithwick, ii.
119, 144, 14.5.
— — — Rev. William, son of the preceding,
ii. 119. Rev. James, also son of Mr Trail

of Borthwick, ii. 19; put out of his
charge during the Rebellion, 120, 122,
126-128; his death, iii. 4.3.
Transportations, act against them, from the
Highland parishes, iii. 257, 258.

U.

Union of Scotland with England, oppo
sition to, by all parties in Scotland, i.
41, 42, 64, 67; proposal for dissolution
of, 46 1 ; a motion to that effect in the
Plouse of Lords, 478 ; " Reasons for
dissolving the Union," 491 ; the source
of many of the Church's grievances,
57.3, 698, 599; supposed advantages of
its dissolution, 600; Jacobite address for

dissolution of, 63.3, 636-638 ; ii. 19,
21 ; remarks on a forraer treaty of, ii.
277.
Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow,
private quarrel between, i. 17.
Upton, Colonel, iii. 37, 39, 71-7.3, 211.
Usages introduced among the Episco-
palians, iii. 70, 90, 97.
Usagers, iii. 156.

INDEX.

521

V.

Veitch, Rev. William, of Dumfries, notices
of,i. 376;ii. 234-236.

Veitch, Rev. Ebenezer, son ofthe preced
ing, ii. 235.
Voetians, ii. 5, 6, 14, 18, 352.

W.

Wadsworth, Rev. Mr, President of Har
vard College, America, iii. 269.
Walker, Rev. John, his History of the
Persecution, ii. 395.
——— Mr Patrick, his character and
writings, iii. 2, 230, 254.
Warden, Rev. John, of Gargunnock, no
tice of, ii. 400, 401 ; a middle man in
the Marrow Controversy, 538, 557, 559,
560, 668, 669; his Diary, 686; his
work on Baptism, iii. 166.
Warner, Rev. Patrick, notice of, i. 20,
21 ; his death, iii. 153.
Warriston, Lord, his Diary, iii. 239, 286.
Waterland, Dr, writes against Arianism,
ii. 675 ; iii. 470.
Watts,-Dr Isaac, his work on the Trinity,
ii. 675; in favour of communion with
Arians, iii. 170, 174, 454, 470.
Webster, Eev. James, notice of, i. 163,
164; tables his complaint against Pro
fessor Simson before the Presbytery of
Glasgow, 685, 586 ; his process against
Simson, ii. 173, 176, 176, 203, 256,
260, 261 ; continues a Non-juror to
the last, 454, 516, 617; his death,
iii. 2.
Whetham, General, ii. 100, 102.
Whiston, Professor William, notice of, ii.
77, 78,426; iii. 262.
White, Eev. James, of Maryculter, ii.
225.
 — Eev. Jeremy, his MS. History of
the Sufferings of Non-conformists, ii.
544, 545.
Widows' and Orphans' Fund, ii. 218, 219,
242, 378, 396.
Wigglesworth, Eev. Edward, D.D., iii.
182, 183, 457.
Wightman, General, ii. 100, 102.
Williams, Dr Daniel, notice of, ii. 167.
Williamson, Eev. David, account of his
death, i. 444-446.
 Rev. John, son of the preceding,
notice of, i. 369.
VOL. III.

WilUson, Eev. John, of Dundee, his ap
pearance in General Assembly against
legal doctrine, iii. 247; his sermon
before the King's Commissioner, 255;
his speech in Assembly in Simson's case,
429.
Wilson, Eev. Gabriel, is prosecuted before
the General Assembly for the Marrow
doctrine, iii. 42, 45, 46, 53-55, 254 ;
his commission to the Assembly, 194,
211 242.
 ' Eev. William, ii. 228-230.
Wishart, Eev. William, Principal ofthe Col
legeof Edinburgh, i. 275; chosen Mode
rator of the General Assembly, 449;
his sermon at opening of Assembly,
549 ; again chosen Moderator of the
Assembly, ii. 375, 444; again chosen
Moderator of Assembly, iii. 124, 193;
again chosen Moderator of Assembly,
338.
^— — Eev. William, son of the preced
ing, iii. 481.
Witchcraft, ii. 505.
Wodrow, Eev. Eobert, notice of, i. preface ;
iii. do. ; opposed to the Union of Scotland
with England, 41, 567 ; a Non-juror, 253-
268, &c. ; employs at communions Jurant
ministers, 489 ; his loyalty, ii. 247, 415,
416; his objections to the new form of
the Oath in 1719, 432, 480-484, 487-
490 ; resolves to continue in the exer
cise of his rainistry after incurring the
penalty of Non-jurancy, 485 ; solicits
legal advice, 491 ; his opposition to
patronage, 248; first allusions to his
History, 496, 639, 623, 624 ; labour it
required, 374; account of its composi
tion, 219, 296-299; solicits the cor
rections and amendments of his friends,
386, 434-437 ; Proposals of the work,
438, 439; printing of it, 403, 469-472;
his facilities and difficulties in writing
it, 495, 496 ; his own estimate of it,
541, 542 ; its dedication to the King,
2 L

522

INDEX.

645, 656, 674, 675 ; its presentation to
the King, Prince, and Princess, 587,
592, 603, 668 ; its reception by Jaco
bites, 594, 625, 663 ; by Cameronians,
iii. 63, 219 ; exceptions taken to it, 619,
626, 670; Bruce's attacks upon it, ii. 640,
643 ; iii. 64, 65 ; it is favourably received
in England, ii. 628, 629; iii. 13; and
in America, 18, 24 ; royal donation for
it, ii. 679-682 ; iii. 191, 206, 207 ; induce
ments to write it, ii. 49, 309, 310, 598,
599; his Scots Biography, 236, 237,
244, 245 ; iii. 63, 68 ; what suggested
his writing it, 99, 100, 166; his inquiries
for information, 102, 109, 110, 323;
his Father's Life, 102, 116, 163; his
process of transportation to Stirling, ii.
28 1 ; is opposed to the Marrow men,
584, 585, 597, 664, 665 ; failure of his

health, iii. 215, 228; Cotton Mather's
eulogium on him, 222 ; is chosen a
corresponding raember of the Society for
Propagating Christian Knowledge, 324 ;
his personal and family concerns, 330,
331, 413; death of his eldest son,
472.
Wood, Rev. James, Professor of Divinity,
St Andrews, iii. 34, 36.
Woolston, Mr, the infidel, iii. 463.
Worcester, Bishop of, ii. 43.
Wraith, freakish, i. 443.
Wright, Eev. William, of Kilmarnock, his
call to Glasgow, i. 120; notice of, ii.
387, 618.
Wylie, Eev. Eobert, of Hamilton, notice
of, i. 113, 114; his charge against Mr
Foyer, 120 ; notes of one of his ser
mons, 344, 350 ; his death, ii, 21.

Y.

YOOL, Mr, his heretical opinions, i. 492-
494.

Yule vacance, i. 303, 371, 601.

Z.

Zeigenbalg, Eev. Bartholomew, Danish missionary, ii. 427.

KDINBDKOH PRI.NTiNO OOMPAXY, aOUTU ST DAVID 8TREKT.

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